Liquid Release Tank With Dynamic Air Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid release systems from tanks face issues with inhomogeneous footprints, violent release, safety concerns due to high pressure, and the formation of two-phase mixtures, particularly in firefighting applications.
Innovation Solution
A liquid release system with a cylindrical storage tank, conical outlet area, and adjustable air pressure control, using a pressurized air diffuser and pressure regulator to maintain a constant liquid outlet flow rate and prevent two-phase flow, ensuring a homogeneous footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressurized delivery is used to achieve regular liquid release, then the liquid outlet flow rate becomes more constant, but the release becomes too violent causing excessive dispersion and safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the air pressure in the tank based on the liquid height. As liquid is released and height decreases, the air pressure is increased to maintain constant outlet flow rate. This dynamic adjustment prevents violent release while ensuring regular liquid delivery throughout the discharge process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the air pressure parameter in the tank according to liquid height. By increasing air pressure as liquid level drops, the system compensates for decreasing hydrostatic pressure, maintaining constant outlet flow rate without causing violent release or excessive dispersion.
2Productivity
If high air pressure is used to maintain constant flow rate, then liquid outlet regularity improves, but safety risks increase due to high operating pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic pressure adjustment rather than maintaining constantly high pressure. The air pressure is increased only as needed based on liquid height, reaching higher values only when necessary to maintain flow rate as liquid level drops. This reduces overall safety risks while achieving constant flow rate.
3Device complexity
If gravity delivery is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but the liquid outlet flow rate becomes variable and footprint becomes inhomogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pneumatic system (air pressure control) to work with the gravitational flow. By controlling air pressure in the tank, the system maintains constant liquid outlet flow rate while keeping the overall structure relatively simple, combining gravitational force with pneumatic pressure control.
4Loss of energy
If the tank is allowed to drain naturally, then the system operates passively, but drain vortices form disturbing the flow and creating two-phase mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the air pressure parameter to prevent vortex formation. By maintaining appropriate air pressure in the tank, the liquid surface remains stable and drain vortices are prevented, ensuring single-phase flow throughout the outlet even during passive draining operation.
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 system achieves a constant liquid outlet flow rate and single-phase flow, reducing safety risks and ensuring a uniform distribution of the liquid on the target area.
Implementation Method 1
The means for varying the air pressure in the tank may comprise a pressurized air diffuser capable of distributing the air supply over the surface of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the release system may comprise a pressure regulator acting on the air pressure in the tank and capable of regulating the pressure of the liquid leaving the tank around a set value
Implementation Method 3
The gravity release method is based on the controlled opening of a tank hatch from which the liquid gradually escapes under the effect of gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for dropping a liquid, comprising a liquid storage reservoir (2) provided with a liquid outlet area (3) that comprises an outlet nozzle (4) and a dropping hatch (5). Furthermore, the dropping system (1) comprises means for varying the air pressure in the storage reservoir (2) depending on the level of liquid in the reservoir (2).