Vibratory Dryer Rotary Mixer Bed Uplift

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Solution Overview

Problem

High moisture content in municipal solid waste (MSW) and other waste products hinders their separation and utilization as a fuel source, as existing drying systems fail to effectively manage moisture levels, preventing efficient recycling and combustion.

Innovation Solution

A vibratory fluidized bed dryer system with rotary mixers and a source of heated air, where the mixers provide uplift without de-densification, ensuring uniform drying by maintaining a consistent air distribution across the material bed, and the vibratory motion aids in the separation and processing of materials with high moisture content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional drying systems are used on high moisture content waste materials, then drying capacity is limited, but system complexity and energy consumption increase without achieving effective moisture removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vibratory motion to the dryer bed to create fluidization effects that enhance moisture removal. The vibration causes particles to lift and separate, increasing surface area exposure to drying air and improving heat and mass transfer efficiency without requiring complex multi-stage drying systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the material bed from static to dynamically fluidized through vibration. This parameter change in the bed's mechanical state transforms the drying process from conventional surface drying to volumetric drying, significantly increasing drying capacity while maintaining relatively simple system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If mixing apparatus is added to improve uniformity of drying, then drying uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mixing function with the drying process by using the same vibratory mechanism to both fluidize the bed for drying and simultaneously mix the materials. The vibration inherently causes particle movement and redistribution, eliminating the need for separate mixing apparatus while achieving uniform drying throughout the material bed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibratory drying system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dries the material through fluidized bed drying, mixes the materials through vibratory motion, and prevents channeling or preferential flow paths. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated system rather than multiple separate devices

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 effectively reduces moisture content, allowing for the separation and utilization of recyclable materials and combustible elements, providing a renewable fuel source while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a vibratory generator coupled to the conveying surface to produce a vibratory motion to move the bed of materials along the conveying surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a source of heated air coupled to the passages in the trough (and conveying surface) to supply heated air to the bed through the passages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2951517B1Vibratory dryer with mixing apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 GENERAL KINEMATICS CORP
  • EP2951517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2951517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2951517B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vibratory dryer (250) includes a conveying surface (258) over which a bed of materials to be dried is conveyed, the surface having an inlet end (254) and an outlet end (256), and passages through which air passes through the conveying surface to pass through the bed of materials on the conveying surface, a source of heated air coupled to the passages to supply heated air to the bed through the passages, and a vibration generator (290) coupled to the conveying surface. The dryer also includes at least one rotary mixer (320) having an impeller (324) spaced from the conveying surface at a distance so as to be disposed within the bed, the at least one rotary mixer disposed along the length of the conveying surface between the inlet end and the outlet end. The at least one rotary mixer is adapted to provide uplift within the bed without de-densification of the bed.