Hold Offloading System with Obstacle-Induced Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing discharge systems for hoppers in the dredging industry face inefficiencies due to low permeability of soils, which hinders water flow and requires multiple rounds of offloading, as the valve structures often obstruct the flow path and limit fluidization capacity.
Innovation Solution
A breaching offloading system with an obstacle positioned near the outlet to create multiple flow paths and a jetting system to direct liquid flow, enhancing the flow efficiency by increasing breaching surfaces and promoting fluid flow towards the outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single outlet with valve is used for offloading, then the discharge structure is simple, but the flow path is obstructed by the valve and offloading efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet is segmented into multiple flow paths by introducing obstacles (baffles or plates) that divide the outlet into several smaller channels. This segmentation allows simultaneous flow through multiple paths, increasing total offloading capacity while maintaining a relatively simple overall discharge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstacle is positioned at a specific height above the outlet, creating a three-dimensional flow structure. Liquid is injected from above the obstacle, creating vertical and radial flow components that utilize multiple dimensions rather than a single horizontal flow path, thereby increasing breaching surfaces and offloading efficiency.
2Productivity
If water flow is increased to improve breaching, then the offloading rate improves, but the soil's low permeability hinders water flow
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the outlet into multiple flow paths using obstacles, the total water flow required for breaching is distributed across several channels. This reduces the permeability demand on the soil for each individual path while maintaining or increasing the total offloading rate through cumulative flow from all paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid is injected from above the obstacle before the soil reaches the outlet, pre-fluidizing the soil in advance. This preliminary action creates flow channels and reduces soil density upstream, making subsequent breaching at the outlet more effective and reducing the total water flow needed to achieve high offloading rates.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple rounds of offloading are performed, then complete emptying is achieved, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-path outlet structure enables continuous and simultaneous flow of soil and liquid through multiple channels throughout the offloading process. This continuous action prevents flow stagnation and maintains high offloading rates throughout, allowing complete emptying in a single operation rather than requiring multiple intermittent rounds.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing vertical injection from above the obstacle and creating radial flow patterns through the divided outlet, the system engages three-dimensional flow dynamics. This multi-dimensional approach maximizes the utilization of available flow paths and prevents dead zones, enabling complete soil removal in one continuous operation.
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 reduces the number of offloading rounds required, potentially allowing for complete emptying of the hopper in a single opening and closing of the outlet, thereby improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the offloading process.
Implementation Method 1
the obstacle is positioned and shaped to create a plurality of flow paths leading to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
The jetting system comprises a plurality of jets directed at a flow path leading to the outlet
Implementation Method 3
The process of causing soil to flow is called breaching, and for saturated soils requires that the pore size be locally increased
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A hold offloading system includes a holding space for containing a soil and liquid; an outlet with a valve for offloading the soil and liquid from the holding space; and an obstacle positioned near the outlet, wherein the obstacle is positioned and shaped to create a plurality of flow paths leading to the outlet. An increased number of flow paths results in an increased number of breaching surfaces.