Articulated Boom Slurry Tank for Recirculation Without Settling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slurry tanks face issues with solids settling and separating from the liquid medium, leading to clogging and deposition of solid material, which can damage components and require complex recirculation systems.
Innovation Solution
A slurry tank system with an articulated boom and recirculation line, featuring a cleanout compartment and a pump at the boom's end, allowing for efficient recirculation and distribution of slurry material, preventing settling and enabling single-pump operation for loading, unloading, and recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a slurry material is allowed to still in the tank, then energy consumption is reduced, but solids separate and settle out of the liquid medium causing clogging and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic recirculation action where the pump operates intermittently to recirculate slurry through the boom and back into the tank, preventing solids settling during transport while consuming energy only when needed rather than continuous agitation
Solution Approach 2:
The slurry recirculation system serves itself by using the existing slurry flow through the boom to naturally prevent settling, without requiring external energy input for continuous mixing or agitation
2Reliability
If recirculation structures are added to prevent settling, then slurry uniformity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boom structure performs multiple functions: it serves as the application mechanism for dispensing slurry and simultaneously acts as the recirculation pathway to prevent settling, eliminating the need for separate recirculation structures
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation function is merged with the existing boom structure by routing slurry through the boom and back into the tank, combining two functions into one structural element rather than adding separate components
3Device complexity
If a single pump is used for loading and unloading, then device complexity is reduced, but the pump must handle both loading and recirculation functions
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump is designed to perform multiple functions: loading slurry into the tank, recirculating slurry through the boom to prevent settling, and supporting unloading operations, making it a universal pump for all slurry handling operations
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
The system effectively prevents settling of solids, reduces maintenance costs, and allows for efficient transportation and distribution of slurry materials by using a single pump for loading, unloading, and recirculation, minimizing damage to tank components.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is positioned at the first end of the boom, the boom providing a fluid passageway between the pump and the tank volume
Implementation Method 2
a recirculation line, the recirculation line providing a fluid passageway between the boom and the second inlet of the slurry tank such that a slurry material stored within the slurry tank can be recirculated through the recirculation line to prevent the slurry material from separating
Implementation Method 3
a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the tank volume via an outlet of the slurry tank; the spray nozzle configured to discharge a slurry material stored in the slurry tank when a spray valve is in an open position
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a slurry tank having an articulated boom providing a fluid pathway from an end of the boom to the slurry tank, the boom being articulated such that it is selectably positionable in a first and a second position. When the boom is in the first position, the end of the boom is located outside of the slurry tank and, when the boom is in the second position, the end of the boom is located inside of the slurry tank.