Cryogenic Flame Arrestor for Low-Pressure-Loss Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame arrestors have a high density of quenching elements that impede fluid flow and increase weight, which is undesirable in applications requiring minimal pressure loss and reduced weight, such as in aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A flame arrestor with a quenching element cooled to cryogenic temperatures using various cooling methods, including liquid nitrogen, thermoelectric Peltier coolers, and chemical reactions, to maintain the quenching element below the ignition temperature of the combustible fluid, thereby reducing the required quenching surface area and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high density of quenching elements is used to quench the flame, then flame arrest effectiveness is improved, but fluid flow is reduced and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by cooling the quenching element to cryogenic temperatures (below -50°C, preferably below -100°C). This temperature parameter change reduces the quenching distance required, allowing the use of fewer quenching elements while maintaining flame arrest effectiveness, thereby reducing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature dimension to the traditional quenching element design. By adding active cooling systems (such as Peltier coolers, liquid nitrogen systems, or endothermic chemical reactions), the quenching element operates in a different thermal dimension, achieving better flame arrest with reduced structural mass
2Reliability
If a high density of quenching elements is used to quench the flame, then flame arrest effectiveness is improved, but fluid flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temperature parameter of the quenching element to cryogenic levels, the patent reduces the required quenching surface area and number of elements, thereby maintaining flame arrest effectiveness while significantly improving fluid flow through the device
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system performs preliminary action by pre-cooling the quenhing element before flame contact. This advance preparation allows the quenching element to be less dense while still achieving effective flame arrest, thus maintaining high fluid flow rates
3Weight of moving object
If the quenching element is cooled to cryogenic temperatures, then the required quenching surface area is reduced and weight is reduced, but additional cooling system complexity is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service principles through passive cooling methods where possible, such as using the cold atmosphere of fuel storage tanks to cool the quenching element, or utilizing endothermic chemical reactions that absorb heat without requiring external power sources or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediary substances or systems to achieve cooling, such as liquid nitrogen as a cooling medium, or endothermic chemical reactions that act as thermal intermediaries, absorbing excess heat from the quenching element without requiring direct mechanical cooling systems
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 solution provides efficient flame arrest without significant pressure loss and weight reduction, allowing for larger flow rates and safer operation in weight-sensitive environments.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system in thermal contact with the quenching system, wherein the cooling system cools the quenching element during operation of the cooling system
Implementation Method 2
a hollow component filled or partially filled with a cooling fluid that flows through the cooling element to extract heat from the quenching element
Implementation Method 3
the quenching element has channels in which walls of the channels have a number of dimensions that are selected to reduce a temperature of the combustible fluid below an ignition temperature of the combustible fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method, system, and apparatus for flame arresting are provided. In an example, a flame arrestor (1302) includes a quenching element (1308) disposed within a conduit (1301). The flame arrestor (1302) also includes a cooling system (1306) in thermal contact with the quenching system (1308). The cooling system cools the quenching element (1308) during operation of the cooling system (1306).