Coffee Roaster Smoke Filtration Using ESP Voltage Cleaning Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roasting systems for coffee beans emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter, and electrostatic precipitators used for filtration fail to accurately alert operators when cleaning is necessary, leading to potential breakdowns and health risks due to incomplete filtration.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitors the voltage at ionization wires and electrodes of an electrostatic precipitator during roasting, comparing it to predetermined thresholds to accurately determine when cleaning is required, thereby preventing breakdowns and ensuring effective filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an electrostatic precipitator is used to filter smoke, then particulate matter is removed, but the device generates breakdowns when particles accumulate on electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the voltage at ionization wires and electrodes during roasting operations. When the voltage drops below a predetermined threshold (indicating particle accumulation), the system provides feedback to alert the operator to clean the precipitator, preventing breakdowns while maintaining effective filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting voltage changes that indicate particle accumulation before breakdowns occur. The system proactively alerts operators to clean the precipitator based on voltage threshold comparisons, preventing the harmful effect of breakdowns before they happen.
2Ease of operation
If cleaning alerts are based on maximal hours or quantity estimates, then the system is simple to operate, but the alerts are not accurate and may lead to late cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical estimation method (based on timers or quantity counters) with an electrical measurement system. By monitoring voltage at ionization wires and electrodes, the system accurately determines cleaning needs based on actual particle accumulation, not estimates, while remaining easy to operate through automatic monitoring and alerting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides accurate feedback by continuously monitoring voltage and comparing it to predetermined thresholds. This feedback mechanism replaces inaccurate estimation with precise measurement, alerting operators at the optimal cleaning moment without complicating operation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the electrostatic precipitator operates without timely cleaning, then continuous filtration is maintained, but harmful VOCs are not filtered and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism monitors voltage continuously during operation and alerts operators when particle accumulation threatens filtration effectiveness. This ensures timely cleaning maintains both continuous operation and effective filtration of harmful VOCs, preventing health risks while maximizing operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
By detecting voltage changes that precede breakdowns and filtration failure, the system takes preliminary action to alert operators for cleaning. This prevents the situation where continuous operation leads to ineffective filtration, ensuring VOCs remain filtered throughout operation.
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 system provides timely and accurate alerts for electrostatic precipitator cleaning, reducing the risk of breakdowns and ensuring a safe environment by maintaining efficient filtration of harmful contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic precipitator, said electrostatic precipitator comprising at least one cell, and said cell comprising ionization wires, collecting electrodes and repelling electrodes
Implementation Method 2
ionization wires
Implementation Method 3
monitoring the voltage at the ionization wires and/or the voltage at the electrodes along the time of the roasting operation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention concerns a method method to roast coffee beans in a roasting system (10), said system comprising : - a roasting apparatus (2), and - a smoke treating unit (3) configured to treat the smoke produced by the roasting apparatus, said smoke treating unit comprising at least an electrostatic precipitator (222), wherein, during each roasting operation implemented in the roasting apparatus, the method comprises the steps of : - monitoring the voltage at the ionization wires and/or to the voltage at the electrodes along the time of the roasting operation, - comparing the monitored voltage to a pre-determined upper voltage threshold V1 and to one pre-determined lower voltage threshold V2, and - if, during a period of time Δt of the roasting operation, the monitored voltage is inferior to said pre-determined upper voltage threshold V1 while being superior to said pre-determined lower voltage threshold V2, then displaying a cleaning status requirement.