Abstract:
Balance piston assembly, apparatus, and methods are provided. The assembly includes a balance piston coupled to a rotatable shaft and configured to rotate therewith, the balance piston including a first shelf and a second shelf, the first and second shelves being axially-overlapping and radially-offset. The assembly also includes a seal including a first sealing surface configured to seal with the first shelf and a second sealing surface configured to seal with the second shelf.
Abstract:
A system and method utilizing compressed gas according to which the gas is compressed at a location above ground and transported to an underwater location. The gas is stored at the underwater location and later returned from the underwater location to the above-ground location for utilization as energy.
Abstract:
A seal assembly and cartridge for sealing a space between a rotating member and a stationary member in which a sleeve extends around the rotating member and with the inner surface of the sleeve being spaced from the outer surface of the rotating member to form a gap. Pressurized fluid is introduced to the sleeve to establish and maintain a predetermined gap between the sleeve and the rotating member, so that the pressure of the fluid can be varied to maintain the predetermined gap despite variations of the diameter of the rotating member during its rotation.
Abstract:
A sealing method and method according to which a first and second ring are each provided with split ends, and an arcuate lip extends from one end portion of the each ring and in an axial direction relative to the ring and projects outwardly from the face of the ring. The rings are disposed in an interlocking relationship with the second portion of the lip of the first ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the second ring; and with the second portion of each lip of the second ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the first ring.
Abstract:
A bearing assembly and method in which a bearing cage is disposed around a rotating member and a housing is disposed around the cage. A first portion of the radial outer surface of the cage extends in a slightly spaced relation to the corresponding portion of the inner surface of the housing, and a second portion of the radial outer surface of the cage projects from the first portion in a radial direction and engages the corresponding portion of the inner surface of the housing.
Abstract:
A valve seat includes a seat body with an inlay and at least one groove. The seat body has a passage which extends from a first opening to a second opening in the seat body. A channel is located in the seat body adjacent the first opening and extends around at least a portion of the passage. The inlay is located in at least a portion of the channel. The groove extends along at least a portion of an inner surface of the passage from the first opening towards the second opening.
Abstract:
An improved inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor and a method for utilizing a high pressure gas source to control an inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor is disclosed. The inlet valve system may include an unloader, a valve assembly including a cylindrical valve body circumferentially disposed about a central axis of the inlet valve system, and a control valve actuator including a control valve body. The valve assembly may include a plurality of inlet valve elements disposed respectively in valve element ports fluidly connected to a control valve passage. A high pressure gas source is utilized to hold open and close the inlet valve elements via the control valve passage in order to control the capacity of the reciprocating compressor.
Abstract:
Chemical reactor (10) and method for cracking are disclosed. A process fluid is accelerated with axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B) to a velocity greater than Mach 1 and, in turn, generating a shock wave (90) in the process fluid by decelerating it in a static diffuser (70) having diverging diffuser passages (72). Temperature increase of the process fluid downstream of the shockwave cracks or splits molecules, such as hydrocarbons entrained in the process fluid, in a single pass, through a unidirectional flow path (F), within a single stage, without recirculating the process fluid for another pass through the same stage. In some embodiments, a system involving at least two turbomachine chemical reactors (110) may provide multiple successive stages of one or more axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B), paired with a diverging passage, static diffuser (70).
Abstract:
A turbomachine type chemical reactor for processing a process fluid is presented. The turbomachine type chemical reactor includes at least one impeller section and a stationary diffuser section arranged downstream. The impeller section accelerates the process fluid to a supersonic flow. A shock wave is generated in the stationary diffuser section that instantaneously increases static temperature of the process fluid downstream the shock wave for processing the process fluid. which allows thermally cracking a chemical compound, such as hydrocarbon, in the process fluid. Static pressure of the process fluid is simultaneously increased across the shock wave. The turbomachine type chemical reactor significantly reduces residence time of the process fluid in the chemical reactor and improves efficiency of the chemical reactor.
Abstract:
A turbomachine type chemical reactor for processing a process fluid is presented. The turbomachine type chemical reactor includes at least one impeller section and a stationary diffuser section arranged downstream. The impeller section accelerates the process fluid to a supersonic flow. A shock wave is generated in the stationary diffuser section that instantaneously increases static temperature of the process fluid downstream the shock wave for processing the process fluid. Static pressure of the process fluid is simultaneously increased across the shock wave. The turbomachine type chemical reactor significantly reduces residence time of the process fluid in the chemical reactor and improves efficiency of the chemical reactor.