Spray Drying Nozzle Cleaning via Pressurized Air Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
In spray drying apparatuses, the formation of deposits on the side and top walls of the drying chamber during the cleaning process of pressure nozzles disrupts cleaning efficiency, product quality, and capacity, and existing methods are inadequate in preventing these deposits.
Innovation Solution
A method for cleaning pressure nozzle arrangements during operation that involves halting the feed supply to the nozzle arrangement, removing it from the chamber, and using pressurized air or gas to empty and clean the nozzle, allowing for reinsertion without interrupting other nozzle operations, while maintaining constant drying conditions by adjusting pressure and using an additional stream of pressurized air concentrically at the feed outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If pressure nozzles are cleaned by removing them from the drying chamber during operation, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but deposits form on the side and top walls of the drying chamber disrupting the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
A receiving vessel is introduced as an intermediary component to collect liquid feed during nozzle cleaning operations. The receiving vessel is positioned to intercept feed that would otherwise contact the drying chamber walls, preventing deposit formation while enabling efficient nozzle removal and cleaning during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle cleaning operation is extracted from the conventional stationary cleaning approach by enabling nozzle removal during operation. The receiving vessel is strategically positioned to extract and contain the liquid feed flow path, isolating it from the drying chamber walls during the cleaning process
2Ease of repair
If feed supply is halted for nozzle cleaning during operation, then cleaning can be performed, but drying process continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is segmented into individually removable nozzle units that can be cleaned separately during operation. This segmentation allows selective removal of only the nozzles requiring cleaning while maintaining feed supply to other nozzles, preserving drying process continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving vessel is pre-positioned and prepared before nozzle removal to immediately intercept the feed flow. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when a nozzle is removed for cleaning, the feed path is already configured to direct liquid into the receiving vessel, preventing deposits without requiring complete feed supply interruption
3Productivity
If multiple nozzle arrangements are operated simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but cleaning complexity increases when one nozzle needs maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzle arrangements are segmented into independent, interchangeable units with standardized interfaces. Each nozzle can be individually removed and cleaned using the same receiving vessel setup, simplifying the cleaning process despite multiple nozzles being in operation simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving vessel is designed as a universal component that can accommodate and collect feed from any nozzle arrangement being cleaned. This multi-functional design allows the same receiving vessel to serve multiple nozzle cleaning operations, reducing overall system complexity
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 method reduces the formation of deposits, enhances cleaning efficiency, and maintains consistent drying conditions by ensuring uninterrupted operation of other nozzle arrangements during cleaning, thereby improving overall process efficiency and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle arrangement is emptied for liquid feed by pressurized air or gas
Implementation Method 2
using an additional stream of pressurized air concentrically at the feed outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
In a spray drying apparatus,comprising in a usual manner a drying chamber, an air disperser, and at least one pressure nozzle arrangement (4), means are provided for emptying the feed in the nozzle arrangement(s) (4) after the supply of feed from a feed system (5) is halted and before the nozzle arrangement(s) (4) are removed from the drying chamber and positioned in a cleaning system (7). The emptying takes place while maintaining atomization in the nozzle arrangement (4). The feed emptying system (6) comprises a pump (60), a pressurized air/gas source (61) and a conduit (62), and the spray drying apparatus at least one valve (45, 53, 63, 64, 65, 66) allowing switching from the feed system (5) to the feed emptying system (6).