Pneumatic Conveying Sequence Control for Waste Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic conveying systems face issues with high energy consumption, noise, dust, and fine particles due to high airflow and inefficient material transfer in vacuum conveying systems, particularly in waste collection.

Innovation Solution

The method involves controlling material feed points in a specified sequence to maintain continuous air circulation and underpressure, minimizing noise and energy consumption by ensuring that one feed point is open before the previous one closes, and using a blower unit to generate overpressure and underpressure in conjunction with vacuum generators to facilitate efficient material transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If material feed points are opened and closed sequentially in the conveying direction, then material transfer efficiency is improved and blockages are minimized, but system complexity increases due to coordinated control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system opens the next feed point passage before the previous one closes, creating an overlapping time window where both passages are open. This preliminary action ensures continuous material flow and prevents blockages by maintaining constant air flow through the conveying pipe, resolving the contradiction between improved productivity and control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If high air flow is used to convey material, then conveying speed is improved, but energy consumption and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic opening and closing of feed point passages in a controlled sequence, creating intermittent high-velocity air flows that are sufficient for material conveyance without maintaining continuously high air flow. This periodic action reduces overall energy consumption and noise while maintaining adequate conveying speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If vacuum generators are used to create underpressure, then material suction is improved, but energy consumption and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial suction efficiencyVSAvoidnoise and energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies vacuum suction only when feed point passages are open and material is being transferred, rather than maintaining continuous vacuum. This partial action reduces energy consumption and noise from vacuum generators while maintaining sufficient material suction efficiency during active transfer periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Loss of energy

If feed points are emptied in reverse sequence from conveying direction, then air circulation is improved, but material transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair circulation efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the opening sequence of feed point passages based on the conveying direction and air flow patterns. By opening passages in the conveying direction sequence with overlapping time windows, the system optimizes both air circulation and material transfer efficiency, resolving the contradiction between these two objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach reduces noise, energy consumption, and particle issues by optimizing air circulation and material transfer, minimizing blockages and air drag, while maintaining effective material conveyance and reducing dust and fine particle emissions.

Implementation Method 1

using a blower unit to generate overpressure and underpressure in conjunction with vacuum generators to facilitate efficient material transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOverpressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

vacuum generators, such as vacuum pumps or an ejector apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUnderpressure: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP2222584B1Method in pneumatic material conveying system and a pneumatic material conveying system

Publication Date: 2024.07.03 MARICAP OY

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A method for feeding and conveying material in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as a waste conveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one feed point (61) of material, particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe (100) which is connectable to the feed point (61), a separator device (20) in which the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, and means (3, 4) for providing a pressure difference in the conveying pipe (100) at least during the conveyance of the material. Underpressure is provided in the conveying pipe (100) at least at the point of the feed point (61) intended to be emptied, the feed points are emptied to the conveying pipe (100) using an emptying sequence in which first is emptied a feed point located closer to the separator device (20) in the material conveying direction and next a feed point (61) located substantially farther from the separator device (20) in the material conveying direction.