Angled Dilution Inlets for Organic Material Dispersing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for dispersing and refining organic materials like cellulose fiber face challenges in achieving increased energy efficiency, higher throughput, and better mix between dilution liquid and organic material, leading to higher viscosity and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features angled dilution inlets directed perpendicular to the rotation axis and a protrusion narrowing the dilution zone after the outlet, combined with a rotor disc extending into the dilution zone, to enhance mixing and reduce viscosity, thereby lowering energy consumption and risk of material plugging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If dilution liquid is fed into the apparatus through conventional radial inlets, then the apparatus operates with standard energy consumption, but the mix between dilution liquid and dispersed organic material is insufficient, resulting in higher viscosity and energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the dilution inlets by angling them at 30-60 degrees relative to the radial direction. This parameter change optimizes the flow direction of dilution liquid to create better mixing with dispersed organic material, reducing viscosity and energy consumption while maintaining operational stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the apparatus dimension and energy consumption are kept constant, then the energy efficiency is maintained, but the throughput capacity cannot be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protrusion that narrows the dilution zone, changing the geometric parameters of the flow path. This creates more intense mixing and shear forces in a compact space, enabling increased throughput capacity without increasing apparatus dimensions or energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the dilution zone is left unrestricted, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the mix between dilution liquid and organic material is poor, leading to higher viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemix qualityVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dilution zone by introducing a protrusion that divides the space into distinct regions. This segmentation creates controlled flow paths that enhance mixing between dilution liquid and organic material, improving mix quality while adding minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration results in lower viscosity, reduced pressure drop, and increased throughput capacity without increasing dimensions or energy consumption, improving the overall efficiency and performance of the dispersing and refining process.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the number of dilution inlets is directed into the apparatus so that the at least one dilution inlet is angled in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis towards a radial of the rotation axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Implementation Method 2

the rotor disc and the stator disc are arranged opposite each other so that a gap is defined between them, whereby when the apparatus is in use, organic material introduced through the inlet will be fed by the rotating rotor through the gap between the rotor disc and stator disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear force: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 3

a protrusion narrowing the dilution zone after the outlet, combined with a rotor disc extending into the dilution zone, to enhance mixing and reduce viscosity, thereby lowering energy consumption and risk of material plugging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop reduction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 4

a better mix between dilution liquid and dispersed organic material, which results in lower viscosity and in the end increased energy efficiency for the apparatus for dispersing or refining

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity reduction through mixing:

Data Source

PatentUS11795614B2Apparatus and method for dispersing or refining of organic material, such as cellulose fiber and organic waste

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 BELLMER CELLWOOD AB

AI summary

An apparatus for dispersing or refining organic material includes a rotor shaft extending along a rotation axis, a rotor to be driven to rotate by the rotation axis, and a housing arranged around the rotor shaft and the rotor, the housing having an inlet for receiving the organic material and an outer wall. The housing has a stator disc, and the rotor has a rotor disc, each disc having teeth on a surface that is turned toward the other disc. After organic material has been dispersed by the teeth, the organic material is fed into a dilution zone where the organic material is mixed with dilution liquid introduced through a number of dilution inlets before the mix is fed out of the apparatus via an outlet arranged in the outer wall. The dilution inlets are angled in relation to the radial of the rotation axis, in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. By angling the dilution inlets in such a way, a better mix is achieved between dilution liquid and dispersed or refined organic material, which results in increased energy efficiency of the apparatus.