Multi-Diaphragm Conservator Tank for Offshore Sloshing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore substations face issues with sloshing movements of insulation liquid in conservator devices due to sea wave motion, which can damage bladders or diaphragms, cause false alarms, and accelerate material degradation, posing risks of fire and system instability.
Innovation Solution
A conservator device with multiple diaphragms and primary wall members that divide the tank into compartments, supported at the circumference, to control liquid movement and reduce sloshing, using flexible materials like NBR or polyurethane, and porous or perforated walls to allow controlled liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single large-volume conservator tank is used to accommodate liquid expansion, then the liquid volume capacity is sufficient, but sloshing movements occur due to sea wave motion which can damage the diaphragm and cause false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator tank is divided into multiple smaller compartments using diaphragms and baffle plates instead of using a single large-volume tank. This segmentation reduces the liquid volume in each compartment, thereby minimizing sloshing movements while collectively accommodating the total required liquid expansion capacity. The multiple diaphragms are supported at their circumference to prevent damage from reduced sloshing forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diaphragm is made flexible to accommodate liquid volume changes, then the liquid expansion is absorbed, but the diaphragm is vulnerable to damage from sloshing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is divided into multiple compartments with multiple diaphragms, reducing the liquid volume each diaphragm must accommodate. This reduces the sloshing forces on each individual diaphragm while collectively maintaining the ability to absorb total liquid expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragms are supported around their circumference by attachment structures before sloshing forces occur. This pre-support mechanism cushions the diaphragms against damage from reduced sloshing forces, allowing them to remain flexible for volume accommodation while protecting them from rupture.
3Reliability
If the conservator device is sealed with nitrogen to prevent oxygen ingress, then oxidation protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator device is sealed and filled with nitrogen gas to create an inert atmosphere that prevents oxygen from dissolving into the insulation liquid. This protects the liquid from oxidation and maintains its insulating properties. The nitrogen-filled sealed environment eliminates the need for complex oxygen monitoring systems while providing reliable protection.
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
Reduces diaphragm fatigue and sloshing, preventing rupture and contamination, enhancing system stability and longevity by mitigating resonance effects and maintaining insulation integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Temperature changes make the liquid expand and contract and the conservator device is provided to receive and hold a portion of the liquid in response to increased temperature forcing liquid out of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
The diaphragms are made of a flexible material, such as NBR, NBR-reinforced polymer, polyurethane or any other suitable material. The flexible material may be an elastic material.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A conservator device (1) for use with an electric induction device (2), said electric induction device (2) comprising a liquid-filled volume. The conservator device (1) comprises a tank (3) and two or more diaphragms (6) provided inside the tank (3). Each diaphragm (6) is attached to the tank (3) around a circumferential portion of the respective diaphragm (6) such that the diaphragms (6) jointly divide the inner volume of the tank (3) into a first volume (V1) for liquid and a second volume (V2) for air. The tank (3) is provided with a first port (8) fluidly connecting the second volume (V2) to ambient air, and a second port (7) enabling fluid connection between the first volume (V1) and the liquid-filled volume of the electric induction device (2). Portions of one or more of said diaphragms (6) are attached to the tank (3) via a rigid support structure (4, 10, 11) attached to the tank (3).