Modular Annular Dryer for Low-Energy Particulate Moisture Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing moisture from particulate materials, such as coal, are energy-intensive and struggle to maintain high drying efficiency and throughput across different materials with varying moisture content.
Innovation Solution
A modular dryer apparatus with adjustable guide passages for directing gas under pressure, allowing configuration optimization for specific types of particulate materials, including radial and tangential gas flow paths to enhance drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal processes are used to remove moisture from particulate material, then moisture removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal processes with a mechanical/cold air system. Cold air is drawn through the particulate material in a fluidized bed, using mechanical fluid flow rather than thermal energy to remove moisture. The system uses a fan or blower to create airflow that passes through the material, achieving moisture removal without the high energy consumption of thermal drying methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of air temperature from hot (thermal process) to cold or ambient temperature. By using cold air at ambient temperature instead of heated air, the system achieves moisture removal while dramatically reducing energy consumption. The airflow rate and velocity are adjusted as parameters to compensate for the lower temperature differential.
2Device complexity
If fixed configuration dryer is used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different materials decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable components that allow the dryer configuration to be dynamically changed. The gas guide passages can be adjusted in position and angle, and the fluidized bed characteristics can be modified by changing airflow rate. This dynamic adjustability enables the same device to adapt to different particulate materials and moisture conditions without requiring multiple fixed dryer designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal dryer system that can handle multiple types of particulate materials through its adjustable features. The gas guides can be repositioned to work with materials of different sizes, densities, and moisture contents. The fluidized bed configuration can be adjusted to accommodate various material properties, making a single device capable of performing multiple drying functions for different materials.
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 apparatus effectively adjusts to different materials and moisture levels, improving drying performance and efficiency by minimizing moisture content in particulate materials.
Implementation Method 1
The dryer is configured for directing gas under pressure into the drying chamber, for interacting with a flow of gas-entrained particulate material within the drying chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Moisture is removed from particulate material using an apparatus comprising a dryer having a drying chamber for directing a flow of gas-entrained particulate material between first and second ends of the drying chamber. The dryer is configured for directing gas under pressure into the drying chamber, for interacting with a flow of gas-entrained particulate material within the drying chamber. The dryer comprises a body of modular construction, which defines a plurality of guide passages arranged for fluid communication between the drying chamber and a source of gas under pressure. The body of modular construction comprises a plurality of discrete annular elements,arranged in series, one adjacent another, each having a body defining a central aperture, and wherein the annular elements are arranged together with the central apertures aligned.