Feed Hopper Mixing Plastic Particles Liquid Jet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for introducing plastic particles and a liquid into cleaning devices for removing impurities are inefficient, requiring large amounts of water, high energy consumption, and struggle with feeding plastic flakes due to low bulk density and geometric limitations, leading to suboptimal utilization of cleaning device capacity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a feed hopper that uses a precisely controlled liquid jet to mix plastic particles with a liquid within the hopper, creating a consistent suspension that is then fed into the cleaning device, optimizing the proportion of solids and reducing liquid consumption, and featuring adjustable nozzles to enhance mixing and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plastic particles are stirred into water in a separate container and pumped through the cleaning device, then the cleaning device can process plastic particles, but a relatively large mixing vessel with complex agitator is required, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing function and feeding function into a single feed hopper structure. The feed hopper serves as both the mixing vessel and the feeding mechanism, eliminating the need for separate mixing vessels and complex agitators. Plastic particles and liquid are mixed directly in the feed hopper before being fed to the cleaning device, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed hopper is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores plastic particles, mixes them with liquid, and feeds the mixture to the cleaning device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective plastic particle processing.
2Productivity
If a large volume of water is used to create pumpable suspension, then the suspension can be pumped through the cleaning device, but energy consumption increases due to accelerating large volume of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the liquid-to-solid ratio parameter in the feed hopper to create a suspension that is pumpable without requiring excessive water volume. By carefully controlling the amount of liquid added to the plastic particles in the feed hopper, the system achieves the right consistency for pumping while minimizing the volume of water that needs to be accelerated, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing of plastic particles with liquid is performed preliminarily in the feed hopper before the suspension needs to be pumped through the cleaning device. This preliminary mixing action creates the appropriate suspension consistency in advance, ensuring that the subsequent pumping process requires minimal water volume and thus minimal energy consumption for acceleration.
3Productivity
If screw conveyor is used to introduce plastic particles, then plastic particles can be fed continuously, but the screw feed rate has natural performance limit due to low bulk density of plastic flakes, below the potential capacity of cleaning devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a fluidized bed concept where liquid is introduced into the feed hopper to fluidize the plastic particles. This hydraulic approach allows the plastic flakes to be suspended and moved more easily, overcoming the limitations of mechanical screw conveyance. The liquid helps to reduce the effective friction and bulk density issues, enabling continuous feeding at rates above the natural screw conveyor limit.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the continuous feeding of plastic particles. By introducing liquid into the feed hopper, the system creates a fluidized mixture that can be fed continuously to the cleaning device without being limited by the mechanical capacity of a screw conveyor. The liquid mediates between the plastic particles and the feeding mechanism, enabling higher throughput.
4Productivity
If plastic particles are fed continuously using screw conveyor, then continuous processing is achieved, but it is difficult in practice to continuously feed the screw conveyor with plastic particles
Solution Approach 1:
The feed hopper design allows the plastic particles to feed themselves continuously through gravity and fluidization. Once the hopper is filled, the system maintains continuous feeding without requiring external intervention to replenish the screw conveyor. The liquid-induced fluidization keeps the particles in a state that naturally flows into the cleaning device, making continuous operation easier to maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed hopper is preliminarily filled with plastic particles and liquid mixture, creating a self-sustaining feeding system. The preliminary mixing and positioning of particles in the hopper allows continuous feeding to proceed automatically without requiring continuous external feeding operations, thereby simplifying continuous processing operation.
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 allows for precise and efficient dosing of plastic particles, increasing plastic proportion, reducing energy demand, and enhancing operational reliability and safety by forming a uniform mixing zone close to the cleaning device inlet, thereby improving energy efficiency and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
at least one feed nozzle connected to a liquid supply is arranged on the feed hopper, through which at least one liquid jet is introduced into the feed hopper, wherein the at least one feed nozzle is arranged such that the plastic particles fed into the feed hopper are mixed with the liquid in the feed hopper
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the joint feeding of plastic particles and a liquid into a purification device (10) for the removal of impurities from the plastic particles, characterised by a feed hopper (22), the inlet of which is connected to a supply for the plastic particles, and the outlet of which is connected to an inlet of the purification device by means of a supply line (20), at least one feed nozzle (38) connected to a liquid supply being arranged on the feed hopper, via which at least one liquid jet is discharged into the feed hopper, the at least one feed nozzle being arranged such that the plastic particles supplied to the feed hopper are mixed with the liquid in the feed hopper. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.