Removable Silo Coupling for Particle Feed Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy production systems face challenges with the supply of solid materials like biomass particles, including traceability issues, unsuitability for small quantity delivery, bulkiness leading to maintenance access difficulties, dust generation posing safety risks, and mass loss during handling.
Innovation Solution
A modular energy production system with a removable container and connection unit that allows for efficient transfer of particles from storage to energy production equipment, featuring a control system for managing particle flow, traceability devices, and design elements to minimize dust formation and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large-capacity trucks with fixed containers are used to deliver bulk particles, then transport capacity is improved, but traceability becomes difficult and the system becomes bulky with maintenance access difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the particle supply into multiple smaller mobile silos instead of one large fixed container. Each silo is independently movable and can be positioned near the energy production equipment, enabling easy maintenance access while collectively providing bulk delivery capacity through coordinated operation of multiple units.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed containers are used for particle storage and delivery, then transport stability is improved, but the system becomes bulky and maintenance access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed static containers with mobile dynamic silos that can be moved as needed. The mobile silos maintain stable particle storage through proper design features while being dynamically repositionable, reducing overall system bulkiness and improving maintenance accessibility.
3Productivity
If particles are handled and transported mechanically, then delivery efficiency is improved, but dust generation increases posing fire risks and causing mass loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic conveying to transport particles from mobile silos to the energy production equipment. This pneumatic method replaces mechanical handling that generates dust, delivering particles efficiently through air flow while containing them within closed conduits, thereby eliminating fire risks and mass loss from dust generation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If removable connection units are used for container coupling, then adaptability is improved, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates preliminary alignment features and pre-positioned connection points on mobile silos that guide and facilitate reliable coupling with the energy production equipment. The removable connection units are designed with built-in alignment mechanisms that ensure proper positioning before connection, maintaining both adaptability for different containers and reliability of the connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an energy production system (1) comprising: an energy production device (8) including a unit (14) for producing energy from a product (2) in the form of particles (4), and a supply device (16); and a container (10) defining an interior space (18). The system comprises at least one removable coupling unit (12) including a first coupling element (20) connected to the energy production device and a complementary second coupling element (22) connected to the container. The coupling unit can occupy a coupled configuration in which the particles can be transferred from the interior space to the supply device, and an uncoupled configuration. When the coupling unit is in the uncoupled configuration, the container can move in relation to the energy production device.