Vortex Pump Bundled Blade Spacing for Solid Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vortex pumps are inefficient when handling media with larger solids due to blockages and reduced efficiency from increased distance between the impeller and housing wall, and they lack cost-effectiveness, versatility, and resistance to cavitation damage.
Innovation Solution
The blades on the vortex impeller are arranged in bundles with closer spacing within the bundles and greater spacing between bundles, allowing for a larger ball passage and reduced distance to the housing wall without blockages, enhancing efficiency and preventing cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the distance between the impeller and the suction-side casing wall is increased to allow passage of larger solids, then the ball passage is improved, but the pumping efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are segmented into bundles with specific spacing patterns. The support disc with bundled blades creates multiple flow paths of varying sizes, allowing small gaps between blades to maintain efficiency while the overall bundle arrangement provides sufficient passage for larger solids.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spacing is applied locally: small spacing between blades within bundles for efficiency, and larger spacing between bundles for solid passage. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both pumping efficiency and ball passage capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the impeller and the suction-side casing wall is increased to convey larger solids, then the versatility is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade structure is divided into bundles that create multiple flow channels. This segmentation allows the pump to handle a wider range of solid sizes (improved versatility) while maintaining compact dimensions that preserve energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing parameters between blades and between bundles are specifically optimized to balance solid passage capability with energy efficiency, allowing versatile operation without excessive energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the spacing between blades is reduced to increase pumping efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the ball passage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Blades are arranged in bundles where individual blades have small spacing for efficiency, while the bundle structure itself creates larger inter-bundle passages for solid passage. This hierarchical segmentation resolves the contradiction between blade spacing and ball passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from considering only blade-to-blade spacing in one dimension to a two-dimensional arrangement with intra-bundle spacing and inter-bundle spacing, creating multiple flow path dimensions for simultaneous efficiency and solid passage.
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 ensures high efficiency and blockage-free operation while allowing for the conveyance of larger solids, reducing production costs, and minimizing the risk of cavitation damage.
Implementation Method 1
a radial impeller with a large opening for the solids contained in the pumped medium
Implementation Method 2
whose pumping capacity is transferred to the fluid by a rotating, bladed disc, the so-called free-flow impeller
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Vortex pump with an impeller (2). Said impeller (2) comprises blades (7) for delivering solids-containing media. The blades (7) are arranged in bundles (12). The distance (14) of the blades (7) in said bundles (12) is smaller than the distance (13) of the bundles (12) from each other.