Bulk Material Cleaning Device with Rotating Stirrer and Hot Liquid Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bulk material cleaning systems for recycling plastic containers do not achieve complete or efficient removal of contaminants like label residues and dirt from individual particles.

Innovation Solution

A device with a rotating stirring mechanism and a feed system for introducing hot cleaning liquid, combined with a filter and discharge mechanism, facilitates both mechanical and chemical cleaning of bulk material, ensuring thorough contamination removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If circulating devices are used to circulate bulk material in a container through abrasion, then some cleaning effect is achieved, but complete or largely complete cleaning of individual particles is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic stirring device with multiple stirring elements that rotate to actively mix and circulate bulk material within the container. This dynamic mechanism ensures continuous contact between particles and cleaning liquid, achieving both complete cleaning and efficient processing without relying solely on passive abrasion from circulating devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cleaning liquid as an intermediary substance that facilitates the cleaning process. The liquid penetrates between particles and removes contaminants through chemical and mechanical action, enabling complete cleaning while maintaining efficient processing speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If vertical circulation of bulk material is implemented, then mixing is improved, but correct residence time in the container cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidence time controlVSAvoidcirculation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stirring device creates controlled horizontal circulation patterns that maintain uniform mixing while preventing excessive vertical movement. This dynamic control ensures particles remain in the container for the required residence time without being discharged prematurely, achieving both effective circulation and residence time control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed with specific geometric features and the stirring device is positioned to create localized circulation zones. This ensures that different regions of the container provide different functions: some areas for intensive mixing, others for maintaining residence time, achieving both circulation effectiveness and temporal control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If hot cleaning liquid is applied to bulk material, then chemical cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the temperature parameter of the cleaning liquid to a specific range that provides effective cleaning while minimizing energy consumption. By carefully controlling this physical parameter, the system achieves high cleaning effectiveness without excessive energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning liquid is designed to be reusable, with systems in place to recover and reuse the liquid after it has performed its cleaning function. This reduces the need for continuous heating of fresh liquid, thereby lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 device achieves efficient and complete cleaning of bulk material by combining friction-induced separation with chemical washing, ensuring effective removal of contaminants and preventing re-soiling, with controlled residence time and temperature optimizing the cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

through abrasion, cause dirt on the individual parts, such as label residues and the like, to be removed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a cleaning process due to friction and thus due to the stirring device take place

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The temperature of this hot washing liquid is between 60° and 98°, preferably between 70° and 95° and particularly preferably between 80° and 95°

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

a filter device is provided inside the container, which essentially holds back the bulk material. However, the cleaning liquid or the cleaning liquid that has meanwhile also been contaminated by the cleaning process can pass through this filter device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2052791B1Device and method for cleaning bulk material
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 KRONES AG
  • EP2052791B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning bulk material, comprising a container (2) for receiving the bulk material, a filling opening (5) located in an upper region of the container (2), at least one stirring device (4) arranged inside the container (2) and rotatable relative to the container (2), and at least one discharge device (12) through which the bulk material can be removed from the container (2), wherein this discharge device (12) is arranged below the filling opening (6). According to the invention, at least one feed (8) is provided through which a cleaning fluid can be introduced into the container (2), wherein this feed (8) is arranged above the discharge device (12).