Pulse Jet Cryogenic Cleaning System for Coating Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-pressure waterjet systems for stripping coatings from aerospace components are inefficient in separating water from stripped coating remains, leading to slurry formation and increased waste disposal costs, and require water reclamation systems, which are environmentally cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A pulse jet liquid gas cleaning system utilizing an ultrasonic transducer to transform high-pressure cryogenic fluid into pulsed jets of individual cryogenic fluid slugs, which effectively remove coatings by sublimation, eliminating the need for water reclamation and reducing waste through dry coating removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure waterjet systems are used to strip coatings, then coating removal efficiency is improved, but water reclamation system complexity increases and slurry waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the cleaning fluid from liquid water to cryogenic gas (such as liquid nitrogen that vaporizes). This parameter change eliminates the need for water reclamation systems while maintaining high coating removal efficiency, as the cryogenic fluid sublimates and leaves no liquid residue to reclaim.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the cryogenic fluid from liquid to gas state during the cleaning process. The cryogenic fluid is applied in liquid form, absorbs heat from the coating and substrate, and then sublimates into gas, effectively removing the coating without leaving liquid slurry that would require reclamation.
2Productivity
If high-pressure waterjet systems are used to strip coatings, then coating removal efficiency is improved, but slurry waste production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition of cryogenic fluid from liquid to gas state, which prevents slurry formation. The cryogenic fluid sublimates after removing the coating, leaving only dry coating debris that can be easily vacuumed away, eliminating the need to dispose of liquid slurry waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful element (water) from the cleaning process and replaces it with cryogenic gas. This extraction eliminates the formation of water-based slurry waste, as the cryogenic fluid evaporates completely after use, leaving only the removed coating material as waste.
3Loss of substance
If cryogenic fluid is used instead of water, then sludge production is eliminated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of cryogenic fluids which, despite requiring cooling energy, eliminate sludge production entirely. The cryogenic fluid sublimates and disappears completely, leaving no slurry to dispose of, which offsets the initial cooling energy investment through waste elimination.
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 system efficiently removes tough coatings like HVOF without damaging the substrate, allowing for delicate cleaning adjustments and eliminating sludge production, thereby reducing waste disposal costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer operable to transform a high-pressure stream of cryogenic fluid from a cryogenic fluid supply into pulsed jets of individual cryogenic fluid slugs
Implementation Method 2
vacuuming a dry coating separated from a substrate by the pulsed jets of individual cryogenic fluid slugs which sublimate
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse jet liquid gas cleaning system has an ultrasonic transducer operable to transform a high-pressure stream of cryogenic fluid from a cryogenic fluid supply into pulsed jets of individual cryogenic fluid slugs.