Peripheral Discharge Device for Uniform Granular Material Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discharge systems for granular materials in large vertical containers, such as DRI, face issues with non-uniform material descent, blockages, and increased heat dispersion due to conical shapes, leading to inefficient processing and potential damage from agglomerations.
Innovation Solution
A discharge device with a rotary shaft and radially mounted blades, allowing for controlled and uniform material flow by creating staggered loading and discharge zones, preventing agglomerations and reducing the height of the discharge zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conical discharge zone is used to convey material toward a single exit point, then material discharge is enabled, but non-uniform material descent occurs with center particles moving faster than peripheral particles
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge device segments the material flow path into multiple radial discharge outlets distributed around the container periphery, replacing the single central exit of conventional cones. This segmentation ensures that material from different radial positions can discharge simultaneously through nearest outlets, eliminating the speed differential between center and peripheral particles and achieving uniform material descent.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point (0D) discharge at the cone vertex to a distributed linear/discrete (1D/0D hybrid) discharge along the peripheral wall. By positioning multiple discharge outlets at different angular positions around the container, the system creates a dimensional distribution of discharge points that matches the radial distribution of material particles, ensuring all particles have approximately equal discharge paths.
2Productivity
If a conical discharge zone is used, then material can be conveyed to exit, but heat dispersion increases due to high surface exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the conical discharge zone from the system, removing the source of excessive heat dispersion. By replacing the cone with a peripheral discharge mechanism, the large exposed surface area of the cone is eliminated, thereby reducing unwanted heat loss while preserving the essential function of material discharge through the peripheral outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge function is relocated from the vertical axial dimension (cone vertex) to the horizontal radial dimension (peripheral wall). This dimensional shift reduces the exposed surface area perpendicular to the heat flow direction, minimizing radiative and convective heat losses while maintaining effective material discharge capability.
3Productivity
If a conical discharge zone is used, then material discharge is achieved, but agglomerates form and blockage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into multiple independent outlets distributed around the periphery, preventing the formation of large agglomerates that could block a single central exit. Material is discharged in smaller portions through multiple channels simultaneously, reducing the probability of complete blockage and improving system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of converging material flow toward a central point (which promotes agglomeration), the invention inverts the approach by distributing discharge outlets along the peripheral wall. This inverted flow pattern prevents material concentration and agglomerate formation, thereby reducing blockage risk while maintaining discharge productivity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If multiple lateral discharge exits are used, then homogeneous material discharge is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall serves multiple functions: it contains the material, provides structural support, and houses the discharge outlets. By integrating the discharge function into the existing container structure rather than adding separate discharge mechanisms, the invention achieves homogeneous material discharge without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge outlets are configured to be selectively operable, allowing dynamic control of discharge patterns. This enables the system to adjust the number and position of active outlets based on material flow requirements, achieving homogeneous discharge while maintaining operational flexibility and minimizing unnecessary structural complexity.
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
Ensures homogeneous material descent, reduces the risk of blockages, and promotes energy recovery by maintaining uniform temperature distribution across the material, enhancing processing efficiency and reducing the risk of container damage.
Implementation Method 1
the blades define containing cells which temporarily contain the granular material in order to move it, due to the effect of the rotation of the rotary shaft in the determinate direction of rotation, from a zone of the internal cavity, disposed above the rotary shaft, toward a discharge aperture of the container disposed below the rotary shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
Containing apparatus comprising a container (11) of material (12), and a discharge device (10) provided with at least a movement member (14) having a rotary shaft (15) inserted in said container (11) in through manner, and a plurality of blades (27) mounted radially on said rotary shaft (15) and defining corresponding containing cells (30) having the function of temporarily containing said material (12) in order to move it, due to the effect of the rotation of said rotary shaft (15) from a zone of said internal cavity (17a), disposed above said rotary shaft (15), toward a discharge aperture (24) of said container (11) disposed below said rotary shaft (15), wherein the rotary shaft (15) comprises at least two adjacent axial zones (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) along said axis of rotation (Y), and wherein in each of said axial zones (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) there is a plurality of said blades (27) that defines a corresponding wheel (26) with blades.