WO2010085331A1

WO2010085331A1 - Labyrinthine sealing construction for a hydrocyclone

Info

Publication number: WO2010085331A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/000133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary C. Leander; Robert L. Kortyna
Original assignee: Weir Slurry Group Inc
Current assignee: Weir Slurry Group Inc
Priority date: 2009-01-23
Filing date: 2010-01-20
Publication date: 2010-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-23
Also published as: WO2010085331A8

Abstract

A labyrinthine sealing arrangement for hydrocyclones or other equipment used to process abrasive slurries, the labyrinthine sealing arrangement comprising an angled pathway and tongue-in-groove arrangement structured in abutting liner and housing sections of the hydrocyclone to limit leakage at the joints between adjoining sections of the hydrocyclone.

Description

LABYRINTHINE SEALING CONSTRUCTION FOR A HYDROCYCLONE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention: This invention relates to hydrocyclones used for separating different fractions of a fluid, and specifically relates to a joint construction for hydrocyclones.

Description of Related Art: Hydrocyclones are used in a variety of industries, including mining, oil and gas and food processing. Hydrocyclones are used to separate different fractions of a fluid, and can be used to separate different fractions of a liquid-liquid mixture or solids-entrained fluid, or slurry.

Hydrocyclones vary in construction, but generally include a feed chamber having an inlet through which a fluid is introduced. A cylindrical or conically-shaped separating chamber is attached to, and is co-axial with, the feed chamber. An outlet extends from the feed chamber and an underflow outlet is typically located at the end, or apex, of the separating chamber opposite the position of the feed chamber.

When used to process a slurry, for example, the slurry enters through the inlet and into the feed chamber where it is directed to rotate, in a vortex-type fashion, about the feed chamber, then progresses downward into the separating chamber. The fluid continues to spiral about in the conically-shaped separating chamber toward the underflow or apex end of the separating chamber. Larger particles and a portion of the fluid are directed by centrifugal forces toward the interior wall of the separating chamber. Lighter particles and a majority of the fluid tend to stay toward the central axis of the separating chamber. The larger particles eventually move toward the underflow outlet at the bottom of the separating chamber and the lighter particles reverse direction and pass back through the center of the feed chamber as overflow.

Some hydrocyclones are constructed with a conically-shaped separating chamber that is of single-piece construction having a continuous and uninterrupted wall from the large end of the cone, to which the feed chamber is attached, down to the small end of the cone, or the apex where the underflow outlet or spigot is located. The conically-shaped separating chamber of other hydrocyclone constructions may be formed of two or more conical sections that are bolted or clamped together by a circumferential flange formed at either end of the conical sections.

Hydrocyclones may or may not be formed with a liner. Liners may be provided in hydrocyclones that are used to process corrosive or abrasive fluids and are made of material that can withstand the wear of the corrosive or abrasive fraction of the fluid. The liner may then be replaced when worn, thereby preserving the outer housing of the hydrocyclone. In some constructions, the liner may not be replaceable, however.

The processing of slurries presents a particular problem to hydrocyclones constructed of multiple sections. This is because the larger particles moving at high velocity around the interior wall of the conically-shaped separating chamber can be very abrasive. The seamed joints between sections of the separating chamber have historically presented weak points of the separating chamber's construction and eventually abrasive action of particles in the slurry wear away the interior wall of the separating chamber, especially at the seamed joints. With sufficient wear, the seamed joints begin to leak.

The abrasive action of the particles in the slurry is deleterious to not only the liner, in those constructions that employ a liner, but to the outer conical housing. Prior art constructions that use an overlapping and tapered or angled sealing arrangement between housing sections, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,400,267, are particularly vulnerable to wear since the angle or slope between the sealing members of the housing is directly in line with the pathway of the downward spiraling particles, thereby leading to enhanced degradation of the joint between the housing parts. Likewise, a liner constructed with such overlapping sealing arrangements is vulnerable to wear. When the liner and/or the joint of the housing becomes worn and degraded in such prior art hydrocyclones, the housing will eventually leak through the joints.

It would be advantageous in the art, therefore, to provide a joint construction in hydrocyclones made of multiple sections that will prevent leakage through the seamed joints of the sections, thereby increasing the service life of the hydrocyclone. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a hydrocyclone comprised of multiple sections is constructed with a labyrinthine sealing arrangement in the liner and the outer housing to prevent leakage through the seamed joints of the hydrocyclone. The labyrinthine sealing arrangement comprises a seam between adjoining liner edges that is formed as an angled pathway having at least three pathway components, and a configuration of interfitting recesses and projections arranged in the joint between adjoining housing elements.

The first seam component of the angled pathway of the labyrinthine sealing arrangement is preferably formed at an angle substantially perpendicular to a plane formed though the central axis of the conically-shaped separating chamber. As such, the first seam component is not in the direct pathway of particulates circulating around the interior wall of the separating chamber and is less vulnerable to wear than prior art constructions. The third seam component is generally in alignment with the seam between the adjoining housing elements and directs any fluid in the direction of the configuration of interfitting recess and projection construction of the adjoining housing elements. In one embodiment of the invention, the interfitting recess and projection configuration is formed as a tongue-in-groove construction. The interfitting recess and projection configuration is further provided with a sealing element, such as an elastomer o-ring, that provides additional prevention of leakage between the housing elements and improves pressure retention in the hydrocyclone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, which currently illustrate the best mode for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a view in cross section of a hydrocyclone of the present invention the separation chamber of which is constructed of multiple sections; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a joint between two conical sections of the separating chamber depicting the labyrinthine joint of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a hydrocyclonelO of the present invention which generally comprises a feed chamber 12 connected to a separating chamber 14. The feed chamber 12 is formed with an inlet 16 through which fluid enters the interior 18 of the feed chamber 12 and is formed with an overflow outlet 20 that is structured for connection to appropriate piping as is known in the art. A spigot 24 is attached to the lower end of the separating chamber 14, and a splash skirt 26 is, in turn, attached to the spigot 24.

As is known in the art, fluid enters through the inlet 16 into the feed chamber 12 where it circulates around the interior 18 of the feed chamber 12 and then progresses downward into the separating chamber 14. When processing slurries, that fraction of the slurry comprising smaller particles eventually spirals upwardly toward the center of the feed chamber 12 and is discharged through the outlet 20 while larger solids eventually spiral downwardly through the separating chamber 14, into the spigot 24 and out through an underflow outlet 30 to which is attached the splash skirt 26.

As seen in FIG. 1 , the separating chamber 14 of the hydrocyclone is generally conically-shaped. The construction of hydrocyclone separating chambers varies depending on the application in which the hydrocyclone is used, and consequently the separating chamber may be more cylindrical rather than conical in shape. However, the separating chamber of the invention will be described herein with reference to a conically-shaped separating chamber by way of example only.

The separating chamber 14 of the present invention comprises an outer housing or shell 34 having an outer surface 36 and an inner surface 38. To the inner surface 38 is formed a liner 40 having an interior surface 42 against which fluid circulating through the separating chamber 14 flows.

The separating chamber 14, more specifically, is formed of a plurality of sections 46 the number of which may vary with the size and dimension of the hydrocyclone and the application in which the hydrocyclone is used. As depicted in FIG. 1 , the separating chamber 14 has a first housing section 50 and a second housing section 52. The first housing section 50 is formed with a flange 54 at one end for connection to a flange 56 of the feed chamber 12, and is formed with a flange 58 at the opposite end for connection with the second housing section 52. Likewise, the second housing section 52 is formed with a flange 60 at one end for connection to the flange 58 of the first housing section 50, and is formed with a flange 62 at the other end for connection to a flange 64 formed on the spigot 24. All adjacent flanges are held together by bolts 66 or other securement devices.

As can generally be seen from FIG. 1 , the feed chamber 12 is also formed with a liner 68 that abuts the liner 40 of the separating chamber 14 when the feed chamber 12 and separating chamber 14 are attached, and the feed chamber 12 is likewise formed with an outer housing or shell 70 to which the liner 68 is formed. The spigot 24 is also formed with a liner 72 which abuts the liner 40 of the separating chamber 14, and the spigot 24 is formed with on outer housing 74.

The labyrinthine sealing arrangement of the present invention is provided between each of the sections 46 of the separating chamber 14, and may also be provided at the connection between the feed chamber 12 and separating chamber 14, as well as at the connection between the separating chamber 14 and the spigot 24. The labyrinthine sealing arrangement is shown more clearly in FIG. 2.

The labyrinthine sealing arrangement first comprises an angled pathway 80 comprising at least three pathway components, including a first pathway component 84, a second pathway component 86 and a third pathway component 88. The angled pathway 80 is formed between adjoining liner 40 sections of abutting housing sections 46, here shown as the first housing section 50 and the second housing section 52. Thus, the liner 40 of one housing section 46 is formed with an axially extending male element 90 that registers against a correspondingly dimensioned female element 92 formed in the liner 40 of the adjacently positioned housing section 46. The male element 90 and female element 92 may be formed in either housing section 46.

The abutment of the male element 90 with the female element 92 forms the first pathway component 84, which is angled at substantially a perpendicular orientation to a plane formed through the central axis 100 (FIG. 1) of the hydrocyclone 10. The second pathway component 86 extends from the first pathway component 84 at an angle between about 50 angle degrees and 90 angle degrees in an orientation generally in alignment with the central axis 100 of the hydrocyclone. The third pathway component 88 extends at an angle of between about 40 angle degrees and 90 angle degrees from the second pathway 86, and is oriented at substantially a perpendicular orientation to a plane formed through the central axis 100. The labyrinthine sealing arrangement further comprises a configuration of interfitting recess and projection which may be formed as a tongue-in-groove types arrangement between abutting flanges of adjacent housing sections 46. Thus, the inner face 104 of one flange 58 is formed with a groove 106 and the inner face 108 of the adjacent flange 60 is formed with a tongue, or upwardly extending ridge 110, the dimensions of which allow the ridge 110 to register within the groove 106. It is particularly suitable that the groove 106 and the ridge 110 extend fully about the circumference of the respective housing sections 46 to which they are formed; however, the groove 106 and ridge 110 may be formed as discreet and non- continuous elements about the circumference of the respective housing sections 46. In still further embodiments of the invention, the configuration of interfitting recesses and projections need not be in the form of a tongue-in-groove configuration, but could be a different arrangement of shapes to provide registration between adjacent housing sections, and such projections and recesses may be located in any position on the abutting surfaces of the adjacent housing sections. A sealing device 112, such as an o-ring 114, is preferably located between the groove 106 and the ridge 110 to improve the pressure holding capability of the assembly.

It can be seen that the labyrinthine sealing arrangement of the invention presents a tortuous pathway through which fluid must travel, consequently limiting the wear or degradation that may act upon the liner and the outer housing or shell of the hydrocyclone and thereby preventing leakage through the joints of the hydrocyclone.

One exemplary means of forming the hydrocyclone of the present invention is accomplished by molding the liners 68, 40, 72 of the various hydrocyclone components from an appropriate material such as, for example, ceramic (e.g., silicon carbide), although any number of suitable materials may be used. The plurality of molded liners 68, 40, 72 are then joined together to form a core about which the outer housing or shell 34 is formed, such as with urethane. The liner is then bonded to the urethane outer shell of the hydrocyclone.

The labyrinthine sealing arrangement of the present invention may be adapted for use in any type of equipment which processes abrasive slurries, or in any type of hydrocyclone whether such hydrocyclone is used to process abrasive slurries. Thus, the size, dimension, configuration and reference to other details and elements described herein may be changed to adapt the labyrinthine sealing arrangement to different equipment and are provided by way of example, not by way of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A hydrocyclone comprising: a feed chamber having an inlet; a separating chamber positioned adjacent to said feed chamber, the separating chamber being comprised of two or more adjoining housing sections; and a labyrinthine seal arrangement located between at least one placement of said adjoining housing sections, said labyrinthine seal arrangement comprising adjacent liner sections having an angled pathway therebetween and a configuration of at least one interfitting recess and projection positioned between said adjacent housing sections.

2. The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein said configuration of at least one interfitting recess and projection is configured as a tongue-in-groove type arrangement.

3. The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein said configuration of at least one interfitting recess and projection is comprised of a plurality of interfitting recesses and projections.

4. The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 wherein said angled pathway comprises at least three pathway components, the first pathway component being oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane formed through a central axis of the hydrocyclone.

5. The hydrocyclone of claim 1 wherein said labyrinthine sealing arrangement is provided between said feed chamber and said separating chamber.

6. The hydrocyclone of claim 5, further comprising a spigot attached to an end of the separating chamber opposite the attachment of the feed chamber, and wherein a labyrinthine sealing arrangement is formed between said separating chamber and said spigot.

7. A labyrinthine sealing arrangement for equipment used to process abrasive slurries, the equipment being comprised of adjacent and abutted sections, comprising: an angled pathway comprising at least three pathway components; and a configuration of at least one interfitting recess and projection in fluid communication with said angled pathway.