In-Situ Filter Certification Valve Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for in-situ filter certification in containment systems require facility shutdown and decontamination, which are costly and time-consuming, leading to significant downtime and increased costs due to lost research or production time.
Innovation Solution
A containment system with a housing having airflow inlet and outlet apertures, a filter mounting portion, and valve assemblies that allow for in-situ testing of filters without decontaminating the system, enabling the use of aerosol challenges and sample collection without opening the housing, and subsequent decontamination of test equipment after testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the containment system is decontaminated and isolated from upstream ductwork before filter testing, then safe in-situ testing is enabled, but facility shutdown and decontamination cause significant downtime and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into isolated test sections with individual valve assemblies that can be independently controlled. This allows testing to be performed in segregated zones without requiring complete system shutdown or decontamination, resolving the contradiction between ensuring testing safety and minimizing facility downtime
Solution Approach 2:
Valve assemblies act as intermediaries between the containment system and test equipment, enabling controlled isolation and connection. These intermediaries allow safe testing operations without requiring full system decontamination, thus maintaining safety while reducing downtime
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the containment system is decontaminated before testing, then hazardous particle contamination is removed, but decontamination agents and time are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The test sections are physically isolated from the main containment system through valve assemblies. This extraction allows testing to occur in separated zones, eliminating the need to decontaminate the entire containment system and thereby reducing decontamination agent consumption while still removing hazardous particles from test areas
Solution Approach 2:
The containment system is segmented into isolated test sections that can be independently managed. This segmentation allows hazardous particles to be contained and removed only from specific test zones rather than the entire system, reducing decontamination agent usage while maintaining safety
3Reliability
If the facility is shut down for filter certification, then thorough decontamination can be performed, but research or production time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into isolated test sections that can be independently tested without shutting down the entire facility. This segmentation enables thorough decontamination and testing of specific filter sections while other parts of the facility continue operating, maintaining decontamination reliability while preserving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assemblies enable continuous operation of the facility by allowing isolated testing and decontamination of test sections. Other parts of the facility can continue their useful actions without interruption, resolving the contradiction between thorough decontamination and maintaining productivity
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective filter certification without shutting down the facility, reducing decontamination agent usage and minimizing downtime, allowing for continuous operational activities and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
injecting an aerosol challenge upstream of the filter at a known concentration, flowing the aerosol laden air through the filter typically at an operational flow rate
Implementation Method 2
A first valve assembly having a first port coupled to the upstream sample port, a second port, and a third port. A second valve assembly having a first port coupled to one of the downstream sample ports, a second port, and a third port
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for certifying a filter in a containment system without decontaminating the containment system prior to certification. The apparatus generally comprises a valve assembly selectable between at least three operational states. A first state prevents flow from prevents flow through a port of a housing. A second state fluidly couples the port to test equipment necessary to test a filter disposed within the housing. A third state seals the port but fluidly couples the test equipment to a decontamination system.