Flexible Membrane Recirculator for Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid recirculators for pumping from low to high pressure suffer from energy inefficiency, high maintenance needs, and compatibility issues with aggressive fluids like saltwater, particularly in applications such as desalination and heat exchange, where energy recovery is hindered by friction and abrasive particles.
Innovation Solution
A flexible membrane recirculator with a tubular, elongated configuration and separate removable flanges, using an elastic membrane that maintains equal pressures in both chambers, minimizing friction and allowing for easy replacement, combined with a distribution system of valves that prevent simultaneous opening of high and low-pressure circuits to ensure efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If rotary recirculators with turbines or rotary machines are used to transfer energy from high-pressure fluid to low-pressure fluid, then energy recovery is achieved, but efficiency is reduced and maintenance requirements increase due to friction and abrasive particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic rotating mechanical components (turbines, pistons, seals) from the energy transfer mechanism, eliminating friction and wear issues. Instead, it uses a reciprocating piston in a cylinder where the high-pressure fluid directly acts on the piston to drive the low-pressure fluid, removing the harmful friction interfaces while maintaining energy transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a fluid intermediary (the high-pressure fluid itself) that directly transmits energy to the low-pressure fluid through the piston mechanism, eliminating the need for complex rotating mechanical intermediaries that cause friction and wear. The high-pressure fluid acts as both the energy source and the transmission medium.
2Loss of energy
If rotary recirculators are used for energy recovery, then energy transfer between high and low pressure fluids is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the recirculator into simple, discrete components: a cylinder, a reciprocating piston, and fluid conduits. This segmentation eliminates the complex rotating assemblies of traditional recirculators while maintaining the essential energy transfer function through the simple back-and-forth motion of the piston driven by high-pressure fluid.
3Reliability
If piston-jacket interfaces with tight seals are used in linear recirculators, then sealing between high and low pressure chambers is achieved, but friction increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic piston-jacket sliding interface with tight seals from the system. Instead of using a reciprocating piston that slides against the cylinder wall requiring tight seals, the design uses a fixed cylinder with fluid pressure directly acting on a piston that moves without sliding contact, eliminating friction losses while maintaining sealing through fluid pressure containment.
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 flexible membrane recirculator achieves maximum energy recovery with minimal energy loss, is resistant to abrasive fluids, and requires minimal maintenance, optimizing efficiency and reducing operational costs by using easily replaceable membranes and noise-free valve systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible membrane (6) mounted coaxially inside, which encloses via its ends on the necks (3) of the flanges (2), establishing two independent and sealed chambers (8, 9), the said membrane being flexible and which may consist of a material made of natural rubber or a synthetic elastomer
Implementation Method 2
the large surface of that membrane and its extreme flexibility cause the pressures in the two chambers to be virtually the same, without there existing any energy losses as a result of friction or rubbing
Implementation Method 3
the present invention relates to a system for impelling a fluid by recirculation from a low-pressure medium to a high-pressure medium, the process being carried out with recovery of the energy contained in the fluid at high pressure in order to aid pumping from low pressure to high pressure
Implementation Method 4
a distribution system of valves that prevent simultaneous opening of high and low-pressure circuits to ensure efficient energy transfer
Implementation Method 5
system for impelling a fluid by recirculation from a low-pressure medium to a high-pressure medium, the process being carried out with recovery of the energy contained in the fluid at high pressure in order to aid pumping from low pressure to high pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The system comprises a cylindrical recirculator (1), with a membrane concentrically fitted therein (6) for defining two chambers, one front chamber (8) and another outer one (9), in such a way that fluid flowing into either chamber causes expansion or constriction of the actual membrane (6) and corresponding impelling of the fluid, all this associated with a set of intake and impeller valves (16'), in combination with intake pumps (33) and impeller pumps (37) and check valves (34) and (35), whereby the fluid is impelled from the intake (31) towards the recirculator (1), so that the fluid flows from the recirculator to a reactor (32) and back again to the recycler (1) for the ejection of the processed fluid through the discharge conduit (36).