Bulk Material Tank With Suction Line For Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for storing or temporarily storing granules or bulk materials like wood pellets require complete emptying for maintenance, leading to inefficiencies and environmental impact, especially when handling dust-rich materials.
Innovation Solution
A device with a tank and line system that can adjust between filling and emptying positions, utilizing a unit for generating negative and positive pressure to efficiently convey materials in and out, allowing for compact transport and reduced environmental footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw conveyor and bunker system is used for wood pellet heating, then reliable material transport is achieved, but complete emptying is required for maintenance which increases loss of time and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the material discharge function from the bunker system by introducing a separate suction device with a line system that can remove material directly from the bunker without requiring complete emptying through the original screw conveyor system, allowing maintenance while retaining material storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
A line system acts as an intermediary between the bunker and the suction device, enabling selective material removal through a separate pathway that does not interfere with the main storage function or require shutdown of the heating system
2Ease of manufacture
If hand emptying with shovels is used for bunker maintenance, then material can be removed, but labor intensity and loss of time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual shoveling with an automated suction system that uses a line system and vacuum/pressure generation to automatically remove material from the bunker, eliminating manual labor and significantly reducing the time required for maintenance emptying operations
3Volume of stationary object
If dust-rich residues are not removed regularly from storage, then storage capacity is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to dust content
Solution Approach 1:
The line system enables continuous or periodic suction of dust-rich residues from the bunker without requiring complete emptying, allowing regular maintenance of low dust levels while maintaining storage capacity, thus continuously removing harmful factors without sacrificing storage volume
4Quantity of substance
If large transporters are used for bulk material delivery, then transport capacity is high, but fuel consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a line system that can handle partial deliveries of bulk material, allowing small quantities to be transported efficiently without requiring large transport vehicles, thus reducing fuel consumption for small deliveries while maintaining the capability for larger transfers when needed
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 efficient emptying and filling of bulk material storage systems, reducing maintenance downtime and environmental impact by allowing for compact, versatile, and cost-effective transport and delivery of small quantities.
Implementation Method 1
a unit (4) for generating a negative pressure and a positive pressure inside the tank (1)
Implementation Method 2
a unit (4) for generating a negative pressure and a positive pressure inside the tank (1)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for storing or temporarily storing granules or bulk materials such as wood pellets, animal feed, or the like, comprising a tank (1) having a filling opening (2) and/or an emptying opening (3) adjustable between an open and a closed position, further comprising a unit (4) for generating a negative pressure and/or a positive pressure within the tank (1), and a piping system (5) connected or connectable to the filling opening (2) and/or the emptying opening (3) for conveying the granules or bulk material into or out of the tank (1). The invention further relates to a method for filling a tank (1) with granules or bulk material.