Portable Pump Station for Water Slurry Dewatering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dewatering systems in mining and construction sites are inefficient and costly due to the need for frequent manual removal of sand and stone material, which clogs pumps and requires multiple operators, and are not portable, leading to suboptimal cavity location and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A portable pump station arrangement with a chassis for forklift access, a tank design that minimizes sediment accumulation, quick coupling connections for easy pump replacement, and a platform for elevated access, allowing for efficient and flexible operation regardless of orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If stationary cavities are used for dewatering, then pumps can be installed in fixed locations, but the system becomes less adaptable as the mine front moves and cavities lose optimal positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to moving mine frontVSAvoidcomplexity of portable pump station
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump station is designed as a mobile, portable unit that can be dynamically repositioned along the mine front using a chassis with forklift entry openings. This allows the system to adapt to the moving mine front while maintaining operational functionality, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pump station is divided into modular components including a removable tank, discharge pump, and outlet pipe system that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation enables easy transport and repositioning, improving adaptability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If manual removal of sand and stone is performed frequently, then pump clogging is prevented, but operator time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of pump operationVSAvoidtime spent on manual sediment removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses gravity and tank design features to automatically separate and remove sand and stone material without requiring manual intervention. The tank geometry and outlet positioning enable self-cleaning operation, maintaining pump reliability while eliminating time-consuming manual removal tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The tank is designed to extract and separate solid sediment material from the water slurry through gravity settling. This extraction of harmful solids prevents pump clogging and eliminates the need for frequent manual cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If multiple operators are deployed for pump maintenance, then continuous operation is maintained, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of operators required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pump station is designed with self-monitoring and self-maintaining features that reduce the need for multiple operators. The system can detect and respond to operational issues independently, maintaining continuous productivity while reducing the quantity of human resources required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pump station is made portable, then optimal cavity location is maintained, but the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and repositioning capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of mobile pump station
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump station incorporates a mobile chassis with forklift entry openings enabling dynamic repositioning. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain optimal cavity location while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable through standardized components and easy assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables efficient and cost-effective removal of water slurry by minimizing sediment accumulation, reducing operator time, and ensuring continuous operation with quick coupling connections, while maintaining portability and optimal cavity location.

Implementation Method 1

at least one discharge pump arranged in the tank and configured to transport the water slurry away from the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a tank supported by the chassis and configured to hold water slurry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3839205A1Portable pump station arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 XYLEM EURO GMBH
  • EP3839205A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3839205A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3839205A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a portable pump station arrangement for collecting and transporting water slurry, the portable pump station arrangement comprising a chassis having a bottom configured to bear against the ground, a tank (3) supported by the chassis, an inlet conduit connected to the tank (3) and configured to lead water slurry into the tank (3), at least one discharge pump (5) arranged in the tank (3) and configured to transport the water slurry away from the tank (3), and an outlet pipe system (6) connected to the at least one discharge pump (5) and configured to lead the water slurry away from the tank (3). The portable pump station arrangement is characterized in that the chassis comprises at least one entry opening configured to receive forklift forks, and in that the outlet pipe system (6) comprises a pump station outlet connection (20) located at the upper end of the tank (3) and an outlet conduit (18) connected to said pump station outlet connection (20), wherein the discharge pump (5) is standing on a floor (22) in the tank (3) and the outlet conduit (18) is connected to the discharge pump (5).