Ejector Device Helical Flow Momentum Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ejector devices face limitations in achieving high compression of suction fluids, particularly gases, due to limited momentum and kinetic energy transfer from the motive fluid, which restricts their usefulness in applications requiring high-pressure pumping.
Innovation Solution
The design of an ejector device with a flow-modifying arrangement that includes a rotational deflector element and a baffle element, which deflects the motive fluid into a helical path and creates contra-rotating secondary flows, enhancing the break-up of the motive fluid flow and improving the transfer of momentum and kinetic energy to the suction fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a conventional ejector device is used with a simple injector portion, then the device structure remains simple, but the compression of suction fluid is limited due to insufficient momentum transfer from motive fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The injector portion is segmented into multiple functional elements: a nozzle portion for motive fluid acceleration, a suction fluid inlet portion, and a diffuser portion. Additionally, the flow-modifying arrangement divides the motive fluid flow into multiple streams using deflector elements, creating contra-rotating secondary flows that enhance mixing and momentum transfer to the suction fluid, thereby improving compression without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector elements and baffle element act as intermediary components that modify the motive fluid flow pattern. These intermediaries create contra-rotating secondary flows that facilitate more effective momentum and kinetic energy transfer from the motive fluid to the suction fluid, serving as a bridge between the two fluid streams and enhancing the compression process
2Loss of energy
If the motive fluid flow is kept as a single coherent jet, then the device structure is simpler, but the transfer of kinetic energy to suction fluid is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-modifying arrangement dynamically breaks up the coherent motive fluid jet into multiple streams that rotate in opposite directions. This dynamic flow pattern creates intense mixing and turbulence, significantly enhancing the transfer of kinetic energy from the motive fluid to the suction fluid. The contra-rotating nature of the secondary flows maximizes energy transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector elements introduce rotational motion and secondary flows in directions perpendicular to the main axial flow. This adds dimensional complexity to the flow pattern, creating contra-rotating vortices that enhance mixing and energy transfer. The baffle element further modifies this three-dimensional flow structure to optimize kinetic energy transfer
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 configuration leads to increased compression of the suction fluid and improved pumping characteristics, with lower momentum losses and enhanced efficiency, allowing for more effective high-pressure fluid pumping.
Implementation Method 1
at least one rotational deflector element constructed and arranged to deflect motive fluid into a helical path as it moves over or through the rotational deflector element
Implementation Method 2
creating contra-rotating secondary flows, enhancing the break-up of the motive fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
the motive and suction fluids are mixed, and this results in a transfer of momentum and thus kinetic energy from the motive fluid to the suction fluid
Implementation Method 4
transfer of momentum and thus kinetic energy from the motive fluid to the suction fluid
Implementation Method 5
the diffuser portion provides a fluid conduit in the form of a Venturi tube, in which, passing from the inlet aperture 52 of the diffuser portion 50 towards an outlet aperture 54 thereof, a diameter of the conduit initially decreases
Implementation Method 6
accompanied by a reduction in the flow velocity of the combined fluids and an increase in the pressure of the suction fluid phase
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector device (1), e.g., for pumping a gas using a liquid motive fluid, has an injector portion (100), and a diffuser portion (50), the injector portion (100) being arranged for injecting a flow of motive fluid from a motive fluid inlet (10) into an inlet section (52) of the diffuser portion (50) thereby to draw a suction fluid from a suction fluid inlet (20) into the inlet section (52) of the diffuser portion (50). The injector portion (100) includes a flow-modifying arrangement with at least one rotational deflector element (104), e.g., three vanes (104V1, 104V2, 104V3) each at a desired twist angle, constructed and arranged to deflect motive fluid into a helical path as it moves over or through the rotational deflector element (104), and at least one baffle element (103), e.g., a baffle plate (103), downstream of the rotational deflector element (104).