KR20230148758A - Leak prevention device including detection of hazardous chemical leak from pipe connection - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a leak prevention device that includes a function for detecting hazardous chemical leaks at piping connections. A leak prevention device according to an embodiment includes a blocking structure that surrounds a pipe connection to block hazardous chemicals leaked from the connection, and a plurality of gases that are combined with the blocking structure to detect hazardous chemicals leaked from the connection. May include sensors.

Description

Leak prevention device including detection of hazardous chemical leaks from pipe connections {LEAK PREVENTION DEVICE INCLUDING DETECTION OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL LEAK FROM PIPE CONNECTION}

The description below relates to a leak prevention device that includes detection of hazardous chemical leaks at piping connections.

A variety of hazardous chemicals are used in high-tech industrial manufacturing sites such as semiconductor or display manufacturing processes, and in particular, technology to prevent leakage of hazardous chemicals (chemicals and gases) from pipe connections is very important. Pulsation and micro-vibration occurring inside the pipe can cause the pipe joint, which is a connection part of the pipe, to become loose or cause micro-distortion of the pipe joint, in which case leakage of hazardous chemicals may occur. In addition, toxic gases or chemicals gradually corrode and harden the gasket within the sealing of the pipe joint, the internal O-ring of the clamp, the fitting connection, or the flange, causing cracks to form, thereby creating harmful substances. Chemicals may leak. In the event of an accident due to the leakage of hazardous chemicals, significant property damage, casualties, and loss of corporate reputation may occur.

[Prior art literature]

Korean Patent No. 10-2251428

It provides a leak prevention device that can prevent leakage of hazardous chemicals from pipes or valve connections (fittings) and at the same time can quickly detect leak sites.

A blocking structure that surrounds the connection part of the pipe and blocks hazardous chemicals leaking from the connection part; and a plurality of gas sensors combined with the blocking structure to detect hazardous chemicals leaked from the connection portion.

According to one side, the plurality of gas sensors include at least a color change sensor, and the color change sensor is a three-dimensional porous material in which a color dye whose color is changed by hazardous chemicals is bound to at least one of the inside and outside of the nanofiber. It may include a nanofiber membrane structure, and the nanofiber membrane may be disposed inside the blocking structure.

According to another aspect, the color change sensor may further include a color change sensor reading device disposed outside the blocking structure to detect leakage of hazardous chemicals by reading the color change of the nanofiber membrane. there is.

According to another aspect, the plurality of gas sensors includes at least a resistance change sensor, and the resistance change sensor is disposed inside the blocking structure and has a three-dimensional porous structure in which metal oxide is coated on the surface of the nanofiber. It may be characterized by detecting leakage of hazardous chemicals based on changes in resistance of the nanofiber membrane.

According to another aspect, the plurality of gas sensors include at least an electrochemical sensor, and the electrochemical sensor is disposed inside the blocking structure to change the electrical signal by reacting with the hazardous chemical substance. It may be characterized by detecting leaks of material.

According to another aspect, the plurality of gas sensors include at least a frequency variable sensor, and the frequency variable sensor detects the displacement difference of surface acoustic waves or a change in frequency upon gas adsorption to detect the leakage of hazardous chemicals. It can be characterized by detection.

According to another aspect, each of the plurality of gas sensors may provide at least one of an auditory signal, a visual signal, and an electrical signal as a detection signal for leakage of detected hazardous chemicals.

According to another aspect, in order to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of the plurality of gas sensors, the dye reacts with liquid hazardous chemicals to produce volatile chemicals or reacts with gaseous hazardous chemicals to produce highly reactive chemicals. Nanofibers applied to the connection portion or to which the dye is bound may be disposed inside the blocking structure.

According to another aspect, the leak prevention device is connected to each of the plurality of gas sensors by wire or wirelessly and receives a detection signal for detecting leakage of hazardous chemicals from at least one gas sensor among the plurality of gas sensors. In response, it may further include a control module that transmits a notification signal and unique information related to the installation location of the leak prevention device to the central management system.

According to another aspect, the central management system may be implemented to communicate with each of a plurality of leak prevention devices to provide information about a leak prevention device that transmits a notification signal and unique information among the plurality of leak prevention devices. You can.

It can prevent leakage of hazardous chemicals from pipes or valve connections (fittings), and at the same time, it can quickly detect leaks.

1 to 4 are diagrams showing an example of a leak prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 7 are diagrams showing an example of a leak prevention device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of manufacturing a color change sensor for a leak prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is an image showing an example of a nanofiber to which a color dye is bound, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is an image showing an example in which a nanofiber membrane to which a colored dye is bound is cut to a preset size and laminated with a double-sided adhesive tape, in one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing the results of a hydrofluoric acid vapor exposure experiment of a litmus paper color change sensor and a nanofiber-based color change sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall system for detecting hazardous chemicals according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a leak prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 is a diagram showing another example of a blocking structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a color change sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a resistance change sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of an electrochemical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a frequency variable sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of use of dye to improve detection sensitivity in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of a detection process for hazardous chemicals according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, since various changes can be made to the embodiments, the scope of the claims of the patent application is not limited or limited by these embodiments. It is to be understood that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes for the embodiments are encompassed by the scope of the claims.

The terms used in the examples are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in the present application, should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense. No.

In addition, when describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. In describing the embodiments, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed descriptions are omitted.

Additionally, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, sequence, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there is no need for another component between each component. It should be understood that may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected.”

Components included in one embodiment and components including common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless stated to the contrary, the description given in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent of overlap.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a leak prevention device made of a transparent material including a color change sensor. According to one embodiment, the leak prevention device protects the outside of the fitting of a pipe or valve to prevent external force or internal pressure of the pipeline. This prevents the fitting from loosening, and contains materials such as rubber, Viton, or Super Viton inside, which prevents leakage of harmful substances, and visually detects water leaks or leaks from the fitting. It contains a color change sensor that can quickly detect leaks.

1 to 4 are diagrams showing an example of a leak prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The leak prevention device according to this embodiment is disposed inside the fitting locking part 100 and the fitting locking part 100 made of a transparent material provided to surround the fitting 420 of the pipe 410, so as to prevent the leakage from the fitting 420. It may include a color change sensor 150 that changes color depending on leaked hazardous chemicals. At this time, Figures 1 and 2 show the structure of the fitting locking part 100, Figure 3 shows the fitting locking part 100 and the color change sensor 150 together, and Figure 4 shows the fitting locking part 100. ) shows an example of an image of a leak prevention device actually implemented by attaching a color change sensor 150 to the inside of a device, and an image of the leak prevention device combined to surround the fitting 410.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the fitting locking unit 100 is implemented to surround a fitting support member 120 implemented to surround a portion of the fitting 420 and the remaining part of the fitting to correspond to the fitting support member 120. It may include a fitting cover member 110. At this time, the fitting locking part 100 may further include a connection part 130 that rotatably connects one end of the fitting support member 120 and one end of the fitting cover member 110. At this time, the connection part 130 may be implemented as a white paper structure. In addition, the fitting locking unit 100 may further include locking units 141, 142, and 160 that secure the other end of the fitting support member 120 and the other end of the fitting cover member 110 to be openable and closed. As the locking units 141, 142, and 160 are implemented to unlock the fitting locking unit 100 through a dedicated key, any structure that can play a role in preventing arbitrary unlocking of the fitting locking unit 100 is specifically limited. It can be used without being used. By providing locking units 141, 142, and 160 implemented to open and close the fitting locking unit 100 through such a dedicated key, it is possible to make it impossible to open and close the fitting locking unit 100 except for authorized workers.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fitting locking unit 100 may be made of a transparent material so that the color change of the color change sensor 150 can be easily confirmed with the naked eye from outside the fitting locking unit 100. Through this, the color change sensor 150 can be attached and used anywhere on the fitting locking unit 100. However, in order to be more visible to workers, the color change sensor 150 may be implemented to be attached to the internal space formed by the locking portions 141 and 142. Figure 4 shows an example of the color change sensor 150 attached to the internal space formed by the locking portions 141 and 142.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each of a plurality of edges formed on the corresponding fitting (for example, the fitting 420) is inside at least one of the fitting support member 120 and the fitting cover member 110. Concave-convex portions 111 and 121 engaging with the may be formed. 1 and 2 show only the uneven portion 121 formed inside the fitting support member 120, while in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the uneven portion 121 formed inside the fitting support member 120 and the fitting Each of the uneven portions 111 formed inside the cover member 110 is shown. Through these uneven parts 111 and 121, the fitting locking part 100 can perfectly fix the fitting 420 of the pipe 410 so that the fitting 420 does not come loose due to external force.

Meanwhile, the fitting locking unit 100 may be implemented in a structure that can completely surround the fitting of the pipe and/or valve to block hazardous chemicals leaked from the fitting of the pipe and/or valve. For this purpose, the fitting locking part 100 further includes a structure and/or a rubber member to cover the gap between the fitting support member 120 and the fitting cover member 110, and the gap between the fitting locking part 100 and the pipe. can do. The rubber member may include, for example, a fluorine rubber member. In another embodiment, the fitting locking part 100 may be implemented as a multi-layered cover member, such as a primary cover member made of a material such as austenitic stainless steel and a secondary cover member made of a transparent material, in order to prevent harmful chemicals from being blocked. there is. At this time, the color change sensor 150 is disposed between the first cover member and the second cover member, so that the color change of the color change sensor 150 can be visually identified through the secondary cover member made of a transparent material.

In addition, a rubber material containing Viton or Super Viton is contained in the joint area where the fitting cover member 110 and the fitting support member 120 of the fitting locking portion 100 are engaged with each other, thereby preventing leakage of harmful substances. Leakage to the outside of the fitting locking portion 100 can be prevented.

In this way, the fitting locking part 100 may include elements such as a structure or rubber material to cover the gap between the pipe and the fitting to prevent hazardous chemicals from leaking to the outside.

5 to 7 are diagrams showing an example of a leak prevention device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The leak prevention device 500 according to this embodiment includes a first fitting locking part 510 implemented to surround the first fitting connecting the valve 710 and the first pipe 720, the valve 710, and the second A second fitting locking part 520 implemented to surround the second fitting connecting the pipe 730 and a locking part connection part 530 connecting the first fitting locking part 510 and the second fitting locking part 520. may include.

At this time, each of the first fitting locking part 510 and the second fitting locking part 520 may correspond to the fitting locking part 100 previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and each of the locking part connection part 530 and It may further include structures for connection. For example, the first fitting locking part 510 and the second fitting locking part 520 each include fitting support members 512 and 522, which are implemented to surround a portion of the corresponding fitting. a fitting cover member (511, 521) implemented to surround the remainder of the fitting to correspond to the fitting cover member (511, 521), a connection portion (517) rotatably connecting one end of the fitting support member (512, 522) and one end of the fitting cover member (511, 521) , 527), and locking parts (513, 514, 515, 523, 524, 525) that secure the other ends of the fitting support members (512, 522) and the other ends of the fitting cover members (511, 521) so that they can be opened and closed. You can.

At this time, the color change sensors 740 and 750 may be included in the first fitting locking part 510 and the second fitting locking part 520, respectively. In this case as well, in order to be more visible to workers, the color change sensors 740 and 750 may be attached to the internal space formed by the locking portions 513, 514, 523, and 524. In Figure 7, the first color change sensor 740 is attached to the internal space formed by the first locking parts 513 and 514, and the second color change sensor 750 is attached to the second locking parts 523 and 524. It shows an example of attachment to the internal space formed by.

Meanwhile, the color change sensor can be implemented in a form that includes a nanofiber membrane with a three-dimensional porous structure to which a color dye that changes color by hazardous chemicals is bound.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of manufacturing a color change sensor for a leak prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method of manufacturing a color change sensor for a leak prevention device according to this embodiment includes the step of manufacturing a nanofiber membrane with a three-dimensional porous structure to which a color dye that changes color by hazardous chemicals is bound (810), the manufactured nano Laminating one side of the transparent double-sided adhesive tape on one side of the fiber membrane (820), cutting the nanofiber membrane on which the transparent double-sided adhesive tape is laminated to a preset size (830), and nano-fiber membrane through the other side of the transparent double-sided adhesive tape. A step 840 may include attaching the fibrous membrane within the leak prevention device.

In one embodiment, the color dye may be mixed in a polymer solution and electrospun, thereby binding to a nanofiber membrane manufactured through electrospinning. For example, a nanofiber membrane to which a colored dye is bound can be manufactured by preparing a polymer solution containing a colored dye and electrospinning the polymer solution onto a release paper. In another embodiment, the color dye may be bound to the manufactured nanofiber membrane through solution coating or chemical vapor deposition. For example, a nanofiber membrane can first be manufactured by preparing a polymer solution and electrospinning it on a nonwoven fabric, and then color dye can be bound to the already prepared nanofiber membrane through dye coating or chemical vapor deposition.

Meanwhile, since the color change of the nanofiber membrane to which the color dye is bound must be visually visible from the outside through both the double-sided adhesive tape and the leak prevention device, not only the fitting locking parts (100, 510, 520) but also the double-sided adhesive tape are transparent. It can be implemented with materials. At this time, one side of the nanofiber membrane can be laminated to one side of a transparent double-sided adhesive tape. At this time, one side of the nanofiber membrane laminated with the double-sided adhesive tape may be a side to which no release paper or non-woven fabric is bonded. After the nanofiber membrane is cut to a preset size, the release paper or non-woven fabric can be removed, and the nanofiber membrane can be attached to the leak prevention device through the other side of the transparent double-sided adhesive tape and functionalized as a color change sensor.

Figure 9 is an image showing an example of a nanofiber to which a colored dye is bound in an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 10 is an image showing an example of a nanofiber membrane to which a colored dye is bound to a preset according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image shows an example of cutting to size and laminating double-sided adhesive tape. Figure 10 shows an example of using a double-sided adhesive tape with a mesh structure to detect the color change of the color change sensor instead of a transparent double-sided adhesive tape.

Meanwhile, rather than a simple double-sided adhesive tape, a double-sided adhesive layer (passivation layer) with a pattern with certain pores such as a mesh pattern or striped pattern so that gas or vapor chemicals come into contact with the nanofiber membrane on the inside can be used. .

In this way, the passivation layer that can be laminated on and below the color change sensor (nanofiber membrane) may have a preset pattern for exposing the nanofiber membrane. At this time, the pattern can help gas, vapor, or chemicals come into direct contact with the color change sensor, and can help make it easier to distinguish color changes with the naked eye. Additionally, the passivation layer can serve to protect the nanofiber layer from peeling off from physical contact. The passivation layer is coated with an adhesive material on the surface, and is strongly bound to the nanofiber membrane like an adhesive or tape. It is flexible and bends well, so it can be easily deformed and bound according to the shape of the leak detection device.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing the results of a hydrofluoric acid vapor exposure experiment of a litmus paper color change sensor and a nanofiber-based color change sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the litmus paper color change sensor, a commercially available litmus paper product was used. In addition, the nanofiber-based color change sensor contains 9.5 wt% of Congo Red dye in polyacrylonitrile polymer, and is electrospun on polyethylene (PE) nonwoven fabric to a thickness of about 10㎛. It was manufactured by coating nanofibers. As shown in the experimental results of FIG. 11, it can be seen that the nanofiber-based color change sensor shows color change more quickly and more clearly upon exposure to a smaller amount of hydrofluoric acid vapor than the litmus paper color change sensor. In other words, it can be seen that the nanofiber-based color change sensor has better sensitivity than the litmus paper color change sensor.

The color dye used in the color change sensor changes color by reacting with the vapor of harmful special gases and liquid chemicals used in the semiconductor/display process. It contains various harmful chemicals such as acids, bases, organic substances, and by-products after the semiconductor display process. Color dyes that change to a specific color upon reaction can be uniformly coated and bound to the nanofiber surface.

In general litmus paper, the form of the solution phase (e.g., liquid, drop, mist, vapor, etc.) changes depending on the concentration of the hydrogen (H) ion or hydroxide (OH) ion of the pH dye in contact with the litmus paper, but binds to the nanofiber. Color dyes may include metal salts (e.g., copper acetate, FeCl2, etc.), pH inorganic dyes, pH organic dyes, and/or natural dyes (e.g., plants, bugs, microorganisms, etc.), and acid-base interaction. (acid-base interactions), hydrogen-bonding, electron transfer and π-π molecular complexation, dipolar and multipolar interactions and/or The van der Waals interaction and physical adsorption reaction principle is applied to change color by reacting not only with steam but also in a low-moisture environment or directly with pure gas, making it more suitable for use in semiconductors/displays than general litmus paper. It can detect a wide range of special gases and chemicals.

Color dyes improve color change performance (e.g., reaction speed and/or color sensitivity) by adding additives (e.g., NaOH) to cause a color change reaction with specific gases and chemicals, or use specific substances (e.g., , helium (He), etc.

The method of binding color dyes to nanofibers is by producing an electrospinning solvent and spinning it directly to bind the color dyes to the surface of the nanofibers, or by first producing nanofibers through a vacuum filtration device and secondarily producing color dyes. A solution can be prepared and coated on the surface of nanofibers using vacuum filtration.

The previous embodiments describe a color change sensor as an example of a gas sensor, but in addition to the color change sensor, the leak prevention device includes a plurality of various types of gas sensors such as resistance change sensors, electrochemical sensors, and frequency change sensors. may be included.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the entire system for detecting hazardous chemicals according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a leak prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a drawing.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, a plurality of leak prevention devices 1210 that can be installed at a plurality of connections (not shown) of a plurality of pipes (pipe 1, pipe 2, ??, pipe N), and a plurality of It shows a central management system 1220 that communicates with each of the leak prevention devices 1210.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which a leak prevention device 1310, one of a plurality of leak prevention devices 1210, includes a blocking structure 1311, a plurality of gas sensors 1312, and a control module 1313.

The blocking structure 1311 can block hazardous chemicals leaked from a connection part of a pipe on which the leak prevention device 1310 is installed from leaking to the outside of the leak prevention device 1310.

Each of the plurality of gas sensors 1312 can detect hazardous chemicals leaked from pipe connections. For example, the plurality of gas sensors 1312 may include two or more different types of sensors such as color change sensors, resistance change sensors, electrochemical sensors, and frequency change sensors. Additionally, each of the plurality of gas sensors 1312 may provide at least one of an auditory signal, a visual signal, and an electrical signal as a detection signal for leakage of detected hazardous chemicals. For example, a gas sensor that detects a leak of a hazardous chemical may output an auditory signal and/or a visual signal to the outside. As another example, a gas sensor that detects a leak of hazardous chemicals may transmit an electrical signal to the control module 1313.

The control module 1313 can receive a detection signal as an electrical signal transmitted by a gas sensor. In this case, the control module 1313 can transmit a notification signal that hazardous chemicals have been detected and unique information about the leak prevention device 1310 to the central management system 1220. Depending on the embodiment, multiple leak prevention devices may share one control module 1313. For example, leak prevention devices placed in a small area may be connected to one shared control module 1313. The control module 1313 can identify each of the plurality of connected leak prevention devices through unique information.

The central management system 1220 can determine the installation location of the leak prevention device 1310 that detects hazardous chemicals through unique information, and can provide the manager with information about the leak prevention device that transmits notification signals and unique information. You can.

For example, the number of pipes that supply hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process of semiconductors or displays includes so many pipes and pipe connections that it is difficult for a person to inspect them one by one. The central management system (1220) can manage the unique information and installation locations of 1,000 or more leak prevention devices, enabling rapid detection of hazardous chemicals in a number of pipe connections that are difficult to inspect one by one by humans. Let it be done. In addition, multiple piping may be connected to multiple other devices from one piece of equipment (eg, VMB (Valve Manifold Box)) in the manufacturing process. In this case, previously, if a leak of hazardous chemicals was detected, the operation of all connected equipment had to be stopped. On the other hand, in embodiments of the present invention, a leak prevention device is placed at each connection part of the pipe, so that it is possible to accurately and quickly determine the location where the leak of hazardous chemicals occurs among several connection parts of the pipe, so that the operation of the equipment connected to the problematic pipe is possible. The problem of leakage of hazardous chemicals can be solved by stopping the operation. Therefore, the operation of the manufacturing line can be maximized.

Additionally, conventionally, if a leak of hazardous chemicals occurs during the manufacturing process, the damage is inevitably passed on to the workers. If a leak of hazardous chemicals occurs at an evacuation level (above the exposure limit), all workers near the accident site must evacuate, which may lead to a shutdown of nearby manufacturing lines. On the other hand, in embodiments of the present invention, a leak prevention device is placed at each connection part of the pipe to not only block additional leakage of hazardous chemicals out of the leak prevention device, but also detect a very small amount of leak, thereby preventing accidents through proactive measures. This becomes possible.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing another example of a blocking structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Previously, in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7, an example of a sealed blocking structure surrounding a connection part of a pipe was described. However, the example of the blocking structure is not limited to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7, and the embodiment is shown in FIG. 14. As shown, various types of blocking structures may be used depending on the shape or structure of the connection part. For example, when using a color change sensor, a blocking structure made of a transparent material may be used, but when using a sensor other than a color change sensor, the material of the blocking structure does not need to be limited to a transparent material. Additionally, a blocking structure of an appropriate structure may be used depending on the shape or type of the connection part of the pipe.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a color change sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color change sensor includes a nanofiber membrane with a three-dimensional porous structure in which a color dye that changes color as it detects hazardous chemicals leaked from pipe connections inside the blocking structure is bound to at least one of the inside and outside of the nanofiber. can do. In this case, the nanofiber membrane can be placed inside the barrier structure. In addition, the color change sensor may further include a color change sensor reading device disposed outside the blocking structure to detect leakage of hazardous chemicals by reading the color change of the nanofiber membrane.

At this time, in the embodiment of Figure 15, the nanofiber membrane is described as a color change sensor, and the color change sensor reading device is described as an optical reading device. Optical reading devices can be implemented with photodiodes or phototransistors. The optical reading device includes one or more white LEDs, through which light is irradiated to a color change sensor (nanofiber membrane) and then the reflected light is detected through a photodiode to determine whether or not the color has changed. Additionally, the optical reading device may include one or more blue LEDs, which may improve reactivity with hazardous chemicals and the color change sensor.

As previously explained, for use as a color change sensor, the blocking structure may be made of a transparent material.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a resistance change sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. The resistance change sensor is placed inside the blocking structure and can detect leakage of hazardous chemicals based on the change in resistance of the nanofiber membrane with a three-dimensional porous structure in which metal oxide is coated on the surface of the nanofiber.

At this time, the embodiment of FIG. 16 shows an example in which a resistance change sensor composed of a nanofiber band on which metal oxide is deposited is disposed inside the blocking structure. At this time, wires to determine the change in resistance of the nanofiber band may be connected to the nanofiber band and connected to the outside of the blocking structure. A metal oxide-deposited nanofiber band can be manufactured by vacuum depositing a metal oxide on the surface of a nanofiber membrane or nanofiber yarn. Figure 16 shows images before and after coating ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) on the nanofiber. there is.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of an electrochemical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrochemical sensor is placed inside the blocking structure and can detect leakage of hazardous chemicals based on the principle that an electrical signal (e.g., current) changes due to a reaction with the hazardous chemicals.

At this time, the embodiment of FIG. 17 explains an example in which the part that detects gas in the electrochemical sensor is placed inside the blocking structure, and the remaining part is placed outside the blocking structure. This may be a structure to protect the electrochemical sensor from harmful chemicals.

Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a frequency-variable sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Frequency-variable sensors can detect leaks of hazardous chemicals based on detecting the displacement difference of surface acoustic waves or the change in frequency when gas is adsorbed.

At this time, the embodiment of FIG. 18 shows that a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) sensor as a frequency change sensor is placed inside the blocking structure, and the wire of the SAW sensor is pulled out of the blocking structure. In this case, the frequency change sensor can detect leaks of hazardous chemicals using a polymer material whose frequency changes when gas is absorbed.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of use of dye to improve detection sensitivity in an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, in order to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of a plurality of gas sensors, a dye that reacts with liquid hazardous chemicals to produce volatile chemicals or reacts with gaseous hazardous chemicals to produce highly reactive chemicals is added to the connection of the pipe. It can be applied. For example, in the case of sulfuric acid (H ₂ SO ₄ ), the boiling point is over 300 degrees and the vapor pressure is very low, making it difficult to detect even small amounts of sulfuric acid leaks. In this case, when the nanofiber membrane containing CoCl ₂ dye is in direct contact with sulfuric acid, highly volatile HCl vapor is generated. Therefore, it becomes possible to induce a color change reaction by a gaseous substance. For this purpose, CoCl ₂ may be applied by spraying to the connection part of the pipe, or may be bound to nanofibers and placed inside the blocking structure in the form of a band.

Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of a detection process for hazardous chemicals according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 shows an example where multiple leak prevention devices are connected to connections of multiple pipes connected to the distribution and supply device (VMB). At this time, the detection device control unit may include a control board and a module for antenna communication, and may be connected to multiple leak prevention devices by wire (or wirelessly). Here, the sensing device control unit may correspond to the control module 1313 previously described with reference to FIG. 13. In other words, the control module 1313 may be configured for each of multiple leak prevention devices, but as in the embodiment of FIG. 20, multiple leak prevention devices share one control module 1313. It could be. Even in this case, the control module 1313 can identify each of the multiple leak prevention devices through unique information. When a detection signal is received from at least one leak prevention device among a plurality of leak prevention devices, the detection device control unit may transmit a notification signal to the central management system along with unique information about the leak prevention device that transmitted the detection signal. Here, the central management system may correspond to the central management system 1220 previously described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. The central management system can communicate wirelessly with multiple sensing device control units, and through this, it can confirm at which location the leakage prevention device has leaked hazardous chemicals. The embodiment of Figure 20 describes an example of a central management system implemented in the form of a kiosk, but is not limited thereto.

In this way, according to embodiments of the present invention, leakage of hazardous chemicals from connections (fittings) of pipes or valves can be prevented and at the same time, leakage sites can be quickly detected.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited examples and drawings, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments and equivalents of the claims also fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (10)

A blocking structure that surrounds the connection part of the pipe and blocks hazardous chemicals leaking from the connection part; and
A plurality of gas sensors combined with the blocking structure to detect hazardous chemicals leaked from the connection part
Leakage prevention device comprising: According to paragraph 1,
The plurality of gas sensors include at least a color change sensor,
The color change sensor includes a nanofiber membrane with a three-dimensional porous structure in which a color dye whose color is changed by hazardous chemicals is bound to at least one of the inside and outside of the nanofiber,
The nanofiber membrane is disposed inside the blocking structure.
A leak prevention device characterized by a. According to paragraph 2,
The color change sensor is disposed outside the blocking structure and further includes a color change sensor reading device that detects leakage of hazardous chemicals by reading the color change of the nanofiber membrane. According to paragraph 1,
The plurality of gas sensors include at least a resistance change sensor,
The resistance change sensor is placed inside the blocking structure to detect leakage of hazardous chemicals based on the change in resistance of the nanofiber membrane with a three-dimensional porous structure in which metal oxide is coated on the surface of the nanofiber.
A leak prevention device characterized by a. According to paragraph 1,
The plurality of gas sensors include at least an electrochemical sensor,
The electrochemical sensor is disposed inside the blocking structure to detect leakage of hazardous chemicals based on the principle that an electrical signal changes by reaction with the hazardous chemicals.
A leak prevention device characterized by a. According to paragraph 1,
The plurality of gas sensors include at least a frequency variable sensor,
The frequency change sensor detects leakage of hazardous chemicals based on detecting the displacement difference of surface acoustic waves or the change in frequency when gas is adsorbed.
A leak prevention device characterized by a. According to paragraph 1,
A leak prevention device, wherein each of the plurality of gas sensors provides at least one of an auditory signal, a visual signal, and an electrical signal as a detection signal for leakage of detected hazardous chemicals. According to paragraph 1,
In order to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of the plurality of gas sensors, a dye that reacts with liquid hazardous chemicals to produce volatile chemicals or reacts with gaseous hazardous chemicals to produce highly reactive chemicals is applied to the connection or A leak prevention device characterized in that nanofibers to which a dye is bound are disposed inside the blocking structure. According to paragraph 1,
Connected to each of the plurality of gas sensors by wire or wirelessly, in response to receiving a detection signal for detecting a leak of a hazardous chemical substance from at least one gas sensor among the plurality of gas sensors, a notification signal and the leak prevention device are provided. Control module that transmits unique information related to the installation location to the central management system
A leak prevention device further comprising: According to clause 9,
The central management system is implemented to communicate with each of the plurality of leak prevention devices to provide information about the leak prevention device that transmits a notification signal and unique information among the plurality of leak prevention devices.