FR2846405A1 - THERMODYNAMIC AIR TREATMENT MACHINE, PROCESS FOR TREATING BULK PRODUCTS WITH AIR PROCESSED BY SUCH AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE AND DRYER USING SUCH A PROCESS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermodynamic air treatment machine. It also relates to a process for treating bulk products with air from such a thermodynamic air treatment machine. Finally, it relates to an automatic dryer implementing such a method. The thermodynamic air treatment machine of the invention comprises several air treatment units (4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N) which are distributed along a process of processing bulk products like agricultural products. Each power station is equipped with means for cooling air (9, 10), for heating air (7, 8), for re-humidifying or drying air and for blowing or sucking in treated air, reheated, refreshed and with a rate of hygrometry controlled under a determined flow at determined points at determined dates in the process of processing agricultural products.

Description

Thermodynamic air treatment machine, method of treatment of

  bulk products by air treated by such a machine and automatic dryer covering such a process

  The present invention relates to a thermodynamic air treatment machine. It also relates to a process for treating bulk products with air from such a thermodynamic air treatment machine. Finally, it relates to an automatic dryer implementing such a method.

  In the state of the art, the applicant has already defined a solution making it possible to treat various products like agricultural products using an air flow. In applications for 15 previous patents, FR 01.07088 filed May 21, 2001, FR 02.00433 filed January 15, 2002, not published on the filing date of this application, the applicant has already defined an air handling machine which particularly allows a thermodynamic treatment such as heating, cooling or dehumidification to be applied to the inlet air, which is then blown or drawn inside a treatment volume in which at least is disposed a product to be treated with air initially treated using this machine

thermodynamic treatment.

  This thermodynamic air treatment machine mainly comprises: - a cabinet in which is constituted a plurality of boxes or sections separated by partitions; - - a closed circuit for circulation of a heat transfer fluid or heat transfer fluid between two batteries which, depending on the direction of circulation controlled by a reversing valve, can be cooler or heater on a flow of air to be treated which crosses the cabinet thus made up of registers provided with a remote control and which can exchange air and other fluids with the treatment air circulating in each of the separate chambers or sections in the cabinet so as to control its internal pressure, its rate of humidity and its temperature, in particular of the air flow passing through the machine and a programmable automaton which, as a function of meteorological data, data of the thermodynamic state of the air passing through the machine and / or of the product to be treated and of economic data such as the cost of the energy consumed by the treatment machine determines the operating sequences of a predetermined treatment for treating the

  product according to the wishes of the user.

  In particular, the registers make it possible to mix air during treatment with outside air or air taken over part of the treatment process for products placed in a dryer or other treatment treatment volume.

thermodynamics of air.

  According to the treatment modalities determined by the chosen method of treatment of the products placed inside the treatment volume outside the treatment machine, air can be taken from the dryer, sucked in at the inlet of the machine. thermodynamic air treatment. Then, this air can be treated inside the cabinet with or without the addition of outside air or any other treatment fluid. Finally, process air from the thermodynamic air treatment machine is blown or

  vacuumed inside the dryer.

  In contact with the product to be treated inside the dryer, the treatment air from the machine will exchange heat and

  especially also humidity in the case of a drying treatment with this product. The treatment air having passed through the product to be treated can be discharged outside the dryer or returned to the inlet of the thermodynamic treatment machine 10 a ir.

  In this way, a treatment is carried out in a particularly effective manner making it possible to cool or reheat a product such as a vegetable product, or else to dry or rewet such a product. This is particularly the case with crops

  cereals, fodder, fruit, etc.

  However, such an arrangement has certain disadvantages in the case of the treatment of large volumes of agricultural products 20 or of other origins, and also in the case where, during the course of the treatment, different thermodynamic treatments must

  be applied to agricultural products.

  Particularly, in the case of large longitudinal dryers, a thermodynamic treatment machine of this kind must have an extremely large dimension and its construction requires the transport of components such as a very large metal cabinet. Its installation therefore requires roads admitting exceptional convoys, which is not always the case in all the agricultural product processing sites. Still for a dryer of large longitudinal dimension, such a thermodynamic treatment machine must be connected to the dryer by air exchange pipes of very long length and very large section. Such pipes are expensive and subject the exchanged air to significant pressure losses which make the control of the thermodynamic treatment

very delicate to perform.

  Finally, large dryers must receive harvests at different times, for example, every day of a week of forage harvesting. As a result, not all products can receive the same treatment depending on the day they are harvested and deposited at the entrance to the dryer. The present invention therefore aims to solve the following problems - avoid transferring treatment air over long distances, which results in an overflow in pipes and losses in the treatment air; - distribute the treatment over time and space so as to provide flexibility in the treatment processes over time and in the position of the product or the unit of mass of product in a treatment line. The thermodynamic air treatment machine of the invention comprises: a cooling unit for a heat transfer fluid which circulates between a cover for the reserve of cold heat transfer fluid and a cover 30 for the reserve of hot heat transfer fluid; a circuit for supplying hot heat transfer fluid connected on the one hand to the cover of hot heat transfer fluid and consisting of at least one pipe for hot heat transfer fluid; a cold heat transfer fluid supply circuit connected on the one hand to the cover of cold heat transfer fluid and constituted by at least one pipe of cold heat transfer fluid; - a plurality of air handling units, each air handling unit comprising: - a cabinet comprising a plurality of boxes and 10 comprising: - at least one air inlet register to be treated - at least one register treated air outlet; an air heater battery connected at a point in the hot heat transfer fluid supply circuit; - an air condenser battery connected at a point in the cold heat transfer fluid supply circuit; - the two heater or condenser batteries being arranged in an air flow to be treated; a programmable automaton provided with means for determining at least the temperatures of the supply circuit for hot heat transfer fluid and of the supply circuit for cold heat transfer fluid, the temperature and / or the hygrometric degree of the air coming from at at least one air handling unit in said plurality of air handling units so as to apply a programmed treatment sequence

  thermodynamics of the air to be treated.

  The process of the present invention consists in - loading a large quantity of bulk products to be treated onto a conveyor; applying a treatment adapted to a plurality of treatment sections using air which has received a thermodynamic treatment specific to each section; - to evacuate the bulk product to its area of use, transport or storage when a condition of end of

air treatment is reached.

  The automated dryer of the present invention mainly comprises: an area for unloading a bulk product such as a crop of fodder to be treated in the dryer; - a loading section of a conveyor configured to load large quantities of bulk product to be treated; a section making it possible to treat the bulk product as a function of its position on the conveying section using one of the processing centers which is located in line with this section; - a section for packaging the bulk product and

reloading or storage.

  Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the appended description and the

  drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of a thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a diagram of a part of the machine of Figure 1 in another embodiment; - Figure 3 is a diagram of another part of the machine of Figure 1 in another embodiment; - Figure 4 is a diagram of another part of the machine of Figure 1 in another embodiment; - Figure 5 is an overall diagram of an automated dryer according to the invention; - Figure 6 is a diagram of a component of the automated dryer of Figure 5 and - Figure 7 is a diagram of another component of the dryer

Figure 5.

    Figure 1 shows a diagram of a first embodiment of a thermodynamic air treatment machine 10 according to the invention.

  The thermodynamic air treatment machine of the embodiment shown comprises a tank or hot water reserve 1, a bar or reserve of cold water 3, a cold production unit 2.

  The cold production plant 2 is connected by a first heat exchanger on the tank or hot water reserve 1, and by a second heat exchanger on the tank or cold water reserve 3. By known means, a compressor and an expansion valve arranged on a circuit of a refrigerant which circulates inside the cold production plant 2 makes it possible to permanently maintain the temperature of the water reserve

  hot 1 and cold water reserve 3.

  A circuit 5, consisting of at least one closed-loop pipe, carries out a circulation of hot water taken from the

hot water reserve 1.

  A circuit 6, consisting of at least one closed-loop pipeline, circulates cold water taken from the reserve

cold water 3.

  Each closed loop pipeline in circuits 5 and 6 is

  arranged longitudinally along the bulk process for which the thermodynamic air treatment machine is intended. A plurality of thermodynamic air treatment units 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N are distributed throughout this process which will be described later.

  Each power plant like the power plant 4-1 is connected by two separate accesses on the one hand by pipes 7 and 8 to the hot water circuit 5, and on the other hand by pipes 9 and 10 to the water circuit 6 cold, the first line 7 or 9 on the "go" part of circuit 5 or 6, the second line 8 or 10 on the "return" part of circuit 5 or 6, so that each air handling unit 4- 1 to 4N is connected in parallel on each of the 5 hot water and 6 cold water circuits. An air handling unit like the 4-1 unit admits a flow of processing air which it then ejects blown a mass of bulk products to be treated at a particular point in the processing process

bulk products.

  The cold production plant 2 operates with

  water-water exchangers, the heat transfer fluid in circuits 5 and 6 and the reserves 1 and 3 being water. This liquid can be replaced by other fluids, and in particular by aqueous solutions having a higher calorific capacity such as water containing glycol.

  The thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the present invention then comprises a programmable automaton 11 which includes a program memory for controlling the operation of the thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the tasks that the process of treatment of

bulk products must perform.

  The programmable controller 11 has an input stage which is connected to a set of sensors which produce input information 12 to regulate or configure the process for processing bulk products. To this end, the programmable controller 11 produces, as a function of the execution of at least one program chosen from the program memory of the controller 11, a set of control signals 14 which are transmitted by suitable means of communication to the various control circuits of the components of the thermodynamic air treatment machine. In particular, the control signals 14 are supplied to control circuits - of the cold production plant 2; - circuit 5 access valves on the hot water reserve 1 - circuit 6 access valves on the cold water reserve 3; - access valves of the central 2 for producing cold both to the hot water reserve 1 and to the cold water reserve 3;

  - controllable members of each of the local centralization stations 4 - 1 to 4 - N, depending on their relative position.

  The user and the installer, the first during the operation of the thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the invention, the second during maintenance operations or remote diagnostics 30 performed remotely using remote control circuits, can provide, according to predetermined programs, recorded at least partially in the program memory of the programmable controller 11, control and / or configuration data of the program selected to intervene in the processing process carried out in the processing machine of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a part of the thermodynamic air treatment machine in another mode of

realization of the invention.

    FIG. 2, the cold production plant 2 is connected by pipes 15 and 16 to the hot water reserve 1. The cold production plant 2 is also connected by pipes 18 and 19 to the water reserve 3. The central 2 for producing cold comprises a conventional refrigeration circuit comprising in series in a circuit for producing cold a heat exchanger A, a heat exchanger B and an assembly C comprising an expansion valve, a compressor and 20 a reserve of a refrigerant such as "Freon". The exchanger A includes a radiator in contact with a coil which connects the hot water pipes 15 and 16. The exchanger B includes a radiator in contact with a coil which connects the pipes 18 and 19 of cold water. To ensure a circulation of hot water and a circulation of cold water, a circulator 17 is arranged on the pipe 15 for the arrival of hot water and a circulator 20 is arranged on the pipe 17 for the arrival of Cold water. Each circulator 17 or 20 comprises at least one motorized pump whose "on-off" state and / or the pumping power are controlled by a control signal 14 from the programmable controller 11 depending on the execution of the program there

  has been selected and is running.

  Likewise, each controllable member of the central unit for producing cold, such as the compressor, the expansion valve or a valve with adjustable degree of opening, can be controlled by a control signal 14 from the programmable controller 11 in depending on the execution of the program selected there and which

is running.

    FIG. 3 shows another part of the thermodynamic air treatment machine in another mode of

realization of the invention.

  A local air handling unit has been shown as

  one of the central units 4 - 1 to 4 - N in figure 1.

  Depending on the mounting situations of the local central unit, air to be treated is charged by an inlet nozzle 24 through an access door 25 to a relatively sealed cabinet in which is

  constituted the central. The access door 25 can be remote controlled using an electric motor which regulates the degree of opening of the opening flaps and which is supplied by a control card controlled by one of the signals 14 emitted by 25 the programmable controller 1 1.

  Depending on the ventilation installation situations of the local air treatment unit in question, the air to be treated charged by the inlet nozzle 24 is taken: - from the atmosphere outside the dryer - from the inside atmosphere of the dryer - at a particular point in the dryer dryer in which the process for treating bulk products is applied, on which the treatment machine of the invention

is associated.

  Depending on the configurations of the local air handling unit, several boxes or compartments such as compartments 26, 29, 33 and 35 can be formed inside the cabinet in which this unit was built. Registers, like 10 registers 30 and 34, are remotely controlled using motors

  which regulate the degree of opening of treatment air exchange flaps with the air to be treated or the treatment air.

  It is thus possible, depending on the degree of opening of the exchange flaps, to adjust or adjust the air pressure inside the cabinet in which the central unit is made up, or even the degree of humidity, the temperature or else charge the air with another treatment fluid which is added to the air which will be sent to the bulk product to be treated in the dryer. The registers are arranged on each compartment or on some of them only. Each of their degree of opening can be controlled by a control signal 14 from the programmable controller 11 as a function of the execution of the program which has been selected therein and

which is running.

  In the cabinet separating the compartments 26 and 29, a first battery, the cold battery 21, is disposed on the path of the air to be treated coming from the entry door 25. The cold battery 21 comprises a coil (not shown ) which is supplied by two access pipes 27 which are tapped on the cold water circuit 30 6 (Figure 1). A remote-controlled valve 28 is arranged on the "Go" pipe, so as to isolate the first exchanger from the cold battery 21 or not according to a control signal 14 from

  the programmable controller 11 (Figure 1).

  In the cabinet separating the compartments 29 and 33, a second battery, the hot battery 22, is arranged on the path of the air to be treated after it has passed over the cold battery 21. The hot battery 22 has a coil (not shown) which is supplied by two access pipes 31 which are inserted into the hot water circuit 5 (Figure 1). A remote-controlled valve 32 is arranged on the "go" pipe, so as to isolate the exchanger from the hot battery 22 or not according to a control signal 14

  from programmable controller 11 (Figure 1).

  In a particular embodiment, the air handling unit 15 does not include a valve 32.

  In the cabinet separating the compartments 33 and 35, a blowing fan 23 is arranged on the path of the air to be treated after it has passed over the hot coil 22. The air flow characteristics 20 of the blowing fan 23 are controlled by the using a control signal 14 coming from the programmable automaton 11. If necessary, air to be blown, which has therefore undergone the thermodynamic treatment of the power plant included in the cabinet, passes through an exit door 36, itself equipped with flaps, the degree of opening of which is regulated by an electric motor (not shown), itself supplied as a function of a control signal 14 coming from

  the programmable controller 11 (Figure 1).

  Returning to FIG. 1, it will be understood that each plant 4 -1 30 to 4 N, makes it possible to take air to be treated at any point from atmospheric air, inside or outside the dryer, or air at the point of the bulk product process on which the particular plant is working. Likewise, each of the control signals 14, determined by the execution of the program selected in the programmable controller 11, depends on the central unit for which it is intended, and therefore on the point in the process for processing bulk products on which the central

particular works.

    FIG. 4 shows another part of the thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the present invention.

  It is sought to recover the maximum of the recoverable energies in the whole process for treating bulk products to which the thermodynamic air treatment machine of the invention is applied.

  During the operation of each of the local power stations 4 - 1 to 4 - N, the cold battery 21 in which circulates water whose temperature is between 5 and 10, can be covered with frost 20 when the particular power station 4 - i works in dehumidification

air to be treated.

  The defrosting work of the cold battery 21 consumes a lot of energy. In order to recover the maximum energy, according to the present invention, heat is recovered from the air taken from a suitable duct 49 at a determined point in the process for treating bulk products in the dryer 42 in which the machine of the invention is installed. To this end, a group of several local treatment centers 40, 41 30 is assigned to a defrosting group 43. The defrosting group 43 comprises a suction fan 44 whose suction nozzle is connected to the pipe 49 connected at a point in the dryer 42

  o the air temperature is high.

  A battery 45 heat exchanger between cold water and the air 5 blown by the fan 44 is disposed on the group of

  defrost 43. A coil of the heat exchanger battery 45 is connected by pipes 47 and 48 to a special circuit 46 for circulation of cold water, connected to the cold water reserve.

  When a defrost of at least one group of local processing center 40, 41 is controlled by a control signal 14 from the programmable controller 11, the pipe 49 is open, the fan 44 starts, and the special circuit 46 of cold water circulation is open on the coil of the battery 15 45. The hot air 49 passes through the suction fan 44, then the coil of the battery 45 on which it transfers its heat, and is

evacuated to the outside 50.

  The water in the special cold water circulation circuit 46 is reheated and returns to the reserve of cold water 3 so that the cold water reserve 3 sees its temperature rise, and the normal circulation circuit 6 of cold water, on which the cold batteries of the central processing units 40, 41 work, also see their temperature rise. This results in a heating of the 25 cold batteries of the local treatment plants 40, 41 which are

thus defrosted.

  The method of the invention consists in exploiting the fact that the hot water reserve stores calories while the cold water reserve 30 stores frigories.

  A set of local air handling units prepares the dry and heated air used by the dryer and works between the

  reserves of calories and frigories.

  In a first operating mode, the outside air taken by the local treatment center is dry. In this case, the central unit draws calories from the hot tank in order to heat the air drawn into the central unit and to improve its evaporating power. This heated air is then blown at a point in the bulk process so as to release its heat and thereby dry the bulk. In fact, the bulk product still wet, being heated by the heat of the heated air, sees its moisture evaporate in the dry atmospheric air at the level of the treatment zone assigned to this local treatment center. This atmospheric air which is charged with humidity is then returned to the local treatment center affected or to other plants such as the

  energy recovery described using Figure 4.

  In a second mode of operation, the outside air is humid and the local treatment center takes frigories from the cold tank 3 so as to ensure the condensation of the humidity contained in the air. The treated air is then blown to a specific area or a specific point in the treatment of bulk products. The humidity of the outside air condenses on the cold battery of the local treatment center, and can be evacuated in the form of liquid water to the rainwater network for example. The local processing center will then extract calories from the hot tank 1 in order to heat the dry air and further improve its evaporating power when it is blown to the point

  treatment process.

  In the method of the invention, a step of transferring energy between the two heat 1 and cold 3 tanks is carried out using the cold production plant 2. The cold production plant 2 produces simultaneously calories stored in the hot water tank 1 and frigories stored in the

cold water tank 3.

  In the method of the invention, a step of regulating the transfer of energy between the two heat tanks 1 and cold 3 is carried out using a regulation circuit which evacuates as required the calories or the excess frigories. During this step, when drying is carried out with dry outside air, only the calories stored in the hot water tank 1 are used. There is then an excess of frigories in the cold water tank 3 which imposes a decrease in its temperature compared to its set temperature. In this case, the energy transfer regulation step consists in recovering heat from the humid and hot air extracted at the outlet of the dryer. As described above, this extraction can be carried out on the whole of the dryer at a determined point thereof as a function of the programming chosen on the machine.

programmable 1 1.

  During this step of regulating the transfer of energy, when an operation of the machine for thermodynamic treatment of the cooling air is executed, only the frigories stored in the cold water tank 3 are used. This results in an excess of calories in the hot water tank 1 30 which requires an increase in its temperature relative to its set temperature. In this case, the energy transfer regulation step consists in discharging these excess calories outside using the heat recovery unit 43

(figure 4).

  During this step of regulating the transfer of energy, when an operation of the thermodynamic air treatment machine in dehumidifier is carried out, calories and frigories produced at each local treatment center are normally used. The energy transfer is then at equilibrium. In this case, either the valves of the circuit are closed.

  cold water circulation and the valves of the hot water circulation circuit are opened, or the valves of the hot water circulation circuit are closed and the valves of the circuit and the cold water circulation circuit are opened, or the valves of the two circuits for circulating hot and cold water are opened.

  We will now describe, by way of illustration, with the aid of FIGS. 5 to 8, an automated dryer making it possible to reduce a forage harvested in bulk between 30 and 40% of dry matter at a rate of 85% of dry matter. In this embodiment of the dryer of the invention, there are means available for carrying out: - weighing the harvested fodder which will be disposed as a bulk product to be treated using a particular embodiment of the machine thermodynamic air treatment according to the invention;

  - measurement of the dry matter content of the harvested forage.

  The dryer has automatic means to ensure - A uniform distribution of the forage on the dryer; - The conveying of the fodder during the whole crossing of the dryer. The automated dryer 51 of the invention has two sections 52 and 53 which provide: - A pre-drying 52 at 50% dry matter of the fodder in 24 hours; then

  - Drying 53 to 85% of dry matter in 24 hours.

  The conditioning of the dry fodder is carried out in a preferred embodiment in square boots using a baler.

  54 with variable chamber at the end of the drying cycle.

  One of the advantages of the invention is to allow the storage of one week of harvest in all of the two sections of

pre-drying 52 and drying 53.

  The dryer of the invention is preferably produced in several

  sites when the quantities of bulk product to be treated and the duration of the air treatments from the thermodynamic treatment machine of the invention are significant. The dryer equipment is then distributed over two or three sites. Each site of the dryer has the following equipment.

  A first piece of equipment includes means 55 for weighing and measuring the characteristics of the bulk product to be treated. These means include: - A weighbridge located at the entrance to the site which allows the weight of each entry of the bulk product to be counted as freshly cut fodder on arrival at the site; - A measuring station which allows to determine with precision

  the dry matter content MS of the bulk product such as fresh cut fodder on arrival at the site.

  A second piece of equipment comprises means for carrying out a pre-drying which essentially comprises: - a disentangling metering device 56 on which the forage is unloaded as soon as it arrives; - A wind tunnel 58 for the distribution of feed (aero-stoner) fed by its own conveyor 57 and which distributes the feed

  loose on the conveyor belt 59 of the dryer.

  - A pre-drying cell comprising a determined number of modules, depending on the number of sites equipped and 10 economic optimization characteristics such as 14 modules

  for three sites or 20 modules for 2 sites, the pre-drying unit being equipped with its conveyor belt 59.

  In a particular embodiment, each of the modules 60, 15 61, ... arranged along the conveyor belt 59 is equipped with: - a box of dry and heated air with a distribution grid; - two blowing fans with an independent reheating battery equipped with purges, balancing valves, isolation valves

- an outside air intake.

  These means are at least partially arranged in a local air treatment unit like one of the units 4-1 to 4-N of the thermodynamic air treatment machine of FIG. 1.

  Each pair of modules 60, 61 cooperates with an energy recovery center as described with the aid of FIG. 4 and comprises: - a fan for the return of hot and humid air at the outlet of dryer; - an energy recovery battery - an external rejection mouth fitted with a screen for birds. A third piece of equipment includes means 53 for performing proper drying. The drying means each comprise: - A drying cell comprising 14 or 20 modules (3 or 2 sites) with a conveyor belt, and each module is equipped with - a box of dry and heated air with a distribution grid, - a supply fan, - a thermodynamic air treatment machine with reheating battery and dehumidification battery, with 15 operating and regulation registers, balancing valves, motorized regulation valves, d valves insulation and purges - an outside air intake, Each pair of modules 62, 63, ... is equipped with - a fan to return hot and humid air at the outlet of the dryer, - a battery of energy recovery

  - an external rejection mouth fitted with a screen for 25 birds.

  A fourth piece of equipment includes means for centralized energy management. Energy management is ensured by the programmable automaton of the thermodynamic air treatment machine and manages the combination of an energy recovery circuit, the described hydraulic network, refrigeration units and circulation. In a particular embodiment which will be described later, an auxiliary boiler is added to the combination. In particular, the programmable controller 11 is arranged with the other electrical equipment in a room 81.

  A fifth piece of equipment comprises means for packaging which essentially comprise a conveyor 64 installed at the end of the dryer which collects the dry fodder and supplies a baler 54 with a fixed station and variable chamber.

  A sixth piece of equipment comprises means 65 for carrying out storage, essentially a storage building which makes it possible to store and store as much as possible the volume of fodder treated in 15 weeks while awaiting its evacuation.

  We will now describe the weighing means. On arrival at the site, the self-loaders arrive at a reception area 67 and are weighed in passing on a weighbridge located opposite office 20 66. A recording of the quantities harvested is made on a

digital measuring station.

  A forage sample of about 200 g is taken in order to determine the dry matter content of the harvested forage, and therefore the amount of water to be evaporated.

  The sample is weighed on a precision balance (+/- lg close) then placed in an oven or in the microwave. The weighing of the sample when it is 100% dry matter makes it possible to precisely calculate the level of dry matter during the passage

on the weighbridge.

  In a particular embodiment, the weighbridge is produced in the following manner: - Prefabricated concrete deck height 390 mm - Weight sensors in stainless steel, IP68 tightness - Digital recording chain of the measurement values of the weight sensors; - Hot galvanized steel hatches

- Dimension: 18 m x 3 m.

  In a particular embodiment, the measurement station includes: 1 standard microwave oven or 1 oven

- 1 precision balance 2000 g.

  By suitable tests, the initial measurement weight of the sample is measured using the precision balance. Then, by passing through a microwave or an oven, its water is removed and its final dry matter weight MS is determined using the precision balance. By making the ratio of the final weight of the sample to the initial weight of the sample, the dry matter content MS is obtained, whether on a sample taken at the entrance to the dryer, at a determined point of sampling on the conveyor and after a determined duration of treatment, or at the end of the treatment, in pre-drying or in drying, before the final packaging for example. Data is provided to

  the programmable controller for controlling the thermodynamic air treatment machine and / or the dryer so that, according to a predetermined program pre-recorded in the controller, apply operating instructions to the various components of the dryer as well as it has already been described.

  In a particular embodiment, the unraveling metering device 56 comprises a weighing machine and a metering rake which allow regular dosing of all types of fodder. A belt acting on a scale advances according to the weight of forage. 5 The dual-drive metering rake allows the belt to move evenly. A pressure and weight system ensures

regular dosage.

  With a chassis constructed in one piece of steel with smooth walls 10 to promote the sliding of the fodder, the metering device 56 is very resistant to withstand the constraints of regular and intensive use. A tub and a canvas hold the fodder during dosing. The front part is open to allow rational and fast unloading of the self-loaders. In the event of the simultaneous arrival of several self-loading wagons, the fodder is temporarily stored on an unloading quay at the height of the reception area 67 before being placed on the unraveling metering device 56 by a handling machine. The functional characteristics of the unraveling metering device in terms of width, length, height, instantaneous capacity in volume of bulk product to be treated, in electric power of its motorization are determined as a function of an economic optimization program 25 directly affected by the

present invention.

  In a particular embodiment, each conveyor belt like the conveyor belt 59, is constructed with a solid wooden bottom 30, three steel chains with screwed crossbeams and automatic chain tensioners, a progress pawl, an oblique feeder with three 2-speed steel chains, controlled from the programmable logic controller, a height-adjustable retaining rake, controlled from the programmable logic controller, also known as an aero-storer, the unloading blower 58 draws the feed to the end of the unraveling metering device 57. The fodder drawn in by the blower is distributed over the conveyor belt 59 by means of a galvanized tube 0.87 mm thick and 40 cm in diameter. The horizontal part is produced by a telescopic tube which slides on a self-supporting rail with gear bar (oriented downwards to avoid deposits of dust). The end is made by a motorized and mobile 900 bend in the axis of the tubes. The oscillation of the elbow is done from left to right and permanently ensures a homogeneous distribution on the conveyor of the untangled fodder avoiding

"packages".

  Two probes installed on the sides of the conveyor produce measurement signals which, connected to the programmable controller 11 20 of the thermodynamic air treatment machine and / or the dryer, initiate an advancement of the belt 59 as a function of the filling level. of the dryer. When a determined level is reached, a space is freed until it is completely filled

of the dryer.

  In a particular embodiment, when the daily harvested quantity is greater than expected, it is possible to initiate the operation of the telescopic advance of the distributor which distributes the forage by longitudinal return 30 combined with a lateral rotation of its motorized elbow. The forage is thus distributed over the entire width and length of the conveyor

  on a level higher than the predetermined one.

  The suction blower 58 is equipped with an 8-blade fan 5 with leveled fin and an electric motor drive of an electric power, a rotation speed, a suction pressure and / or a determined suction diameter and placed as parameters in the programmable controller so as to adapt the

  PLC control program depending on the dryer.

  The automated dryer of the invention comprises a pre-drying part 52 and a drying part 53. Each of these parts 52 or 53 is composed of several substantially identical modules, each of which cooperates with a local air treatment unit such as a 4-1 to 4-N unit of the

  thermodynamic air treatment 80 detailed in FIG. 1.

  Each module is assembled by bolting and is visible in Figures 6 and 7. In a particular embodiment, the dimensions of a module are Width: 6000 mm Length: 2400 mm Height: 1300 mm These modules are made up of square tubes which ensure the rigidity of the assembly, the support of the fodder and of the various elements of the conveyor belt 59 (for the pre-drying part 52) or 67 (for the drying part 53). The modules are made up of: - Four feet 70 adjustable in height using threaded rods 30 - A mounting plate to the ground A horizontal deck 71; - A box 72 for diffusing dry and heated air with an aeraulic design for better air distribution over the entire surface of the module, the box is made of galvanized steel 5, reinforced by a central rib and point pleats of diamond it has on one side a ferrule 73 for the connection of the supply fan 82; - A 74 air diffusion grid in galvanized steel bolted to

  apron; with 20% perforations on the grid surface; 10 openings 3 mm in diameter.

  The grid ensures uniform air distribution over the entire

module surface.

  Each module is fitted with side panels 77 or 78 which make it possible to limit and contain the bulk product during its conveying and

  the duration of its pre-drying or drying treatment.

  The head and tail modules of the dryer located at the front and at the rear of the dryer are reinforced to support and integrate the structures necessary for fixing the various traction elements. They are made up like the other modules and integrate: - The drive shafts and their bearings - The drive wheels (12 teeth diameter 400 mm) of the 25 traction chains - The sprockets, - The reduction chains, - The moto- reducers, and accessories necessary for

  the main conveyor drive.

  There are two fans per module for an impeccable air distribution on the dryer. Each module has its specific and independent air flow in order to limit the preferential circuits and each adjustable component is or can be configured remotely 5 using the programmable controller of the thermodynamic air treatment machine and / or the dryer during the execution of the predetermined program which controls the execution of the

treatment according to the invention.

  Integrated into the modules, axial helical fans are

  designed for medium pressure ventilation up to 800 pascals.

  Each pre-drying module is powered by 2 fans running in parallel. The ferrule and the engine support are made of welded steel, coated with black epoxy. The cast aluminum propeller comprises 15 - A determined number of blades; - A motorization with several electric powers controllable by the programmable automaton of the thermodynamic air treatment machine and! or the dryer;

  The fan motor is directly connected to the shaft and rotates at a speed adapted to the flow rate and pressure drops of the dryer.

  The assembly is bolted to the ferrule awaiting the module.

  The main conveyor ensures the transport of the fodder during drying. It is composed of: - A motor-reduction unit compatible with the load of forage harvested at 30% DM, to be towed; - A plurality of (16) 80/100 drive wheels, 12 teeth, diameter 400 mm - A sprocket and chain assembly for an additional reduction of 3 between gear motor and motor shaft; - Four drive chains distributed over the width of the conveyor on both sides, every 4 steps; - Pushers bolted perpendicularly to the chains

traction 40 cm apart.

  Three independent hydraulic networks serve the various plants and the treatment box of the thermodynamic air treatment machine installed along the length of the dryer. They include: - 1 chilled water circuit 75; - 1 hot water circuit 76

  - 1 energy recovery circuit.

  Each network has a closed "return flow" circuit. The selection of the pipes allows the passage of the total flow 15 necessary for operation at maximum power. The piping made from class T3 or T10 steel tubes is painted with rust-resistant minium and with conventional paint. They are provided insulated using extruded polystyrene shells coated with a gray PVC film. The pipe supports comply with the DTU recommendation and are adapted to the different diameters. Each module cooperates with a local air handling unit such as a 4-1 to 4-N unit and includes, at least for the pre-drying part 52, a fresh outdoor air heating coil of section 1800 × 1400 and 6 rows of tubes spaced 30mm apart. Fins are crimped onto the tubes and are 2.5 mm apart. The battery is protected by a metal mesh filter

(EU2 filtration level).

  The assembly is integrated into a local air handling unit comprising a support frame and a set of galvanized steel panels. The panels are removable and are designed to facilitate access to internal components. The inner face 5 of each panel is covered with thermal and sound insulation. The various boxes are inserted between the supply fan and an outside air intake opening made through the exterior cladding of the building in which the parts 52

  pre-drying and 53 drying are made up.

  The main drying part of the dryer of the invention is composed of modules identical to those of the pre-drying part described above with 14 modules for three sites or 20 modules for two sites. As defined above, the number of the 15 modules and the number of sites, as well as the other parameters for dimensioning the dryer and the other parameters for configuring and operating the programs stored in the programmable controller of at least one processing machine. thermodynamics of the air according to the invention are determined as a function of economic optimization programs

  not directly concerned by the present invention.

  The ventilation of the main drying part 53 of the dryer of the invention is identical to the pre-drying part 52 described above. But each drying module is powered by its own fan. The conveyor 67 of the main drying part 53 of the dryer

  of the invention is identical to the pre-drying conveyor.

  The installation's air treatment battery system includes a plurality of air treatment units. A central processing unit essentially comprises: - two brine batteries of 1200x1000 section with 6 5 rows of coils which include a hot battery and a cold battery; - A set of motorized registers allowing the supply of fresh air from one or other of the batteries or both simultaneously; - An outdoor sensor which makes it possible to continuously measure the physical characteristics of the outdoor air and which makes it possible to determine, at the level of the programmable controller, the type of operation for an optimal result. The programmable controller of each thermodynamic air treatment machine and / or dryer controls two conditions

Operating.

  According to a first operating condition, the outside air is

  dry and cold: the automatic control unit condemns the cold battery, closes the register relating to this battery and opens the one supplying the hot battery with outside air. The dry external air drawn in by the fan passes through the hot coil heats up to improve its evaporating power before being blown onto the fodder.

  According to a second operating condition, the outside air is humid and hot: the system is reversed. The regulator opens the damper which supplies hot and humid outside air with a cold battery opens a bypass damper between the two

  batteries and closes the one that directly supplies the hot battery.

  The water vapor contained in humid air condenses on contact with this battery. The air is discharged from its water. It then passes through the hot coil and heats up, thus improving its evaporating power to arrive at an air quality necessary for the proper functioning of the assembly. Whatever the outdoor weather conditions, the evaporating power of the air is

  preserved and identical dryer performance.

  The dryer of the invention then comprises a centralized energy management means 10. Such a means of centralized energy management means notably includes a circuit for

energy recovery.

  The energy recovery box is installed in the network 15 for extracting the hot and humid air collected at the outlet of the dryer at

  top of the building before it was released outside.

  Each pair of modules over the entire length of the dryer includes: - A wire mesh filter to protect the recovery battery (EU2 filtration level); - A dryer battery (1800x1400) comprising 6 rows of aluminum tubes and fins crimped every 2.5 mm; - A MEGA AM type helical fan with 5 blades oriented at 25 32 0

  - A rejection outlet with an outlet fitted with a parevolatile grid which crosses the exterior cladding of the building.

  The assembly is integrated in a ventilation box comprising a support frame and a rigid mechanically welded galvanized steel frame in order to receive the assembly of covering panels in galvanized steel and the internal components. The panels 77, 78 are removable and are designed to facilitate access to the internal components. The inside of each panel is covered with thermal and sound insulation. The 5 different boxes are inserted between the blowing fan and an outside air intake duct made through the cladding

exterior of the building.

  The hydraulic network comprises three independent hydraulic networks 10 which serve the various plants and treatment boxes installed along the length of the dryer. They include - 1 chilled water circuit - 1 hot water circuit

  - 1 energy recovery circuit.

  Each network has a closed "return-return" circuit. The selection of the pipes is carried out so as to achieve the passage of the total flow necessary for operation at maximum power. The pipes made from T3 or T10 class steel tubes are painted with rust-resistant minium and with conventional paint. They are provided insulated using extruded polystyrene shells coated with a gray PVC film. The pipe supports comply with the DTU recommendation and

  suitable for different diameters.

  The circulation pumps are double-head in-line single-stage centrifugal pumps. The pump head flows are isolated by shutter valves. Each head is

  designed to ensure the determined flow alone.

  The regulation automaton distributes the operating times and the

  commissioning of a backup engine if necessary.

  The installation includes: - two circulation pumps per heating circuit of each air handling unit; - two circulation pumps per condenser circuit of each air handling unit; - a circulation pump for the chilled water network - a circulation pump for the hot water circuit - a circulation pump for the energy recovery circuit; - a circulation pump for the boiler circuit

booster (see below).

  When the automated dryer of the present invention is distributed in several sites, a thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the invention is provided for each site. The refrigeration units are dimensioned with powers adapted to the size of the site of the dryer on which the machine of the invention is installed, but also according to the number of sites making up the installation. They are designed from an assembly of stages of

identical and autonomous power.

  Each power stage is determined by the size of the compressor used and available in the standard ranges of the 25 manufacturers on the market. They are of the water / water type and connected in

  parallel to the interior of each plant of the thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the invention. The different power stages are controlled by a centralized automaton and they include all the protection and regulation 30 essential for independent operation.

  Each power stage can operate in "manual override" mode: the stage is then disconnected from centralized regulation

  and becomes autonomous in terms of protections and security.

  A power stage is dimensioned at the operating regime considered at a nominal cooling power for a determined absorbed power and a power

returned determined.

  The power stations of each thermodynamic treatment machine

  air according to the invention flow simultaneously into a cold tank of a determined volume (buffer tank) and a hot tank of a determined volume. They maintain a temperature in the hot tank of 40 to 450C as well as a temperature in the cold tank of between 0 and 100c.

  The "chilled water" and "energy recovery" hydraulic networks are connected to the "cold" cover. The "hot water" network is

connected to the "hot cover".

  In one embodiment, at least some of the air handling units operate so as to produce hot air which is blown by reversing the operating mode of the unit which must work in air heating. Such an embodiment is applied in order to ensure the operation of the automated dryer of the invention for forage harvested with a humidity level of less than 30% of dry matter, and! or by very low outside temperature. In these circumstances it is necessary

  increase the evaporating power of the blown air.

  To obtain the same effect, in another embodiment, an auxiliary boiler equipped with a burner or a set of gas burners (propane or town gas according to the possibilities of the site) works in addition to the hot cover . The backup boiler operates at low weather temperature. The self-airing dryer of the invention consists of one or more sites, each site comprising a pre-drying and drying building and a storage building. In one embodiment, the pre-drying and drying building consists of: - a plurality spans of 6 m - over a length of 108 and 132 m 15 a height of 5 m - a roof slope of 21% - cover in pre-painted ribbed steel tank 1st choice EP 63/100 with fixing by staples and ridges - the gables, the sides, the finishing angles, and the edge strips 20 in ribbed steel trays; - the openings are made by sliding doors with one leaf in standard size (5 m x 4.5 m high) mounted on tubular rails with covering in pre-painted ribbed steel tank;

  - the assembly of the assembly being carried out by bolting.

  In one embodiment, the storage building consists of: a plurality of 6 m spans; 30 - over a length of 24 m; - over a width of 20 m - over a height of 7 m; - with a slope of the roof of 21% - with a cover in steel tray prepainted rib 1st choice EP 631100 with fixing by staples and ridges - the gables, the sides, the finishing angles, and strips of rivets being made in steel tray ribbed with openings by sliding doors 1 leaf in standard size (5mx4.5 high) mounted on tubular rails with covering in pre-painted ribbed steel tank

  - the assembly of the assembly being carried out by bolting.

  The two aforementioned buildings are built on earthworks - leveled and stabilized land as standard; - fixing buildings to the ground by assembly brackets on 15 raddier 20 cm and concrete block In another embodiment, the dryer comprises at least one site consisting of a drying building consisting of a greenhouse type greenhouse chapel. In an alternative embodiment, the greenhouse is defined by the following characteristics - Width: 9.6 m - Height under gutter: 4.5m - Ridge height: 7m - Frame of galvanized posts: 8Ox8Omm 25 - Double wall inflatable roof with : - 1 green / green extruded polyethylene film: 250 microns, - 1 thermal film, colorless, - Single wall gable cladding with 1 green / green extruded polyethylene film 250 microns, clipped in low purlins 30 - Half-moon cladding in rigid crystal pvc natural - Single-wall long-sided cladding with 1 green / green extruded polyethylene film 250 microns, 4 seasons

Claims (9)

CLAIMS I - Thermodynamic air treatment machine, characterized in that it comprises: - a cooling unit (2) of a heat transfer fluid which circulates between a reserve tank (3) of cold heat transfer fluid and a reserve tank (1) hot heat transfer fluid; - A supply circuit (5) of hot heat transfer fluid connected on the one hand to the cover (1) of hot heat transfer fluid 10 and constituted by at least one pipe of hot heat transfer fluid; - A supply circuit (6) of cold heat transfer fluid connected on the one hand to the cover (3) of cold heat transfer fluid and consisting of at least one pipe of cold heat transfer fluid; - a plurality (4-1, ..., 4-N) of air handling units, each air handling unit comprising: - a cabinet comprising a plurality of boxes ((2-, 29, 33, ) and comprising: - at least one register (25) for entering the air to be treated 20 - at least one register (36) for leaving the treated air; - an air heater coil (22) connected at one point of the circuit (5) for supplying hot heat transfer fluid; - an air condenser battery (23) connected at a point in the circuit (6) for supplying cold heat transfer fluid; - the two heater or condenser batteries being arranged in a flow of air to be treated; a programmable automaton (11) provided with means (12) for determining at least the temperatures of the hot heat transfer fluid supply circuit and of the cold heat transfer fluid supply circuit, the temperature and / or the humidity of the air from at least one air handling unit in said plurality of air handling units air treatment so as to apply a programmed sequence (14) of thermodynamic treatment of the air to be treated.   2 - Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold production plant (2) is connected by circulators (17, 20) to the hot water (1) and cold water (3) reserves. 3 - Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each local control unit (4-1, ..., 4-N) comprises several registers of access or outlet of air to be treated or treated air , or another fluid, the degree of opening of which is controlled by means of the programmable automaton (11) and which also comprises at least one valve with adjustable opening on an access (27, 31) to a circuit circulation of hot water (5) or cold water (6) at   using the programmable logic controller (11).   4 - Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, for at least one group of local treatment centers (41, 42), a group of   energy recovery (43) which comprises at least one access (49) to hot air coming from at least one determined point of an air treatment process on bulk products, a hot air suction fan (44) which flows on a heater battery (45) connected at a point of a circuit (46) connected to the cold water reserve (3) in particular for carrying out the heating of said cold water reserve (3 ) and / or defrost   associated local treatment centers (40, 41).   5 - Process for treating bulk products such as fodder,   by means of a thermodynamic air treatment machine according to any one of the preceding claims, said   treatment which can be a controlled cooling, heating, drying and / or re-humidification, characterized in that it consists in: - loading a large quantity of bulk products to be treated onto a conveyor; applying a treatment adapted to a plurality of treatment sections using air which has received a thermodynamic treatment specific to each section; - evacuate the bulk product to its area of use, transport or storage when a condition of end of air treatment is reached.   6 - Process according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a step for taking calories from at least one local central processing unit on the hot water reserve   especially when the outside air is dry.   7 - Method according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a step for removing frigories from at least one local treatment center on the cold water reserve   especially when the outside air is humid.   8 - Method according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a step of energy transfer between a reserve of 25 frigories (3) and a reserve of calories (1).   9 - Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the energy transfer step also includes a step of regulating the energy transfer.   - Automated dryer for bulk products such as a crop of agricultural products, characterized in that it comprises: - an unloading area (66) for a bulk product such as a crop of fodder to be treated in the dryer; - a loading section (52) of a conveyor configured so as to load large quantities of bulk product to be treated; - a section (53) for treating the bulk product in   depending on its position on the conveyor section using one of the local treatment centers (4-1, ..., 4-N) of at least one thermodynamic air treatment machine 10 according to one of claims 1 to 6, which is arranged at   right of this section; - a section (65) for packaging the bulk product and reloading or storage.   11 - Drier according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a pre-drying section (52) then a section of drying (53).   12 - dryer according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the bulk product is loaded in a plurality of   treatment modules, each treatment module comprising a support grid (74) and side panels (77, 78), as well as an air box (72) connected with the blown and / or sucked air by at least one central unit local treatment (4-1, ..., 425 N).