Flexible Bladder Vacuum Tank for Vapor Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum trucks and containers emit harmful vapor emissions, such as benzene and hexane, during the collection of liquid materials, which pose environmental and health concerns, and existing technologies fail to adequately reduce these emissions.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum tank equipped with a flexible, impermeable bladder that expands to collect materials and an engagement device to regulate pressure, combined with a carbon scrubber system to capture any fugitive emissions, ensuring minimal material release into the atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vacuum tank is used to collect liquid materials, then the collection efficiency is improved, but harmful vapor emissions are discharged into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible bladder is disposed within the vacuum tank to contain the collected liquid materials. The bladder expands as materials are collected and contracts during discharge, providing a flexible containment barrier that prevents vapor emissions from escaping into the atmosphere while maintaining collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a vacuum environment within the tank and bladder, creating an inert atmosphere that prevents volatile organic compounds from evaporating and being discharged. The vacuum pump continuously maintains this inert environment during both collection and discharge operations
2Quantity of substance
If the bladder expands to contain materials, then the containment capacity is improved, but the bladder may contact the rear wall with excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
An engagement device is positioned on the rear wall to make preliminary contact with the bladder before the bladder can contact the rear wall with excessive force. This preliminary engagement regulates the expansion process and prevents damage to either the bladder or the tank structure
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement device acts as an intermediary between the expanding bladder and the rear wall of the tank. It provides a controlled interface that allows the bladder to expand to full capacity while regulating the contact force to prevent excessive stress on the bladder material
3Speed
If the vacuum pump is used to discharge materials, then the discharge speed is improved, but the bladder may collapse and contact the rear wall
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement device provides feedback during the discharge process by maintaining contact with the bladder as it collapses. When the bladder contacts the engagement device during collapse, it signals the vacuum pump to reduce or stop vacuum application, preventing the bladder from collapsing too far and contacting the rear wall
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 effectively contains and reduces the emission of hazardous materials, conforming to regulatory requirements by preventing the discharge of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere and ensuring safe handling and storage of collected materials.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon scrubber system to capture any fugitive emissions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for collection and containment of collected materials is provided. The apparatus can include a vacuum truck with at least one vacuum tank disposed thereon, the vacuum tank having a hollow interior region. A flexible bladder can be disposed within the hollow interior region of the vacuum tank. The bladder can be impermeable to and compatible with the collected material and capable of containing the material therewithin.