Waste Crane Controller Stabilizes Incineration via Composition Variation Index

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial waste incineration facilities face instability in waste burning due to variations in heat generation, leading to increased facility size and complexity, as existing solutions require multiple storage tanks to manage waste composition.

Innovation Solution

A waste crane operating device with a controller that selectively grasps and throws waste into the incinerator based on a variation index value of waste composition, reducing the need for multiple storage tanks by stabilizing waste composition through agitation and selection of waste with minimal variation in composition percentage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple storage tanks are provided to store waste separately, then stability of waste burning is improved, but facility size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of waste burningVSAvoidfacility complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple storage tanks into a single pit by using a crane with selective grasping capability. Instead of storing different waste types in separate tanks, all waste is stored in one pit and the crane selectively grasps waste blocks with appropriate composition percentages, thereby maintaining burning stability while eliminating the need for multiple storage structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple physical storage tanks with a control system that calculates variation index values and controls the crane's selective grasping. The controller computes the variation index based on waste composition data and directs the crane to grasp only those waste blocks that meet the specified criteria, substituting physical separation with intelligent selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple storage tanks are provided to store waste separately, then variation in heat generation is reduced, but facility size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of heat generationVSAvoidfacility size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple storage tanks into a single pit, reducing the overall facility volume. The crane selectively grasps waste blocks from this unified storage space, maintaining consistent heat generation through controlled selection rather than physical separation, thereby achieving composition stability with minimal facility footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the selection parameter from physical location (different tanks) to compositional characteristic (variation index value). By calculating and selecting waste blocks based on their composition percentage relative to the average, the system maintains heat generation consistency while using a single compact storage structure instead of multiple large tanks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If waste is selected based on composition percentage variation, then burning stability is improved, but measurement and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburning stabilityVSAvoidcomposition analysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex physical analysis of waste composition with a computational approach. The controller calculates the variation index value using stored composition data and average values, transforming the measurement task from laboratory analysis to digital computation, thereby maintaining burning stability while simplifying the detection and measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses stored data copies of waste composition percentages instead of direct physical measurement for each selection decision. The controller references previously measured composition data and calculated averages to determine the variation index, eliminating the need for repeated complex measurements while ensuring consistent burning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3467380B2Waste crane operation device and waste crane operation method
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 HITACHI ZOSEN CORP
  • EP3467380B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3467380B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3467380B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A waste crane operating device (4) includes a controller (6) that calculates a variation index value as an index of a variation amount of a composition percentage of a waste type with respect to the composition percentage of the waste type of waste previously thrown into a waste incinerator (3), and controls a crane (5) to throw, into the waste incinerator, the waste in which the calculated variation index value is equal to or less than an index threshold as thrown-in waste to be thrown next into the waste incinerator.