Integrated Cooling and Degassing System for Heat Transfer Pumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling and degassing systems for heat transfer pumps face challenges such as gas accumulation leading to mechanical seal failure, thermal overload, and increased maintenance costs due to external venting and piping requirements, especially when using high-temperature heat transfer oils.

Innovation Solution

A compact cooling and degassing system with a centrifugal design that integrates a gas separator and spiral groove to discharge gases within the normal pump flow, eliminating the need for external filling and venting, and utilizing a circulation flow to absorb and dissipate heat while separating gas and liquid phases by density difference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate collection space and external venting system are arranged in pumps to collect and dispose of escaping gases, then gas removal capability is improved, but device complexity and piping requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas removal capabilityVSAvoidpiping requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the gas separator with the pump housing to form an integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate external venting systems and complex piping. The gas separator is positioned to receive gases directly from the mechanical seal chamber through internal passages, merging multiple functions (pumping, sealing, gas separation) into a single compact device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If thermal oil systems are heated quickly to raise system temperature, then productivity is improved, but gas accumulation increases causing flow break

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidflow continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gas separator is pre-positioned and connected to the mechanical seal chamber before operation begins. This allows gases to be continuously removed from the sealing space throughout the heating process, preventing gas accumulation that would otherwise cause flow interruptions during rapid heating operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If permanent ventilation of the mechanical seal space is implemented, then gas removal is improved, but heat loss and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas removalVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gas separator creates a localized gas removal system that targets only the mechanical seal chamber where gases are generated. This localized approach removes gases efficiently without requiring continuous ventilation of the entire pump housing, thereby minimizing heat loss and energy consumption while maintaining reliable gas removal from the critical sealing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances operational reliability and reduces costs by preventing gas accumulation, minimizing thermal overload, and eliminating the need for external interventions, thereby extending mechanical seal life and simplifying system construction.

Implementation Method 1

a turbine designed as delivery grooves 2 of a shaft sleeve 17 is set in rotation. The conveying grooves 2 generate a permanent circulation flow through a pressure build-up and convey a heat carrier in the integrated cooling circuit of the system via a sealing chamber 6 of the pump and a connected cooler 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the centrifuge is designed in the form of an elongate sleeve which is slipped onto the shaft of the pump and is provided with an outer spiral groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

separating gas and liquid phases by density difference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity difference separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 4

the centrifuge is designed in the form of an elongate sleeve which is slipped onto the shaft of the pump and is provided with an outer spiral groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpiral flow transport: Archimedes Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3061974B1Cooling and degassing system for a heat transfer pump
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 DICKOW PUMPEN
  • EP3061974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3061974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3061974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Cooling and degassing system for a heat transfer pump (1), comprising: a cooler (3), a turbine (2) for generating a circulation flow and conveying a heat transfer fluid through a sealing chamber (6) of the pump and the cooler (3), a gas separator (11), a centrifuge (15, 17) downstream of the gas separator for separating gas and heat transfer fluid, a conveying device (15) for discharging the gas from the pump (1).