Ionizing Cylinder Layout for Static Charge Reduction in Fluid Bed Dryers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing static charge in fluid bed dryers are either costly, ineffective for non-conductive materials, hazardous, or inefficient, posing risks such as fire and explosion, especially in hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement comprising a hollow cylinder with slotted projections and mounted ionizing apparatus that generates positive and negative ions, which are carried by hot air to neutralize static charges in the fluid bed dryer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grounding or earthing method is used to reduce static charge, then static charge is reduced by moving it to earth, but the method is only effective for conductive materials and does not work for high resistivity materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-conductive material coating on the dryer wall that acts as an intermediary to generate ions. These ions serve as a mediator to neutralize static charges on non-conductive powder particles, bypassing the limitation of direct grounding which only works for conductive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameter of the dryer wall by coating it with a non-conductive material that has ion-generating properties. This parameter change enables the wall to actively produce ions that can neutralize charges on high resistivity materials, expanding applicability beyond conductive materials.
2Reliability
If isopropyl alcohol is added to the fluidizing gas for charge dissipation, then electrostatic charge is effectively dissipated, but the high flammability creates fire and explosion risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of static charge accumulation into a beneficial ion generation mechanism. The non-conductive coating on the dryer wall, when subjected to electrical stress from charge accumulation, generates ions that neutralize the charges, thereby converting the harmful charge buildup into a useful charge-neutralization process without requiring flammable chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and hazardous flammable chemicals (isopropyl alcohol) with a simple non-conductive coating material that is safer, cheaper, and does not pose fire risks. The coating serves as a disposable or long-lasting safe alternative to continuous chemical addition.
3Productivity
If ionizing gun is used to eject ions into the fluidized bulk material, then static charge removal is achieved on the upper surface, but ions cannot penetrate into the bulk of particles making it inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charge neutralization function by placing multiple ion-generating sites (the non-conductive coating surface) throughout the dryer volume. This segmentation allows ions to be generated at multiple locations, enabling better penetration into the bulk material compared to a single ionizing gun positioned at one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a point-source ionization approach (ionizing gun at one location) to a surface-distributed ionization approach (coating the entire dryer wall). This dimensional change from 0D point to 2D surface distribution enables ions to be generated throughout the dryer volume, improving penetration into the bulk particles.
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
Effectively reduces static charge, ensuring safe operation in hazardous environments by continuously neutralizing charges, preventing fire and explosion risks, and being cost-effective and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
On applying a voltage, the ionizing apparatus, generate positive and negative ions into the hollow cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The generated positive and negative ions are carried by the hot air to the sample drying unit of the fluid bed dryer
Implementation Method 3
for neutralizing the static charge generated during the drying of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an arrangement for reducing static charge in a fluid bed dryer. The arrangement includes a hollow cylinder having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface has a plurality of slotted projections formed radially at equal intervals along the axis of the hollow cylinder. The outer surface has an ionizing apparatus mounted on each of the slotted projections through a retention means. The arrangement further includes a pair of coupling means at both ends of the hollow cylinder for coupling the arrangement to the hot air supply duct of the fluid bed dryer. On applying a voltage, the ionizing apparatus, generate positive and negative ions into the hollow cylinder. The generated positive and negative ions are carried by the hot air to the sample drying unit of the fluid bed dryer for neutralizing the static charge generated during the drying of the sample.