Method and device for the production and/or processing of a nonwoven glass fabric web
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air dryers for nonwoven glass fabrics result in low heat transfer coefficients and slow immobilization due to high porosity, and excessive air speeds can displace binders, limiting energy input and production speed.
Innovation Solution
Applying a specific power density of at least 153 kW/m² using an infrared radiation dryer to achieve rapid immobilization, followed by hot air drying to ensure efficient energy use and prevent binder displacement, with a combination dryer unit configuration for enhanced energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional air dryers with high air speeds are used for drying nonwoven glass fabric, then drying speed is improved, but the binder or coat is blown away leading to loss of substance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical air impingement drying system with an infrared radiation heating system. Instead of using high-speed air flow to remove moisture, the invention uses infrared radiation to directly heat and evaporate the binder and moisture from the nonwoven glass fabric surface, thereby eliminating binder displacement while maintaining efficient drying speed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the drying parameter from air velocity to infrared radiation power density. By controlling the infrared radiation intensity and exposure time rather than air flow speed, the process achieves rapid drying without the mechanical force that causes binder loss
2Reliability
If low air speeds are used in conventional air dryers for nonwoven glass fabric, then binder displacement is prevented, but heat transfer coefficient decreases leading to slow drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical convection-based heat transfer system with a radiant heating system. Infrared radiation directly penetrates and heats the binder and moisture without requiring high air velocities, enabling rapid drying while maintaining coat integrity through gentle, contactless heating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pulsed or cyclic infrared radiation application to achieve rapid heating and drying cycles. By controlling the duration and intensity of infrared exposure, the process quickly immobilizes the binder and dries the fabric without prolonged exposure that could cause damage
3Productivity
If high specific power density is applied by infrared radiation dryer, then drying speed is improved, but surface temperature increases risking material damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the infrared radiation parameters by controlling power density, wavelength selection, and exposure time. By adjusting these parameters, the process achieves rapid drying at high process speeds while maintaining surface temperature within safe limits through precise energy input control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses continuous infrared radiation application across the moving nonwoven glass fabric web, ensuring uniform and controlled heating. This continuous action distributes the thermal energy evenly, preventing localized overheating while maintaining high overall drying efficiency
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 method allows for high-speed processing with rapid immobilization of nonwoven glass fabrics, maintaining surface temperature between 40°C and 105°C, and reduces the risk of binder displacement, thereby increasing production efficiency and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
thermal drying of a nonwoven glass fabric web by means of infrared radiation from an infrared radiation dryer
Implementation Method 2
a specific power density of at least 153 kW/m2 is applied by the infrared radiation dryer to the surface of the nonwoven glass fabric web
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing and/or processing a nonwoven glass fabric web includes thermally drying the nonwoven glass fabric web via infrared radiation from an infrared radiation dryer. A specific power density of at least 153 kW/m2 is applied by the infrared radiation dryer to the surface of the nonwoven glass fabric web facing toward the infrared radiation dryer. After the irradiation by the infrared radiation dryer, the nonwoven glass fabric web has a temperature of at least 40° C. and at most 105° C. on its surface facing toward the infrared radiation dryer.