Nozzle Box Design for Uniform Air-Borne Paper Drying

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-borne paper sheet drying systems face inefficiencies in drying performance and uniformity, as they rely on mechanical guidance for paper sheet suspension, which can limit convective drying effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle box design featuring a combination of direct impingement and inclined jet nozzles that eject hot gas perpendicular and at angles to the paper sheet, creating turbulent airflow for enhanced drying efficiency and uniformity without mechanical sheet guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical guidance is used for paper sheet suspension, then suspension stability is improved, but convective drying effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension stabilityVSAvoiddrying effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical guidance systems with a fluid-based suspension system using inclined jet nozzles that generate air flows to support and guide the paper sheet through the drying chamber, eliminating mechanical contact points that would otherwise interfere with convective drying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic jets from inclined nozzles to create a fluid cushion that suspends and directs the paper sheet, using gas dynamics rather than mechanical structures to achieve stable suspension while maintaining high drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If conventional nozzle arrangements are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but drying uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle arrangement simplicityVSAvoiddrying uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle system is segmented into multiple independent nozzle units distributed across the drying chamber, each capable of being individually adjusted to optimize local drying conditions and achieve uniform overall drying performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by allowing different nozzle units to be independently adjusted in terms of angle, position, and flow rate, enabling tailored drying conditions for different regions of the paper sheet to achieve uniform drying across the entire sheet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If hot gas is blown at high velocity, then drying speed is improved, but turbulent airflow control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying speedVSAvoidairflow control

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle system is designed with adjustable parameters including nozzle angle, position, and flow rate that can be dynamically optimized to achieve the desired balance between high drying speed through turbulent flow and controllable airflow patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes parameter changes by varying the inclination angles, flow rates, and positions of multiple nozzles to control the characteristics of turbulent airflow, enabling high drying speeds while maintaining manageable and controllable flow patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 nozzle box configuration increases convective power density and achieves more efficient and uniform drying of air-borne paper sheets by generating turbulent airflow, improving drying performance compared to prior art.

Implementation Method 1

at least one direct impingement nozzle for ejecting a jet of hot gas perpendicular to the average plane of the paper sheet to be dried

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirect impingement:

Implementation Method 2

convective drying zone of equipment for the continuous drying of air-borne paper sheets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

creating turbulent airflow for enhanced drying efficiency and uniformity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 4

plurality of inclined jet nozzles for ejecting jets of hot gas under an inclined angle with respect to the average plane of the paper sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJet: Jet

Implementation Method 5

The nozzle box configuration increases convective power density and achieves more efficient and uniform drying

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3322852B1Nozzle box for air-borne continuous paper sheet drying

Publication Date: 2019.05.29 SOLARONICS

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

A nozzlebox for blowing hot gas in the convective drying zone of equipment for the continuous drying of air-borne paper sheets comprises at least one direct impingement nozzle for ejecting a jet of hot gas perpendicular to the average plane of the paper sheet to be dried. The nozzle box comprises a plurality of inclined jet nozzles for ejecting jets of hot gas under an inclined angle with respect to the average plane of the paper sheet to be dried. At least two inclined jet nozzles are provided for which the plane comprising the vector representations of the jet directions of the at least two inclined jet nozzles does not comprise the vector representing the jet direction of a direct impingement nozzle.