Vertical Elevation Conveyance System for Reactor Catalyst Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for delivering catalysts and other particulate materials to reactor vessels are inefficient, requiring multiple cranes, leading to high costs and downtime, and are prone to weather-related delays and material degradation.

Innovation Solution

A vertical track-based elevation conveyance system with car and bin assemblies that transport payloads transversely to a preselected release location, using a conveyor subassembly to move materials from containers to a reactor vessel, minimizing crane usage and exposure to weather.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional crane method is used to deliver catalyst to reactor vessel, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but loading capacity is insufficient and downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading capacityVSAvoidreactor downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the catalyst delivery function into separate modular components: containers for holding catalyst, a conveyor belt for transport, and a receiving hopper. This segmentation allows the conveyor to operate continuously at high capacity while the reactor loads without interruption, resolving the contradiction between loading capacity and downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt acts as an intermediary between the ground-level containers and the reactor vessel. It bridges the capacity gap by providing continuous high-speed transport (60 tonnes/hour) that exceeds both crane capacity and reactor loading rate, thereby eliminating downtime while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple cranes are deployed to increase loading capacity, then productivity improves, but device complexity and operational risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading capacityVSAvoidnumber of cranes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the high-capacity transport function from the crane system and places it in a dedicated conveyor belt system. This allows a single conveyor to provide the 60 tonnes/hour capacity that would otherwise require multiple cranes, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If hopper cover is removed to enable catalyst loading, then loading efficiency improves, but material degradation from weather increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidcatalyst degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosed conveyor belt system serves as an intermediary that protects the catalyst during transport. The catalyst remains in covered containers on the conveyor, shielding it from weather while enabling continuous high-speed loading, thus resolving the contradiction between loading efficiency and material protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If crane operation is performed in windy conditions, then productivity is maintained, but safety and operational reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading continuityVSAvoidsafe operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the wind-sensitive crane mechanical lifting system with a weather-resistant conveyor belt system. The conveyor operates reliably in windy conditions while maintaining continuous productivity, eliminating the safety risks and operational interruptions associated with crane work in adverse weather.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 increases loading capacity, reduces downtime, and minimizes material degradation, while being less affected by weather conditions, enabling faster and safer delivery of particulate materials to reactor vessels.

Implementation Method 1

a conveyor subassembly for transporting the payload substantially transversely relative to the track

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical conveyance:

Implementation Method 2

The bin assembly is receivable in the housing subassembly and configured to release the payload onto the conveyor subassembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3024764B1Elevation conveyance system

Publication Date: 2018.03.28 MAVIRO CATALYST CANADA INC

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Figure 1C

AI summary

An elevation conveyance system for transporting a payload substantially vertically and transversely to a preselected release location. The system includes a track assembly comprising a substantially vertical track, one or more bin assemblies in which the payload is receivable, and one or more car assemblies configured for movement along the track. The car assembly includes a housing subassembly having a means for engaging the track to permit movement of the car assembly along the track, and a conveyor subassembly for transporting the payload substantially transversely relative to the track. The bin assembly is receivable in the housing subassembly and configured to release the payload onto the conveyor subassembly for substantially transverse transportation of the payload to the preselected release location.