Solid Feed Pump Thermal Management via Coolant Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid feed pumps experience high heat generation during the conveyance of dry solids from low to high pressure, leading to thermal issues in the pump, solid feed guide, housing, and rotor, which can reduce pump efficiency and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A thermal management system is integrated into the solid feed pump, featuring coolant paths that include internal and external guide coolant paths, cooling coils, and inert fluid recirculation, to manage heat and extend the pump's hardware life, allowing the use of less expensive metals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the solid feed pump operates at higher pressures and speeds to increase productivity, then the pump's output capacity is improved, but high heat generation occurs in the outlet, solid feed guide, housing, and rotor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput capacityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the thermal management function from the pump structure by adding separate coolant flow paths that carry cooling fluid through the housing and rotor. This removes the harmful heat generation effect from the pump components while maintaining the high-pressure, high-speed operation needed for productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces coolant fluid as an intermediary substance that absorbs heat from the pump components. The coolant flow paths allow this intermediary to circulate through the housing and rotor, transferring thermal energy away from critical areas without interfering with the pump's mechanical function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If expensive heat-resistant materials are used to withstand high temperatures, then the reliability of pump components is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary cooling action by circulating coolant through the housing and rotor before the components reach critical temperatures. This preventive thermal management allows the use of standard, cost-effective materials while maintaining component reliability through active temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 thermal management system effectively cools critical components, prolongs the pump's lifespan, reduces downtime, and enables the use of cheaper materials by actively controlling thermal gradients and diverting heat for other plant functions.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal control path through a portion of the solid feed pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

cooling coils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2431310B1System comprising a solid feed pump and a thermal control path

Publication Date: 2013.11.13 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

According to various embodiments, a system includes a solid feed pump (10). The solid feed pump (10) includes a housing (166), a rotor (216) disposed in the housing (166), a curved passage (220) disposed between the rotor (216) and the housing (166), an inlet (160) coupled to the curved passage (220), an outlet (162) coupled to the curved passage (220), a solid feed guide (222) extending across the curved passage (220), and a thermal control path (214) through a portion of the solid feed pump (10).