Segmented Pressure Exchanger Rotor for Desalination Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure exchangers face challenges in increasing treated flow rate without increasing size and cost, leading to complex construction and maintenance issues due to large rotor sizes and material costs, as well as inefficiencies in energy consumption and pressure exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The pressure exchanger design incorporates a rotator with first and second lateral members that house the rotator, featuring fluid inflow and outflow paths only in the first lateral member, allowing for pressure transmission between the first and second fluids, reducing the axial length and size of the device, and utilizing a torque application mechanism to rotate the rotator without external power, with adjustable gaps and press mechanisms for improved durability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of pressure transmission sections or sectional area is increased to increase treated flow rate, then the treated flow rate is improved, but the rotor size and device weight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor is divided into multiple pressure transmission sections (first, second, third, fourth sections) arranged circumferentially around the rotation axis. Each section independently transmits pressure between corresponding fluid passages, allowing the treated flow rate to be increased by adding sections without proportionally increasing the rotor radius or device weight.
2Productivity
If the rotor size is increased to increase treated flow rate, then the treated flow rate is improved, but the material cost and production cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure transmission function is segmented into multiple independent sections, allowing the use of smaller diameter rotor with sufficient total cross-sectional area for fluid transmission. This reduces the amount of expensive ceramic material needed while maintaining or increasing the treated flow rate.
3Productivity
If the rotor size is increased to increase treated flow rate, then the treated flow rate is improved, but the torque required and energy consumption are increased
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pressure transmission sections are arranged circumferentially to distribute the pressure transmission function, reducing the rotational inertia and torque requirements compared to a single large-diameter rotor. The segmented structure allows for more efficient energy utilization during rotation.
4Ease of operation
If flow paths are provided in both rotor plates, then the fluid guidance function is improved, but the rotor plate thickness and device size are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path functions are extracted and concentrated in the rotor plate, while the stator plate provides support and sealing functions. This separation allows the rotor plate to be optimized for fluid guidance with appropriate thickness, and the stator plate to be optimized for structural support, avoiding the need for both plates to be thick.
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 configuration achieves a reduction in size and cost while maintaining treated flow rate, simplifies piping installation and maintenance, and enhances energy efficiency by utilizing the pressure of high-pressure concentrated seawater to pressurize low-pressure seawater, improving overall performance of the seawater desalination facility.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure exchanger that utilizes pressure of high pressure concentrated seawater discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane device to pressurize low pressure seawater supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane device
Implementation Method 2
causes high pressure concentrated seawater supplied to a high pressure inlet port and low pressure seawater supplied to a low pressure inlet port to be in contact with each other in the tubular pressure transmission sections as the rotor rotates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Disclosed is a pressure exchanger 10 provided with: a rotator 30 disposed with pressure transmission sections 33 around a rotation axis, each pressure transmission section 33 being so formed that a first flow path 31, into or out of which first fluid flows from one end side, and a second flow path 32, into or out of which second fluid flows from the one end side, are communicated with each other; a first lateral member 20a formed with first fluid inflow paths 14 guiding the first fluid to the first flow paths 31, second fluid outflow paths 15 guiding, from the second flow paths 32, second fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the first fluid, second fluid inflow paths 16 guiding the second fluid to the second flow paths 32, and first fluid outflow paths 17 guiding, from the first flow paths 31, first fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the second fluid in the thickness direction; and a second lateral member 20b rotatably sandwiching the rotator 30 between the second lateral member 20b and the first lateral member 20a via bushes 13, wherein downsizing and low cost are attained.