Composite Pressure Vessel Testing With Reduced-Pressure Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing and testing composite pressure vessels are tedious, time-intensive, and labor-intensive, with hydrostatic tests leading to water residue that requires extensive drying and can contaminate stored gases.
Innovation Solution
A method involving injecting a liquid into a composite pressure vessel, measuring volume variation, draining the liquid, and drying the cavity at a pressure lower than external pressure to accelerate vaporization, using inert gases and controlled heating to expedite the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrostatic test with water injection is performed, then pressure resistance is tested, but water residue remains causing gas pollution and requiring time-intensive drying
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the drying process by applying reduced pressure (vacuum) and increased temperature simultaneously. This transforms the drying conditions from ambient temperature and pressure to controlled vacuum and heat conditions, which dramatically accelerates water evaporation and eliminates residue without contaminating the stored gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor by applying heat under reduced pressure conditions. The vacuum environment lowers the boiling point of water, enabling rapid vaporization at lower temperatures, while the heating element provides the necessary energy for complete phase transition and elimination of water residue.
2Reliability
If hydrostatic test with water injection is performed, then pressure resistance is tested, but water residue pollutes the stored gas
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the pressure and temperature parameters during the drying phase, the invention ensures complete vaporization and removal of water residue. The vacuum condition prevents water from re-condensing, and the elevated temperature ensures all traces evaporate, thereby eliminating gas pollution while maintaining testing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical drying process (blowing gas at ambient conditions) with a thermal-vacuum drying system. This substitution uses controlled heating and pressure reduction to achieve complete drying, effectively eliminating water residue and preventing gas contamination.
3Loss of time
If conventional drying with gas blowing at ambient temperature is used, then water is removed, but the process is time-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dramatically reduces drying time by changing the operating parameters from ambient temperature and pressure to elevated temperature and reduced pressure. This parameter transformation accelerates the evaporation rate by orders of magnitude, converting a time-intensive process into a rapid operation that enhances overall manufacturing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary vacuum evacuation before heating, removing bulk water through suction. This preliminary action prepares the system for the subsequent rapid vaporization phase, ensuring that both free water and bound moisture are efficiently removed in sequence, thereby minimizing total drying time.
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 method reduces the time and labor required for pressure testing and manufacturing composite pressure vessels by efficiently eliminating residual liquids, minimizing contamination, and simplifying the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
drying the inside cavity of the composite pressure vessel using a drying gas; wherein the step of drying the inside cavity of the composite pressure vessel is performed at a pressure inside the composite pressure vessel, which is lower than an external pressure. The use of a pressure inside the composite pressure vessel that is lower than the external pressure permits to accelerate the ebullition and the vaporization of the remaining liquid
Implementation Method 2
accelerate the ebullition and the vaporization of the remaining liquid present in the composite pressure vessel
Implementation Method 3
Injecting the liquid in the composite pressure vessel through the at least one opening to reach a threshold pressure; Measuring an external volume variation of the composite pressure vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing pressure tests on a composite pressure vessel, including providing a composite pressure vessel with at least one opening an injection of a liquid; injecting the liquid in the composite pressure vessel through the at least one opening to reach a threshold pressure; measuring an external volume variation of the composite pressure vessel; draining the liquid from the composite pressure vessel through the at least one opening; and drying an inside cavity of the composite pressure vessel with a drying gas. The drying the inside cavity of the composite pressure vessel is performed at a pressure inside the composite pressure vessel, which is lower than an external pressure. A device for manufacturing and pressure testing a composite pressure vessel.