Geological Sample Drying and Comminution Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for drying and comminuting geological samples, such as those from drilling operations, are inefficient, leading to delays in analysis due to the need for large and bulky equipment that is not portable or capable of handling samples at the rate they are produced, and often result in poor sampling statistics and quality due to coarse material interference.
Innovation Solution
A batch sample preparation apparatus comprising a fluid bed dryer with positive fluid pressure and agitation, coupled with a comminution device for pneumatic transfer and processing, allowing for efficient drying and size reduction of samples, enabling on-site analysis and minimizing cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If large dryers and crushers or mills are used for drying and comminution of sample material, then the samples can be dried and processed, but the equipment is bulky and not easily transportable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying function and comminution function into a single integrated apparatus. The drying chamber and comminution chamber are connected in sequence within one portable unit, eliminating the need for separate large dryers and crushers. This merging of functions achieves both drying and size reduction capabilities while maintaining compact, transportable dimensions.
2Reliability
If large dryers are used to dry samples at low temperatures, then sample integrity is maintained, but the drying process takes several hours causing significant delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluidized bed drying system where air flow dynamically suspends and agitates the sample particles, dramatically increasing the effective surface area for moisture evaporation. This dynamic fluidization process accelerates drying time from hours to minutes while maintaining low temperatures to preserve sample integrity, resolving the contradiction between drying speed and sample preservation.
3Manufacturing precision
If common comminution means are used on variably wet material, then particle size reduction can be achieved, but sample build-up and loss occur requiring excessive cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs drying in the drying chamber before the material enters the comminution chamber. This preliminary drying action removes moisture that would otherwise cause wet material to stick and build-up during comminution. The sequential arrangement ensures material is dried first, then comminuted, eliminating cleaning issues while achieving proper particle size reduction.
4Productivity
If coarse material is used for analysis, then sampling can be performed quickly, but poor sampling statistics and analytical repeatability result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a comminution chamber with grinding media that breaks down coarse sample material into finer particles. This segmentation of particles improves sampling statistics and analytical repeatability by ensuring more uniform representation of the bulk material, while the integrated design maintains efficient processing throughput.
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 apparatus enables rapid and efficient drying and comminution of geological samples, allowing for on-site analysis and reducing delays, while maintaining sample integrity and quality, and is designed to be portable and operate as a closed system for efficient sample preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid bed dryer comprising said source of positive fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
sample material may be transported from said dryer to said comminution device by fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
the dryer includes agitation means located proximal to said sample bed to agitate the sample material
Implementation Method 4
a comminution device for receiving dried sample from said at least one sample outlet
Implementation Method 5
said fluid flow also extracting the sample material from the comminution device for collection and subsequent analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A batch sample preparation apparatus (10) for preparing a geological sample for analysis is described and claimed. The apparatus (10) comprises a dryer (12) having a drying (chamber 52), a sample inlet (20) and at least one sample outlet (22), (24) communicating with the drying chamber (52), to a comminution device (14) in selective fluid communication via valves (26), (28) with the dryer (12) to selectively receive dried sample. The apparatus (10) has a source of fluid (74) introduced at the dryer (12) so that sample material may be transported from the dryer (12) to the comminution device (14) by fluid flow, which fluid flow also extracts the sample material from the comminution device (14) for collection and subsequent analysis.