Segmented Waste Material Supply Device for Stable Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste material supply devices face issues with unstable waste material storage levels in connecting chutes, leading to potential clogging and inefficient waste material supply into heat treatment furnaces, requiring supplementary fuels and affecting combustion stability.

Innovation Solution

A waste material supply device with a hopper, pusher type and screw type supply apparatuses, and a level sensor that controls the pushers to maintain stable waste material levels by adjusting the amount pushed into the chute and the screw's rotation speed based on detected levels, preventing excessive supply and ensuring consistent waste material flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single pusher type waste material supply device is used to push out waste material, then the device structure is simple, but the waste material supply amount becomes excessive and the storage level in the connecting chute becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidwaste material storage level
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The single pusher type waste material supply device is divided into a first pusher type waste material supply device and a second pusher type waste material supply device. Each device has its own inlet and outlet, with outlets connected to different portions of the connecting chute. This segmentation allows independent control of waste material supply from each device, preventing excessive supply and stabilizing the storage level in the connecting chute.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If waste material supply amount is increased to meet processing demand, then productivity is improved, but the storage level in the connecting chute becomes unstable and clogging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste material supply amountVSAvoidwaste material flow stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the waste material supply into two separate pusher type devices that supply to different portions of the connecting chute, the system can maintain high productivity while distributing the supply load. This prevents localized over-supply that causes clogging, thereby maintaining flow stability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting chute is designed with a first portion and a second portion, acting as intermediaries between the two pusher type supply devices and the screw type supply device. This intermediate structure distributes and balances the waste material flow from multiple sources, preventing clogging and maintaining stable flow to the processing furnace.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If waste material supply is irregular, then operational flexibility is improved, but combustion stability deteriorates and supplementary fuel is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcombustion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates level detection means to detect the storage level of waste material in the connecting chute, and control means that adjusts the operation of the pusher type supply devices and screw type supply device based on detected levels. This feedback control ensures regular and stable waste material supply to the processing furnace, maintaining combustion stability while allowing operational flexibility through automatic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 device effectively reduces waste material accumulation in the chute, stabilizes waste material supply, and maintains consistent combustion in the heat treatment furnace, enhancing operational stability and reducing the need for supplementary fuels.

Implementation Method 1

a screw configured to convey the waste material in an axial direction according to rotation about an axis thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveyor mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a pusher configured to push out the waste material in a horizontal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pushing force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

a level sensor that detects a storage level of the waste material stored in the connecting chute

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLevel detection:

Implementation Method 4

a control device that controls the first rubbish supply apparatus and the second rubbish supply apparatus based on the storage level detected by the level sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2693119B1Waste material supply device and waste material processing device
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND ENVIRONMENTAL & CHEM ENG CO LTD
  • EP2693119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2693119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2693119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A waste material supply device (3) includes a hopper (2) into which a waste material is supplied, a first rubbish supply apparatus (5) having an inlet connected to an outlet of the hopper and a pusher configured to push out the waste material in a horizontal direction, a connecting chute (12) having an upper portion connected to an outlet of the first rubbish supply apparatus to form a space extending upward and downward, and a second rubbish supply apparatus (6) having an inlet connected to a lower portion of the connecting chute and a screw configured to convey the waste material in an axial direction according to rotation about an axis thereof, wherein the first rubbish supply apparatus has a plurality of pushers in a widthwise direction, and each of the pushers is able to be individually manipulated.