Waste Liquid Cooler Cleaning via Recycled Water Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing CO2 recovery systems face inefficiencies in cleaning the waste liquid cooler, leading to decreased cooling performance due to the accumulation of dirty substances, which requires time-consuming machine cleaning and results in prolonged cooling times.

Innovation Solution

A reclaiming apparatus and method that includes a waste liquid cooler with a cleaning-water supply line for immediate cleaning after waste liquid discharge, utilizing cleaning water that can be recycled and reused in the process, and a waste liquid pump to expedite waste liquid discharge, along with a temperature sensor for optimal temperature management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If machine cleaning is performed regularly after a period of operation, then dirty substances are removed from the waste liquid cooler, but it takes time to clean the waste liquid cooler and dirty substances accumulate on the heat-transfer tubes, decreasing cooling performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements immediate cleaning of the waste liquid cooler right after waste liquid discharge, rather than waiting for periodic machine cleaning. This preliminary action prevents dirty substance accumulation before it degrades cooling performance, eliminating the trade-off between cleaning frequency and operational time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the waste liquid cooler is used to cool the waste liquid, then cooling time is reduced compared to natural cooling, but cleaning the waste liquid cooler after usage is necessary to remove adhering dirty substances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling speedVSAvoidcleaning requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-cleaning of the waste liquid cooler using cleaning water supplied through the cleaning-water supply line. This automatic self-service cleaning eliminates the need for external machine cleaning operations, maintaining high cooling speed without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for efficient cleaning of the waste liquid cooler, preventing contamination and reducing water usage, thereby maintaining cooling performance and streamlining the reclaiming process.

Implementation Method 1

a waste liquid cooler, installed in the waste liquid line, for cooling a waste liquid from the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a cleaning-water supply line for supplying the waste liquid cooler with a cleaning water for cleaning the waste liquid cooler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWashing/cleaning:

Data Source

PatentEP3845294B1Reclamation apparatus and method, and co2 recovery apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3845294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3845294B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3845294B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The reclamation apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a container for performing an absorbed liquid reclamation process; a waste liquid line configured so as to allow waste liquid from the container to flow therethrough; a waste liquid cooler, provided to the waste liquid line, for cooling the waste liquid from the container; and a cleaning water supply line for supplying, to the waste liquid cooler, cleaning water for cleaning the waste liquid cooler.