Positionable Gas Nozzle for Underwater Pelletizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater pelletizing systems face issues with pellet agglomeration and hang-ups due to the fixed position of gas injection nozzles, which restricts the control of gas flow and leads to disruptions in the pelletization process.
Innovation Solution
A positionable nozzle assembly that allows manual or mechanical adjustment between fully inserted and retracted positions, enabling angular positioning within the transport pathway to optimize gas injection and prevent agglomeration by increasing pellet slurry velocity and reducing retention time in transport liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed nozzle is used for gas injection, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the nozzle cannot be adjusted to optimize gas flow control and prevents pellet agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is made movable within the transport pipe, allowing it to be positioned at different locations along the pipe length. This dynamic positioning capability enables optimization of gas injection points to control pellet slurry flow and prevent agglomeration, while the nozzle remains relatively simple in structure by sliding within the existing pipe rather than requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a fixed nozzle is used, then the device complexity is low, but pellet agglomerates form and cause hang-ups disrupting the process
Solution Approach 1:
The movable nozzle allows operators to reposition the gas injection point along the transport pipe to prevent pellet agglomeration and hang-ups. By dynamically adjusting the nozzle position, the system maintains reliable continuous operation without requiring complex additional components beyond the movable nozzle assembly.
3Loss of time
If the nozzle is fixed in position, then the installation is simple, but the retention time of pellets in transport liquid cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The movable nozzle enables adjustment of gas injection timing and location to optimize pellet retention time in the transport liquid. The nozzle can be positioned to inject gas at optimal points along the pipe, controlling the rate at which pellets are propelled through the liquid, thereby optimizing retention time without complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Temperature
If a fixed nozzle is used, then the system is simple to operate, but internal heat of pellets cannot be retained effectively
Solution Approach 1:
By making the nozzle movable, the system can optimize gas injection timing to control pellet velocity and retention time in the transport liquid. This optimization helps retain internal heat of pellets by minimizing excessive cooling during transport, while the movable nozzle remains relatively simple in structure compared to complex thermal control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A positionable gas nozzle assembly for injecting and directing pressurized air or other gas having an inert nature into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned to facilitate start-up of the pelletization process, reduce or eliminate pellet hang-up points, maximize and optimize the velocity of the pellet slurry throughput, and to adjust the aspiration level of the pellet slurry such that the internal heat of the pellets is retained for improved degrees of crystallization and/or drying.