Rotating Mixing Tank Heating via Segmented Air Pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mixing plants for composite particles face issues with poor temperature controllability and uneven heating due to inadequate heating methods, leading to high operational costs and potential damage to the mixing tank.

Innovation Solution

A mixing plant design incorporating a heat conductive pipe with hot air entrance holes that introduces hot air into a rotatable mixing tank through an air communication passage, eliminating the need for an electric heat tube and enhancing temperature control and homogeneity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If electric heating tubes or steaming treatment are used to heat the mixing tank, then the heating function is achieved, but the temperature controllability is poor and the heating is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controllabilityVSAvoidheating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple heat conductive pipes distributed throughout the mixing tank, with each pipe containing multiple hot air introduction holes. This segmentation allows hot air to be introduced at multiple locations simultaneously, achieving uniform heating throughout the material while maintaining precise temperature control through the controllable air source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional electric heating tubes with a pneumatic heating system that introduces hot air through the heat conductive pipes. This pneumatic approach enables better temperature controllability by adjusting the flow and temperature of the hot air source, while the distributed hole distribution ensures uniform heating throughout the material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If conventional heating methods are applied to the whole mixing tank, then heating is achieved, but the heating cost is high and the tank housing may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to mixing tank housing
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of heating the entire mixing tank housing uniformly, the invention applies heating locally through heat conductive pipes positioned within the material. The hot air is introduced directly into the material through distributed holes in the pipes, providing localized heating where needed without subjecting the tank housing to extreme temperatures that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heat conductive pipes act as intermediaries between the hot air source and the material. Rather than heating the tank housing directly, the hot air flows through the pipes and transfers heat to the material via the pipe walls and introduced air, protecting the tank housing from direct thermal exposure while achieving efficient heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a heating function is added to a plant without heating capability, then heating is achieved, but the improvement cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidimprovement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat conductive pipes serve multiple functions: they act as mixing elements, heat transfer conduits, and structural support within the material. By making the pipes multi-functional, the system adds heating capability without requiring entirely separate heating equipment, thereby reducing the overall improvement cost while achieving effective heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is merged with the existing mixing plant structure by incorporating heat conductive pipes into the material handling system. The pipes combine the functions of material conveyance and heat transfer, eliminating the need for separate heating equipment and reducing the cost of adding heating capability to the plant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 more homogeneous heating, improved temperature controllability, and reduced operational costs while preventing damage to the mixing tank housing, achieving efficient and cost-effective heating for composite particle production.

Implementation Method 1

a heat conductive pipe which defines a plurality of hot air entrance holes operates to inhale hot air close to a heat source into an air communication passage constituted by a primary heat conductive pipe and the heat conductive pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the primary heat conductive pipe is in communication with an inner chamber of a mixing tank, the hot air is introduced into the rotatable mixing tank by the primary heat conductive pipe, thereby achieving a heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3375510B1Stirring apparatus for synthetic particles and heating method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 BAI HONGMEI
  • EP3375510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3375510B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3375510B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a stirring apparatus for synthetic particles and a heating method therefor. The stirring apparatus for synthetic particles comprises: a rotatable stirring barrel (230); a fixed support (240) for supporting the stirring barrel (230); at least one heat conducting tube (210), wherein the side wall of the heat conducting tube (210) for facing a heat source is provided with multiple hot air inlet holes (211); a main heat conducting tube (220), wherein the main heat conducting tube (220) is in communication with an inner cavity of the stirring barrel (230), and the main heat conducting tube (220) is in communication with the heat conducting tube (210) to form a connected air channel; and an air pressure valve (250), wherein the air pressure valve (250) is arranged in the connected air channel. The heating method comprises: by means of a heat conducting tube (210) provided with hot air inlet holes (211), sucking hot air around a heat source into a connected air channel formed by connecting a main heat conducting tube (220) and the heat conducting tube (210); and bringing the main heat conducting tube (220) into communication with an inner cavity of a stirring barrel (230), so that the hot air is introduced into the rotatable stirring barrel (230) via the main heat conducting tube (220).