Positive displacement flow

Figure 7.12 Qualitatively predicted particle trajectories in the laboratory frame (screw rotation) a) flow in the z direction (towards the inlet) due to the motion of the core, b) positive displacement flow in the x-y plane. The spacing between the particles is at equal time intervals. The relative positions indicate the speed of the particles. That is, the particles are moving faster near the root of the screw...

First we want to gain some insight into the nature and mechanism of positive displacement flow. In the next two examples we examine the plunger-cylinder... 

Fig. 6.37 Schematic representation of four geometrical configurations utilizing external mechanical pressurization giving rise to positive displacement flow, (a) Axially moving plunger in a cylinder, (b) Squeezing disks, (c) Intermeshing gear pump, (d) Counterrotating intermeshing twin screws.

To inject the polymer melt into the mold, the melt must be pressurized. This is achieved by the forward thrust of the screw (a) or the piston (b), both of which act as rams. Hence we have static mechanical pressurization, as discussed in Section 6.7, which results in positive displacement flow. 

Positive displacement flow meters, or PD meters, are used more than all other flow measurement devices [10] a typical PD flow meter is shown in Figure 4.22. Millions of PD... 

Positive displacement flow Open channel flow... 

Flow meters have traditionally been classified as either electrical or mechanical depending on the nature of the output signal, power requirements, or both. However, improvement in electrical transducer technology has blurred the distinction between these categories. Many flow meters previously classified as mechanical are now used with electrical transducers. Some common examples are the electrical shaft encoders on positive displacement meters, the electrical (strain) sensing of differential pressure, and the ultrasonic sensing of weir or flume levels. 

The ease with which the separated products leave the bowl determines the richness of the fat. Fluid whole milk enters the separator under pressure from a positive displacement pump or centrifugal pump with flow control (Fig. 1). The fat (cream) is separated and moves toward the center of the bowl, while the skimmed milk passes to the outer space. There are two spouts or oudets, one for cream and one for skimmed milk. Cream leaves the center of the bowl with the percentage of fat ( 30 40%) controlled by the adjustment of a valve, called a cream or skim milk screw, that controls the flow of the product leaving the field of centrifugal force and thus affects the separation. 

Positive Displacement Pumps. Positive displacement pumps foUow HI convention (see Fig. 1). As a rule, these pumps work against significantly higher pressures and lower flows than do kinetic, particularly centrifugal, pumps. Positive displacement pumps also operate at lower rotational speeds. There are many types of positive displacement pumps, for which designs are constantly being developed. Some of these are discussed herein. 

Flow, defined as volume per unit of time at specified temperature and pressure conditions, is generally measured By positive-displacement or rate meters. The term positive-displacement meter apphes to a device in which the flow is divided into isolated measured volumes when the number of fillings of these volumes is counted in some man-... 

The principal classes of flow-measuring instruments used in the process industries are variable-head, variaBle-area, positive-displacement, and turbine instruments, mass flowmeters, vortex-shedding and iiltrasonic flowmeters, magnetic flowmeters, and more recently, Coriohs mass flowmeters. Head meters are covered in more detail in Sec. 5. 

Whereas the total dynamic head developed by a centrifugal, mixed-flow, or axial-flow pump is uniquely determined for any given flow by the speed at whicdi it rotates, positive-displacement pumps and those which approach positive displacement will ideally produce whatever head is impressed upon them by the system restrictions to flow. Actually with slippage neglecTed, the maximum head attainable is determined by the power available in the drive and the strength of the pump parts. An automatic relief valve set to open at a safe pressure... 

To be able to decide which type of compressor would best fit the job, we should first divide the compressors into three main categories positive displacement, centrifugaf and axial flow In general terms, positive displacement compressors are used for high pressure and low flow characteristics centrifugal compressors are used for medium to high pressure dehvery and medium flow and axial flow compressors are low pressure and high flow... 

Continuous-Flow Compressors Continuous-flow compressors are machines where the flow is continuous, unlike positive displacement machines where the flow is fluctuating. Continuous-flow compressors are also classified as turbomachines. These types of machines are widely used in the chemical and petroleum industiy for many services. They are also used extensively in many other industries such as the iron and steel industry, pipeKne boosters, and on offshore platforms for reinjection compressors. Continuous-flow machines are usually much smaller in size and produce much less vibration than their counterpart, positive displacement units. 

Many users consider rotaiy compressors, such as the Rootes -type blower, as turbomachines because their behavior in terms of the rotor dynamics is very close to centrifugal and axial flow machineiy. Unhke the reciprocating machines, the rotary machines do not have a veiy high vibration problem but, like the reciprocating machines, they are positive displacement machines. 

The two principal elements of evaporator control are evaporation rate a.ndproduct concentration. Evaporation rate in single- and multiple-effect evaporators is usually achieved by steam-flow control. Conventional-control instrumentation is used (see Sec. 22), with the added precaution that pressure drop across meter and control valve, which reduces temperature difference available for heat transfer, not be excessive when maximum capacity is desired. Capacity control of thermocompression evaporators depends on the type of compressor positive-displacement compressors can utilize speed control or variations in operating pressure level. Centrifugal machines normally utihze adjustable inlet-guide vanes. Steam jets may have an adjustable spindle in the high-pressure orifice or be arranged as multiple jets that can individually be cut out of the system. 

Piston, or positive displacement pumps, are well known and much used. Centrifugal pumps are not as well understood. Consequently, piston pump performance is sometimes expected from centrifugal blowers. The main difference is that positive displacement or piston pumps generate flow, whereas centrifugal pumps produce pressure. With a piston pump, the pressure will increase to the level needed to maintain the flow set by the piston volume and stroking speed. In contrast, centrifugal pumps produce pressure the flow will increase until the pressure drop, produced by the flow, matches the pressure produced by the pump. 

Figure 1-3. General performance curve for axial flow, centrifugal, and positive displacement.

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