Crystal Morphology Manipulation for Stable Powder Fluidization
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Solution Overview
Problem
High unconfined yield strength and moisture-related issues in materials with high solid content hinder fluidization in storage vessels, leading to problems like arching, rat-holing, and bridging, and conventional methods fail to address the impact of temperature on flowability effectively.
Innovation Solution
Manipulating the crystal structure of materials like sodium sulfate by heating them above a specific transition temperature to change their morphology from twinned orthorhombic to monoclinic or hexagonal, reducing unconfined yield strength and enhancing flowability, which is achieved through controlled injection of heated compressed gas into the material bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If temperature is increased to improve flowability, then unconfined yield strength increases and flowability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystal structure parameter of the material by heating it above its transition temperature (e.g., above 100°C for sodium sulfate). This transforms the crystal morphology from twinned orthorhombic to monoclinic or hexagonal, which fundamentally alters the material's flow properties. The parameter change occurs at the molecular/crystal level rather than just changing temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition of the material's crystal structure at a specific transition temperature. By heating the material above this transition point, the crystal structure transforms from one phase (twinned orthorhombic) to another phase (monoclinic or hexagonal), resulting in dramatically improved flowability and reduced unconfined yield strength.
2Productivity
If conventional fluidization methods are used, then material can be handled, but arching, rat-holing, and bridging occur due to high unconfined yield strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating the material above its transition temperature before fluidization occurs. This pre-treatment transforms the crystal structure to a non-twinned morphology, preventing arching, rat-holing, and bridging from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to resolve these issues after they form.
3Ease of operation
If moisture is present in the material, then particles can dissolve at contact points, but evaporating moisture creates salt bridges that increase adhesive force and unconfined yield strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystal structure parameter of the material by heating it above its transition temperature (e.g., above 100°C for sodium sulfate). This transforms the crystal morphology from twinned orthorhombic to monoclinic or hexagonal, which fundamentally alters the material's flow properties. The parameter change occurs at the molecular/crystal level rather than just changing temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition of the material's crystal structure at a specific transition temperature. By heating the material above this transition point, the crystal structure transforms from one phase (twinned orthorhombic) to another phase (monoclinic or hexagonal), resulting in dramatically improved flowability and reduced unconfined yield strength.
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
Stable fluidization is achieved at higher temperatures, significantly improving flowability and enabling efficient removal of materials from storage vessels, as demonstrated by laboratory and field tests, contradicting the common belief that flowability deteriorates with increasing temperature.
Implementation Method 1
injecting a heated compressed gas to transform the crystal structure of a powder comprising materials, such as sodium sulfate, with a crystal structure that can be manipulated with temperature
Implementation Method 2
bring an average temperature of the powder to at least a predetermined transition temperature, so as to transform the crystal structure of substantially all of the powder
Implementation Method 3
Stable fluidization is achieved at higher temperatures, significantly improving flowability and enabling efficient removal of materials from storage vessels
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides an apparatus to manipulate the crystal morphology of a powder to improve the flow of a powder from a vessel and/or flowability of a powder in order to achieve stable fluidization of the powder within a vessel.