Fluid control system having a gas separating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid control systems with liquid pumps face performance loss or failure when encountering gases, as existing systems are unable to effectively separate and manage gases within the liquid flow, leading to partial or total loss of pump performance.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control system incorporating a vortex separator, eductor, and accumulator, which separates gases from the fluid using passive components without additional power sources, allowing the fluid pump to operate efficiently by entraining and storing non-condensable gases, thereby preventing gas-related performance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a liquid pump is used to transport fluid, then fluid transport efficiency is improved, but pump performance is degraded when gas is present in the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the two-phase fluid into separate gas and liquid phases using a cyclone separator. The separator divides the incoming mixture into a gas phase (exiting through the upper outlet) and a liquid phase (exiting through the lower outlet), allowing the pump to receive only liquid and maintain optimal performance while still enabling high overall fluid transport efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclone separator extracts the gas phase from the two-phase mixture before it reaches the pump. By removing the gas component through the upper outlet of the separator, the system prevents gas from entering the pump, thereby maintaining pump reliability and performance while continuing to transport the liquid phase efficiently
2Reliability
If a gas separation system is added to separate gas from liquid, then pump reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone separator replaces complex mechanical gas separation systems (such as those requiring moving parts, valves, or active control mechanisms) with a passive centrifugal separation device. The separator uses the cyclonic motion of the two-phase fluid to achieve gas-liquid separation through centrifugal force, eliminating the need for additional power sources or complex mechanical components while ensuring reliable pump operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inherent pneumatic and hydraulic properties of the two-phase fluid itself to drive the separation process. The high-velocity two-phase fluid enters the cyclone separator and uses its own kinetic energy and density differences to create centrifugal separation, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex mechanical actuation systems
3Reliability
If passive components without moving parts are used, then system reliability is improved, but gas separation capability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone separator induces strong rotational motion (a form of mechanical vibration) in the incoming two-phase fluid. This cyclonic rotation creates centrifugal forces that effectively separate gas and liquid phases based on density differences, achieving high gas separation capability without requiring moving parts or external power sources, thereby maintaining system reliability
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 system effectively separates and stores gases, ensuring reliable operation of the fluid pump in zero or low gravity environments without external vents, reducing the risk of fluid leakage and enhancing system reliability by using passive components that do not require moving parts or active controls.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex separator, a fluid pump, an eductor, and an accumulator. The vortex separator has a fluid inlet arranged to receive a fluid
Implementation Method 2
separates gases from the fluid using passive components
Implementation Method 3
The eductor has a first eductor inlet fluidly connected to the pump outlet, a second eductor inlet fluidly connected to the second fluid outlet, and an eductor outlet
Implementation Method 4
The accumulator has an accumulator inlet fluidly connected to the eductor outlet and an accumulator outlet fluidly connected to the fluid inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control system includes a vortex separator, a fluid pump, an eductor, and an accumulator. The vortex separator has a fluid inlet arranged to receive a fluid, a first fluid outlet arranged output a first phase of the fluid, and a second fluid outlet arranged to output at least one of a non-condensable gas and a second phase of the fluid. The fluid pump has a pump outlet and a pump inlet that is fluidly connected to the first fluid outlet. The eductor has a first eductor inlet fluidly connected to the pump outlet, a second eductor inlet fluidly connected to the second fluid outlet, and an eductor outlet. The accumulator has an accumulator inlet fluidly connected to the eductor outlet and an accumulator outlet fluidly connected to the fluid inlet.