Fine Particle Analyzer Cleaning Gas Flow for Continuous Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fine particle analyzers face a decrease in sensitivity due to deposition of fine particles on the heating filter and inner walls of the cyclone dust collector, requiring disassembly for cleaning, which disrupts continuous operation.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning method that introduces a cleaning gas to remove deposited fine particles from the primary filter and inner walls without stopping the analyzer, using a cleaning gas introduction device to create an upward airflow that separates and discharges the particles, maintaining sensitivity and continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the fine particle analyzer operates for a long time or collects a large number of fine particles, then the analysis capability and productivity are improved, but fine particles are deposited on the heating filter and inner wall of the cyclone dust collector, causing sensitivity to decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis capabilityVSAvoidsensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning gas introduction device performs preliminary cleaning action by introducing cleaning gas to blow off deposited fine particles from the heating filter and cyclone inner wall before they significantly accumulate and affect sensitivity, enabling preventive maintenance during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-cleaning by introducing cleaning gas that flows through the heating filter and cyclone chamber, automatically removing deposited particles without requiring external disassembly or manual intervention, thus maintaining sensitivity while continuing operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the device is disassembled to clean the filter and cyclone dust collector, then the sensitivity is restored, but the analysis operation is stopped during cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidcontinuous operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning gas introduction device enables continuous operation by performing cleaning function during normal analysis operation, eliminating interruption of the useful analysis action while maintaining sensitivity through periodic or continuous cleaning of deposited particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Cleaning gas is introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate the cleaning process without requiring disassembly of the device, allowing particles to be removed from the heating filter and cyclone inner wall while the system remains assembled and operational

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fine particles are deposited on the heating filter, then heat transmission is blocked and fine particles cannot evaporate, but the system structure remains intact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidevaporation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Cleaning gas is introduced through the heating filter using pneumatic flow to blow off deposited fine particles, restoring heat transmission efficiency and evaporation capability while maintaining the structural integrity of the heating filter and overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Enables continuous cleaning of the fine particle analyzer without disassembly, maintaining sensitivity and allowing for real-time analysis without interruptions.

Implementation Method 1

introduces a cleaning gas to remove deposited fine particles... using a cleaning gas introduction device to create an upward airflow that separates and discharges the particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The fallen fine particles are gasified in a heating filter portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3779395B1Fine particle analysis device, fine particle analysis system, and cleaning method
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3779395B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779395B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779395B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention includes, in order to clean inside of a fine particle analyzer without stopping and disassembling the fine particle analyzer, a cyclone dust collector (14), a primary filter (16) connected downstream of the cyclone dust collector (14) and configured to be heated, a gas analyzer (31) connected to the primary filter (16), a gas pipe portion connecting the cyclone dust collector (14) with the gas analyzer (31) and provided with the primary filter (16), and a cleaning gas introduction device (21) configured to introduce a cleaning gas to at least one of a space in the gas pipe portion downstream of the primary filter (16), at least the primary filter (16) is cleaned in a cleaning mode, the gas analyzer (31) analyzes fine particles in an analysis mode, and the cleaning gas introduced from the cleaning gas introduction device (21) has a flow rate which is increased in the cleaning mode, so that the flow rate in the cleaning mode is larger than in the analysis mode.