Scale Sludge Treatment Device with Three-Stage Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating scale sludge from steel rolling mills are inefficient in removing oily contaminants, leading to high emissions and costly disposal, and do not allow for the reuse of scale sludge due to its contaminated state.

Innovation Solution

A modular scale sludge treatment device with three separation stages: a first stage for wet-mechanical separation of oily impurities, a second stage using a screw classifier for predominant separation of scale sludge from oily impurities, and a third stage for partial dewatering, allowing for the collection and removal of oily residues and water, enabling the recycling of cleaned scale sludge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If scale sludge is treated with conventional methods (attrition cell with surface-active agents), then oily impurities are removed to some extent, but the treatment process becomes complex and expensive, and scale sludge cannot be reused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoily impurity removal efficiencyVSAvoidtreatment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment process is divided into three distinct separation stages: (1) wet-mechanical separation in a grinding chamber, (2) predominant separation via screw classifier, and (3) dewatering through screening device. Each stage targets specific contaminants and produces progressively cleaner scale sludge, enabling reuse while managing complexity through functional segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of scale sludge through sequential processing: mechanical grinding reduces particle size and detaches oils, screw classification separates by density and particle size, and screening dewateres the material. These parameter changes transform contaminated sludge into reusable clean scale sludge without requiring complex chemical treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If scale sludge is disposed of due to contamination, then emissions are controlled, but disposal costs increase and environmental damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission controlVSAvoiddisposal cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts harmful oily-contaminated scale sludge into a beneficial reusable material. By removing oils through mechanical separation rather than disposal, the process transforms waste into a resource that can be returned to the steelmaking process, eliminating disposal costs and environmental harm while controlling emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding contaminated scale sludge, the invention recovers clean scale sludge through three separation stages. The recovered material is freed from oily contaminants and can be reused in steel production, while only the separated oily impurities are discarded, maximizing resource utilization and minimizing disposal requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If scale sludge is stored before treatment, then processing can be optimized, but storage volumes increase and space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing optimizationVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The three separation stages operate continuously without requiring intermediate storage. Scale sludge flows directly from the grinding chamber through the screw classifier to the screening device, enabling continuous processing that optimizes productivity while eliminating the need for large storage volumes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 modular device effectively removes oily residues from scale sludge, allowing it to be reused in steel production, reducing emissions and disposal costs, and ensuring consistent quality of the treated product.

Implementation Method 1

a first separation stage, which is provided for the wet-mechanical separation of at least some of the oily impurities adhering to scale sludge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWet-mechanical separation:

Implementation Method 2

a second separating stage following in the process direction, which is used for at least predominant separation of the scale sludge treated in the first separating stage from the oily impurities is provided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 3

an inlet of the screw classifier is arranged below an outlet of the first separating stage and the outlet of the screw classifier is arranged above an inlet of the third separating stage, so that the scale sludge treated in the first separating stage is transported in the screw classifier against the force of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

a third separating stage following the second separating stage in the process direction, which is provided for at least partial dewatering of the scale sludge cleaned in the second separating stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDewatering:

Data Source

PatentEP3263532B1Scale sludge treatment device and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 ENBW ENERGIE BADEN WURTTEMBERG AG
  • EP3263532B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3263532B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3263532B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a scale sludge treatment device (500) comprising a first separation stage (30) for separating at least a portion of the oily impurities adhering to the scale sludge, a second separation stage (50) following in the process direction (99) for at least the predominant separation of the scale sludge treated in the first separation stage (30) from the oily impurities, and a third separation stage (70) following the second separation stage (50) in the process direction (99) for at least partial dewatering of the scale sludge cleaned in the second separation stage (50). A conveying stage (20) is arranged upstream of the first separation stage (30) in the process direction (99) for conveying the material to be cleaned in the first separation stage (30) to the first separation stage (30). The conveying stage (20) and the first separation stage (30) are structurally integrated into a first module (100).The invention further relates to a method for treating scale sludge and a mobile system for treating scale sludge.