Nanoparticle Loading of Bulk Materials with Circulating Reactor Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for loading nanoparticles onto larger particles face challenges in achieving uniform and rapid deposition without chemical agents, leading to uneven loading, unwanted losses, and accelerated nanoparticle growth, which increase production costs.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a tubular reactor with a circulation device and mixing blades, along with specific carrier gas inlets and outlets, ensures uniform and rapid nanoparticle deposition by moving particles in a controlled manner within the reactor, allowing for high loading efficiency and minimal nanoparticle loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high loading of the carrier gas stream with nanoparticles is used to achieve rapid production, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uneven loading of particle surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoiduniformity of nanoparticle loading
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation device creates dynamic movement of particles within the reactor, continuously changing their positions and orientations. This dynamic approach ensures that all particles are exposed to the nanoparticle-laden carrier gas uniformly over time, achieving homogeneous coating even at high production rates without the need for static positioning or low loading conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a carrier gas stream to transport nanoparticles and a circulation device to move particles through the reactor. This pneumatic approach allows rapid throughput while maintaining uniform exposure of all particles to the nanoparticle-laden gas, resolving the contradiction between high productivity and uniform loading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If high loading of the carrier gas stream with nanoparticles is used to achieve rapid production, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to unwanted losses of undeposited nanoparticles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidloss of nanoparticles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation device ensures continuous movement and re-exposure of particles to the carrier gas stream throughout the reactor. This continuous action maximizes the deposition efficiency of nanoparticles, ensuring that even at high loading rates, undeposited nanoparticles remain in the reactor to coat additional particles rather than being lost, thereby maintaining high productivity without increased substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If high loading of the carrier gas stream with nanoparticles is used to achieve rapid production, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to accelerated undesired particle growth of nanoparticles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidcontrol of nanoparticle size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic transport system carries nanoparticles through the reactor in a controlled manner. The circulation device ensures that nanoparticles are distributed uniformly and exposed to particles for controlled deposition times, preventing accelerated growth and aggregation even at high carrier gas loading rates, thus maintaining both productivity and size control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Manufacturing precision

If chemically and physically very homogeneous and precisely defined particles are loaded with nanoparticles, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for controlled movement and specific contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of nanoparticle loadingVSAvoidcomplexity of circulation and mixing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it moves particles through the reactor, ensures uniform exposure to the carrier gas, prevents aggregation, and maintains suspension. This multi-functionality achieves high manufacturing precision without requiring multiple separate complex systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device achieves highly reproducible and uniform nanoparticle coating on particles of varying sizes and shapes, with high utilization of nanoparticles and reduced residual loading in the carrier gas, enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the circulation device has a rotatable shaft and one or more mixing blades arranged at different axial heights on the shaft, wherein the mixing blades are configured to mix the particulate bulk material both axially and radially within the reactor housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 2

homogeneous and permanent adhesion must be achieved purely physically, without chemical agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical adsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4609947A1Device and method for loading particulate bulk materials with nanoparticles from a carrier gas flow
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBH
  • EP4609947A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4609947A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4609947A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device and a method for loading particulate bulk materials with nanoparticles from a nanoparticle-laden carrier gas stream. The device comprises a tubular reactor housing with a circulation device arranged within the reactor housing. The circulation device has a rotatable shaft and one or more mixing blades arranged at different axial heights on the shaft, as well as at least one carrier gas inlet and one carrier gas outlet. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the method according to the invention for producing particles loaded with nanoparticles on their surface.