Nested Silo Fluidization Floor Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing large-capacity silos for storing different bulk materials or materials of varying quality are structurally complex and of considerable height, making them undesirable for storage and discharge.

Innovation Solution

The silo design features a cylindrical inner and outer chamber with funnel-shaped floors that converge into a common central fluidization floor, separated by a circular peripheral wall, eliminating the need for intermediate containers and allowing direct discharge into filling stations, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple silos are arranged close together to store different bulk materials, then storage capacity and material separation are improved, but structural complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage of different bulk materialsVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested chamber configuration where an inner chamber is positioned within an outer chamber, both sharing a common base. This allows two separate storage compartments to occupy the same footprint area, effectively doubling storage capacity without requiring additional horizontal space or complex external structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If intermediate and mixing containers are added below the fluidization floors, then bulk material handling flexibility is improved, but device complexity and overall height increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebulk material handling flexibilityVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the discharge functions of both chambers into a single common base level with shared outlets. The inner and outer chambers both discharge onto the same fluidization floor, eliminating the need for separate intermediate containers and mixing vessels below each chamber, thereby reducing overall structure height while maintaining handling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If funnel-shaped floors are used in both chambers, then bulk material discharge efficiency is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebulk material discharge efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the discharge mechanisms of both chambers by providing funnel-shaped floors in the inner and outer chambers that converge to a common base level. This unified approach improves discharge efficiency for both chambers simultaneously while avoiding the complexity of separate discharge systems, as both chambers share common outlets and fluidization infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enables efficient fluidization and discharge of bulk materials while avoiding dead spaces, achieving a flat and simplified silo structure with improved mass flow and reduced overall height.

Implementation Method 1

The inner and outer areas of the fluidization base each have at least one fluidization device for fluidizing bulk material on the fluidization base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Data Source

PatentEP2236438B1Silo for storing dust-like or granular bulk material
Publication Date: 2013.05.29 F L SMIDTH & CO AS
  • EP2236438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2236438B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The silo (10) has an inner chamber (16) and an outer chamber (18) comprising funnel-shaped approaching bases (20, 22) that flow into a common central fluidizing base (24). A circularly rotating wall (26) divides the fluidizing base into an inner region (28) belonging to the inner chamber, and an outer region (30) belonging to the outer chamber. The regions have a fluidizing device (32) for fluidizing bulk material in the fluidizing base, and an exhaust hood (34) for fluidized bulk material. The exhaust hood directly leads into a filling station for bulk material delivered from the silo.