Treatment Chamber Gas Recirculation for Energy-Efficient Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatment systems for drying coated vehicle bodies are not energy-efficient, as they often rely on conventional heating methods that waste energy and lack optimized gas circulation systems.

Innovation Solution

A treatment system with a self-contained heating gas duct that recirculates hot gas to efficiently heat the air circulation modules and treatment room sections, using a multi-stage heat exchanger to maximize energy use and a separate fresh gas supply to maintain optimal conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional heating methods are used in treatment systems, then heating function is provided, but energy efficiency is poor and energy waste occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers waste heat from exhaust gas through a heat exchanger and reintroduces it into the heating gas duct system. This transforms previously discarded thermal energy into useful heating capacity, directly improving energy efficiency and reducing energy waste in the treatment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The heating gas is circulated continuously through a closed-loop duct system that includes treatment room sections and heat exchangers. This continuous circulation ensures sustained heating action without interruption, maintaining optimal drying conditions while improving energy utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If heating gas is supplied to air circulation modules, then drying function is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases without optimized recirculation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying functionVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where exhaust gas from treatment rooms is captured, heat-exchanged, and the warmed gas is fed back into the heating gas duct system. This closed-loop feedback ensures that thermal energy is continuously reused, improving energy efficiency while maintaining effective drying function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The heating gas duct system serves multiple functions: it provides heating to treatment rooms, acts as a heat exchanger medium, and functions as a recirculation pathway for thermal energy. This multi-functionality allows the same gas flow to accomplish multiple objectives, improving overall energy efficiency without compromising drying productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves significant energy efficiency by recirculating heated gas, reducing energy waste, and maintaining consistent temperature and air quality, thereby enhancing the drying process for coated vehicle bodies.

Implementation Method 1

a multi-stage heat exchanger to maximize energy use

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a self-contained heating gas duct that recirculates hot gas to efficiently heat the air circulation modules and treatment room sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3387355B1Treatment plant and process for treating workpieces
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 DUERR SYST AG
  • EP3387355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3387355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3387355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to provide a treatment plant that has a simple structure and allows for an energy-efficient treatment of workpieces, the disclosed treatment plant comprises the following: a treatment chamber that has a plurality of compartments, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of separate air circulation modules of the treatment plant; a heating system that includes a heating gas conduit to which a plurality of air circulation modules is coupled, in particular in order to heat the gas conducted through the compartments of the treatment chamber.