Hydronic Radiant Line Heating for Feed Additive Freeze Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heating and cooling agricultural feed additives during storage and delivery are inconvenient and ineffective, often requiring water as a diluent and relying on compressed air or electrical heat tape to prevent freezing, which can contaminate and damage the additives.
Innovation Solution
A hydronic radiant heating and cooling system that maintains the feed additives in a concentrated, pure form by radiantly heating or cooling the delivery line with a controlled fluid, preventing freezing and excessive heat without the need for water or frequent line clearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is used as a diluent to deliver feed additive, then the delivery system can function, but the additive becomes diluted and contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (oil or air) to replace water as the delivery medium. This intermediary allows the feed additive to be transported through the delivery system without direct contact with water, thereby maintaining additive purity and preventing contamination while still enabling system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts water from the delivery system entirely by using alternative media (oil-based or air-based systems). This extraction eliminates the source of contamination and allows the additive to remain in its pure, concentrated form throughout the delivery process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If compressed air is used to clear the delivery line, then freezing is prevented, but the additive is damaged and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical clearing method (compressed air blasting) with a thermal control system (heating elements, insulation, or temperature-controlled fluid circulation). This substitution prevents freezing through controlled heating rather than mechanical disruption, thereby protecting additive integrity while eliminating the need for aggressive line clearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary heating or insulation of the delivery line before freezing conditions occur. By maintaining the line temperature above freezing through advance thermal management, the system prevents freezing conditions from developing, eliminating the need for reactive compressed air clearing that would damage the additive.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical heat tape is used to prevent freezing, then the delivery line is protected, but energy consumption increases and control precision is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors and control systems that continuously monitor the delivery line temperature and adjust heating activation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures heating is applied only when and where freezing conditions exist, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining effective freezing protection through precise thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies heating elements or insulation only to specific vulnerable sections of the delivery line rather than the entire system. This localized approach concentrates thermal energy where it is most needed to prevent freezing, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective protection against freezing conditions.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the delivery line is cleared frequently to prevent freezing, then freezing is avoided, but productivity decreases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous or periodic heating through insulation and thermal control systems that maintain the delivery line temperature above freezing throughout operation. This continuous thermal protection eliminates the need for intermittent line clearing operations, allowing uninterrupted feed additive delivery and maintaining high productivity without freezing incidents.
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 ensures the feed additives remain safe and protected from ambient temperatures, preventing freezing and damage, allowing for efficient and controlled temperature maintenance of the additives in their delivery lines.
Implementation Method 1
A hydronic radiant heating system is provided for radiantly heating the delivery line and the feed additive fluid therein
Implementation Method 2
A hydronic radiant cooling system is provided for radiantly cooling the delivery line and the feed additive fluid therein
Implementation Method 3
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
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.