Fibre Preparation Waste Transport Volume Flow Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste transport systems in fiber preparation require complex mechanical handling and high suction capacities, leading to inefficient energy consumption and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling volume flow and pressure distribution in a waste transport system using a pipeline network with volume flow adjustment elements and vacuum controls, allowing for automatic operation and optimized energy use by regulating suction power based on actual and target volume flow measurements and negative pressure adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high suction capacities are used to transport waste, then waste transport reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste transport reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The suction capacity is made dynamically adjustable through automated control. The system continuously monitors waste generation at cleaning machines and adjusts the suction capacity in real-time to match actual needs, replacing static high-capacity suction with dynamic adaptive suction that maintains reliability while reducing energy waste during low-load periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by monitoring waste generation at cleaning machines and using this information to automatically adjust suction capacity. Sensors detect waste levels and signal the control system to modulate suction power, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes energy consumption while ensuring waste is transported reliably without excessive suction power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If complex mechanical handling is used for waste, then waste transport capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste transport capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical handling systems are replaced with a streamlined pneumatic transport system. Instead of mechanical conveyors, belts, or manual handling, the invention uses controlled air flow to transport waste directly from cleaning machines to collection points, eliminating complex mechanical components while maintaining transport capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs pneumatic principles to transport waste through controlled air flow in the suction lines. By using air pressure and flow control instead of mechanical transmission, the system achieves efficient waste transport with simpler equipment, replacing complex mechanical handling with pneumatic conveyance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If continuously high suction capacities are used, then waste removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste removal effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying full suction capacity continuously, the system uses partial action by adjusting suction power to match actual waste generation levels. The automated control system activates or modulates suction only when and where waste is present, avoiding excessive suction power during periods of low waste generation and reducing energy loss while maintaining effective waste removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enables efficient and automatic waste transport, reducing energy consumption and preventing particle settling, while maintaining operational reliability and minimizing unnecessary suction power.

Implementation Method 1

the suction lines (8, 10, 12) lead into a common collecting line (14) which is connected to a vacuum source (16)... the particles of the waste to be transported away are transported with the conveying air through the suction lines (8, 10, 12) and the collecting line (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a volume flow measurement (15) is provided in the collecting line (14)... Measuring methods known from the prior art, such as a venturi or an anemometer, can be used to measure the volume flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolume flow measurement: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 3

the particles of the waste to be transported away are transported with the conveying air through the suction lines (8, 10, 12) and the collecting line (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConveying air flow: Advection

Data Source

PatentEP3913119A1Dispatch transport system in fibre preparation
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 RIETER CZ AS
  • EP3913119A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3913119A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3913119A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a volume flow or pressure distribution in a discharge transport system in a fiber preparation plant with a sequence of cleaning machines (2, 3, 4), wherein a discharge transport system is provided which comprises a pipe network consisting of a collecting line (14) and suction lines (8, 10, 12) leading from the collecting line (14) to the cleaning machines (2, 3, 4). The suction lines (8, 10, 12) are each equipped with a volume flow control device (9, 11, 13) and the collecting line (14) is connected to a vacuum source.A volume flow measurement (15) measures the actual volume flow in the collecting line (14) and the suction power of the vacuum source is regulated by a setpoint-actual comparison (18) of the volume flow, or alternatively, the outlet transport system for each of the cleaning machines (2, 3, 4) has a vacuum control (20, 23, 26) and the suction power of the vacuum source is regulated by a combination (29) of the vacuum controls (20, 23, 26) or operated with a constant vacuum.