Integrated Filtration Housing with Slurrification Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current filtration processes are space-intensive and require separate vessels for slurrification, leading to difficulties in maintaining the quality of insoluble solids for re-use, especially in applications like edible oil bleaching, where the filter cake is often discharged as a dry lump, making it difficult to re-use and prone to oxygen exposure.

Innovation Solution

A filtration system with an integrated slurrification section within the housing, utilizing nozzles for steam or gas injection to agitate and regulate the slurrification liquid, allowing in-situ slurrification of the filter cake without the need for additional vessels, thus maintaining solid quality and reducing oxygen exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate agitation vessel is used for slurrification, then the slurrification process can be performed, but the space requirements increase and the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslurrification process capabilityVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the filtration and slurrification functions into a single filter system. The slurrification section is integrated within the housing of the filter system, eliminating the need for a separate agitation vessel. The filter cake is slurrified in-situ within the same housing where it was filtered, merging two previously separate operations into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing of the filter system serves multiple functions: it contains both the filtration elements and the slurrification section. The same housing that filters the liquid-containing-solids also performs the slurrification of the filter cake, making the system multi-functional and reducing the need for additional equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the filter cake is discharged as a dry lump, then the filtration process is complete, but the solid quality deteriorates and re-use becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration process completionVSAvoidsolid quality for re-use
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs slurrification as a preliminary action before discharge. Instead of discharging the filter cake as a dry lump and then attempting to slurrify it later, the system slurrifies the filter cake in-situ within the housing before discharge. This preliminary slurrification action maintains solid quality and facilitates re-use by creating a pumpable slurry directly in the filtration housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional vessels are used for slurrification, then the slurrification can be performed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslurrification capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the filtration and slurrification operations into a single integrated system. The slurrification section is incorporated within the existing housing of the filter system, combining two separate processes into one unified device and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter system housing is designed to perform multiple functions: filtration and slurrification. By making the housing multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional separate vessels and equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining slurrification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the filter cake is exposed to oxygen during discharge, then the discharge process is simple, but the solid quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge simplicityVSAvoidsolid quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs slurrification as a preliminary action before discharge, creating a pumpable slurry within the sealed housing. This preliminary action occurs before the discharge process, allowing the solids to be protected from oxygen exposure during the discharge operation while maintaining their quality for re-use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By performing slurrification in-situ within the filtration housing before discharge, the system creates a controlled environment for the solids. The slurry is formed and discharged in a manner that minimizes exposure to atmospheric oxygen, protecting the solid quality without requiring complex inert atmosphere equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 reduces space requirements, prevents solid sedimentation, and enables the production of a pumpable, reusable slurry, enhancing the re-use of filter cake solids while minimizing oxygen exposure and maintaining solid quality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one nozzle (4) for steam or gas injection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteam or gas injection:

Data Source

PatentEP3806975B1A filtration process
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 CARGILL INC
  • EP3806975B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3806975B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A filter system and filtration process for obtaining a filtered liquid and slurrifying a filter cake and whereby the filter cake is slurrified under such conditions that the solids of the slurrified filter cake maintain a suitable quality for being re-used. The filter system has a housing (1) comprising an aperture (6) for liquid containing solids, and a discharge outlet (5) and is characterized in that the housing (1) of the filter system is comprising a slurrification section (3) and at least one filter element (2) having two sides wherein one side is suitable for building up a filter cake and another sides is suitable for contact with filtered liquid, and the slurrification section is comprising at least one nozzle (4) for steam or gas injection and the discharge outlet (5) is suitable for discharging a slurry.