Comminution Tools with Internal Gas Channels for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crushing devices face challenges in efficiently processing heat-sensitive materials, such as plastics with low softening points, as they tend to soften and agglomerate when the temperature exceeds the material's limit, leading to undesirable grain size and distribution in the end product.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves directly supplying process gas to the shredding tools, independent of the estate current, to efficiently cool the tools and prevent excessive heat development. This is achieved by merging the process gas with the air flow downstream, which can include inert gases or conditioned air, to optimize the shredding operation without affecting machine output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the power of comminution devices is reduced to avoid thermal overload, then the material temperature remains below the limit temperature, but the machine performance and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful heat generated during comminution is extracted from the comminution zone by introducing process gas that flows through channels in the comminution tools, carrying excess heat away from the material and tools while allowing full power operation to continue
Solution Approach 2:
Process gas acts as an intermediary medium between the comminution zone and the environment, absorbing heat from the tools and material through controlled flow paths and transferring it away, enabling thermal management without reducing comminution intensity
2Temperature
If additional cooling air is directed into the comminution chamber through housing openings, then the comminution zone is cooled, but the machine performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling is applied locally at the source of heat generation by introducing process gas directly through channels in the comminution tools at the comminution zone, rather than cooling the entire chamber, allowing precise thermal management without affecting overall machine performance
Solution Approach 2:
Process gas is pre-cooled before entering the comminution zone through channels in the comminution tools, preparing the cooling medium in advance to maximize heat absorption efficiency while maintaining compact device structure
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
This approach effectively prevents thermal overload of the material during crushing, maintains the desired grain size and distribution, and optimizes machine performance by ensuring the shredding tools operate within a safe temperature range, thereby enhancing economic operation.
Implementation Method 1
If the process gas is used to cool the comminution tools, the direct contact of the process gas with the comminution tools counteracts excessive heat development in this area extremely effectively
Implementation Method 2
the sufficiently finely refined material emerges radially from the grinding gap and collects in an annular channel circulating between the housing and the comminution tools, from where it is discharged tangentially from the device in the air stream
Implementation Method 3
After radial deflection, centrifugal force forces it into an annular grinding gap formed by comminution tools
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for comminuting feed material, comprising first comminution tools (17) and second comminution tools (28) arranged coaxially within a housing (3) about an axis (2). These tools are positioned opposite each other at an axial distance, forming a comminution zone (29), and at least the first comminution tools (17) rotate about the axis (2). The first comminution tools (17) are rigidly mounted on a first tool carrier (16), and the second comminution tools (28) are rigidly mounted on a second tool carrier (27). According to the invention, it is proposed that a number of channels (38) for the passage of a process gas (32) are provided in the contact surface between the first tool carrier (16) and the first comminution tools (17) and/or in the contact surface between the second tool carrier (27) and the second comminution tools (28).Each channel has a radially inner inlet opening (42) through which the process gas (32) enters the channels (38) and a radially outer outlet opening (40) through which the process gas (32) exits the channels (38). This results, among other things, in improved cooling of the comminution zone (29).