Low pressure degassing device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing degassing devices face issues such as contamination of vacuum pumps, energy inefficiency, noise pollution, dependency on liquid velocity, complex control mechanisms, and inefficiency due to air presence in the degasification zone, making them unsuitable for domestic use.

Innovation Solution

A degassing device with a submerged outlet closing body and a pressure reduction mechanism using a piston and cylinder system to reduce pressure below the main flow channel pressure, allowing gas separation without continuous vacuum, and utilizing valves and a floater to manage liquid levels and gas outlet, eliminating the need for complex controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vacuum pump is used to create continuous vacuum in the enclosure, then gas separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases and noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas separation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces continuous vacuum operation with periodic vacuum cycles. The vacuum pump operates intermittently to create pressure differences that drive gas through the permeable membrane, rather than maintaining continuous vacuum. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption and noise while achieving the same gas separation effect over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the gas separation function from the main flow channel by using a side enclosure with permeable membrane. Gas is separated through the membrane into a separate vacuum enclosure, allowing the main liquid flow to continue uninterrupted while gas is removed periodically. This extraction eliminates the need for continuous pump operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a permeable region is used to separate gas from liquid, then gas can pass through, but liquid migrates into the enclosure causing contamination and reducing liquid volume in main channel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas separation capabilityVSAvoidliquid volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making only the specific membrane region permeable to gas while keeping the rest of the enclosure impermeable. The permeable membrane is strategically positioned to allow gas passage while the non-permeable walls and periodic vacuum operation prevent liquid migration. This localized permeability maintains gas separation capability while preventing liquid loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If vent is connected to enclosure to reduce condensation, then condensation is reduced, but vacuum pump must work harder consuming more energy

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecondensationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic vacuum operation naturally manages condensation by creating pressure cycles that prevent moisture accumulation. The intermittent pumping allows any condensed moisture to evaporate during non-pumping phases, eliminating the need for continuous venting and the associated energy penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Productivity

If continuous vacuum is maintained to operate the device, then gas separation continues, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous gas separationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves continuous gas separation through periodic vacuum cycles. During each cycle, gas accumulates in the enclosure and is then rapidly removed by the vacuum pump. This cyclic operation maintains continuous gas removal from the main flow while consuming far less energy than continuous vacuum, because the pump operates only during the removal phase rather than continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 device achieves efficient degassing with reduced energy consumption, minimal noise, and compact design, suitable for domestic applications by minimizing air presence and avoiding pump contamination, while maintaining efficient pressure reduction and gas separation.

Implementation Method 1

A pressure reduction device connected to the inner volume is configured to lower the pressure in the inner volume below the pressure in the main flow channel when the valves are closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 2

Gas separation without continuous vacuum, while maintaining efficient pressure reduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas separation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 3

pressure reduction mechanism using a piston and cylinder system to reduce pressure below the main flow channel pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

utilizing valves and a floater to manage liquid levels and gas outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4294543B1Low pressure degassing device
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 AALBERTS HFC BV
  • EP4294543B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4294543B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4294543B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for testing a degassing device for degassing a gas-containing liquid in a cooling or heating installation, the degassing device comprising:- a main flow channel wherein a main flow of liquid flows through the main flow channel,- at least one flow passage extending between the main flow channel and a degasification zone,- a degasification housing defining an inner volume, wherein the inner volume substantially corresponds to the degasification zone, - at least one valve, - a pressure reduction device connected to the degasification housing,- a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure in the degasification zone,- a gas outlet in the degasification housing, the gas outlet comprising an outlet tube and an outlet closing body, wherein the outlet tube is closeable by the outlet closing body,- a control unit, comprising a first and/or a second test module, connected to the pressure sensor and configured to receive a pressure difference signal from the pressure sensor,wherein the method comprises the steps:a) closing the at least one valve and measuring a first pressure in the degasification housing with the pressure sensor,b) measuring a second pressure in the degasification housing with the pressure sensor after a period of time,c) comparing the second pressure with the first pressure by the control unit to determine a difference,wherein a difference signal is generated by the control unit when a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is present.