Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and device for transportation of liquids by compressed gas or steam. According to the invention inside the vessel ( 1 ) at least two variable gas volumes V 1 , V 2  are formed. The level of the liquid in the two volumes changes and the switching of the processes of feeding and discharging is made by the created pressure difference between the gas volumes.  
     Inside the device a second volume is formed by providing a cylinder ( 2 ) with opened bottom. A tube ( 10 ) with an inside valve ( 5 ) are installed in the cylinder ( 2 ). The movement of valves ( 3 ), ( 4 ), ( 5 ) is synchronized and depends on the position of the cylinder ( 2 ). The proposed method and device ensure smooth and trouble-free transportation of liquids.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present method for transportation of liquids by steam or compressed gas and the device for realization of the method, according to the invention, could find application in different technical fields, where transportation of water, water solutions, liquid chemicals or condense have to be transported through pipelines and if steam or compressed air are available in the site.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     From the prior state of the art is known the transportation of liquids by electrical or mechanical operated pumps or by steam or compressed air operated pumps.  
         [0003]     In most cases the availability of steam or compressed air on the sites determines as more profitable the usage of methods and devices for transportation using steam or compressed air to operate.  
         [0004]     The most widely used method for transportation is by pushing the liquid by compressed air or steam. The liquid to be transported has fulfilled a vessel to a determined level. The compressed air or steam act upon the surface of the liquid with a definite pressure. After the determined volume of liquid is transported the pressure on the surface of the remaining liquid drops down to atmospheric, that allows new liquid to enter the vessel. When the level of the liquid reaches a definite value, compressed air or steam feed the vessel and the cycle is repeated.  
         [0005]     According to the known method the level at which the liquid fulfills the vessel is one and the same and the volumes of the liquid and the compressed air or steam change proportionally and are corresponding one to the other at every moment during the process. Besides the surface of the liquid remains horizontal at one level and the pressure on the whole surface is equal.  
         [0006]     The device for transportation of liquids according to the known method represents a closed vessel with inlet and outlet for the transported liquid and inlet and outlet for the compressed air or steam. Inside the closed vessel a spring assisted float mechanism is mounted. The mechanism is used for automation of the process of feeding and discharging of the liquid and switches two valves-inlet and outlet valve for compressed air or steam. The spring assisted float mechanism is designed to operate the outlet valve and the inlet valve simultaneously.  
         [0007]     At the beginning of the process the outlet valve is opened and the inlet valve is closed.  
         [0008]     The liquid enters the vessel gravitationally through a check valve, rises the float and the corresponding air is evacuated through the outlet valve. When the position of the float reaches the point corresponding to the determined highest level of the liquid, the spring assisted float mechanism reverses the positions of the valves simultaneously. The compressed air or steam enters the vessel and the liquid is transported through the outlet check valve into the corresponding pipeline. While the liquid is transported the float lowers its position until it passes its trip point corresponding to a determined low level of the liquid and the spring assisted float mechanism reverses the positions of the valves simultaneously and the whole cycle is repeated.  
         [0009]     The pumping traps of “Armstrong” Int. USA and “Spirax Sarco” USA, functioning according to this method, cause troubles and malfunctions because of wear and tire. The strength of spring material is dependent of the chemical structure of the liquid. That shortens the exploitation cycle of the devices and raises the cost of transportation of the liquid.  
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     According to the present invention the method for transportation of liquids by steam or compressed air is based on the use of variable effective volume of the compressed air or steam.  
         [0011]     The method for transportation of liquids is realized by filling up with the liquid a vessel connected to the atmosphere or a pipeline with low pressure and supervened by closing the connection to the atmosphere or the pipeline with low pressure and pushing the liquid by supercharging of a determined volume of compressed air or steam.  
         [0012]     According to the invention at least two variable gas volumes V 1  and V 2  connected in their lower side are differentiated. These gas volumes exert pressure p 1  and p 2  on the liquid level, which changes on stairs and differently in the different volumes V 1  and V 2 .  
         [0013]     The method is realized automatically and consecutively by the following operations:  
         [0014]     1. switching for filling at pressure difference in the volumes V 1  and V 2  equal to zero−(p 1 −p 2 =0);  
         [0015]     2. filling the volumes V 1  and V 20  with liquid at raising difference in pressure p 1  and p 2  in the volumes V 1  and V 2  from zero to a definite value corresponding to a definite fulfilling of the volumes V 1  and V 2 ;  
         [0016]     3. switching in regime of pumping when the definite pressure differential between p 1  and p 2  is reached;  
         [0017]     4. pumping until a definite pressure differential is available.  
         [0018]     5. discharging volumes V 1  and V 2  and equalizing the pressure p 1  and p 2  in the volumes until the pressure differential is equal to zero (p 1 −p 2 =0);  
         [0019]     6. switching for filling at pressure difference in the volumes V 1  and V 2  equal to zero−(p 1 −p 2 =0) and the cycle is closed.  
         [0020]     The method according to one preferable performance of the invention is realized at upper limit of the pressure differential in the range 0.005 bar-0.1 bar.  
         [0021]     The device for realization of the method for transportation of liquids by compressed air or steam consists of a closed cylindrical vessel with inlet and outlet for the liquid and inlet and outlet for the compressed air or steam. The inlet and outlet for the liquid are equipped with check valves. The inlet and outlet for the compressed air or steam are equipped with inlet and outlet valves. According to the invention inside the vessel an inner volume, preferably cylindrical, with opened bottom is separated and mounted in parallel with the vessel&#39;s axis, free to move vertically. On the top bottom of the cylindrical volume an inside tube with valve inside its top end is mounted. A pipeline connected after the inlet valve for the compressed air or steam provided with a check valve and ending inside in the upper part of the cylindrical volume is installed. The inside valve in the tube is connected by lever mechanism with the outlet valves for compressed air or steam of the vessel. The lever mechanism is in contact with the inlet valve for compressed air or steam. The inside valve, the inlet and outlet valves for compressed air or steam make synchronized movement depending on the changing effective volume and pressure of the compressed air or steam inside the main vessel and the inner volume.  
         [0022]     According to a preferable embodiment of the device the lever mechanism is designed, as the inside valve is solid-coupled with the outlet valve for compressed air or steam. The lever is a metal rod with a hole at one end to operate the coupled valves and hinge joint at the other to connect the wall of the vessel. At the same time, a possibility for rotation of the rod, limited by a screw support is ensured. The thrust of the inlet valve for compressed air or steam is installed to slide on the surface of the rod. This way a synchronized movement of the inside valve and inlet and outlet valves for compressed air or steam is achieved.  
         [0023]     The device according to the invention is equipped with a tube, axially mounted on the bottom of the vessel and the inside tube of the cylindrical volume is bearing with it allowing movement in vertical direction.  
         [0024]     According to the invention the device for transportation of condense by steam is provided with an additional tube connected to the inlet steam tube before the inlet valve and ending in the upper part of the cylindrical volume. The free end of the tube is provided with an additional float steam valve to ensure maximal level of liquid inside the cylindrical volume mounted axially inside the vessel. In case the level of condense inside the cylindrical volume rises higher than the upper end of the additional tube with float/which can happen when super-cooled condense enters the volume/, the float valve opens and additional steam enters to lower the level.  
         [0025]     According to the proposed method and device in the common case the liquid to be transported enters gravitationally the vessel through the inlet check valve for liquid and fills simultaneously the vessel and the cylindrical volume and the air or steam inside the cylindrical volume is evacuated through the opened inside valve until the level reaches the lower opening of the installed tube.  
         [0026]     The further entering of liquid lifts the cylindrical volume and because of its vertical movement the valve installed in it closes and the lever mechanism to which is connected starts to close the outlet valve and open the inlet valve for compressed air or steam. The inlet valve transmits compressed air or steam through the tube and the check valve inside the cylindrical volume. The raise of the inside pressure additionally lifts the cylinder and fully switches the inlet and outlet valves for compressed air or steam. The inlet valve is now fully opened and the outlet fully closed. The raised pressure inside the vessel closes the inlet check valve for the liquid and ejects the liquid through the opened outlet check valve and the level of the liquid inside the cylinder and the vessel drops. In consequence of the pressure equalization inside and outside the cylinder and because of the closed inside valve, the cylinder stays in upper position to the moment the liquid level drops to its lower edge and both air or steam volumes connect in their down part. Then the cylinder drops down because of its own weight, the installed in it valve opens and the lever mechanism moves downwards because of the weight of the cylinder and the force of the inlet valve stem on it. The movement of the lever switches the inlet and outlet valves for compressed air or steam—the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is opened. The outlet check valve for liquid closes because of the pressure inside the pipeline after it and the inlet check valve opens because of the gravitational pressure of the liquid. The cycle is finished and the liquid starts to enter the vessel again.  
         [0027]     The method for transportation of liquid by compressed air or steam according to the invention and the device for realization of the method by means of separation of two gas volumes/in the vessel and in the opened bottom cylinder with variable effective volume/of the compressed air or steam realizes discharging of the liquid and ensures smooth operation during the whole cycle, compared to the known method. Besides the proposed device according to the invention for transportation of fluids: 
        is with simplified construction and much lower number of parts, that eliminates the usage of special materials and makes the device easier to produce and maintain;     ensures possibility for smooth switching, respectively for diminishing the wear-and-tire and prolonging the exploitation of the inlet and outlet valves and at the same time the problem element—the spring float mechanism for operation of top and down level with numerous hinge joints is evaded;     ensures wide range of discharge rates retaining the main elements by changing only the rod and the valves;     ensures independent transverse size because of the lack of spring float mechanism, which makes it useful at sites with special demands and limited space such as drill wells for water supply.       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0032]      FIG. 1 —configuration scheme of a vessel for realization of the method for transportation of liquids by compressed air or steam according to the invention in the regime of the starting of liquid supply  
         [0033]      FIG. 2 —the vessel from  FIG. 1  in the regime of filling both volumes V 1  and V 2  and raisin the level of liquid in them  
         [0034]      FIG. 3 —the vessel from  FIG. 1  in the regime of switching the inlet and outlet valves at reaching the prescribed top level of liquid  
         [0035]      FIG. 4 —the vessel from  FIG. 1  in the regime of start up of supplying compressed air or steam and start up of transportation of the liquid  
         [0036]      FIG. 5 —the vessel from  FIG. 1  in the regime of opening the inside valve in the cylinder  
         [0037]      FIG. 6 —the vessel from  FIG. 1  in the regime of switching back the inlet and outlet valves  
         [0038]      FIG. 7 —device for transportation of condense by steam at the start up of the condense supply  
         [0039]      FIG. 8 —the device from  FIG. 7  at closing the inside valve in the cylinder  
         [0040]      FIG. 9 —the device from  FIG. 7  at ensuring the prescribed level in the opened cylinder when super-cooled condense is supplied  
         [0041]      FIG. 10 —the device from  FIG. 7  at switching into regime of discharging of the condense  
         [0042]      FIG. 11 —the device from  FIG. 7  at discharging the condense  
         [0043]      FIG. 12 —the device from  FIG. 7  at opening the inside valve of the cylinder  
         [0044]      FIG. 13 —the device from  FIG. 7  at switching to condense supply  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]     Method for Transportation of Liquids by Compressed Gas or Steam  
         [0046]     The realization of the method for transportation of liquids by compressed gas or steam is shown in outline on figures from  1  to  6 , where is represented the principal scheme of a vessel in a corresponding regime of execution of the separate operations of the method according to the present innovation. To realize the method, two volumes are formed by inserting into closed vessel  1  a baffle  2 . The baffle  2  divides the vessel into two volumes connected in their lower part. In the upper part of the first volume a valve  3  for connection with the surrounding atmosphere is installed. In the upper part of the other volume—valve  4  for compressed gas is installed. In the baffle  2  a valve  5  for connection of both volumes is installed. In the lower part of the vessel an inlet check valve  6  and outlet check valve  7  are installed.  
         [0047]      FIG. 1  shows the regime of switching to “filling” 
         [0048]     Both volumes are fulfilled with gas. The liquid is filling the vessel to the level of the lower edge of the baffle  2 . The pressures p 1  and p 2  in the volumes V 1  an V 2  are equal to the atmospheric pressure and the pressure difference is equal to zero. This pressure difference supports valves  3  and  5  opened and valve  4  closed.  
         [0049]      FIG. 2  shows the process of filling of the two volumes with liquid  
         [0050]     The inlet check valve is opened by the gravitational thrust of the incoming fluid, which fulfils simultaneously both volumes, pushing out the gas through the opened valves  3 ,  5 . The level of the liquid raises equally in both volumes till reaching the level of valve  5 . The pressure in both volumes is one and the same and equal to the atmospheric pressure and the pressure difference between both volumes is equal to zero.  
         [0051]      FIG. 3  shows the regime of fulfilling of the opened volume with liquid.  
         [0052]     After the level of the liquid exceeds the level of valve  5  the fulfilling of the opened volume V 2  continues till reaching a definite maximal level and the pressure in it p 2  stays equal to atmospheric. In the closed volume V 2  the gas cannot be evacuated and influenced by the higher liquid column in the opened volume its pressure raises till reaches a value corresponding to the maximum liquid column in the opened volume V 2 , while the liquid level in the closed volume V 1  raises slightly. The pressure difference raises from zero to a value determined by the definite maximal level of the liquid in the opened volume V 2 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 4  shows the regime of switching into the process of supercharging/pumping/.  
         [0054]     When the pressure difference between the two volumes reaches the value determined by the definite maximal level of the liquid in the opened volume, this pressure difference switches valves  3  and  5  into closed position and valve  4  into opened.  
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows the regime of pumping the liquid out of the volume connected with the compressed gas.  
         [0056]     Through inlet valve  4  the compressed gas enters the volume raising the pressure in the whole vessel which closes the inlet check valve  6  and opens the outlet check valve  7  for the liquid. The level of the liquid in the volume V 1  connected to valve  4  for compressed gas starts dripping and the pressure of the compressed gas defines the pressure in it. The level of the liquid in the volume V 2  connected with valve  3  changes slightly and the pressure in it raises by the influence of the compressed gas. The pressure difference between the two volumes is defined by the difference of the liquid levels in them and it raises together with the increase of the difference in levels. The process continues till the liquid level in the volume connected with valve  4  reaches the lower edge of the baffle  2 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 6  shows the regime of discharging of the vessel to the level of the lower edge of the baffle.  
         [0058]     After the level of the volume connected with valve  4  reaches the lower edge of the baffle, the level in the other volume starts to fall. As a consequence the pressure p 1  in the volume connected with valve  4  drops until reaches the value of the pressure p 2 . This way the pressure difference drops to zero. The discharging of the liquid is finished. The zero pressure difference switches valves  3 , 4  and  5 , as valves  3  and  5  switch to opened position and valve  4 —to closed, that corresponds to the start-up process on  FIG. 1 .  
         [0059]     Device for Transportation of Condense by Steam  
         [0060]     The device for transportation of condense according to the invention in a preferred embodiment is shown in outline on  FIG. 7  and the operation of the device for realization of the method is shown on FIGS.  7  to  13 .  
         [0061]     The device represents a closed cylindrical vessel  1  with vertically mounted on its axis a cylinder with opened lower bottom, with connected to the upper bottom tube  10  with side openings in the lower part and installed inside valve  5 , ensuring changeable effective volume. By the use of the enlarging tube  15 , firmly connected to tube  10  and bearing on fulcrum  16  and situated axially towards the bottom of the vessel  1 , the cylinder is free to move only in vertical direction. The flap of the installed inside valve  5  is axially connected to the flap of the outlet valve  3 /mounted vertically in the center of flange  8  of vessel  1 /by rod  17 . The rod  17  is executed with transverse groove where the fork shaped end of lever  9  enters. The other end of the liver  9  is connected with hinge joint to the side wall of the vessel  1  with support to limit its down end position. The inlet steam valve  4  is mounted vertically on flange  8  with axis in the plain determined by the axis of the lever  9  and the axis of the outlet valve  3  and the heel of its flap in closed position touches the upper surface of the liver  9 .  
         [0062]     The lower part of the inlet valve seat is formed with an additional opening and in opened position of its flap, part of the steam is directed into the upper part of the vessel  1  and the rest through the pipeline  11  with a check valve  12  is directed inside the cylinder  2 . Inside the cylinder a pipeline with float valve is installed to limit the maximum level of condense.  
         [0063]     In the lower part of the vessel  1  an inlet check valve  6  and an outlet check valve  7  for condense are installed.  
         [0064]     Operating Principal of the Device  
         [0065]     The operating principal of the device is shown on figures from  7  to  13 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 7  The device at the start of fulfilling the vessel with condensate.  
         [0067]     The condense is entering the lower part of vessel  1  through the check valve  6  opened by the gravitational force of the condensate. It evacuates the air out of the cylinder  2  through the orifices of the inner tube  10  and the opened internal valve  5  and also from the vessel  1  through the opened outlet valve  3 . The inlet valve  4  and the check valve  12  are closed. The outlet check valve  7  is closed because of the back-pressure of the condense. The float valve  14  is closed by its own weight. The opened cylinder  2  is in its end down position and the lever  9  is also in its end down position. The process continues until the condense level reaches the orifices of the tube  10  in the cylinder  2 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 8  The device at closing the installed in the cylinder  2  valve  5 .  
         [0069]     When the level of the condense surpasses the level of the orifices of the tube  10 , the cylinder  2  lifts as the air (pesp. the steam) inside it can no longer be evacuated through tube  10  because the condense level has closed its orifices. The inside valve connected to lever  9  is closing. The lever  9  doesn&#39;t change the position of the inlet valve  3  and outlet valve  4  because the steam pressure holds the thrust of valve  4  in its down position. The level of condense raises, which raises the lifting power of the cylinder  2 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 9  The device reaching the definite highest level of condensate inside the cylinder  2  and when supercooled condense enters the vessel.  
         [0071]     In case supercooled condense enters the vessel and the inside valve  5 , in the cylinder  2  is closed, the steam in the closed volume of the cylinder starts condensing and condense takes its place. When the level of condense inside the cylinder  2  reaches the float of the float valve  14 , it lifts and additional steam enters the cylinder  2  through pipeline  13 . This steam pushes back the condense to the defined by the float of the float valve  14  level. Reaching this level the float valve closes by the force of its own weight.  
         [0072]      FIG. 10  The device at switching to discharging of condense  
         [0073]     At the moment the lifting power of the cylinder  2  exceeds the power acting on the thrust of the inlet valve  4 , the lever  9  lifts and starts opening the inlet valve  4  and closing the outlet valve  3 . The opening of inlet valve  4  causes steam to enter the vessel through the opening in the valve  4  seat and through the pipeline  11  and check valve  12  inside the cylinder. This leads to rapid lifting of the cylinder because of the enlarged steam volume in it and to full opening of the inlet valve  4  and full closing of outlet valve  3 . The increased pressure in the vessel closes the inlet valve  6  stopping the process of fulfilling the vessel and opens the outlet check valve  7  starting the process of discharging the condense.  
         [0074]      FIG. 11  The device at discharging the condense.  
         [0075]     The level of the condense in the cylinder  2  and the vessel  1  drops, but the lifting power because of the pressure difference inside the cylinder  2  and inside the vessel  1  keeps the cylinder in its up position as the installed valve  5  is closed.  
         [0076]     The process continues until the condense level inside the vessel  1  drops lower the down edge of the cylinder  2 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 12  The device at opening  
         [0078]     When the condense level inside the vessel  1  drops lower the down edge of the cylinder  2  the pressure difference is not enough to hold the cylinder  2  in its up position and the cylinder stars dropping down. This leads to opening of the valve  5 .  
         [0079]      FIG. 13  The device at switching into a process of fulfilling.  
         [0080]     After the full opening of valve  5  the weight of the cylinder  2  acts on lever  9 , which also drops down to its end position. Liver  9  moving downwards opens the outlet valve  3  and closes the inlet valve  4 , while the check valve  12  comes back to closed position.  
         [0081]     The discharging of the condense is completed. The pressure inside the vessel  1  drops to atmospheric and the outlet valve closes by the force of the back pressure inside the condense pipeline. The inlet valve  6  opens because of the gravitationally incoming condense. The cycle is completed and starts the next cycle of filling—discharging.  
         [0082]     The proposed method and device for transportation of liquids by compressed air or steam could be applicated in all industrial plants to transport either condense or other liquids, replacing the existing rapidly wearing devices with spring supported mechanisms, and at the same time ensuring smooth and trouble-free performance of the equipment. One of the preferred applications of the method is for constructing of water pumps for drill wells where the horizontal section is limited if compressed air is available on the site.  
         [0083]     The method and device could have application as cheep solution for constructing of dozing units for liquids if no high accuracy is required. A specially preferable application of the method and the device is constructing pumps for flammable and explosion risk liquids at a corresponding choice of material, as during the operation of the device hit loaded parts are eluded.