Flux Recovery Pipe Layout for Flushing Adhering Flux

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flux recovery devices face issues with flux adhering to the inner walls of pipes, particularly when pipes are oriented in directions other than gravity, leading to blockages and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A flux recovery device design that includes a pipe with an inclined portion and a pump to supply water at a higher pressure than the flux, ensuring effective flushing of adhering flux, along with a control unit for timed water supply to prevent clogging, utilizing the same pump for both the separation unit and the pipe connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If pipes are oriented in directions other than gravity direction to save space or adapt to layout, then device compactness is improved, but flux adheres to inner walls causing blockages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidpipe blockage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a water supply port that supplies water to the pipe before flux accumulation becomes problematic. This preliminary action prevents flux from adhering to the inner wall in the first place, especially in pipes oriented in non-gravity directions where natural drainage is ineffective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Water acts as an intermediary substance that prevents flux from adhering to the pipe inner wall. The water supply port introduces this intermediary medium to facilitate flux removal and prevent blockages in pipes with various orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If water pressure is increased to flush adhering flux, then flux removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflux removal effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention supplies water at a pressure higher than the flux pressure, applying excessive action to ensure flux is effectively flushed out. This higher pressure water supply guarantees reliable flux removal from the pipe, particularly in non-gravity oriented sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by supplying water under pressure through the water supply port. This hydraulic action effectively removes flux from the pipe by creating a pressure differential that forces flux outward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If continuous water supply is used to prevent flux adhesion, then pipe reliability is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe operation continuityVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs periodic water supply through the water supply port rather than continuous supply. Water is supplied at timed intervals to prevent flux adhesion and remove accumulated flux, achieving reliable pipe operation while reducing overall water consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service flux removal by periodically supplying water that automatically flushes out adhering flux without requiring manual intervention. The water supply port creates a self-cleaning mechanism that maintains pipe reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively removes flux from pipes, preventing blockages and ensuring continuous operation by using higher water pressure and timed water supply to flush out adhering flux, even in non-gravity oriented pipes, thus maintaining pipe integrity and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A flux contained in the gaseous mixture is cooled by water supplied into the separation unit. With such cooling, most of the flux starts to be liquefied or solidified

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

a pump configured to supply water from the first connection port. The pressure of the water supplied from the first connection port by the pump is higher than a pressure of the water containing the flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3705168B1Flux recovery device and method for removing flux
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 SENJU METAL IND CO LTD
  • EP3705168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3705168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3705168B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flux recovery device which can remove a flux in a pipe and a method for removing a flux are provided. A flux recovery device (200) recovers a flux from a gaseous mixture containing a flux component, the flux recovery device (200) including: a separation unit (400) configured to separate the flux from the gaseous mixture using water, and to discharge the water containing the flux; a pipe (500) including a second connection port (540), an inclined portion (580), and a first connection port (520), the water containing the flux flowing into the pipe (500) from the second connection port (540), the inclined portion (580) being positioned on a downstream side of the second connection port (540), and extending in a direction intersecting with a vertical line extending in a gravity direction, and the first connection port (520) being positioned on an upstream side of the inclined portion (580); and a pump (220) configured to supply water from the first connection port (520).