RF Drying Apparatus for Leather Finishing Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying methods for finishing leather hides are energy-intensive, lead to surface contamination, and result in a hardened, reduced-quality product with uneven drying and shrinkage, increasing costs and reducing the usable area of the hides.
Innovation Solution
A method using a RF electromagnetic wave drying apparatus that maintains low temperatures, reduces moisture extraction, and prevents dust infiltration, employing a series of electrodes connected to a high-frequency generator to dry the finishing layers without hot air, allowing for immediate handling and maintaining the hide's softness and area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hot air drying tunnels are used to dry finishing layers on hides, then drying effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hot air drying system with an electromagnetic field-based drying system. Specifically, microwave radiation or radio-frequency electromagnetic fields are used to directly heat and evaporate moisture in the finishing layers, eliminating the need for high-volume hot air circulation and significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining drying effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental drying parameter from thermal convection (hot air temperature and flow) to electromagnetic radiation frequency and intensity. By operating at specific microwave or radio-frequency ranges, the system achieves rapid moisture removal with much lower overall energy input compared to conventional hot air tunnels that require temperatures of 80-120°C and thousands of cubic meters of air flow per hour.
2Speed
If high-capacity compressors and blowers are used to convey hot air in drying tunnels, then drying speed is improved, but dust and impurities are deposited on hides reducing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical air conveyance system (compressors and blowers) by using electromagnetic field drying. Since no high-velocity air flow is required, dust and impurities are not carried into the drying zone and deposited on the hide surfaces, thereby maintaining high product quality while achieving rapid drying through direct electromagnetic heating of moisture.
3Quantity of substance
If high temperature drying is used to remove moisture from finishing layers, then moisture extraction is improved, but hides become hardened and less soft
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the heating mechanism from external thermal convection to internal electromagnetic heating. Microwave or radio-frequency energy penetrates the finishing layers and directly excites water molecules, causing rapid evaporation at lower overall temperatures. This prevents the thermal degradation and hardening of the hide fibers that occurs in conventional high-temperature drying, while still achieving effective moisture removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through electromagnetic heating. The microwave or radio-frequency energy directly converts water in the finishing layers to steam, which then escapes from the hide surface. This phase change occurs at lower temperatures compared to conventional drying, preserving the softness and flexibility of the hide while efficiently removing moisture.
4Quantity of substance
If completely dried hides are produced using hot air tunnels, then drying completeness is improved, but cooling devices with high power consumption are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drying temperature profile by using electromagnetic field heating, which achieves complete drying at lower overall temperatures and shorter times. The rapid and uniform heating throughout the finishing layers prevents excessive heat buildup, so the hides emerge at temperatures that require minimal or no active cooling, dramatically reducing or eliminating the need for high-power cooling devices.
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 approach significantly lowers energy consumption, prevents contamination, maintains the hide's softness and area, and reduces production costs by ensuring uniform and efficient drying at low temperatures, eliminating the need for cooling units and minimizing thermal stress.
Implementation Method 1
A method using a RF electromagnetic wave drying apparatus that maintains low temperatures, reduces moisture extraction, and prevents dust infiltration, employing a series of electrodes connected to a high-frequency generator to dry the finishing layers without hot air
Data Source
Figure 1~6d
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method of drying hides (P) during the finishing process. The finishing process comprises at least one first step a) of depositing a first layer (S') of liquid coating or finishing mixture on the hides (P), possibly followed by a second step c) of depositing a second layer of a fixing agent (S") on the first layer (S'). Drying comprises a first step b) of irradiating the first finishing layer (S') with an alternating electromagnetic field whose frequency is within the RF range, for substantially complete drying of the first layer (S'), followed by a second step d) of irradiating the second layer of fixing agent (S") deposited in said second deposition step c). An apparatus for drying hides (P) during the finishing process, which is designed to be located in a leather finishing plant (R) comprises a shielding tunnel (2), having therein a moving transfer surface (5) for feeding the hides in a predetermined direction (V) and an electromagnetic wave irradiator (8) for irradiating waves in the RF range, which is directed toward the surface of the hides (P) coated with the layers (S', S").