Pulper Screening Means Spiral Vessel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processors for fibrous raw materials are limited in their versatility and efficiency, as minor design changes significantly impact fiber recovery, quality, energy, and capital requirements, making them less adaptable to various secondary raw materials and processes.

Innovation Solution

A conditioner with a closed vessel capable of multiple functions such as suspension, sorting, fractionation, and grinding, equipped with a heating device and mesh screens, allowing for the processing of diverse fibrous materials, including paper industry waste and organic waste, with customizable design features like a collar and spiral separating devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the conditioner is designed with multiple functions (suspension, sorting, fractionation, grinding, dispersing, thickening), then the versatility and adaptability to different secondary raw materials is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conditioner is designed as a multi-functional processing unit that can perform suspension, sorting, fractionation, grinding, dispersing, and thickening operations within a single closed vessel. Different screen configurations (mesh screens, slotted screens, perforated plates) and adjustable components enable the same device to handle diverse secondary raw materials including paper waste, organic waste, and fibrous materials through various processing modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the collar length is increased to prevent backflow and guide flow from top to bottom, then the flow control effectiveness is improved, but the device height and capital requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control effectivenessVSAvoiddevice height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is designed with variable geometry featuring a conical section that narrows downward and an expansion behind it. This localized structural variation creates different flow characteristics at different positions: the narrowing section guides flow from top to bottom while the expansion section prevents backflow from bottom to top, achieving effective flow control with minimal additional height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If batch operation is used instead of fully continuous operation, then the ease of operation and adaptability to different materials is improved, but the productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conditioner is designed to operate flexibly in both batch and continuous modes. The closed vessel with removable components allows for batch operation when processing diverse materials requiring different parameters, while the overall system configuration supports continuous operation for standardized materials, enabling dynamic adaptation to production requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If overpressure feeding is implemented, then the throughput and fiber recovery rate are improved, but the energy requirements and equipment stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidenergy requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Overpressure feeding is implemented through the closed vessel design where pressurized feed introduces material into the conditioner. This hydraulic/pneumatic feeding method enables high throughput and effective fiber recovery by forcing material through the processing zone under pressure, while the closed system contains and recycles the pressure energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 conditioner achieves high pulp recovery and quality, is suitable for batch operation, and can handle a wide range of materials, enhancing throughput and reducing foam formation through overpressure feeding, while maintaining profitability.

Implementation Method 1

If the conditioner has a heating device, it is even suitable for dispersing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

When using a mesh screen, the conditioner can also work as a thickener

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The collar prevents or impedes backflow from bottom to top, i.e. from the bottom to the top of the conditioner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric flow control: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2825697B1Pulper with screening means and method of screening a fiber mass
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 BOLTERSDORF HANS JOACHIM
  • EP2825697B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2825697B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2825697B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Processor with a closed vessel that can be pressurized and has an upper area with a smaller diameter and a lower area with a larger diameter, wherein the upper area has a small spiral and the lower area has a large spiral, wherein one admission point for materials and one for water are arranged in the upper area, and a heavy-parts trap is arranged in the lower area.