DE102010032610A1 - Device for drying biological material e.g. wood chip, to be discharged from light and gasification plant in food industry for e.g. breeding, has space-limiting device supplying biological material to conveyor belt - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a drying space arranged with the functional units (2, 4). One of the functional units comprises an air supply opening for supplying air and an air release opening for discharging air. The air supply opening and the air release opening are spaced apart. A conveyor belt transports the biological material. A material supply port supplies the biological material in the drying space. A material discharge opening discharges the biological material from the drying space. A space-limiting device supplies the biological material to the conveyor belt. An independent claim is also included for a method for drying biological material in a drying space.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for drying biological material comprising a drying space in which at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit is arranged, wherein at least one functional unit has an air supply opening for supplying air and an air discharge opening for discharging air and the air supply opening and the air discharge opening are spaced apart from each other, a conveyor belt for transporting the biological material and a material feed opening for feeding the biological material into the drying room, and a material discharge opening for discharging the biological material from the drying room.

High product requirements are placed on the production of pressed bodies made of biological material. For example, after the DIN EN 14961 a maximum residual moisture content of 10% after the drying process of the biological material, since a low residual moisture causes an increased calorific value. Residual moisture is generally understood to mean the water content remaining in the material after drying, often by weight.

Large-scale facilities are known from the prior art, which biological material, for example, wood chips or wood pellets, withdraw the water in Einbandtrocknern. However, these cover dryers require both a large space and energy requirements.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device which allows the drying process quickly, space-saving and cost-effective. This is inventively achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The device according to the invention has a space-limiting device for drying biological material on a first conveyor belt for layer-like application of the biological material.

For drying biological material in the device according to the invention, any biological material is suitable, in particular biological mixed material. For example, organic chaff and / or fiber base material such as hay, straw, wood, miscanthus, switch grass, reeds, sorghum, fermentation residues from dry and wet fermentation, wood chips, paper or cotton can be used. Furthermore, mixed biological material can also be used with additives such as vitamins, binders or granules. It is conceivable that the biological material is introduced as bulk material into the device according to the invention or, for example, already compressed as a pressed body, the device according to the invention is supplied. Applications find the dried biological material, which is removed from the device according to the invention, in lighting and gasification plants, in the feed industry as concentrates, z. B. for breeding or sport, for the disposal or recovery of organic materials, for fertilizer treatment in agriculture, for isolation purposes in construction or for the production of litter for small animals.

The space-limiting device is preferably arranged on the upper side of a first functional unit and has a first upwardly open and upwardly open opening, which is acted upon with biological material, and a second opening, preferably on the underside of the space-limiting device, through which the supply of the biological Material takes place in the drying room.

Preferably, the space-limiting device is funnel-shaped, so that the shape of the space-limiting device tapers conically towards the bottom of the device. This can be done uniformly, for example, so that the space-limiting device takes the form of a regular circular truncated cone. In addition, the conical taper can also be uneven, so that, for example, extending to the bottom of the device first side wall of the space-limiting device is longer than a opposite and spaced from her second side wall of the space-limiting device, resulting in an inclined, ramp-like first side wall. The second side wall opposite it is preferably formed vertically.

The first upwardly open opening of the space-limiting device can be designed, for example, round or square. For improved supply of the biological material is also conceivable to provide an additional filling aid, for example in the form of a funnel-shaped attachment, which closes with the circumference of the upwardly and upwardly open opening of the space-limiting device and thus additionally increases the feed opening in its cross section.

The opening provided on the underside of the space delimiting device for the layer-like application of the biological material to the first conveyor belt is angular, preferably rectangular or elliptical, formed and extends are advantageously over the entire width of first conveyor belt, for example in the form of a slot. The supplied biological material is thus applied sporadically to the first conveyor belt. By separating the biological material, the device according to the invention enables faster drying of the biological material. If the biological material were not isolated through the drying room, but for example as accumulations of material, then only the outer areas of the accumulation of material would be deprived of water, the interior would continue to remain moist. Under moist is a residual moisture of the biological material of greater than 10% by weight and less than 70% by weight to understand.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the space-limiting device has a plate-like separating element. This is preferably arranged transversely to the transport direction of the biological material in such a way that the distribution of the biological material is such that, for example, pressed bodies, often referred to as pellets, are applied in a monolayer on a first conveyor belt. A monolayer is to be understood as meaning a single layer, for example of compacts, which is not covered by further compacts.

If, however, loose bulk material is used, such as, for example, unpressed wood chips, the plate-like separating element distributes the bulk material on the first conveyor belt in such a way that the resulting layer has the same layer height over the entire width of the first conveyor belt.

Between the separating element and the conveyor belt, a gap is preferably formed which determines the layer height.

Advantageously, the plate-like separating element is arranged adjustable in height, so that the vertical distance between the plate-like separating element and the first conveyor belt is adjustable. This is advantageous since the separation of the biological material as a function of the size of the biological material can thus be set. Thus, for example, an open bulk material such as wood chips requires a much smaller distance between the plate-like separating element and the first conveyor belt than is the case with the supply of compacts.

In addition, it is conceivable that the separating element is preferably arranged vertically. This is advantageous since the plate-like separating element thus assumes the function of a separator and separates the biological material. Furthermore, it would also be conceivable to arrange the separating element in a vertically different, inclined position, preferably in an angular range of 90 to 120 ° with respect to the first conveyor belt.

Preferably, the edges of the plate-like separating element, which have direct contact with the biological material, formed rounded, so that compressed biological material is not damaged and a material abrasion is reduced. Furthermore, it would also be conceivable that at the edges, which have direct contact with the biological material, a brush-like element made of heat-stable and preferably elastic plastic is arranged, so that the separation of the biological material almost no material abrasion caused. In addition, it would also be conceivable that in the case of an oblique position of the plate-like separating element, this instead of a rounded edge, a bevelled edge, whereby the separation of the biological material is also facilitated.

The plate-like separating element and the entire space-limiting device can be made of heat-stable and low-wear material such as plastic, metal, ceramic or the like.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a plurality of conveyor belts in the interior of the functional units are spaced apart in the vertical direction. This is advantageous since with a small amount of space as well as a small base / floor space of the device according to the invention is sufficient to dry a high throughput of biological material without long transport channels must be used. The vertical spacing of the conveyor belts to each other is adjustable, so that a plurality of conveyor belts can be used in a functional unit. This advantageous arrangement of the conveyor belts a level drying is possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one conveyor belt, preferably all, is arranged horizontally in all functional units horizontally. This is advantageous for lossless material transport, so that fragmentation and material abrasion are prevented during transport of the biological material. The conveyor belts are preferably arranged in each case circumferentially and have at least one drive device and preferably at least one tensioning station. Depending on the length of the belt, several drive devices and tensioning stations are conceivable.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the conveyor belts are designed to be permeable to air. This is particularly advantageous, since thus the the Device supplied air can be removed through the openings of the conveyor belt, whereby the drying of the biological material is accelerated compared to an air-impermeable conveyor belt. In an air-impermeable conveyor belt experiences only the surface of the biological material which is remote from the conveyor belt and thus in contact with the supplied air is a dehydration, whereas the conveyor belt facing surfaces of the biological material undergo no drying. The biological material is thus dried unevenly, which affects the quality of the material.

In a further advantageous embodiment transfer means are provided for transferring the material from a first conveyor belt to a second conveyor belt. These transfer devices are advantageously used to redeploy the biological material, so that it undergoes a constant drying, whereby the quality is increased. Advantageously, the transported biological material from the first conveyor belt is selectively transferred to a second conveyor belt by the transfer means, whereby material abrasion and fragmentation fragmentation can be reduced. Preferably, such a transfer device is arranged in the transport direction of the biological material at the end of a conveyor belt, which may be formed, for example, ramp-like or funnel-like. Preferably, the transfer device has at least one inclined surface on which the biological material impinges after the deflection of the conveyor belt. This surface is inclined in a variable angle range. The transfer device is variable in height and / or inclination, preferably in an angular range of 120 ° to 150 ° with respect to the underlying, further conveyor belt, and thus also adaptable to the vertical distance of the spaced apart conveyor belts.

Due to the ramp-like formation, a gentler redistribution of the biological material takes place by reducing the drop height, as if the biological material were to impinge directly on the further conveyor belt. Advantageously, the transfer devices are designed to be flexible and heat-resistant, so that the material abrasion and fracture fragment formation are additionally reduced.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a heating element at the bottom and an exhaust device are arranged on the ceiling of a first functional unit. The heating element, for example designed as a recuperator, heats the air supplied via the air supply opening, which is preferably supplied in the lower region of the functional unit. The heated air rises and absorbs the moisture contained in the biological material, thereby cooling the air itself. An exhaust air device, which is located on the ceiling of the first functional unit and designed, for example, as a ventilator or suction pump, discharges the air enriched with water out of the device and causes the drying of the biological material. The generated air flow is thus directed from bottom to top. Furthermore, however, it would also be conceivable that the heating element and the exhaust device are arranged reversed in their position, which would also change the flow direction of the air flow and would also run from top to bottom.

Advantageously, the flow direction of the air flow and the transport direction of the biological material are at an angle other than 0 ° to each other and are particularly preferably substantially perpendicular to each other.

Moreover, it is advantageous if each of the functional units has at least one heating element and at least one exhaust device. Preferably, the heating and ventilation performance for each functional unit is different to that of the other functional units adjustable. Each functional unit thus has a separately adjustable drying performance, so that, for example, the first functional unit to which the biological material is supplied has a higher drying performance than the subsequent second functional unit.

Preferably, the setting of the drying performance is done automatically. For this purpose, it is conceivable for a sensor to be arranged in the area of the material feed opening of the room delimiting device, which detects the water content of the supplied biological material and preferably also its temperature and forwards it to a control device. This control device regulates the power of the heating element and / or the air supply, so that when biological material with a high proportion of water weight, the heating power and the supplied air flow are raised. If the biological material has a low proportion of water weight, for example, the heating power and the air volume flow are throttled. In addition, it is also conceivable to control the exhaust air device as a function of the water weight fraction of the biological material.

Furthermore, it would be conceivable to attach a further sensor for checking at the material discharge opening of the drying space, which determines the residual moisture contained in the product and whose signals are detected by another or the same control device and also regulate the heating power and the air volume flow. Preferably, this control is done automatically by Computer, especially preferred with a programmed software routine.

Advantageously, a plurality of functional units are constructed in a modular manner. In this way it is possible to expand the system, for example, depending on different needs of the user by individual functional units. Furthermore, it is also possible to vary the length of the individual functional units.

Furthermore, the present invention comprises a method for drying biological material in a drying room, in which at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit is arranged, wherein at least one functional unit is supplied via an air supply opening air and / or air is discharged via an air discharge, wherein In which a conveyor belt for transporting the biological material is arranged and to which the biological material is supplied via a material feed opening and from which the biological material is discharged via a material discharge opening and a space-limiting device, the layer-like application of the biological material allows for a first conveyor belt.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

Show:

1 an exploded view of a part of a device according to the invention;

2 a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention;

3 a further schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention;

4 a further illustration of a device according to the invention;

5 a further illustration of a device according to the invention;

6a -C illustrations of the heating element.

1 shows an example of an exploded view of the frame device of the device according to the invention 1 , The drying space is formed by a first functional unit 2 , a second functional unit 4 and a third functional unit 6 , their frame structures 2a . 4a and 6a shown here. All functional units are at the bottom 12 a recess for the arrangement of a Heizelementhalterung 15 on, so that optionally in each functional unit a separate heating element 24 (see. 6a - 6c ) can be arranged. Furthermore, each functional unit preferably has on the upper side 14 over another bracket 16 for the arrangement and fixation of the exhaust device (not shown). Both mounts 15 and 16 are removably arranged and fixed, for example, screws or connectors. At the frame 2a the first functional unit 2 and on the frame 6a the last functional unit 6 are two more frame structures 8th respectively. 10 arranged, which of the recording of the material feed (frame construction 8th ) and the Materialabführeinrichtung (frame construction 10 ) serve. Advantageously, the frames exist 2a . 4a and 6a the functional units 2 . 4 and 6 as well as the frame constructions 8th and 10 made of metal.

The functional units 2 . 4 and 6 are arranged here, for example, directly adjacent to one another in a row in the longitudinal direction L of the device, wherein along the longitudinal direction L of the device 1 also the transport of the biological material takes place. As shown in the exploded view, the device is 1 not limited to the arrangement of three functional units, but arbitrarily expandable. Furthermore, those in the device 1 used functional units may also be formed differently in their length in the longitudinal direction L. It could also find more or less the modular-trained functional units application.

2 shows a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention 1 , which exemplifies a first functional unit 2 , a second functional unit 4 and a third functional unit 6 comprising, which form the drying space, wherein a total of three vertically spaced conveyor belts 28a . 28b and 28c are arranged, which are horizontal through all three functional units 2 . 4 and 6 extend.

In the frame construction 8th is a material feeder 18 arranged, which is the biological material of the space-limiting device 22 via an upwardly open feed opening 20 feeds, wherein the space limitation device 22 at the top 14 the first functional unit 2 is arranged. The material feeder 18 For example, it can be designed as a screw conveyor or as a conveyor belt. In the lower area of the first functional unit 2 is a heating element 24 arranged, which is designed for example as a plate-like, spiral or tubular bundle-like recuperator. Via an air supply opening (not shown) is the first functional unit 2 Air supplied, which by means of the heating element 24 is heated. The heated air rises, takes that contained in the biological material and water is via an exhaust device 26 from the first functional unit 2 dissipated. The flow direction of the air flow is thus from bottom to top.

In 2 are only in the first functional unit 2 a heating element 24 and an exhaust device 26 arranged. Advantageously, each functional unit used in the device has at least one heating element 24 and at least one exhaust device 26 on. The exhaust device 26 can be configured for example as a fan. That through the room limitation device 22 in the first functional unit 2 supplied biological material (not shown) is layered on a first conveyor belt 28a applied. This first conveyor belt 28a is arranged horizontally and preferably extends through the first functional unit 2 , the second functional unit 4 and the third functional unit 6 where it is by carrying rollers 42 is stabilized. This allows a uniform promotion of the biological material while avoiding material abrasion or fragmentation. All transport belts arranged in the device are preferred 28a . 28b and 28c arranged horizontally through the individual functional units. By using longer or shorter conveyor belts, a change in the number of functional units would also be conceivable.

In addition, the conveyor belts used are permeable to air, for example as a lattice-like hinge or plate bands or as a spiral wire or Drahtösenbänder made of metal. Furthermore, conceivable is the conveyor belts 28a . 28b and 28c made of thermally stable plastic, such as polyester or Teflon.

In addition, the upper deck surfaces of the conveyor belts are also 28a . 28b and 28c which are in direct contact with the biological material, for example coated with ceramic materials for wear protection or with plastics for non-stick coating. In both lattice-like openings and in a wire mesh, care must be taken that the cross section of the openings is smaller than the shortest side of a single component of the biological material, for example a pellet, since otherwise the biological material would not be transported, but would be separated.

Preferably, the conveyor belts used on edge boundaries, which can also serve as edge protection. The edge boundaries serve to secure the biological material, so that this during transport through the individual functional units 2 . 4 and 6 does not slip from the conveyor belt deck and thus minimizes material loss. The drive of the individual conveyor belts 28a . 28b and 28c For example, via motorized pulleys 30 as well as additional motorized idlers 43 , by means of which also the transport speed is adjustable. Thus, it is conceivable that the three conveyor belts 28a . 28b and 28c have a mutually different transport speed of the biological material, to vary in this way the layers of the biological material.

After the deflection of the first conveyor belt 28a via a pulley 30 in the third functional unit 6 the biological material transported in the transport direction T1 is transferred via a transfer device 32a on a second conveyor belt 28b which leads to the first conveyor belt 28a vertically spaced down. The transfer device 32a serves to reduce the height of fall of the biological material, whereby material abrasion and fragmentation are prevented. The transfer device is preferred 32a elastically formed or coated with an elastic cover layer which has contact with the biological material.

The second conveyor belt 28b guides the biological material in the transport direction T2 through the second functional unit 4 back to the first functional unit 2 where there is a second transfer device 32b the third conveyor belt 28c is supplied. The transfer device 32b is designed similar to the transfer device 32a , Both are preferred in their height and also in their angle of inclination relative to the respectively underlying conveyor belt 28b respectively. 28c changeable arranged. For example, if the vertical spacing of the conveyor belts changes 28b and 28c to each other and the transfer device 32b be adapted to the distance so that further the biological material undergoes a shift without being destroyed. The transfer devices are preferred 32a respectively. 32b in an angular range of 120 ° to 150 ° with respect to the underlying conveyor belt 28b respectively. 28c inclined.

The third conveyor belt 28c performs the biological material in the transport direction T3 from the third functional unit 10 through a material discharge opening (not shown) via a transfer element 34 a discharge device 36 to, which is designed for example as a screw or belt conveyor.

3 shows a spatial cross-sectional view of 2 , Same components as in 2 already mentioned have the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

That through the feeder 18 in the room limitation device 22 introduced biological material is replaced by a plate-like separating element 44 layered applied. The room limitation device 22 is preferably funnel-shaped, wherein the material feed opening 20 at the top of the room limitation device 22 is formed such that the biological material without loss of material by the feeder 18 is introduced. The plate-like separating element 40 is preferably vertically aligned, but may also be inclined out of this vertical plane. Advantageously, the plate-like separating element 40 arranged in a height-adjustable manner as a function of the size of the biological material to be dried, so that the biological material stratified on the first conveyor belt 28a is applied. As layer-like is here understood that the supplied biological material on the entire width of the first conveyor belt 28a which is perpendicular to the transport direction T1, is arranged with the same height throughout the layer, so that, for example, in wood pellets a monolayer is formed and no wood pellets are superimposed. However, it would also be conceivable that, for example, deliberately two or more superimposed layers of the material are produced.

Preferably, the transfer means 32a and 32b lateral leading edges 33 on, allowing a transfer of biological material without loss of material on the next conveyor belt 28b or 28c he follows.

In addition, the representation of the device according to the invention 1 in 3 that the functional units 2 . 4 and 6 only through openings for the passage of the conveyor belts 28a . 28b and 28c communicate with each other. These openings (not shown) are through flow flaps 44 changeable in their height cross-section and thus adaptable to the size of the biological material. Therefore, it allows the individual functional units 2 . 4 and 6 can be heated separately without the heated air flow affects the adjacently arranged functional units.

4 shows a rear view of a device according to the invention 1 with three functional units in a row 2 . 4 and 6 , Every conveyor belt 28a . 28b and 28c has at least one drive device 50 , For example, a motor, and at least one band clamping station 52 , which are preferably arranged spaced from each other.

5 shows a spatial representation of the device according to the invention 1 out 4 , In this embodiment, the conveyor belts 28 for improved promotion of biological material mounts 53 exhibit. The brackets 53 are designed such that the biological material preferably without loss of material on the conveyor belts 28 is transported.

6 shows different configurations of the heating element 24 in the form of a tube bundle type heat exchanger. 6a shows the simplest embodiment of a tube bundle-type heat exchanger with an inflow 62 and a drain 60 for the necessary for heating the air component, such as water. Preferably, the individual pipe elements 64 in the transverse direction Q a round cross-section. The supplied via the inflow, preheated water flows through each of the individual tube elements 64 the situation 54 and warm them up. In the arranged state of the heating element 24 in the device 1 The supplied air flows around the pipe elements 64 and is heated by it. Depending on the heat requirement, the tube-bundle-type heat exchanger can have a plurality of vertically spaced, parallel layers 56 and 58 have, as in 6b and 6c shown. The more layers the tubular bundle type heat exchanger has, the faster the supplied air can be heated.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the device according to the invention is used only for cooling biological material. For example, during processing heated biological material of a first functional unit 2 be supplied. No heating element is advantageous 24 provided or turned off, so that the air supplied from below is not heated and the biological material is cooled by the air flow, which generates the exhaust device.

The Applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

first functional unit

2a

first frame

4

second functional unit

4a

second frame

6

third functional unit

6a

third frame

8th

frame construction

10

further frame construction

12

bottom

14

top

15

heater holder

16

Exhaust means holder

18

material supply

20

feed

22

Space-limiting device

24

heating element

26

exhaust device

28

conveyor belt

28a

first conveyor belt

28b

second conveyor belt

28c

third conveyor belt

30

idler pulley

32

Transfer device

32a

first transfer device

32b

second transfer device

33

leading edge

34

Transfer element

36

Materialabführeinrichtung

40

plate-like separating element

42

supporting role

43

supporting role

50

driving means

52

tension station

53

bracket

54

first location

56

second location

58

third location

60

outflow

62

inflow

64

tube element

L

longitudinal direction

T1-T3

Transport direction biological material

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• DIN EN 14961 [0002]

Claims (9)

Contraption ( 1 ) for drying biological material comprising a drying space in at least a first functional unit ( 2 ) and a second functional unit ( 4 ), wherein at least one functional unit ( 2 . 4 ) has an air supply opening for supplying air and an air discharge opening for discharging air and the air supply opening and the air discharge opening are arranged spaced from each other, at least one conveyor belt ( 28 ) for transporting the biological material and a material feed opening ( 20 ) for feeding the biological material into the drying space and a material discharge opening for discharging the biological material from the drying space, characterized in that the device comprises a space limitation device ( 22 ) for layer-like application of the biological material on a first conveyor belt ( 28a ) having. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the space limitation device ( 22 ) a plate-like separating element ( 40 ) having. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of conveyor belts ( 28 ) in the interior of the functional units ( 2 . 4 ) are spaced apart in the vertical direction. Apparatus according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that at least one conveyor belt ( 28 ), preferably all, is arranged horizontally in all functional units horizontally. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the conveyor belts ( 28 ) are permeable to air. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that transfer means ( 32 ) for transferring the material from a first conveyor belt ( 28a ) on a second conveyor belt ( 28b ) are provided. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a heating element ( 24 ) on the ground and the exhaust device ( 26 ) on the ceiling of a first functional unit ( 2 ) are arranged. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of functional units are constructed in a modular manner. Method for drying biological material in a drying room, in which at least one first functional unit ( 2 ) and a second functional unit ( 4 ), wherein air is supplied to at least one functional unit via an air supply opening and / or air is discharged via an air discharge opening, the air supply opening and air discharge opening being arranged at a distance from each other, and in which at least one conveyor belt ( 28 ) is arranged for transporting the biological material and which the biological material via a material feed opening ( 20 ) is supplied and from which the biological material is discharged via a Materialabführöffnung is characterized in that a space-limiting device ( 22 ) the layered application of the biological material on a first conveyor belt ( 28a ).

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