Double-Walled Container Leak Detection via Cavity Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-walled container leak detection systems are ineffective for gases and allow liquid accumulation, which can lead to environmental contamination during leaks in containers storing poisonous, caustic, irritant, and combustible media.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that maintain a positive pressure in the cavity between the inner and outer walls of a double-walled container using a compressor and control valve, ensuring gas flow into the container in case of a leak, and utilize a monitoring container with sensors to detect and prevent liquid accumulation and escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure-based leak indicator is used to detect leaks in the inner wall, then liquid leaks can be detected, but the system cannot detect gas leaks and allows liquid accumulation in the monitoring spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the detection parameter from liquid presence (pressure-based indicator) to gas flow measurement. By measuring the actual gas flow rate from the compressor and comparing it with the controlled gas flow rate, the system can detect both liquid and gas leaks universally, resolving the limitation of liquid-only detection
2Ease of operation
If the monitoring space is kept at atmospheric pressure, then the system is simple to operate, but liquid accumulates in the monitoring spaces during leaks causing environmental contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by continuously maintaining a positive pressure in the cavity between inner and outer walls before any leak occurs. This pre-established pressure condition ensures that leaked liquid is immediately pushed back into the container rather than accumulating in the monitoring space, preventing environmental contamination from the outset
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a gas compressor and control system as intermediaries to maintain positive pressure in the cavity. This intermediary mechanism actively manages the pressure condition to prevent harmful liquid accumulation, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and contamination prevention
3Reliability
If a double-walled container is used to prevent medium escape, then storage safety is improved, but leak detection becomes more complex requiring additional monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the gas supply system multi-functional by using it for both maintaining positive pressure in the cavity and detecting leaks through flow rate measurement. The single gas supply line serves dual purposes: pressure maintenance and leak detection, reducing overall system complexity while preserving storage safety
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control by continuously measuring the actual gas flow rate from the compressor and comparing it with the controlled flow rate. This feedback mechanism enables automatic leak detection without requiring separate complex monitoring systems, resolving the contradiction between safety and complexity
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
Prevents the escape of stored media by maintaining higher pressure in the cavity, detects leaks through pressure and liquid accumulation changes, and triggers alarms for timely operator response, effectively preventing environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
maintain a positive pressure in the cavity between the inner and outer walls of a double-walled container using a compressor and control valve
Implementation Method 2
ensuring gas flow into the container in case of a leak
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting and preventing leaks of a double-walled container for the storage of poisonous, caustic, irritant and/or combustible media utilizes a double-walled container with an inner wall and an outer wall. A cavity is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, a positive pressure is generated in the cavity, and in the event of a leak of the inner wall, a gas is fed to the cavity in order to maintain a positive pressure in the cavity. A container system includes an open-loop/closed-loop control device for the open-loop/closed-loop control of a gas throughflow in a line. The system includes a pressure measuring unit for measuring the pressure in the cavity of the double-walled container.