AU2007101070A4 - Hot water tank design with specific advantages for vitreous enamel or anti corrosion coating - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT

TITLE

HOT WATER TANK DESIGN WITH SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES FOR VITREOUS ENAMEL or ANTI COROSSION COATING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including best method of performing it known to me 900[ 33 Ui NV INQH oZLV 966 90 YVA Gt:60 LOOZ TT/LO HOT WATER TANK DESIGN WITH SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES FOR VITREOUS ENAMEL OR ANTI CORROSION COATING: ZInnovation Descri ption/Specifi cation.

Current technology designed tanks typically have water connections 8 welded to the domes or cylinder, see Fig 1.

A major disadvantage with this design is the discontinuity of smooth surface caused by the penetrations and fittings used to transport fluids in and out of the tank. The tank may be a pressure vessel. These non smooth areas cause accelerated corrosion where protective coating or fired enamel thickness is not uniform with the rest of the vessel.

Typically there is a small flange 9 just big enough to carry a heating element and c-i does not carry the fluid inlets and outlets.

See Fig 1 Typical current tank design, with inlets and outlets 8 showing discontinuity in what would otherwise be a smooth surface.

The new invention of tank pressure vessel cylinder design see Fig 2 is constructed from a cylindrical tube 10 fabricated to circular end domes 11, typically fabricated from mild steel or stainless steel, and has smooth inner surface to facilitate a more uniform surface of vitreous enamel or anti corrosion coating.

The design has applications other then hot water systems typically pressure vessels, chemical or fluid storage tanks.

Tank life is extended as accelerated corrosion points caused by penetrations in the tank or end domes to carry fluids or services in and out of the tank are not present and not detrimental to quality of anti corrosion coating or material property.

Attached to the ends of the cylindrical tank body are domes 11 with large open access holes Fig 3 which facilitate: Easy application of vitreous enamel or anti corrosive coating.

Access for shot blast or chemical cleaning.

Excellent airflow through tank for drying, pre heating and firing, Access for welding equipment for internal welding of cylinder and flange support ring (neck ring) to ensure smoother internal welds 17. Accurate fit of components is important to ensure optimum smooth weld.

Fitting of larger internal components such as heat exchanger.

Allows for good visual inspection of inside of tank and can be manufactured in large volumes with consistent quality.

900 @1 02 UIRU UNV INaH 900 l 9~l I~H NY INII L7 9M1 90 XVA 9t:60 LOOZ viitO 0 Separate round flanges 12 welded, bolted, crimped or other wise sealed at each N end carry all fluid, entry and discharge fittings. Fig 4 shows flange attached to o end dome carrying fluid fittings 14, and services 13 for example electric heating Z element as shown, a gas booster or connection to secondary system. End flanges 12 can be manufactured from any suitable material, typical examples are: enameled mild steel, stainless steel or plastic. Flanges can be manufactured as separate assembly for later fitting to tank with a number of manufacturing advantages from orientation of welds to being manufactured as sub assembly Sfrom different sites and are lighter and smaller to handle then the complete tank.

Flexible in that any permutation of fittings that can go on either end and can be _used for other applications. Connections maybe used to link numerous tanks together or enable tank to be connected to another fluid carrying system. Some 0 examples of configuration of fittings can be seen in Fig 4 and Fig 5 with various inlet and outlet fittings 14, and services 13.

Flange may carry no fittings or services as in Fig 7 showing flange without any fittings attached.

Flange can be curved as in Fig 6 shown without fittings.

Flange can be sealed to tank by o ring and bolted flange assembly as in example shown in 16.

Use of other sealing methods or crimping may be used.

Flange size is dependant on the fluid fittings and services required, if it is too small reduced airflow may be detrimental to vitreous enamel application and firing.

Fig 8 shows tank and end dome configuration with no penetrations, having all services and fluid fittings now carried through the end flanges.

2 LOOO DH GIHH GNV INaH oZLt 966 90 YVA 9t:60 LOOZ TT/LO