Diaphragm Shutter Flaps for Uniform Solid Particle Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container-filling devices for solid particles face challenges in achieving uniform distribution and optimal filling, particularly with varying particle sizes, as they can become clogged and lack control over filling parameters, leading to inefficiencies and potential catalyst waste in reactors and segregation in silos.
Innovation Solution
A device with annular ducts and a diaphragm featuring shutter flaps allows independent regulation of each duct's flow rate, preventing clogging and ensuring uniform distribution by modulating the flow of particles based on the container's filling state, using gas jets to reduce friction and dust formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If concentric tubes are used to distribute particles, then particle distribution is improved, but tubes become clogged depending on particle size
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is divided into multiple independent shutter flaps (at least two per annular duct), each capable of independently controlling flow through its sector. This segmentation allows the system to maintain particle distribution benefits while preventing complete clogging by redistributing flow through adjacent open sectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter flaps are made movable relative to one another, allowing dynamic adjustment of the open fraction for each annular duct. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different particle sizes and flow conditions, preventing clogging by opening additional sectors when needed.
2Device complexity
If all ducts are opened with the same fraction, then device simplicity is maintained, but control over filling parameters is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Each annular duct is equipped with its own shutter flaps that can be independently controlled, creating segmented control zones. This allows precise control over filling parameters for different radial zones while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fractions of open ducts can be applied to different annular ducts based on local requirements. The control means enable independent adjustment of each duct's open fraction, allowing optimization of filling parameters for specific zones without affecting other zones.
3Productivity
If filling rate is increased to improve productivity, then filling time is reduced, but particle distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter flaps can be dynamically adjusted during operation to modify the open fraction of annular ducts. This allows the system to optimize both filling rate and distribution uniformity by adapting the flow distribution pattern to match the filling stage and particle characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for filling a container with solid particles, the device having annular ducts for passing particles, which ducts are defined by a plurality of vertical nozzles arranged coaxially relative to one another, and a diaphragm arranged upstream from the annular ducts for regulating the flow rate of particles in the annular ducts, the diaphragm has a plurality of shutter flaps for shutting off the annular ducts, each flap shutting off an angular sector of a single annular duct and the diaphragm having control means for controlling movement of the shutter flaps that are configured to be capable of partially shutting off any one of duct independently of the other ducts. The invention also relates to a method of shutting off a filler device.