Heat exchanger with hydrostatic bearing return flow guide

Abstract

A generally cylindrical thermal shield for a heat exchanger in a centrifugal pump which includes a fixed inner diameter vertical wall that forms an annular clearance coaxially around the pump impeller shaft, an outer vertical wall that has a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner vertical wall, and a bottom section that extends upwardly between the inner and outer diameter vertical walls such that the bottom section meets the outer wall at an obtuse angle and meets the inner wall at an acute angle. Such a construction prevents any part of the outer wall from being located opposite the journal return holes of the impeller chamber and minimizes or eliminates erosive wear that may otherwise occur from the flow of fluid from the return holes against the bearing journal.