LPG Impingement Separator for Hose Plasticizer Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) hoses used in combustion applications often clog due to the extraction and condensation of plasticizers and low molecular weight hydrocarbons, leading to nozzle and fuel line blockages, as these contaminants exceed solubility limits at the atomizer or deposit within small diameter tubing.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical separation device with a downwardly and upwardly fingered impingement region that selectively promotes gas flow while trapping undesirable lower molecular weight hydrocarbons and oligomers, preventing their condensation and solidification in the nozzle area, thereby preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plasticized rubber hoses are used for LP gas transport, then flexible fuel delivery is achieved, but plasticizer extraction and condensation cause nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts harmful plasticizers and low molecular weight hydrocarbons from the LP gas stream using a separation device positioned between the hose and nozzle. This removal prevents the contaminants from reaching the nozzle where they would condense and cause clogging, while allowing the cleaned LP gas to continue flowing through the flexible hose system.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation device acts as an intermediary component between the plasticized rubber hose and the fuel nozzle. It intercepts and removes extractable contaminants before they can cause harm, enabling the continued use of flexible plasticized hoses without suffering from the clogging problems they would otherwise cause.
2Quantity of substance
If extractable contaminants are allowed to pass through the hose, then fuel flow is maintained, but condensation and solidification cause tubing and nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The separation device performs preliminary removal of plasticizers and low molecular weight hydrocarbons from the LP gas before the gas reaches the small diameter tubing and nozzle. By pre-cleaning the fuel stream, the system maintains reliable flow through the combustion device without subsequent clogging from condensed contaminants.
3Reliability
If separation device is added to remove contaminants, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation device utilizes the natural condensation tendency of plasticizers and low molecular weight hydrocarbons at the atomizer temperature to separate these contaminants from the LP gas stream. The device design allows condensed contaminants to be trapped and removed without requiring complex active separation mechanisms, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving reliable clogging prevention.
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 removes contaminants from LPG hoses before they reach the nozzle, ensuring uninterrupted fuel flow and preventing nozzle and fuel line clogging for at least one heating season, thus maintaining the efficiency and reliability of combustion devices.
Implementation Method 1
impingement surface which selectively promotes gas flow through the device yet traps undesirable lower molecular weight hydrocarbons and oligomers which form viscous oils which often solidify after condensing from the gas
Data Source
AI summary
A separation device for the removal of impurities extracted from a flexible conduit from a fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas is described having a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a means for channeling the fuel from the inlet onto an impingement surface in fluid communication with the fuel stream, the surface acting to condense the impurities, a gravity separation means for collecting the impurities removed from the fuel, and a means for channeling the fuel into an outlet.