High-Pressure Fluid Processing Device with Recirculation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-pressure fluid processing devices lack efficiency in batch processing, as they do not effectively recirculate material through the processing module multiple times, leading to suboptimal particle size reduction and processing results.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure processing device configured with a processing module, a pump, a recirculation pathway, and a controller that determines and controls the number of pump strokes based on user input variables such as batch size and number of passes, ensuring material makes multiple passes through the processing module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If material is processed through a high-pressure processing module in batch mode, then particle size reduction is achieved, but processing efficiency is low without recirculation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle size reductionVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a recirculation system where processed material is continuously returned to the processing module inlet through a recirculation pump and manifold, enabling multiple passes without manual intervention. This continuous recirculation maintains productive action throughout the batch processing cycle, resolving the contradiction between achieving precise particle size reduction and maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Device complexity

If manual batch processing is used without automated recirculation control, then device complexity is reduced, but processing consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing control simplicityVSAvoidprocessing consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that monitor processing parameters and provide feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts pump operation and recirculation flow rates. This closed-loop control system ensures consistent particle size reduction across multiple passes while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated rather than manual control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The recirculation system is designed to automatically route material through the processing module multiple times without operator intervention. The controller autonomously manages pump strokes, recirculation flow, and processing parameters, enabling the system to self-regulate for consistent results while reducing the operational complexity burden on the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple manual passes are performed through the processing module, then particle size reduction is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle size reductionVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated recirculation system eliminates idle time between passes by continuously pumping material back through the processing module. The controller coordinates pump operation to maintain uninterrupted flow, ensuring that each pass contributes to particle size reduction without time loss, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving precise size reduction and minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 simplifies batch processing by ensuring precise control over the number of passes and pressure levels, resulting in consistent particle size reduction and improved processing outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

the pump is configured to pump the material through the processing module at a pressure of about 5,000 to 45,000 psi

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

homogenizers push unprocessed material through orifices at a high pressure, resulting in targeted particle size reduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParticle size reduction through high pressure: Compression

Implementation Method 3

a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid recirculation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12263455B2High-pressure fluid processing device configured for batch processing

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 IDEX MPT INC

AI summary

A high pressure processing device is configured to simplify batch processing. The high pressure processing device includes a processing module configured to reduce a particle size of a material or achieve a desired liquid processing result for the material, a pump configured to pump the material to an inlet of the processing module, a recirculation pathway configured to recirculate the material from an outlet of the processing module back to the pump, an input device configured to receive at least one user input variable, and a controller configured to (i) determine a number of pump strokes for the pump based on the user input variable, and (ii) control the pump according to the determined number of pump strokes so that the material makes a plurality of passes through the processing module.