Effluent Collection Trough with Side Drain for Heat Exchanger Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning heat exchangers and fin fan coolers do not effectively capture and manage effluent fluids contaminated with contaminants, posing environmental concerns and requiring proper disposal.
Innovation Solution
A trough-shaped container with a drain located on one of its side sheets, allowing it to be positioned under a heat exchanger or cooler to catch effluent flowing in a rearward direction, enabling personnel access and efficient containment of contaminants for proper disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning fluid is flowed through heat exchanger to clean it, then cleaning effect is improved, but effluent contamination increases requiring proper disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful contaminated effluent into a contained and manageable substance by directing it into a collection container with a drain, transforming the disposal problem into a controlled collection system that prevents environmental harm while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The effluent collection container acts as an intermediary between the heat exchanger cleaning process and the environment, capturing contaminated fluid and providing a controlled discharge path through the drain, thereby mediating between cleaning operations and environmental protection
2Object-generated harmful factors
If effluent is captured in a container during cleaning, then environmental protection is improved, but access to proximal end of structure may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into functional zones with the drain positioned on the side sheet to create a discharge area that does not interfere with personnel access to the proximal end of the heat exchanger, allowing simultaneous effluent collection and worker access
Solution Approach 2:
The drain is positioned on the side sheet rather than the bottom, utilizing the vertical dimension to allow effluent discharge at a height that does not obstruct personnel standing on the ground near the proximal end of the structure
3Productivity
If drain is positioned on bottom sheet of container, then effluent drainage is improved, but personnel cannot stand within container operating hydroblasting equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The drain position is moved from the bottom sheet to the side sheet, utilizing the vertical dimension to enable both effective effluent drainage and personnel standing space, as workers can now stand on the bottom sheet without being blocked by a bottom drain
Data Source
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AI summary
An effluent container may have multiple sheets of material attached together to form a generally rectangular shape, having a front sheet, a back sheet, two side sheets, and a bottom sheet; a securing system attached to a free end of at least one of the sheets and configured to attach the effluent container to a support structure; and a drain located on one of the sheets, proximate to the bottom sheet, the drain configured to provide selective fluid communication between the interior of the container and an outside of the container. A method of forming an effluent container may also be provided.