Solvent Vapor Drying Device with Horizontal Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drying devices for solid insulation in electrical devices, such as transformers, face challenges with long heating times, high energy consumption, and temperature control issues due to complex systems requiring additional components and precise temperature management.

Innovation Solution

The device employs at least two vertically extending solvent vapor generators with Venturi nozzle designs, connected in series, to create a horizontal solvent vapor flow that circulates around the material, enhancing turbulence and heat transfer, and optionally includes a third generator for vertical downward flow, optimizing heating efficiency and minimizing temperature differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single solvent vapor generator is used, then the device structure is simple, but the heating time is long and energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single solvent vapor generator into multiple generators (at least two) arranged around the vacuum container. Each generator independently produces solvent vapor that circulates horizontally around the material to be dried, increasing the total vapor flow and heating efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by arranging vapor generators around the container circumference and creating horizontal vapor circulation. This multi-directional approach replaces the traditional single-point vertical heating, dramatically improving heat distribution and reducing heating time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If complex temperature control systems are used, then temperature accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the self-regulating property of solvent evaporation where the solvent vapor temperature is naturally controlled by its evaporation process. The system uses the physical properties of the solvent itself (evaporation heat, boiling point) to maintain stable temperature without requiring complex external control systems, achieving accurate temperature control through the inherent physics of the drying process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If high solvent vapor temperature is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature differences within the material increase causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature differences
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different vapor flow conditions at different locations around the material by positioning multiple vapor generators at specific locations. Each generator produces localized horizontal vapor flow that circulates around specific areas of the material, ensuring uniform heat distribution and preventing localized overheating or temperature differences.

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

This configuration reduces heating time and energy consumption while maintaining efficient heating, extending the service life of the material by achieving uniform temperature and reducing temperature differences within the material, thus improving the overall drying process.

Implementation Method 1

each having a flow channel (4.3) designed in the manner of a Venturi nozzle for injection of the heated solvent and for entraining a solvent vapor flow (4.4) circulating in the vacuum container (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

The heat of condensation of a solvent vapor generated in a steam generator is used for rapid and gentle heating of the material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

Heating coils and baffles are arranged on the plate. Solvent, which was heated in a preheater arranged outside the autoclave, is fed to the cascade evaporator by means of a pump. The preheated solvent trickles along the plate from top to bottom with the help of the baffles. Here, the solvent evaporates on the heating coils.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

Water escaping from the solid insulation during heating is fed in the form of a mixed vapor containing solvent and water vapor together with unavoidable leakage air to a condensation and separation device in which the condensed water is separated from the solvent and the leakage air is sucked off with a vacuum pump.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 5

Any insulating oil and/or impurities present are removed from the solvent by distillation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Data Source

PatentEP2148157B1Device for heating and drying a good according to the vapour-phase method
Publication Date: 2013.02.27 GMEINER PAUL
  • EP2148157B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2148157B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2148157B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The device comprises a vacuum container (1) for receiving water, where the vacuum container contains two locally separated solvent vapor generators that vertically extend along a drying good (1.1) for producing a horizontally guided solvent vapor flow. Both the solvent vapor generators are switched in series, where a horizontal solvent vapor flow circulates around the drying good by operating the device.