Sacrificial Zinc Chlorination Pump with Gas Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid pumping systems face issues with gas bubbles forming in sodium hypochlorite solutions, leading to pump malfunction, corrosion of metal components, and the need for manual priming and bleeding, as well as potential reverse pumping and overheating due to loss of supply liquid.
Innovation Solution
A pumping apparatus with a separator to distinguish gas and liquid components, using a T-fitting for gravity-assisted liquid flow and a wash-water subsystem to prevent crystallization, along with sacrificial zinc components and a full wave rectifier to ensure one-way pumping and prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sodium hypochlorite solution is used for chlorination, then effective water treatment is achieved, but gas bubbles form causing pump malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes gas bubbles from the sodium hypochlorite solution using a gas separation device before the solution enters the pump. This prevents gas bubbles from entering the pump chamber and causing malfunction, while allowing the liquid chemical to be pumped effectively into the water stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gas separation device between the chemical storage tank and the pump. This intermediary component separates gas bubbles from the liquid chemical, allowing only the liquid to proceed to the pump, thereby protecting the pump from gas-related malfunctions.
2Ease of operation
If manual priming and bleeding procedures are implemented, then pump functionality is restored, but system complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-priming mechanism where the pump automatically draws liquid from the chemical storage tank without requiring manual intervention. The system continuously maintains proper liquid levels and removes gas bubbles automatically, eliminating the need for manual priming and bleeding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary gas separation and liquid level maintenance before the pump needs to operate. By continuously removing gas bubbles and maintaining proper liquid levels in advance, the system prevents pump malfunction before it occurs, eliminating the need for corrective manual interventions.
3Strength
If metal components are used in the chlorination system, then structural strength is provided, but corrosion occurs due to chlorine vapor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction, combining metal structural components with corrosion-resistant coatings or protective materials. This allows the system to maintain structural strength while resisting corrosion from chlorine vapor exposure in the chlorination environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sacrificial zinc components that are intentionally designed to corrode preferentially, protecting more valuable metal components. These sacrificial components are replaced periodically when consumed, providing long-term protection for the main structural elements.
4Productivity
If pump speed is increased to compensate for gas bubbles, then chemical feed rate may be maintained, but pump overheating and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes gas bubbles from the chemical stream before they enter the pump, ensuring that only liquid sodium hypochlorite is pumped. This eliminates the need to increase pump speed to compensate for gas displacement, thereby preventing overheating and mechanical damage from excessive speed 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 system automatically handles gas bubbles, reduces corrosion, eliminates the need for manual priming, ensures one-way pumping, and prevents overheating, maintaining pump efficiency and extending component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a separator in fluid communication with the first and second pump for separating a liquid received from a source into a gaseous component and a liquid component
Implementation Method 2
using a T-fitting for gravity-assisted liquid flow
Data Source
AI summary
A pumping apparatus for pumping a liquid from a source to a target including a motor and pump driven by the motor. Sacrificial zinc components are utilized to minimize corrosion due to chlorine vapors. Measures to ensure that liquid is pumped in only one direction include the use of a full wave rectifier and/or a spacer incorporated with a swivel platform to limits the range of the angle between the motor shaft and the pump piston. To minimize the risk of rupturing the pump, the pump piston includes a relieved portion in fluid communication with a transverse bore of the pump housing when the piston is axially inserted within the pump housing in its full forward position. To prevent overheating and damage to the pump components, the pumping apparatus makes use of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor interposed between the motor and a current source.