WO2009135149A1

WO2009135149A1 - Evaporative pump apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009135149A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/042561
Authority: WO
Inventors: W. Paul Jepson
Original assignee: Jepson W Paul
Priority date: 2008-05-01
Filing date: 2009-05-01
Publication date: 2009-11-05

Abstract

An evaporative pump apparatus includes a pump such as a progressive cavity pump driven by a motor, and a gas/liquid separator such as a gravity separator. The inventive method includes introducing air and a liquid (such as a portion (e.g., 20 - 50%) of a liquid to be treated, water, or other lubricating liquid) into the progressive cavity pump, where the air and liquid are subject to high temperature and pressure (e.g., 300 degrees F and 300 psig), and then delivered to the gas/liquid separator to separate the hot air from the hot liquid. The hot, pressurized air stream and/or the hot, pressurized liquid stream from the gas/liquid separator can then be utilized for a variety of evaporative applications or other purposes, including materials treatment and processing.

Description

EVAPORATIVE PUMP APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to pumps, and more particularly to an improved evaporative pump apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] United States Patent 5,620,313 to Fockenberg discloses a worm pump for flowable media, including an eccentric worm rotor rotatable in a stator to compress tubes which thus carry respective flowable media so that these media are forced through the tubes. The tubes are received in recesses in the stator wall which preferably is composed of a rubber with a shore A hardness of 90 to 95.

[0003] United States Patent 6, 155,807 to Fenton describes an eccentric worm pump which has a tubular stator extending along a main axis and having an intake side and an output side, an eccentric worm fitting in the stator and centered on a rotor axis offset from the main axis, an intake housing forming an intake compartment opening into the intake side, a connecting shaft extending along the main axis from the rotor through the intake compartment, and a drive shaft extending along the main axis from the connecting shaft out of the intake compartment. The rotor, connecting shaft, and drive shaft are unitarily formed of plastic. A seal housing mounted on the intake housing seals around the drive shaft. A drive connected to the drive shaft rotates the drive shaft, connecting shaft, and rotor about the axis to draw fluid through the stator from the intake side to the output side thereof.

[0004] United States Patent 6,491,501 to Wild, et al. teaches a progressing cavity pump system for transporting high-solids, high-viscosity, dewatered materials which includes a progressing cavity pump system utilizing a twin-screw feeder with an extended tunnel section. The feeding of the material into an extended tunnel section of the twin screw feeder creates a positive pressure, which assists in feeding the product into the suction housing of the progressing cavity pump, and correspondingly, into the pumping elements. This increases volumetric (fill) efficiency of the progressing cavity pump, thereby allowing a smaller pump to be used. The suction housing of the progressing cavity pump includes an auger positioned therein that is directly coupled to, and preferably integral with, the progressing cavity rotor. The universal joint is moved from the position in front of the stator entrance to a point behind the auger and suction inlet opening to improve flow of material from the suction housing to the progressing cavity pump elements. The inlet conduit coupled to the transition housing is angled slightly towards the direction of flow to further improve the flow efficiency and increase the fill rate of the progressing cavity pump elements. The feeder mechanism of the system is radially set apart from the progressing cavity elements, where the materials are transported from the extended tunnel section of the feeder to the suction housing of the progressing cavity pump by a transition conduit. In one embodiment, the feeder is positioned above the progressing cavity pumping elements providing a taller system but with a relatively small footprint.

[0005] United States Patent 7, 178,749 to Parrett, et al. discloses a pump with cutting assembly including a pair of substantially parallel shafts, each shaft having a plurality of axially spaced cutting blades mounted thereon such that each blade forms an oblique angle with respect to a central axis of the associated shaft, wherein each cutting blade includes a central body having a plurality of teeth radially spaced thereabout. [0006] United States Patent 7,214,042 to Parrett describes a progressing cavity pump including a rotor and a stator having an inlet and an outlet. The rotor is rotationally disposed inside of the stator such that rotation of the rotor causes fluid in the pump to be pumped from the inlet toward the outlet in a downstream direction. The stator has an inner surface having a first portion made of a first material and a second portion made of a second material, the second portion being located in the downstream direction relative to the first portion. [0007] The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein.

Disclosure of Invention

[0008] The present invention provides an improved evaporative pump apparatus. A preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus includes a pump such as a progressive cavity pump driven by a motor, and a gas/liquid separator such as a tank or gravity separator.

The inventive method includes introducing air and a liquid (such as a portion (e.g., 20 - 50%) of a liquid to be treated, water, or other lubricating liquid) into the progressive cavity pump, where the air and liquid are subject to high temperature and pressure (e.g., 300 degrees F and 300 psig), and then delivered to the gas/liquid separator to separate the hot air from the hot liquid. The hot, pressurized air stream and/or the hot, pressurized liquid stream from the gas/liquid separator can then be utilized for a variety of evaporative applications or other purposes, including materials treatment and processing.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved evaporative pump.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method for evaporating a liquid.

[0011] A further object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved method for producing heated and pressurized gas and/or liquid. [0012] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for boosting pressure in a system.

[0013] Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. [0014] There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art maybe better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0015] Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the international, regional, and national patent office(s) and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[0016] Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as "upward," "downward," "left," and "right" would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as "inward" and "outward" would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of an evaporative pump apparatus of this invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of an evaporative pump apparatus 10 of this invention. The apparatus 10 includes a pump such as a progressive cavity pump 12 (also commonly referred to as a progressing cavity pump, eccentric screw pump, or cavity pump, and conditioned to achieve the desired hot, pressurized gas/liquid output) driven by a motor 14, and a gas/liquid separator such as a tank or gravity separator 16. [0020] The inventive method includes introducing air and a liquid (such as a portion (e.g., 20 - 50%) of a liquid or effluent to be treated, water, or other lubricating liquid) into the progressive cavity pump 12 (e.g., at 200 gpm), where the air and liquid are subject to high temperature and pressure (e.g., greater than 150 degrees F and 150 psig, and preferably 240 - 300 degrees F and 240 - 300 psig), and then delivered to the gas/liquid separator 16 to separate the hot air from the hot liquid. The hot, pressurized air stream and/or the hot, pressurized liquid stream from the gas/liquid separator can then be utilized for a variety of evaporative applications or other purposes, including but not limited to wastewater processing, desalination, air conditioning / heating, scrubbing (air and liquid), CO2 sequestration, VOC removal, and solids processing.

[0021] The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable one having skill in the art to practice the invention without undue experimentation, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.

[0022] Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed as invention is:

1. An evaporative pump apparatus comprising: a pump; and a gas/liquid separator connected to said pump; wherein air and a liquid are heated and pressurized in said pump, and delivered to said gas/liquid separator to separate the hot air from the hot liquid.

2. The evaporative pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pump comprises a progressive cavity pump.

3. The evaporative pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas/liquid separator comprises a gravity separator.

4. The evaporative pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid comprises a portion of a liquid to be treated.

5. The evaporative pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hot air from said gas/liquid separator is used for evaporative purpose.

6. The evaporative pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hot liquid from said gas/liquid separator is used for evaporative purpose.

7. The evaporative pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air and liquid are heated and pressurized in said pump to 240 - 300 degrees F and 240 - 300 psig.

8. A method for evaporating a liquid, said method comprising the steps of: introducing air and a liquid into a pump, and subjecting the air and liquid to high temperature and pressure; delivering the heated and pressurized air and liquid to a gas/liquid separator to separate the hot air from the hot liquid.

9. The method for evaporating a liquid of claim 8 wherein said step of introducing air and a liquid into a pump comprises introducing air and a liquid into a progressive cavity pump.

10. The method for evaporating a liquid of claim 8 wherein said step of delivering the heated and pressurized air and liquid to a gas/liquid separator comprises delivering the heated and pressurized air and liquid to a gravity separator.

11. The method for evaporating a liquid of claim 8 wherein said step of introducing air and a liquid into a pump comprises delivering a portion of a liquid to be treated into a pump.

12. The method for evaporating a liquid of claim 8 wherein further including the step of using the hot air from the gas/liquid separator for evaporative purpose.

13. The method for evaporating a liquid of claim 8 wherein further including the step of using the hot liquid from the gas/liquid separator for evaporative purpose.

14. The method for evaporating a liquid of claim 8 wherein said step of subjecting the air and liquid to high temperature and pressure comprises subjecting the air and liquid in said pump to 240 - 300 degrees F and 240 - 300 psig