Decontamination Unit Heating Element Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination installations for potentially pathogenic fluids are costly, inefficient, and pose safety risks due to direct heating element contact with contaminated fluids, leading to limestone deposition, energy inefficiency, and maintenance challenges, as well as temperature gradients that may not ensure complete decontamination.
Innovation Solution
The decontamination unit features heating elements fixed to the bottom of the treatment tank, preventing limestone formation and ensuring homogeneous heating through an inclined bottom that induces circular fluid movement, eliminating the need for additional motors and enhancing maintenance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heating elements are placed directly in the decontamination tank, then heating efficiency is improved, but limestone deposits on the heating elements reducing heat transfer and increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - a removable insert or carrier that holds the heating element. This insert acts as a mediator between the heating element and the contaminated fluid, preventing direct contact and limestone deposition while still allowing efficient heat transfer to the fluid through the insert's surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If heating elements are integrated into the tank, then heating function is achieved, but maintenance becomes difficult due to direct contact with pathogenic fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into separate components: a removable insert or carrier that holds the heating element, which can be easily detached from the tank. This segmentation allows the heating element to be maintained or replaced without draining the tank or dealing with pathogenic fluids, significantly improving ease of repair.
3Productivity
If a pump is used to circulate contaminated fluids, then fluid circulation is achieved, but noise increases and safety risks arise from pump seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump circulation system with a thermal convection system. By heating the fluid from the bottom, natural convection currents are generated that circulate the fluid without mechanical moving parts, eliminating noise and safety risks associated with pump seals while maintaining effective fluid circulation for uniform heating.
4Device complexity
If a single decontamination unit is used, then installation cost is reduced, but the unit must be drained and cleaned between uses requiring shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is extracted as a separate, removable component (insert or carrier) that can be independently handled. This allows one unit to be drained and have its insert removed for maintenance while another unit continues operating, enabling continuous service with reduced overall system cost compared to having multiple complete integrated units.
5Temperature
If heating elements are placed at the bottom of the tank, then heating is provided, but temperature gradients occur between top and bottom of the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The removable insert acts as a heat distribution intermediary, conducting heat from the heating element and distributing it uniformly across the fluid volume. The insert's geometry and material properties are designed to minimize temperature gradients, ensuring uniform heating throughout the tank while maintaining the simplicity of bottom-mounted heating.
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 design provides efficient, reliable, and cost-effective decontamination with reduced noise and maintenance, ensuring complete pathogen elimination without the risks associated with direct heating element contact or mechanical stirring.
Implementation Method 1
au moins un élément chauffant (31A, 31B)... dont la face avant (35) est collée contre la face externe (35) du fond (29) du réservoir de traitement
Implementation Method 2
chauffant (31A, 31B)...确保 homogeneous heating of the potentially pathogenic fluid
Implementation Method 3
par cette inclinaison du fond, pendant le chauffage par les éléments chauffants, un mouvement circulaire (du fond vers le haut) du fluide potentiellement pathogène est induit dans le réservoir de traitement
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a decontamination unit (19) for potentially pathogenic fluids including a treatment tank (29) and at least one heating element (31). The treatment tank (29) includes a flat bottom (33) and at least one heating element (31) fastened on the outer side (35) of the flat bottom (31) opposite the lower side (37) designed to come into contact with the potentially pathogenic fluid.