Furnace Control System for Multi-Dryer Heat Energy Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems waste resources and incur high equipment costs by supplying heat energy from a single furnace to a single dryer, limiting the ability to set individual drying conditions for multiple dryers due to identical heat energy generation.

Innovation Solution

A control system that calculates and adjusts heat energy demand for each dryer based on preset conditions, using a calculating module to determine fuel and hot air volume, a detecting module to monitor temperatures, and a control module to adjust air supply accordingly, allowing for individual drying condition settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If heat energy from a single furnace is supplied to multiple dryers, then equipment cost is reduced and resource waste is minimized, but individual drying conditions cannot be set for each dryer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment costVSAvoidindividual drying condition setting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the heat supply control by providing individual control valves and control units for each dryer, while maintaining a single shared furnace. This allows independent temperature control for each dryer without requiring separate furnaces, thus reducing equipment costs while enabling individual drying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality control by allowing each dryer to have its own temperature setpoint and control parameters tailored to specific material requirements. The control unit adjusts hot air supply individually to each dryer based on local drying needs, enabling different drying conditions for different materials while sharing the same heat source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If heat energy from a single furnace is supplied to a single dryer, then individual drying conditions can be optimized, but resource waste increases and equipment cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource wasteVSAvoiddrying capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple drying operations into a single furnace system, where one furnace supplies hot air to multiple dryers simultaneously. This consolidation reduces resource waste by eliminating redundant furnaces while maintaining individualized control for each dryer, thus improving overall productivity without sacrificing drying optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single furnace is designed to serve multiple functions by supplying heat to multiple different dryers that can process different materials with different drying requirements. The universal heat source is controlled through individual control units that enable each dryer to perform its specific drying function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If identical drying conditions are set for all dryers using a single furnace, then system complexity is reduced, but operational flexibility and economic efficiency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements dynamic control by allowing each dryer to have adjustable temperature setpoints and control parameters that can be changed independently based on operational requirements. The system adapts to different drying needs through individual control units while maintaining a unified furnace operation, balancing complexity with operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables efficient use of heat energy, saving fuel and allowing for tailored drying conditions across multiple dryers, thereby enhancing economic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a raw material may be burned to generate usable heat energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

to increase the volume of hot air supplied from the furnace to the dryer when the drying temperature is lower than the preset temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9109835B2Method and control system for controlling supply of heat energy from a furnace to mulitple dryers

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 SUNCUE

AI summary

A method for controlling supply of heat energy from a furnace to multiple dryers includes: determining a preset temperature, a preset humidity and a drying time for each of the dryers; calculating heat energy demand of each of the dryers according to the preset temperature, the preset humidity and the drying time of a respective one of the dryers, and calculating a fuel amount to be supplied to the furnace, and a volume of hot air to be supplied to each of the dryers; detecting a drying temperature in each of the dryers; and for each of the dryers, comparing the drying temperature and the preset temperature of the dryer, increasing the volume of hot air when the drying temperature is lower than the preset temperature, and decreasing the volume of hot air when the drying temperature is higher than the preset temperature.