Auger-Based Granular Conveyance for Sealed Atmosphere Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for processing granular materials under pressurized conditions are limited by batch treatment methods, which do not allow for continuous processing, leading to inefficiencies and potential atmospheric contamination or loss.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for continuous processing of granular materials using an auger-based conveyance system within a sealed environment, which maintains a controlled atmosphere by manipulating granular material properties to minimize gas permeability and enable continuous inflow and outflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If batch treatment methods are used with valves and seals, then atmospheric containment is achieved, but continuous processing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional valves and seals from the system and replaces them with granular material itself acting as the sealing medium. The granular material is conveyed through openings in the pressure boundary without requiring mechanical sealing components, thus extracting the problematic valve/seal elements while maintaining atmospheric containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The granular material serves as an intermediary substance that both conveys processed material and simultaneously acts as the sealing medium. Instead of using separate components for conveyance and sealing, the granular material itself mediates both functions by forming a gas-tight barrier while allowing continuous flow.
2Productivity
If traditional valve systems are used, then atmospheric isolation is maintained, but processing efficiency is reduced due to batch operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex valve and seal systems from the design. By using granular material as the sealing medium, the system removes the need for mechanical valves, seals, and associated actuation mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The granular material serves itself by simultaneously performing conveyance and sealing functions. The material flows continuously through the system while automatically maintaining atmospheric isolation without requiring external control systems, actuators, or complex mechanical components.
3Loss of time
If batch processing with airlocks is used, then atmospheric containment is achieved, but processing time increases due to intermittent operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous action by allowing granular material to flow constantly through the pressure boundary without intermittent batch cycles. The granular seal maintains continuous atmospheric isolation while material flows continuously through the system, eliminating the start-stop nature of batch processing with airlocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The granular material is positioned and compacted to form a sealing barrier before processing begins, and this seal is maintained continuously throughout operation. The preliminary formation of the granular seal enables subsequent continuous processing without requiring repeated sealing actions.
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
Enables continuous processing of granular materials while maintaining a sealed atmosphere, enhancing efficiency and preventing atmospheric loss or contamination, suitable for applications like carbonation of recycled concrete and extraction of volatiles from lunar regolith.
Implementation Method 1
Gas flows through pore spaces in granular materials by diffusion or by advective or viscous flow. Provided granular materials of sufficiently low porosity, low permeability, high tortuosity, high roughness, and high flowpath length or thickness, flow of gas is substantially negligible.
Implementation Method 2
the vapor permeability of the bulk granular material...flow of gas is substantially negligible
Data Source
AI summary
The invention disclosed herein relates to a device and method for the processing of granular material continuously under a sealed atmosphere, being a novel improvement over batch processing and discontinuous granular processing. Specific embodiments are presented relating to extraction of volatile compounds from planetary bodies and the carbonation of recycled concrete.