Harmonic Balancer for Spray Dryer Absorber Atomizer Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary atomizers in spray dryer absorber flue gas desulfurization systems experience undesirable harmonic and non-harmonic vibrations, leading to reduced useful life and increased operational and capital costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of harmonic balancers, which can be of fluid, gel/wax/paraffin, or mechanical types, are used to reduce vibrations by converting vibrational energy into heat within non-Newtonian fluids or mechanical members, thereby dissipating it and balancing the atomizer, thus reducing vibrations within or outside the atomizer's harmonic range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rotary atomizers are used in spray dryer absorber systems, then flue gas desulfurization is achieved, but harmonic and non-harmonic vibrations occur reducing atomizer life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomizer service lifeVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the balancing medium from static to dynamic, using temperature-dependent viscosity changes in gel/wax/paraffin materials or centrifugal forces on mechanical members to adjust balancing parameters based on operating conditions, thereby reducing vibrations across different operational ranges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses fluid dynamics principles by introducing channels filled with fluids (gel/wax/paraffin or viscous oils) that respond to rotational speed changes, utilizing fluid viscosity and flow characteristics to provide vibration damping and balancing effects without solid mechanical contacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional mechanical balancers are used, then vibration reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidatomizer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration balancing function with the existing atomizer disk structure by integrating channels and balancing materials directly into the disk body, eliminating separate balancer components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining vibration reduction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The balancing system is designed to be self-regulating, where the fluid or mechanical members automatically adjust their distribution based on rotational speed and vibrational forces without external control, providing passive vibration damping that reduces system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 significantly extends the on-line service hours of the atomizer from about 200 hours to over 12,000 hours, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.

Implementation Method 1

converting vibrational energy into heat within non-Newtonian fluids or mechanical members, thereby dissipating it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Heating

Implementation Method 2

converting vibrational energy into heat within non-Newtonian fluids or mechanical members, thereby dissipating it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3332199B1Harmonic balancer for spray dryer absorber atomizer
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3332199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3332199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fluid type, gel/wax/paraffin type, or mechanical type harmonic balancer for built-in or retrofit use with an atomizer of a SDA flue gas desulfurization system for reduced atomizer vibration within or outside of the atomizer's harmonic range is provided herein. Also provided, is a method of using the built-in or retrofit harmonic balancer with an atomizer of a SDA flue gas desulfurization system to decrease atomizer vibration within or outside the atomizer's harmonic range, to increase atomizer on- line service hours, decrease atomizer maintenance requirements, and to decrease atomizer associated costs.