Reciprocating Pump Sealing System with Barrier Fluid Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumping systems face challenges in minimizing environmental contamination due to fluid leaks and spills, as current sealing arrangements are not entirely effective in preventing fluid from entering the atmosphere during operation.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system for pumps featuring a primary seal with elastomeric members and a secondary seal, along with a barrier fluid chamber maintained at a pressure higher than the peak pressure of the pumped fluid, to prevent fluid leakage and contamination, utilizing a pressurizing device to ensure the barrier fluid's pressure exceeds the pumped fluid's peak pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a stuffing box seal assembly with multiple seals and an inner chamber is used, then environmental contamination is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into distinct segments: a primary seal with first and second elastomeric members, a secondary seal, and a barrier fluid chamber. Each segment performs a specific sealing function, allowing the system to prevent contamination while maintaining manageable complexity through functional decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the pumped fluid and the external environment. The barrier fluid chamber contains this fluid at controlled pressure to prevent pumped fluid from escaping, thereby reducing environmental contamination without requiring direct mechanical contact between seals and the pumped fluid
2Reliability
If the barrier fluid pressure is maintained above the peak pressure of pumped fluid, then fluid leakage is prevented, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier fluid is pre-pressurized above the peak pressure of the pumped fluid before the pumping cycle begins. This preliminary pressurization ensures that when the pump operates, the barrier fluid pressure already exceeds the maximum pressure the pumped fluid will reach, preventing leakage without requiring continuous high energy input during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pressure as a controllable parameter, maintaining the barrier fluid pressure at a specific magnitude greater than the peak pumped fluid pressure. By carefully controlling this pressure parameter, the system achieves reliable sealing while minimizing the energy required to maintain the pressure differential
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 sealing system effectively restricts the pumped fluid from entering the barrier fluid chamber, reducing environmental contamination by using a barrier fluid that is environmentally safe and maintaining its integrity throughout the pumping process.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurizing device maintains a pressure of barrier fluid at a magnitude greater than a peak pressure of a fluid pumped by the plunger such that the pumped fluid is restricted from entering the barrier fluid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system for a pump includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of a plunger. A primary seal is translatable within the chamber in sealing relation with the housing. The primary seal includes first and second elastomeric members adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The first and second elastomeric members are spaced apart from one another a distance greater than or equal to a maximum stroke of the plunger. A secondary seal is spaced apart from the primary seal and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. A chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressurizing device maintains a pressure of barrier fluid at a magnitude greater than a peak pressure of a fluid pumped by the plunger such that the pumped fluid is restricted from entering the barrier fluid chamber.