Piston Pressurization Unit for Abrasive High-Pressure Fluid Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure continuous processing systems face reliability issues due to abrasive effects of bio-materials on pressurization equipment, leading to wear and pressure loss, especially when processing materials with soft fibers that prevent proper closure of check valves.

Innovation Solution

A pressurization unit with actuated valves and a pressurization device, including a cylinder and piston, is designed to isolate the feed fluid and increase pressure, with position indicators and control systems to manage valve opening and closing, ensuring efficient pressure transfer and minimizing wear by controlling pressure differences and flow volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If check valves are used in the pressurization system, then the system can maintain pressure, but soft fibers in the bio-material prevent complete closure leading to pressure loss and wear on valve seats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure maintenanceVSAvoidwear on valve seats

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes check valves from the pressurization system entirely, replacing them with a piston-based positive displacement mechanism that achieves pressure maintenance without the harmful wear associated with check valve closure. This extraction of the problematic component directly eliminates the wear issue while preserving the pressure maintenance function through the piston's mechanical displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The piston acts as an intermediary mechanism between the low-pressure feed stream and the high-pressure process stream. Instead of relying on check valves to maintain pressure, the piston mechanically transfers and compresses the fluid, using its movement to achieve both pressure increase and pressure maintenance without direct valve-to-fluid contact that causes wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high flow velocity is used to maintain productivity, then processing speed increases, but wear and pressure loss increase due to insufficient valve sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the valve-based flow control mechanism with a piston-based positive displacement mechanism. This mechanical substitution allows for controlled fluid transfer at optimized velocities, eliminating the need for high flow velocities that exacerbate wear and pressure loss in valve-based systems. The piston's controlled movement inherently manages flow rate to prevent harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If abrasive materials are present in the feed stream, then processing capability is maintained, but wear on pressurization equipment increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidwear on equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes traditional valve components that are susceptible to abrasive wear from the pressurization system. By extracting these vulnerable parts and replacing them with a piston mechanism, the system maintains its ability to process abrasive bio-materials while significantly reducing wear on pressurization equipment, as the piston has fewer sealing surfaces exposed to abrasive particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If overlapping closed valve period is increased to reduce wear, then valve seat wear decreases, but pressure build-up time increases reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve seat wearVSAvoidpressure build-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The piston-based system enables continuous pressurization action without the intermittent valve closing periods required in valve-based systems. The piston can continuously displace and compress fluid, maintaining productive action throughout the entire cycle while eliminating the wear associated with repeated valve closure. This continuous action removes the trade-off between wear reduction and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution enhances the reliability of the pressurization system by reducing wear and pressure loss, maintaining system integrity, and ensuring consistent high-pressure processing.

Implementation Method 1

the pressurization device between the inlet valve and the outlet valve... increase the pressure of the fluid to a higher predetermined level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11829165B2Pressurization system for high pressure processing system

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 STEEPER ENERGY

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressurization unit for use in processing equipment handling high pressure fluid, where the pressurization unit comprises at least one inlet and an outlet, the pressurization unit being adapted to receive a feed fluid at a feed pressure level at the inlet, being adapted to isolate the received feed fluid from the inlet and from the outlet and being adapted to increase the pressure of the fluid to a higher predetermined level and further being adapted to output the fluid through the outlet into the high pressure process while still isolated towards the inlet.