Intermodal Container Aeration Kit for Grain Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation and storage of bulk biological materials like grains are prone to damage and contamination due to handling processes and uncontrolled ambient conditions, leading to quality degradation and spoilage, especially in large open bins where treating only a small section is difficult and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A kit for modifying intermodal containers with aeration floor panels and a gas delivery apparatus that introduces a fluidic gas to maintain quality characteristics, including a sensor system for monitoring, and uses ozone or other gases to treat and preserve the contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional bulk handling systems are used for grain transport, then large quantities of grain can be moved, but the grain is exposed to contamination, environmental damage, and quality degradation through multiple handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the grain transport system into sealed intermodal container segments, replacing the continuous open bulk handling system. Each container acts as an isolated unit that protects grain from contamination while maintaining efficient transport capacity through standardized container dimensions and stacking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a controlled, sealed environment within intermodal containers that isolates grain from harmful external factors such as dust, moisture, and pests. The container atmosphere can be further modified with aeration systems to maintain optimal conditions, effectively creating an inert protective environment throughout the supply chain.
2Ease of operation
If open storage is used for grain, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but the grain is exposed to dirt, dust, air pollution, and equipment contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sealed intermodal containers that create isolated, protected environments for grain storage and transport. These containers block external contaminants while maintaining organized internal structures that facilitate efficient loading, storage, and unloading operations at various facility points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs intermodal containers with standardized dimensions and interfaces that enable them to serve multiple functions: transport, storage, and controlled distribution. The same container can be moved between different facilities and modes of transport while maintaining grain protection, eliminating the need for specialized open storage structures.
3Productivity
If aeration floor panels with apertures are used for gas distribution, then fluidic gas can be effectively delivered to bulk material, but the apertures may be blocked by grain particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the aperture characteristics (size, shape, distribution) in different regions of the aeration floor panels based on local requirements. Areas with higher grain particle density have differently sized or shaped apertures compared to regions with coarser material, optimizing gas flow while minimizing blockage risk in each specific location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies physical parameters of the aeration system including aperture dimensions, panel porosity, and gas pressure characteristics to match the specific bulk material being handled. By adjusting these parameters based on material properties such as particle size and flow characteristics, the system maintains reliable gas distribution without aperture blockage.
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 system effectively maintains grain quality by controlling ambient conditions and minimizing spoilage, allowing for in-situ treatments like drying, rehydration, and insecticide application, enhancing the preservation of grains during transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of aeration floor panels sized to cover a floor of the container when placed adjacent one to the others. Each panel defines a plurality of apertures therethrough and further define a plurality of longitudinally extending air channels therealong collectively defining a plenum. The apertures facilitate transfer of the fluidic gas from the air channels through the apertures to the interior of the intermodal container.
Implementation Method 2
a sensor system for monitoring quality characteristics of bulk contents of the intermodal container
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for temporarily modifying an intermodal container for aerating an interior thereof with a fluidic gas to maintain quality characteristics of bulk material contents comprises a gas delivery apparatus having an inlet for the intake of a fluidic gas and having an outlet for delivering the fluidic gas. A plenum interface is in fluidic communication with the gas delivery apparatus and with a plurality of aeration floor panels sized to cover a floor of the container when placed adjacent one to the others. Each panel defines a plurality of apertures therethrough and further define a plurality of longitudinally extending air channels therealong collectively defining a plenum. The apertures facilitate transfer of the fluidic gas from the air channels through the apertures to the interior of the intermodal container.