Li, X. , Worrall, K. , Vedanthu, A. , Scott-George, A. and Harkness, P. (2022) The pulse-elevator: a pump for granular materials. Acta Astronautica, 200, pp. 33-41. (doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.07.052)
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Abstract
Granular materials include fuels, foods, feedstocks, and raw materials, and they are frequently created in drilling, exploration, and comminution. However, despite this ubiquity, they can be much more difficult to transport than other materials. Screw conveyors can be used, as can bailing, gas-blowing, and vibro-conveyors, but all have issues related to some combination of complexity, inclination, differential friction, and torque reaction. We propose an entirely new concept: a combination of the vibro-conveyor and the Tesla valve. This ‘pulse-elevator’ is a single piece of inert material, it can operate vertically, it does not depend upon frictional interactions, and it is effectively torqueless. This paper describes the mechanism in analytical, numerical, and experimental terms, and then illustrates two successful experimental use cases: powder uplift from a hopper, and the replacement of augering in a rock-drilling application. These cases are particularly relevant for the facilitation of ISRU and subsurface exploration in space.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | The work detailed in section 7 was funded by the UK Space Agency, as part of the “Augers Not Included” project. The authors further acknowledge the kind advice and ongoing support of Schenck Process UK Ltd. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Scott-George, Mr Andrew and Worrall, Dr Kevin and Harkness, Professor Patrick and Vedanthu, Mr Aditya and Li, Dr Xuan |
| Authors: | Li, X., Worrall, K., Vedanthu, A., Scott-George, A., and Harkness, P. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy |
| Journal Name: | Acta Astronautica |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0094-5765 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1879-2030 |
| Published Online: | 09 August 2022 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2022 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Acta Astronautica 200: 33-41 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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