Centrifugal Drum Spade Segmentation for Sugar Massecuite Scraping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discontinuous driers used in sugar processing experience premature wear due to poorly distributed stresses during the scraping operation, leading to inefficiencies and reduced production rates.
Innovation Solution
A discontinuous wringer with a centrifugation drum and an unloading device featuring two spades hinged in rotation along a vertical axis, allowing for offset positioning and independent control to distribute forces evenly and facilitate efficient scraping of sugar crystals from molasses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single spade is used to scrape the entire height of the drum, then the unloading function is achieved, but the stresses are poorly distributed leading to premature wear of rotating parts
Solution Approach 1:
The single spade is divided into multiple spades (at least two) that are distributed inside the drum at different angular positions. Each spade independently scrapes a portion of the drum's inner wall, distributing the mechanical stresses across multiple contact points rather than concentrating them on a single spade, thereby reducing wear on the rotating shaft and bearing.
2Productivity
If the spade is made small and moved over the entire height of the drum, then the unloading is achieved, but the scraping efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drum height is divided into multiple scraping zones, with each spade responsible for a specific vertical section. This segmentation allows simultaneous scraping of multiple zones, increasing overall scraping efficiency without requiring the spade to traverse the entire height, thus reducing unloading time.
Solution Approach 2:
The spades are arranged not only vertically but also angularly distributed around the drum's interior. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows parallel scraping operations across different angular positions and vertical levels, significantly improving productivity compared to a single spade moving sequentially along the height.
3Reliability
If a single unique spade scrapes the perforated wall, then the structure is simple, but the forces are not well distributed causing premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading device is segmented into multiple independent spade units, each capable of scraping operations. This segmentation distributes the mechanical loads from the massecuite scraping across multiple spades, preventing any single spade or the rotating shaft from bearing excessive stress, thereby extending the service life of the motor and bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spades are made movable relative to the drum, allowing them to adjust their position dynamically during operation. This dynamic capability enables optimal force distribution and reduces impact loads on the rotating parts, improving reliability without requiring a overly complex fixed structure.
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 solution enhances force distribution during scraping, reduces wear on rotating parts, and increases production rates by enabling faster unloading of products, achieving 18 to 35 complete spin cycles per hour with improved product evacuation.
Implementation Method 1
The basket is driven in rotation by motor means in order to separate the molasses from the sugar crystals through an openwork surface
Implementation Method 2
an unloading device having means for scraping the inner permeable wall of the drum, said means for scraping the wall being constituted by a set of at least two spades
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a discontinuous centrifugal machine (1) which is intended, in particular, to separate molasses from sugar crystals in a masse-cuite. The invention comprises at least one perforated centrifugal drum (2) which is intended to receive products to be treated and which is equipped with a permeable wall (4), motor means (3) for rotating the drum (2) around a vertical axis of rotation and discharge means including means for scraping the permeable wall (40) inside the drum. According to the invention, the wall-scraping means comprise an assembly consisting of at least two spades (5, 6) which are distributed inside the drum (2) and which are articulated such as to rotate at least around a vertical axis.