Granulated Material Water Content Control for Conveyor Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Granulated materials generated in steel-making processes exhibit high water content and adhesion issues during transport by belt conveyers, leading to clogging, especially when exposed to rain.

Innovation Solution

A granulated material with a water content of 10-18% and a particle size of 0.125 mm or more, manufactured through a dehydrating and granulating process using a stirring apparatus, to reduce adhesion and clogging during conveyer transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the water content of granulated material is increased to maintain moisture, then the material becomes more cohesive and easier to handle, but adhesion to conveyer junctions increases causing clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecohesivenessVSAvoidadhesion to conveyer junction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the water content parameter within 10-18% and particle size within 0.125-5mm. This optimized parameter range achieves the right balance where the granulated material maintains sufficient cohesiveness for handling while preventing excessive adhesion to conveyer junctions, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and harmful adhesion effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the particle size of granulated material is decreased to improve fineness, then the material becomes more uniform, but adhesion to conveyer junctions increases causing clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveuniformityVSAvoidadhesion to conveyer junction
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by establishing an optimal particle size range of 0.125-5mm. This parameter optimization ensures the granulated material achieves sufficient uniformity and fineness for manufacturing purposes while preventing the particles from being so small that they adhere excessively to conveyer junctions, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and harmful adhesion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the water content of granulated material is increased during rainy conditions, then the material maintains moisture content, but adhesion to conveyer junctions increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture contentVSAvoidadhesion to conveyer junction
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by setting a controlled water content range of 10-18%, which is lower than the typical 20-30% water content of raw sludge. This parameter optimization ensures that even during rainy conditions, the granulated material does not absorb excessive moisture that would cause severe adhesion to conveyer junctions, while still maintaining sufficient moisture for material stability and handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 controlled water content and particle size significantly decrease adhesion to conveyer junctions, preventing clogging even in rainy conditions, while ensuring effective granulation and transportability.

Implementation Method 1

a granulating process of making a granulated material by mixing and granulating the dehydrated cake and dust by using a stirring apparatus having a stirring impeller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP3733883B1Granulated material, method for manufacturing granulated material, and method for manufacturing sintered ore
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP3733883B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3733883B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is a granulated material with which it is possible to decrease the amount of adhesion to a conveyer junction. The granulated material contains dust and sludge, a water content of the granulated material is 10 mass% or more and 18 mass% or less, and a content of a granulated material having a particle size of 0.125 mm or more is 90 mass% or more.