Silicate Separation in Glued Plant Particle Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

The processing of plant particles from annual plants, such as rice straw, is hindered by the high amounts of silicate minerals they contain, which cause wear and tear on equipment and disrupt the production process, leading to quality issues in fiberboard or chipboard production.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a sifting device, specifically an air sifter, to separate silicate particles from plant particles before gluing, allowing for the removal of these particles, reducing wear and improving panel quality by minimizing silicate content, and potentially using a second comminution stage for further separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If plant particles from annual plants are processed directly without separation, then production process continuity is maintained, but equipment wear increases and production quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process continuityVSAvoidequipment wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air classification device performs preliminary separation of silicate particles from plant particles before the gluing process. This preliminary action removes harmful silicates that would otherwise cause equipment wear and quality issues during subsequent processing stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes silicate particles from the plant particle stream using an air classification device. By separating the harmful silicate component before gluing, the system eliminates the source of equipment wear and production disruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If wear protection measures are implemented in mixing equipment, then equipment reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment durabilityVSAvoidwear protection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of protecting equipment against harmful silicates, the invention converts the harmful silicate particles into a separable component by using air classification. The silicates are removed before causing damage, eliminating the need for complex wear protection systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

By performing silicate separation before the gluing and mixing stages, the invention prevents equipment wear before it occurs, rather than implementing protective measures during or after the harmful interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If silicate particles are not separated, then production efficiency is maintained, but panel quality deteriorates due to high silicate content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidpanel quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The air classification device performs preliminary separation of silicate particles before the gluing process. This ensures that only plant particles proceed to board production, guaranteeing consistent panel quality without compromising production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts silicate particles from the plant particle stream using air classification, removing the contaminant that would otherwise degrade panel quality while maintaining smooth production flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 system effectively separates silicate particles from plant particles, reducing wear on equipment and enhancing the quality of the produced panels by minimizing silicate content, thus avoiding complex wear protection measures and improving the overall production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an air classifier can be integrated into this spreading device or dissolving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir classification: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

The silicate particles, due to their small and essentially uniform size, are reliably carried away by the airflow introduced into the classifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow separation: Aerosol

Implementation Method 3

at least one comminution device for comminuting plant raw material into free-flowing plant particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical comminution: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 4

with a gluing device for gluing the plant particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3641996B1Installation and method for producing glued plant particles
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 SIEMPELKAMP MASCHINEN UND ANLAGENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3641996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3641996B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3641996B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation for producing glued plant particles, in particular from annual plants (e.g. straw), in order to produce boards, e.g. fibreboards or chipboards, having at least one comminuting apparatus (2) for comminuting plant-based starting material to form scatterable plant particles, and having a gluing apparatus (15) for gluing the plant particles. This installation is characterized in that at least one first screening apparatus (3) for separating silicate particles from the plant particles is arranged between the comminuting apparatus (2) and the gluing apparatus (15).