Expulsion of combustible gases from a heating/brine loop
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flammable gases in heating and cooling circuits pose safety risks due to potential ignition and existing solutions like double-walled heat exchangers are costly and reduce efficiency, while conventional methods for gas separation are not suitable for heating circuits.
Innovation Solution
A bubble column device with specific connections and controls for separating gas components from the heat transfer fluid, using co-current or counter-current gas-liquid flow to coalesce bubbles and regulate gas expulsion to maintain safe concentrations below the ignition limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If double-walled heat exchangers are used to contain flammable gases, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and heat transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flammable gas from the heat transfer fluid using a decanting device that separates the two phases based on density differences. This allows the gas to be removed without requiring double-walled heat exchangers, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary substance (gas lighter than the heat transfer fluid) that rises to the top of the system and carries flammable gases with it. This intermediary acts as a carrier to extract harmful gases without requiring complex double-walled structures.
2Reliability
If double-walled heat exchangers are used to contain flammable gases, then safety is improved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The decanting device continuously extracts flammable gases from the heat transfer fluid, allowing the heat exchanger to operate with clean fluid and maintain optimal heat transfer efficiency without the insulating effect of intermediate spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighter gas acts as an intermediary that selectively carries flammable components away from the heat transfer fluid, enabling efficient heat transfer while removing safety hazards.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional air stripping methods are used to remove gases, then gas separation is achieved, but foaming occurs and additional separating means are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of foaming into a beneficial separation mechanism. The foam naturally rises to the top where it breaks, allowing gas to be separated without requiring defoamers or additional separating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operating characteristics (foam formation and natural rise) to achieve gas separation without requiring external defoamers or complex additional separating means.
4Reliability
If oxygen is removed from heating circuit water to avoid corrosion, then component reliability is improved, but the ability to use conventional gas stripping methods is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a lighter gas as an intermediary carrier that can extract flammable gases from deoxygenated water without requiring oxygen presence, thus maintaining corrosion resistance while enabling gas removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from oxygen-based stripping to density-based separation, where the key parameter is the density difference between the lighter gas and heat transfer fluid rather than oxygen content.
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
Effectively separates flammable gases from the heat transfer fluid, preventing ignition risks without the need for expensive double-walled heat exchangers, while maintaining efficient heat transfer and reducing corrosion risks.
Implementation Method 1
the heat transfer fluid in a bubble column (7) is brought into contact with gas bubbles
Implementation Method 2
coalesce bubbles and regulate gas expulsion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Ejection device and ejection method for a heat transfer fluid for air conditioning, heating, and ventilation technology, comprising a container (3) designed as a bubble column (7) with two connections for a circuit carrying a heat transfer fluid and a connection for ejection gas (4), means for separating gas components and liquid while retaining the liquid in the circuit carrying the heat transfer fluid, furthermore at least one exhaust for separated gas components (12), wherein an exhaust for ejection gas is provided in the upper region of the container (3), a feed device for heat transfer fluid and a feed device (6) for ejection gas (4) are provided in the lower region of the container (3), a collection device (8, 9) for heat transfer fluid is provided in the upper region of the container, the collection device for heat transfer fluid is connected to an exhaust (10) for heat transfer fluid from the container (3).