Decoater Cooling Control for High-Organic Temperature Spikes

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Solution Overview

Problem

During metal recycling, decoating systems face challenges in managing temperature fluctuations caused by organic compounds, which can lead to equipment damage and inefficiencies in the decoating process.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system that includes sensors, a control device, and a controller to measure and adjust temperature and coolant characteristics within the decoating system, using sprayers and coolant control devices to maintain a desired operating temperature and reduce the risk of thermal damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the decoating system processes metal scrap with high organic concentrations, then the productivity increases, but the temperature rises causing equipment damage and safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoating capacityVSAvoidoperating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is activated preemptively when organic concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold, before dangerous temperature rise occurs. The controller monitors organic concentration and triggers cooling in advance, preventing thermitting and equipment damage while allowing continuous high-productivity operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors organic concentration and adjusts cooling system operation based on real-time feedback. When organic concentration rises, the cooling system activates; when it decreases, the system reduces or stops cooling, creating a dynamic balance that maintains safety while maximizing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the cooling system activates to prevent temperature damage, then the equipment safety improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment safetyVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system operates autonomously based on automatic monitoring of organic concentration. The controller automatically activates cooling components without operator intervention, and the system self-regulates based on real-time conditions, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical temperature monitoring and control mechanisms with electronic sensors and automated controllers. Optical or electrical sensors detect organic concentration, and electronic control systems manage cooling activation, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving response accuracy and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 cooling system effectively manages temperature fluctuations, preventing equipment damage and enhancing the efficiency of the decoating process by maintaining a stable operating temperature, thereby increasing the decoating system's capacity and safety at higher organic concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

A cooling system and method are disclosed for maintaining a desired temperature within a decoating system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

using sprayers and coolant control devices to maintain a desired operating temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Data Source

PatentEP3850287B1Cooling system and method for decoaters
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 NOVELIS INC(US)
  • EP3850287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3850287B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3850287B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooling system for the decoating system includes a sensor, a control device, and a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor and the control device. The sensor is configured to measure a characteristic of the cooling system in the decoating system, the control device controls the characteristic of the cooling system, and the controller is configured to adjust the control device to adjust the characteristic of the cooling system based on at least one of a measured temperature within the decoating system or the measured characteristic. A method of controlling a temperature of the decoating system includes measuring a temperature within a piece of equipment of the decoating system and measuring a characteristic the cooling system in the piece of equipment of the decoating system. The method includes controlling the cooling system to adjust the characteristic based on at least one of the measured temperature or the measured characteristic.