Combustor Dryer Beat Frequency Dehydration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pulse combustor dryers face challenges in efficiently dehydrating viscous feedstocks like those containing natural fibers and sugars due to high noise levels, difficulty in controlling combustion parameters, and issues with particle removal and sticking to chamber walls, which hinder efficient dehydration and granulation processes.

Innovation Solution

A combustor dryer with multiple combustion chambers and a drying chamber, where the oscillation frequencies of gas streams from each combustion chamber can be controlled to generate a beat frequency, allowing for efficient atomization and dehydration, reducing dehydration time, and preventing particle sticking through controlled frequency and phase adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single combustion chamber is used, then the device complexity is low, but the dehydration efficiency is insufficient for viscous feedstocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedehydration efficiencyVSAvoidcombustion chamber configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drying chamber is divided into multiple combustion chambers (first, second, and optionally third combustion chambers), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows parallel processing of feedstock, significantly increasing dehydration efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each combustion chamber operates with controlled oscillation frequencies, creating periodic combustion cycles. The different oscillation frequencies between chambers create beat frequencies that enhance mixing and dehydration efficiency, transforming regular combustion into a more effective periodic process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If high oscillation frequencies are used, then the atomization efficiency is improved, but particle sticking to chamber walls increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization efficiencyVSAvoidparticle sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By operating combustion chambers at different oscillation frequencies, the system creates periodic variations in gas flow patterns. This periodic action prevents continuous high-frequency contact that causes sticking, while still maintaining high atomization efficiency during the active phases of combustion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The different oscillation frequencies create asymmetric flow patterns within the drying chamber. This asymmetry prevents uniform particle deposition on chamber walls by constantly varying the flow dynamics, reducing sticking while maintaining effective atomization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the oscillation frequency is fixed by chamber dimensions, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different feedstocks is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency control flexibilityVSAvoidfrequency adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system controls oscillation frequencies as adjustable parameters for each combustion chamber independently. By changing these frequency parameters, the system can adapt to different feedstock types and viscosity levels without modifying the physical dimensions of the chambers, providing flexibility through parameter adjustment rather than structural changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 dehydration efficiency, reduces dehydration time, and improves product recovery by generating a beat frequency that optimizes gas movement within the drying chamber, preventing particle sticking and allowing for efficient processing of viscous feedstocks.

Implementation Method 1

the combustor dryer is configured so that an oscillation of gas emerging into the drying chamber from the first combustion chamber is different (or can be controlled to be different) to an oscillation of gas emerging into the drying chamber from the second combustion chamber (in particular at least with respect to an oscillation frequency)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeat frequency: Beat (acoustics)

Implementation Method 2

Pulse combustion burners have advantages over steady flame combustion burners, e.g. an increased mass and heat transfer rate, an increased combustion intensity and higher energy efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

combustor dryer, in particular a pulse or pulsed combustor dryer, for dehydration and/or granulation of a wet feedstock

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

an increased mass and heat transfer rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3339787B1Combustor dryer
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 PULSED POWDERS LTD
  • EP3339787B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3339787B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3339787B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A combustor dryer, in particular a pulse or pulsed combustor dryer, for dehydration and/or granulation of a wet feedstock, in particular a viscous feedstock such as a feedstock containing natural fibres, sugars and/or vegetable starches, comprising several, in particular at least a first and a second, combustion chambers and a drying chamber, wherein each of the combustion chambers is connected with the drying chamber