Cryogenic Pump Vapor Layer Standpipe Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pumps operating at cryogenic temperatures face heat transfer issues due to moving components generating heat, which can cause liquefied natural gas to gasify prematurely, disrupting pump and engine operation, and existing solutions require large containers and are costly.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a manifold with a jacket forming an enclosure in fluid communication, a standpipe extending into the enclosure, and a vapor layer maintained around the pumping mechanism to reduce heat transfer, using a single chamber configuration that minimizes space and cost while maintaining a strategic vapor layer to inhibit heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a gas chamber is positioned above the pumps to reduce heat transfer, then heat transfer to the liquid fuel is reduced, but the container size increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the pump housing into two separate chambers: a liquid chamber containing the pumps and a gas chamber containing the gas fuel. These chambers are connected via a connecting line, allowing the system to reduce heat transfer to liquid fuel while maintaining a compact overall structure through spatial segmentation rather than requiring a single large container
Solution Approach 2:
The gas chamber is positioned to surround the liquid chamber in a nested configuration, with the connecting line allowing communication between chambers. This nested arrangement reduces the overall container volume compared to separate chambers while still providing thermal isolation benefits
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a gas chamber is positioned above the pumps to reduce heat transfer, then heat transfer to the liquid fuel is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is segmented into liquid and gas chambers that can be manufactured as integrated components of a single pump assembly, reducing the need for separate large containers and complex packaging arrangements, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while still achieving thermal isolation
3Productivity
If pumps operate at cryogenic temperatures, then liquid natural gas can be pumped, but heat from moving components causes premature gasification
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into a liquid chamber where cryogenic pumping occurs and a gas chamber that provides thermal isolation. The connecting line allows controlled interaction between chambers while maintaining temperature stability in the liquid chamber, enabling pumping operation without premature gasification
Solution Approach 2:
The gas chamber acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the external environment and the liquid fuel in the liquid chamber. This intermediate gas-filled space reduces heat transfer to the cryogenic fuel, maintaining its liquid state during pumping operations
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
The vapor layer effectively reduces heat transfer to the cryogenic fluid, preventing premature gasification and improving pump efficiency, while the single-chamber design enhances packaging and reduces costs.
Implementation Method 1
A vapor layer is maintained around a base of the pumping mechanism during operation... The vapor layer effectively reduces heat transfer to the cryogenic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A pump is disclosed having a manifold with an inlet, a pressure outlet, and a return outlet. The pump may also have a jacket connected to an end of the manifold to create an enclosure that is in fluid communication with the inlet of the manifold, and at least one pumping mechanism extending from the manifold into the jacket. The at least one pumping mechanism may have an inlet open to the enclosure and an outlet in communication with the pressure outlet of the manifold. The pump may further have a standpipe extending from the manifold into the enclosure. The standpipe may be in communication with the return outlet of the manifold.