Continuous Mixing Device with Counter-Current Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for treating solid-liquid or solid-gas mixtures face inefficiencies due to poor filling levels and manual blade adjustments, leading to suboptimal mixing and increased production losses.
Innovation Solution
A continuous treatment device with two parallel agitating shafts and a mixing screw that allows for adjustable rotation directions, enabling increased filling levels and flexible treatment without stopping the process, along with a complementary screw for efficient emptying and potential automated cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of negatively oriented blades is increased to improve mixing intensity and filling level, then mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and manual adjustment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the blade orientation adjustable during operation. The blades can be dynamically repositioned between positive and negative orientations relative to the material flow direction, allowing the mixing intensity to be optimized without stopping the device. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high mixing efficiency through negative blade orientation while avoiding the complexity of permanent mechanical modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of blade orientation angle. By adjusting the blade inclination angle during operation, the system can optimize mixing intensity (using negative orientations) and control filling level without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration. This parameter change approach allows flexible optimization of mixing efficiency while maintaining simple device structure.
2Productivity
If blade orientation is mechanically modified to adjust treatment effectiveness, then treatment quality is improved, but production time is lost due to stopping and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation by allowing blade orientation adjustments during the treatment process without stopping. The blades can be repositioned from positive to negative orientation (or vice versa) while the device continues running, eliminating downtime for adjustments and cleaning. This ensures continuous useful action is maintained while optimizing treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustability of blade orientation during operation allows the system to adapt to different treatment requirements without interrupting production. The blades can be quickly repositioned between positive and negative orientations, enabling rapid switching between different treatment modes without the time loss associated with mechanical disassembly and cleaning.
3Productivity
If blades are oriented negatively to increase mixing intensity, then mixing quality is improved, but emptying difficulty increases requiring major manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic blade orientation adjustment to resolve the emptying difficulty. After intensive mixing with negatively oriented blades, the blades can be repositioned to a positive orientation that promotes material movement toward the outlet. This dynamic switching enables easy emptying without manual cleaning, as the positively oriented blades actively push the material out of the mixing chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching between negative and positive blade orientations. During the mixing phase, blades are oriented negatively for high mixing intensity; during the emptying phase, blades are switched to positive orientation to facilitate material discharge. This periodic action sequence ensures both high mixing quality and easy emptying without manual intervention.
4Productivity
If filling level is increased above 60% to improve exchange efficiency, then output is improved, but mixing space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the blade orientation parameter to accommodate higher filling levels. By using negatively oriented blades, the system can achieve effective mixing even when the filling level exceeds 60%, as the negative orientation creates stronger agitation and turbulence that maintains mixing quality despite reduced available mixing space.
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 device achieves improved mixing efficiency, increased filling levels above 60%, reduced production losses, and easier parameter adjustments, enhancing energy output and hygiene during material changes.
Implementation Method 1
The mixing screw (25) is provided to be rotated, in a direction opposite to the progression of the raw material from the inlet orifice (12) toward the outlet orifice (13), and, preferably, in both directions of rotation
Implementation Method 2
The mixing screw (25) is provided to be rotated... in both directions of rotation, thereby making it possible to increase the turbulence in the mixing chamber (15)
Implementation Method 3
regulating the residence time of the raw material in the mixing chamber (15)
Data Source
AI summary
The continuous treatment device (10) includes a tank (11) of elongated shape and that determines a mixing chamber (15) which includes, at a first end, at least one inlet orifice (12) for the raw material and, at a second end, at least one outlet orifice (13) for the treated material, and also, between these orifices, at least one agitator shaft (16) equipped with blades (17) suitable for continuously mixing and advancing the material in the mixing chamber (15) from the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice. The device also includes a mixing screw (25) in the bottom of the tank, which is positioned in the mixing chamber (15), below and parallel to the at least one shaft (16), and which is suitable for being rotated, about at least one direction of rotation, the opposite way from the advance of the material from the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice.