Pressure exchanger

Abstract

A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure from a high pressure fluid to a low pressure fluid, including a housing and a rotor arranged for rotation within the housing, the rotor having at least one passage extending generally axially through the rotor, the passage having a first opening at one end and a second opening at another end, the openings being mutually spaced along the length of the rotor, the housing having a plurality of ports at one axial portion for communication with the first passage opening and a plurality of ports at another axial portion for communication with the second passage opening, wherein the first passage opening is directed substantially radially such that fluid is directed radially inwardly when entering the first passage opening and radially outwardly when exiting the first passage opening.

1 . A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure from a high pressure fluid to a low pressure fluid, including a housing and a rotor arranged for rotation within the housing, the rotor having at least one passage extending generally axially through the rotor, the passage having a first opening at one end and a second opening at another end, the openings being mutually spaced along the length of the rotor, the housing having a plurality of ports at one axial portion for communication with the first passage opening and a plurality of ports at another axial portion for communication with the second passage opening, wherein the first passage opening is directed substantially radially such that fluid is directed radially inwardly when entering the first passage opening and radially outwardly when exiting the first passage opening. 
     
     
         2 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second passage opening is directed substantially radially such that fluid is directed radially inwardly when entering the second passage opening and radially outwardly when exiting the second passage opening. 
     
     
         3 . A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure from a high pressure fluid to a low pressure fluid, including a housing and a rotor arranged for rotation within the housing, the rotor having at least one passage extending generally axially through the rotor, the passage having a first opening at one end and a second opening at another end, the openings being mutually spaced along the length of the rotor, the housing having a first inlet and a first outlet located axially to correspond with the first passage opening, and a second inlet and second outlet located axially to correspond with the second passage opening, such that in one rotational position of the rotor the passage communicates with the first inlet and the second outlet, in another rotational position of the rotor the passage communicates with the second inlet and the first outlet, wherein the first passage opening is directed substantially radially such that in said one rotational position fluid is directed radially inwardly from the first inlet to the first passage opening, and in said other rotational position fluid is directed radially outwardly from the first passage opening to the first outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the second passage opening is directed substantially radially such that in said one rotational position fluid is directed radially outwardly from the second passage opening to the second outlet, and in said other rotational position fluid is directed radially inwardly from the second inlet to the second passage opening. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotor has a plurality of like passages distributed radially about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the passages are distributed at equal radii and angular intervals about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the passage is offset from a radial direction of the rotor such that the direction of entry and exit of the fluid (ie. a central line of the flow path) is spaced from the axis of rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the passage is curved inward of the openings to induce a change in direction of the fluid entering and exiting the passage, and the net reaction force from the changes in direction acts with a line of action that is offset from (does not intersect and is not parallel to) the axis to result in a torque driving rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the net reaction force acts in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlets are arranged such that rotation of the rotor is driven or at least assisted by the direction of flow of fluid entering the passage. 
     
     
         11 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first inlet is opposite the first outlet, the second inlet is opposite the second outlet, and the passages are arranged whereby one side of the rotor transfers high pressure as the opposite side of the rotor transfers low pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the high pressure side biases the rotor relative to the housing toward the low pressure side so as to assist in sealing of the openings at the low pressure side. 
     
     
         13 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is made of a plurality of separate parts. 
     
     
         14 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the housing includes two end caps, one end cap having the first inlet and first outlet, the other end cap having the second inlet and second outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the housing includes two end caps fastened to each end of a central housing body, and wherein the first inlet, first outlet, second inlet and second outlet are formed in said central housing body. 
     
     
         16 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first passage opening is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         17 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second passage opening is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         18 . The pressure exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first inlet and/or the second inlet is/are configured generally tangential to the rotor. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled)