Draft Tube Spout Fluid Bed Mixing for Uniform Particle Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particulate material blending technologies face challenges such as non-uniform particle distribution, sensitivity to particle size, and excessive loss of fine particles, particularly in applications like concrete production where materials like silica fume are not effectively dispersed, leading to suboptimal performance and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) system that uses pressurized fluid flows through conduits to mix and treat particulate materials, incorporating a particle separation and collection device to enhance control over flow conditions and ensure complete incorporation of fine particles, thereby improving blending efficiency and product uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional blending equipment is used, then blending operation is simple, but particle distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic blending equipment that uses air or gas flow to transport and mix particulate materials through a conduit system. The controlled fluid flow creates turbulent mixing conditions that achieve uniform particle distribution while allowing for simple equipment design and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical blending mechanisms with a pneumatic system that uses fluid dynamics rather than mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while achieving superior mixing uniformity through controlled air flow patterns.
2Productivity
If pneumatic blenders are used, then scalability is improved, but fine particle loss worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the blended mixture is recirculated through the pneumatic system. This allows fine particles that may have been carried away to be captured and returned to the blend, minimizing material loss while maintaining scalable operation. The system monitors and adjusts flow parameters to optimize retention of fine particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows for recovery of fine particles that are carried through the pneumatic system. By capturing and recirculating these particles rather than discarding them, the process minimizes material loss while maintaining the scalability benefits of pneumatic blending.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pressurized fluid flow through conduit is used, then mixing uniformity is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the blending process into segmented zones within the conduit system, with different flow conditions and particle concentration levels in different sections. This segmentation allows for controlled mixing uniformity in each zone while keeping the overall system design relatively simple and modular.
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 DTSFB system achieves more uniform mixing and reduced loss of fine particles, resulting in improved performance and cost-effectiveness by ensuring complete dispersion of materials like silica fume, enhancing the strength and durability of concrete products while reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized fluid introduced through the fluid inlet produces a flow of at least some of the particulate material and fluid through the vertically extending conduit
Implementation Method 2
means for controlling the pressure drop across the vertically extending conduit to thereby regulate the flow of the particulate material through the vertically extending conduit
Implementation Method 3
draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) system that uses pressurized fluid flows through conduits to mix and treat particulate materials
Data Source
AI summary
An improved draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) mixing, handling, conveying, and treating apparatus and systems, and methods for operating are provided. The apparatus and systems can accept particulate material and pneumatically or hydraulically conveying the material to mix and/or treat the material. In addition to conveying apparatus, a collection and separation apparatus adapted to receive the conveyed particulate material is also provided. The collection apparatus may include an impaction plate against which the conveyed material is directed to improve mixing and/or treatment. The improved apparatus are characterized by means of controlling the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic transfer to enhance the mixing and/or reacting by controlling the flow of fluids, for example, air, into and out of the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus may be used to mix particulate material, for example, mortar; react fluids with particulate material; coat particulate material, or simply convey particulate material.