AU2014310051B2

AU2014310051B2 - Briquetting machine

Info

Publication number: AU2014310051B2
Application number: AU2014310051A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryo FUJIO; Shuichi KAMORI; Masanori Shimizu
Original assignee: Sintokogio Ltd
Current assignee: Sintokogio Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-20
Filing date: 2014-07-17
Publication date: 2017-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-17
Also published as: GB2537229B; WO2015025645A1; CN204365239U; JP6256473B2; GB201604358D0; KR20160044519A; AU2014310051A1; JPWO2015025645A1; GB2537229A

Abstract

Provided is a briquetting machine capable of producing a granulated product of stable good quality even with fluctuation in the granulation. This briquetting machine has: a granulating unit that comprises a pair of rollers (1) that rotate, a bearing block (2) that supports the rollers, and a press frame (3) unit that supports the bearing block (2); a supplying unit that comprises a hopper (4) that is disposed above the granulating unit and supplies a powder to the granulating unit, and a gate (5) that is provided in the hopper (4) and varies the amount of powder supplied by moving up and down at the top of the rollers; and a measuring unit that measures the operating state and that comprises a hydraulic cylinder (8) that moves the movable bearing block (2), and an operating state measuring unit (9, 11) that measures the operating state of the rollers (1).

Description

Briquette Machine 2014310051 21 Μ 2017

Technical Field [0001]

The present invention relates to a briquette machine. Specifically, it relates to a briquette machine that has a feeder for powder that uses a gate.

Background Art [0002] A conventional briquette machine that has a feeder for powder that uses a gate is disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2009-95712.

[0003]

However, that publication does not disclose a mechanism for vertically moving the gate and the conditions for doing so. The height of the gate must be adjusted when raw materials are changed. But even when the same type of raw materials is supplied, the physical properties of the powder actually vary, so that the ease of granulation, i.e., the ability to granulate, may change during the process. Thus, there have been problems. That is, no briquette machine can respond to the change in the ability to granulate during the process. Further, no granulated products that have good and stable properties can be produced.

[0004]

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

[0004A]

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. -1 -

Summary 2014310051 21 Jul2017 [0005]

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a briquette machine comprising a part for granulating by compressing powder, which part has a pair of rollers that rotate in reverse directions, a pair of bearing blocks that support the respective ends of the pair of rollers and that hold bearings, at least one of which bearing blocks is movable, and a frame for compressing that supports the pair of the bearing blocks. It also comprises a part for supplying the powder that changes the amount of powder to be supplied, which part has a hopper that is located above the part for granulating so as to supply the powder thereto, and a gate that is located inside the hopper and that vertically moves at a position above the approaching part of the rollers to widen or narrow a gap between the gate and the rollers. It also comprises a part for measuring the operating conditions, which part has an oil cylinder that moves the movable bearing block so that the pair of rollers come close to, and retract from, each other, and a sensor for the operating conditions that measures force on the rollers or current of a motor for driving the rollers, wherein the part for supplying the powder has an electric cylinder for vertically moving the gate, and wherein the electric cylinder has an inverter for changing a speed of a vertical movement of a rod.

[0006]

According to an embodiment, since the part for measuring the operating conditions detects a load applied to the rollers, the amount of powder to be supplied to the rollers can be changed so as to appropriately granulate the powder by compressing it by means of the part for granulating. That is, the briquette machine can granulate the powder so that the loads that are applied to the rollers are maintained within a certain range. Further, the part for measuring the operating conditions measures the operating conditions of the rollers in real time so as to automatically adjust the height of the gate.

[0007]

In an embodiment, if the speed of the vertical movement of the gate is adjusted, no device, such as the gate, is damaged by that movement and within a short time the height of the gate is adjusted so as to be suitable for the physical properties of the raw material. That is, a briquette machine that can stably produce granulated products with a good quality by adjusting the speed of the vertical movement of the gate, even if the ability to -2 - granulate were to vary, can be provided. Further, by using the electric cylinder for driving the gate the height of the gate can be accurately adjusted. Further, by changing the speed of the electric cylinder by means of the inverter so as to properly adjust the speed of the vertical movement of the gate, the briquette machine can adapt to any change in the ability to granulate the raw materials and any possible hunting of the vertical movement of the gate can be prevented because the speed of that movement can be appropriately adjusted. 2014310051 21Jul2017 [0008]

The lower end of the gate may be shaped so that the central part extends downwardly more than do the side parts. The amount of the powder to be supplied can be appropriately adjusted by narrowing the gap between the gate and the rollers at the central part where the powder easily passes between them and by widening the gap at the side parts.

[0009]

The gate may have a mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate that enables the length of the central part that extends more than do the side parts to be changed. Since side plates can vertically move in relation to a T-shaped plate, the length of the central part that extends more than do the side parts can be set to be optimal, that is, the difference between the sizes of the gaps at the central part and the side parts can be changed so that the amount of the powder to be supplied is easily adjusted. Thus, even though the properties of the powder vary, the amount of the powder to be supplied is properly adjusted.

[0010]

The basic Japanese patent application, No. 2013-170159, filed August 20, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below. However, the detailed description and the specific embodiments are only illustrations of the desired embodiments of the present invention, and so are given only for an explanation. Various possible changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art on the basis of the detailed description.

The applicant has no intention to dedicate to the public any disclosed embodiment. Among the disclosed changes and modifications, those which may not literally fall within the scope of the present claims constitute, therefore, a part of the present invention in the sense of the doctrine of -3 - equivalents. 2014310051 21 Jul2017

The use of the articles "a," "an," and "the" and similar referents in the specification and claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention, and so does not limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise stated.

Brief Description of Drawings [0011] [Fig. l] Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of the entire briquette machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional drawing showing an enlarged view of the part near the rollers of the briquette machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional view that is parallel to the axes of the rollers.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional drawing showing an enlarged view of the part near the mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional view that is parallel to the axes of the rollers.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the part near the gate that is used in an embodiment of the present invention when the gate is lowered.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the part near the gate that is used in an embodiment of the present invention when the gate is lifted.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [0012]

Below, the best mode for carrying out the present invention is discussed. The briquette machine according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a part for granulating by compressing powder, a part for supplying the powder that changes the amount of powder to be supplied, which part is located above the part for granulating, and a part for measuring operating conditions. -4- [0013]

The part for granulating has a pair of rollers 1, 1, bearing blocks 2, 2, and a frame for compressing 3 to granulate the powder by compressing it. The pair of rollers 1, 1 rotate in reverse directions. The bearing blocks 2, 2 support the respective ends of the rollers 1, 1 and hold bearings. The frame for compressing 3 supports the bearing blocks 2, 2. Herein the words “rotate in reverse directions” mean to rotate so that the surfaces of the upper parts of the pair of the rollers 1, 1 approach each other.

[0014]

The part for supplying the powder has a hopper 4 and a gate 5 to supply a variable amount of the powder to the part for granulating. The hopper 4 is located above the part for granulating so as to supply the powder to that part. The gate 5 is located inside the hopper 4 and vertically moves at a position above the approaching part of the rollers 1, 1. A port is formed for supplying the powder at the bottom of the hopper 4 to the part for granulating so that the powder is supplied from one of the rollers 1, 1 to the center of the pair of the rollers 1, 1. The position of the gate 5 may be at the center of the pair of the rollers 1, 1 or may shift from the center to a side where the powder is supplied (the left side in Fig. l).

[0015]

The part for measuring the operating conditions has an oil cylinder 8, a load cell 9, and an ammeter 11 to measure the operating conditions. The oil cylinder 8 moves the movable bearing block 2 so that the pair of rollers 1, 1 come close to, and retract from, each other. The load cell 9 measures the force that is applied to the rollers 1, 1. The ammeter 11 measures the electric current of a motor 12 for driving the rollers 1, 1. That is, by means of the force between the rollers 1, 1 or the rotational load of the rollers 1, 1, the operating conditions of the rollers 1, 1 can be measured. The load cell 9 and the ammeter 11 are typical examples of sensors for measuring the operating conditions of the rollers 1, 1. However, any other type of sensor may be used for measuring the operating conditions.

[0016]

Any kind of powder can be used in the present invention. The briquette machine of the present invention is preferably used for powder of which the properties change over time. For example, it is preferably used for powder such as that of reduced iron, that of coal, that from dust produced -5 - by steelmaking, that of nickel ore, or that from dust of zinc, the particle size or the physical properties of which are not uniform. The briquette machine of the present invention is also preferably used as a briquette machine with large rollers. If the rollers are large, the powder can easily become stuck between the rollers because of its weight. So the amount of the powder to be supplied to a position between the rollers can be controlled by the gate so that the powder is prevented from becoming stuck between the rollers.

Working Example 1 [0017]

Below, with reference to the drawings the inventions are discussed. Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of the entire briquette machine that is used as an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged schematic sectional drawing of the part near the rollers of the briquette machine in Fig. 1. It is a sectional view that is parallel to the axes of the rollers. In Fig. 1 the rollers 1, 1 are a pair of rollers that rotate in reverse directions to granulate powder by compressing it. The bearing blocks 2, 2 hold the bearings that support the rollers 1, 1. The bearing blocks 2, 2 are supported by the frame for compressing 3. The frame for compressing 3 is an outer frame of the part for granulating. The bottom surface of the movable bearing block 2 slides on the frame for compressing 3. Horizontal displacements of the oil cylinder 8 and the fixed bearing block 2 are restricted by the frame for compressing 3.

[0018]

The part for supplying the powder, which has the hopper 4 as the main component, supplies the powder to the part for granulating. Inside the hopper 4, the gate 5 is provided so that the amount of the powder to be supplied is regulated at a point above the rollers 1, 1. That is, the gate 5 vertically moves to widen or narrow the gap between it and the rollers 1, 1. Thus the amount of the powder to be supplied by the hopper 4 to the part for granulating is adjusted.

[0019]

An electric cylinder 6 that vertically moves the gate 5 is held by l) a frame 7 for vertically moving the gate and 2) a flange so as to direct the rod of the electric cylinder 6 downward. Since the electric cylinder is used as an actuator to vertically move the gate, the structure of the gate is -6- advantageously simplified. For example, if an oil cylinder were used, piping and a hydraulic pump would be necessary. Further, since the electric cylinder is used as a driving mechanism for the gate, the height of the gate can be accurately adjusted. Incidentally, the gate 5 is located in the powder. Thus the friction force that is generated between the gate 5 and the powder is applied to the gate 5, pressure is applied to the gate 5 from the powder, and the gate 5 pushes the powder to move. Thus the electric cylinder 6 must have sufficient power to vertically move the gate 5 in the powder.

[0020]

The briquette machine may also comprise an inverter 10 to change the speed of the vertical movement of the electric cylinder 6. The reason to adjust the speed of the vertical movement of the gate is the following. Since the force required to vertically move the gate varies based on the properties of the powder, it is advantageous to change the speed of the vertical movement of the gate depending on the powder to be granulated. If the speed of the vertical movement of the gate were too slow, the gate could not follow the changes of the ability to granulate the raw material. If the speed were too fast, the gate would repeatedly go upward and downward like hunting. Further, if it were too fast, the devices, such as the gate, might be damaged. Thus the speed must be adjusted to be appropriate, i.e., not too fast and not too slow. Alternatively, by changing the speed based on whether the gate is moving upward or downward, such as being faster for moving downward and slower for moving upward, any possible damage to the devices can be prevented.

[0021]

The part for measuring the operating conditions comprises an oil cylinder 8 at the side near the movable bearing block 2. It also comprises a load cell 9 for measuring the force on the rollers 1, 1 and an ammeter 11 for measuring the current of a motor for driving the rollers 1, 1 so as to measure the operating conditions. Alternatively, the pair of the bearing blocks 2, 2 may be both movable and may have respective oil cylinders 8, 8. The oil cylinder 8 can be configured to operate in response to the measurement of the load cell 9. If the force on the rollers 1, 1 becomes larger than a predetermined value, the force generated by the oil cylinder is weakened. If the force on the rollers 1, 1 becomes less than a predetermined value, the force generated by the oil cylinder is strengthened. Thus the force between -7- the rollers 1, 1 is appropriately maintained.

[0022]

The load cell 9 and the ammeter 11 are used as sensors for measuring the operating conditions to adjust the amount of powder that is supplied from the part for supplying the powder to the part for granulating based on the load on the rollers 1, 1. If the force on the rollers 1, 1 becomes larger than the predetermined value, the gate 5 is lowered to narrow the gap between it and the rollers 1, 1 so as to reduce the amount of powder to be supplied to the part for granulating. In contrast, if the force becomes less than the predetermined value, the gate 5 is raised to widen the gap between it and the rollers 1, 1 so as to increase the amount of powder to be supplied to the part for granulating. If the current of the driving motor 12 becomes more than the predetermined value, the gate 5 is lowered to narrow the gap between it and the rollers 1, 1 so as to reduce the amount of powder to be supplied to the part for granulating. In contrast, if it becomes less than the predetermined value, the gate 5 is raised to widen the gap between it and the rollers 1, 1 so as to increase the amount of powder to be supplied to the part for granulating. The load cell 9 alone or the ammeter 11 alone may be provided. However, if both of them are provided, the force on the rollers and the load for driving the rollers can be maintained within the respective predetermined ranges. Thus granulated products that have stable properties can be produced. If the load cell 9 and the ammeter 11 give conflicting data, an alarm is, for example, generated to alert an operator. Thus the reliability of the part for measuring the operating conditions can be improved.

[0023]

Below, the operation of the briquette machine that has the above-mentioned structure is discussed. First, the movable bearing block 2 is pushed by the oil cylinder 8 to cause the rollers 1, 1 to contact each other at an appropriate pressure. Next, the rollers 1, 1 are rotated by the driving motor 12. By doing so, from the hopper 4 powder enters the gap between the rotating rollers 1, 1 so as to be granulated by the pressure between the rollers 1, 1. The force on the rollers 1, 1 is measured by the load cell 9. Further, the current of the driving motor 12 for rotating the rollers 1, 1 is measured by the ammeter 11. If the force or current becomes outside of the predetermined range, the gate 5 is vertically moved to adjust the amount of -8 - powder to be supplied to the gap between the rollers 1, 1.

[0024]

About the adjustment of the amount of raw material (powder) to be supplied by means of the gate 5, the relationship between the height of the gate and the force on the rollers (i.e., the value measured by the load cell 9) is below examined to show the range of the height of the gate where the amount can be controlled.

[0025]

Result of Examination 1 [Table l]

Examination No. 1 2 3 Raw Material reduced iron reduced iron reduced iron Means of Supply gate gate gate Height of Gate (mm) 120 148 135 Force on Rollers (kN) 600 1,200 1,000 [0026]

From the results in Table 1 it was found that the force on the rollers can be reduced to 600 kN by changing the height of the gate when the powder is supplied through the gate. In other words, by lowering the gate reduced iron can be granulated with just a small force on the rollers (see Figs. 4 and 5 for details of the height of the gate).

[0027]

As comparative examples, the relationship between the number of revolutions of a screw and the force on the rollers is examined when the screw is provided within the hopper as to adjust the amount of powder to be supplied from the part for supplying the powder to the part for granulating by means of the number of revolutions of the screw. The results are shown in Fig. 2.

[0028]

Result of Examination 2 [Table 2] Examination No. 4 5 6 Raw Material reduced iron reduced iron reduced iron Means of Supply screw screw screw Number of Revolutions 20 80 0 of Screw (min'1) -9-

Force on Rollers (kN) 1,200 1,300 1,200 [0029]

As shown in the results of Examination 2, it was found that, even when the number of revolutions of the screw is lowered, reduced iron cannot necessarily be granulated with just a small force on the rollers.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above discussion, powder can be granulated within a range of forces on the rollers. And the properties of the granulated products are stabilized by means of the briquette machine of the present invention. It measures the force on the rollers and controls the height of the gate based on the measured force.

[0031]

Further, powder can be granulated within a range of the forces on the rollers. And the properties of the granulated products are stabilized by measuring the current of the motor for driving the rollers to control the height of the gate based on the measured current.

[0032]

Further, by automatically controlling the height of the gate by an electric cylinder, even though the ability to granulate varies, good granulated products are stably produced.

[0033]

By controlling the speed of the movement of the electric cylinder by means of an inverter control to control the speed of the vertical movement of the gate, the height of the gate can be adjusted during the process to match a raw material where the ability to granulate varies.

Working Example 2 [0034]

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional drawing showing a vertical section of the part near the mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate of an embodiment of the present invention. That section is parallel to the axes of the rollers. The mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate is a plate-like structure that acts as the gate 5. It comprises a T-shaped plate 13 and side plates 14, 14. The T-shaped plate 13 vertically moves by means of the rod of the electric cylinder 6 or a drive shaft that is connected to the rod. The -10- T-shaped plate 13 is shaped like the letter “T,” as the central part extends downwardly more than do the side parts at the bottom edge (the end near the rollers 1, l). The ratio between the width of the central part and the widths of the side parts is not limited. Each of them may be one-third of the width of the gate 5. The width of each side part may be one-third, or one half, of the width of the central part. Each of them may be twice the width of the central part. Or, the ratio may be intermediate between these ratios. To the side parts of the T-shaped plate 13, respective side plates 14, 14 are overlapped and fastened by any fastening members, such as bolts. Usually, the lower ends of the side plates 14, 14 extend downwardly beyond the lower ends of the side parts of the T-shaped plate 13. The bolt-holes of the T-shaped plate 13 or the side plates 14, 14 are configured to be vertically long holes so that the overlapped side plates 14, 14 can be vertically displaced in relation to the T-shaped plate 13. Thus, the length by which the lower ends of the side plates 14, 14 extend beyond the lower ends of the side parts of the T-shaped plate 13, which is the difference between the gaps between the gate 5 and the rollers 1, 1 at the central part and the gaps between the gate 5 and the rollers 1, 1 at the side parts, can be changed. However, no lower ends of the side plates 14, 14 preferably extend beyond the lower end of the central part of the T-shaped plate 13. The way to fasten the side plates 14, 14 to the T-shaped plate 13 so as to be vertically displaced is not limited to the combination of bolts and long bolt-holes. It may be any other publicly-known means.

[0035]

If the gate 5 is configured to have the mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate, namely, the T-shaped plate 13 and the side plates 14, 14, the amount of powder to be supplied can be easily adjusted, as the gap between the gate 5 and the rollers 1, 1 is narrow at the central part where powder easily passes through it, and the gap is wide at the side parts. Since the side plates 14, 14 can be vertically displaced in relation to the T-shaped plate 13, the length by which the central part extends downwardly beyond the side parts, that is, the difference between the gaps at the central part and at the side parts, can be changed so as to facilitate adjusting the amount of powder to be supplied. Thus the amount of powder to be supplied can be properly adjusted.

[0036] -11 -

Though the mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate is used for making the gate 5 T-shaped where the central part extends downwardly beyond the side parts, as in the above discussion, the gate 5 may be made of a single plate to be T-shaped.

[0037]

Though in Figs. 1 to 5 the gate 5 is shown to be vertically placed and to move, the gate 5 may be placed to tilt at 15°, for example, from the vertical plane, and to move. However, if it is vertically placed and moves, it can be easily hung from the frame 7 for vertically moving the gate.

[0038]

Below, the main reference numerals and symbols that are used in the detailed description and drawings are listed. 1. the roller 2. the bearing block 3. the frame for compressing 4. the hopper 5. the gate 6. the electric cylinder 7. the frame for vertically moving the gate 8. the oil cylinder 9. the load cell (a sensor for measuring the operating conditions) 10. the inverter 11. the ammeter (a sensor for measuring the operating conditions) 12. the driving motor 13. the T-shaped plate (the mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate) 14. the side plate (the mechanism for adjusting the tips of the gate) -12-

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. A briquette machine comprising: a part for granulating by compressing powder, which part has a pair of rollers that rotate in reverse directions, a pair of bearing blocks that support the respective ends of the pair of rollers and that hold bearings, at least one of which bearing blocks is movable, and a frame for compressing that supports the pair of the bearing blocks! a part for supplying the powder that changes an amount of powder to be supplied, which part has a hopper that is located above the part for granulating so as to supply the powder thereto, and a gate that is located inside the hopper and that vertically moves at a position above an approaching part of the rollers to widen or narrow a gap between the gate and the rollers! and a part for measuring operating conditions, which part has an oil cylinder that moves the movable bearing block so that the pair of rollers come close to, and retract from, each other, and a sensor for the operating conditions that measures force on the rollers or current of a motor for driving the rollers, wherein the part for supplying the powder has an electric cylinder for vertically moving the gate, and wherein the electric cylinder has an inverter for changing a speed of a vertical movement of a rod.
2. The briquette machine of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the gate is shaped so that a central part extends downwardly more than do side parts.
3. The briquette machine of claim 2, wherein the gate has a mechanism for adjusting tips of the gate that enables a length of the central part that extends more than do the side parts to be changed.