Bleed and Feed Device with Separate Receiving Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bleed and feed systems in chemical production processes, such as semiconductor manufacturing, face challenges in maintaining constant concentrations due to sawtooth concentration fluctuations and contamination risks, especially in demanding processes where continuous operation is required.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with separate receiving spaces for feed and bleed solutions, where the feed solution is temporarily stored in a different space from the bleed solution, and pumps are calibrated with correction factors to ensure precise volume control, allowing for continuous operation and minimizing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If feed solution is added in time intervals with constant volumes, then the system is simple to operate, but concentration fluctuations occur in the mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feed addition instead of periodic batch addition. The feed solution is continuously pumped into the process tank, eliminating the sawtooth concentration fluctuations that occur with periodic addition. This continuous action maintains stable concentrations while remaining operationally simple through automated control.
2Device complexity
If bleed solution is removed by passive overflow or pump control, then the system is simple to implement, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid handling system into separate dedicated pathways: one for feed solution addition and another for bleed solution removal. Each pathway has its own pump and control system. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between feed and bleed streams while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate storage tanks for both feed and bleed solutions. The bleed solution is first pumped to an intermediate tank before final disposal, and feed solution is pumped from an intermediate tank to the process tank. These intermediate vessels act as buffers that prevent direct contact between opposing streams and provide isolation to prevent contamination.
3Device complexity
If feed and bleed solutions are stored in the same container, then the system is simple to implement, but contamination of feed solution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements complete physical separation of feed and bleed solution storage. Dedicated tanks are provided for feed solution and dedicated tanks for bleed solution, with separate pumping systems for each. This segmentation eliminates any risk of cross-contamination between the two solution types while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediate transfer tanks as mediators between the dedicated feed and bleed storage tanks and the process tank. Feed solution is transferred from feed storage through an intermediate tank to the process tank, and bleed solution is transferred from the process tank through an intermediate tank to bleed storage. This intermediary approach ensures complete isolation of feed and bleed streams throughout the system.
4Ease of operation
If volume measurements are taken during intermittent operation, then the system is simple to operate, but accuracy of volume control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous volume measurement through flow meters that continuously monitor the feed and bleed solution flows. This continuous measurement approach, combined with automated pump control, achieves high volume measurement accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized control system management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback control where volume measurements from flow meters are continuously fed back to the control system. The control system uses this feedback to adjust pump speeds and maintain precise volume control of both feed addition and bleed removal. This closed-loop feedback ensures high measurement accuracy while keeping the system easy to operate through automated adjustment.
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
This approach ensures constant concentration levels in the process tank, reduces contamination risks, and achieves high accuracy in volume control, enabling continuous operation and improving the reliability of chemical production processes.
Implementation Method 1
The feed solution is pumped from the first receiving space G1 by means of a pump into the process tank, whereby the volume of the amount of feed solution delivered into the process tank is measured. In a similar way, by measuring the volumes of the bleed solution, the bleed solution is pumped by means of the pump P3 from the process tank PT into the second receiving space G2
Data Source
AI summary
Method for carrying out a bleed and feed of process solutions in a process tank. The feed solution is pumped out of a first tank into a first receiving space. The first receiving space is subsequently emptied into the process tank of with a pump. The volume of delivered feed solution in the process tank is measured. The bleed solution is pumped from the process tank with a pump into a second receiving space. The volume of delivered bleed solution in the second receiving space is measured. The bleed solution in the second receiving space is subsequently emptied into the second tank. The first receiving space differs from the second receiving space. A correction factor is calculated by comparing the measured and calculated volumes of the bleed and feed solution delivered by the pumps, with which correction factor the nominal delivery volume of the pumps are corrected in the next cycle.