Accelerating Cyclone Separation of Sticky Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cyclone separators are inefficient in separating small particles and tend to lose efficiency when dealing with sticky materials, as they can adhere to the inner surfaces, and are not suitable for producing low-moisture solid products effectively.

Innovation Solution

A spinning-top-shaped accelerating cyclone with a lower conical body, a central cylindrical body, and an upper cylindrical body of smaller diameter, featuring a rotating turbine and slotted cylinder to accelerate particles and prevent adhesion, utilizing centrifugal force and air circulation to separate micro-dispersed water from particulate material without additional heating sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional cyclone separators are used, then the structure is simple and maintenance is easy, but the separation efficiency for small particles is poor and sticky particles adhere to inner surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone separator is divided into multiple functional sections: an upper cylindrical body with tangential inlet, a conical body for particle separation, and a lower cylindrical body for particle discharge. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally, improving separation efficiency for small particles while maintaining structural clarity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a rotating turbine at the bottom of the conical body that rotates in the same direction as the vortex flow. This dynamic element enhances the centrifugal force acting on particles, improving separation efficiency for fine particles without requiring complex external mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the conical section is downwardly convergent to increase particle collection, then the turning radius is reduced, but sticky particles stick to the inner walls due to gravity and speed effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle collection efficiencyVSAvoidparticle adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having a purely downwardly convergent conical section that promotes particle adhesion, the patent introduces an upwardly directed air stream at the bottom of the conical body. This inverted flow direction counteracts gravity and prevents sticky particles from adhering to the inner walls, while the conical geometry maintains the reduced turning radius for efficient particle collection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating turbine at the bottom of the conical body acts as an intermediary element. It generates an upward air stream that mediates between the downward particle flow and the conical wall surface, preventing direct contact and adhesion of sticky particles while maintaining efficient separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If spray drying with hot air is used to reduce moisture, then drying efficiency is improved, but additional energy consumption and equipment complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone separator utilizes the kinetic energy and vortex flow already present in the particle-laden air stream to achieve dewatering. The system is self-sufficient, using the input material's own energy to separate water without requiring external hot air or additional energy input, thus maintaining high productivity while minimizing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Achieves effective separation of solid particles into low-moisture powder or granules with reduced moisture content, preventing particle adhesion and maintaining efficiency even with sticky materials, while reducing water content by up to 90% in a short processing time without additional heat sources.

Implementation Method 1

Cyclones, consisting essentially of a sedimentation chamber operating with centrifugal acceleration instead of gravitational acceleration, are the most commonly used equipment in retrieving or settling solid particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the physical structure of a cyclone comprises a vertical cylinder with a lower conical section, which forces the descending vortex to change its direction, which results in an increased particle collection as the turning radius is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

the inner surface affected by the action of gravity and the speed effect on the falling particles as the diameter of the conical part decreases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3643388B1Accelerating cyclone that separates solid particles
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 BIODRYINGTECH SPA
  • EP3643388B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643388B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643388B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention refers to an accelerating cyclone that separates solid particles, comprising in its general structure a lower conical body (1) (17A and 17B), comprising a lower opening (18), a central cylindrical body (2) immediately above the conical body (1) whose diameter is smaller than the largest diameter of the conical body cone (1), and a third upper, also cylindrical, body (3) of smaller diameter than the diameter of the central cylindrical body (2), comprising a side opening for the acceleration air output (5); where the cylindrical central body (2) allows to accelerate the speed of the solid material particles and is the cyclone pressure chamber; and where said cylindrical central body (2) comprises a side opening for the acceleration air input (8) and at least one duct (9).