Low energy sweeper method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling tower systems face inefficiencies due to turbulence introduced by eductors and centrifugal separators, leading to increased operational costs and power requirements for particulate matter removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of sweeper headers with drilled holes for gentle water flow and centrifugal separators with air bleeds and curved velocity plates reduces turbulence, allowing for effective particulate removal with lower system pressure and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If eductors are used to amplify fluid discharge for sweeping particulate matter, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but system pressure requirements and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the eductor component from the system. Instead of using eductors to amplify fluid discharge, the invention uses a centrifugal separator that directly discharges fluid through a diffuser section, removing the need for pressure-intensive amplification devices while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical eductor-based amplification system with a centrifugal separation system that uses rotational force and a diffuser section to achieve fluid discharge. This substitution eliminates the need for high-pressure requirements associated with eductors while maintaining or improving cleaning performance.
2Reliability
If conventional vortex-based centrifugal separators are used to separate particulate matter, then separation function is achieved, but turbulence is introduced that decreases cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diffuser section with a curved, expanding geometry that gradually directs fluid flow. This curved design reduces turbulence by smoothly transitioning flow directions, eliminating the harmful vibrations and turbulence generated by conventional vortex-based separators while maintaining effective particulate separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the rotational kinetic energy that would otherwise create harmful turbulence into a beneficial centrifugal separation mechanism. The curved diffuser section harnesses the rotational flow to enhance particulate separation while minimizing turbulence, transforming what would be a harmful effect into a useful separation mechanism.
3Productivity
If the number of eductors or output volume is increased to improve cleaning effectiveness, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves sufficient cleaning effectiveness with a single centrifugal separator operating at moderate power levels, eliminating the need for multiple eductors or excessive fluid output. The diffuser section ensures efficient use of the discharged fluid, maintaining cleaning performance without requiring increased power input or multiple components.
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 results in significant energy savings without compromising cleaning effectiveness, as the system pressure requirement is reduced and turbulence is minimized, enhancing the efficiency of the filtration process.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional centrifugal separators (such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,313, incorporated herein by reference) utilize centrifugal force and gravity to achieve varying degrees of separation of particulate from particulate/fluid mixtures.
Implementation Method 2
Some conventional separators employ a vortex system where the particulate/fluid mixture is introduced into a cylindrical chamber at a tangential angle generating centrifugal action in the mixture.
Implementation Method 3
The separated particulates generally settle to the bottom of the centrifugal separator in a sediment chamber from which they are periodically removed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning debris from a floor of a cooling tower collection basin can include expelling a fluid from a first side of the basin floor to a second and opposite side of the basin floor where the fluid and debris are removed. The fluid may be expelled through radial openings in sweeper headers and may be removed through openings in a suction manifold. The method may further include removing the debris from the fluid.