Side stream filter fluid treatment for new and old systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating and cooling systems face inefficiencies and premature failure due to contamination from bacteria, microbes, dirt, debris, and dissolved oxygen in the fluid circuit, particularly during initial filling and circulation, leading to blockages, corrosion, and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a vessel having a circulating fluid inlet, outlet, and a combined drain and water inlet port, equipped with a filter and permanent magnet collector, which treats fluid by filtering out magnetic and non-magnetic particles, bacteria, and reducing oxygen content, allowing for efficient de-oxygenation and pre-treatment of the fluid before entering the system, and enabling safe drainage even when the filter is blocked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is installed in the fluid circuit to remove contaminants, then the system reliability improves, but the filter can become blocked leading to system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is segmented into multiple paths by providing both a circulating fluid outlet port and a drain port. The drain port provides an alternative pathway that bypasses the filter, allowing the system to maintain functionality even when the filter becomes blocked. This segmentation of the fluid path ensures continuous operation and prevents complete system failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters by allowing fluid to be drained directly from the lower end of the vessel bypassing the filter. This parameter change in the fluid path enables the drain function to operate independently of the filter's blocking state, maintaining system reliability under degraded conditions.
2Reliability
If the filter is positioned to effectively filter circulating fluid, then contamination removal improves, but drainage becomes impossible when the filter is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is segmented from the filtration function by providing a separate drain port at the lower end of the vessel. This segmentation allows the drain port to access fluid directly from the vessel bottom, bypassing the filter element entirely. Consequently, drainage operation remains easy and unaffected by filter blocking status.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain port acts as an intermediary element that provides an alternative fluid pathway. When the filter becomes blocked, the drain port mediates the drainage function by allowing fluid to exit the vessel through a different route that does not pass through the blocked filter, maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If mains water is used to fill the fluid circuit, then filling is simple and quick, but bacteria and contaminants are introduced into the system
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is installed in advance within the vessel to perform preliminary filtration of the mains water before it enters the fluid circuit. This preliminary action removes bacteria and contaminants from the fill water while maintaining the simple and quick filling process, as the filtration occurs automatically during the filling operation without requiring separate treatment steps.
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 apparatus effectively reduces contamination, prevents biofilm growth, minimizes corrosion, and enhances system performance by filtering out impurities and reducing oxygen levels, thereby extending the system's lifespan and maintaining efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet collector, removably locatable within the vessel, and arranged to collect magnetic particles
Implementation Method 2
a filter removably locatable within the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
Certain examples of the present disclosure relate to apparatuses and methods for treating a fluid, such as water, when initially introduced into an empty fluid circuit (such as a heating and/or cooling system) via a temporary fluid connection 602 from a fluid supply connector 601; and also for treating existing fluid in a fluid circuit of a heating and/or cooling system. Certain examples provide an apparatus 101 comprising a vessel 102 having an open upper end 103 and a removable lid 108. The vessel includes: a circulating fluid inlet port 104 in a side wall 105 thereof, a circulating fluid outlet port 106 in a lower end 107 thereof, and a combined drain and water inlet port 600 in the lower end 107 thereof.