Fire Pump Cooling Loop Recirculation Water Conservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In fire sprinkler systems, water used for pump cooling during test mode is wasted as it is diverted to a drain, rather than being reused, which is inefficient and violates regulatory requirements for ensuring pump reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cooling arrangement with a primary loop that recirculates water from the pump output back to the input through a heat exchanger, and a secondary loop that transfers heat from the water to coolant and then to air via a radiator, preventing water wastage and maintaining a closed flow path during testing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is diverted to drain for pump cooling during test mode, then the pump is cooled effectively, but water is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers water that would otherwise be discarded to the drain by creating a recirculation system. The water is diverted from the drain line back to the pump inlet through a recirculation valve, allowing continuous reuse of cooling water during pump testing operations
Solution Approach 2:
A recirculation valve acts as an intermediary component that redirects water flow from the drain line back to the pump inlet. This valve serves as the mediating element that enables the closed-loop cooling system, preventing water wastage while maintaining effective pump cooling
2Loss of substance
If a recirculation system is implemented, then water wastage is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation valve serves multiple functions: it controls water flow during normal operation, enables recirculation during testing to prevent wastage, and can be integrated with existing pump control systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the recirculation function with the existing pump cooling system by integrating the recirculation valve into the current water flow path. The system combines normal operation mode and recirculation mode into a single unified system rather than requiring separate independent systems
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 solution ensures efficient cooling of the fire pump during testing without wasting water, maintaining system reliability while adhering to regulatory standards by recirculating water and effectively managing heat transfer, thus optimizing water usage and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat is transferred from the water to the coolant via the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
heat is transferred from the coolant to air via the radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A building sprinkler system includes a pump having an input for receiving water and an output that is connected to selectively feed a plurality of sprinkler heads. A driver is operatively connected to the pump for driving the pump. A cooling arrangement is provided for cooling the pump during pump testing operations. The cooling arrangement includes: a heat exchanger with a primary loop formed by a flow path for delivering water from the output of the pump through the heat exchanger and back to the input of the pump, and a secondary loop formed by a flow path for delivering coolant from the heat exchanger through a radiator and back to the heat exchanger so that heat is transferred from the water to the coolant via the heat exchanger and from the coolant to air via the radiator.