Pump or agitator bracket for a fermentation or digester

Abstract

Fermentation or digester (5) with a pump or agitator mount (1), wherein the agitator mount (1) is attached to a vessel wall (51) by means of a wall mount (2) in such a way that the weight force acting on the agitator mount (1) is at least partially absorbed by the vessel wall (51), characterized in that the vessel wall (51) is essentially cylindrical and is formed from a strip of strip material running along a helical line on the cylindrical shell, wherein the side edges of the strip material are connected by means of a folded-over hem and the pump or agitator mount (1) is suspended on the hem.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pump or agitator mount according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Digestive tanks are commonly used in agricultural biogas plants and municipal wastewater treatment plants. In these tanks, organic waste remains for an average of several days at a temperature of approximately 35°C, slightly above atmospheric temperature. The digester is equipped with an agitator, which, among other things, serves to distribute the waste materials introduced via a filling nozzle. Such agitators can be located next to the tank and may, for example, be mounted on their own foundations with height-adjustable bases.

[0003] A submersible motor mixer is known from German patent application DE 10 2006 058 932 A1. The digester / fermentation tank comprises a process chamber, an inlet and an outlet, a conveying system, and a digestate / fermentation material recirculation system. The conveying system circulates the digestate / fermentation material. This system is located outside the tank on its own foundation. Experience shows that digesters / fermentation tanks with a capacity of, for example, 1000 or 1500 tons of liquid are extremely heavy. As a result, a high percentage of these tanks sink into the ground over time. Sinking depths of several decimeters are not uncommon. This causes the lighter system components located around the periphery, such as pumps or agitators, to shift relative to the digester / fermentation tank, and in extreme cases, the pipe connections can bend or even break.

[0004] Alternatively, with correspondingly greater effort, a foundation for a fermentation or digestion tank could be constructed large enough to accommodate all system components.

[0005] From DE 20 2005 017 638 U1, a guide device for a submersible agitator is known. The guide device is pivotably mounted on a wall of a fermenter about the vertical axis, and the submersible agitator is immersed in the biomass by means of the guide device.

[0006] The object of the invention is to further develop a fermentation or digestion tank, whereby the individual system components should be insensitive to the tanks sinking into the ground.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved with respect to a fermentation or digestion vessel having the features specified in claim 1. The further referenced claims relate to advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention.

[0008] The invention includes a fermentation or digestion vessel, wherein an agitator holder is attached to a vessel wall by means of a wall bracket in such a way that the weight force acting on the agitator holder is at least partially absorbed by the vessel wall.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea that the pump or agitator bracket does not stand on a foundation on the ground, but is freely supported by a wall bracket directly on the fermentation or digestion tank.

[0010] The particular advantage of the invention is that the pump or agitator bracket, which is arranged directly on the fermentation or digester, moves with the tank even if it sinks into the ground. The bracket's relative position to the tank remains unchanged even if the tank sinks. The bracket can be positioned at a sufficient height on the tank during installation to accommodate any potential settling of the entire structure. Because the agitator is attached to the tank using the bracket according to the invention, no foundation is required. This allows for a simpler overall design of the foundation for a fermentation or digester.

[0011] In particular, a mounting table can be attached vertically to the wall bracket; furthermore, at least one lateral brace can be arranged between the mounting table and the wall bracket.

[0012] When assembled, the mounting table of the pump or agitator bracket can be positioned at the lower end of the wall bracket as a horizontal support surface for the components of an agitator or pumping unit. The mounting table serves to support or at least brace the individual components. The components of an agitator can also be attached to the wall bracket itself or to a side brace.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting table can be slidable relative to the wall bracket. This allows the height of the mounting table to be readjusted during or after installation in order to adapt an agitator or pump to the installation shaft on the fermentation or digester. Such fine adjustments are particularly advantageous for aligning the agitator shafts within the installation shaft.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the wall bracket can be constructed from mounting profiles and cross braces. When mounted, the mounting profiles form the vertical support structure that rests directly against the outer wall of a fermentation or digester. Square profiles are particularly suitable due to their stability. These mounting profiles are joined together by cross braces to form a kind of support frame. Because of the curvature of the tank wall in round fermentation or digesters, the cross braces can also be adapted to this curvature and thus bent accordingly. In this way, the entire construction of a pump or agitator bracket can be adapted to the geometric characteristics of the outer contour of a fermentation or digester.

[0015] Advantageously, the wall bracket can have a feedthrough in the area above the mounting table. Such feedthroughs are material recesses in a pump or agitator bracket that provide sufficient space towards the tank wall for installing an agitator. The tank-side mounting shaft for an agitator shaft remains freely accessible.

[0016] Preferably, the wall bracket should have mounting flanges with elongated holes. This allows the height of the entire pump or agitator bracket to be readjusted. The ability to adjust the height relative to the tank wall is particularly advantageous during initial installation.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the wall bracket can have clampable or hook-like mounting flanges. Using such clamps or hooks, a pump or agitator bracket can be suspended from a container-side support device. Such a suspension can be flexible in height and laterally to compensate for any differences in thermal expansion of the components. For containers with sensitive or non-load-bearing side walls, the pump or agitator bracket can also be suspended from steel cables or longer profiles that are fixed to stable support structures, for example, the container lid.

[0018] Advantageously, the wall bracket can have mounting flanges in the area above the side braces. All mounting flanges located above the highest point of attachment of the side braces ensure that no additional torque is exerted on the tank wall or supporting structure via the frame of the wall bracket. This results in the entire structure being suspended solely from the tank wall. This allows for a better distribution of the forces acting on the tank wall and the supporting structure.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall bracket can be made of flexible material, at least locally, on the container wall side in the area of ​​the side braces. Such materials can be rubber stoppers, rubber strips, or other insulating materials attached to the wall bracket, which, particularly in the case of a flexible suspension, bear directly against the container wall over a flat surface. With a non-rigid mounting, this allows the pressure on the container wall to be distributed evenly. This is particularly advantageous where there are no load-bearing substructures on the container side that can absorb local forces. This flat support would be advantageous, for example, with a flexible suspension using steel cables.

[0020] Advantageously, the assembly table can be constructed from a base plate and support profiles. As a support frame for a pump or agitator, an assembly table must be able to bear a sufficient load. The support profiles provide additional stability to the base plate, which is usually made of a sheet metal panel several millimeters thick.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the base plate of the assembly table can have at least one recess. One or more recesses, for example in the form of round holes, can provide access to the underside of the agitator components or pumps installed on the assembly table. For example, this allows access to drain plugs for pump oil or other fluids for maintenance purposes. The support profiles under the base plate are arranged in such a way that they do not cover any recess.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a side brace can be constructed from a side plate or a profile bar. The side plates or profile bars are subjected to tensile stress. Such side braces compensate for the torque acting on the assembly table due to the load of an agitator or a pump.

[0023] It is also advantageous for the side panel of the side brace to have profiled or folded ends. Profile- or fold-reinforced ends of the side panels reduce the risk of injury and also increase the stability of the structure.

[0024] According to the invention, the container wall is essentially cylindrical and formed from a strip of strip material running along a helical line on the cylindrical surface, the side edges of which are joined by means of a folded seam. Such a container concept is shown, for example, in German utility model DE 70 119 59 U.

[0025] According to the invention, the pump or agitator bracket is suspended from the fold. This allows the fold to have an advantageous dual function: firstly, to join the side edges of the strip material, and secondly, to accommodate the pump or agitator bracket.

[0026] Preferably, the pump or agitator bracket can be arranged on the tank in a height- and / or side-adjustable manner. For this purpose, the brackets are designed to be correspondingly flexible.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the lower edge of the pump or agitator bracket can be positioned 90 to 130 cm above ground level. Even if the fermentation or digester sinks, the lower edge of the agitator bracket remains sufficiently far from the ground. With a typical sinkage of up to 40 cm, as is common in practice, the working space defined by the base plate of the assembly table remains approximately at table height. In any case, there is still sufficient clearance before the lower edge of the pump or agitator bracket touches the ground.

[0028] Further advantageous developments and embodiments of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments described below in principle with reference to the drawings.

[0029] It shows: Fig. 1 schematically a side view of the pump or agitator bracket; Fig. 2 schematically a front view of the pump or agitator bracket; Fig. 3. Schematic view of a top view of the pump or agitator bracket; and Fig. 4 schematically a side view of the pump or agitator bracket, mounted on the side wall of a fermentation or digester.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of the pump or agitator bracket 1. The wall bracket 2 consists of vertical square tubes serving as support profiles 21. The cross brace 22 stabilizes the upper section of the wall bracket 2. Several mounting flanges 24 are welded to the sides of the support profiles 21, which are used to attach the pump or agitator bracket 1 to the wall of a digester or fermentation tank (not shown in this figure). The cover plate 25, which has a fold, stabilizes the side brace 4 at approximately half the height of the wall bracket 2. The beveled side brace 4 is made of sheet metal with sufficient thickness to withstand the tensile forces exerted by the mounting table 3. A side brace 4 is typically connected along its entire length to the mounting table 3 and the support profile 21. The mounting table 3 is attached vertically to the wall bracket 2.In order to be able to place pumps or parts of agitators on the assembly table 3, it consists of a flat base plate 31, which is stabilized by support profiles 32.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a front view of the pump or agitator bracket 1. In this view, three mounting flanges 24 are arranged on each of two support profiles 21 for attachment to the tank. The support profiles 21, the cover plate 25, and the base plate 31 frame a passage 23 in the form of a sufficiently large square recess, which provides enough space towards the tank wall for the installation of an agitator. The tank-side installation shaft for the agitator is also freely accessible due to the ample working space.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of the pump or agitator mounting bracket 1. From this perspective, the mounting table 3 is visible from above. A recess 33 in the form of a round hole is provided in the mounting table 3. Such recesses allow agitator components or pumps installed on the mounting table 3 to be accessed from below for maintenance purposes.

[0033] Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows a side view of the pump or agitator bracket 1, mounted on the side wall of a fermentation or digester 5. The lower edge of the pump or agitator bracket 1 is positioned sufficiently far above the ground. Due to the enormous weight of a filled fermentation or digester 5, the foundation 52 sinks into the ground to a certain extent in the majority of such installations. Nevertheless, in the device according to the invention, the lower edge of the pump or agitator bracket 1 always remains sufficiently far from the ground. Reference symbol list: 1 Pump or agitator bracket 2 wall mounts 21 retaining profiles 22 Crossbar 23 Implementation 24 Mounting flange 25 Cover plate 3 assembly table 31 Base plate 32 support profiles 33 Recess in base plate 4 side braces 5 fermentation or digestion containers 51 Container wall 52 Foundation

Claims

[1] Fermentation or digester (5) with a pump or agitator support (1), wherein the agitator support (1) is attached to a vessel wall (51) by means of a wall bracket (2) in such a way that the weight force acting on the agitator support (1) is at least partially absorbed by the vessel wall (51), characterized by , that the container wall (51) is essentially cylindrical in shape and is formed from a strip of strip material running along a helix on the cylindrical shell, wherein the side edges of the strip material are connected by means of a folded-over hem and the pump or agitator support (1) is suspended on the hem. [2] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to claim 1, characterized by that the agitator holder (1) has a mounting table (3) attached vertically to a wall bracket (2). [3] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the mounting table (3) is designed to be movable relative to the wall bracket (2). [4] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the wall bracket (2) is constructed from retaining profiles (21) and crossbars (22). [5] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that in the area above the assembly table (3) the wall bracket (2) has a through-hole (23). [6] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by , that the wall bracket (2) has mounting flanges (24) with elongated holes. [7] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by , that the wall bracket (2) has clampable or hook-like mounting flanges (24). [8] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized by , that the wall bracket (2) is made at least locally with flexible material on the container wall side. [9] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by , that the assembly table (3) is constructed from a base plate (31) and support profiles (32). [10] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to claim 9, characterized by that the base plate (31) of the assembly table (3) has at least one recess (33). [11] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pump or agitator support (1) is arranged on the container in a height- and side-adjustable manner. [12] Fermentation or digestion vessel (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lower edge of the pump or agitator support (1) is positioned 90 to 130 cm above the ground.

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