Abstract:
A dampener device extending along a vertical axis for use with an industrial process having a first conduit through which process fluid flows along with a second conduit wherein the second conduit extends away from the first conduit generally along the vertical axis. The dampener also includes a third conduit having that is connected to the first conduit, wherein the third conduit extends away from the first conduit generally along the vertical axis in opposing relationship to the second conduit. The dampener device design further includes a dampener valve positioned the first conduit and a fourth conduit extending in opposing relation to the first conduit between the second and third conduits.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to dampener devices and methods for the operation thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to pulsation dampeners and the use and employment of such dampeners in industrial processes having fluid pumping systems utilizing piston pumps, plunger pumps, homogenizers and/or the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Generally, fluid-pumping systems utilize a high pressure pump, such as a displacement pump or reciprocating piston pump, to force or flow fluid through said system. One such fluid pumping system is a homogenization system which employs a high pressure pump or homogenizer. 
         [0003]    Homogenization is a process utilized within the food industry, where it is employed for size reduction of the fat globules in the product being processed and thereby preventing separation of the fat from the rest of the product. Almost all consumer milk and many food products are homogenized today. The use of the homogenization process within the food industry entails that extremely stringent demands on hygiene are placed on not only the homogenizers but also on all ancillary equipment. 
         [0004]    During industrial processes such homogenization, the flow of product oftentimes pulsates as said pressure pulsations are known to oftentimes occur in fluids being pumped by reciprocating-piston pumps or the like. Such pulsations are known to occur even if pumps with multiple pistons having staggered cycles are used to pump fluids into common lines. Accordingly, in order to avoid the risk to the pump and ancillary equipment from said pulsations, such systems are oftentimes provided with dampeners. For example, pulsation dampeners are often times utilized to suppress or dampen such pulsations. 
         [0005]    In its simplest form, a pulsation dampener consists of at least one partly air-filled upright tube in fluid communication with the piston pump. Many homogenizer systems available on the market employ such pulsation dampeners. Oftentimes the systems position the dampeners on both the suction side and the pressure side of the piston pump or reciprocating pump. 
         [0006]    Typically, while the pulsation dampeners are successful in dampening, they are not designed for being cleaned in place (CIP), i.e., for being cleaned without disassembly. Rather, such pulsation dampeners have interior regions where products can collect, so as to form contaminants in subsequent operations with different products. Moreover, such pulsation dampeners cannot be easily disassembled for inspection, cleaning, sterilization or repair. 
         [0007]    Current dampening systems have other drawbacks. As said dampener systems are in operation, the air entrapped in the upright tube will, in due course, be “consumed” by the product flow. Oftentimes it is not possible to replenish air while the system is in operation, but it has instead it is necessary to shut down the system, which entails both time loss and the loss of product. Requirements on higher output capacities and longer running times, for example within the food industry, as well as the use of higher pressure within the systems require that the pulsation dampeners will attain far too short an operational running time. The air in the upright tubes is consumed rapidly and production stoppages become necessary. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a pulsation dampener that operates efficiently in high pressure environments. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a pulsation dampener which can easily be cleaned utilizing the industrial process&#39;s CIP system, i.e., cleaned without being disassembled, or with minimal disassembly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    At least in view of the above, it would be desirable to provide relatively a pulsation dampener that operates efficiently in high pressure environments. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a pulsation dampener which can easily be cleaned utilizing the industrial process&#39;s CIP system, i.e., cleaned without being disassembled, or with minimal disassembly. 
         [0010]    The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by certain embodiments of the present invention. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, A dampener device extending along a vertical axis for use with an industrial process comprising: a first conduit through which process fluid flows; a second conduit having a first and second end connected to said first conduit, wherein said second conduit extends away from said first conduit generally along the vertical axis; a third conduit having a first and second end connected to said first conduit, wherein said third conduit extends away from said first conduit generally along the vertical axis in opposing relationship to said second conduit; a dampener valve positioned on said first conduit; and a fourth conduit extending in opposing relation to said first conduit, said fourth conduit extending between said second and third conduits. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, A dampening system for use with an industrial process having fluid flow, comprising: a first dampener device having a vertical axis comprising: a first conduit through which process fluid flows; a second conduit having a first and second end connected to said first conduit, wherein said second conduit extends away from said first conduit generally along the vertical axis; a third conduit having a first and second end connected to said first conduit, wherein said third conduit extends away from said first conduit generally along the vertical axis in opposing relationship to said second conduit; a first dampener valve positioned on said first conduit; and a fourth conduit extending in opposing relation to said first conduit, said fourth conduit extending between said second and third conduits; a first air valve connected to said fourth conduit; a first diverter valve positioned on said first conduit, wherein said first diverter valve controls the fluid flow to said dampener device; a bypass conduit connected to said first diverter valve; and a reciprocating pump having an inlet side and an outlet side, wherein said dampener device is connected to and in fluid communication with one of the inlet side or the outlet side of said reciprocating pump. 
         [0012]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for dampening an industrial process fluid, said method comprising: providing a dampener device comprising: a first conduit through which process fluid flows; a second conduit having a first and second end connected to said first conduit, wherein said second conduit extends away from said first conduit generally along the vertical axis; a third conduit having a first and second end connected to said first conduit, wherein said third conduit extends away from said first conduit generally along the vertical axis in opposing relationship to said second conduit; a dampener valve positioned on said first conduit; and a fourth conduit extending in opposing relation to said first conduit, said fourth conduit extending between said second and third conduits, wherein the fourth conduit has an air valve connected thereto and the air is in fluid communication with a pressurized air source dampening the industrial process fluid as the industrial process fluid flows through the second and third conduits by applying pressurized air to the industrial process fluid. 
         [0013]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0014]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a industrial process line incorporating pulsation dampeners in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a detailed schematic view of a pulsation dampener in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of industrial process utilizing pulsation dampeners during operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the industrial process depicted in  FIG. 3 , during a cleaning process. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the industrial process depicted in  FIG. 3 , during the bypass cleaning flow operation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.  FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a pulsation dampener design, generally designated  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for use in connection with an industrial process line or the like employing a high pressure pump, reciprocating pump such as homogenizers. For exemplary purposes, a homogenization system is described and depicted herein however the present invention is not limited to homogenization processes and/or apparatuses. As illustrated, the pulsation dampener  10  includes a first partly air filled upright dampener tube  12  and a second partly air filled upright dampener tube  14 . The first and second dampener tubes  12 ,  14 , are interconnected and in fluid communication with one another by means of a liquid flow conduit  16 , having a dampener valve  18  disposed thereon. The first and second dampener tubes  12 ,  14  are also interconnected with one other via an upper air conduit  20 . The upper air conduit is connected to a pressurized air source (not pictured) via an air valve  22 . The pulsation dampener  10  also includes a site glass or level sensor  24  disposed on at least one of the upright tubes  12 ,  14 . 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the pulsation dampener  10  comprises a dampener valve  18  disposed on the conduit  16 , preferably between the first and second upright dampener tubes  12 ,  14 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the dampener valve  18  is a shut-off valve that can be either opened or closed, and does not offer any additional flow path. The flow of industrial process fluid through said valve  18  during operation of the pulsation dampener  10  is designated by arrows  26 . While the dampener valve  18  may incorporate any sort of shut-off design, various preferred designs of the valve  18  may include a butterfly valve design, a gate valve design or a ball valve design. 
         [0023]    Also as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the air valve  22  is preferable positioned on the upper air conduit  20  and connected to a pressurized air source (not pictured). The air valve  22 , like the dampener valve  18 , preferably only operates in the open or closed position and does not offer additional flow paths. The air valve may be a butterfly valve, ball valve, diaphragm valve, globe valve however other on/off type flow valves may be utilized. 
         [0024]    As the name suggests, the upper air conduit  20  is usually filled with pressurized air during the operation of the pulsation damper  10  as reference by numeral  23 . The pressurized air  23  abuts the process fluid  25  and provides a dampening effect with respect to fluid flow pulsations. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the upper air conduit  20  has a generally U-shaped geometry or configuration however this geometry may vary from application to application. The upper air conduit  20  may be integral to the dampener tubes  12 ,  14 , forming a single, unitary piece. Alternatively, the upper air conduit  20  may be separately attached or connected to each individual dampener tube  12 ,  14  via any mechanical means, for example, weld attachment, clamp attachment, bracketing, etc. 
         [0025]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , an industrial process system, generally designated  28  is illustrated. While the pulsation dampener  10  of the current invention may be utilized with various industrial processes and methods,  FIG. 2  illustrates a homogenization system which employs an embodiment of the pulsation dampener  10  of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the homogenization system  28  includes a homogenizer  30  having a pulsation dampener  10  positioned at the inlet side of the homogenizer  30 , generally designated  32 , and the outlet side of the homogenizer  30 , generally designated  34 . 
         [0026]    The homogenization system  28  also includes a diverter valve  36  located on the inlet side of the homogenizer  30  and a diverter valve  38  located on the outlet side of the homogenizer  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the diverter valves  36 ,  38  are connected and in fluid communication with one another via a bypass conduit  40 . The diverter valve  36  is in fluid communication with the pulsation dampener  10  positioned on the inlet side  32  via an inlet conduit  42  while the diverter valve  38  is in fluid communication with the pulsation dampener  10  positioned on the outlet side  34  via an outlet conduit  44 . 
         [0027]    The diverter valves  36 ,  38  are preferably “three position” valves allowing for flow from one position to another while blocking flow to any other positions on the valve body. More specifically, during operation, in a first position, the diverter valves  36 ,  38  allow process fluid to flow through the inlet pulsation dampeners  10  and homogenizer  30  while preventing flow through the bypass  40  in a first position. In an alternate, second position, the diverter valves allow for flow through the bypass conduit  40 , while preventing flow through the pulsation dampeners  10  and homogenizer  30 . 
         [0028]    While the homogenization system  28  is depicted with dual pulsation dampeners  10  in  FIGS. 2-5 , one located on the inlet side of the homogenizer  30 , and one positioned on at the outlet side of the homogenizer  30 , this proposed arrangement is exemplary only. For example, industrial processes embodied by the present invention may include processes that employ a single pulsation dampener, or alternatively some industrial processes may employ multiple pulsation dampeners numbering greater than two. 
         [0029]    Now turning to  FIG. 3 , the homogenization system  28  is illustrated during industrial, process operation. During said operation, the inlet diverter valve  36 ( a ) is in a first position wherein it allows the process flow of liquid through the conduit  42  and into the pulsation dampener  10  positioned at the inlet  32 , as indicated by the arrows. In this first position, the dampener valve  18 ( a ) is also open, allowing process fluid flow into the respective upright tubes  12 ,  14  wherein any pulsating fluid is suppressed or dampened. The fluid then proceeds to flow into the homogenizer  30 . The process fluid then exits the homogenizer  30  via the conduit  44  and enters the pulsation dampener  10  position at the outlet side  34  of the homogenizer  30 . Like the diverter valve  36 ( a ) and dampener valve  18 ( a ) previously discussed in connection with the inlet side  32 , in this first position, both valves are open  36 ( b ),  18 ( b ), allowing the industrial process fluid to flow into the respective upright tubes  12 ,  14  dampening any residual pulsating fluid flow. Also while in this first position, the diverter valve  36 ( b ) allows the process flow to exit the system  28 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the homogenization system  28  is depicted during a cleaning cycle where the system is cleaned in place (CIP). During the cleaning of the homogenization system  28 , the inlet diverter valve  36 ( a ) is in a second position where it once again allows process flow of liquid through the conduit  42  and into the pulsation dampener  10  positioned at the inlet  32  as indicated by the arrows. However unlike the previously described first position, in this second position the dampener valve  18 ( a ) is closed, forcing the industrial process fluid flow through the upright dampener tube  12  and into to the upright dampener tube  14  via the upper air conduit  20  as indicated by the arrows. The industrial process flow then proceeds into the homogenizer  30  and exits the homogenizer  30  via the conduit  44 . The process flow proceeds to enter the pulsation dampener  10  positioned at the outlet side  34  of the homogenizer  30  as indicated by the arrows. Like the dampener valve  18 ( a ) previously discussed in connection with the inlet side  32 , in this second position, the dampener valve  18 ( b ) is closed, forcing the process fluid to flow through the upright dampener tube  12  and onto to the upright dampener tube  14  via the upper air conduit  20  as indicated by the arrows. The fluid then exits the system  28  via the diverter valve  36 ( b ). 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the homogenization system  28  is depicted during another cleaning cycle, wherein the system is once again cleaned in place (CIP).  FIG. 5  depicts a bypass cleaning cycle wherein the cleaning flow travels through the bypass conduit, bypassing the homogenizer  30  and the pulsation dampeners  10 . During the aforementioned bypass cleaning cycle, the inlet diverter valve  36 ( a ) is in a third position where it forces the process flow of liquid through the bypass conduit  40  and as indicated by the arrows. In this third position, and prevents the flow of fluid is presented from traveling into the pulsation dampener  10  and into the homogenizer  30 . 
         [0032]    During the illustrated cleaning cycle, the process flow proceeds through the bypass conduit as indicated until it reaches the diverter valve  36 ( b ). As discussed in connection with the diverter valve  36 ( a ), the diverter valve  36 ( b ) is also in the third position, therefore preventing flow from entering the outlet conduit  44 , and directing process flow out of the homogenizer system  28 . This above-described cleaning cycle allows for the system  28  to be cleaned in place by flushing the system  28  with cleaning flow without the cleaning flow traveling through the homogenizer and  30  and pulsation dampeners  10 . 
         [0033]    As is apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention discloses a dampener device for a reciprocating pump, piston pump or the like, for example a homogenizer, which may be employed on both the inlet side and/or the outlet side to the homogenizer. Alternatively, the dampener may be utilized singularly at either the inlet side or on that side of a reciprocating pump, piston pump or the like. Moreover, the dampener device is designed so that air may be replenished via the pressurized air source to the upright tubes during operation, which minimizes production stoppages and thereby reduces any possible product losses caused by dampeners. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a dampener device that may be cleaned in place with little or no disassembly. 
         [0034]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.