Carrier Gas Conditioning Apparatus Ionization Byproduct Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carrier gas conditioning systems for spray processes either modify the gas composition before ionization or fail to remove unwanted products generated by the ionization process, which can affect the gas's suitability for spraying applications.

Innovation Solution

A conditioning apparatus that includes a gas inlet, a cleaning unit with filters and a drying station to remove contaminants and moisture, an ionization chamber to ionize the gas, and a treatment station with activated carbon filters to remove unwanted products generated by ionization, maintaining the gas composition and ensuring the carrier gas is suitable for spraying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the carrier gas is ionized for use in spray processes, then the spray process effectiveness is improved, but unwanted products are generated by the ionization process which can affect gas suitability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray process effectivenessVSAvoidunwanted products from ionization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas treatment process is divided into distinct stages: cleaning unit (with filters and drying station) before ionization, and treatment station with activated carbon filters after ionization. This segmentation allows each stage to address specific requirements without interfering with others, enabling effective ionization while removing harmful byproducts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment station extracts and removes unwanted products generated during ionization using activated carbon filters. This extraction process separates the harmful byproducts from the ionized carrier gas, maintaining the gas's suitability for spray applications while preserving the beneficial ionization effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Power

If the gas composition is modified before ionization, then the ionization process can be optimized, but the original gas composition is changed which may affect spray application requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveionization process optimizationVSAvoidgas composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning unit performs preliminary cleaning and drying of the carrier gas before ionization, removing contaminants and moisture that could interfere with the ionization process. This preliminary action optimizes ionization effectiveness without fundamentally altering the gas composition, preserving the gas's suitability for spray applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different treatment qualities are applied at different stages: aggressive cleaning and drying before ionization, and selective removal of unwanted products after ionization. This local quality approach ensures optimal conditions for ionization while maintaining the overall gas composition stability required for spray applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 apparatus provides a stable and effective carrier gas for spraying applications by maintaining the gas composition and removing unwanted products, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the spray process.

Implementation Method 1

an ionization chamber which ionizes the clean gas flow to generate the carrier gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

the treatment station contains activated carbon filters which remove unwanted products generated by the ionization step from the ionized gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

the cleaning unit including one or more filters to remove solid and/or liquid contamination particles from the gas flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

a drying station to remove moisture from the gas flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP3512639B1A conditioning apparatus for providing a carrier gas
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 HAYDELL MICHAEL
  • EP3512639B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A conditioning apparatus (2) for providing a carrier gas (6), the apparatus including: an inlet (4) for a pressurized inlet gas (6); a cleaning unit (10) to provide clean pressurized gas (6), the cleaning unit (10) including one or more filters to remove solid and/or liquid contamination particles from the pressurized gas (6) and a drying station to remove moisture from the pressurized gas (6); an ionization chamber (16) which ionizes the clean pressurized gas; and an outlet for clean, pressurized, ionized gas; wherein the gas ionized in the ionization chamber (16) has a chemical composition which is substantially the same chemical composition as the inlet gas