EP2466238A2 - Drying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (2) has a drying chamber composite (4) with multiple drying chambers (A-D), and a fluid distribution unit introducing drying medium i.e. air, from one of the drying chambers. A control device i.e. personal computer, controls the fluid distribution unit. The chamber is connected with the control device for sensing flow conditions of fluid distribution in-flowing the chamber and out-flowing the chamber. A sensor arrangement comprises sensors e.g. temperature sensor, humidity sensor, air speed sensor and/or pressure difference sensor, that are spaced at each other in flow direction. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a drying chamber composite with multiple drying chambers utilizing a drying apparatus.

Description

The invention relates to a drying device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 for drying hygroscopic goods.

Drying devices are well known, for example by DE 34 25 642 C1 . EP 0 292 717 B1 and DE 10 2005 030 501 A1 , They are used in particular for drying sawn timber.

By DE 34 43 915 C2 a drying device is known which has at least two separate drying chambers for receiving material to be dried, wherein each drying chamber is associated with at least one fan for flow of their working space with drying medium and wherein the drying chambers is associated with at least one heating device for heating the drying medium.

By DE 10 2008 045 829 A1 a drying device for drying hygroscopic goods is known, which has a plurality of drying chambers having drying chamber composite and flow medium for introducing air from at least one of the drying chambers in at least one other drying chamber and a control device for controlling the flow.

The invention has for its object to further improve the known drying device.

This object is achieved by the invention defined in claim 1.

Advantageous and expedient developments of the drying apparatus according to claim 1 are specified in claims 2 to 24.

A method according to the invention is specified in claim 25. The claims 26 to 34 indicate advantageous and expedient developments of the method according to the invention.

The basic idea of the invention is to optimize the energy requirement of the entire drying chamber composite or at least a part thereof during the drying process.

In a conventional drying apparatus having a plurality of drying chambers, the drying operations in the individual drying chambers are carried out independently of each other. For this purpose, the material to be dried, for example lumber, is flown in a drying phase with heated air, wherein the air absorbs moisture from the material to be dried and is removed. Corresponding drying devices are also referred to as supply / exhaust air dryer. After the moisture of the material to be dried has reached a certain value and the drying phase is completed, a cooling phase begins. During the cooling phase, the dried material is successively cooled. If, for example, wood is dried, the wood may, for example, have a temperature of 80 ° C. at the end of the drying phase. In order to avoid damage to the wood when it is brought to ambient temperature, for example when opening a door of the drying device, the cooling phase is often mandatory.

The at the end of the drying phase in the respective Drying chamber stored heat is not used in the known methods.

Within the scope of the inventively provided optimization of the energy requirement of the dryer composite, for example, and in particular this storage heat can be used. If a drying process is completed in a drying chamber of a drying chamber composite, then the heat stored in this drying chamber can be used by passing air from this drying chamber into another drying chamber of the composite in which the material to be dried is still in the drying phase located. In this case, from the drying chamber, in which the drying process is already completed, used storage heat, which is stored not only in the dried material and in the air contained in the drying chamber, but also in components of the drying chamber, such as their walls.

Compared to conventional drying devices, in which a degree of heat recovery via external heat exchangers is carried out according to the invention results in a comparable energy efficiency, but which is realized with a much lower cost of equipment. External heat exchangers could still be installed additionally. However, this would increase the heat savings only slightly and thus be useful only in special cases because of the high equipment cost. Since an important part of the heat requirement of the drying chambers can thus be covered by heat, which is contained in the drying chamber composite in any case, it is not necessary to cover this heat requirement by supplying additional energy.

In the drying device according to the invention At least one of the drying chambers is associated with a sensor arrangement in signal transmission connection with the control device for sensing flow conditions of a flow flowing into the drying chamber. In this case, the sensor arrangement has at least two sensors which are preferably spaced apart from one another in the flow direction. By way of example and in particular, in this case, the sensor arrangement has a plurality of individual sensors which are band-like and thus form a sensor band.

For example, the sensor arrangement may comprise temperature and / or humidity sensors which are spaced apart in the flow direction of the inflowing flow. With respect to a flow parameter of the respective flow, a gradient, for example a temperature and / or humidity gradient, can be determined via the individual sensors spaced apart from one another. On the basis of the gradient can then be determined, for example, whether air flows into the drying chamber with a desired temperature or humidity and how far has already done this mixing with the chamber air at certain locations of the chamber. In this way, data can be determined with high accuracy, which allows a particularly precise control of the drying process. The precise control of the drying process allows an optimization of the heat requirement of the drying chamber composite during a drying process.

For example, a plurality of individual sensors may be arranged on a rod-like carrier, wherein the carrier may be arranged to be linearly movable and / or rotatable along its longitudinal axis. By appropriate movement of the carrier, the sensors to a Any suitable place be brought to feel the prevailing climate conditions there.

According to the invention, it is basically sufficient if only two sensors are arranged on the carrier, which can be brought by appropriate movement of the carrier in each case to the desired location. In order to enable a simultaneous and spatially highly resolved detection of the climatic conditions in the drying device, it is advantageous if a plurality of individual sensors is arranged on the carrier. The spatial resolution of the detected data is the higher, the higher the number of sensor bands forming individual sensors.

The economy of a drying chamber composite has been substantially increased by the optimization of the heat demand according to the invention. Thus, for example, by means of the method according to the invention a saving of heating energy in the order of, for example, 10 to 22% possible. After alone in Germany currently about 30,000 drying chambers are operated, the invention allows the saving of significant amounts of heating energy.

The saving of heating energy leads directly to lower CO ₂ emissions, so that the inventive method-not only particularly economical, but also very environmentally friendly.

Due to the saving of energy and the reduction of CO ₂ emissions, the invention has a high social utility.

As part of the inventively provided optimization of energy requirements not only heating energy can be saved, but for example, water. During a drying process, it may first be necessary to moisten the material to be dried. For this purpose, the material to be dried is moistened with fresh water in conventional drying devices. In the method according to the invention, a moistening can be carried out, for example, by passing moist air, which is present in one of the drying chambers of the composite as part of a drying process, into another drying chamber in which moistening is required. The use of fresh water is thus at least partially unnecessary. This saves costs and relieves the environment.

Under an optimization of the energy requirement is understood according to the invention that the drying process, which consists of drying processes that take place in the individual drying chambers of the drying chamber composite, is controlled so that as little energy is consumed. How high the actual energy savings compared to known methods or devices depends on the particular conditions of the drying chamber composite and the parameters of the individual drying operations. The optimization task to be performed by the control device, in turn, depends on which type of energy the optimization relates to. For example, different control programs can result, depending on which type of energy optimization is performed. For example, an optimization in terms of the demand for heating energy may result in a different control program than in an optimization with regard to the demand for water.

In the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention, the drying chambers of a drying chamber composite can communicate with one another in any desired manner in accordance with the respective requirements. So it is possible according to the invention a drying chamber communicates with one or more of the remaining drying chambers. The fluidic interconnection of the drying chambers together can be changed during the drying process in accordance with the control program in a timely manner. As a result, in the method according to the invention or the apparatus according to the invention, basically, each of the drying chambers can thus communicate with each other drying chamber in terms of flow.

According to the invention, for example, one of the drying chambers can be subjected to an alternating climate by interrupting the circulation and heating or the supply of warm drying air in this drying chamber. Experience has shown that this interruption does not interrupt the drying process. Rather, the drying process continues even after interrupting the supply of hot air to be dried material over a certain period of time.

According to the invention, the optimization of the energy requirement for the entire drying chamber composite can be carried out. In this case, the drying processes running in all drying chambers are included in the optimization. However, it is according to the invention also possible to include only individual drying chambers in the optimization, for example, when in a drying chamber a particularly sensitive drying process with respect to the material to be dried, in which the drying parameters must be kept particularly accurate. However, it is also possible according to the invention to form at least one subassembly in the drying chamber composite, for which an optimization of the energy requirement is then carried out. This can be done by optimizing the energy requirement for the subcompass based on the entire drying chamber composite, a partial optimization of the energy requirements are performed. However, the formation of sub-networks and the optimization of the energy requirements for the respective sub-network can also be used to optimize the energy requirement for the entire drying chamber network.

The drying chambers of the drying device according to the invention can be charged in any manner. For example, according to the invention also a track car load can be used.

As the drying medium according to the invention preferably air is used. However, it is also possible to use other gaseous drying media instead of or in addition to air.

The process according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in connection with the drying of any hygroscopic goods. By way of example and in particular, the material to be dried may be wood, in particular lumber.

According to the invention, the control device can be a computer, in particular a PC. Corresponding computers are available with high computing power and are suitable for the execution of even complex optimization tasks.

The flap parts may be formed according to the invention in one or more parts. If the flap parts extend in the direction of their pivot axis, for example along the width dimension of a drying chamber, then they can be formed in several parts, for example along this width extension. The individual flap parts formed in this way can again be movable independently of one another.

The drying process according to the invention is already advantageous in a drying chamber composite consisting of only two drying chambers. However, its advantages are particularly evident in drying chamber assemblies which have more than two drying chambers. The number of drying chambers can be selected within wide limits. The drying chambers, which are also referred to below as chambers, may be arranged in series and / or in the block, wherein a loading of the drying chamber composite from one side or from both sides may be possible.

According to the invention, it is basically sufficient if the sensor arrangement has only two individual sensors. In order to increase the spatial resolution during the detection of the flow conditions, an advantageous development of the invention provides that the sensor arrangement has a plurality of band-like successive individual sensors that form a sensor band.

The individual sensors can work according to any suitable operating principle. In this case, at least one individual sensor may preferably be a temperature sensor and / or an air humidity sensor and / or an air speed sensor and / or a pressure difference sensor, as provided by another advantageous development of the invention.

According to the invention, a sensor arrangement may not have similar, ie operating according to different principles of action individual sensors. In order to determine a gradient in the detection of the flow conditions, for example a temperature and / or humidity gradient, another advantageous development of the invention provides that the sensor arrangement comprises at least two similar sensors having. Under similar sensors are understood in this context sensors that operate on the same principle of action, so for example, perform a temperature measurement.

The assignment of the sensor arrangement or the sensor arrangements to the drying chambers can be selected within wide limits. In that regard, advantageous developments of the invention provide that each drying chamber is assigned its own sensor arrangement and / or that at least two drying chambers is assigned a common sensor arrangement. In the minimum case, for example, a sensor arrangement with only two individual sensors can be assigned to two drying chambers, so that the one individual sensor is assigned to one and the other individual sensor to the other drying chamber. Insofar as each drying chamber is assigned its own sensor arrangement or at least part of the drying chambers its own sensor arrangement, it is expedient if the individual drying sensors assigned to different drying chambers are of the same design, ie operate according to the same operating principle.

The individual sensors can be arranged at any suitable point in the drying chambers both in the respective working chamber of the drying chamber and in at least one flow channel interconnecting the drying chambers, wherein the individual sensors can be arranged in any suitable manner on components of the drying chamber. An advantageous development of the invention provides insofar as a plurality of individual sensors is arranged on a common carrier.

To temporally successive measurements at different points of the drying chamber composite With regard to the flow conditions, provides an advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment, that the carrier is arranged to be movable.

Another advantageous embodiment of the embodiment with the carrier provides that the same is rod-like. For example, the carrier may be formed by a tube, on whose outer surface a plurality of individual sensors is arranged and in the interior of which electrical lines of the individual sensors are guided.

An advantageous development of the embodiment with the movable support provides that the carrier is linearly movable and / or rotatable, wherein the carrier at least one linear drive and / or at least one rotary drive can be assigned. In combination of the aforementioned embodiment, a plurality of individual sensors may be disposed on a rod-like carrier which is both linearly movable and rotatable. In this way, the position of the individual sensors and thus of the sensor arrangement (s) can be varied within wide limits.

In order to further increase the energy efficiency of the device according to the invention, an advantageous development of the invention provides at least one outside climate sensor arranged outside the drying chambers, which is preferably arranged on the carrier. In this way it is possible to include the outside climate in the control of the drying device and to take into account during the drying process resulting changes in the external climate in the control.

In the embodiment with a sensor band forming individual sensors provides an advantageous development in that at least two mutually spaced sensor strips are provided. In this embodiment, for example, it is possible for at least one sensor band to be arranged essentially horizontally and / or at least one sensor band to be substantially vertical. For example, it is possible to provide a substantially horizontally arranged sensor band in a flow channel interconnecting the drying chambers, while in the useful space of at least one drying chamber a substantially vertically arranged sensor band is provided. It is also possible according to the invention to provide a substantially horizontally arranged sensor strip in the working space of at least one drying chamber. In this context, other advantageous developments of the invention provide that at least one sensor band is arranged in a flow channel connecting at least two drying chambers and / or that at least one sensor band is arranged in a useful space of a drying chamber.

Another advantageous development of the embodiment with at least two sensor bands provides that at least two sensor bands are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.

• wenigstens einen Querventilator zum Einleiten von Luft aus wenigstens einer der Trocknungskammern in wenigstens eine andere Trocknungskammer und/oder
• wenigstens ein Umluftventilator zum Umwälzen der Luft innerhalb einer zugeordneten Trocknungskammer und/oder
• pro Trocknungskammer wenigstens eine verschließbare Zuluftöffnung zur Zuführung von Frischluft zu der Trocknungskammer und wenigstens eine verschließbare Abluftöffnung zur Abführung von Abluft aus der Trocknungskammer und/oder
• wenigstens eine Absperreinrichtung zum Trennen des Nutzraumes einer Trocknungskammer von einem Strömungskanal, über den der Trocknungskammer Luft aus wenigstens einer anderen Trocknungskammer zuführbar ist oder zugeführt wird,

aufweisen. Hierbei sind Anzahl und Ausgestaltung der Bestandteile der Beströmungsmittel innerhalb weiter Grenzen wählbar.Another development of the invention provides that the controllable by the control device flow agent

• at least one transverse fan for introducing air from at least one of the drying chambers into at least one other drying chamber and / or
• at least one circulating air fan for circulating the air within an associated drying chamber and / or
• at least one closable per drying chamber Supply air opening for supplying fresh air to the drying chamber and at least one closable exhaust air opening for the discharge of exhaust air from the drying chamber and / or
• at least one shut-off device for separating the useful space of a drying chamber from a flow channel, via which the drying chamber is supplied or is supplied with air from at least one other drying chamber,

exhibit. In this case, the number and design of the components of the flow agents can be selected within wide limits.

The shut-off device can in this case in particular be infinitely variable between a closed position in which it separates the useful space of the drying chamber from the flow channel and an open position in which the drying chamber is in fluid communication with the flow channel. In intermediate positions, the shut-off device then assumes a metering function.

An advantageous and expedient development of the shut-off device provides that at least one drying chamber has at least one flap-like shut-off device which has at least two relatively movable flap parts which release a flow opening of the drying chamber in an open position and close the flow opening in a closed position. The fact that the shut-off device has at least two flap parts, it can perform various functions. For example, serve at least one of the flap parts in the open position as a flow baffle. Another flap part may serve, for example, to close a remaining when using the drying chamber between the top of the material to be dried and the ceiling or false ceiling of the drying chamber clearance and thereby prevent this space forms a bypass for an inflowing into the chamber flow. This ensures that the flow of the drying medium leaves the drying chamber only after it has flowed through the material to be dried. The in claim 19, which plays an independent inventive significance, defined shut-off is thus designed multifunctional.

An advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the shut-off device for separating the useful space of a drying chamber from a flow channel, via which the drying chamber drying medium from at least one other drying chamber is supplied or is supplied is formed.

The flap parts can be movable according to the respective requirements in any suitable manner. An advantageous and expedient development provides so far that the flap parts are pivotally mounted.

In principle, the movement of the flap parts can be coupled to each other. An advantageous development, however, provides insofar as the flap parts are movable independently of each other. In this way, the possibilities of the flow line through the flap parts are further expanded.

An extraordinarily advantageous development of the shut-off device provides that at least one of the flap parts for closing a when using the drying chambers between the ceiling or false ceiling and the space to be dried formed free space is formed. In this way, a "bypass flow" of the drying medium is avoided by the free space from an inlet opening directly to an outlet opening and ensures that the drying medium flows through the material to be dried. In this way, the energy efficiency of the device according to the invention is further improved.

Another development of the invention provides that at least one flap part is articulated in the ceiling or false ceiling.

In the method according to the invention, the energy efficiency can be increased not only by the fact that storage heat is used from the individual drying chambers. In particular, the method according to the invention makes it possible to avoid so-called "dead heat". In this case, the term "dead heat" is understood as follows: If supply air is supplied as drying medium to a drying chamber via an inlet air opening, then it is necessary to maximize the energy efficiency so that the drying medium is not discharged via the exhaust air opening until it has flowed through the material to be dried , If reversible (reversible) fans are used in their direction of rotation, it is possible that in a desired direction of rotation of the fans, the heated drying medium in the desired manner flows through the material to be dried and is subsequently discharged through the exhaust port, while in the opposite direction of rotation Fans part of the flow of the warm drying medium flows directly from the supply air opening to the exhaust port. The heat not used in the latter case for drying the material to be dried is called "dead heat". Thereby the "dead heat" is wasted as a result of a part of the spent heating energy useless, the "dead heat" charged to a considerable extent the environment.

In that regard, the invention solves the idea of making the opening and closing of the supply and exhaust ports of a chamber synchronously. Rather, according to the invention, the supply air and exhaust air openings can be controlled asynchronously. In that regard, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a drying chamber associated Zuluftöffnung open and the associated exhaust port is closed and that originating from the drying chamber air flow is passed to the exhaust port of another drying chamber. In this way, "dead heat" can be avoided in an efficient manner, so that the energy efficiency of the method according to the invention is further increased.

As the drying medium can be used according to the invention air. However, it is also possible according to the invention to use another gaseous medium, for example superheated steam. The basic principle of the invention can be transferred from drying devices or drying processes in the same manner to other devices or processes in which hygroscopic goods are treated. The subject matter of the invention thus also includes, for example, damping devices in which hygroscopic goods, for example wood, are damped. A corresponding damping device then has, according to the invention, a damping chamber composite comprising a plurality of damping chambers, as well as flow medium for introducing a damping medium from at least one of the damping chambers into at least one other damping chamber. The process according to the invention can also be analogously applied to other processes to transfer hygroscopic goods.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. All the features described in the drawing and claimed in the claims, taken alone and in any combination with each other form the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims and their dependency and regardless of their description or representation in the drawing.

Fig. 1

einen Vertikalschnitt durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Trocknungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

einen Grundriß der Trocknungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen weiteren Vertikalschnitt der Trocknungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in einer zu Fig. 1 um 90° versetzten Schnittebene,

Fig. 4

in zu Fig. 2 ähnlicher Darstellung ein Detail,

Fig. 5

ein Blockschaltbild einer Steuerungseinrichtung der Trocknungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 6

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 2 die Trocknungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in einem ersten exemplarischen Betriebszustand,

Fig. 7

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 6 die Trocknungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in einem zweiten exemplarischen Betriebszustand,

Fig. 8A

zur Erläuterung eines Details des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens eine Schemadarstellung zweier Trocknungskammern der Trocknungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in einer ersten Konstellation,

Fig. 8B

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 8A die Trocknungskammern in einer zweiten Konstellation,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Absperreinrichtung mit zwei relativ zueinander beweglichen Klappenteilen in einer ersten Position der Klappenteile,

Fig. 10

die Absperreinrichtung gemäß Fig. 9 in einer zweiten Position der Klappenteile,

Fig. 11

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 9 die Absperreinrichtung in einer dritten Position der Klappenteile und

Fig. 12

in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 9 die Absperreinrichtung gemäß Fig. 9 in einer vierten Position der Klappenteile.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a vertical section through an embodiment of a drying device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a plan view of the drying device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a further vertical section of the drying apparatus according to Fig. 1 in one too Fig. 1 90 ° offset cutting plane,

Fig. 4

in to Fig. 2 similar representation a detail,

Fig. 5

a block diagram of a control device of the drying device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 6

in the same representation as Fig. 2 the drying device according to Fig. 2 in a first exemplary operating state,

Fig. 7

in the same representation as Fig. 6 the drying device according to Fig. 2 in a second exemplary operating state,

Fig. 8A

to explain a detail of the method according to the invention is a schematic representation of two drying chambers of the drying apparatus according to Fig. 1 in a first constellation,

Fig. 8B

in the same representation as Fig. 8A the drying chambers in a second constellation,

Fig. 9

1 is a schematic representation of a shut-off device according to the invention with two flap parts which are movable relative to one another in a first position of the flap parts,

Fig. 10

the shut-off device according to Fig. 9 in a second position of the flap parts,

Fig. 11

in the same representation as Fig. 9 the shut-off device in a third position of the flap parts and

Fig. 12

in the same representation as Fig. 9 the shut-off device according to Fig. 9 in a fourth position of the flap parts.

In the figures of the drawing, the same or corresponding components are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 an embodiment of a drying device 2 according to the invention for drying hygroscopic goods is shown having a drying chamber composite with a plurality of drying chambers. In Fig. 1 For example, four drying chambers are shown and labeled A, B, C and D. However, the shape, structure and number of drying chambers can be selected within wide limits. The drying chamber A will be explained in more detail below. The drying chambers B, C and D are constructed accordingly, and their components are provided with reference numerals corresponding to the reference numerals of the components of the drying chamber A.

The drying device 2 according to the invention comprises flow agents for introducing drying medium, in particular air, from at least one of the drying chambers into at least one other drying chamber. These agents are described below on the basis of FIGS. 1 to 4 explained in more detail.

The drying device 2 also has a control device for controlling the flow media. This control device will be described below with reference to Fig. 5 explained in more detail.

The drying device 2 is particularly suitable for carrying out a method according to the invention.

The drying device 2 operates on the principle of the supply / exhaust air drying, in which the work space 6 of the drying chamber A, is received in the material to be dried 8, a heated drying medium is supplied. In the illustrated embodiment, the material 8 to be dried is stacked lumber. However, the drying device 2 is also suitable for drying other hygroscopic goods. During the supply / exhaust air drying, at least one supply air opening is supplied with fresh air as the drying medium per drying chamber A. For this purpose, the drying chamber A at least one supply air opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the drying chamber A on three supply air, of which for the sake of clarity, only one supply air opening is provided with the reference numeral 10.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the drying device 2. Fresh air supplied via the supply air openings 10 is heated via at least one heating device and then flows through the material to be dried 8. In Fig. 2 By way of example, two heating devices in the form of heating registers 12, 14 are shown. After flowing through the material to be dried 8, the drying medium, which has absorbed moisture from the material to be dried 8, either via exhaust ports, of which in Fig. 2 only one exhaust port is provided with the reference numeral 16, derived from the drying device 2 to the outside or introduced in the context of the inventive method in at least one of the other drying chambers B, C and D. For circulating the air in the working space 6 of the drying chamber A, the flow means comprise a plurality of circulating air fans, of which in Fig. 2 only a circulating air fan is provided with the reference numeral 18.

In order to introduce air according to the invention from one of the drying chambers A, B, C and D into one of the other drying chambers, the drying chambers A, B, C and D can be fluidically connected to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the drying chambers A, B, C and D each have their own flow channel 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d assigned. Respective adjacent flow channels 20a to 20d, so for example, the flow channels 20a and 20b of the drying chambers A and B are connected to each other via an opening which is provided with reference numeral 22 with respect to the flow channels 20a and 20b. For introducing air from the flow channel 20a into the flow channel 20b, the flow means comprise a transverse fan 24, which is arranged in the region of the opening 22 and, for example, as a tube ventilator can be trained. The transverse fan 24 is formed reversible and can be controlled for example by means of a frequency converter. Optionally, the opening 22 by a shut-off device, such as a flap or blind 23 (see. Fig. 1 ), be closed. However, it is also possible to adjust an air flow between the flow channels 20a and 20b in direction and speed exclusively using the cross-fan 24.

If the direction of flow of the drying medium in the drying chamber A is reversed by reversing the circulating air fans 18 and the transverse fan 24, the openings 10 previously functioning as supply air openings act as exhaust air openings, while the openings 16 previously functioning as exhaust openings then function as supply air openings.

Fig. 3 shows a further vertical section through the drying device 2 according to Fig. 1 , In order to separate the usable space 6 of the drying chamber A from the associated flow channel 20a, the flow agents in this embodiment have shut-off devices which are in Fig. 3 are provided with the reference numerals 26, 28. In the following, only the shut-off device 26 will be explained in more detail. The shut-off device 28 is constructed accordingly. In the illustrated embodiment, the shut-off device 26 is formed by a flap which is pivotally mounted and movable in the direction of a double arrow 30. In an open position, the shut-off device 26 releases an opening 32 between the flow channel 20a and the work space 6 of the drying chamber A, while in a closed position the work space 6 of the drying chamber A is fluidly separated from the flow channel 20a is. Fig. 3 shows the shut-off device 26 in an intermediate position in which it has a metering function with regard to the supply of the drying medium to the working space 6 of the drying chamber A.

As in Fig. 3 arranged at the reference numeral 34, in the flow passage 20a, a heater, for example in the form of a heater, may be arranged. The reference numeral 36 designates a humidifying device, by means of which via the supply air opening 10 supplied drying medium can be moistened, if necessary according to the respective conditions required to set a particular drying climate in the working space 6 of the drying chamber A.

In the case of the drying device 2 according to the invention, on the one hand, the usable space of each drying chamber A, B, C and D can be brought into fluid communication with the associated flow channel 20a, 20b, 20c or 20d by correspondingly actuating the associated shut-off devices, for example the shut-off devices 26 and 28 or be separated from it. At the same time, adjacent flow channels 20a and 20b may be fluidly communicated with each other. As a result, it is thus possible according to the invention to introduce air from one of the connecting chambers A, B, C and D into at least one of the other drying chambers A, B, C and D. By appropriate control of the fluid, the drying chambers A, B, C and D can be interconnected in any way fluidically.

According to the invention, at least one of the drying chambers A, B, C and D is one with a control device (see below the description of Fig. 5 ) in signal transmission connection standing sensor arrangement associated with sensing flow conditions of a flow entering or exiting the drying chamber from the drying chamber. This sensor arrangement will be described below with reference to FIG Fig. 4 explained in more detail.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a detail of the drying device 2 in the region of the flow channels 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d. In the illustrated embodiment, the drying chamber A is associated with a sensor arrangement 38a, which has three individual sensors 40, 42, 44 in this embodiment. In a corresponding manner, the drying chambers B, C and D sensor assemblies 38b, 38c and 38d assigned and constructed to the sensor assembly 38a accordingly. In the following, only the sensor arrangement 38a will be explained in more detail.

How out Fig. 4 It can be seen that the individual sensors 40, 42, 44 are arranged in a band-like manner and thereby forming a sensor band, wherein the sensor arrangements 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d are arranged on a common support 46, which in this embodiment is rod-shaped. The carrier 46 is assigned on the one hand a linear drive, so that the carrier 46 in the direction of a double arrow 48 is linearly movable. On the other hand, the carrier 46 is associated with a rotary drive, so that the carrier 46 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

How out Fig. 4 As can be seen, the carrier 46 extends through openings formed between the flow channels 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d.

For sensing the external climate prevailing outside the drying device 2, an outside climate sensor 50 is arranged on the carrier 46. For this purpose, the support 46 by a in the outer wall 52 of the drying device 2 formed opening 54 led out. How out Fig. 4 can be seen, the carrier 46 extends through all the flow channels 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d.

The individual sensors 40, 42, 44 can operate according to any suitable principle of action, for example as temperature and / or humidity sensors. Expediently, the individual sensors 40, 42, 44 are arranged symmetrically to the respective partitions between adjacent chambers.

The sensor arrangement 38a makes it possible to sense the flow conditions of a flow of the drying medium flowing into or drying out of the drying chamber A into the respective drying chamber. In particular, in this case the temperature and / or humidity of the flowing drying medium can be determined. The output signals of the sensor arrangement 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d are used according to the invention in order to control the drying process in the drying device 2.

Fig. 5 2 shows a highly schematized control-engineering block diagram of the drying device 2. Output signals of the sensor arrangements 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d are fed to a control device 56, which may be formed for example by a control computer. The controller 56 is also supplied with output signals of the outdoor environmental sensor 50. By an arrow 58 is in Fig. 5 indicated that the controller 56 can be supplied with additional signals, in particular output signals of arranged in the utility rooms of the drying chambers A, B, C and D sensors. The control device 56 determines during the drying process, a control program for controlling the flow. In the context of a method according to the invention, the control program is determined by the control device so that the energy requirement of the entire drying chamber composite 4 or a part thereof is optimized during the drying process, wherein by means of the sensor assemblies 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d, the flow conditions of at least one in a the drying chambers A, B, C and D inflowing or out of the drying chamber A, B, C and D discharged air flow and be included in the determination of the control program. In the context of the method according to the invention, in particular, the need for heating energy can be optimized.

In Fig. 5 the flow agents are symbolized by their components associated with the drying chamber A, ie by the shut-off devices 26, 28, the recirculating fans 18, the cross-ventilator 24 and the inlet and outlet openings 10, 16 and the blind 23. The other drying chambers B, C and D. associated components of the flow agents are of course also controlled by the control device 56 in the context of the method according to the invention. By an arrow 60 is in Fig. 5 symbolizes that other components of the drying device 2 can be controlled by the controller 56 according to the respective requirements.

The implementation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 explained in more detail.

In the method according to the invention, the control program is determined by the control device such that the energy requirement of the entire drying chamber composite 4 or a part thereof during is optimized in the drying process, wherein the flow conditions of at least one flowing into a drying chamber A, B, C or D or flowing out of the drying device air flow are sensed and included in the determination of the control program. The optimization of the energy demand can for example be such that the demand for the heaters of the drying device 2 supplied heating energy is minimized.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 purely exemplary represent possible fluidic interconnections of the drying chambers A, B, C and D in the context of the inventive method. According to the invention, however, any other interconnections are possible.

Fig. 6 shows a constellation in which the drying process is already completed in the chamber A and storage heat is available in the form of heat, which is stored in the goods to be dried 6, the components of the drying chamber A and in the drying chamber A air. This storage heat can be used, for example, to advance a current in the drying chamber C drying process. For this purpose, a fluidic connection between the working space 6a of the drying chamber A and the working space 6c of the drying chamber C is produced. To produce this fluidic connection, the shut-off devices 26 and 28 of the drying chamber A are first opened so that their working space 6 is in fluid communication with the flow channel 20a. In a corresponding manner, the flow chamber C associated shut-off devices are opened so that their work space 6c fluidly communicates with the associated flow channel 20c.

In the illustrated constellation, it is assumed that the drying chamber B is in a resting phase. In this case, the flow chamber B associated shut-off 26 b, 28 b closed, which in Fig. 6 indicated by hatching. In addition, a fluidic connection on the one hand between the flow channels 20a and 20b and on the other hand between the flow channels 20b and 20c made so that air from the drying chamber A flows into the drying chamber C. The fact that the work space 6b of the drying chamber B is separated from the flow passage 20b by means of the associated shut-off devices 26b, 28b prevents the air flowing out of the drying chamber A from flowing into the work space 6b of the drying chamber B.

At the same time it is assumed that in the drying chamber D runs independent of the other drying processes drying process. For this reason, the flow channel 20d is fluidically separated from the flow channel 20c by either an opening connecting both flow channels is closed by a shut-off or the associated transverse fan 24d is driven accordingly.

As a result, the drying chamber A exchanges air with the drying chamber C, while the drying chamber B is in a quiescent phase and an independent drying process takes place in the drying chamber D. During the rest phase, the drying process in the drying chamber B in the manner already described above can proceed in the context of an alternating climate.

Fig. 7 shows another constellation in which the drying chamber B exchanges air with the drying chambers C and D, while in the drying chamber A a this independent drying process takes place.

The optimization of the energy requirement carried out in the context of the method according to the invention makes it possible to save significant amounts of energy and thus relieves the burden on the environment.

Fig. 8A For the sake of explanation, the drying chambers A and B, the - as out Fig. 1 and 2 In the context of the method according to the invention advantageously the supply air openings 10a and 10b and the exhaust ports 16a, 16b closing shut-off devices can be controlled independently of each other. Fig. 8A shows a constellation in which the supply air opening 10a of the drying chamber A is opened, so that fresh air flows into the flow channel 20a. If the transverse fan 24a is operated in a direction of rotation, that the air in the flow passage 20a in Fig. 8 flows through in the direction of chamber A to chamber B, 16A would flow with open exhaust port only a portion of the fresh air in the direction of arrow 61 and to flow through the goods to be dried 8, while another part of the fresh air flow directly through the exhaust port 16a into the environment would. Thus, a portion of the heat supplied to the fresh air via heaters would be released to the environment without being used for the drying process. This so-called "dead heat" is inventively avoided by the fact that the inlet and outlet openings of the individual drying chambers A, B can be controlled independently.

In the constellation according to Fig. 8A the "dead heat" is avoided by closing the exhaust port 16a so that the part of the air flow that would otherwise flow through the exhaust port 16a is conveyed by means of the transverse fan 24a in the flow channel 20b of the drying chamber B, flows into the work space 6b of the drying chamber B and there heats the material to be dried 8b. In this way, the energy efficiency of the drying device 2 according to the invention is further improved. The control of the inlet and outlet openings 10a, 16a and 10b, 16b is carried out by the control device 56, taking into account the respective direction of rotation of the transverse fans 24a, 24b.

Fig. 8B represents a constellation that differs from the constellation according to Fig. 8A characterized in that the flow direction in the drying chamber A is reversed. For this purpose, the direction of rotation of the circulating air fans 18 is reversed. The opening 16a now acts as a supply air opening, while the opening 10a acts as an exhaust port. To avoid the "dead heat" is in the constellation according to Fig. 8B the opening 10a functioning as the exhaust opening is closed, while the opening 16a functioning as the supply air opening is opened. The flow conditions in the drying chamber B are compared to Fig. 8A unchanged.

Fig. 9 shows in a modification of the in Fig. 3 26 shows an embodiment of a flap-like shut-off device 62 according to the invention, which has at least two relatively movable flap parts 64, 66, which release a flow opening of the drying chamber A in an open position and close the flow opening in a closed position. In the embodiment according to Fig. 9 the flow opening is the opening 32, via which the work space 6 of the drying chamber A can be connected to the associated flow channel 20a.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flap parts 64, 66 are infinitely independently movable and pivotally mounted. By means of associated drive means, the flap parts 64, 66 in the direction of double arrows 68, 70 are pivotable.

Fig. 9 shows a first constellation in which both flap parts 64, 66 are located between the open position and the closed position and the opening 32 is thus partially opened for a passage of air.

Fig. 10 shows a second constellation of the position of the flap members 64, 66, in which the flap member 64 is in its open position. The flap portion 66 serves in the in Fig. 10 shown position for closing a when using the drying chamber A between the intermediate ceiling 72 and the top of the material to be dried 8 formed free space 74. In this way prevents in the direction of an arrow 76 in the work space 6 of the drying chamber A inflowing drying medium through the space 74 flows and leaves the work space 6 in the flow channel 20a, without having to flow through the material to be dried 8. In this way, it is forced that the drying medium flows through the material to be dried. A "bypass" flow through the space 74, which could lead to unnecessary heat loss, thereby reliably avoided.

Fig. 11 shows a third constellation of the position of the flap parts 64, 66, which differs from the constellation Fig. 10 differs in that the flap member 64 is in an intermediate position in which it acts as a flow baffle.

Fig. 12 shows the flap parts 64, 66 in their closed position, in which they are substantially horizontal are arranged and close the opening 32. In the closed position, the flap parts 64, 66 bear tightly against one another with their free ends. However, they can overlap.

The shut-off device 62 according to the invention serves to increase the energy efficiency of the drying device 2 and at the same time offers manifold possibilities of the flow line.

Claims (16)

Drying device for drying hygroscopic goods,
with a drying chamber composite having a plurality of drying chambers,
with flow agents for introducing drying medium, in particular air, from at least one of the drying chambers into at least one other drying chamber and
with a control device for controlling the flow agents,
characterized,
that at least one of the drying chambers a standing in signal communication with the control device sensor arrangement is associated for sensing flow conditions of a flowing into the drying chamber or flowing out of the drying chamber flow,
wherein the sensor arrangement at least two, preferably in the flow direction spaced apart individual sensors having. Drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of band-like successive and thereby forming a sensor band individual sensors and that preferably a plurality of individual sensors is arranged on a common carrier. Drying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one individual sensor is a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor and / or an air speed sensor and / or a pressure difference sensor and / or
the sensor arrangement has at least two identical individual sensors. Drying device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each drying chamber is assigned its own sensor arrangement or
in that at least two drying chambers are assigned a common sensor arrangement. Drying device according to claim 4, characterized in that the carrier is arranged to be movable and / or
that the carrier is rod-like and / or that the carrier is linearly movable and / or rotatable and / or
in that the carrier is assigned at least one linear drive and / or at least one rotary drive. Drying device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one external climate sensor arranged outside the drying chambers is provided. Drying apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the outdoor climate sensor is arranged on the carrier. Drying device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that at least two mutually spaced sensor strips are provided and / or
in that at least one sensor band is arranged in a flow channel interconnecting at least two drying chambers and / or
in that at least one sensor band is arranged in a useful space of a drying chamber and / or
in that at least two sensor bands are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another. Drying device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow means controllable by the control device at least one transverse fan for introducing air from at least one of the drying chambers in at least one other drying chamber and / or - At least one circulating air fan for circulating the air within an associated drying chamber and / or - At least one closable inlet air opening per drying chamber for supplying fresh air to the drying chamber and at least one closable exhaust port for discharging exhaust air from the drying chamber and / or at least one shut-off device for separating the useful space of a drying chamber from a flow channel, via which air can be fed or supplied from at least one other drying chamber to the drying chamber,
exhibit. Drying device according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that at least one drying chamber has at least one flap-like shut-off device which has at least two relatively movable flap parts, which release a flow opening of the drying chamber in an open position and in a closed position Close the flow opening. Drying device according to claim 10, characterized characterized in that the shut-off device for separating the working space of a drying chamber from a flow channel, via which the drying chamber drying medium from at least one other drying chamber is supplied or is supplied, is formed and / or
that the flap parts are pivotally mounted and / or that the flap parts are independently movable and / or
in that at least one of the flap parts is designed to close a free space formed when the drying chamber is used between its ceiling or false ceiling and the material to be dried; and / or
that at least one flap part is articulated in the area of the ceiling or false ceiling. Method for operating a drying chamber composite having a plurality of drying chambers, in particular using a drying device according to one of the preceding claims,
in which drying operations are carried out in the individual drying chambers during a drying process, in which material to be dried is flowed through with heated drying medium,
in which air can be passed from the individual drying chambers into other drying chambers by means of the flow medium.
in which in each case at least one parameter of the respective climate in the drying chamber is sensed in the individual drying chambers and the values of the respective parameter are transmitted to a central control device, and
in which a control program for controlling the flow means is determined by the control device,
characterized,
that the control program is determined by the control device such that the energy requirement of the entire drying chamber composite or a part thereof during the drying process is optimized, wherein the flow conditions of at least one flowing into a drying chamber air flow are sensed and included in the determination of the control program. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the need for heating energy and / or water is optimized. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that after completion of a drying process in a drying chamber in the material to be dried and / or components of the drying chamber and / or the drying medium stored heat (storage heat) transferred by means of the drying medium from this drying chamber in at least one other drying chamber becomes. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the flow means comprise heating means, in particular heating registers, by means of which the drying medium is heated and / or in that the flow means comprise circulating-air fans for circulating the drying medium and / or
that the flow control means comprise shut-off devices, by means of which the respective drying chamber can be fluidly brought into connection with at least one other drying chamber and can be separated from the other drying chambers in terms of flow and / or fluidity
that per drying chamber at least one supply air opening for supplying fresh air to the drying chamber and at least one exhaust port for discharging exhaust air from the drying chamber is provided. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the opening and closing of the supply and exhaust air opening (s) is controlled so that a Bypasströmung heated drying medium from the supply air directly to the exhaust port of a drying chamber without having to flow through the material to be dried, avoided will and / or
in that the supply air opening associated with a drying chamber is opened and the associated exhaust air opening is closed and that a stream of drying medium originating from the drying chamber is conducted to the exhaust air opening of another drying chamber and / or
that the control program is continuously checked by the control device during the drying process and possibly redetermined.

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