Dry Ice Jet Cleaning Coking Oven Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coking oven door cleaning methods cause environmental pollution due to aerosol particle spread, and existing technologies do not effectively maintain efficiency while being environmentally friendly.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning system that generates a fan-like cleaning jet with dry ice particles, adjustable in size, speed, and temperature, guided by sensors to prevent aerosol formation and enhance cleaning efficiency, allowing for controlled variation of cleaning parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-pressure water jet is used for cleaning, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but aerosol particles containing tar spread to wide surrounding area causing environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidaerosol particle spread
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high-pressure water jet (mechanical cleaning system) with a jet of solid particles (dry ice or other abrasive particles). This substitution maintains cleaning effectiveness through particle impact while eliminating the aerosol formation problem associated with liquid water, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and environmental pollution.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the cleaning medium from liquid (water) to solid (dry ice particles or abrasive particles). This parameter change allows the cleaning process to maintain high impact energy for effective cleaning while preventing the formation of tar-laden aerosols that cause environmental pollution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If mechanical scratches are used for cleaning, then cleaning effect is achieved, but door surface is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoiddoor surface integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical scratching (contact-based mechanical cleaning) with a jet of solid particles (non-contact or minimal-contact cleaning). This substitution achieves effective cleaning through particle impact and abrasion while minimizing direct mechanical contact that would cause surface damage, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effect and surface integrity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

When dry ice particles are used, the patent utilizes the phase transition from solid to gas (sublimation) upon contact with the door surface. This phase transition provides cleaning action through impact and cooling effects while the particles disappear without leaving residue or causing mechanical damage, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effect and surface integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Device complexity

If cleaning jet parameters are fixed, then device simplicity is maintained, but cleaning efficiency varies with soiling degree

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidcleaning efficiency adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities that allow cleaning jet parameters (particle flow rate, particle speed, particle size) to be adjusted in real-time based on the detected degree of soiling. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize cleaning efficiency for different soiling conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect the degree of soiling on the door surface, and this information is used to automatically adjust cleaning jet parameters. The feedback loop enables the system to adapt cleaning intensity to actual soiling conditions, improving cleaning efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 prevents aerosol formation, increases cleaning efficiency, and gently treats the door surface by using dry ice particles, ensuring efficient and environmentally friendly cyclic cleaning of coking oven doors.

Implementation Method 1

The dry ice causes the tar deposits to cool down and become brittle in places, which promotes tar particles flaking off when the solid dry ice particles hit them.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

A particular advantage of cleaning with dry ice particles is the gentle treatment of the door surface, e.g. as a result of rapid sublimation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Data Source

PatentEP2841530B1Apparatus for cleaning the doors of coking ovens
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 PAUL WURTH SA
  • EP2841530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for cyclically cleaning the doors of coking ovens, with devices for producing a cleaning jet (4) that detaches deposits from the oven door. According to the invention, the cleaning jet comprises solid particles and, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is formed exclusively by dry ice particles and possibly a stream of transporting gas that carries the solid particles.