Recirculating Semi-Dried Material Prevents Clogging in Wet Particulate Dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying technologies for wet particulate materials, such as ethanol production residue or sugar beet pulp, face issues with clogging due to the accumulation of large and heavy wet particles, which compromises the drying process.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involve recirculating semi-dried particulate material extracted from the flow path back into the inlet chamber, where it is mixed with incoming wet material, reducing the overall water content and preventing clogging. The apparatus uses a pressure vessel with a flow path and employs superheated steam for drying, with the recirculated material effectively absorbing moisture and increasing the average dry material content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wet particulate material is transported through the drying apparatus, then drying process is enabled, but clogging occurs due to accumulation of large and heavy wet particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recirculation system that extracts partially dried material from the drying chamber and returns it to the inlet. This preliminary action of re-introducing already partially dried material prevents the accumulation of heavy wet particles that would otherwise cause clogging, while maintaining continuous drying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system creates a feedback loop where material flow and moisture content are continuously adjusted. The extracted material is mixed with incoming wet material, and this feedback mechanism ensures that the material entering the drying chamber has optimized moisture content, preventing clogging while maintaining drying efficiency.
2Productivity
If superheated steam is used for drying, then drying speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers energy by extracting partially dried material that still contains some moisture and recirculating it. This allows the system to utilize the thermal energy already imparted to this material, reducing the need for additional steam energy while maintaining drying speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining a steady flow of material with optimized moisture content through the drying chamber. This continuous operation maximizes the utilization of superheated steam energy, improving drying speed while managing energy consumption through efficient material flow management.
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 recirculation method significantly reduces the risk of clogging by decreasing the water content of the wet material, ensuring efficient drying and maintaining the flow of particulate material through the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
superheated steam is introduced into said cells at their lower ends so as to impart a whirling movement during which dried panicles to be dried are lifted out of the cells
Implementation Method 2
the particulate material being dried along the flow path by applied heat
Implementation Method 3
mixing the circulated extracted material with supplied wet particulate material within the first part, such that the wt% of dry material of the mixed particulate material is larger compared to the initial wt% of dry material
Data Source
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Figure 3~3A
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for drying wet particulate material. The method comprises the step of supplying wet particulate material to a dryer and transporting the wet particulate material along a flow path in the dryer along which flow path, the material is dried. The method further comprises the step of extracting part of the semi-dried material from the flow path, at a position distanced from an inlet and circulating the extracted material to the first part of the apparatus, the first part comprising the inlet and where the extracted material is mixed with the supplied wet material.