Powder Dissolution Generator with Recirculation Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid/liquid handling systems face challenges in efficiently mixing and dissolving soluble particulate solids with solvents to produce high concentration solutions, leading to issues like material separation, settling, and safety hazards, particularly when scaling up from small to large quantities.

Innovation Solution

A dissolution generator system comprising a housing shell with a powder support screen assembly, a pressure mechanism, a spray delivery assembly, and a recirculation pump, which dissolves particulate materials into a solvent using a fluid recirculation loop, allowing for scalable and rapid production of highly concentrated solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional slow impeller mixers are used to mix powders and solvents in large quantities, then mixing capacity is achieved, but preparation time becomes relatively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation speedVSAvoidmixing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the mixing process into two distinct stages: (1) rapid dissolution phase where solvent is sprayed through powder at high velocity to create concentrated solution, and (2) dilution phase where additional solvent is added to reach final volume and concentration. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, achieving fast initial dissolution without compromising final mixing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs hydraulic principles by using a pump to circulate solvent through a spray nozzle that delivers high-velocity liquid jets directly through the powder bed. This hydraulic approach replaces conventional mechanical impeller mixing with fluid dynamic forces, enabling rapid wetting and dissolution of powder particles in seconds rather than minutes or hours.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If high concentration solutions are prepared and stored, then economic efficiency and handling are improved, but material separation and settling problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidsolution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous recirculation of the concentrated solution through the spray nozzle and powder bed, maintaining constant motion and preventing particle settling. This continuous action ensures that even at high concentrations where materials would normally separate, the sustained fluid flow keeps the mixture homogeneous and stable throughout storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from static storage of concentrated solutions to dynamic continuous circulation. By maintaining constant recirculation flow through the dissolution chamber, the system creates a dynamic environment that prevents gravitational settling and phase separation, allowing stable storage of high-concentration formulations that would otherwise be unstable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If large quantities of high concentration liquids are transported, then product availability is improved, but transportation weight and container size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct availabilityVSAvoidtransportation weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary concentration of the active ingredients into a compact, highly concentrated form that can be transported in small containers. The actual dilution and volume expansion to final product form occurs at the point of use, eliminating the need to transport large volumes of dilute solution and significantly reducing transportation weight and container requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different concentration levels at different locations: highly concentrated form for transportation and storage, then diluted to appropriate working concentrations at the point of use. This local quality variation optimizes both transportation efficiency (using concentrated form) and application performance (using diluted form where needed).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If conventional mixing systems are scaled up for larger quantities, then production capacity is improved, but safety hazards and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction capacityVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the mixing process into controlled phases with automated material handling, reducing the need for manual intervention with large quantities of chemicals. The automated spray and recirculation system manages material flows safely, while the modular design allows scaling capacity without proportionally increasing safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs self-regulating features including automated recirculation that maintains proper mixing without continuous manual oversight, and design elements that inherently control material flows to prevent hazardous conditions. This self-service capability reduces operator exposure to safety hazards while maintaining high production capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively mixes and dissolves solids into solvents, producing stable, highly concentrated solutions in shorter time frames and across various container sizes, improving safety and efficiency by minimizing material handling and transportation challenges.

Implementation Method 1

spraying at least a solvent at the powder from a spray nozzle through the powder support screen assembly, thereby dissolving exposed powder and producing a solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

using a pressure mechanism to apply a pressure to the powder against the screen assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

at least one recirculation pump disposed in fluid communication with both the dissolved powder reservoir and the spray delivery assembly, so as to form a fluid recirculation loop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS11058999B1Rapid dissolution generator system and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2021.07.13 BROOME HUBERT R
  • US11058999B1 patent drawing
  • US11058999B1 patent drawing
  • US11058999B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A dissolution generator apparatus includes: a dissolution generator, including: a housing shell; a powder support screen assembly extending across an interior of the housing shell and configured to support a column of powder; a pressure mechanism disposed adjacent the powder support screen assembly; a spray delivery assembly located adjacent the powder support screen assembly opposite to the pressure mechanism, the spray delivery assembly comprising a spray nozzle configured to spray a solvent through the powder support screen assembly; a duct having a first end in fluid communication with the housing shell, and a second end; a dissolved powder reservoir in fluid communication with the second end of the duct; and at least one recirculation pump disposed in fluid communication with both the dissolved powder reservoir and the spray delivery assembly, so as to form a fluid recirculation loop between the dissolved powder reservoir and the spray delivery assembly.