Blast Media Feeder and Comminutor for Particle Size and Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle blast systems face challenges in controlling the feed rate and size of cryogenic blast media particles, particularly in achieving a consistent flow of particles within a specific size range, such as 3 mm to 0.3 mm diameter, for effective blasting applications.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a feeder assembly with a metering element and a comminutor, where the metering element controls the flow rate of blast media and the comminutor selectively reduces the size of particles from their initial size to a smaller predetermined size by adjusting the gap between rollers, allowing for precise control of particle size and flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a particle generator shaves particles from a carbon dioxide block and entrains them in transport gas flow, then particles can be delivered to a blast nozzle, but the feed rate and particle size cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides particle generation and feed rate control into separate functional components: a particle generator for creating particles of desired size range (3mm to 0.3mm) and a feeder assembly with metering element for precise feed rate control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary particle generation and size selection before entrainment in transport gas. The particle generator pre-processes carbon dioxide blocks to create particles within the desired size range, and the metering element pre-controls the feed rate before particles enter the transport gas flow, ensuring precise delivery characteristics.
2Productivity
If particles are entrained in transport gas flow without storage, then the system operates continuously, but feed rate control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The metering element in the feeder assembly provides feedback control for particle feed rate. By monitoring and adjusting the feed rate based on actual particle delivery, the system maintains consistent feed rates during continuous operation, resolving the contradiction between continuous productivity and precise feed rate control.
3Reliability
If the particle size range is restricted to 3 mm to 0.3 mm diameter, then blasting effectiveness is improved, but particle generation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The particle generator is designed with adjustable parameters that allow dynamic control of particle size within the 3mm to 0.3mm range. By enabling adjustment of shaving conditions and particle release parameters, the system can adapt to produce particles of different sizes within the target range, making particle generation more flexible and easier to control.
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 enables precise control over the size and flow rate of blast media particles, ensuring consistent and efficient delivery of particles within the desired range, enhancing the effectiveness of blasting operations.
Implementation Method 1
the comminutor selectively reduces the size of particles from their initial size to a smaller predetermined size by adjusting the gap between rollers
Implementation Method 2
the metering element controls the flow rate of blast media
Implementation Method 3
a feeding portion disposed downstream of the comminutor and configured to receive particles from the comminutor and transport the particles into a flow of transport gas
Data Source
AI summary
A particle blast apparatus includes a metering portion, a comminutor and a feeding portion. The metering portion and comminutor may each be configured to provide uniformity in the discharge of particles. The metering portion controls the particle feed rate, and may include a rotor, which may have V or chevron shaped pockets. The comminutor includes at least one roller which may be moved between and including a position at which the gap of the comminutor is at maximum and a position at which the gap is at minimum. The metering portion may particles direction into the feeding portion without a comminutor being present. The comminutor may receive particles directly from a source of blast media without a metering portion being present.