Flushing Surface Flow Path for Clog-Resistant Edge Trimming Rinsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems in paper production, such as spray nozzles, often become clogged, leading to quality and production issues due to the accumulation of contaminants, which can transfer back onto the fiber web and cause web breaks.
Innovation Solution
A flow device with a nozzle device that applies a solid jet of water or aqueous suspension to a flat application surface, which is bounded by a side wall and radius, redirecting the flow to a rinsing surface to create a uniform film, using materials like polymers and metals with controlled surface roughness and hydrophilic properties to prevent adhesion and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spray nozzles are positioned above the paper web to clean the edge trimming units, then the rinsing function is provided, but the spray nozzles themselves become clogged leading to quality and production problems
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning nozzles above the web to spray downward, the invention inverts the approach by applying liquid to the underside of the edge trimming unit, allowing the liquid to flow upward and over the surface. This inversion prevents the nozzles from being exposed to the harsh environment where clogging occurs, while still achieving effective cleaning of the trimming unit surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary approach by using a distributed liquid application system that flows liquid through channels and over surfaces rather than using concentrated spray nozzles. This intermediary liquid flow path prevents direct contact between nozzle openings and contaminants, eliminating the clogging problem while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Productivity
If larger deposits of contaminants accumulate on edge trimming units, then cleaning is needed, but contaminants are transferred back onto the fiber web causing web breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies cleaning liquid continuously to the edge trimming units before contaminants can accumulate to problematic levels. By maintaining a constant liquid film that flows over the surfaces, the system performs preliminary cleaning action that prevents contaminant buildup, thereby avoiding the need for interrupting production for cleaning and preventing contaminant transfer to the web.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system operates continuously with liquid flowing constantly over the edge trimming unit surfaces. This continuous liquid application ensures that contaminants are washed away as they form, maintaining uninterrupted cleaning action that prevents both accumulation and transfer to the fiber web, thereby supporting continuous production without quality issues.
3Reliability
If a solid jet from nozzle is applied to surface, then cleaning effect is achieved, but the jet needs to be fanned out into diffuse flow for uniform coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses curved surfaces and rounded transitions in the liquid flow channels to naturally fan out the liquid jet. The curved geometry of the flow paths and surfaces causes the concentrated jet to spread and diffuse as it follows the curved contours, creating uniform liquid film coverage across the edge trimming unit surfaces without requiring additional diffusing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the liquid flow from a one-dimensional concentrated jet to a two-dimensional diffuse film by directing the jet along curved surfaces and through channels that expand the flow in multiple directions. This dimensional transformation occurs naturally through the geometry of the flow path, converting the narrow jet into a broad uniform coating that covers the entire trimming unit surface.
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 flow device effectively prevents contaminant adhesion and ensures thorough cleaning with minimal water usage, reducing the risk of web breaks and maintaining production quality by creating a continuous, uniform liquid film across the rinsing surface.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle device 2 comprises a nozzle 21 configured to apply water or an aqueous suspension 5 in a solid jet 9 onto the application surface 3
Implementation Method 2
This diffusion can be further improved by deflecting the flow from the surface around a radius to a rinsing area
Implementation Method 3
the application surface and/or the rinsing surface has a hydrophilic wetting property and comprises a contact angle to water droplets of 0° - 85°
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow device (1) comprising a nozzle device (2), an application surface (3), and a rinsing surface (4), the rinsing surface (4) being configured to rinse with water (5) or an aqueous suspension, wherein the nozzle device (2) is configured to apply water or aqueous suspension to the flat application surface (3), the application surface (3) being bounded by a side wall (7), the application surface (3) comprising a radius (6) arranged parallel to the side wall (7), and the application surface (3) being configured to connect with the rinsing surface (4), wherein the flow device (1) is configured to redirect the flow from the application surface (3) to the rinsing surface (4) and to fan it out on the rinsing surface (4). The invention further relates to a side shield (10) and a method for efficiently rinsing a flow device (1).