Solid Particulate Pump with Segmented Conveyor and Offset Discharge

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dry coal feed systems for coal gasification face issues such as internal shear failure zones, flow stagnation, and mechanical failures due to binding and fouling when transporting particulate material from low to high pressure environments.

Innovation Solution

A solid particulate pump with a closed loop arrangement of segments, each comprising an inner link and an outer tile with angled working surfaces, and a side exit upward discharge configuration to prevent binding and fouling, utilizing a feeder inlet and outlet that are not in linear alignment and incorporating seals to contain particulate material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional dry coal feed systems are used to transport particulate material from low to high pressure environments, then material transportation is achieved, but internal shear failure zones and flow stagnation occur causing mechanical failures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidinternal shear failure zones and flow stagnation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt is divided into multiple individual segments that can move independently. Each segment is a separate unit with its own structure, allowing the belt to flex and adapt to pressure changes without creating internal shear failure zones. The segments are connected in a series to form the complete conveyor belt, enabling reliable material transport from low to high pressure environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If traditional dry coal feed systems are used to transport particulate material, then material transportation is achieved, but binding and fouling occur causing mechanical failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial transportation efficiencyVSAvoidbinding and fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A seal member is introduced as an intermediary component between the conveyor belt segments and the housing. This seal member prevents particulate material from escaping into areas where it could cause binding and fouling of mechanical components. The seal member acts as a barrier that maintains productivity by preventing contamination of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt is designed as a flexible structure composed of segments that can conform to the housing and maintain sealing without rigid connections. This flexibility prevents binding by allowing the belt to adapt to pressure differential changes while the seal member prevents fouling by containing particulate material within the pump housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a closed loop arrangement of segments is used to transport particulate material, then binding and fouling are minimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt is divided into multiple individual segments that can move independently. Each segment is a separate unit with its own structure, allowing the belt to flex and adapt to pressure changes without creating internal shear failure zones. The segments are connected in a series to form the complete conveyor belt, enabling reliable material transport from low to high pressure environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt is designed as a flexible structure composed of segments that can conform to the housing and maintain sealing without rigid connections. This flexibility prevents binding by allowing the belt to adapt to pressure differential changes while the seal member prevents fouling by containing particulate material within the pump housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If the feeder outlet is offset from the feeder inlet to create a seal, then sealing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to seal the discharge port at the traditional outlet location, the invention inverts the approach by offsetting the feeder outlet from the feeder inlet and positioning the discharge port above the outlet. This inverted arrangement allows gravity to assist in maintaining the seal, as particulate material naturally falls away from the discharge port, creating a self-sealing effect that improves reliability without significant added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution effectively transports particulate material without grinding, minimizing binding and fouling, ensuring reliable operation and maintaining a seal between the discharge port and the pump interior, even when running empty, thus improving efficiency and reducing mechanical failures.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge port of the pump is positioned above the outlet and relative to gravity to create a seal between the discharge port and an interior of the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11371494B2Solid particulate pump

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 GAS TECH INST

AI summary

A pump for transporting particulate material that includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor together defining a passage, wherein a working surface of each of the conveyors are canted with respect to each other. The pump includes an inlet for introducing the particulate material into the passage and an outlet for expelling the particulate material from the passage, wherein the outlet is positioned out of line with the inlet.