Improvements in fluid storage systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot water storage tanks face issues with temperature maintenance due to insufficient heating rates and bacterial growth at the tank base, where cold water fails to reach sterilizing temperatures, leading to reduced efficiency and sanitary concerns.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser plate with a spiral-shaped wall and thermally conductive material is introduced, positioned above the fluid inlet to diffuse fluid flow and act as a heat sink, ensuring even temperature distribution and bacterial sterilization by maintaining temperatures above 50°C at the tank base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating elements are provided in conventional hot water storage tanks, then water heating capability is improved, but the heating rate is insufficient to maintain required outlet temperature during prolonged drawing periods
Solution Approach 1:
The base of the tank is segmented into multiple heating zones using baffle walls that create separate compartments. Each compartment can be independently heated, increasing the overall heating capacity and rate without requiring a single large heating element.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heating elements are installed in different compartments of the tank base, working simultaneously to heat water. This combines the heating capacity of multiple elements to achieve the required heating rate for prolonged drawing periods.
2Quantity of substance
If cold water enters the tank via inlet, then water is replenished, but cold water mixes with heated water leading to temperature reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The tank interior is divided into separate compartments using baffle walls, creating distinct zones for cold water inlet and heated water storage. This segmentation prevents mixing between cold replenishment water and heated water, maintaining temperature stratification.
Solution Approach 2:
Baffle walls act as intermediary structures that physically separate different water zones. These baffles guide water flow patterns to ensure cold water enters specific compartments without disrupting the thermal stratification in other compartments.
3Reliability
If cold water is present towards the base of storage tank, then bacterial growth occurs, but maintaining temperature above sterilizing threshold increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The tank base is divided into multiple compartments with separate heating elements, allowing targeted heating of specific zones where cold water accumulates. This segmentation enables localized thermal treatment to prevent bacterial growth without heating the entire tank volume, reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Heating elements are strategically positioned in specific compartments where cold water tends to accumulate at the base. This local quality approach applies heat only where needed for sanitary purposes, rather than uniformly heating the entire tank, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining bacterial prevention.
4Ease of operation
If baffle with concentric sidewalls is provided, then fluid diffusion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle structure uses concentric sidewalls that segment the tank interior into multiple radial compartments. This segmentation creates controlled flow paths that enhance fluid diffusion and mixing efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple cylindrical geometry that is easy to manufacture.
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 diffuser plate effectively maintains the temperature of the stored water by reducing mixing and bacterial growth, allowing for continuous efficient hot water supply and improved sanitary conditions by ensuring the water at the tank base reaches sterilizing temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The diffuser plate and/or the at least one wall may be formed from a thermally conductive material, and preferably a material that is capable of functioning as a heat sink. Preferably, the material has a thermal conductivity greater than a fluid stored in the vessel
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser plate for diffusing a fluid flow, comprising: a plate having a plurality of holes for the fluid flow to pass through; and at least one wall that extends away from a surface of the plate; characterised in that the at least one wall has a generally spiral-shaped configuration across the surface of the plate
Implementation Method 3
Many conventional hot water storage tanks take advantage of natural thermal stratification by providing an outlet for drawing heated water towards the top of a tank. As heated water is drawn from the outlet it is replenished by colder water via an inlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A diffuser plate for diffusing a fluid flow in a fluid storage vessel, comprising: a plate having a plurality of holes for the fluid flow to pass through; and at least one wall that extends away from a surface of the plate.