Pulper Perforated Plate with Variable Hole Diameter for Fiber Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulpers, particularly continuously operating ones with perforated plates, face challenges in achieving efficient separation of fibers from mixed materials with small hole diameters and maintaining uniform flow conditions, often requiring high water usage and complex processing steps.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pulper design featuring a perforated plate with closely spaced holes, an external circulation system with a 'First In First Out' collecting device, a conical screw conveyor, and adjustable removal devices to manage pressure and flow, along with rotating knives and a vacuum system to enhance material separation and flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a perforated plate with small hole diameters is used to separate fibers from mixed materials, then separation efficiency is improved, but flow uniformity deteriorates and clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the hole diameter across different regions of the perforated plate. The center region has larger holes to maintain flow uniformity and prevent clogging, while the peripheral regions have smaller holes to achieve efficient separation. This spatial variation in hole size allows each region to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated plate is segmented into multiple zones with different hole characteristics. The plate is divided into a central zone with larger holes and peripheral zones with smaller holes, allowing the system to handle both uniform flow requirements and high-efficiency separation requirements in different locations simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If a perforated plate with small hole diameters is used, then separation efficiency is improved, but the risk of clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the hole diameter across different regions of the perforated plate. The center region has larger holes to maintain flow uniformity and prevent clogging, while the peripheral regions have smaller holes to achieve efficient separation. This spatial variation in hole size allows each region to perform its specific function optimally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external circulation with a collecting device is implemented, then material feedback control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting device serves multiple functions: it collects separated materials, stores them temporarily, and feeds them back to the pulper inlet. This multi-functional design provides controllable material feedback while avoiding the need for separate collection, storage, and feeding systems, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the collection device with the pulper system by directly connecting it to the pulper inlet. This integration allows the collecting device to become an inherent part of the circulation system, enabling material feedback control without adding independent complex subsystems.
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 design enhances material separation efficiency, reduces water usage, and allows for controllable and variable material feedback, achieving uniform flow conditions and maximizing material flow through the pulper, even with small web dimensions and diverse material compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system to enhance material separation and flow efficiency
Implementation Method 2
a conical screw conveyor
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The pulper (1), to recycle waste paper materials, has a perforated plate (4) to separate fibers with round perforations of = 5 mm diameter or = 1.5 mm at intervals of = 1.5 mm.