Drying Apparatus Heat Reclaimer Steam Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying apparatuses and methods are not optimized for efficient heat recovery and energy consumption, particularly in steam drying processes, which can lead to increased energy costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A drying apparatus with a heat reclaimer and heat pump system that extracts a fraction of steam from the drying circuit, compresses it, and uses a de-superheater to transfer heat back to the working steam, allowing for controlled heat transfer and efficient recirculation, with a control system managing the extraction flow rate based on pressure and flow rate signals to maintain a target steam range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If steam is recirculated through a heat exchanger to reheat it, then energy efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the drying system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger and compressor into an integrated heat reclaimer unit that recovers heat from extracted steam and uses it to preheat incoming steam, reducing the energy required for reheating while maintaining system compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat reclaimer as an intermediary component between the steam extraction system and the drying chamber, which mediates heat transfer from extracted steam to incoming steam, improving energy efficiency without significantly increasing overall system complexity
2Loss of energy
If a fraction of steam is extracted and compressed for heat recovery, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a fraction of steam from the drying circuit and recovers its heat content through compression and heat exchange, converting what would be wasted energy into useful preheating for incoming steam, thereby reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure and temperature parameters of extracted steam through compression, transforming it from a low-pressure exhaust stream into a high-temperature heat source that can effectively preheat incoming steam, reducing energy consumption
3Productivity
If steam is continuously recirculated to maintain drying conditions, then drying productivity is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous steam recirculation through the drying circuit to ensure uninterrupted drying productivity, while simultaneously implementing heat recovery from extracted steam to minimize energy losses associated with this continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where extracted steam is used to preheat incoming steam based on real-time drying conditions, creating a self-regulating system that maintains productivity while minimizing energy loss through adaptive heat recovery
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
This approach enhances energy efficiency by recovering heat from excess steam and re-circulating it within the drying circuit, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact while maintaining optimal steam conditions for drying processes.
Implementation Method 1
A fraction of the steam exiting the dryer is compressed to provide the heat source for the heat exchanger. Compressing the steam generates a heat of compression and a latent heat of evaporation that can be transferred to the recirculating steam
Implementation Method 2
Compressing the steam generates a heat of compression and a latent heat of evaporation that can be transferred to the recirculating steam
Implementation Method 3
Steam exiting the dryer can be re-heated in a heat exchanger and re-circulated to the dryer
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a drying apparatus (10) comprising a drying circuit (20) for recirculating working steam and a dryer (22) for receiving material to be dried and forming part of the drying circuit (20). There is also provided an extraction line (40) in fluid communication with the drying circuit (20) for extracting a fraction of steam from the drying circuit (20),and a heat reclaimer (50) comprising a heat pump (60) having an evaporator (64) arranged to recover heat from extracted steam in the extraction line (40) and a condenser (62) arranged to transfer heat to working steam in the drying circuit (20). There is also provided a method of drying material.