Grinder Air Recirculation for Dust Dedusting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for comminuting solids in recycling plants require high air flow for effective cleaning, leading to inefficient and costly operation due to large-scale dedusting devices and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

Recirculating a portion of pre-cleaned, dust-laden air back to the grinder before the dedusting device, reducing the air flow to the dedusting device and allowing for smaller equipment and reduced energy consumption, while integrating a suction fan in the return line to manage the recirculated air flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large amount of air is supplied to the grinder and fed to the solids separator for effective dust removal, then the dust cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption and equipment size increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air stream is divided into two separate streams: a first air stream for transporting material through the cyclone separator, and a second air stream for dedusting after combustion. This segmentation allows each stream to be optimized independently, reducing the total air volume required for effective dust removal while lowering energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful combustion gases are extracted and separated from the main air stream before being fed to the dedusting device. By removing these gases early in the process, the dedusting device only needs to handle a smaller volume of air with lower dust content, reducing both equipment size and energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the entire amount of air is cleaned in the dedusting device, then the dust removal completeness is improved, but large-scale dedusting devices and high energy consumption are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal completenessVSAvoiddedusting device size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air stream is divided into two separate streams: a first air stream for transporting material through the cyclone separator, and a second air stream for dedusting after combustion. This segmentation allows each stream to be optimized independently, reducing the total air volume required for effective dust removal while lowering energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Combustion of dust particles is performed preliminarily in the combustion chamber before the air enters the dedusting device. This preliminary action converts dust particles into ash and gases, significantly reducing the dust load that the dedusting device must handle, thereby allowing for a smaller, less complex dedusting system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If recirculation of pre-cleaned air is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but additional pipeline infrastructure is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidpipeline infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recirculation line merges the pre-cleaned air stream back with the incoming air stream before it enters the grinder. This merging allows the system to utilize already-cleaned air for further dust suppression and cooling, reducing the energy required for dedusting while integrating smoothly into the existing pipeline infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback loop is established where pre-cleaned air from the dedusting device outlet is recirculated back to the grinder inlet. This feedback mechanism continuously supplies clean air to the grinding zone, maintaining optimal dust suppression and cooling conditions while reducing the overall energy consumption of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach significantly reduces energy consumption and procurement costs, enables more effective dedusting, and minimizes pipeline and structural requirements, while effectively capturing gaseous impurities by reattaching them to dust particles.

Implementation Method 1

A suction fan is integrated into the return line, with which the air flow to be returned is sucked out of the second supply line leading to the dedusting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a solids separator, in particular a cyclone, via a first feed line connected to the grinder, in which the charged air supplied is freed from coarse dust and waste by centrifugal separation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

gaseous impurities, such as volatile organic compounds, attach themselves to the dust particles and are then separated with the dust

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2308600B1Method and device for grinding solids
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 VENTILATORENFABRIK OELDE GMBH
  • EP2308600B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The method involves grinding bulky material in a grinder (1) and isolating with air aided particulate material, such as dust. The air is dedusted. A part of the air is guided after grinding and before dedusting. The air is branched before or after the separation of the particulate matter. An independent claim is also included for a device for grinding solids.