Pressure compensated Venturi dispensing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eductor-based dispensing systems face challenges with inconsistent chemical concentrations due to varying diluent pressures and clogging issues, leading to insufficient chemical draw and concentration variations in the dispensed solutions.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system incorporating a controller, pressure sensor, and concentration sensor that dynamically adjusts the duration of the dispense stage based on diluent pressure and chemical solution characteristics, along with a check valve system to prevent backflow and maintain eductor flooding, ensuring consistent chemical concentrations and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the diluent pressure is increased to ensure adequate chemical draw through the eductor, then the chemical concentration in the solution improves, but the system becomes more sensitive to pressure variations causing concentration inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs pressure sensors to continuously monitor diluent pressure and concentration sensors to measure chemical concentration in real-time. This feedback information is fed to the controller, which dynamically adjusts the dispense duration to compensate for pressure variations, thereby maintaining consistent chemical concentration despite fluctuations in diluent pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed-duration dispense cycles to dynamic, adaptive dispense duration. The controller continuously adjusts the dispense duration based on real-time pressure and concentration readings, allowing the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and maintain reliable concentration consistency
2Quantity of substance
If the dispense duration is extended to ensure adequate chemical draw at low pressures, then the chemical concentration improves, but the productivity decreases due to longer dispense cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts dispense duration based on real-time pressure conditions rather than using fixed, conservative timing. At high diluent pressures, the system can use shorter dispense durations while still achieving target concentrations, thereby increasing productivity. At low pressures, it extends the duration only as needed to maintain concentration requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the dispense duration parameter dynamically based on measured pressure and concentration conditions. By continuously adjusting this critical parameter, the system optimizes the balance between achieving adequate chemical draw and maintaining efficient dispense cycle speeds across varying operating conditions
3Reliability
If check valves are installed to prevent backflow and clogging, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the backflow prevention function into separate check valve components positioned at critical locations in the fluid path. This modular approach prevents clogging and chemical mixing while keeping the main eductor design relatively simple and allowing for easier maintenance and replacement of the check valve components
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 ensures consistent chemical concentrations in the dispensed solutions by adjusting the dispense duration based on pressure and concentration readings, and the check valve system prevents clogging and mixing of chemicals, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
Eductors are devices that pass a liquid through a choke to generate the Venturi effect. The suction generated by the Venturi effect is used to draw another liquid into the eductor.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and software program products for dispensing chemical solutions. A controller receives a signal from a pressure sensor indicative of a pressure of a diluent. The controller determines an expected flow rate of the diluent through an eductor based at least in part on the pressure of the diluent. The controller may further determine an expected concentration of a chemical product in the solution dispensed from a discharge port of the eductor. Based on the expected flow rated and concentration of the chemical product, the controller determines a duration of a dispense stage of a dispensing operation required to dispense a predetermined dose of the chemical product. The controller then causes the diluent to flow through the eductor for the determined duration of the dispense stage. A check valve on the output of the eductor prevents dissimilar chemicals from mixing and reduces a response time of the eductor.