CA2492299A1

CA2492299A1 - Atomisation nozzle with rotating annular gap

Info

Publication number: CA2492299A1
Application number: CA002492299A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Herbert Huettlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-16
Filing date: 2003-07-16
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: WO2004007085A1; DE10232863A1; CN100441310C; AU2003250968A1; JP2006501048A; ATE311257T1; EP1521639B1; ES2252697T3; CN1668383A; EP1521639A1; DE50301819D1; DK1521639T3

Abstract

An atomisation nozzle (10) comprises a flow channel (16) which is annular in cross-section, for the supply of a medium for atomisation, enclosed by two radially-separated walls (18, 30) and which opens out in an annular nozzle opening (40). Furthermore, a second flow channel (50), enclosing the first flow channel, is provided for supply of a gaseous spraying medium (65), which also opens out in an annular nozzle opening (54). According to the invention, the walls (18, 30) enclosing the first flow channel (16) may rotate relative to each other about a nozzle longitudinal axis (70).

Description

ATOMISATION NOZZLE WITH ROTATING ANNULAR GAP
The invention relates to an atomizing nozzle, with a first f low channel of annular cross section for the guidance of a medium to be atomized, which flow channel is circumscribed by two walls spaced radially apart from one another and opens into an annular nozzle orifice, and with a second flow channel for guiding a gaseous spray medium, which f low channel encircles the first f low channel and likewise opens into an annular noz-zle orifice.
An atomizing nozzle of this type is known, for example, from DE 197 49 071 A1. Atomizing nozzles of this type serve for spraying a medium to be atomized, usually a liquid, sometimes also a powder, with the aid of a gaseous spray medium.
In this context, the medium to be atomized is transported under pressure through the annular or gap-like flow channel to a n~-_,.. ...,.; ~;.... ~.,,.:.,.. ~,,~ f.,r", ~~ ~., ~".",, ~r ..~..

This first annular flow channel is encircled by a second like-wise annular flow channel, and the likewise opens into, adja-cent to the first flow channel, in an annular or gap-Like noz-zle orifice.
Depending on how the mouth head of the nozzle is designed, such nozzles spray axially or laterally to a greater or lesser ex-tent away from the axial axis, with an increasingly larger spray angle, in this case with spray angles of up to 180° and with a looping angle of 360° around the mouth head.
Such nozzles are in widespread use in devices for the treatment of particulate material, for example for the granulation or coating of these particles. In granulation, a tacky liquid is sprayed, which serves for sticking together the particles into larger agglomerates, that is to say the desired granulates.
In coating, a covering layer is sprayed onto the surface.
Such devices are used, above all, in the pharmaceutical indus-try, where tablet ingredients which are produced as fine-dust powders are granulated into handable powders capable of being pressed, for example, into a tablet.
In coating, pellets or finished granulates or even whole tab-lets are provided with an outer covering layer.
Depending on the configuration of the device, the nozzles spray vertically upwards, that is to say are designed as upright nozzles, spray at an inclination or are directed horizontally or even, in many instances, vertically from the top downwards.

By means of atomizing nozzles of this type, suspensions, dis-persions or solutions can be sprayed, and these can also be employed in what are known as hot-melt methods in which wax melts or hard grease are processed under thermal influence.
In order to achieve as fine a spraying as possible, the annular flow channels operate with liquid cross sections which are in the region < 0.25 mm.
In the practical use of such spray nozzles, then, it was found that, with some kind of suspensions or dispersions, partial blockages of the small liquid cross section occur due to undis-solved solid fractions.
This can also be observed especially when these solid fractions are of a fibrous or crystalline nature.
Taking the example of the abovementioned nozzle with a spray angle of 180° or a looping angle of 360°, the nozzle head sprays a spray cone in the form of a plane spray pat. If block-ages occur then, no medium to be atomized emerges in certain circumferential regions of the annular gap. This has extremely adverse effects on the treatment result which is to be achieved by means of an apparatus in which such an atomizing nozzle is arranged.
In a fluidized-bed coater, for example, the material to be treated is swirled or moved around the nozzle, so that, in a nozzle spraying unequally along the circumference because of blockages, an irregular treatment result is obtained.

However, it is precisely the aim, in this technology, to achie-ve as uniform a treatment result as possible, for example to obtain granulates within a very narrow grain-size range or covering layers with as equal a covering thickness as possible.
The object of the present invention is, therefore, to develop further an atomizing nozzle of the type mentioned in the intro-channelion, to the effect that even medium to be sprayed which tend to cause blockages can be atomized uniformly.
The object is achieved, according to the invention, in that the walls circumscribing the first flow channel are rotatable rela-tive to one another about a nozzle longitudinal axis.
It was found that, in such a configuration of the gap-forming walls, a centrifugal and radial, that is to say toroidal move-ment is established in the annular gap. The medium to be atom-ized, conveyed through the annular gap in the axial direction, is moreover also set, by the walls rotating relative to one another, in a rotating movement which results in the abovemen-tioned toroidal movement. If, then, media tending to cause blockages or also entraining even smaller solid lumps are gui-ded through such a flow channel, the rotary configuration of the liquid gap results in some comminution of such solid lumps which would otherwise lead to a blockage of the liquid gap in the case of stationary walls. Virtually a kind of self-cleaning effect is achieved by means of the rotary configuration, so that the medium to be atomized ultimately leaves the annular nozzle orifice, uniformly distributed circumferentially.

In a further embodiment of the invention, moreover, the two walls are axially displaceable relative to one another, with the result that the gap width of the nozzle orifice of the first annular flow channel can be varied.
This measure, then, has the considerable advantage that it is possible, by virtue of the axial moveability, to vary the gap width of the nozzle orifice of the first flow channel and, in particular, even to close this nozzle orifice. If the nozzle is not in use or is temporarily not in use, the nozzle orifice is closed, so that no dirt enters or no blockages occur due to drying-out or the like in the region of the nozzle orifice.
An essential and considerable advantage of this axial displace-ability is also that a self-regulation of the width of the annular gap takes place over a certain bandwidth.
Conventional annular gaps in such atomizing nozzles have a width of 0.1 to about 0.25 mm, and it is desirable to have the capability of expelling 1 to 5 grams of medium to be sprayed per millimetre of length of the gap.
Depending on the nature of the medium to be sprayed, then, the axial moveability makes it possible for the gap height to be set automatically. When a specific medium with a specific pres-sure is led through the first flow channel, intrinsic proper-ties, for example, in the case of a liquid, its viscosity and, in the case of emulsions, their flowability and stickiness, exert a considerable influence on what quantity per millimetre of length of the gap can pass through. In other words, there are liquids which can be expelled relatively simply through such a gap, whereas others require a somewhat wider gap for the same outflow quantity.
It was found, in practical use, that, of course within a cer-tain determined range, the gap width is set automatically to an optimum value in the case of given boundary conditions, that is to say the nozzle virtually regulates itself.
The initially mentioned possibility of closing the nozzle mouth of the first flow channel in the state of rest can be achieved in a simple way, for example in the case of an upright nozzle, in that the at least one moveable wall sinks due to gravity and the closing movement thereby takes place.
In the case of angled, horizontal or even suspended nozzles, this movement may take place by means of a spring force or other mechanisms.
In a further embodiment of the invention, conveying elements, which control a movement of the medium to be atomized which is transported to the nozzle orifice, are arranged at least on one of the walls rotatable relative to one another.
The provision of these conveying elements has the considerable advantage that, by virtue of the conveying elements, the tor-oidal movement formed by the axial transport direction and by the rotating walls is, on the one hand, guided in a focussed manner arid also additionally promoted.

In addition, these conveying elements may also serve as me-chanical means for transporting in a focussed manner and, if necessary, comminuting any entrained solid lumps.
In a embodiment of the invention, one wall is designed to be stationary and the other wall to be rotatable.
This measure has the advantage in structural terms that only one of the two walls has to be moved, and, accordingly, corre-sponding drive members have to be present for only one of these walls.
In a further embodiment of the invention, one wall is station-ary and the other wall is axially displaceable.
This, too, results again in the advantage of the simple struc-tural configuration of the additional axial displaceability of the walls relative to one another.
In a further embodiment, that wall which is rotatable is also at the same time axially displaceable.
This measure has the advantage in structural terms that the measures both of rotatability and of axial displaceability can be implemented in connection with a single wall.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the control of the axial displaceability is carried out by means of the conveyed medium to be atomized itself.

This measure makes it possible to have the already abovemen-tioned self-regulating effect of the gap width of the nozzle orifice of the first flow channel.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the axial displace-ability is designed in such a way that, in the state of rest, the nozzle orifice of the first flow channel is closed.
This measure makes it possible, in an extremely simple way in structural terms, to have the initially mentioned closing of the nozzle orifice of the first flow channel, this taking place exactly when no medium to be atomized is led through the first f low channel.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the axial displace-ability takes place counter to a return force which moves the displaceable wall or displaceable walls into the closing posi-tion of the nozzle orifice.
As already mentioned, gravity may be utilized as the return force, so that, in the case of upright nozzles, the one move-able wall is moved into the closing position due to gravity as a result of displacement relative to the other.
If gravity is not sufficient or not capable of executing this movement, this may take place by means of other control ele-ments, for example by means of springs or other elements.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the axial displace-ability of the walls is designed in such a way that, in the state of rest, the nozzle orifice of the second flow channel is also closed.
This measure has the advantage that both nozzle orifices are closed in the state of rest.
This not only has the already mentioned advantage that no dirt can enter the nozzle, but also has the advantage that residual medium quantities possibly still present in the flow channels do not emerge, so that, for example during transport or de-mounting, such residual quantities then do not emerge and cause soiling.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the rotatable wall carries, on the outside of a head of an atomizing nozzle, a fan, by means of which the head can be freed of any adherent substances in the region of the nozzle orifice.
A problem which repeatedly arises is the soiling of the mouth head due to an usually uncontrolled secondary air movement which occurs in the region surrounding the liquid gap or spray gap. Owing to the high blow-out velocity, vacuum regions are formed which re-attract stray liquid droplets just sprayed and deposit them on the mouth head. This consequently then results there in an agglomeration or a gradual build-up of dried-on solids from the sprayed liquid.
The provision of the fan in this case makes it possible to keep these critical regions free of such adherent substances. The rotatability according to the invention of the wall therefore can not only be utilized to provide optimum conditions inside the nozzle, but this rotating movement can at the same time be utilized to prevent substances from adhering to the outside of the head.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one wall is de-signed as the outside of a central spindle which is rotatable.
This measure has the structural advantage that the rotating wall is produced by a structurally simple means, to be precise the central spindle.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the conveying ele-ments are designed as rotor portions.
This measure has the advantage that an especially uniform pro-motion of the movement of the medium to be sprayed is thereby possible.
If the rotor portions are formed on the outside of the above-mentioned central spindle, this is extremely simple to imple-ment in structural terms and especially favourable and focussed conveyance can be achieved. The length and number of the rotor portions, that is to say the number of conveying wheels and their cross-sectional shape, may additionally be varied, so that particularly difficult media to be sprayed can addition-ally be dealt with.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the spindle is driven via a pneumatically operable motor.

This measure has the advantage in structural terms that a gase-ous medium for spraying the medium to be sprayed is led through such a spraying nozzle in any case, that is to say the latter is connected to a source of spray air, usually compressed air.
Parts of this air may therefore also be utilized at the same time for operating the motor which ensures the rotary movement between the walls.
In a further preferred embodiment, the spindle is plugged onto a drive journal which allows some axial moveability of the spindle.
This measure has the particular advantage in structural terms that, as a result of these dimensions, the spindle is both rotatable and to some extent axially moveable.
The degree of moveability may be limited, for example, by means of a connecting crosspin which runs in a long hole in the drive journal.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan is seated on the head of the spindle.
The advantage of this measure is that this advantageous design is at the same time also implemented on the central spindle.
It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or alo-ne, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to some selected exemplary embodiments, in con-junction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows, partially in longitudinal section, a side view of a first embodiment of an atomizing nozzle accord-ing to the invention, Fig. la shows an enlarged view of the region circumscribed by a circle at top right in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 shows a side view, rotated through 90°, of the atom-izing nozzle of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows an illustration corresponding to the sectional illustration of Fig. 1, of a further embodiment of an atomizing nozzle with a fan attached to the head, and Fig. 4 shows a top view of the end face of the head of the atomizing nozzle of Fig. 3.
An atomizing nozzle illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2 is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10.
The atomizing nozzle 10 has an approximately bar-shaped nozzle body 12, to one end of which, the lower end in the illustration of Fig. 1 and 2, a motor 14 is flanged.
A first flow channel 16 which is annular or takes the form of an annular gap is formed in the nozzle body 12.

This first flow channel 16 is delimited on the inside by an inner wall 18 which is the outside 20 of a central spindle 22.
The spindle 22 is plugged onto an upright angular drive journal 24 of the motor 14 and, for this purpose, has at its lower end a corresponding slot 26.
As a result, on the one hand, a rotationally fixed connection between the motor 14 and the spindle 22 is afforded, that is to say, when the motor 14 is in operation, the spindle 22 rotates about its longitudinal mid-axis 70 which is also at the same time the longitudinal mid-axis of the atomizing nozzle 10.
The plug connection is, moreover, such that some axial move-ability of the spindle 22 is afforded, the meaning and purpose of this being described later in connection with the type of operation.
The axial displaceability or the limitation of the amount of axial movement can be provided in that the drive journal has cut out in it a vertical long hole which receives a crosspin which is inserted in the radial bore of the spindle 22 in the region of the slot 26.
The first flow channel 16 is delimited on the outside by an outer wall 30 which is formed by an inside of a continuous central bore or orifice 34 in the nozzle body 12. Both the spindle 22 and the nozzle body 12 widen, opposite the motor 14, in a trumpet-like manner in a widening 36 and a widening 38 respectively, as is evident especially also from Fig. la.

An approximately horizontally oriented nozzle orifice 40 in the form of an annular gap 42 running around through 360° is there-fore formed.
The width of the annular gap 42 can be varied on account of the axial displaceability of the spindle 22, the variation being in the range of between 0.1 mm and 0.25 mm.
As is evident especially from Fig. 2, the ffirst f low channel 16 is connected to a lateral connection piece 44, so that, via this connection piece 44, a medium to be atomized, for example a liquid 45, can be fed into the first flow channel 16, can be transported through the first flow channel 16 and can emerge via the annular gap 42. The transport and conveyance of this liquid 45 is also additionally promoted by conveying elements 48 in the form of two rotor portions 46 and 46' on the outside 22 of the spindle 22, the height of a rotor being such that the latter corresponds approximately to the gap width of the ffirst flow channel 16 inside the atomizing nozzle 10.
In the shown embodiment, the profile of the rotor 46 is such the latter bears approximately over its area against the inside 32 of the central orifice 34, other profiles, for example rounded or pointed rotor profiles, of course, also being possi-ble.
In order to atomize finely the liquid or the medium to be atom-ized, which may also be a powder, which emerges through the annular gap 42, a second flow channel 50 is provided.

This second flow channel 50 encircles the first inner flow channel 16 and opens into a codirectional widening 52 in a nozzle orifice 54 which is likewise in the form of an annular gap 56. The annular gap 56 is arranged in such a way that it is directly adjacent to the annular gap 42, directly below the first annular gap 42 in the shown embodiment of the upright atomizing nozzle 10. The second flow channel 50 is delimited on the inside by the nozzle body 12 and on its outside by a ro-tatable sleeve 58. The sleeve 58 is screwed into the nozzle body 12 via a thread 60.
As is evident especially from Fig. 2, the sleeve 58 is provided on its outside with a scaling 62.
Consequently, by the sleeve 58 being rotated, the gap width of the annular gap 54 can be varied.
The second flow channel 52 is connected to the exterior via a radially projecting connection piece 64, via which a gaseous medium in the form of spray air 65 is introduced into the noz-zle body 12.
The motor 14 is designed as a pneumatically operated motor, that is to say compressed air 67 is introduced through an inlet 66 and this compressed air 67 is discharged again through an outlet 68.
During operation, the motor 14 is controlled and driven by the abovementioned compressed air, so that the spindle 22 rotates.
The rotational speed is governed by the respective application of the medium to be sprayed and may be in the range of 1 to 1 000 revolutions per minute. A medium to be sprayed, for exam-ple a tacky liquid to be sprayed for granulation, is conveyed by the connection piece 44 and is expressed via the annular gap 42. The liquid may also consist of an externally melted sub-stance.
This expressed liquid is sprayed in a fine mist by means of the spray air 65 emerging from the second flow channel 50 or from the nozzle orifice 54 of the latter, the spray air usually being under a pressure of 0.5 to 5.0 bar.
This gives rise to a correspondingly horizontally oriented spray pat or corresponding spray cone, as indicated by the reference numeral 75 in Fig. 2.
As mentioned, the gap width of the annular gap 56 from which the spray air emerges can be varied by means of the rotatable sleeve 58.
The gap width of the annular gap 42 from which the liquid 45 to be sprayed emerges is regulated automatically owing to the axial moveability of the spindle 22 , on the one hand by means of the predetermined liquid pressure of the liquid to be spray-ed and additionally, to some extent, by virtue of the intrinsic properties of the liquid, that is to say its viscosity or its nature as an emulsion, slurry or powder mixture.
If, as shown in Fig. 1, the atomizing nozzle 10 is designed as an upright nozzle and medium to be sprayed is no longer sup-plied, the spindle 22 sinks down due to gravity and at the same time automatically closes the annular gap 42 or the first f low channel 46, as indicated in Fig. la by the double arrow.
It may be gathered from Fig. 1 that the spindle 22 is closed off on its outside via an approximately mushroom-shaped head 80.
In practical use, it was found, as indicated in Fig. 2, that, in a region 88 of the outer edge of the head 80, certain prob-lem zones exist, in which sprayed particles or even solid par-ticles whirling around in a fluidized-bed device gradually settle. This region is indicated in Fig. 2 by the reference numeral 88.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a design variant which, as regards the configuration of the atomizing nozzle as such, is identical to the embodiment described in connection with Fig. 1 and 2.
A fan 82 is additionally mounted on the outside of the head 80.
This fan 82 has a plurality of rearwardly curved centrifugal fan blades 84 which suck in air out of an axial tube 86 and, as is evident especially in the top view of Fig. 4 from the arrow 89, blow out this air radially. As a result, the critical re-gion designated by the reference numeral 88 in Fig. 2 is continuously blown free, so that no undesirable adherences or accumulations of solid or liquid particles occur.
This air additionally blown out by the fan 82 may additionally be utilized to accompany the spray cone 75, illustrated in Fig. 2, on its top side, that is to say either to control this, additionally swirl it or utilize it for other purposes.
Depending on where the air sucked in by the axial tube 86 originates, this air may also be utilized as a "microclimate", for example in the form of hot air, in order to keep the liquid droplets supplied as a melt as long as possible in the melted state, so that those particles which are to be sprayed by the spray nozzle are coated with still liquid particles even at some distance from the nuzzle.
In the embodiment described above, one wall, to be precise the outer wall 30, of the first flow channel 16 was stationary, and the inner wall 18, to be precise the outside 20 of the spindle 22, was rotatable.
It is also conceivable for this to be carried out kinematically in reverse or else, if appropriate, for both walls to be set in rotational movement.

Claims

1. Atomizing nozzle, with a first flow channel (16) of annu-lar cross section for guiding a medium (45) to be atom-ized, which flow channel is circumscribed by two walls (18, 30) spaced radially apart from one another and opens into an annular nozzle orifice (40), and with a second flow channel (50) for guiding a gaseous spray medium (65), which flow channel encircles the first (16) and likewise opens into an annular nozzle orifice (54), characterized in that the walls (18, 30) circumscribing the first flow channel (16) are rotatable relative to one another about a nozzle longitudinal axis (70).

2. Atomizing nozzle of Claim 1, characterized in that the two walls (18, 30) are also axially displaceable relative to one another, so that the gap width of the nozzle orifice (40) can be varied.

3. Atomizing nozzle of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that conveying elements (48), which control a movement of the medium (45) to be atomized which is transported to the nozzle orifice (40), are arranged on at least one of the walls (30) rotatable relative to one another.

4. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one wall (30) is stationary, and in that the other wall (18) is designed rotatable.

5. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that one wall (30) is stationary, and in that the other wall (18) is axially displaceable.

6. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that that wall (30) which is rotatable is also at the same time axially displaceable.

7. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the control of the axial displaceability takes place by means of the conveyed medium (45) to be atomized.

8. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the axial displaceability is designed in such a way that, in the state of rest, the nozzle orifice (40) of the first flow channel (16) is closed.

9. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the axial displaceability takes place counter to a return force which moves the displaceable wall or dis-placeable walls into the closing position of the nozzle orifice.

10. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the axial displaceability is designed in such a way that, in the state of rest, the nozzle orifice (54) of the second flow channel (50) is also closed.

11. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 1 to 10, character-ized in that the rotatable wall carries, on the outside of a head (80) of the atomizing nozzle (10), a fan (82), by means of which the head (80) can be freed of any adherent substances in the region of the nozzle orifices (40, 54).

12. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 1 to 11, character-ized in that one wall (18) is designed as the outside (20) of a central spindle (22) which is rotatable.

13. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 3 to 12, character-ized in that the conveying elements (48) are designed as rotor portions (46, 46').

14. Atomizing nozzle of Claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the spindle (22) is driven by a pneumatically operable mo-tor (40).

15. Atomizing nozzle of Claim 14, characterized in that the spindle (22) is plugged on a drive journal (24) of the mo-tor (14), the said drive journal allowing some axial dis-placeability of the spindle (22).

16. Atomizing nozzle of anyone of Claims 11 to 15, character-ized in that the fan (82) is seated on a head (80) of the spindle (22).