Positive Displacement Pump CIP Flow Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Volumetric eccentric piston pumps face challenges during Cleaning In Place (CIP) due to pressure drops caused by the combined action of pressing means and the sleeve, which restrict the flow of cleaning liquid, necessitating complex external piping and valve systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating pneumatic means to elastically separate the piston from the cylinder and maintain a predetermined distance, allowing the entire cleaning flow to pass through without the need for a bypass system, using a pressurization pot connected to a source of compressed air to increase the sleeve volume and keep the piston detached from the cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the piston is pressed against the cylinder by elastic means to block fluid movement, then the pump achieves effective sealing and pumping action, but the resistance of the clamping devices reduces the disengagement distance during CIP, increasing pressure losses
Solution Approach 1:
A bellows element is introduced as an intermediary component between the piston and the cleaning fluid. The bellows can expand to absorb the cleaning fluid pressure while maintaining the piston-cylinder sealing contact during normal operation, and then contract to allow full piston-cylinder separation during CIP. This mediator enables both effective sealing during pumping and complete disengagement during cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static clamping arrangement to a dynamic one where the bellows element can change its volume and shape. During normal pumping, the bellows is compressed to maintain piston-cylinder contact for sealing. During CIP, the bellows expands under cleaning fluid pressure to allow the piston to disengage fully from the cylinder, eliminating the restriction on disengagement distance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sleeve surrounding the shaft is externally subjected to cleaning fluid pressure, then the sleeve experiences force in the same direction as the clamping means, but this combined action further reduces the separation distance between piston and cylinder, increasing pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows element serves as a mediator that intercepts and manages the cleaning fluid pressure before it can act on the piston through the sleeve. The bellows expands in response to the cleaning fluid pressure, converting this force into useful piston-disengaging motion rather than allowing it to compress the piston against the cylinder.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles by allowing the cleaning fluid pressure to act on the bellows element, which then translates this pressure into mechanical displacement of the piston away from the cylinder. The bellows acts as a hydraulic actuator that converts fluid pressure into the desired mechanical separation.
3Loss of energy
If an external piping network with a valve is installed to divert excess cleaning flow, then pressure losses are limited, but the installation and CIP procedures become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for external bypass piping and control valves by incorporating the pressure management function directly into the pump structure through the bellows element. The bellows internally handles the pressure differential, allowing the entire cleaning flow to pass through the pump without requiring external flow diversion systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows element performs multiple functions: it maintains sealing during normal pumping operation, manages cleaning fluid pressure during CIP, enables full piston disengagement, and eliminates the need for external bypass systems. This multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require a complex external piping network with valves and flow control devices.
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
This solution significantly reduces pressure drops during CIP, simplifying the cleaning process by ensuring the entire cleaning flow can pass through the pump, eliminating the need for external bypass systems and maintaining a stable distance between the piston and cylinder.
Implementation Method 1
the means for moving the piston away from the cylinder are pneumatic means arranged to pressurize the sleeve
Implementation Method 2
means for elastically displacing the piston from the cylinder and maintaining it at a predetermined distance from the latter
Implementation Method 3
The entire cleaning flow can then pass from the suction to the discharge. Consequently, the pressure drop becomes very low
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention concerns a positive displacement pump (1) comprising: - a pipe (2) having a first end (21) secured to a transmission area (3) and a second end (22) ending in a cylinder (24) secured to a discharge area (4), the pipe (2) comprising a suction opening (23) and the discharge area comprising a discharge opening (41), - a drive shaft (5) with one end (53) situated at the cylinder (24), - a piston (6) pressed against the cylinder (24) by elastic means (7) so as to prevent fluid from moving between the pipe (2) and the discharge area (4), in which the pump (1) further comprises means (8, 9) for moving the piston elastically away from the cylinder (24) and keeping it at a predetermined distance from same. It also concerns a method for cleaning this pump.