Back to results
US 11,123,700 B2Granted
Method of monitoring a spray dryer and a spray dryer comprising one or more infrared cameras
AssigneeGEA Process Engineering A/S
InventorsThomas Willum Jensen, Johnny Bonke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The spray dryer comprises a spray drying chamber having a substantially cylindrical top section, a conical wall and a narrowed lower section. In the top section, atomizing means is provided. One or more cameras are associated with the drying chamber in order to monitor the process. At least one of the cameras is an infrared camera adapted for measuring the temperature within a predefined area.
Claims19
A method of monitoring a spray dryer part subject to the formation of deposits thereon during a spray drying process, the method of monitoring comprising:
- providing a spray drying chamber comprising the spray dryer part, the spray dryer part being at least a spray nozzle,
- associating one or more cameras with the spray drying chamber, the one or more cameras having a field of view inside the spray drying chamber, and at least one of the one or more cameras being an infrared camera,
- measuring a temperature of an outer surface of the spray nozzle with the infrared camera,
- providing a control system, and
- providing a set value for the temperature of the spray nozzle,
- wherein a drying gas having a drying gas temperature is fed into the spray drying chamber during the spray drying process,
- wherein an operating temperature of the spray nozzle relates to the drying gas temperature,
- wherein the set value for the temperature of the spray nozzle is higher than the operating temperature of the spray nozzle,
- wherein the outer surface of spray nozzle is exposed to the drying gas within the spray driving chamber,
- wherein the control system is associated with an alarm triggered when the temperature of the outer surface of the spray nozzle measured by the infrared camera exceeds the set value,
- wherein the measuring of the temperature of the outer surface of the spray nozzle includes measuring a temperature of deposits of solid material accumulated on the outer surface of the spray nozzle, and
- wherein the alarm is triggered as a result of the deposits forming on the outer surface of the spray nozzle during the spray drying process and the measured temperature of the deposits exceeding the set value for the spray nozzle.
9 more elements
A spray dryer comprising:
- a spray drying chamber,
- atomizing means,
- an inlet for a drying gas,
- one or more cameras positioned in connection with the spray drying chamber, at least one of the one or more cameras being an infrared camera, and
- a control system connected to an alarm;
- wherein the infrared camera measures a temperature of deposits of solid material accumulated on a spray nozzle having an atomizing means
- wherein the spray dryer is configured to feed the drying gas having a drying gas temperature into the spray drying chamber during a spray drying process,
- wherein an operating temperature of an outer surface of the spray nozzle relates to the drying gas temperature,
- wherein the outer surface of spray nozzle is exposed to the drying gas within the spray drying chamber,
- wherein the control system is configured to activate the alarm when deposits form on the outer surface of the spray nozzle during the spray drying process and the temperature of the deposits on the spray nozzle is determined to have exceeded a set value for the spray dryer part, and
- wherein the set value for the temperature of the spray nozzle is higher than the operating temperature of the nozzle.
8 more elements
A method of monitoring a spray dryer part subject to the formation of deposits thereon during a spray drying process, the method of monitoring comprising:
- providing a spray drying chamber comprising the spray dryer part, the spray dryer part being at least a spray nozzle,
- associating one or more cameras with the spray drying chamber, the one or more cameras having a field of view inside the spray drying chamber, and at least one of the one or more cameras being an infrared camera,
- measuring a temperature of an outer surface of the spray nozzle with the infrared camera,
- providing a control system, and
- providing a set value for the temperature of the spray nozzle,
- wherein a drying gas having a drying gas temperature is fed into the spray drying chamber during the spray drying process,
- wherein the set value for the temperature of the spray nozzle is higher than the drying gas temperature,
- wherein the outer surface of spray nozzle is exposed to the drying gas within the spray drying chamber,
- wherein the control system is associated with an alarm triggered when the temperature of the outer surface of the spray nozzle measured by the infrared camera exceeds the set value,
- wherein the measuring of the temperature of the outer surface of the spray nozzle includes measuring a temperature of deposits of solid material accumulated on the outer surface of the spray nozzle, and
- wherein the alarm is triggered as a result of the deposits forming on the outer surface of the spray nozzle during the spray drying process and the measured temperature of the deposits exceeding the set value for the spray nozzle.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.