Concentric Silo with Offset Partitions for Liquid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silos fail to effectively separate and transport both dry and wet products without liquid products moving violently during horizontal transport, as they lack adequate compartmentalization to prevent axial flow.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical silo design with a concentric inner cylinder and partitions extending from the vessel's inside to the inner cylinder's outside, creating separate storage spaces for dry and wet products, allowing for horizontal transport by preventing liquid movement and featuring offset partitions for optimal compartmentalization and a conical bottom for easy filling and emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the silo stores wet and dry products in separate spaces, then product separation is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cylinder is concentrically placed within the outer vessel, creating nested storage spaces. The first storage space for dry product is located inside the inner cylinder, while the second storage space for wet product is located between the inner cylinder and the outer vessel, achieving effective separation through nested structure
Solution Approach 2:
The silo is divided into distinct storage compartments: a first storage space inside the inner cylinder for dry products and a second storage space between the inner cylinder and outer vessel for wet products, with partitions extending from the vessel inside to the inner cylinder outside to further segment the wet product storage
2Adaptability or versatility
If the silo is designed for horizontal transport, then transportability is improved, but liquid products move violently during acceleration and deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
Partitions extend from the inside of the vessel to the outside of the inner cylinder, dividing the second storage space into multiple compartments. This segmentation prevents liquid products from flowing unhindered in the axial direction during horizontal transport, acceleration, and deceleration
Solution Approach 2:
The partitions act as intermediary structures that obstruct the direct flow path of liquid products between the vessel and inner cylinder, reducing violent movement during transport while maintaining the ability to transport in both horizontal and vertical positions
3Reliability
If partitions are attached over half the circumference, then compartmentalization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partitions are attached to the inside of the vessel over half the circumference and to the outside of the inner cylinder over half the circumference, providing sufficient compartmentalization to prevent liquid flow while avoiding the need for full circumferential attachment, thus balancing manufacturing complexity with functional requirements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A silo 1 has a cylindrical vessel 3 within which an inner cylinder 5 is present. In the inner cylinder 5 there is a first storage space 7 for storing a dry product. A second storage space 9 is present between the outside 5a of the inner cylinder 5 and the inside 3a of the vessel 3 for storing a liquid. Partitions 11 are present in the second space 9 to slow down the movement of the liquid. The partitions are attached to the inside 3a of the vessel 3 over half the circumference of the vessel 3 and to the outside 5a of the inner cylinder 5 over half the circumference of the inner cylinder 5. In the axial direction of the vessel 3, the successive partitions 11 are offset by 180 degrees, viewed in the circumferential direction, so that the space between the partitions communicate with each other.