Flocculation State Monitoring Sensor With Air-Purge Nozzle Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The ejecting part of flocculation state monitoring sensors is prone to blockage due to flocculated particles, leading to insufficient cleaning of the light emitting and receiving parts, which can result in damage and reduced measurement time.
Innovation Solution
A flocculation state monitoring sensor that uses a small air supply for purging water or floc from the ejecting part during cleaning intervals, preventing particle generation and growth, and ensuring thorough cleaning of the light emitting and receiving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is ejected at high pressure to discharge flocculated particles from the ejecting part, then the blockage is removed, but the light emitting part or light receiving part may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic cleaning cycles with multiple phases: first ejecting air to discharge flocculated particles, then introducing water to cool and clean the light emitting part and light receiving part. This periodic alternating action allows effective particle removal while protecting sensitive components from damage during the water cleaning phase.
2Reliability
If air ejecting pressure is increased to discharge flocculated particles, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but measuring time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system minimizes interruption to measurement by performing cleaning operations efficiently and returning to measurement mode promptly. The cleaning cycle is optimized to discharge particles and clean components with minimal delay, ensuring continuous useful action is maintained.
3Productivity
If air is not supplied to the ejecting part, then measuring time is maximized, but water enters the ejecting part and flocculated particles block the ejecting part
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary purging by ejecting air through the ejecting part before measurement begins or at scheduled intervals. This preliminary action prevents water and flocculated particles from accumulating and blocking the ejecting part during measurement periods, ensuring reliable operation without sacrificing measuring time.
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
Prevents blockage of the ejecting part and allows stable monitoring by maintaining effective cleaning of the light emitting and receiving parts, reducing the purging period and minimizing impact on the measurement time.
Implementation Method 1
an air ejecting part configured to eject a gas... supplies a small amount of air to an ejecting part for purging (discharging) water or floc in the ejecting part
Implementation Method 2
measure a flocculation state by radiating light into water and receiving scattered light... emitting laser light toward water and receiving scattered light scattered by a floc
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
AI summary
Provided is a flocculation state monitoring sensor with which blockage of an ejecting part which ejects a gas towards a light emitting part and a light receiving part can be prevented, and which performs stable monitoring. A flocculation state monitoring sensor comprising: a light emitting part 3 which irradiates laser light towards a measuring region S which measures a flocculation state; and a light receiving part 4 which receives light scattered along a direction which intersects with a direction along an optical axis of said light emitting part 3, wherein the light emitting part 3 and the light receiving part 4 are cleaned by air being ejected from nozzles 21, 31 theretowards. A small amount of air is provided to the nozzles 21, 31 between cleaning periods to purge floe, etc.