EP3467214A1 - Method and device for grinding kitchen waste and/or food remnants - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food waste, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food waste, comprising the step of feeding a hopper (2) for receiving kitchen waste and / or food waste which is deposited on a hopper bottom (22). with a grinder (3) for comminuting, preferably homogenizing, the kitchen waste and / or leftovers provided and from the grinder (3) via a product line (7) with a pump (5) for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food residues is connected shredded kitchen waste and / or food waste, and the step of pumping down by the grinder (3) shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles by means of the pump (5), wherein before the step of pumping down in the hopper (2) a pre-crushing in the Tray (2) located kitchen waste and / or food particles by means of a projecting into the hopper (2) Vorzerkleinerun gseinheit (4) is performed, and a correspondingly formed device.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food residues.

Technical background

Organic kitchen waste, such as set-aside and cleaning waste, and leftovers, for example, in large kitchens, canteens, hotels, communal catering, the rest of the catering and supermarkets in large quantities daily. This organic kitchen waste and food waste can be used as a raw material for the production of renewable energy in biogas reactors and for the production of fertilizers. For this purpose, it is necessary to treat the organic kitchen waste and leftovers so that they are storable and transportable.

For disposal and storage of organic kitchen waste systems are known in which the organic kitchen waste and food particles are placed in a disposal device in which they are crushed by means of a crushing device in the form of a grinder, partially with the addition of water so that they then in a largely homogenized form can be pumped into corresponding storage tanks. From these storage tanks, the then largely homogenized biomass is transported by means of a transport vehicle to a biogas plant, in which the biomass is fermented, wherein the fermentation resulting in fumigation gases, especially methane gas, is used to generate electrical energy and / or heat energy. In this way, organic kitchen waste can be recycled and recovered from it environmentally friendly renewable energy. In addition, the remaining, usually low-viscosity fermentation residue in agriculture can be utilized as fertilizer or soil conditioner.

From the EP 2492405 A1 a device is known in which to be crushed kitchen waste and food particles are placed in a funnel-shaped receptacle at the bottom of a grinder for crushing the kitchen waste is arranged, which is downstream of a pump. In operation of the Device, thus with rotating grinder and simultaneously running pump, the kitchen waste and food particles are crushed in the grinder and sucked by means of the grinder downstream pump. By sucking the pump creates a suction in the direction of the pump, so that a stream of crushed kitchen waste and food waste from the grinder is generated in the direction of the pump. Due to the pumping down of the shredded kitchen waste and leftovers, further kitchen waste and leftovers can get into the grinder so that successively substantially all kitchen waste and leftover food in the receptacle can be shredded and pumped out.

In order to achieve an improved feeding of kitchen waste and food debris in the receptacle to the grinder during crushing and pumping out, on a rotor of the grinder a projecting into the receiving Vorzerkleinerungseinheit is attached in the form of a comminuted with cutting blades driver, which occurs upon rotation of the rotor in sync with this rotates. As a result, the leftovers and kitchen waste are partially pre-crushed before hitting the grinder. Due to the volume flow from the grinder in the direction of the pump uncrushed and sticky and fibrous materials get into the grinder and further into the product line connecting the grinder and the pump, resulting in agglomerations of the aforementioned materials and / or blockages in the grinder, the product line and / or the pump can lead. To avoid this, a more or less large amount of process water is always supplied during operation of the device in order to prevent agglomeration.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food waste, as well as a corresponding device.

The object is achieved by a method for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food residues with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the method will become apparent from the dependent claims and the present description and the figures.

Accordingly, a method for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food waste, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food residues, comprising the step of feeding a hopper for receiving kitchen waste and / or food residues, which at a hopper floor with a grinder for crushing the Kitchen waste and / or leftovers provided and connected by the grinder via a product line with a pump for pumping out shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles, with shredded kitchen waste and / or food waste, and the step of pumping down the crushed by the grinder kitchen waste and / or food particles by means of the pump. According to the invention, prior to the step of pumping down in the hopper, pre-shredding of the kitchen waste and / or leftovers located in the hopper is carried out by means of a pre-shredding unit projecting into the hopper.

By pre-crushing the kitchen waste and / or food debris located in the hopper by means of a pre-shredding unit projecting into the hopper, an improved crushing result and maintenance of a device operated in accordance with the method can be achieved prior to the hopper pump-down step , be reduced. The activated pre-shredding unit ensures that the kitchen waste and / or food remains are already cut and / or smashed in the hopper. Since during pre-shredding no pre-shredded kitchen waste and leftovers are pumped out by the pump switched off, the kitchen waste and / or food particles initially remain in the hopper and can be further comminuted there.

By pre-shredding kitchen waste and / or food particles, the cell structures of these biowaste are already largely destroyed in the hopper so that the water contained in the kitchen waste and leftovers is already released in the hopper. Many kitchen waste and leftovers have a high content of own water, which is made available by the step of pre-shredding, before the kitchen waste and / or food particles are crushed in the grinder. This utilization of the own water contained in the kitchen waste and food waste reduces the need for externally added process water, which in turn reduces the volume of biomass to be disposed of and thus reduces the disposal costs.

In addition, the kitchen waste and / or leftovers in the hopper are already homogenized in the hopper. Consequently, a homogenized mass, preferably an aqueous suspension having a preferably mushy consistency, which is composed of the pre-shredded kitchen waste and / or food residues and the dissolved out own water, is already formed in the hopper by the pre-shredding which is preceded by the grinding and thus by the grinding by the grinder , The thus pre-shredded kitchen waste and / or leftovers facilitate a later comminution by the grinder, if they are sucked out due to an insertion of the pumping action of the pump from the hopper through the grinder.

The kitchen waste and / or food particles are preferably already comminuted in the pre-shredding step in such a way that a mass that can be pumped out is produced. In other words, the mass produced by pre-shredding the kitchen waste and / or food residues is sufficiently aqueous and homogeneous that it substantially covers the hopper floor at least in the vicinity of the grinder in such a manner that a suction generated by the pump extends into the direction of the pump the funnel area in which the aqueous suspension is present, thus extending into the bottom area of the funnel. As a result, the pre-shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles or their homogenized suspension are sucked in before the grinder and sucked by the resulting current in the grinder, they can therefore be comminuted particularly efficient in it. In addition, due to the current already beginning in the funnel, the occurrence of agglomeration in the grinder can be reduced or even completely avoided. In particular, the resulting flow distribution in the grinder is more uniform.

Preferably, the pre-crushing takes place for a determinable period of time before the pump is started. Alternatively, the start of the pump down may also begin by a manual input or a control command.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, a pre-shredding by the Vorzerkleinerungseinheit a circulating in the hopper mill stream is generated, the Vorzerkleinerungseinheit preferably generated by a rotational movement about an axis of rotation of Vorzerkleinerungseinheit the circulating Mahlstrom in the hopper. The kitchen waste and / or food particles in the hopper consequently additionally experience stirring or mixing by the pre-shredding unit. In the funnel, this creates a maelstrom, which preferably circulates the material in the hopper horizontally and simultaneously in the vertical direction.

In the circulating milling stream produced by the pre-shredding unit, the kitchen waste and / or food particles rotate at different speeds depending on the position in the hopper. The closer kitchen waste and / or food particles are to the pre-shredding unit, the higher their speed. With increasing distance to the pre-shredding unit and decreasing distance to the funnel wall, the speed decreases, whereby the particles are braked in particular by friction on the funnel walls and with each other. The differently fast moving parts or mass flows and the friction among each other cause a further crushing of kitchen waste and / or food particles in the maelstrom, thereby further intensifying pre-shredding or pre-homogenization of kitchen waste and / or food particles already done in the funnel. As a result of the pre-comminution or pre-homogenization, a relatively homogeneous biomass thus forms in the funnel, with the entire content of the funnel gradually being moved and comminuted by the grinding stream.

In this process, the kitchen waste and food particles are preferably comminuted so finely that the cell structures of the substances are destroyed, the self-water is released and a homogeneous, flowable mass is formed.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a predetermined amount of process water is introduced into the funnel and / or into the product line before and / or during the preliminary comminution, preferably via a nozzle arranged in the funnel and / or in the product line and / or a water inlet. As a result, the homogenization of the pre-shredded kitchen waste and / or food residues can be intensified. In addition, the water content of the resulting from the kitchen waste and / or food waste by pre-crushing mass can be increased or adjusted so as to achieve a favorable for the subsequent crushing in the grinder and pumping through the pump consistency.

According to a development, a certain amount of process water is preferably introduced at least into the product line before the start of the pre-shredding. Preferably, the amount is such that the product line is completely filled, wherein preferably the filled process water reaches to the upper part of the grinder. As a result, it is provided on the one hand that the pump arranged at the end of the product line can pump fluid directly, and not only by displacing air a negative pressure has to be generated. On the other hand, this can avoid agglomeration in the grinder and in the product line and the pump due to adhesion of powdery, sticky and / or fibrous materials. Alternatively, such an amount of process water may be introduced into the product line that the water level rises above the top of the grinder rotor into the hopper. Particularly in the case of pulverulent and / or dry substances, this method of feeding water has the advantage that the substances, even in the lowest zone of the funnel, receive sufficient process water for the production of a mass with a pulp-like, pumpable consistency. In addition, solid substances that settle between the knife rim and the rotor of the grinder and thereby possibly block the start of the processing cycle are flushed out. In this case, process water is additionally introduced into the processing cycle, which although the water content of the mass produced by the pre-crushing slightly increased based on the pre-shredded kitchen waste and / or food waste, but significantly improves process reliability.

The water content of the mass in the hopper or in the product line is preferably measured by means of a water content sensor, preferably by means of an inductive measuring method, a microwave resonance method or a photometric method. Alternatively, however, other methods for determining the water content may also be used. Based on the results of the water content measurement, additional process water can be added accordingly, preferably until a predetermined water content is present, preferably during the preliminary comminution. Alternatively or additionally, the duration of the individual steps and / or the total cycle time can be set and / or adjusted on the basis of the determined water content.

In order to prevent non-organic substances such as textiles, plastic articles such as films and / or gloves from entering the grinder, according to a further preferred embodiment during precomminution separation of non-organic substances takes place, preferably by entanglement and / or winding of the non-organic substances on at least a projection, preferably a pre-comminuting knife, particularly preferably an at least partially blunt-edged pre-comminuting knife, of the pre-comminuting unit. In addition, the pumped biomass used for biogas production is less interspersed with inorganic impurities.

If ferromagnetic substances are rejected out of the kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably at least during the preliminary comminution, by applying a magnetic force at least in a region of a funnel wall of the funnel, as provided in a preferred embodiment of the method, these substances can be prevented block the grinder and cause damage to the pre-shredding unit, grinder and / or pump. In addition, any pumped biomass used for biogas production is less affected by inorganic impurities. The rotational movement of the pre-shredding unit produces a flow, that is, the milling flow, which moves the relatively heavy ferromagnetic materials, such as cutlery parts, substantially towards the hopper wall due to a centrifugal force, at which they are held and fixed by the magnetic force.

According to a preferred embodiment, the separated substances and / or the sorted substances are removed from the hopper after the crushing and pumping has been completed. Thus, the entire funnel volume is available for refilling with kitchen waste and / or food waste to be shredded.

According to a further preferred embodiment, in a final phase of pumping down, the funnel and / or a cover covering the funnel during operation are pre-cleaned by means of injected process water. Preferably, the injection of the process water in the last phase of the homogenization is carried out in an already largely emptied input hopper, wherein preferably the process water is supplied via a directed onto the lid of the input station nozzle. As a result, the process water is sprayed widely over the biomass still in the hopper and the lid and the hopper area are roughly cleaned.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the pre-shredding unit and / or the grinder rotate at a speed of 700 to 2800 revolutions per minute, preferably at a speed of 1400 revolutions per minute, the pre-shredding unit and the grinder rotate preferably synchronously. The speed can preferably be set or specified by a corresponding control. The higher the rotational speed of the rotating grinder and of the rotating pre-shredding unit, the smaller the particle size produced when shredding the kitchen waste and / or food particles. With the control / regulation of the speed, the desired particle size of the shredded kitchen waste and leftovers can be adjusted. When the particle size is very small, a suspension is formed in which solids and liquid are bound. The resulting mass is then particularly easy to pump and can flow due to gravity already in a slightly inclined pipe in the direction of gravity, which allows almost complete emptying of hopper, grinder and / or product line.

In order to achieve an improved comminution and / or mixing ratio or a higher degree of homogenization, the speed of the pre-comminution unit and / or the grinder can be varied following a further preferred development and / or the rotation of the pre-comminution unit and / or the grinder can be interrupted and / or the direction of rotation of the pre-shredding unit and / or the grinder are reversed. Preferably, the varying of the rotational speed, the interruption of the rotation and / or the reversal of the rotational direction take place in accordance with a predetermined time sequence, wherein the sequence is preferably controlled / regulated by means of a controller.

In order to increase the efficiency of the method and to reduce the risk of injury to operating personnel, the method may be at least partially automated, wherein preferably at least the beginning of the pre-crushing and / or the termination of the pumping out take place automatically, wherein a sensor signal preferably the beginning of pre-crushing and / or the beginning and / or termination of pumping triggers.

Preferably, it is determined by means of a sensor when the funnel is completely filled or up to a predetermined value. The determination of the level can be done by weight, inductively and / or optically. Alternatively, however, the measurement of the fill level can also be effected by other types of sensors already known per se. If the filling of the funnel corresponds to the preset value and / or exceeds it, the sensor emits a corresponding signal, which triggers a beginning of the pre-shredding.

Furthermore, preferably, during the pre-comminution, a rotational speed and / or a torque and / or a rotational resistance of a drive driving at least the pre-comminution unit are determined at least in sections or intermittently, preferably continuously. In a continuation, a temporal change of at least one of the determined values, preferably the time change of the torque or of the rotational resistance, is compared with a predetermined limit value and / or default value. The aforesaid temporal change can be used as a measure of the degree of homogenization of the kitchen waste and / or food residues, wherein if the time change is less than the limit and / or default value and / or within a predetermined range, that resulting from the pre-crushing Mass is sufficiently homogeneous, so that an effective pumping through the pump and a simultaneous crushing in the grinder is possible. This can be used as a trigger signal for a start of the pumping down.

Furthermore, according to a further preferred embodiment, a vacancy of the funnel and / or a liquid level in the product line can be detected, wherein upon reaching the vacancy and / or falling below a predetermined liquid level, injection or re-injection of process water are triggered or the pumping can be terminated. The determination of the vacancy may be based on weight, inductively and / or optically.

The above object is further achieved by a device for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food residues, with the features of claim 10. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims as well as the present description and the figures.

Accordingly, a device for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food waste, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food waste, proposed, comprising a hopper for receiving kitchen waste and / or food waste, arranged on a funnel bottom of the hopper grinder for crushing, preferably homogenizing containing kitchen waste and / or leftovers and one over a product line the grinder connected pump for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles, wherein in the hopper is arranged from the hopper floor into the interior of the hopper Vorzerkleinerungseinheit for pre-shredding the kitchen waste and / or food residues located in the hopper. According to the invention, a controller is provided, which is set up to control pre-shredding by means of the pre-shredding unit and subsequently switching on the pump for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles.

"Control" is understood here to mean a device which makes it possible to influence the behavior of technical systems by specifying a default value as well as by adapting the default value as a result of a feedback comparison signal or measuring signal or measuring element. The controller is therefore set up to control and / or regulate the device.

By providing a controller adapted to control pre-shredding by means of the pre-shredding unit and subsequently switching on the pump for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles, the advantages described with regard to the method can be achieved analogously.

Preferably, at least one funnel wall, preferably all funnel walls, has an inclination of at least 45 °, preferably at least 50 °, more preferably at least 55 °, and most preferably at least 60 ° to the horizontal. In other words, the funnel wall and the direction of gravitational acceleration include an angle of at most 45 °, preferably at most 40 °, more preferably at most 35 °, and most preferably at most 30 °. Due to the high pitch of the funnel wall, it is possible that the solids and liquids or their suspension located in the funnel gravitationally flow or move essentially independently in the direction of the funnel floor. In order to be able to ensure the self-flow of the abovementioned substances particularly reliably, the hopper floor has an inclination of at least 60 ° relative to the horizontal.

Preferably, the pump is connected via a transport line to a tank for receiving and / or storing the shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one sensor for detecting a fill level in the funnel and / or in the product line is provided, wherein the controller is adapted to receive a sensor signal of the sensor. It is preferably determined by means of the sensor, if or if the funnel and / or the product line completely or is filled to a predetermined value. The determination of the level can be done by weight or visually. Alternatively, the level can also be determined by other types of sensors already known per se. If the filling of the funnel corresponds to the preset value and / or exceeds it, the sensor sends a corresponding signal to the controller, which preferably triggers a start of the pre-comminution by the controller.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least two sensors are provided, wherein a first sensor for detecting a vacancy of the funnel and is provided and a second sensor for detecting a predetermined level, preferably an operating start level, is provided, wherein the controller is adapted to To receive sensor signals of the first and second sensor. In addition to the above-mentioned determination of the level so a vacancy of the funnel can also be detected, wherein upon reaching the vacancy by the control preferably an injection or re-injection of process water triggered or the pumping can be terminated.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a further sensor for detecting a liquid level in the product line is provided, wherein the controller is adapted to receive a sensor signal of the further sensor. In addition to the above-mentioned determination of the level, a fluid level in the product line can be further detected, wherein upon reaching or falling below a predetermined liquid level injection or re-injection of process water can be ended or triggered via the controller or the pumping can be stopped.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the controller is set up to detect a torque and / or rotational resistance of a drive driving the grinder and / or the pre-shredding unit, preferably an electric motor, wherein the controller is preferably further configured to fall below a predetermined threshold value a time change of the torque and / or the rotational resistance of the drive to turn on the pump. Furthermore, preferably, during the pre-comminution, a rotational speed and / or a torque and / or a rotational resistance of a drive driving at least the pre-comminution unit are determined at least in sections or intermittently, preferably continuously. In a continuation, a temporal change of at least one of the determined values, preferably the temporal change of the torque or the rotational resistance, is compared with a predetermined limit value and / or default value. The aforementioned temporal change can be used as a measure of the degree of homogenization of Kitchen waste and / or food residues are used, wherein, if the time change is less than the limit and / or default value and / or within a predetermined range, the resulting by the pre-crushing mass is sufficiently homogeneous, so that an effective pumping by the pump and a simultaneous crushing in the grinder is possible. This can be used as a trigger signal for a start the pumping down step. Preferably, the controller is connected to at least one sensor for detecting the rotational speed, the torque and / or the rotational resistance.

Preferably, at least one of the sensors is designed as an inductively measuring sensor, as a weight sensor or as an optical sensor.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a rotor of the grinder on its underside at least one pumping element, preferably in the form of a web, for introducing a motion impulse on a mass located below the grinder in the direction of the pump. As a result, the homogenized by means of the grinder kitchen waste and food residues, a pulse to be transmitted, which supports a conveying of the aforementioned mass in the direction of the pump.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

schematisch eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Zerkleinern von Küchenabfällen und/oder Speiseresten;

Figur 2

schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

schematisch eine perspektivische Seitenansicht eines Mahlwerks der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 4

schematisch eine perspektivische Seitenansicht eines Details eines Rotors des Mahlwerks aus Figur 3;

Figur 5

schematisch eine Schnittansicht eines Trichters der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1 mit einem angedeuteten Mahlstrom; und

Figur 6

schematisch eine perspektivische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1 mit einem angedeuteten Mahlstrom.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Showing:

FIG. 1

schematically a perspective side view of an apparatus for crushing kitchen waste and / or food waste;

FIG. 2

schematically a sectional view of the device FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

schematically a perspective side view of a grinder of the device FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4

schematically a perspective side view of a detail of a rotor of the grinder FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5

schematically a sectional view of a funnel of the device FIG. 1 with an indicated maelstrom; and

FIG. 6

schematically a perspective side view of the device FIG. 1 with an indicated maelstrom.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are provided with identical reference numerals, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted in order to avoid redundancies.

FIG. 1 shows in a perspective schematic representation of a device 1, which serves for the comminution of kitchen waste and / or food waste. The device 1 comprises a receiving device in the form of a funnel 2, which initially serves to receive the uncut organic kitchen waste and food particles. The funnel 2 is in FIG. 1 shown in the form of a funnel 2 with a rectangular cross-section. Of course, other cross sections may also be used, such as square cross sections, round cross sections, or oval cross sections. Furthermore, the funnel 2 may also have non-funnel-shaped gates, for example cylindrical sections.

At the lower end of the hopper 2, a grinder 3 is provided, which are supplied via the hopper 2 organic kitchen waste and food and rice. The grinder 3 is used for crushing the supplied via the hopper 2 organic kitchen waste and food particles. The grinder 3 can, for example, in the in FIG. 3 be shown and described below.

At the grinder 3, a pre-shredding unit 4 is arranged, which projects from the grinder 3 from at least partially into the hopper 2. In other words, the pre-shredding unit 4 protrudes at least partially into the volume V defined by the dimensions of the funnel 2 (see also FIG FIG. 2 ) into it.

The pre-shredding unit 4 serves on the one hand for improved feeding of kitchen waste and leftovers to the grinder 3. Here feeding is understood here both the actual conveying of organic kitchen waste and food particles, for example by means of a screw conveyor, as well as the conveyance of organic kitchen waste by pre-crushing or mechanical shaking In order to be able to perform according to light, loose, fibrous and / or dry kitchen waste and food particles, which previously jammed in the hopper 2, the grinder 3 can. The pre-shredding unit 4 thus prepares the organic kitchen waste and / or moves it so that they are fed to the grinder 3 or slip into it. The pre-shredding unit 4 may be provided with pre-shredding blades 46 to pre-shred the kitchen waste and food particles.

The device 1 further comprises a lid 10, by means of which the funnel 2 can be covered. Advantageously, the hopper 2 must be covered with the lid 10 before the grinder 3 and the pre-shredding unit 4 are put into operation and begin to rotate. The lid 10 prevents splashing out of the crushed or crushed mass from the device 1 during operation. Furthermore, the lid 10 is to prevent users from reaching into the hopper 2 when the grinder 3 and / or the pre-shredding unit 4 are operated. The lid 10 is advantageously connected to a controller, not shown in this view, which is equipped such that the grinder 3 and the pre-shredding unit 4 can only be operated when the lid 10 is closed.

The controller further comprises a control unit 80, shown schematically, by means of which a user can make inputs to the controller and obtain information from it.

A nozzle 14 for feeding process water into the hopper 2 is provided on a hopper wall 20 of the hopper 2 in order to produce sufficient water content in dry organic kitchen waste to allow subsequent pumping of the crushed by the mill 3 biomass. For pumping the crushed by the grinder 3, moist and largely homogenized biomass after the grinder 3, a correspondingly sized pump 5 is provided, for example, in FIG. 2 is shown.

The nozzle 14 can also be used for cleaning the hopper 2 and the grinder 3, the pre-shredding unit 4 and / or the lid 10. For cleaning or for supplying process water, however, at least one further nozzle may also be provided at another point in the hopper 2 and / or in a product line described later.

As can be seen for example FIG. 1 results, the Vorzerkleinerungseinheit 4 is arranged coaxially to the grinder 3, wherein the axis of rotation 400 of the pre-shredding unit 4 extends coaxially along the axis of rotation 300 of the grinder 3 and both axes of rotation 300, 400 coincide.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the device 1 in a schematic sectional view. It can be clearly seen in this figure that the pre-shredding unit 4 extends partly, though not completely, into the hopper 2 and in particular extends into the volume V formed in the interior of the hopper 2. The volume V is defined here by the volume located between the cover 10, the funnel bottom 22 and the funnel walls 20 of the funnel 2.

The depth by which the pre-shredding unit 4 extends into the hopper 2 depends, among other things, on which organic kitchen waste and leftovers are to be treated. Furthermore, the depth in this embodiment depends on how far the pre-reduction blades 46 of the driver 4 are removed from the funnel wall of the funnel 2. This distance D must be dimensioned so that even larger light kitchen waste can still slip between the rapidly rotating Vorzemleinungsmessern 46 and the wall of the hopper 2, and in particular that a later described in detail further milling current in the hopper 2 can be generated.

The mill 3 arranged on the funnel bottom 22 is connected via a product line 7 to a pump 5 for pumping out the comminuted biomass via a transport line 15 into a tank 6 for receiving the pumped biomass.

The product line 7 has a water inlet 16, through which process water can be introduced into the product line 7.

The lateral funnel walls 20 have an angle of inclination α of 60 ° with respect to the horizontal 13. In other words, the funnel wall and the direction of gravitational acceleration 12 include an angle β of 30 °. Due to the high inclination or inclination of the funnel wall 20, it is possible for the solids and liquids or their suspension contained in the funnel 1 to flow or move in a substantially autonomous manner in the direction of the funnel bottom 22, as a result of gravity.

On the hopper wall 20, a magnetic element 9 is arranged, by means of which ferromagnetic substances can be sorted out by applying a magnetic force from the kitchen waste and / or food waste.

Furthermore, a first sensor 81 for detecting a vacancy of the funnel 2 and a second sensor 82 for detecting a predetermined operating start level in the funnel 2 are arranged on the funnel wall 20. The sensors 81, 82 are optically measuring sensors. Alternatively, the level can also be determined via a weight sensor or at least one acceleration sensor, wherein the level is determined by weight. The controller 8 is configured to receive sensor signals of the first and second sensors 81, 82.

In addition, the controller 8 is adapted to detect a rotational resistance of a drive driving the grinder 3 and the pre-shredding unit 4. For this purpose, a sensor 84 for detecting the rotational resistance is arranged on the grinder 3.

A pump 5 is connected via a product line 7 to the output of the grinder 3. The pump 5 is adapted to pump out pumped shredded kitchen waste and food particles via the transport line 15 into a tank 6. Preferably, the crushed kitchen waste and food particles are conveyed by the pressure of the pump 5 a certain distance in the transport line 15. Then the crushed kitchen waste and food particles flow by gravity into the tank 6.

FIG. 3 shows in a schematic perspective view of the grinder 3. The grinder 3 comprises a rotor 30 which rotates about a rotation axis 300 around and is driven by a drive 32 in the form of an electric motor, with the motor shaft of the rotor 30 is connected accordingly. The drive 32 is advantageously provided with a strong brake, which at an opening of the lid 10 during operation of the drive 3 stops this immediately.

The rotor 30 includes differently shaped drivers 34, which carry the organic kitchen waste and food particles to be crushed and correspondingly can set in a rotational movement. A knife ring 36 is provided which surrounds the rotor 30 and which serves as a stator. The organic kitchen waste and food particles, which are rotated by the rotor 30 in a rotational movement, are accordingly pressed against the knife ring 36 by centrifugal forces and guided along the knife ring 36 in such a way that comminution takes place in the corresponding spaces between the knives. The drivers 34 in turn strike along the blade ring 36 so that organic kitchen waste and food particles extending through the intermediate spaces between the blades 36 can be sheared off by the catch 34. Other versions of the grinder 3 are also conceivable. The sensor 84 detects the rotational speed, the torque and the rotational resistance of the drive 32.

FIG. 4 schematically is a perspective side view of a detail of the rotor 30 of the grinder 3 can be seen. The rotor 30 has on its underside 37 a plurality of pumping elements in the form of webs 38 extending downwards from the underside 37, which webs are arranged to introduce a motion impulse to a mass located below the grinder 3 in the direction of the pump 5. As a result, the homogenized by means of the grinder 3 kitchen waste and food particles a pulse can be transmitted, which supports a conveying of the aforementioned mass in the direction of the pump 5.

In the following, a method for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food residues is described by way of example with reference to the aforementioned device 1, and in the Figures 5 and 6 which show a milling current 13 in the hopper 2 described in detail below.

In a first step to be crushed kitchen waste and food particles are introduced into the hopper 2 and then the lid 10 is closed. After the lid 10 has been brought into the closed state, the controller 8 receives a corresponding signal and starts the processing cycle through the device. 1

First, a certain amount of process water is introduced into the product line 7 via the water inlet 16 provided in the product line 7. When the third sensor 83 detects that the product line 7 is filled to a certain level with water, the controller 8 receives a corresponding signal and terminates the introduction of the process water into the product line 7. In addition, the controller 8 starts the drive 32 the rotor 30 and the pre-shredding unit 4 attached thereto are set in rotation. As a result of the rotation of the pre-shredding unit 4, it begins to comminute or pre-shred the kitchen waste and food particles present in the hopper 2, in which the pre-shredding knives 46 cut and smash the kitchen waste and food particles.

Since the pump 5 is in the off state, the kitchen waste and food particles are not sucked through the grinder 4 through, but remain in the hopper 2 and are further crushed there. By pre-shredding the kitchen waste and leftovers, the cell structures of biowaste are already so largely shattered in the hopper 2 that already in the hopper 2 contained in the kitchen waste and food waste water is triggered, which is made usable by the kitchen waste and / or food particles in the Grinder 3 to be crushed.

Due to the rotational movement of the pre-shredding unit 4, an aqueous suspension having a mushy consistency is formed in the funnel 2 from the shredded kitchen waste and food residues and the knocked out own water. The so pre-shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles facilitate a later crushing by the grinder 3, if they are sucked out due to an insertion of the pump 5 from the hopper 2 through the grinder 3 therethrough. In order to increase the water content of this suspension, process water can be added via the nozzle 14.

Due to the rotation of the pre-shredding unit 4 in addition to the effect of crushing energy is also transferred to the kitchen waste and food particles and these are set in the hopper 2 in rotation. As a result, the pre-shredding unit 4 in the hopper 2 generates a circulating grinding stream 13. The kitchen waste and / or food particles in the hopper consequently undergo mixing or mixing by the pre-shredding unit 4. In the funnel 2, this results in the milling flow 13, which circulates the material in the hopper 2 in the horizontal and at the same time in the vertical direction. In the circulating milling stream 13 produced by the pre-shredding unit 4, the kitchen waste and / or food particles turn at different speeds depending on the position in the hopper 2. The closer kitchen waste and food particles are to the pre-shredding unit 4, the higher is their speed. With increasing distance to the pre-shredding unit 4 and decreasing distance to the hopper wall 20, the speed decreases, wherein the particles are braked in particular by friction on the hopper walls 20 and with each other. The differently fast moving parts or mass flows and their friction among themselves cause a further crushing of kitchen waste and food particles in the maelstrom 13, whereby a further increased pre-homogenization of kitchen waste and food remains already in the hopper 2. As a result of the preliminary comminution, a relatively homogeneous biomass is thus formed in the funnel 2, with the entire content of the funnel 2 gradually being moved and comminuted by the grinding stream 13.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a sectional view of the hopper 2. The Mahlstrom is indicated by the numbered by the reference numeral 13 arrows. The thickness or thickness of the arrows is a measure of the speed. As FIG. 5 can be found in the hopper 2 substances during the pre-crushing in the middle of the hopper a strong acceleration in the direction of the hopper floor 22 and are deflected outwards and upwards, being slowed down substantially due to the friction on the hopper wall 20 and each other. Once at the top, they are again detected by the suction of the pre-shredding unit 4 (not shown here) and again accelerated downwards. At the same time, the substances are further comminuted.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a perspective side view of the device 1. Again, the maelstrom is indicated by the numbered by the reference numeral 13 arrows. The thickness or thickness of the arrows is again a measure of the velocity of the moving substances.

Like from the Figures 5 and 6 can be seen, the pre-shredding unit 4 in the hopper 2 forms a maelstrom 13 in the horizontal and at the same time in the vertical direction.

Non-organic substances such as textiles, plastic articles such as films or gloves are caught and wound on the pre-shredding knives 46 during pre-shredding and thus separated from the organic constituents.

Furthermore, ferromagnetic substances, such as knives or forks, are sorted out of the milling stream 13 by applying a magnetic force by means of the magnetic element 9. Due to the magnetic force in the region of the magnetic element 9, the ferromagnetic substances remain adhered to the funnel wall 20.

In order to increase the water content of the suspension from the pre-shredded kitchen waste and food waste, process water can be additionally added via the nozzle 14.

The pre-shredding is carried out for the duration of a previously selected on the operating unit 80 period before the pump 5 is started and so the pumping of pre-shredded kitchen waste and food particles from the hopper 2 and thus the crushing is started by the grinder 3.

After a predetermined period of the pumping down, the funnel 2 and the cover 10 are sprayed through the nozzle 14 by means of injected process water. As a result, the process water is sprayed widely over the biomass still in the hopper and the lid and the hopper area are roughly cleaned.

During the pumping down, the liquid level in the product line is detected, whereby the pumping is stopped when falling below a predetermined liquid level.

The following describes a method for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food residues, according to an alternative embodiment. The method according to the alternative embodiment essentially corresponds to the method described above, wherein the operating cycle has a higher degree of automation.

The pre-shredding is not started here when the lid 10 is closed, but only when additionally detects the second sensor 82 that a predetermined level is reached. The second sensor 82 then transmits a corresponding signal to the controller 8, which then starts the pre-shredding 4.

The speed of the pre-shredding unit 4 is varied during the pre-crushing between a speed of 700 and 2800 revolutions per minute in order to achieve an improved mixing ratio and a good comminution of different substances. In addition, the direction of rotation of the pre-shredding unit 4 is changed several times during the pre-shredding.

Further, the pre-crushing is not operated for a predetermined period of time, but begins when a change in the rotational resistance of the drive 32 detected by the sensor 84 and the controller 8 is below a certain threshold value in a predetermined speed range. The aforementioned temporal change is used here as a measure of the degree of homogenization of kitchen waste and / or food waste, wherein, if the time change is less than the limit value, the mass resulting from the pre-crushing is sufficiently homogeneous, so that an effective pumping through the Pump and a simultaneous crushing in the grinder is possible.

The injection of the process water for pre-cleaning is further triggered by a signal of the first sensor 81 when it determines a predetermined vacancy in the hopper 2. In addition, after completing the pump down process water is again passed through the nozzle 14 into the hopper 2 until the first sensor 81 detects that the water level is above the grinder 3. This prevents 4 residues of minced kitchen waste and food particles from drying and crusting in the grinder.

The present description also relates to a method for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food residues, comprising the step of feeding a hopper 2 for receiving kitchen waste and / or food waste which is deposited on a hopper floor 22 with a grinder 3 for crushing, preferably homogenizing, the kitchen waste and / or leftovers provided and connected by the grinder 3 via a product line 7 with a pump 5 for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food waste, to be shredded kitchen waste and / or food waste, and the step of pumping down the comminuted by the grinder 3 kitchen waste and / or food particles by means of the pump 5, wherein ferromagnetic substances by applying a magnetic force at least in a region of a hopper wall 20 of the hopper 2 from the kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably zumi ndest during the pre-shredding, to be sorted out.

The device 1 accordingly preferably has a magnetic device by means of which the magnetic force is applied in at least one region of the funnel wall 20 of the funnel 2 can be. The magnetic device may be provided, for example, in the form of an electromagnet or a permanent magnet.

Where applicable, all individual features illustrated in the embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device

2

funnel

20

hopper wall

22

hopper bottom

3

grinder

30

rotor

32

drive

34

takeaway

36

knife rim

37

bottom

38

web

300

axis of rotation

4

Vorzerkleinerungseinheit

46

preliminary shredding

400

axis of rotation

5

pump

6

tank

7

product line

8th

control

80

operating unit

81

sensor

82

sensor

83

sensor

84

sensor

9

magnet

10

cover

11

horizontal

12

gravitational acceleration

13

maelstrom

14

jet

15

transport line

16

water inlet

α

tilt angle

β

corner

Claims (15)

Process for comminuting kitchen waste and / or food waste, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or leftovers, comprising the step of feeding a hopper (2) for receiving kitchen waste and / or food waste which is deposited on a hopper bottom (22) with a grinder ( 3) for comminuting, preferably homogenizing, provided the kitchen waste and / or food residues and from the grinder (3) via a product line (7) with a pump (5) for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food residues is connected to shredded kitchen waste and / or leftovers, and
the step of pumping off the kitchen waste and / or food particles shredded by the grinder (3) by means of the pump (5),
characterized in that
before the step of pumping down in the hopper (2), pre-shredding the kitchen waste and / or leftovers present in the hopper (2) by means of a pre-shredding unit (4) projecting into the hopper (2). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that during pre-shredding by Vorzerkleinerungseinheit (4) in the hopper (2) circulating Mahlstrom (13) is generated, wherein the Vorzerkleinerungseinheit (4) preferably by a rotational movement about an axis of rotation (400) of Pre-shredding unit (4) generates the circulating Mahlstrom (13) in the hopper (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before and / or during the pre-crushing a predetermined amount of process water in the hopper (2) and / or in the product line (7) is introduced, preferably via a in the hopper (2) and or in the product line (7) arranged nozzle (14) and / or a water inlet (16). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a separation of non-organic substances takes place during the pre-comminution, preferably by entanglement and / or winding of the non-organic substances on at least one projection, preferably a pre-comminuting knife (46), particularly preferably an at least partially blunt-edged pre-comminuting knife (46), the pre-shredding unit (4). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that ferromagnetic substances are removed by applying a magnetic force at least in a region of a funnel wall (20) of the funnel (2) from the kitchen waste and / or food residues, preferably at least during the pre-crushing. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a final phase of the pump down the funnel (2) and / or a funnel (2) during operation covering lid (10) is pre-cleaned by means of injected process water. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-shredding unit (4) and / or the grinder (3) rotate at a speed of 700 to 2800 revolutions per minute, preferably at a speed of 1400 revolutions per minute, wherein the pre-shredding unit ( 4) and preferably rotate the grinder (3) synchronously. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed of the pre-shredding unit (4) and / or the grinder (3) is varied and / or the rotation of the pre-shredding unit (4) and / or the grinder (3) is interrupted and / or the direction of rotation of the pre-shredding unit (4) and / or the grinder (3) is reversed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method is at least partially automated, wherein preferably at least the beginning of the pre-crushing and / or the termination of the pumping out take place automatically, wherein a sensor signal preferably the beginning of pre-crushing and / or the beginning and / or or the termination of the pumping triggers. Apparatus (1) for comminuting comminution of kitchen waste and / or food waste, preferably for homogenizing kitchen waste and / or food waste, comprising a hopper (2) for receiving kitchen waste and / or food waste, at a hopper bottom (22) of the hopper (2). 2) arranged grinder (3) for crushing, preferably homogenizing, the kitchen waste and / or food particles and a via a product line (7) with the grinder (3) connected pump (5) for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles, wherein in the Funnel (2) extending from the funnel bottom (22) into the interior of the funnel (2) extending pre-shredding unit (4) is arranged for pre-shredding in the hopper (2) located kitchen waste and / or food residues,
characterized in that
a controller (8) is provided which is adapted to control a pre-shredding by means of the pre-shredding unit (4) and then switching on the pump (5) for pumping shredded kitchen waste and / or food particles. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one sensor (81, 82, 83) is provided for detecting a level in the hopper (2) and / or in the product line, wherein the controller (8) is adapted thereto to receive a sensor signal from the sensor. Device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least two sensors (81, 82) are provided, wherein a first sensor (81) for detecting a vacancy of the funnel (2) is provided and a second sensor (82) for detecting a predetermined fill level, preferably a start-of-operation level, is provided, wherein the controller (8) is adapted to receive sensor signals of the first and second sensors (81, 82). Device (1) according to claim 10 to 12, characterized in that a further sensor (83) is provided for detecting a liquid level in the product line, wherein the controller (8) is adapted to receive a sensor signal of the further sensor (83) , Device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the controller (8) is adapted to a torque and / or rotational resistance of the grinder (3) and / or the pre-shredding unit (4) driving drive (23 ), preferably of an electric motor, wherein the controller (8) is preferably further configured to turn on below a predetermined limit of a change in the torque and / or the rotational resistance of the drive (32), the pump (5). Device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a rotor (30) of the grinder (3) on its underside (37) at least one pumping element, preferably in the form of a web (38), for introducing a Moving pulse on a below the grinder (3) located mass in the direction of the pump (5).

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