Sterilizer Vacuum Pump Cooling Circuit Descaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operational cooling circuit of vacuum pumps in sterilizers experiences lime scale deposition due to heating, leading to maintenance intervals and service life issues, and existing methods require shutdown for decalcification.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the continuous or discontinuous addition of a decalcifying substance, such as citric acid, into the cooling circuit, controlled by a dosing device to maintain optimal concentration, preventing lime scale precipitation without shutting down the sterilizer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cooling circuit is shut down for decalcification, then limescale deposits can be removed effectively, but the sterilizer operation is interrupted and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously adding limescale-dissolving substance to the cooling circuit before limescale deposits can form and cause problems. The substance is dosed in advance to prevent precipitation rather than waiting for deposits to accumulate and then removing them during shutdown maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining constant circulation of the cooling medium with continuously dosed limescale-dissolving substance. This ensures the cooling circuit remains clean without interruption, allowing the sterilizer to operate continuously without shutdown for maintenance.
2Reliability
If limescale-dissolving substance is added continuously, then limescale precipitation is prevented effectively, but substance consumption increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by dosing the limescale-dissolving substance at optimized concentrations that are sufficient to prevent limescale formation without excessive addition. The dosing rate is calibrated to match the actual limescale formation tendency in the specific cooling circuit, avoiding unnecessary substance consumption while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring parameters such as pH value, conductivity, or limescale formation indicators and adjusting the dosing rate accordingly. When limescale risk is low, dosing is reduced; when risk increases, dosing is increased, optimizing substance consumption while maintaining reliable limescale prevention.
3Reliability
If the vacuum pump is dismantled for decalcification, then complete removal of limescale deposits is achieved, but device complexity increases and operational convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the cooling circuit to clean itself through continuous circulation of the limescale-dissolving substance. The system maintains its own cleanliness without requiring external intervention or dismantling of the vacuum pump, as the chemical substance continuously dissolves any forming deposits in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the limescale-dissolving substance as an intermediary that mediates between the cooling circuit and limescale deposits. Instead of mechanically removing deposits by dismantling the pump, the chemical substance acts as a mediator that dissolves and eliminates limescale in situ, simplifying maintenance operations.
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
This method extends maintenance intervals and service life of the vacuum pump by preventing lime scale deposits, reducing maintenance and operational costs, and ensuring continuous operation of the sterilizer.
Implementation Method 1
a limescale-dissolving substance can be understood as an acidic agent. For example, the substance may contain citric acid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for descaling an operational cooling circuit (110) for an operational vacuum pump (108) for an operational sterilizer (100), wherein the method comprises a step of conveying at least one descaling substance (128) from a storage container (130) into the cooling circuit (110).