Storage Vessel Pressure Control Using Evaporated Return Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing pressure during the extraction of liquids from storage vessels, particularly in transportation means like aircraft, face challenges with high reaction times and weight, requiring improved safety and reduced weight in pressure control.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves separating a partial liquid flow downstream of the pump, reducing its pressure, and evaporating it before returning it to the storage vessel using an electrical flow evaporator to maintain a stable pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional pressure control system is used to maintain pressure in a liquid storage vessel, then pressure management is achieved, but the reaction time is slow and the system weight is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical pressure control systems with an electrical flow evaporator that uses electrical heating to rapidly vaporize liquid and adjust pressure. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical/thermal systems enables faster response times while reducing overall system weight, directly resolving the contradiction between fast pressure control and lightweight construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition (liquid to vapor) in the flow evaporator to achieve rapid pressure control. By electrically heating a portion of the liquid flow to vaporize it and returning the vapor to the storage vessel, the system can quickly adjust internal pressure without mechanical moving parts, thereby achieving fast reaction time with reduced system weight
2Productivity
If pressure is maintained without pre-reducing partial flow pressure, then system complexity is reduced, but pressure stabilization is slower and energy consumption is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reducing the pressure of the partial liquid flow before it enters the flow evaporator. This pre-pressure reduction optimizes the evaporation process and enables faster pressure stabilization in the storage vessel. The pressure reduction step is integrated into the overall system design, maintaining simplicity while enhancing productivity through optimized process sequencing
3Stability of the object's composition
If pressure fluctuations are allowed during liquid extraction, then system complexity is reduced, but fuel quality and density consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electrical flow evaporator continuously adjusts the vaporization of liquid based on pressure conditions in the storage vessel. This closed-loop control maintains consistent pressure, ensuring uniform fuel quality and density throughout the extraction process. The feedback-based pressure management achieves composition stability without requiring overly complex system architecture
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 approach achieves rapid pressure stabilization in the storage vessel, reducing energy consumption and weight by minimizing pressure fluctuations, ensuring consistent fuel quality and density during extraction.
Implementation Method 1
evaporating the partial flow by an electrical flow evaporator
Implementation Method 2
electrical flow evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
In a system (10) and a method for pressure management while extracting a liquid from a liquid storage vessel (11), a liquid (12) and its vapour (13) are provided in liquid storage vessel (11). The liquid (12) is extracted by a pump (17) from the storage vessel (11) and fed as a liquid flow (19) to a consumer unit (16). A defined partial flow (19a) is separated from the liquid flow (19) downstream of the pump (17). The pressure of the partial flow (19a) is reduced by a pressure regulation means (20) and the partial flow (19a) is evaporated by an evaporator (22). The evaporated partial flow (19a) is fed back into the storage vessel (11).