Tepid Fluid Injection with Holding Tank Pre-Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to consistently provide tepid fluid at flushing stations, especially in hot environments where the fluid temperature exceeds recommended ranges, posing safety hazards due to the lack of effective temperature control in fluid injection systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injection system that transitions between maintenance and operation modes, using a holding tank, temperature control means, and a pump to mix fluids with a temperature differential, ensuring the output fluid remains within a predetermined tepid temperature range, thereby preventing initial discharge of excessively heated fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a relief valve is used to purge fluid when temperature reaches 39°C, then fluid temperature control is achieved, but fluid is constantly discharged which is undesirable and potentially hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools fluid in a holding tank before discharge using a cooling coil and refrigeration unit, so that when fluid is discharged through the relief valve, it is already at the required tepid temperature range. This preliminary cooling action prevents the need for continuous discharge while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
A holding tank serves as an intermediary between the fluid supply and the relief valve. The holding tank accumulates fluid and provides a controlled environment with cooling coils to regulate temperature before the fluid reaches the discharge point, thereby preventing uncontrolled heating in the piping system.
2Temperature
If a chiller unit is placed in-line with the pipeline to chill fluid, then fluid temperature is reduced, but significant power is required and wiring to main electrical board is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from the main pipeline and placed into a separate holding tank system. The cooling coil and refrigeration unit operate independently in the holding tank, allowing temperature control without requiring high-power in-line chillers and extensive electrical wiring along the pipeline route.
3Ease of manufacture
If pipe is exposed to direct sunlight in hot environments, then fluid storage is simplified, but fluid temperature exceeds recommended tepid range posing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the fluid in the holding tank before it enters the exposed piping system. By pre-cooling the fluid to the tepid temperature range in the shaded holding tank, the fluid can then travel through sunlight-exposed pipes without overheating, as the thermal mass and continuous cooling in the tank maintain safe temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding tank acts as a thermal intermediary between the shaded storage area and the sunlight-exposed piping. It buffers the fluid against external heat sources by providing continuous cooling through its cooling coil, thereby protecting the fluid from temperature excursions even when piping is exposed to direct sunlight.
4Temperature
If relief valve remains open to maintain temperature, then fluid temperature is controlled, but continuous fluid discharge creates safety hazards and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools fluid in the holding tank to a temperature below the discharge setpoint before fluid is needed. This preliminary cooling creates a temperature buffer that allows the relief valve to close while maintaining fluid temperature within the safe tepid range, eliminating the need for continuous discharge to maintain temperature control.
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
Ensures immediate availability of fluid at a safe temperature upon activation, reducing the risk of injury and maintaining fluid temperature within the recommended range throughout use, while being cost-effective and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling coil in fluid communication with the holding tank for cooling the fluid in the holding tank to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
a refrigeration unit for cooling the fluid in the holding tank to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 3
a pump for delivering the cooled fluid into the pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a fluid injection system (11) which transitions between a maintenance mode wherein an outlet (15) is closed and no fluid is discharged through the outlet, and an operation mode, wherein the outlet is open and fluid is discharged through the outlet. The fluid injection system injects a first fluid transported in a first pipeline (21) with a second fluid, wherein there is a temperature differential between the first fluid and the second fluid. The fluid injection system comprises a holding tank (49) for storing the second fluid, a cooling means (35) to cool the second fluid, and a pump (39) for delivering the second fluid into the first pipeline. The second fluid mixes with the first fluid in the first pipeline to provide a combined third fluid having a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, wherein the third fluid is maintained within the predetermined temperature range when the fluid injection system is in either mode such that the temperature of the third fluid made available to an outlet is within the predetermined temperature range.