Container Purging via Sub-Atmospheric Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for purging containers with inert gases, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, are inefficient and result in high gas consumption and oxygen uptake during the filling process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving evacuation of the container to create under-pressure, followed by the introduction of purgative gas while remaining connected to a vacuum source, reducing gas consumption by maintaining a pressure below 0.2 bar and optimizing gas flow through controlled channels and chokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional purging methods are used under atmospheric or above-atmospheric pressure, then the container interior can be purged with inert gas, but purgative gas consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric or above-atmospheric pressure to sub-atmospheric pressure (vacuum conditions, e.g., 0.05-0.4 bar). This parameter change enables the container to be purged with up to ten times less purgative gas while maintaining effective oxygen displacement, directly resolving the contradiction between gas consumption and purging effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary evacuation of the container interior to create a vacuum condition before introducing the purgative gas. This preliminary action removes most of the atmospheric air (including oxygen) from the container, so that when the purgative gas is introduced, it only needs to displace a small amount of residual gas, dramatically reducing the required volume of purgative gas
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional pressure filling methods are used, then containers can be filled with liquid, but oxygen uptake during filling is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert atmosphere in the container by introducing purgative gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) under vacuum conditions, replacing the oxygen-containing atmospheric air. This inert environment prevents oxygen uptake during the subsequent liquid filling process, eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining filling efficiency
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
This approach significantly reduces purgative gas consumption by up to ten times, leading to substantial cost savings and minimized oxygen uptake during subsequent filling.
Implementation Method 1
connecting the container to a vacuum source, thereby at least partially evacuating the container
Implementation Method 2
the pressure is between 0.05 bar and 0.4 bar
Implementation Method 3
introducing purgative gas into the container such that pressure in the container is between 0.05 bar and 0.4 bar and any pressure change within the container during the introduction of purgative gas remains below 0.2 bar
Data Source
AI summary
A method for purging a container with a purgative gas before filling the container with liquid filling-material includes sealing the container against a treatment head, connecting the container to a vacuum source, thereby at least partially evacuating the container, and with the container still connected to the vacuum source, introducing purgative gas into the container such that pressure in the container is between 0.05 bar and 0.4 bar and any pressure change within the container during the introduction of purgative gas remains below 0.2 bar.