Hydronic Radiant Heating Cooling Agricultural Feed Additive Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heating and cooling agricultural feed additives during storage and delivery are inconvenient and inefficient, often requiring water as a diluent and frequent line clearing to prevent freezing, which can damage the additives and expose them to uncontrollable temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A hydronic radiant heating and cooling system that maintains the feed additive delivery line at a constant, safe temperature between 70° F, using a closed circuit with a power source, pump, and thermostat to radiantly heat or cool the line, eliminating the need for water and preventing freezing or excessive heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is used as a diluent to deliver feed additives, then the additives can be transported through delivery lines, but the additives become contaminated and diluted, requiring line clearing with compressed air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes water from the delivery system entirely, extracting the diluent function and replacing it with direct pumping of concentrated feed additives through insulated delivery lines. This eliminates contamination while maintaining delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces insulated delivery lines as an intermediary between the feed additive storage and application points. These insulated lines act as a protective mediator that allows concentrated additives to be transported without freezing or requiring water dilution.
2Reliability
If compressed air is used to clear delivery lines, then freezing is prevented, but the additives are damaged and the process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the line clearing process entirely by preventing freezing through insulation and heated mixing tanks, eliminating the need for compressed air intervention and associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary heating to the mixing tank and insulation to delivery lines before feed additives are introduced, preventing freezing conditions from developing and eliminating the need for corrective clearing actions.
3Reliability
If electrical heat tape is used to prevent freezing, then the delivery lines are protected, but the system becomes complex and energy inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function into the existing mixing tank system, using the same power source and control mechanisms to heat both the tank and delivery lines, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining freezing protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mixing tank's heating system multi-functional, allowing it to serve both as a mixing heater and as a protection system for the delivery lines, eliminating the need for separate heat tape systems.
4Loss of substance
If feed additives are stored in concentrated form, then contamination is reduced, but they are susceptible to freezing and temperature damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary heating to the mixing tank and insulation to delivery lines before feed additives are introduced, preventing freezing conditions from developing and eliminating the need for corrective clearing actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces insulated delivery lines as an intermediary between the feed additive storage and application points. These insulated lines act as a protective mediator that allows concentrated additives to be transported without freezing or requiring water dilution.
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
The system allows for safe, controlled storage and delivery of concentrated feed additives, preventing freezing and damage from extreme temperatures, ensuring the additives remain 100% pure and effective until use.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid heating system powered by the power source for heating fluid passing therethrough. A pump is fluidly connected to the fluid cooling system and the fluid heating system for pumping either the cooled fluid from the fluid cooling system or the heated fluid from the fluid heating system through a radiant line which is positioned adjacent a least a portion of the delivery line whereby either the cooled fluid in the radiant line will cool the fluid feed additive delivery line and the fluid feed additive therein or the heated fluid in the radiant line will heat the fluid feed additive delivery line and the fluid feed additive therein
Implementation Method 2
a fluid cooling system for cooling fluid passing therethrough. A pump is fluidly connected to the fluid cooling system and the fluid heating system for pumping either the cooled fluid from the fluid cooling system or the heated fluid from the fluid heating system through a radiant line which is positioned adjacent a least a portion of the delivery line whereby either the cooled fluid in the radiant line will cool the fluid feed additive delivery line and the fluid feed additive therein
Data Source
AI summary
A hydronic system for heating and/or cooling fluid feed additives passing through a delivery line is disclosed. The system includes a hydronic heating system which will heat fluid passing through a closed loop radiant line which is closely positioned adjacent a portion of the delivery line extending between the fluid delivery system and the target destination. The system also includes a cooling system which will cool the fluid circulating through the radiant line to cool the delivery line and the fluid feed additive therein. The system of this invention prevents the fluid feed additive from freezing during the cold months and cools the same during warm months.