Flow Guidance Component for High Energy Intensity Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow-through reactors face challenges in efficiently influencing the flow of flowable media due to inhomogeneous energy distribution, leading to variations in property changes within the medium, requiring a solution to direct a majority of the medium through high energy intensity zones with minimal control effort.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that incorporate a mechanical component within the flow-through reactor, fixedly mounted to guide the flowable medium through zones of high energy intensity, utilizing non-uniformly distributed mechanical energy, such as low-frequency power ultrasonic vibrations, to alter properties like particle size distribution and viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If energy is introduced into the flow-through reactor to change properties of the flowable medium, then the desired property changes (temperature, density, homogeneity, etc.) are achieved, but the energy intensity is distributed inhomogeneously throughout the reactor volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates zones of high energy intensity within the reactor by positioning energy sources (ultrasonic generators, heating elements, etc.) at specific locations where they generate intense local energy fields. The flow guidance component directs the flowable medium through these localized high-energy zones, ensuring that property changes occur where energy intensity is highest, thereby achieving consistent manufacturing outcomes despite non-uniform energy distribution across the entire reactor volume.
2Productivity
If the flowable medium flows through the reactor, then processing occurs, but variations in flow paths cause variations in property changes within the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guidance component creates a controlled flow path that directs the flowable medium through specific zones of high energy intensity within the reactor. This ensures that all portions of the medium pass through regions where energy treatment is most effective, achieving uniform property changes across the entire batch while maintaining continuous processing throughput.
3Productivity
If a mechanical component is added to guide flow through high energy intensity zones, then processing efficiency is enhanced and property variations are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guidance component serves as an intermediary element between the energy sources and the flowable medium. It mediates the interaction by directing the medium through high energy intensity zones without requiring fundamental redesign of the reactor or energy sources. This relatively simple component achieves the dual goals of enhanced processing efficiency and reduced property variations while adding minimal structural complexity.
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 that a majority of the flowable medium passes through high energy intensity zones, consistently altering desired properties, thereby enhancing processing efficiency and reducing variations in medium properties.
Implementation Method 1
which energy preferably generates cavitation in the flowable medium located in the flow-through reactor
Implementation Method 2
Low frequency power ultrasound (NFLUS) is ultrasound with an operating frequency of 15 to 100 kHz, preferably 15 to 60 kHz, e.g. 20 kHz
Implementation Method 3
at least one mechanical component positioned in the flow-through reactor and adapted to influence the flow of the flowable medium flowing through the flow-through reactor
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for influencing the flow of a flowable medium through a flow-through reactor are described. The flow-through reactor has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, through each of which a flowable medium can flow in or out. By means of at least one energy source for changing at least one property of the flowable medium flowing through the flow-through reactor, energy can be introduced whose intensity is non-uniformly distributed in the volume of the flow-through reactor. According to the invention, the flow of the flowable medium flowing through the flow-through reactor is influenced by at least one mechanical component positioned in the flow-through reactor in such a way that a majority of the flowable medium flowing through the flow-through reactor flows through the zones of high energy intensity generated by means of the energy source.