Low-Temperature Solid Devolatilization Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drying technologies face challenges in efficiently removing volatiles from solids at low temperatures without damaging the volatile products or the solids, particularly in cases where high temperatures can harm fragile materials like fragrance-producing agricultural products and cannabis.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a devolatilization chamber where a heated gas, heated below the boiling point of the volatile, is used to create a process gas that passes over or through the solids, utilizing the partial pressure difference to remove volatiles without recirculating volatile-contaminated gas, thereby maintaining low temperatures and minimizing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high temperature heating is used to remove volatiles from solids, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the volatile products and solids are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidthermal damage to volatiles and solids

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature (conventional drying) to low temperature (below boiling point of volatiles). This parameter change enables selective removal of volatiles while preserving both the volatile products and the solids from thermal damage, directly resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and thermal damage prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition of volatiles from solid to vapor phase at temperatures below their boiling points. By creating a partial pressure difference through gas flow, the volatiles undergo phase transition and are removed from solids without requiring high temperatures, thus achieving efficient drying while avoiding thermal damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Use of energy by moving object

If heated gas is recirculated to conserve energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but the process gas becomes saturated and subsequent heating causes damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidheat-related damage from saturated gas

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the volatile-contaminated gas from the system rather than recirculating it. By continuously purging the process gas and replacing it with fresh gas, the system prevents saturation of volatiles in the gas stream, eliminating the risk of heat-related damage while maintaining energy efficiency through controlled gas circulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards the volatile-contaminated process gas and recovers energy from it where possible. The saturated gas is vented or condensed to recover volatiles, while fresh gas is continuously supplied to maintain the partial pressure difference, preventing saturation and associated thermal damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If gas flow rate is increased to remove volatiles faster, then the drying speed is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using gas flow rates that are sufficient to maintain the partial pressure difference and remove volatiles effectively, but not excessively high. This optimized gas flow rate achieves good drying speed while minimizing energy consumption, avoiding the waste of energy associated with overly aggressive gas circulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This approach effectively removes volatiles from solids at temperatures below their boiling point, preserving the integrity of the volatile products and the solids, while optimizing energy use by purging a significant portion of the process gas to prevent saturation and subsequent heat-related damage.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

This heated gas is heated in a heat chamber. This heat chamber has a heat chamber volume housing a heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250093098A1Apparatus for devolatizing solids at low temperatures

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 IND FURNACE SERVICE HUB LLC

AI summary

An apparatus and process for removing volatiles from a solid at a low temperature, preferably below the boiling point of the volatile at standard temperature and pressure based upon the principle of not re-using the exhaust gas. The devolatilization can occur using a belt, a cyclone, a perforated plate or rotating chamber. This permits the preservation of products that would be harmed at temperatures above the boiling point.