Vacuum Packaging Drilling Fluid Additives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging methods for low bulk density drilling fluid additives result in bulky packages, inefficient use of space, increased shipping costs, safety issues due to irregular shapes, and product quality loss from oxidation, as well as the problem of materials floating out during vacuum packaging.
Innovation Solution
A modified vacuum sealing machine with a horizontally elongated mould and increased headspace between the material and the sealing element to prevent material from drifting into the vacuum chamber, combined with the use of multilayer packaging bags to enhance sealing and prevent oxidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional packaging methods are used for low bulk density drilling fluid additives, then the packaging is simple and easy to operate, but the package volume is large and space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum sealing to change the physical state of the packaged material by removing air, thereby reducing package volume from bulky to compact form. This transforms the packaging from atmospheric to vacuum state, achieving significant volume reduction while maintaining operational simplicity through automated vacuum sealing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging process transitions from a filled, air-containing state to a vacuum-depleted state, effectively removing the gas phase from within the package. This phase transition of the internal atmosphere reduces volume and prevents oxidation, solving both space utilization and product protection requirements
2Volume of moving object
If vacuum packaging is applied to low bulk density materials, then volume is reduced and space utilization improves, but material floats out of the bag during vacuum creation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sealing of the bag opening before initiating vacuum extraction. By sealing the bag first and then creating vacuum, the material is contained within the sealed bag during the vacuum process, preventing floating and spillage while still achieving volume reduction through air removal
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed bag acts as an intermediary container that isolates the low bulk density material from the vacuum chamber environment. The bag serves as a barrier that allows vacuum to be applied to reduce overall package volume while preventing material from being exposed to and affected by the vacuum extraction process
3Reliability
If vacuum packaging is used, then product quality is protected from oxidation and shelf life increases, but the apparatus complexity increases to prevent material spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the vacuum sealing apparatus by adjusting the headspace parameter - increasing the distance between the sealing element and the material surface. This parameter change prevents material contact with the sealing area during vacuum extraction, eliminating the need for complex additional containment structures while maintaining product protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality modification by creating a clear spatial zone separation: the increased headspace creates an air gap that locally isolates the material from the sealing element area. This localized spatial arrangement prevents material spillage at the critical sealing zone without requiring global structural complexity throughout the entire apparatus
4Quantity of substance
If conventional packaging is used, then packaging speed is fast and simple, but shipping costs increase due to inefficient space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum sealing to change the density parameter of the packaged product by removing air volume. This increases the effective quantity of product per shipping unit volume, allowing more product to be transported in the same space without reducing packaging throughput, as the vacuum sealing process is efficiently automated
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 reduces the volume of packaged materials by 17-46.8%, increases the bulk density of additives by 25-100%, allows for more efficient use of space, reduces logistics costs, and prevents material loss during vacuum creation, while maintaining product quality and ensuring safer handling.
Implementation Method 1
Vacuum sealing technology is employed to decrease the volume of the additive, thereby enabling packaging of larger quantity of additive per bag
Implementation Method 2
when the additive is packaged in a packaging bag and sealed using a conventional vacuum sealing machine, the additive drifts out of the packaging bag into the vacuum chamber on vacuum creation
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for vacuum packaging drilling fluid additives and is particularly effective for low bulk density material. Vacuum sealing technology is employed to decrease the volume of the additive, thereby enabling packaging of larger quantity of additive per bag, effective utilization of storage space and reduced transportation costs. The invention overcomes the drawback of conventional vacuum packing machines where the material being packaged drifts out of the packaging bag into the vacuum chamber on vacuum creation and further deposits on the sealable portion at the open end of the bag leading to ineffective sealing of the bag opening. The apparatus of the invention is modified to increase the headspace between the sealing element of the apparatus and drilling fluid additive being sealed, thereby eliminating the movement of the additive into the vacuuming chamber and deposit on the bag opening.