WO2013079784A1

WO2013079784A1 - Method and pneumatic material conveying system

Info

Publication number: WO2013079784A1
Application number: PCT/FI2012/051155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran Sundholm
Original assignee: Maricap Oy
Priority date: 2011-12-02
Filing date: 2012-11-22
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: CN104066660A; CN104066660B; KR20140105804A; EP2785617A4; KR102044569B1; EP2785617A1

Abstract

Method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as a waste conveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one feed point (60) of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe (100), which can be connected to a feed point (60), and at least one separating device (90A, 90B), in which the material to be transported is separated from the transporting air, and also means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current in the conveying pipe at least during the transporting of the material, which means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current comprise at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H). In the method material is conveyed in a first phase from a feed point (60) into a conveying pipe (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E) by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H) in at least one tank space (201, 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B) of an intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) arranged between the feed point (60) and a separating device (90A, 90B), and that in the second phase of the method the material conveyed in the preceding phase into at least one tank space (201, 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B) of an intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) is conveyed by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H) into a separating device (90A, 90B) or into a second intermediate station. The invention also relates to a system.

Description

METHOD AND PNEUMATIC MATERIAL CONVEYING SYSTEM

Background of the invention The object of the invention is a method, as defined in the preamble of claim 1 , in a pneumatic material conveying system.

The object of the invention is also a pneumatic material conveying system as defined in claim 18.

The invention relates generally to pneumatic material conveying systems, such as to partial-vacuum transporting systems, more particularly to the collection and conveying of wastes, such as to the conveying of household wastes. Systems wherein wastes are conveyed in piping by the aid of suction are known in the art. In these, wastes are conveyed long distances in the piping by sucking. The apparatuses are used for, among other things, the conveying of wastes in different institutions or for the conveying of household waste in urban areas. It is typical to these systems that a partial-vacuum apparatus is used to achieve a pressure difference, in which apparatus a partial vacuum is achieved in the conveying pipe with partial-vacuum generators, such as with vacuum pumps or with an ejector apparatus. A conveying pipe typically comprises at least one valve means, by opening and closing which the replacement air coming into the conveying pipe is regulated. In partial-vacuum conveying systems there are typically the following problems, among others: high energy consumption, high air flow in the piping, problems with noise, and dust and fine particle problems in the outlet pipe. In addition, especially with large distances, in which the lengths of a conveying pipe can be several thousands of meters, the pressure loss increases, in which case in order to ensure satisfactory operation of the conveying system very large pipe diameters and correspondingly efficient partial-vacuum generators, pump devices, such as fans, are needed. This results in very expensive solutions in terms of their costs, and also as the pipe size increases more space is required for the installations. It must be possible to reduce the usable pipe sizes by using shapers of the material, more particularly rotary shapers, in connection with the waste feed devices or refuse chutes, which shapers shape and compact the material so that it would fit into a conveying pipe having a smaller diameter than normal. Rotary shapers are presented e.g. in publications WO 201 1/098666, WO 201 1/098667, WO201 1/098668 and WO 201 1/8669. Despite this the pressure losses with very long waste conveying distances in the conveying piping can form to be very large.

The aim of the present invention is to further develop the aforementioned systems and to achieve an entirely new type of solution in connection with the conveying systems of a material, by the aid of which solution the drawbacks of prior-art solutions will be avoided. Another aim of the invention is to achieve a solution applicable to partial-vacuum conveying systems that is suited to large systems, in which the conveying distance from a feed point to the delivery end, more particularly to a separating device of a waste station, is long.

Brief description of the invention

The method according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in the characterization part of claim 1 .

The method according to the invention is also characterized by what is stated in claims 2 - 17.

The system according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in the characterization part of claim 18. The system according to the invention is also characterized by what is stated in claims 19 - 30.

The solution according to the invention has a number of important advantages. By using the system in waste material conveying in two phases, of which in the first phase the feed points are emptied and their waste material is conveyed from a branch pipe into a main conveying pipe and onwards to an intermediate station arranged in the main conveying pipe, and in the second phase the wastes are conveyed from the intermediate station to a waste station, to a separating means of the delivery end of the system. When waste is conveyed in the first phase to an intermediate station, the pressure loss can be kept small as in the same conveying piping, or section of it, between the intermediate station and the delivery end only transporting air is conveyed at the same time, in which case the pressure loss of the whole pipe section is small.

With even longer conveying distances a number of consecutive intermediate stations arranged at a distance from each other can be used and between them parallel conveying pipes or medium channels. The conveying piping or the medium channeling is therefore constructed so that the first phase, from a feed point to the first intermediate station, can be achieved with one conveying pipe, and the next phase, from the first intermediate station to the second intermediate station or to the waste station, with two parallel conveying pipes, and the next phase after that, from the second intermediate station to the waste station, e.g. with three conveying pipes. This could be continued with even longer conveying distances. The idea is that when there are long conveying distances, intermediate stations are needed between the feed points and the waste station owing to the pressure loss. When the distance is long, the pressure loss of one pipe would grow to be too large, in which case in the second stage two pipes are needed and in the third phase three. By using a number of parallel pipes in the subsequent phases and by achieving via them suction in the intermediate stations, effective conveying of material can be achieved in the preceding phase. In this case parallel conveying pipes, preferably having a similar internal diameter, can be used from an intermediate station to the waste station or between different intermediate stations. According to the invention a partial vacuum is achieved via a number of conveying pipes or medium channels. By using material shapers in connection with a feed point and/or an intermediate station, pipe diameters can be reduced and at the same time this can have an effect on the pressure loss of long conveying distances. According to one embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the main conveying pipe can thus also be reduced compared to conventional pipe transport systems. Considerable savings are gained by the aid of the embodiments, because the conveying piping is smaller in diameter and the conveying air volume needed for conveying material is smaller.

Brief description of the figures In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid of an embodiment with reference to the attached drawing, wherein

Fig. 1 presents a diagram of one system according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 presents a diagram of one system according to a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 presents a diagram of one system according to a third embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 presents a diagram of one system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5 also presents another diagram of an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 6 presents a diagram of one system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 7 presents a detail of the intermediate station of Fig. 5, in a first operating phase,

Fig. 8 presents a detail of the intermediate station of Fig. 5, in a second operating phase,

Fig. 9a presents a diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the invention in a first operating phase, Fig. 9b presents a diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the invention in a second operating phase,

Fig. 10a presents a diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the invention in a first operating phase,

Fig. 10b presents a diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the invention in a second operating phase, and Fig. 10c presents a diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the invention, in a third operating phase.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 presents a simplified diagram of a pneumatic material conveying system according to one embodiment according to the invention, more particularly a wastes conveying system.

The figure presents a main conveying pipe 100 for material, which can be divided, e.g. with valve means 101 B, 101 C, 101 D, into a number of conveying pipe sections 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E. Along the side of the main conveying pipe at least one, typically many, branch conveying pipes 63 are arranged. The embodiment of Fig. 1 comprises ten branch conveying pipes 63 arranged in the main conveying pipe. Feed points 60 of waste material are arranged along the side of the branch conveying pipes. A feed point 60 is a feed station or refuse chute for material, more particularly for waste material, intended to be transported, from which feed station or refuse chute the material, more particularly waste material, such as household waste, intended to be transported is fed into the conveying system. The system can comprise a number of feed stations 60, from which the material intended to be transported is fed into the conveying piping. In the figures the feed point components are described with reference numbers in connection with some of the feed points 60. A feed point 60 typically comprises a feed tank 61 , which can be connected to a branch conveying pipe 63. Between the feed tank and the branch conveying pipe 63 is at least one valve means 62, by opening and closing which material can be conveyed from the feed point into the conveying pipe. The feed point 60 is connected to a branch conveying pipe 63, and onwards to the main conveying pipe 100, which can thus be formed from a number of pipe sections 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E. One or many feed points 60 can be connected to a branch conveying pipe 63. In the embodiment of the figure a replacement air branch coupling is arranged in the opposite end of the branch conveying pipe 63, compared to the conveying direction of the material, from the branch conveying pipe or main conveying pipe, which replacement air coupling is provided with a filtering means 67 and with a valve means 66, by the aid of which the access of the replacement air into the branch conveying pipe 63 can be adjusted.

The replacement air needed in emptying the feed tank 61 of a feed point 60 comes via the feed tank 61 . According to a second embodiment, a separate replacement air branch coupling, which can be provided with a filtering means, can additionally be in connection with a feed point. In the embodiments of Figs. 1 , 2, 3 and 5, a material shaper 64, which is driven with a drive device 65, is also in connection with a feed point 60. By the aid of the material shaper the waste material can be compacted or otherwise shaped to be better suitable for the conveying piping. A feed point 60 can also be without a shaper of the material (as in Fig. 4). The basic principle in emptying feed points is that at first the feed tank that is closer to the separating means 90A, 90B in the conveying direction of the material is emptied, and subsequently the feed tank that is next closest against the conveying direction. A corresponding emptying sequence is applied also with respect to the feed tanks of a branch conveying pipe, in which case at first the feed tank that is closer in the conveying direction of the material in the branch conveying pipe 63 is emptied, and subsequently the feed tank that is next closest against the conveying direction of the material.

The material fed into a branch conveying pipe 63 from a feed point 60 is transported into the main conveying pipe 100.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1 an intermediate station 200 is arranged in the main conveying pipe 100 between the conveying pipe sections 100A and 100B. The intermediate station 200 comprises a feed tank 201 , into which a conveying pipe section from the input side of material is arranged, and also a feed tank 202, from where material arranged into the intermediate tank is fed into the conveying pipe l OOA for being conducted onwards into a separating device 90A, 90B of the waste station 300. A valve means 203 is arranged between the feed tank 202 of the intermediate station and the conveying pipe 100A, by opening and closing which valve means the conveying of material from the feed tank 202 of the intermediate station 200 into the conveying pipe 100A and onwards into a separating means of the waste station can be regulated. A medium pathway 204, in which is arranged a valve means 205, is arranged in the intermediate station 200 between the top part of the intermediate tank 201 and the conveying pipe section 100A. A replacement air duct 206, comprising a valve means 207, is arranged in the feed tank 202, e.g. in the top part of it, of the intermediate station. A conveyor means 208, most suitably a screw conveyor, which is driven by a drive device 209, is arranged in the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station. The conveyor means is configured to convey material from the bottom part of the intermediate tank into the feed tank 202 of the intermediate station. In the embodiment of the figure, the base part of the intermediate tank is inclined obliquely upwards in the conveying direction of material, in which case material is conveyed into the feed tank 202 at a distance from its bottom part. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 , a material shaper 210, which is driven with a drive device 21 1 , is arranged between the feed tank 202 and the conveying pipe 100A. By the aid of the material shaper 210 the waste material can be compacted or otherwise shaped to be better suitable for the conveying piping. An intermediate station 200 can also be without a shaper of the material (as in Fig. 3). The pipe section 100A, which is between the intermediate station and the waste station 300, of the conveying pipe 100 can also have branch conveying pipes 63 and feed points 60 arranged in them.

Partial-vacuum generators 125A...125D and the drive devices 126A...126D of them are arranged in the waste station 300 in Fig. 1 . In the embodiment of Fig. 1 there are four partial-vacuum generators, the suction side of which can be connected with a medium connection, i.e. with the channels 123A...123D, 120, 1 13A, 1 13B to the conveying piping 100 via one or more separating devices 90A, 90B disposed at the waste station. In Fig. 1 the waste station has two separating devices 90A, 90B, which can be alternately connected to the conveying pipe with the valve means 1 1 OA. From the valve means the conveying pipe sections 1 1 1 A or 1 1 1 B lead to one or other of the separating devices 90A, 90B. A medium channel 1 13A, 1 13B, in which is arranged a valve means 1 14A, 1 14B, is arranged in the top part of the separating device 90A, 90B in question. The medium pathway 1 13A, 1 13B can be connected with the valve means 1 14A, 1 14B further to the next medium pathway 1 15, which leads to a particle separator 1 17. From the top part of the particle separator 1 17 the medium pathway 120 leads onwards, in which medium pathway the channels 123A...124D leading to the suction side of the partial-vacuum generators are arranged. Noise dampers 127A...127D are arranged on the blowing side of the partial-vacuum generators in the pathway which leads via the channels 128AB, 128CD, 129 to the exhaust air duct 130. With the valve means 1 13A, 1 13B the suction/partial vacuum achieved by a partial-vacuum generator 125A...125D can be connected to the desired separating device 90A, 90B and onwards into the conveying pipe section 100A by opening the connection (valves 1 12A, 1 12B, conveying pipe sections 1 1 1 A, 1 1 1 B, and the three-way valve 1 1 OA) to the conveying pipe of the material from the separating device.

According to the invention at first one or more feed points 60 connected to the branch conveying pipes 63 of a conveying pipe section 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E before the intermediate station in the conveying direction of material can be emptied. In this case the suction side of the partial-vacuum generators are connected from the conveying pipe section 100A onwards via the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station 200 with the medium channel 204, when the valve 205 is open, onwards right into the conveying pipe section 100B...100E in question.

The partial vacuum achieved by a partial-vacuum generator, which acts on the suction side of the pump device via the separating means 90A in Fig. 1 into the conveying piping 1 1 1 A, 100A and onwards via the medium pathway 204 of the intermediate station to the conveying pipe sections 100B...100E, brings about the conveying of waste material from the effect of the pressure difference from the feed tank 61 via the material shaper 64 into the branch conveying pipe when the valve 62 is open and onwards into the conveying pipe section 100B...100E and along that to the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station 200, in which intermediate tank the waste material separates from the transporting air.

In the situation of Fig. 1 feed tanks of the feed points 60 are emptied via a branch conveying pipe into the main conveying pipe, and onwards into the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station, until the desired feed points have been emptied. In the system of the invention the valve 62 of the next feed point to be emptied is opened to some extent before the valve means of the preceding feed point that has just been emptied is closed. In this case a reducing effect on the noise caused by the emptying is possible and thus a possibly detrimental noise effect can be reduced.

The number of branch conveying pipes 63 depends on the size of the system. There can thus be considerably more branch conveying pipes 63 than are presented in the figure, and the number of feed points 60 in them can vary according to the need of the site.

When the desired number of feed points have been emptied and the material conveyed to the intermediate station 200, or when a predefined amount of waste material has collected in the tanks of the intermediate station 200, in the intermediate tank 201 and/or in the feed tank 202, it is possible to proceed to second phase, wherein material is conveyed from the intermediate station to the actual waste station 300, into the separating device 90A (or 90B) of it. The waste material is conveyed from the intermediate tank 201 with the conveyor means 208, by driving with the drive device 209, into the feed tank 202. The valve means 203 after the feed tank 202 and the material shaper 210 in the conveying direction is opened, in which case the material displaces from the feed tank 202 via the material shaper 210 into the conveying pipe. In this case in addition the valve 207 in the replacement air duct 206 is opened and the valve 205 of the medium pathway 204 is closed.

The waste material displaces along the conveying piping 100A, 1 1 1A or 1 1 1 B from the intermediate station into one or more separating devices 90A, 90B of the waste station 300, in which the material to be transported separates, e.g. due to the dropping of speed and to centrifugal force, from the transporting air. The separated material is removed, e.g. according to need, from the separating means 90A, 90B, into a material tank 92A, 92B, such as into a waste tank, or to further treatment. In connection with the separating device 90A, 90B are emptying means 91 A, 91 B, e.g. a transfer device or waste compactor, with which the material is compacted by compressing into a smaller size, and from which the material is further conveyed into the waste container 92A, 92 B.

The material to be conveyed can be guided with the valve 1 1 OA into one of the separating devices 90A, 90B. The material can be guided into the desired separating device 90A, 90B and tank 92A, 92B, e.g. according to the material type. The material type can be e.g. the type of waste, such as assorted waste, recyclable waste, paper, glass, metal, et cetera.

The particle separator 1 17 of Fig. 1 can be emptied, e.g. according to need, opening the valve 1 18 of its bottom part, into the medium channel 1 19, which Fig. 1 leads to one of the separating devices 90A, 90B. Fig. 2 presents an alternative, in which two intermediate stations 200A, 200B are arranged in the conveying piping 100. In the figure, the intermediate stations 200A, 200B are connected between the conveying pipe sections 100A and 100B. The reference numbering of the components of the intermediate stations mainly correspond to the numbering of Fig. 1 , but a letter indicating the intermediate station is appended to the reference numbers; A (for components of the intermediate station 200A) or B (for components of the intermediate station 200B). A valve means 212 is arranged in the conveying piping before the intermediate stations 200A, 200B in the conveying direction of material, with which valve means the material to be conveyed can be guided to displace into either the intermediate station 200A or 200B. In the figure, the valve is in the position in which material would displace into the intermediate tank 201A of the intermediate station 200A. The material to be conveyed can be guided into an intermediate tank, e.g. according to the type of material being conveyed. Another alternative is to increase the capacity of the intermediate station by using a number of intermediate tanks, which can be filled and emptied in the desired manner. In Fig. 2 there are material shapers 21 OA, 210B in connection with the feed tanks 202A, 202B of the waste stations 200A, 200B, but the intermediate stations can, depending on the application, also be without material shapers.

Fig. 3 presents an embodiment, which mainly corresponds to the system of Fig. 1 . The main difference is that the intermediate station 200 of Fig. 3 is of a type that does not have a material shaper in connection with it. In this case, depending on the embodiment, it is probable that the conveying pipe section 100A from the intermediate station 200 to the waste station 300 must be formed to be larger in its diameter than the conveying pipe section before the intermediate station, at least when material shapers 64 are used in connection with the feed points 60. Fig. 4, for its part, presents an embodiment in which there are no material shapers in connection with the feed points 60. In this case the material 68 is fed from the feed tank 61 of a feed point directly into a branch conveying pipe 63, when the valve 62 is opened, and the partial vacuum achieved by the partial-vacuum generators of the pneumatic material conveying system acts in the branch conveying pipe. Fig. 5 presents yet another embodiment of the system of the invention, in which there are two intermediate stations 200A, 200B. There are two conveying pipe sections leading from the intermediate stations 200A, 200B to the waste station 300. From the first intermediate station 200A is a first conveying pipe section 100AA, which according to Fig. 5 can be connected at least to one of the two separating devices 90A, 90B. From the second intermediate station 200B is a second conveying pipe section 100AB, which can be connected at least to the other of the two separating devices 90A, 90B. In the embodiment of Fig. 5 from the first intermediate station 200A the first conveying pipe section 100AA leads to the first separating device 90A. From the second intermediate station 200B the second conveying pipe section 100AB leads to the second separating device 90B. This enables the feed points 60 to be emptied e.g. to the first intermediate station 200A, into the intermediate tank 201A of it, and simultaneously the material tank of the second intermediate station 200B, the intermediate tank 210B and/or the feed tank 202B, can be emptied along the second conveying pipe section 100AB to the second separating device 90B.

According to the invention, at first one or more feed points 60 connected to the branch conveying pipes 63 of a conveying pipe section 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E before the intermediate station 200A in the conveying direction of material can be emptied. In this case the suction side of the partial-vacuum generators is connected from the conveying pipe section 100AA onwards via the intermediate tank 201 A of the intermediate station 200A with the medium channel 204A, when the valve 205A is open, onwards at least right into the conveying pipe section 100B...100E in question.

The partial vacuum achieved by a partial-vacuum generator, which acts on the suction side of the pump device via the separating means 90A in Fig. 1 , in the conveying piping 1 1 1 A, 100AA and onwards via the medium pathway 204A of the intermediate station to the conveying pipe section 100B...100E, brings about the conveying of waste material from the effect of the pressure difference from the feed tank 61 via the material shaper 64 into the branch conveying pipe when the valve 62 is open and onwards into the conveying pipe section 100B...100E and along that into the intermediate tank 201A of the intermediate station 200A, in which intermediate tank the waste material separates from the transporting air. The second tank of the intermediate station 200B is emptied in the situation of Fig. 5 at the same time as the tank of the first intermediate station 200A is filled. In this second phase material is conveyed from the intermediate station 200B to the actual waste station 300, into the separating device 90B of it. The material is conveyed from the intermediate tank 201 B with the conveyor means 208B, by driving with the drive device 209B, into the feed tank 202B. The valve means 203B after the feed tank 202B and the material shaper 210B in the conveying direction is opened, in which case the material displaces from the feed tank 202B via the material shaper 210B into the conveying pipe 100AB. In this case the valve 207B in the replacement air duct 206B is additionally opened and the valve 205B of the medium pathway 204B is closed.

The waste material displaces along the conveying piping 100A, 1 1 1A or 1 1 1 B from the intermediate station into one or more separating devices 90A, 90B of the waste station 300, in which separating devices the material to be transported separates, e.g. due to the dropping of speed and to centrifugal force, from the transporting air. The separated material is removed, e.g. according to need, from the separating means 90A, 90B, into a material tank 92A, 92B, such as into a waste container, or to further treatment. In connection with a separating device 90A, 90B are emptying means 91 A, 91 B, e.g. a transfer device or waste compactor, with which the material is compacted by compressing into a smaller size, and from which the material is further conveyed into the waste tank 92A, 92B. When the phase is completed the valve 203B can be closed and the valve 205B of the medium pathway 204B can be opened. The valve 212 can be changed to guide waste material coming along the conveying pipe sections 100B...100E into the second intermediate station 200B. The valve 205A of the medium pathway 204A of the first intermediate station is closed, and the valve 207A of the replacement air duct 206A can be opened. When the valve 203A after the feed tank and the material shaper in the conveying direction is opened, material can be conveyed from the first intermediate station 200A to the separating device 90A of the waste station 300. In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the tanks of two different intermediate stations 200A, 200B can also be emptied simultaneously along conveying pipe sections 100AA, 100AB into different separating means 90A, 90B. In this case the valve 205A, 205B of the medium pathway 204A, 204B of both intermediate stations is closed. The valve 207A, 207B of the replacement air duct 206A, 206B is open. The channel leading to the conveying pipe section 100AA, 100AB of the intermediate station 200A, 200B is open, i.e. the valve 203A and 203B is open.

The own partial-vacuum generating apparatus of both intermediate tanks and at least one partial-vacuum generator 125A...125D; 125E...125H of said apparatus can be used for achieving a transport effect. The suction side of at least one partial-vacuum generator 125A...125D of the first partial-vacuum generating apparatus is connected via piping 120A, 1 15A, 1 13A to the first separating means 90A, which is connected to the first section 100AA of the conveying piping via the pipelines 1 1 1 A. Correspondingly, the suction side of at least one partial-vacuum generator 125E...125H of the second partial-vacuum generating unit is connected via piping 120B, 1 15B, 1 13B to the second separating means 90B, which is connected to the second section 100AB of the conveying piping via the pipelines 1 1 B.

In the embodiment of the figures, a replacement air branch coupling is arranged for the sections 100E of the conveying piping, which replacement air branch coupling is provided with a filtering means 103 and with valve means 102. The valve means 102 is open e.g. when it is intended to convey material in the conveying piping and the valves 62 of the feed-in stations 60 or the valves 66 of the branch conveying pipes are closed.

In Fig. 5 all the partial-vacuum generators can be connected to act from the suction side in the same separating device by opening the valve 1 16 in the channel 1 15A, 1 15B. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, two separating means 90A, 90B are presented, into which material can be conveyed in a controlled manner. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the wastes were guided to different separating means 90A, 90B by using own partial-vacuum generators 125A...125D and 125E...125H for the conveying of both. This enables fast simultaneous operation.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 - 5, the partial-vacuum generators for forming a partial vacuum comprise a number of units. By the aid of them the partial vacuum needed in transporting material is produced in the conveying piping and/or in a part of it. Each of the units comprises a partial-vacuum generator 125A...125H, which is driven with a drive device 126A...126H. The suction side of the partial- vacuum generators can be connected via the separating means 90A, 90B to the conveying piping 100, 100A, 100AA, 100AB. The blowing side of the partial- vacuum generators 125A...125H, for their part, can be connected in the embodiment of the figure to blow via the line 128AB, 125CD, 128EF, 128GH into the outlet line 129, 130. The diagram according to the figures presents pump devices as partial-vacuum generators, of which pump devices there are in total eight in Fig. 5. In the embodiments according to Figs. 1 -4, four pump devices are presented in each as partial-vacuum generators. There can also be more or fewer partial-vacuum generators than presented, according to the embodiment of the system. The intermediate station according to the invention comprises an intermediate tank 201 , which can be connected to the conveying piping, from which material is fed into the intermediate tank. In the intermediate station is a feed tank 202 for feeding material from the intermediate station into a conveying pipe. The feed tank is e.g. a cylindrical vertical container, the bottom part of which narrows in a funnel- shaped manner towards the output end, from where the material is fed into the conveying piping. From the intermediate tank material is conveyed with the conveyor 208, such as with a screw conveyor, towards the feed aperture between the intermediate tank and the feed tank. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 present yet another embodiment of the invention, in which the intermediate station 200 also has an intermediate tank 201 and a feed tank 202. Between the intermediate station 200 and the waste station 300 are at least two conveying pipes 1 1 1 A, 1 1 1 B, and a selector valve 1 1 OA, which is a multipath valve, with which the conveying path from the intermediate station 200 to the waste station 300 can be connected to the desired separator means 90A, 90B of the waste station and onwards to the partial-vacuum generators. In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the suction side of the partial-vacuum generators 125A and 125B of the waste station is connected via a medium pathway to the separating means 90A, 90B and onwards to the pipelines 1 1 1A, 1 1 1 B, from both of which is a connection to the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station 200. From the first separating means 90A, 90B is a connection via the pipeline 1 1 1 A to the diverter valve 1 1 OA, which in the embodiment is arranged in the proximity of the intermediate station 200. The intermediate station 200 comprises a feed tank 202, into which is a connection from the intermediate tank 201 . In the embodiment of the figure, the feed tank 202 is the feeder channel of the material shaper 210. From the feed tank 202 a conveying pipe section 100A is arranged to the diverter valve 1 10A. With the diverter valve 1 10A it can be selected to which pipe section 1 1 1 A, 1 1 1 B the conveying pipe section 100A is connected. In the figure, the conveying pipe section 100A is connected to the pipe section 1 1 1 A, which comes from the first separator means 90A. In this case via the first separator means 90A the suction effect/partial vacuum achieved by the partial-vacuum generator acts via the conveying pipe section 1 1 1 A, 100A onwards into the feed tank 202 and intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station. The conveying pipe section 1 1 1 B coming from the second separator means is connected to the medium pathway 204 arranged in the top part of the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station. The valve 205 in the medium pathway 204 is open, in which case the partial vacuum of the partial-vacuum generator is able to act also in the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station 200 via the second separator means 90B, the conveying pipe section 1 1 1 B and the medium pathway. The conveying pipe 100, along the side of which are arranged branch conveying pipes 63 comprising feed points 60, is connected to the intermediate tank. From the intermediate tank of the intermediate station the suction effect achieved by the partial-vacuum generators acts further in the conveying pipe 100 and in the branch conveying pipes arranged along the side of it.

In this operating phase the feed tanks 61 of the feed points 60 arranged along the side of the conveying pipe 100 are emptied. In Fig. 6 the feed tank 61 of a feed point 60 being emptied is marked with an arrow. From the feed tank 61 of the feed point the material is conveyed into the branch conveying pipe 63 and onwards into the conveying pipe 100, from where it is displaced into the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station. In the intermediate tank the material 68 is separated from the transporting air.

Fig. 7 presents the operation of the intermediate station of the embodiment of the invention in this operating phase. The shape of the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station 200 and the placement of the conveying pipe 100 coming into the intermediate tank 201 and the placement of the feed aperture between the intermediate tank 201 and the feed tank 202 as well as the placement point of the feed tank 202 are arranged according to a second embodiment. The input aperture of the conveying pipe 100 into the intermediate tank 201 and the feed aperture between the input tank 201 and the feed tank 202 are arranged in essentially the same part of the intermediate tank part 201 . In the embodiment the feed tank 202 is arranged downwards from the feed aperture formed in the base of the intermediate tank 202. The input aperture of the conveying pipe into the intermediate tank 201 is arranged in the intermediate tank in the same end part in which the feed aperture into the feed tank 202 is situated, upwards from the feed aperture. The input aperture of the conveying pipe 100 into the intermediate tank 201 is, according to one embodiment, arranged to direct the material being conducted into the intermediate tank to some extent in the horizontal direction. In this case the material 68 is conducted into the intermediate tank from the input aperture towards the opposite wall 201 ' of the intermediate tank 201 . For conducting the material from the input aperture 100' farther in the intermediate tank and for compacting the material, the feed means 208 in the intermediate tank is configured to convey the material, in the embodiment of the figure, away from the input aperture 100' and/or from the feed aperture between the intermediate tank and the feed tank. The feed means 208, which can be e.g. a feed screw, conveys the waste material 68 in the intermediate tank backwards/into the rear part, preferably towards the wall 201 ' opposite the intermediate tank. The feed movement brought about by the feed means 208 on the waste material thus also causes the waste material to displace in the intermediate tank 201 towards its rear wall 201 ', in which case the rear wall 201 ' of the intermediate tank, which rear wall is formed to be initially inclined upwards from its bottom part from the base part of the intermediate tank (at an angle of a (alfa) with respect to the horizontal) and then to be vertical, turns the material in the intermediate tank 201 . Fig. 8 describes with an arrow the conveying of material via its rear wall 201 ' upwards, in which case it can fill the intermediate tank 201 efficiently. At the same time the waste material is compacted with the feed means 208, in which case more of it can be made to fit into the intermediate tank 201 than without compacting. According to one embodiment with an arrangement according to the invention even twice as much waste can be fitted into the intermediate tank part as without compacting. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the suction effect of the partial-vacuum generators acts in the intermediate tank 201 via the separator means 90A, the conveying pipe 1 1 1 A, the conveying pipe 100A and the feed tank 202, and also in the intermediate tank 201 via the second separator means 90B, the conveying pipe 1 1 1 B, the medium pathway 204. In this case the suction effect extends from the intermediate tank 201 into the conveying pipe 100 going to the feed points. In this case the material can be conveyed in the ways described above from the feed points into the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station 200.

Fig. 8, for its part, presents an operating phase of an intermediate station wherein the material 68 is conveyed from an intermediate station 200 onwards into a conveying pipe 100A. When it is desired to convey the waste material from the intermediate tank 201 , the feed means 208 are used such that it conveys the waste material towards the feed aperture between the intermediate tank 201 and the feed tank 202, from where the waste material is conducted into the feed tank 202. The feed means 208 in the embodiment of Fig. 8 is a feed screw, the direction of rotation of which has been changed to the operating phase of Fig. 7, to be the opposite of the operating phase of Fig. 8. In the operating phase of Fig. 8, the movement of the material 68 in the intermediate tank towards the feed aperture and onwards into the feed tank 202 is described with an arrow.

The waste material conducted into the feed tank 202 is conducted onwards and processed with a rotary shaper 210 arranged in the bottom part of the feed tank part, into the feed aperture of which the material is conducted from the feed tank 202, said feed aperture being simultaneously the output aperture of the feed tank 202. In the embodiment of Figs. 6-8 the feed tank 202 is the feed duct of the rotary shaper 210, from which feed duct the waste material is conducted into the feed aperture of the rotary shaper 210, and after processing onwards into the conveying pipe 100A. When the connection into the conveying pipe 100A, which in the figure is the discharge pipe of the intermediate tank, is opened from the suction side of the partial-vacuum generator, in Figs. 7 and 8 with the valve means 1 10A, the material displaces from the feed tank 202 of the intermediate tank via the output aperture and the rotary shaper 210 into the conveying piping 100A, in which a partial vacuum is acting at least at the moment of emptying the feed tank 202. In this case the material displaces into the conveying pipe 1 1 OA and onwards into the conveying pipe 1 1 1 A going to the separator means 90A. There is a connection from the top part of the intermediate tank 201 of the intermediate station into the replacement air duct 206. Preferably the intermediate tank comprises a wall permeable to air in the proximity of the input aperture of the replacement air duct. In the emptying phase of the intermediate tank also the valve 207 in the replacement air duct 206 is opened and the valve 205 of the medium pathway 204 is closed. In this case replacement air gains access into the intermediate tank via the replacement air duct.

The solutions of Figs. 6- 8 are well suited to embodiments in which the conveying distances from the feed points to the waste station are long, typically a number of kilometers. As the distance lengthens, intermediate stations can be arranged between the feed points and the waste station; this is illustrated in the figures of Figs. 9a, 9b and 10a, 10b, 10c. Figs. 9a and 9b present an embodiment as a generalized diagram, in which an intermediate station 200 is arranged between the feed points 60 and the waste station 300. Fig. 9a presents the emptying of the feed points 60 at the start and diagrammatically the transporting of wastes to an intermediate station 200. In this case the suction effect achieved by the partial-vacuum generators at the waste station 300 is conducted to the intermediate station 200 via a number of pipelines. In Figs. 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 10c the conveying of waste is described with an arrow, the conveying in a pipe of the suction/intake air with an unbroken line, and the state in which a pipe is not in operation/active with a dashed line. In Fig. 9a the distance of the conveying pipe of the feed points 60 to the intermediate station 200 is L1 . The distance L1 according to one embodiment is rather long, typically a number of kilometers, e.g. 2 - 4 km. The distance between the intermediate station 200 and the waste station 300 is L2. The distance L2 according to one embodiment is rather long, typically a number of kilometers, e.g. 2 - 3 km. Parallel pipes, such as conveying pipes, are arranged between the intermediate station 200 and the waste station 300, via which pipes the suction effect achieved by the partial-vacuum generators of the waste station is conducted to the intermediate station 200. In the case of Fig. 9a a number of pipes are used, typically the suction effect/partial vacuum is conducted via conveying pipes to the intermediate station 200 and from the intermediate station 200 onwards in Fig. 9a to a smaller number of conveying pipes for the feed points than the number there are between the intermediate station and the waste station. According to Fig. 9a suction to the intermediate station is achieved with two pipes and one conveying pipe at a time is used for emptying the feed points 60 and for conveying the waste from the feed points to the intermediate station 200. According to Fig. 9b wastes are conveyed from an intermediate station 200 to the waste station along one pipe, in which case the other conveying pipes are not in use.

Figs 10a-10c are simplified figures illustrating a system that is larger than the preceding ones, in which figures the conveying distances from the farthest feed points 60 to the waste station 300 can be very long, in the region of 5-10 km. In the embodiment of Figs. 10-10c two consecutive intermediate stations 200(1 ), 200(2) are arranged between the feed points 60 and the waste station 300. The distance L1 of the feed points 60 from the first intermediate station 200(1 ) is rather long, typically a number of kilometers, e.g. 2 - 3 km. The distance L2 between the first intermediate station 200(1 ) and the second intermediate station 200(2) in the conveying direction of the material is also rather long, typically a number of kilometers, e.g. 2 - 4 km. The distance between the second intermediate station 200(2) and the waste station 300 in the conveying direction of the material is rather long, typically a number of kilometers, e.g. 2 - 5 km. In the embodiment of Figs. 10a-10c there are three parallel pipes between the waste station 300 and the second intermediate station 200(2). There are two parallel pipes between the second intermediate station 200(2) and the first intermediate station 200(1 ). Between the first intermediate station 200(1 ) and the farthest feed points 60 there is one conveying pipe to be used at a time. When, according to Fig. 10a, the feed points 60 are emptied and material is conveyed from them to the first intermediate station 200(1 ) three pipes are used according to the figure for transmitting the suction effect of the partial-vacuum generators of the waste station 300 from the waste station 300 to the second intermediate station 200(2), two pipes from the second intermediate station 200(2) to the first intermediate station 200(1 ), and for conveying material from a feed point 60 to the first intermediate station 200(1 ) one conveying pipe at a time.

Thus, according to Fig. 10b, when the material conveyed to the first intermediate station 200(1 ) is conveyed onwards to the second intermediate station 200(2), only one material conveying pipe is used to convey material from the first intermediate station to the second intermediate station. The suction effect of the partial-vacuum generators of the waste station 300 is transmitted to the second intermediate station 200(2) with three pipes.

In the situation of Fig. 10C the material that has collected in the second intermediate station 200(2) is then conveyed to the waste station using one conveying pipe at a time.

According to Figs. 10a-10c the pipes marked with dashed lines are not active. According to Figs. 10A-10C, when intermediate stations are arranged in the conveying direction between feed points and the waste station, a number of parallel pipes are in use for transmitting the suction effect at least until the nearest intermediate station, at least when material is conveyed from a feed point farther than the nearest intermediate station, or from an intermediate station to the nearest intermediate station or to an intermediate station farther from it.

When there are a number of consecutive intermediate stations in the feed direction between a feed point and the waste station, and when conveying material from a feed point or intermediate station to an intermediate station that is farther than the nearest intermediate station, a smaller number of parallel pipes are used for transmitting the suction effect from the nearest intermediate station than from the waste station to the nearest intermediate station.

According to one embodiment it is also possible that instead of increasing the number of pipes between the waste station and the nearest intermediate station, according to one embodiment the diameter of a pipe can be enlarged, i.e. a pipe of larger diameter can be used between the waste station and the intermediate station nearest the waste station than between the nearest intermediate station and the intermediate station farther from it, which has a pipe diameter in turn larger than the pipe diameter between the farther intermediate station and the feed points.

According to a second embodiment it is possible that the output power of the pump devices can be adjusted, in which case the suction powers/blowing powers to be achieved with the different pump devices can vary according to need. The system according to the invention can be utilized in very many different types of embodiments. Typically in systems wherein conveying distances from the farthest feed point with respect to the waste station, as measured according to the conveying pipe, are thousands of meters, typically even a number of kilometers. When using material shapers 64, 210 in feed points 60 and/or in intermediate stations 200, a rather small pipe diameter of the conveying piping 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E is reached compared to what is conventional, e.g. a pipe diameter which is in the region of approx. 200-300 mm. Considerable savings will be gained by the aid of the embodiments, because the conveying piping is smaller in diameter and the conveying air volume needed for conveying material is smaller.

The invention thus relates to a method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as a waste conveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one feed point 60 of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe 100, which can be connected to a feed point 60, and at least one separating device 90A, 90B, in which the material to be transported is separated from the transporting air, and means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current in the conveying pipe at least during the transporting of the material, which means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current comprise at least one partial-vacuum generator 125A...125H. In the method material is conveyed in a first phase from a feed point 60 into a conveying pipe 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least one partial-vacuum generator 125A...125H in at least one tank space 201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B of an intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B arranged between a feed point 60 and a separating device 90A, 90B, and that in the second phase of the method the material conveyed in the preceding phase into at least one tank space 201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B of an intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B is conveyed by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least one partial-vacuum generator 125A...125H into a separating device 90A, 90B or into a second intermediate station. According to one embodiment in the method at least two parallel intermediate stations 200A, 200B are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space 201 A, 201 B, 202A, 202B of which intermediate stations the material to be transported is conveyed, and from which the material is conveyed into at least one separating device 90A, 90B.

According to one embodiment in the method at least two consecutive intermediate stations 200, 200(1 ), 200(2) are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space of which intermediate stations the material is conveyed and from in the conveying direction of the material at least the very last of which material is conveyed in a second stage into at least one separating device 90A, 90B. According to one embodiment in the first phase of the method material is conveyed only with the conveying pipe section, which in the direction of travel of the material is between a feed point 60 and the first intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B, 200(1 ) at least in the conveying direction of the material, and that material is not conveyed at the same time with the conveying pipe section 100A, 100AA, 100AB from the first intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B and/or from the second intermediate station 200(2) to a separating device 90A, 90B of the waste station 300.

According to one embodiment from each intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B material is conveyed along its own conveying pipe section 100A, 100AA, 100AB into a separating device 90A, 90B.

According to one embodiment when there are a number of intermediate stations 200A, 200B, material is conveyed from a feed point 60 into the tank space of one of the intermediate stations 200A, 200B, and that at essentially the same time the material that has earlier collected in the tank space of another of the intermediate stations 200A, 200B is conveyed from intermediate station 200A, 200B in question into a separating device 90A, 90B. According to one embodiment when material is conveyed from a feed point to an intermediate station a suction effect of a partial-vacuum generator is achieved in the intermediate station with a number of parallel pipelines led to the intermediate station. According to one embodiment if a number of intermediate stations are arranged in the conveying piping consecutively in the conveying direction of material, more parallel pipelines for achieving a suction effect are led to the intermediate station 200(2) nearer the partial-vacuum generator than from the nearest intermediate station 200(2) to the next intermediate station 200(1 ) against the material conveying direction. According to one embodiment the material to be conducted from a feed tank 61 of a feed point 60 into a branch conveying pipe 63 or into the conveying piping is processed with a shaping device 64, such as with a rotary shaper.

According to one embodiment the material to be conducted from the feed tank 202, 202A, 202B of an intermediate station into the conveying piping 100, 100A, 100AA, 100AB, 1 1 1 A, 1 1 1 B is processed with a shaping device 210, such as with a rotary shaper.

According to one embodiment in the method in the first phase the suction side of a partial-vacuum generator is connected to act in the intermediate tank 201 , 201 A, 201 B, e.g. in the top part of it, of an intermediate station.

According to one embodiment in the method in the first phase the suction side of a partial-vacuum generator is connected to act in the intermediate tank 200 or intermediate tanks 200(1 ), 200(2) via a number of parallel pipelines 1 1 1 A, 1 1 1 B. In this case the effect of pressure loss, inter alia, can be significantly reduced and long conveying distances of the system enabled.

According to one embodiment in the second phase the suction side of a partial- vacuum generator is connected to act in the intermediate tank, in the feed tank 202, 202A, 202B, to the outlet side from the direction of the conveying pipe section 100A, 100AA, 100AB.

According to one embodiment in the second phase replacement air is conducted into the intermediate station, with a replacement air duct 206, 206A, 206B.

According to one embodiment in the method material is fed in from the feed points 60 of material, which are the feed points of waste, such as waste receptacles or refuse chutes.

According to one embodiment the distance L1 from the farthest of the feed points in the conveying direction of material to the first intermediate station measured along the conveying pipe is a number of kilometers, typically approx. 1 - 4 kilometers.

According to one embodiment the distance L2, L3 from an intermediate station in the conveying direction of material to the separating means of the waste station or to a second intermediate station closer to the waste station measured along the conveying pipe is a number of kilometers, typically approx. 1 - 4 kilometers.

The object of the invention is also a pneumatic material conveying system, such as a waste conveying system, which material conveying system comprises at least one feed point 60 of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe 100, which can be connected to a feed point 60, and at least one separating device 90A, 90B, in which the material to be transported is separated from the transporting air, and means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current in the conveying pipe 100 at least during the transporting of the material, which means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current comprise at least one partial-vacuum generator 125A...125H. In the system at least one intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B, comprising at least one tank space 201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B, is arranged in a conveying pipe, which tank space can be connected to a conveying pipe between a feed point 60 and a separating device 90A, 90B, and that in the system material is configured to be conveyed initially from a feed point 60 along conveying piping into an intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B, into the tank space 201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B of it, by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved in the conveying pipe by at least one partial-vacuum generator 125A...125H, and that in the system in a second phase the material conveyed into the intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B is configured to be conveyed by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least partial-vacuum generator 125A...125H into a separating means 90A, 90B or into a second intermediate station 200(2).

According to one embodiment at least two parallel intermediate stations 200A, 200B are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space 201 A, 201 B, 202A, 202B of which intermediate stations the material to be transported is configured to be conveyed, and from which the material is configured to be conveyed onwards into at least one separating device 90A, 90B. According to one embodiment at least two consecutive intermediate stations 200, 200(1 ), 200(2) are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space of which intermediate stations material is conveyed and from in the conveying direction of the material at least the very last of which material is conveyed in a second stage into at least one separating device 90A, 90B.

According to one embodiment the intermediate station comprises an intermediate tank 201 , 201 A, 201 B and a feed tank 202, 202A, 202B and also a conveyor device 208, such as a screw conveyor, which is configured to convey material from the intermediate tank 201 , 201 A, 201 B into the feed tank 202, 202A, 202B.

According to one embodiment the system comprises a shaping device 64, such as a rotary shaper, for processing material to be conducted from the feed tank 61 of a feed point 60 into the conveying pipe.

According to one embodiment a shaping device 210, such as a rotary shaper, is arranged in the intermediate station for processing material to be conducted from the tank of the intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B into the conveying pipe.

According to one embodiment the system comprises a number of at least partly parallel conveying pipe sections 100A, 100AA; 100AB between the intermediate stations 200, 200A, 200B and the separating devices. According to one embodiment when material is conveyed from a feed point to an intermediate station, a suction effect of a partial-vacuum generator is configured to be achieved in the intermediate station with a number of parallel pipelines led to the intermediate station. According to one embodiment if a number of intermediate stations are arranged in the conveying piping consecutively in the conveying direction of material, more parallel pipelines for achieving a suction effect are led to the intermediate station 200(2) nearer the partial-vacuum generator than from the nearest intermediate station 200(2) to the next intermediate station 200(1 ) against the material conveying direction. According to one embodiment in the system from each intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B material is configured to be conveyed along its own conveying pipe section 100A, 100AA, 100AB into a separating device 90A, 90B. According to one embodiment the intermediate station comprises a replacement air duct 206, 206A, 206B, in which a valve means 207, 207A, 207B is arranged.

According to one embodiment the intermediate station comprises a medium pathway 204, 204A, 204B, which extends from the conveying pipe from between an intermediate station and a separating device to the tank space of an intermediate station 200, 200A, 200B, more particularly into the top part of said intermediate tank 201 , 201 A, 201 B, in which medium pathway a valve means 205, 205A, 205B is arranged. According to one embodiment the feed points 60 of material are the feed points of waste, such as waste receptacles or refuse chutes.

The discharge valve of a feed point is opened and closed such that suitably large material portions of a suitable size displace from the feed point into the conveying pipe. Material is fed in from a feed point, such as from a waste receptacle or refuse chute, and after it has filled the discharge valve is opened, either automatically or manually.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above, but that it can be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. The characteristic features possibly presented in the description in conjunction with other characteristic features can also, if necessary, be used separately to each other.

Claims

1 . Method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as a waste conveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one feed point (60) of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe (100), which can be connected to a feed point (100), and at least one separating device (90A, 90B), in which the material to be transported is separated from the transporting air, and means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current in the conveying pipe at least during the transporting of the material, which means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current comprise at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H),

c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the method material is conveyed in a first phase from a feed point (60) into a conveying pipe (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E) by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H) in at least one tank space (201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B) of an intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) arranged between a feed point (60) and a separating device (90A, 90B), and in that in a second phase of the method the material conveyed in the preceding phase into at least one tank space (201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B) of an intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) is conveyed by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H) into a separating device (90A, 90B) or into a second intermediate station.

2. Method according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the method at least two parallel intermediate stations (200A, 200B) are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space (201 A, 201 B, 202A, 202B) of which intermediate stations the material to be transported is conveyed, and from which the material is conveyed into at least one separating device (90A, 90B).

3. Method according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the method at least two consecutive intermediate stations (200, 200(1 ), 200(2)) are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space of which intermediate stations material is conveyed and from in the conveying direction of the material at least the very last material of which material is conveyed in a second stage into at least one separating device (90A, 90B).

4. Method according to any of claims 1 -3, characterized in that in the first phase of the method material is conveyed only with the conveying pipe section, which in the conveying direction of material is between a feed point (60) and at least the first intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B, 200(1)) in the conveying direction of the material, and in that material is not conveyed at the same time with the conveying pipe section (100A, 100AA, 100AB) from the first intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) and/or from the second intermediate station (200(2)) to a separating device (90A, 90B) of the waste station (300).

5. Method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that from each intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) material is conveyed along its own conveying pipe section (100A, 100AA, 100AB) into a separating device (90A, 90B).

6. Method according to any of claims 1 -5, c h a ra cte r i zed in that when there are a number of intermediate stations (200A, 200B) material is conveyed from a feed point (60) into the tank space of one of the intermediate stations (200A, 200B), and in that at essentially the same time the material that has earlier collected in the tank space of another of the intermediate stations (200A, 200B) is conveyed from intermediate station (200A, 200B) in question into a separating device (90A, 90B).

7. Method according to any of claims 1 -5, c h a ra cte r i zed in that when material is conveyed from a feed point to an intermediate station, a suction effect of a partial-vacuum generator is achieved in the intermediate station with a number of parallel pipelines led to the intermediate station.

8. Method according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that if a number of intermediate stations are arranged in the conveying piping consecutively in the conveying direction of material, more parallel pipelines for achieving a suction effect are led to the intermediate station (200(2)) nearer the partial-vacuum generator than from the nearest intermediate station (200(2)) to the next intermediate station (200(1)) against the material conveying direction.

9. Method according to any of claims 1 - 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the material to be conducted from a feed tank (61) of a feed point (60) into a branch conveying pipe (63) or into the conveying piping is processed with a shaping device (64), such as with a rotary shaper.

10. Method according to any of claims 1 -9, c h a ra ct e r i z e d in that the material to be conducted from the feed tank (202, 202A, 202B) of an intermediate station into the conveying piping (100, 100A, 100AA, 100AB, 111 A, 111B) is processed with a shaping device (210), such as with a rotary shaper.

11. Method according to any of claims 1 -10, cha racterized in that in the method in the first phase the suction side of a partial-vacuum generator is connected to act in the intermediate tank (201 , 201 A, 201 B), e.g. in the top part of it, of an intermediate station.

12. Method according to claim 11, ch a ra cte ri zed in that in the method in the first phase the suction side of a partial-vacuum generator is connected to act in an intermediate tank (200) or in intermediate tanks (200(1), 200(2)) via a number of parallel pipelines (111 A, 111 B).

13. Method according to any of claims 1 -12, characterized in that in the second phase the suction side of a partial-vacuum generator is connected to act in the intermediate tank, in the feed tank (202, 202A, 202B), to the outlet side from the direction of the conveying pipe section (100A, 100AA, 100AB).

14. Method according to any of claims 1 -13, cha racterized in that in the second phase replacement air is conducted into the intermediate station, with a replacement air duct (206, 206A, 206B).

15. Method according to any of claims 1 -14, characterized in that in the method material is fed in from the feed points (60) of material, which are the feed points of waste, such as waste receptacles or refuse chutes.

16. Method according to any of claims 1 - 15, c h a ra cte r i zed in that the distance (L1) from the farthest of the feed points in the conveying direction of material to the first intermediate station measured along the conveying pipe is a number of kilometers, typically approx.1 - 4 kilometers.

17. Method according to any of claims 1 - 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the conveying direction of material the distance (L2, L3) from an intermediate station to the separating means of the waste station or to a second intermediate station closer to the waste station measured along the conveying pipe is a number of kilometers, typically approx. 1 - 4 kilometers.

18. Pneumatic material conveying system, such as a waste conveying system, which material conveying system comprises at least one feed point (60) of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe (100), which can be connected to a feed point (60), and at least one separating device (90A, 90B), in which the material to be transported is separated from the transporting air, and also means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current in the conveying pipe (100) at least during the transporting of the material, which means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a transporting air current comprise at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the system at least one intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B), comprising at least one tank space (201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B), is arranged in a conveying pipe, which tank space can be connected to a conveying pipe between a feed point (60) and a separating device (90A, 90B), and in that in the system material is configured to be conveyed initially from a feed point (60) along conveying piping into an intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B), into the tank space (201 , 201 A, 201 B, 202, 202A, 202B) of it, by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved in the conveying pipe by at least one partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H), and in that in the system in a second phase the material conveyed into the intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) is configured to be conveyed by the aid of the suction/pressure difference and/or the transporting air flow achieved by at least partial-vacuum generator (125A...125H) into a separating device (90A, 90B) or into a second intermediate station (200(2)).

19. System according to claim 18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least two parallel intermediate stations (200A, 200B) are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space (201 A, 201 B, 202A, 202B) of which intermediate stations the material to be transported is configured to be conveyed, and from which the material is configured to be conveyed onwards into at least one separating device (90A, 90B).

20. System according to claim 18 or 19, cha racterized in that at least two consecutive intermediate stations (200, 200(1), 200(2)) are arranged in the main conveying pipe, into the tank space of which intermediate stations the material is conveyed and from in the conveying direction of the material at least the very last of which material is conveyed in a second stage into at least one separating device (90A, 90B).

21. System according to any of claims 18 -20, c h a ra cte ri zed in that the intermediate station comprises an intermediate tank (201, 201 A, 201 B) and a feed tank (202, 202A, 202B) and also a conveyor device (208), such as a screw conveyor, which is configured to convey material from the intermediate tank (201, 201 A, 201 B) into the feed tank (202, 202A, 202B).

22. System according to any of claims 18 - 21, c h a ra cte ri zed in that the system comprises a shaping device (64), such as a rotary shaper, for processing material to be conducted from the feed tank (61) of a feed point (60) into the conveying pipe.

23. System according to any of claims 18 -22, c h a ra cte ri z ed in that a shaping device (210), such as a rotary shaper, is arranged in the intermediate station for processing material to be conducted from the tank of the intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) into the conveying pipe.

24. System according to any of claims 18-23, ch a ra cte rized in that the system comprises a number of at least partly parallel conveying pipe sections

(100A, 100AA; 100AB) between the intermediate stations (200, 200A, 200B) and the separating devices.

25. System according to any of claims 18 - 24, characterized in that when material is conveyed from a feed point to an intermediate station, a suction effect of a partial-vacuum generator is configured to be achieved in the intermediate station with a number of parallel pipelines led to the intermediate station.

26. System according to claim 25, c h a ra ct e r i z e d in that if a number of intermediate stations are arranged in the conveying piping consecutively in the conveying direction of material, more parallel pipelines for achieving a suction effect are led to the intermediate station (200(2)) nearer the partial-vacuum generator than from the nearest intermediate station (200(2)) to the next intermediate station (200(1)) against the material conveying direction.

27. System according to any of claims 18 - 26, characterized in that in the system from each intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B) material is configured to be conveyed along its own conveying pipe section (100A, 100AA, 100AB) into a separating device (90A, 90B).

28. System according to any of claims 18-27, ch a ra cte rized in that the intermediate station comprises a replacement air duct (206, 206A, 206B), in which a valve means (207, 207A, 207B) is arranged.

29. System according to any of claims 18-28, ch a ra cte rized in that the intermediate station comprises a medium pathway (204, 204A, 204B), which extends from the conveying pipe from between an intermediate station and a separating device into the tank space (201, 201 A, 201 B) of an intermediate station (200, 200A, 200B), more particularly into the top part of said intermediate tank (201, 201 A, 201 B), in which medium pathway a valve means (205, 205A, 205B) is arranged.

30. System according to any of claims 18-29, ch a ra cte rized in that the feed points (60) of material are the feed points of waste, such as waste receptacles or refuse chutes.