Pressure Exchanger Cartridge Sealing and Pin Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems inefficiently increase and decrease fluid pressure, wasting energy and causing misalignment and leakage, which can be hazardous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A pressure exchanger (PX) with sealing and alignment components to exchange pressure between fluids, reducing energy consumption and improving system efficiency and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional pumps or compressors are used to increase fluid pressure, then the fluid pressure can be increased, but large quantities of energy are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure exchanger recovers energy by capturing the kinetic energy of high-pressure fluid and converting it to pressure energy in low-pressure fluid, rather than dissipating the high-pressure fluid's energy through conventional discharge methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles where high-pressure fluid directly drives the rotor to compress low-pressure fluid, eliminating the need for motor-driven pumps and reducing energy consumption through direct fluid-to-fluid energy transfer
2Stress or pressure
If conventional expansion valves are used to decrease fluid pressure, then the fluid pressure can be decreased, but large quantities of energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of wasting the energy of high-pressure fluid through conventional expansion valves, the system recovers this energy by using it to drive the rotor and compress the low-pressure fluid, converting the energy loss into useful work
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful high-pressure fluid discharge into a beneficial driving force that rotates the rotor and compresses the low-pressure fluid, transforming energy waste into useful compression work
3Device complexity
If components are used without alignment mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but misalignment occurs causing hazardous leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment pins are provided during the assembly process to ensure proper alignment of the rotor with the end covers before the final sealing surfaces are engaged, preventing misalignment and leakage from occurring in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment pins serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the precise positioning and alignment of the rotor and end covers during assembly, ensuring that the sealing surfaces are properly aligned without requiring complex alignment mechanisms in the operating state
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 PX recovers energy, reduces wear on components, and enhances system efficiency by better sealing and alignment, minimizing environmental impact and fluid waste.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor channels are in fluid communication with the first and second fluids, respectively, and the rotor channels enable exchange of pressure between the first and second fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure exchanger includes a rotor configured to exchange pressure between a first fluid and a second fluid. The pressure exchanger further includes a sleeve disposed around the rotor. The pressure exchanger further includes a first end cover disposed at a first distal end of the rotor. The pressure exchanger further includes a first seal ring disposed around the pressure exchanger. The first seal ring covers a first interface between the sleeve and first end cover to prevent leakage. The pressure exchanger further includes a first pin comprising a first pin first distal end that is at least partially disposed in a first seal ring recess formed in the first seal ring and a first pin second distal end disposed in a first recess formed in the first end cover or the sleeve.