US 5,108,264 A · Method and apparatus for real time compensation of fluid compressibility in high pressure reciprocating pumps

Abstract

The invention is a method and apparatus for significantly improving the performance of a reciprocating pump by delivering the pumping fluid at a desired pressure and flow rate with minimal flow fluctuations. The compressibility of the pumping fluid directly effects volumetric flow rate and mass flow rate. The method includes the step of sensing various pump parameters related to said compressibility and adjusting the pumping speed to make appropriate accommodations. In particular, the compressibility of the pumping fluid is effected by the adiabatic heating of the pumping fluid during compression, variations in pumping fluid density, leaks in the check valves of cylinder/piston seals and the primary and secondary switching losses in the fluid flow occurring when the primary and secondary pistons reverse direction.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for delivering a pumping fluid, such as a liquid or supercritical fluid, at a desired pressure and mass flow rate with minimal fluctuations, comprising the method steps of:

sensing the type of fluid being pumped, the initial piston displacement and initial pressure of the pumping fluid prior to pumping cycle;
and
calculating the amount of additional compression displacement required to compensate for fluid compressibility as a function of the type of fluid being pumped, the initial piston displacement and the initial pressure of the pumping fluid;
and
adjusting the final piston displacement to compensate for the fluid compressibility.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for real time compensation of fluid compressibility in high pressure reciprocating pumps

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for real time compensation of fluid compressibility in high pressure reciprocating pumps

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12