Rotary Distributor Chamber for Cleanable Powder Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material distribution devices are structurally complex, expensive, difficult to operate, and require manual disassembly for cleaning, leading to issues with residue carryover and contamination during the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A distributor device with a process chamber and rotatable distributor element that allows for selective material guidance and on-site cleaning without disassembly, using a combination of gravimetric and pneumatic transport with inflatable seals and a cleaning apparatus to introduce cleaning agents automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-port ball valve is used for material distribution, then material guidance capability is improved, but device complexity and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor element is divided into multiple segments or zones that can be independently controlled. Each segment can be selectively opened or closed to guide materials to different outlet openings, replacing the need for a complex multi-port ball valve while maintaining material distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor element is designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of material flow paths. This rotational mechanism provides versatility in guiding materials to different outlets without requiring a complex fixed multi-port valve structure.
2Ease of operation
If known distribution devices are used, then material distribution function is achieved, but cleaning requires manual disassembly and intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus is designed to clean the process chamber and distributor element automatically without requiring manual disassembly. The cleaning apparatus can introduce cleaning agents through the existing inlet and outlet openings, allowing the device to clean itself while installed, eliminating the need for manual intervention and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet and outlet openings serve dual functions: they are used for material distribution during operation and for introducing cleaning agents during cleaning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning ports or disassembly operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If materials are transported through complex devices, then distribution capability is improved, but residue carryover and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor element is designed to be completely removable from the process chamber. This extraction capability allows for thorough cleaning and inspection of all surfaces that contact materials, ensuring complete removal of residues and preventing carryover to subsequent batches or products.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus automatically cleans all material-contact surfaces including the process chamber and distributor element, ensuring complete removal of residues without requiring manual intervention, thereby preventing contamination and residue carryover.
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
Enables efficient, residue-free, and cost-effective material processing by allowing for easy operation and automatic cleaning of the device, preventing contamination and residue accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The materials are preferably transported gravimetrically or pneumatically
Implementation Method 2
A combination of gravimetric and pneumatic transport is still possible as well. In particular, the materials can be transported by means of negative pressure or positive pressure
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning apparatus can automatically introduce a cleaning agent into the process chamber and into the distributor element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a distributor device, to a method for guiding materials, and to a method for cleaning a distributor device. The distributor device for guiding materials, in particular particulate pharmaceutical solids, comprises: a process chamber (2) having at least one inlet opening (3) and having at least two outlet openings (4), a distributor element (5) for distributing the materials, wherein the distributor element (5) extends through the process chamber (2) in order to connect the inlet opening (3) to one of the outlet openings (4), wherein the distributor element (5) is arranged rotatably about an axis of rotation (6), and a cleaning apparatus (7) which is configured to clean the process chamber (2) and the distributor element (5).