WO2017121488A1

WO2017121488A1 - Loading system and method for guiding the flow of bulk goods

Info

Publication number: WO2017121488A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/050795
Authority: WO
Inventors: Urban REINHART
Original assignee: Bühler AG
Priority date: 2016-01-15
Filing date: 2016-01-15
Publication date: 2017-07-20
Also published as: AR107371A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a loading system for guiding the flow of bulk goods. The loading system (1) comprises a product inlet cone (12) having the shape of a truncated cone to guide the bulk goods from an open base surface (122) of the product inlet cone towards an open end surface (124) of the product inlet cone. The loading system further comprises a product outlet shovel (14) connected to the product inlet cone by a hinge (C) having a rotation axis, the product outlet shovel having a product flow main surface (142) contacting the product inlet cone. The product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel is arcuated in flow direction of the bulk goods, particularly arcuated if seen in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the hinge. The invention also relates to a method for guiding the flow of bulk goods, wherein the product outlet shovel is hingedly adjusted relative to the product inlet cone, particularly depending on at least one pre-determined loading parameter, and bulk goods are filled into the loading system. The bulk goods flow through the product inlet cone and then through the product outlet shovel. The invention also relates to a method for changing over a loading apparatus comprising a truncated cone to the loading system as discussed herein.

Description

Loading system and method for guiding the flow of bulk goods

The invention relates to a loading system and a method for guiding the flow of bulk goods. Loading systems of this kind are suitable for loading bulk goods, such as free flowing food products, for example, grains as rice, wheat or corn, but also mealy products such as soymeal or other flour products, in a reservoir, for example, in the hatch of a ship. However, known loading systems are not suitable for loading food products or products having comparable characteristics to the grains or mealy products as listed above. Current solutions often merely slam the product onto an inclined plane plate for directing the product into a reservoir so that individual kernels are separated from the main flow and cause an overflowing effect spreading the product flow and thus causing the emission of dust during the loading procedure.

If configuring known loading systems for other products such as coals or iron, dust emission during the loading procedures is not of essential importance, whereas for food products fugitive dust emission should be limited, for example, in view of increasing regulations in such areas. Moreover, the throwing radius of the bulk goods leaving the loading system may differ, depending on material characteristics of the bulk goods and/or available space in the reservoir to be filled with the bulk goods. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a loading system enabling a dust-reduced and efficient loading of bulk goods into a reservoir and a respective method thereof. The above object can be achieved by the loading system and respective methods according to the present invention.

The loading system of the present invention is based on a combination of a truncated cone through which the bulk goods is bundled due to the decreased cross section in flow direction and an outlet shovel hingedly connected to the truncated cone to allow a direct transition for the flowing bulk goods between an inner surface of the truncated cone and an inner surface of the outlet shovel. In doing so, dust emission during the loading procedure can be reduced, particularly since the inner surface of the outlet shovel is arcuated if seen in a cross section of the outlet shovel perpendicular to the rotation axis of the hinge between truncated cone and product outlet shovel. Due to the thus smooth transition between cone and arcuated (and, for example, appropriately inclined) shovel, a mixture of the flowing bulk goods with ambient air and thus turbulences and/or the emission of fugitive dust are limited on the one hand, and - on the other hand - the bulk goods leaving the loading system in a controlled manner can be cast over a well-defined distance and/or radius into the reservoir to be loaded because of the bundled and thus more defined product flow. In particular, the present invention relates to a loading system for guiding the flow of bulk goods. The loading system comprises a product inlet cone having the shape of a truncated cone to guide the bulk goods from an open base surface of the product inlet cone towards an open end surface of the product inlet cone. The loading system further comprises a product outlet shovel connected to the product inlet cone by a hinge having a rotation axis. The product outlet shovel has a product flow main surface contacting the product inlet cone (particularly at the open end surface of the product inlet cone), wherein the product flow main surface is arcuated in flow direction of the bulk goods, particularly arcuated if seen in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the hinge.

Particularly, a truncated cone has an axis of symmetry which is the center line or length axis of the truncated cone, in the following referred to as center length axis of the product inlet cone. Likewise, "center length axis" also means the axis of a component along its length (usually along the flow direction) and through the geometrical center of the cross section, particularly essentially perpendicular to the length of the component, at the open end surface of the component. The open end surface of a component usually is the opening through which the flow of the bulk goods leaves the component, whereas the open base surface usually is the opening of the component through which the flow of the bulk goods enters the component.

The cross section of the product inlet cone may decrease in direction of its center length axis (which usually is the direction of the flow of the bulk goods). For example, the lateral surface of the (regular) truncated cone is angled towards the center length axis at an angle of 1 ° or more, for example, up to 15°, particularly up to 10° or up to 7° or up to 5°, compared to the lateral surface of a regular cylinder. In doing so, the flow of the bulk goods can be compressed while passing through the product inlet cone to limit any mixture with ambient air resulting in turbulences within the product flow.

Moreover, the product inlet cone may provide for optimized diameters at the open base surface and/or at the open end surface of the product inlet cone, particularly appropriate to bundle the bulk goods as discussed herein.

For example, it may be advantageous that the bulk goods have enough time to be bundled/compacted if passing through the product inlet cone. This may, for example, be achieved by particularly carefully choosing the dimensions of the components of the loading system, for example, the dimensions of the product inlet cone.

In an embodiment, the diameter of the open base surface is between about 350 mm to about 900 mm, particularly between about 500 mm to 700 mm. The diameter of the open end surface is between about 300 mm to about 500 mm, particularly between about 350 mm and about 450 mm. In an embodiment, the length of the product inlet cone (which is the length of the center length axis) is between about 300 mm to about 1000 mm, particularly between about 500 mm and about 800 mm. Regarding the product outlet shovel, its product flow main surface usually is the surface mainly receiving the bulk goods from the product inlet cone, wherein the bulk goods leave the product inlet cone at its open end surface. Therefore, the product flow main surface (directly) contacts the product inlet cone to provide a direct and smooth transition between those two components. In an embodiment, the product outlet shovel has side walls directly contacting the product flow main surface and also guiding the flow of bulk goods through the product outlet shovel.

In particular, the (maximal) diameter/width of the open base surface of the product outlet shovel is not larger than, and/or for example almost equal to, the diameter of the open end surface of the product inlet cone. Thereby, the product flow stays at least as bundled as before when leaving the product inlet cone, and the creation of further turbulences due to larger diameter/widths of the following component(s) is avoided.

In an embodiment, the cross section of the product outlet shovel decreases in flow direction of the bulk goods, for example, by an angle of between about 1 ° and 5° towards the center length axis of the product outlet shovel. For example, the width of the product flow main surface decreases in flow direction so that the cross section of the product outlet shovel decreases, too.

The product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel has a straight length which is the length of a distance between the center of the width of the product flow main surface at the open base surface of the product outlet shovel and the center of the width of the product flow main surface at the open end surface of the product outlet shovel.

In an embodiment, the straight length of the product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel is between about 700 mm and about 1500 mm, particularly between about 800 mm to 1300 mm, more particularly between about 900 mm and 1200 mm.

In an embodiment, the rotation axis of the hinge between the product inlet cone and the product outlet shovel is perpendicular to the plane defined by a cross section of the product outlet shovel along the center length axis of the product outlet shovel and/or the center length axis of the product inlet cone. That means, if the product outlet shovel is inclined with respect to the product inlet cone, the plane is defined by the center length axis of the product inlet cone and the center length axis of the product outlet shovel.

In an embodiment, if seen in the cross section of the product outlet shovel in the plane as discussed above, the arc of the arcuated product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel has at least one center of a circle to which the arc belongs. The center of the circle can, for example, be found in an area (within the plane) beyond the center length axis of the product outlet shovel if seen from the arc in the plane. In fact, the radius of the arcuated product flow main surface in the plane is not infinite. The arc provides for a smooth transition between the product inlet cone and the product outlet shovel.

In an embodiment, the radius of the arcuated product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel in the plane is between about 1000 mm to about 3000 mm, particularly between about 1200 and 2000 mm. In an embodiment, the arc may have more than one center of a circle and thus more than one radius, for example, if the curvature of the arc changes within the plane. However, even if the curvature may change, there are no inflection points within the arc, but only the degree of curvature smoothly changes. Thereby, a smooth transition between the product outlet shovel and, for example, any further component to be connected to the end of the product outlet shovel can be provided.

In an embodiment, the hinge between/connecting the product inlet cone and the product outlet shovel may be a hydraulic and/or electric hinge, and/or the inclination angle of the product outlet shovel towards the center length axis of the product inlet cone is adjustable via the hinge.

In an embodiment, the loading system comprises a product outlet blade which is fixedly mounted or rotatably and/or hingedly connected to the product outlet shovel. In particular, the product outlet blade provides for an extension of the product outlet shovel so that the open end surface of the product outlet shovel is identical to the open base surface of the product outlet blade. In doing so, a direct and smooth transition between the product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel and a product flow main surface of the product outlet blade can be achieved to limit turbulences within the flow of the bulk goods.

For example, the product outlet blade is fixedly mounted to the product outlet shovel, for example, by means of screws. Alternatively, there is a pivot bearing between the product outlet shovel and the product outlet blade so that the product outlet blade may be rotated around its center length axis. Additionally and or alternatively, a hinge is provided between the product outlet shovel and the product outlet blade so that the product outlet blade may be inclined with respect to the product outlet shovel.

In an embodiment, the cross section of the product outlet blade decreases in flow direction of the bulk goods. For example, the cross section of the product outlet blade perpendicular to a center length axis of the product outlet blade decreases, particularly if the width of the product flow main surface of the product outlet blade decreases in flow direction.

In an embodiment, the product flow main surface of the product outlet blade is plane, and particularly is not arcuated in flow direction as the product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel. Due to that, the flow of the bulk goods can further be controlled to cast/throw the bulk goods leaving the loading system in the preferred direction and additionally as far as preferred.

In an embodiment, the product outlet shovel and/or the product outlet blade have an open cross section, particularly at a side opposite to the respective product flow main surface. In such case, the product outlet shovel and/or the product outlet blade can easily be connected to the other components of the loading system to realize a direct and smooth transition between the components, and the product flow can easily be monitored (e.g. by sensors) and thus better be controlled. In an embodiment, the cross section of the product outlet shovel and/or the product outlet blade has the shape of an octagon. For example, the cross section perpendicular to the center length axis of the product outlet blade has the shape of a (particularly regular) octagon, in particular only at the end of the product outlet blade in flow direction and/or only at the beginning of the product outlet blade in flow direction and/or any cross section of the product outlet blade has the shape of a (particularly regular) octagon. In the latter case, for example, if the width of the product flow main surface decreases in flow direction, the widths of the side walls of the octagon decrease accordingly.

Should the product outlet shovel and/or the product outlet blade have an open cross section, an open octagon shape of the cross section means, for example, that a top part of the octagon is missing, wherein the top part is an area defined by a side opposite to the product flow main surface and its direct side walls (as is exemplary shown in Fig. 4d).

In an embodiment, the loading system further comprises a pivot bearing at the open base surface of the product inlet cone to connect the product inlet cone to an adapter. Particularly, the pivot bearing is rotatable around the center length axis of the product inlet cone. That means, the product inlet cone and the adapter are then rotatable with respect to each other, for example, around the center length axis of the product inlet cone. In doing so, the throw direction of the bulk goods leaving the loading system can be adjusted, particularly, if the adapter and/or a further supply pipe connected to the adapter have to be in a particular position, the product inlet cone (and thus also the product outlet shovel and optionally the product outlet blade) can be rotated relative to the adapter to provide a suitable throw direction for the bulk goods leaving the loading system. In this connection, it should be noted that - according to an embodiment - the product outlet shovel and/or the product outlet blade are not rotatable around the center length axis of the product inlet cone without rotation of the product inlet cone around that axis.

For example, the loading system may comprise the adapter so that the adapter is part/component of the loading system. In an embodiment, the adapter is located in flow direction upstream to the product inlet cone and/or particularly with a cross- section decreasing in flow direction of the bulk goods. In particular, the adapter has the function of transferring the shape of a supply pipe or any other supply component for the bulk goods to the required shape of the open base surface of the product inlet cone. Usually, the open base surface of the product inlet cone may be a true circular surface.

In an embodiment, the adapter may have a conical shape, for example, decreasing the cross section perpendicular to the center length axis of the adapter towards the product inlet cone. For example, the open end surface of the adapter has the same size as (and is in fact identical to) the open base surface of the product inlet cone. The open base surface of the adapter may have any other shape, for example, an elliptical or quadrangular or round shape, wherein the open base surface of the adapter perpendicular to the center length axis of the adapter (and thus the cross section of the adapter at the open base) is larger than the respective open end surface of the adapter.

In doing so, the adapter may be constructed in such a way that it does not matter what shape, for example, a supply pipe for the bulk goods has, since the adapter provides for an optimal product consolidation for entering the product inlet cone.

In an embodiment, the loading system is at least partially made of a wear protection material (e.g. an appropriate steel, plastic or ceramic). In particular, parts/components/surfaces of the loading system are lined with such a protection material, for example, a ceramic coating and/or with ceramic plates. In an embodiment, the product inlet cone and/or the product outlet cone are provided with at least one wear protection material (e.g. a ceramic-lining), and/or at least a part or even the whole inner surface of the product inlet cone and/or the product outlet shovel is wear protected (e.g. ceramic-lined). For example, all inner surfaces (i.e. surfaces which might be contacted by the bulk goods during their guiding through the loading system) of the loading system may be wear-protected (e.g. ceramic-lined). A wear protection (e.g. ceramic lining) of parts of the loading system might help fulfilling particular hygiene regulations and/or might positively affect the speed of the bulk goods flow and thus the throw distance and/or the throw range of the bulk goods leaving the loading system. The invention also relates to a method for guiding the flow of bulk goods. The method comprises a step of providing a loading system comprising a product inlet cone and a product outlet shovel hingedly connected to the product inlet cone and arcuated in flow direction of the bulk goods. Further, the method comprises a hingedly adjusting of the product outlet shovel, relative to the product inlet cone. The method further comprises a step of filling bulk goods into the loading system. For example, the bulk goods flow through the product inlet cone and then through the product outlet shovel when the method is carried out.

In an embodiment, the loading system is the loading system as discussed herein.

For example, the inclination between the product outlet shovel and the product inlet cone is adjusted by using the hinge between/connecting the product inlet cone and the product outlet shovel. The inclination angle may be adjusted (and may then be in a fixed position) for the subsequent method steps in order to control the bundling of the flow of bulk goods and/or control the way the bulk goods leave the loading system. In particular, the adjusting may depend on at least one pre-determined loading parameter. For example, the parameter may be a throw range or a throw distance of the bulk goods leaving the loading system and/or a product characteristic of the bulk goods, such as the grain size and/or the (relative) humidity of the bulk goods, and/or the density and/or the mass of the product to be loaded into a reservoir.

By considering the parameter which is pre-determined in the sense that the parameter is known before starting the method, the method can be further adapted to the circumstances in connection with, for example, the bulk goods and/or the reservoir, so that the loading procedure can further be optimized by providing an improved guiding of the bulk goods flow through the loading system. In particular, the hingedly adjusting of the product outlet shovel may mean that the inclination of the product outlet shovel relative to the center length axis of the product inlet cone may be adjusted via the hinge to control the guiding of a bundled flow of the bulk goods through the loading system and to control the throw distance and throw range of the bulk goods leaving the loading system.

In an embodiment, the invention also relates to a method for changing over a loading apparatus to the loading system as discussed herein. In such case, the loading apparatus may already comprise a truncated cone so that other components and/or configurations as defined herein for the loading system have to be realized according to the invention. For example, the truncated cone of the loading apparatus can then be used as the product inlet cone of the loading system as discussed herein. The method to change over the loading apparatus to the loading system of the present invention then comprises a step of providing the product outlet shovel as discussed herein, a step of preparing the product inlet cone to be configured for being connected to the product outlet shovel, and a step of hingedly connecting the product outlet shovel to the product inlet cone.

For example, the truncated cone of the loading apparatus to be used as the product inlet cone of the later loading system is, for example, disconnected from further components, particularly at its open end surface, and thus prepared for being connected to the provided product outlet shovel. Then, the product outlet shovel can be connected to the product inlet cone by a hinge to adjust the inclination between center length axis of the product inlet cone and a tangent at the end of the arcuated product flow main surface of the product outlet shovel (where the bulk goods flow leaves the product outlet shovel in flow direction) as discussed herein. In doing so, and by optionally additionally providing, preparing, and connecting further components to the loading system as discussed herein, the loading apparatus is changed over to the loading system of the present invention with the features as described herein.

Generally, the loading system of the present invention is developed to have a highly optimized configuration and particularly shaped components to reduce the creation and spreading of dust in the atmosphere by bundling the product flow. With the speed of the grains and/or mealy products coming from the adapter and/or the open base surface of the product inlet cone, product bundling by the product inlet cone and the product outlet shovel, combined with the adjusted inclination (via the hinge between product inlet cone and product outlet shovel) of the product outlet shovel, the product gets a forward momentum and can be cast over a certain throw distance, for example of up to 6 m, particularly of up to 8 m or even of up to 10 m. The pre-determined (i.e. previously chosen) throw distance depends on product, product speed, system inclination, inclination of vertical spout, etc., however, throw distances between 4 m to 12 m (particularly between 6 m to 9 m) may be achieved by the loading system of the present invention for the food products as discussed above.

Basic explanations, general definitions and particular features which are described in a specific paragraph in the present application (for example, with respect to the loading system and its components) also apply to other paragraphs (for example, with respect to the methods) in this application.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be discussed in more detail below on the basis of embodiments for a better understanding thereof, without the invention being restricted to the embodiments.

Figure l a shows a schematic perspective view of a loading system; Figure lb shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a loading system; Figure l c shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a loading system; Figure 2a shows a schematic perspective view of a product inlet cone;

Figure 2b shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product inlet cone; Figure 3 a shows a schematic perspective view of a product outlet shovel;

Figure 3b shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product outlet shovel; Figure 3c shows a schematic top view of a product outlet shovel;

Figure 3d shows a schematic perspective view of a product outlet shovel;

Figure 4a shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product outlet blade connected to a product outlet shovel;

Figure 4b shows a schematic perspective view of a product outlet blade;

Figure 4c shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product outlet blade;

Figure 4d shows a schematic front-viewed cross section of a product outlet blade.

Fig. l a shows a schematic perspective view of a loading system 1 , and Fig. lb shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a loading system 1. The loading system 1 comprises a product inlet cone 12 and a product outlet shovel 14. The product outlet shovel 14 has a product flow main surface 142, which is arcuated as best seen in Fig. lb. In an embodiment, the loading system 1 also comprises a product outlet blade 16 having a product flow main surface 162. The product outlet blade 16 is connected to the product outlet shovel 14, for example, by means of screws. As shown in Fig. lb, the product flow main surface 142 of the product outlet shovel 14 directly contacts the product inlet cone 12 at a hinge rotation axis C so that a direct and smooth transition between the inner surface of the product inlet cone 12 and the product flow main surface 142 of the product outlet shovel is realized. An inclination angle between the product outlet shovel 14 and the product inlet cone 12 can be achieved by appropriately adjusting the hinge. As shown in Fig. lb, the inclination angle a can be adjusted via the hinge, wherein a is determined between the center length axis of the product inlet cone 12 and the product flow main surface 162 of the product outlet blade 16. For example, the product flow main surface 162 of the product outlet blade as shown in Fig. lb is connected to the product flow main surface 142 of the product outlet shovel 14 to again provide for a direct and smooth transition between the two components 14 and 16. As shown in Fig. lb, the product inlet cone 12 has an open base surface 122 and an open end surface 124 through which the bulk goods pass reaching the product outlet shovel 14. In an embodiment, the loading system 1 may comprise an adapter 19 for connecting, for example, a not shown product inlet pipe to the product inlet cone 12 or for easier supply of the bulk goods into the loading system 1. As indicated by the arrows in Fig. l a, the bulk goods are filled into the loading system and then guided as a bundled flow through the components of the loading system 1 to be finally thrown in a particular direction into a reservoir (not shown).

As shown in Fig. Ic, the throw direction and the throw distance can be adjusted by appropriately choosing the inclination angle between product inlet cone 12 and product outlet shovel 14, as indicated by the angle a in Fig. I c between product inlet cone 12 and product outlet blade 16, , depending on the means for adjusting an inclination angle via the hinge C.

Figure 2a shows a schematic perspective view of a product inlet cone 12, and Figure 2b shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product inlet cone 12. In particular, the product inlet cone 12 has an open base surface 122 through which the bulk goods pass to the open end surface 124. The inner surface of the product inlet cone 12 can be lined with wearing plates 126, for example, for hygiene reasons and/or to optimize the speed of the product flow. At the open base surface 122, a flange 121 may integrally be provided with the product inlet cone 12, for example, to connect the product inlet cone 12 to a further component of the loading system. As shown in Figs. 2a and 2b, there is an angle γ between the lateral surface of the product inlet cone 12 and the center length axis of the truncated cone so that the bulk goods are bundled while passing through the product inlet cone 12. The length of the truncated cone is indicated as L₁₂, the diameter of the open base surface 122 is W_maxi2, the diameter of the open end surface 124 is W_mj_{n l2}, any diameter between those is W]₂, and the largest diameter of the flange 121 is W₀₁₂. Fig. 3a shows a schematic perspective view of a product outlet shovel 14, Fig. 3b shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product outlet shovel 14, Fig. 3c shows a schematic top view of a product outlet shovel, and Fig. 3d shows a schematic perspective view of a product outlet shovel. In particular, the product outlet shovel 14 has a product flow main surface 142 mainly receiving the product flow of bulk goods from the upstream product inlet cone 12 (not shown here). The product flow main surface 142 is arcuated as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b, for example, to provide a smooth transition between the upstream product inlet cone 12 and the product outlet shovel 14 for the product flow in order to avoid the emission of dust due to turbulences within the flow. The product outlet shovel 14 may have side walls 144 some of which directly contacting the product flow main surface 142 and further bundling the product flow. Connection surfaces 148 and 149 are provided at the product outlet shovel 12 in order to connect further components to the product outlet shovel, for example, by screws. Similar to the product inlet cone 12 as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b, the inner surface of the product outlet shovel may be provided with ceramic plates 146. The product outlet shovel 14 has a largest length Lj which particularly corresponds to the straight length of the arcuated product flow main surface 142 of the product outlet shovel 14. Further, the width W₁₄ of the product flow main surface 142 has a largest value W_{max l}4 at the open base surface of the product outlet shovel 14 and a smallest value WminH at the open end surface of the product outlet shovel 14. Exemplarily, Fig. 3d shows the cross section of the product outlet shovel 14 as being the hatched area 140, perpendicular to the flow direction as indicated by the arrow. The decrease of the width W₁₄ of the product flow main surface 142 can also be indicated by angle δ as shown in Fig. 3d and supports the bundling of the product flow.

Fig. 4a shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product outlet blade 16 connected to a product outlet shovel, Fig. 4b shows a schematic perspective view of a product outlet blade 16, Fig. 4c shows a schematic side-viewed cross section of a product outlet blade 16, and Fig. 4d shows a schematic front-viewed cross section of a product outlet blade 16 which may also be applied to the product outlet shovel discussed herein. In particular, the product outlet blade 16 has a product flow main surface 162 and connection surfaces 168 and 169. For example, the product outlet blade 16 may be connected to the product outlet shovel 14 via their connection surfaces 168 and 148 as shown in Fig. 4a. The product outlet blade 16 has side walls 164 some of which directly connected to the product flow main surface 162. Similar to the configuration of the product outlet shovel 14, the product outlet blade 16 may also provide a decrease of the effective cross section perpendicular to the flow direction, for example, due to the fact that the width of the product flow main surface 162 decreases in flow direction. Moreover, similar to the product inlet cone 12 and the product outlet shovel 14, the inner surface of the product outlet blade 16 may be lined with ceramic plates 166. As best shown in Fig. 4c, the height of the side walls of the product outlet blade 16 having the length L₁₆ may decrease in flow direction, at least over a partial length LR₁₆ of the product outlet blade 16 to a smallest height of HR₁₆. Fig. 4d exemplarily shows a cross section 160 of the product outlet blade 16 at its open base surface, which cross section may be identical to the cross section of the product outlet shovel 14 at its open end surface. The cross section 160 has the shape of an octagon, in the sense that the shape of the cross section 160 is based on an octagon. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, an upper part of the octagon has been cut to provide an open channel for the product flow, for example, in order to inspect the guiding of the bulk goods through the loading system.

In view of the above, the invention provides for an improved loading system, for example, achieving a product flow of up to 1200 t/h, particularly up to 1600 t/h or even up to 2000 t/h. In an embodiment, the speed of the product flow leaving the product inlet cone as discussed herewith may be 3 m/s or more, for example, between 3 m/s and 10 m/s, particularly 5 m/s or more, for example between 5 m/s and 7 m/s, thus providing a loading system bundling the bulk goods to a solid product flow passing the loading system at a well-controlled speed to avoid any dust emission due to turbulences within the flow. For example also on the basis of the above basic explanations, general definitions and features as well as the explanations of the drawings, the present invention starts out from the basic idea that a solid product flow is guided through a loading system by realizing a smooth transition between the components of the loading system particularly bundling and further directing the product flow to better control the whole loading procedure of bulk goods into a reservoir.

In view of the foregoing, a modular loading system is provided comprising a product inlet cone and a product outlet shovel. The loading system is developed to bundle the product flow and delivers the flow in such a way that turbulences in the product are limited, thus providing a controlled solid product flow. Such solid product flow limits the emission of dust and enables that the product leaves the loading system in a bundled manner so that the throw range and throw distance of the product can further be controlled.

Claims

Loading system (1 ) for guiding the flow of bulk goods, comprising: a product inlet cone (12) having the shape of a truncated cone to guide the bulk goods from an open base surface (122) of the product inlet cone (12) towards an open end surface ( 124) of the product inlet cone (12), a product outlet shovel (14) connected to the product inlet cone (12) by a hinge (C) having a rotation axis, the product outlet shovel (14) having a product flow main surface (142) contacting the product inlet cone (12) particularly at its open end surface (124), wherein the product flow main surface (142) of the product outlet shovel (14) is arcuated in flow direction of the bulk goods, particularly arcuated if seen in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the hinge (C).

Loading system (1) of claim 1 , wherein the cross section (140) of the product outlet shovel (14) decreases in flow direction of the bulk goods.

Loading system (1) of claim 1 or 2, comprising a product outlet blade (16) which is fixedly mounted or rotatably and/or hingedly connected to the product outlet shovel (14).

Loading system (1 ) of claim 3, wherein the cross section (160) of the product outlet blade (16) decreases in flow direction of the bulk goods, and/or the product outlet blade (16) having a plane product flow main surface (162) in flow direction of the bulk goods.

Loading system (1 ) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the product outlet shovel (14) and/or the product outlet blade (16) has an open cross section (140; 162), particularly at a side opposite to the respective product flow main surface (142; 162), and/or wherein the cross section (140; 160) of the product outlet shovel (14) and/or the product outlet blade (16) has the shape of an octagon.

6. Loading system (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of the arcuated product flow main surface ( 142) of the product outlet shovel (14) in the plane is between about 1000 mm to about 3000 mm, particularly between about 1200 and 2000 mm.

7. Loading system (1 ) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the straight length (L₁₄) of the product flow main surface (142) of the product outlet shovel (14) is between about 700 mm and about 1500 mm, particularly between about 800 mm to 1300 mm, more particularly between about 900 mm and 1200 mm, and/or wherein the width (WH) of the product flow main surface (142) of the product outlet shovel (14) decreases in flow direction of the bulk goods.

8. Loading system (1) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pivot bearing (18) at the open base surface (122) of the product inlet cone (12) to connect the product inlet cone (12) to an adapter (19), and particularly wherein the pivot bearing is rotatable around the center length axis of the product inlet cone (12).

9. Loading system (1) of claim 8, further comprising the adapter (19), particularly located in flow direction upstream to the product inlet cone (12) and/or particularly with a cross-section decreasing in flow direction of the bulk goods.

10. Loading system (1 ) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the length (Lj₂) of the product inlet cone (12) is between about 300 mm to about 1000 mm, particularly between about 500 mm and about 800 mm, and/or the diameter (W_MAX) of the open base surface ( 122) is between about 350 mm to about 900 mm, particularly between about 500 mm to 700 mm, and/or the diameter (W_mj_n) of the open end surface (124) is between about 300 mm to about 500 mm, particularly between about 350 mm and about 450 mm.

1 1 . Loading system (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the loading system (1 ) is at least partially ceramic-lined, particularly wherein the product inlet cone (12) and/or the product outlet shovel (14) are lined with ceramic plates (126; 146).

12. Method for guiding the flow of bulk goods, comprising: providing a loading system (1) comprising a product inlet cone (12) and a product outlet shovel (14) hingedly connected to the product inlet cone (12) and arcuated in flow direction of the bulk goods, wherein the loading system (1) is particularly the loading system (1 ) of any of the preceding claims, hingedly adjusting the product outlet shovel (14) relative to the product inlet cone (12), particularly depending on at least one pre-determined loading parameter, filling bulk goods into the loading system (1 ), wherein the bulk goods flow through the product inlet cone (12) and then through the product outlet shovel (14).

13. Method of claim 12, wherein the pre-determined parameter is a throw range or throw distance of the bulk goods leaving the loading system (1) and/or a product characteristic of the bulk goods.

14. Method for changing over a loading apparatus comprising a truncated cone to the loading system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 1 1.

15. Method of claim 14, wherein the cone of the loading apparatus is the product inlet cone (12) of the loading system (1 ), and wherein the method comprises: providing the product outlet shovel (14), preparing the product inlet cone (12) to be configured for being connected to the product outlet shovel ( 14), hingedly connecting the product outlet shovel (14) to the product inlet cone

(12).