Wastewater Plate Heat Exchanger Unclogging by Hydraulic Reverse Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for recovering thermal energy from wastewater face inefficiencies due to clogging issues, especially when installed in cramped spaces, leading to reduced thermal exchange efficiency and difficulty in unclogging, as air bubbles form and foulants concentrate, making maintenance challenging.
Innovation Solution
A device with a plate heat exchanger that allows separate fluid flows for wastewater and clean water, enabling a controlled hydraulic short-circuit and reverse flow for unclogging and filling, using the pressure of the sanitary cold water network without additional energy, and featuring pinch valves for remote operation and efficient passage sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the exchanger is placed horizontally in a false ceiling or joist to save space, then the installation space requirement is reduced, but air bubbles form at the top of the exchanger creating a siphon effect that reduces thermal exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical installation orientation to horizontal installation to save space. The exchanger is designed to function effectively in horizontal position by using the gravity flow of wastewater to naturally fill the exchanger from the lower inlet, allowing the upper outlet to effectively expel air bubbles and foulants through the siphon effect in reverse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful siphon effect that traps air bubbles into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. By allowing the exchanger to fill and drain cyclically through controlled valve operation, the siphon effect is used to expel accumulated foulants and air bubbles from the exchanger, turning a reliability problem into a self-cleaning feature.
2Productivity
If the traditional siphon of the receiver drain is eliminated to avoid double siphon phenomenon, then the wastewater evacuation is improved, but the risk of clogging in the exchanger increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning mechanism where the system uses its own wastewater flow to periodically flush and clean the exchanger. By controlling valves to allow wastewater to flow through the exchanger in reverse direction or to create siphon action, the system automatically removes foulants and prevents clogging without requiring external intervention or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic valve actuation to create cyclic filling and draining operations. The valves are controlled to open and close at specific intervals, creating periodic siphon effects that flush the exchanger. This periodic action prevents continuous clogging by regularly clearing accumulated foulants before they can block the flow path.
3Area of stationary object
If the exchanger is installed far from the drain plug to optimize thermal exchange surface, then the thermal efficiency is improved, but the unclogging task becomes difficult and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system self-maintaining by implementing automatic or manually-activatable cleaning cycles that can be performed remotely. The valve control system allows the exchanger to be flushed and cleaned without requiring physical access to the exchanger itself, as the cleaning operation can be initiated from the control interface and the wastewater flow performs the cleaning action automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the wastewater flow itself as an intermediary cleaning agent. Instead of requiring direct mechanical access to the exchanger for cleaning, the system channels wastewater through the exchanger in a controlled manner to perform the cleaning function. The wastewater acts as a mediator that transports foulants out of the exchanger without requiring human intervention at the exchanger location.
4Ease of repair
If additional energy is used to unclog the exchanger, then the unclogging effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system self-maintaining by implementing automatic or manually-activatable cleaning cycles that can be performed remotely. The valve control system allows the exchanger to be flushed and cleaned without requiring physical access to the exchanger itself, as the cleaning operation can be initiated from the control interface and the wastewater flow performs the cleaning action automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to create high-velocity wastewater flow that naturally flushes and cleans the exchanger. By controlling valve opening and closing, the system creates pressure differentials and siphon effects that drive the cleaning flow without requiring additional energy input from motors or pumps. The hydraulic energy already present in the wastewater supply is sufficient for the cleaning operation.
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 solution effectively unclogs and fills the exchanger, maintaining efficiency by using the sanitary cold water network pressure to reverse flow through the exchanger, expelling air bubbles and foulants, and ensuring continuous operation with minimal energy input and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a plate heat exchanger crossed by two separate fluid flows: a first inlet of the exchanger, placed in hydraulic communication with the waste water flow orifice of the receiver so as to create a first flow crossing said exchanger by gravity flow
Implementation Method 2
the exchanger acting as a siphon in the flow
Implementation Method 3
controlled connection means for making a temporary hydraulic connection between the inlet of sanitary cold water at network pressure and the first outlet of the exchanger so as to create a flow of sanitary cold water, called cleaning, passing through the exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~5C
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for recovering thermal energy from a flow of waste water of a receiver, wherein said device includes: a. an exchanger (130) having plates through which two separate fluid flows pass: ai. a first (131) inlet of the exchanger, in hydraulic communication with the outflow opening for waste water of the receiver in such a manner as to create a first flow that passes through said exchanger between said first (131) inlet and a first (133) outlet connected to the sewer; aii. a second inlet of the exchanger, in hydraulic communication with a water duct suitable for the pressure of the network so as to create a second flow that passes through the exchanger (130) without being mixed with the first flow, between said second inlet and a second (134) outlet of said exchanger; b. characterized in that it comprises connection means (150) that are capable of achieving a so-called short-circuit hydraulic connection between the first (131) inlet of the exchanger and the sewer.