Air Separator Pipe Venting for Water Tube Pressure Loss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vent systems in water tubes, particularly in circulating water systems of thermal and nuclear power plants, face challenges in preventing air reservoir formation due to layout restrictions, increased fluid resistance, and labor-intensive hydraulic gradient planning, which can lead to decreased channel area, increased flow velocity, and pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
An air vent apparatus comprising an air separator pipe connected to areas prone to air reservoirs, an air vent pump, air amount detection means, and control means to automatically vent and regulate air accumulation, allowing for efficient air removal without altering the piping layout or pump head requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air vent means are not provided in portions where air reservoirs tend to occur, then the piping layout is simple, but air reservoirs form causing flow velocity increase and lining peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent apparatus segments the water tube system by inserting an air separator pipe at specific locations where air reservoirs tend to form. This segmentation allows air to be separated and vented from the main water flow, preventing air accumulation that would otherwise cause flow velocity increases and lining peeling, while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The air separator pipe acts as an intermediary component between the water tube and the external environment. It provides a dedicated pathway for air to escape without disrupting the main water flow, thereby protecting the lining from damage caused by air reservoir formation while keeping the piping layout relatively simple
2Reliability
If flow control valve is installed to maintain positive pressure, then lining peeling is prevented, but fluid resistance increases and pump head requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent apparatus extracts the air removal function from the flow control valve system. By providing a dedicated air separator pipe with air vent means, air can be removed independently without requiring the flow control valve to maintain positive pressure, thereby reducing fluid resistance and pump head requirements while still preventing lining peeling
Solution Approach 2:
The air separator pipe performs preliminary air separation before air reservoirs can form and cause problems. By removing air proactively from the water flow in portions where air reservoirs tend to occur, the system prevents the need for downstream flow control valves to compensate for air accumulation, reducing overall energy loss
3Reliability
If hydraulic gradient planning is performed to avoid negative pressure, then air reservoir formation is prevented, but design complexity and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring complex overall hydraulic gradient planning, the air vent apparatus applies a localized solution at specific portions where air reservoirs tend to occur. The air separator pipe is installed only where needed based on local conditions such as ups and downs in the piping route, simplifying the overall design while effectively preventing air reservoir formation
Solution Approach 2:
The air separator pipe provides preliminary air separation at critical locations before air reservoirs can form. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex hydraulic gradient calculations and planning, as the air removal function is handled locally at the source rather than requiring system-wide pressure management
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
Prevents air reservoir formation, reduces the risk of lining peeling and pressure loss, and simplifies piping layout planning by automatically managing air accumulation, thus maintaining optimal flow velocity and channel area without labor-intensive gradient checks.
Implementation Method 1
an air separator pipe installed to have an axial direction along a vertical direction, and connected to a portion, where an air reservoir tends to occur, of the water tube for passage of water
Implementation Method 2
air vent means for venting air accumulating in the air separator pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An air vent apparatus for a water tube, comprising: an air separator pipe installed to have an axial direction along a vertical direction, and connected to a portion, where an air reservoir tends to occur, of the water tube for passage of water; and air vent means for venting air accumulating in the air separator pipe.