Cryogenic Liquid Turbine Insulation and Diffuser Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic liquid turbines face issues such as significant cold loss, flow loss at the impeller outlet, and difficulties in orientation and installation due to exposed low-temperature liquid, high flow velocity, and complex structural configurations.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic liquid turbine design featuring a rotor with thrust journal bearings, a nozzle assembly with a cold barrier structure, and a diffuser pipe to reduce cold loss and flow velocity, along with improved axial orientation and installation features, including a triangular polygon shaft and adjustable nozzle vane mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the nozzle chassis is directly exposed to air on one side and low temperature liquid refrigerant on the other side, then the liquid expander can be结构简单 (simple structure), but the cold loss through the nozzle chassis becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulation layer as an intermediary substance between the nozzle chassis and the external environment. This insulation layer acts as a thermal barrier that blocks heat transfer from the ambient air to the cold liquid refrigerant, thereby reducing cold loss while maintaining the simple structural design of the nozzle chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a thermally isolated environment around the cold components by using insulation materials that prevent thermal interaction with the external air. This effectively creates a thermal 'inert' environment that protects the cold liquid refrigerant from unwanted heat gain, reducing cold loss without complicating the basic structure.
2Device complexity
If the impeller outlet directly discharges high-velocity media without deceleration devices, then the structure is simple, but the flow loss is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diffuser as an intermediary component between the impeller outlet and the discharge. The diffuser acts as a flow transition device that gradually reduces the velocity of the high-velocity media while converting kinetic energy into pressure energy, thereby reducing flow loss without significantly complicating the overall structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle adjusting mechanism passes through the nozzle chassis, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the cold loss increases and the mechanism cannot operate normally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nozzle adjusting mechanism from the nozzle chassis by providing a separate access path. The adjusting mechanism is relocated to be accessible from the end face of the nozzle chassis rather than passing through it, dividing the structure into functional zones that maintain thermal isolation while preserving adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of the adjusting mechanism access from an axial passage through the nozzle chassis to an end-face access. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the mechanism to be adjusted without penetrating the thermal barrier of the nozzle chassis, eliminating the cold loss issue while maintaining adjustability.
4Device complexity
If the turbine rotor and generator rotor are coaxial, then the structure is compact, but the volume of the complete machine is relatively large and only appropriate for large flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the turbine rotor within the generator rotor structure, with the turbine rotor positioned inside the generator rotor's magnetic circuit. This nested arrangement allows both rotors to share the same central axis and space, reducing the overall machine volume while maintaining the coaxial structural compactness, making the turbine suitable for small and medium flow rates.
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 design effectively reduces cold loss, enhances energy efficiency, and simplifies the orientation and installation of the turbine, leading to reduced power consumption and improved performance in low-temperature air separation and liquefied gas processes.
Implementation Method 1
two thrust journal bearings; the first thrust journal bearing is used for supporting the shaft so as to enable rotation of the shaft in a left-to-right direction, and the second thrust journal bearing is used for承受ing axial and radial loads generated by rotation of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a cold barrier structure, wherein the volute is placed in a cold box and an insulating pad is arranged between the volute and the machine housing
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser pipe to reduce flow velocity at the impeller outlet
Implementation Method 4
the cryogenic liquid turbine can effectively suppress vaporization, avoid the destruction generated by cavitation and the irreversible loss of the energy of high-pressure liquefied gases, and use high-level pressure head recovered to generate electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic liquid turbine is provided, wherein, impeller end of the rotor and nozzle assembly are received into cavity of volute, and main part of the volute is put into perlite cold box; insulation pad is used between the volute and machine housing to insulate heat; impeller outlet is connected to diffuser pipe. A nozzle assembly is connected to the machine housing by a nozzle compression flange; a nozzle compression plate adjusts a compactness of nozzle vanes by a disc spring; a nozzle turntable is connected on a nozzle chassis, and adjusts the nozzle vane stagger angle by adjusting mechanism passing through the volute; impeller shroud side seal is axially fixed on the nozzle compression flange, and a shaft seal is axially fixed to a seal gas part; the seal gas part and an oil seal are axially fixed to the machine housing by a bolt.