Flexible Explosive Container for Cleaning Combustion Device Deposits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning methods for soiled container interiors, particularly in incinerators, are inefficient and costly, requiring frequent shutdowns, manual labor, and pose health risks due to dust and dirt accumulation, with existing explosive cleaning methods either being hazardous or limited in cleaning effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A flexible container shell filled with a gaseous explosive mixture is introduced near the soiled area, expanding and detonating to generate shock waves that dislodge deposits, using a fuel and oxidizer like acetylene and oxygen, with particles like sand for enhanced cleaning, and a multi-layered construction for safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional cleaning methods (beating, steam jets, sandblasting) are used, then cleaning can be performed with simple equipment, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient and requires frequent shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the energy parameter from conventional mechanical/thermal cleaning to chemical explosive energy. The explosive charge transforms chemical energy into mechanical shock waves and thermal effects, fundamentally changing the cleaning mechanism to achieve superior effectiveness while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical cleaning systems (sandblasting, beating) with a chemical-explosive system. The explosive charge generates shock waves and thermal effects that mechanically dislodge deposits without requiring complex mechanical equipment, thus improving cleaning effectiveness while keeping the system simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual cleaning or sandblasting is performed, then equipment requirements are minimal, but the process requires shutdowns of several days or weeks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment requirementsVSAvoidshutdown duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the time parameter by using explosive energy delivery that achieves cleaning in hours rather than days or weeks. The high-energy explosive process dramatically reduces the duration needed to remove stubborn deposits, minimizing production loss while keeping equipment requirements simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces time-consuming mechanical cleaning processes with an explosive-based system that delivers intense cleaning energy instantaneously. This substitution reduces shutdown duration from weeks to hours while maintaining minimal equipment complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If explosives are used for cleaning, then cleaning time is significantly reduced, but safety requirements and costs increase greatly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidsafety requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a cooling intermediary system that mediates between the explosive charge and the boiler environment. The cooling system prevents premature detonation and controls thermal effects, enabling safe use of explosives for rapid cleaning while protecting the boiler structure and personnel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies beforehand cushioning by introducing cooling agents and safety systems prior to explosive detonation. This pre-cooling and protective measure prevents premature ignition and controls the explosive effects, enabling rapid cleaning while maintaining safety and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the boiler is shut down for cleaning, then cleaning can be performed safely, but production loss and income loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning safetyVSAvoidproduction downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables continuous operation during cleaning by using explosive technology that can be performed while the boiler remains in service. The rapid cleaning process maintains production continuity, eliminating downtime losses while safety measures ensure safe execution of the cleaning operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational state parameter by enabling cleaning during active operation rather than requiring shutdown. The explosive process delivers sufficient cleaning energy to handle deposits in hot, pressurized conditions, maintaining production continuity while ensuring safety through controlled parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

5Productivity

If strong temperature changes occur during cleaning, then deposits are removed effectively, but container material damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposit removal effectivenessVSAvoidcontainer material integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces cooling agents as intermediaries that mediate between the explosive thermal effects and the container material. This cooling intervention limits temperature changes to protective levels, preventing material damage while maintaining effective deposit removal through the explosive shock waves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method allows for efficient, safe, and cost-effective cleaning of container interiors without shutdowns, reducing downtime and health risks, with the flexible container shell ensuring precise dosing and minimal damage, and the particles enhance the cleaning effect by abrasive action.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible container shell filled with a gaseous explosive mixture is introduced near the soiled area, expanding and detonating to generate shock waves that dislodge deposits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock wave: Shock Wave

Implementation Method 2

A flexible container shell filled with a gaseous explosive mixture is introduced near the soiled area, expanding and detonating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 3

The wall of the container shell is constructed in such a way that when a mixture in the interior of the container shell explodes, particles are released which, accelerated by the explosion pressure, are suitable for affecting deposits in the cavity or interior of a container and at least partially detaching them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 4

the particles enhance the cleaning effect by abrasive action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2788703B1Apparatus and method for cleaning combustion devices
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 BANG & CLEAN GMBH
  • EP2788703B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2788703B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2788703B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a flexible and foldable thin-walled container (20) which can be inflated by means of an explosive mixture and which comprises a wall (22) having an inlet opening (25), surrounding an interior space (21) for the explosive mixture. The thin-walled container (20) is designed for use in a method for removing by blasting technology deposits from the surfaces of cavities of containers to be cleaned. The wall (22) of the thin-walled container (20) is designed, at least in sections, such that when an explosive mixture present in the interior space (21) of the thin-walled container (20) explodes, particles (24) are released which, accelerated by the blast, are suitable to act upon deposits in the interior space of a container and to remove at least part thereof.