Grinding Mill Horizontal Layout Reduces Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding plants for comminuting brittle materials require high design effort and result in a very high overall height, especially when the roller press is arranged above the static sifter, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies due to the narrow and high static screens.

Innovation Solution

Arranging the roller press, conveying system, and classifier in a straight line next to each other, with the material flow direction uninterrupted, allows for a compact and simplified design that reduces overall height and design effort, enabling efficient sifting by maintaining even material distribution and optimizing the width of the conveyor and classifier to match the sifter inlet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the roller press is arranged above the static sifter, then the overall height is reduced, but the design effort and costs increase enormously due to the high weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall heightVSAvoiddesign effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement (roller press above sifter) to a horizontal arrangement (roller press next to sifter with conveying system in between). This dimensional change allows the system to achieve compactness without concentrating weight at the top, thereby reducing design complexity while maintaining space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If the roller press is arranged above the static sifter, then the overall height is reduced, but the costs increase enormously due to the high weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall heightVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging the roller press horizontally next to the sifter rather than vertically above it, the patent distributes the weight along the horizontal axis. This eliminates the concentration of heavy components at elevated positions, reducing structural load requirements and associated costs while achieving compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the static separator is built wider, then the sifting efficiency is increased, but the overall height increases when positioned under a roller press

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesifting efficiencyVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the sifter to be positioned horizontally next to the roller press rather than vertically beneath it. This allows the sifter to be built wider to improve sifting efficiency without increasing the vertical height, as the width extension occurs along the horizontal axis perpendicular to the gravity direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying system acts as an intermediary between the roller press and sifter, allowing them to be positioned horizontally adjacent to each other. This mediator enables the sifter to have optimal width for efficiency while maintaining compact vertical dimensions, as the material transfer occurs horizontally through the conveying system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If a wider sifter is positioned under a roller press, then the sifting efficiency is increased, but additional height is required for distribution means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesifting efficiencyVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for vertical distribution means by positioning the sifter horizontally next to the roller press. Material is transferred horizontally through the conveying system, allowing the sifter to be wider for improved efficiency without requiring additional vertical space for distribution mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 significantly reduces the overall height of the grinding plant, enhances sifting efficiency, and allows for easier maintenance while increasing throughput and mechanical safety by keeping high loads close to the ground and using wider classifiers.

Implementation Method 1

the coarse material from the classifier reaching the feed chute of the roller press by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the sifted material inlet (4) is arranged on the side of the separator facing the conveyor (2), while the inlet for the sifted gas is connected to the separator in an area facing away from the conveyor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2906349B1Grinding mill
Publication Date: 2016.08.03 THYSSENKRUPP IND SOLUTIONS AG
  • EP2906349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2906349B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2906349B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The grinding mill according to the invention substantially comprises the following parts: a roller press for crushing brittle material to be ground, which comprises two counter-running grinding rollers, a static classifier with a classifying-material inlet for fresh material to be ground and/or material crushed in the roller press, an aerating base, arranged at an angle to the horizontal and flowed through by classifying gas, a first and a second coarse-material outlet and a fine-material outlet, and a transporting unit, which is in connection with the roller press and the classifying-material inlet of the classifier, in order to raise the fresh material to be ground and/or material crushed in the roller press, wherein the roller press, the transporting unit and the classifier are structurally arranged next to one another and one behind the other in a straight line in the direction of material flow, the classifying-material inlet is arranged on the side of the classifier that is facing the transporting unit, the classifier has a classifying-gas inlet, which is connected to the classifier in a region facing away from the transporting unit, the classifier has two classifying chambers, arranged one above the other, wherein the classifying-material inlet opens out into the upper classifying chamber and the classifying-gas inlet is connected to the lower classifying chamber, and wherein the first coarse-material outlet is connected to the upper classifying chamber and the lower classifying chamber is provided with a second coarse-material outlet.