Suction System for Flammable Liquids Using Pneumatic Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing liquid spills in closed environments, such as road or railway tunnels, are ineffective in rapidly and safely evacuating flammable or polluting substances without risking the spread of flames or explosions, especially when fires are present, due to the risk of aspirating hot air which can ignite within pipes.
Innovation Solution
A suction system with distributed catch basins and a vacuum network that uses a vacuum generator to create suction while drawing in air from an external, cooler environment, preventing the introduction of hot air and utilizing a mechanical-pneumatic valve control system to ensure only liquid is aspirated, avoiding combustion risks and maintaining safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vacuum suction is applied to evacuate liquid spills in a fire environment, then liquid evacuation efficiency is improved, but hot air may be aspirated into the pipes causing combustion or explosion
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into separate functional components: liquid catch basins, pneumatic valves for air liquid separation, and vacuum generation units. This segmentation allows the system to selectively evacuate liquids while preventing hot air aspiration, resolving the contradiction between evacuation efficiency and combustion risk
Solution Approach 2:
Pneumatic valves act as intermediary devices between the catch basins and the vacuum system. These valves automatically open when liquid level rises and close when liquid is depleted, serving as a mediator that prevents hot air from entering the vacuum pipes while allowing liquid evacuation, thus resolving the combustion risk versus evacuation efficiency contradiction
2Speed
If air suction is used to evacuate liquids rapidly, then evacuation speed is improved, but the high temperature air may cause combustion or explosion inside pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic valves dynamically adjust their state based on liquid level conditions. When liquid reaches a certain level, the valves automatically open to allow rapid liquid evacuation. When liquid is depleted, the valves automatically close to prevent hot air aspiration. This dynamic operation enables high-speed evacuation while preventing combustion
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic valves are self-actuating devices that automatically open and close based on liquid level pressure differential, without requiring external control signals. This self-service mechanism ensures rapid response for liquid evacuation while automatically preventing hot air aspiration, resolving the speed versus safety contradiction
3Reliability
If a mechanical-pneumatic valve control system is used to prevent hot air aspiration, then fire safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control system utilizes pneumatic pressure differential caused by liquid level changes to automatically actuate the valves. When liquid level rises, hydrostatic pressure opens the pneumatic valve; when liquid is evacuated, pressure equalization closes the valve. This pneumatic-hydraulic mechanism provides reliable fire safety control without complex electronic or mechanical actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic valves are self-actuating devices that automatically open and close based on liquid level pressure differential, without requiring external control signals. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining high fire safety reliability
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
Enables rapid and effective liquid evacuation in safe conditions, preventing the spread of flames and ensuring fire-fighting safety without electrical power, while maintaining high extraction efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum generator means adapted to produce a vacuum in said sewer means to suck said liquid spills from said basin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system suitable for minimising the risks consequent to spillage of flammable or polluting liquids in closed environments such as in particular, but not necessarily, road or railway tunnels, subways or underpass.