Abstract: An olefin polymerization process and apparatus wherein a fluid slurry comprising monomer, diluent and catalyst is circulated in a continuous loop reactor by two or more pumps. The process and apparatus allow operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating fluid slurry. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid slurry is circulated by two impellers arranged so that the downstream impeller benefits from the rotational energy imparted by the upstream impeller. An olefin polymerization process operating at higher reactor solids by virtue of more aggressive circulation has improved efficiencies, particularly in larger-volume reactors.

Abstract: A rotor and shaft assembly for turbomachinery has a polygon shaped drive collar interposed between corresponding polygonal mating surfaces of a drive shaft and a rotor hub. The mating surfaces of the polygon collar, the drive shaft and the rotor hub may be sized both axially and radially for required torque transmission without the need for hub inserts or oversized shafts. The polygon drive collar is manufacturable using standard machine tools such as lathes and end mills that remove metal in a tool path following not more than two axes of simultaneous movement. A shaft end assembly secures the rotor and drive collar to the shaft.

Abstract: A vertically mountable shaft and bearing assembly includes a thermally insulated housing which protects the shaft, bearing(s), seal(s), and bearing lubricant from overheating due to a surrounding process fluid at a temperature exceeding 65° C. The thermal insulation, which in some embodiments includes vacuum, air, or an insulating material, enables a rolling element bearing to be located near the shaft's distal end, thereby reducing shaft and bearing size requirements. Lubricant is circulated past the bearing(s) by a circulation and cooling system having a capacity typical of systems used with process fluids at much lower temperatures. Additional roller and/or journal bearings can be included. The lubricant circulation system can be actuated by the shaft or driven separately. Lubricant within the shaft housing can be pressurized, for example by pressurizing gas or by filling the lubricant above the surrounding process fluid level. The shaft can operate a process fluid pump impeller.

Abstract: A device for reducing solids and increasing pressure in a fluid handling system has comminution and inducer sections in a housing upstream of a pump impeller. A rotor has a hub with a small inlet diameter and a larger outlet diameter and a helical rotor blade with its blade pitch angle progressively increasing from inlet to outlet as a polynomial function. The comminutor section has a larger diameter than the inducer section and comminutor vanes extending inward forming a vane edge effective diameter equal to the inducer section diameter. The rotor blade turning within the closing fitting cage of vane edges provides a crushing and shearing action to solids in the fluid flow. Cutouts on the blade edge provide additional crushing and shearing action against the vanes. The fluid passageway sectional area at the outlet is bigger than the throat of the downstream main impeller.

Abstract: A device for reducing solids and increasing pressure in a fluid handling system has comminution and inducer sections in a housing upstream of a pump impeller. A rotor has a hub with a small inlet diameter and a larger outlet diameter and a helical rotor blade with its blade pitch angle progressively increasing from inlet to outlet as a polynomial function. The comminutor section has a larger diameter than the inducer section and comminutor vanes extending inward forming a vane edge effective diameter equal to the inducer section diameter. The rotor blade turning within the closing fitting cage of vane edges provides a crushing and shearing action to solids in the fluid flow. Cutouts on the blade edge provide additional crushing and shearing action against the vanes. The fluid passageway sectional area at the outlet is bigger than the throat of the downstream main impeller.

Abstract: A rotor and shaft assembly for turbomachinery has a polygon shaped drive collar interposed between corresponding polygonal mating surfaces of a drive shaft and a rotor hub. The mating surfaces of the polygon collar, the drive shaft and the rotor hub may be sized both axially and radially for required torque transmission without the need for hub inserts or oversized shafts. The polygon drive collar is manufacturable using standard machine tools such as lathes and end mills that remove metal in a tool path following not more than two axes of simultaneous movement. A shaft end assembly secures the rotor and drive collar to the shaft.

Abstract: A multistage, centrifugal partial emissions pump with a first stage impeller, a final stage impeller, a first stage casing liner, one or more first stage discharge nozzles, a final stage casing liner, one or more final stage discharge nozzles, an interstage delivery channel liner, one or more delivery channels, and an outer pressure shell wherein the first stage casing liner and the final stage casing liner are connected by one or more fluid channels integral within a delivery channel liner, that follow an arced path directed predominantly radially inward within the interstage delivery channel liner, and the sum of the cross sectional areas of all delivery channels taken on a radial plane intersecting the delivery channels is less than the sum of cross sectional areas of the non-channel areas within the boundaries of the channels.

Abstract: An open face cooling system for a motorized, impeller-type, submersible pump operated in a host fluid ladened with solids, comprising an inlet in the pump housing close to the impeller and away from the axis of the pump into which fluid is forced by pump pressure, the inlet arranged so the impeller vanes sweep its face with a shearing motion that reduces the size of any solids present there until they are small enough to enter the inlet with the fluid flow, the materials ladened fluid flowing hence through a coolant conduit, out of a tangentially configured nozzle into a rotational flow around the inside of an open face toroidal section, and hence inward through an adjoined, inward extending distribution section configured co-axially around and above the motor, to be discharged upon the motor.

Abstract: A canned motor has an L3/D4 ratio of less than 50, with one bearing on one end of the rotor assembly configured to resist longitudinal displacement of the rotor as by an axial shaft load, and another bearing on the other end of the rotor assembly configured to allow limited longitudinal displacement of the rotor assembly within the bearing as from thermal expansion, lengthwise adjustment or pressure from an axial shaft load. The rotor assembly may include a center shaft coaxially extended through a hollow shaft, with rotor windings mounted on the hollow shaft, with the first bearing positioned on one end of the hollow shaft and the second bearing mounted on the second hollow shaft end. A cap and nut assembly on the second hollow shaft end, into which the rotor shaft end is threaded, provides for adjusting the effective rotor shaft length protruding from the motor, and for replacement of the rotor shaft within the hollow shaft without removing the rotor assembly from motor.

Abstract: An open face cooling system for a motorized, impeller-type, submersible pump operated in a host fluid ladened with solids, comprising an inlet in the pump housing close to the impeller and away from the axis of the pump into which fluid is forced by pump pressure, the inlet arranged so the impeller blades sweep its face with a shearing motion that reduces the size of any solids present there until they are small enough to enter the inlet with the fluid flow, the materials ladened fluid flowing hence through a coolant conduit, out of a tangentially configured nozzle into a rotational flow around the inside of an open face toroidal section, and hence inward through an adjoined, inward extending distribution section configured co-axially around and above the motor, to be discharged upon the motor.

Abstract: A canned motor comprising a rotor assembly having at least 6 poles, a stator assembly, and an isolating can separating the rotor assembly and stator assembly. The canned motor an L3/D4 ratio of less than 50, and first and second frictionless bearings positioned on the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A submersible electric motor driven pump includes a motor chamber and a pump chamber separated by a seal chamber. Inboard and outboard shaft seals immersed in an oil buffer fluid within the seal chamber restrict the flow of liquid from the seal chamber into the pump and motor chambers. An integral or externally mounted pre-pressurized buffer fluid reservoir maintains a positive fluid pressure in the seal chamber relative to the external pressure at working depth, and suitable buffer fluid level within the chamber, preventing the ingress of the pumped media through the outboard seal. A unique impeller design circulates fluid within the seal chamber in the region of the outboard shaft seal, allowing continuous run dry operation when used in conjunction with an integrally cooled motor design. A cartridge shaft sleeve subassembly permits with a bearing configured between the inboard and outboard seals, facilitates maintenance.