Parallel Suction Mouths for Conveyor Particulate Matter Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separation plants for particulate matter in manufacturing environments, such as those in ceramics and woodworking, face inefficiencies in collection due to vertical hood design, increased complexity and cost, and lack of flexibility, leading to incomplete particulate matter capture and high dispersion, especially with increasing conveyor widths and distances.
Innovation Solution
A separation plant with a collection system having a suction mouth parallel to the conveyor plane, combined with a cyclone separator and a HEPA filter, and a diffuser generating an air blade inclined against the conveyor direction to enhance suction efficiency, allowing for high particulate matter capture rates and flexibility in installation and adaptation to varying conveyor widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vertical hood is positioned above the conveyor system to collect particulate matter, then the collection process is simplified, but the collection efficiency decreases due to the great distance from the advancing plane of the products
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mouth is repositioned from a vertical orientation above the conveyor to a horizontal orientation parallel to and close to the advancing plane of the products. This dimensional change allows the suction inlet to be positioned at coordinates (x, y, 0) immediately adjacent to the product surface, eliminating the vertical distance barrier and enabling efficient collection while maintaining operational simplicity
2Device complexity
If a single centralized separation system is used to collect particulate matter, then operational complexity is reduced, but the separation capacity decreases and pipe length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation function is segmented by positioning multiple suction mouths at different locations along the conveyor system. Each suction mouth operates as an independent collection point, allowing the system to maintain low operational complexity while achieving high total separation capacity through distributed collection points rather than a single centralized system
3Productivity
If the hood is positioned to cover a large area to capture all particulate matter, then collection completeness improves, but the hood dimensions and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large hood to cover the entire conveyor area, the system employs multiple small suction mouths positioned at specific critical locations where particulate matter generation occurs. Each suction mouth has simple geometry optimized for its local collection needs, dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining complete collection coverage through strategic local placement
4Productivity
If a transversal air flow is used in push-pull separation plants to increase particulate matter removal capacity, then removal efficiency improves, but air leakage increases and the system becomes less effective for wide conveyors
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a compressor to generate a controlled carrier gas flow that moves longitudinally along the conveyor in the same direction as product movement. This pneumatic approach creates a directed airflow pattern that pushes particulate matter toward the suction mouths while minimizing turbulence and air leakage, achieving high removal capacity without the harmful effects of transversal flow systems
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 solution achieves high suction efficiency exceeding 90-95% with reduced power requirements and flexible installation, capable of adapting to different conveyor systems while minimizing air leakage and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (4), in particular a fan, connected to the collection system (2), generating a depression so as to extract through the collection system (2) some gas constituting a carrier gas flow (F1) suspending the particulate matter (S)
Implementation Method 2
a separation system (3) in which the particulate matter is separated from the carrier gas flow (F1)
Implementation Method 3
a filtering device (7) arranged along an outlet conduit (6) of the separation system (3) and upstream of the compressor (4)
Implementation Method 4
a diffuser (8) installed downstream of the compressor (4) and configured to generate an air blade (L1) flowing in a direction (V2) against the advancing direction (V1) of the products (P)
Data Source
AI summary
Process and plant for particulate matter along a conveyor system of products, said plant having a collection system which sucks a carrier gas flow and demarcates, in use, a suction chamber, namely a closed volume, with said product which advances in an advancing direction on an advancing plane; the separation plant having a separation system which is connected to said collection system and gets, in use, said carrier gas flow and particulate matter; wherein said separation system separates particulate matter from the carrier gas flow.