Rotating Drum Screen Filtration with Segmented Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing externally fed screen filtration systems for food processing water lack structural strength, are difficult to clean, and have inefficiencies in solid removal and waste water management, leading to frequent breakdowns and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a rotatable drum with a cylindrical screen surface, affixed flights for rigidity, adjustable trunnion supports, and a source of mixing gas or cleaning fluid to enhance solid removal and cleaning efficiency, while reducing waste water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an externally fed screen drum is used for filtration, then solids are caught on the outside of the screen and can be scraped off, but the screen lacks torsional strength and fails under scraping stress
Solution Approach 1:
The screen drum is segmented into multiple sections with individual support structures. Each section has its own scraping mechanism and support bearings, allowing the drum to be divided into manageable segments that can withstand scraping forces without requiring the entire drum to have high torsional strength throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
Support bearings and intermediate support structures are introduced as mediators between the scraping blades and the screen drum. These intermediaries provide localized support at critical points where scraping forces are applied, distributing the torsional stress and preventing screen failure while maintaining the externally fed filtration mechanism.
2Productivity
If the drum is rotated to enable filtration, then solids are effectively separated, but access to the inside of the drum for cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drum is designed with adjustable support bearings that allow the drum position to be dynamically changed between operational and cleaning positions. During filtration, the drum rotates in its normal position for efficient solids separation. During cleaning, the drum can be repositioned to provide easy access to the interior screen surface without requiring disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates preliminary cleaning features such as accessible cleaning ports and removable screen sections that are built into the drum structure. These features are prepared in advance to allow quick transition from filtration mode to cleaning mode, making maintenance easier without compromising filtration efficiency during operation.
3Ease of operation
If cleaning liquid is sprayed inside the drum to clean the screen, then the screen can be cleaned, but more waste water is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is designed with self-cleaning features including vibration mechanisms and air blasting systems that clean the screen surface using the existing filtration process fluids and air flow. The vibration mechanism loosens accumulated solids while air blasts remove them, allowing the screen to clean itself without requiring additional cleaning liquid, thus reducing waste water generation while maintaining cleaning 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 provides improved structural integrity, easier cleaning, and enhanced filtration efficiency, reducing the likelihood of screen failure and waste water generation, while allowing for better positioning and operation of the filtration apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a source of mixing gas connected to the source of liquid with suspended solids
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of nozzles connected to the source of cleaning fluid and disposed inside the drum to direct the cleaning fluid to the screen to clean the screen
Data Source
AI summary
A food processing water filtration apparatus includes a rotatable drum, a source of liquid, a blade to remove solids from the drum, a drain, and a rotational drive. The system has one or more of a plurality of flights affixed to the drum, a source of mixing gas connected to the source of liquid, a source of cleaning gas connected to nozzles disposed inside the drum, and a trunnion support for an end of the drum. The drum is cylindrical and at least partially comprised of a screen. The source of liquid directs liquid towards the screen and into the drum. The drain collects at least a second portion of the liquid that passes through the screen and out of the drum. The outlet is at one or both ends of the drum. The rotational drive is connected to an end(s) of the drum, and rotates the drum.