WO2007145207A1 - Air flow classifier, and classifying plant - Google Patents
Air flow classifier, and classifying plant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007145207A1 WO2007145207A1 PCT/JP2007/061807 JP2007061807W WO2007145207A1 WO 2007145207 A1 WO2007145207 A1 WO 2007145207A1 JP 2007061807 W JP2007061807 W JP 2007061807W WO 2007145207 A1 WO2007145207 A1 WO 2007145207A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- powder
- air
- classification chamber
- classification
- fine powder
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G9/00—Developers
- G03G9/08—Developers with toner particles
- G03G9/0802—Preparation methods
- G03G9/0817—Separation; Classifying
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B7/00—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents
- B07B7/08—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents using centrifugal force
- B07B7/086—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents using centrifugal force generated by the winding course of the gas stream
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B7/00—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents
- B07B7/08—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents using centrifugal force
- B07B7/10—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents using centrifugal force having air recirculating within the apparatus
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an airflow classifier and a classification plant that classify powder such as developing toner for a copying machine into fine powder and coarse powder.
- Patent Document 1 Conventionally, a power classifier described in Patent Document 1 is known as an air classifier that rotates powder at a high speed and centrifuges it into fine powder and coarse powder.
- FIG. 10 shows an airflow classifier described in Patent Document 1.
- This airflow classifier is provided with a classification plate 81 inclined in an upward gradient from the outer periphery toward the center in the casing 80, and a classification cover 82 is provided on the classification plate 81, and the classification cover 82 and the classification plate 81
- a plurality of louvers are annularly arranged on the peripheral wall of the classification chamber 83 formed between them, and an inflow passage 84 is provided between the adjacent louvers to allow secondary air to swirl into the classification chamber 83.
- a powder guide cylinder 85 is provided at the upper part of the casing 80, and a powder supply cylinder 86 facing in a tangential direction is provided on the outer periphery of the powder guide cylinder 85, and the powder supply cylinder 86
- a solid-gas mixed fluid of powder and high-pressure air is supplied into the guide cylinder 85, and the powder that descends while rotating around the outer periphery of the powder guide cylinder 85 is supplied to the outer periphery of the classification cover 82. It is swirled into the classification chamber 83 from the port 87, and the swirl speed of the powder is accelerated by the secondary air flowing into the classification chamber 83 from the inflow path 84, and the powder is centrifuged into fine powder and coarse powder. Then, the fine powder moving to the center of the classification chamber 83 is sucked into the fine powder discharge cylinder 88 connected to the center of the classification plate 81.
- the coarse powder swirling around the outer periphery of the classification chamber 83 is discharged from a coarse powder discharge port 89 formed on the outer periphery of the classification plate 81.
- Patent Document 1 JP-A-11 138103
- the powder is swirling in the classification chamber 83.
- the secondary air is introduced into the classification chamber 83 from the inflow channel 84, and the swirling speed of the powder is accelerated by the secondary air. Therefore, the swirling airflow of the solid-gas mixed fluid flowing into the classification chamber 83 is used.
- the swirl vortex is disturbed by the confluence of the swirling airflow of the secondary air and the powder cannot be swirled cleanly at a high speed, so accurate classification cannot be performed.
- there are still points to be improved such as the separation particle size cannot be reduced due to the increased speed in the center acting on particles with a large amount of air flowing from the powder guide tube 85 into the classification chamber 83. It was.
- the height of the classification chamber 83 is increased or the inner diameter is increased to adjust the powder classification point. Is increased, the swirling speed of the powder in the classification chamber 83 decreases and the powder cannot be accurately centrifuged, so the powder in the restricted small volume classification chamber 83 It is necessary to perform classification with a high mixing ratio of air and air. For this reason, it cannot be said that the classification accuracy is good, and there are still points to be improved in improving the classification accuracy.
- toner used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine cannot form a clear image if it contains particles larger than necessary or smaller than necessary. . Therefore, in the toner production plant, the fine powder classified by the first air flow classifier is supplied to the second air flow classifier, and the fine powder is classified into fine powder and ultra fine powder. It is a product.
- An object of the present invention is that it is possible to classify powders with a small particle size with high accuracy with a single-stage classifier and to reduce facility costs and running costs. It is to provide a flow classifier and a classification plant.
- a classification plate is provided in the casing, and a substantially cylindrical primary classification chamber is provided in the casing on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the classification plate.
- a secondary classification chamber having a substantially cylindrical or pyramidal shape smaller in diameter than the primary classification chamber on the same axis as the primary classification chamber, and jetting high-pressure air at the lower peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber, or externally
- An air nozzle that forms a swirling airflow in the primary classification chamber by air suction is provided, a coarse powder discharge port is formed between the outer periphery of the classification plate and the inner peripheral surface of the casing, and fine powder suction formed at the center of the classification plate
- a fine powder discharge tube is connected to the mouth, an annular powder supply header is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral wall of the secondary classification chamber, and powder is supplied to the powder supply header in the circumferential direction of the inner periphery. Connected to the inner wall of the powder supply header. Therefore, a
- the position of the inflow hole for swirling the powder is higher than the coarse powder outlet, and the force is located on the inner diameter side of the coarse powder outlet. There is no such thing as an immediate fall.
- Centrifugal separation is effective, and the coarse powder spreads outward in the radial direction, swirls and descends, flows into the primary classification chamber, is centrifuged in the primary classification chamber, and is discharged into the coarse powder discharge loca. On the other hand, the fine powder descends on the swirling vortex and is sucked and discharged together with air.
- a ring-shaped air supply header that supplies high-pressure air to each of the plurality of air nozzles and an air supply cylinder that sends high-pressure air to the air supply header are provided around the outer peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber.
- the swirl vortex formed in the center of the secondary classification chamber shifts in the radial direction of the secondary classification chamber and becomes unstable, it may not be possible to perform accurate classification. It is preferable to stabilize the swirl vortex by providing a conical or cylindrical center core at the center of the top wall of the secondary classification chamber.
- the exhaust port force can also exhaust the air in the secondary classification chamber, so the exhaust resistance is reduced and the pressure in the primary classification chamber and the secondary classification chamber is reduced.
- An abnormal rise can be prevented, and a small blower that applies suction to the fine powder discharge cylinder or a blower that supplies high-pressure air to the air supply cylinder can be used. It is also possible to obtain fine powder having different particle diameters at the exhaust port and the fine powder discharge cylinder.
- the classification point can be adjusted if the height dimension of the primary classification chamber can be adjusted or the height dimension of the secondary classification chamber can be adjusted.
- the secondary classification chamber is divided into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and the inner diameter is made smaller as it reaches the upper stage side of the secondary classification chamber, the powder is separated in the classification chamber of each stage of the secondary classification chamber.
- the swirl diameter of the airflow decreases and the speed increases as it reaches the secondary classification chamber on the upper stage side, so that it is possible to obtain fine powder with a small particle size with very little coarse powder contamination. .
- the inflow hole is an annular slit or a plurality of arc-shaped slits arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction
- the powder is in the secondary classification chamber, and the bowl is in the circumferential direction of the primary classification chamber of Since the powder is supplied almost uniformly from the whole, the powder can be classified very effectively.
- the air classifier and the solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid fed from the fine powder discharge cylinder of the air classifier into fine powder and air.
- the air outlet force of the solid-gas separator The dust collector that collects the powder in the air that is being sent in to clarify the air, and the force that applies suction to the dust collector or the high pressure air to the air nozzle A structure that also has a blower and power to feed the machine.
- a pulverizer for pulverizing powder is connected to the lower end outlet of the casing of the airflow classifier, and a powder supply cylinder for supplying the powder to the powder outlet portion and the powder supply header of the pulverizer And a powder supply pipe in the middle of the circulation path, the coarse powder discharged from the lower end opening of the casing is pulverized by a pulverizer and returned to the powder supply header. Since it is sent to the air classifier from the powder supply header and subjected to the classification process again, a product with a highly accurate particle size distribution can be obtained.
- a second air classifier that classifies fine powder fed from the powder outlet of the solid-gas separator of the first classification plant into fine powder and super fine powder, and the second air flow.
- the second solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid sent from the classifier into ultrafine powder and air, and the powder in the air sent from the solid-gas separator are collected.
- a second dust collector that clarifies the air
- the fine powder classified in one of the airflow classifiers can be continuously classified through the second airflow classifier.
- the separated extremely small particle size! / Salt fine powder is recovered by a bag filter, and a fine powder with a small particle size distribution width can be obtained. For this reason, when the toner is manufactured, the toner can be manufactured continuously, and the toner can be manufactured extremely efficiently.
- a classification chamber is formed on a classification plate provided in the casing, and the powder is swirled at a high speed in the classification chamber to be separated into coarse powder and fine powder.
- An air classifier for primary treatment that discharges the coarse powder downward from the coarse powder discharge port formed in the outer peripheral portion of the classification plate and discharges the fine powder from the fine powder discharge cylinder connected to the center of the classification plate;
- the coarse powder discharged from the lower end of the casing of the air classifier is pulverized, and the pulverized powder is circulated in the classification chamber of the air classifier, and the fine powder discharge cylinder force feed
- a solid-gas separator that separates the mixed gas-solid fluid into fine powder and air
- an air classifier for secondary treatment according to the present invention that classifies the fine powder fed from the solid-gas separator;
- the solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid fed from the fine powder discharge cylinder of the air classifier for the secondary treatment into air and ultrafine powder, and the
- the airflow classifier when high-pressure air is injected into the air nozzle force primary classification chamber, the high-pressure air swirls in the primary classification chamber to form a swirling airflow, The swirl flow rises while swirling along the inner wall of the secondary classification chamber, and the swirl flow of the powder swirling in the powder supply header is supplied from the narrow inlet hole into the swirl flow. The swirling airflow swirling in the classification chamber is not disturbed, so that the powder can be classified with high accuracy.
- the powder is first classified into coarse powder and intermediate powder (fine powder partially containing coarse powder) in the primary classification chamber, and then the intermediate powder is guided to the secondary classification chamber to obtain coarse powder and fine powder. Therefore, it is possible to perform a highly accurate classification process in which the coarse powder is less likely to be mixed in the fine powder. For this reason, processing was conventionally performed using a two-stage air classifier, but it can now be processed using a one-stage air classifier.
- the classification process is performed with a small amount of air for supplying powder, the amount of air in the classification chamber can be reduced. Therefore, in the classification plant employing the air classifier of the present invention, it is possible to employ a small blower, a solid-gas separator for collecting fine powder, and powder in the air separated from the solid-gas separator. Since a small dust collector that collects the body can be adopted, the equipment cost and running cost can be reduced.
- the fine powder classified by the primary airflow classifier is classified by the secondary airflow classifier according to the present invention, so that the coarse powder and the superfine powder are obtained.
- Fine powder can be obtained with very little mixing of fine powder and a narrow particle size distribution width.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an air classifier according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6 Cross section showing another example of air nozzle
- FIG. 7 Schematic diagram showing another example of a classifying plant using the air classifier shown in Fig. 1 ⁇ 8] Schematic diagram showing still another example of a classifying plant using the air classifier shown in Fig. 1.
- FIG. 9 Schematic diagram showing another example of a classification plant according to the present invention
- FIG.10 Schematic diagram showing a conventional air classifier
- 1 to 4 show an embodiment of an air classifier according to the present invention.
- the air classifier A has a casing 2.
- the casing 2 is divided into an upper casing 3 and a lower casing 4, and a support cylinder 5 having an internal thread formed on the inner periphery is provided on the central axis of the lower casing 4.
- the support cylinder 5 is fixedly arranged, and a plurality of spacers 6 are incorporated on an inward flange 5a provided at the lower end thereof. Further, a screw cylinder 7 a provided at the center of the lower surface of the classification plate 7 is screwed into the support cylinder 5.
- the height of the classification plate 7 is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of the spacers 6 incorporated in the support cylinder 5.
- the upper surface of the classification plate 7 has a conical shape inclined with an upward gradient from the outer periphery toward the center, and an annular coarse powder discharge port 8 is provided between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the casing 2.
- the classifying plate 7 has a conical shape, but may have a flat plate shape.
- the upper part of the inner periphery of the screw cylinder 7 a is a tapered hole 9, and a tapered ring 10 is detachably fitted in the tapered hole 9.
- the inside of the tenor ring 10 is a fine powder suction port 11.
- the tenoring 10 has a tapered fine powder suction port 11 whose upper end is a small diameter end. However, it is possible to use ones with various diameters such as a tenoring having a tapered fine powder suction port whose upper end is a large diameter end.
- Fine powder discharge cylinder 12 is L-shaped
- the tip part penetrates a part of the lower casing 4 and faces the outside.
- the upper casing 3 has a scat part 14 that forms a primary classification chamber 13 with the outer peripheral part of the upper surface of the classification plate 7, and a cylindrical part 15 that rises from the inner diameter part of the skirt part 14, The inside of the cylindrical portion 15 is a secondary classification chamber 16.
- the skirt portion 14 may be a horizontal one or one having a larger inclination than the classification plate, without a force inclination showing an inclination parallel to the classification plate 7! /.
- a plurality of spacers 17 are incorporated between the facing surfaces of the skirt portion 14 and the lower casing 4, so that the height of the primary classification chamber 13 can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of the spacers 17. There is.
- the cylindrical portion 15 includes a stepped cylindrical portion including a lid 15a, an upper ring 15b whose upper end opening is closed by the lid 15a, and a lower ring 15c having a larger diameter than the upper ring 15b.
- the secondary classification chamber 16 in the cylindrical portion 15 is divided into an upper secondary classification chamber 16a in the upper ring 15b and a lower secondary classification chamber 16b in the lower ring 15c.
- the height of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a can be adjusted by replacing the upper ring 15b with an upper ring having a different height, and the lower secondary classification chamber 16b can also be adjusted to the lower ring.
- the height can be adjusted by changing the ring 15c to a lower ring with a different height.
- the upper wall of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a can be moved up and down to adjust the height of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a.
- the height of the secondary secondary classification room 16b may be adjusted.
- the upper secondary classification chamber 16a here it is a conical shape with a smaller diameter as it reaches the upper side of the force shown for a cylindrical one.
- the lid 15a, the upper ring 15b, and the lower ring 15c are held in an assembled state in which the upper casing 3 is formed by the connecting means 20.
- the connecting means 20 a plurality of support pieces 21 are provided on the outer periphery of the lower casing 4, and the upper end of the screw shaft 22 whose lower end is fixed to each support piece 21 is fixed to the upper surface of the top wall of the lid 15a. Pierce through the connecting piece 23 The knob 24 is screwed to the upper end of the screw shaft 22 and tightened.
- a core insertion hole 25 is formed in the center of the top wall of the lid 15a, and the center core 26 is slidably inserted into the core insertion hole 25.
- the center core 26 includes an outer core 26a and an inner core 26b slidably inserted into the outer core 26a.
- a conical surface 27 is provided below the outer core 26a and the inner core 26b.
- An exhaust port 26c is formed on the central axis of the inner core 26b.
- a flange 28 is provided at the upper end of the inner core 26b, and a height adjusting ring 29 is assembled between the flange 28 and the upper ring lid 15a. Therefore, the length of the inner core 26b protruding into the secondary classification chamber 16 can be adjusted by replacing the height adjustment ring 29 with another height adjustment ring 29 having a different length.
- a bolt 30 for fixing 26 is screwed and fixed to the lid 15a.
- An annular air supply header 31 is provided on the outer side of the joint portion between the upper casing 3 and the lower casing 4, and an air supply cylinder 32 is connected to an outer periphery facing position of the air supply header 31.
- a plurality of air nozzles 33 are provided at equal intervals on the inner periphery of the air supply header 31. Each air nozzle 33 injects the high-pressure air supplied into the air supply header 31 toward the outer peripheral portion of the primary classification chamber 13 in the circumferential direction.
- An annular powder supply header 34 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower ring 15c, and a plurality of powder supply cylinders 35 are connected to the powder supply header 34 at equiangular positions.
- the powder supply cylinder 35 is configured to inject powder in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the powder supply header 34, and is injected into the primary classification chamber 13 from the injection direction of the powder and the air nozzle 33. This is the same direction as the high-pressure air injection direction.
- the inner peripheral wall of the powder supply header 34 is provided with an inflow hole 36 formed of an annular slit for allowing the powder swirling therein to swirl into the lower secondary classification chamber 16b.
- the inflow hole 36 may be opened at the upper part of the peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber 13 so that the powder flows into the upper outer periphery of the primary classification chamber 13 or the powder supply header 34 You may provide in the outer peripheral part of the surrounding wall of a secondary classification chamber. Further, it is formed on the bottom wall of the powder supply header 34 so that the powder swirls downward from the upper part of the lower secondary classification chamber 16b. It may be.
- the inflow hole 36 may be composed of a plurality of arc-shaped slits arranged in an annular shape.
- FIG. 5 shows a classification plant that employs the air classifier A configured as described above.
- a powder supply device 50 is connected to the powder supply cylinder 35 of the airflow classifier A.
- the powder supply device 50 sucks and disperses the powder in the hopper 53 by the high-pressure air injected from the air injection nozzle 51 into the powder supply pipe 52 and passes through the powder supply pipe 52 to the powder supply cylinder 35. Try to send it in.
- the fine powder classified by the airflow classifier A and sucked and discharged into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 is sent from the fine powder supply path 61 to a cyclone separator 62 as a solid-gas separator.
- the cyclone separator 62 separates fine powder and air.
- the product fine powder is also discharged at the outlet 63 at the lower end, and the air is sent from the air supply path 64 to the bag filter 70 as a dust collector.
- the nog filter 70 collects powder contained in the air. Clean air is blower
- the high-pressure air is evenly supplied into the primary classification chamber 13, and swirls at a high speed in the primary classification chamber 13 to form a swirling airflow. Is done.
- the swirling airflow of the powder swirled from the powder supply cylinder 35 into the powder supply header 34 passes through the inflow hole 36 formed by a narrow slit, it flows in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b.
- the powder can be swirled at a high speed in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b without disturbing the swirling swirling airflow.
- the powder is classified into coarse powder and intermediate powder (fine powder partially containing coarse powder), and the coarse powder is primary classified. Flowed down into the chamber 13, dispersed by the swirling airflow swirling in the primary classification chamber 13, and reclassified, the primary classification chamber 1
- the coarse powder swirling at the outer periphery of 3 is discharged to the coarse powder discharge port 8.
- the intermediate powder swirling in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b is again classified into coarse powder and fine powder, and the coarse powder descends into the primary classification chamber 13 and enters the primary classification chamber 13. After being classified again, it is discharged from the coarse powder outlet 8.
- the fine powder rises while swirling, and when it reaches the lower end of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a, it enters the upper secondary classification chamber 16a and rises while swirling.
- the fine powder rises while swirling, and when it reaches the ceiling surface of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a, it changes its direction radially inward along the ceiling surface.
- the fine powder suction port 11 has a blower 7
- the inner diameter of the swirling vortex is a small diameter that is almost equal to the minimum inner diameter of the fine powder suction port 11, and is very small compared to the swirling vortex diameter at the time of ascending. And is effectively centrifuged into fine powder.
- the separated coarse powder swirls and descends while spreading outward in the radial direction, reflows into the primary classification chamber 13, and is centrifuged again on the swirl flow in the primary classification chamber 13 to the outer periphery.
- the moved coarse powder is discharged from the coarse powder outlet 8.
- the fine powder descends along the swirl vortex and is sucked into the fine powder suction port 11.
- the mixing ratio of the powder and high-pressure air is Since the swirl vortex formed at the center of the secondary classification chamber 16 is a swirl vortex with a small inner diameter and a high swirl speed, the powder can be classified with very high accuracy.
- the swirling speed of the intermediate powder increases as it goes upward, and the classification accuracy can be further improved.
- the powder can be supplied into the lower secondary classification chamber 16b with a small amount of high-pressure air, a small blower 72 can be adopted.
- the cyclone separator 62 for collecting fine powder and the nog filter 70 for collecting powder in the air can be used in a small size, which can reduce the size of the device and reduce the equipment cost and running cost. it can.
- the flow velocity of the swirling flow can be adjusted.
- Classifiers can be adjusted.
- the classification point can be adjusted by changing the inner diameter of the fine powder suction port 11.
- a stable swirl vortex can be formed. Furthermore, by changing the number of air nozzles 33 or the cross-sectional area of the air nozzles 33, The swirling speed and dispersion state of the solid-gas mixed fluid supplied to the next classification chamber 13 can be adjusted.
- the secondary classification chamber 16 is divided into two stages up and down, but it is not divided and may be used as a single secondary classification room or divided into three or more stages. May
- FIG. 3 a force indicating that a plurality of air nozzles 33 provided on the inner periphery of the air supply header 31 are formed of a cylindrical body, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner periphery of the ring-shaped air supply header 31 is shown.
- a large number of vanes 37 inclined in the circumferential direction are provided at equal intervals, and an air nozzle 33 is provided between adjacent vanes 37 to supply air from a plurality of air supply cylinders 32 extending in the tangential direction of the air supply header 31.
- the high pressure air sent into the header 31 may be swirled into the primary classification chamber 13 from the air nozzles 33! /.
- a large number of vanes 37 may be supported in a swingable manner, and the injection angle and opening degree of the high-pressure air may be adjusted by adjusting the angle by swinging each vane 37.
- the force that causes the fine powder to be sucked into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 by the blower 72 may be caused to flow into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 by pushing the high-pressure air discharged from the blower 73 into the cylinder 32.
- the fine powder is discharged into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 by using the blowers 72 and 73 together. You can even let it flow into!
- high-pressure air is sent to the air supply cylinder 32, and the high-pressure air is injected from the air nozzle 33 to the outer periphery of the primary classification chamber 13 to form a swirling airflow in the primary classification chamber 13.
- the blower 72 shown in Fig. 5 was installed in the primary classifier 13 and the secondary classifier A of the air classifier A. 16 is a large-sized one that can provide a high degree of vacuum, and by reducing the pressure in the primary classification chamber 13 by driving the blower 72, external air is sucked into the primary classification chamber 16 from the air nozzle 33. A swirling airflow may be formed. In this case, the air supply header 31 can be eliminated.
- FIG. 7 shows another example of the classification plant.
- coarse powder discharged from the lower end outlet 2a of the casing 2 of the airflow classifier A is supplied into a hopper 41 of a jet mill 40 as a pulverizer.
- the jet mill 40 guides the coarse powder supplied into the hopper 41 by high-pressure air injected from the air nozzle 42 into a grinding chamber (not shown), and collides with a collision plate provided in the grinding chamber. Since the conventional force for pulverization is also well known, its details are not shown.
- the powder pulverized by the jet mill 40 is sent into the powder supply cylinder 35 from the circulation path 43 together with high-pressure air.
- the coarse powder discharged from the airflow classifier A is pulverized by the jet mill 40, and the powder after the pulverization treatment is sent to the powder supply cylinder 35 for circulation and pulverized. 'By repeating the classification, a product with an accurate particle size distribution can be obtained.
- FIG. 8 shows still another example of the classification plant.
- the classification plant shown in this example two classification plants B shown in FIG. 5 are adopted, and the fine powder taken out from the cyclone separator 62 of one classification plant B is transferred to the powder supply cylinder 35 of the other classification plant B. It is sent in and classified again, and the ultrafine powder taken out from the cyclone separator 62 of the other classification plant B is used as the product.
- coarse powder can be collected in one classification plant B, and fine powder and ultrafine powder can be collected in the other classification plant B, which can be classified into three types. .
- FIG. 9 shows still another example of the classification plant.
- the conventional air classifier A shown in Fig. 10 is adopted.
- the air classifier A shown in Fig. 10 is used as the first air classifier.
- any airflow classifier can be used as long as it supplies powder into the classification chamber and swirls the powder at high speed to classify it into coarse powder and fine powder.
- any airflow classifier can be used as long as it supplies powder into the classification chamber and swirls the powder at high speed to classify it into coarse powder and fine powder.
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Abstract
A casing (2) is provided therein with a classifying plate (7), which has a coarse powder discharge port (8) formed around its outer circumference, and a fine powder discharge cylinder (12) is connected to a fine powder suction port (11) formed at the central portion of the classifying plate (7). The casing (2) is constituted of a skirt portion (14) for forming a primary classifying chamber (13) between itself and the outer circumference portion of the upper face of the classifying plate (7), and a cylindrical portion (15) disposed radially inside of the skirt portion (14) for forming a secondary classifying chamber (16) coaxially with the primary classifying chamber (13). In the outer circumference of the primary classifying chamber (13), there are equidistantly formed a plurality of air nozzles (33), from each of which high-pressure air is injected circumferentially of the outer circumference of the primary classifying chamber (13) to establish a swirling air flow, which is introduced into the secondary classifying chamber (16) and caused to ascend while swirling. The secondary classifying chamber (16) is provided, around its outer circumference wall, with a powder feeding header (34) of an annular shape, and the powder, which has been supplied to and swirled in the powder feeding header (34), is swirled into the secondary classifying chamber (16) from an inlet port (36) formed in the inner circumference wall of the powder feeding head (34), so that the powder is swirled and centrifugally separated into coarse powder and intermediate powder containing the coarse powder. The intermediate powder is caused to ascend, while being swirled, along the inner face of the circumference wall of the secondary classifying chamber (16), and is moved radially inward along the ceiling of the secondary classifying chamber (16). At the same time, an intense downward swirling vortex is generated at the central portion of the secondary classifying chamber (16) thereby to separate the intermediate powder centrifugally into the coarse powder and the fine powder, the latter of which is sucked into the fine powder discharge cylinder (12).
Description
明 細 書 Specification
気流分級機および分級プラント Airflow classifier and classification plant
技術分野 Technical field
[0001] この発明は、複写機の現像用トナー等の粉体を微粉と粗粉とに分級する気流分級 機および分級プラントに関するものである。 TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an airflow classifier and a classification plant that classify powder such as developing toner for a copying machine into fine powder and coarse powder.
背景技術 Background art
[0002] 粉体を高速度で旋回させて微粉と粗粉とに遠心分離する気流分級機として特許文 献 1に記載されたものが従来力 知られて 、る。 [0002] Conventionally, a power classifier described in Patent Document 1 is known as an air classifier that rotates powder at a high speed and centrifuges it into fine powder and coarse powder.
[0003] 図 10は、上記特許文献 1に記載された気流分級機を示す。この気流分級機は、ケ 一シング 80内に外周から中央に向けて上り勾配をもって傾斜する分級板 81を設け、 その分級板 81上に分級カバー 82を設け、その分級カバー 82と分級板 81との間に 形成された分級室 83の周壁に複数のルーバーを環状に配置し、隣接するルーバー 間に二次エアを分級室 83内に旋回流入させる流入路 84を設けて 、る。 FIG. 10 shows an airflow classifier described in Patent Document 1. This airflow classifier is provided with a classification plate 81 inclined in an upward gradient from the outer periphery toward the center in the casing 80, and a classification cover 82 is provided on the classification plate 81, and the classification cover 82 and the classification plate 81 A plurality of louvers are annularly arranged on the peripheral wall of the classification chamber 83 formed between them, and an inflow passage 84 is provided between the adjacent louvers to allow secondary air to swirl into the classification chamber 83.
[0004] また、ケーシング 80の上部に粉体案内筒 85を設け、その粉体案内筒 85の上部外 周に接線方向に向く粉体供給筒 86を設け、その粉体供給筒 86から粉体案内筒 85 内に粉体と高圧エアの固気混合流体を供給し、粉体案内筒 85内の外周部において 旋回しつつ下降する粉体を分級カバー 82の外周囲に設けられた粉体供給口 87から 分級室 83内に旋回しながら流入させ、流入路 84から分級室 83内に流入する二次ェ ァにより粉体の旋回速度を加速して粉体を微粉と粗粉とに遠心分離し、分級室 83の 中心部に移行する微粉を分級板 81の中心部に接続した微粉排出筒 88内に吸引流 入させるようにしている。 [0004] In addition, a powder guide cylinder 85 is provided at the upper part of the casing 80, and a powder supply cylinder 86 facing in a tangential direction is provided on the outer periphery of the powder guide cylinder 85, and the powder supply cylinder 86 A solid-gas mixed fluid of powder and high-pressure air is supplied into the guide cylinder 85, and the powder that descends while rotating around the outer periphery of the powder guide cylinder 85 is supplied to the outer periphery of the classification cover 82. It is swirled into the classification chamber 83 from the port 87, and the swirl speed of the powder is accelerated by the secondary air flowing into the classification chamber 83 from the inflow path 84, and the powder is centrifuged into fine powder and coarse powder. Then, the fine powder moving to the center of the classification chamber 83 is sucked into the fine powder discharge cylinder 88 connected to the center of the classification plate 81.
[0005] また、分級室 83内の外周部で旋回する粗粉を分級板 81の外周囲に形成された粗 粉排出口 89から排出させるようにして 、る。 [0005] Further, the coarse powder swirling around the outer periphery of the classification chamber 83 is discharged from a coarse powder discharge port 89 formed on the outer periphery of the classification plate 81.
特許文献 1 :特開平 11 138103号公報 Patent Document 1: JP-A-11 138103
発明の開示 Disclosure of the invention
発明が解決しょうとする課題 Problems to be solved by the invention
[0006] ところで、上記従来の気流分級機においては、分級室 83内における粉体の旋回時
に、流入路 84から分級室 83内に二次エアを流入させ、その二次エアによって粉体 の旋回速度を加速させる構成であるため、分級室 83に流入する固気混合流体の旋 回気流と二次エアの旋回気流の合流により旋回渦に乱れが生じて粉体をきれいに高 速旋回させることができないため、精度の良い分級を行うことができない。また、粉体 案内筒 85から分級室 83内に流入するエア量が多ぐ粒子に作用する中心向きの速 度が大きくなつて分離粒子径を小さくすることができないなどの改良すべき点が残さ れていた。 [0006] By the way, in the conventional airflow classifier, the powder is swirling in the classification chamber 83. In addition, the secondary air is introduced into the classification chamber 83 from the inflow channel 84, and the swirling speed of the powder is accelerated by the secondary air. Therefore, the swirling airflow of the solid-gas mixed fluid flowing into the classification chamber 83 is used. As a result, the swirl vortex is disturbed by the confluence of the swirling airflow of the secondary air and the powder cannot be swirled cleanly at a high speed, so accurate classification cannot be performed. In addition, there are still points to be improved, such as the separation particle size cannot be reduced due to the increased speed in the center acting on particles with a large amount of air flowing from the powder guide tube 85 into the classification chamber 83. It was.
[0007] また、単一の分級室 83にお 、て粉体を分級処理するため、粉体の分級点を調整 するのに分級室 83の高さを高くし、あるいは内径を大きくして容積を増大させると、分 級室 83内での粉体の旋回速度が低下して粉体を精度よく遠心分離することができな くなるため、制約された小容積の分級室 83内において粉体とエアの混合比の高い状 態で分級を行なう必要が生じる。このため、分級精度が良いとは言えず、その分級精 度を向上させるうえにおいても改善すべき点が残されている。 [0007] Further, since the powder is classified in the single classification chamber 83, the height of the classification chamber 83 is increased or the inner diameter is increased to adjust the powder classification point. Is increased, the swirling speed of the powder in the classification chamber 83 decreases and the powder cannot be accurately centrifuged, so the powder in the restricted small volume classification chamber 83 It is necessary to perform classification with a high mixing ratio of air and air. For this reason, it cannot be said that the classification accuracy is good, and there are still points to be improved in improving the classification accuracy.
[0008] さらに、分級室 83内に二次エアを吸引により流入させて旋回気流を加速させる必 要があるため、分級室 83での空気量が増え、微粉排出筒 88に吸引力を付与するブ ロワとしては風量の大きい大型のものを採用する必要が生じる。し力も、微粉排出筒 8 8からエア搬送される混合流体を微粉とエアとに分離するサイクロン分離機や、分離 後のエア中から粉体を捕集するバッグフィルタなどの付属品も風量に比例して大型 化する必要があるため、設備費が高くなり、そのコストの低減を図るうえにおいても改 善すべき点が残されている。 [0008] Further, since it is necessary to accelerate the swirling airflow by sucking secondary air into the classification chamber 83 by suction, the amount of air in the classification chamber 83 increases, and a suction force is applied to the fine powder discharge cylinder 88. It is necessary to use a large blower with a large air volume. In addition, accessories such as a cyclone separator that separates the mixed fluid conveyed from the fine powder discharge cylinder 8 8 into fine powder and air, and a bag filter that collects powder from the separated air are also proportional to the air volume. Therefore, there is a point that needs to be improved in order to reduce the cost.
[0009] 一般に、複写機等の画像形成装置に使用されるトナーにおいては、粒径が必要以 上に大きいものや、必要以上に小さいものが含まれると、鮮明な画像を形成すること ができない。そこで、トナーの製造プラントにおいては、第 1の気流分級機によって分 級処理された微粉を第 2の気流分級機に供給して、上記微粉を微粉と超微粉とに分 級し、その微粉を製品としている。 [0009] Generally, toner used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine cannot form a clear image if it contains particles larger than necessary or smaller than necessary. . Therefore, in the toner production plant, the fine powder classified by the first air flow classifier is supplied to the second air flow classifier, and the fine powder is classified into fine powder and ultra fine powder. It is a product.
[0010] ところで、近年のトナー製造にぉ 、ては、製品のより小粒径ィ匕と粒度分布の精度の 良さが求められている力 従来の気流分級機ではその精度を求めることは構造上困 難になってきた。
[0011] そこで、従来では、 1段目の気流分級機で分級した微粉を 2段目の気流分級機で 再分級して小粒径トナーを製造しているため、二系列の気流分級機が必要となり、設 備コスト、ランニングコストが高くなつている。 [0010] By the way, in recent toner production, a force that requires a smaller particle size of the product and better accuracy of the particle size distribution is required for the conventional air classifier because of its structure. It has become difficult. [0011] Therefore, conventionally, fine powder classified by the first-stage airflow classifier is reclassified by the second-stage airflow classifier to produce a small particle size toner. Necessary, and equipment and running costs are increasing.
[0012] この発明の課題は、一段の分級機で粉体を小粒径のものまで高精度に分級するこ とができると共に、設備コストとランニングコストの低減を図ることができるようにした気 流分級機および分級プラントを提供することである。 [0012] An object of the present invention is that it is possible to classify powders with a small particle size with high accuracy with a single-stage classifier and to reduce facility costs and running costs. It is to provide a flow classifier and a classification plant.
課題を解決するための手段 Means for solving the problem
[0013] 上記の課題を解決するために、この発明に係る気流分級機においては、ケーシン グ内に分級板を設け、ケーシング内には分級板の上面外周部上に略円筒状の一次 分級室と、その一次分級室と同一軸上に一次分級室より小径の略円筒形または円 錐形の二次分級室とを設け、前記一次分級室の周壁下部に高圧エアの噴射、また は、外部エアの吸引により一次分級室内に旋回気流を形成するエアノズルを設け、 前記分級板の外周とケーシングの内周面間に粗粉排出口を形成し、前記分級板の 中心部に形成された微粉吸引口に微粉排出筒を接続し、前記二次分級室の周壁外 周部に環状の粉体供給ヘッダを設け、この粉体供給ヘッダに、その内部外周の周方 向に向けて粉体を供給する粉体供給筒を接続すると共に、粉体供給ヘッダの内周 壁に、粉体供給ヘッダ内で旋回する粉体を一次分級室の上部内または二次分級室 の下部内に旋回流入させる流入孔を形成した構成を採用したのである。 In order to solve the above problems, in the airflow classifier according to the present invention, a classification plate is provided in the casing, and a substantially cylindrical primary classification chamber is provided in the casing on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the classification plate. And a secondary classification chamber having a substantially cylindrical or pyramidal shape smaller in diameter than the primary classification chamber on the same axis as the primary classification chamber, and jetting high-pressure air at the lower peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber, or externally An air nozzle that forms a swirling airflow in the primary classification chamber by air suction is provided, a coarse powder discharge port is formed between the outer periphery of the classification plate and the inner peripheral surface of the casing, and fine powder suction formed at the center of the classification plate A fine powder discharge tube is connected to the mouth, an annular powder supply header is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the peripheral wall of the secondary classification chamber, and powder is supplied to the powder supply header in the circumferential direction of the inner periphery. Connected to the inner wall of the powder supply header. Therefore, a configuration is adopted in which an inflow hole is formed in which the powder swirling in the powder supply header is swirled into the upper part of the primary classification chamber or the lower part of the secondary classification chamber.
[0014] 上記の構成力 成る気流分級機において、微粉排出筒に吸引力を付与する状態 でエアノズルから一次分級室内の外周部に向けて高圧エアを噴射する力、または外 部エアを吸引すると、一次分級室内に旋回気流が形成され、その旋回気流は半径 方向内方に移動し、二次分級室の下端開口の位置まで移動すると、二次分級室の 周壁内面に沿って旋回しつつ上方に移動する。 [0014] In the airflow classifier configured as described above, when the suction force is applied to the fine powder discharge cylinder and the external air is sucked from the air nozzle toward the outer periphery of the primary classification chamber, A swirling airflow is formed in the primary classification chamber, and the swirling airflow moves inward in the radial direction. When the swirling airflow moves to the position of the lower end opening of the secondary classification chamber, the swirling airflow moves upward while rotating along the inner wall of the secondary classification chamber. Moving.
[0015] 上記のように、一次分級室および二次分級室において旋回気流が形成される状態 で粉体供給ヘッダ内に送り込まれた粉体を流入孔力 二次分級室内に旋回流入さ せると、粉体は旋回気流の流れに乗って旋回することになる。 [0015] As described above, when the powder fed into the powder supply header in a state where the swirling airflow is formed in the primary classification chamber and the secondary classification chamber, the inflow hole force is swirled into the secondary classification chamber. The powder swirls on the swirling airflow.
[0016] 粉体の供給時、二次分級室内では旋回気流が形成されており、その旋回気流と粉 体供給ヘッダ内の少量の高圧エアで吸引、分散されて粉体供給筒から噴射されてで
きた旋回気流が合流するが、この旋回気流は狭くなつた流入孔内を通過し、またエア 量も少な!/、ため、粉体供給ヘッダ内の旋回流れの影響を二次分級室内の旋回気流 に与えることがなぐその二次分級室内において粉体を精度よく分級処理することが できる。 [0016] When the powder is supplied, a swirling airflow is formed in the secondary classification chamber, and the swirling airflow and a small amount of high-pressure air in the powder supply header are sucked and dispersed and injected from the powder supply cylinder. so However, the swirling airflow passes through the narrow inflow hole, and the air volume is small. Therefore, the swirling airflow in the secondary classification chamber is affected by the swirling flow in the powder feed header. The powder can be classified with high accuracy in the secondary classification chamber.
[0017] また、粉体を旋回流入させる流入孔の位置は、粗粉排出口より上位であり、し力も その粗粉排出口より内径側に位置しているため、粉体は粗粉排出口内に直ちに流れ 落ちるようなことはない。 [0017] In addition, the position of the inflow hole for swirling the powder is higher than the coarse powder outlet, and the force is located on the inner diameter side of the coarse powder outlet. There is no such thing as an immediate fall.
[0018] このため、供給された粉体のほぼ全体が旋回気流の流れに乗って旋回して粗粉と 中間粉 (一部に粗粉が含まれた微粉)とに遠心分離され、粗粉は一次分級室内に流 れ落ちて、その一次分級室内で旋回する旋回気流によりさらに分散され、かつ分級 され、一次分級室の外周部で旋回する粗粉は粗粉排出口に排出され、中間粉は二 次分級室内を旋回しながら上昇する。 [0018] For this reason, almost the whole of the supplied powder is swirled by the flow of the swirling airflow, and is centrifuged into coarse powder and intermediate powder (fine powder partially containing coarse powder). Flows down into the primary classification chamber and is further dispersed and classified by the swirling airflow swirling in the primary classification chamber, and the coarse powder swirling in the outer periphery of the primary classification chamber is discharged to the coarse powder discharge port, and the intermediate powder Rises while turning in the secondary classification chamber.
[0019] 一方、粗粉に含まれていた微粉は一次分級室の内方に移動し、二次分級室の外 周部に対向する位置まで移動すると、二次分級室内で旋回する中間粉と合流して、 その二次分級室の周壁内面に沿って旋回しつつ上昇し、二次分級室の天井面に至 ると、その天井面に沿って半径方向内方に向きを変える。 [0019] On the other hand, when the fine powder contained in the coarse powder moves inward of the primary classification chamber and moves to a position facing the outer periphery of the secondary classification chamber, an intermediate powder swirling in the secondary classification chamber After joining and rising along the inner wall of the secondary classification chamber, it turns up, and when it reaches the ceiling surface of the secondary classification chamber, it turns inward in the radial direction along the ceiling surface.
[0020] このとき、微粉吸引口には吸引力が付与され、その吸引力は二次分級室の中心部 に作用しているため、天井面に沿って半径方向内方に移動した中間粉は二次分級 室の中心部において下向きに流れを変え、旋回渦を作りながら下降する。この下降 する旋回渦の内径は微粉吸引口の口径にほぼ等しぐ二次分級室の内径より著しく 小径のものであるため、旋回渦の流速は速くなり、中間粉は粗粉と微粉とに効果的に 遠心分離され、粗粉は半径方向外方に拡がりながら旋回下降して一次分級室内に 流入し、その一次分級室内において遠心分離され、粗粉排出ロカ 排出される。一 方、微粉は旋回渦にのって下降してエアと共に微粉吸引ロカ 吸引排出される。 [0020] At this time, a suction force is applied to the fine powder suction port, and the suction force acts on the central portion of the secondary classification chamber. Therefore, the intermediate powder moved radially inward along the ceiling surface is In the center of the secondary classification chamber, the flow changes downward and descends while creating a swirling vortex. The inner diameter of the descending swirling vortex is significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the secondary classification chamber, which is almost equal to the diameter of the fine powder suction port, so that the flow speed of the swirling vortex is increased and the intermediate powder is divided into coarse powder and fine powder. Centrifugal separation is effective, and the coarse powder spreads outward in the radial direction, swirls and descends, flows into the primary classification chamber, is centrifuged in the primary classification chamber, and is discharged into the coarse powder discharge loca. On the other hand, the fine powder descends on the swirling vortex and is sucked and discharged together with air.
[0021] ここで、エアノズルからの高圧エアの噴射、または、外部エアの吸引により一次分級 室内で形成される旋回気流に速度ムラがあると、粗粉に微粉が混入する状態で粗粉 排出ロカ 排出される可能性がある。その旋回気流の速度ムラを抑制するため、ェ ァノズルを複数とし、その複数のエアノズルを一次分級室の周壁外周囲に等間隔に
設けるのがよい。 [0021] Here, if there is uneven speed in the swirling airflow formed in the primary classification chamber by the injection of high-pressure air from the air nozzle or the suction of external air, the coarse powder is discharged in a state where the fine powder is mixed into the coarse powder. There is a possibility of being discharged. In order to suppress the speed variation of the swirling airflow, there are multiple air nozzles and the air nozzles are equally spaced around the outer peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber. It is good to provide.
[0022] この場合、一次分級室の周壁外周囲に、複数のエアノズルのそれぞれに高圧エア を供給するリング状のエア供給ヘッダと、そのエア供給ヘッダに高圧エアを送り込む エア供給筒とを設けることにより、複数のエアノズルのそれぞれから同一圧力で同量 の高圧エアが噴射されることになるため、旋回気流の速度ムラを抑制し、周方向の全 体にわたって均一な速度の旋回気流を形成することができる。 [0022] In this case, a ring-shaped air supply header that supplies high-pressure air to each of the plurality of air nozzles and an air supply cylinder that sends high-pressure air to the air supply header are provided around the outer peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber. As a result, the same amount of high-pressure air is ejected from each of the plurality of air nozzles at the same pressure. Can do.
また、外部エアを吸引する場合は、エア供給ヘッダを取り除いても均一な旋回気流 を形成することができる。 In addition, when sucking the external air, a uniform swirling airflow can be formed even if the air supply header is removed.
[0023] ここで、リング状のエア供給ヘッダの内周部に周方向に傾斜する多数のベーンを等 間隔に設け、隣接するべ一ン間をエアノズルとすることにより、周方向の全体にわた つてより均一な速度の旋回気流を形成することができる。 [0023] Here, a large number of vanes inclined in the circumferential direction are provided at equal intervals in the inner peripheral portion of the ring-shaped air supply header, and air nozzles are provided between the adjacent vanes so as to extend over the entire circumferential direction. Therefore, a swirling airflow having a more uniform speed can be formed.
[0024] また、二次分級室の中心部に形成される旋回渦が二次分級室の半径方向にずれ 動く不安定な状態になると、精度の良い分級を行なうことができなくなるおそれがある ため、二次分級室の頂壁中心部に、円錐形又は円筒形のセンタコアを設けて旋回渦 の安定化を図るのがよい。この場合、センタコアの中心軸上に排気口を形成すると、 その排気口力も二次分級室のエアを排気することができるため、排気抵抗が減り、一 次分級室および二次分級室内の圧力が異常に上昇するのを防止することができ、微 粉排出筒に吸引力を付与するブロワまたはエア供給筒に高圧エアを供給するブロワ として小型のものを採用することができる。また、上記排気口と微粉排出筒とで、粒径 の異なる微粉を得ることも可能となる。 [0024] If the swirl vortex formed in the center of the secondary classification chamber shifts in the radial direction of the secondary classification chamber and becomes unstable, it may not be possible to perform accurate classification. It is preferable to stabilize the swirl vortex by providing a conical or cylindrical center core at the center of the top wall of the secondary classification chamber. In this case, if an exhaust port is formed on the center axis of the center core, the exhaust port force can also exhaust the air in the secondary classification chamber, so the exhaust resistance is reduced and the pressure in the primary classification chamber and the secondary classification chamber is reduced. An abnormal rise can be prevented, and a small blower that applies suction to the fine powder discharge cylinder or a blower that supplies high-pressure air to the air supply cylinder can be used. It is also possible to obtain fine powder having different particle diameters at the exhaust port and the fine powder discharge cylinder.
[0025] この発明に係る気流分級機において、一次分級室の高さ寸法を調整可能とし、ある いは二次分級室の高さ寸法を調整可能とすると、分級点を調整することができる。 [0025] In the airflow classifier according to the present invention, the classification point can be adjusted if the height dimension of the primary classification chamber can be adjusted or the height dimension of the secondary classification chamber can be adjusted.
[0026] また、二次分級室を上下方向に複数段に区分し、二次分級室の上段側に至るに従 つて内径寸法を小径とすると、二次分級室の各段の分級室において粉体は分級処 理されると共に、上段側の二次分級室に至るに従って気流の旋回径が小さくなつて 速度が増すため、粗粉の混入の極めて少な 、粒径の小さな微粉を得ることができる。 [0026] Further, if the secondary classification chamber is divided into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and the inner diameter is made smaller as it reaches the upper stage side of the secondary classification chamber, the powder is separated in the classification chamber of each stage of the secondary classification chamber. As the body is classified, the swirl diameter of the airflow decreases and the speed increases as it reaches the secondary classification chamber on the upper stage side, so that it is possible to obtain fine powder with a small particle size with very little coarse powder contamination. .
[0027] さらに、流入孔を環状のスリットとし、あるいは周方向に間隔をおいて配置される複 数の円弧状のスリットとすると、粉体は二次分級室ある ヽは一次分級室の周方向の
全体から略均一に供給されることになるため、粉体を極めて効果的に分級処理する ことができる。 [0027] Furthermore, if the inflow hole is an annular slit or a plurality of arc-shaped slits arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, the powder is in the secondary classification chamber, and the bowl is in the circumferential direction of the primary classification chamber of Since the powder is supplied almost uniformly from the whole, the powder can be classified very effectively.
[0028] この発明に係る第 1の分級プラントにおいては、上記気流分級機と、その気流分級 機の微粉排出筒から送り込まれてくる固気混合流体を微粉とエアとに分離する固気 分離機と、その固気分離機のエア出口力 送り込まれてくるエア中の粉体を捕集して エアを清澄ィ匕する集塵機と、その集塵機に吸引力を付与する力 あるいは前記エア ノズルに高圧エアを送り込むブロワと力もなる構成を採用したのである。 [0028] In the first classifying plant according to the present invention, the air classifier and the solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid fed from the fine powder discharge cylinder of the air classifier into fine powder and air. And the air outlet force of the solid-gas separator The dust collector that collects the powder in the air that is being sent in to clarify the air, and the force that applies suction to the dust collector or the high pressure air to the air nozzle A structure that also has a blower and power to feed the machine.
[0029] ここで、気流分級機のケーシングの下端出口に粉体を粉砕処理する粉砕機を接続 し、その粉砕機の粉体出口部と粉体供給ヘッダに粉体を供給する粉体供給筒とを循 環路で接続し、その循環路の途中に粉体供給管を接続すると、ケーシングの下端開 口から排出される粗粉は粉砕機により粉砕処理されて粉体供給ヘッダに戻され、そ の粉体供給ヘッダから気流分級機に送り込まれて再度分級処理されるため、精度の 良い粒度分布の製品を得ることができる。 [0029] Here, a pulverizer for pulverizing powder is connected to the lower end outlet of the casing of the airflow classifier, and a powder supply cylinder for supplying the powder to the powder outlet portion and the powder supply header of the pulverizer And a powder supply pipe in the middle of the circulation path, the coarse powder discharged from the lower end opening of the casing is pulverized by a pulverizer and returned to the powder supply header. Since it is sent to the air classifier from the powder supply header and subjected to the classification process again, a product with a highly accurate particle size distribution can be obtained.
[0030] 上記第 1の分級プラントの固気分離機の粉体出口から送り込まれてくる微粉を製品 とされる微粉と超微粉とに分級する第 2の気流分級機と、その第 2の気流分級機から 送り込まれてくる固気混合流体を超微粉とエアとに分離する第 2の固気分離機と、そ の固気分離機から送り込まれてくるエア中の粉体を捕集してエアを清澄化する第 2の 集塵機とを設けると、一方の気流分級機において分級処理された微粉を第 2の気流 分級機にぉ ヽて連続して分級処理することができ、その分級処理によって分離され た極めて粒径の小さ!/ヽ微粉はバッグフィルタで回収され、粒度分布幅の小さ 、微細 な粉体を得ることができる。このため、トナーの製造に際し、そのトナーを連続的に製 造することができ、トナーを極めて効率よく製造することができる。 [0030] A second air classifier that classifies fine powder fed from the powder outlet of the solid-gas separator of the first classification plant into fine powder and super fine powder, and the second air flow. The second solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid sent from the classifier into ultrafine powder and air, and the powder in the air sent from the solid-gas separator are collected. By providing a second dust collector that clarifies the air, the fine powder classified in one of the airflow classifiers can be continuously classified through the second airflow classifier. The separated extremely small particle size! / Salt fine powder is recovered by a bag filter, and a fine powder with a small particle size distribution width can be obtained. For this reason, when the toner is manufactured, the toner can be manufactured continuously, and the toner can be manufactured extremely efficiently.
[0031] この発明に係る第 2の分級プラントにおいては、ケーシング内に設けられた分級板 上に分級室を形成し、その分級室内で粉体を高速旋回させて粗粉と微粉とに遠心分 離し、粗粉を分級板の外周部に形成された粗粉排出口から下方に排出し、微粉を分 級板の中央に接続された微粉排出筒から排出させる一次処理用の気流分級機と、 その気流分級機のケーシングの下端カゝら排出される粗粉を粉砕し、粉砕処理後の粉 体を前記気流分級機の分級室内に循環させる粉砕機と、前記微粉排出筒力 送り
込まれてくる固気混合流体を微粉とエアとに分離する固気分離機と、その固気分離 機から送り込まれてくる微粉を分級処理するこの発明に係る二次処理用の気流分級 機と、その二次処理用の気流分級機の微粉排出筒から送り込まれてくる固気混合流 体をエアと超微粉とに分離する固気分離機と、その固気分離機のエア出口力 送り 込まれてくるエア中の粉体を捕集してエアを清澄ィ匕する集塵機と、その集塵機に吸 引力を付与するか、あるいは前記エア供給筒に高圧エアを送り込むブロワとからなる 構成を採用したのである。 [0031] In the second classification plant according to the present invention, a classification chamber is formed on a classification plate provided in the casing, and the powder is swirled at a high speed in the classification chamber to be separated into coarse powder and fine powder. An air classifier for primary treatment that discharges the coarse powder downward from the coarse powder discharge port formed in the outer peripheral portion of the classification plate and discharges the fine powder from the fine powder discharge cylinder connected to the center of the classification plate; The coarse powder discharged from the lower end of the casing of the air classifier is pulverized, and the pulverized powder is circulated in the classification chamber of the air classifier, and the fine powder discharge cylinder force feed A solid-gas separator that separates the mixed gas-solid fluid into fine powder and air, and an air classifier for secondary treatment according to the present invention that classifies the fine powder fed from the solid-gas separator; , The solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid fed from the fine powder discharge cylinder of the air classifier for the secondary treatment into air and ultrafine powder, and the air outlet force of the solid-gas separator Adopted a configuration that consists of a dust collector that collects powder in the rare air and clarifies the air, and a blower that applies suction to the dust collector or sends high-pressure air to the air supply cylinder It is.
発明の効果 The invention's effect
[0032] 上記のように、この発明に係る気流分級機においては、エアノズル力 一次分級室 内に高圧エアを噴射すると、その高圧エアは一次分級室内で旋回して旋回気流を形 成すると共に、その旋回気流は二次分級室の周壁内面に沿って旋回しつつ上昇し、 その旋回気流中に粉体供給ヘッダ内で旋回する粉体の旋回気流が狭い流入孔から 供給されるので、二次分級室内で旋回する旋回気流が乱されるようなことはなぐ粉 体を高精度に分級処理することができる。 [0032] As described above, in the airflow classifier according to the present invention, when high-pressure air is injected into the air nozzle force primary classification chamber, the high-pressure air swirls in the primary classification chamber to form a swirling airflow, The swirl flow rises while swirling along the inner wall of the secondary classification chamber, and the swirl flow of the powder swirling in the powder supply header is supplied from the narrow inlet hole into the swirl flow. The swirling airflow swirling in the classification chamber is not disturbed, so that the powder can be classified with high accuracy.
[0033] また、一次分級室内で粉体を粗粉と中間粉 (一部に粗粉を含む微粉)とに一次分 級したのち、中間粉を二次分級室に導いて粗粉と微粉とに二次分級するようにした ので、微粉中に粗粉が混入することが少なぐ精度の良い分級処理を可能とすること ができる。このため、従来は二段の気流分級機を使って処理していたが、一段の気 流分級機で処理できるようになる。 [0033] In addition, the powder is first classified into coarse powder and intermediate powder (fine powder partially containing coarse powder) in the primary classification chamber, and then the intermediate powder is guided to the secondary classification chamber to obtain coarse powder and fine powder. Therefore, it is possible to perform a highly accurate classification process in which the coarse powder is less likely to be mixed in the fine powder. For this reason, processing was conventionally performed using a two-stage air classifier, but it can now be processed using a one-stage air classifier.
[0034] さらに、粉体供給用のエアが少ない分級処理であるため、分級室での空気量が少 なくて済む。そのため、この発明の気流分級機を採用した分級プラントにおいては小 型のブロワを採用することができると共に、微粉回収用の固気分離機や、その固気分 離機より分離されたエア中の粉体を捕集する集塵機として小型のものを採用すること ができるので、設備コストおよびランニングコストの低減を図ることができる。 [0034] Furthermore, since the classification process is performed with a small amount of air for supplying powder, the amount of air in the classification chamber can be reduced. Therefore, in the classification plant employing the air classifier of the present invention, it is possible to employ a small blower, a solid-gas separator for collecting fine powder, and powder in the air separated from the solid-gas separator. Since a small dust collector that collects the body can be adopted, the equipment cost and running cost can be reduced.
[0035] また、第 2の分級プラントのように、一次処理用の気流分級機で分級処理した微粉 をこの発明に係る二次処理用の気流分級機で分級処理することにより、粗粉および 超微粉の混入の極めて少な 、粒度分布幅の狭 、微粉を得ることができる。 [0035] Further, as in the second classification plant, the fine powder classified by the primary airflow classifier is classified by the secondary airflow classifier according to the present invention, so that the coarse powder and the superfine powder are obtained. Fine powder can be obtained with very little mixing of fine powder and a narrow particle size distribution width.
図面の簡単な説明
[図 1]この発明に係る気流分級機の実施形態を示す概略図 Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an air classifier according to the present invention.
[図 2]図 1の II II線に沿った断面図 [Figure 2] Sectional view along line II-II in Figure 1
[図 3]図 1の III III線に沿った断面図 [Figure 3] Sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1
圆 4]気流分級機の上側部分の詳細を示す断面図 圆 4] Cross-sectional view showing details of upper part of air classifier
圆 5]図 1に示す気流分級機を用いた分級プラントの概略図 圆 5] Schematic diagram of a classification plant using the air classifier shown in Figure 1
[図 6]エアノズルの他の例を示す断面図 [Fig. 6] Cross section showing another example of air nozzle
[図 7]図 1に示す気流分級機を用いた分級プラントの他の例を示す概略図 圆 8]図 1に示す気流分級機を用いた分級プラントのさらに他の例を示す概略図 [図 9]この発明に係る分級プラントの他の例を示す概略図 [Fig. 7] Schematic diagram showing another example of a classifying plant using the air classifier shown in Fig. 1 圆 8] Schematic diagram showing still another example of a classifying plant using the air classifier shown in Fig. 1. [Fig. 9] Schematic diagram showing another example of a classification plant according to the present invention
[図 10]従来の気流分級機を示す概略図 [Fig.10] Schematic diagram showing a conventional air classifier
符号の説明 Explanation of symbols
A A
1 気流分級機 1 Airflow classifier
A A
2 気流分級機 2 Airflow classifier
B 分級プラント B classification plant
2 ケーシング 2 Casing
7 分級板 7 Classification board
8 粗粉排出口 8 Coarse powder outlet
11 微粉吸引口 11 Fine powder suction port
12 微粉排出筒 12 Fine powder discharge cylinder
13 一次分級室 13 Primary classification room
16 二次分級室 16 Secondary classification room
16a 上段側二次分級室 16a Upper secondary classification room
16b 下段側二次分級室 16b Lower secondary classification room
26 センタコア 26 Center core
26c 排気孔 26c Exhaust hole
27 円錐面 27 Conical surface
31 エア供給ヘッダ 31 Air supply header
33 エアノズル
34 粉体供給ヘッダ 33 Air nozzle 34 Powder supply header
35 粉体供給筒 35 Powder supply cylinder
36 流入孔 36 Inlet hole
40 ジェットミル (粉砕機) 40 Jet mill (pulverizer)
43 循環路 43 Circuit
52 粉体供給管 52 Powder supply pipe
62 サイクロン分離機 (固気分離機) 62 Cyclone separator (solid-gas separator)
70 バッグフィルタ (集塵機) 70 Bag filter (dust collector)
72 ブロワ 72 Blower
73 ブロワ 73 Blower
80 ケーシング 80 casing
発明を実施するための最良の形態 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0038] 以下、この発明の実施形態を図 1乃至図 9に基づいて説明する。図 1乃至図 4は、 この発明に係る気流分級機の実施の形態を示す。図示のように、気流分級機 Aは、 ケーシング 2を有している。ケーシング 2は、上部ケーシング 3と下部ケーシング 4とに 分割され、その下部ケーシング 4の中心軸上には内周に雌ねじが形成された支持筒 5が設けられている。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of an air classifier according to the present invention. As illustrated, the air classifier A has a casing 2. The casing 2 is divided into an upper casing 3 and a lower casing 4, and a support cylinder 5 having an internal thread formed on the inner periphery is provided on the central axis of the lower casing 4.
[0039] 支持筒 5は固定の配置とされ、その下端に設けられた内向きのフランジ 5a上に複数 のスぺーサ 6が組込まれている。また、支持筒 5には、分級板 7の下面中央に設けら れたねじ筒 7aがねじ係合されて ヽる。 [0039] The support cylinder 5 is fixedly arranged, and a plurality of spacers 6 are incorporated on an inward flange 5a provided at the lower end thereof. Further, a screw cylinder 7 a provided at the center of the lower surface of the classification plate 7 is screwed into the support cylinder 5.
[0040] 分級板 7は、上記支持筒 5内に組込まれたスぺーサ 6の数を増減することによって 高さ調整される。 [0040] The height of the classification plate 7 is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of the spacers 6 incorporated in the support cylinder 5.
[0041] 分級板 7の上面は、外周から中心に向けて上り勾配をもって傾斜する円錐形とされ 、その外周とケーシング 2の内周間に環状の粗粉排出口 8が設けられている。実施の 形態では分級板 7を円錐形状としているが、フラットな平板形状であってもよい。 [0041] The upper surface of the classification plate 7 has a conical shape inclined with an upward gradient from the outer periphery toward the center, and an annular coarse powder discharge port 8 is provided between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the casing 2. In the embodiment, the classifying plate 7 has a conical shape, but may have a flat plate shape.
[0042] ねじ筒 7aの内周上部はテーパ孔 9とされ、そのテーパ孔 9内にテーパリング 10が着 脱自在に嵌合されている。テーノリング 10の内側は微粉吸引口 11とされている。テ 一ノリング 10として、ここでは、上端を小径端とされたテーパ状の微粉吸引口 11を有
するものを採用したが、上端を大径端とするテーパ状の微粉吸引口を有するテーノ リ ング等、多様な口径のものを用いることができる。 The upper part of the inner periphery of the screw cylinder 7 a is a tapered hole 9, and a tapered ring 10 is detachably fitted in the tapered hole 9. The inside of the tenor ring 10 is a fine powder suction port 11. The tenoring 10 has a tapered fine powder suction port 11 whose upper end is a small diameter end. However, it is possible to use ones with various diameters such as a tenoring having a tapered fine powder suction port whose upper end is a large diameter end.
[0043] 支持筒 5には微粉排出筒 12の上部が接続されている。微粉排出筒 12は L形をなし [0043] The upper part of the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 is connected to the support cylinder 5. Fine powder discharge cylinder 12 is L-shaped
、先端部は下部ケーシング 4の一部を貫通して外部に臨んでいる。 The tip part penetrates a part of the lower casing 4 and faces the outside.
[0044] 上部ケーシング 3は、分級板 7の上面外周部との間で一次分級室 13を形成するス カート部 14と、そのスカート部 14の内径部から立ち上がる円筒部 15とを有し、上記 円筒部 15の内側が二次分級室 16とされている。 [0044] The upper casing 3 has a scat part 14 that forms a primary classification chamber 13 with the outer peripheral part of the upper surface of the classification plate 7, and a cylindrical part 15 that rises from the inner diameter part of the skirt part 14, The inside of the cylindrical portion 15 is a secondary classification chamber 16.
[0045] スカート部 14として、ここでは、分級板 7と平行な傾きを有するものを示した力 傾き のな 、水平状のものや分級板より傾きの大き 、ものであってもよ!/、。 [0045] The skirt portion 14 may be a horizontal one or one having a larger inclination than the classification plate, without a force inclination showing an inclination parallel to the classification plate 7! /.
[0046] スカート部 14と下部ケーシング 4の対向面間には複数のスぺーサ 17が組込まれ、 そのスぺーサ 17の数の増減によって一次分級室 13の高さ寸法を調整し得るようにな つている。 [0046] A plurality of spacers 17 are incorporated between the facing surfaces of the skirt portion 14 and the lower casing 4, so that the height of the primary classification chamber 13 can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of the spacers 17. There is.
[0047] 円筒部 15は、蓋体 15aと、その蓋体 15aによって上端の開口が閉塞された上部リン グ 15bと、その上部リング 15bより大径の下部リング 15cとからなる段付き円筒部とされ 、その円筒部 15内の二次分級室 16は上部リング 15b内の上段側二次分級室 16aと 、下部リング 15c内の下段側二次分級室 16bとに区分されている。 [0047] The cylindrical portion 15 includes a stepped cylindrical portion including a lid 15a, an upper ring 15b whose upper end opening is closed by the lid 15a, and a lower ring 15c having a larger diameter than the upper ring 15b. The secondary classification chamber 16 in the cylindrical portion 15 is divided into an upper secondary classification chamber 16a in the upper ring 15b and a lower secondary classification chamber 16b in the lower ring 15c.
[0048] ここで、上段側二次分級室 16aは、上部リング 15bを高さが異なる上部リングに取り 変えることによって高さ調整することができ、また、下段側二次分級室 16bも下部リン グ 15cを高さが異なる下部リングに変えることによって、高さ調整することができる。な お、上部リング 15bの取り替えに代えて、上段側二次分級室 16aの上部壁を上下に 移動自在として、上段側二次分級室 16aを高さ調整するようにしてもよぐ同様に下 段側二次分級室 16bの高さを調整することもある。また、上段側二次分級室 16aとし て、ここでは、円筒形のものを示した力 上側に至るに従って小径となる円錐形として ちょい。 [0048] Here, the height of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a can be adjusted by replacing the upper ring 15b with an upper ring having a different height, and the lower secondary classification chamber 16b can also be adjusted to the lower ring. The height can be adjusted by changing the ring 15c to a lower ring with a different height. Instead of replacing the upper ring 15b, the upper wall of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a can be moved up and down to adjust the height of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a. The height of the secondary secondary classification room 16b may be adjusted. Also, as the upper secondary classification chamber 16a, here it is a conical shape with a smaller diameter as it reaches the upper side of the force shown for a cylindrical one.
[0049] 蓋体 15a、上部リング 15b、および下部リング 15cは連結手段 20によって上部ケー シング 3を形成する組立て状態に保持される。連結手段 20として、ここでは、下部ケ 一シング 4の外周上部に複数の支持片 21を設け、各支持片 21に下端が固定された ねじ軸 22の上部を蓋体 15aの頂壁上面に固定された連結片 23に貫通せしめ、その
ねじ軸 22の上端部にノブ 24をねじ係合して締め付けるようにしている。 [0049] The lid 15a, the upper ring 15b, and the lower ring 15c are held in an assembled state in which the upper casing 3 is formed by the connecting means 20. Here, as the connecting means 20, a plurality of support pieces 21 are provided on the outer periphery of the lower casing 4, and the upper end of the screw shaft 22 whose lower end is fixed to each support piece 21 is fixed to the upper surface of the top wall of the lid 15a. Pierce through the connecting piece 23 The knob 24 is screwed to the upper end of the screw shaft 22 and tightened.
[0050] 蓋体 15aの頂壁中央にはコア揷入孔 25が形成され、そのコア揷入孔 25内にセンタ コア 26がスライド自在に挿入されている。センタコア 26は、ァウタコア 26aと、そのァゥ タコア 26a内にスライド自在に挿入されたインナコア 26bとからなり、上記ァウタコア 2 6aおよびインナコア 26bの下部に円錐面 27が設けられている。 [0050] A core insertion hole 25 is formed in the center of the top wall of the lid 15a, and the center core 26 is slidably inserted into the core insertion hole 25. The center core 26 includes an outer core 26a and an inner core 26b slidably inserted into the outer core 26a. A conical surface 27 is provided below the outer core 26a and the inner core 26b.
[0051] インナコア 26bの中心軸上には排気口 26cが形成されて!、る。また、インナコア 26b の上端にはフランジ 28が設けられ、そのフランジ 28と上部リング蓋体 15a間に高さ調 整リング 29が組込まれている。このため、高さ調整リング 29を長さが異なる他の高さ 調整リング 29に取り替えることによってインナコア 26bの二次分級室 16内への突出 長さを調整することができ、その調整位置でセンタコア 26を固定するボルト 30を蓋体 15aにねじ込んで固定している。 [0051] An exhaust port 26c is formed on the central axis of the inner core 26b. A flange 28 is provided at the upper end of the inner core 26b, and a height adjusting ring 29 is assembled between the flange 28 and the upper ring lid 15a. Therefore, the length of the inner core 26b protruding into the secondary classification chamber 16 can be adjusted by replacing the height adjustment ring 29 with another height adjustment ring 29 having a different length. A bolt 30 for fixing 26 is screwed and fixed to the lid 15a.
[0052] 上部ケーシング 3と下部ケーシング 4の接合部における外側には環状のエア供給 ヘッダ 31が設けられ、そのエア供給ヘッダ 31の外周対向位置にエア供給筒 32が接 続されている。 An annular air supply header 31 is provided on the outer side of the joint portion between the upper casing 3 and the lower casing 4, and an air supply cylinder 32 is connected to an outer periphery facing position of the air supply header 31.
[0053] エア供給ヘッダ 31の内周には複数のエアノズル 33が等間隔に設けられている。各 エアノズル 33は、エア供給ヘッダ 31内に供給された高圧エアを一次分級室 13内の 外周部周方向に向けて噴射するようになっている。 A plurality of air nozzles 33 are provided at equal intervals on the inner periphery of the air supply header 31. Each air nozzle 33 injects the high-pressure air supplied into the air supply header 31 toward the outer peripheral portion of the primary classification chamber 13 in the circumferential direction.
[0054] 下部リング 15cの外周には環状の粉体供給ヘッダ 34が設けられ、その粉体供給へ ッダ 34に複数の粉体供給筒 35が等角度位置に接続されている。粉体供給筒 35は 粉体供給ヘッダ 34内の外周部周方向に向けて粉体を噴射するようになっており、そ の粉体の噴射方向とエアノズル 33から一次分級室 13内に噴射される高圧エアの噴 射方向と同方向とされている。 [0054] An annular powder supply header 34 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower ring 15c, and a plurality of powder supply cylinders 35 are connected to the powder supply header 34 at equiangular positions. The powder supply cylinder 35 is configured to inject powder in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the powder supply header 34, and is injected into the primary classification chamber 13 from the injection direction of the powder and the air nozzle 33. This is the same direction as the high-pressure air injection direction.
[0055] 粉体供給ヘッダ 34の内周壁には、その内部において旋回する粉体を下段側二次 分級室 16b内に旋回流入させる環状のスリットからなる流入孔 36が設けられている。 なお、流入孔 36は、一次分級室 13の周壁上部で開口させて、その一次分級室 13の 上部外周に粉体を旋回流入させるようにしてもよぐあるいは、粉体供給ヘッダ 34を 上段側二次分級室の周壁外周部に設けてもよい。さらに、粉体供給ヘッダ 34の底壁 に形成して、下段側二次分級室 16bの上部から下向きに粉体を旋回流入させるよう
にしてもよい。また、流入孔 36は、環状に配置された複数の円弧状のスリットから成る ものであってもよい。 [0055] The inner peripheral wall of the powder supply header 34 is provided with an inflow hole 36 formed of an annular slit for allowing the powder swirling therein to swirl into the lower secondary classification chamber 16b. The inflow hole 36 may be opened at the upper part of the peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber 13 so that the powder flows into the upper outer periphery of the primary classification chamber 13 or the powder supply header 34 You may provide in the outer peripheral part of the surrounding wall of a secondary classification chamber. Further, it is formed on the bottom wall of the powder supply header 34 so that the powder swirls downward from the upper part of the lower secondary classification chamber 16b. It may be. The inflow hole 36 may be composed of a plurality of arc-shaped slits arranged in an annular shape.
[0056] 図 5は、上記の構成から成る気流分級機 Aを採用した分級プラントを示す。この分 級プラントにおいては、気流分級機 Aの粉体供給筒 35に粉体供給装置 50を接続し ている。粉体供給装置 50はエア噴射ノズル 51から粉体供給管 52内に噴射される高 圧エアによりホッパ 53内の粉体を吸引分散させ、粉体供給管 52を通って粉体供給 筒 35に送り込むようにして 、る。 FIG. 5 shows a classification plant that employs the air classifier A configured as described above. In this classification plant, a powder supply device 50 is connected to the powder supply cylinder 35 of the airflow classifier A. The powder supply device 50 sucks and disperses the powder in the hopper 53 by the high-pressure air injected from the air injection nozzle 51 into the powder supply pipe 52 and passes through the powder supply pipe 52 to the powder supply cylinder 35. Try to send it in.
[0057] 気流分級機 Aによって分級され、微粉排出筒 12内に吸引排出される微粉は微粉 供給路 61から固気分離機としてのサイクロン分離機 62に送り込まれるようになつてい る。 The fine powder classified by the airflow classifier A and sucked and discharged into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 is sent from the fine powder supply path 61 to a cyclone separator 62 as a solid-gas separator.
[0058] サイクロン分離機 62は、微粉とエアとに分離する。製品となる微粉は下端の出口 63 力も排出され、エアはエア供給路 64から集塵機としてのバッグフィルタ 70に送り込ま れるようになっている。 [0058] The cyclone separator 62 separates fine powder and air. The product fine powder is also discharged at the outlet 63 at the lower end, and the air is sent from the air supply path 64 to the bag filter 70 as a dust collector.
[0059] ノッグフィルタ 70はエア中に含まれる粉体を捕集する。清澄ィ匕されたエアはブロワ [0059] The nog filter 70 collects powder contained in the air. Clean air is blower
72により吸引されて外部に排出される。 It is sucked by 72 and discharged to the outside.
[0060] いま、ブロワ 72を稼動し、微粉排出筒 12に吸引力を付与する状態において、図 4 に示す気流分級機 Aのエア供給筒 32に高圧エアを供給すると、その高圧エアはェ ァ供給ヘッダ 31から複数のエアノズル 33に送り込まれ、各エアノズル 33から一次分 級室 13内の外周部周方向に噴射される。 [0060] Now, when high pressure air is supplied to the air supply cylinder 32 of the airflow classifier A shown in FIG. 4 in a state where the blower 72 is operated and suction force is applied to the fine powder discharge cylinder 12, the high pressure air is The air is fed from the supply header 31 to the plurality of air nozzles 33 and is sprayed from the air nozzles 33 in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral portion in the primary classification chamber 13.
[0061] このとき、複数のエアノズル 33は等間隔に設けられているため、高圧エアは一次分 級室 13内に均等に供給され、一次分級室 13において高速度で旋回し、旋回気流が 形成される。 [0061] At this time, since the plurality of air nozzles 33 are provided at equal intervals, the high-pressure air is evenly supplied into the primary classification chamber 13, and swirls at a high speed in the primary classification chamber 13 to form a swirling airflow. Is done.
[0062] 上記旋回気流は一次分級室 13内を半径方向内方に移動し、二次分級室 16の下 段側二次分級室 16bの下端開口の位置まで移動すると、その下段側二次分級室 16 bの周壁内面に沿って旋回しつつ上方に移動する。 [0062] When the swirling airflow moves radially inward in the primary classification chamber 13 and moves to the position of the lower end opening of the lower secondary classification chamber 16b of the secondary classification chamber 16, the lower secondary classification It moves upward while turning along the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the chamber 16b.
[0063] 上記のように、一次分級室 13および下段側二次分級室 16bにおいて旋回気流が 形成される状態で粉体供給装置 50から粉体供給ヘッダ 34内に粉体を供給すると、 その粉体は流入孔 36から下段側二次分級室 16b内に旋回流入し、下段側二次分
級室 16b内に形成された旋回気流の流れに乗って旋回する。 [0063] As described above, when powder is supplied from the powder supply device 50 into the powder supply header 34 in a state where a swirling airflow is formed in the primary classification chamber 13 and the lower secondary classification chamber 16b, the powder The body swirls and flows into the lower secondary classification chamber 16b from the inlet hole 36, and enters the lower secondary classification chamber 16b. It turns on the flow of the swirling airflow formed in the class room 16b.
[0064] ここで、粉体の供給時、下段側二次分級室 16b内では旋回気流が形成されており[0064] Here, when the powder is supplied, a swirling airflow is formed in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b.
、粉体供給筒 35から粉体供給ヘッダ 34内に噴射されて旋回する粉体の旋回気流は 狭いスリットからなる流入孔 36内を通過して流入するため、下段側二次分級室 16b 内で旋回する旋回気流を乱すようなことはなぐその下段側二次分級室内 16b内に ぉ 、て粉体を高速度で旋回させることができる。 Since the swirling airflow of the powder swirled from the powder supply cylinder 35 into the powder supply header 34 passes through the inflow hole 36 formed by a narrow slit, it flows in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b. The powder can be swirled at a high speed in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b without disturbing the swirling swirling airflow.
[0065] 下段側二次分級室 16b内での粉体の旋回流により、粉体は粗粉と中間粉 (一部に 粗粉が含まれた微粉)とに分級され、粗粉は一次分級室 13内に流れ落ちて、その一 次分級室 13内で旋回する旋回気流により分散され、かつ再分級され、一次分級室 1[0065] By the swirling flow of the powder in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b, the powder is classified into coarse powder and intermediate powder (fine powder partially containing coarse powder), and the coarse powder is primary classified. Flowed down into the chamber 13, dispersed by the swirling airflow swirling in the primary classification chamber 13, and reclassified, the primary classification chamber 1
3の外周部で旋回する粗粉は粗粉排出口 8に排出される。 The coarse powder swirling at the outer periphery of 3 is discharged to the coarse powder discharge port 8.
[0066] 一方、粗粉から分離された微粉は一次分級室 13の内方に移動し、下段側二次分 級室 16bの外周部に対向する位置まで移動すると、その下段側二次分級室 16b内 に進入し、その下段側二次分級室 16bで旋回する中間粉と合流して、その下段側二 次分級室 16bの周壁内面に沿って旋回しつつ上昇する。 [0066] On the other hand, when the fine powder separated from the coarse powder moves inward of the primary classification chamber 13 and moves to a position facing the outer periphery of the lower secondary classification chamber 16b, the lower secondary classification chamber It enters into 16b, joins with the intermediate powder swirling in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b, and rises while swirling along the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the lower secondary classification chamber 16b.
[0067] 下段側二次分級室 16b内で旋回する中間粉は再び粗粉と微粉に分級され、粗粉 は下降して一次分級室 13内に入り、その一次分級室 13内にお 、て再度分級された 後、粗粉排出口 8から排出される。 [0067] The intermediate powder swirling in the lower secondary classification chamber 16b is again classified into coarse powder and fine powder, and the coarse powder descends into the primary classification chamber 13 and enters the primary classification chamber 13. After being classified again, it is discharged from the coarse powder outlet 8.
[0068] 一方、微粉は旋回しつつ上昇し、上段側二次分級室 16aの下端に至ると、その上 段側二次分級室 16a内に進入して、旋回しつつ上昇する。 On the other hand, the fine powder rises while swirling, and when it reaches the lower end of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a, it enters the upper secondary classification chamber 16a and rises while swirling.
[0069] このため、微粉は上段側二次分級室 16a内でも再度微粉と粗粉に遠心分離され、 粗粉は下降して、下段側二次分級室 16bおよび一次分級室 13内に進入し、各室 16 bおよび 13において再度分級処理される。 [0069] For this reason, fine powder is again centrifuged into fine powder and coarse powder in the upper secondary classification chamber 16a, and the coarse powder descends and enters the lower secondary classification chamber 16b and the primary classification chamber 13. In each of the chambers 16b and 13, classification is performed again.
[0070] 一方、微粉は旋回しつつ上昇し、上段側二次分級室 16aの天井面に至ると、その 天井面に沿って半径方向内方に向きを変える。 [0070] On the other hand, the fine powder rises while swirling, and when it reaches the ceiling surface of the upper secondary classification chamber 16a, it changes its direction radially inward along the ceiling surface.
[0071] 上段側二次分級室 16aの天井面に沿って半径方向内方に移動した微粉はセンタ コア 26の外周に沿って下向きに流れを変える。このとき、微粉吸引口 11にはブロワ 7The fine powder that has moved inward in the radial direction along the ceiling surface of the upper secondary classification chamber 16 a changes its flow downward along the outer periphery of the center core 26. At this time, the fine powder suction port 11 has a blower 7
2の吸引力が作用して 、るため、下向きに流れを変えた微粉は旋回渦を形成しつつ 下降する。
[0072] この旋回渦の内径は微粉吸引口 11の最小内径にほぼ等しい小径のものであり、上 昇時の旋回渦径に比べ非常に小さいため、旋回渦の流速は速ぐ微粉は粗粉と微 粉とに効果的に遠心分離される。 Since the suction force of 2 acts, the fine powder that changed the flow downwards descends while forming a swirling vortex. [0072] The inner diameter of the swirling vortex is a small diameter that is almost equal to the minimum inner diameter of the fine powder suction port 11, and is very small compared to the swirling vortex diameter at the time of ascending. And is effectively centrifuged into fine powder.
[0073] 分離された粗粉は半径方向外方に拡がりながら旋回下降して一次分級室 13内に 再流入し、その一次分級室 13での旋回流にのって再度遠心分離され、外周に移動 した粗粉は粗粉排出口 8から排出される。一方、微粉は、旋回渦にのって下降し、微 粉吸引口 11内に吸引される。 [0073] The separated coarse powder swirls and descends while spreading outward in the radial direction, reflows into the primary classification chamber 13, and is centrifuged again on the swirl flow in the primary classification chamber 13 to the outer periphery. The moved coarse powder is discharged from the coarse powder outlet 8. On the other hand, the fine powder descends along the swirl vortex and is sucked into the fine powder suction port 11.
[0074] このように、粉体は、一次分級室 13内、下段側二次分級室 16b内、上段側二次分 級室 16a内と数次にわたり連続して遠心分離されるので、効率の良い分級ができると 共に粗粉側への微粉の混入ならびに微粉側への粗粉の混入がほとんど無い精度の 良 、分級処理を可能とすることができる。 [0074] As described above, since the powder is continuously centrifuged several times in the primary classification chamber 13, the lower secondary classification chamber 16b, and the upper secondary classification chamber 16a, the efficiency is improved. In addition to being able to classify well, it is possible to perform classification processing with good accuracy and almost no contamination of fine powder on the coarse powder side and coarse powder on the fine powder side.
[0075] また、上段側二次分級室 16a内に流入する中間粉は一次分級室 13および下段側 分級室 16bで大半の粗粉が取り除かれているため、粉体と高圧エアの混合比は低く 、し力も、二次分級室 16の中心部に形成される旋回渦は内径の小さな旋回渦であつ て旋回速度が速いため、粉体をきわめて精度よく分級することができる。ここで、二次 分級室 16の上段側二次分級室 16aを円錐形とすることにより、中間粉の旋回速度が 上方に行くほど速くなり、より分級精度をあげることができる。 [0075] Since the intermediate powder flowing into the upper secondary classification chamber 16a has most of the coarse powder removed in the primary classification chamber 13 and the lower classification chamber 16b, the mixing ratio of the powder and high-pressure air is Since the swirl vortex formed at the center of the secondary classification chamber 16 is a swirl vortex with a small inner diameter and a high swirl speed, the powder can be classified with very high accuracy. Here, by making the upper secondary classification chamber 16a of the secondary classification chamber 16 into a conical shape, the swirling speed of the intermediate powder increases as it goes upward, and the classification accuracy can be further improved.
[0076] さらに、少量の高圧エアによって粉体を下段側二次分級室 16b内に供給することが できるので、ブロワ 72として小型のものを採用することができる。また、微粉回収用の サイクロン分離機 62およびエア中の粉体を捕集するノッグフィルタ 70も小型のものを 採用することができ、装置の小型化と設備コストとランニングコストの低減を図ることが できる。 [0076] Furthermore, since the powder can be supplied into the lower secondary classification chamber 16b with a small amount of high-pressure air, a small blower 72 can be adopted. In addition, the cyclone separator 62 for collecting fine powder and the nog filter 70 for collecting powder in the air can be used in a small size, which can reduce the size of the device and reduce the equipment cost and running cost. it can.
[0077] 実施の形態で示すように、一次分級室 13および二次分級室 16の高さ寸法あるい は二次分級室の内径を調節可能とすることにより、旋回流の流速を調整することがで きるので、分級点を調整することができる。さらに、微粉吸引口 11の内径を変えること によっても分級点を調整することができる。 [0077] As shown in the embodiment, by adjusting the height dimension of the primary classification chamber 13 and the secondary classification chamber 16 or the inner diameter of the secondary classification chamber, the flow velocity of the swirling flow can be adjusted. Classifiers can be adjusted. Furthermore, the classification point can be adjusted by changing the inner diameter of the fine powder suction port 11.
[0078] また、センタコア 26を設けることによって安定した旋回渦を形成することができる。さ らに、エアノズル 33の数、あるいは、エアノズル 33の断面積を変えることによって、一
次分級室 13へ供給する固気混合流体の旋回速度や分散状態を調整することができ る。 Further, by providing the center core 26, a stable swirl vortex can be formed. Furthermore, by changing the number of air nozzles 33 or the cross-sectional area of the air nozzles 33, The swirling speed and dispersion state of the solid-gas mixed fluid supplied to the next classification chamber 13 can be adjusted.
[0079] また、センタコア 26を形成するインナコア 26bの中心軸上に排気口 26cを形成する と、その排気口 26cから分級室内のエアの一部が排気され、排気抵抗が小さくなるの で、一次分級室 13および二次分級室 16内の圧力が異常に上昇するのを防止するこ とができ、微粉排出筒 12に吸引力を付与するブロワ 72として小型のものを採用する ことができる。また、上記排気口 26cと微粉排出筒 12とで粒径の異なる粉体を得るこ ともできる。なお、 気口 26cの上方にダンバ Dを設けることにより、ダンバ Dの開度を 調節して排気量を調整し、粉径を変化させることができる。 [0079] When the exhaust port 26c is formed on the central axis of the inner core 26b that forms the center core 26, a part of the air in the classification chamber is exhausted from the exhaust port 26c, and the exhaust resistance is reduced. The pressure in the classification chamber 13 and the secondary classification chamber 16 can be prevented from rising abnormally, and a small blower 72 that applies a suction force to the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 can be adopted. It is also possible to obtain powder having different particle diameters at the exhaust port 26c and the fine powder discharge cylinder 12. In addition, by providing the damper D above the air vent 26c, the opening amount of the damper D can be adjusted to adjust the displacement and the powder diameter can be changed.
[0080] 図 4に示す気流分級機においては、二次分級室 16を上下に二段に区分したが、 区分しないで、単一の二次分級室としてもよぐあるいは、三段以上に区分してもよい [0080] In the airflow classifier shown in Fig. 4, the secondary classification chamber 16 is divided into two stages up and down, but it is not divided and may be used as a single secondary classification room or divided into three or more stages. May
[0081] また、図 3では、エア供給ヘッダ 31の内周に設けた複数のエアノズル 33が筒体から なるものを示した力 図 6に示すように、リング状のエア供給ヘッダ 31の内周部に周 方向に傾斜する多数のベーン 37を等間隔に設け、隣接するべーン 37間をエアノズ ル 33として、上記エア供給ヘッダ 31の接線方向に延びる複数のエア供給筒 32から そのエア供給ヘッダ 31内に送り込まれる高圧エアを上記各エアノズル 33から一次分 級室 13内に旋回流入させるようにしてもよ!/、。 Further, in FIG. 3, a force indicating that a plurality of air nozzles 33 provided on the inner periphery of the air supply header 31 are formed of a cylindrical body, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner periphery of the ring-shaped air supply header 31 is shown. A large number of vanes 37 inclined in the circumferential direction are provided at equal intervals, and an air nozzle 33 is provided between adjacent vanes 37 to supply air from a plurality of air supply cylinders 32 extending in the tangential direction of the air supply header 31. The high pressure air sent into the header 31 may be swirled into the primary classification chamber 13 from the air nozzles 33! /.
[0082] この場合、多数のベーン 37を揺動可能に支持し、各べーン 37の揺動による角度調 整によって高圧エアの噴射角度および開度を調整可能にしてもよい。 In this case, a large number of vanes 37 may be supported in a swingable manner, and the injection angle and opening degree of the high-pressure air may be adjusted by adjusting the angle by swinging each vane 37.
[0083] さらに、図 5に示す分級プラントにおいては、ブロワ 72によって、微粉排出筒 12内 に微粉を吸入させるようにした力 上記ブロワ 72に代えて、同図の鎖線で示すように 、エア供給筒 32内にブロワ 73から吐出される高圧エアを押込むことによって微粉を 微粉排出筒 12内に流入させるようにしてもよぐあるいは、ブロワ 72、 73の併用により 、微粉を微粉排出筒 12内に流入させるようにしてもよ!/、。 Further, in the classifying plant shown in FIG. 5, the force that causes the fine powder to be sucked into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 by the blower 72. Instead of the blower 72, as shown by the chain line in FIG. The fine powder may be caused to flow into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 by pushing the high-pressure air discharged from the blower 73 into the cylinder 32. Alternatively, the fine powder is discharged into the fine powder discharge cylinder 12 by using the blowers 72 and 73 together. You can even let it flow into!
[0084] なお、図 5では、エア供給筒 32に高圧エアを送り、その高圧エアをエアノズル 33か ら一次分級室 13内の外周部に噴射して一次分級室 13内に旋回気流を形成するよう にしたが、図 5に示すブロワ 72を気流分級機 Aの一次分級室 13および二次分級室
16に対して高い真空度を付与することができる大型のものとし、そのブロワ 72の駆動 による一次分級室 13内の圧力の低下により、外部エアをエアノズル 33から一次分級 室 16内に吸引して、旋回気流を形成するようにしてもよい。この場合は、エア供給へ ッダ 31をなくすこともできる。 In FIG. 5, high-pressure air is sent to the air supply cylinder 32, and the high-pressure air is injected from the air nozzle 33 to the outer periphery of the primary classification chamber 13 to form a swirling airflow in the primary classification chamber 13. However, the blower 72 shown in Fig. 5 was installed in the primary classifier 13 and the secondary classifier A of the air classifier A. 16 is a large-sized one that can provide a high degree of vacuum, and by reducing the pressure in the primary classification chamber 13 by driving the blower 72, external air is sucked into the primary classification chamber 16 from the air nozzle 33. A swirling airflow may be formed. In this case, the air supply header 31 can be eliminated.
[0085] 図 7は、分級プラントの他の例を示す。この例にぉ ヽては、気流分級機 Aのケーシ ング 2の下端出口 2aから排出される粗粉を粉砕機としてのジェットミル 40のホッパ 41 内に供給するようにしている。 FIG. 7 shows another example of the classification plant. In this example, coarse powder discharged from the lower end outlet 2a of the casing 2 of the airflow classifier A is supplied into a hopper 41 of a jet mill 40 as a pulverizer.
[0086] ジェットミル 40は、エアノズル 42から噴射される高圧エアによりホッパ 41内に供給さ れた粗粉を図示省略された粉砕室内に導き、その粉砕室内に設けられた衝突板に 衝突させて粉砕する従来力も周知のものであるため、その詳細を図示省略している。 [0086] The jet mill 40 guides the coarse powder supplied into the hopper 41 by high-pressure air injected from the air nozzle 42 into a grinding chamber (not shown), and collides with a collision plate provided in the grinding chamber. Since the conventional force for pulverization is also well known, its details are not shown.
[0087] ジェットミル 40によって粉砕された粉体は高圧エアと共に循環路 43から粉体供給 筒 35内に送り込むようにしている。 The powder pulverized by the jet mill 40 is sent into the powder supply cylinder 35 from the circulation path 43 together with high-pressure air.
[0088] 図 7に示すように、気流分級機 Aカゝら排出される粗粉をジェットミル 40で粉砕し、粉 砕処理後の粉体を粉体供給筒 35に送り込んで循環させ、粉砕'分級を繰り返すこと により、精度の良い粒度分布の製品を得ることができる。 [0088] As shown in FIG. 7, the coarse powder discharged from the airflow classifier A is pulverized by the jet mill 40, and the powder after the pulverization treatment is sent to the powder supply cylinder 35 for circulation and pulverized. 'By repeating the classification, a product with an accurate particle size distribution can be obtained.
[0089] 図 8は、分級プラントのさらに他の例を示す。この例で示す分級プラントにおいては 、図 5に示す分級プラント Bを二つ採用し、一方の分級プラント Bのサイクロン分離機 6 2から取り出される微粉を他方の分級プラント Bの粉体供給筒 35に送り込んで、再度 分級処理し、その他方の分級プラント Bのサイクロン分離機 62から取り出される超微 粉を製品としている。 [0089] FIG. 8 shows still another example of the classification plant. In the classification plant shown in this example, two classification plants B shown in FIG. 5 are adopted, and the fine powder taken out from the cyclone separator 62 of one classification plant B is transferred to the powder supply cylinder 35 of the other classification plant B. It is sent in and classified again, and the ultrafine powder taken out from the cyclone separator 62 of the other classification plant B is used as the product.
[0090] 上記の分級プラントにおいては、一方の分級プラント Bにおいて粗粉を回収し、他 方の分級プラント Bにおいて微粉と超微粉を回収することができ、 3種類に分級するこ とがでさる。 [0090] In the above classification plant, coarse powder can be collected in one classification plant B, and fine powder and ultrafine powder can be collected in the other classification plant B, which can be classified into three types. .
なお、分級を重ねることによって多種類に分級することもできる。 In addition, it can also classify | categorize into many types by repeating a classification.
[0091] 図 9は、分級プラントのさらに他の例を示す。この例においては、図 8に示す一方の 分級プラント Bの気流分級機 Aに代えて、図 10に示す従来の気流分級機 Aを採用 FIG. 9 shows still another example of the classification plant. In this example, instead of the air classifier A of one classification plant B shown in Fig. 8, the conventional air classifier A shown in Fig. 10 is adopted.
1 2 し、その気流分級機 Aのケーシング 80の下端に粉砕機としてのジェットミル 40のホッ 1 2 and the jet mill 40 as a crusher
2 2
パ 41を接続し、上記ジェットミル 40で粉砕処理した粉体を循環路 43から粉体供給筒
86に送り込むようにしている。他の構成は図 8と同一であるため、同一の部品には同 一の符号を付して説明を省略する。 To the powder supply cylinder from the circulation path 43. I am trying to send it to 86. Since other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 8, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0092] 上記の分級プラントにおいても、図 8の分級プラントと同様に、一方の分級プラント B の気流分級機 Aで分級処理された微粉を他方の分級プラント Bにお 、て連続して分 [0092] In the above-described classification plant, as in the classification plant of Fig. 8, the fine powder classified by the airflow classifier A of one classification plant B is continuously classified in the other classification plant B.
2 2
級処理することができ、粗粉も超微粉も少な!ヽ精度の良!ヽ粒度分布をもつ製品粉体 ( 微粉)を得ることができる。このため、トナーの製造に際し、そのトナーを連続的に製造 することができ、トナーを極めて効率よく製造することができる。 It is possible to obtain a product powder (fine powder) with high accuracy and low particle size distribution. For this reason, when the toner is manufactured, the toner can be manufactured continuously, and the toner can be manufactured extremely efficiently.
[0093] 図 9の分級プラントでは、一つ目の気流分級機として図 10に示す気流分級機 Aを [0093] In the classifying plant of Fig. 9, the air classifier A shown in Fig. 10 is used as the first air classifier.
2 採用したが、分級室内に粉体を供給し、その粉体を高速旋回させて粗粉と微粉に分 級させるようにした気流分級機であれば、どのような気流分級機を用いてもょ 、。
2 Adopted, but any airflow classifier can be used as long as it supplies powder into the classification chamber and swirls the powder at high speed to classify it into coarse powder and fine powder. Oh ,.
Claims
[1] ケーシング内に分級板を設け、ケーシング内には分級板の上面外周部上に略円筒 状の一次分級室と、その一次分級室と同一軸上に一次分級室より小径の略円筒形 または円錐形の二次分級室とを設け、前記一次分級室の周壁下部に高圧エアの噴 射、または、外部エアの吸引により一次分級室内に旋回気流を形成するエアノズル を設け、前記分級板の外周とケーシングの内周面間に粗粉排出口を形成し、前記分 級板の中心部に形成された微粉吸引口に微粉排出筒を接続し、前記二次分級室の 周壁外周部に環状の粉体供給ヘッダを設け、この粉体供給ヘッダに、その内部外周 の周方向に向けて粉体を供給する粉体供給筒を接続すると共に、粉体供給ヘッダの 内周壁に、粉体供給ヘッダ内で旋回する粉体を一次分級室の上部内または二次分 級室の下部内に旋回流入させる流入孔を形成した気流分級機。 [1] A classification plate is provided in the casing, and a substantially cylindrical primary classification chamber is provided on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the classification plate, and a substantially cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the primary classification chamber on the same axis as the primary classification chamber. Alternatively, a conical secondary classification chamber is provided, and an air nozzle that forms a swirling airflow in the primary classification chamber by injecting high-pressure air or sucking external air is provided in the lower part of the peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber. A coarse powder discharge port is formed between the outer periphery and the inner peripheral surface of the casing, a fine powder discharge tube is connected to the fine powder suction port formed at the center of the classification plate, and the outer periphery of the peripheral wall of the secondary classification chamber is annular A powder supply header is provided, and a powder supply cylinder for supplying powder toward the circumferential direction of the inner periphery of the powder supply header is connected to the powder supply header, and the powder supply header is connected to the inner peripheral wall of the powder supply header. Powder swirling in the header is in the upper part of the primary classification chamber or secondary classification An airflow classifier with an inflow hole that swirls into the lower part of the chamber.
[2] 前記エアノズルを複数とし、その複数のエアノズルを一次分級室の周壁外周囲に 等間隔に設けた請求項 1に記載の気流分級機。 [2] The airflow classifier according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the air nozzles are provided, and the plurality of air nozzles are provided at equal intervals around the outer peripheral wall of the primary classification chamber.
[3] 前記二次分級室の頂壁中心部に円錐形又は円筒形のセンタコアを設けた請求項[3] The conical or cylindrical center core is provided at the center of the top wall of the secondary classification chamber.
1又は 2に記載の気流分級機。 The air classifier according to 1 or 2.
[4] 前記センタコアの中心軸上に排気口を形成した請求項 3に記載の気流分級機。 4. The air classifier according to claim 3, wherein an exhaust port is formed on a center axis of the center core.
[5] 前記一次分級室または前記二次分級室の高さ寸法を調整可能とした請求項 1乃至[5] The height classification of the primary classification chamber or the secondary classification chamber can be adjusted.
4の 、ずれかに記載の気流分級機。 4. Airflow classifier according to any of the above.
[6] 前記粉体供給筒を環状の粉体供給ヘッダの周方向に等間隔に設け、その粉体供 給筒に粉体供給装置を接続し、その粉体供給装置が、エア噴射ノズルから粉体供給 筒内に噴射される高圧エアのェジヱクタ作用により粉体が充填されたホツバの下部出 口に吸引力を付与してホッパ内の粉体を粉体供給筒に供給する構成とされた請求 項 1乃至 5のいずれかに記載の気流分級機。 [6] The powder supply cylinder is provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular powder supply header, and the powder supply apparatus is connected to the powder supply cylinder, and the powder supply apparatus is connected to the air injection nozzle. The powder supply cylinder is configured to supply the powder in the hopper to the powder supply cylinder by applying a suction force to the lower outlet of the hot bar filled with powder by the ejector action of the high-pressure air injected into the cylinder. The airflow classifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
[7] 前記二次分級室を上下方向に複数段に区分し、二次分級室の上段側に至るに従 つて小径とした請求項 1乃至 6のいずれかに記載の気流分級機。 7. The airflow classifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the secondary classification chamber is divided into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and has a smaller diameter as it reaches the upper stage side of the secondary classification chamber.
[8] 前記流入孔が、環状のスリットまたは周方向に間隔を置いて形成される複数の円弧 状のスリットから成る請求項 1乃至 7のいずれかに記載の気流分級機。 8. The air classifier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inflow hole includes an annular slit or a plurality of arc-shaped slits formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.
[9] 請求項 1乃至 8のいずれかに記載の気流分級機と、その気流分級機の微粉排出筒
から送り込まれてくる固気混合流体を微粉とエアとに分離する固気分離機と、その固 気分離機のエア出口力 送り込まれてくるエア中の粉体を捕集してエアを清澄ィ匕す る集塵機と、その集塵機に吸引力を付与するか、あるいは前記エアノズルに高圧ェ ァを送り込むブロワと力もなる分級プラント。 [9] The airflow classifier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a fine powder discharge cylinder of the airflow classifier The solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid that is fed from the air into fine powder and air, and the air outlet force of the solid-gas separator that collects the powder in the air that is fed to clarify the air A classifier that has a dust collector and a blower that applies suction to the dust collector or sends a high-pressure air to the air nozzle.
[10] 前記気流分級機のケーシングの下端出口に、その出口力も排出される粗粉を粉砕 処理する粉砕機を接続し、その粉砕機の粉体出口と粉体供給筒とを循環路で接続し た請求項 9に記載の分級プラント。 [10] A pulverizer for pulverizing the coarse powder that also discharges its outlet force is connected to the lower end outlet of the casing of the air classifier, and the powder outlet of the pulverizer and the powder supply cylinder are connected by a circulation path. The classification plant according to claim 9.
[11] 前記固気分離機の粉体出口から送り込まれてくる微粉を製品とされる微粉と超微粉 とに分級する第 2の気流分級機と、その第 2気流分級機から送り込まれてくる固気混 合流体を超微粉とエアとに分離する第 2の固気分離機と、その固気分離機から送り 込まれてくるエア中の粉体を捕集してエアを清澄ィ匕す第 2の集塵機とを設けた請求 項 9に記載の分級プラント。 [11] A second airflow classifier that classifies fine powder sent from the powder outlet of the solid-gas separator into a fine powder and an ultrafine powder, and a second airflow classifier. A second solid-gas separator that separates the solid-gas mixed fluid into ultrafine powder and air, and collects the powder in the air sent from the solid-gas separator to clarify the air. The classification plant according to claim 9, further comprising a second dust collector.
[12] ケーシング内に設けられた分級板上に分級室を形成し、その分級室内で粉体を高 速旋回させて粗粉と微粉とに遠心分離し、粗粉を分級板の外周部に形成された粗粉 排出ロカも下方に排出し、微粉を分級板の中央に接続された微粉排出筒から排出さ せる一次処理用の気流分級機と、その気流分級機のケーシングの下端力 排出され る粗粉を粉砕し、粉砕処理後の粉体を前記気流分級機の分級室内に循環させる粉 砕機と、前記微粉排出筒から送り込まれてくる固気混合流体を微粉とエアとに分離す る固気分離機と、その固気分離機から送り込まれてくる微粉を分級処理する請求項 1 乃至 8のいずれかに記載の二次処理用の気流分級機と、その二次処理用の気流分 級機の微粉排出筒から送り込まれてくる固気混合流体をエアと超微粉とに分離する 固気分離機と、その固気分離機のエア出口力 送り込まれてくるエア中の粉体を捕 集してエアを清澄化する集塵機と、その集塵機に吸引力を付与するか、あるいは前 記エアノズルに高圧エアを送り込むブロワと力もなる分級プラント。
[12] A classification chamber is formed on the classification plate provided in the casing, and the powder is swirled at high speed in the classification chamber and centrifuged into coarse powder and fine powder. The coarse powder is placed on the outer periphery of the classification plate. The formed coarse powder discharge loca is also discharged downward, and the airflow classifier for primary treatment that discharges the fine powder from the fine powder discharge cylinder connected to the center of the classification plate and the lower end force of the casing of the airflow classifier are discharged. The pulverized coarse powder is pulverized, and the pulverized powder is circulated into the classification chamber of the airflow classifier, and the solid-gas mixed fluid fed from the fine powder discharge cylinder is separated into fine powder and air. The air-flow classifier for secondary treatment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fine powder fed from the solid-gas separator is classified, and the air-flow fraction for the secondary treatment. The solid-gas mixed fluid fed from the fine powder discharge cylinder of the class machine is separated into air and ultrafine powder Solid-gas separator and air outlet force of the solid-gas separator The dust collector that collects the powder in the air that is being sent in to clarify the air, and applies a suction force to the dust collector A classification plant with a blower and power to send high-pressure air to the air nozzle.
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