Graphite-Lined Screw Conveyor for High-Temperature Material Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying devices used in graphitization processes for high-temperature materials suffer from short service life, contamination, and energy inefficiencies due to frequent shutdowns for maintenance, and they fail to evenly discharge and cool the material without causing ratholing or arching.
Innovation Solution
The use of graphite-like materials for surfaces in contact with the conveyed material, combined with a screw conveyor or conveying roller design, and a cooling system with coaxial cooling pipes, ensures efficient and even cooling and minimizes contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conveying devices are used to convey high-temperature material, then the material can be conveyed from the process housing, but the conveying device wears out quickly and contaminates the material with foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting materials with specific properties (graphite or graphite-like materials with melting points above 3,000°C) for the conveying device surfaces. This material parameter change enables the conveying device to withstand high temperatures (1,500°C to 3,200°C) without degrading, thereby extending service life and preventing contamination of the conveyed material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by using graphite materials or materials with graphite-like properties for the conveying device surfaces. These materials combine high temperature resistance, low reactivity, and appropriate mechanical properties, creating a composite solution that simultaneously addresses wear resistance and contamination prevention.
2Reliability
If the conveying device is replaced frequently to maintain material quality, then material contamination is reduced, but system downtime increases and energy is wasted on repeated heating
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameter of the conveying device to graphite or graphite-like materials with exceptional high-temperature stability, the device can operate continuously without frequent replacements. This eliminates system downtime and avoids the energy waste associated with repeated shutdowns and restarts, while maintaining material purity.
3Temperature
If conventional cooling channels are used to cool the material, then the material can be cooled from high temperature, but the cooling process is slow due to poor thermal conductivity requiring very long channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the conveying device by constructing it from graphite or graphite-like materials that possess high thermal conductivity. This parameter change enables efficient heat transfer from the conveyed material to the cooling system, achieving rapid cooling without requiring excessively long channel lengths.
4Reliability
If graphite-like materials are used for surfaces in contact with material, then service life is extended and contamination is reduced, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting graphite or graphite-like materials that, while having higher initial manufacturing costs, provide extended service life and eliminate contamination issues. The long-term operational benefits and reduced maintenance requirements offset the higher initial manufacturing investment.
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 configuration extends the service life of the conveying device, reduces downtime, and maintains material purity by preventing ratholing and arching while effectively cooling the material from high temperatures to below 100°C.
Implementation Method 1
cooling occurs purely through heat conduction from the inside of the powder column to the outside into the water-cooled casing of the channel
Implementation Method 2
a cooling system with coaxial cooling pipes ensures efficient and even cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying device for conveying material, in particular material having a temperature of 1500° C. to 3200° C., in particular for conveying thermally or thermo-chemically treated material, has a housing which has a material inlet and a material outlet. The material can be conveyed from the material inlet to the material outlet along a conveying path by means of a conveying device. Along the conveying path, such surfaces that come into contact with the material to be conveyed are provided, at least in certain areas, by a material that is a graphite material or a material with graphite-like properties.