DE102013221663A1 - Device and method for releasing tobacco in a plant of the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) and a method for releasing tobacco material (T) in a process drum (4), wherein dissolved tobacco material (T *) can be dispensed from the interior of the process drum (4) at a specific temperature. The device (2) and the method are further developed in that at least one temperature sensor (52, 54) for detecting the temperature (60) of the dissolved tobacco (T *) and a fresh air supply unit (21) for supplying fresh air (A) to the Process air are provided with a first volume flow regulator (36), wherein in dependence on the detected temperature (60) of the dissolved tobacco product (T *), the set volume flow of fresh air (A) can be influenced.

Description

The invention relates to a device for releasing tobacco, comprising a process drum having a supply opening provided on a Einbringseite, can be introduced through the tobacco in an interior of the process drum, and provided with a discharge side discharge opening, by the dissolved tobacco with a certain temperature a process air supply unit for introducing process air into the interior of the process drum and means for introducing steam and / or water into the process air and / or in the interior of the process drum, also is a Frischluftzufuhreinheit for supplying fresh air to the Provided process air, wherein by means of the process air present in the interior of the process drum tobacco is treatable.

The invention also relates to a method for releasing tobacco material in a process drum having an introduction opening provided on an insertion side and an application opening provided on an application side, wherein the material to be tobacco is introduced into an interior of the process drum through the introduction opening and dissolved tobacco material having a specific temperature at the Dispensing opening is discharged from the interior of the process drum, and wherein the interior of the process drum process air is supplied and in the process air and / or in the interior of the process drum steam and / or water is introduced, wherein the existing in the process drum tobacco material is supplied with the process air ,

Tobacco is dried after harvest to a relatively low residual moisture content of about 9% to 12% and is usually pressed into bales or packages for shipping. When this relatively dry tobacco is to be further processed into smoke products, it is necessary to separate and separate the individual leaves or leaf pieces or ribs or rib pieces present in the pressed bales from one another. This known as dissolving the tobacco product process is a sub-process of tobacco processing.

The dried tobacco leaves pressed into tobacco bales adhere strongly to each other and are also fragile due to their low moisture content and very sensitive to mechanical effects. The release of the tobacco must therefore be gentle. In the methods used for releasing tobacco, the tobacco bales are first mechanically precut into smaller portions. The tobacco bale is precut for example with a so-called "slicer", preferably perpendicular to the sheet material, cut into tobacco slices or portioned by means of forks.

In a particularly rotatable treatment or process drum, the precut tobacco material is then gently dissolved mechanically under the action of heat and moisture. For this purpose, the tobacco material present in the interior of the process drum is exposed to moist and warm process air. This is supplied with steam and brought to the desired temperature and humidity.

A device for dissolving or treating tobacco is out WO-A-2012/025130 known. This device comprises a rotatable process drum which receives the tobacco material. After completion of the preheating phase, the process air is returned via a return line from the discharge side of the process drum to the feed side. In production mode, the process air circulates through the interior of the process drum and the return line. Continuously supplied steam regulates and regulates the temperature of the process air.

Out DE-A-10 2006 058 059 is a release and conditioning drum of the tobacco-processing industry, in which the tobacco is placed over an entry opening in an interior of the drum, dissolved in this and discharged via a discharge opening from the interior. On the input side, moist and warm process air is introduced into the interior of the drum. On the output side, the process air is removed from the drum. Between the input side and the output side there is a return line through which process air is returned from the output side of the process drum to its input side. Depending on the position of a flap valve integrated into the return line, an adjustable proportion of the process air is returned to the drum or discharged to the environment as exhaust air. Before returning the process air, fresh air from the environment of the drum is sucked in, heated by means of a heat exchanger, and added to the process air.

According to the "flex process" of Hauni Maschinenbau AG, the process air is continuously admixed with a certain amount of fresh air, in particular with a constant time. The Flex process is an option for tobacco conditioning that uses a constant ratio of steam to tobacco. In order nevertheless to compensate for a drift in the process air temperature, a heat exchanger is integrated in the return line. However, this is only possible in a very narrow regulatory area.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for releasing tobacco, wherein an improved control of Process parameters, in particular the process temperature, should be possible.

This object is achieved by a device for releasing tobacco, comprising a process drum with a supply opening provided on a Einbringseite through which tobacco material is introduced or introduced into an interior of the process drum, and provided with a discharge side discharge opening, through the dissolved tobacco a process air supply unit for introducing process air into the interior of the process drum, means for introducing steam and / or water into the process air and / or into the interior of the process drum, a Frischluftzufuhreinheit for supplying fresh air to the process air, wherein by means of the process air the tobacco material present in the interior of the process drum is treatable, the device is further developed by a control unit and a temperature sensor connected therewith for detecting the temperature The fresh air supply unit comprises a first volumetric flow controller controllable by the control unit for controlling a volumetric flow of fresh air supplied to the process air, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the volumetric flow of fresh air supplied to the process air in such a way that depending on the detected temperature of the dissolved tobacco product of the first volume flow controller set volume flow of fresh air can be influenced.

The invention is based on the idea that in a device for releasing tobacco material, the temperature and also the humidity of the process air, by means of a fresh air flow supplied to the process air can be regulated. The volume flow of fresh air, which is added to the process air for the treatment of the tobacco, is regulated in dependence on the temperature of the dissolved tobacco product leaving the process drum. In tobacco processing in the device according to the invention, a direct detection of the temperature of the dissolved tobacco product takes place. Thus, a consistently high quality of the dissolved tobacco product is ensured and its temperature is kept very constant during the dissolution process at a predetermined temperature setpoint. This is especially true when the process is run at a constant ratio of tobacco to steam.

In other words, the device according to the invention uses the temperature of the tobacco product as a controlled variable, wherein the volume flow of the fresh air is the manipulated variable of the process.

In the present invention, the control mechanism is to change the water loading of the process air and thus their relative humidity on the mixing ratio of the process air with fresh air. The addition of fresh air to the process air reduces the relative humidity in the process air. By reducing the relative humidity, the process is promoted that water evaporates the wet surface of the tobacco into the process air until a balance between the discharge of water of the wet tobacco with the water absorption capacity of the process air. For the evaporation process of the water in the process air heat is required, which is withdrawn from the tobacco. Due to the removal of heat for the evaporation process, the tobacco temperature drops in the tobacco. According to the above can therefore be achieved by the addition of fresh air cooling of the tobacco in a simple manner

A regulation of the humidity and / or the temperature of the process air by a volume flow of fresh air admixed with the process air also offers the advantage that a larger control range is available for the temperature and / or the humidity of the process air. In other words, the temperature and / or the humidity of the process air can be varied within a larger parameter range.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the control unit is set up such that the first volumetric flow controller is controllable or regulated in a closed loop in particular such that the volumetric flow of fresh air supplied to the process air can be set or adjusted so that the detected temperature of the in the process drum dissolved tobacco corresponds to at least approximately a temperature setpoint. In other words, therefore, the temperature of the tobacco is controlled by the position of the first volume flow regulator, which is for example a control or throttle.

The control circuit of the device according to this embodiment directly uses the temperature of the dissolved tobacco as a controlled variable. The temperature of the tobacco product is therefore adjusted more reliably and precisely.

In a further embodiment, a return line extending between the discharge side and the delivery side of the process drum for returning process air into the interior of the process drum is provided, wherein a fresh air supply line is connected to the return line and the first volume flow regulator is provided in the fresh air supply line.

In particular, the volume flow regulator is a throttle valve provided in the fresh air supply line, which is also to be referred to as a fresh air flap. Their flap position determines the volume flow controlled by the first volume flow controller.

In particular, this embodiment is further developed in that a heat exchanger is provided in the fresh air supply line, wherein the control unit is set up such that the heat exchanger is regulated or regulated so that the supplied fresh air has a constant and in particular predetermined temperature.

If the temperature of the fresh air is kept constant, it is possible that the temperature and / or the humidity of the process air is determined exclusively by the volume flow of the fresh air supplied to the process air. Advantageously, only the first volume flow controller is required as an actuator for the control loop. In such a device, the process control necessary control and control of the device over conventional devices is simplified.

In particular, the means for releasing tobacco material according to a further embodiment is designed so that a coupled to the return line exhaust pipe is provided for the removal of process air, wherein in the exhaust duct, a third volume flow regulator is provided, and wherein the control unit is arranged such that it the first and the third volumetric flow controller regulates such that a volume flow of fresh air present in the fresh air supply line and a volumetric flow of the exhaust air present in the main exhaust line correlate, in particular correlate linearly.

In other words, the device is thus designed so that a continuous exchange of the process air takes place. Since the volume flows of the fresh air and the exhaust air, apart from the continuously exchanged process air amount, compensate each other, is advantageously dispensed with a dome pressure control. A corresponding hood is optionally provided on the delivery side of the process drum. The absence of the dome pressure control simplifies the design and control of the device for releasing tobacco. An example existing offset between the flow of fresh air and the volume flow of the exhaust air ensures that the additional amount of air introduced does not exit at the bottom of the outlet hood, but with the vapor, so the resulting air during the treatment process, is sucked.

In particular, the device for releasing tobacco material according to a further embodiment is characterized in that a conveyor for supplying tobacco material is provided in the process drum, wherein the control unit is adapted to this conveyor and the means for introducing steam and / or Water controls so that a introduced into the process air and / or in the interior of the process drum first mass of steam and / or water and a second mass of tobacco introduced into the process drum in a constant ratio.

The conveyor is preferably a clock-controlled feed belt, in which in particular a belt scale is integrated. A constant tobacco to vapor ratio is advantageous in view of a simplified control of the device for releasing tobacco material, since this is operable with a continuous mass flow of steam.

In the context of the invention, it is also preferably provided that a Sprinkler unit is provided in the interior of the process drum, wherein liquid is present or acted upon by the sprinkler unit in the process drum tobacco material, and wherein the control unit is adapted to one of this sprinkler unit in the To regulate the treatment drum introduced volume of liquid so that this volume and introduced into the interior of the treatment drum mass of tobacco in a constant ratio.

Both a constant ratio of steam and tobacco volume and between the volume of liquid introduced and the mass of tobacco material allows to drive a very constant process. The media requirement of this process is uniform, i. the amount of vapor and liquid sampled by the device is very constant over time. This simplifies the integration of the device for releasing tobacco in a plant of the tobacco processing industry.

In summary, only one control parameter is used in the device for releasing tobacco according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments. This is the amount of fresh air supplied to the process air. The remaining process parameters, in particular the temperature of the fresh air, the mass of steam and / or water supplied to the tobacco product and the volume of liquid with which the tobacco material is applied, are preferably kept constant. In other words, the control unit is set up in particular to regulate the temperature of the dissolved tobacco product exclusively by the volume flow of fresh air supplied to the process air. In particular, the first volume flow controller is regulated so that the volume flow in the fresh air line is proportional to the volume flow in the exhaust air line. In contrast, the volume flow in the process air return behaves antiproportional to that of the fresh air.

As already mentioned above, the control mechanism is to change the water loading of the process air and thus its relative humidity via the mixing ratio of the process air with the fresh air supplied. For this purpose, a more or less large volume flow of fresh air is supplied to the process air. So that the amount of process air is not changed, the proportion of circulating process air and the volume flow of discharged exhaust air are adjusted accordingly.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the temperature sensor is a first non-contact temperature sensor and / or a second temperature sensor, which is integrated into a component which is in thermal contact, at least indirectly, with the dissolved tobacco material applied to the dispensing opening.

The second temperature sensor is provided for example in a conveyor trough and / or in a discharge hood. It is conceivable that the second temperature sensor is at least indirectly in thermal contact with the dissolved tobacco product, e.g. is arranged in the conveyor trough, which is provided in particular for receiving discharged from the discharge opening dissolved tobacco product.

Advantageously, the temperature of the discharged and dissolved tobacco product with the first and / or the second temperature sensor is detected precisely and quickly, so that the temperature and / or the humidity of the process air can be adjusted with high accuracy.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for releasing tobacco in a process drum having a supply opening provided on a Einbringseite and provided on a Ausbringseite discharge opening, wherein the tobacco is introduced into an interior of the process drum through the insertion opening and dissolved tobacco with a specific Temperature at the discharge opening is discharged from the interior of the process drum, and wherein the process air is supplied to the interior of the process drum and in particular in the process air and / or in the interior of the process drum steam and / or water is introduced, wherein the present in the process drum with tobacco the process air is acted upon, and wherein the method is further developed in that the temperature of the dissolved tobacco product is detected and depending on the detected temperature of the tobacco material a certain volume flow of fresh air of the process air be is mixed to influence the temperature of the dissolved tobacco.

Furthermore, the method is preferably distinguished by the fact that a volume flow of fresh air supplied to the process air is regulated in a closed loop in particular in such a way that the detected temperature of the dissolved tobacco product corresponds at least approximately to a temperature setpoint.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the fresh air added to the process air is heated to a predetermined, in particular constant, temperature, in particular heated.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a first mass of tobacco material and in the process air and / or in the interior of the process drum a second mass of steam and / or water is introduced into the interior of the process drum, wherein the first and the second mass in a constant ratio to stand by each other.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, a liquid is introduced into the interior of the process drum, whereby the tobacco material is charged with this liquid, and a volume of the introduced liquid and a mass of tobacco material introduced into the process drum are in a fixed relationship to one another.

The same or similar advantages as already mentioned with regard to the device for releasing tobacco in connection with one or more embodiments, apply in the same or similar manner to the method for releasing tobacco and are therefore not to be repeated.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

1 1 schematically a perspective view of a device for releasing tobacco product according to an embodiment,

2 schematically a simplified process scheme for carrying out a method in the 1 illustrated device according to an embodiment,

3 schematically another simplified process diagram for performing a method according to another embodiment and

4 a simplified and schematic diagram in which time-dependent parameters of the device during the implementation of the method according to an embodiment of the invention are shown.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

1 shows schematically in simplified perspective view a device 2 for releasing tobacco. This comprises a preferably cylindrical process drum 4 in which the tobacco product is dissolved and optionally treated. The process drum 2 is in particular driven in rotation by a drive, not shown, wherein its axis of rotation has a predetermined inclination angle of for example 2 ° relative to the horizontal.

The pre-cut tobacco is an interior of the process drum 2 on a front side provided Einbringseite 6 supplied via an insertion opening, not shown. At an opposite application side 8th the process drum 4 it will be inside the process drum 2 dissolved and optionally treated tobacco with a certain temperature from the interior of the process drum 4 applied.

In the process drum 2 The tobacco good can not only be solved, but also subjected to further treatment steps. For example, the tobacco can be sauces. For this purpose, the interior of the process drum 2 be divided into a loosening zone and a treatment zone.

The tobacco is the process drum 4 on the insertion side 6 via a conveyor 10 fed, which is in particular a clock-controlled feed belt, in which a belt weigher is integrated. At the opposite application side 8th is a hood 12 intended. The tobacco leaves the hood 12 at the bottom and is on a conveyor trough 14 supplied to the subsequent processing steps.

The device 2 for releasing tobacco material comprises a process air supply unit for introducing process air into the interior of the process drum 4 , There is also a fresh air supply unit 21 provided that a heat exchanger 24 and a fresh air supply 22 includes. The process air supply unit in particular comprises a return line 16 , which from the application side 8th to the insertion side 6 the process drum 4 runs, whereby at the Ausbringseite 8th sucked process air to the feed side 6 the process drum 4 is returned. In the return 16 is another heat exchanger 18 intended. The process air is through a in the return line 16 provided, suitable blower 20 promoted.

The fresh air supply 22 is with the return 16 at the junction 48 connected. The fresh air drawn in from the environment or from the atmosphere is removed by means of the heat exchanger 24 tempered, and preferably heated to a constant and in particular predetermined temperature. In particular, the fresh air is drier and / or warmer than the process air during operation of the facilities 2 for treating tobacco.

At the application side 8th the process drum 4 is process air via an exhaust system of the device 2 withdrawn. The exhaust air leaves the system via an exhaust air outlet 26 , With the exhaust pipe 26 is a main exhaust pipe 28 connected. In addition to this main exhaust line 26 further exhaust ducts 34 connected. These promote exhaust air from one on the introduction side 6 provided first exhaust hood 30 and from one to the delivery side 8th provided second exhaust hood 32 , Also, the exhaust air flow is using a suitable blower 20 maintained so that the exhaust air through the exhaust port 26 can be deducted from the plant.

The device 2 for releasing tobacco also comprises at least one temperature sensor 52 . 54 for detecting the temperature of the dissolved tobacco.

By way of example, the in 1 shown device 2 two temperature sensors 52 . 54 , A first temperature sensor 52 is a non-contact temperature sensor, in particular an infrared sensor. Alternatively, the first temperature sensor 52 in the hood 12 , which is an outlet hood provided. The second temperature sensor 54 is in 1 for example in the conveyor trough 14 integrated. At the second temperature sensor 54 it may be, for example, a thermocouple. The second temperature sensor 54 is in at least indirect thermal contact with the from the process drum 4 discharged and in the conveyor trough 14 further promoted dissolved tobacco.

For supplying fresh air to the process air is with the return line 14 the fresh air supply unit 21 connected. In order to control and regulate the volume flow of the fresh air mixed in the process air, the fresh air supply line comprises 22 also a schematically illustrated first volume flow regulator 36 ,

In this first volumetric flow controller 36 it is in particular a throttle or control flap. It should be referred to in the context of this description as a fresh air flap FL. To control the volume flow of the process air includes the return line 16 a second volume flow controller 38 , Also with the second volume flow controller 38 it is preferably a throttle or control flap. It should also be referred to as process air flap KL in the context of this description. Finally, the exhaust duct includes 28 a third volume flow controller 40 to control the volume flow of the exhaust air. Also this third volume flow controller 40 is preferably designed as a throttle or control flap, this (r) should also be referred to as exhaust air flap AL.

The device 2 for releasing tobacco also includes a control unit 42 , which is arranged such that it depends on the detected temperature of the dissolved tobacco product from the first volume flow regulator 36 adjusted volume flow of fresh air influenced. The second and third volume flow controller 38 . 40 be dependent on the position of the first volume flow controller 36 adjusted. In particular, the second volume flow regulator 38 proportional to the first volumetric flow controller 36 regulated. The third volume flow controller 40 is in particular antiproportional to the first volume flow controller 36 regulated. In the control unit 42 In particular, a straight line equation is stored which determines the position of the fresh air flap FL for the exhaust air flap AL

Further details on the operation of the facility 2 to loosen tobacco goods are related to 2 which describes a simplified process scheme for carrying out a method for releasing tobacco in the in 1 shown installation, according to another embodiment, shows.

The process drum 4 in particular precut tobacco material T is supplied, which in the process drum 4 is solved. To dissolve the tobacco product T, the process air is subjected to steam S. This is done by passing the process air through one in the return line 16 integrated steam nozzle 44 and / or via a directly in the interior of the process drum 4 existing steam nozzle 44 Steam S is supplied. Also located in the interior of the process drum 4 a sprinkler unit 46 by means of which in the process drum 4 existing tobacco T with a liquid, in particular with water, is applied. By the action of heat and moisture, the tobacco T is released, so that at the Ausbringseite 8th the process drum 4 dissolved tobacco good T * is provided.

The inside of the process drum 4 existing tobacco T is subjected to the process air. This circulates through the return line 16 from the application side 8th the process drum 2 to the introduction side 6 , The return 16 includes the second volume flow controller 38 or the process air flap PL, so that the volume flow of the process air can be regulated.

With the return air leading the process air 16 are a fresh air line 22 and the main exhaust pipe 28 connected. For controlling the volume flows in the fresh air line 22 , the return 16 and in the main exhaust pipe 28 are in the respective lines a first to third volumetric flow controller 36 . 38 . 40 intended. The volume flow controllers are with the control unit 42 connected.

The control unit 42 is adapted to the volume flow of the fresh air by appropriate control of the first volume flow controller 36 to regulate so that the volume flow of the fresh air and the volume flow of the exhaust air, which by the position of the third volume flow controller 40 is determined, essentially compensate each other. In other words, the first volumetric flow controller 36 and the third volume flow controller 40 controlled at least approximately synchronously. In particular, a straight-line equation between the position of the fresh-air flap FL and the exhaust-air flap AL, which is in the position of the first volume-flow controller, can be stored in the control 36 and the position of the third volumetric flow controller 40 reflects.

This regulation of the fresh air flap FL and the exhaust air flap AL serves to ensure that the additional amount of air supplied is not at the bottom of the hood 12 but it is sucked off with the vapors.

The first volume flow controller 36 and the second volumetric flow controller 38 , which determines the volume flow of the process air PL, however, are driven in opposite directions. By the described control of the first to third volume flow controller 36 . 38 . 40 is the process air, depending on the position of the first volume flow controller 36 , at the junction 48 added a certain amount of fresh air.

The process air is especially continuous with the help of the blower 20 promoted. The system supplied fresh air A is further preferably in the heat exchanger 24 tempered to a constant, and in particular predetermined temperature and in particular heated. For this purpose, the heat exchanger 24 to a live steam line 50 connected, which is fed with steam S. The heat exchanger 24 for heating the fresh air A is further in particular by a control loop, comprising in temperature sensor 56 , an integral proportional control 57 and a control valve 58 , regulated. In the heat exchanger 24 accumulating condensate C is withdrawn from the plant.

The device 2 whose function in the functional diagram of 2 is shown schematically, also includes at least one temperature sensor 52 . 54 , whose measured value as a controlled variable for the position of the first to third volumetric flow controller 36 . 38 . 40 serves. In particular, the measured value of the at least one temperature sensor was used 52 . 54 as a controlled variable for the position of the first volumetric flow controller 36 because the position of the second and third volumetric flow controller 38 . 40 depending on the position of the first volumetric flow controller 36 he follows.

At the application side 8th the process drum 4 is the second exhaust hood 32 shown which via the exhaust duct 34 with the fan 20 is connected so that the system exhaust air AEX is deducted.

3 schematically shows a process diagram according to another embodiment. The basic structure of in 3 shown process schema is already off 2 so that only the differences compared to the process diagram shown there should be discussed.

This in 3 Process diagram shown relates to a process drum like her WO-A-2012/025130 is known. Unlike the in 1 illustrated embodiment, this process drum only a heat exchanger ( 28 , see publication WO-A-2012/025130 ) on. This heat exchanger (reference numeral 24 in 3 ) is used on the one hand for preheating the process drum and is used in the present invention in addition to heating the fresh air

4 schematically shows the time-dependent trace for the means of at least one temperature sensor 52 . 54 detected temperature (reference numeral 60 ) of the tobacco material T in ° C over time in any units. The horizontally extending dashed line (reference numeral 62 ) indicates the desired temperature setpoint of the dissolved tobacco product T *.

Also, in 4 the positions of the three volumetric flow controllers 36 . 38 . 40 shown. By way of example, it is assumed that these are throttle or control flaps whose position determines the volume flow for the fresh air, the process air and the exhaust air. The flap positions are plotted on the scale to the right side. The value "0" stands for a closed flap and the value "1" for an opened flap.

From the diagram of 4 It can be seen that the volume flow of the fresh air FL and the volume flow of the exhaust air AL are controlled synchronously with each other, so that, apart from a continuous exchange of process air PL, the two volume flows compensate each other. The position of the process air damper is opposite or antiproportional to the position or control of the fresh air damper. This ensures that the sum of the interior of the process drum 4 withdrawn process air and the process air added fresh air is always constant.

During a heating phase I, the fresh air flap FL is completely closed. The process air flap PL, however, is completely open. The process air is passed through the return line during the heating phase 16 and the interior of the process drum 4 circulated and continuously heated. During the heating phase, the temperature of the tobacco product rises continuously until its temperature reaches the desired target temperature (horizontal dashed line; 42 ) has reached. Since at the beginning of this phase no tobacco product through the process drum 4 is promoted, the temperature control can be performed based on the process air temperature.

In the subsequent start-up phase II, the process air is increasingly mixed with fresh air. Accordingly, the fresh air flap FL is opened while the process air flap PL is increasingly closed. The exhaust air flap AL is controlled substantially proportional to the fresh air flap FL, with the possibility to maintain a constant offset or to deposit a straight-line equation in the control. Thus opens together with the fresh air flap FL and the exhaust air flap AL.

In about the middle of the region II, the measured temperature falls below (reference numeral 60 ) of the dissolved tobacco T * the temperature setpoint (reference numeral 62 ). This has the consequence that the fresh air content of the process air is reduced, which means that the fresh air damper FL continues closed and the process air flap PL is opened again.

In area III finally a stable state is reached, the flap positions of the fresh air flap FL, exhaust air flap AL and process air flap PL are subject to only slight fluctuations. The actual temperature of the dissolved tobacco good T * can, except for small deviations from the desired target value 62 be tempered.

All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

 Facility

4

 process drum

6

 Einbringseite

8th

 Ausbringseite

10

 conveyor

12

 Hood

14

 conveyor trough

16

 return

18

 second heat exchanger

20

 fan

21

 Fresh air supply unit

22

 Fresh air supply

24

 first heat exchanger

26

 air vent

28

 Main exhaust duct

30

 first exhaust hood

32

 second exhaust hood

34

 exhaust duct

36

 first volume flow controller

38

 second volumetric flow controller

40

 third volumetric flow controller

42

 control unit

44

 frother

46

 sprinkler

48

 junction

50

 Steam line

52

 first temperature sensor

54

 second temperature sensor

56

 temperature sensor

57

 Integral proportional control

58

 control valve

60

 Temperature of the dissolved tobacco

62

 Temperature setpoint

A

 fresh air

C

 condensate

S

 steam

W

 water

T

 tobacco product

T *

 dissolved tobacco good

AEX

 exhaust

FL

 Position of the fresh air damper

PL

 Position of the process air damper

AL

 Position of the exhaust air flap

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 patent literature

• WO 2012/025130 A [0006, 0068, 0068]
• DE 102006058059 A [0007]

Claims (15)

Facility ( 2 ) for releasing tobacco product (T), comprising a process drum ( 4 ) with a at a Einbringseite ( 6 ) provided through the tobacco feed (T) in an interior of the process drum ( 4 ) can be introduced, and with a at a Ausbringseite ( 8th ) provided discharge opening, through the dissolved tobacco (T *) with a certain temperature from the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) can be carried out, a process air supply unit for introducing process air into the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) and means ( 44 . 46 ) for introducing steam (S) and / or water (W) into the process air and / or into the interior of the process drum ( 4 ), a fresh air supply unit ( 21 ) for supplying fresh air (A) to the process air, wherein by means of the process air in the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) existing tobacco material (T) is treatable, characterized in that a control unit ( 42 ) and an associated temperature sensor ( 52 . 54 ) for detecting the temperature ( 60 ) of the dissolved tobacco (T *) is provided, and the Frischluftzufuhreinheit ( 21 ) a first of the control unit ( 42 ) adjustable volumetric flow controller ( 36 ) for controlling a volume of fresh air supplied to the process air, wherein the control unit ( 42 ) is set up to regulate the volume flow of fresh air (A) supplied to the process air in such a way that, depending on the detected temperature ( 60 ) of the dissolved tobacco (T *) of the first volume flow regulator ( 36 ) adjusted volume flow of fresh air (A) can be influenced. Facility ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit ( 42 ) is set up so that the first volumetric flow controller ( 36 ) can be regulated in a closed-loop system, in particular, such that the volume flow of fresh air (A) supplied to the process air can be adjusted such that the detected temperature ( 60 ) in the process drum ( 4 ) dissolved tobacco (T *) at least approximately a temperature setpoint ( 62 ) corresponds. Facility ( 2 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a between the Ausbringseite ( 8th ) and the feed side ( 6 ) of the process drum ( 4 ) running return ( 16 ) for the return of process air into the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) is provided, wherein a fresh air supply ( 22 ) with the return line ( 16 ) and the first volume flow controller ( 36 ) in the fresh air supply line ( 22 ) is provided. Facility ( 2 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that a heat exchanger ( 24 ) in the fresh air supply line ( 16 ) and the control unit ( 42 ) is adapted to heat exchanger ( 24 ) to regulate so that the process air supplied fresh air (A) has a constant and in particular predetermined temperature. Facility ( 2 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that one with the return line ( 16 ) coupled main exhaust line ( 28 ) is provided for the removal of process air, wherein in the main exhaust line ( 28 ) a third volumetric flow controller ( 40 ), and wherein the control unit ( 42 ) is set up so that it the first and the third volume flow controller ( 36 . 40 ) so that one in the fresh air supply ( 22 ) existing volume flow of fresh air (A) with a in the main exhaust line ( 28 ) existing volume flow of the exhaust air (AEX) correlates, in particular linearly correlated. Facility ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a conveyor ( 10 ) for feeding tobacco material (T) into the process drum ( 4 ), the control unit ( 42 ) is set up to use this conveyor ( 10 ) and the funds ( 44 . 46 ) for introducing steam (S) and / or water (W) so that one into the process air and / or into the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) introduced first mass of steam (S) and / or water (W) and a second mass of the in the process drum ( 4 ) introduced tobacco material (T) in a constant ratio to one another. Facility ( 2 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that in the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) a sprinkler unit ( 46 ) is provided, by means of which in the process drum ( 4 ) existing tobacco material (T) can be acted upon with a liquid, wherein the control unit ( 42 ) is adapted to receive one from the sprinkler unit ( 46 ) in the interior of the treatment drum ( 4 ) to regulate the volume of liquid introduced in such a way that this volume of liquid and into the interior of the treatment drum ( 4 ) introduced mass of tobacco (T) are in a constant ratio. Facility ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control unit ( 42 ) is set up such that the temperature ( 60 ) of the dissolved tobacco (T *) exclusively by the process air supplied volume flow of fresh air (A) is controllable. Facility ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one temperature sensor ( 52 . 54 ) a first non-contact temperature sensor ( 52 ) and / or a second temperature sensor ( 54 ) which is integrated into a component which is in thermal contact, at least indirectly, with the dissolved tobacco material (T *) applied to the dispensing opening. Method for releasing tobacco product (T) in a process drum ( 4 ) with a at a Einbringseite ( 6 ) provided introduction opening and one at a Ausbringseite ( 8th ) provided discharge opening, wherein the tobacco material (T) in an interior of the process drum ( 4 ) is introduced through the introduction opening and dissolved tobacco product (T *) with a certain temperature at the discharge opening from the interior of the process drum ( 4 ), and wherein the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) Process air is supplied and in the process air and / or in the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) Steam (S) and / or water (W) is introduced, wherein in the process drum ( 4 ) tobacco material (T) is subjected to the process air, characterized in that the temperature of the dissolved tobacco (T *) is detected and in dependence on the detected temperature ( 60 ) of the dissolved tobacco (T *) a certain volume flow of fresh air (A) is added to the treatment of the tobacco (T) provided process air to influence the temperature of the dissolved tobacco (T *). Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the volume flow of fresh air (A) supplied to the process air is regulated in a closed loop, in particular, such that the detected temperature ( 60 ) of the dissolved tobacco (T *) at least approximately a temperature setpoint ( 62 ) corresponds. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the process air admixed fresh air (A) tempered to a predetermined, in particular constant, temperature, in particular heated. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that in the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) a first mass of tobacco material (T) and in the process air and / or in the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) a second mass of vapor (S) and / or water (W) is / are introduced, wherein the first and the second mass are in a constant ratio to one another. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that in the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) a liquid is introduced and the tobacco product (T) is acted upon with this liquid, wherein a volume of the in the interior of the process drum ( 4 ) introduced liquid and one in the process drum ( 4 ) introduced mass of tobacco (T) in a fixed relationship to each other. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the temperature of the dissolved tobacco product (T *) is controlled exclusively by the process air supplied to the volume flow of fresh air (A).

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