Helical Flow Modifier for Cyclonic Pipeline Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow of abrasive and particulate-filled materials through pipelines leads to surface erosion, head losses, uneven erosion patterns, and increased energy consumption due to laminar flow profiles, which result in costly maintenance and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A material flow modifier that transforms laminar flow into a rotational or cyclonic flow profile by using an interior tubular body with expanding cross-sectional areas and surrounding helical passages, centralizing flow and reducing friction, thereby maintaining particulates in suspension and enhancing flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If laminar flow profile is used in material flow conduit, then flow velocity is maintained, but friction at the surface increases head loss and heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow profile parameter from conventional laminar flow to rotational flow by introducing a rotational flow modifier device. This device generates circumferential velocity components that transform the parabolic velocity distribution into a rotational flow pattern, reducing surface friction and head loss while maintaining flow velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pumping system that directly pushes material through the pipeline with a rotational flow mechanism. The rotational flow modifier device creates a vortex flow pattern that reduces direct contact between the material and pipe wall, substituting the mechanical pushing action with a rotational transport mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If laminar flow profile is used in material flow conduit, then flow is stable, but surface friction increases heating of the flowable material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow profile parameter from conventional laminar flow to rotational flow by introducing a rotational flow modifier device. This device generates circumferential velocity components that transform the parabolic velocity distribution into a rotational flow pattern, reducing surface friction and head loss while maintaining flow velocity.
3Productivity
If conventional piping is used for abrasive materials, then material flow is achieved, but erosion of the material flow conduit occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pumping system that directly pushes material through the pipeline with a rotational flow mechanism. The rotational flow modifier device creates a vortex flow pattern that reduces direct contact between the material and pipe wall, substituting the mechanical pushing action with a rotational transport mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational flow modifier device acts as an intermediary between the pumped material and the pipeline wall. It creates a rotational flow pattern that keeps abrasive materials suspended in the center of the pipe, preventing direct contact with the pipe wall and thereby reducing erosion.
4Productivity
If higher pumping pressures are utilized to mitigate head loss, then flow rate increases, but energy consumption and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow profile parameter from conventional laminar flow to rotational flow by introducing a rotational flow modifier device. This device generates circumferential velocity components that transform the parabolic velocity distribution into a rotational flow pattern, reducing surface friction and head loss while maintaining flow velocity.
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 rotational flow profile increases flow rate, reduces wear on pipeline surfaces, decreases energy consumption, and prevents particulates from settling, leading to more uniform flow and reduced maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of helical passage bodies each surround and extend along a length of the interior tubular body. Each of the helical passage bodies defines a helical passage therein extending along a length thereof.
Implementation Method 2
The central passage of the interior tubular body expands along a length thereof from a smallest cross-sectional area at or near (i.e., adjacent) an inlet of the interior tubular body to a largest cross-sectional area at or near an outlet of the interior tubular body.
Implementation Method 3
due to centrifugal force, heavier solids and particulates are generally thrown to the outside wall as the flowable material changes direction and tend to continually scour the outer wall.
Data Source
AI summary
Material flow modifiers as disclosed herein overcome drawbacks associated with known adverse flow conditions (e.g., surface erosion, head losses, particulate drop-out, and the like) that arise from flow of certain types of materials (e.g., fluids, slurries, particulates, flowable aggregate, and the like) through a material flow conduit. Such material flow modifiers provide for flow of flowable material within a flow passage of a material flow conduit (e.g., a portion of a pipeline, tubing or the like) to have a rotational flow profile. Advantageously, the rotational flow profile centralizes flow toward the central portion of the flow passage, thereby reducing magnitude of laminar flow to overcome the aforementioned adverse flow conditions.