Solids Feeder Discharge Port Design for Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic conveying systems experience time-varying fluctuations in solids flow rate due to flow separation and agglomeration, leading to poor gasifier performance and inconsistent power generation in IGCC systems.
Innovation Solution
The improved solids feeder incorporates a discharge port design with a reduced cross-sectional area and transitional sections to increase conveying gas velocity, break up agglomerates, and enhance mixing, along with optional features like moveable plates and agitators to maintain a steady flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional discharge port design is used, then device complexity is low, but solids flow rate stability deteriorates due to flow separation and agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port is divided into multiple sections with different cross-sectional areas (reduced cross-sectional area section and transitional section), allowing the conveying gas to undergo progressive acceleration and mixing stages, which stabilizes solids flow rate by preventing sudden flow separation and agglomeration
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the discharge port are designed with locally optimized properties: the reduced cross-sectional area section creates high velocity zones to break agglomerates, while the transitional section provides gradual area change to maintain flow stability, addressing flow separation issues at specific locations
2Stability of the object's composition
If conveying gas velocity is increased to break agglomerates, then solids flow rate stability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port incorporates curved transitional sections instead of sharp angles, allowing conveying gas to smoothly accelerate through the reduced cross-sectional area and mix with solids. This curved geometry maintains high velocity for aggregate breaking while minimizing energy loss from abrupt flow changes, achieving solids flow stability with reduced energy consumption
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 ensures a smoother and more consistent solids flow, reducing fluctuations and improving gasifier performance by preventing agglomeration and maintaining high gas velocity, thus enhancing overall power plant efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge port in communication with the outlet channel, the discharge port comprising: a reduced cross-sectional area section; and a transitional section
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application provides a solids feeder in communication with a flow of solids and a flow of a conveying fluid. The solids feeder may include an outlet channel with the flow of the solids therein and a discharge port in communication with the outlet channel. The discharge port further may include an inlet in communication with the flow of the conveying fluid and a flow channel. The flow channel may include a reduced cross-sectional area about the outlet channel as compared to the inlet.