Diaphragm Pump Gas Injection for Fine-Grain Powder Conveying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveying fine-grained powders with particle sizes below 150 µm is challenging due to increased adhesion forces and agglomeration, which leads to powder deposits and blockages in diaphragm pumps, especially in processes requiring high flow velocities and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A diaphragm pump system with a gas supply introduced into the delivery space, where the inlet valve acts as a check valve to ensure optimal flow conditions, using a compressor to generate constant or pulsating gas volume flows to prevent powder deposits and facilitate low-pulsation conveying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high gas flow rates are used to prevent powder agglomeration, then powder conveying is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder conveying reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action by introducing gas into the conveying chamber in pulsating cycles rather than continuous flow. The gas supply is activated during specific phases of the diaphragm pump cycle (particularly during the return stroke when the diaphragm moves from pressure position to suction position), creating periodic gas pulses that prevent powder agglomeration only when needed, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable powder conveying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If high flow velocities are used to prevent powder agglomeration, then powder conveying is improved, but gas consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder conveying reliabilityVSAvoidgas consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gas supply operates periodically rather than continuously, being introduced into the conveying chamber only during specific phases of the pump cycle when powder agglomeration is most likely to occur. This periodic introduction maintains sufficient flow velocity to prevent agglomeration during critical phases while minimizing overall gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The gas is introduced locally at specific positions within the conveying chamber through gas introduction means positioned to create localized high-velocity gas jets. This local gas introduction creates turbulence and prevents agglomeration in critical areas without requiring high gas flow rates throughout the entire chamber, thereby reducing overall gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the diaphragm pump conveys fine-grained powder without additional gas supply, then device complexity is reduced, but powder deposits and blockages occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump structure simplicityVSAvoidconveying continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces gas as an intermediary substance into the conveying chamber to facilitate powder flow. The gas acts as a mediator that prevents powder particles from adhering to each other and to the chamber walls, enabling continuous conveying of fine-grained powders without requiring complex mechanical modifications to the diaphragm pump structure itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using gas flow to convey and fluidize the powder mixture. The gas introduction means creates pneumatic agitation and flow within the conveying chamber, using gas dynamics to prevent powder deposits and blockages without requiring complex mechanical stirring or agitation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system effectively conveys fine-grained powders and gases, preventing blockages and ensuring continuous delivery by maintaining optimal flow conditions and reducing energy consumption in downstream processes.

Implementation Method 1

introducing a gas (16) into the conveying chamber (2) with the aid of a gas supply (15)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

at least one deflectable diaphragm (3) which can be moved into a suction position (4) and a pressure position (5)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiaphragm deflection:

Implementation Method 3

an inlet valve (11) arranged on a suction side (9) of the diaphragm pump (1) and an outlet valve (12) arranged on a pressure side (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve actuation:

Data Source

PatentEP2696989B1System and method for delivering fine-grain powder with the aid of a diaphragm pump

Publication Date: 2019.11.20 MASCHFAB REINHAUSEN GMBH

Figure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a diaphragm pump having a delivery space which encloses a working volume, at least one deflectable diaphragm which can be moved into a suction position and a pump position, an inlet valve arranged on a suction side of the diaphragm pump and an outlet valve arranged on the pressure side of the diaphragm pump. In order to make it possible to deliver fine-grain powder, in particular also non-flowable powders having particle sizes of 0.01 µm to 100 µm, using a diaphragm pump, it is proposed that a gas feed for introducing a gas into the delivery space be arranged at the delivery space. In addition, the invention relates to a method for delivering fine-grain powder.