Centrifugal Pump Suction Strainer Flushing Against Deposit Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal pumps struggle with the efficient removal of deposits, particularly on the outside, which can lead to hydraulic and mechanical inefficiencies and potential clogging.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal pump design featuring a suction strainer with lateral intake openings and bypass lines that allow a fluid flow to flush along the side wall, efficiently cleaning contaminants by orienting the flow parallel or tangentially to the side wall, enabling complete flushing of all intake openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional centrifugal pump design is used, then the pump can convey fluid, but deposits accumulate on the suction strainer and lateral intake openings causing clogging and efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass line is designed to flush the suction strainer and lateral intake openings before deposits can accumulate to problematic levels. By continuously or periodically directing a portion of the conveyed fluid through the bypass line to wash down the side wall and clear the intake openings, the system performs cleaning action in advance, preventing clogging and maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system uses its own conveyed fluid to clean itself through the bypass line arrangement. A portion of the fluid already being pumped is redirected through the bypass line to flush the suction strainer and lateral intake openings, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms or additional resources. The system serves its own cleaning needs using its operational fluid.
2Productivity
If the suction strainer is designed with lateral intake openings, then fluid can be drawn in from the side, but deposits accumulate on the side wall and intake openings are difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic flow through the bypass line to clean the suction strainer and lateral intake openings. By directing a portion of the conveyed fluid through the bypass line that opens toward the side wall, a flushing flow is created that automatically washes away deposits from the lateral intake openings and side wall area, making cleaning possible without mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass line acts as an intermediary channel that mediates between the conveyed fluid and the suction strainer cleaning function. Instead of direct mechanical cleaning or manual intervention, the bypass line serves as an intermediate pathway that delivers the flushing flow to the lateral intake openings and side wall, enabling indirect but effective cleaning action.
3Ease of operation
If bypass lines are added to enable flushing, then cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass line is designed to serve multiple functions: it conveys a portion of the pumped fluid while simultaneously providing the flushing action needed to clean the suction strainer and lateral intake openings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the fluid conveyance function and the cleaning function into a single integrated system. The bypass line combines the transportation of fluid with the flushing action, and the side wall opening serves both as a structural element and as the outlet for the flushing flow. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate conveyance and cleaning systems.
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 design allows for efficient cleaning of the suction strainer and lateral intake openings, preventing clogging and maintaining pump efficiency by effectively removing deposits both inside and outside the pump.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid flow exiting the at least one bypass line flushes along the suction strainer side wall
Implementation Method 2
the suction strainer has at least one lateral suction opening provided on a suction strainer side wall for drawing in the fluid
Implementation Method 3
a centrifugal pump with an impeller defining an axis for pumping a fluid, a centrifugal chamber in which the impeller is axially arranged
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a centrifugal pump (1) with an impeller (2) defining an axis (5) for pumping a fluid, a centrifugal chamber (3) in which the impeller (2) is axially arranged, and a suction strainer (4) having a polygonal cross-section in which the centrifugal chamber (3) is axially arranged, wherein the suction strainer (4) has at least one lateral suction opening (21) provided on a suction strainer side wall (37) of the suction strainer (4) for drawing in the fluid and at least one bypass line (23) that can be supplied with a portion of the fluid pumped by the impeller (2) for flushing the centrifugal pump (1), and the at least one bypass line (23) opens in the direction of the suction strainer side wall (37) in such a way that a fluid flow exiting the at least one bypass line (23) flushes along the suction strainer side wall (37).