Adjustable Turbulent Flow Manifold for Solid Chemistry Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for dissolving solid products into liquid solutions, such as in cleaning detergents, face challenges with non-uniform erosion and concentration variability due to changes in operating parameters and environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus utilizing a diffuser manifold with a manifold diffuse member and a fluid valve to control the flow rate and orientation of fluid flow, allowing for adjustable turbulence and erosion rates to achieve desired chemical concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid is sprayed onto solid product chemistry, then dissolution occurs, but non-uniform erosion and concentration variability result

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution rateVSAvoidconcentration uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid flow is segmented into multiple streams through the manifold with multiple outlets, distributing the liquid across different regions of the solid product chemistry. This segmentation ensures more uniform contact and erosion patterns, preventing localized over-concentration or under-dissolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts liquid flow rates through controllable valves or pumps, modifying the turbulence and contact patterns in real-time. This dynamic control allows optimization of dissolution rates while maintaining uniform erosion patterns across the solid product surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If turbulent pool liquid source is used, then some dissolution issues are combated, but concentration and erosion rate still vary due to environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution consistencyVSAvoidsensitivity to environmental factors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors to monitor liquid temperature, flow rate, and dissolution progress, feeding this information back to control mechanisms. This feedback loop compensates for environmental variations by automatically adjusting flow parameters to maintain consistent concentration and erosion rates despite changes in humidity, room temperature, or usage frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system actively modifies operational parameters such as liquid flow rate, temperature, and pressure in response to environmental conditions. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system maintains reliable dissolution performance across varying environmental factors, making the process less sensitive to external variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If movable object is used to seal holes for agitation, then uniform erosion is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerosion uniformityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex movable sealing mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler fixed manifold structure. The manifold is designed with specific geometric features that inherently create agitation and uniform liquid distribution without requiring moving parts. This extraction simplifies the device while maintaining erosion uniformity through optimized fluid dynamics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the liquid flow itself to create the necessary agitation and mixing, eliminating the need for separate mechanical agitation devices. The kinetic energy of the liquid, directed through the manifold's geometry, provides self-generated turbulence and uniform contact with the solid product, achieving erosion uniformity without additional complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus effectively generates a consistent chemical solution from a solid block of chemistry, mitigating issues of non-uniform erosion and concentration variability, while being durable, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing.

Implementation Method 1

adjustable turbulent flow technology manifold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

erode the solid chemistry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectErosion: Erosion

Implementation Method 3

diffuser manifold having a manifold diffuse member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3781294B1Dispensing a solid chemistry using an adjustable turbulent flow technology manifold
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 ECOLAB USA INC
  • EP3781294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3781294B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3781294B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method for obtaining a chemical concentration from a chemical composition and a fluid includes introducing the fluid through ports (34) in a manifold diffuse member (32) positioned adjacent a chemical composition and adjusting, with a fluid valve (38), characteristics of the flow of the fluid through the ports (34) in the diffuser manifold (30) to obtain and maintain a chemical concentration. The amount of liquid allowed through the ports (34) modifies the turbulence of the liquid, thereby modifying the erosion rate of the chemical composition. An apparatus for adjusting characteristics of the flow of a fluid contacting a solid product to form a product chemistry includes a diffuser manifold (30) having a manifold diffuse member (32) comprising ports (34) therethrough and a fluid valve (38) for controlling the flow rate of a fluid moving through the plurality of ports (34) and diverting the fluid through various flow paths (44, 46).