Freeze Vacuum Drying Pipe Unit with Non-Linear Shape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing freeze vacuum drying apparatuses face challenges in efficiently drying large amounts of frozen powder in a short time while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as they require high-capacity power sources and large vacuum exhaust mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A freeze vacuum drying apparatus with a non-linear pipe unit that traps and heats frozen particles using kinetic energy and high-frequency heating, allowing for efficient sublimation drying within the pipe unit and reducing the need for a large exhaust mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a high-capacity power source and large vacuum exhaust mechanism are used to dry large amounts of frozen powder in a short time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying speedVSAvoidexhaust mechanism size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drying process is segmented into two distinct phases: a rapid initial drying phase using high-frequency heating for the first few seconds, followed by a slower secondary drying phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high productivity initially without requiring a continuously oversized exhaust mechanism, as the vapor generation rate decreases over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating is applied in a periodic manner with high-frequency heating during the initial phase and reduced heating during the secondary phase. This periodic action pattern matches the decreasing vapor generation rate, allowing the exhaust mechanism to be sized appropriately for the peak demand rather than continuously operating at maximum capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If high-capacity power source is used to sublimate and dry large amount of frozen powder rapidly, then productivity is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying speedVSAvoidpower source capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power source operates periodically with high-power high-frequency heating during the initial rapid drying phase (first few seconds) when vapor generation is highest, then transitions to lower power during the secondary drying phase. This periodic power application achieves high productivity during the critical initial period without requiring a continuously high-capacity power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating parameters are dynamically changed during the drying process: high-frequency heating is applied initially to rapidly sublimate frozen powder, then heating power and frequency are adjusted for the secondary drying phase. This parameter change allows efficient use of energy by matching heating intensity to the actual drying needs at each moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional freeze vacuum drying is used with poor thermal conductivity, then drying is gentle and preserves quality, but drying time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional thermal conduction heating mechanism is replaced with high-frequency electromagnetic heating for the initial drying phase. This substitution enables rapid heating and sublimation without relying on thermal conductivity, achieving fast drying in the first few seconds while the brief exposure time prevents degradation of product quality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The drying process is segmented into a rapid high-frequency heating phase that lasts only a few seconds, followed by a gentler secondary drying phase. This segmentation allows the majority of drying to occur rapidly without thermal degradation, preserving product quality while dramatically reducing total drying time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 rapid freeze-vacuum drying of large amounts of powder, reduces apparatus size, and lowers costs by minimizing the requirement for a large exhaust mechanism and high-power sources.

Implementation Method 1

The heating unit sublimates and dries the frozen particles in the pipe unit by heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heating unit sublimates and dries the frozen particles in the pipe unit by heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 3

the frozen particles are formed by self-freezing of liquid droplets formed by spraying the raw material liquid into the vacuum chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentUS11112176B2Freeze vacuum drying apparatus and freeze vacuum drying method
Publication Date: 2021.09.07 ULVAC INC
  • US11112176B2 patent drawing
  • US11112176B2 patent drawing
  • US11112176B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A freeze vacuum drying apparatus includes: a spraying unit; a pipe unit; a heating unit; and a collection unit. The spraying unit sprays a raw material liquid into a vacuum chamber. The pipe unit has a non-linear shape, includes a first opening end and a second opening end, and traps frozen particles via the first opening end, the frozen particles being formed by self-freezing of liquid droplets formed by spraying the raw material liquid into the vacuum chamber. The heating unit heats the frozen particles in the pipe unit for sublimation drying, the frozen particles moving in the pipe unit from the first opening end toward the second opening end by kinetic energy produced during spraying. The collection unit collects dried particles that are formed by sublimation drying of the frozen particles in the pipe unit and released from the second opening end of the pipe unit.