Washing Machine Heat Exchanger for Container Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines for cleaning containers require time-consuming maintenance of heat exchangers, often necessitating the emptying and storage of cleaning solutions, leading to increased costs and complex machine architecture.
Innovation Solution
A shell-and-tube heat exchanger configuration where the heating fluid circulates in an outer chamber isolated from the cleaning fluid tank, reducing the need for maintenance and allowing the cleaning fluid to remain in the tank, thus simplifying operations and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the heat exchanger is arranged within the tank and directly immersed in the cleaning solution, then optimal heat exchange is achieved, but maintenance becomes time-consuming and requires emptying the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into two functionally independent parts: the heating fluid circuit (in the outer chamber) and the cleaning fluid circuit (through the tubes). This segmentation allows maintenance of one circuit without affecting the other, resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and maintenance ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating fluid is extracted from the cleaning solution environment by placing it in a separate outer chamber. This extraction allows the heat exchanger to maintain direct thermal contact with the cleaning solution while isolating the heating fluid for easier maintenance, eliminating the need to empty the tank for heat exchanger maintenance.
2Ease of repair
If external heat exchangers are arranged outside of the tanks, then maintenance is easier, but machine encumbrance increases and architecture becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is nested within the tank structure, with the outer chamber containing the heating fluid circuit and the inner tubes carrying the cleaning fluid circuit. This nested configuration maintains ease of maintenance while avoiding increased machine encumbrance and architectural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal exchange between heating and cleaning fluids, maintains a compact footprint within the existing tank volume, and allows independent access to both fluid circuits for maintenance. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between maintenance ease and device complexity.
3Ease of repair
If the tank is emptied for heat exchanger maintenance, then maintenance can be performed, but time is lost and cleaning solution must be stored or discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The heating fluid is extracted into a separate outer chamber that can be independently accessed and maintained. This allows maintenance personnel to service the heat exchanger by draining only the heating fluid, not the entire cleaning solution, thereby reducing maintenance time and preserving valuable cleaning solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is segmented into two independent fluid circuits, allowing selective maintenance of the heating fluid circuit without interrupting the cleaning solution. This segmentation eliminates the need to empty the entire tank for heat exchanger maintenance, reducing both time loss and cleaning solution waste.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If the heat exchanger is directly immersed in cleaning solution, then heat exchange is optimal, but clogging risks increase due to exposure to dirty fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The heating fluid is extracted into a separate outer chamber, isolating it from the cleaning solution. This extraction maintains optimal heat exchange efficiency while protecting the heating fluid circuit from clogging by dirty cleaning solution, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is segmented into two separate fluid environments: the cleaning fluid flowing through tubes and the heating fluid in the outer chamber. This segmentation allows the heating fluid circuit to remain clean and clog-resistant while still achieving optimal heat exchange with the cleaning solution, resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and clogging resistance.
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 configuration eases maintenance, reduces clogging risks, lowers costs, and saves energy by allowing the cleaning fluid to remain in the tank, while also improving the machine's layout and efficiency through direct heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (12) configured to heat the cleaning fluid F contained in said tank (11) by means of heat exchange between said cleaning fluid F and a heating fluid H
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the heating fluid H in said outer chamber (13a) and the cleaning fluid F circulating through said tubes (14)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
There is described a washing machine (1) configured to wash empty containers (2) adapted to be filled with a pourable product, comprising: at least one cleaning bath (10) including a tank (11) configured for holding a cleaning fluid (F); a conveyor device (4) configured to convey a sequence of said containers (2) along a washing path (P) which extends through said tank (11) ; a heat exchanger (12) configured to heat the cleaning fluid (F) contained in the tank (11) by means of heat exchange between the cleaning fluid (F) and a heating fluid (H); the heat exchanger (12) comprising an outer casing (13), internally delimiting an exchange chamber (13a), and an inner tubing (14) at least partially enclosed within the casing (13) and extending through the exchange chamber (13a); the exchange chamber (13a) is configured to be fed with the heating fluid (H) and the tubing (14) is configured to be fed with the cleaning fluid (F) from the tank (11), so that a heat exchange is established between the heating fluid (H) in the exchange chamber (13a) and the cleaning fluid (F) within the tubing (14).