Reflective Structure for Microwave Mined Material Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating mined materials with microwave radiation face inefficiencies due to excessive heating and energy loss, which reduces the effectiveness of crack formation and subsequent material separation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a reflective structure that attenuates electromagnetic radiation penetration, using a material with specific dielectric properties to confine microwave energy within the treatment region, thereby increasing electric field intensity and power density selectively, reducing energy loss and enhancing crack formation in mined materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If electromagnetic radiation is applied to treat mined material, then crack formation and material separation are improved, but excessive heating and energy loss occur reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the reflective structure from the treatment chamber to prevent electromagnetic radiation from reflecting back into the chamber. This eliminates the harmful reflection that causes excessive heating and energy loss, allowing the radiation to be absorbed by the mined material for effective crack formation without waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful reflected electromagnetic radiation into a beneficial outcome by using a reflective structure that directs the radiation outward from the treatment chamber. The reflection that would normally cause energy loss and excessive heating is instead utilized to enhance crack formation in the mined material while preventing energy waste
2Temperature
If electromagnetic radiation penetrates into the passage, then material is heated, but this reduces the effectiveness of treatment with electromagnetic radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful effect of electromagnetic radiation penetration into the passage by installing a reflective structure that blocks and redirects the radiation. This prevents unnecessary heating of the passage and surrounding materials, concentrating the thermal effect only where needed for effective crack formation in the mined material
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective structure acts as an intermediary element between the treatment chamber and the passage. It mediates the electromagnetic radiation by reflecting it back into the chamber where it can be effectively used for crack formation, while preventing it from penetrating into the passage and causing unwanted heating that would reduce treatment effectiveness
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 effectively reduces heating and energy loss, increasing the efficiency of microwave treatment by concentrating power density within the treatment region, leading to improved fracture and separation of valuable minerals from gangue.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective structure providing, or surrounding, at least a portion of the passage, the reflective structure being arranged to attenuate penetration of the electromagnetic radiation from the radiation inlet region into the passage
Implementation Method 2
the exposure of the fragments to high power-density electric fields related to the high intensity microwave radiation causes preferential heating and resultant thermal expansion of some of the components of the fragments
Implementation Method 3
preferential heating and resultant thermal expansion of some of the components of the fragments, which results in formation of micro-cracks and macro-cracks
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for treatment of mined material. The apparatus comprises a source for generating electromagnetic radiation and a microwave inlet region for exposing fragments of the mined material to the electromagnetic radiation. Further, the apparatus comprises a reflective structure adjacent the microwave inlet region and providing, or surrounding, a passage for guiding the fragments of the mined material to the microwave inlet region. The reflective structure is arranged to attenuate penetration of the electromagnetic radiation from the microwave inlet region into the passage during throughput of the fragments of the mined material.