WO2016147027A1 - Gas regeneration plant of a hyperbaric chamber - Google Patents
Gas regeneration plant of a hyperbaric chamber Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2016147027A1 WO2016147027A1 PCT/IB2015/051912 IB2015051912W WO2016147027A1 WO 2016147027 A1 WO2016147027 A1 WO 2016147027A1 IB 2015051912 W IB2015051912 W IB 2015051912W WO 2016147027 A1 WO2016147027 A1 WO 2016147027A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- flow
- fuse
- hyperbaric chamber
- plant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
- B63C11/32—Decompression arrangements; Exercise equipment
Definitions
- the present invention refers to a saturation diving system composed of a complex of hyperbaric chamber, so called PVHO (Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy) which allows the occupying personnel to live and work for an undefined period (limited to a maximum of one month, as per rules) at a pressure which can reach 35 bar.
- PVHO Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy
- hyperbaric saturation systems use a gas mix of helium/oxygen for the pressurization of the hyperbaric chambers, the quantity of oxygen depending on operational depth (pressure) in which the chamber is found (a percentage of less than 20% O2) ⁇
- hyperbaric saturation chambers cannot be supplied with ambient air as the nitrogen content of air at the high pressures in which the hyperbaric chambers operate (for example depths of 50-60 meters) induce a dangerous sense of euphoria, headache etc. to those who inhale it.
- oxygen is mixed with an alternative gas, usually helium.
- helium performs its role reasonably well, it is extremely costly and therefore it is usually recycled in a closed circuit and reintroduced, as will be shown, into the hyperbaric chamber mixed with fresh oxygen.
- the current system is supplied with oxygen analyzers which continuously monitor the reduction in the amount of oxygen in the mix inside the chamber; the specialized personnel on the chamber exterior periodically reintegrate oxygen via a dedicated line in order to maintain a concentration of oxygen within the stabilized limits.
- hyperbaric saturation systems are furnished with two valves (one upstream and one downstream) which are located in the hyperbaric chamber interior, valves which are closed manually by the personnel present inside the chamber in the case that a fault occurs in the system.
- a flow-fuse used in the case of a damaged pipe or line gasket; the damage could cause the rapid decompression of the chamber, putting the lives of the personnel inside the chamber at risk.
- flow-fuses are not suitable for use in a hyperbaric environment and are generally a significant source of noise in the chamber interior, noise which becomes almost intolerable for those inside the chamber itself.
- the present invention is aimed at providing a simple, economical solution for the aforementioned technical problems.
- a hyperbaric chamber gas regeneration system is created, according to claim 1, or in any of the dependent claims, directly or indirectly from claim 1.
- the present invention refers to a hyperbaric chamber gas regeneration system composed of:
- the safety device ( flow-fuse) consists of a silencer shell made of porous sintered brass which allows the flow of gas due to its microporosity .
- FIG. 2 shows a first configuration of a safety device (flow-fuse) of the innovative type used in the system illustrated in Figure 1;
- FIG. 3 shows a second configuration of the safety device (flow-fuse) from Figure 2.
- FIG. 1 shows a hyperbaric chamber gas regeneration system, indicated as 100, in its entirety, with the hyperbaric chamber 10 and chamber entrance 15.
- the chamber gas regeneration system 100 is composed of:
- blower 20 extracts and injects gas from/into hyperbaric chamber 10;
- each filter 30 uses the respective couple of isolation valves 30A/30B or 31A/31B respectively; - two heat exchangers 40, 41 for the regulation of the temperature of the gas; and
- gas regeneration system 100 is made up of gas circuit 60 connected to the side 11 of hyperbaric chamber 10, with PI being the gas output point and P2 the gas input point.
- Gas output point (PI) is internally isolated by bulkhead valve 70 and externally by bulkhead valve 71.
- gas input point (P2) is isolated internally by bulkhead valve 80 and externally by bulkhead valve 81.
- two identical safety devices (flow-fuses) 90 are installed in the hyperbaric chamber 10 interior, one at the gas input and the other at the gas output.
- the two safety devices 90 provide a means of safety in the case of possible damage to any point of gas circuit 60 or a gasket which may lead of rapid decompression of hyperbaric chamber 10, endangering the lives of those inside the chamber itself.
- Gas system 100 works continuously to maintain the optimal environmental conditions in hyperbaric chamber 10 interior, but unfortunately creates a continuous noise due to the blower 20 and the turbulence of the gas which flows around gas circuit 60.
- both safety devices 90 (flow- fuses) operate in the case of damage to gas circuit 60 to stop the decompression of hyperbaric chamber 10 as quickly as possible.
- a hermetic sealing of the safety device (flow-fuse) is not necessary in closed position as a small amount of gas leakage is acceptable; consequently, when safety device 90 (flow-fuse) is activated, the personnel in the interior and at the exterior of hyperbaric chamber 10 must close valves 70, 71, 80, 81 in order to isolate gas circuit 60 from chamber 10 itself.
- Safety device 90 (flow-fuse) is shown in greater details and in two different configurations in Figures 2, 3 attached.
- Each safety device 90 (flow-fuse), fundamentally symmetrical along the longitudinal axis (Z), is composed of the following elements:
- bottom cover 91 to connect the safety device 90 (flow-fuse) to gas circuit 60;
- bottom cover 91 has a threaded external part 91A and a through hole 91B symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis (Z);
- a pin 92 preferably, but not necessarily, made of plastic, which slides into the top cover 93; pin 92, is kept in "open position" by a compression spring 94 whose upper extremity 94A rests on surface 92A on the surface of pin 92, while the lower extremity 94B rests on surface 93B in through hole 93A (of axis (Z) ) which passes through upper cover 93 longitudinally; and - a silencer shell 95, of advantageous cylindrical form, which sustains upper cover 93 and shields the lower part; this silencer shell 95 is realized using sintered porous brass which allows the flow of gas through its microporosity ( Figure 2) .
- the safety device (flow fuse) 90 works according to the Venturi effect:
- compression spring 94 is sized so as to close safety device (flow-fuse) 90 only for an unusually high flow-rate generated by a failure condition in the system.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Separation Of Gases By Adsorption (AREA)
Abstract
A gas regeneration system (100) of a hyperbaric chamber 10. The system comprising: - a gas blower (20) in gas circuit (60) to and from the hyperbaric chamber (10); - two gas filters (30, 31) for the removal of CO2 present in the gas itself; - two heat exchangers (40, 41) for the regulation of the temperature of the gas; - a condensate discharger (50) for the reduction of water vapor in the gas flow; and - at least one safety device (flow-fuse) (90) connected to the gas circuit (60). The system (100) is characterized in that the safety device (flow-fuse) (90) works according to the Venturi effect. Moreover, the safety device (flow-fuse) 90 includes a silencer shell 95 realized in porous sintered brass, allowing the flow of gas due to its microporosity.
Description
"GAS REGENERATION PLANT OF A HYPERBARIC CHAMBER"
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention refers to a saturation diving system composed of a complex of hyperbaric chamber, so called PVHO (Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy) which allows the occupying personnel to live and work for an undefined period (limited to a maximum of one month, as per rules) at a pressure which can reach 35 bar.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known that hyperbaric saturation systems use a gas mix of helium/oxygen for the pressurization of the hyperbaric chambers, the quantity of oxygen depending on operational depth (pressure) in which the chamber is found (a percentage of less than 20% O2) ·
It is moreover noted that hyperbaric saturation chambers cannot be supplied with ambient air as the nitrogen content of air at the high pressures in which the hyperbaric chambers operate (for example depths of 50-60 meters) induce a dangerous sense of euphoria, headache etc. to those who inhale it.
Consequently, oxygen is mixed with an alternative gas, usually helium.
Currently, although helium performs its role reasonably well, it is extremely costly and therefore it is usually recycled in a closed circuit and reintroduced, as will be shown, into the hyperbaric chamber mixed with fresh oxygen.
In other words, personnel inside the hyperbaric chamber produce, according to normal metabolism, CO2 and water vapor; the role of a regeneration system of this kind is to remove CO2 produced by the personnel in the chamber interior, regulate the internal temperature and reduce excess humidity.
In addition, the current system is supplied with oxygen analyzers which continuously monitor the reduction in the amount of oxygen in the mix inside the chamber; the specialized personnel on the chamber exterior periodically reintegrate oxygen via a dedicated line in order to maintain a concentration of oxygen within the stabilized limits.
Customarily, hyperbaric saturation systems are furnished with two valves (one upstream and one downstream) which are located in the hyperbaric chamber interior, valves which are closed manually by the personnel present inside the chamber in the case that a fault occurs in the system.
Customarily, next to each valve there is a specific
safety device called a flow-fuse, used in the case of a damaged pipe or line gasket; the damage could cause the rapid decompression of the chamber, putting the lives of the personnel inside the chamber at risk.
These safety devices (flow-fuses) in gas treatment lines work in the same way as fuses work in electric systems. In this last case, fuses intervene when the electrical current exceeds a certain threshold value, while a flow-fuse comes into action in the case that the speed of decompression of the chamber exceeds a certain limit .
It should be noted that in order to ensure that the entire external line is protected from faults, the flow- fuse must be installed in the chamber interior.
Furthermore, the safety devices currently in use
(flow-fuses) are not suitable for use in a hyperbaric environment and are generally a significant source of noise in the chamber interior, noise which becomes almost intolerable for those inside the chamber itself.
DISCOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is aimed at providing a simple, economical solution for the aforementioned technical problems.
Therefore, on the basis of the current invention, a hyperbaric chamber gas regeneration system is created,
according to claim 1, or in any of the dependent claims, directly or indirectly from claim 1.
More precisely, the present invention refers to a hyperbaric chamber gas regeneration system composed of:
- a gas blower in a gas circuit to and from the hyperbaric chamber;
- at least one gas filter charged with removing the CO2 present in the gas itself;
- at least one heat exchanger for the regulation of the temperature of the gas;
- a condensate discharger for the reduction of water vapor in the gas flow; and
- at least one safety device ( flow-fuse) connected to the gas circuit; the system being characterized by the fact that the safety device
(flow-fuse) works according to the Venturi effect .
Furthermore, the safety device ( flow-fuse) consists of a silencer shell made of porous sintered brass which allows the flow of gas due to its microporosity .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a deeper understanding of the present invention, a form of preferred implementation shall be described; that given is an example, not limiting, with reference to the attached drawings, where:
- Figure 1 shows a general schematic of the gas regeneration system of a hyperbaric chamber according to the principles of the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows a first configuration of a safety device (flow-fuse) of the innovative type used in the system illustrated in Figure 1; and
- Figure 3 shows a second configuration of the safety device (flow-fuse) from Figure 2.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a hyperbaric chamber gas regeneration system, indicated as 100, in its entirety, with the hyperbaric chamber 10 and chamber entrance 15.
The chamber gas regeneration system 100 is composed of:
- a gas blower 20 with the function of blowing the gas through the gas regeneration system in the direction as shown by the arrow, F' ; blower 20 extracts and injects gas from/into hyperbaric chamber 10;
- two filters 30 and a soda-lime scrubber 31 for the removal of CO2; it is possible to isolate each filter 30 using the respective couple of isolation valves 30A/30B or 31A/31B respectively;
- two heat exchangers 40, 41 for the regulation of the temperature of the gas; and
- a condensate discharger 50 for the reduction of water vapor in the gas flow.
Moreover, gas regeneration system 100 is made up of gas circuit 60 connected to the side 11 of hyperbaric chamber 10, with PI being the gas output point and P2 the gas input point.
Gas output point (PI) is internally isolated by bulkhead valve 70 and externally by bulkhead valve 71.
Similarly, gas input point (P2) is isolated internally by bulkhead valve 80 and externally by bulkhead valve 81.
As illustrated in Figure 1, two identical safety devices (flow-fuses) 90 are installed in the hyperbaric chamber 10 interior, one at the gas input and the other at the gas output.
As mentioned previously, the two safety devices 90 (flow-fuses) provide a means of safety in the case of possible damage to any point of gas circuit 60 or a gasket which may lead of rapid decompression of hyperbaric chamber 10, endangering the lives of those inside the chamber itself.
As known, at point (P3) near the left safety device 90 (flow-fuse), a certain amount of oxygen O2 is
injected, and is drawn by means of the gas flow in transit in the safety device (flow-fuse) itself.
As previously outlined, the specialized personnel located on the exterior of chamber 10, periodically top up the oxygen O2 by means of a dedicated line (not herein illustrated) connected to point P3 of gas circuit 60, with the scope of maintaining the concentration of oxygen O2 within the stabilized limits inside hyperbaric chamber 10.
Gas system 100 works continuously to maintain the optimal environmental conditions in hyperbaric chamber 10 interior, but unfortunately creates a continuous noise due to the blower 20 and the turbulence of the gas which flows around gas circuit 60.
As previously stated, both safety devices 90 (flow- fuses) operate in the case of damage to gas circuit 60 to stop the decompression of hyperbaric chamber 10 as quickly as possible. A hermetic sealing of the safety device (flow-fuse) is not necessary in closed position as a small amount of gas leakage is acceptable; consequently, when safety device 90 (flow-fuse) is activated, the personnel in the interior and at the exterior of hyperbaric chamber 10 must close valves 70, 71, 80, 81 in order to isolate gas circuit 60 from chamber 10 itself.
Safety device 90 (flow-fuse) is shown in greater details and in two different configurations in Figures 2, 3 attached.
Each safety device 90 (flow-fuse), fundamentally symmetrical along the longitudinal axis (Z), is composed of the following elements:
- a threaded bottom cover 91 to connect the safety device 90 (flow-fuse) to gas circuit 60; bottom cover 91 has a threaded external part 91A and a through hole 91B symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis (Z);
- a pin 92, preferably, but not necessarily, made of plastic, which slides into the top cover 93; pin 92, is kept in "open position" by a compression spring 94 whose upper extremity 94A rests on surface 92A on the surface of pin 92, while the lower extremity 94B rests on surface 93B in through hole 93A (of axis (Z) ) which passes through upper cover 93 longitudinally; and - a silencer shell 95, of advantageous cylindrical form, which sustains upper cover 93 and shields the lower part; this silencer shell 95 is realized using sintered porous brass which allows the flow of gas through its microporosity (Figure 2) .
The safety device (flow fuse) 90 works according to the Venturi effect:
- when the speed of gas flow increases notably during the rapid decompression of gas circuit 60 of hyperbaric chamber 10, pin 92 in the interior of safety device 90 (flow-fuse) is pulled down towards bottom cover 91 by the depression caused by the Venturi effect; hence pin 92 closes through hole 91B by compressing spring 94, as is demonstrated in Figure 2, 3; and
- when the difference in pressure between hyperbaric chamber 10 and gas circuit 60 is nullified, spring 94 pushes pin 92 upwards and safety device (flow-fuse) 90 returns to initial conditions as shown in Figure 2.
In order to prevent an uncontrolled decompression of hyperbaric chamber 10, and to permit the normal flow of gas in gas circuit 60, compression spring 94 is sized so as to close safety device (flow-fuse) 90 only for an unusually high flow-rate generated by a failure condition in the system.
The main advantages of a gas regeneration system for a hyperbaric chamber objectified by the invention are the following :
- reliability of the closing system of the safety
devices (flow-fuses); and
the silent nature of the safety devices located in the system.
Claims
1. Gas regeneration, plant (100) of a. hyperbaric chamber (10); said plant comprising:
- gas pumping means (20) in a gas circuit (60) to and from, said hyperbaric chamber (10);
- gas filtering means (30, 31) to remove C02 in the gas;
- neat exchanging means (40, 41) to adjust the gas temperature ;
- condensate discharging in.Θ ns ( 50) to reduce 'water vapour in the gas stream; and.
- safety means (flow-fuse) (90) connected with said gas circuit ( 60 ) ;
said, plant being characterized, in that said safety means (flow-fuse) (90) work according to the venturi effect..
2. Regeneration plant (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following elements:
- an axially pierced lower cover (91) to connect said safety means (flow-fuse) (90) to said gas circuit (60);
- a piston (92) flowing in an upper cover (93); the piston (92) being held in the "open, position" by a compression spring (94), whose upper end (94A) rests on a shoulder (92A) formed on the surface of said piston (92),
while the lower end (94B) rests on. a shoulder (93B) formed in a through hole (93A) longitudinally passing through said upper cover (93); and
- a muffler shell (95), at least partially fencing said upper cover (93) and said piston (92) .
3. Regeneration plant (100), according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said piston (92) is made of plastic material,
4. Regeneration plant (100), according to anyone of t e preceding claims, characte ized in that said muffler shell (95) is made of porous sintered brass whose micropores let the gas flow through them.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/051912 WO2016147027A1 (en) | 2015-03-16 | 2015-03-16 | Gas regeneration plant of a hyperbaric chamber |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/051912 WO2016147027A1 (en) | 2015-03-16 | 2015-03-16 | Gas regeneration plant of a hyperbaric chamber |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2016147027A1 true WO2016147027A1 (en) | 2016-09-22 |
Family
ID=53008814
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/051912 Ceased WO2016147027A1 (en) | 2015-03-16 | 2015-03-16 | Gas regeneration plant of a hyperbaric chamber |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2016147027A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1224173B (en) * | 1965-04-17 | 1966-09-01 | Draegerwerk Ag | Gas supply device for pressure chambers, in particular diving pressure chambers |
| US3547118A (en) * | 1967-06-02 | 1970-12-15 | Air Reduction | Hyperbaric chamber |
| US20040261796A1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | Life Support Technologies | Hyperbaric chamber control and/or monitoring system and methods for using the same |
| US20110108032A1 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-05-12 | John Steven Wood | Overpressure Protection System and Method for a Hyperbaric Chamber |
-
2015
- 2015-03-16 WO PCT/IB2015/051912 patent/WO2016147027A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1224173B (en) * | 1965-04-17 | 1966-09-01 | Draegerwerk Ag | Gas supply device for pressure chambers, in particular diving pressure chambers |
| US3547118A (en) * | 1967-06-02 | 1970-12-15 | Air Reduction | Hyperbaric chamber |
| US20040261796A1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | Life Support Technologies | Hyperbaric chamber control and/or monitoring system and methods for using the same |
| US20110108032A1 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-05-12 | John Steven Wood | Overpressure Protection System and Method for a Hyperbaric Chamber |
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