Adiabatic Condenser Leak Neutralization With Sensor-Triggered Spray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigerant leaks in adiabatic air condensers pose environmental risks due to the harmful nature of refrigerants like ammonia, and existing technologies lack effective control mechanisms for leaks at heat exchange coils.

Innovation Solution

An air condenser equipped with a refrigerant leak detection sensor and a neutralization system that sprays a neutralizing fluid onto the heat exchanger when leaks are detected, combined with a fluid collection system to recover and treat the leaking refrigerant and neutralization fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If ammonia is used as refrigerant to reduce greenhouse effect and ozone layer impact, then environmental compatibility is improved, but toxicity and flammability hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidtoxicity and flammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the harmful refrigerant leak to activate a neutralization system where water is sprayed onto the heat exchanger to convert the harmful ammonia refrigerant into less harmful substances, thereby converting the harm into a controlled neutralization process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance that mediates between the harmful ammonia refrigerant and the environment, using water spray to neutralize the toxic and flammable refrigerant before it can cause environmental harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If detection sensor and neutralization system are added to control refrigerant leaks, then refrigerant leak control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant leak controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where detection sensors monitor for refrigerant leaks and automatically trigger the neutralization system, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual leak conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to automatically detect and neutralize leaks without requiring external intervention, with the detection sensor and neutralization system working autonomously to maintain refrigerant containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If water spray neutralization system is implemented, then refrigerant leak neutralization is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak neutralizationVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The neutralization system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the detection sensor identifies a refrigerant leak, thereby minimizing water consumption while maintaining effective leak neutralization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of water spray from continuous flow to on-demand pulsing, adjusting water delivery based on the presence and severity of detected refrigerant leaks to optimize neutralization efficiency while reducing overall water consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system effectively reduces and controls refrigerant leaks, preventing environmental contamination and ensuring safe handling of the refrigerant.

Implementation Method 1

at least one refrigerant leak detection sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefrigerant leak detection:

Implementation Method 2

spray or mist a neutralizing fluid onto at least one lateral side of the heat exchanger when a refrigerant leak is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical neutralization:

Implementation Method 3

system for collecting or recovering the fluid after spraying, said fluid containing the refrigerant escaped from the heat exchanger and the neutralization fluid sprayed by the nozzles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3943856B1Dry or adiabatic evaporative condenser comprising a system for neutralisation of coolant leaks

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 JACIR

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AI summary

A dry or adiabatic air-cooled condenser (10) comprising at least one heat exchanger (14) mounted in the casing (12) and through which a refrigerant circulates, and at least one refrigerant leak detection sensor in the casing. The air-cooled condenser includes a refrigerant leak neutralization system (20) outside the heat exchanger (14) configured to spray a neutralizing fluid on at least one side of the heat exchanger (14) when a refrigerant leak is detected by the leak detection sensor.