Bundle Trailer Segmentation for Corrosive Gas Delivery Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trailer systems for transporting and delivering hygroscopic, corrosive chemicals like fluorine face issues with unstable safety control, high maintenance costs, and low compatibility with various use points, despite attempts to provide high-purity gas delivery.

Innovation Solution

A bundle trailer design with individually removable and affixable container bundles, equipped with pneumatic valves, a trailer valve system, and safety features like remote operation and sensors for temperature and pressure monitoring, along with inert gas purging and evacuation systems, to ensure safe and efficient delivery of corrosive gases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional tube trailers with multiple tubes are used for transporting corrosive gases, then high-purity gas delivery is achieved, but safety control stability deteriorates and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas purityVSAvoidsafety control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trailer is divided into multiple independent bundle units, each containing several containers. Each bundle can be independently handled, secured, and monitored. This segmentation allows for better safety control by isolating potential hazards to specific bundles rather than affecting the entire trailer, while maintaining high-purity gas delivery through dedicated piping for each bundle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bundle design allows dynamic configuration where bundles can be added or removed from the trailer based on delivery requirements. The pneumatic valve system provides dynamic control over gas flow from individual containers within bundles, enabling flexible safety management and purging operations without compromising gas purity through controlled isolation of specific containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional tube trailers are used, then gas delivery capability is provided, but maintenance costs increase and compatibility with various use points decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with use pointsVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The modular bundle structure enables easy replacement and maintenance of individual bundles without affecting the entire trailer system. Each bundle is a self-contained unit with standardized connections, allowing for simplified repair operations and reduced maintenance costs while maintaining compatibility with various use points through consistent interface design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized bundle design with uniform connection interfaces and pneumatic valve systems provides universal compatibility with different use points and delivery configurations. The same bundle structure can serve multiple applications, reducing the need for custom modifications and lowering overall maintenance requirements across different operating scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual valve operation is used, then simple control is achieved, but worker safety deteriorates when handling corrosive gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworker safetyVSAvoidvalve control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual mechanical valve operation is replaced with a pneumatic control system where valves are actuated by compressed air or inert gas pressure. This substitution eliminates the need for workers to physically handle or operate valves in close proximity to corrosive gases, significantly improving worker safety while the pneumatic system provides reliable control through pressure-differential operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A pneumatic intermediary system is introduced between the control mechanism and the gas containers. The pneumatic valves act as intermediaries that can be operated remotely or automatically, mediating the interaction between the control system and the corrosive gas containers without requiring direct mechanical contact by operators, thereby enhancing safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2337985B1Bundle trailer for gas delivery
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 SOLVAY FLUOR GMBH DE
  • EP2337985B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2337985B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2337985B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A bundle trailer for containers including (i) a supporting frame on which a plurality of bundles are located; (ii) a plurality of bundles, each bundle comprising : a bundle frame, a plurality of containers containing a chemical, and at least one bundle value for controlling delivery of the chemical in the containers; (iii) at least one trailer valve; and (iv) at least one clamp for fixing the bundle is disclosed. The bundle trailer is capable of delivering high purity hygroscopic, corrosive chemicals, such as elemental fluorine and mixtures thereof, with good flexibility, high safety, and low cost.