Container Humidity Control Device for Hygroscopic Material Flowability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High humidity in manufacturing processes, particularly in pharmaceutical and nano-particle handling, leads to poor flowability, equipment malfunctions, and inconsistent product quality due to moisture absorption, requiring costly and complex dehumidification systems.
Innovation Solution
Humidity control devices and systems that attach to containers, using tubular members and outlets to deliver controlled humidity, aerating materials and maintaining a relative humidity of less than or equal to 20%, thereby improving flowability and reducing equipment malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dehumidification systems are used to control humidity, then humidity control is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the humidity control function from complex facility-wide dehumidification systems and concentrates it into a simple, portable device that attaches to individual containers. This localized approach eliminates the need for expensive air handling units and sophisticated dehumidification infrastructure while maintaining effective humidity control through a straightforward membrane-based water removal mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable or replaceable membrane component that performs the humidity control function through passive water removal. This simple, low-cost membrane replaces the need for expensive, complex mechanical dehumidification systems, achieving reliable humidity control through an economical, easily replaceable part rather than a sophisticated permanent installation.
2Productivity
If high humidity is present in the environment, then material flowability deteriorates, but controlling humidity requires costly facility retrofits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality control by placing humidity control devices directly at the point where materials are stored and processed. Instead of attempting to control humidity throughout the entire facility, the device creates a localized low-humidity zone within the container, ensuring optimal flowability conditions for the material without requiring expensive facility-wide retrofits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary device between the material and the humid environment. This portable humidity control device acts as a mediator that actively removes water from the air within the container, preventing moisture absorption by the material while avoiding the need for complex facility infrastructure.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized air handling units are used for hygroscopic materials, then processing conditions are optimized, but retrofitting existing facilities becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the humidity control function from the overall facility infrastructure and implements it as a standalone, self-contained device. This modular approach allows individual containers to be equipped with humidity control without requiring coordinated facility-wide retrofits, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with preparing existing facilities for hygroscopic material processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables preliminary humidity control setup by allowing containers to be pre-equipped with humidity control devices before material loading. This eliminates the need for lengthy facility retrofits by having the humidity control capability ready in advance, thus optimizing processing conditions for hygroscopic materials without time-consuming infrastructure modifications.
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 solution effectively minimizes downtime, equipment malfunctions, and inconsistent quality by maintaining optimal humidity levels, allowing for higher drug loads and improved material handling without the need for expensive facility retrofits.
Implementation Method 1
the humidity control devices provided herein can also aerate material in a manufacturing process to improve flowability
Implementation Method 2
Hygroscopic materials absorb or adsorb water from the surrounding environment
Implementation Method 3
Hygroscopic materials absorb or adsorb water from the surrounding environment
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are humidity control devices, systems, and methods of controlling humidity in an enclosed container. A humidity control device can comprise a cap configured to attach to a container; a first tubular member passing through the cap to form a first portion of the first tubular member and a second portion of the first tubular member, the first portion comprising a proximal end extending away from the cap and the second portion comprising an inlet configured to receive a fluid, wherein when the cap is attached to the container, the first portion is within the container and the second portion is outside of the container, wherein the proximal end of the first tubular member comprises an outlet for delivering the fluid to an interior space of the container.