Friction Inducing Surface for Particle Size Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material treatment methods, such as those described in Australian patent AU 2005204977 and EP 0 122 608 A2, are inefficient in reducing particle size and do not achieve the desired level of size reduction.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a friction inducing surface on the inner wall of a cylindrical chamber within a particle treatment apparatus, featuring a rotating rotor and blades, enhances the efficiency of particle size reduction by creating and maintaining vortexes that apply energetic forces, leading to dehydration and smaller particle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a smooth inner wall is used in the cylindrical chamber, then the apparatus structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the particle size reduction efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a friction inducing surface treatment only to specific regions of the chamber inner wall where vortex formation occurs, rather than making the entire chamber complex. This localized modification maintains overall structural simplicity while significantly improving particle size reduction efficiency through enhanced vortex-induced mechanical energy transfer to particles
2Productivity
If a friction inducing surface is introduced to enhance vortex action, then particle size reduction efficiency increases significantly, but the chamber structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface friction parameter of the chamber wall by introducing a friction inducing surface treatment. This parameter modification enhances the vortex action and mechanical energy transfer to particles, achieving 100% or more improvement in processing efficiency without fundamentally redesigning the chamber structure
3Manufacturing precision
If the rotor rotates at high speed to reduce particle size, then the size reduction capability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a friction inducing surface as an intermediary between the rotor and particles. This surface enhances the vortex action and mechanical energy transfer efficiency, allowing for more effective particle size reduction at lower rotor speeds, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving size reduction capability
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 friction inducing surface significantly increases the efficiency of particle size reduction, allowing for particles to be reduced to sizes as small as 5 microns or smaller, with a minimum of 100% improvement in processing efficiency compared to smooth-walled chambers, and effectively reduces retained moisture through vacuum evaporation and air flow.
Implementation Method 1
there being one or more vortex supporting and defining spaces between the respective blades, and at least some of the inner wall of the substantially cylindrical portion having a friction inducing surface... its treatment of particles does appear to be associated with entering and being subject to energetic forces within a vortex
Implementation Method 2
a vortex includes portions of higher pressure and portions of lower pressure and that particles entering such a vortex will be subject to a low pressure environment which will induce drying... It is assumed that the mechanism for this includes vacuum evaporation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and apparatus for very fine grinding which uses a rotor rapidly rotating in a compatible cylindrical housing where there is an improvement of a friction inducing surface on the cylindrical face to assist in the grinding effectiveness.