Hopper Fluid Extraction Tubular Bodies Preventing Filter Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing incoherent plastics, such as those described in US 2021/0387380 A1, face issues with clogging of filtering means due to granules being conveyed by hot air, leading to uneven thermal energy distribution and increased energy consumption, particularly during the initial filling of the hopper.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs tubular bodies permeable to the process fluid, arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis of the container, which act as a barrier to prevent granule aspiration and ensure efficient fluid extraction, reducing clogging and enhancing thermal energy homogeneity by allowing the fluid to exit through multiple angularly spaced openings, thus minimizing material conveyed 'in flight' and optimizing air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a great flowrate of process fluid is used to ensure thermal energy transmission to granules, then thermal energy distribution is improved, but clogging of filtering means occurs due to granules being conveyed by the high speed fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is divided into multiple openings distributed around the peripheral of the hopper bottom, rather than a single centralized outlet. This segmentation allows the process fluid to exit through multiple paths, reducing the velocity and conveying force at each individual outlet, thereby preventing granule aspiration and filter clogging while maintaining effective thermal energy distribution throughout the granule mass
Solution Approach 2:
A perforated distributing cone is introduced as an intermediary element between the process fluid source and the granules. This cone distributes the fluid radially outward through multiple openings, converting the high-velocity axial flow into a distributed radial flow pattern that penetrates the granule mass effectively without creating sufficient upward conveying force to aspirate granules
2Device complexity
If a distributing cone with vertical distribution mode is used, then the structure is simple, but thermal energy distribution is uneven and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distribution is transitioned from a purely vertical mode to a combined vertical and radial mode. The perforated distributing cone redirects the downward-flowing fluid to exit radially outward through multiple openings at the hopper bottom, creating a three-dimensional flow pattern that penetrates the granule mass more effectively and distributes thermal energy more uniformly throughout the material
3Productivity
If granules are conveyed 'in flight' by the process fluid, then the filling process is rapid, but localized decreases in load losses occur creating preferential routes with high flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet is segmented into multiple openings distributed around the peripheral of the hopper bottom. This segmentation prevents the formation of preferential routes by distributing the fluid flow across multiple paths, ensuring uniform penetration and thermal energy transfer throughout the granule mass while maintaining efficient filling operations
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 solution reduces clogging of filters, improves thermal energy distribution within the hopper, and enhances processing efficiency by minimizing the thermal gradient between the granule surface and core, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a process fluid (generally hot air) is introduced into a hopper to pass through incoherent material and is then extracted from the hopper
Implementation Method 2
The drying and/or dehumidifying process has to be maintained in as stable condition as possible, such that all the dried and/or dehumidified polymer granules reach with constancy the same temperature and humidity conditions
Implementation Method 3
tubular bodies permeable to the process fluid, arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis of the container, which act as a barrier to prevent granule aspiration and ensure efficient fluid extraction
Implementation Method 4
In the process of drying and/or dehumidifying polymer granules the latter are heated by creating a thermal gradient between the external surface and the central part of the granule
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and a method for processing incoherent plastics with a process fluid are disclosed, in which the process fluid traverses the incoherent plastics contained in a drying and/or dehumidifying hopper and is then extracted from the hopper through a tubular body that is at least partially bored and is provided above with an opening that leads into an outlet chamber of the process fluid that is arranged above the internal volume and is separated from the internal volume by a diaphragm that is impermeable to the process fluid.