Filling and dosing heating and cooling systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressurisation units in large commercial heating and cooling systems replace lost water with untreated mains water, diluting corrosion inhibitors and leading to corrosion issues, scale formation, and equipment breakdowns.
Innovation Solution
A pressurisation unit that includes a receptacle for storing a chemical, which, upon adding fresh water, dispenses a measured dose of corrosion inhibitor and scale inhibitor into the system to maintain pressure and prevent corrosion and scale formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large quantities of water are continuously added to compensate for leaks, then system pressure is maintained, but chemical dosing becomes inconsistent and corrosion protection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical dosing system uses feedback control to monitor water intake volume and automatically adjust dosing rates. Flow meters or level sensors detect how much water is being added to the system, and this information feeds back to the dosing mechanism, which proportionally adjusts chemical addition to maintain precise concentrations regardless of water replacement volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can automatically adjust its output rate in response to varying water intake conditions, transforming from a fixed-dose system to an adaptive system that maintains dosing accuracy across different operational scenarios including high leak rates.
2Device complexity
If simple water replacement is used without chemical dosing, then device complexity is reduced, but corrosion and scale formation increase causing equipment breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water replacement function and chemical dosing function into a single integrated pressurisation unit. Rather than having separate systems for water addition and chemical dosing, the invention merges these functions so that water and chemicals are introduced together through a unified system, maintaining simplicity while providing comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurisation unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a water replacement system and a chemical dosing system. This universal device performs multiple functions (pressure maintenance, water replenishment, and corrosion protection) through an integrated design, avoiding the need for separate complex systems while providing comprehensive system protection.
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
Maintains system pressure and prevents corrosion and scale formation by ensuring correct chemical dosing, minimizing damage and extending equipment life.
Implementation Method 1
a pump arranged to force water from the break tank to the system circuit through the outlet
Implementation Method 2
an actuator arranged to force a measured quantity of chemical from the receptacle into the system circuit
Implementation Method 3
a pressure transducer for measuring the pressure in the system circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A pressurisation unit for use with commercial heating and/or cooling systems is disclosed. The pressurisation unit tops up the system circuit with water in the usual way to compensate for water loss, e.g. due to leaks. The pressurisation unit measures the amount of water which has been pumped into the system circuit, and doses the system circuit with a chemical, for example a corrosion inhibitor, according to the amount of water which has been added.