Comminution Device with Counter-Rotating Rotors and Aerodynamic Vortex

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing comminution processes are limited in achieving a high degree of fine particle production in a single pass, requiring additional grinding and classification stages, which increases investment and energy costs.

Innovation Solution

A comminution device and method that combines mechanical and aerodynamic comminution principles in a single system, utilizing counter-rotating rotors with closed-channel cross-sections and additional cavities for aerodynamic vortices, along with adjustable impact plates for enhanced particle disruption, allowing for simultaneous shredding and drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If only mechanical comminution by counter-rotating rotors is used, then the device structure is simple, but the degree of comminution is limited and additional grinding stages are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of comminutionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines mechanical comminution (counter-rotating rotors with comminution elements) and aerodynamic comminution (vortex chamber with tangential inlet) into a single integrated device. The mechanical rotors first break down the material, then the aerodynamic vortex further comminutes the particles through high-speed collisions, achieving ultrafine particles in one pass without requiring multiple separate grinding stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The comminution device performs multiple functions within a single system: mechanical breaking by rotors, aerodynamic comminution by vortex, and simultaneous drying of the material. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate classification and drying stages, reducing overall device complexity while achieving high degree of comminution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple comminution and classification stages are used to achieve ultrafine particles, then the desired fine particle size is obtained, but investment costs and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle sizeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges mechanical and aerodynamic comminution processes into a single integrated system where material passes through both mechanisms in sequence. The mechanical rotors provide initial breaking while the aerodynamic vortex completes the ultrafine comminution, achieving the desired particle size in one continuous process without requiring multiple separate grinding and classification stages, thereby reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple comminution and classification stages are used to achieve ultrafine particles, then the desired fine particle size is obtained, but investment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle sizeVSAvoidnumber of comminution stages
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates mechanical comminution (rotors with comminution elements) and aerodynamic comminution (vortex chamber with tangential inlet) into a single device. The mechanical stage breaks down material while the aerodynamic vortex further comminutes particles through high-speed collisions, achieving ultrafine particles in one pass without requiring multiple separate grinding and classification stages, thus reducing the number of comminution stages and investment costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables high-efficiency comminution of materials to fine particle sizes in a single pass, reducing the number of required comminution stages and energy consumption, while allowing for material drying if necessary.

Implementation Method 1

Within the channels, the material streams are subjected to a centrifugal force, and the more or less coarse or fine particles of the material stream, as they move towards the periphery of the rotors, encounter comminution elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

multiple collisions between the particles in the subsequent aerodynamic vortices that arise in cavities (blind holes, dead holes) provided in the edge zone of the rotors in the outermost ring area of the rotors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic vortex: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

This creates an aerodynamic disturbance when the particles collide at high frequency, altering particle type, size, and impact force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 4

the state energy (potential energy) of the elastic deformation of the particles (solid fracture mechanics) is converted into heat energy during comminution (particle fracture) within the housing of the comminution device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction heating: Viscous Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4186596A1Comminuting method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 FINEGRI UAB
  • EP4186596A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4186596A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4186596A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to the field of fine comminution of solid materials, which can be of different types and exhibit different strength properties. In a new comminution device, a mechanical comminution process is combined with a generally directly subsequent aerodynamic process. In this process, a material to be ground, in the form of a gas-solid suspension, is divided into streams that are guided in circumferentially closed channels between comminution elements on counter-rotating rotors against the ring-shaped rotating comminution elements of a counter-rotating rotor. This aerodynamic process involves inducing a collision of the material streams from the channels in an annular gap between the rotors, creating turbulence.The comminution preferably takes place before the product is discharged, additionally in an outer ring area between the edge of the rotors and the housing wall, in which additional impact plates are arranged.