Cement Clinker Cooler Segmented Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolers for bulk materials, such as cement clinker, face challenges in separating cooling gas streams effectively between the inlet and downstream regions, leading to gas stream mixing and increased complexity in cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A cooler design incorporating a separating apparatus with a plurality of sealing elements that are arranged to cover the cross-section of the cooling gas chamber, ensuring gastight separation between the first and second cooling gas chamber portions, thereby preventing gas stream mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a separating apparatus is introduced to separate cooling gas streams, then gas stream mixing is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling gas chamber is divided into multiple portions (first cooling gas chamber portion and second cooling gas chamber portion) with a separating apparatus positioned between them. This segmentation allows different cooling gas streams to be separated and directed to different regions, preventing unwanted mixing while maintaining functional independence of each chamber portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating apparatus acts as an intermediary element between the first and second cooling gas chamber portions. It mediates the interaction between different cooling gas streams by providing a physical barrier with sealing elements that prevents direct mixing while allowing the bulk material to continue moving through the cooler uninterrupted.
2Reliability
If sealing elements are arranged to cover the cross-section, then gas separation effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separating apparatus employs sealing elements that function as flexible sealing structures. These sealing elements can be made from flexible materials that conform to the cross-sectional shape of the cooling gas chamber, providing effective gas separation while allowing for simpler manufacturing compared to rigid, precision-machined separators. The flexible nature accommodates thermal expansion and structural variations.
3Device complexity
If gas streams are separated, then offgas cleaning complexity is reduced, but bulk material conveyance may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The separating apparatus is designed with localized sealing elements positioned at specific locations within the cooling gas chamber cross-section. This local quality approach allows gas separation at the separator location while maintaining open pathways for bulk material conveyance in other regions. The sealing elements are strategically positioned to separate gases without creating obstacles for material flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler for cooling bulk material, in particular cement clinker, may include a cooling gas chamber through which a cooling gas flow for cooling the bulk material can flow in crosscurrent, and a conveying device for conveying the bulk material through the cooling gas chamber in a conveying direction. The cooling gas chamber may include a first cooling gas chamber portion with a first cooling gas flow and a second cooling gas chamber portion, adjoining the first cooling gas chamber portion in the conveying direction of the bulk material, with a second cooling gas stream. The cooler may include a separating apparatus for gastight separation of the cooling gas chamber portions from one another. The separating apparatus may have sealing element and at least one suspension element, to which a plurality of sealing elements are attached.