Dynamic Drying Control for Plastic Granules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drying systems for plastic granules often result in inconsistent moisture content due to varying consumption rates and ambient conditions, leading to potential hydrolytic degradation or overdrying issues during processing.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that dynamically adjust the residence time of plastic granules in the drying container by determining consumption rates and filling levels, using control signals to ensure the granules remain within a target moisture range, regardless of downstream processing demands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drying container is designed to handle maximum consumption of plastic granules, then the drying capacity is improved, but the moisture content control precision deteriorates due to varying dwell times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying capacityVSAvoidmoisture content control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the dwell time by controlling the filling level of plastic granules in the drying container based on real-time consumption data. The control unit modifies the amount of material in the container to maintain optimal drying conditions and consistent moisture content output, resolving the contradiction between high capacity and precise control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring consumption of plastic granules and using this information to adjust the dwell time. The control unit receives consumption data, calculates required dwell time adjustments, and modifies the filling level accordingly to maintain target moisture content, thereby achieving both high productivity and precise control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the dwell time is extended to ensure adequate drying, then the moisture content control is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to longer processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture content controlVSAvoiddrying throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the dwell time based on real-time consumption data and target moisture content requirements. By flexibly changing the amount of material in the drying container, the system achieves adequate drying without fixed extended processing times, thereby maintaining high productivity while ensuring moisture content control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of dwell time by adjusting the filling level of plastic granules in the drying container. This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve target moisture content with optimized processing times, preventing both under-drying and excessive processing time that would reduce productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the drying temperature is reduced to prevent overdrying, then the material integrity is improved, but the drying efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial integrityVSAvoiddrying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the dwell time based on consumption data to achieve target moisture content without requiring temperature reduction. By optimizing the time parameter through flexible filling level control, the system maintains material integrity while preserving drying efficiency, eliminating the need to lower temperature for safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures consistent moisture content within a predetermined range for plastic granules, preventing degradation and overdrying by actively managing the dwell time through controlled filling and emptying of the drying container.

Implementation Method 1

heat is transferred from the drying medium to the plastic granulate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

moisture from the plastic granulate is absorbed by the drying medium and removed by means of the drying medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

the drying medium flows through a regeneration medium, for example a so-called molecular sieve, through which the moisture contained in the drying medium is adsorbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3034975B1Method and drying plant for drying material to be dried
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3034975B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3034975B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3034975B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method and a drying system with a drying container for drying material located in the drying container by passing a drying medium through the material. In the method and the drying system (1), the following process steps are carried out repeatedly: - Determining the consumption of the material (30); - Determining the fill quantity and/or mass of the material (30) in the drying container (10); - Calculating the actual residence time (IV) of the material (30) in the drying container (10), taking into account the consumption of the material (30) and the fill quantity and/or mass of the material (30) in the drying container (10). and - outputting a control signal to fill the drying container (10) with material to be dried (30) in the case that the actual residence time (IV) is less than the target residence time (SV).