A processing device comprising a rotor unit, a use of the processing device and a dispersing system

Abstract

The present invention describes a processing device comprising a rotor unit (1), said rotor unit (1 ) comprising a rotor blade (2) with an upper side (2a) and a lower side (2b), said rotor blade (2) comprising multiple upper rotor wings (3a) extending out from the upper side (2a), said rotor blade (2) also comprising multiple lower rotor wings (3b) extending out from the lower side (2b), wherein the rotor unit (1 ) is positioned in a processing volume (9) of the processing device and which processing volume (9) is defined by walls, and wherein there is provided an airgap (10) between the lower side (2b) and one or more walls of the processing volume (9). The invention also concerns a use of the processing device and a dispersion system.

Description

[0001] A ROTOR UNIT AND A PROCESSING DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAME

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a rotor unit and a processing device comprising the same, e.g. a mixer, such as for dispersing and outflowing of a material for further processing, e.g. dispersing of starch, fibers or proteins into a drying system or similar applications where dispersing of particles into a subsequent processing step is of use. Technical Background

[0004] Different rotor units and rotor blades for mixers and similar devices have been described. For example, in WO 2022 / 245271 there is disclosed a rotor blade intended for a rotor in a mixer, said rotor blade having a main body and multiple rotor wings extending out from one side of the main body, wherein at least one of the multiple rotor wings has a protrusion provided along the extension of said at least one rotor wing, wherein, in a front side of the rotor wing in a rotational direction, said at least one rotor wing extends through a point being a point furthest away from the rotational direction and further up extends through a point being a point furthest into the rotation direction, and wherein the point is provided as a most vertical top end point of the protrusion or at least in a horizontal top end plane of the protrusion.

[0005] The present invention is directed to providing a rotor unit which limits the risk of clogging when processing materials where there is an evident risk of such clogging. In this regard it should also be noted that such clogging does not only provide for material loss, but also constitutes a risk for the equipment to stop and being damaged. Summary of the invention

[0006] The stated purpose above is achieved by a processing device comprising a rotor unit, said rotor unit comprising a rotor blade with an upper side and a lower side, said rotor blade comprising multiple upper rotor wings extending out from the upper side, said rotor blade also comprising multiple lower rotor wings extending out from the lower side, wherein the rotor unit is positioned in a processing volume of the processing device and which processing volume is defined by walls, and wherein there is provided an air gap between the lower side and one or more walls of the processing volume.

[0007] The air gap between the lower side and one or more walls of the processing volume I processing chamber of the processing device is arranged to ensure that air may enter when rotating the rotor unit. When mixing and / or distributing material with evident clogging risk this is beneficial. As such the risk of clogging is diminished, which also diminishes the risk of damaging the equipment. In this regard it should also be noted that the multiple lower rotor wings contribute to providing air pockets which diminishes the risk of clogging.

[0008] Brief description of the drawings

[0009] In figs. 1-4 there are shown one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] In figs. 5-7 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Specific embodiments of the invention

[0012] Below, there is provided some specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the multiple upper rotor wings are provided separated to each other and wherein the multiple lower rotor wings are provided separated to each other. This type of configuration with gaps between the rotor wings provides for a very efficient mixing. One such configuration example is provided in the figures.

[0014] According to yet another embodiment, the multiple upper rotor wings and the multiple lower rotor wings are arranged as common cross sections on both sides of the rotor blade. This is also shown in the embodiment provided in the figures. In general, this type of symmetrical configuration and different features are preferred according to the present invention. In line with this, according to one embodiment, the multiple upper rotor wings and / or the multiple lower rotor wings are arranged symmetrically.

[0015] According to yet another embodiment, the multiple upper rotor wings comprises at least one, preferably two, upper rotor wings extending to a position near a ceiling wall of the processing volume. This type of rotor wings may be seen as wipers ensuring that no material gets stuck against the ceiling wall. Also in this case, it is preferred that such extra wiping rotor wings extending to a position near the ceiling wall are arranged symmetrically meaning that e.g. two such are provided on opposite sides of a center point.

[0016] According to yet another embodiment, the multiple upper rotor wings and / or the multiple lower rotor wings are provided as single separate portions arranged at a distance from a center point of the rotor blade and extending towards a periphery of the rotor blade.

[0017] According to yet another embodiment, the air gap is arranged beneath part of the lower side and at a periphery of the rotor blade. This implies that the air gap is not only provided beneath the lower side but also extends continued out to the periphery of the rotor blade.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the rotor unit has an upper inflow portion arranged above the upper side of the rotor blade and a lower inflow portion arranged beneath the lower side of the rotor blade, preferably the upper inflow portion is provided for inflow of material to be processed and air and the lower inflow portion is provided for inflow of supporting air. To provide air inflow from both sides of the rotor blade is beneficial to limit the risk of clogging of material on any side.

[0019] The material to be processed according to the present invention may be of different type, but common is that the intended materials are organic or inorganic materials where dispersion is intended for e.g. cooling or drying of the material in an air stream in a subsequent step. Examples of such organic materials are starch, fibers and proteins and examples of inorganic materials are minerals, pigments and dyes.

[0020] The processing of the material may be seen as mixing and / or comminution of the material. In line with this, the rotor unit according to the present invention may be included in a mixing unit. Furthermore, the rotor unit may also be included in a distributing unit where the material is dispersed into other devices from an outflow. According to one embodiment, the rotor unit has an outflow portion, preferably being arranged with an outflow unit for a processing device, said outflow unit comprising multiple individual outflow grooves, preferably where one or more of the outflow grooves are inclined, more preferably all of the outflow grooves are inclined in a similar way to one another, more preferably one or more of the outflow grooves are oblong, more preferably all of the outflow grooves are oblong with rounded ends, most preferably all of the outflow grooves are oblong with rounded ends and inclined in a similar way to one another. It should be noted that the outflow grooves, shape and size etc., may be adapted based on the type of material being processed and also the intended subsequent application, such as e.g. cooling or drying. Some examples are multiple outflow grooves with the same type of shape and inclination, although for instance the outermost outflow grooves may be somewhat smaller than the rest. According to yet another embodiment, the multiple individual outflow grooves are inclined in relation to an imaginary vertical axis, preferably with an angle of maximum 75 degrees as calculated from the imaginary vertical axis, either to a right or to a left side of the imaginary vertical axis.

[0021] According to yet another embodiment, the rotor unit is arranged with a lower heel around, outside and beneath the lower side of the rotor blade to drive outflowing supporting air in an upward direction when flowing out from beneath the lower side of the rotor blade.

[0022] According to one embodiment, an outflowing direction vector for material and air above the upper side of the rotor blade and an outflowing direction vector for air beneath the lower side of the rotor blade have angles that differ maximum 30 degrees to one another, preferably that differ maximum 20 degrees to one another. To provide these direction vectors with as similar angles as possible are beneficial.

[0023] Moreover, according to yet another embodiment, the multiple upper rotor wings are provided separated to each other with a wing gap provided between each pair of upper rotor wings, and wherein the wing gap extends outwards towards a peripheral part of the rotor blade in an angled or bent surface in relation to a horizontal plane of the rotor blade. This embodiment is directed to providing a beneficial geometry between the rotor wings. This geometry ensures a suitable transfer from the rotor into a stator and then out from the mixer for the material being processed in the rotor. In line with this, according to yet another embodiment, the angled or bent surface extends in an overlapping surface which is intended as an overlap between the rotor blade when being connected to a stator part comprising a cone or cylinder. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the angled or bent surface has at least a concave portion in proximity to the overlapping surface. According to one specific embodiment, the overlapping surface has a length in a range of above 0 mm and maximum 55 mm, preferably in a range of above 0 mm and maximum 20 mm, more preferably in range of above 0 mm and maximum 10 mm. Furthermore, according to one further embodiment, the overlapping surface comprises a channel, preferably the channel is provided in a close proximity to an end of the angled or bent surface. Moreover, according to yet another embodiment, the angled or bent surface is angled or bent upwards in relation to a horizontal plane of the rotor blade.

[0024] A rotor blade according to the present invention may be implemented in a rotor-stator system for a mixer. The mixer may be used for many different types of materials, such as for mixing different phase materials, e.g. one liquid phase with one solid phase. Furthermore, the rotor blade according to the present invention is also suitable for the mixing and processing of difficult materials, such as for mixing a powder with a liquid for the production of granules. One type of interest for the present invention is materials containing starch.

[0025] In line with the above, according to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a rotor-stator system comprising a rotor blade intended for a rotor in a mixer, said rotor blade having wing gaps between each pair of upper rotor wings, wherein the wing gap provides a surface extending in an overlapping surface which functions as a separate but overlapping surface of the rotor blade in relation to a cone or cylinder of a stator part of the rotor-stator system. The overlapping surface may comprise a channel, preferably the channel is provided in a close proximity to an end of the angled or bent surface. According to yet another embodiment, the rotorstator system according may be defined based on:

[0026] - a spraying angle out from the overlapping surface;

[0027] - a direction angle of the cone or cylinder; and wherein a difference of the spraying angle out from the overlapping surface and the direction angle out from the overlapping surface to each other is maximum 60 degrees, preferably maximum 45 degrees, more preferably maximum 30 degrees, most preferably maximum 20 degrees. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an angle difference for a material being mixed when leaving the angled or bent surface of the rotor blade and entering into a surface of the cone or cylinder of the stator part is based on the difference in the spraying angle out from the overlapping surface and the direction angle out from the overlapping surface and where this angle difference is in a range of from - 30° to 30°. According to yet another embodiment, there is arranged a rotor-stator slot between the overlapping surface of the rotor blade on an underside of the rotor blade and the cone or cylinder of a stator part, and preferably wherein the rotor-stator slot has a length of 20 mm, preferably maximum 15 mm, most preferably maximum 10 mm. Moreover, according to one embodiment, the rotor-stator slot is arranged to extend into a geometrical expansion. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the rotor blade has a center unit intended for connecting the rotor blade to a rotor in a mixer.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to use of a processing device comprising a rotor unit according to the present invention, for dispersing a product, e.g. a starch-containing material, into an air flow in a dryer or air cooling system, such as a flash dryer or any other suitable type of dryer including, but not limited to, a fluid bed dryer.

[0029] In line with the above, according to one embodiment there is provided a dispersing system comprising a processing device according to the present invention, which processing device comprises an outflow unit connected to an air flow in a dryer or air cooling system, such as including but not limited to a flash dryer system. According to one embodiment, the processing device is arranged as a horizontal rotational device, which may be regarded as resembling a horizontal wheel, such as e.g. a part of a centrifugal pump. One such alternative for the processing device may be seen in the figures.

[0030] Also non-dispersing technical applications and / or other geometries are possible according to the present invention. One such example is when mixing certain doughs, e.g. for a rye dough, a very dry dough or a dough with dry inclusions. Moreover, it should be noted that the rotor unit according to the present invention may be used in many different types of technical applications, such as for drying, cooling, spraying, coating etc.

[0031] Moreover, it should also be noted that e.g. the rotation direction may be both ways. Furthermore, the outflow vector may be both upwards and downwards, the latter implying that an outflow unit (see one example shown in fig. 1 , referred to as an outflow unit 20) is more or less flipped upside down when compared with the embodiment shown in fig. 1 .

[0032] Detailed description of the drawings

[0033] In figs. 1-4 there is shown one embodiment according to the present invention. In figs. 1 -4 there is shown a rotor unit 1 intended for a processing device, said rotor unit 1 comprising a rotor blade 2 with an upper side 2a and a lower side 2b, said rotor blade 1 comprising multiple upper rotor wings 3a extending out from the upper side 2a, said rotor blade 1 also comprising multiple lower rotor wings 3b extending out from the lower side 2b, wherein the rotor unit 1 is positioned in a processing volume 9 of the processing device and which processing volume 9 is defined by walls, and wherein there is provided an air gap 10 between the lower side 2b and one or more walls of the processing volume 9.

[0034] Furthermore, the center point C is also shown in the figures. Moreover, in the figs, there is also shown an outflow portion, being arranged with an outflow unit for the processing device, which comprises multiple individual outflow grooves.

[0035] In figs. 4a and 4b, one portion of the air gap 10 is shown (see in fig. 4b). Moreover, figs. 4a and 4b also show an upper inflow portion 4a arranged above the upper side 2a of the rotor blade 2 and a lower inflow portion 4b arranged beneath the lower side 2b of the rotor blade 2, preferably the upper inflow portion 4a is provided for inflow of material to be processed and air and the lower inflow portion 4b is provided for inflow of supporting air. Furthermore, in fig. 4a there is also shown a lower heel 7 around, outside and beneath the lower side 2b of the rotor blade 2 to drive outflowing supporting air in an upward direction when flowing out from beneath the lower side 2b of the rotor blade 2. Furthermore, in figs. 5-7 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention. In this case it may be noted that there are arranged air slots between each pair of upper rotor wings 3a and lower rotor wings 3b, which upper rotor wings 3a and lower rotor wings 3b are arranged continuously out from both sides 2a, 2b of the rotor blade 2. These type of air slots may contribute to the free space I air gap 10 of the processing volume 9.

[0036] In fig. 6 there is shown the embodiment from the bottom. Here there is shown small holes 50 from the lower side 2b and up into each air slots between each pair of upper rotor wings 3a and lower rotor wings 3b. These holes provide yet another air stream so that a third air outflow stream is provides, as can be seen in figs. 7b-7c. In this case it is also of interest to provide outflowing direction vectors for at least the two lower air flows that have angles that differ maximum 30 degrees to one another, preferably maximum 20 degrees to one another.

Claims

Claims1 . A processing device comprising a rotor unit (1 ), said rotor unit (1 ) comprising a rotor blade (2) with an upper side (2a) and a lower side (2b), said rotor blade (1 ) comprising multiple upper rotor wings (3a) extending out from the upper side (2a), said rotor blade (1 ) also comprising multiple lower rotor wings (3b) extending out from the lower side (2b), wherein the rotor unit (1 ) is positioned in a processing volume (9) of the processing device and which processing volume (9) is defined by walls, and wherein there is provided an air gap (10) between the lower side (2b) and one or more walls of the processing volume (9).

2. The processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the multiple upper rotor wings (3a) are provided separated to each other and wherein the multiple lower rotor wings (3b) are provided separated to each other.

3. The processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the multiple upper rotor wings (3a) and the multiple lower rotor wings (3b) are arranged as common cross sections on both sides (2a, 2b) of the rotor blade (2).

4. The processing device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the multiple upper rotor wings (3a) and / or the multiple lower rotor wings (3b) are arranged symmetrically.

5. The processing device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the multiple upper rotor wings (3a) comprises at least one, preferably two, upper rotor wings (3a) extending to a position near a ceiling wall of the processing volume (9).

6. The processing device according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the multiple upper rotor wings (3a) and / or the multiple lower rotor wings (3b) are providedas single separate portions arranged at a distance from a center point (C) of the rotor blade (2) and extending towards a periphery of the rotor blade (2).

7. The processing device according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the air gap (10) is arranged beneath part of the lower side (2b) and at a periphery (2c) of the rotor blade (2).

8. The processing device according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the rotor unit (1 ) has an upper inflow portion (4a) arranged above the upper side (2a) of the rotor blade (2) and a lower inflow portion (4b) arranged beneath the lower side (2b) of the rotor blade (2), preferably the upper inflow portion (4a) is provided for inflow of material to be processed and air and the lower inflow portion (4b) is provided for inflow of supporting air.

9. The processing device according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the rotor unit (1 ) has an outflow portion, preferably being arranged with an outflow unit for a processing device, said outflow unit comprising multiple individual outflow grooves, preferably where one or more of the outflow grooves are inclined, more preferably all of the outflow grooves are inclined in a similar way to one another, more preferably one or more of the outflow grooves are oblong, more preferably all of the outflow grooves are oblong with rounded ends, most preferably all of the outflow grooves are oblong with rounded ends and inclined in a similar way to one another.

10. The processing device according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the rotor unit (1 ) is arranged with a lower heel (7) around, outside and beneath the lower side (2b) of the rotor blade (2) to drive outflowing supporting air in an upward direction when flowing out from beneath the lower side (2b) of the rotor blade (2).11 . The processing device according to claim 10, wherein an outflowing direction vector for material and air above the upper side (2a) of the rotor blade (2) and an outflowing direction vector for air beneath the lower side (2b)of the rotor blade (2) have angles that differ maximum 30 degrees to one another.

12. The processing device according to any of claims 1-11 , wherein the multiple upper rotor wings (3a) are provided separated to each other with a wing gap provided between each pair of upper rotor wings (3a), and wherein the wing gap extends outwards towards a peripheral part of the rotor blade in an angled or bent surface in relation to a horizontal plane of the rotor blade (2).

13. The processing device according to claim 12, wherein the angled or bent surface extends in an overlapping surface which is intended as an overlap between the rotor blade when being connected to a stator part comprising a cone or cylinder.

14. The processing device according to claim 13, wherein the angled or bent surface has at least a concave portion in proximity to the overlapping surface.

15. Use of a processing device comprising a rotor unit (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -14, for dispersing a product into an air flow in a dryer or air cooling system, such as including but not limited to a flash dryer system.

16. A dispersing system comprising a processing device according to any of claims 1-14, which processing device comprises an outflow unit (20) connected to an air flow in a dryer or air cooling system, such as including but not limited to a flash dryer system.

17. The dispersing system according to claim 16, wherein the processing device is arranged as a horizontal rotational device.

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