DE202007019037U1 - Device for hop drying - Google Patents

Abstract

Central control unit (100) for a device for hop drying, wherein by means of the central control unit (100) based on measured data in the Darre (1), the air speed and calculable via a control unit, the volume flow of the air and / or the wind speed during drying and / or the temperature in the respective drying phases is controllable.

Description

The The present invention relates to a device and a Method for hop drying.

at hop drying in a kiln is an optimal course under reproducible conditions particularly important, since on the one hand no However, drying capacity should be given away on the other hand it must be guaranteed that never too much wet Hops is located in the Darre. This would mean that the installed fan power is no longer sufficient To maintain airflow, and there is a danger that the Hops on the top layer fermented by condensation of water.

Various devices and methods for hop drying are known in the prior art. In the DE 201 03 191 U1 For example, a device for conditioning hops for single or multi-chamber systems is known. It is a conditioning provided, with a hygrostat measures the moisture content of the supplied mixed air and controls the mixing ratio Mi between recirculated air and fresh air by controlling the intake from the conditioning circulating air and fresh air and thus the humidity of the conditioning.

The The object of the invention is to hop drying faster and perform more accurately and thus reduce costs.

The The object is achieved by a mixing device according to claim 1. Further developments of the invention are in the subclaims specified.

Further Features and benefits of the invention result from the description of embodiments based of the accompanying drawings. From the figures show:

1 a schematic front view of a Hopfendarre;

2 a schematic view of a compensation chamber for dried hops;

3 a schematic view of a mixing device;

4 a schematic view of the mixing device in the setting "drying with Darrluft";

5 a schematic view of the mixing device in the setting "humidifying and heating with dry Darrluft and basic air";

6 a schematic view of the mixing device in the setting "humidifying and cooling with basic air";

7 a schematic view of the mixing device in the setting "humidifying and cooling with circulating air or alternative air";

8th a Mollier-hx diagram with the axes temperature and relative humidity with marked operating ranges.

The following is with reference to the 1 to 3 A first embodiment of the device of the present invention is described.

In 1 is a hopscotch 1 shown. It has two tilts arranged one above the other 2 , a slipcase underneath 3 , a stove 4 , a fan 5 , an air inlet with a temperature and humidity sensor 6a in the lower area of the Darre 1 and an air outlet with a temperature and humidity sensor 6b in the upper area of the Darre 1 on.

In the Darre 1 is also a (not shown) optional temperature sensor in the fan for measuring the intake air, if additional heat is fed (waste heat from the generator, woodchip heating, etc.), a (not shown) temperature sensor in the channel after the heater 4 , a digital oil meter, preferably for indirect wind speed measurement or for calculating the amount of water removed, a control unit (not shown) for the volume flow of the air (eg frequency converter, throttle) and a (not shown) digital controller implemented with software provided.

2 shows a compensation chamber 10 for the one in the Darre 1 pre-dried hops. The compensation chamber 10 is the Darre 1 downstream. It has a suction channel 11 for Darrluft or alternative air, an absolute moisture meter 12 for the hop moisture, a humidity and temperature sensor 13 and a mixing device 20 on.

3 shows schematically the structure of the mixing device 20 , She has a lid 21 in the form of an inspection cover or a service door, an air duct 22 for the supply of optional air, but at least one alternative dry hot air source or dry Darrluft, further a Ausgleichskammerzuluftkanal 23 preferably with a temperature and humidity sensor 23a , a temperature and humidity sensor (not shown) for the exhaust air from the compensation chamber 10 , a first suction port 24 for base air which is passed through the cooling and moistening device (pad), a second suction port 25 for basic air without cooling and moistening device (pad) as well as the feed of the air duct 22 in the Klimabox here again with the flaps 27a , b, c, d a redistribution of air flow proportionate with and without cooling and moistening device (pad) 28 can be adjusted. It can be used in this case on the air data from the drying process. Furthermore, the mixing device 20 a fan 26 , several jalousie flaps 27a , b, c, d with electric damper actuators for controlling the volume flows, a cooling and moistening device (pad) 28 with pump station and automatic fresh water replenishment, in the form of adiabatic evaporative cooling and a digital controller (not shown) with implemented software.

The operation of the hop-drying device is as follows: The hop is tilting 2 the Darre 1 pre-dried, with the tilting 2 move the hops down by tilting the soil down. Upon reaching the desired temperature and humidity transported the topmost tip 2 The hops first in the farther down tipping 2 , This transports the hops into the slipcase 3 Finally, the hops to further drying, or to compensate for the humidity and temperature in the leaves and the spindles of the hop in the compensation chamber 10 transported.

From the ones in the Darre 1 and the compensation chamber 10 measured temperature and humidity values, the optimum mixing ratio r (g / kg), the absolute humidity d (g / m ³ ) and the enthalpy E (kJ / kg) of the compensation chamber 10 calculated air to be supplied and the mixing device 20 regulated accordingly.

It is a central control unit 100 provided, which is designed so that the entire system can be controlled with the measured data of the aforementioned temperature and humidity sensors to achieve optimum operation. In this way, the hops can be dried fully automatically to an exact temperature and humidity value.

Likewise, an averaging of the oil consumption of the stove takes place 4 in the Darre 1 in a certain period of time. This oil consumption is assigned a defined volume flow of the heated air from the temperature difference between the intake and exhaust air from the furnace. From this, the air velocity of the drying air in the kiln can be calculated. These computation steps are repeated constantly, so that continuous values are generated which can be fed to the control loop. By comparing intake and exhaust air, it is calculated how much water the air removes during the drying process.

aim it's the air speed during the drying process optimally adjusted to the highest drying performance to reach. The optimal air speed when drying Hops are between 0.3 and 0.4 m / s. Since it is hops around a capillary-porous and hygroscopic good must act in a special way to a division of the drying in several Drying phases are taken into account.

Since the drying of the hop is very inhomogeneous due to the different moisture content of the blade and spindle, the hops must be even after drying. This happens in the compensation chamber according to the invention 10 with a ventilation system. Depending on the residual moisture and temperature, it is necessary to offer hops a suitable composition of the injected air, with the aim of bringing the hops to a given total moisture content.

The hops are dried in a controlled manner so that the hops can be brought to an optimum moisture content and therefore optimal weight, so that a constant residual moisture level in the compensation chamber can be achieved 10 is reached. The hops must also be dry enough, since rewetting is easier than nachzutrocknen hops with too much spindle water content in the chamber, as this very high temperatures are needed.

In addition, the mixing device offers 20 the possibility to provide exactly the required composition of the air. The mixing device 20 Adiabatic evaporative cooling is used for air humidification, since the resulting cooling causes the process of homogenization in the compensation chamber 10 can be slowed down if necessary. Since the pure cooling device operation is needed only in exceptional cases, offers the mixing device 20 a mixed air system which allows the volume of air through the cooling and moistening device (pad) 28 and to mix the quantities of air supplied directly to the blower. In this way all operating conditions during conditioning can be covered.

in the Following is a first embodiment of the method of the present invention. The invention Fully automatic drying processes through measurement and control technology divides the drying into four areas:

1st start-up phase

• - the start-up phase becomes immediate activated after filling and prepares the hops the drying before
• - warming up the hops
• - The drying rate increases

2. External drying

• - the capacity of liquid evaporation on the surface is fully used
• - Liquid Nachförderung by the capillaries of the hops
• - the maximum drying speed has been reached

3. Inner drying

• - the capacity of liquid evaporation is equal to the capacity of the capillaries
• - Displacement of the drying mirror inside
• - The drying rate drops

4. Hygroscopic drying

• - takes place in all parts of the estate instead of
• - The drying rate is minimal

Since for each phase of drying other requirements are placed on the drying parameters, such. As the drying temperature or the air velocity, now controls the control unit 100 the procedure of the procedure. During or after refilling the Darre 1 with fresh hops, the process starts either manually or automatically depending on the controller setting. From then on, the control unit follows 100 the drying process. In this way, optimal water removal and thus drying efficiency and energy use is achieved.

As the drying of the hop progresses, the relative exhaust air humidity slowly decreases, and thus the exhaust air temperature increases, since the hop drying proceeds adiabatically along the Isenthalpen in the hx-diagram (see 8th ). At the same time, the absolute exhaust air humidity as well as the mixing ratio change as these parameters are calculated from the exhaust air humidity and temperature. The control unit 100 recognizes therefore at these parameters in which drying stage the hop is momentary.

There There are also big differences between the ones to be dried Hop varieties can now offer variety-specific programs be entered and also saved. Thus, especially on vintage-specific Peculiarities of hop varieties are taken into consideration and the farmer now has complete control over the drying process.

The control unit 100 recognizes the phases on the course of the water delivery. Drying-relevant parameters and system limits can now be entered for all phases. The control circuit adjusts the air flow of the Darre 1 on, so that sets the desired air speed in the hordes.

The calculated parameters such as the absolute humidity and their difference between input and output in the kiln 1 , as well as the volume flow allow the effective water drainage to be displayed and integrated into the control loop. On the one hand this display serves to control the drying process and on the other hand offers the possibility to check the efficiency of the individual phases. The calculated water drainage can in turn be fed to an adaptive control loop which automatically adjusts the optimum wind speed.

There the air power now follows the degree of drying and the air does not as previously leaves partially unsaturated the drying, In addition, the heating energy consumption is significantly reduced. As well the effect is a more uniform drying in the area one because the air due to the optimized speed It can also be better distributed.

In the drying process is now repeatedly tipped and top fresh hops refilled. The hop in the slipcase is on reaching a certain residual moisture from the kiln 1 taken. The hops to be removed can be determined with the aid of the absolute moisture meter 12 be judged on the water content. Likewise, this sensor can 12 stuck in the Darre 1 remain built-in to constantly get values about the water content of the hops. The sensor 12 Measures the hop moisture with the help of signal transit times. The location of this sensor is the Darre and also the conditioning chamber into which the ready-dried drawer is emptied.

• – Befeuchten und Kühlen
• – Befeuchten und Erwärmen
• – Trocknen

The operating states of the mixing device 20 can be related to the 4 to 8th divide into the following areas:

• - moistening and cooling
• - moisten and warm
• - Dry

4 shows the operating state "drying with Darrluft" or "drying with alternative dry hot air source" and base air of the mixing device 20 , Air from the air duct 22 and the second suction port is mixed and by the fan 26 in the direction of the conditioning chamber through the conditioning channel 23 directed.

5 shows the operating state "humidifying and heating with dry kiln air or alternative dry hot air source and base air" of the mixing device 20 , Air gets through the first suction opening 24 sucked in by the cooling and moistening device (pad) 28 passed, then mixes with the air from the air duct 22 and finally flows through the conditioning channel 23 ,

6 shows the operating state "humidifying and cooling with basic air" of the mixing device 20 , Air is passing through the first intake port 24 sucked in by the cooling and moistening device (pad) 28 passed, then mixes with the air from the second suction port 25 and finally flows through the conditioning channel 23 ,

7 shows the operating state "humidifying and cooling with circulating air or alternative air" of the mixing device 20 , The air passes through the air duct 22 sucked. Part of the air flow is through the cooling and moistening device (pad) 28 and finally flows through the conditioning channel 23 , the other part of the airflow flows directly there.

The important thing is that at an input of the mixing device 20 warm air is available. This can be diverted from the dry Darrluft or fed by its own heat source.

Since this system requires thermodynamic calculations to set the individual flaps, now takes over the control unit 100 the control of the mixing device 20 , The control unit 100 decides on the constellations of the flaps 27a , b, c, d at the respective operating conditions and also mixes the requested humidity and temperature. Even changes in intake air during the process are detected and the controller automatically switches to the appropriate program if a system limit is exceeded.

The sorption isotherms of different hop varieties are stored in the controller, so that a selection of the parameters of temperature and humidity of the air to the desired predetermined hop moisture is possible. In order to control the enrichment of the hop with water or else the after-drying, the absolute humidity of the supply air as well as the exhaust air is determined and from this the difference is formed. There is also a subdivision of the homogenization process in two phases. Since the hops as described in the chamber should be brought to a target moisture and not during drying in the kiln 1 , water must be added to the hops.

The inventive method shares the homogenization in two areas:

1st phase of water enrichment

• - The leaves of the umbels are using the mixing device 20 enriched with water with cool and moist air
• - It does not find due to the low temperature Balance between spindle and blade instead
• - Immediate dehydration from the spindle the over-dried leaf deliberately prevents the water not from the environment, but from the spindle would suck
• - Monitoring the relative exhaust air humidity and temperature (distance to the sorption curve)
• - Protection against condensation by dew point determination

2nd equalization phase

• - Further enrichment of the hops with water but at elevated temperature
• - Inner balance of hops of spindle and leaf water
• - Since the leaf has already received water from outside, acts a lower suction effect on the spindle.
• - The hops are homogenized but enough remains Water and thus weight in the spindle
• - A re-wetting of the spindle would not be more possible
• - Monitoring the relative exhaust air humidity and temperature (distance to the sorption curve)
• - The water enrichment ends, if the desired Final moisture content of the hop is reached and it is the onward ventilation with sorption-neutral air until complete compensation the humidity between spindle and blade

Due to the special behavior of the hop when balancing the humidity between spindle and blade, a program can also consist of several humidity and temperature specifications for certain phases. The farmer composes the program and the control unit 100 takes over the process control.

The technical possibilities of the mixing device 20 are the hx diagrams in 8th refer to. 8th shows by way of example the three different areas "humidifying and cooling", "humidifying and heating" and "drying with Darrluft" in Mollier-hx diagram. Plotted here are the temperature above the amount of water. The line enclosing the three areas represents the possible environmental conditions with respect to temperature and relative humidity.

The inventive method is not limited to the described three operating ranges. A finer organization of the areas is conceivable.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 20103191 U1 [0003]

Claims (4)

Central control unit ( 100 ) for a device for hop drying, wherein by means of the central control unit ( 100 ) based on measured data in the Darre ( 1 ), the air speed can be calculated and controlled by a control unit, the volume flow of the air and / or the wind speed during drying and / or the temperature in the respective drying phases. Central control unit ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that a digital oil meter for wind speed measurement and / or for calculating the amount of water to be removed is provided. Central control unit ( 100 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Darre ( 1 ) Has sensors for temperature and / or humidity measurement and an oil meter. Central control unit ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit comprises a frequency converter and / or a throttle valve.