Device for producing CO2 pellets from CO2 snow and cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for producing CO2 pellets from CO2 snow result in inhomogeneous density distribution, leading to variable quality and insufficient cleaning efficiency due to inadequate compression methods.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a main compressing device and a fluid-mechanical pre-compressing device that pre-compresses CO2 snow produced by expanding liquid CO2, ensuring higher density CO2 pellets through a combination of expansion and pre-compression processes, preventing blockages and enhancing cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional compressing device is used to compress CO2 snow, then CO2 pellets can be manufactured, but the density distribution in the resultant CO2 pellets is very inhomogeneous and the quality is very variable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity distribution uniformityVSAvoidpellet quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compression process is divided into two distinct stages: pre-compression and main compression. The pre-compression device first compacts the CO2 snow to a preliminary density, then the main compressing device applies final compression. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, resulting in homogeneous density distribution and consistent pellet quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-compression device performs preliminary compression of CO2 snow before it enters the main compressing device. By pre-compacting the snow to a uniform preliminary density, the subsequent main compression stage can achieve consistent final density more effectively, resolving the inhomogeneity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the compression force is increased to improve pellet density, then cleaning efficiency improves, but the risk of blockages in the compression chamber increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepellet densityVSAvoidblockage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-compression chamber acts as an intermediary between the CO2 snow generation and the main compression device. It provides a controlled environment for preliminary compaction, preventing direct high-force compression that would cause blockages, while still achieving the desired density through staged compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a single-stage compression device is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and cleaning efficiency are insufficient due to inhomogeneous density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcompression system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression system is segmented into a pre-compression device and a main compressing device. This segmentation enables each component to be optimized for its specific compression stage, achieving homogeneous density distribution and high productivity, while the modular design keeps individual components relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-compression and main compression functions are merged into an integrated system where the pre-compression chamber feeds directly into the main compressing device. This combination achieves high productivity and consistent quality while maintaining a compact, cohesive device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 produces high-strength CO2 pellets with consistent density, significantly improving the cleaning efficiency by consolidating CO2 snow through a dual compression process, reducing construction costs and enabling continuous operation.

Implementation Method 1

an expansion device (34) for producing CO2 snow (36) from liquid or gaseous CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

producing CO2 snow (36) from liquid or gaseous CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule-Thomson effect: Joule-Thomson Effect

Implementation Method 3

a pre-compression chamber (38) for receiving and pre-compressing the produced CO2 snow (36)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11806837B2Device for producing CO2 pellets from CO2 snow and cleaning device

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for producing high-strength CO2 pellets from CO2 snow, in particular, for a cleaning device for blasting surfaces to be treated with a mixed-flow consisting of a compressed gas and CO2 pellets, including a main compressing device for compressing CO2 snow for forming CO2 pellets, further including a pre-compressing device for pre-compressing CO2 snow produced by expanding liquid CO2, wherein the pre-compressing device is in the form of a fluid-mechanical pre-compressing device, wherein the pre-compressing device includes an expansion device for producing CO2 snow from liquid or gaseous CO2 and a pre-compression chamber for receiving and pre-compressing the produced CO2 snow and wherein the expansion device and the pre-compression chamber are connected to one another in fluidic manner.