Vortex Inducing Device for Sediment Concentration in Water Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing sediment from water tanks are time-consuming and wasteful, as they require manual manipulation of suction hoses, which can lead to blockages and affect water quality.
Innovation Solution
A vortex inducing device is attached to a water tank's roof, featuring a device inlet and outlet with an angled outlet axis, creating a horizontal flow component that induces a vortex, causing sediment to collect centrally, away from outlets, making it easier to remove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual suction hose manipulation is used to remove sediment, then sediment removal is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and water is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex inducing device enables the system to remove sediment automatically through self-generated vortex flow. The device creates a vortex that naturally draws sediment toward the center and facilitates its removal without requiring manual intervention or external energy input, making the sediment removal process self-sustaining and continuous.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing water flow itself to generate the vortex effect. The device redirects the existing water flow to create rotational motion, using the fluid's own kinetic energy to achieve sediment concentration and removal, eliminating the need for additional mechanical or pneumatic components.
2Productivity
If manual suction hose manipulation is used to remove sediment, then sediment removal is achieved, but blockages occur and water quality is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex inducing device creates a continuous self-cleaning action within the tank. The generated vortex automatically draws sediment away from outlets and maintains water quality through ongoing circulation and concentration effects, eliminating the need for manual intervention that could introduce contaminants or cause blockages.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses hydraulic flow patterns to naturally separate and transport sediment away from critical areas like outlets. The vortex flow created by the device ensures continuous water quality maintenance through natural hydraulic action, preventing the blockage issues associated with manual suction methods.
3Ease of operation
If a vortex inducing device is installed, then sediment concentrates centrally away from outlets, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex inducing device exploits natural hydraulic principles to generate vortex flow without complex mechanical components. By strategically positioning and angling the device, it uses the existing water flow to create the necessary rotational motion, achieving sediment concentration with a relatively simple structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves its function by optimizing specific parameters such as the outlet angle (45-60 degrees) and positioning relative to the tank center. These parameter adjustments enable effective vortex generation and sediment concentration without requiring complex mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving the desired operational ease.
4Productivity
If the device outlet axis is angled to create horizontal flow component, then vortex is induced and sediment concentrates centrally, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves effective vortex induction by optimizing the outlet axis angle parameter to between 45-60 degrees relative to the vertical. This specific angular parameter creates the necessary horizontal flow component to generate vortex motion, concentrating sediment centrally without requiring complex multi-component configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled outlet configuration leverages hydraulic flow dynamics to convert the angled outflow into rotational vortex motion. By positioning the outlet at the optimal angle, the device uses water pressure and flow velocity to naturally generate the vortex effect, achieving sediment concentration efficiency without adding mechanical complexity.
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 device efficiently concentrates sediment at the tank's center, preventing blockages and simplifying removal, while maintaining water quality by creating a slight and imperceptible vortex that effectively separates sediment from the tank's outlets.
Implementation Method 1
the device outflow induces a vortex within the tank, which, over time, causes sediment to collect centrally on the floor of the tank at the central vertical axis
Implementation Method 2
the device outlet axis is angled with respect to the device inlet axis such that the device outflow includes a horizontal flow component
Data Source
AI summary
A method of concentrating sediment in a water tank involves attaching a vortex inducing device to an opening through the roof of the tank between the central vertical axis and the side walling of the tank. The device has a device inlet which narrows to a device outlet. The device outlet is orientated such that, water flowing out via the device outlet induces a vortex within the pooled water, thereby causing sediment to collect centrally on the floor of the tank.