Laser Cleaning Tube Structure for In-Situ Toxic Particle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser cleaning devices pose health hazards due to the release of highly toxic particles, such as hexavalent chromium, which accumulate near the device edges and are difficult to contain effectively.
Innovation Solution
A laser device with a tube structure that guides particles through an inner volume where they are heated by the laser beam, reducing their oxidation state to less hazardous forms, and a turbulator to enhance turbulence for extended residence time and safer extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser beam irradiates contamination on surface, then particles are released from surface, but toxic particles propagate towards laser device and stick at edge causing health hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the laser beam's energy not only for cleaning but also for reducing toxic particles. The same laser beam that removes contamination also heats and reduces Cr(VI) particles to less toxic Cr(III) forms within the tube, converting the harmful effect into a beneficial one.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube acts as an intermediary chamber between the laser head and the external environment. It provides a controlled environment where gas flow carries particles through the laser beam path, enabling reduction while protecting the operator from direct particle exposure.
2Ease of operation
If curved profile is provided at edge of laser device, then particle flow into laser device is improved, but hazardous particles are still present inside and extracted from device
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of merely improving particle flow while accepting the presence of hazardous particles, the invention converts the harmful particles into less harmful forms through in-situ reduction within the tube using laser heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical state of particles from Cr(VI) to Cr(III) through temperature parameter changes induced by laser heating within the tube, fundamentally altering the toxicity level of the particles.
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 device effectively reduces the toxicity of released particles by converting hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium, minimizing health risks and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
In the inner volume, the particles in the flow of gas are heated by the energy of the laser beam. This heat causes the reduction of the particles, which means that the oxidation state of the particles is reduced to a lower state.
Implementation Method 2
The tube forms a gas flow path from the laser opening to the extraction opening through the inner cross-section... The tube is adapted to guide gas along the gas flow path through the inner volume.
Implementation Method 3
The laser device directs a laser beam onto the surface. The laser beam irradiates the contamination on the surface and causes a reaction with the contamination. The reaction causes particles of the contamination to be released from the surface.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
There is provided a laser device (100) for laser cleaning a surface (101). The laser device comprises a laser head (102) and a tube (103). The tube comprises an inner cross-section (103a), a laser opening (105) and an extraction opening (106). The laser head (102) is adapted to direct a laser beam (104a) via a laser beam path (107) to the surface. The laser beam path (107) extends from the laser head (102) through the inner cross-section (103a) to the laser opening (105). The tube (103) forms a gas flow path (110) from the laser opening (105) to the extraction opening (106) through the inner cross-section. The laser head (102) is adapted to fill an inner volume (108) extending across the inner cross-section (103a) with the laser beam. The tube (103) is adapted to guide gas along the gas flow path (110) through the inner volume.