CA2296217A1 - Spray coating of particulate material using a conical dispersion apparatus - Google Patents
Spray coating of particulate material using a conical dispersion apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- CA2296217A1 CA2296217A1 CA 2296217 CA2296217A CA2296217A1 CA 2296217 A1 CA2296217 A1 CA 2296217A1 CA 2296217 CA2296217 CA 2296217 CA 2296217 A CA2296217 A CA 2296217A CA 2296217 A1 CA2296217 A1 CA 2296217A1
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- coating
- dispersion element
- raw material
- conical dispersion
- conical
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J2/00—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic
- B01J2/006—Coating of the granules without description of the process or the device by which the granules are obtained
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- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for the spray coating of particulate material. The material is streamed over the apex of a conical dispersion element, with one or more coating nozzles for the spray application of the wet or dry coating mounted at any point below the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. Conical elements of various shapes or sizes could be used, and the surface of the conical element could be altered in order to modify the flowing behaviour of the particulate material over the conical element and off its bottom edge. By adding methods of measurement of the particulate material and the coating material being applied, the precision and utility of the method and apparatus could be extended.
Description
F&K 485-03-02 COATING OF PARTICULATE MATERIAL USING A CONICAL DISPERSION
APPARATUS
This invention is in the field of materials preparation, and more particularly deals with a method and apparatus for the application of wet or dry coatings to particulate material.
io BACKGROUND
Many circumstances and commercial processes exist where it is the desired result to apply a spray coating to particulate material.
One such circumstance is the production of particulate animal feed. It is in some cases desirable to apply a coating of 2o nutrients, vitamins or other ingredients to pelletized feed.
There are also circumstances in which such vitamins or other ingredients are presently mixed with the remainder of the F&K 485-03-02 ingredients before pelletization, but certain ingredients may be volatile in the pelleting process and as such it would be desirable to come up with a method of application of such ingredients in an even fashion to the outside of the pellets after the durable ingredients are blended and pelleted.
SUI~iI~IRY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for the spray coating of particulate material. A conical dispersion element centrally placed within a stream of flowing particulate material is used, and the dispersed material is spray coated as it drops off the bottom edge of the cone.
The apparatus of the present invention accomplishes this object comprising substantially a raw material source from 2o which raw particulate material to be coated is formed into a stream; a conical dispersion element, said conical dispersion element having an apex and a bottom edge, said conical F&K 485-03-02 dispersion element being mounted with its apex below said material source and substantially centred in the stream of raw material; and a coating nozzle directed to apply a coating to said raw material after it has been discharged off of the bottom edge of said conical dispersion element.
It will be understood that cones of various shapes and sizes could be used dependent upon the circumstances and insofar as varying the shape or size or other dimension of the conical 1o dispersion element would not affect the overall operation of the apparatus it will be understood that such variation and attendant modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Also, the apex of the cone could be either pointed or blunt -that is to say that the dispersion element might be generally conical in appearance with a domed apex or otherwise, so long as the behaviour of particulate material passing thereover is 2o not adversely affected, and all such modifications are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
F&K 485-03-02 The coating nozzle might be mounted in one of many positions, so long as it accomplishes the goal of spray coating the raw particulate material as it drops off the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. It is particularly contemplated that one location for the coating nozzle would be below the conical dispersion element within the area defined by the bottom edge of same. If a 360 degree spray pattern nozzle were used, the one nozzle could spray all of the curtain of particulate material created by the flowing of material off of the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. It is even foreseeable that the coating nozzle might be mounted within the conical dispersion element, with its discharge pointed down out of the mouth defined by the outer edge of the conical dispersion element.
The apparatus of the present invention could be mounted within an application chamber to control the spray coating process and the generation of waste or residue therefrom. Where an application chamber was used, a coated material discharge 2o could be added to the bottom of the application chamber, whereby coated material could be evacuated from the application chamber.
F&K 485-03-02 The apparatus of the present invention could be further modified by adding a measuring apparatus to measure the flow of raw material in the stream or onto said conical dispersion element.
A regulating means or apparatus could also be added to regulate the flow of coating through the coating nozzle to be applied to the raw material.
1o In some embodiments of the apparatus, both the measuring apparatus and the regulating apparatus could be used and interconnected such that the application of coating to the raw material would be controlled and regulated in accordance with the amount of raw material streaming onto the apex of the cone .
The apparatus might also include the addition of protrusions to the surface of the conical dispersion element. The protrusions might be a plurality of fins. The fins might be 2o arranged in a spiral pattern from the apex to the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. Any such protrusions which were added to the surface of the conical dispersion element F&K 485-03-02 could be used to alter the flowing behaviour of the raw material over the conical dispersion element and potentially impart movement thereon upon dropping of the raw material from the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. A hopper might be added below the conical dispersion element to receive the coated material.
Also disclosed is a method of spray coating of particulate material, said method comprising the steps of flowing a stream of particulate material down over the apex of a conical dispersion element, and spraying the coating to be applied onto the raw material as it flows off of the bottom edge thereof via one or more coating nozzles.
This method might be further amended by adding a step of measuring the flow of raw material onto the conical dispersion element, and regulating the amount of coating applied based upon the flow or quantity of raw material in the stream.
2o If more than one coating was desired to be applied at the same time, the coating materials could either be blending and applied through the same nozzle, or alternatively more than F&K 485-03-02 one coating nozzle could be positioned to apply more than one coating to the raw material at the same time.
Either wet or dry spray coatings could be applied to raw material using the process of the present invention, with the necessary attendant modifications to the type of coating nozzles used.
The apparatus of the present invention could be used in the 1o practice of this process.
It will be understood that any type of particulate material could be the raw source material used in the apparatus or method of the present invention for coating and the application of any wet or dry coating to any such material is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that the method and apparatus of the present invention could be used in various applications other than feed pellet coating, without departing from the scope and 2o intent of the claimed invention.
F&K 485-03-02 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
1o Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;-Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, including measurement and regulating apparatus for the controlled application of the coating to the raw material;
Figure 3 is a process flow diagram of one embodiment of the process of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:
F&K 485-03-02 As outlined above, the present invention covers a method and apparatus for the spray coating of particulate material, using a conical dispersion apparatus to maximize the efficiency of spray coating.
Figure 1 shows a first basic embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus (1) shown includes an application chamber (3) within which the spray coating of the particulate material will take place. There is also shown a io material source (2) from which raw particulate material (10) to.be coated is formed into a stream (11).
In addition to the material source (2) , the next element of the apparatus of the present invention is a conical dispersion element (4). The conical dispersion element (4) has an apex ( 5 ) and a bottom edge ( 6 ) , with a surface extending thereabout and therebetween. The conical dispersion element (4) is mounted below the material source (2), and with the apex (5) substantially centred in the stream (11) of raw material. As 2o such, raw material in the stream (11) passing over the apex (5) of the conical dispersion element (4) will be separated and will randomly flow down the surface of the conical F&K 485-03-02 dispersion element (4) about its outer edge. The spray coating will be applied to the raw material (10) as it falls off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4) .
Next is shown a coating nozzle (8), which is directed to apply a coating (12) to the raw material (10) after the raw material (10) has been discharged off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4). It will be understood that 1o the coating nozzle could be placed in various positions to accomplish this goal and the placement of the nozzle in any position in relation to the conical dispersion element (.4) which accomplishes the objective of allowing for the application of a spray coating to the raw material (10) as it i5 falls off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4) is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the coating nozzle (8) is shown mounted 2o below the conical dispersion element (4), and within the area defined by the extension of the bottom edge (6) of same. In this fashion a single coating nozzle (8) with a 360 degree F&K 485-03-02 spray pattern, can effectively spray all of the raw material (10) falling off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4).
Also shown in the application chamber (3) is a coated material discharge (9). The coated material discharge (9) is used to remove the spray coated material from the application chamber (3) upon completion of the spraying. In this case, the coated material discharge (9) is a hopper bottom. It will be understood that various types of coated material discharges, with or without mechanical assistance, could be used depending upon the circumstances and the present invention is intended to cover all such variations on the coated material discharge.
i5 In operation of the device (1) the stream (11) of raw material passes over the apex (5) of the conical dispersion element (4). As the material (10) drops off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4), in a sheet or curtain of the approximate shape and diameter of the base of the conical 2o dispersion element (4), the coating nozzle (8) spray coats all of this material as it passes the coating nozzle (8).
F&K 485-03-02 Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention extending the concept further. Firstly, it can be seen that there are a plurality of coating nozzles (8) used in this embodiment. The coating nozzles (8) could all be connected to the same coating source, such that the same coating would be sprayed from each nozzle, or alternatively different ones of the coating nozzles (8) could be connected to different coating sources, such that various coatings could be applied at the same time. It will be understood that each to such variation is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, while only four coating nozzles (8) are shown in this embodiment, it will be understood that any number of coating nozzles could be used without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
It is particularly contemplated that by changing the type of coating nozzle (8) different apparatus could be built for the application of wet or dry coatings to the material (10). It will be understood that both wet and dry nozzles are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Also shown in the apparatus of Figure 2 is a measuring F&K 485-03-02 apparatus (12), which would measure the flow of raw material onto the apex (5). Any such measuring device (12) is contemplated within the scope of the invention insofar as it accomplishes the objective of measuring the flow of raw s material (10) in the stream (11). One such measuring device (12) might be a dry flow measuring device. Either flow or actual volume measurements could be taken by the measuring apparatus (12) and it will be understood that both types of measuring apparatus, namely both those that detect flow through the source ( 2 ) and into the stream ( 11 ) , or those that-detect the actual volume of material (10) contained in the stream (11) as it streams onto the apex (5), are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
i5 By measuring or detecting flow of raw material (10) onto the apex (5), the overall operation of the apparatus could either be monitored or controlled accordingly.
Additionally, a regulating apparatus (13) is connected to the 2o coating nozzle (8) in order to regulate the amount of coating being applied to the raw material (10) based on the flow of material (10) detected by the measuring apparatus (12). It F&K 485-03-02 will be understood that various conventional means of measurement could be used as the measuring apparatus (12) to quantify the volume of the stream (11). Various types of regulators (13) could be used to control the amount of coating being applied by the coating nozzles) (8). It will be understood that any type of regulator or regulating control is contemplated within the scope of the present invention as well.
1o The measuring apparatus (12) and the regulating apparatus (13) could be operatively connected for the automatic adjustment of the regulating apparatus (13) based on the measurements yielded by the measuring apparatus (12). Alternatively, it is also foreseeable that in certain cases the measuring apparatus (12) might be connected to some type of a display output or gauge, and the operator of the apparatus could then manually control the regulating apparatus (13). It will be understood that both manual or automatic operation of the regulating apparatus (13) based on the output from the measuring 2o apparatus (12) is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
F&K 485-03-02 It is also particularly contemplated that where an automatic control of the regulating apparatus (13) is desired, a computer could be connected to the measuring apparatus (12) and the regulating apparatus (13) and the computer adapted such as to accept an input from the measuring apparatus (12) and generate and output to the regulating apparatus (13). In this case, the computer (14) is shown. The behaviour of the apparatus could be adjusted by recalibrating the software in the computer, where it was desired to, at various points, to perform coating operations within different parameters within the apparatus.
Also shown in the apparatus of Figure 2 is the addition of protrusions (7) to the surface of the conical dispersion element (4). The protrusions (7), in this case taking the shape of fins, could take various shapes or profiles and might be used in various ways to alter the flowing behaviour of the raw material (10) over and off of the conical dispersion element (4). It will be understood that any such protrusion 2o accomplishing this effect is contemplated within the scope of the present invention_ F&K 485-03-02 The protrusions (7) which are shown in Figure 2 are a plurality of fins which are arranged in a spiral pattern around the outer surface of the conical dispersion element (4). Specifically, the spiral extends from the apex (5) to points along the bottom edge (6). As such, as material (10) is streamed over the apex (5), the fins (7) will result in the imparting of a slight spiral motion upon various particles of material (10) as they drop off the bottom edge (6) of the cone. If there is some degree of spiral motion imparted upon 1o the particulate material (10) before it drops off of the bottom edge (6) of the cone, a more complete spray coverage might be accomplished as well as if the spiral movement continues to any degree as the material (10) drops to the bottom of the application chamber (3), the coated pellets or particles might continue to blend themselves to some extent as they exit from the coated material discharge hopper (9).
In addition to the specific apparatus of the present invention, there is also disclosed a process for the spray zo coating of particulate material using a conical dispersion apparatus. This method comprises the steps of flowing a stream of raw particulate material to be coated from a F&K 485-03-02 material source down over the apex of a conical dispersion element and spraying the coating to be applied to the raw material as the raw material flows off of the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. The conical dispersion s apparatus allows for the random, but generally equal, separation and dispersion of the particulate material to be coated before the spray coating is applied.
The utility and precision of the process could be extended by 1o measuring the flow of the stream of raw material onto the apex, and optionally, either automatically or by operator control or input, adjusting the amount of coating being sprayed and applied by the coating nozzle based upon the measurement of flow over the apex.
Any embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention could be used to practice this process.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes all of its 2o stated objectives. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily F&K 485-03-02 occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted s to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
APPARATUS
This invention is in the field of materials preparation, and more particularly deals with a method and apparatus for the application of wet or dry coatings to particulate material.
io BACKGROUND
Many circumstances and commercial processes exist where it is the desired result to apply a spray coating to particulate material.
One such circumstance is the production of particulate animal feed. It is in some cases desirable to apply a coating of 2o nutrients, vitamins or other ingredients to pelletized feed.
There are also circumstances in which such vitamins or other ingredients are presently mixed with the remainder of the F&K 485-03-02 ingredients before pelletization, but certain ingredients may be volatile in the pelleting process and as such it would be desirable to come up with a method of application of such ingredients in an even fashion to the outside of the pellets after the durable ingredients are blended and pelleted.
SUI~iI~IRY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for the spray coating of particulate material. A conical dispersion element centrally placed within a stream of flowing particulate material is used, and the dispersed material is spray coated as it drops off the bottom edge of the cone.
The apparatus of the present invention accomplishes this object comprising substantially a raw material source from 2o which raw particulate material to be coated is formed into a stream; a conical dispersion element, said conical dispersion element having an apex and a bottom edge, said conical F&K 485-03-02 dispersion element being mounted with its apex below said material source and substantially centred in the stream of raw material; and a coating nozzle directed to apply a coating to said raw material after it has been discharged off of the bottom edge of said conical dispersion element.
It will be understood that cones of various shapes and sizes could be used dependent upon the circumstances and insofar as varying the shape or size or other dimension of the conical 1o dispersion element would not affect the overall operation of the apparatus it will be understood that such variation and attendant modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Also, the apex of the cone could be either pointed or blunt -that is to say that the dispersion element might be generally conical in appearance with a domed apex or otherwise, so long as the behaviour of particulate material passing thereover is 2o not adversely affected, and all such modifications are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
F&K 485-03-02 The coating nozzle might be mounted in one of many positions, so long as it accomplishes the goal of spray coating the raw particulate material as it drops off the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. It is particularly contemplated that one location for the coating nozzle would be below the conical dispersion element within the area defined by the bottom edge of same. If a 360 degree spray pattern nozzle were used, the one nozzle could spray all of the curtain of particulate material created by the flowing of material off of the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. It is even foreseeable that the coating nozzle might be mounted within the conical dispersion element, with its discharge pointed down out of the mouth defined by the outer edge of the conical dispersion element.
The apparatus of the present invention could be mounted within an application chamber to control the spray coating process and the generation of waste or residue therefrom. Where an application chamber was used, a coated material discharge 2o could be added to the bottom of the application chamber, whereby coated material could be evacuated from the application chamber.
F&K 485-03-02 The apparatus of the present invention could be further modified by adding a measuring apparatus to measure the flow of raw material in the stream or onto said conical dispersion element.
A regulating means or apparatus could also be added to regulate the flow of coating through the coating nozzle to be applied to the raw material.
1o In some embodiments of the apparatus, both the measuring apparatus and the regulating apparatus could be used and interconnected such that the application of coating to the raw material would be controlled and regulated in accordance with the amount of raw material streaming onto the apex of the cone .
The apparatus might also include the addition of protrusions to the surface of the conical dispersion element. The protrusions might be a plurality of fins. The fins might be 2o arranged in a spiral pattern from the apex to the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. Any such protrusions which were added to the surface of the conical dispersion element F&K 485-03-02 could be used to alter the flowing behaviour of the raw material over the conical dispersion element and potentially impart movement thereon upon dropping of the raw material from the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. A hopper might be added below the conical dispersion element to receive the coated material.
Also disclosed is a method of spray coating of particulate material, said method comprising the steps of flowing a stream of particulate material down over the apex of a conical dispersion element, and spraying the coating to be applied onto the raw material as it flows off of the bottom edge thereof via one or more coating nozzles.
This method might be further amended by adding a step of measuring the flow of raw material onto the conical dispersion element, and regulating the amount of coating applied based upon the flow or quantity of raw material in the stream.
2o If more than one coating was desired to be applied at the same time, the coating materials could either be blending and applied through the same nozzle, or alternatively more than F&K 485-03-02 one coating nozzle could be positioned to apply more than one coating to the raw material at the same time.
Either wet or dry spray coatings could be applied to raw material using the process of the present invention, with the necessary attendant modifications to the type of coating nozzles used.
The apparatus of the present invention could be used in the 1o practice of this process.
It will be understood that any type of particulate material could be the raw source material used in the apparatus or method of the present invention for coating and the application of any wet or dry coating to any such material is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that the method and apparatus of the present invention could be used in various applications other than feed pellet coating, without departing from the scope and 2o intent of the claimed invention.
F&K 485-03-02 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
1o Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;-Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, including measurement and regulating apparatus for the controlled application of the coating to the raw material;
Figure 3 is a process flow diagram of one embodiment of the process of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:
F&K 485-03-02 As outlined above, the present invention covers a method and apparatus for the spray coating of particulate material, using a conical dispersion apparatus to maximize the efficiency of spray coating.
Figure 1 shows a first basic embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus (1) shown includes an application chamber (3) within which the spray coating of the particulate material will take place. There is also shown a io material source (2) from which raw particulate material (10) to.be coated is formed into a stream (11).
In addition to the material source (2) , the next element of the apparatus of the present invention is a conical dispersion element (4). The conical dispersion element (4) has an apex ( 5 ) and a bottom edge ( 6 ) , with a surface extending thereabout and therebetween. The conical dispersion element (4) is mounted below the material source (2), and with the apex (5) substantially centred in the stream (11) of raw material. As 2o such, raw material in the stream (11) passing over the apex (5) of the conical dispersion element (4) will be separated and will randomly flow down the surface of the conical F&K 485-03-02 dispersion element (4) about its outer edge. The spray coating will be applied to the raw material (10) as it falls off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4) .
Next is shown a coating nozzle (8), which is directed to apply a coating (12) to the raw material (10) after the raw material (10) has been discharged off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4). It will be understood that 1o the coating nozzle could be placed in various positions to accomplish this goal and the placement of the nozzle in any position in relation to the conical dispersion element (.4) which accomplishes the objective of allowing for the application of a spray coating to the raw material (10) as it i5 falls off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4) is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the coating nozzle (8) is shown mounted 2o below the conical dispersion element (4), and within the area defined by the extension of the bottom edge (6) of same. In this fashion a single coating nozzle (8) with a 360 degree F&K 485-03-02 spray pattern, can effectively spray all of the raw material (10) falling off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4).
Also shown in the application chamber (3) is a coated material discharge (9). The coated material discharge (9) is used to remove the spray coated material from the application chamber (3) upon completion of the spraying. In this case, the coated material discharge (9) is a hopper bottom. It will be understood that various types of coated material discharges, with or without mechanical assistance, could be used depending upon the circumstances and the present invention is intended to cover all such variations on the coated material discharge.
i5 In operation of the device (1) the stream (11) of raw material passes over the apex (5) of the conical dispersion element (4). As the material (10) drops off of the bottom edge (6) of the conical dispersion element (4), in a sheet or curtain of the approximate shape and diameter of the base of the conical 2o dispersion element (4), the coating nozzle (8) spray coats all of this material as it passes the coating nozzle (8).
F&K 485-03-02 Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention extending the concept further. Firstly, it can be seen that there are a plurality of coating nozzles (8) used in this embodiment. The coating nozzles (8) could all be connected to the same coating source, such that the same coating would be sprayed from each nozzle, or alternatively different ones of the coating nozzles (8) could be connected to different coating sources, such that various coatings could be applied at the same time. It will be understood that each to such variation is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, while only four coating nozzles (8) are shown in this embodiment, it will be understood that any number of coating nozzles could be used without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
It is particularly contemplated that by changing the type of coating nozzle (8) different apparatus could be built for the application of wet or dry coatings to the material (10). It will be understood that both wet and dry nozzles are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Also shown in the apparatus of Figure 2 is a measuring F&K 485-03-02 apparatus (12), which would measure the flow of raw material onto the apex (5). Any such measuring device (12) is contemplated within the scope of the invention insofar as it accomplishes the objective of measuring the flow of raw s material (10) in the stream (11). One such measuring device (12) might be a dry flow measuring device. Either flow or actual volume measurements could be taken by the measuring apparatus (12) and it will be understood that both types of measuring apparatus, namely both those that detect flow through the source ( 2 ) and into the stream ( 11 ) , or those that-detect the actual volume of material (10) contained in the stream (11) as it streams onto the apex (5), are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
i5 By measuring or detecting flow of raw material (10) onto the apex (5), the overall operation of the apparatus could either be monitored or controlled accordingly.
Additionally, a regulating apparatus (13) is connected to the 2o coating nozzle (8) in order to regulate the amount of coating being applied to the raw material (10) based on the flow of material (10) detected by the measuring apparatus (12). It F&K 485-03-02 will be understood that various conventional means of measurement could be used as the measuring apparatus (12) to quantify the volume of the stream (11). Various types of regulators (13) could be used to control the amount of coating being applied by the coating nozzles) (8). It will be understood that any type of regulator or regulating control is contemplated within the scope of the present invention as well.
1o The measuring apparatus (12) and the regulating apparatus (13) could be operatively connected for the automatic adjustment of the regulating apparatus (13) based on the measurements yielded by the measuring apparatus (12). Alternatively, it is also foreseeable that in certain cases the measuring apparatus (12) might be connected to some type of a display output or gauge, and the operator of the apparatus could then manually control the regulating apparatus (13). It will be understood that both manual or automatic operation of the regulating apparatus (13) based on the output from the measuring 2o apparatus (12) is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
F&K 485-03-02 It is also particularly contemplated that where an automatic control of the regulating apparatus (13) is desired, a computer could be connected to the measuring apparatus (12) and the regulating apparatus (13) and the computer adapted such as to accept an input from the measuring apparatus (12) and generate and output to the regulating apparatus (13). In this case, the computer (14) is shown. The behaviour of the apparatus could be adjusted by recalibrating the software in the computer, where it was desired to, at various points, to perform coating operations within different parameters within the apparatus.
Also shown in the apparatus of Figure 2 is the addition of protrusions (7) to the surface of the conical dispersion element (4). The protrusions (7), in this case taking the shape of fins, could take various shapes or profiles and might be used in various ways to alter the flowing behaviour of the raw material (10) over and off of the conical dispersion element (4). It will be understood that any such protrusion 2o accomplishing this effect is contemplated within the scope of the present invention_ F&K 485-03-02 The protrusions (7) which are shown in Figure 2 are a plurality of fins which are arranged in a spiral pattern around the outer surface of the conical dispersion element (4). Specifically, the spiral extends from the apex (5) to points along the bottom edge (6). As such, as material (10) is streamed over the apex (5), the fins (7) will result in the imparting of a slight spiral motion upon various particles of material (10) as they drop off the bottom edge (6) of the cone. If there is some degree of spiral motion imparted upon 1o the particulate material (10) before it drops off of the bottom edge (6) of the cone, a more complete spray coverage might be accomplished as well as if the spiral movement continues to any degree as the material (10) drops to the bottom of the application chamber (3), the coated pellets or particles might continue to blend themselves to some extent as they exit from the coated material discharge hopper (9).
In addition to the specific apparatus of the present invention, there is also disclosed a process for the spray zo coating of particulate material using a conical dispersion apparatus. This method comprises the steps of flowing a stream of raw particulate material to be coated from a F&K 485-03-02 material source down over the apex of a conical dispersion element and spraying the coating to be applied to the raw material as the raw material flows off of the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element. The conical dispersion s apparatus allows for the random, but generally equal, separation and dispersion of the particulate material to be coated before the spray coating is applied.
The utility and precision of the process could be extended by 1o measuring the flow of the stream of raw material onto the apex, and optionally, either automatically or by operator control or input, adjusting the amount of coating being sprayed and applied by the coating nozzle based upon the measurement of flow over the apex.
Any embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention could be used to practice this process.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes all of its 2o stated objectives. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily F&K 485-03-02 occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted s to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
Claims (28)
1. An apparatus for the spray coating of particulate material, said apparatus comprising:
a) a material source from which raw particulate material to be coated is formed into a stream; and b) a conical dispersion element, said conical dispersion element having an apex and a bottom edge, said conical dispersion element being mounted with its apex below said material source and substantially centered in the stream of raw material; and c) a coating nozzle directed to apply a coating to said raw material after said raw material flows off of the bottom edge of said conical dispersion element.
a) a material source from which raw particulate material to be coated is formed into a stream; and b) a conical dispersion element, said conical dispersion element having an apex and a bottom edge, said conical dispersion element being mounted with its apex below said material source and substantially centered in the stream of raw material; and c) a coating nozzle directed to apply a coating to said raw material after said raw material flows off of the bottom edge of said conical dispersion element.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said coating nozzle is mounted below the conical dispersion element.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the coating nozzle is mounted within the area below said conical dispersion element is defined by the bottom edge of same.
4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said coating nozzle sprays in substantially a 360-degree pattern.
5. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising an application chamber.
6. The apparatus of Claim 4 further comprising a coated material discharge from said application chamber.
7. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising additional coating nozzles.
8. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein more than one coating is applied to the raw material by the coating nozzles.
9. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising a measuring apparatus to measure the flow of raw material onto the conical dispersion element.
10. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the regulating apparatus is connected to the coating nozzle to regulate the amount of coating applied to the raw material.
11. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising a measuring apparatus to measure the flow of raw material onto the conical dispersion element, and regulating apparatus connected to the coating nozzle to regulate the amount of coating applied to the raw material, based on the flow of raw material onto the conical dispersion element.
12. The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein said measuring apparatus and regulating apparatus includes a computer to monitor and control the application of the coating to the raw material.
13. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising the addition of protrusions to the surface of said conical dispersion element.
14. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said protrusions are a plurality of fins.
15. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein said fins are arranged in a spiral pattern from the apex to the bottom edge of the conical dispersion element.
16. The apparatus of Claim 14 further comprising a hopper below the conical dispersion element to receive the coated material.
17. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the coating nozzle is a dry nozzle for the spray and application of a dry coating.
18. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the coating nozzle is a wet nozzle for the spray and application of a wet coating.
19. A method for the spray coating of particulate material, said method comprising the steps of flowing a stream of raw particulate material down over the apex of a conical dispersion element, and spraying the coating to be applied onto the raw material as said raw material flows off of the bottom edge thereof using a coating nozzle.
20. The method of Claim 19 wherein said apex of said conical dispersion element is positioned below the source of said flowing stream of raw material, and is approximately centred within said stream.
21. The method of Claim 19 further comprising measuring the flow of raw material onto the apex.
22. The method of Claim 19 further comprising regulating the amount of coating applied by the coating nozzle.
23. The method of Claim 19 further comprising measuring the flow of material onto the apex, and regulating the amount of coating applied by the coating nozzle based upon the measurement of the flow of raw material onto the apex.
24. The method of Claim 19 wherein more than one different coating is sprayed onto the raw material.
25. The method of Claim 19 wherein the coating nozzle is mounted below the conical dispersion element.
26. The method of Claim 25 wherein said coating nozzle is mounted within the area below the conical dispersion element defined by the bottom edge of same.
27. The method of Claim 26 wherein said coating nozzle sprays in substantially a 360 degree pattern.
28. The method of Claim 19 wherein the apparatus used is the apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 14.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2296217 CA2296217A1 (en) | 2000-01-17 | 2000-01-17 | Spray coating of particulate material using a conical dispersion apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2296217 CA2296217A1 (en) | 2000-01-17 | 2000-01-17 | Spray coating of particulate material using a conical dispersion apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2296217A1 true CA2296217A1 (en) | 2001-07-17 |
Family
ID=4165104
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2296217 Abandoned CA2296217A1 (en) | 2000-01-17 | 2000-01-17 | Spray coating of particulate material using a conical dispersion apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2296217A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007104656A1 (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-20 | Basf Se | Method of treating particles |
| CN110449090A (en) * | 2019-05-31 | 2019-11-15 | 深圳市芭田生态工程股份有限公司 | A kind of annular coating granular chemical fertilizer granulation tower and its technique prilling process |
-
2000
- 2000-01-17 CA CA 2296217 patent/CA2296217A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007104656A1 (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-20 | Basf Se | Method of treating particles |
| CN110449090A (en) * | 2019-05-31 | 2019-11-15 | 深圳市芭田生态工程股份有限公司 | A kind of annular coating granular chemical fertilizer granulation tower and its technique prilling process |
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