ES2660171T3 - Apparatus for drying and decontamination of masonry, concrete, wood and other solids - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for drying and / or decontaminating a solid (12), which contains at least one fluid (10) and / or a dangerous substance (11), comprising - at least one electrode (14, 16) comprising a first side (15 ) and a second side (17), in which the first side (15) is exposed and forms an external part of the device, and at least one electrode (14, 16) is connected to a supply means (18) to supply a high frequency voltage, - a structure (34) comprising a substance (22), which is suitable for containing a fluid (10) and / or a dangerous substance (11), in which the structure (34) is arranged and designed in such a way that the flow of substance is allowed from the solid substance (12) to be treated to the structure (34), - at least one control means (30) to control the supply means (18) to supply the high frequency voltage, in which the control means (30) are connected to the supply means (18), characterized in that the at least one electrode (14, 16) for at least one fluid (10) and / or the hazardous substance (11) is designed to be permeable, preferably perforated, or is a lattice electrode.

Description

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Apparatus for drying and decontamination of masonry, concrete, wood and other solids Description

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for drying and / or decontamination of a solid body, preferably of masonry, concrete or wood, by increasing the temperature of the structure to which the water and / or the structure are attached. pollutant. The device has at least one electrode for introducing high frequency energy, in whose area the solid to be treated is at least partially treated, the electrode being connected to a high frequency voltage source. The device also has a structure with a medium that is suitable for receiving water and / or contaminants and also control means for controlling and influencing the drying and / or decontamination process.

[0002] Dehumidification of masonry, concrete or wood is a common task not only for the renovation of old and historical buildings, but also in newer buildings as a result of planning and execution errors, as well as unwanted water leaks or water damage. In addition to preventing the re-entry of water through appropriate structural or other measures, dehumidification of already soaked materials is an essential task.

[0003] For example, the necessary capillary water content in construction materials can be reduced as a prerequisite for the introduction of other chemicals, which are used for material repair. An example of suitable chemical substances are substances that make the building material more hydrophobic and, therefore, less sensitive to water. The agents used preferably contain acrylates, resins, paraffins or siloxanes. As a general rule, such injection methods only make sense if the interstitial water content has not exceeded the value of 60% of the maximum value or if this value was previously achieved by preparatory measures, such as thermal drying.

[0004] An alternative possible objective parameter for the success of the rehabilitation is the achievement of the so-called equilibrium moisture content, which is an equilibrium value for the respective building material with a corresponding outside air humidity and temperature. However, the balance of humidity in particular and the final humidity to be achieved in general are influenced by a series of material, environmental and specific factors of use. The corresponding values can be found in the relevant specialized literature.

[0005] Decontamination of solid objects, such as masonry, concrete or wood, is necessary when, due to the use of contaminated materials or external influences, such as, for example, oil tank accidents or water damage, they are present contaminants in solid bodies, whose concentrations make a restoration or removal necessary. It is known that an increase in temperature can greatly accelerate the release of pollutants such as hydrocarbons through thermo-desorption. The reason for this is the advantageous influence of numerous pollutant parameters such as vapor pressure, water solubility, diffusivity or surface tension. Thermal processes for the removal of pollutants are already established in the field of soil decontamination.

[0006] A warming and drying of the wood can also be used for wood pests such as dry rot, killing or depriving them of their livelihoods. Also in this area, the choice of parameters to be established, such as the final temperature, the duration of heating or humidity, depends on the specific case and, in particular, on the type of wood pests.

[0007] There are already a number of methods for drying masonry that prohibit or restrict water transport in the relevant areas. The spectrum ranges from invasive procedures, such as the introduction of barrier layers and electrokinetic methods, to methods whose physical mode of action is unknown and whose effectiveness in many cases must be critically analyzed.

[0008] According to the prior art, dehumidification of the masonry can be achieved, for example, by increasing the temperature reached by means of infrared radiation. In this case, electromagnetic radiation is applied to the material at a certain frequency or specific frequency range, in this case in the area of infrared radiation. As a result, the surface of the material is heated and the water evaporates in this area, then it escapes in the form of water vapor in the room air and must be removed from it. The disadvantage of this method is that only the surface area is heated, since infrared radiation can hardly penetrate the material. The temperature inside the material increases only by heat conduction. As a result, the water in this area can be released very slowly. The large temperature gradients that can cause damage to the material are also disadvantageous. Typical equipment that operates according to this principle is designed for wall surfaces of less than 1 m2.

[0009] For the decontamination of the components, this technique can be applied analogously when the contaminants enter the gas phase through the increase in temperature and are transported to the surface in a manner analogous to water. In the same way, however, the low penetration depths and corresponding large temperature gradients are also disadvantageous here.

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[0010] The use of immersion heaters for drying is technically easier, and, because of the positioning of the bars, it is performed and controlled better in the internal volume of the component, but the component is mechanically damaged by the introduction of the heat bars Large temperature gradients in the vicinity of the rod can also cause thermal damage to the material. However, the volume between the heating elements can only be achieved by heat conduction, that is, indirectly. The heating bars currently used have yields of 100 to 200 W. They are introduced in perforations of 15 to 20 mm in diameter.

[0011] While the use of this method is generally connected only with some damage in general reversible, but significant to masonry, concrete or wood and therefore leads to higher expenses in the course of restoration, it is often prohibited by Complete the use of heaters in the protection of monuments. As a general rule, non-invasive procedures should be used.

[0012] Another non-invasive method for drying masonry based on the use of microwaves with frequencies in the GHz range. Devices for treating materials are described, for example, in EP 1 374 676 A2, DE 94 13 736 U1 , EP 0 928 855 A1 and DE 195 44 889 A1. The heating is due here to the direct coupling of energy in water molecules or other polar structures in the masonry. However, here too, the penetration depths are relatively low, and the heating also focuses on the surface area of the component. This is associated with the disadvantages described above, that is, the formation of high temperature gradients and inhomogeneous dehydration.

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present inventions is to provide an apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and with which thermal bodies can be thermally and efficiently dried and / or decontaminated solid bodies from materials such as stone, concrete or wood The device should allow a non-invasive procedure and avoid the formation of local temperature gradients. In addition, the device according to the invention should also be suitable for controlling wood pests.

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved with a device according to the main claim, and advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to the invention, there is provided a device for drying and / or decontaminating a solid body, where the solid contains at least one liquid and / or a contaminant, having at least one electrode, whereby the solid is at least partially within the range of influence of at least one electrode and wherein the at least one electrode is connected to a supply means to supply a high frequency voltage and a control means, such as a structure comprising a substance that is suitable for receiving the liquid and / or the contaminant, in which the at least one electrode is configured to allow a flow of material from the solid to be treated to the structure with the receiving substance. At least one electrode is permeable to at least one liquid and / or the contaminant, preferably perforatedly formed or a network electrode in a preferable embodiment of the device containing at least one temperature sensor that is adapted to determine the temperature of the solid, in which the temperature sensor is placed in the solid, and is connected to an evaluation unit and / or at least one control means to control the feeding means to feed the high frequency voltage, where the Control means are connected to the feeding means and the evaluation unit for the temperature sensor.

[0016] Preferably the structure is placed on the second side of at least one electrode. Preferably, a temperature sensor is arranged on the first side of at least one electrode.

[0017] Preferably, the solid is in the form of particles.

[0018] Preferably, the temperature sensor is a fiber optic temperature sensor, an infrared sensor or an infrared camera for determining the surface temperature of the solid.

[0019] The terms liquid and contaminants are used here and hereafter collectively for water and other substances that can be treated in the solids being treated both in the adsorbed and absorbed form, and as a liquid phase. For the application of the device according to the invention, no fundamental limits are established due to the nature of the interaction of the substances with the solid. The term contaminant is also used in its general form if several contaminants are present at the same time as individual substances and are released by the device.

[0020] The device according to the invention is therefore a device for dielectric heating. Although basic principles similar to microwave application are relevant for heating, for example, the polarization of orientation of dipole molecules or other polar structures in solids, the use of high frequency energy offers the advantage of greater penetration depths for materials relevant. In this way, generally homogeneous temperature profiles can be established in the mill or in the solid to be treated, which leads to avoiding the problems existing in the prior art. Another important advantage of the device according to the invention is the potential of a non-invasive application, which also introduces the

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possibility of use in valuable historical buildings and, in general, in the field of historical preservation.

[0021] The device according to the invention can be used each time moisture and / or the content of harmful substances in a solid body have to be efficiently reduced. Preferred solids that can be dried and / or decontaminated with the device according to the invention are textiles, foodstuffs, wood, building materials, and masonry. By construction material according to the invention, sand, loam, gravel, cement, concrete, brick, plaster, plasterboard or a mixture thereof is preferably understood.

[0022] The use of the apparatus of the invention for drying and / or decontamination of masonry, building materials or wood is particularly preferred. The dielectric heating of the solid increases its temperature until the moment when the water and / or the contaminants are desorbed and / or evaporated and released from the matrix of the solid. In addition, the device can be used to kill wood pests by increasing the temperature and / or drying them or permanently damaging their livelihoods and development base.

[0023] The apparatus of the invention has at least one electrode, which is connected to means for supplying a high frequency voltage. With respect to the feeding medium, it is preferably a radio frequency (RF) generator. Between the at least one electrode and the RF generator, an electronic adaptation network is preferably arranged, which makes it possible to balance the variable impedance of the solid, for example due to moisture fluctuation, with the internal resistance of the RF generator. This results in the possibility of a very efficient heating of the energy of the solid, since the emitted RF energy can be almost completely converted into process heat. Therefore, energy efficiency is significantly increased through the use of the adaptation network. The continuous regulation of the electronic adaptation network during the drying and / or decontamination process allows these favorable conditions to be maintained even when the moisture content of the material changes. The increase in temperature in the material leads to the mobilization of water and / or contaminants and, therefore, to the desired success of the treatment.

[0024] The device allows different modes of energy input and, in particular, the heating of the fixed bed and the realization of different temperature profiles. In particular, it is possible to heat the solid homogeneously, although technically relevant volumes can be treated up to the scale of the cubic meter. The volume of the solid to be dried and / or decontaminated is preferably in the range of 0.001 to 100 cubic meters, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 cubic meters.

[0025] Preferably, the RF generator provides a voltage with a frequency between 500 kHz and 100 MHz, more preferably, with frequencies between 1 MHz and 30 MHz. The use of approved frequencies for industrial, scientific and medical applications is particularly preferred. Particularly preferred are the ISM frequencies of approximately 6.9 MHz, 13.56 MHz or 27 MHz.

[0026] At least one electrode according to the invention has a side that faces the solid to be heated and forms an interface therewith. The term "interface" encompasses both the embodiment that affects both the solid body and at least one electrode, as well as the configuration that the interface is a layer of a transmission medium, preferably air. In the case of the last embodiment, the thickness of the layer (transition region) from a transmission medium is limited by the scope of at least one electrode. Small layer thicknesses, that is, distances between the electrode and the solid in the range of 0.1 to 50 cm, are preferred.

[0027] Preferably, at least one electrode is a plate electrode. The plate electrodes are preferably arranged so that the surface of at least one electrode facing the solid to be treated is aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the solid to be dried and / or decontaminated. By "substantially parallel" is understood according to the invention an average deviation angle in the range of 0 to 20 °, preferably an angle in the range of 0 to 5 ° and particularly preferably an angle in the range of 0 to 1 ° . Preferably, the electrode is aligned so that, as far as possible, the uneven surfaces of the electrode surface and the solid surface are arranged in parallel. Preferably, the electrodes are arranged in parallel, the solid body being located between the electrodes.

[0028] The flat dimensions of the at least one electrode are preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 m2, and particularly preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2 m2.

[0029] At least one electrode of the at least one liquid and / or permeable contaminant. Embodiments are particularly preferred as a perforated electrode or as a lattice electrode. A permeable configuration ensures that water and / or at least one contaminant escapes from the solid and can then be removed from the surface of the solid.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention has two electrodes. Preferably, one of the two electrodes is a cold electrode and one of the two electrodes is a hot electrode. In this case, the electrode that is grounded is defined as a cold electrode. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cold electrode is electrically conductively connected to the housings of the RF generator and the electronic adaptation network.

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[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, parallel plate electrodes are employed. Parallel plate electrodes ensure a temperature profile with small gradients for homogeneous solids and, therefore, are more suitable for homogeneous heating. Preferably, both electrodes have an interface with the solid body (solid material).

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the device, the electrodes are arranged such that the surfaces of the plate electrodes form a common boundary surface with the solid body, where the electrodes are disposed side by side in an electrically isolated manner and The common boundary surface is a flat surface. In this arrangement, the electrodes are on the same side of the solid. This arrangement is particularly suitable if the total expansion of the solid is greater than the range of influence of one or more electrodes. Then, the device according to the invention can be moved along the solid body and drying and / or

[0033] decontamination is carried out sequentially. Preferred solids that are dried with this electrode arrangement are structures and masonry.

[0034] Alternatively, the electrodes are preferably arranged in parallel, so that the solid body is between the electrodes. This arrangement is particularly suitable for solids whose spatial extent is at least in one dimension within the range of influence of the two electrodes in the present electrode separation. This arrangement is suitable, for example, for wood, with a wooden beam that is then placed between the electrodes. If the bar is longer than the electrodes are wide, the device moves along the bar and drying and / or decontamination is also carried out sequentially. The choice of electrode geometry, of which more variants are possible, is determined by the requirements of the respective process (arrangement of the solid to be treated in a structure such as construction, necessary temperature homogeneity, mechanical requirements for arrangement, velocities of heating to be achieved, etc.) and can be optimized by an expert person if necessary.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the invention, more than two electrodes are provided, which are supplied with a high frequency alternating voltage. Preferably, hot and several cold electrodes are provided.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the device, the solid to be treated is conducted through the effective range of at least one electrode. As mechanical aids, conveyor devices such as belts can preferably be used. Where appropriate, and before treatment, the solid, for example a building material or natural mineral substance, is fixed in a manner that allows the type of supply described through the sphere of influence of at least one electrode.

[0037] The apparatus of the invention has, in close proximity with at least one electrode for dielectric heating, a structure with a substance that absorbs the released water and / or at least one contaminant released. This substance is generally called adsorption material and may be in solid, liquid or gaseous form. The positioning of a suitable adsorbent material in the vicinity of at least one electrode allows an effective discharge of the problematic substances due to its rapid absorption in the adsorbent material and the beginning of advantageous concentration gradients.

[0038] In a configuration of the device, the mass transfer between the solid to be treated and the adsorbent material may be mediated by an active gas flow, which allows an improved convective transport of the released water and / or at least one contaminant released. .

[0039] The material to be removed from the solid is preferably a substance that is present in the pure phase at room temperature as a liquid. The liquids that are removed according to the invention are preferably water and contaminants with different chemical, physical and toxicological properties. The contaminants that can preferably be removed from the solid with the device according to the invention are preferably hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons, particularly preferably mineral oil hydrocarbons, organic solvents, constituents of coating materials, flame retardants, wood preservatives and other substances that They are used to protect building materials against pests.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, in the structure having the adsorbent substance, it is a hollow body with the outer shape of a cylinder or cuboid. However, the invention is not fundamentally linked to a specific form of the structure, and any other geometry is possible without the functionality of the restricted arrangements. Advantageously, the container is permeable to liquids or contaminants to be adsorbed. Alternatively, the container has openings through which water and / or contaminants can enter. Particularly preferably, the container is a lattice container, that is, a cage, in which the holes are selected in the lattice so that the adsorbent material remains in the container.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the substance contained in the container is an adsorbent material, preferably a porous material, such as, for example, a Y-alumina, silica gel, activated carbon, a

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zeolite or a mixture of these materials. Particularly preferred in the case of drying a solid is a hydrophilic zeolite, in particular an A, X or Y zeolite. For non-polar or slightly polar organic contaminants, hydrophobic zeolites or activated carbon will be used as adsorbent materials. Particularly preferred is a skimmed Y zeolite that has a high Si / Al ratio. When looking for suitable adsorbent media, the prior art can be used.

[0042] The adsorbents used preferably have a high porosity with a large specific surface area of preferably more than 100 m2 / g, more preferably more than 250 m2 / g more preferably more than 500 m2 / g. In many cases, these materials are mixed with a bonding medium before being compressed to achieve better mechanical stability. In the following, these mixing materials, however, are screened as simplified as the active adsorption components.

[0043] In the context of a device of the invention configured modularly, a component for the removal of contaminants released from solid substances can be applied. The supply of the contaminants in the corresponding component can preferably be obtained again by a gas stream. In an advantageous embodiment of the device, the use of an additional catalyst component in the adsorbent material is advantageous. As catalysts, for example, metals, preferably platinum, palladium or other transition metals or noble metals, or perovskite are used. The catalytically active noble metals are preferably applied on porous support materials. These porous materials typically have porosities between 0.2 and 0.7.

[0044] The substance used as an adsorbent and / or as a catalyst is in particular a granulate or other bulk material, in which the grain diameter is preferably in the millimeter area. Particularly suitable according to the invention are particle sizes in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm, preferably 1 to 5 mm, more preferably 1 to 3 mm.

[0045] Preferably, the bulk material is arranged in a container, especially preferably in a cage container.

[0046] Preferably, the assembly contains at least one temperature sensor that is suitable for determining the temperature during dielectric heating of the solid body. Preferably, it is a fiber optic temperature sensor, which can be used under the present conditions of an electromagnetic field and therefore allows continuous measurement during the operation of the apparatus. The temperature sensor is preferably arranged directly in the volume of the solid body. Particularly preferred is the use of a plurality of temperature sensors, which facilitate the detection of a representative three-dimensional temperature profile in a solid body.

[0047] In a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises sensors, which allow the analysis of water and / or contaminants. The other sensors are preferably also connected to an evaluation. In this embodiment it is advantageously possible to record the water and / or discharge of contaminants from the solid body and adjust the dielectric heating to this data. In particular, it can be easily determined when dielectric heating can be stopped.

[0048] The apparatus of the invention also includes in a preferred variant, the control means for controlling the RF generator, in which the control means is linked to the RF generator and preferably with the temperature sensor. This ensures that the dielectric heating adapts to the solid state temperature and, for example, local overheating can be avoided. Preferably, the control means is a personal computer (PC) or a similar electronic control unit with process control system.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises means for determining the formation of the substance adsorption substance in relation to the liquid and / or contaminant. This advantageously guarantees that there is always enough adsorption material available to receive the water and / or the contaminant and that the water and / or the contaminant is removed from the ambient air. The determination means preferably has a sensor and an alarm system, which indicates the state of charge when a predetermined limit value is exceeded and an exchange of the adsorbent material is recommended.

[0050] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention also contains means for using the heat of adsorption and / or reaction of the released substances for their interaction with the adsorbent material as well as the elevated temperature of the heated gas flow directed in the direction opposite of the solid body for heating the solid body. They can be, for example, heat exchangers of different types.

[0051] It should be understood that this invention is not limited to specific devices, compositions and conditions as described herein, as these may vary. It is further understood that the terminology used in this document is intended to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As used herein in the specification including the appended claims, singular word forms, such as "a", "a", "of a", "the", or "the" imply

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plural correspondence, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0052] In the following, the invention should be described in more detail on the basis of the figures and embodiments. It shows:

Fig. 1 a device according to the invention in which a solid body 12 is arranged between two electrodes 14, 16;

Fig. 2 a device according to the invention in which two electrodes 14, 16 are arranged in parallel on one side of a solid body 12;

Fig. 3 temperature profiles in a solid body 12 in a medium plane at different temperatures according to Example 1;

Fig. 4 the decrease of the normalized water content with time and with the temperature increase in a solid body 12 according to Example 1;

Fig. 5 temperature profiles in a solid body 12 in a central plane at different temperatures according to Example 2;

Fig. 6 the decrease of the normalized water content over time and with the temperature increase in a solid body 12 according to Example 2;

Fig. 7 water adsorption isotherms to three different substances 22; Y

Fig. 8 a device according to the invention with a transport device for solid bodies 12 between electrodes 14, 16.

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention in which a solid body 12 is disposed between two plate electrodes 14, 16. Therefore, the solid body 12 is at least partially in the area of influence of the electrodes 14, 16. The two electrodes 14, 16 each have a first side 15 and a second side 17, in which the first side 15 to the fixed body 12 forms an interface 20. On the second side 17 of at least one electrode 16 a container 34 is provided, which is filled with an adsorbent substance 22. Preferably, at least electrode 16, designed as a lattice or otherwise gas permeable electrode, is perforated.

[0054] The adsorbent substance 22 is adapted to absorb a liquid 10 and / or a contaminant 11, which is released from the solid body 12 by the dielectric heating of the solid body 12, which, in turn, is carried out by means of the electrodes 14, 16. Adsorbent 22 appears here in the form of particles having a particle size of approximately 3 mm as an amount in the container 34. The container 34 is provided as a cage-shaped container 34 (also called a structure) configured so that the liquid 10 and / or the contaminant 11 can easily flow into the container 34 and then is adsorbed by the adsorbent 22. Within the container 34, a means 36 is provided for determining the loading state of the adsorbent 22 with the liquid 10 and / or the contaminant 11. After it exceeds a predetermined limit value, a signal is transmitted from the determination means 36, indicating that the adsorbent 22 must be replaced. Therefore, a sufficient amount of adsorbent 22 not fully charged or not fully charged is always provided.

[0055] In the fixed body 12, fiber optic temperature sensors 24 are arranged, which are connected to an evaluation unit 26. The temperature sensors 24 monitor the temperature of the solid body 12 during dielectric heating, so that it is observed process progress and, for example, local overheating is avoided. Advantageously, additional sensors 28 are provided which record the humidity or the contamination state of the fixed body 12 or also the temperature of additional measuring points. The other sensors 28 are also connected to the evaluation unit 26 or, optionally, to an associated evaluation unit.

[0056] The electrodes 14, 16 are connected in an electronic adaptation network 32 with a means 18 for the supply of high frequency input voltage. With respect to the feeding means 18, they are preferably an RF generator. Through the use of an electronic adaptation network 32, the internal resistance of the RF generator 18 and the impedance variable of the solid body 12 are adapted to each other due to the changing temperature and fluctuating moisture contents and / or the contaminant content. The control of the device is carried out by means of a control means 30. The control means 30 is preferably a personal computer (PC) with a process control system, which is connected to the RF generator 18 and the control unit. evaluation 26.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows an alternative arrangement of the device of the invention. Reference numbers apply accordingly. In this way, the plate electrodes 14, 16 are arranged together in a plane. At least one of the electrodes 14, 16 is perforated, designed as a lattice electrode or otherwise gas permeable. The first side 15 of the plate electrodes 14, 16 is oriented in the direction of the solid body 12 and forms the

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bordering area 20 (not shown). On the second side 17 of the electrodes 14, 16 the cage-shaped container 34 is disposed with the adsorbent 22a. The adsorption medium 22 is adapted to adsorb the liquid 10 and / or the contaminant 11. The temperature of the solid body 12 is controlled by the temperature sensors 24 and the data is transmitted by the evaluation unit 26 to the computer with the systems of process control 30. Preferably, other sensors 28 are provided, which monitor the temperatures or contents of humidity 10 and / or contaminants 11 and data are sent by the evaluation unit 26 also to the computer 30 with the control systems of processes The computer controls the RF generator 18 and therefore the dielectric heating, so that an optimal transfer of energy from the RF generator 18 can be carried out by an electronic adaptation network 32 to the solid body 12 with the change of humidity.

[0058] The shape and arrangement of the electrode can be altered for various applications of the device of the invention so that wooden components and structures can be effectively heated. The device is preferably applied so that a possible homogeneous energy input can be made in the solid body 12, and therefore a temperature profile with low gradients is formed. Mainly, the provisions for applications, drying, decontamination and pest control are not substantially differentiated.

Example 1

[0059] The device of the invention was tested in a solid block 12 (50 cm x 50 cm x 20 cm) made of sandstone with an initial moisture content of approximately 4.5 by weight .-%. The stone block 12 is provided on both sides with massive plate electrodes 14, 16 made of copper foil. These had holes on one side (diameter of approximately 5 mm) for the application of the fiber optic temperature sensors 24, with which the temperature profile could be continuously monitored in the stone block 12 for the dielectric heating of a generator of RF 18 with a maximum power of 5 kW and a constant working frequency of 13.56 MHz. The RF power introduced continuously during the heating phase was 1.3 kW. After reaching an average temperature of 105 ° C, it was kept constant by the only temporary introduction of the feed. As adsorbent substance 22 in container 34, a bed of zeolite 13X with an average grain size of 3 mm was used.

[0060] The temperature profiles in a central plane in the stone block are shown in Fig. 3 for the different phases of the test. The temperature gradients produced at high temperatures up to the edge of the stone 12 are mainly due to the lack of thermal insulation. During the heating the weight of the stone 12 was continuously determined, which was placed on a scale. Fig. 4 shows the decrease in the normalized water content, measured as the weight loss due to drying, in correlation with the average temperature of the stone 12 during drying. In the course of the experiment a dryness of approximately 94% was reached. It should be noted that the final moisture content does not reach the equilibrium moisture content under certain circumstances, which is desirable in a practical application. To avoid damage to the material, a lower water discharge can be sought, and it would be more likely to interrupt drying. It is expected that with a temperature of 100 ° C in the solid-state stone 12 a marked increase in the rate of water contribution will be recorded by approximately factor 4. The degree of energy efficiency, that is the efficiency of the environmental transformation of RF heat energy in sandstone 12 was 91% in this experiment. By an improved thermal insulation, this value could be increased further.

Example 2

[0061] In Example 2, a solid body 12 of the same material was dried as in Example 1 with the aid of the electrode network 14, 16 with the device of the invention. The grid electrodes 14, 16 have been designed as a stainless steel lattice with a lattice size of approximately 6 mm. This application of the electrodes 14, 16 allows greater flexibility in practical use and can more easily adapt the outer shape of the solid body 12. The RF heating and data recording were carried out in a manner analogous to that of Example 1. The power input was 1.6 kW. Fig. 5 shows the temperature profiles at different moments of the test at an intermediate level of the solid body 12. Fig. 6 illustrates the development of the drying of the stone block 12 with the development of the average temperature during the test. The degree of drying reached was ca. 91% and energy efficiency, that is, the efficiency was 89%. Both values for these electrodes form the same range as for massive copper electrodes, which underlines the flexibility in electrode design.

[0062] Fig. 7 illustrates the potential for use of various adsorbents 22 for joining water 10 removed from the masonry or other solid body 12 (as shown in Examples 1 and 2). Here, water equilibrium adsorption on three different surfaces of zeolite type 3A, 5A or 13X for various partial water pressures is indicated. Water adsorption is indicated in milliliters of water per gram of absorbent. Such curves are described as adsorption isotherms and according to the technical literature can be used for the binding capacity of organic pollutants 11 on zeolites or other potential adsorbent 22 such as active carbon or silica gels. Depending on the application of the device of the invention, the skilled person can then select the corresponding adsorption substance 22.

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[0063] A variant of the device according to the invention is shown in Fig. 8 in which the material to be treated 12 is moved by means of a conveyor 40 between the electrodes 14, 16 such that the material 12 is located at least temporarily in the area of influence of at least one electrode 14, 16. Preferably the material is used before treatment by means of a suitable device 50, especially preferably in the form of a funnel, to the conveyor 40. Preferably, the collection of the material takes place 12 after treatment with a corresponding input device 52. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the upper surface of the material 14 is preferably measured continuously by means of a transmitter 46. Preferably, the material 14 flows during movement by means of the conveyor device 40 through a stream of gas 42, of so that the released substances 10, 12 are received. The sensor is preferably connected to an evaluation unit 26. The RF power supply is carried out as in the other variants by an RF voltage source 18, which is preferably connected by an electronic adaptation network 32 to the electrodes 14, 16 The conveyor 40 is preferably partially perforated for the through flow. In a particularly preferred variant, a solid body 22 flows through the gas stream 42 upon receipt of the components 10, 12, which is in a suitable container 34 at least partially open. Preferably, the material for the reception of the released substances 22 also has a component 44, which, under suitable framework conditions (eg temperature) is capable of making harmful substances 11 harmless.

Reference List

[0064]

10 Water (liquid)

11 Pollutants

12 Solid body 14, 16 Electrode

15 First side

17 Second side

18 Medium for RF power supply

20 Interface / transition zone

22 Substance for the reception of released liquids / contaminants 24 Temperature sensor

26 Evaluation Unit

28 Liquid / contaminant or temperature sensors

30 Control means

32 Electronic fitness network

34 Container / structure

36 Means for determining adsorption load

40 Conveyor

42 Gas stream

44 Means for reactive gas cleaning

46 Infrared sensor / infrared camera

50 Medium for unloading the material to be treated

52 Means for collecting the material to be treated

Claims (13)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 Claims 1. Device for drying and / or decontaminating a solid (12), which contains at least one fluid (10) and / or a hazardous substance (11), understanding - at least one electrode (14, 16) comprising a first side (15) and a second side (17), in which the first side (15) is exposed and forms an outer part of the device, and at least one electrode (14, 16) is connected to a supply means (18) to supply a high frequency voltage, - a structure (34) comprising a substance (22), which is suitable for containing a fluid (10) and / or a hazardous substance (11), in which the structure (34) is arranged and designed such that the flow of substance from the solid substance (12) to be treated to the structure (34) is allowed, - at least one control means (30) for controlling the supply means (18) to supply the high frequency voltage, in which the control means (30) are connected to the supply means (18), characterized in that The at least one electrode (14, 16) for at least one fluid (10) and / or the hazardous substance (11) is designed to be permeable, preferably perforated, or is a lattice electrode. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in addition, at least one temperature sensor (24) is provided, which is suitable for determining the temperature of the solid (12), in which the temperature sensor (24) is connected . to an evaluation unit (26). 3. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid (12) is a textile, a food product, a building material, wood, sand, loam, gravel, cement, concrete, brick, plaster, a mixture of the previous materials, masonry or other at least partially mineral material. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transport installation (40) is provided between the electrodes (14, 16) to be guided through the solid (12), which is preferably present in particular. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that means are provided for generating an additional gas flow (42) and for eliminating substances (10, 11) released from the solid (12) and / or that hazardous substances (11 ) released from the solid (12) are added to the means for the purification of reactive gases (44). Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid (10) is an organic or inorganic solvent, preferably an organic or inorganic polar solvent, particularly preferably water and / or hazardous substance (11) is a hydrocarbon or a halogenated hydrocarbon, preferably a mineral oil hydrocarbon, an organic solvent, a paint element, flame inhibitor, wood protection agent and other substances that serve to protect construction materials against pests, or a mixture of at least two of these components. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance (22) is an adsorbent material, preferably a porous material, in particular a Y-aluminum oxide, silica gel, activated carbon, a zeolite or a mixture thereof. , particularly preferably a hydrophilic zeolite, in particular a NaY, NaX, KA, NaA or CaA zeolite or a hydrophobic zeolite, preferably a de-aluminized zeolite Y with a high Si / Al ratio. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrode (14, 16) comprises a spatial expansion in the range of 0.1 to 10 m2, particularly preferably 0.5 to 2 m2. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrode (14, 16) is a plate electrode. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises two electrodes (14, 16), where preferably, one of the two electrodes (14, 16) is a cold electrode (14) grounded and one of the Two electrodes (14, 16) are a hot electrode (16). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the electrodes (14, 16) are arranged adjacent to each other, where the first sides (15) of the electrodes (14, 16) are in a plane and the electrodes (14, 16 ) are arranged on the same side of the solid (12). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic adaptation network (32) is arranged between the supply means (18) to supply a high frequency voltage and 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 at least one electrode (14, 16). 13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises means of determination (36) for determining the load of the substance (22) in relation to the fluid (10) and / or the hazardous substance (11) and / or a heat exchanger to use the energy of the removed gas flow (42) and / or the heat of adsorption and / or reaction during interaction with the adsorbent substance (22) or a catalyst is provided to heat the solid (12) .