Integrated Drying and Grinding Installation for Wet Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for grinding wet inert materials with high water content face challenges in achieving precise particle size and moisture control, leading to complex parameter management, high energy consumption, and costly, bulky installations.

Innovation Solution

A single integrated installation combining drying and grinding with a common suction system for hot air, which simplifies operations, reduces energy consumption, and ensures precise control over particle size and moisture levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two separate installations (drying then grinding) are used, then drying and grinding functions are performed, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying and grinding functionVSAvoidinstallation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines drying and grinding operations into a single integrated installation where wet material is introduced into a chamber that performs both drying (via hot gas circulation) and grinding (via aenaumatic mill) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate drying and grinding installations and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single installation performs multiple functions: drying wet material, grinding it to desired particle size, and collecting dust, all within one system that handles both thermal processing and mechanical size reduction operations that were previously required in separate installations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If two separate installations are used, then drying and grinding are completed, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing completionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated installation maintains continuous circulation of hot gas through the drying chamber and aenaumatic mill, allowing uninterrupted drying and grinding operations without the energy losses associated with transferring material between separate installations and the idle time between drying and grinding cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The common suction system acts as an intermediary that connects the drying chamber and aenaumatic mill, using a single dust collector to handle exhaust from both operations, thereby reducing the total energy required for air movement and dust collection compared to having separate suction systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If two separate installations are used, then drying and grinding are achieved, but parameter management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing outcomeVSAvoidparameter management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single installation integrates drying and grinding controls into one system, allowing operators to manage both processes through unified parameter control rather than coordinating between two separate installations, thereby simplifying operational procedures and parameter management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If a single common suction system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but dust collection efficiency must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction system structureVSAvoiddust collection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the suction systems for the drying chamber and aenaumatic mill into a single common dust collection system, reducing the number of fans, filters, and associated components while maintaining adequate dust collection efficiency through proper sizing and positioning of the single suction inlet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for efficient grinding and drying of materials with reduced energy consumption and installation costs, resulting in more homogeneous products with improved quality and extended lifespan, such as enhanced ceramic products.

Implementation Method 1

a first step of drying a material by introducing a hot gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a single means of sucking hot air (loaded with humidity and possibly dust depending on the material) downstream of the crusher

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3164217B1Method and device for drying and crushing wet materials

Publication Date: 2018.08.15 BROYEUR POITTEMILL INGIE

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a facility for drying and milling raw, wet inert materials, of the type comprising: drying means including a chamber into which the material to be dried is fed in bulk; a source of pulsed hot gas at the inlet of the drying means; an aeraulic mill; means for filtering dust, at the outlet of the mill; characterised in that it includes a single hot-air suction means located downstream from the mill and shared between the drying means and the mill. Means for feeding the hot gas from the source are provided, passing through the various drying, milling and filtering means until reaching the single suction means downstream from the facility and arranged downstream from the filtering means.