Inerting Gas Vent Assembly for Fire Sprinkler Corrosion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection sprinkler systems face challenges in reducing oxygen levels in piping networks to prevent corrosion, as continuous venting introduces oxygen indefinitely, leading to ongoing corrosion issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact vent assembly and method that uses an inert gas source with a solenoid and timer-controlled gas vent to discharge inert gas for a limited time, allowing oxygen to combine with metal and cease corrosion, while the inert gas source only replenishes for leaks, using a packaged unit with a back pressure regulator and valve to prevent water discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous venting is used to discharge gas from the piping network, then oxygen levels are reduced initially, but oxygen is continuously reintroduced indefinitely leading to ongoing corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The vent assembly operates periodically rather than continuously. The solenoid valve opens to discharge inert gas and oxygen for a predetermined time period, then closes to prevent further oxygen introduction. This periodic operation allows the system to achieve oxygen removal while avoiding continuous reintroduction that would cause ongoing corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer provides feedback control by automatically controlling the solenoid valve operation duration. The predetermined time period ensures the vent operates long enough to discharge accumulated oxygen but closes before oxygen contamination occurs, creating a self-regulating system that prevents corrosion without continuous monitoring.
2Reliability
If inert gas is continuously supplied to the piping network, then oxygen displacement is maintained, but oxygen from the inert gas source continues to be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system supplies inert gas continuously but vents periodically. During the venting period, both inert gas and accumulated oxygen are discharged. This creates a cycle where oxygen displacement is maintained while preventing oxygen accumulation from the inert gas source itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent assembly extracts and removes the harmful component (oxygen) from the system along with the inert gas. By discharging a portion of the inert gas carrying oxygen, the system eliminates the oxygen introduced by the inert gas source while maintaining overall oxygen displacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a compact vent assembly is designed with multiple components (solenoid, timer, regulator, valve), then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent assembly merges multiple functional components (solenoid valve, timer, pressure regulator, and discharge valve) into a single integrated packaged unit. This consolidation provides comprehensive venting control functionality while reducing installation complexity and space requirements compared to separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated vent assembly performs multiple functions: pressure regulation, timed solenoid operation, water-gas separation, and gas discharge control. This multi-functionality in a single package reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
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
Effectively reduces oxygen levels in the piping network, minimizing corrosion by discontinuing inert gas supply after a predetermined period, ensuring only necessary inert gas is maintained, thereby reducing corrosion significantly.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid is adapted to selectively open the gas vent and to close the gas vent. The gas vent discharges gas when the solenoid opens the gas vent and does not discharge gas when the solenoid closes the gas vent.
Implementation Method 2
The vent assembly may include a back pressure regulator or a factory set pressure relief valve, or the like (commonly referred to as a pressure regulator) that allows the gas vent to discharge gas at or above a particular gas pressure and to not discharge gas below that particular gas pressure.
Implementation Method 3
The control according to the invention includes a timer. The control opens the gas vent for a predetermined period of time established by the timer and closes the gas vent after the predetermined period of time.
Implementation Method 4
Because even the inert gas supplied by the inert gas source contains a certain amount of oxygen, the discontinuing of the supply of inert gas allows the small amount of oxygen remaining in the piping network to combine with the metal and be removed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A fire protection sprinkler system and method of inerting a fire protection sprinkler system includes connecting an inerting system to the piping network of a fire protection sprinkler system having a piping network and at least one sprinkler head connected with the piping network. The inerting system includes an inert gas source that is adapted to supply inert gas to the piping network and an inerting gas vent assembly. The gas vent assembly has a gas vent adapted to discharge gas, a solenoid and a control. The solenoid is adapted to selectively open the gas vent and to close the gas vent. The gas vent discharges gas when the solenoid opens the gas vent and does not discharge gas when the solenoid closes the gas vent. The control is adapted to operate the solenoid in a manner that allows the gas vent to discharge gas for a limited amount of time.