Hinged Biogas Fermentation Container for Hydrostatic Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fermentation containers face challenges in managing high hydrostatic pressure due to the depth of fermentation material, requiring thick sidewalls which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A biogas plant design featuring a fermentation container hingedly connected to a support via a pivot axis, allowing for improved load distribution and reduced lateral forces, with a hinge that enables movability and torque compensation to mitigate pressure effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick sidewalls are used to bear high hydrostatic pressure, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fermentation container is designed with a movable, hingedly connected upper wall part that can pivot relative to the lower wall part. This dynamic configuration allows the structure to adapt to hydrostatic pressure by rotating about a pivot axis, converting static lateral forces into rotational moments that can be better managed by the hinge mechanism, thereby reducing the need for excessively thick sidewalls
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameter from fixed rigid walls to a hinged system with rotational freedom. By introducing the pivot axis and allowing angular displacement, the system transforms the way forces are transmitted and distributed, enabling thinner walls while maintaining structural integrity under hydrostatic pressure
2Strength
If thick sidewalls are used to bear high hydrostatic pressure, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism introduces controlled movement between the upper and lower wall parts, allowing the structure to dynamically respond to pressure changes. This dynamic adaptation simplifies the overall design compared to using massively thick walls, as the hinge naturally manages force distribution through its mechanical properties
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fermentation container is rigidly connected to the support, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion stresses and filling-induced stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged connection provides rotational freedom that allows the fermentation container to expand and contract with temperature changes and to deform during filling operations. The pivot axis acts as a stress-relief point, enabling the structure to accommodate thermal expansion and filling-induced stresses without generating harmful rigid constraints
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from a rigid fixed connection to a hinged connection with rotational degrees of freedom, the system alters its mechanical response to environmental and operational variations. The hinge allows angular movement that accommodates dimensional changes due to thermal expansion and material filling, reducing stress accumulation
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 design reduces the need for thick sidewalls, lowers manufacturing costs, and enhances structural efficiency by distributing loads effectively, while accommodating thermal expansion and filling-induced stresses.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge provides for a movability of the fermentation container with respect to the support lengthwise (e.g. parallel to) the pivot axis. In this way, stresses due to thermal expansion can be reduced.
Implementation Method 2
a hinge, the hinge hingedly connecting the fermentation container to the support, the hinge defining a pivot axis about which the upper wall part and the lower wall part are pivotable
Data Source
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AI summary
A biogas plant (100) is provided comprising a fermentation container (102) for receiving fermentation material (104) to be fermented. The fermentation container (102) comprises a lower wall part (108, 208) and an upper wall part (110, 210) wherein the upper wall part being positioned above the lower wall part (108, 208). Further, the biogas plant (100) comprises a support (116, 216) and a hinge (118, 218) wherein the hinge hingedly connects the fermentation container (102) to the support (116, 216) and wherein the hinge (118, 218) defines a pivot axis (158, 258) about which the upper wall part (110, 210) and the lower wall part (108, 208) are pivotable. According to an embodiment, two such supports (116, 216) e.g. made of concrete are provided and subsequently the fermentation container (102) is hingedly mounted thereon.