A pump for transporting particulate material includes an inlet, an outlet, a passageway, a first and second load beam, a first and second scraper seal, and a first and second drive assembly. The inlet introduces the particulate material into the passageway and the outlet expels the particulate material from the passageway. The passageway is defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly that are opposed to each other. The first and second load beams are positioned within the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly, respectively. The first scraper seal and a second scraper seal are positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet. The first drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the first belt assembly and drives the first belt assembly and the second drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the second belt assembly and drives the second belt assembly.
|
0. 24. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
a passageway defined in part by a belt;
a load beam positioned within an interior section of the belt, said load beam operable to at least partially carry an upward shearing load along the passageway from the belt;
a scraper seal adjacent said belt; and
a drive operable to drive said belt.
0. 35. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
a passageway defined in part by a belt, said belt includes an end seal which interacts with an end wall of the pump to seal a pressurized interior of the pump from atmosphere;
a scraper seal adjacent said belt proximate said passageway and an outlet from said passageway; and
a drive operable to drive said belt.
18. A method of pumping particulates comprising:
feeding the particulates into an inlet;
driving the particulates through a passageway defined a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly;
supporting the passageway while driving the particulates through the passageway;
scraping particulates from the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly to form a seal, respectively; and
expelling the particulates from an outlet.
0. 33. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
a passageway defined in part by a first belt and a second belt;
a first scraper seal adjacent said first belt proximate said passageway and an outlet from said passageway;
a second scraper seal adjacent said second belt proximate said passageway and said outlet from said passageway;
a drive operable to drive said first belt and a drive operable to drive said second belt.
9. A particulate transporting pump having reduced shearing zones, the particulate transporting pump comprising:
a first end for introducing particulates;
a second end for expelling the particulates;
a first belt assembly positioned between the first end and the second end;
a second belt assembly positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly are positioned opposite each other to form a particulate passageway;
a first load beam for carrying load from the first belt assembly;
a second load beam for carrying load from the second belt assembly;
a plurality of scraper seals for forming a seal within the particulate transporting device; and
a driving mechanism for transporting the particulates through the passageway from the first end to the second end.
1. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
a passageway defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly, wherein each of the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly has an interior section and wherein the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly are opposed to each other;
an inlet for introducing the particulate material into the passageway;
an outlet for expelling the particulate material from the passageway;
a first load beam positioned within the interior section of the first belt assembly;
a second load beam positioned within the interior section of the second belt assembly;
a first scraper seal and a second scraper seal positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet;
a first drive assembly positioned within the interior section of the first belt assembly for driving the first belt assembly; and
a second drive assembly positioned within the interior section of the second belt assembly for driving the second belt assembly.
2. The pump of
3. The pump of
4. The pump of
5. The pump of
6. The pump of
8. The pump of
10. The pump of
11. The pump of
12. The pump of
14. The pump of
16. The pump of
17. The pump of
19. The method of
20. The method of
21. The method of
22. The method of
23. The method of
0. 25. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt is maintained in a substantially linear form by said load beam.
0. 26. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt and the scraper seal form a seal between the passageway and an outside atmosphere.
0. 27. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt includes an end seal which interacts with an end wall to seal a pressurized interior of said pump from atmosphere.
0. 28. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt includes a belt assembly having a plurality of belt links pivotally connected to each other.
0. 29. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the passageway is defined between the belt and another belt which define the passageway.
0. 30. The pump as recited in claim 24, further comprising a first drive assembly positioned within an interior section of the belt for driving the belt.
0. 31. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the passageway is arranged generally vertically with respect to gravity.
0. 32. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the load beam supports an outward compressive load from within the passageway.
0. 34. The pump as recited in claim 33, wherein said first scraper seal is directly opposed to said second scraper seal.
|
This invention was made with the support of the United States Government under Contract No. DE-FC26-04NT42237 awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE). The United States Government has certain rights in the invention.
The coal gasification process involves turning coal or other carbon-containing solids into synthesis gas. While both dry coal and water slurry can be used in the gasification process, dry coal pumping is more thermally efficient than current water slurry technology. For example, dry coal gasifiers have a thermal cold gas efficiency of approximately 82%, compared to water slurry gasifiers, which have a thermal cold gas efficiency of between approximately 70% and approximately 77%.
One of the devices currently being used to pump dry coal to a high pressure is the cycling lock hopper. While the thermal cold gas efficiency of cycling lock hopper fed gasifiers is higher than other currently available technology in the gasification field, the mechanical efficiency of the cycling lock hopper is relatively low, approximately 30%. The capital costs and operating costs of cycling lock hoppers are also high due to the high pressure tanks, valves, and gas compressors required in the cycling lock hopper process. Additionally, due to the complexity of the process and the frequency of equipment replacement required, the availability of the cycling lock hopper is also limited. Availability refers to the amount of time the equipment is on-line making product as well as to the performance of the equipment.
In order to simplify the process and increase the mechanical efficiency of dry coal gasification, the use of dry coal extrusion pumps has steadily become more common in dry coal gasification. Some of the problems associated with currently available dry coal extrusion pumps are internal shear failure zones and flow stagnation problems. The presence of failure zones can lead to a decreased mechanical efficiency in the pump. Some proposed solutions to internal shear failure zones and flow stagnation problems are to increase the pump flow rate and to use a linear or axial flow field geometry, rather than a cylindrical solids flow field geometry. While these solutions may increase the mechanical efficiency of the dry coal extrusion pump, other problems still persist.
A pump for transporting particulate material includes an inlet, an outlet, a passageway, a first and second load beam, a first and second scraper seal, and a first and second drive assembly. The inlet introduces the particulate material into the passageway and the outlet expels the particulate material from the passageway. The passageway is defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly that are opposed to each other. The first and second load beams are positioned within the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly, respectively. The first scraper seal and a second scraper seal are positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet. The first drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the first belt assembly and drives the first belt assembly; and the second drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the second belt assembly and drives the second belt assembly.
The dry coal extrusion pump transports pulverized dry coal and includes an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway positioned between the inlet and the outlet for transporting the pulverized dry coal through the pump. The passageway is defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly that are each formed from a plurality of belt links and link rotation axles. The first and second belt assemblies each have an interior section. The interior section of the first and second belt assemblies include first and second drive assemblies, respectively, which drive the belt assemblies in opposite directions. A first load beam and a second load beam are also positioned within the interior section of the belt assemblies and take the load from the pulverized dry coal and maintain the belt assemblies in a substantially linear form. A first scraper seal and second scraper seal are positioned proximate the outlet and provide a seal between the pressurized interior of the pump and the atmosphere.
Pump 10 generally includes inlet 12, passageway 14, outlet 16, first load beam 18a, second load beam 18b, first scraper seal 20a, second scraper seal 20b, first drive assembly 22a, second drive assembly 22b, valve 24, and end wall 26. Pulverized dry coal is introduced into pump at inlet 12, send through passageway 14, and expelled from pump 10 at outlet 16. Passageway 14 is defined by at least one belt 28 such as first belt assembly 28a and second belt assembly 28b, which are positioned substantially parallel and opposed to each other.
First belt assembly 28a is formed from belt links 30 connected to each other by link rotation axles 32 (shown in
Second belt assembly 28b includes belt links 30, link rotation axles 32, track wheels 34, and second inner section 36b. Belt links 30, link rotation axles 32, track wheels 34, and second inner section 36b are connected and function in the same manner as belt links 30, link rotation axles 32, track wheels 34, and first inner section 36a of first belt assembly 28a.
First and second load beams 18a and 18b are positioned within first belt assembly 28a and second belt assembly 28b, respectively. First load beam 18a carries the mechanical load from first belt assembly 28a and maintains the section of first belt assembly 28a defining passageway 14 in a substantially linear form The pulverized dry coal being transported through passageway 14 creates solid, stresses on first belt assembly 28a in both a compressive outward direction away from passageway 14 as well as in a shearing upward direction toward inlet 12. The compressive outward loads are carried from belt links 30 into link rotation axles 32, into track wheels 34, and into first load beam 18a. First load beam 18a thus prevents first belt assembly 28a from collapsing into first interior section 36a of first belt assembly 28a as the thy pulverized coal is transported through passageway 14. The shearing upward loads are transferred from belt links 30 directly into drive sprockets 38a and 38b and drive assembly 22a.
Second load beam 18b is formed and functions in the same manner as first load beam 18a to maintain second belt assembly 28b in a substantially linear form at passageway 14 and to transfer outward compressive and upward shearing loads from belt links 30 to second load beam 18b, drive sprockets 38a and 38b, and second drive assembly 22b.
First scraper seal 20a and second scraper seal 20b are positioned proximate passageway 14 and outlet 16. First belt assembly 28a and first scraper seal 20a form a seal between pump 10 and the outside atmosphere. Thus, the few pulverized dry coal particles that become caught between first belt assembly 28a and first scraper seal 20a become a moving pressure seal for first belt assembly 28a. The exterior surface of first scraper seal 20a is designed to make a small angle with the straight section of first belt assembly 28a in order to scrape the pulverized dry coal stream off from moving first belt assembly 28a. The angle prevents pulverized dry coal stagnation that may lead to low pump mechanical efficiencies. In an exemplary embodiment, first scraper seal 20a makes a 15 degree angle with the straight section of first belt assembly 28a. First scraper seal 20a may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, hardened tool steel.
Second scraper seal 20b is formed and functions in the same manner as first scraper seal 20a to prevent stagnation at second belt assembly 28b of pump 10.
First drive assembly 22a is includes at least two drive sprockets 38a and 38b positioned within the first interior section 36a of first belt assembly 28a and drives first belt assembly 28a in a first direction. First drive assembly 22a includes the at least two drive sprockets 38a and 38b positioned at opposing ends of first belt assembly 28a. Each of drive sprockets 38a and 38b has a generally circular shaped base 40 with a plurality of sprocket teeth 42 protruding from base 40. Sprockets 42 interact with first belt assembly 28a and drives first belt assembly 28a around drive sprockets 38a and 38b. In an exemplary embodiment, first drive assembly 22a rotates first belt assembly 28a at a rate of between approximately 1 foot per second and approximately 5 feet per second (ft/s). First drive assembly 22a preferably rotates first belt assembly 28a at a rate of approximately 2 ft/s.
Likewise, second drive assembly 22b includes at least two drive sprockets 38a and 38b positioned within second interior section 36b of second belt assembly 28b for driving second belt assembly 28b. Second drive assembly 22b is formed and functions in the same manner as first drive assembly 22a, except that second drive assembly 22b drives second belt assembly 28b in a second direction.
Valve 24 is positioned proximate outlet 16 of pump 10 and is switchable between an open position and a closed position. A slot 44 runs through valve 24 and controls whether the pulverized dry coal may pass through outlet 16 of pump 10 into a discharge tank (not shown) positioned beneath pump 10. The width of slot 44 is larger than outlet 16 between scraper seals 20a and 20b. When valve 24 is in the closed position, slot 44 is not aligned with passageway 14 and outlet 16, preventing the pulverized dry coal from exiting pump 10. Valve 24 is typically in the closed position when first and second belt assemblies 28a and 28b of pump 10 are not rotating. Valve 24 remains in the closed position as pump 10 starts up. Once first and second belt assemblies 28a and 28b begin rotating, valve 24 is rotated 90 degrees to the open position (shown in
The distance between sprockets 38a and 38b (in each of first and second drive assembly 22a and 22b), the convergence half angle θ between load beams 18a and 18b, and the separation distance between scraper seals 20a and 20b are optimized to achieve the highest mechanical solids pumping efficiency possible for a particular pulverized material without incurring detrimental solids back flow and blowout inside pump 10. High mechanical solids pumping efficiencies are obtained when the mechanical work exerted on the solids by pump 10 is reduced to near isentropic (i.e., no solids slip) conditions. For a solids pump, the isentropic work per unit mass of solids fed, Wisen, is given by:
where the Pd is the discharge gas pressure of pump 10, Patm is the atmospheric gas pressure (14.7 psia), ρs is the true solids density without voids, and ε is the void fraction within passageway 14.
Detrimental solids back flow and blowout may be prevented by ensuring that the solids stress field within passageway 14 just upstream of scraper seals 20a and 20b is below the Mohr-Coulomb failure condition, or:
where the variable τxy is the solids shearing stress within passageway 14, σx is the compressive stress in the outward direction of passageway 14, σy is the compressive stress in the axial direction of passageway 14, φ is the pulverized solids internal friction angle, and c is the pulverized solids coefficient of cohension.
Although the solids stress field will meet the Equation 2 equality (failure condition) in the region between scraper seals 20a and 20b where solids slip is occurring over stationary scraper seals 20a and 20b; the primary role of scraper seals 20a and 20b is to generate enough compressive solids pressure, (σx+σy)/2, in order to prevent solids slip on the moving tractor belt links 30 just upstream of scraper seals 20a and 20b where the shearing stresses, τxy, are lower.
Additional compressive solids pressure, (σx+σy)/2, for the prevention of slip just upstream of scraper seals 20a and 20b can be generated by: increasing the distance between sprockets 38a and 38b in each of first and second drive assembly 22a and 22b (for increased length of passageway 14), decreasing the width of passageway 14, or converging load beams 18a and 18b at a half angle, θ, between 0 and 5 degrees. The set of geometrical values to be used for these parameters is determined by the set that achieves the minimum mechanical pump work.
As can be seen in
Belt links 30, link rotation axles 32, track wheels 34, second load beam 18b, and drive sprockets 38a and 38b of second drive assembly 22b and second belt assembly 28b interact and function in the same manner as belt links 30, link rotation axles 32, track wheels 34, first load beam 18a, and drive sprockets 38a and 38b of first drive assembly 22a and first belt assembly 28a.
Belt links 30 and second scraper seal 20b interact and function in the same manner as belt links 30 and first scraper seal 20a to prevent pulverized dry coal and high pressure gas from escaping pump 10 to the atmosphere.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Sprouse, Kenneth M., Matthews, David R.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
11371494, | Oct 02 2018 | Gas Technology Institute; GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE | Solid particulate pump |
8851406, | Apr 13 2010 | Gas Technology Institute | Pump apparatus including deconsolidator |
9932974, | Jun 05 2014 | Gas Technology Institute | Duct having oscillatory side wall |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
1011589, | |||
1740821, | |||
2380144, | |||
3245517, | |||
3844398, | |||
4069911, | Apr 17 1975 | AMF Incorporated | Band conveyor |
4516674, | Jul 20 1981 | Method and apparatus for conveying and metering solid material | |
4611646, | May 07 1983 | KUPFERMUHLE HOLZTECHNIK GMBH A CORP OF GERMANY | Workpiece-centering two-sided planer |
4988239, | Mar 05 1990 | GE ENERGY USA LLC | Multiple-choke apparatus for transporting and metering particulate material |
5051041, | Mar 05 1990 | Stamet, Inc. | Multiple-choke apparatus for transporting and metering particulate material |
5094340, | Nov 16 1990 | Halliburton Company | Gripper blocks for reeled tubing injectors |
5402876, | Jun 11 1993 | GE ENERGY USA LLC | Apparatus and method for transporting and metering particulate materials into fluid pressure |
5435433, | Mar 14 1994 | Project Services Group, Inc. | Dual belt conveyor with product isolation |
5485909, | Aug 31 1993 | GE ENERGY USA LLC | Apparatus with improved inlet and method for transporting and metering particulate material |
5492216, | Mar 09 1994 | CENTURY SIMPLIMATIC, INC | Method and apparatus for transferring containers while maintaining vertical orientation |
5497873, | Dec 08 1993 | GE ENERGY USA LLC | Apparatus and method employing an inlet extension for transporting and metering fine particulate and powdery material |
5551553, | Aug 11 1992 | GE ENERGY USA LLC | Angled disk drive apparatus for transporting and metering particulate material |
6213289, | Nov 24 1997 | GE ENERGY USA LLC | Multiple channel system, apparatus and method for transporting particulate material |
6257567, | Jul 01 1998 | Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG | Conveying device for book binding machines |
6296110, | Jan 19 1998 | CREDIT SUISSE, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | Conveying system for conveying products, and slide-over device |
6533104, | Oct 05 1998 | Starlinger & Co. Gesellschaft m.b.H. | Device for receiving and transporting objects |
6875697, | Jul 13 2001 | Round Rock Research, LLC | Dual depth trench isolation |
20040159426, | |||
20060243583, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Dec 01 2008 | PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jun 14 2013 | PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 030628 | /0408 | |
Jun 14 2013 | PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC | U S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 030656 | /0615 | |
Jun 17 2013 | PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC | Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc | CHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 036013 | /0819 | |
Jul 06 2015 | Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc | Gas Technology Institute | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 036395 | /0477 | |
Jul 15 2016 | U S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | AEROJET ROCKETDYNE OF DE, INC F K A PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC | RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 039597 | /0890 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Dec 17 2015 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
Dec 17 2019 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Oct 18 2014 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Apr 18 2015 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 18 2015 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Oct 18 2017 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Oct 18 2018 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Apr 18 2019 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 18 2019 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Oct 18 2021 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Oct 18 2022 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Apr 18 2023 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 18 2023 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Oct 18 2025 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |