Aseptic Pig Cleaning Chamber With Turbulent CIP Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline pig cleaning systems face challenges in achieving complete and efficient cleaning, particularly due to limited accessibility of cleaning fluid to areas in contact with the pig trap, leading to prolonged cleaning times and increased fluid usage, especially for pigs with complex geometries or adhered materials.
Innovation Solution
A launching station with a cylindrical cleaning chamber and axially movable plunger that creates turbulent flow of cleaning fluid around the pig, ensuring all surfaces are accessible and effectively cleaned without mechanical holding, allowing for aseptic cleaning within the pipeline system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If pigs are held in pig traps for cleaning, then the pig can be cleaned without physical removal from the system, but complete cleaning is difficult to achieve due to limited accessibility of cleaning fluid to areas in contact with the trap
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cleaning chamber into distinct functional zones: an upper cleaning chamber for turbulent flow cleaning and a lower pig trap for positioning. This segmentation allows the pig to be accessed from multiple directions - from above via turbulent flow and from the sides via the trap opening - thereby achieving complete surface coverage that neither zone could accomplish alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar cleaning approach to a three-dimensional volumetric cleaning approach by creating a cleaning chamber with sufficient cross-sectional diameter to completely surround the pig. This allows cleaning fluid to access all surfaces of the pig simultaneously from all directions, eliminating blind spots that exist in planar cleaning configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If cleaning fluid is introduced to surround the pig completely, then all surfaces become accessible, but the cleaning chamber requires larger dimensions increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pig trap and cleaning chamber into a single integrated structure where the trap forms the lower portion and the cleaning chamber forms the upper portion. This combination eliminates the need for separate trap and cleaning chamber components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the functional benefits of both zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning chamber serves multiple functions: it provides turbulent flow cleaning for the upper surfaces of the pig, acts as a containment volume for cleaning fluid, and interfaces with the pig trap for positioning. The pig trap simultaneously provides mechanical positioning and side-access for cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Manufacturing precision
If prolonged cleaning times are used to achieve complete cleaning, then all surfaces are cleaned effectively, but increased quantities of cleaning fluid are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs turbulent flow - a form of chaotic fluid motion - to enhance cleaning effectiveness. The turbulent flow creates fluctuating velocity patterns and eddies that increase the mechanical action of the cleaning fluid on adhered materials, improving removal efficiency and reducing the time and quantity of fluid required compared to laminar flow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow regime parameter from laminar to turbulent by designing the cleaning chamber with sufficient cross-sectional diameter to allow complete surrounding of the pig. This parameter change increases the intensity of the cleaning action, allowing for shorter cleaning times and reduced fluid consumption while achieving the same level of cleaning completeness.
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 system enables thorough and efficient cleaning of pipeline pigs, reducing cleaning time and fluid usage while maintaining a sterile environment, ensuring all surfaces are cleaned effectively without removing the pig from the pipeline.
Implementation Method 1
The cross-sectional diameter of the main portion is up to V2 times larger than the largest cross-sectional diameter of the pig, thereby allowing the pig to be completely surrounded by fluid. Preferably, the difference is selected to be sufficient to cause the to cause the fluid surrounding the pig within the cleaning chamber to exhibit turbulent flow
Data Source
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AI summary
A clean-in-place launching station with cleaning chamber (2) for cleaning a pipeline pig (16) is disclosed. The cleaning chamber (2) is equipped and configured to enable the pig to be completely surrounded by turbulently flowing cleaning fluid during the cleaning process. A plunger (3) capable of axially moving the pig (16) is completely encased within the cleaning chamber. The plunger (3) has at least one internal fluid channel (10) which connects the space in front of the front end (6) of the plunger facing the pig (16) with the space behind the back end (8) of the plunger.