Vapour Cleaning Device Liquid Removal Line Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steam cleaning devices face the risk of clogging due to limescale particles being carried away by the liquid and deposited in the mixing device, which can lead to operational issues.
Innovation Solution
The steam cleaning device design features a liquid removal line with a significantly larger flow cross-section at the inlet compared to the outlet, along with a gradual reduction in flow cross-section and the inclusion of baffle walls or a sieve to minimize the entrainment of limescale particles, ensuring they are deposited before reaching the mixing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow cross section of the liquid removal line inlet is made larger, then the flow velocity is reduced and limescale particle entrainment is minimized, but the liquid outlet requires a smaller cross section which increases heat losses
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid removal line is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area along its length. The inlet portion has a larger cross-section to reduce flow velocity and minimize limescale particle entrainment, while the outlet portion has a smaller cross-section to reduce heat losses. This local variation in geometric properties allows simultaneous optimization of reliability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cross-sectional area parameter of the liquid removal line is varied along the flow direction. By changing the cross-sectional area from larger at the inlet to smaller at the outlet, the system achieves different flow characteristics in different regions: low velocity at the inlet to prevent particle entrainment, and high velocity at the outlet to minimize heat losses.
2Loss of energy
If the flow cross section of the liquid removal line inlet is made smaller, then heat losses are reduced, but the flow velocity increases and limescale particles are more likely to be entrained
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid removal line is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area along its length. The inlet portion has a larger cross-section to reduce flow velocity and minimize limescale particle entrainment, while the outlet portion has a smaller cross-section to reduce heat losses. This local variation in geometric properties allows simultaneous optimization of reliability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cross-sectional area parameter of the liquid removal line is varied along the flow direction. By changing the cross-sectional area from larger at the inlet to smaller at the outlet, the system achieves different flow characteristics in different regions: low velocity at the inlet to prevent particle entrainment, and high velocity at the outlet to minimize heat losses.
3Reliability
If the flow rate of liquid is increased, then limescale particles are less likely to be entrained, but the liquid outlet requires a larger cross section which increases heat losses
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid removal line is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area along its length. The inlet portion has a larger cross-section to reduce flow velocity and minimize limescale particle entrainment, while the outlet portion has a smaller cross-section to reduce heat losses. This local variation in geometric properties allows simultaneous optimization of reliability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cross-sectional area parameter of the liquid removal line is varied along the flow direction. By changing the cross-sectional area from larger at the inlet to smaller at the outlet, the system achieves different flow characteristics in different regions: low velocity at the inlet to prevent particle entrainment, and high velocity at the outlet to minimize heat 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
This design effectively reduces the risk of limescale particles being carried to the mixing device, preventing clogging and maintaining the device's efficiency while minimizing heat losses through a smaller outlet cross-section.
Implementation Method 1
The storage tank can be electrically heated so that steam is generated in the storage tank
Implementation Method 2
electrically heatable storage tank
Implementation Method 3
The vapor pressure prevailing in the heated storage tank forces liquid out of the storage tank via the riser pipe
Implementation Method 4
The mixing device makes it possible to mix the removed liquid with the vapor, so that a mixture of liquid and vapor can be released via the outlet of the mixing device
Implementation Method 5
liquid from the interior of the storage tank can be fed from the inlet of the liquid removal line via its outlet to the mixing device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vapour cleaning device with: an electrically heatable supply tank for a liquid, said tank having a vapour outlet and a liquid outlet; a mixing device connected via a first connecting line to the vapour outlet and via a second connecting line to the liquid outlet and having a common outlet for liquid and vaporous medium; and a liquid withdrawal line having an inlet and an outlet, wherein liquid from the interior of the supply tank can be supplied to the mixing device from the inlet of the liquid withdrawal line via the outlet thereof. In order to reduce the risk of the mixing device clogging, according to the invention the flow cross section of the inlet of the liquid withdrawal line is larger than the flow cross section of the liquid outlet.