Patent Grant
11427973
The present invention relates to a plant for the production of mixtures in the form of conglomerates with bituminous and non-bituminous binders provided with a dryer. The invention finds useful although not exclusive application in the production of bituminous conglomerates, in particular for road paving.
In the field of the production of mixtures in the form of conglomerates with bituminous and non-bituminous binders it is known to use a dryer for eliminating humidity from the conglomerates before their mixing with the binders to obtain the mixture in the form of conglomerates with binders, for example to obtain bituminous conglomerate, that is to say, a ready-to-use bituminous mixture, in particular for road paving.
It is also known to use reclaimed asphalt pavement, or RAP, which consists of bituminous conglomerate deriving from the milling of road pavements to be renovated and that is mixed in the plant for the production of new asphalt or bituminous conglomerate for the purpose of allowing the recycling of the reclaimed material.
The solution that represents the state of the art in the use of reclaimed material consists of a plant with a first drum on the ground for virgin aggregates or conglomerates combined with a second drum for the recycled or reclaimed material, which is placed in a parallel position with respect to the first drum.
The first drum is provided with a respective first burner for obtaining the drying of the virgin aggregates or conglomerates which are dried by means of the exposure to the flame of the first burner. The first drum and respective first burner assembly constitutes a first dryer for virgin aggregates or conglomerates.
The second drum for the reclaimed or recycled material is heated with the input of hot air. By the heating with hot air one avoids the contact between the flame of the second burner and the reclaimed or recycled material, limiting the heating of the reclaimed or recycled material to temperatures of the order of 160° C. This allows to produce asphalt at the final temperature using only recycled material. The production of hot air occurs through a second burner with a corresponding dedicated combustion chamber from which hot air at a temperature higher than 550-600° C. exits in order to obtain a better control of stack emissions. The second drum and respective second burner assembly constitutes a second dryer for reclaimed or recycled material.
In this solution of a plant provided with a first dryer for virgin aggregates or conglomerates and a second dryer for recycled or reclaimed material, the dryers are placed above the mixer so as to avoid jams of heated recycled material in the feeding chutes of the material and between the dryer and the mixer there are containment hoppers. The traditional line of a plant with sieve and hoppers is placed parallel to the dryer and the material is conveyed in the sieve through specific elevators and then in the mixer through a suitable chute. In this type of plants one tries to have as few deviations of the recycled or reclaimed material as possible to avoid problems of jamming of the latter, while preferring to use deviators only for virgin aggregates or conglomerates.
In the prior art solutions the plant is thus provided with two burners that work in the two different dryers.
In the case of the first dryer for virgin aggregates or conglomerates, the first burner has a rated power of the order of 20 MW, for example between 13 and 24 MW depending on production and on the humidity present in the material to be treated.
In the case of the second dryer for recycled or reclaimed material, the second burner has a rated power of the order of 13 MW, for example between 9 and 13 MW depending on production and on the humidity present in the material to be treated. Patent EP0362199, in the name of the same applicant, describes an apparatus for the production of bituminous conglomerate using a rotatable drying and mixing drum having a flow of combustion gas in countercurrent which is generated by means of a burner placed downstream with respect to the direction of advancement of the material to be dried. The drum is provided with means for advancing, drying, impregnating and mixing the material with bituminous substances and fillers. The drum is divided into multiple chambers communicating with each other. The burner is provided with a respective nozzle that generates a flame in a combustion chamber.
Patent application U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,498 describes an apparatus for recycling bituminous conglomerate comprising an elongated rotating drum in which the composition is introduced in a first end and recovered in the opposite second end, and having a burner which extends in the drum in such a way that the nozzle of the burner is located inside the drum in an intermediate position between the first and the second end and directs the hot gases towards the first end.
Patent WO 2016/078755, in the name of the same applicant and incorporated herein as reference, describes a dryer for a plant for the production and distribution of bituminous conglomerates comprising a suction system of air from the dryer and further provided with connecting means to a damping system of polluting compounds that are generated in the plant, wherein the damping system of polluting compounds comprises generation means of an airflow containing said polluting compounds which are drawn from different positions of the plant and are introduced in the airflow containing the polluting compounds in such a way that the polluting compounds are introduced into the dryer whose flame causes a combustion of the polluting compounds generated in the plant.
Application U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,287 describes a plant for the production of asphalt, which is provided with a continuous drum mixer in which the dust is exhausted from an intermediate zone of the drum mixer between its drying and mixing zones. The dust is exhausted radially through openings into a collection housing, which communicates with a dust collector and exhaust blower. An end housing at the discharge end of the drum communicates with the same dust collector and blower. Dampers are provided to control the relative proportion of air exhausted from the drum through the respective housings. Aggregate deflectors on the interior wall of the drum at the intermediate zone allow air and dust to flow while inhibiting the flow of aggregate. The collection housing surrounding the intermediate zone is of a size such as to produce a reduction in the velocity of the air as it passes out of the drum. Consequently, it serves as a knock-out box for the collection of larger particles which are carried out of the drum, but which settle out of the air stream as a result of the velocity decrease. These collected particles are reintroduced into the drum by scoops on the exterior of the drum. These scoops are also used for the introduction of recycled asphaltic concrete.
Application EP0641886 describes a drum for heating rock material and granular recycled asphalt having an inlet and outlet chute for the rock material and the recycled asphalt and a burner at one drum end. A large quantity of granular recycled asphalt is to be heated and added to the new rock material. The solution provides that the inlet chute for the recycled asphalt is arranged at the other drum end remote from the burner, that the outlet chute for the heated recycled asphalt is approximately arranged in the middle of the drum, that the inlet chute for the rock material is arranged after the outlet chute for the heated recycled asphalt towards the burner end of the drum and that the outlet chute for the heated rock material is arranged at the burner end of the drum.
The prior art solutions based on the use of two dryers, each of which is provided with a respective burner, have high operating rated powers because the presence of the two burners easily leads to the exceedance of the power limits set by the regulations above which specific authorizations for the installation of the plant are required.
With particular reference to EP0641886, despite providing a single burner, this patent application is subject to problems with reference to the fact that it does not provide or suggest the possibility to manage the temperature of the hot air flows through the two dyers.
Furthermore the use of high power plants involves greater problems as to the polluting emissions, which are high, having to provide suitable emission damping systems dimensioned on the high rated powers of operation of the plant.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a dryer and a plant that guarantee a reduction in the employed rated power and reduced maintenance.
The aim is achieved by the characteristics of the main claim. The sub-claims represent advantageous solutions.
The solution according to the present invention, by the considerable creative contribution the effect of which constitutes an immediate and important technical progress, has various advantages.
The solution according to the present invention allows to reduce the rated power of the plant, facilitating the installation of plants according to simpler and faster authorization procedures.
The solution according to the present invention also allows to save energy in the phases of production and operation of the plant.
The solution according to the present invention also allows to reduce the release of polluting compounds into the environment during the production of mixtures in the form of conglomerates with bituminous and non-bituminous binders.
The solution according to the present invention also allows to make more compact plants reducing the occupied surface.
The solution according to the present invention also allows to use recycled materials in a flexible mode with used percentages in the final mixture of the final product which can be in the range 0 to 100%.
Furthermore, with the present invention it is allowed to provide plants with a reduced nominal used power, with a hi capacity of use of recycled materials and with reduced maintenance.
The solution according to the present invention also allows to reduce the phenomena of jamming of the material, making the plant more efficient.
Furthermore the plant integrating the solution according to the invention also allows to obtain further advantages with regard to the reduced maintenance thereof, making the plant more efficient and reducing operating costs.
The solution according to the invention, moreover, is more cost-effective due to:
In the following a solution is described with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are to be considered as a non-exhaustive example of the present invention in which:
With reference to the figures (
The invention finds useful, although not exclusive, application in the production of bituminous conglomerate, in particular for road paving.
The plant (1) operates according to a production cycle that occurs by means of the synchronization of a series of phases and intermediate operations. The production cycle starts with a phase of selection and feeding of the inert lithic materials. A mechanical means, generally a mechanical shovel, collects the inert lithic materials from heaps of non-selected material. The inert lithic materials are stored in different first deposit means, not shown, according to the different granulometry. For example there can be first deposit means that are distinct for inert lithic materials of small granulometry, for inert lithic materials of medium-sized granulometry, for inert lithic materials of large-sized granulometry. In this way it is possible to perform a selective feeding on the basis of the granulometry of the inert lithic materials, which can thus be sent selectively, by means of suitable pre-proportioning devices of the inert lithic materials which then supply the plant by means of conveyor means, such as extraction belts known in the art. The inert lithic materials are then subjected in the plant (1) to the following operating phases of the process, in particular a first operating phase of drying that is carried out in a dryer (4), as explained in the following of the present description. The production cycle ends with the loading of the conglomerate (
For the preparation of the mixtures in the form of bituminous conglomerates, in addition to the inert lithic materials, one can also use recycled conglomerates, which are contained within second deposit means, not shown, provided with a pre-proportioning device specific for this type of material. The recycled conglomerate for example may consist of recycled asphalt products. The recycled conglomerate coming from the second deposit means, once dispensed by the pre-proportioning device can be sent to the dryer (4) by means of a second elevator (12) or elevator of inert materials to be used as heat recycled material, or can be sent directly downstream with respect to the dryer (4) to be used as cold recycled material. As an alternative, in one embodiment, in the case of the production that provides the use of cold recycled material, one can also use the plant (1) passing unheated material in the dryer, inserted in a dedicated deposit hopper for the cold recycled material.
In the case in which the recycled conglomerate is not previously divided on the basis of the granulometry, the plant (1) will have to also provide a specific sieve and a mill for reducing the size before the introduction into the plant. As an alternative, the recycled conglomerates can be previously divided on the basis of the granulometry and stored in different second deposit means, each of which is intended for a different granulometry. A control unit (18) of the production cycle automatically carries out the adjustment of capacity of each of the first deposit means and of any one or more second deposit means.
The inert lithic materials and the recycled conglomerates, if present, are sent, by means of the first elevator (8) or elevator of inert materials and the second elevator (12) or elevator of inert materials respectively, towards (
The gases produced in the dryer (4) that come out of the dryer (4) are initially conveyed in a pre-separation device (20) provided with a pre-separation compartment in which the largest particles fall to the base of the compartment and are reintroduced in the production cycle, through a reintroduction device, such as one or more cochlea devices (17′, 17″), in correspondence of an outlet of the dryer (4) which is the outlet of the recycled materials or RAP or recycled conglomerates or towards the zone of passage of the outlet of the sifted inert lithic materials. The purpose of said pre-separation device is to reinsert in the process some materials necessary to obtain the correct granulometric curve and, in case of use of RAP, to reduce the harmful emissions. In fact, such larger particles contain bitumen and, by holding back the gases or fumes in the pre-separation device (20), they can be advantageously separated from the finer particles and, afterwards, reintroduced in the production cycle without harmful releases into the environment.
The gases or fumes that come out of the dryer (4) and that crossed the pre-separation device (20) are then sent (
After crossing the dryer (4) the inert lithic materials are sent to a mixer (14) where the process for obtaining the bituminous conglomerates continues. At the outlet the dryer (4) the granulometries of the introduced inert lithic materials are mixed with each other. Sometimes it is appropriate, in order to improve their proportion, to carry out a phase of further selection of the latter with separation on the basis of the respective granulometries. To this purpose the inert lithic materials are introduced (
The re-selected inert lithic materials are then stored in optional buffer means, preferably in the form of buffer hoppers under the sieve (10). The buffer means, preferably a series of buffer hoppers under the sieve (10), consisting of different buffer hoppers each of which is associated with a different granulometry range, interrupt the material flow, that up to that point occurs preferably without interruptions. Each of the buffer hoppers under the sieve (10) is provided with a suitable discharge opening. The discharge openings of the buffer hoppers under the sieve (10) discharge by gravity the re-selected inert lithic materials implementing a proportioning phase in which the various granulometries are proportioned by means of third weighing means (24), preferably in the form of a weighing hopper of inert lithic materials. The third weighing means (24) or weighing hopper of inert lithic materials are placed directly under the buffer hoppers under the sieve (10).
For example the various granulometries can be introduced in sequence one after the other in third weighing means (24) made in the form of a weighing hopper suspended over loading cells carrying out a phase of proportioning based on the sum of the weighs. The feeding of the various granulometries occurs depending on the different productive formulations that one can implement. The third weighing means (24) or weighing hopper of inert lithic materials are connected to the mixer (14) by means of an exhaust (31), preferably in the form of a chute.
Meanwhile the fine dusts, previously separated by means of the dedusting filter (6) and accumulated in the hopper (19), are sent (
Afterwards a mixer (14) carries out (
The binder, preferably bitumen, is proportioned by weight and is stored at a temperature that facilitates its pumping. The binder is dispensed towards the mixer (14) at a temperature that provides the best results during the phase of mixing with the conglomerate. The heating occurs by means of a thermal unit of the plant, which is separate with respect to the represented plant portion. The thermal unit consists of one or more tanks heated by corresponding one or more boilers or electrical resistors. The inert lithic materials plus any recycled conglomerates, the binder and the filler are introduced in sequence in the mixer (14) that physically makes the mixture obtaining the mixture in the form of bituminous conglomerates. In order to optimize production times, the components that will have to be introduced in the mixer (14) later are weighed while a mixing of the previously introduced components is already in progress. The so produced conglomerate can be stored directly or by means of grab buckets or transport shuttles in suitable storage and deposit means (35) in a phase of storage of the mixture in the form of bituminous conglomerates. Preferably the storage and deposit means (35) are made in the form of silos. In the described embodiment the storage and deposit means (35) are placed below the mixer (14), but in alternative embodiments the storage and deposit means (35) can also be placed laterally with respect to the main body of the schematically illustrated plant. The trucks (7), that is to say, the vehicles for the transport of the conglomerate, are refilled directly from the storage and deposit means (35) under the control of the control unit (18) under the supervision of the operator that adjusts or sets the quantity of mixture in the form of bituminous conglomerates that is released by the storage and deposit means (35).
The control unit (18) preferably enables the control of the whole production cycle by means of a management, supervision and setting system.
During the production of mixtures in the form of bituminous conglomerates and also during the loading phases on the trucks (7) it is possible to have diffuse emissions containing polluting compounds, such as organic components, normally defined as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons (APHs), etc. Advantageously it is provided that the polluting compounds are sucked preventing their release into the environment and that such polluting compounds are opportunely damped and eliminated as will be explained in the following of the present description. In particular it is provided that such polluting compounds are burnt by means of the exposure to suitable temperatures higher than 400° C., preferably higher than 600° C. In fact, it has been found that at temperatures higher than those indicated the polluting compounds are easily combustible by means of thermal oxidation if exposed to such temperatures for a sufficient period of time, of the order of a few seconds, preferably in a range between 1 and 5 seconds, even more preferably in a range between 1.5 and 2 seconds.
As a consequence in the plant one can also provide an operating method that includes one or both of the following phases:
The principle of operation, in this case, provides that the polluting compounds are sucked together with the air by means of drawing or suction means from one or more zones that are subject to the presence of such polluting compounds. For example one can provide first drawing or suction means (37′) in correspondence of at least one loading station of the trucks (7) in such a way as to enable the suction of the polluting compounds also during the phases of loading of the trucks (7). In order to efficiently prevent the input of the polluting compounds into the environment it can be provided that the first drawing or suction means (37′) are installed according to a configuration such as to suck the air from a cabin or tunnel within which the truck (7) can enter during the loading phases. The cabin will preferably be essentially airtight in such a way that the cabin is maintained under depression by means of the first drawing or suction means themselves, thus efficiently preventing the emissions into the environment. Furthermore, for example, one can provide second drawing or suction means (37″) in correspondence of the mixer (14). Furthermore, for example, one can provide third drawing or suction means in correspondence of conveyor means of the bituminous conglomerates towards the one or more storage silos as well as fourth drawing or suction means of the air with polluting compounds from the storage silos of the bituminous conglomerates.
The suction of the air with polluting compounds will preferably occur by means of a second suction system (39), distinct with respect to the first suction system (16) of air from the dryer. In practice the second suction system (39) will comprise introduction means (40) of the airflow containing the polluting compounds within the first dryer portion (4′), for example in the form of at least one second connection (38) in the form of a pipe connecting the drawing means (37′, 37″) or suction means to the first dryer portion (4′) (4). The second suction system (39) of the air with polluting compounds comprises a respective suction fan that conveys the air with polluting compounds towards a respective filtering device (41) of the air with polluting compounds. The second suction system (39) of the air with polluting compounds is connected in such a way as to convey the air with polluting compounds towards the first dryer portion (4′) of the plant (1) where there is the flame (49) of the burner (5), in particular in such a way as to convey the air in correspondence of the outlet zone of the material from the first dryer portion (4′), the airflow being oriented in countercurrent with respect to the direction of advancement (27) of the material within the first dryer portion (4′).
In particular said solution, described in Patent Application UD2014A000178, in the name of the same applicant and that is incorporated as reference herein, describes, with reference to the solution as in the present application, a plant for the production and distribution of bituminous conglomerates provided with a dryer (4) wherein the first dryer portion (4′) comprises (
The first dryer portion (4′) comprises deviation means of the airflow containing the polluting compounds which are configured to deviate the airflow towards a perimetrically external surface or shell of the first dryer portion (4′). The deviation means are configured and structured to move away the airflow at least from a generation zone of the at least one flame (49) and the deviation means are configured and structured to generate a turbulence in the airflow increasing the permanence time of the polluting compounds within the first dryer portion (4′). The at least one flame (49) of the burner (5) causes a combustion of the polluting compounds.
The deviation means of the airflow containing the polluting compounds towards the flame (49) of the burner (5) are configured and structured to convey the polluting compounds according to a conveying direction which is oriented concordantly with a direction according to which the flame (49) is oriented. Furthermore, there are adjustment means of the combustion temperature of the polluting compounds by means of the flame (49), the combustion temperature being higher than 400° C., preferably higher than 600° C.
The deviation means can for example be selected from one or more of the following:
In one embodiment there can be both the deflector or section reducer and the screen according to a configuration in which they are spaced apart with respect to each other and facing each other, the screen being arranged essentially around the burner (5) in such a way as to surround at least an initial part of the flame (49) and the deflector or section reducer being arranged in an advanced position with respect to the screen, wherein the term advanced position refers to the direction of advancement of the airflow, the deflector or section reducer being placed near a zone of the first dryer portion (4′) essentially corresponding to an end zone of the development of the flame (49).
The generation means of the airflow are configured and structured to adjust the airflow obtaining an airflow in a range from about 1000 to about 20000 Nm3/h of air with a constant flow rate, wherein Nm3/h refers to a measurement of the flow rate in m3/h under normal pressure and temperature conditions of 1 atmosphere and 20° C. respectively.
One can also provide adjustment or switching means of the operating power of the burner (5) between at least two different power levels of which a first power level having a lower operating power with respect to the operating power of a second power level, in which:
For example the power of the first power level can be between about ⅙ and ⅓ of the power of the second power level, preferably the power of the first power level being between about ⅕ and ¼ of the power of the second power level.
For example the power of the first power level can be between 1.5 and 7 MW, preferably between 2 and 6 MW, even more preferably between about 2.5 and about 3.5 MW and the power of the second power level can be between 9 and 24 MW, preferably between 12 and 22 MW, even more preferably between about 15 and about 20 MW, for a production rate of about 280 tons/hour of conglomerate.
Furthermore, one can also provide a solution in which the adjustment or switching means of the operating power of the burner (5) are configured for the switching between at least three different power levels of which the previously defined first power level having a lower operating power with respect to the operating power of the previously defined second power level, and further a third power level between the first power level and the second power level, the third power level being such as to cause mainly or only the drying of the materials to be treated within the first dryer portion (4′). For example the power of the third power level is between about ⅔ and 3/3 of the power of the second power level. For example the power of the third power level is between 7 and 15 MW, preferably between 8 and 14 MW, even more preferably between about 9 and about 12 MW, for a production rate of about 140-180 tons/hour of conglomerate.
The drawing means or suction means are placed in correspondence one or more suction positions selected from:
The suction position in correspondence of the loading station of one of said road transport vehicles or trucks (7), which is provided with first drawing or suction means (37′), is preferably made in the form of a cabin or tunnel within which one of said road transport vehicles (7) can enter to be loaded, the cabin being preferably essentially airtight in such a way that the cabin is maintained under depression by means of the first drawing or suction means.
There is also the possibility to carry out a recirculation of gases coming from the chamber of the pre-separation device (20) towards the first dryer portion (4′) for their combustion in a percentage approximately from 10 to 30% with respect to the total airflow within the first dryer portion (4′), again in order to also treat the gases coming out of the second dryer portion (4″) in the presence of recycled material for the reduction of pollutants and smells.
The solution of a dryer (4) according to the invention envisages the use of a dryer (4) which consists of a first portion (4′) and a second portion (4″) arranged one after the other with the interposition of a hot air deviation compartment (22) or hot air passage compartment. A single burner (5) is placed in correspondence of an end of the first dryer portion (4′) in such a way that the air heated in the first portion (4′) can be conveyed towards and into the second portion (4″) through the hot air deviation compartment (22) or air passage compartment. The first dryer portion (4′) constitutes the drying and heating portion for the inert lithic materials and the second dryer portion (4″) constitutes the drying and heating portion for virgin materials, recycled conglomerates or recycled material or mixed materials containing variable percentages of recycled conglomerates.
In practice the dryer (4), consisting of the first portion (4′) and of the second portion (4″) arranged in series one after the other, is a single dryer which is suitable for the treatment both of inert lithic materials and of virgin materials, recycled conglomerates or recycled material.
The first dryer portion (4′) and the second dryer portion (4″), that it so say, the dryer (4) as a whole, are provided only with one burner, preferably lower than 24 MW, preferably lower than or equal to 20 MW, below which the processes of authorization of the installation of the plant are facilitated and with further advantages in terms of energy saving of the plant.
Advantageously, since the second dryer portion (4″) is not provided with a respective burner and is heated with hot air coming from the first dryer portion (4′), the recycled conglomerates or recycled material or RAP never come in direct contact with the flame (49) of the burner (5). This solution is particularly advantageous because it allows to heat the recycled conglomerates or recycled material or RAP to the necessary temperatures required by the process, of the order of 160° C., without causing the production of polluting substances of the volatile organic compound type or VOC.
In general the dryer (4) is provided with a single burner in the form of at least one burner device. This means that when, both in the description and in the claims, reference is made to at least one burner, it is intended that the previously defined single burner of the overall dryer (4) can be selected from different configurations as:
In general, for all the previously listed kinds of burners, the characteristic which must be guaranteed is the burner (5) to be provided with adjusting or switching means to be able to operate at at least two different power levels, a first power level of which having a lower operating power with respect to the operating power of the second power level. Furthermore, the first dryer portion (4′) provided with the burner (5) also acts as a combustion zone for the production of hot air to be sent to the second dryer portion (4″) so that the second dryer portion (4″) used for the treatment of recycled conglomerates or recycled material is devoid of a burner.
Finally, when referring to a single burner, it is intended that “single” is referred to the fact that a single burner is provided for the first dryer portion (4′) and the second dryer portion (4″), while the single burner can be selected from the previously defined different configurations.
The inert lithic materials, or virgin material, on the other hand, are inserted and treated in the first dryer portion (4′) through feeding devices (25, 26). Advantageously it is envisaged to use two feeding devices, of which a first feeding device (25) and a second feeding device (26).
The first feeding device (25) is preferably made in the form of a chute or an annular hopper that introduces the material to be treated in the first dryer portion (4′) through a first series of circumferential openings (34) that put in communication the outside of the first dryer portion (4′) with the inside the first dryer portion (4′) to enable the loading of the inert lithic materials, or virgin material. Preferably the first feeding device (25) is made in the form of a chute.
The second feeding device (26) is preferably made in the form of an annular hopper that introduces the material to be treated in the first dryer portion (4′) through a second series of circumferential openings (34) that put in communication the outside of the first dryer portion (4′) with the inside the first dryer portion (4′) to enable the loading of the inert lithic materials, or virgin material.
The first series of circumferential openings (34) is positioned along the body of the first dryer portion (4′) in a position that is an upstream position with respect to the position in which the second series of circumferential openings (34) is positioned, which are located downstream along the body of the first dryer portion (4′), the terms upstream and downstream being defined with respect (
In this way it is possible to resort to different times of treatment of the inert lithic materials keeping the other process parameters unchanged, such as the rotational speed of the first dryer portion (4′) or the intensity of the flame (49) generated by the burner (5). In fact, for example as to the intensity of the flame (49) generated by the burner (5), its adjustment could be necessary according to the temperature desired in the second dryer portion (4″) and, as a consequence, it is necessary to provide a different method for obtaining the desired degree of drying also in the case in which the inert lithic materials require a greater or lower exposure to the heat under conditions of constant maintenance of the intensity of the flame (49) generated by the burner (5) or also in the case in which the inert lithic materials require the same exposure to the heat under conditions of variation of the intensity of the flame (49) generated by the burner (5), said variation occurring for the purpose of modifying the temperature of the second dryer portion (4″). As a consequence, when the inert lithic materials are fed in the first dryer portion (4′) by means (
In other words, in this way one can change the permanence time of the inert lithic materials in the first dryer portion (4′), thus succeeding in modulating the heat exchange between the hot airflow generated by means of the burner (5) and the material enabling the control of the temperature in the second dryer portion (4″). One can therefore provide a process control phase in which the feeding phase of inert lithic materials within the first dryer portion (4′) envisages a switching phase between a feeding condition of the materials within the first dryer portion (4′) by means of the first feeding device (25) and a feeding condition of the materials within the first dryer portion (4′) by means of the second feeding device (26) according to the temperature detected in a phase of measurement of the temperature in the second dryer portion (4″).
Furthermore, inside the first dryer portion (4′), in the drying zone, there is (
The first dryer portion (4′) being thus intended to constitute:
The passage (43) will be provided with a suitable adjustable fin or series of adjustable fins or adjustable finning (44) for opening, closing or adjustment, to be used to raise the temperature at the outlet of the first dryer portion (4′).
Furthermore, the heat exchange capacity can be modified by adjusting the rotational speed of the two dryers.
In a dual mode it will also be possible to obtain an adjustment of the temperature of the hot air coming out of the first dryer portion (4′) because, with the other operating conditions unchanged, when the inert lithic materials are fed in the first dryer portion (4′) by means (
Advantageously, by the solution according to the invention, also thanks to the particular described configuration of the dryer (4), the plant (1) does not require the handling of hot material through elevators because, once heated, the hot material, particularly in the case of recycled conglomerates or recycled material or RAP, is directly conveyed in the containment hoppers, thus reducing as much as possible the risk of material jamming. Moreover, the energy consumptions deriving from the need to heat the crossing chutes of recycled conglomerates or recycled material or RAP are completely avoided, the chutes for this type of material being totally absent.
The particular configuration of the dryer (4), consisting of the first portion (4′) and of the second portion (4″) placed one after the other, enables the treatment of recycled conglomerates with percentages ranging from 0 to 100% in weight with respect to the total weight of the treated material through a suitable combination of material introduced from respective pre-proportioning devices at the foot of the various elevators which carry the material still to be heated towards the dryer (4) for treatment. That is to say, the so structured plant can be used to treat recycled conglomerates only or variable mixtures of recycled conglomerates and inert lithic materials or inert lithic materials only, all this occurring by means of one double dryer provided with a single burner (5). In this operating mode the current ring technologies of the dryer are outdone in which the insertion of recycled material occurs through an annular hopper, normally called ring, placed in a central zone of the combustion chamber, and introduction of recycled conglomerates at the foot of the elevator of the hot material. The system, therefore, is considerably simplified, reducing the necessary components for the maximum use of recycled material. The logic of the traditional direct compartment under the sieve also disappears in which there is a compartment for receiving the dried materials without passing through the sieve, used because of the insertion of recycled conglomerates or RAP at the ring solving the maintenance problems following the jamming of the recycled material. In fact, in these cases, in the traditional plants, these hoppers are obtained as a compartment of the hopper under the sieve and inevitably have corners and changes of direction that generate jams with the recycled material. Thanks to the solution according to the invention, on the other hand, this material, containing percentages of recycled material, is introduced in dedicated hoppers specially designed for recycled material, of cylindrical shape and without corners and changes of direction.
Advantageously, the particular configuration of the dryer (4), consisting of the first dryer portion (4′) and of the second dryer portion (4″) arranged one after the other, allows to perform the drying treatment by means of the first dryer portion (4′), and subsequent sieving by means of the sieve (9) of the inert lithic materials or virgin material while, at the same time, the heating treatment of recycled conglomerates or RAP is performed in the second dryer portion (4″).
Also thanks to the adoption of the particular configuration of the dryer (4), consisting of the first dryer portion (4′) and of the second dryer portion (4″) arranged one after the other, the structure of the plant (1) is modified with a complete different re-positioning of the components used that make up the traditional plant. In fact, the components of the plant are advantageously re-positioned according to a logic of optimization of the occupied space, with a reduction of heat dispersions and avoiding handling and lifting means for the dried or heated materials, the handling and lifting means being, therefore, limited only to the transport of the materials to be treated and not heated. In fact, the recycled conglomerates or RAP, once heated by means of the second dryer portion (4″), are directly conveyed into the respective storage hoppers or second deposit means (23) for recycled conglomerates or RAP. The containment line of the material with recycled material starting from the storage hoppers or second deposit means (23) for recycled conglomerates or RAP up to the discharge into the mixer must guarantee the maintenance of temperature, therefore said containment line will be preferably insulated and/or heated, according to solutions known in the art. Furthermore, the inert lithic materials, once dried by means of the first dryer portion (4′), are directly conveyed onto the sieve (9). The fine dusts recovered from the filter (6) are also directly stored under the filter (6) in the hopper under the filter (19) by gravity and are thus introduced into the weighing hopper before being fed into the mixer (14).
The adjustment of the heating temperature of the recycled conglomerates or RAP can occur according to new operating logics as well. For example in one of the possible operating modes it can be provided that the adjustment of the heating temperature in the second dryer portion (4″) occurs by adjusting the quantity of inert lithic materials or by adjusting the position of introduction of the inert lithic materials in the first dryer portion (4′), the latter solution being made possible by the adoption of the configuration of the first portion (4′) which is provided with the previously described first series of upstream circumferential openings (34) fed by the first feeding device (25) and second series of downstream circumferential openings (34) fed by the second feeding device (26), as previously explained.
In the case of mixed materials containing a quantity of recycled conglomerates above a given percentage, it is possible to feed directly the second dryer portion (4″) with a mixture of recycled conglomerates and virgin material. The percentage of recycled conglomerates above which one can use this operating method can depend on various factors like humidity and type of production and, for example, can be of the order of percentage of recycled conglomerates higher than 50% with respect to the total of the mixture of recycled conglomerates and virgin material.
The larger-sized material or larger particles present in the fumes or gases sucked from the dryer (4), as previously explained, contain bitumen. For this reason, both for the purpose of preventing their dispersion and for the purpose of preventing the clogging or damage of the filter (6), such larger particles present in the fumes or gases are damped by means of a pre-separation device (20) provided with a pre-separation compartment in which the larger particles fall to the base of the compartment. The pre-separation device (20) is placed in correspondence of the outlet of the fumes or gases from the dryer (4). The so separated and collected larger-sized material or larger particles can be conveyed into the containment hoppers of the recycled conglomerates or RAP by means of a first cochlea device (17′), in the case in which the recycled material is being heated, or can be conveyed, by means of a second cochlea device (17″), into the chute of the sieve in the case in which only inert lithic material or virgin material is being heated.
From everything described above one will understand that the plant (1) comprising the dryer (4), consisting of the first dryer portion (4′) and of the second dryer portion (4″) arranged one after the other, can work according to different operating modes of which:
In the case in which the plant (1) is working in the second operating mode of treatment of the inert lithic materials fed in the first dryer portion (4′) only, the second dryer portion (4″) can remain completely unused and the fumes extracted from the first dryer portion (4′) can be conveyed by means of a suction conduit (21) directly to the pre-separation device (20) and, afterwards, to the filter (6).
It is provided that the circuit of conveyance of the hot air or fumes extracted from the first dryer portion (4′) comprises at least one, preferably two shutters (32, 33) for the deviation or partialization or control of the hot airflow or fumes coming out of the first dryer portion (4′).
In the operation of the first or third operating mode it is possible that, by effect of the heat exchange with the recycled material, the gases coming out of the second dryer portion (4″) in the conduit towards the filter are at less than 100° C. Through the shutters (32, 33) it will also be possible to adjust the temperature in such a way that said temperature is not lower than 100° C. to ensure a suitable heating of the air and not fall below the dew point.
In the operation of the first or third operating mode it is necessary that the temperature of the gases coming out of the first dryer portion (4′) is sufficient to ensure a suitable heating of the recycled materials or RAP. Through such shutters (32, 33) it will be possible to adjust the temperature inside the second dryer portion (4″) for example by measuring the temperature of the hot air or fumes coming out of the second dryer portion (4″) and, for example, acting on the shutter or on the shutters in such a way that this temperature is not lower than 100° C. to ensure a suitable heating of the recycled materials or RAP.
The first dryer portion (4′) is in its turn divided into two main zones of which a first zone constitutes a first chamber or combustion chamber (45) in which the flame (49) of the burner (5) develops and of which a second zone constitutes a second chamber or drying chamber (46). Before the combustion chamber there is also a pre-chamber (47). The first chamber or combustion chamber (45) is provided with suitable blades for holding the material avoiding a rain-like fall of the latter through the flame (49) produced by the burner (5).
The second chamber or drying chamber (46) is provided with suitable blades which are intended to generate a rain-like fall of material as widespread as possible in the section, in such a way as to enable and optimize the heat exchange between the material and the hot air coming from the first chamber or combustion chamber (45).
The feeding of the inert lithic materials or virgin material occurs through the previously described first feeding device (25) and second feeding device (26) according to the configuration in which the first feeding device (25) feeds a first series of upstream circumferential openings (34) while the second feeding device (26) feeds a second series of downstream circumferential openings (34), the terms upstream and downstream being defined with respect (
The first feeding device (25) is placed in correspondence of or in proximity to a head end of the second chamber or drying chamber (46).
The second feeding device (26) is placed spaced apart with respect to the first feeding device (25) according to the direction of advancement of the material, the second feeding device (26) being placed in correspondence of or in proximity to a position between the head end of the second chamber or drying chamber (46) and the outlet end of the second chamber or drying chamber (46), indicatively placed in the centreline of the combustion chamber.
Preferably the first feeding device (25) and the second feeding device (26) are spaced apart with respect to each other by a distance between 25% and 75% with respect to the overall length of the second chamber or drying chamber (46) of the first dryer portion (4′). For example the first feeding device (25) and the second feeding device (26) can be spaced apart from each other by a distance between 1 with 3 metres, preferably about 2 metres.
As a consequence, for the desired effects of increase in the temperature at the outlet of the first dryer portion (4′) and of reduction in the heat exchange with the virgin materials, one can resort to one or more from:
As to the production process, the plant (1) can implement the operating phases of a traditional plant but with new specific phases deriving from the adoption of the previously described configuration of the dryer (4) consisting of the first dryer portion (4′) and of the second dryer portion (4″) arranged one after the other and further deriving from the particular arrangement deriving from the use of said dryer (4) placed at the top of the plant (1) itself.
With reference to the inert lithic materials, the latter are dispensed from first deposit means of the inert lithic materials and, by means of suitable pre-proportioning devices of the inert materials, the inert lithic materials are conveyed to a first elevator (8) of inert materials which is preferably made in the form of a bucket elevator. The first elevator (8) of inert materials carries the inert lithic materials towards the top of the plant (1) and supplies a buffer hopper. Two belts start from the buffer hopper and supply the first feeding device (25) and the second feeding device (26).
The first feeding device (25) is preferably made in the form of an annular hopper or chute that introduces the material to be treated into the first dryer portion (4′) through a first series of circumferential openings (34) that put in communication the outside of the first dryer portion (4′) with the inside of the first dryer portion (4′) to enable the loading of the inert lithic materials, or virgin material.
The second feeding device (26) is preferably made in the form of an annular hopper that introduces the material to be treated into the first dryer portion (4′) through a second series of circumferential openings (34) that put in communication the outside of the first dryer portion (4′) with the inside of the first dryer portion (4′) to enable the loading of the inert lithic materials, or virgin material.
The first series of circumferential openings (34) is placed along the body of the first dryer portion (4′) in a position that is an upstream position with respect to the position in which the second series of circumferential openings (34) is placed, which are located downstream along the body of the first dryer portion (4′), the terms upstream and downstream being defined with respect (
The power of the burner (5) is modulated according to the desired output temperature of the inert lithic materials. The hot air or fumes exit the first dryer portion (4′) and are conveyed in an air deviation compartment (22) or air passage compartment that in its turn is connected to the second dryer portion (4″) and also to a suction conduit (21).
The airflow passing through the air deviation compartment (22) or air passage compartment is controlled by means of:
In a less preferred solution of the present invention the first shutter (32) of block or deviation or partialization of the airflow can be placed within or in correspondence of or in proximity to the air deviation compartment (22) or air passage compartment.
The shutters (32, 33), that is to say, the first shutter (32) and the second shutter (33) can be controlled in such a way as to:
In the case in which the dryer (4) operates in the previously defined second operating mode in which the single burner (5) of the dryer (4) produces heat only for the treatment of the inert lithic materials fed in the first dryer portion (4′), then the second dryer portion (4″) will be idle and non-operating. The first dryer portion (4′) is fed by the first feeding device (25) or primary feeding device that introduces the inert lithic materials into the second chamber (46) of the first dryer portion (4′), in order to optimize the drying and heating process of the inert lithic materials. The inert lithic materials are then conveyed and cross the first chamber (45) of the first dryer portion (4′) and finally exit at the end of the first chamber (45). By gravity the inert lithic materials are introduced into the vibrating sieve (9). In the second operating mode the first shutter (32) is set in such a way as to completely block the flow of air or fumes coming from the second dryer portion towards the filter (6) so that the flow of air or fumes from the first dryer portion (4′) to the second dryer portion (4″) is consequently blocked, thus obtaining the deviation of the flow of air or fumes from the first dryer portion (4′) to the suction conduit (21). In the second operating mode the second shutter (33) is set in such a way as to allow the flow of air or fumes from the first dryer portion (4′) to the suction conduit (21), that is to say, it is preferably completely open. Any larger-sized material or larger particles present in the fumes or gases sucked from the dryer (4), as previously explained, are damped by means of the pre-separation device (20) and the so separated and collected larger-sized material or larger particles are preferably conveyed, by means of the second cochlea device (17″), into the chute of the sieve (9). The materials coming out of the pre-separator are, in general, conveyed to the sieve (9) to reintegrate the granulometric composition of the formula.
In the case in which the dryer (4) operates in the previously defined first operating mode in which the single burner (5) of the dryer (4) produces heat both for the treatment of the inert lithic materials fed in the first dryer portion (4′) and for the treatment of the recycled materials or RAP fed in the second dryer portion (4″), then the configuration of the shutters is suitably modified as the heat supplied to the second dryer portion (4″) must be supplied by means of the hot drying air extracted from the first portion (4′). In this case, therefore, the first shutter (32) is set in such a way as to allow the flow of air or fumes from the second dryer portion (4″) towards the filter (6), that is to say, it is set in such a way as to allow the flow of air or fumes from the first dryer portion (4′) to the second dryer portion (4″), that is to say, the first shutter (32) is in the open position. The second shutter (33), on the other hand, is set in such a way as to block the flow of air or fumes from the first dryer portion (4′) to the suction conduit (21), that is to say, the second shutter (33) is in the closed position. In this case the quantity of inert lithic materials that are fed towards the first dryer portion (4′) is also reduced in such a way that there is a lower absorption of the heat produced by the burner (5) in the first dryer portion (4′) and a greater amount of heat is extracted from the first dryer portion (4′) by means of the suction of the hot air or fumes from the first dryer portion (4′) to be sent towards the second dryer portion (4″) which thus receives a greater amount of heat necessary for the treatment of the recycled materials or RAP. That is to say, by reducing the quantity of inert lithic materials that are fed towards the first dryer portion (4′), one obtains a rise in the temperature of the air coming out of the first dryer portion (4′) and a consequent rise in the temperature of the air coming into the second dryer portion (4″). The recycled material or RAP starts to transit inside the dryer (4) and crosses the second dryer portion (4″) being consequently subjected to a drying and heating phase. Downstream of the first shutter (32) there is a first temperature probe, the term downstream referring to the direction of advancement of the hot air or fumes from the first dryer portion (4′) to the second dryer portion (4″). The first temperature probe measures the temperature of the hot air or fumes at the inlet of the second dryer portion (4″). To facilitate the rise in or the maintenance of the temperature in the second dryer portion (4″), particularly in the phases of start of the treatment of recycled materials or RAP, when the treatment of inert lithic materials is in progress, the feeding of inert lithic materials in the first dryer portion (4′) is progressively shifted from the first feeding device (25) to the second feeding device (26), in such a way as to enable the rise in the temperature of the air or fumes coming into the second dryer portion (4″). In fact, moving the feeding zone of the inert lithic materials in the downstream position corresponding to the second feeding, device (26), the inert lithic materials transit within the first dryer portion (4′) for a smaller section with a shorter crossing time and, in this way, absorb less heat thus causing the desired rise in the temperature of the air or fumes that enter the second dryer portion (4″) where the treatment of the recycled materials or RAP occurs. Preferably the temperature of the air or fumes entering the second dryer portion (4″) is maintained at a temperature of the order of 500-600° C.
The intervention modes will obviously have to occur in accordance with productions compatible with the final temperature of the two products coming out of the first and of the second dryer portions, in accordance with the humidity of the recycled and inert materials and with the percentages of use of the recycled material with respect to the virgin material.
Considering an operating example with a burner having a maximum power of 20 MW in which both the first dryer portion (4′) and the second dryer portion (4″) are in operation, this is the case requiring the maximum generation of heat possible. The heat balance relating to the heating of the material in the first dryer portion (4′) and of the material in the second dryer portion (4″) should thus be congruent with the amount of heat necessary for heating both the material in the first dryer portion (4′) and the material in the second dryer portion (4″). In general, considering a humidity of 3% and the burner working at 13 MW with an output temperature of the material at 160° C., the expected production can be for example of the order of 200 t/h which can be distributed in a percentage from 10 to 70% and preferably about 50% between the first dryer portion (4′) and the second dryer portion (4″).
The shift of the feeding of inert lithic materials from the first feeding device (25) to the second feeding device (26) also allows to avoid the overheating of the inert lithic materials themselves, for which one must maintain the desired temperature at the outlet of the first dryer portion (4′), that is to say, at the inlet of the second dryer portion (4″).
Additionally or alternatively, in order to reach the temperatures necessary for the heating of the material in the second dryer one can act by opening the internal passage (43) in the first dryer by means of the movable fins (44), modifying the rotational speed of the first dryer and activating the row of movable blades inside it according to different opening or closing positions to obtain an adjustment of the flow.
Once the desired temperature of the hot air or fumes has been reached at the inlet of the second dryer portion (4″), the feeding of the recycled material or RAP in the second dryer portion (4″) is continued.
The output temperature of the recycled material or RAP from the second dryer portion (4″) can be adjusted or set by means of the control of the flow rate of the recycled material or RAP introduced into the second dryer portion (4″), rotational speed of the second dryer portion (4″), flow rate of the hot air or fumes conveyed within the second dryer portion (4″) and coming from the first dryer portion (4′), adjustment of the power of the burner.
The hot air or fumes coming out of the second dryer portion (4″) are introduced into the pre-separation device (20) for the separation of the larger particles from the fine dusts. The larger particles, indicatively between 0.1 and 3 mm, fall to the base of the pre-separation device (20) and are reintroduced through one or more cochlea devices (17′, 17″) as previously explained. In the case in which the dryer (4) operates in the previously defined first operating mode in which the single burner (5) of the dryer (4) produces heat both for the treatment of the inert lithic materials fed in the first dryer portion (4′) and for the treatment of the recycled materials or RAP fed in the second dryer portion (4″), then, preferably, the larger particles recovered in the pre-separation device (20) are reintroduced along with the recycled material or RAP at the outlet of the second dryer portion (4″). Such particles should be recovered and eliminated before the filter (6) because they contain bitumen. The temperature of the hot air or fumes coming out of the second dryer portion (4″) is measured by means of a second temperature probe placed in the connecting conduit between the filter (6) and the pre-separation device (20). If the measured temperature is lower than the dew point, typically of the order of 100° C., to prevent damaging the filter (6), it is provided that control means, for example controlled by means of the control unit (18), intervene to open the second shutter (33) partially, in such a way as to draw a given amount of air at a higher temperature coming out of the first dryer portion (4′). In practice a partialization of the airflow coming out of the first dryer portion (4′) is carried out in such a way that:
The first part of the airflow and the second part of the airflow are both fed in the pre-separation device (20) within which they are mixed, thus being able to adjust the temperature of the overall airflow at the inlet of the filter (6).
In the case in which the use of the sieve (9) is not required and above certain percentages of recycled material or RAP one resorts to the previously defined third operating mode in which the single burner (5) of the dryer (4) produces heat only for the treatment of the recycled materials or RAP fed in the second dryer portion (4″), the heat supplied to the second dryer portion (4″) being supplied by means of the hot drying air extracted from the first dryer portion (4′) within which no treatment of inert lithic materials or virgin materials occurs, in this case the first portion (4′) acting as a feeding conduit of the hot air produced by the burner (5). In this case the first dryer portion (4′) is kept in rotation and acts only as a combustion chamber. A suitable third temperature probe monitors the external temperature of the shell of the first dryer portion (4′) for the purpose of preventing any overheating within the first dryer portion (4′). In case of overheating it is possible to reduce the power of the burner (5) and if necessary also to turn it off. As an alternative, in combination with the reduction of the power of the burner (5), one can also adopt further measures for obtaining the reduction in the temperature in the first dryer portion (4′), for example by providing an increase in the airflow sucked from the first dryer portion (4′) acting on the first suction system (16), or providing an increase in the flow of recycled material within the second dryer portion (4″) in combination with an increase in the airflow within the second dryer portion (4″) to increase the amount of heat transferred from the first dryer portion (4′).
In general, both for the first operating mode and for the third operating mode, the treated recycled material or RAP is discharged from the second dryer portion (4″) and is conveyed into deposit means (23) of the treated recycled material or RAP, for example in the form of one or more storage hoppers. Advantageously the deposit means (23) of the treated recycled material or RAP are placed in the plant (1) directly above the first weighing means (11), which, in their turn, are placed immediately above the mixer (14).
With reference to the second dryer portion (4″), in the case in which the inert lithic materials do not have to be sifted, one can also provide an additional operating mode in which the second dryer portion (4″) is simultaneously supplied with inert lithic materials and recycled material or RAP. In this case in the elevator that feeds the second dryer portion (4″) recycled material or RAP and inert lithic materials are simultaneously inserted. Therefore the second dryer portion (4″) can treat material consisting of 100% recycled material or RAP or lower percentages of recycled material or RAP in which the remaining portion consists of inert lithic materials.
The inert lithic materials, on the other hand, are discharged from the first dryer portion (4′) and are sent to the sieve (9). After the sieving phase operated by means of the sieve (9), the sifted inert lithic materials are sent into different buffer means (10) or hoppers under the sieve according to the respective sifted size. Each of the buffer means (10) or hoppers under the sieve is provided with a suitable discharge opening that discharges within third weighing means (24) of inert lithic materials, for example in the form of a weighing hopper. The third weighing means (24) of inert lithic materials are placed directly under the buffer means (10) or hoppers under the sieve. The third weighing means (24) of inert lithic materials discharge the measured or weighed inert lithic materials into an exhaust or chute (31) that feeds the mixer (14).
In one embodiment one can also provide a plant (1) devoid of the sieve (9). In said variant the sieve (9) is replaced by a chute for inert materials provided with deflectors which allow the deviation of the material in such a way as to selectively load several distinct compartments in which each compartment is intended to contain a different produced mixture containing inert lithic materials of different granulometry that have been previously selected and pre-proportioned before being fed in the plant (1).
By the described logic of arrangement of the components it is possible to avoid the chutes crossed by material containing recycled material, using them instead in the presence of the inert lithic material only. This obviously involves a reduction in jamming and therefore in maintenance, besides eliminating the need to heat the chutes with further benefits in terms of energy saving.
To conclude (
The plant (1) for the production and distribution of bituminous conglomerates comprises adjustable deviation means (32, 33) for the deviation or for the adjustment of the quantity of said hot airflow oriented from the first dryer portion (4′) provided with the burner (5) towards the second dryer portion (4″). The hot air passage compartment (22) between the first dryer portion (4′) and the second dryer portion (4″) consists of a deviation compartment for the hot airflow comprising:
The adjustable deviation means (32, 33) can comprise a first shutter (32) which is settable on at least three positions of which:
The suction conduit (21) is provided with said adjustable deviation means (32, 33) in the form of a second shutter (33) for adjusting the quantity of hot air constituting said secondary airflow from the first dryer portion (4′) towards the first suction system (16) without crossing the second dryer portion (4″), the second shutter (33) being settable on at least three positions of which:
The description of the present invention has been made with reference to the enclosed figures in a preferred embodiment, but it is evident that many possible changes, modifications and variations will be immediately clear to those skilled in the art in the light of the previous description. Thus, it must be underlined that the invention is not limited to the previous description, but it includes all the changes, modifications and variations in accordance with the appended claims.
With reference to the identification numbers in the enclosed figures, the following nomenclature has been used:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102016000124444 | Dec 2016 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/001409 | 12/6/2017 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018/103886 | 6/14/2018 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4298287 | McCarter, III et al. | Nov 1981 | A |
| 4522498 | Mendenhall | Jun 1985 | A |
| 7758235 | Collette | Jul 2010 | B1 |
| 20150029809 | Brock | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0362199 | Apr 1992 | EP |
| 0641886 | Mar 1995 | EP |
| 2016078755 | May 2016 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report for PCT/EP2017/001409, dated Jan. 30, 2018. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200141070 A1 | May 2020 | US |
