Pressure-Independent Control Valve Drain for In-Place Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure-independent control valves (PICVs) face issues with debris accumulation, which impairs their operation and requires costly downtime for cleaning, involving complex re-commissioning of fluid systems.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a drain mechanism within the PICV that allows for the in-situ removal of debris by draining fluid from the valve, utilizing a drain outlet in fluid communication with a first chamber and a movable drain closure to control the draining process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PICV is removed from the fluid system for cleaning, then debris can be removed from the valve, but system downtime increases and re-commissioning becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drain mechanism extracts the cleaning function from the traditional valve maintenance process. By providing a dedicated drain outlet connected to the first chamber, debris and fluid can be removed from the pressure differential control mechanism without removing the entire valve from the fluid system, thereby eliminating system downtime associated with valve replacement and re-commissioning
Solution Approach 2:
The drain mechanism acts as an intermediary component that enables cleaning operations without requiring system shutdown. The drain outlet and drain closure assembly provide a controlled pathway for fluid and debris removal, mediating between the need for cleaning and the requirement for continuous system operation
2Reliability
If the PICV is removed from the fluid system for cleaning, then debris can be removed from the valve, but the cleaning process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is extracted from the main valve body and implemented as a separate, simple drain mechanism. This allows debris removal to be performed through a straightforward opening/closing operation of the drain closure, eliminating the complex re-commissioning procedures that would otherwise be required after valve removal and cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The drain mechanism enables the valve to be cleaned in-place without requiring external cleaning equipment or complex disassembly procedures. The simple drain outlet and closure assembly allow maintenance personnel to perform cleaning operations directly at the valve location using basic tools, significantly reducing cleaning process complexity
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 drain mechanism effectively removes debris from the valve while it remains operational within the fluid system, minimizing downtime and maintaining system efficiency by allowing for continuous operation during cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The draining fluid is able to carry debris from the valve and has a flushing action
Implementation Method 2
the drain outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid path via the first chamber. As such, the configuration of the drain outlet allows for fluid to be diverted from the fluid path to drain from the valve. The draining fluid is able to carry debris from the valve and has a flushing action
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a pressure-independent control valve comprising a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet; a fluid path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; a pressure differential control, wherein the pressure differential control comprises a chamber in fluid communication with the fluid path; and a drain. The drain comprises a drain outlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a drain closure to open and close the drain outlet. Fluid can drain from the valve when the drain outlet is open. The drain closure is movable between an open position to open the valve and a closed position to close the valve. The invention further relates to a fluid system comprising the valve with the drain, and to a method of draining the valve via the drain.