Tank Diffuser Swirl Injection for Faster Sweep Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas tank purging methods require numerous dilution cycles, leading to excessively long purging times due to the need for a large number of cycles to achieve acceptable new gas concentration.
Innovation Solution
A sweep purging method using a diffuser with channels forming an acute angle and swirling gas injection to enhance purging efficiency, combined with a non-return valve for automated operation, reduces purging time by effectively sweeping dead zones within the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If dilution method is used for purging, then a single fluidic device can be used for both filling and drawing off, but the purging time becomes prohibitively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single fluidic device into two separate devices: a first fluidic device for drawing off gas and a second fluidic device for filling and injecting new gas. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of filling and purging, eliminating the sequential cycles required by the dilution method and dramatically reducing purging time.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is pre-configured with channels at acute angles to create swirling flow patterns that sweep dead zones before the purging process begins. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when new gas is injected, it immediately effectively sweeps through all areas including dead zones, maximizing purging efficiency from the start.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional filling method is used, then existing fluidic device can be utilized, but dead zones within the tank are not effectively purged
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser channels are designed with asymmetric acute angles relative to the diffuser axis, creating non-uniform swirling flow patterns. This asymmetry generates rotational motion that reaches dead zones and areas not accessible to conventional axial injection, ensuring complete purging coverage throughout the tank volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional axial gas injection to multi-dimensional swirling flow by positioning channels at acute angles. This creates radial and tangential flow components in addition to axial flow, enabling the gas to sweep through three-dimensional space including dead zones that would be inaccessible with simple axial injection.
3Measurement precision
If multiple dilution cycles are performed, then acceptable gas concentration can be achieved, but the process becomes prohibitively time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous operation of gas injection and gas recovery throughout the purging process. Unlike the cyclic dilution method that alternates between filling and drawing off, this continuous sweep operation maintains constant gas flow through the tank, achieving the required concentration threshold much faster and eliminating cycle-related time losses.
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
Sweep purging significantly reduces purging time, achieving desired gas concentrations in a fraction of the time required by traditional dilution methods, thereby improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
said at least two channels are not coplanar with the diffuser so as to swirl the injected gas
Implementation Method 2
the diffuser is extended by at least one channel forming an angle of less than 90° with the diffuser
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a diffuser for a tank for pressurized gas, such as hydrogen, wherein the diffuser is internal to the tank and designed to inject pressurized gas. An assembly comprises a tank that includes such a diffuser.A method for sweep purging such a tank includes using a purging tool.