Vacuum Vessel Sampling System With Dual Valve Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum vessels in food processing lines face challenges in maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure when sampling, leading to increased downtime and potential contamination due to air entry into the product, which affects production efficiency and hygiene standards.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a first and second valve arrangement with a sample receiver, where the valves are controlled to equalize pressure and prevent air entry, allowing for sample collection without releasing the vacuum pressure, and incorporating a filter and cleaning-in-place system to maintain hygiene and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum vessel is opened to take a sample, then a product sample can be obtained, but the sub-atmospheric pressure is lost and air enters the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
A sample receiver acts as an intermediary device between the vacuum vessel and the external environment. The sample receiver is first equalized with atmospheric pressure, then connected to the vacuum vessel to transfer the sample, and finally sealed to prevent air from entering the vessel. This intermediary device allows sample extraction without direct opening of the vacuum vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the sampling process into separate functional components: a first valve arrangement for vacuum vessel connection, a second valve arrangement for atmospheric connection, and a sample receiver. This segmentation allows independent control of vacuum and atmospheric connections, enabling sample transfer without compromising the vacuum seal of the main vessel.
2Reliability
If the vacuum vessel is opened for sampling, then a product sample can be obtained, but downtime increases due to pressure loss and air pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The sample receiver serves as a buffer that can be pre-prepared at atmospheric pressure and then quickly connected to the vacuum vessel for sample transfer. This eliminates the need to break the vacuum seal of the main vessel for sampling, significantly reducing downtime and maintaining production continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample receiver is prepared in advance by equalizing it with atmospheric pressure through the second valve arrangement before connecting to the vacuum vessel. This preliminary preparation ensures that the receiver is ready for immediate sample transfer, minimizing the time the vacuum vessel needs to be opened and reducing overall sampling time.
3Device complexity
If a simple valve system is used for sampling, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure equalization and sample transfer cannot be achieved without air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into two independent arrangements: a first valve arrangement for controlling connection between the vacuum vessel and sample receiver, and a second valve arrangement for controlling connection between the atmospheric environment and sample receiver. This segmentation provides precise control over pressure equalization and sample transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangements are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing sequential opening and closing operations. The first valve arrangement opens to equalize pressure, then closes to seal the vacuum, while the second valve arrangement opens to allow atmospheric entry into the receiver. This dynamic control ensures proper pressure management throughout the sampling process.
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 system allows for cost-efficient and reliable sample collection that maintains sub-atmospheric pressure, reducing downtime and ensuring sample integrity, while enabling effective cleaning without disassembly and minimizing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
opening the first valve arrangement to provide fluid communication between the upper volume of the vacuum vessel and the sample receiver, such that pressure levels inside the vacuum vessel and the sample receiver are equalized
Implementation Method 2
The surrounding air may be filtered before entering the sample receiver. An advantage of this is that contaminants and/or unwanted micro-organisms in the surrounding air can be removed before it enters the sample receiver.
Implementation Method 3
opening the second valve arrangement to provide fluid communication between the lower volume of the vacuum vessel and the sample receiver, such that product flows from the vacuum vessel into the sample receiver
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (200) for obtaining a product sample from a vacuum vessel (102) by using a system (100) comprising a first valve arrangement (104), a second valve arrangement (106) and a sample receiver (108) connected to the first valve arrangement (104) and the second valve arrangement (106) is provided. The method (200) comprises opening (202) the first valve arrangement (104) to provide fluid communication between an upper volume (110) of the vacuum vessel (102) and the sample receiver (108), opening (204) the second valve arrangement (106) to provide fluid communication between a lower volume (112) of the vacuum vessel (102) and the sample receiver (108), closing (206) the first valve arrangement (104) and the second valve arrangement (106), opening (208) the first valve arrangement (104) to provide fluid communication between surrounding atmosphere and the sample receiver (108), and opening (210) the second valve arrangement (106) to collect the product sample.