Thermo-Vacuum Drying Using Steam Ejector for Energy Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drying methods are energy-intensive, inefficient, and often result in incomplete drying, water wastage, and environmental impact due to direct heat contact and steam release, leading to prolonged drying times and quality deterioration of materials.

Innovation Solution

The thermo-vacuum drying method utilizes a closed cycle of high-pressure steam to create a pressure and temperature difference, enhancing moisture removal speed and energy efficiency by recycling water and heat, minimizing direct heat contact and steam release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional thermal drying processes are used, then moisture can be removed from objects, but energy consumption is extremely high and drying time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddrying speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through vacuum evaporation, allowing moisture removal at lower temperatures and reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective drying speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vacuum environment as an intermediary condition that facilitates moisture removal without requiring high-temperature thermal energy, thereby decoupling energy input from drying effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If direct heat contact drying is employed, then drying efficiency can be improved, but quality deterioration and color loss of materials occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidquality deterioration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum environment serves as an intermediary that enables moisture removal without direct high-temperature contact, preserving material quality while maintaining drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pressure parameter to create a vacuum environment, allowing evaporation to occur at lower temperatures and preventing thermal degradation of sensitive materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If conventional drying systems are used, then moisture evaporation can occur, but water resources are wasted through atmospheric release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater lossVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system recovers evaporated moisture through condensation in the heat exchanger and returns it to the system, eliminating water waste and environmental discharge while maintaining continuous drying operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Productivity

If vacuum pumps are used to create vacuum, then moisture removal speed increases, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removal speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the evaporated moisture itself as the working fluid to create vacuum through pressure differential, eliminating the need for external vacuum pumps and reducing device complexity while maintaining high moisture removal speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach reduces energy consumption by up to 50%, conserves water, and shortens drying time by 5-10 times, while maintaining high durability and low maintenance requirements, with the potential for significant environmental benefits.

Implementation Method 1

utilizes a pressure and temperature difference that removes moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Heat is applied to the object in the thermo-vacuum dryer vessel to evaporate moisture from the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The heat circulates in a closed cycle between a vacuum ejector and a dryer volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

processing relies on heat produced by an integrated steam boiler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 5

heat produced or results from combustion or electrical heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteam generation: Boiling

Implementation Method 6

The system enables continuous heat recuperation and/or regeneration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11261560B2Method and system of thermo-vacuum drying and processing

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 UTILIZATION TECH DEV NFP

AI summary

Methods and systems for the thermo-vacuum drying and processing of objects such as clothes. A vacuum ejector driven by high-pressure steam is employed to evacuate evaporated moisture mixed with air from a dryer vessel producing an intensification of the drying process such as can significantly reduce the energy and time requirements for the drying process and increase water utilization.