Liquid Sulphur Solidification with Electromagnetic Crystal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for solidifying liquid sulphur into orthorhombic crystals face challenges such as the formation of monoclinic crystals, leading to dusts and gases that pose safety and health risks during storage and transportation due to their instability and reactivity.

Innovation Solution

Applying an electromagnetic field to liquid sulphur during cooling prevents monoclinic crystallization, ensuring a homogeneous transition to orthorhombic form without contact with the outside environment, using a solenoid or permanent magnets to generate the field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid sulphur is cooled at normal pressure, then it crystallises into monoclinic structure, but this causes dust formation and safety hazards during storage and transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during storage and transportationVSAvoiddust formation and gas emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies an electromagnetic field (specifically magnetic field) during the cooling process to change the crystallization parameters of sulphur. This external field influence modifies the phase transition behavior, preventing monoclinic crystal formation and promoting direct transformation to orthorhombic structure, thereby eliminating dust formation and safety hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic field is applied during the cooling process before complete solidification occurs. This preliminary action during the phase transition window (between liquid and solid states) prevents the formation of unstable monoclinic crystals, ensuring direct formation of stable orthorhombic structure before the sulphur is stored or transported

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If elastic waves are applied to liquid sulphur during cooling, then monoclinic crystallization is inhibited, but the vibrations cannot be homogeneously spread throughout the whole mass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of monoclinic crystallizationVSAvoidhomogeneity of the solidified product

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vibration system (elastic waves) with an electromagnetic field system (magnetic field). This substitution allows for more uniform distribution of energy throughout the liquid sulphur mass during cooling, preventing monoclinic crystallization while ensuring homogeneous transformation to orthorhombic structure throughout the entire volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If cooling liquid is used to cool liquid sulphur through multiple treatments, then orthorhombic structure is obtained, but the process is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorthorhombic crystal structure formationVSAvoidcooling process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex multi-stage cooling liquid system with a simpler electromagnetic field application system. The magnetic field is applied during a single cooling pass, eliminating the need for multiple treatment stages with different cooling liquid temperatures, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining orthorhombic structure formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new parameter (electromagnetic field strength) to control the crystallization process, replacing the need for complex temperature gradient control through multiple cooling stages. By adjusting the magnetic field parameters during cooling, the process achieves orthorhombic formation in a single pass, reducing overall process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method produces a compact, homogeneous, and stable orthorhombic sulphur mass, eliminating dust and gas emissions, ensuring safe handling and packaging for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electromagnetic field source (3), for example a solenoid (31), passed through by electric current, which externally surrounds the screw feeder (2), acting on the sulphur in such a way as to prevent it from crystallising in the monoclinic form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic field source (3), for example a solenoid (31), passed through by electric current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4168357B1Apparatus for solidifying liquid sulphur into orthorhombic crystals and related method

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 COMETTI CARLO ALBERTO

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AI summary

An apparatus for solidifying liquid sulphur into orthorhombic crystals comprises a liquid sulphur feeding tank (1), connected to a sulphur cooling screw feeder (2), and at least one electromagnetic field source external to the screw feeder (2), for example a solenoid (31) with current flowing through it, acting on the sulphur, in such a way as to prevent it from crystallising in the monoclinic form above 100°C.