DE102021114688A1 - PULP PREPARATION AND SUPPLY PLANT AND PROCEDURE FOR BUILDING SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant (100) for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of production-quality pulp (160) to at least one fiber-forming plant (200), the plant being constructed in a scalable modular form, and a fiber-forming plant (200) having such a plant (100 ) and a method (300) for constructing such a system (100) and a method (400) for expanding such a system (100). For this purpose, the system (100) comprises at least one supply module (110) and one or more process modules (120), the supply module (110) and the process modules (120) being equipped with a multiplicity of interfaces (150) which are coordinated with one another in order to supply and to connect process modules (110, 120) with each other in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules (120) and to receive the pulp or its components and starting materials via at least one input (130) and to transport it between the process modules (120) and to transport the pulp with Offer production quality (160) via an output (140) for use by at least one fiber forming plant (200).

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a plant for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality to at least one fiber-forming plant, the plant being constructed in a scalable modular form, and a fiber-forming plant with such a plant, as well as a method for constructing such a plant, and a method for expanding it such a facility.

Background of the Invention

It is desirable to protect citizens and the environment from plastic pollution. In particular, single-use plastic products such as packaging materials or plastic cutlery and tableware generate a large amount of waste. In this respect, there is an increasing need for substitute materials for packaging materials and containers made of plastic, with which these products can be made from recyclable plastics, materials with less plastic content or even from plastic-free materials.

The idea of using natural fibers instead of classic plastics in the extrusion process has existed at least since the early 1990s, see for example EP 0 447 792 B1 . As in most fiber processing methods, the raw material basis here is the pulp. In principle, the pulp consists of water, natural fibers and a binder such as industrial starch (potato starch) and has a pulpy consistency.

Since consumers are interested in a wide range of environmentally friendly products with different sizes, shapes and requirements and do not necessarily want them in very large quantities, it would be desirable to have a manufacturing process for environmentally friendly molded parts made of natural fibers and a corresponding machine available to produce these products (molded parts ) effectively, flexibly and reproducibly with good quality. It is also very important here if the molded parts can be produced in large quantities in the shortest possible time, so that systems or stations with a high throughput are desirable.

A pulp can be used as a starting material for the manufacture of products from fibrous material. Pulp is a liquid solution with a certain proportion of fiber material. For a high-quality and reproducible manufacture of products from fiber material, the pulp as the starting material should therefore be manufactured in a controlled manner. For this purpose, a fiber molding plant uses a pulp bath, from which the products made of fiber material are shaped as so-called preforms. Here, only a small part of the pulp from the pulp bath (or reservoir) is used for the respective molding process, which describes the first ordering of the fiber material with a suitable tool (e.g. a suction tool) into the desired product shape. In order for the pulp bath to be of sufficient quality over the entire production time with a large number of successive molding processes, i.e. of a certain purity with a suitable concentration of fiber material in the liquid solution and with the desired properties of the fiber material (length of the fibers, low level of cross-linking of the fibers among themselves, no clumping, etc.), the existing pulp must be reprocessed and used pulp must be reliably replenished with good quality. It is therefore necessary to equip the fiber molding plant for the production of products from fiber material with a pulp preparation and post-supply plant.

For economical operation of the fiber-forming plant, it is also desirable if such a fiber-forming plant with pulp processing and subsequent delivery plant can be set up and put into operation quickly and with little effort. Since fiber-forming plants can vary greatly in size, throughput and number per production site, a pulp processing and replenishment plant would be desirable that could at least meet the essential requirements of different fiber-forming plants and production sites and still enable quick commissioning with little installation effort.

Summary of the Invention

The invention is based on the object of making available a pulp processing and replenishment system which at least satisfies the essential requirements of different fiber forming systems and production facilities alike and yet enables rapid commissioning with little assembly effort.

The object is achieved by a plant for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality to at least one fiber molding plant, the plant being constructed in a scalable modular form, with at least one supply module that includes or at least controls the machines and infrastructure supplies required for operating the plant , and one or more process modules in which the pulp is recycled and/or made for resupply and is then made available, with the supply module and the process modules being equipped with a large number of interfaces that are coordinated with one another in order to connect supply and process modules to one another in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules and the pulp or its components and starting materials via at least one input transport between the process modules and present the production grade pulp via an outlet for use by at least one fiber forming plant.

The term "pulp" (also referred to as suspension) refers to the liquid mass that contains fibers or fibrous material. The term "liquid" refers here to the state of aggregation of the pulp, with the liquid pulp comprising the fibrous material in the form of fibers (liquid solution with the fibrous material). The fibers can be present as individual fibers, as a fiber structure or as a fiber group made up of a number of connected fibers. The fibers represent the fibrous material, regardless of whether they are in the pulp as individual fibres, as a fibrous structure or as a group of fibres. The fibers are dissolved in the liquid solution in such a way that they float in the liquid solution with the same concentration as possible, regardless of location, for example as a mixture or suspension of liquid solution and fiber material. For this purpose, for example, the pulp can be appropriately tempered and/or circulated in some embodiments. The pulp preferably has a low consistency, i.e. a weight percentage of fibrous material less than or equal to 18%. In one embodiment, a pulp with a proportion of fiber material of less than 8%, preferably less than 5%, is used as pumpable pulp, particularly preferably with a target concentration of between 0.75% and 1.25% for the fiber forming process. This small proportion of fiber material can, among other things, prevent clumping of the fiber material in the liquid solution, so that the fiber material can still be processed with good quality. Although clumped fiber material can be formed in the fiber molding plant, it would presumably result in a molded product with a fluctuating layer thickness, which should be avoided in the production of the molded product if possible. In this respect, the proportion of fiber material in the pulp should preferably be small enough so that clumping or chaining does not occur or occurs only to a negligible extent. The liquid solution can be any solution suitable for the fiber molding process. For example, the pulp can be an aqueous solution with the fibrous material. An aqueous solution is, among other things, an easy-to-handle solution.

The subsequent supply of pulp with production quality to the fiber-forming plant is necessary because during the shaping processes of the briquettes in the fiber-forming plant, pulp or fiber material is consumed from the pulp per shaping process, i.e. it is removed from the pulp reservoir in the fiber-forming plant. This changes the properties of the remaining pulp over time. So that a minimum quality of the molding process can be constantly guaranteed, production-quality pulp must be replenished to the pulp reservoir in the fiber-forming plant. For this purpose, the system according to the invention must provide this. The term "production quality" is to be understood as a relative term here, since different fiber forming processes can process different pulps with different qualities. Even for a specific fiber molding process, it only needs to be ensured that the production quality meets certain requirements. The production quality of the pulp could even fluctuate here, provided that it does not fall below a minimum level of quality. The quality of a pulp is measured using a large number of parameters, such as the type and purity of the liquid solution, the concentration of fiber material in the liquid solution, properties of the fiber material such as the length of the fibers, the degree of cross-linking of the fibers with one another, the proportion of clumped fibers, etc The respective production quality defined depends individually on the respective fiber forming process in the fiber forming plant. The term “fiber material” refers to all types of fiber materials suitable for shaping preforms, which may also decompose under environmental influences such as moisture, temperature and/or light. Fiber materials in the context of the present invention are, for example, synthetic fibers or natural fibers obtained from cellulose, paper, cardboard, wood, grass, plant fibers, sugar cane residues, hemp, etc. or from their components or parts thereof and/or appropriately recycled material. However, the fiber material can also refer to artificially produced fibers such as PLA (polylactide), etc., which correspond to the above fiber materials or have their properties. The fiber material is preferably compostable. The system according to the invention is suitable, due to its modular design with the scalable number of process modules, to provide different pulp with different properties in order to meet different production qualities. Depending on the desired production quality and required throughput, the system according to the invention can be scaled accordingly and existing systems can be expanded or modified without effort. The pulp in the desired production quality is made available for acceptance at the exit of the plant.

On the one hand, pulp processing refers to the processing of pulp from starting materials and the reprocessing of pulp by taking up pulp from a pulp reservoir of a fiber molding plant that is or was operated to produce briquettes from the pulp. In this case, the "used pulp" is returned to the input of the plant according to the invention via suitable measures such as return line(s) in order to be received via the input in the plant according to the invention and then processed accordingly so that pulp of production quality is available again at the end. The process paths for reprocessing and resupply from initial materials can be managed separately and only mixed at the outlet or in a final pulp container, or the used pulp is fed into the process for resupply at an earlier point in the process and there together with the "fresh" pulp further processed. Fresh pulp is defined here as the proportion of pulp that is extracted from starting materials that are also fed into the plant via the inlet.

The term "input" refers to one or more external interfaces, which may also be listed separately, via which materials, whether starting materials for the production of the pulp or "used pulp" are introduced into the plant. For starting materials, the entrance may consist of a material hatch into which the starting material or materials are introduced, for example coherent cellulosic material for the production of the fibrous material in the pulp. The exit can refer to one or more connected or separately executed outlets from the system. Since the pulp is provided in a liquid state, the outlet can be designed as a pipe connection with an upstream valve for opening and metering the throughput through the pipe connection. In this respect, the entrance and exit also represent interfaces of the system to the outside.

Modules are separate units that are pre-assembled with their components and can therefore be operated and linked with one another easily and with little effort. The term "supply module" refers to the modules that are only intended to supply and operate the process modules. Due to their equipment, supply modules are not able to carry out the preparation and subsequent delivery process without the process modules, since no process containers are installed in them, for example. On the other hand, the machines and infrastructure supplies required for the process control are installed in the supply modules. The infrastructure supply includes the media supply such as the water connections, power connections, if necessary your own power supply and control devices for process management such as computers with installed process control software, data lines, storage for process recording, etc. The necessary machines include, for example, pumps for material and liquid transport between the process containers in the process modules, valve controls and other required components. The term "process module" means the modules in which the process vessels or process stations required for the spent pulp repulping process and/or the fresh pulp resupply process are installed. The individual process modules can differ depending on the desired process of the system. The system can include several process modules with the same equipment for increased throughput. In plants designed differently, for example, the individual process modules can all be designed differently if all process modules are to complement one another for a common process. Depending on the desired production quality of the pulp provided, some process modules that are present in other plants according to the invention can be dispensed with in some plants according to the invention. If, in the following, only modules are mentioned instead of supply and process modules, the relevant statements apply both to the supply and to the process modules, insofar as this can be implemented within the scope of this invention.

According to the present invention, the connections and transfer positions for media (electricity, water, compressed air, data lines, etc.) and process components (starting materials, pulp intermediate and final stages) of the individual modules are referred to as “interfaces”. In the case of pipe or hose connections, the interfaces can be designed as compatible flanges, for example. In the case of power or data lines, the interfaces can be designed, for example, as connectable connections based on the plug-socket principle. The interfaces can also include other coupling principles, as long as they enable an uncomplicated, fast and reliable connection between the individual modules. The position of the interfaces on the respective modules is pre-assembled and adapted to each other in such a way that direct coupling between the modules is possible. The interfaces are preferably closed by the mere direct arrangement of the modules next to one another. Whether all of the closed interfaces to the neighboring module are also used depends on the intended process. The unused interfaces can be used later Connection of further modules are used, so that a scalability of the system according to the invention is given in the context of the number of free interfaces. The system according to the invention thus has a scalable modular form due to the prefabricated interfaces. In addition, the system can also be operated as a 1-man system with a minimum of personnel.

A pulp processing and replenishment plant is thus made available which at least satisfies the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities in equal measure and nevertheless enables rapid commissioning with little assembly effort.

In one embodiment, the supply module is arranged as a central module in the system and, in the case of several process modules, these are arranged around the supply module. The central supply module thus serves as the central supply island of the system for all surrounding modules. This enables, among other things, a compact design of the system, with an arrangement of the modules on top of one another being expressly included here in addition to the arrangement of the modules on the same level. For this purpose, the supply and process modules also include interfaces not only on the sides in the walls of the modules, but also in the floor and/or in the ceiling of the respective modules.

In a further embodiment, the supply module is made up of a number of sub-modules. This makes it possible for the sub-modules to be able to fulfill different supply tasks, provided that they are equipped with different machines and/or infrastructure supplies. Among other things, this increases the further flexibility of the system.

In a further embodiment, the interfaces are at least partially designed according to the plug-socket principle, preferably all interfaces are designed according to the plug-socket principle. This enables, among other things, faster establishment of connections between the modules.

In a further embodiment, the outlet can be adjusted to the pulp throughput of the connected fiber-forming plant via a corresponding valve. Control valves are known. By controlling the valve, among other things, the pulp output from the plant can be adapted to the current requirements of the fiber-forming plant.

In a further embodiment, the outlet is designed as a multi-outlet for connection to a number of fiber-forming systems. This means, among other things, that several fiber-forming plants can be connected independently of one another to the same plant for subsequent delivery of production-quality pulp. If one of these plants no longer needs pulp, for example because the production of this plant has been stopped, the other fiber-forming plants can continue to be supplied with pulp independently of this. The use of a single plant for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality for several fiber-forming plants also represents a careful use of material and technology and enables effective operation of the fiber-forming plants and the plant according to the invention, since they can be operated continuously over a longer period of time than would be the case with just a single fiber forming line.

In a further embodiment, the multi-outlet is designed so that it can be controlled to an individual pulp throughput of the respective connected fiber-forming plant.

For this purpose, controllable valves can be used for the individual connections to the respective fiber molding systems. Such control valves are known. By controlling the valve, among other things, the pulp output from the plant can be adapted to the current requirements of the fiber-forming plant.

In a further embodiment, the system is operated in such a way that it continuously provides a minimum quantity of pulp at the outlet in order to be removed from the connected fiber-forming system. A continuous material flow at the entrance and exit is the easiest to control operating scenario for a plant. However, the minimum quantity must be removed at the exit in order to manage a continuous process of the plant over a long period of time. In a further embodiment, therefore, the plant is designed and controlled to operate in a continuous mode both at the entrance and at the exit, so that a continuous quantity of starting material for pulp is taken at the entrance and a continuous quantity of production-grade pulp is provided at the exit .

In a further embodiment, the system is intended to allow a material flow varying between a minimum amount and a maximum amount in continuous mode at the entrance and/or at the exit, without the continuous flow of material at the entrance and is interrupted at the exit. The amount of material at the entrance and exit can fluctuate here, but a constant flow of material into the entrance and out of the exit is ensured. This mode of operation is in contrast to a so-called batch process (discontinuous or intermittent process) where there are periods of entry and exit where no material passes through the entry and exit respectively. Since the actual manufacturing process of the pulp within the plant is such a batch process, such a possible variation between minimum quantity and maximum quantity is easier to handle for a transition between continuous material flow at the input and output. In order to simplify this transition from continuous operation from and to external to internal batch operation (discontinuous or intermittent operation) in the process modules, one or more buffer tanks are arranged in the process module or modules.

In a further embodiment, the process module or modules comprises a plurality of containers as process containers or buffer containers. This allows the pulp process to be adapted to the respective needs. The containers can be equipped with their own process machines (sensors, valves, stirrers, etc.), which must be arranged in or on the respective containers in order to be able to carry out the process. However, these process machines are controlled by the supply module and provided with the necessary media.

In a further embodiment, at least some of the containers have a base with a slope in the direction of an edge of the container, preferably the bases of all containers have a slope, particularly preferably a reversibly closable cleaning opening is arranged on this edge of the container. As a result, impurities or components that settle in the respective containers are concentrated at the lower edge of the container, which, among other things, facilitates cleaning of the container and prevents or at least reduces contamination of the container contents. In a further embodiment, the inclination is continuous, and the floor is preferably designed as a flat, inclined surface. In a further embodiment, the slope of the base is at an angle α to the horizontal of between 2 degrees and 15 degrees, with the slope to be selected depending on the concentration of the fiber material; the angle is preferably 3 degrees to 10 degrees. A slope greater than 15 degrees would reduce the available volume of the container too much and would also not be necessary for the settling of materials at the edge of the container.

In a further embodiment, the supply modules and process modules are provided as mobile containers, which, among other things, ensures that these modules can be easily transported and also enables the system according to the invention to be assembled easily and quickly in a modular design, since the outer dimensions of the containers are standardized. This can, for example, be a so-called ISO container with standardized external dimensions. Of course, containers with individual dimensions can also be used as an alternative.

In a further embodiment, the number of interfaces of the supply and process modules that are coordinated with one another in each case comprises a number that exceeds a minimum number of necessary interfaces in a basic configuration, so that free scalability of the system is guaranteed at all times.

The present invention further relates to a fiber-forming plant comprising a plant according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of production-quality pulp to a pulp reservoir of the fiber-forming plant, preferably the fiber-forming plant comprises a return line from the reservoir to the plant for processing the pulp used. A fiber-forming plant is a plant in which a fiber-forming process is carried out to produce shaped articles from fibrous material, starting from a pulp as a starting material. The fiber forming process refers to the process steps in a fiber forming plant that are involved in the forming of the molded part, beginning with the provision of the pulp in the pulp reservoir, the molding of the molded part in the molding station from the fiber material from the pulp, the preforming of the molded part in the Preforming station, hot pressing of the molded part in the hot pressing station and optionally coating the molded part with functional layers, if desired. At the end of the molding process, the preform is output as a product from the fiber molding line.

This provides a fiber-forming plant with a plant for pulp processing and replenishment plant that at least satisfies the essential requirements of different fiber-forming plants and production facilities and still enables the plant according to the invention to be put into operation quickly and with little assembly effort.

• - Bereitstellen eines Versorgungsmoduls, das die zum Betrieb der Anlage erforderlichen Maschinen und Infrastrukturversorgungen umfasst oder zumindest steuert;
• - Bereitstellen eines oder mehrerer Prozessmodule, in denen die Pulpe wiederaufbereitet und/oder zur Nachlieferung hergestellt und anschließend bereitgestellt wird; und
• - Verbinden des Versorgungsmoduls mit dem oder den Prozessmodulen über die Vielzahl jeweils aufeinander abgestimmter Schnittstellen der Versorgungs- und Prozessmodule, um die Infrastrukturversorgung der Prozessmodule zu gewährleisten, damit die Pulpe beziehungsweise deren Bestandteile und Ausgangsmaterialien über zumindest einen Eingang aufgenommen, zwischen den Prozessmodulen zur Aufbereitung beziehungsweise Nachlieferung transportiert werden kann und die Pulpe mit Produktionsqualität über einen Ausgang zur Verwendung durch zumindest eine Faserformanlage angeboten werden kann.

The present invention further relates to a method for constructing a plant according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality to at least one fiber-forming plant, comprising the steps:

• - Providing a supply module, which includes or at least controls the machines and infrastructure supplies required for the operation of the system;
• - providing one or more process modules in which the pulp is reprocessed and/or made for subsequent delivery and then made available; and
• - Connecting the supply module to the process module or modules via the plurality of interfaces of the supply and process modules that are coordinated with one another in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules, so that the pulp or its components and starting materials are received via at least one input, between the process modules for processing or Subsequent supply can be transported and the production grade pulp can be offered via an exit for use by at least one fiber forming plant.

This provides a method for constructing a plant for pulp processing and replenishment plant, with which at least the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities are equally satisfied and yet rapid commissioning of the plant according to the invention with little assembly effort is made possible.

• - Anschließen der für die Erweiterung benötigte Prozessmodule an die noch freien Schnittstellen der bereits vorhandenen Prozess- und Versorgungsmodule; und
• - Betreiben einer so erweiterten Anlage zur Pulpe-Aufbereitung und Nachlieferung von Pulpe mit Produktionsqualität an zumindest eine Faserformanlage.

The present invention also relates to a method for expanding a plant according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality to at least one fiber forming plant, comprising the following steps using a scalable modular form of the plant:

• - Connection of the process modules required for the extension to the still free interfaces of the already existing process and supply modules; and
• - Operation of such an expanded plant for pulp processing and subsequent supply of pulp with production quality to at least one fiber forming plant.

With this method, an existing plant for pulp processing and subsequent delivery can be converted into a plant with little installation effort for quick commissioning, which at least satisfies the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities alike, or such a plant can be used for further requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities can be easily expanded.

In a further embodiment, the method for expanding includes the further step of adding and connecting at least one further supply module to the already existing process and supply modules via the still free interfaces of the already existing process and supply modules.

It should be expressly pointed out that, for the purpose of better readability, “at least” expressions have been avoided wherever possible. Rather, an indefinite article ("one", "two" etc.) is normally to be understood as "at least one, at least two, etc.", unless it follows from the context that "exactly" the specified number is meant there .

At this point it should also be mentioned that within the scope of the present patent application, the expression “in particular” is always to be understood in such a way that an optional, preferred feature is introduced with this expression. The expression is therefore not to be understood as "specifically" and not as "namely".

It goes without saying that features of the solutions described above or in the claims can also be combined if necessary in order to be able to cumulatively implement the advantages and effects that can be achieved here.

character list

In addition, further features, effects and advantages of the present invention are explained with reference to the attached drawing and the following description. Components which at least essentially correspond in terms of their function in the individual figures are identified here with the same reference symbols, with the components not having to be numbered and explained in all figures.

• 1: schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage zur Pulpe-Aufbereitung und Nachlieferung von Pulpe mit Produktionsqualität an zumindest eine Faserformanlage;
• 2: schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage zur Pulpe-Aufbereitung und Nachlieferung von Pulpe mit Produktionsqualität an zumindest eine Faserformanlage;
• 3: schematische Darstellung der Skalierbarkeit der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage;
• 4: Behälter der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage mit geneigtem Boden im seitlichen Schnitt;
• 5: schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Faserformanlage;
• 6: schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsmäßen Verfahrens zum Aufbau der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage; und
• 7: schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsmäßen Verfahrens zur Erweiterung der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage.

The drawing show:

• 1 : schematic representation of an embodiment of the plant according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality to at least one fiber-forming plant;
• 2 : schematic representation of a further embodiment of the plant according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality to at least one fiber-forming plant;
• 3 : schematic representation of the scalability of the system according to the invention;
• 4 : container of the plant according to the invention with inclined bottom in side section;
• 5 : schematic representation of a fiber molding plant according to the invention;
• 6 : schematic representation of a method according to the invention for constructing the system according to the invention; and
• 7 : schematic representation of a method according to the invention for expanding the system according to the invention.

exemplary embodiments

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the plant 100 according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber-forming plant 200, the plant 100 being constructed in a scalable modular form. A supply module 110 is arranged between two process modules 120 here. The supply module 110 includes the machines 112 required to operate the system, such as pumps, etc., and infrastructure supplies 114, such as water, electricity, compressed air, gas, data lines, etc., or controls components of the process modules 120. The process modules 120, on the other hand, are there to Recycle pulp and / or deliver and then provide. In the system, the supply module 110 and the process modules 120 are equipped with a large number of interfaces 150 that are coordinated with one another in order to connect supply and process modules 110, 120 to one another in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules 120 and the pulp or its components and starting materials via receiving at least one input 130, transporting between the process modules 120 and offering the production grade pulp 160 via an output 140 for use by at least one fiber forming plant 200. For this purpose, the interfaces 150 are at least partially designed according to the plug-socket principle. All interfaces 150 are preferably implemented using the plug-socket principle. As can be seen, the number of interfaces exceeds the number required for the operation of this system, which enables a later expansion of the system at any time, since the modules 110, 120 that are added later can be supplied via the free interfaces or can be connected to other modules 110, 120 . The outlet 140 is designed here as a multi-outlet and can be adjusted to the pulp throughput of the connected fiber-forming systems 200 via a corresponding controllable valve 145 . The system 100 can thus be operated in such a way that it continuously provides a minimum quantity of pulp at the outlet 140 in order to be removed from the connected fiber molding system 200 . Further, the plant 100 is configured and controlled to operate in a continuous mode at the entrance 130 and at the exit 140 such that a continuous amount of pulp feedstock is removed at the entrance 130 and a continuous amount of production grade pulp is removed at the exit 140 provided. Furthermore, the system 100 is intended to allow a material flow varying between a minimum quantity and a maximum quantity in the continuous mode at the input 130 and/or at the output 140 without the continuous material flow at the input 130 and at the output 140 being interrupted. Since the system 100 is operated in the process module(s) 120 in a so-called batch process, it includes one or more buffer tanks in the process modules 120. In this case, the process modules 120 are equipped with the process tank 3 and the buffer tanks 5 and 12 . In this case, the supply modules 110 and process modules 120 can be designed as mobile containers.

2 also shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of the plant 100 according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber-forming plant 200, this plant 100 also being constructed in scalable modular form. Here, too, the supply module 110 is arranged as a central module, with the plurality of process modules 120 being arranged around the supply module 110 . In contrast to 1 is in 2 the supply module 110 is composed of two sub-modules 110a, 110b in order to combine the process modules 120 (here in a larger number than in 1 ) to be able to operate accordingly. Here, the sub-modules 110a, 110b can, for example, fulfill different supply tasks, for which purpose they are equipped with a different number of machines 112. For the other components not explained in detail here, refer to the statements 1 and 3 referred. In the process modules are here in 2 For example, the process containers 3, 6, 7, 8 and 11 or the buffer containers 5, 9, 10, 12 and a water tank 4 are shown. Bins 1 - 12 are also shown here only as an illustration of the pulping process. For the functions of the containers 1 - 12 shown here, which are explained in more detail, 3 referred.

3 shows a schematic representation of the scalability of the system 100 according to the invention. Different systems 100 can include different modules, which manifests itself in the different equipment with the containers 1-13. Here, the equipment with the containers 4, 8, 11 and 13 can also be optional, for example. Since the modules 110, 120 have a large number of interfaces that are coordinated with one another 150, which exceeds a minimum number of necessary interfaces 150 in a basic configuration (e.g. the upper configuration with the containers 3-5 and 12-13), free scalability of the system 100 is guaranteed at all times, as shown by the four different system types 100. The components or containers 1 - 13 shown have the following functions:

Component 1 designates a weigher for the incoming cellulosic or fibrous material as starting material for the production of the fibrous material. The scale serves as an input 130 for the cellulosic or fibrous material. The component 2 designates a container with a lever tipping device for filling the pulp material into the container 3, which serves as a so-called pulper, where a first mixture of solvent with pulp material is created or prepared. The container 4 denotes a water tank. Tank 5 designates a buffer tank, tank 6 designates a centrifuge for a fiber concentration of more than 8% wt. (weight percentage) in which the material present can be separated by weight. In the pulp, tanks 7 and 8 designate a grinder for conditioning the fiber material and a deflaker, respectively, in which small agglomerates of fiber material can be separated or dissolved. Tanks 9 and 10 denote buffer tanks in which additives are added. Container 11 designates a rotary screen. Tank 12 also designates a puff tank and tank 13 again a centrifuge, here for a fiber concentration of about 1% wt. (weight percent).

4 shows a container 1 - 13 of the system 100 according to the invention with an inclined bottom B in side section. The container 1-13 has a bottom B with a slope towards here the right edge R of the container 1-13. In other embodiments, the edge can also be arranged on another side of the container. A reversibly closable cleaning opening RO is arranged on this edge R. Here, the inclination is made continuous by the bottom B being a plane inclined surface. The bottom B can have an angle α to the horizontal H between 2 degrees and 10 degrees as an incline. This angle is preferably 3 degrees.

5 shows a schematic representation of a fiber-forming plant 200 according to the invention comprising a plant 100 for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality 160 to a pulp reservoir 210 of the fiber-forming plant 200 and a return line 220 from the reservoir 210 to the plant 100 for processing the pulp used.

6 shows a schematic representation of a method 300 according to the invention for constructing the plant 100 according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber forming plant 200, comprising the steps of providing 310 a supply module 110 that contains the machines required to operate the plant 100 112 and infrastructure supplies 114 includes or at least controls; the provision 320 of one or more process modules 120 in which the pulp is reprocessed and/or produced for subsequent delivery and subsequently provided; and the connection 330 of the supply module 110 to the process module or modules 120 via the multiplicity of interfaces 150 of the supply and process modules 110, 120 that are coordinated with one another in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules 120, so that the pulp or its components and starting materials can be transported via at least one Recorded input 130, can be transported between the process modules 120 for processing or subsequent delivery and the pulp with production quality 160 can be offered via an output 140 for use by at least one fiber forming plant 200.

7 shows a schematic representation of a method 400 according to the invention for expanding the plant 200 according to the invention for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber-forming plant 200, using a scalable modular form of the plant 100, comprising the subsequent steps of connecting 410 the for the extension required process modules 120 to the still free interfaces 150 of the already existing process and supply modules 110, 120; and the operation 420 of a plant 100 expanded in this way for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber-forming plant 200. Here, the method 400 can include the further step of adding and connecting 430 at least one further supply module 110 to the already existing process and supply modules 110, 120 via the still free interfaces 150 of the process and supply modules 110, 120 that are already present.

At this point it should be explicitly pointed out that features of the solutions described above or in the claims and/or figures can also be combined if necessary in order to be able to implement or achieve the features, effects and advantages explained in a cumulative manner.

It goes without saying that the exemplary embodiment explained above is merely a first embodiment of the present invention. In this respect, the design of the invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment.

Reference List

1 - 13

container

3

pulpers

100

Plant for pulp processing and subsequent delivery

110

supply module

110a, b

Sub-module of the supply module

112

Machines such as pumps, stirrers, valve controls, etc.

114

Infrastructure supplies, such as power supply, water supply, data lines, machine and/or process control, etc.

120

process module

130

Entry

140

Exit

145

Valve or valves at the outlet (e.g. controllable)

150

interfaces

160

Production grade pulp

200

fiber molding plant

210

Pulp reservoir of the fiber forming plant

220

Return of the pulp used for processing

a

Angle between the ground and the horizontal

B

Bottom of container 1 - 13

H

horizontal

R

Edge of the container 1 - 13

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 0447792 B1 [0003]

Claims (21)

A plant (100) for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of production-quality pulp (160) to at least one fiber-forming plant (200), the plant (100) being constructed in scalable modular form, with at least one supply module (110) which is required for operation includes or at least controls the machines (112) and infrastructure supplies (114) required for the plant, and one or more process modules (120) in which the pulp is reprocessed and/or produced for subsequent delivery and then made available, the supply module (110) and the Process modules (120) are equipped with a large number of interfaces (150) that are coordinated with one another in order to connect supply and process modules (110, 120) to one another in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules (120) and the pulp or its components and starting materials via to receive at least one input (130), to transport between the process modules (120). en and offering the production grade pulp (160) via an exit (140) for use by at least one fiber forming plant (200). The plant (100) after claim 1 , characterized in that the supply module (110) is arranged as a central module and in the case of several process modules (120) these are arranged around the supply module (110). The plant (100) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the supply module (110) is composed of several sub-modules (110a, 110b), the sub-modules preferably fulfill different supply tasks and are accordingly equipped with different machines (112) and/or infrastructure supplies (114). The system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interfaces (150) are at least partially designed according to the plug-socket principle, preferably all interfaces (150) are designed according to the plug-socket principle. The plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet (140) can be adjusted via a corresponding valve (145) to the pulp throughput of the connected fiber-forming plant (200). The plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet (140) is designed as a multi-outlet for connection to a plurality of fiber-forming plants (200). The plant (100) after claim 6 , characterized in that the multi-outlet (140) is designed to be controllable for an individual throughput of pulp of the respective connected fiber-forming plant (200). The plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plant (100) is operated in such a way that it continuously provides a minimum quantity of pulp at the outlet (140) in order to be removed from the connected fiber forming plant (200). The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system (100) is designed and controlled to be operated in a continuous mode at the input (130) and at the output (140), so that at the input (130 ) taking a continuous amount of raw material for the pulp and providing a continuous amount of production quality pulp at the outlet (140). The plant (100) after claim 9 , characterized in that the system (100) is intended to allow a material flow varying between a minimum quantity and a maximum quantity in continuous mode at the input (130) and/or at the output (140), without the continuous material flow at the input ( 130) and at the exit (140) is interrupted. The system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system (100) is operated in the process module or modules (120) in a so-called batch process and for this purpose one or more buffer containers (1 - 13) are provided in the or the process modules (120). The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process module or modules (120) comprise a plurality of containers (1 - 13) as process containers or buffer containers. The plant (100) after claim 12 , characterized in that at least some of the containers (1 - 13) have a bottom (B) with a slope in the direction of an edge (R) of the containers (1 - 13), preferably the bottoms (B) of all containers (1 - 13) an inclination, particularly preferably a reversibly closable cleaning opening (RO) is arranged on this edge (R) of the container (B). The plant (100) after Claim 13 , characterized in that the slope is continuous, preferably the bottom (B) is designed as a flat inclined surface. The plant (100) after Claim 13 or 14 , characterized in that the base (B) has an angle (α) to the horizontal (H) between 2 degrees and 15 degrees, preferably from 3 degrees to 10 degrees, as an incline. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply modules (110) and process modules (120) are provided as mobile containers. The system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of interfaces (150) of the supply and process modules (110, 120) that are coordinated with one another comprises a number which corresponds to a minimum number of necessary interfaces (150) in a basic configuration exceeded, so that free scalability of the system (100) is guaranteed at all times. A fiber-forming plant (200) comprising a plant (100) for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of production-quality pulp (160) to a pulp reservoir (210) of the fiber-forming plant (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, preferably the fiber-forming plant comprises a return line ( 220) from the reservoir (210) to the plant (100) for processing the pulp used. A method (300) for constructing a system (100) according to one of Claims 1 until 17 for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality (160) to at least one fiber-forming plant (200), comprising the steps of: - providing (310) a supply module (110) which has the machines (112) required to operate the plant (100) and includes or at least controls infrastructure supplies (114); - providing (320) one or more process modules (120) in which the pulp is reprocessed and/or produced for subsequent delivery and then provided; and - connecting (330) the supply module (110) to the process module or modules (120) via the multiplicity of interfaces (150) of the supply and process modules (110, 120) that are coordinated with one another in each case, in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules (120). , so that the pulp or its components and starting materials can be received via at least one input (130), transported between the process modules (120) for processing or subsequent delivery and the pulp with production quality (160) via an output (140) for use by at least one Fiber molding plant (200) can be offered. A method (400) for expanding a system (100) according to one of Claims 1 until 17 for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of pulp with production quality (160) to at least one fiber forming plant (200), comprising the following steps using a scalable modular form of the plant (100): - connecting (410) the process modules (120) required for the expansion to the still free interfaces (150) of the already existing process and supply modules (110, 120); and - operating (420) a plant (100) expanded in this way for pulp processing and subsequent delivery of production-quality pulp (160) to at least one fiber-forming plant (200). The method (400) to extend to claim 20 comprising the further step of adding and connecting (430) at least one further supply module (110) to the already existing process and supply modules (110, 120) via the still free interfaces (150) of the already existing process and supply modules (110, 120 ).

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