Drain Sealant Using Block Copolymer to Prevent Evaporation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealants for drain traps are ineffective in preventing evaporation of fluids, allowing noxious gases and living organisms to enter fixtures when the drains are left dormant, and mechanical solutions are cumbersome to use.
Innovation Solution
A chemical sealant comprising ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymer is poured into the drain trap to displace existing fluids, providing a non-leak seal for up to 12 months and can be easily removed by flushing with water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If oil is used as sealant in drain traps, then evaporation of water is prevented, but the sealant becomes difficult to flush and causes clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the sealant by using a surfactant with specific hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value between 10-20, and controlling the oil-to-surfactant ratio. This parameter optimization allows the sealant to maintain water-repelling properties while becoming flushable with water, resolving the contradiction between evaporation prevention and ease of flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite sealant system combining oil, water, and surfactant in specific proportions (oil: 5-50%, water: 50-95%, surfactant: 0.5-10%). This composite formulation achieves both functions: the oil component prevents evaporation while the surfactant component enables water solubility and flushability, eliminating the clogging problem.
2Loss of energy
If emulsion sealants are used to prevent evaporation, then water evaporation is reduced, but the sealant does not extend to the top of the fluid on the other side of the trap
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the surfactant concentration and HLB value to achieve complete wetting and coverage across the entire trap interface. The surfactant reduces surface tension sufficiently to allow the sealant to reach and seal the top of the fluid on the other side of the trap, ensuring complete sealing while maintaining evaporation prevention.
3Reliability
If mechanical sealants are used to seal drains, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome to use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical sealants with a chemical solution consisting of oil, water, and surfactant mixture. This chemical system achieves effective sealing through surface tension and wetting properties rather than mechanical means, making the application simple (just pouring into the drain) while maintaining reliable sealing effectiveness for preventing evaporation and blocking gases.
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
Effectively seals drains from noxious fumes and living organisms for an extended period while being easily removable, preventing evaporation and clogging issues.
Implementation Method 1
The sealant, comprising ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymer, is poured into the drain trap... The sealant is effective at sealing the drain, and preventing noxious fumes and living organisms from entering the drain through the trap
Implementation Method 2
ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymer... prevents evaporation of the water 22 immediately beneath the emulsion 26
Implementation Method 3
Such flush water quickly mixes with and possibly emulsifies the sealant so that the sealant flushes readily with the water to easily effect removal of the sealant when desired
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sealing a drain by pouring a chemical sealant comprising ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymer into the drain trap in a sufficient quantity to displace any existing fluid in the drain with the sealant and allowing the sealant to remain in the drain trap. The sealant will not evaporate (significantly if at all), and will provide a seal, for a period of at least twelve months. The sealant may be removed and the drain opened by flushing with water.