Pressure Vessel Inner-Volume Drying With Two-Stage Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for drying the inner volume of pressure vessels, particularly those with an inner layer, are lengthy and require significant effort for automation, and vacuum drying is not feasible for vessels with a thermoplastic resin layer.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the sequential flow of two gaseous fluids through the pressure vessel at controlled flow rates and temperatures, with the first fluid having high humidity and the second fluid having low humidity, to enhance drying efficiency and enable automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heat supply or vacuum drying methods are used, then drying can be achieved, but the process runtime is very long and automation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic jet system where compressed gas flows through nozzles to create high-velocity streams that directly impinge on the inner surface of the pressure vessel. This pneumatic approach replaces conventional thermal or vacuum methods, achieving rapid moisture removal through forced convection and shear forces, thereby dramatically reducing drying time while enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the drying medium by using compressed gas at controlled pressure and flow rates through specifically designed nozzles. By adjusting gas pressure, flow rate, and nozzle geometry, the system optimizes the drying effect to achieve fast moisture removal without requiring prolonged exposure, thus resolving the contradiction between drying effectiveness and process time.
2Productivity
If vacuum drying is used, then drying efficiency improves, but it cannot be applied to vessels with thermoplastic resin inner layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic jet drying system that uses compressed gas flow instead of vacuum conditions. This approach is compatible with thermoplastic resin inner layers because it does not require vacuum conditions that could damage such layers. The high-velocity gas jets effectively remove moisture through mechanical forces while being universally applicable to different vessel types regardless of their inner layer composition.
3Ease of operation
If manual drying operations are performed, then process control is flexible, but automation requires great effort
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is designed to be self-regulating through the physics of compressed gas flow. Once the gas supply pressure and nozzle configuration are set, the system automatically maintains optimal drying conditions without requiring continuous manual adjustment. The high-velocity jets naturally adapt to the vessel geometry and moisture distribution, enabling straightforward automation while preserving operational effectiveness.
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
Achieves rapid and efficient drying of pressure vessels with an inner layer, reducing process time and energy consumption while allowing for automated operation.
Implementation Method 1
flowing through the inner volume with a gaseous first fluid at a flow rate of at least 250 l/min, with a humidity value in the range of 16,000 ppm (water) to 22,000 ppm (water), in particular before heating, and at a temperature of at least 70° C., preferably at least 90° C.
Implementation Method 2
flowing through the inner volume with a gaseous first fluid... at a temperature of at least 70° C., preferably at least 90° C., advantageously for a period of between 25 minutes and 75 minutes
Implementation Method 3
flowing through the inner volume with a second gaseous fluid at a flow rate of at least 250 l/min, with a humidity value of less than 100 ppm (water) and a temperature of at least 70° C., preferably at least 90° C., in particular for a period of between 15 minutes and 45 minutes
Data Source
AI summary
A method for drying an inner volume of a pressure vessel and to a drying system. The method includes at least the following method steps:flowing through the inner volume with a gaseous first fluid at a flow rate of at least 250 l/min and a temperature of at least 70° C., andflowing through the inner volume with a second gaseous fluid at a flow rate of at least 250 l/min, having a humidity value of less than 100 ppm and a temperature of at least 70° C.