Encapsulated Fluid Conduits for Pressurized Routing With Low Hold-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid management systems in pharmaceutical and biological production processes are cumbersome and complex due to the use of reinforced tubing, which restricts flexibility and leads to significant hold-up volumes, financial losses, and increased costs, especially when dealing with pressurized fluids and large-scale production.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system utilizing unreinforced conduits encapsulated with rigid members, such as two-part valve bodies and jackets, to connect subsystems without the need for reinforced tubing, allowing for flexible routing and minimizing hold-up volumes while withstanding high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reinforced tubing is used to connect subsystems in pressurized fluid systems, then the system can withstand high pressures, but the organizational complexity increases and hold-up volumes become significant
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid transport function into two separate components: unreinforced tubing for fluid conveyance and rigid encapsulating members for structural support and pressure containment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining pressure withstanding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unreinforced tubing is nested within rigid encapsulating members (valve bodies and jackets), creating a hierarchical structure where the inner component handles fluid flow and the outer component provides mechanical strength. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for reinforced tubing while maintaining pressure integrity.
2Reliability
If reinforced tubing is used to ensure pressure withstanding capability, then the system maintains structural integrity, but the hold-up volumes increase leading to product loss
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the structural support function (handled by rigid encapsulating members at discrete locations) from the fluid transport function (handled by unreinforced tubing), the system minimizes the volume of reinforced material needed, thereby reducing hold-up volumes and product loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Rigid structural support is applied locally at specific points where needed (valve bodies and jackets) rather than along the entire length of the tubing. This localized reinforcement maintains structural integrity at critical points while minimizing overall hold-up volume.
3Productivity
If unreinforced conduits are used to reduce complexity and hold-up volumes, then the system becomes more efficient, but the ability to withstand high pressures is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid encapsulating members act as intermediaries between the unreinforced tubing and the high-pressure fluid environment. These members transfer and distribute pressure loads, protecting the unreinforced tubing from direct pressure exposure while maintaining system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The unreinforced tubing is nested within rigid encapsulating members that provide the necessary pressure containment. This nested structure allows the unreinforced tubing to maintain its efficiency advantages while the outer rigid layer ensures pressure withstanding capability.
4Loss of substance
If unreinforced conduits are used to minimize hold-up volumes, then product loss is reduced, but the flexibility and routing options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid path into sections connected by rigid encapsulating members, allowing unreinforced tubing to be used in sections where flexibility is needed while maintaining overall system adaptability through the modular nature of the encapsulating members.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state or properties of the conduit system by using unreinforced tubing with smaller diameter and different material properties, reducing hold-up volume while compensating for routing flexibility through the modular encapsulating member design.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid management systems for handling pressurized fluid connect various subsystems or subunits without the need to use reinforced tubing. The system utilizes one or more segments of unreinforced conduit that are encapsulated at various points along a length of the segment with one or more rigid encapsulating members. The unreinforced conduit may be made a disposable element while the rigid encapsulating members may be re-used. In one aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part valve body that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. In another aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part jacket that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. The two-part valve bodies and two-part jackets may be joined at various points within the system as part of the overall flow system.