CH710427B1 - System and method for processing materials in continuous flow with flexible containment. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for treating materials in continuous flow, comprising: an inlet tube (2) for material to be treated; a movable tube (3) adapted to receive the material coming from the inlet tube (2); a processing mill (4); wherein the movable tube (3) is disposed between the inlet tube (2) of material to be treated and the processing mill (4), said tube (3) being movable between at least two positions, comprising: a position of product flow, in which the tube (3) hermetically connects the inlet tube (2) of material to be treated to the processing mill (4); and an intervention position, in which the movement of the movable tube releases internal access (5) to the processing mill (4); the movable tube (3) being disposed in an enclosure (6) of flexible confinement provided with at least one glove box type access (7).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a system for treating materials in continuous flow, comprising a material inlet tube to be treated, a material processing mill and a flexible confinement enclosure. It also relates to a corresponding process for the treatment of material in continuous flow using such a system.

State of the art

Patent application EP0412004 proposes an enclosure for handling products or objects containing toxic or radioactive elements, of the glove box type, the handling of the objects being done by an operator placed outside the enclosure and by through gloves and glove rings. The enclosure provides a hole for evacuating objects by gravity into a receptacle. A grinder is attached opposite the discharge hole to grind the products handled in the enclosure and transform them into waste in the form of small pieces to reduce the volume necessary for their storage. This system does not include an upstream / downstream disconnection system connected to a mill allowing access to it in in-line mode.

The document FR2855994 relates to a device for isolating a contaminated intervention medium. It includes a glove box type containment enclosure. This enclosure comprises an open surface intended to come into contact with and to be closed by a surface to be treated of an object. The system makes it possible, by providing for a closure of the enclosure by a portion of the surface of the object to be treated itself, to avoid having to isolate the whole of the object or, alternatively, to have to completely surround a section of this object.

Document EP0689904 discloses a glove box comprising a bottom as well as lateral parts and upper parts, which form an interior volume closed in a gas-tight manner. The bottom is provided with product receiving devices, which include a passage which can be closed in a gas-tight manner, the product receiving devices being arranged along a circle or an arc of a circle, concentrically with the axis of rotation of the bottom and maintaining the product or semi-finished product to be machined, so that the partial area of the product or semi-finished product to be machined under a protective gas atmosphere communicates with the interior volume of the box glove, and is accessible to machining devices mounted inside the glove box. At the same time, another partial area of the same product or of the semi-finished product is arranged outside the interior volume of the glove box or is available there for machining by tools mounted outside the box. glove.

Document WO2008152415 describes a containment device which includes an access device for providing access in a closed environment to a sealed enclosure. A container and a passive orifice create the sealed enclosure, which contains contaminated material. During normal use of the enclosure, the access device is stored separately from the enclosure. As such, the enclosure can operate normally with guards, etc. in place as required. When access to the enclosure is required, the access device is anchored to the passive orifice. Once anchored, an active orifice of the access device cooperates with the passive orifice to open an access opening in the enclosure. An operator can then get inside the enclosure by inserting his hand into a hand guard and passing through the access opening. The hand guard is sealed around the periphery of the active port. As such, the operator remains isolated from the enclosure. When access is no longer required, the operator can remove the hand guard from the access opening and close the access opening. As a result, the access device can be transported and stored for reuse, or cleaned, or anchored on another enclosure to transfer materials, etc.

Document FR2872446 presents a sealed double door transfer device comprising door actuators equipped with portholes. The double door sealed transfer device provides a sealed transfer between a first sealed enclosure, for example a confinement cell and a second sealed enclosure, for example a transfer box. It comprises two doors each equipped with locking means for locking it on a flange having a central opening and an actuating member for actuating the locking means. These actuators are mounted rotating in the doors and have a window.

Document EP1225012 describes a containment assembly comprising a powder handling booth having a size sufficient to admit an operator. The containment assembly comprises a barrier forming a curtain type screen adapted to allow an operator in the powder handling booth outside the treatment area to operate inside the treatment area.

None of these documents describes an architecture for feeding a mill in continuous flow placed in a protected flexible confinement enclosure while allowing to easily and quickly switch to a mode without flow, to perform an intervention in the enclosure. , from outside of it.

In general, in known systems for treating a material such as a powdery substance, solid, sludge, liquid laden with solids, or the like, intended for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical, chemical, food or other, the elements used to convey the powder are directly connected to the mill. Thus, in the event of blockage or congestion of a sieve, or to ensure cleaning with a view to a change of material, or for any other reason, intervention at the level of the mill requires first of all to separate the two elements ( inlet and mill), lift the intake tube to free the intake port of the mill, and finally provide an enclosure ensuring that the intervention can be carried out in a protected environment. Such interventions are relatively tedious to perform, require a significant time of realization. In addition, the disassembly and reassembly steps of the routing tube to the mill are often difficult to implement in a protected enclosure, in particular because the volume of the enclosure must be able to adapt to the movements of the connected elements. and disconnected.

To overcome these different drawbacks, the invention provides different technical means.

Brief summary of the invention

First of all, a first object of the invention consists in providing a system or method for treating material in continuous flow, in particular powdery, granular materials, sludges or liquids loaded with solids allowing use in continuous flow.

Another object of the invention is to provide a material processing system or method, making it possible to simplify the intervention steps in the event of an obstruction, cleaning or change of screen.

To do this, the invention provides a material processing system in continuous material flow, comprising: <tb> <SEP> an inlet tube for the material to be treated; <tb> <SEP> a movable tube capable of receiving the material coming from the inlet tube; <tb> <SEP> a processing mill; <tb> <SEP> in which the movable tube is disposed between the material inlet tube to be treated and the processing mill, said tube being movable between at least two positions, comprising: <tb><SEP> <SEP> a product flow position, in which the tube hermetically connects the material inlet tube to be treated with the processing mill; and <tb><SEP> <SEP> an intervention position, in which the displacement of the movable tube frees internal access to the processing mill; <tb><SEP> <SEP> the movable tube being placed in a flexible confinement enclosure provided with at least one glove box type access.

Thanks to the system according to the invention, the architecture of the elements is particularly simple, with advantageous manufacturing costs, and the transition from one phase to the other of the operational modes takes place quickly, with simple manipulations. .

According to an advantageous embodiment, the movable tube is pivotally mounted so as to ensure its movement between the positions of material flow and intervention by pivoting.

Alternatively, the movable tube is mounted movable in translation so as to ensure its movement between the positions of material flow and intervention by a translational movement.

Advantageously, the grinding treatment system is disposed in a substantially sealed enclosure of the external environment provided with at least one glove box type access.

The invention also provides a method for treating material in continuous flow, according to two modes, in the treatment system, <tb> <SEP> in which, in product flow mode, the material coming from the material inlet tube to be treated flows to the mill passing through the movable tube to ensure the material is conveyed up to 'to the mill for its treatment by the latter; <tb> <SEP> in intervention mode, the flow of material from the material inlet tube is interrupted, the movable tube is moved so as to release internal access to the mill (preferably from above the mill), at least one element or zone of the mill undergoes an intervention with the aim in particular of ensuring the resumption of the product flow mode, said intervention being carried out under an atmosphere protected by the confinement enclosure, and using at least one glove box in the enclosure.

Advantageously, the displacement of the movable tube between the material flow and intervention positions is effected by pivoting of said movable tube.

Alternatively, the movement of the movable tube between the material flow and intervention positions is effected by a translational movement.

Brief description of the figures

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which: <tb> <SEP> Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a processing system according to the invention; <tb> <SEP> FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the system of FIG. 1, without the confinement enclosure, in order to simplify the illustration; in particular, FIG. 2A shows the system in material flow mode and FIG. 2B shows the system in intervention mode; <tb> <SEP> Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the system of Figure 1, only with the frame of the containment; in particular, FIG. 3A shows the system in material flow mode and FIG. 3B shows the system in intervention mode.

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in a perspective view, where a functional unit is integrated in a confinement enclosure 6, substantially sealed from the external environment, making it possible to carry out manual interventions when this is necessary. FIG. 2A, described later in this document, is a similar view, without the confinement enclosure, in order to facilitate the visualization of the functional assembly. The containment is flexible, that is to say that it includes flexible walls allowing easy deformation of the wall when manipulated by an operator. The flexible wall may comprise a film, or sheet, thin of at least one polymer, preferably transparent so as to allow viewing from the outside of the enclosure 6, which is inside the enclosure. For example, the flexible film can be made of PVC, polyethylene, neoprene, etc.

The containment 6 allows to have the functional set of a treatment system 1 for powdery, granular materials, sludge, liquids loaded with solids, or other, in a closed and protected environment so that the process of treatment can be carried out under specifically controlled conditions. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the flexible confinement enclosure 6 is delimited by an enclosure frame 11 whose dimensions are adapted as a function of the volume required to house the functional assembly of the treatment system 1. The dimensions are also advantageously defined so as to take into account the intervention operations which will have to be carried out. It is also useful to find the right balance between a volume large enough to leave the operator an ease and comfort of work, and a sufficiently small volume allowing the same operator to be able to be close enough to the elements he must handle. A limited volume also facilitates the establishment and maintenance of a controlled atmosphere. The pressure in enclosure 6 can correspond to atmospheric pressure or be less than this (negative pressure) or even greater than this (positive pressure), as required. A drive and control system for a mill 4 is indicated by the number 15.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the enclosure 6 has openings at locations corresponding to the intervention tubes 7. These tubes serve as passages for the operator's forearms during the manipulations to be performed. The tubes are hermetically closed outside the intervention ranges. To keep the atmosphere under control, the intervention tubes 7 are fitted with waterproof devices with gloves for the user. Such devices are well known and are therefore not illustrated in order to maintain better readability of FIG. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure also has openings for the access tubes 14 providing access to products in and out of the system as well as tools

2A shows the elements arranged inside the enclosure 6. An inlet tube 2 of material to be treated allows the reception of the material in the system. Upstream, the material to be treated is advantageously conveyed by a specifically adapted set of piping or simply by supply from containers or bags of product. The inlet tube is preferably in the high position relative to the other elements in order to promote the flow of the product. At the base of the treatment system, for example near or on the ground, a mill 4 is arranged in axial alignment with the inlet tube 2. Between these two elements spaced axially from each other, a movable tube 3 is arranged. The mill can be a mill for grinding, crushing, mixing, deagglomeration, weighing, sorting, granulometry or any other mill or treatment system for powdery, granular materials, sludges or liquids loaded with solids, etc.

When arranged as shown in Figure 2A, the movable tube 3 provides fluid communication between the inlet tube 2 and the upper portion of the mill 4. The treatment system is then in mode of „ material flow “. According to this mode, the movable tube 3 acts as an intermediate link between the inlet tube 2 and the mill 4 to ensure the flow of product. The adapter 8 at the base of the inlet tube facilitates connection with the movable tube 3. The plate 9, surrounding the circumference of the top of the mill, makes it possible to recover the material likely to flow during the process and / or during a disconnection of the movable tube 3. In addition, the plate 9 can also have a working table function.

When the movable tube is arranged as shown in Figure 2B, the treatment system is then in "intervention" mode. According to this mode, the movable tube 3 is moved so as to release an internal access 5 to the mill 4. In the example illustrated, the movement of the tube is ensured by pivoting around an axis substantially parallel to the axis AA of the system 1 treatment. As a variant, the tube 3 is mounted movable in translation. According to yet another variant, the tube 3 pivots about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis A-A of the treatment system. The “intervention” mode is used when an intervention must be carried out at mill 4, for example to clean a blocked screen, or to prepare a change of material without risk of pollution between the old and the new material.

Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the processing system described above, according to the two respective modes, "material flow" on the one hand, and "intervention" on the other hand. These figures show that the frame 11 of the enclosure 6 is dimensioned so as to allow the movable tube 3 to be moved between its two ultimate positions. In FIG. 3B, it can be seen that the working space or volume 20 or of intervention makes it possible, in addition to carrying out the displacements of the mobile tube 3, to carry out interventions on the treatment system while benefiting from an arrangement ergonomic and functional. It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the intervention tubes 7 are substantially aligned axially and radially with respect to the movable tube 3 so as to give substantially direct access to the latter and to the internal access 5 to the mill when the movable tube 3 is positioned in intervention mode.

TREATMENT PROCESS

The previously described treatment system is advantageously used in the context of a material treatment process, in particular a powdery material, with steps involving mechanical operations carried out on the material, such as for example grinding operations, deagglomeration, crushing, weighing, sorting, particle size, or other mechanical operation. The process is particularly suitable for powdery materials, without excluding other forms of material, for example granular, sludge or liquids loaded with solids.

In "material flow" mode, the method provides for a substantially continuous flow of material in the inlet tube 2 to the movable tube 3 to the mill 4, where the material is treated. According to an exemplary embodiment, the powdery material comes into contact with a sieve positioned at the entrance to the mill 4. During the flow of the material through the orifices of the sieve, certain particles will gradually cause areas or surfaces where the The flow is slowed down either by particles of larger volume, or agglomerates of particles or clusters of particles partially or entirely blocking orifices of the screen. The material flow is then disturbed and the flow decreases, sometimes strongly. It is then required to carry out an intervention aimed at eliminating the obstruction areas and / or at cleaning the screen. In addition, the need to access the internal parts is required for tool change and / or inspection, for example allowing an operator to visually inspect the tool at each batch change, in order to detect an abnormality.

To perform such an intervention, the operator uses the intervention tubes 7 in order to have access to the working volume 20 without affecting the controlled atmosphere. The operator moves the movable tube 3 from the "material flow" position to the "intervention" position. He then has free access to the entrance to the mill. The operations can then be carried out. These operations relate, for example, to the unblocking or cleaning of a sieve, a change of configuration, or the like. To facilitate cleaning operations, an inlet 12 and an outlet 13 for liquids are provided. The inlet 12 and outlet 13 for liquids can also be used for cleaning the enclosure 6 itself. For example, the cleaning liquid, which may be water, is introduced by the arrival of liquid 12 in order to be sprayed onto the interior walls of the enclosure 6, and evacuated by the exit of liquids 13.

When the various stages of the intervention are carried out, the operator reposition the movable tube 3 in "material flow" mode. The nature of the intervention stages, their order and their number may vary depending on the case. In addition, some, or even all of the steps can be automated.

The processing system of the invention therefore allows use in continuous flow mode, that is to say to carry out a continuous material treatment process, without the need to disassemble one or parts of the system and / or replenish the system with the material to be treated. It should be noted, however, that the processing system of the invention nevertheless makes it possible to process the material in a batch (batch) if desired. Thanks to the processing system previously described, the tedious steps of disassembly of the previous systems, as well as the reassembly steps, are eliminated. Furthermore, the arrangement of the inlet tube 2 relative to the mill 4 is fixed, which considerably simplifies the architecture of the elements and the intervention phases, with significant cost savings.

The Figures and their descriptions made above illustrate the invention rather than limit it. In particular, the invention and its various variants have just been described in relation to a particular example comprising a functional unit.

However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention can be extended to other embodiments in which, in variant, two or more functional assemblies are provided in the same enclosure.

The reference signs in the claims have no limiting character. The verbs "understand" and "comprise" do not exclude the presence of elements other than those listed in the claims.

Reference numbers used in the figures

1 system 2 inlet tube 3 movable tube 4 treatment mill 5 internal access 6 enclosure 7 intervention tube to the enclosure 8 adapter 9 tray 11 frame 12 arrival of cleaning liquid 13 outlet of cleaning liquid 14 access tube products / tools to the enclosure 15 motorization of the equipment 20 working volume of the enclosure

Claims (9)

1. System (1) for the treatment of materials in continuous flow, comprising: an inlet tube (2) of material to be treated; a movable tube (3) adapted to receive the material coming from the inlet tube (2); a processing mill (4); in which the movable tube (3) is disposed between the inlet tube (2) of material to be treated and the treatment mill (4), the movable tube (3) being movable between at least two positions, comprising: a material flow position, in which the movable tube (3) hermetically connects the inlet tube (2) of material to be treated to the processing mill (4); an intervention position, in which the movement of the movable tube (3) frees internal access (5) to the treatment mill (4); the movable tube (3), the portion of the inlet tube (2) connecting the movable tube (3) as well as the inlet, of the processing mill (4) being disposed in an enclosure (6) of flexible confinement provided with 'at least one glove box (7) and openings for access to the inlet tube (2) and for the passage of the lower part of the mill (4). 2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movable tube (3) is pivotally mounted. 3. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movable tube (3) is mounted movable in translation. 4. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the enclosure (6) has openings for access tubes (14), providing access to products in and out of the enclosure (6) containment. 5. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a plate (9) surrounding the periphery of the upper portion of the mill (4) and configured to allow recovery of a material capable of flowing during the treatment and / or during disconnection of the movable tube (3). 6. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the enclosure has an inlet (12) and an outlet (13) of liquids. 7. Use of the treatment system according to one of claims 1 to 6 for the treatment of material in continuous flow, the use being carried out either in a material flow mode or in an intervention mode in which: in material flow mode, the material coming from the inlet tube (2) of material to be treated flows towards the mill (4) passing through the movable tube (3) to ensure the routing of the material up to 'to the mill (4) for its treatment by the latter; and in intervention mode, the flow of material from the material inlet tube (2) is interrupted, the movable tube (3) is moved so as to release internal access (5) to the mill, at least one element or zone of the mill undergoes an intervention with the aim in particular of ensuring the resumption of the material flow mode, said intervention being carried out under an atmosphere protected by the confinement enclosure (6), and using minus a glove compartment. 8. Use according to claim 7, in which the displacement of the movable tube (3) between the positions of material flow and intervention is effected by pivoting of said movable tube. 9. Use according to claim 7, wherein the displacement of the movable tube (3) between the material flow and intervention positions is effected by a translational movement.