Screw Press Dewatering with Vacuum Filtration Along the Full Shaft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dewatering devices face inefficiencies due to incomplete filtration in the initial sections of the screw filter press, requiring high pressure and leading to entanglement and re-waterlogging of substrates, which reduces drainage efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dewatering device utilizing a screw shaft with a filter element and vacuum pump, where the substrate is pressed against a filter element by a rotating screw shaft, and vacuum is applied to expel liquid, with adjustable components for control and filtration enhancement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high pressure is applied by the feed pump to completely fill the screw filter press interior, then the filtration process is improved, but the substrate becomes waterlogged again in the rear section and entanglement occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidentanglement and re-waterlogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different operational conditions to different sections of the screw filter press. The front section operates under vacuum pressure to prevent entanglement and ensure complete filling, while the rear section operates under positive pressure for effective dewatering. This local differentiation of pressure conditions resolves the contradiction between complete filling and preventing re-waterlogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic or alternating pressure conditions along the screw shaft. By creating a pressure gradient that transitions from vacuum at the front to positive pressure at the rear, the system periodically alternates between filling mode and dewatering mode along the substrate path, preventing both incomplete filling and entanglement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If the screw shaft sections are spaced far apart to allow substrate movement, then substrate transport is improved, but filtration efficiency decreases due to incomplete filling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate transportVSAvoidfiltration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vacuum pressure to the front section of the screw filter press to ensure complete filling of the interior space. This pneumatic approach allows the substrate to be drawn in and distributed evenly along the screw shaft sections, maintaining both transport efficiency and filtration effectiveness without requiring the substrate to be forced under high pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If the screw shaft sections are spaced closely to increase compression, then dewatering efficiency is improved, but the substrate becomes waterlogged in the rear section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedewatering efficiencyVSAvoidre-waterlogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies positive pressure specifically to the rear section of the screw filter press where the screw shaft sections are closely spaced. This localized pressure application enhances dewatering efficiency in the compression zone without affecting the front section where substrate filling occurs, preventing re-waterlogging while maintaining high dewatering performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Achieves efficient dewatering along the entire length of the screw shaft, increasing dry matter content to 30% and allowing continuous operation with low energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one vacuum pump (5) is fluidically connected to the at least one press assembly (2)... the at least one vacuum pump (5), which is fluidically connected to the at least one press assembly (2), generates a vacuum/negative pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The substrate can be subjected to a pressing process by means of the at least one pressing arrangement (2)... the substrate is pressed against a filter element by a rotating screw shaft, and vacuum is applied to expel liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4656601A1Dewatering device and method for dewatering substrates
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 RETECH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP4656601A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656601A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656601A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a dewatering device and a method for dewatering substrate. It is therefore an object of the invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a dewatering device and a method for dewatering substrate, wherein the dewatering device and the method for dewatering substrate enable efficient dewatering along the entire length of a screw shaft. This object is achieved by the features listed in the claims.