De-Icing Liquid Pickup Head With Low-Restriction Baffle Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current de-icing liquid recovery devices are inefficient in energy use and cause substantial airflow restriction due to cyclone systems, limiting their effectiveness in removing de-icing liquids and other materials from airport runways and gate locations.
Innovation Solution
A de-icing liquid recovery device featuring a pickup head with a blower deflector directing airflow at an acute angle to the surface, combined with a separator using multiple baffle sets of different coarseness to separate liquids from airflow, reducing airflow restriction and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cyclone system or traditional separation system is used to separate de-icing liquid from airflow, then separation function is achieved, but substantial flow restriction is caused to the airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The separator uses multiple sets of baffles arranged in series, where each baffle set segments the airflow into smaller channels. This segmentation allows the airflow to be separated from the liquid while maintaining flow paths that minimize restriction, resolving the contradiction between achieving separation and maintaining airflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The baffles act as an intermediary element between the airflow and liquid mixture. The baffles provide a surface for liquid to coalesce and separate from the airflow, while the designed baffle geometry ensures that the airflow can pass through with minimal restriction, thus mediating between separation requirements and flow efficiency
2Productivity
If a vacuum system or combined vacuum-forced recirculated air system is used to remove de-icing liquid, then liquid removal capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the blowing device and suction device into a single integrated system with a common airflow path. The airflow generated by the blower is used to both remove liquid and is then recirculated through the separator, eliminating the need for separate vacuum systems and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining liquid removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system recycles the airflow after it has passed through the separator by redirecting it back to the blower opening. This recovery and reuse of the airflow reduces the energy required to continuously generate high-velocity air for liquid removal, addressing the energy consumption issue while maintaining productivity
3Productivity
If airflow is directed at high velocity to remove de-icing liquid efficiently, then removal efficiency increases, but airflow loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous airflow circulation by recapturing and recirculating the airflow after it passes through the separator. This continuity ensures that the high-velocity airflow needed for efficient liquid removal is continuously regenerated and reused, minimizing net airflow loss and energy waste
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 increased airflow utilization and efficiency in removing de-icing liquids and other materials, reducing energy consumption and airflow losses compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
A blower deflector directs the airflow through the blower opening at an acute angle to the solid surface
Implementation Method 2
A collector disposed below the sets of baffles collects the liquid accumulated on the baffles through gravitational action
Implementation Method 3
at least an output port for being connected to a suction device providing suction
Data Source
AI summary
A device for recovering a liquid disposed on a solid surface is provided. The device for recovering a liquid comprises a suction device for providing suction to a pickup head and a blowing device for providing an airflow to the pickup head. The pickup head comprises at least an input port for receiving an airflow and a blower opening for providing the airflow to the solid surface. A blower deflector directs the airflow through the blower opening at an acute angle to the solid surface. The airflow and an airborne portion of the liquid is received at a suction opening which is in fluid communication with at least an output port for being connected to a suction device providing suction. The received airflow with the airborne portion of the liquid is provided through the at least an output port. A divider is disposed between the blower opening and the suction opening. A separator is in fluid communication with the suction device and the at least an output port of the pickup head. The separator provides suction to the at least an output port of the pickup head, receives the airflow and the airborne portion of the liquid and separates the airborne portion of the liquid from the airflow. The separator comprises at least two sets of baffles disposed in series such that the airflow successively encounters the sets of baffles in order of decreasing coarseness and collector disposed below the sets of baffles for collecting the liquid accumulated on the baffles through gravitational action.