Metering Device for Uniform Fluid Concentration in Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices for fluid flow in bottling plants face challenges in maintaining uniform concentration of cleaning agents due to pressure fluctuations, leading to inconsistent cleaning effects during CIP cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with a second pipe section having a dynamic pressure opening directed counter to the fluid flow, which allows for uniform fluid supply by adapting the dosing rate based on back pressure, independent of the dosing pump's characteristics, ensuring continuous and reliable fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pulsating metering pump is used to add cleaning agent directly to the liquid flow, then the dosing device can be simple in structure, but concentration fluctuations occur leading to non-uniform cleaning effect
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe section is divided into multiple segments with throttle openings distributed along its length, allowing the cleaning agent to be injected at multiple locations rather than a single point. This segmentation of the injection process helps distribute the dosing pulses more evenly throughout the continuous liquid flow, reducing concentration fluctuations while maintaining a simple device structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If air tanks or circulation pumps are installed to smooth out concentration fluctuations, then concentration uniformity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing kinetic energy and flow characteristics of the continuous liquid stream itself to mix and distribute the cleaning agent. The throttle openings and pipe geometry are designed to leverage the natural turbulence and flow patterns of the main liquid stream, eliminating the need for additional mixing devices, air tanks, or circulation pumps. The system essentially uses its own flow to achieve uniform distribution.
3Device complexity
If the fluid supply depends on pressure in the supply line, then the dosing device can be simple, but pressure fluctuations cause continued fluctuations in supply quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle openings are positioned and sized to create a flow regime where the cleaning agent injection rate is influenced by the back pressure from the main liquid stream. This passive feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically compensate for pressure fluctuations - when supply pressure increases, the back pressure from the stream adjusts to maintain relatively consistent mixing and distribution, reducing the impact of pressure variations on dosing consistency.
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 solution ensures a uniform concentration of cleaning agents in a continuous fluid flow, even with discontinuous dosing, by directly relating the dosing rate to the fluid flow's back pressure, thereby reducing concentration fluctuations and enhancing the efficiency of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
the metering rate of the fluid into the fluid stream depends on the back pressure of the fluid stream at the back pressure orifice, which back pressure is directly related to the flow rate in the fluid stream
Implementation Method 2
the second pipe section has at least one throttle opening for supplying the fluid from the second pipe section into the fluid flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a tube section (4) arranged in another tube section (3), and a supply tube (5) for supplying fluid (2) into the former tube section. The former section includes a throttle opening (6) for supplying the fluid from the former section in a fluid flow (1) into the latter section. The former section has a flow pressure opening aligned against the fluid flow. A cross-section of the throttle opening is aligned parallel to a cross-section of the flow pressure opening. The connection is arranged with respect to the fluid flow between the throttle and flow pressure openings. An independent claim is also included for a method for dosing fluid in a fluid flow.