DE10302328A1 - Unit combining flowing, powdered or granular solids with fluid, has flow chamber comprising entry and exit sections with intervening constriction - Google Patents

Abstract

The chamber (5, 6) through which the product flows, has an entry section (5) tapering to a constriction, and an exit section (6) widening from the constriction to the outlet. The sections are collinear and rotationally-symmetrical along the flow path. The fluid supply tube (4) and the solids supply tube (3) extend axially or radially into the inlet section. Variant entry geometries are described. A paste supply tube (8) and a further fluid supply point are included. The walls of the chamber may be heated and/or cooled. Internal baffles and deflectors are inclined and/or ribbed. The leading mixing section can be rotated about the chamber axis. The fluid supply is pulsed. Various substances are combined with the solid, e.g. water, air, steam or atomized water. Further additions of e.g. oil, oil vapor, fats or meat pastes may be added. An Independent claim is also included for the corresponding method.

Description

The invention relates to a Device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 19 for merging and mixing at least two fluid-like or fluidizable Components of a product, at least one of the product components a fluidizable powdered up grained bulk and at least one of the product components is a fluid.

Mixing liquids with finely divided solids is one in many areas of technology needed Methods section. For example, in making numerous Food or feed in a first, also as preconditioning designated process section starchy food raw materials in the form of a bulk material, such as. Flour or semolina, with a liquid such as Water or Water vapor and possibly oil or oil vapor, mixed before they are turned into pellets in a further process step, Flakes or the like can be processed further.

With the preconditioners known today are the fluidizable powdery to granular bulk material on the one hand and the atomized or as Vapor present liquid on the other hand to the preconditioner via a solid nozzle for solid material feed or via a liquid nozzle for liquid feed fed separately, before being in it with the help of paddle, leaf or snail Mixing tools are mixed intensively. With this type of preconditioning with water vapor or oil vapor However, it can happen that the steam from the preconditioner passes through the Solid spout escapes. On the one hand, this leads to a loss of steam and thus to a liquid and energy loss, which is the economics of preconditioning as well as the environment of the preconditioner. On the other hand, water vapor, oil vapor or like. disadvantageous in the solid to be fed into the preconditioner, since this is an impairment eligibility and - especially at starchy Material - too a clumping of the solid up to a blockage of the solid feed to lead can.

The invention has for its object a Device and a method of the type mentioned for merging and Mixing a bulk material and a fluid, particularly as a preconditioner provide upstream unit to a solid / liquid mixture generate without the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned in To have to buy.

This task is performed by the device or the procedure according to Claim 1 and 19 solved.

• a) eine kanalartige Produkt-Durchlaufkammer, durch welche sich ein Produktförderweg von einem Schüttgut-Eintritt zu einem Produkt-Austritt erstreckt und in welche
• b) bei dem Schüttgut-Eintritt mindestens eine Schüttgut-Zufuhreinrichtung am förderaufseitigen Ende des Produkt-Förderweges mündet, über die der Produkt-Durchlaufkammer das fluidisierbare pulverförmige bis körnige Schüttgut zuführbar ist, und in welche
• c) mindestens eine Fluid-Zufuhreinrichtung mündet, über die der Produkt-Durchlaufkammer das Fluid zuführbar ist,

wobei die kanalartige Produkt-Durchlaufkammer

• a1) einen förderaufseitig angeordneten kanalartigen Unterdruck-Kammerabschnitt aufweist, der sich entlang des Produkt-Förderweges in der Produkt-Förderrichtung verjüngt, und
• a2) einen weiter förderabseitig angeordneten kanalartigen Mischungs-Kammerabschnitt aufweist, der sich entlang des Produkt-Förderweges in der Produkt-Förderrichtung aufweitet.

The device according to the invention comprises

• a) a channel-like product flow chamber, through which a product conveying path extends from a bulk material inlet to a product outlet and into which
• b) at the entry of the bulk material, at least one bulk material feed device opens at the end of the product conveying path on the conveyor side, via which the fluidizable powdery to granular bulk material can be fed to the product flow chamber, and into which
• c) at least one fluid supply device opens out, via which the fluid can be supplied to the product flow chamber,

the channel-like product flow chamber

• a1) has a channel-like vacuum chamber section arranged on the conveying side, which tapers along the product conveying path in the product conveying direction, and
• a2) has a further channel-like mixing chamber section arranged on the delivery side, which widens along the product delivery path in the product delivery direction.

• – Zuführen des Schüttguts in die kanalartige Produkt-Durchlaufkammer bei deren Unterdruck-Kammerabschnitt;
• – Zuführen des Fluids in die kanalartige Produkt-Durchlaufkammer bei deren Unterdruck-Kammerabschnitt;
• – Erzeugen eines Unterdrucks in der kanalartigen Produkt-Durchlaufkammer im Bereich des Unterdruck-Kammerabschnitts, um das Schüttgut in die Produkt-Durchlaufkammer zu saugen; und
• – Vermischen des eingesaugten Schüttguts mit dem Fluid in der kanalartigen Produkt-Duchlaufkammer.

The method according to the invention has the following steps:

• - Feeding the bulk material into the channel-like product flow chamber at its vacuum chamber section;
• - Feeding the fluid into the channel-like product flow chamber at its vacuum chamber section;
• Generating a vacuum in the channel-like product flow chamber in the region of the vacuum chamber section in order to suck the bulk material into the product flow chamber; and
• - Mixing the sucked bulk material with the fluid in the channel-like product flow chamber.

Through the a1) on the conveyor side End of the product flow chamber arranged, along the conveying direction tapering channel-like vacuum chamber section in the area of the bulk material feed device is guaranteed that no fluid - neither as atomized liquid still as steam - in the funding side too Bulk supply means can penetrate. On the contrary: generating the negative pressure in the product flow chamber takes place in that the fluid in the tapered Vacuum area of the product flow chamber in and in it flows along.

In addition, the a2) continues förderabseitig arranged mixing chamber section a premix and when in use preheating of steam of bulk goods Solid achieved so that part of the conventional Preconditioners performed Steps are taken before the preconditioner, who then does so can be dimensioned smaller.

Preferably, the vacuum chamber section and the mixing chamber section is substantially collinear along the product conveying direction arranged. This carries to a low flow resistance the device according to the invention and one if possible uniform Treatment of the flowing through it Product at.

The vacuum chamber section is expedient and the mixing chamber section rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the product conveying direction. This contributes to the most uniform possible flow conditions over the chamber cross-section and thus for the most uniform treatment possible of the product. Also made possible a circular Chamber cross section perpendicular to the axis of the product conveying direction the use of rotating elements in the product flow chamber as well also their cleaning.

Depending on the space available in the immediate The fluid supply device can surround the installed device according to the invention e.g. an axially extending into the vacuum chamber section Be pipe socket, or it is a side in the product flow chamber which opens Pipe, the end portion of which is angled such that it is axial extends in the vacuum chamber section. With the fluid supply device for the Fluid e.g. atomized in air or as steam can change direction at a bend in the feeder can easily be accepted.

The pipe socket or the end area of the tube of the fluid supply device can be in its in the vacuum chamber section protruding tube end tapers be trained or there can be a shortly before the pipe mouth constriction exhibit. this makes possible the generation of a fluid flow at supersonic speed in the chamber, which increases the efficiency of bulk material conveying.

The narrowing or constriction is formed so that when using steam as a fluid with a Venturi geometry for the fluid delivery device supersonic speed is achieved. Even at a pressure ratio of 2: 1, the narrowest cross section of the fluid feed device speed of sound on. (The speed of sound of water vapor is e.g. between 400 and 450 m / s and is temperature dependent.) The nozzle geometry the fluid supply device is designed so that a Vapor speed of more than 200 m / s and preferably more than 450 m / s is reached.

Usually at essentially from strength existing solids worked with network pressure (for the optimal Wetting the predominantly starchy Solids), with a pre-pressure of 3 to 10 bar in the fluid supply device.

In our case (fluid = water vapor; Solid = flour) is the ratio between steam and solid at approx. 0.1, i.e. the amount of motive steam is 10% of the amount of solids. This results in a negative pressure of approximately 5 to 10 mbar (500 to 1000 Pa). However, this negative pressure is in the Compared to that in a conventional preconditioner Paddle ventilation created negative pressure by a factor of 25 to 50 times bigger, since the ventilation of the preconditioner paddles (mixer shaft) only one Vacuum of about 20 Pa generated.

The bulk material feed device can also depending on the spatial conditions open laterally or axially into the product flow chamber.

In a particularly preferred embodiment extends the mouth the bulk material feed device ring-like around the axis of the vacuum chamber section. Thereby is for the bulk material feed device a relatively large cable cross-section enables, and also relatively uniform pressure and flow conditions exist in the ring cross-section with radius range ΔR and circumferential range 360 °, there is also a relatively uniform promotion of bulk goods via the entire ring cross-section.

The device according to the invention can also have a paste feed device over which a pasty product component can be pressed into the product flow chamber. For example, Flour or semolina together with meat pastes or fat pastes a water vapor and / or oil vapor jet merged and preheated as well as premixed before e.g. into a preconditioner be further conditioned. At this point I would like to point out again pointed out that the inventive device without moving parts at least part of the usual Solid feed and part of the mixing chamber volume one usual Preconditioners can usually replace with each other moving mechanical parts.

The device according to the invention can be another Have fluid supply device via which a further fluid, e.g. oil additionally to water vapor, into the product flow chamber can be dosed.

For For some processes, it is beneficial if the walls of the product flow chamber are heatable or coolable at least in axial sections.

The downstream mixing chamber section can have baffle or deflection elements if necessary, which differ from extend the chamber wall into the interior of the chamber. This contributes to one Deagglomeration and swirling of the bulk fluid / fluid mixture. before it leaves the device. The deflection elements can Axis of the product flow chamber sloping slats or be rib-like structures.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the mixing cam on the delivery side is Mer section rotatable about the axis of the product flow chamber relative to the negative pressure chamber section on the conveyor side. This also promotes deagglomeration and swirling of the bulk fluid / fluid mixture. With a suitable shape or inclined position of the lamellar or rib-like structures, their rotation can also achieve an additional conveying or stowage effect which supports or counteracts the suction effect of the device according to the invention mediated by the fluid jet.

It is also particularly advantageous when the fluid is over the at least one fluid supply device downstream of the bulk material inlet pulsating feed is. Due to the cyclical growth and decay that can be generated acting on the bulk fluid-fluid mixture personnel can Deposits on the inner walls the product flow chamber solved more easily or be prevented from the outset.

In the method according to the invention the negative pressure is advantageously generated by the supplied fluid flowing into the product flow chamber in the tapered Vacuum chamber section of the product flow chamber in which the Fluid flow a Acceleration is forced.

The actual mixing or premixing of the bulk goods with the fluid in the product flow chamber also advantageously takes place by streaming together of the bulk goods with the fluid in the product flow chamber, where in the widen along the product path Mix chamber section a delay in product conveying speed with a tendency to develop turbulence.

In a special application of the invention Device for food or feed production is the most fluidisable powdery to grainy Solid a starchy Powder or granules, e.g. Flour or semolina.

The fluid can then be air, in particular compressed air be, and preferably either already atomized water and / or water vapor, or these are metered into the fluid. The fluid can also consist mainly of water vapor. Preferably become the pouring Fluid or the bulk fluid-fluid mixture other substances, such as oil, oil vapor, Fat or meat pastes added.

But other starchy flours, such as. flour obtained from corn, rice, wheat, potatoes, etc. be used. But not only starchy ones, but also protein ones Low starch solids are possible, such as. Soybean, meat powder etc. In addition, they are also technical and pharmaceutical applications conceivable, e.g. funding and / or bring together powdery to granular Plastics, pigments, medicines, special chemicals, etc.

Fluid velocity:

The fluid reaches with a Venturi geometry for the Fluid delivery device supersonic speed. Even with a pressure ratio of 2: 1 occurs in the narrowest cross-section speed of sound. The speed of sound of water vapor is e.g. between 400 and 450 m / s and is temperature dependent. The nozzle geometry of the fluid supply device is designed so that at the mouth a steam speed of more than 200 m / s and preferably of more than 450 m / s is reached.

Print:

The greater the pressure, the more Energy enters the system. Usually with network pressure worked (for the optimal wetting of the predominantly starchy solids), and with 3 to 10 bar admission pressure in the fluid supply device.

Loading:

The ratio between fluid ("motive steam") and solid ("flour") can range from about 2: 1 to 1:20. From the quantity (mass fraction) and the Pre-pressure (pressure upstream of the constriction) of the fluid (motive steam) results in the negative pressure that can be generated in the chamber. In our case lies The relationship between solid and steam at approx. 0.1, i.e. the amount of motive steam is 10% of the solid. This results in a negative pressure of about 5 up to 10 mbar. However, this negative pressure is compared to that in a conventional preconditioner through paddle ventilation generated negative pressure by a factor of 25 to 50 times greater, because the ventilation of the preconditioner paddles (mixer shaft) only generates a negative pressure of approx. 20 Pa.

Further advantages, features and possible applications the invention will become apparent from the following description of a not restrictive exemplary embodiments of the invention Device based on the drawing, wherein:

1 shows a schematic view of the inventive device in longitudinal section;

2 shows a first embodiment of the device according to the invention in longitudinal section; and

3 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention in longitudinal section.

In 1 is a longitudinal section of an inventive device for bringing together at least two fluid-like or fluidizable components of a product. One of the product components is a fluidizable powdery to granular bulk material 1 such as flour and / or Semolina while the other product component is a fluid 2 , in particular a steam such as water vapor and / or oil vapor. The device has a channel-like product flow chamber 5 . 6 through which a product conveying path extends from a bulk material inlet to a product outlet. The bulk material inlet is a bulk material feed device 3 , such as a bulk pipe socket. This bulk feeder 3 opens into the product flow chamber 5 . 6 , In addition, at least one fluid supply device opens 4 into the product flow chamber 5 . 6 , According to the invention, the channel-like product flow chamber consists of a channel-like vacuum chamber section arranged on the conveyor side 5 , which tapers along the product conveying path in the product conveying direction, and from a channel-like mixing chamber section arranged further downstream 6 that expands along the product conveying path in the product conveying direction. At the mixing chamber section 6 a system closes 7 such as a preconditioner for premixing that in the mixing chamber section 6 premixed product. In addition, there is a feed 8 for optionally feeding further substances such as oil, fat, meat paste or the like into the product flow chamber 5 . 6 intended.

In the 1 The device shown is suitable for bringing together and premixing at least two fluid-like or fluidizable components of a product to be formed. For this, the bulk solid 1 via the bulk material feed device 3 into the vacuum chamber section 5 brought in. This takes place in the device of 1 on the one hand about the gravity of the solid 1 and on the other hand about the suction effect of the vacuum chamber section 5 , The suction effect of the vacuum chamber section 5 comes about because of that via the fluid supply device 4 inflowing fluid 2 through the tapered vacuum chamber section 5 flows and experiences acceleration in this chamber section 5 a negative pressure is generated which is the bulk material 1 from the bulk material feed device connected to the atmosphere 3 sucked in and through the product flow chamber 5 . 6 carries along. This by merging in the vacuum chamber section 5 The resulting product then passes into the expanding mixing chamber section 6 , in which the premixing of the bulk material 1 with the fluid 2 he follows. The emergence for the premixing of favorable conditions in the mixing chamber section 6 is favored by its expansion, which causes a delay and tendency to turbulence in the product flow. The product which has been premixed in this way and - when using superheated steam - preheated finally reaches system 7 for ready mixing.

2 is a longitudinal section of the in 1 Device according to the invention shown schematically according to a first embodiment. Here the steam is fed into the vacuum chamber section on the side 5 protruding angled pipe socket 4 , The one above the angled pipe socket 4 in the tapered vacuum chamber section 5 injected and accelerated steam due to the rejuvenation 2 created in this vacuum chamber section 5 a negative pressure, which runs through an axial pipe socket 3 bulk material 1 into the vacuum chamber section 5 sucks. The premixing of the bulk material 1 with the fluid 2 to a bulk material-fluid mixture takes place in the widening mixing chamber section 6 , in which the product flow is delayed and swirled, finally in the preconditioner 7 to get.

3 is a longitudinal section of the inventive device according to a second embodiment. Here the steam is fed in axially into the vacuum chamber section 5 protruding straight pipe socket 4 , The one over the straight pipe socket 4 in the tapered vacuum chamber section 5 injected and accelerated steam due to the rejuvenation 2 also created in this vacuum chamber section 5 a negative pressure, which over a laterally opening pipe socket 3 bulk material 1 into the vacuum chamber section 5 sucks. The conditions of premixing in the mixing chamber section 6 and finish mixing in the preconditioner 7 are the same as in the first embodiment in FIG 2 ,

1

solid fuel or bulk goods (Flour, semolina)

2

fluid (Air, water vapor)

3

Bulk feed, Pipe socket for bulk goods

4

Fluid supply means, Pipe socket for fluid

5

Vacuum chamber portion (Acceleration)

6

Mix chamber section (Delay)

7

preconditioner

8th

Feeder for more Substances (oil, Fat, meat pastes)

Claims (27)

Device for bringing together at least two fluid-like or fluidizable components of a product, at least one of the product components being a fluidizable powdery to granular bulk material ( 1 ) and at least one of the product components is a fluid ( 2 ), with a) a channel-like product flow chamber ( 5 . 6 ), through which a product conveyor path extends from a bulk material inlet to a product outlet and into which b) at the entry of bulk goods at least one bulk feed device ( 3 ) opens at the end of the product conveying path on the conveyor side, via which the product flow chamber ( 5 . 6 ) the fluidizable powdery to granular bulk material ( 1 ) can be supplied, and into which c) at least one fluid supply device ( 4 ) opens through which the product flow chamber ( 5 . 6 ) the fluid can be supplied, characterized in that the channel-like product flow chamber ( 5 . 6 ) a1) a channel-like vacuum chamber section arranged on the conveyor side ( 5 ), which tapers along the product conveying path in the product conveying direction, and a2) a channel-like mixing chamber section arranged further downstream of the conveying means ( 6 ) which widens along the product conveying path in the product conveying direction. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vacuum chamber section and the mixing chamber section is substantially collinear along the product conveying direction are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vacuum chamber section ( 5 ) and the mixing chamber section ( 6 ) are rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the product conveying direction. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the fluid supply device ( 4 ) is a pipe socket extending axially into the vacuum chamber section. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the fluid supply device ( 4 ) is a pipe opening laterally into the product flow chamber, the end region of which is angled such that it extends axially in the vacuum chamber section. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the pipe socket ( 4 ) or the end region of the tube tapers at its tube end projecting into the vacuum chamber section. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the pipe socket ( 4 ) or the end region of the pipe has a constriction at its pipe end projecting into the vacuum chamber section shortly before the pipe mouth. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the bulk material feed device ( 3 ) opens laterally into the product flow chamber. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the bulk material feed device ( 3 ) opens axially into the product flow chamber. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the mouth of the bulk material feed device ( 3 ) ring-like around the axis of the vacuum chamber section ( 5 ) extends. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a paste feed device ( 8th ), via which a pasty product component can be pressed into the product flow chamber. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that it has a further fluid supply device via which another fluid can be metered into the product flow chamber can. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the walls the product flow chamber can be heated at least in axial partial areas are. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the walls the product flow chamber can be cooled at least in axial sub-areas. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the downstream Mixing chamber section has baffle or deflector elements extend from the chamber wall into the interior of the chamber. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the deflecting slats are slanted to the axis of the product flow chamber or are rib-like structures. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that that the subsidy side Mixing chamber section around the axis of the product flow chamber relative to the vacuum chamber section on the conveyor side is rotatable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the fluid over the at least one fluid supply device downstream of the powder inlet pulsating feed is. Method for merging at least two fluid-like or fluidizable components of a product using the device according to one of claims 1 to 18, where at least one of the product components is a fluidizable powdery to granular bulk material and at least one of the product components is a fluid, the method comprising the following steps: feeding the bulk material into the channel-like product flow chamber at its vacuum chamber section; - Feeding the fluid into the channel-like product flow chamber at its vacuum chamber section; characterized by - generating a vacuum in the channel-like product flow chamber in the region of the vacuum chamber section in order to suck the bulk material into the product flow chamber; - Mixing the sucked bulk material with the fluid in the channel-like product flow chamber. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that creating the negative pressure in the product flow chamber through that into the product flow chamber flowing supplied Fluid takes place. A method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that that mixing the bulk material with the fluid in the product flow chamber through the common Stream of the bulk goods with the fluid in the product flow chamber he follows. Method according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that that the fluidizable powder to grainy Solid a starchy powder or granules. Method according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that that the fluid is air, especially compressed air. Method according to one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that that the fluid is atomized Has water. Method according to one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that that the fluid has water vapor. Method according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that that the fluid is water vapor. Method according to one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that that the flowing fluid other substances, such as oil, oil vapor, Fat or meat pastes can be added.