Compact Pulp Dryer Structure Air Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pulp dryer structures and control systems face inefficiencies in air supply and exhaust management, leading to increased energy consumption, web instability, and dust generation, with unreliable measurements for regulating exhaust air and lack of control over supply air.

Innovation Solution

A compact dryer structure with integrated air supply and exhaust systems, where air is directly supplied to the bottom part and exhausted from the top, allowing for reduced ducting and fan usage, and a control system that regulates air flow based on production-level variables like temperature and pressure to maintain optimal air balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate supply part and cooling section are used in the dryer structure, then air supply and cooling functions are provided, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply functionVSAvoiddryer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the supply part and cooling section into a single integrated bottom part. The bottom part simultaneously performs air supply functions and cooling functions that were previously separated into different components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom part is designed as a multi-functional component that combines air supply, cooling, and structural support functions. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall system complexity

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

2Productivity

If traditional air supply and exhaust systems are used, then air flow is provided, but energy consumption increases due to longer ducting and more fans

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the air supply and exhaust functions into the bottom part and exhaust part respectively, the patent reduces the number of separate fans and extends shorter ducting paths, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining air flow efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the separate supply part from the traditional dryer structure, reducing the number of components and associated energy losses. The supply function is directly integrated into the bottom part, reducing ducting length and fan requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If cooling air is supplied into the building from the cooling section, then cooling function is provided, but humidity load on the building increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidhumidity load
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cooling air supply function from the building environment and redirects it to be supplied directly to the bottom part of the dryer structure. This prevents cooling air from increasing the building's humidity load while maintaining the cooling function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom part acts as an intermediary that receives cooling air and directs it to the appropriate location within the dryer structure, preventing direct release of cooling air into the building environment and thus reducing humidity load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution reduces energy consumption, stabilizes web runnability, minimizes dust and web breaks, and enhances heat recovery efficiency by optimizing air flow control, ensuring reliable measurements and reduced humidity loads within the building.

Implementation Method 1

a drying gas is blown, which is e. g. hot air, steam or any other medium suitable for the purpose, through a nozzle from both sides towards the web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

From the upper exhaust part 121 the exhaust air is exhausted to a heat recovery 131 where supply air can be preheated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat recovery: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2826916B1Dryer structure for a pulp making process, control system for a dryer and method for a dryer
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 VALMET TECH INC
  • EP2826916B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2826916B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2826916B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention refers to a dryer structure for a pulp making process. The dryer structure comprises a compact dryer unit, means (33, 34) for supplying air to the bottom part (23), and means (31) for exhausting air from the exhaust part (21). The compact dryer unit consists of an integrated exhaust part (21) on one end side of said dryer unit, a dryer part (22) arranged adjacent to the exhaust part (21), and a bottom part (23) on the opposite end side of said dryer unit. The bottom part (23) is arranged adjacent to the dryer part (22). The invention further refers to a control system for a dryer and a control method for a dryer.