Low-Profile Condensate Evacuation for Refrigeration Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The narrow space between modern refrigeration units and the floor poses a challenge for effectively collecting and evacuating condensed water, as traditional systems struggle to accommodate a water collection container due to limited height, restricting the use of the floor-to-ceiling evacuation principle.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a docking station and a water collection tray with a low profile, allowing easy positioning under the refrigeration unit, combined with a vacuum pump and air inlet mechanism to lift water twice the original height, and a control unit for efficient emptying and air management, ensuring effective evacuation and frequent emptying of water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional water collection container is used, then the container can hold sufficient water volume, but the container cannot be positioned under the refrigeration unit due to insufficient space
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection system is divided into multiple separate collection points distributed along the piping arrangement, each with its own small-capacity container. This segmentation allows each container to be compact enough to fit under refrigeration units while the collective system maintains sufficient total collection volume through multiple distributed containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single vertical storage dimension to a distributed horizontal network of multiple small containers. By spreading collection points across different locations along the piping arrangement, the system achieves equivalent or greater total capacity without requiring any single container to have large vertical dimension, thus fitting under low-clearance refrigeration units.
2Length of stationary object
If vacuum pump is used to lift water, then water can be evacuated from the refrigeration unit, but the lifting height is limited to 4-5 meters with standard vacuum pressure
Solution Approach 1:
Air is introduced as an intermediary substance into the water column in the vertical pipe section. This air-water mixture reduces the effective density of the fluid being lifted, allowing the vacuum pump to achieve greater lifting heights without requiring extreme vacuum pressures. The air acts as a mediator that enables extended lift capability within the constraints of available vacuum pressure.
3Length of stationary object
If air is introduced into the suction pipe to double the water lifting height, then water can be lifted 8-10 meters, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic air introduction mechanisms that operate based on predetermined conditions such as water level detection or vacuum pressure thresholds. The control system automatically manages air injection timing and quantity, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing operational complexity despite the added mechanical components for air injection and control.
4Length of moving object
If a low-profile water collection tray is used, then the tray can be positioned under the refrigeration unit, but the tray capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The total water collection requirement is segmented across multiple low-profile trays positioned at different locations along the piping arrangement. Each individual tray maintains a compact height suitable for placement under refrigeration units, while the aggregate capacity of all distributed trays collectively meets the total water collection needs of the system.
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
This arrangement enables the evacuation of condensed water up to 8-10 meters, doubling the previous height, while ensuring efficient operation and frequent emptying of water from refrigeration units, even in tight spaces, by using a docking station and air-assisted vacuum pumping.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum in such systems is normally between 60 and 50 kPa (40 and 50% below atmospheric pressure), implying that the condensed or defrosted water having a density of 1 kg/dm3 is lifted 4-5 meters at a maximum.
Implementation Method 2
the water may be lifted twice the height, i.e. 8-10 meters with the same vacuum by letting air into the suction pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangement for accumulation and evacuation of water such as defrosting and condensation water from refrigeration units, the system including a piping arrangement with a vertical pipe section extending from a water evacuation unit provided in conjunction with the respective refrigeration unit; discharge valves, one for each unit; one or more liquid reservoir for each unit; one or more vacuum pumps; air inlet nozzles; a control unit; one or more level switches and air conduit inlet opening for each vertical pipe. Each of the water evacuation units includes a docking station and a water collection tray preferably to be slideably provided within the docking station, whereby each unit is custom made to fit between the refrigeration unit and floor where the refrigeration units are placed.