Pressure Vessel Closure Element With Sacrificial Thermal Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure elements for pressure vessel systems are either costly or ineffective in managing heat transfer and fluid ingress, particularly in scenarios where thermal pressure relief is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A closure element with a sacrificial portion that melts or burns above a defined temperature threshold, exposing a cutout to allow heat transfer while maintaining fluid-tight sealing, and featuring a conducting portion for efficient heat conduction and a fastening mechanism for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure element completely seals the opening to prevent fluid ingress, then protection against dirt and liquids is improved, but heat transfer to the pressure relief device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is segmented into a covering portion and a fastening portion, with the covering portion further divided into a base layer and a sacrificial layer. This segmentation allows the base layer to provide sealing while the sacrificial layer can be selectively removed to expose heat transfer pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial portion is pre-configured in the closure element to be removable upon exposure to fire or excessive heat. This preliminary arrangement allows the closure element to automatically transition from a sealed state to an open state when needed, enabling heat transfer without requiring active control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a complex pressure relief mechanism is used to ensure reliable heat transfer, then pressure relief reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is designed to automatically respond to fire or excessive heat conditions through the sacrificial portion's removal mechanism. The system self-activates based on environmental conditions without requiring external control systems, sensors, or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby maintaining high reliability while minimizing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial portion is designed as a consumable component that is replaced after use. This allows the use of simple, cost-effective materials and designs for the sacrificial layer, as it only needs to perform its function once before being replaced, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
3Speed
If the closure element is designed to open quickly in fire conditions, then pressure relief speed is improved, but control over heat transmission dynamics is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element's heat transfer characteristics can be modified by changing parameters such as the material composition of the sacrificial portion, its thickness, and the design of the cutout pattern. These parameter adjustments allow tuning of the heat transmission dynamics to balance quick response with controlled heat transfer rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element uses composite construction with a base layer and a sacrificial layer made of different materials with distinct thermal properties. This composite structure enables the base layer to provide structural integrity and sealing while the sacrificial layer provides controlled heat transfer and removal characteristics.
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 closure element effectively manages heat transfer to the thermal pressure relief device while preventing fluid ingress, offering a cost-effective and reliable solution for pressure vessel systems by controlling the dynamics of heat transmission and fluid release.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one sacrificial portion is designed to be destroyed and thus at least partially expose a cutout in the covering portion when a temperature of the covering portion rises above a first temperature threshold value
Implementation Method 2
the sacrificial portion that melts or burns above a defined temperature threshold
Implementation Method 3
featuring a conducting portion for efficient heat conduction
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement including a pressure vessel system and a closure element. The pressure vessel system cover has an opening. The closure element is fastened in the opening and is configured to at least partially close the opening. The closure element includes a covering portion with at least one sacrificial portion and a fastening portion. The closure element is fastened to the pressure vessel system cover in a region of the opening via the fastening portion, sealing the covering portion with respect to the pressure vessel system cover. The at least one sacrificial portion is configured to be destroyed and thus at least partially expose a cutout in the covering portion when a temperature of the covering portion rises above a first temperature threshold value.