Humidification Rotor with Acute-Angled Surfaces for Flour Dust Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for moistening free-flowing materials like flour often result in significant dust formation during transfer, posing health risks to bakers due to the risk of 'baker's asthma' and other allergies, and previous solutions like filters and cloths only provide partial reduction in dust formation.
Innovation Solution
A moistening device with a rotor and casing that uses surfaces protruding at an acute angle to convey material past a liquid dispenser, where a constriction and expansion space separate dust particles, preventing them from rising back and ensuring uniform moistening, combined with a shear bar for even distribution and a slot nozzle for controlled liquid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If filters or cloths are used to reduce dust formation, then dust formation is partially reduced, but the solution is incomplete and does not fully eliminate the health risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the flour material by introducing moisture, transforming it from a dry, dust-prone state to a moist, cohesive state. This parameter change (moisture content) fundamentally alters the material properties to prevent dust formation at the source rather than filtering it afterward
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful dry, dust-prone state of flour into a beneficial moist state. By adding liquid to the flour, the previously harmful dust particles are transformed into a cohesive, non-dusty material that can be safely handled, turning the harm of dust formation into the benefit of dust elimination
2Ease of operation
If surfaces protrude at an acute angle to convey material, then material conveyance is achieved, but dust particles may rise back into the rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the gap structure by creating an expansion space that rises above the rotor surface. This dimensional addition prevents dust particles from rising back into the rotor by providing a vertical barrier, while the acute-angled surfaces continue to convey material effectively in the horizontal direction
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a constriction is provided in the gap to compress and accelerate the air-material mixture, then dust particles are separated, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the constriction function with the existing gap structure between surface supports. Rather than adding a separate constriction device, the gap itself is configured to create the constriction effect, combining multiple functions (material conveyance, dust separation, and flow acceleration) into a single integrated structure
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 device effectively reduces dust formation by ensuring uniform moistening and distribution of the material, minimizing the risk of 'baker's asthma and other allergies, while preventing material from re-entering the rotor and ensuring efficient liquid application.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor (2) which has an axis of rotation (3) and is at least partially surrounded by a casing (4), with a pourable material supply (8) into the casing (4)
Implementation Method 2
the air / material dust mixture is compressed in the constriction and finely mixed. The air / material dust mixture is also accelerated in the conveying direction. After passing through the constriction, the dust-air mixture expands
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A humidification device for moistening free-flowing material, in particular flour, is described. It comprises a rotor (2) having an axis of rotation and at least partially enclosed by a casing (4), a feed for the free-flowing material into the casing, and a liquid outlet that discharges liquid radially outwards from the rotor. The aim is to provide a functional device for moistening free-flowing material. For this purpose, the rotor (2) is provided with several surfaces (7) projecting from its circumference, forming an acute angle with a circumferential direction of the rotor. Each surface is arranged on a support (9), with a gap provided between adjacent support structures (9), which has a constriction towards the liquid outlet.