Accumulation Disk Baffles for Higher-Throughput Feed Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices often produce inadequate quality and insufficient throughput of the mixture for pelletizing, with issues such as undesirable caramelization and inefficient mixing of concentrated feed with molasses, leading to suboptimal performance in downstream pelleting processes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of damming means within the mixing container to delay the conveyance of the substance mixture, including outlet and inlet dam elements and paddle-like conveying elements, which increase residence time and improve mixing quality and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mixing container operates with standard conveyance speed, then the throughput is maintained, but the residence time is insufficient leading to inadequate mixing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing container is segmented into multiple zones by introducing damming means (baffles or dams) that create distinct regions. These segments extend the material path and increase residence time without reducing overall throughput capacity, allowing thorough mixing while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The damming means are positioned to create preliminary mixing zones before the material reaches the outlet. This preliminary action ensures that mixing quality is improved in advance, allowing the system to maintain higher throughput rates while achieving adequate mixing.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the fill level of the mixing container is increased, then the residence time is extended, but the cross-sectional area available for mixing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing fill level vertically, the damming means are designed to extend in the axial direction, creating additional mixing zones along the length of the container. This dimensional approach increases residence time without excessively compromising the cross-sectional mixing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The damming means are strategically positioned to create localized mixing zones where extended residence time is most beneficial. The cross-sectional area is preserved in regions where rapid mixing is needed, while residence time is extended in specific zones requiring thorough mixing.
3Manufacturing precision
If damming means are introduced to extend residence time, then mixing quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damming means are designed as simple, easily replaceable components such as removable baffles or adjustable dams. These simple structures can be installed and removed without complex machinery, minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired mixing quality improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The damming means are designed to serve multiple functions: extending residence time, creating mixing zones, and controlling material flow distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In order to provide a mixing device (1), in particular for concentrated feed, preferably as a precursor for a pelletizing press, with an elongated mixing container (3) (3) which has an inlet opening (7) near a first end section for admitting a mixture of substances to be treated and an outlet opening (8) near a second end section remote from the first end section for discharging the mixture of substances treated in the mixing device (1), wherein conveying means (4) are provided in the mixing container (3) to convey the mixture of substances from the inlet opening (7) to the outlet opening (8), which, while avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art, enables better quality and a higher throughput of the mixture of substances obtained at the outlet opening, it is proposed that damming means (13, 17, 20) be provided between the inlet opening (7) and the outlet opening (8),to delay the conveyance of the mixture of substances in the mixing container (3). In order to retrofit generic mixing devices to achieve the aforementioned effect, a method for retrofitting such a mixing device (1) is further specified, in which damming means (13, 17, 20) are arranged between the inlet opening (7) and the outlet opening (8) to delay the conveyance of the mixture of substances in the mixing container (3).