Burner Feed Mixture Distribution Device Using Helical Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feed mixture distribution systems in suspension smelting furnaces lack uniformity in feeding the mixture into the reaction shaft, leading to inefficiencies in direct-to-blister processes.

Innovation Solution

The feed mixture distribution device employs a cylindrical member with radially extending rectangular flat plates to divide the annular feed channel into sectors, combined with helical plates that provide a uniform radial and tangential distribution by gradually reducing the width of the feed mixture bearing surface, ensuring even spreading of the feed mixture into the burner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If rectangular flat plate means are used to divide the annular feed channel into sectors, then the feed mixture is distributed into multiple sectors, but the distribution uniformity across sectors is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed mixture distributionVSAvoiddistribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The annular feed channel is divided into multiple identical sectors using rectangular flat plate means extending radially between the inner and outer cylindrical walls. Each sector receives a portion of the feed mixture, ensuring systematic distribution across the burner perimeter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Helical plate means are introduced to replace simple radial division with a curved, spiral configuration. The helical plates extend from the first end toward the second end of the cylindrical member, creating a spiral flow path that ensures uniform radial and tangential distribution of feed mixture across all sectors, eliminating dead zones and improving homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If the feed mixture flow velocity is increased to improve process efficiency, then productivity increases, but slippage of feed mixture occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess efficiencyVSAvoidfeed guidance completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The helical plate means create a spiral flow path that guides the feed mixture through a controlled curved trajectory. This spiral configuration increases the effective contact time between feed particles and the guiding surfaces, preventing slippage even at higher flow velocities while maintaining complete guidance into the reaction shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The helical plate means act as intermediary guiding elements between the feed mixture source and the reaction shaft. These plates provide continuous surface contact and directional control, ensuring that feed mixture maintains its guided path without slippage during high-velocity flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If simple radial division is used to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but feed mixture homogeneity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidfeed mixture homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device maintains relative simplicity by dividing the annular channel into discrete sectors using flat plate means, which are straightforward to manufacture and install. This segmented approach provides a baseline level of distribution while keeping the overall structure manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 ensures a uniform and efficient distribution of the feed mixture, preventing slippage and ensuring complete guidance of the mixture into the burner, enhancing the homogeneity and velocity of the feed, thereby improving the direct-to-blister process efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

spirals each of which form an extension one of the rectangular flat plate means and which gives the flow of solid fuel coming from the sectors a rotational motion about a longitudinal axis of the annular feed mixture feed channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpiral motion: Helix

Implementation Method 2

The rectangular flat plate means extend between the inner cylindrical wall and the outer cylindrical wall to divide the annular feed mixture feed channel into sectors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric distribution: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3676534B1Burner feed mixture distribution device

Publication Date: 2022.01.05 METSO OUTOTEC FINLAND OY

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Figure 6~7

AI summary

Presented is a feed mixture distribution device (1) configured to evening out a feed of feed mixture in an annular feed mixture feed channel (2) of a burner (3). The feed mixture distribution device (1) comprises a cylindrical member (4) having a cylindrical wall (5), a first end (6), a second end (7), and a longitudinal central axis X. The cylindrical member (4) is at the first end (6) provided with rectangular flat plate means (8), which extend radially from the cylindrical wall (5) of the cylindrical member (4) and which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal central axis X of the cylindrical member (4). The cylindrical wall (5) of the cylindrical member (4) is between the rectangular flat plate means (8) and the second end (7) provided with helical plate means (10) arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal central axis X of the cylindrical member (4).