Device for the Performance Adaptation of a Liquid Ring Pump

Abstract

For a device ( 4 ) for the performance adaptation of a liquid ring pump, said liquid ring pump ( 1 ) comprising a cylindrical workspace ( 6 ) for conveying a conveyed fluid ( 15 ) between an intake socket ( 16 a ) and a pressure socket ( 18 a ). The device ( 4 ) comprises a control unit ( 28 ), control line ( 22 ) and a control element ( 26 ) connected with the workspace ( 6 ). The device is designed to vary the amount of operating liquid of the liquid ring pump ( 1 ) during operation (running) of said pump. Also, a method for adapting the performance of the liquid ring pump ( 1 ), which is performed in particular via the device ( 4 ) is specified.

1 . A device ( 4 ) for performance adaptation of a liquid ring pump ( 1 ), said pump: comprising a cylindrical workspace ( 6 ) for conveying a conveyed fluid ( 15 ) between an air intake socket ( 16   a ,  16   b ), and a pressure socket ( 20   a ,  20   b ), wherein the workspace is adapted to receive an operating fluid ( 5 ) which generates a liquid ring ( 5   a ) during operation of the liquid ring pump ( 1 ), said device comprising comprising 
 a control element;    a control line and    a state of operation wherein during operation said control line is in fluid communication with said operating fluid ( 5 ), said control element is actuated to release an amount of operating liquid through said control line while the pump ( 1 ) is in operation, said operating liquid is not immediately circulated back into said liquid ring pump, said liquid being released is in addition to any liquid being discharged through said outlets ( 20   a ,  20   b )    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a control unit ( 28 ) is interfaced with said control element, wherein said control unit cooperates in the actuation of said control element.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 2  characterized in that the control unit ( 28 ) is interfaced with at least one sensor ( 30 ), wherein in said state of operation, said control unit cooperates in the actuation of said control element in dependence upon information received from said at least one sensor ( 30 ).  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3  characterized in that the sensor is a pressure sensor disposed along a pathway ( 70 ) in which conveying fluid ( 15 ) enters inlet ( 16   a ,  16   b ), said sensor upstream of said inlet.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 4  characterized in that said device includes at least one additional sensor for sensing temperature, said temperature sensor also located along said pathway.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to one of  claim 1  characterized in that said control line during said state of operation receives operating liquid from a shutdown or total drain outlet ( 2 ).  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 6  characterized in that said control line receives operating fluid during said state of operation from a total discharge line ( 2   a ), said discharge line in fluid communication with said total drain outlet ( 2 ).  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 7  characterized in that said total drain outlet includes a first outlet at a drive end side of the pump and a second outlet at a non-drive end side of the pump, wherein said control line is interfaced with said first and second outlets such that during said state of operation, said control line receives operating liquid through both outlets.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to one of  claim 1  characterized in that said control line during said state of operation receives operating liquid from at least one internal shaft seal supply aperture ( 3 ).  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9  characterized in that said inner shaft seal aperture includes a first opening at a drive end side of the pump and a second opening at a non-drive end side of the pump, wherein said control line is interfaced with said first and second openings such that during said state of operation, said control line receives operating liquid through both openings.  
   
   
       11 . A method for performance adaptation of a liquid ring pump ( 1 ), said pump comprising a cylindrical workspace ( 6 ) for conveying a conveyed fluid ( 15 ) between an air intake socket ( 16   a ,  16   b ) and a pressure socket ( 20   a ,  20   b ) wherein the workspace is adapted to receive an operating fluid ( 5 ) which generates a liquid ring ( 5   a ) during operation of the liquid ring pump ( 1 ), said method characterized by: varying a hydraulic characteristic of the liquid ring pump ( 1 ) as control variable.  
   
   
       12 . The method, according to  claim 11 , characterized by actuating a control element ( 26 ) interfaced with a control line ( 22 ) to release a determined amount of operating fluid ( 5 ) through said line while the pump ( 1 ) is in operation, said liquid being released is in addition to any liquid being discharged through said pressure socket; 
 a. refraining from immediately circulating said operating fluid back into a workspace of a liquid ring pump.    
   
   
       13 . The method, according to  claim 12  characterized by affecting the actuation of said control element ( 26 ) by a control unit  28 .  
   
   
       14 . The method, according to  claim 13  characterized by actuating said control element ( 26 ) in dependence upon information received from at least one sensor ( 30 ).  
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 14  characterized in that the sensor is a pressure sensor disposed along a pathway in which conveying fluid enters inlet ( 16   a ,  16   b ), said sensor upstream of said inlet.