Mass Flow Apparatus Divider Prevents Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Particulate bridging occurs in vessels, particularly near outlets, leading to temporary or permanent blockage of mass flow, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a housing having a cylindrical upper section and a frustoconical lower section, featuring a divider with radially extending plates and fluid distribution conduits to prevent bridging by directing fluid into the lower section and minimizing particulate adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the housing has a frustoconical lower section with narrowed cross-sectional area near the outlet, then the vessel structure is compact and efficient for mass flow, but particulate bridging occurs more frequently blocking the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into an upper cylindrical section and a lower frustoconical section, creating distinct flow zones. Additionally, a divider plate is introduced to segment the flow path, preventing particulates from bridging across the entire outlet opening and maintaining reliable flow despite the narrowed cross-section.
2Productivity
If the outlet cross-sectional area is reduced to increase mass flow velocity, then processing efficiency improves, but particulate bridging and adhesion increase blocking flow
Solution Approach 1:
A divider plate is introduced as an intermediary element that modifies the flow pattern near the outlet. The plate prevents direct contact between particulates and the outlet edges, reducing adhesion and bridging while allowing maintained mass flow rate through the narrowed section.
3Volume of moving object
If the vessel walls are angled to narrow toward the outlet, then the design is compact and space-efficient, but particulate bridging occurs between the angled walls
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is segmented into cylindrical and frustoconical sections, and further divided by a vertical divider plate that interrupts the bridging path between angled walls. This segmentation maintains the compact volume while preventing continuous bridges from forming across the outlet.
4Reliability
If existing technologies like hollow structures or impellers are used to prevent bridging, then flow reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex hollow structures or moving impeller parts, the invention uses a simple stationary divider plate that segments the flow path. This provides reliable flow prevention with minimal added complexity, avoiding the need for mechanical moving parts or complex geometries.
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 effectively reduces or prevents particulate bridging, ensuring consistent mass flow through the vessel by minimizing adhesion and using fluid distribution to break up potential bridges.
Implementation Method 1
two or more fluid distribution conduits extending from the pipe; wherein the fluid distribution conduits have one or more aeration holes defined through sidewalls thereof configured to direct fluid into the second section of the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for mass flow are provided. The apparatus can include a housing, an inlet disposed at a first end of the housing, and an outlet disposed at a second end of the housing. The housing can include a first section and a second section. The second section can have at least one tapered sidewall that slopes away from an inner surface of the first section toward the outlet. The apparatus can also include a divider disposed at least partially within the first and second sections of the housing. The divider can have at least one tapered surface disposed proximate the at least one tapered sidewall of the second section. An edge of the divider can be located between the outlet and a point within the second section where the cross-sectional area of the second section is about three times or less a cross-sectional area of the outlet.