Polymeric Slag Extraction Reactor for Corrosion and Abrasion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing continuous reactors for extracting metal compounds from slag face issues of poor abrasion resistance and high corrosion due to continuous contact with acidic liquids, leading to increased maintenance needs and downtime.

Innovation Solution

A reactor design featuring a washing drum inside a housing with rotatable mounting outside, using non-corrosive and abrasion-resistant polymeric materials for surfaces in contact with the slag stream, allowing continuous operation with reduced maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a continuous reactor is used for extracting metal compounds from slag, then productivity is improved, but the reactor suffers from poor abrasion resistance and high corrosion leading to increased maintenance needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidabrasion resistance and corrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reactor is divided into distinct functional zones: a washing drum for initial processing and a leaching zone for metal extraction. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function and replaced independently, reducing overall downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter of the reactor components from conventional metals to polymeric materials that offer superior resistance to both abrasion and corrosion. This parameter change maintains continuous operation capability while significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional materials are used in continuous contact with acidic liquid and slag, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but maintenance frequency increases due to corrosion and abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial availability and initial costVSAvoidmaintenance frequency and downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite polymeric materials that combine corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance properties. These composite materials provide long-term durability in the harsh acidic environment, reducing maintenance frequency despite higher initial manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the washing drum is rotatably mounted inside the housing, then mixing and contact efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidmounting and rotation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting the washing drum inside the housing, the invention inverts the arrangement by mounting the drum outside the housing. This simplifies the mounting mechanism while maintaining the rotational mixing function through external drive connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 reactor achieves continuous extraction of metal compounds with minimized maintenance and downtime by utilizing polymeric materials that resist corrosion and abrasion, ensuring efficient and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

the extraction of metal compounds by solving the metal compounds in acidic liquids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLeaching: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

the parts of the reactor, which are in contact with the slag stream are prepared from non-corrosive and abrasion resistant material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Implementation Method 3

the parts of the reactor, which are in contact with the slag stream are prepared from non-corrosive and abrasion resistant material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion resistance: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP4656745A1Reactor for continuously extracting metal compounds from slag
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 AIK TECH AG
  • EP4656745A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656745A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656745A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a reactor for continuously extracting metal compounds from slag comprising • a housing (101) comprising a front wall (102) and a back wall (103); • a washing drum (140) being situated inside the housing (100) and rotatably mounted outside the housing (100); • an acidic liquid situated inside the housing (100), so that a lower part of the washing drum (140) is immersed in the acidic liquid; • an inlet (110) for introducing a slag stream from outside of the housing (100) into the interior of the washing drum (140); and • an outlet (101) for removing the slag stream from the interior of the washing drum (140) to the outside of the housing (100); and • means (120) for rotating the washing drum (140) situated outside the housing (100), wherein the parts of the reactor, which are in contact with the slag stream are prepared from non-corrosive and abrasion resistant material, such as polymeric material.