Temperature Sensor System for Pulp Suspension Flow Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pulp suspension treatment devices, such as wash presses, lack effective methods to measure liquid levels and detect stagnant flow or build-ups, which can lead to operational inefficiencies and potential roll failure due to uneven pulp distribution and flooding.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor system is mounted on the outer surface of the chamber, generating a temperature map to monitor pulp flow uniformity and detect deviations, allowing for real-time feedback to optimize compression efficiency and prevent issues like flooding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If temperature sensor system is mounted on the outer surface of the chamber wall, then measurement of pulp flow properties and detection of stagnant flow is enabled, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulp flow measurementVSAvoidsensor system installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact sensors with temperature-based sensing that measures thermal conductivity of the pulp suspension. By mounting temperature sensors on the outer surface of the chamber wall and measuring temperature differences, the system infers pulp flow properties without mechanical intrusion, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and installation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The chamber wall acts as an intermediary medium between the pulp suspension and the temperature sensors. The wall conducts thermal energy from the pulp to the sensors mounted on its outer surface, enabling indirect measurement of pulp flow properties while keeping sensors isolated from the harsh internal environment, thus reducing installation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple temperature sensors are distributed across the chamber surface, then detection of build-ups and uniformity is improved, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuild-up detectionVSAvoidsensor array configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chamber surface is divided into multiple measurement zones with temperature sensors distributed across different locations. Each sensor monitors a specific segment of the chamber wall, allowing detection of localized build-ups and non-uniform pulp distribution. This segmentation enables reliable detection without requiring a complete sensor array covering the entire chamber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature sensors are strategically positioned at locations where build-ups are most likely to occur or where pulp flow uniformity is critical. Rather than uniform distribution, sensors are placed at specific high-risk zones, achieving reliable detection with fewer sensors and reduced system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides a robust, cost-efficient means to measure pulp flow properties, detect stagnant flow and build-ups, and optimize liquid levels, enhancing operational efficiency and preventing damage in pulp suspension treatment devices.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor system (20) is mounted on an outer surface of a wall (13) of the chamber (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

generating a temperature map to monitor pulp flow uniformity and detect deviations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4227655B1Pulp suspension treatment device
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 VALMET TECH OY
  • EP4227655B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4227655B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring system of a suspension treatment device (10), which device comprises at least one chamber (14) formed inside of at least one wall (13). The measuring system comprises a temperature sensor system (20) comprising several temperature sensors attached on an outer surface of the wall (13) of the chamber (14).