Deflector Surface for Uniform Drying Gas Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coaters in the pharmaceutical industry face issues with uneven drying gas distribution and liquid application, leading to caking and uneven coatings due to high-speed drying gas flow and uneven liquid distribution, which impairs the coating process.
Innovation Solution
An impact surface is introduced in the flow path between the drying gas inlet and the drum chamber, reducing the through-flow opening area compared to the inlet, slowing down the drying gas flow and ensuring even distribution, thereby preventing caking and uneven coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drying gas inlet allows high-speed drying gas flow to efficiently dry the product, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the drying gas distribution becomes uneven causing caking and uneven coatings
Solution Approach 1:
A flow distributor is introduced as an intermediary component between the drying gas inlet and the drum chamber. This flow distributor receives the high-speed drying gas flow and redistributes it uniformly across the chamber, preventing direct high-speed impingement on the product while maintaining efficient drying. The flow distributor acts as a mediator that transforms the concentrated inlet flow into a distributed uniform flow pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distributor changes the flow parameters of the drying gas by reducing its velocity and redistributing it spatially. The component transforms the high-speed concentrated flow from the inlet into a lower-speed uniform distribution across the chamber, optimizing both drying efficiency and coating uniformity through parameter transformation.
2Speed
If the drying gas flows at high speed through the drum chamber, then the drying process is faster, but negative pressure arises sucking liquid in the wrong direction
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributor serves as an intermediary that buffers the high-speed drying gas flow before it enters the drum chamber. By distributing the flow across multiple outlets or surfaces, the component prevents the formation of localized negative pressure zones while maintaining overall high drying efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If the drying gas inlet has a large opening area for efficient gas introduction, then the drying capacity is improved, but the gas flow distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributor segments the large inlet gas flow into multiple smaller flow streams or distributed outlets. By dividing the concentrated high-quantity gas flow into multiple distributed paths, the component achieves both high drying gas quantity delivery and uniform distribution across the drum chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distributor acts as an intermediary transformation device that converts a single large-opening gas inlet into multiple distributed flow paths, reconciling the need for high gas quantity with the requirement for uniform distribution.
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 prevents uneven coatings and caking by ensuring even drying gas distribution, resulting in a uniform coating layer over the product's outer circumference.
Implementation Method 1
the drying gas is counteracted by a resistance that slows down the flow rate
Implementation Method 2
at least one spray nozzle for applying a liquid to the product located in the drum
Implementation Method 3
the drying gas flows through the drum, which is formed on all sides by a perforated plate. In this way, the product that is in the slowly rotating drum and wetted with the sprayed liquid is dried at the same time
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for coating or enclosing particles, comprising a drum (2) which is mounted in a drum chamber (1) of the device in a rotationally drivable manner and which drum (2) can be filled with the product to be coated or to be enclosed, at least one spray nozzle, which is provided for applying a liquid to the product that is located in the drum (2), at least one drying gas inlet (5) that penetrates the chamber wall of the drum chamber (1), through which drying gas inlet a drying gas can be introduced into the drum chamber (1) and comprising at least one drying gas outlet (9) that is near the drum (2) on the outer side for channeling the drying gas out of the device. It is characterizing for the device according to the invention that a deflector surface (6) is interposed in the flow path between the at least one drying gas inlet (5) and the drum (2), which deflector surface defines at least one flow-through opening (7), the total inner opening surface of which is smaller in comparison to the total inner opening of the at least one drying gas inlet (5). By means of the deflector surface (6) it is achieved that the drying gas flows out of the at least one flow-through opening (7) in a consistent and decelerated manner, so that irregular coatings of the product or the appearance of function-impairing build-ups in the drum chamber (1) are effectively prevented.