DE19526480C2 - Method and device for the inert introduction of substances into a container system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for carrying it out, to put solid, liquid or pasty substances in a container or a container system so that there is no risk of fire or explosion at the insertion opening arises. The method and the associated device can in particular there be used where the substance-specific properties of the to be introduced Do not allow substances to be added via the same lock.

A measure to prevent explosions in plants in which organic Inertization is the handling of solvents, gases, vapors or dusts using suitable gases. Liquids are usually laid over Lines, preferably immersed, supplied while solids z. B. about Rotary valves are added to the inerting through container opening not to be canceled.

The inerting can only fulfill its protective function if the Oxygen concentration reduced below the substance-specific limit concentration becomes.

The danger of filling substances into containers that contain flammable substances Liquids are easily underestimated. An air break in the area Opening the container may lead to the creation of an explosive atmosphere by electrical discharges z. B. ignited when filling from plastic containers can be.

It is not always possible to use substances e.g. B. with pasty or highly viscous consistency Charge lines or cellular wheel sluices. These can usually only be Enter directly into the container through an opening.

DE-OS 37 39 952 describes a device for emission-free refueling Motor vehicles described by means of a gas recirculation system, in which the direct and gas-tight connection between the flexible, at their intake opening to a bellows shaped gas return line and the  Tank nozzle by a permanent contact pressure using a suitable Adapter between the filler neck and the body area.

In DE-OS 36 16 291 a fuel tank for vehicles with a special filler described neck on which a receiving element for a nozzle and A filler collar is provided at the end, a fuel nozzle being used when refueling Fuel nozzle protrudes in sections into the filler neck, so that on Filler neck in the area of the inserted nozzle a relaxation room is provided, which is formed by a cross-sectional expansion, where the relaxation space upwards from a free end of the nozzle expanded funnel-shaped and then back to the cross-section of the filler collar is returned.

Both inventions have only the suction of the filling process displaced fuel-containing vapors to the task, taking no measures Prevention of electrostatic charges in general and for inerting are the particular object of the solutions. It will be a preferred creates an enclosed space from which the suction takes place. A batch various substances in the open system in compliance with TA Luft is included this principle is not possible.

For placing particularly high-viscosity products in a container - even on open systems - is an inert gas that can be placed on a container lock became known (annual report 1993 of the professional association of the Chemical industry, pp. 80-81). This consists of two coaxial tubes and a nozzle system. At a deflection point between an inner and outer tube a turbulence zone is formed. By convection, inert gas rises, which over an annular nozzle is fed to the space between the inner and outer tube, on and locks the interior of the container against the ingress of air. This later on the container mounted structure is equipped with a contact switch through  which ensures that the inert gas is opened immediately when the lid is opened Nozzle system is initiated.

A disadvantage of the system is that when the lid is open there is always a small one Amount of inert gas must be fed into the lock, which they load more or less with ingredients from the container through the filling opening into the surrounding Atmosphere again. The system is only firm for batching such or pasty goods designed that cannot be discharged by a gas stream Include components. Thus, depending on the Solid particle size does not completely discharge the finest particles into the environment be prevented. When charging liquids with higher For example, the pressure limits of TA Luft cannot be used for steam pressures be respected.

As a rule, such substances are charged via inertized locks, that are only ever open in one direction. This is always possible if the number of substances to be introduced is limited and especially theirs substance-specific properties added through the same lock allow. In the meantime, the inerting can be repeated and, if necessary, the Pressure equalization can be established. Finds a process in the container under negative pressure instead, so that a slow increase in oxygen content is to be expected, to feed a defined stream of inert gas during the process.

The invention has for its object a method for maintaining the Inertization of a container content by exposure to inert gas at the Develop filling with solid, liquid or pasty substances, taking a Escape of container contents is to be avoided. Likewise, there is Task to a simple device for performing the method develop which allows different, not with each other Feeding contactable substances into the container via the same addition system without that the gases displaced from the container into the ambient atmosphere escape.  

The object is achieved by those represented in claims 1 and 3 Features resolved. Advantageous designs result from the Subclaims.

The container to be loaded is usually closed and contains one inert atmosphere. This is achieved during initial commissioning by inerting e.g. B. achieved by pressing on and relaxing once or several times with inert gas. Negative pressure arises during operation and during extension processes compensated by pressure-controlled supply of inert gas.

For the purpose of introducing solid, liquid or pasty substances, the A lock tube with a contact-secured cover and a concentric container used, not tightly fitting on the upper collar of the lock tube Intermediate tube, which with the wall of the lock tube an outer Annulus forms. The inert gas is introduced into the intermediate pipe in immediate vicinity of its upper edge.

The introduction of a substance into the inertized container interior can only then be made if there is no differential pressure between the Ambient atmosphere and the interior of the container. This is in known way guaranteed by a contact-secured lid opening.

Both regulations that work against over and under pressure are at this pressure level closed. The inert gas flow to be fed in is also before the lid is opened close after reaching the ambient pressure.

When the cover is opened (contact broken), the valve in the Exhaust pipe and the valve for suction at the boundary layer (cover level) at the lock tube opens, so that a defined volume flow, predominantly Air from the area around the filling opening is extracted.  

For the purpose of filling in substances, a is then according to the invention Insert the funnel into the intermediate tube so that it is on the upper one Edge of the intermediate pipe and one against the ambient atmosphere sealing and electrically conductive connection is made. Between the Insert funnel and the intermediate tube thus creates an inner concentric Annulus through which inert gas flows, which after a deflection at the lower Edge of the intermediate tube is sucked out of the outer annular space. Likewise flows over the outer annulus the displaced by the stuffed Container atmosphere to the suction point.

The extracted current must be greater than or equal to the sum of the two per unit of time Flows from inert gas supply and the max. Volume displacement through the Introduce the substance so that the TA Luft easily in the charging environment is observed.

In this way, one is at the open container for the time of filling built up practically over the entire lock tube inert zone and held. The optimized extraction point makes extreme fine-tuning between charging speed and suction flow unnecessary. The long The funnel outlet pipe leads the substance to be charged safely into the inerted zone.

It is advantageous to carry out the method for different ones in their substance-specific properties substances that cannot be contacted use different insertion funnels, so that for each substance to be introduced another funnel is to be inserted.

The inventive method and the device required for this are explained in more detail using an example. Fig. 1 illustrates an inventive lock tube as an attachment is on a container.

The lock tube 2 carries at its upper edge the cover 3 , which ensures a gas-tight closure of the container 1 via the seal 4 . The upper edge of the lock tube 2 has at least one suction line 5 on the circumference. With the upper edge of the lock tube 2 almost flush, but spaced and gas-permeable, an intermediate tube 6 is inserted so concentrically that it forms an outer annular space with the lock tube 2 , can be fed into the inert gas. In the upper edge 9 of the intermediate tube 6 , an insertion funnel 10 is used to fill the container with a material, which in turn forms a concentric inner annular space with the insertion tube 6 .

If the container 1 is now filled with, for example, a pulverulent substance, the cover 3 is only opened by automatic positive locking if there is no pressure difference between the pressure inside the container and the ambient atmosphere, i.e. the inert gas supply 8 is throttled or closed and the exhaust gas line 12 closed and the valve of the suction 5 is open.

After insertion of the insertion funnel 10 , which is connected to the intermediate tube 6 at the upper edge 9 in an electrically conductive and gas-tight manner, an inert gas flow takes place through the inner annular space 11 around the lower edge 13 of the intermediate tube 6 into the outer annular space 7 by opening the inlet of the inert gas 8 and into the suction system 5. This ensures that the suction system 5 also removes the gas volume displaced by the filled substance from the container 1 and outside air at the upper edge 9 between the intermediate pipe 6 and the lock pipe 2 .

The lower opening 14 of the insertion funnel projects beyond a length of the intermediate tube into the container 1.

If another substance that is incompatible with the first is to be filled in, then the use of a second same insertion funnel is possible.

Reference list

1

container

2nd

Lock tube

3rd

cover

4th

poetry

5

Suction line

6

Intermediate tube

7

outer annulus

8th

Inert gas supply

9

upper edge (seal if necessary)

10th

Insertion funnel

11

inner annulus

12th

Exhaust pipe

13

Lower edge of the intermediate pipe (

6

)

14

lower opening of the insertion funnel (

10th

)

Claims (4)

1. A process for the inertized introduction of substances into a container to be opened to the environment, which contains substances in an inertized atmosphere, through a filler neck, characterized in that from an insertion funnel ( 10 ) formed an inner annular space ( 11 ) defines one added amount of inert gas flows into an outer annular space ( 7 ) and a gas mixture is sucked off in a controlled manner, which consists of the gas volume displaced by a substance brought into the container ( 1 ), the ambient atmosphere entering the outer annular space ( 7 ) and the added inert gas . 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount of gas mixture extracted via the outer annular space ( 7 ) is greater than or equal to the sum of the amount of inert gas and the gas volume displaced by the substance filled into the container ( 1 ) per unit of time. 3. An apparatus for inerted introduction of substances into one rule pipe to the environment openable container (1) via a concentric sheath tube (2) forming a fixed intermediate pipe (6), an outer annular space (7) in the interim (6 ) a concentric plug-in funnel ( 10 ) is detachable, electrically conductive and can be used as a seal and forms an inner annular space ( 11 ) which has a connection via the intermediate tube ( 6 ) for exposure to inert gas ( 8 ), the intermediate tube ( 6 ) being made of it upper edge (9) is sealingly connected to the sheath tube (2), the upper edge of the lock tube (2) is provided with a suction line (5) and the lock tube (2) is sealingly closed by a cover (3). 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower opening ( 14 ) of the insertion funnel ( 10 ) protrudes at least by the length of the intermediate tube ( 6 ) below the lower edge ( 13 ) of the intermediate tube ( 6 ).