Grain Aeration Pipe Permeable Section for Uniform Drying

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grain aeration systems inadequately dry grain at the top of the bin while overheating the bottom, leading to uneven moisture distribution and potential spoilage due to insufficient air and heat distribution.

Innovation Solution

A grain aeration system featuring a gas distribution pipe with a permeable section in the upper portion and an impermeable section below, supported by guy wires, which directs heated gas from the base to the top of the bin, ensuring more even drying by reducing overheating at the bottom and improving moisture removal from the top.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If heated gas is supplied from the base of the grain bin, then the grain at the bottom is dried, but the grain at the top remains insufficiently dried while the bottom grain becomes overdried

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture distribution uniformityVSAvoidaeration system effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gas distribution pipe is segmented into a permeable section in the upper portion and an impermeable section in the lower portion. This segmentation allows heated gas to be distributed selectively to different zones of the grain bin, directing more gas to the upper portion where it is needed while reducing gas flow to the lower portion to prevent overdrying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the gas distribution pipe have different permeability properties. The permeable section allows gas to escape and contact grain in the upper portion, while the impermeable section prevents gas escape in the lower portion. This local differentiation of properties enables targeted aeration to address the non-uniform moisture distribution problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If gas distribution pipes extend fully from the base, then gas reaches the top of the bin, but gas is wasted at the bottom where it is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheated gas distributionVSAvoidheated gas waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The permeable section is extracted from the lower portion of the gas distribution pipe, leaving only an impermeable section there. This removes the capability for gas to escape in the lower portion where it is not needed, preventing energy waste while maintaining the full height of the pipe to deliver gas to the upper portion where it is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional aeration systems are used, then installation is simple, but moisture removal from top grain is insufficient leading to spoilage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem installation simplicityVSAvoidgrain storage safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gas distribution pipe is segmented into a permeable section in the upper portion and an impermeable section in the lower portion. This segmentation allows heated gas to be distributed selectively to different zones of the grain bin, directing more gas to the upper portion where it is needed while reducing gas flow to the lower portion to prevent overdrying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the gas distribution pipe have different permeability properties. The permeable section allows gas to escape and contact grain in the upper portion, while the impermeable section prevents gas escape in the lower portion. This local differentiation of properties enables targeted aeration to address the non-uniform moisture distribution problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system achieves more uniform drying throughout the grain bin, preventing overdrying at the bottom and ensuring the grain reaches the necessary moisture content for safe storage by directing heated gas and air more effectively across the entire bin.

Implementation Method 1

The gas distribution pipe comprises a permeable section in an upper portion of the gas distribution pipe. The permeable section comprising a plurality of perforations.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow distribution through permeable section: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a heater to supply heated gas to the gas entry duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

Grain aeration systems are used to dry grain within a grain bin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

Grain aeration systems are used to dry grain within a grain bin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11340016B2Grain aeration system

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 GOTECH LTD

AI summary

There is a grain aeration system for a grain bin. The system includes a gas entry duct configured to receive gas and a gas distribution pipe extending upwardly from the gas entry duct and having a height. The gas entry duct extends along a base of the grain bin. The gas distribution pipe includes a permeable section and an impermeable section. The permeable section includes a plurality of perforations. The permeable section is above the impermeable section. There is also a grain bin, having a surrounding wall and roof. There is a gas entry duct extending from outside the surrounding wall to inside the surrounding wall and a gas distribution pipe extending upward from the gas entry duct. The gas distribution pipe has a permeable section above an impermeable section.