Patent Grant
11745221
The present invention relates to an operating method for a separator as well as a separator for classifying.
An operating method for a wind separator as well as a corresponding wind separator, in each case integrated into a jet mill for generating finest particles, is known from DE 102006048864 A1. This wind separator of the jet mill includes a separating wheel and a separating wheel shaft as well as a separator housing. A separator gap is thereby defined between the separating wheel and the separator housing, and a shaft passage is formed is formed between the separating wheel shaft and the separator housing. In the case of this wind separator, it is provided that a gap flushing of separator gap and/or shaft passage takes place with compressed gases of low energy content, even though the grinding nozzles of the jet mill themselves are charged with energy-rich superheated steam. The special feature of this design is the combination that grinding nozzles are loaded with energy-rich superheated steam, thus a high-energy medium, while low-energy media are used in the case of the separator.
An operating method for a jet mill plant and a jet mill plant, each comprising a separator, is known from EP2696981B1, which includes a separator shaft and a bearing housing for said separator shaft as well as a separating wheel, wherein superheated steam is used as operating means for the jet mill plant, and wherein the supply of seals between the separator shaft and the bearing housings thereof as well as between the separating wheel and a fine product discharge housing of the jet mill plant takes place by means of the superheated steam.
The known methods and separators generally lead to good results. It is the goal of the present invention to improve the operating method for a separator as well as a separator in such a way that the higher fineness in the case of the output ground product can be attained in particular compared to a separation by means of air or inert gases.
This goal is reached by means of an operating method for a separator for classifying in particular grinding material, wherein superheated steam is supplied to the separator as separating gas, and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam as separating gas is selected to be so low that in particular no condensation of the superheated steam occurs in the separator.
The above-mentioned goal is further is further reached by means of a separator for classifying in particular grinding material, wherein the separator includes a separating gas supply comprising a water infeed for generating superheated steam as separating gas, and wherein adjusting or regulating means for the temperature of the superheated steam are provided as separating gas and are designed in such a way that the temperature of the superheated steam as separating gas is adjusted to be so low that in particular no condensation of the superheated steam occurs in the separator.
The inventors have recognized that the separating result during a separation by means of a dynamic separating wheel is a function on the used process gas, i.e. separating gas, among other things. By means of the selection of the separating gas, the separating step between coarse material, which is supplied, for example, to the further grinding, and fine material, which, as desired output product, is thus output from the separator as final product or for further processing, can thus be influenced. For example, when using argon compared to air, the separation limit shifts by 18% towards being coarse, with otherwise unchanged process parameters:
dtargon=1.18dtair,
wherein
dtargon=separating grain diameter argon (use as separating gas)
dtair=separating grain diameter air (use as separating gas)
In other words, the output product is output in a coarser manner only by means of the use of argon instead of air as separating gas. The inventors thereby further found out as invention that when using superheated steam as separating gas compared to air, the separation limit shifts towards being fine:
dtsteam=0.8dtair,
wherein
dtsteam=separating grain diameter steam (use as separating gas)
Practical analyses have shown that during the separation with superheated steam as separating gas, even significantly higher fineness is attained, than is suggested by the above-mentioned theoretic factor of 0.8 compared to air.
It is assumed that the improved separation limit or separation sharpness when using superheated steam instead of air as separating gas a type of additivation of the product occurs during the separating process, which further results in a significantly higher yield in an advantageous manner.
The inventors have furthermore recognized that during the separation with superheated steam, the temperature of this separating gas is relevant for the result. They have thus found that the separator separates more coarsely in the case of higher separating gas temperatures and that it is thus a further criterion that due to the fact that superheated steam condenses when falling below the saturated steam temperature, the separating gas temperature is to be set in such a way when using superheated steam that a condensation of the steam in particular does not occur in the process. The technical from this is thus that a minimum of the necessary separating gas temperature, i.e. of the hot steam or superheated steam, should be sought:
dth=(Th/Tu)0.25
wherein
dth=separating grain diameter as a function of the temperature of the separating gas
Th=high temperature of the separating gas
Tu=lower temperature of the separating gas
Limits of the temperature for superheated steam:
Tu=approx. 383 K (approx. 10 K above saturated steam temperature)
Th=approx. 723 K
Further parameters, which are noteworthy in the context of the invention and which are to advantageously be included in particular in the selection and adjustment of the temperature of the separating gas, both procedurally and with regard to equipment by means of corresponding sensor and determining means, and in each case individually or in any combination, are:
In the case of the operating method for a separator for classifying in particular grinding material, it can advantageously further be provided that the superheated steam is used in a recirculating gas process. It can thereby be provided as preferred and advantageous further development that the necessary superheated steam is generated by the supply of liquid water.
A further preferable design of the operating method for a separator for classifying in particular grinding material lies in that superheated steam is supplied to the separator also for flushing a separator gap of the separator and/or for protecting the bearings of the separator against product contaminations.
Advantageously, the operating method for a separator for classifying in particular grinding material can be further developed in that a pressure difference is generated by means of a separating gas blower or separating gas compressor in order to convey the flow of the separating gas, optionally in the cycle. It can thereby further preferably be provided that the pressure difference is adjusted or regulated as a function of plant resistances, wherein it can even further in particular be provided that the temperature of the superheated steam is used as separating gas in the separator in connection with the heating and the output of the separating material for the adjustment or regulation of the temperature of the superheated steam.
An even further preferred design for the operating method for a separator for classifying in particular grinding material lies in that the temperature of the superheated steam as separating gas takes place by means of adjustment or regulation of quantity and/or temperature of liquid water, which is introduced into the separating gas.
The separator can advantageously be further developed in that a cycle for the superheated steam is present. In the alternative or in addition, it can be provided that flushing means are present for a separator gap of the separator and/or to protect the bearings of the separator against product contaminations, and are designed to supply superheated steam to the corresponding spots.
Yet a further advantageous design of the separator lies in that a separating gas blower or separating gas compressor for conveying the flow of the separating gas is optionally present in the cycle by means of a pressure difference. It can hereby advantageously further be provided that adjusting or regulating means are provided for the separating gas blower or the separating gas compressor for adjusting or regulating the pressure difference as a function of plant resistances, which can be further developed even more by means of at least one temperature probe for the superheated steam, which is assigned to the outlet of the separator, and which is functionally coupled to the adjusting or regulating means for the temperature of the superheated steam as separating gas, so that the output of this temperature probe is used as input, which is to be considered, of the adjusting or regulating means for the temperature of the superheated steam.
It can moreover advantageously be provided in the case of the separator that the water infeed are coupled to the adjusting or regulating means for the temperature of the superheated steam as separating gas and are designed in such a way that the adjustment or regulation of the temperature of the superheated steam as separating gas is realized via this by means of adjustment or regulation of quantity and/or temperature of liquid water, which is introduced into the separating gas.
Further preferred and/or advantageous designs of the invention and of its individual aspects result from combinations of the dependent claims as well as from the entire application documents at hand.
A few exemplary descriptions for concrete designs are also specified below, and exemplary embodiments of the invention are described only in an exemplary manner with reference to the drawing, in which
The invention will be described in more detail only in an exemplary manner by means of the described exemplary embodiments and examples of use, i.e. it is not limited to these exemplary embodiments and examples of use. Method and device features in each case follow analogously also from device or method descriptions, respectively.
Individual features, which are specified and/or illustrated in connection with a concrete exemplary embodiment, are not limited to this exemplary embodiment or the combination with the remaining features of this exemplary embodiment, but can be combined with any other alternatives, even if they are not separately discussed in the present documents, as far as technically possible.
An exemplary embodiment of a separator 1 is illustrated in
The underlying method is a method for separating, i.e. for classifying, in particular grinding material, in particular but not mandatorily from a mill (not shown), such as, for example, a jet mill, with superheated steam, preferably but not limited thereto in a recirculating gas process, wherein the separator 1 is integrated in the mill during the process run, optionally upstream of a grinding material outlet, or can be connected downstream from the mill, i.e. the grinding material outlet thereof, as separate apparatus.
The separator 1 includes a dynamic separator wheel 2, which is arranged in a separator housing 3 so as to be capable of rotating around a separator wheel axis (not shown), and which is spaced apart by means of a so-called separator gap (not shown) from the inner wall (not identified) of the separator housing 3. The separator wheel 2 is rotatably supported in at least one bearing (not shown) of the separator 1 in order to accomplish the rotatability thereof.
An exemplary embodiment, which is to only be understood in an exemplary manner in order to clarify setup and operating method of the separator 1 will be described below with further details with reference to
The product flow in the separator 1 is as follows:
Separating material S, which originates, e.g., from a mill (not shown) or the grinding chamber thereof (not shown), is supplied to the separator 1 via a separating material feed as separator inlet 4. In order to separate the process from the atmosphere, the separating material S is introduced in a metered manner into the separator housing 3, for example, but not mandatorily, via a rotary gate valve as feed gate 5. Coarse material G, which has to be ground further or once again or which is sorted out, because it is still too coarse, leaves the separator 1, for example through a coarse material gate 6.
Fine material F, which meets the desired final specifications, passes through the separator wheel 2 and is conveyed into a filter 7 with separating gas, and leaves this filter 7 for closing off with respect to the atmosphere, for example through a fine material gate 8. The separating gas is at least largely transferred to a separating gas or generally process gas compressor 9, upstream of which for example a safety or police filter 10 is connected for the protection thereof.
A description now follows of the flow of the separating flow, or based on the separator, generally process gas flow, for the exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated schematically in
In the case of the shown example, the separating gas compressor, which can be realized, e.g., by means of a separating gas blower 9 and which can be referred to as such, generates the necessary pressure difference for conveying the process gas and in particular separating gas in a cycle. The separating/process gas blower or the separating/process gas compressor 9 is to thereby advantageously be designed in such a way that all plant resistances can be overcome in order to generate a stable process gas flow and in particular separating gas flow.
The process gas in the form of superheated steam divides into 3 partial flows:
1) separating gas
2) cracked gas for flushing the separator gap
3) bearing gas to protect the bearings against product contaminations
Superheated steam is used for all 3 partial gas flows, the sum of which result in the process gas flow, but of which only the separating gas flow is relevant for the aspects according to the invention for generating a higher/better fineness of the fine material F. It is advantageous and is to thus preferably be sought not to supply any air into the recirculating gas process, if possible. This would lead to a dilution of the process gas and to a shift of the viscosities and densities, which would shift the separation of the separator to be coarse.
It is advantageous, among other things, when the bearing (not shown) and also the separator gap (not shown) of the separator 1 is likewise flushed with superheated steam, which is branched off from the separating gas stream for these purposes.
Further components of the exemplary embodiment of the separator 1 shown in
Due to the fact that superheated steam condenses when falling below the saturated steam temperature, the separating gas temperature is to be set in such a way when using superheated steam that a condensation of the steam in particular does not occur in the process. In other words, a minimum of the necessary separating gas temperature is to be sought here.
dth=(Th/Tu)0.25
wherein
dth=separating grain diameter as a function of the temperature of the separating gas
Th=high temperature of the separating gas
Tu=lower temperature of the separating gas
Limits of the temperature for superheated steam:
Tu=approx. 383 K (approx. 10 K above saturated steam temperature)
Th=approx. 723 K
Further parameters, which are noteworthy in the context of the invention and which are to advantageously be included in particular in the selection and adjustment of the temperature of the separating gas, both procedurally and with regard to equipment, by means of corresponding sensor and determining means, and in each case individually or in any combination, are:
The generation of the superheated steam will be discussed below in an exemplary manner and in detail in this respect.
In the recirculating gas process, energy flows are supplied and discharged. An energy balance can be performed during the permissible assumption of an adiabatic system in the recirculating gas process.
Supplied energy flows: Q.sup
Discharged energy flows: Q.dis
Difference of the energy flows:
dQ.=mH2O*(h exhaust steam−h H2O liquid)
wherein
Q.=heat energy in Watt
{dot over (m)}=mass flow kg/s
cp=thermal capacity in j/kgK
T=temperature in K
h=enthalpy in J/kg
The difference of the energy flows is used to evaporate and to overheat the added liquid water.
In the case of the shown exemplary embodiment, it is crucial thereby that the addition quantity of the liquid water, which is supplied via the water infeed 18, takes place in such a way that the resulting steam is present in superheated form at each spot of the plant due to the difference of the energy flows. The water infeed 18 is connected downstream from the separating or process gas blower in the flow direction of the separating and process gas, where the highest temperature level lies in the plant, i.e. of the separator 1 with all of its components.
The temperature regulation in the recirculating gas process will now be discussed in more detail in the case of the presently addressed exemplary embodiment.
To ensure that the steam is present in superheated form at each spot of the plant, i.e. of the separator 1, the recirculating gas temperature is measured at different spots of the plant.
The temperature downstream from the separator 1 is used as regulating variable. As expected, the largest temperature drop will be generated here due to the heating and the output of the separating material. This temperature drop can be calculated. A defined water quantity in liquid state is supplied downstream from the separating gas or process gas compressor as a function of the temperature downstream from the separator 1. The water quantity to be supplied is selected in such a way that a sufficient temperature difference above saturated steam temperature (approx. dT=10 to 100 K) is applied upstream of the separating gas or process gas compressor.
The following parameters can be considered for the adjustment or regulation of the water quantity to be supplied, which is realized via corresponding sensors (not shown) as well as adjusting or regulating means 20:
The process is cooled by means of the evaporation enthalpy of the water, and can thus be held at a constant temperature level. Superheated steam is generated thereby. A falling below of the saturated steam temperature is to be avoided by all means because condensate is otherwise generated, and a secure mode of operation of the process is thus no longer possible. Due to the fact that the saturated steam temperature is a function of the pressure, this pressure is preferably measured continuously in the plant, i.e. in the separator 1, and the saturated steam temperature is calculated therefrom. A reconciliation with the actual temperatures preferably likewise takes place continuously.
To ensure that no heat flow loss to the environment occurs, the complete plant, i.e. the separator 1, is preferably heat insulated. The input elements, in particular rotary gate valve as feed gate 5, and output elements, in particular coarse material gate 6 and fine material gate 8, as well as filter 7 and safety or police filter 10, are advantageously equipped with additional trace heating.
Some details for the pressure regulation in the recirculation gas process will now also be specified for the respective exemplary embodiment.
The supplied water quantity, which is evaporated and superheated by means of the energy differences between input and output in the recirculating gas process, has to leave the cycle again, because the pressure would otherwise rise in the plant. For this purpose, an operating pressure sensor 15, which regulates the plant pressure via the regulating valve 13 or a corresponding regulating flap, is installed upstream of the separator housing 3. As a function of the supplied water quantity and discharged gas quantity, any or required plant pressure can thus be adjusted. The air located in the plant and the air supplied by means of the product during the operation are discharged from the process due to this water quantity, which transitions into superheated steam.
A further pressure regulation via the supply pressure sensor 16 and the regulating valve 17 is provided upstream of the separating gas or separating or process gas compressor 9. If necessary, the total plant resistance can be increased thereby. As a result, the energy input is increased by means of the separating/process gas blower or the separating/process gas compressor 9. This can be necessary in the case of very high throughputs and, associated therewith, stronger cool-down of the process gas during the separating process by means of the discharge of coarse material G and fine material F.
Plant characteristic curves/process parameters/operating parameters are shown in an exemplary manner in
For a first sample calculation, the operating parameters are illustrated in
With regard to equipment, following features of the process are to be mentioned or emphasized as individual or combinable effects and design options for the operating method for the comparator 1 for classifying in particular grinding material as well as this separator 1:
A further pressure regulation via the supply pressure sensor 16 and the regulating valve 17 can be provided upstream of the separating or process gas compressor 9. If necessary, the total plant resistance can be increased thereby. As a result, the energy input is increased by means of the separating/process gas blower or the separating/process gas compressor 9. This can provide for an advantageous compensation in the case of very high throughputs and, associated therewith, stronger cool-down of the process gas during the separating process by means of the discharge of coarse material G and fine material F.
The invention is described in the description only in an exemplary manner by means of the exemplary embodiment and preferred embodiments, and is not limited thereto, but comprises all variations, modifications, substitutions, and combinations, which the person of skill in the art can gather from the present documents, in particular in the context of the claims, and the general descriptions in the introduction of this description, as well as from the description of the exemplary embodiments, and which he can combine with his expert knowledge as well as the prior art. All individual features and design possibilities of the invention can in particular be combined.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2020 006 724.7 | Nov 2020 | DE | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7866582 | Nied | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 8047458 | Nied | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8074907 | Nied | Dec 2011 | B2 |
| 20100065668 | Nied | Mar 2010 | A1 |
| 20100170966 | Makino | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100200681 | Lee | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20140021275 | Nied | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20170234528 | Winter | Aug 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 107115945 | Sep 2017 | CN |
| 109453876 | Mar 2019 | CN |
| 111397395 | Jul 2020 | CN |
| 3915552 | Nov 1990 | DE |
| 19824062 | Dec 1999 | DE |
| 102006048864 | Apr 2008 | DE |
| 2696981 | May 2015 | EP |
| 2012245516 | Dec 2012 | JP |
| WO-2016029892 | Mar 2016 | WO |
| WO-2020146337 | Jul 2020 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220134383 A1 | May 2022 | US |
