EP1786566A2

EP1786566A2 - Centrifugal device comprising improved process analysis technology

Info

Publication number: EP1786566A2
Application number: EP06754253A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joachim Schmid
Original assignee: Fima Maschinenbau GmbH
Current assignee: Fima Maschinenbau GmbH
Priority date: 2005-06-15
Filing date: 2006-06-09
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-09
Also published as: US20090145861A1; WO2006133858A3; EP1786566B1; CN101198412B; CN101198412A; ATE450314T1; WO2006133858A2; DE102005028832A1; DE502006005497D1; JP2008546516A

Abstract

The invention relates to a centrifugal device comprising improved process analysis technology (PAT), to a method for measuring the moisture content of a suspension in a centrifugal drum and to a method for sampling from a centrifugal device. The centrifugal device is equipped with: a drive shaft; a drum that is connected to the drive shaft; a filter that is located inside the drum and that surrounds a working chamber; a baffle plate that forms a front face of the working chamber and that is mounted on a baffle plate shaft, the baffle plate and the drum being axially displaceable; a filler element for filling a working chamber with a suspension; and a centrifugal housing that surrounds the drum and the filter. In addition, various process analysis devices are provided, in particular tubes comprising monitoring and measuring units that are inserted into the working chamber and windows comprising associated channels that are configured n the baffle plate.

Description

Centrifuge device with improved process analysis technology

The present invention relates to a centrifuge apparatus with improved process analysis technology (PAT), a method for measuring the moisture content of a suspension in a centrifuge drum, and a method for sampling from a centrifuge apparatus. The term "centrifuge devices" in the context of the present invention means any embodiments of centrifuge devices. In the context of the present description, reference will be made in particular to centrifuge devices with integrated dryer function, so-called centrifuge dryers. However, the present invention and the technical features disclosed therein are also applicable to centrifuge devices without integral dryers and all other types of centrifuges. The term centrifuge device is thus to be understood without limitation to a specific type of centrifuge.

Centrifuge devices are known in a variety of commercial applications. Especially in the pharmaceutical industry, they play a major role in the production of drugs. The known centrifuge devices have in common that in them in a suspension, ie, a fluid with solids, the solid phase should be separated from the liquid phase. For centrifuge devices with dryers, after In addition, the solid phase dried, so that a powder is formed.

The separation of solid phase and liquid phase takes place by filling the suspension via a filling element for filling in a drum, which then rotates at high speed. It is also known to first rotate the drum and then to fill the fluid during rotation to avoid imbalance caused by the introduced suspension upon starting the spinning operation. During the rotation, high centrifugal forces act on the suspension, which cause the suspension to be pressed uniformly over the circumference from the inside against the lateral surface of the drum.

On the lateral surface of the drum is a filter. This may be a filter cloth, such as a filter cloth. in a slip-on centrifuge, or it may be a metallic filter element. The result of using a filter element is that the liquid phase of the suspension passes through the filter during centrifuging, while the solid phase remains in the interior of the drum.

The drum conventionally consists of a lateral surface and an integral with the lateral surface drum base, which forms an end face of the drum. The drum base is mounted on a drive shaft, which is driven by a motor. A second end face of the drum is formed by a baffle plate, which seals the drum. The drum, ie drum shell and drum base, and the baffle plate are mutually axially displaceable, so that the end product can be removed from the drum interior. The baffle plate is mounted on a baffle disk shaft. In general, one of the shafts (ie baffle disc shaft or drive shaft) becomes hollow formed so as to obtain a channel through which the suspension can be filled into the interior of the drum, even if the drum is already rotating.

Often, the filter is conically shaped, and then during centrifugation also an axial force acts on the suspension, causing the centrifuged product to collect on an end face of the drum. This end face is usually that which is formed by the baffle plate, since this end face is opened to remove the product. In addition, during drying and removal, the product can be moved more easily to the baffle plate face, since its movement is assisted by the cone shape.

After centrifuging, the wet solid phase of the suspension adheres in a certain layer thickness to the inside of the drum shell. This adherent suspension is called cake. For discharging this cake from the drum, various approaches are known. They are generally divided into pneumatic types of discharge and mechanical types of discharge.

On the one hand, the mechanical discharge methods use the method of a filter cloth, which is made of an elastic filter material, and which is used in slip-on centrifuges. This filter cloth has the shape of a cylinder jacket, and is connected with one edge to the drum shell and with the other edge with a second drum base, which is arranged with the drum closed directly on the inside of the first drum base. The second drum base is also connected to the baffle plate, so that it is moved together with this. Now the baffle plate and the second drum base is moved axially relative to the drum, the filter cloth quasi "carded on the left" becomes. The baffle plate and the second drum base must be moved over twice the drum length until the entire filter cloth is everted. As a result of the eversion, the cake separates from the filter cloth and the centrifuged product can be removed. A disadvantage of this design is that the baffle plate must be moved by twice the drum length, and the entire centrifuge device therefore assumes considerable proportions.

In a further known mechanical method for discharging the cake, a second drum base connected to the baffle plate is likewise used. Instead of a filter cloth, however, a metal filter is used, which is arranged on the inside of the drum shell. The second drum bottom has a diameter which is only slightly smaller than the diameter of the metal filter. For discharging the baffle plate and the second drum base is then moved axially relative to the drum with the metal filter, so that the second drum bottom pushes the cake out of the drum. An advantage of this arrangement is that the axial length of the overall centrifuge device is shortened, since the baffle plate and the second drum base must be moved only over the distance of a drum length. A disadvantage is that the gap between the second drum base and the metal filter may become large due to production inaccuracies or wear and tear, so that residual product in the drum adheres to the filter and remains there. Also, by repeatedly moving the second drum base there is no possibility to discharge these product residues and the filter remains blocked by these product residues.

In pneumatic discharge processes, in a space between the metal filter and drum shell, called annulus, a fluid, mainly gaseous fluid, injected at high pressure and the cake blasted off the filter so that it comes to rest in the lower part of the drum. As a result of the fact that the filter in this method has a cone that widens toward the baffle plate, the product located at the bottom of the drum can be successively moved in the direction of the baffle plate and transported out of the drum by repeated gas fluid bumps.

Furthermore, each of the above centrifuge devices may also be provided with a dryer function that allows to dry the wet solid phase of the suspension after centrifuging. This is done, for example, in centrifugal devices with a pneumatic discharge in that a fluid gas is sprayed into the drum interior, which gradually dries the product in the drum. Thus, after opening the drum by moving the baffle plate already a dried product can be removed in powder form, which can be further processed immediately.

Conventionally, the final quality of the product obtained by centrifuging and drying is checked only after the entire process, ie after centrifuging and after drying. Although a quality study is sometimes carried out before and during the manufacturing process, but since it takes some time, in the case where the quality inspection is negative, the entire production obtained in the manufacturing process is no longer suitable for further use. For example, it may happen that the removed product is not completely dried. However, a moist product may not be processed further and must be disposed of. This creates a loss and not insignificant economic damage. Devices for checking the product quality and the suspension state during centrifuging or during drying are rather inadequate, usually not at all, implemented in conventional centrifuge devices. With the possibility of measuring product-specific parameters online, ie during the processes of filling, centrifuging, drying, cleaning, etc., it would be possible to ensure a desired product quality and optimally set the individual process steps.

For example, often after centrifuging, the suspension slurry is washed with a rinsing fluid. The best time for this washing is when there is still some liquid phase in the suspension. In previous centrifuge devices this point in time was virtually undetectable, since it was simply waited until no more liquid phase flowed out of the interior. However, when the liquid phase has already completely leaked out, the problem arises that air bubbles have formed in the cake, preventing the rinse fluid from washing the entire cake. However, with a device for monitoring the state of the suspension during centrifugation, the rinsing process could be initiated at the optimum time when there is still some liquid phase in the cake.

Accordingly, there is a need for a process analysis technology that allows monitoring of product quality and suspension status during centrifugation and drying and, if necessary, adjusting the manufacturing process. Through the thus created possibility to control or regulate product-specific parameters online, one can Ensure that a recoverable product is produced in each case and that no product has to be disposed of.

While the technical features listed below for improving process analysis technology in centrifuge devices are particularly intended for those centrifuge devices that operate with a metal filter and pneumatic discharge, they are also applicable in combination with all other conceivable embodiments of centrifuge devices.

For this purpose, a centrifuge device with a drive shaft, a drum connected to the drive shaft, a filter disposed within the drum, which encloses a working space, an end face of the working space forming baffle plate, which is mounted on a baffle plate shaft, wherein the baffle plate and the drum to each other axially are displaceable, proposed with a filling element for filling a suspension in the working space and with a surrounding the drum and the filter centrifuge housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is hollow and has a self-contained drive shaft channel in which a drive shaft filling tube is guided, which is used as a filling element for filling a suspension. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a funnel-shaped element is attached to a working space-side end of the Antriebswellenfüllrohrs. In one embodiment of the invention, this funnel-shaped element is formed integrally with the Antriebswellenfüllrohr.

In one embodiment of the invention, the baffle plate shaft is hollow and has a self-contained In this case, there is a baffle plate shaft channel in which a baffle plate filling tube is guided, which is used as filling element for filling in a suspension.

In one embodiment of the invention, a funnel-shaped element is arranged on a working space-side end of the Antriebswellenfüllrohrs.

In a further embodiment of the invention, this funnel-shaped element can be formed integrally with the baffle plate shaft filler tube. Thus, either the baffle disc shaft or the drive shaft is hollow and a tube guided therein is used as a filling element for filling a suspension.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suspension to be centrifuged and dried is conveyed by means of a pump device, wherein the pressure applied to the suspension by the pump device can be varied. The funnel-shaped element has the advantage that the suspension does not drip down on the edge of the hollow shaft or rolls off on the inside of the drum base in the direction of the drum base. By varying the pump pressure and using a funnel-shaped element, the suspension flows from the drum bottom at a variable distance from the filter. By varying the pressure, the point of impact of the suspension on the filter can be varied during filling and the suspension can thus be evenly distributed in the drum during filling. Thus, deposits on the drum base, which arise without a funnel-shaped element over the duration of a continuous use, prevented and thus increased the quality of a product produced. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is driven by an electric asynchronous machine. Preferably, the asynchronous electrical machine is controlled by a motion control unit, which transmits a transmitter unit, the current position of the electric asynchronous machine, wherein a caused by the electric asynchronous machine rotation of the drive shaft in both directions of rotation is possible. Preferably, the encoder unit is a sine / cosine encoder.

Preferably, the electric asynchronous machine has a secondary shaft extending through it, which is connected via a respective force-transmitting endless element both to the drive shaft and to the transmitter unit. By the asynchronous machine arrangement described above, it is possible to set up the asynchronous machine off the drive shaft, whereby the accessibility of the asynchronous machine and thereby maintenance and repair of the asynchronous machine are simplified. The further process analysis technologies explained in the following place a high accuracy requirement on the positioning of the drum. The feature combination described above ensures this high positioning accuracy of the drum.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the centrifuge device comprises an eccentrically arranged on the baffle plate lifting piston for axially moving the baffle plate. Of course, any other suitable mechanism or device may be used to axially move the baffle plate, such as a pneumatic device. Preferably, the baffle plate shaft is hollow and has in it a PAT (process analysis technology) channel, one end of which opens into the working space.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is hollow and has a PAT channel in it, one end of which opens into the working space. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the drive shaft is used as a filling element for filling a suspension, the baffle plate shaft is correspondingly hollow and has a PAT channel in it.

It would also be conceivable, as described above, of course, to use the channel in the baffle disk for filling a suspension, and to use a channel formed in a hollow drive shaft as a PAT channel. An eccentric arrangement of the reciprocating piston on the baffle plate is always necessary when the baffle plate is to be moved. In a conceivable embodiment, in which the baffle plate is fixed and the drum is moved axially with the filter, a device for axially moving the drum and the filter would be correspondingly eccentric to arrange.

Due to the eccentric arrangement of the reciprocating piston on the baffle plate in the preferred embodiment, it becomes possible to form the baffle plate shaft hollow and the resulting channel is accessible for further use. In the context of the present invention, this further use is primarily the process analysis technology.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one tube is guided through the PAT channel, which protrudes into the working space. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one tube is of one _ _

Surrounding jacket pipe. If several tubes are provided, they are arranged together in the jacket tube, and the jacket tube is guided through the PAT channel. The use of a jacket tube facilitates the placement of the tubes in the PAT channel, since the at least one tube and the possibly provided several tubes can be pre-assembled in the jacket tube. Furthermore, the use of a jacket tube facilitates the sealing of the PAT channel, since an easy-to-use surface results. The sealing of the at least one tube to the jacket tube is also facilitated because this assembly does not have to be done in the centrifuge device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one tube is mounted so that it is decoupled from a rotation of the baffle plate and the baffle plate shaft. This is the case if the at least one tube is not surrounded by a jacket tube. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket tube is mounted so that it is decoupled from a movement of the baffle plate and the baffle disk shaft. Thus, the arranged in the casing tube at least one tube is decoupled from the rotation of the baffle plate of the baffle plate shaft. The storage described above has the consequence that the guided through the PAT channel pipes do not rotate with the disk. This is an important prerequisite in order to be able to introduce some of the process analysis technologies described below into the workspace and make meaningful use of them. This is especially the case with optical devices. In principle, it is also conceivable here that the tubes rotate with the drum, for example if an optical device is used which is to take a picture of always the same point in the drum.

In one embodiment of the invention, in the at least one tube, a device for carrying out internal provided by infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Such a device is used to measure the moisture content of the suspension.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a device for measuring the temperature at the working-space-side end of the at least one tube is provided in the one tube.

In one embodiment of the invention, an optical monitoring unit for monitoring the working space is provided at the working space end of the at least one tube. This optical monitoring unit may e.g. to be a camera.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a light source for illuminating the working space is provided at the working space end of the at least one tube.

In a further embodiment of the invention, an endoscope is guided into the working space through the at least one tube. The endoscope preferably has a combination of light source and camera.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one tube is designed as a sampling tube for taking a suspension sample. In this case, a member for receiving a suspension sample is preferably attached to the working space end of the at least one tube. The element for receiving a suspension sample is preferably a funnel. Furthermore, a pump device is preferably provided which is capable of sucking the suspension sample through the at least one tube by means of a vacuum generated by it. Furthermore, an outlet opening in the centrifuge is preferably provided. gene device provided by which passes through the at least one tube sucked from the sample chamber suspension sample to the outside. By the arrangement described above, a suspension sample that has entered the funnel can be sucked through the tube and removed through an outlet opening. This makes it possible at any time to examine the suspension without interrupting the operation of the centrifuge or to open the work space.

Preferably, the pump device is further capable of pumping a pressurized fluid through the at least one tube. In this way you get the opportunity to clean the pipe by means of the fluid.

Preferably, a sealed housing element is arranged around the outlet opening. This may be, for example, a so-called "glove box". This is a transparent material box, with one wall incorporating two glove elements that allow a worker to work with items that are in the glove box without direct contact with the items. In this way, toxic suspension samples can be taken without having to seal the entire space where the centrifuge device is located and the workers must wear a protective suit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, an ultrasonic cleaning device is arranged on the working space-side end of the at least one tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the PAT channel is sealed from the outside environment by means of a sealing element. This is especially necessary when using toxic see suspensions or products is worked. In principle, however, it is conceivable that the PAT channel is sealed both at its outer-environment-side end and at its working-room-side end in order to prevent contamination of the channel in principle and to ensure safety against leakage of toxic material from the working space into the outer environment increase. Preferably, the sealing element is an antiseptic double lip seal.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a rotating device is provided for rotating the at least one tube. It is also conceivable that the at least one tube rotates in the jacket tube, as well as that the tube is fixed relative to the jacket tube and is rotated by the rotating device of the jacket tube, so that the tube rotates with this. If more than one tube is provided, it is preferable that the tubes are fixed in the jacket tube and the rotating device rotates the jacket tube together with the tubes it shrouds.

Preferably, the rotary device is formed so that the at least one tube is fixable in at least one position position. This is to prevent that the pipe, or the jacket tube, with which the tube is firmly connected, unintentionally changes its position.

Preferably, the at least one tube is in a first position by means of the rotary device, in a second position, which is arranged rotated by 90 ° from the first position, and in a third position, by 90 ° from the second position and by the first position arranged rotated by 180 °, can be fixed. Preferably, the range of rotation of the rotating device is limited by two stops to 180 °.

Preferably, the rotating device is to be operated manually. In another embodiment, the centrifuge device includes a motor for effecting rotation of the rotating device. In one embodiment, the engine is automatically controlled by a control unit. In this way, the rotation of the at least one tube can be controlled automatically and integrated into the entire process and its control.

In a preferred embodiment, three tubes are provided. Preferably, an endoscope is guided by a first tube with an optical monitoring unit and a light source. A second tube is designed to take a suspension sample and has a funnel-shaped element at its working-side end, and a third tube is provided with a device for measuring the temperature at its working-side end.

Preferably, the three tubes are arranged in the cross section of the jacket tube so that the centers of the tube cross sections form a triangle.

Preferably, the first tube protrudes straight, ie in the direction of the opposite drive shaft, into the working space, the second tube is bent in the working space at a substantially right angle and the funnel-shaped element is arranged at the working space end, that when the three In a rotary movement caused by the rotary device, the tubes are located from the first position to the third position, the funnel-shaped element performs a semicircular movement in a lower half of the working space, and the third tube in the first position. position substantially vertically downwards. In the ^¬ se way, manually or automatically with a simple 180 ° rotation by means of the rotating device, the funnel with a semicircle can be moved through the suspension located on the ground, so that a suspension sample passes into the funnel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one window made of a transparent material is provided in the baffle plate. This makes it possible to view the working space from outside and thus to carry out the monitoring with optical devices. Preferably, at least one window channel is provided in the centrifuge device, with one end of the window channel terminating in front of the at least one window. Through the window channel can be brought from outside optical devices to the window located in the baffle plate.

Preferably, in the at least one window channel, a device for performing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is provided.

In one embodiment of the invention, an optical monitoring device is provided in the at least one window channel. This can e.g. to be a camera.

In one embodiment of the invention, a light source is provided in the at least one window channel. This serves to illuminate the working space or the cake in front of the window, which is monitored by the optical monitoring device. However, this may result in the disadvantage that the light source is reflected in the window provided in the baffle plate and thus reduces the quality of the optical monitoring. Therefore, the work space is preferred by means of a through the PAT channel into the workspace introduced light source to illuminate, this disadvantage does not occur. In combination with an optical monitoring device located in the window channel, this results in a particularly effective monitoring of the cake.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, three windows are provided, which are arranged offset by 120 ° over the circumference of the baffle plate. As the baffle plate rotates with the windows, an optical monitor or NIR spectroscopy device or other device located in the window channel does not view the working space continuously. Rather, an image results, which consists of many individual images that are recorded while a window in the baffle plate passes through the corresponding window channel. The quality of the recorded image or measurement depends on the frequency of the images, i. the pictures per second, from. The number of frames per second, in turn, is a function of the rotational speed and the number of circumferentially distributed windows. Accordingly, when three windows are provided, three pictures are taken during one revolution, so that the frame rate becomes three times as high. This results in a much improved image quality.

In one embodiment of the invention, three window channels are provided, which are arranged offset by 120 ° over the circumference of the baffle plate. Under certain circumstances, the NIR spectroscopy device or the optical monitoring device can occupy the entire space of a window channel, so that multiple window channels are needed to accommodate all desired devices. On the other side can be about with three cameras offset by 120 ° the entire working space is monitored by the baffle plate.

The inventive method for measuring the moisture content of a suspension of a centrifuge drum comprises the steps of providing a centrifuge device according to the main claim of the present invention, which further comprises eccentrically arranged on the baffle plate reciprocating for axially moving the baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate shaft is hollow and a PAT channel in itself, one end of which opens into the working space, in which at least one tube is guided by the PAT channel, which projects into the working space, and at the end of a device for measuring the temperature at the working-side end the tube is provided, and further comprising a rotating device for rotating the at least one tube, which is bent at the working-space-side end by a substantially right angle. Further suitable combinations of features of a provided centrifuge device are conceivable, for example, the tube may be inserted through the drive shaft into the working space and the baffle plate shaft may be used as a filling element, or the tube may be guided in a jacket tube, which in turn is arranged in the PAT channel. Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of rotating the at least one tube such that the working-room-side end projects into the suspension, measuring a temperature T 1, rotating the at least one tube so that a working-space-side end does not protrude into the suspension, Measuring a temperature T2 and the step of determining the moisture content of the suspension of the temperatures Tl and T2.

The method described above is preferably used to determine whether the suspension is sufficiently dry. is net. So it can be determined when the drying process is completed. If the temperature in the suspension (Tl) is measured to be lower than a temperature outside the suspension (T2), it can be assumed that this temperature difference occurs due to the condensation taking place in the suspension. By means of suitable formulas or empirical values combined into empirical formulas, a measure of the moisture remaining in the suspension can thus be found. If the temperature Tl approaches the temperature T2 or if the temperatures are already identical, it can be assumed that no further condensation processes take place in the suspension and a dry product is present. In this way, the removal of a moist product whose further processing may not be possible, can be excluded.

An inventive method for sampling a centrifuge device comprises the step of providing a centrifuge device according to the main claim of the present invention, further comprising a hollow baffle shaft with a PAT channel formed therein, one end of which opens into the working space at which the PAT Channel is guided at least one tube which projects into the working space, and is bent at its working chamber side end in an approximately right angle and is designed as a sampling tube for taking a sample suspension and to which a funnel for receiving a suspension sample is attached the centrifuge device further comprises a drying device capable, by means of a vacuum generated by it, of sucking the suspension sample through the at least one tube and further comprising an outlet opening through which the at least one tube from the sample is passed Enraum sucked suspension sample to the outside occurs. Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of rotating the passes at least one tube in the first position of rotation of the at least one tube in the third Posi ^¬ tion, so that suspension into the funnel-shaped element of fixing the at least one tube in the third position, actuating the pumping device so that the suspension contained in the funnel-shaped element is sucked through the second tube, and finally the step of taking the suspension sample at the outlet opening.

Thus, during operation of the machine, without having to open the working space, a suspension sample can be taken from the working space and examined outside the centrifuge device. In this way, the state of the suspension can be monitored for each time of operation and the operating parameters optimized.

The above-described technical features of the invention make it possible to use a variety of process analysis technologies that allow to optimize the operation of the centrifuge apparatus as well as the individual steps of centrifuging and drying. Furthermore, it is possible to monitor the state of the suspension during operation via measuring devices and to regulate the operation so that optimal process parameters are maintained throughout the operating time. The possibilities created by the invention of monitoring product-specific parameters online and, if necessary, correcting them result in a substantial improvement in product quality and a considerable reduction in the quantities of product that can no longer be utilized.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is illustrated by means of embodiments in the drawings and will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the working area with the surrounding filter, the drum, the baffle plate in a closed, sealing the working space sealing position and the subsequent components in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the drive shaft driving electric machine in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the baffle plate in an open position and the subsequent components in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the working space end of the PAT channel with the tubes disposed in the PAT channel and a window disposed in the baffle plate in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows the working space and the adjoining components in an embodiment of the invention, with the baffle plate in a closed position.

Figure 1 shows the working space 40 with the surrounding filter 14. The filter 14 is a metal filter made of a rigid material and has a conical shape. To the filter, the drum 10 is arranged, which comprises the drum base openings 12. Between the filter 14 and the drum 10, an annular space 13 is formed. An end face of the working space 40 is formed by the bottom of the drum 10, which is mounted on a drive shaft 16. The drive shaft 16 is hollow and has a drive shaft channel 18 in it, which is used as a filling channel for filling a suspension. The drive shaft channel 18 is followed by a funnel-shaped element 20. The drive shaft 16 opposite is the baffle plate shaft 24 on which the baffle plate 22 is mounted. The baffle disk shaft 24 is hollow and has a PAT channel 26 therein. In the PAT channel 26, a jacket tube 28 is guided, in which three tubes 30, 31, 32 are arranged. Of the three tubes 30, 31, 32, two tubes 30, 31 are visible in FIG.

When filling a suspension through the drive shaft channel 18, the suspension flows through the funnel-shaped element 20 and then enters the working space 40. The funnel-shaped element 20 prevents the suspension from dripping out of the drive shaft channel 18 and along the drum base 11 in the direction of the filter 14 runs. By varying the filling pressure, the suspension can now be filled in a suitable arc in the working space 40.

During centrifugation, the liquid phase of the suspension enters the annular space 13 through the filter 14 and flows out this from a drain 134 from. The solid phase of the suspension remains in the working space 40 and spreads evenly around the circumference of the filter, forming a layer called a cake. After centrifuging, this cake is blasted off the filter 14. This is done by blowing a fluid pulse of high pressure from the nozzles 50, 52 through the drum bottom openings 12 into the annulus 13. The detached suspension is then successively dried by repeated injection of a fluid into the annular space 13 and transported in the direction of the baffle plate 22. The baffle plate 22 is in Figure 1 in a closed state in which it engages in an attached to the drum driving pin 60. From this closed state, the baffle plate is axially movable in an open position, in which it engages in a second pin 62. From the closed state, the baffle plate 22 can be moved to the open state, so that the dried suspension, which is also called product is transported by continuous input of fluid pulses in the annular space 13 in an annular channel 70, from which it through a removal opening 136th can be removed. The baffle plate and the adjoining components in the open position are also shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a section of the drive shaft 16 remote from the drum on which the drive shaft 16 is driven by an asynchronous machine 80. The asynchronous machine 80 drives the auxiliary shaft 90. This is connected via a force-transmitting endless element 86, preferably a toothed belt, with the drive shaft 16 and drives them. The connection of the toothed belt 86 with the shafts 90 and 16 via gears 92 and 94. Furthermore, the secondary shaft 90 is connected via a further toothed belt 88 with a sine / cosine encoder 82. The Si nos / cosine encoder 82 transmits the present position of the shafts 90, 16 to a motion control unit (not shown) which controls the rotation of the drive shaft 16. By the arrangement of the specific elements described above, a high positional accuracy of the drive shaft 16 is ensured. Furthermore, the arrangement is designed so that the drive shaft 16 can be moved in both directions of rotation.

In addition, a zero position sensor 84 is provided, which can determine a zero position of the drive shaft 16 with a provided in the gear 94 counter element (not shown), to which the control of the drive shaft 16 is designed. Thus, when the centrifuge device is switched on, the regulation can be carried out from each drive shaft position when the drive shaft 16 is initially automatically moved to a zero position in which the zero position emitter 84 and the counter element (not shown) are opposite one another. From this position then starts the control of the machine.

In Figure 3, the baffle plate 22 is shown in an open position. In this position, a transfer of the product from the working space 40 into the annular space 70 is possible. The axial movement of the baffle plate 22 is effected by an eccentrically arranged lifting piston (not shown). Of course, any other suitable device for moving the baffle plate 22 would be conceivable, such as a hydraulic device or a pneumatic device. The baffle plate 22 is mounted on the baffle plate shaft 24, which is hollow. As a result, the baffle disk shaft 24 forms a PAT channel 26 in itself. In the PAT channel 26, a jacket tube 28 is guided, which is mounted so that it is decoupled from the rotation of the baffle plate shaft 24. This can be done, for example, via ball bearings. Schehen. In the jacket tube 28, three tubes 30, 31, 32 are guided. In Figure 3, the tube 32 can be seen. In the preferred embodiment, an endoscope, ie a camera and a light source, is guided through the tube 30. The tube 30 protrudes into the working space 40. Through the pipe 31, a device for measuring a temperature at the working space side end of the tube 31 is guided. The tube 32, not shown in FIG. 3, projects into the viewing plane. The tube is designed to remove a suspension sample. At its end a funnel is mounted, which is in the illustrated position of the tubes downwards, ie in the direction of the tube 31, flared.

Of course, more or less than three tubes may be provided in the jacket tube 28, or only one tube may be provided which is mounted directly in the PAT channel 26 without jacket tube 28. Also, other devices than those described above may be performed by the tubes. For example, there may be provided an apparatus for performing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy used to measure moisture at the working space end of the corresponding tube. Of course, a light source can also be guided separately from a camera in the working space, i. that a separate tube is provided for light source and camera. This would allow a light source to be aligned independently of the camera. In principle, any type of measuring device for measuring a desired state at the working space end of a pipe is conceivable. Also other types of optical monitoring devices e.g. Special cameras, such as an infrared camera, are conceivable if use of these devices should be of use.

At the working space remote end of the jacket tube, a rotating device (not shown) is mounted. With this can the jacket tube can be rotated independently of the baffle plate shaft. The tubes arranged in the jacket tube rotate with it. With the turning device, it is possible, for example, to rotate the tube 32, which projects into the viewing plane in the position shown in FIG. 3, by 180 ° into a position in which it protrudes from the viewing plane. In this case, the funnel would be moved by a suspension located at the bottom of the working space 40 and remove a suspension sample. This could then be aspirated via a pump device (not shown) at the working chamber remote end of the tube 32 and used for investigations of the suspension or the product. Also, with the rotating device, the pipe 31 can be moved with the temperature measuring device attached thereto. The procedures associated with the rotation of the tubes will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the baffle plate 22. Also, a cross section through the jacket tube 28 is shown. Evident is the arrangement of the three tubes in the jacket tube 28. Preferably, the tubes are arranged so that the centers form a triangle. In principle, however, the tubes can also be arranged in any suitable manner. If more or fewer than three tubes are provided, inevitably results in a different arrangement.

The PAT channel 26 is sealed off from the working space via sealing elements 90. A seal is also located at the working space remote end of the PAT channel 26. To be able to work with toxic suspensions or products, the sealing elements are antiseptic double lip seals. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the windows 102 provided in the baffle plate 22 are furthermore shown made of a transparent material. In the preferred embodiment, two windows each offset by 120 ° over the circumference are provided in the baffle plate 22, two of which can be seen in the sectional plane in FIG. Furthermore, three window channels 100 are provided in the preferred embodiment, two of which are also shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3. The window channels 100 are also arranged offset from each other by 120 °. In the window channels 100 optical monitoring devices 104 or devices for performing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy 104 are provided. Through the optical monitoring devices, the cake in the working space can be observed during centrifuging and drying. By means of the devices for performing NIR spectroscopy 104, the moisture content of the cake can be measured. Furthermore, a light source 104 can also be arranged in the window channels. However, in the arrangement of a light source 104 in the window channels, there are adverse reflections in the transparent material of the window 102. Therefore, it is preferable to pass a light source through one of the tubes 30, 31, 32, which illuminates the working space. Thus, reflections in the window 102 are avoided and good quality images are obtained from the optical monitors.

In principle, any suitable means for measuring a desired condition in the workspace may be placed through the windows 102 in the window channels 100. Basically, note that the baffle plate rotates with the windows 102 during centrifugation while the window channels 100 are not rotating. Thus, one obtains an image of the working space 40 only if - -

a window 102 is located in front of a window channel 100. Due to the high speed of the baffle plate during centrifuging but you get a very high number of images per second. However, the image quality increases with increasing number of windows, since in three windows 102 of course three times as many images per second are obtained as in a baffle plate in which only one window 102 is located.

Due to the 120 ° staggered arrangement of the three windows 102 and the three window channels 100, it is possible to overlook the entire workspace even during drying and cleaning. A cleaning process is always necessary if another product is to be produced after the manufacture of a product. Especially when using toxic products, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the centrifuge device. When cleaning the centrifuge device, the baffle plate 22 is also in an open position. In a preferred embodiment, it is then rotated so that the windows 102 are located in front of the window channels 100. Thus, with optical monitoring units in all three window channels 100, the entire working space can be monitored. In particular, residues on the filter 14 can be detected.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this a Bo- genstück 120 is formed on the jacket tube 28. Such a bend piece can be used, if all guided into the working space pipes are to be bent by a right angle. The elbow 120 then serves, inter alia, to protect the pipes as far as possible from contamination by the suspension located in the working space 40. Except for the elbow 120, the illustrated embodiment corresponds to a _ -

preferred embodiment. In FIG. 5, a gap 132 between the drum 10 and a centrifuge housing 130, into which the liquid phase of the suspension emerges through the drum 10 during centrifuging, can thus be seen. From the intermediate space 132, the liquid phase then drains into a drain 134. Furthermore, the removal opening 136 is shown, with which the centrifuged and dried product, which has been transported from the working space 40 into the annular channel 70, is removed. The extraction opening 136, the drain 134, the centrifuge housing 130 and the gap 132 correspond to the respective components in the preferred embodiment.

The method according to the invention for measuring the moisture content of a suspension in a centrifuge drum is carried out as follows. After the suspension has been centrifuged and the cake has been blasted off the filter 14, the cake is in the lower portion of the filter drum 10. The tube 31 is now provided with a device for measuring a temperature at the working space end of the tube 31 to the position shown in FIG rotated, ie so that the working space-side end of the tube points down into the lower portion of the filter drum. The tip of the tube is now in the centrifuged wet suspension slurry. Now a temperature Tl is measured. Subsequently, the tube 31 is rotated by 180 ° by means of the rotary device for rotating the tubes (not shown) so as to face in the opposite direction to the direction shown in FIG. Now a temperature T2 is measured. The temperature T2 corresponds to the temperature in the working space 40. In the case of a completely dry product, the temperature T1 corresponds to the temperature T2. If the product is still moist, ie if there is still a damp suspension sludge, the temperature Tl is lower than the temperature T2. Due to during drying take place the condensation of the wet phase of the suspension takes place, the temperature Tl in the suspension is reduced. Thus it can be concluded from the difference of the temperatures Tl and T2 to a moisture content of the suspension. The drying process should therefore continue until the temperature Tl substantially corresponds to the temperature T2.

A method for sampling from a centrifuge apparatus is performed as follows. The tubes 30, 31, 32 are rotated to the position shown in Figure 1. The tube 32, not shown, now projects into the cross-sectional plane shown in FIG. The formed on the tube 32 funnel widens down. By means of the rotating device (not shown), the tubes are manually rotated by 180 °. Two stops (not shown) limit the range of rotation of the tubes so that a user can not turn the tubes in the wrong direction. In the preferred embodiment, the tubes are fixable in the position shown, so that unintentional rotation of the tubes is prevented. Furthermore, the tubes can be fixed in a position rotated by 90 ° and by 180 °. The tubes are now rotated through 180 °, wherein the funnel passes through the suspension located in the lower part of the filter drum 14 and absorbs some of the suspension. After the tubes have been rotated by 180 °, they are fixed in this position. The tube 32 (not shown) now projects out of the cross-sectional plane shown in Figure 1. By means of a pumping device (not shown), the suspension sample located in the hopper is now sucked through the tube 32 so that it can be removed through an outlet opening located at the working space of the tube 32. Around this outlet opening, in the preferred embodiment, a so-called "glove box" is arranged, in which there is a funnel into which the suspension sample falls. The suspension sample can now be analyzed in the glove box. Due to the use of a glove box, toxic samples can also be analyzed. Alternatively, the sample can be removed via a sluice from the glove box and transported to a laboratory for analysis. In this way, a suspension in the centrifuge device or a centrifuged and dried end product can be removed and examined. This is possible without opening the working space, so that the entire amount of suspension is prevented from becoming unusable and can not be reused if control of the suspension sample is negative.

Of course, the method described above can also be carried out automatically. Thus, it is conceivable that the rotating device is automatically rotated by an electric motor controlled by a control unit. Thus, a sampling can take place automatically and be integrated into the control of the entire centrifuge device. Alternatively, for example, the triggering of a sampling would be possible by pressing a button.

By means of the process analysis technology devices described above, the quality of a product produced in the centrifuge device can be appreciably increased due to the constant monitoring of the manufacturing process and the amount of scrap produced can be significantly reduced. As a result, an economically advantageous operation of the centrifuge device becomes possible.

Claims

claims

A centrifuge device comprising a drive shaft, a drum connected to the drive shaft, a filter enclosed within the drum and enclosing a working space, a baffle plate forming an end face of the working space supported on a baffle plate shaft, the baffle plate and the drum being axially displaceable relative to one another are, a filling element for filling a suspension in the working space and with a surrounding the drum and the filter centrifuge housing.

2. Centrifuge device according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is hollow and having a self-contained drive shaft channel in which a drive shaft filling tube is guided, which is used as a filling element for filling a suspension.

3. Centrifuge device according to claim 1, wherein the baffle plate shaft is hollow and has a self-contained baffle plate channel in which a baffle plate filling tube is guided, which is used as a filling element for filling a suspension.

4. Centrifuge device according to claim 2, wherein a funnel-shaped element is arranged at a working-space-side end of the drive shaft filling tube.

5. Centrifuge device according to claim 4, wherein the funnel-shaped element is formed integrally with the drive shaft filling tube.

6. Centrifuge device according to claim 3, wherein a funnel-shaped element is arranged at a working-space-side end of the baffle plate filling tube.

7. Centrifuge device according to claim 6, wherein the funnel-shaped element is formed integrally with the baffle plate filling tube.

8. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 2 to 7, in which a suspension to be centrifuged is conveyed by means of a pump device, wherein the pressure applied by the pump device to the suspension pressure is variable.

9. Centrifuge device according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is driven by an electric asynchronous machine.

10. Centrifuge device according to claim 9, wherein the electrical asynchronous machine is controlled by a Bewegungssteue- tion unit which transmits a transmitter unit, the current position of the electric asynchronous machine, wherein caused by the electric asynchronous machine rotation of the drive shaft in both directions of rotation is possible.

11. Centrifuge device according to claim 10, wherein the transmitter unit is a sine / cosine encoder.

12. Centrifuge device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the electrical asynchronous machine has a secondary shaft extending through it, which is connected via a respective force-transmitting endless element with both the drive shaft and with the encoder unit.

13. Centrifuge device according to claim 1, with an eccentrically arranged on the baffle plate lifting piston for axially moving the baffle plate.

14. Centrifuge device according to claim 1 or 13, wherein the baffle plate shaft is hollow and has a PAT channel in it, one end of which opens into the working space.

15. Centrifuge device according to claim 1 or 13, wherein the drive shaft is hollow and has a PAT channel in it, one end of which opens into the working space.

16. Centrifuge device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein at least one tube is guided through the PAT channel, which projects into the working space.

17. Centrifuge device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one tube is surrounded by a jacket tube.

18. Centrifuge device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one tube is mounted so that it is decoupled from a rotation of the baffle plate and the baffle plate shaft.

19. Centrifuge device according to claim 17, wherein the jacket tube is mounted so that it is decoupled from a rotation of the baffle plate and the baffle plate shaft.

20. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 14 to 19, wherein in the at least one tube, a device for performing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is provided.

21. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein in the at least one tube, a device for measuring the temperature at the working space end of the at least one tube is provided.

22. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein at the working space end of the at least one tube, an optical monitoring unit for monitoring the working space is provided.

23. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein at the working space end of the at least one tube, a light source for illuminating the working space is provided.

24. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein an endoscope is guided into the working space through the at least one tube.

25. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the at least one tube is designed as a sampling tube for removing a suspension sample.

26. Centrifuge device according to claim 25, wherein at the working-space-side end of the at least one tube, a member for receiving a suspension sample is attached.

A centrifuge apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the member for receiving a suspension sample is a hopper.

28. Centrifuge device according to claim 26 or 27, in which a pump device is provided, which by means of a nes generated by her vacuum is able to suck the suspension sample through the at least one tube.

29. Centrifuge device according to claim 28, wherein an outlet opening is provided, through which the suspension sample sucked through the at least one tube from the sample space escapes to the outside.

The centrifuge apparatus of claim 28 or 29, wherein the pump device is further capable of pumping a pressurized fluid through the at least one tube.

31. Centrifuge device according to claim 29, wherein a sealed housing element is arranged around the outlet opening.

32. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein at the working space end of the at least one tube, an ultrasonic cleaning device is arranged.

33. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 14 to 30, wherein the PAT channel is sealed by means of a sealing member to the outside environment.

34. A centrifuge device according to claim 33, wherein the sealing element is a double lip antiseptic seal.

35. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 18 to 32, wherein a rotating device is provided for rotating the at least one tube.

36. Centrifuge device according to claim 35, wherein the rotating device is formed so that the at least one tube is fixable in at least one position position.

37. A centrifuge device according to claim 36, wherein the at least one tube by means of the rotary device in a first position, in a second position, which is arranged rotated from the first position by 90 °, and in a third position, which from the second position to 90 ° and is arranged rotated from the first position by 180 °, can be fixed.

38. Centrifuge device according to claim 37, wherein the rotation range of the rotating device is limited by two stops to 180 °.

39. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 35 to

38, in which the turning device is to be operated manually.

A centrifuge apparatus according to any one of claims 35 to 38, including a motor for effecting rotation of the rotating device.

41. A centrifuge device according to claim 40, wherein the motor is automatically controlled by a control unit.

42. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 16 to

39, in which three tubes are provided.

43. The centrifuge device according to claim 42, wherein an endoscope is guided by a first tube with an optical monitoring unit and a light source, a second tube is designed to take a suspension sample and a funnel-shaped element is attached to its working space. has a side end, and a third tube is provided with a device for measuring the temperature at its working space-side end.

44. Centrifuge device according to claim 43, wherein the three tubes are arranged in the cross section of the jacket tube so that the centers of the tube cross sections form a triangle.

45. Centrifuge device according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the first tube is straight, i. in the direction of the opposite drive shaft, projects into the working space, the second tube is bent in the working space at a substantially right angle and the funnel-shaped element is arranged at the working chamber end, that when the three tubes in a rotary means by means of the rotational movement caused from the first position to the third position, the funnel-shaped element makes a semi-circular motion in a lower half of the working space, and the third tube is in the first position substantially vertically downwards.

46. Centrifuge device according to claim 1, wherein at least one window made of a transparent material is provided in the baffle plate.

47. The centrifuge device of claim 46, wherein at least one window channel is provided with one end of the window channel terminating in front of the at least one window.

48. A centrifuge device according to claim 47, wherein in the at least one window channel a device for performing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is provided.

49. Centrifuge device according to claim 46 or 47, wherein an optical monitoring device is provided in the at least one window channel.

50. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 47 to

50. at which a light source is provided in the at least one window channel.

51. Centrifuge device according to one of claims 46 to 50, wherein 3 windows are provided, which are arranged offset over the circumference of the baffle plate by 120 °.

52. Centrifuge device according to claim 51, wherein three window channels are provided, which are arranged offset over the circumference of the baffle plate by 120 °.

53. A method of measuring the moisture content of a suspension in a centrifuge drum, comprising the steps of:

Providing a centrifuge apparatus having the features of claim 21 and a rotating device for rotating the at least one tube bent at a substantially right angle at its working space end, rotating the at least one tube so that its working space side end projects into the suspension a temperature Tl,

Turning the at least one tube so that its working-side end does not protrude into the suspension,

Measuring a temperature T2,

Determining the moisture content of the suspension from the temperatures Tl and T2.

54. Method for sampling from a centrifuge apparatus comprising the following steps:

Providing a centrifuge device having the features of claim 29 and a rotating device for rotating the tube, which is bent at its working space side end from a substantially right angle,

Turning the at least one tube to the first position,

Rotating the at least one tube to the third position so that suspension enters the funnel-shaped element,

Fixing the at least one tube in the third position,

Actuating the pumping device so that the suspension in the funnel-shaped element is sucked through the second tube; taking out the suspension sample at the outlet opening.