Coffee Roaster Air Exit Filtration for Dual Exhaust Streams
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food roasting machines produce water vapor, particulates, and noxious gases that are carried by fluid streams, necessitating an efficient method to treat these exhausts.
Innovation Solution
A roasting system with an air exit subsystem featuring a heat sink and filter that treats two fluid streams from the roasting and cooling processes, utilizing a single metal body to maximize heat capacity and filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate heat sinks are used for roasting and cooling fluid streams, then each stream can be treated independently, but the overall heat removal capacity and space utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate heat sinks into a single integrated heat sink that processes both roasting and cooling fluid streams simultaneously. The unified heat sink features a common heat exchange medium flow path that receives both fluid streams, allowing shared heat removal functionality while reducing overall system volume and component count.
2Device complexity
If a single filter is used for both fluid streams, then device complexity is reduced, but filtration capacity for each stream may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single filter into two separate filtration chambers or sections, each dedicated to processing one fluid stream. This segmented approach allows each chamber to provide full filtration capacity for its designated stream while both chambers share the same filter housing and support structure, reducing overall device complexity without compromising filtration effectiveness.
3Volume of stationary object
If heat sinks are positioned vertically, then space is saved, but heat transfer efficiency may be reduced compared to horizontal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal heat sink positioning to a vertical configuration, optimizing the heat exchange medium flow path to flow downward through the heat sink structure. This vertical arrangement utilizes gravitational flow and optimizes thermal contact surfaces in the vertical dimension, achieving efficient heat transfer while minimizing horizontal space occupation and allowing compact system integration.
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
Effectively removes heat, water vapor, and noxious effluents from the fluid streams, enhancing heat transfer and filtration capacity while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The heat sink defines two parallel fluid paths including a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The air exit subsystem includes a metal body configured to receive heat from the first fluid path and the second fluid path.
Implementation Method 2
The air exit subsystem includes a metal body configured to receive heat from the first fluid path and the second fluid path
Implementation Method 3
The filter is fluidically coupled to the first and second air flow paths
Implementation Method 4
The filter is fluidically coupled to the first and second air flow paths
Data Source
AI summary
A bean roasting system includes a roasting drum, an air handling system, a bean cooler, and an air exit subsystem. The air exit subsystem is configured to receive and treat a first fluid stream from the air handling system and a second fluid stream from the bean cooler. The air exit subsystem includes a heat sink and a filter. The heat sink defines two parallel fluid paths including a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The air exit subsystem includes a metal body configured to receive heat from the first fluid path and the second fluid path. The first fluid path is fluidically coupled to receive the first fluid stream from the air handling system. The second fluid path is fluidically coupled to receive the second fluid stream from the bean cooler. The filter is fluidically coupled to the first and second air flow paths.