Powder particle processing device and operating method of cooling cyclone

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of powder particle processing device and the operating method of cooling cyclone, can inhibit the volatilization component volatilized from powder particle liquefaction or solidification and be attached and accumulated in the wall surface of pipeline etc..Drying regenerative blower (32) can carry out positive rotation action and reverse action.By positive rotation action, the airflow supplied to drying hopper (11) is generated, and the airflow is heated by drying heater (33).The airflow supplied to drying hopper passes through adsorber (31), at this time, the airflow is adsorbed by the adsorption material (35) of adsorber and becomes low humidity state.As a result, the volatilization component contained in the airflow discharged from drying hopper is recovered to cooling cyclone (51) in powder particle processing device (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an apparatus for processing powder particles of resin material or the like, and a method for operating a cooling cyclone provided in the apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, before plastic material (resin material) is fed into a molding machine, pre-drying for removing moisture from the plastic material is performed.

[0003] Various dryers for pre-drying are provided, and a dehumidifying dryer having high drying performance is widely used. In the dehumidifying dryer, drying air heated by a heater is supplied to the plastic material, so that the drying air takes moisture from the plastic material. Then, the drying air is regenerated because the moisture is adsorbed by an adsorbent material, and the drying air is heated again by the heater, and the heated drying air is supplied again to the plastic material. In this way, in the dehumidifying dryer, the air circulating in a circulation line becomes low-humidity drying air that is heated and supplied to the plastic material, and thus the drying performance is high.

[0004] In addition, various additives such as an ultraviolet inhibitor, a flame retardant, and the like are mixed in the plastic material. In the additives, a volatile component is included, and a part of the volatile additive is volatilized due to drying of the plastic material. When the dehumidifying dryer is stopped, if air including the volatilized component from the plastic material remains in the circulation line, the volatilized component is liquefied or solidified and adheres to the wall surface of the circulation line, the adsorbent material, or the like. Due to the adhesion and accumulation of the volatilized component, it is possible to cause a malfunction of a blower that circulates the air in the circulation line, a decrease in the air volume of the drying air required for the plastic material, or the like, and thus the drying performance is reduced.

[0005] Therefore, sometimes a mechanism for removing the volatilized component is provided on a line between a drying hopper in which the plastic material is accommodated and the adsorbent material. For example, in a cooling cyclone type mechanism, air including the volatilized component from the plastic material is introduced into a cyclone-shaped container, and the air swirling in the container is cooled, the volatilized component is liquefied to become droplets, and the air from which the volatilized component is removed is discharged from the container.

[0006] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0007] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-190921 SUMMARY

[0009] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] On the other hand, in the dehumidifying dryer, it is necessary to remove the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent material from the adsorbent material to regenerate the adsorbent material to a low-humidity state. At the time of regeneration of the adsorbent material, for example, an external gas is sucked in via a regeneration line of the adsorbent material. Then, the external gas is heated by a heater, and at the time of passing of the heated external gas through the adsorbent material, the external gas takes out the moisture from the adsorbent material, and the adsorbent material is regenerated to a low-humidity state in which the adsorbent material can adsorb moisture. The external gas from which the moisture is taken out from the adsorbent material is discharged to the atmosphere.

[0011] According to the type of the dehumidifying dryer, there is a type in which, after the drying operation of drying the plastic material is stopped, a regeneration operation of regenerating the adsorbent material is performed. If the drying operation is stopped, air containing a volatile component remains in the piping between the drying hopper and the adsorbent material, and therefore, in the regeneration operation, it is possible that the remaining air is cooled, and the volatile component adheres and accumulates on the wall surface or the like of the piping.

[0012] Further, even in the type in which the drying operation and the regeneration operation are performed in parallel, if air containing a volatile component remains in the piping between the drying hopper and the adsorbent material at the time when the operation of the dehumidifying dryer as a whole is stopped, in the operation stop, it is possible that the remaining air is cooled, and the volatile component adheres and accumulates on the wall surface or the like of the piping.

[0013] An object of the present application is to provide a powder particle processing apparatus and a cooling cyclone operation method, which can suppress liquefaction or solidification of a volatile component volatilized from a powder particle from adhering and accumulating on a wall surface or the like of a piping.

[0014] A solution to the above-described technical problem

[0015] To achieve the object, a powder particle processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present application includes: a housing portion that houses a powder particle; a heating portion that heats a gas stream supplied to the housing portion; an adsorption portion through which the gas stream supplied to the housing portion passes, and that adsorbs moisture contained in the gas stream at the time of the passage; a gas stream generation portion that can perform a forward rotation operation and a reverse rotation operation, generates the gas stream supplied to the housing portion by one of the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation, and generates a regeneration gas stream that regenerates the adsorption portion to a low-humidity state by the other; and a recovery portion that recovers a volatile component volatilized from the powder particle housed in the housing portion from the gas stream discharged from the housing portion.

[0016] According to this configuration, the airflow generating section can perform a forward rotation operation and a reverse rotation operation. By one of the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation, an airflow is generated that is supplied to the housing section, and the airflow is heated by the heating section. Further, the airflow supplied to the housing section passes through the adsorption section, and at this time, the airflow becomes a low-humidity state due to moisture being adsorbed by the adsorption section. As a result, an airflow of a low dew point (low humidity and high temperature) is supplied to the housing section. Therefore, the airflow takes moisture from the powder particles housed in the housing section, and the powder particles are dried.

[0017] On the other hand, by the other of the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation of the airflow generating section, a regenerative airflow is generated. Since the regenerative airflow passes through the adsorption section, the regenerative airflow takes moisture from the adsorption section, and the adsorption section is regenerated to a low-humidity state.

[0018] For example, in a case where a volatile component is included in an additive of the powder particles, the volatile component volatilizes as the powder particles are dried, and thus the volatile component volatilized from the powder particles is included in the airflow discharged from the housing section. Therefore, the recovery section is provided, and the volatile component included in the airflow discharged from the housing section is recovered to the recovery section. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the gas including the volatile component from remaining in a pipe through which the airflow flows, and it is possible to suppress the volatile component from being liquefied or solidified to adhere to or accumulate on a wall surface or the like of the pipe.

[0019] Therefore, even in a powder particle processing device of a type in which the airflow generating section performs the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation, for example, a forward-reverse rotation dehumidification dryer, it is possible to suppress a volatile component volatilized from the powder particles from being liquefied or solidified to adhere to or accumulate on a wall surface or the like of a pipe.

[0020] The powder particle processing device can also be configured to further include a regenerative heating section that heats the regenerative airflow before the regenerative airflow is supplied to the adsorption section, and a guide section that guides the airflow discharged from the housing section to the recovery section, and the guide section is heated by the regenerative exhaust gas that is the regenerative airflow after passing through the adsorption section.

[0021] According to this configuration, the regenerative airflow that has passed through the adsorption section is heated before the regenerative airflow is supplied to the adsorption section. Therefore, the regenerative airflow can take moisture from the adsorption section well, and the adsorption section can be regenerated to a good low-humidity state.

[0022] However, during the regenerative operation in which the adsorption section is regenerated, the airflow is not discharged from the housing section. Therefore, if the regenerative operation is stopped, the gas including the volatile component remains in the guide section that guides the airflow discharged from the housing section to the recovery section, and the volatile component can be liquefied or solidified to adhere to a wall surface or the like of the pipe of the guide section during the stop of the regenerative operation. The regenerative airflow that is heated by the regenerative heating section becomes a regenerative exhaust gas by passing through the adsorption section, and the guide section is heated by the regenerative exhaust gas, and thus it is possible to suppress the volatile component in the guide section from being liquefied and solidified.

[0023] Preferably, the powder particle processing device further includes a connecting portion that connects the adsorption portion and the introduction portion, and allows the regenerative exhaust gas to flow into the introduction portion, and the introduction portion is heated by allowing the regenerative exhaust gas to flow through the introduction portion.

[0024] According to this configuration, the adsorption portion and the introduction portion are connected by the connecting portion, the regenerative exhaust gas flows through the connecting portion and flows into the introduction portion, and the introduction portion is caused to flow with the regenerative exhaust gas. Thus, the introduction portion is heated, and solidification of the volatile component in the introduction portion can be suppressed, and the gas containing the volatile component can be pushed out of the introduction portion by the regenerative exhaust gas. Therefore, the gas containing the volatile component can be suppressed from remaining in the introduction portion, and liquefaction and solidification of the volatile component in the introduction portion can be further suppressed.

[0025] Another aspect of the present application is a powder particle processing device including: a housing portion that houses powder particles; a heating portion that heats a gas stream supplied to the housing portion; an adsorption portion through which the gas stream supplied to the housing portion passes, and that adsorbs moisture contained in the gas stream as it passes through the adsorption portion; a first gas stream generating portion that generates the gas stream supplied to the housing portion; a second gas stream generating portion that generates a regenerative gas stream that regenerates the adsorption portion to a low-humidity state by passing through the adsorption portion; a recovery portion that recovers a volatile component volatilized from the powder particles housed in the housing portion from the gas stream discharged from the housing portion; a regenerative heating portion that heats the regenerative gas stream before being supplied to the adsorption portion; and an introduction portion that introduces the gas stream discharged from the housing portion to the recovery portion, and that is heated by the regenerative exhaust gas after passing through the adsorption portion.

[0026] According to this configuration, the gas stream supplied to the housing portion is generated by the action of the first gas stream generating portion, and the gas stream is heated by the heating portion. In addition, the gas stream supplied to the housing portion passes through the adsorption portion, and moisture is adsorbed by the adsorption portion at this time, and the gas stream becomes a low-humidity state. As a result, a gas stream of low dew point (low humidity and high temperature) is supplied to the housing portion. Therefore, the gas stream takes moisture from the powder particles housed in the housing portion, and the powder particles are dried.

[0027] For example, in the case where a volatile component is contained in an additive of the powder particles, the volatile component volatilizes as the powder particles are dried, and therefore the gas stream discharged from the housing portion contains the volatile component volatilized from the powder particles. Therefore, the recovery portion is provided, and the volatile component contained in the gas stream discharged from the housing portion is recovered to the recovery portion. Therefore, the gas containing the volatile component can be suppressed from remaining in the piping through which the gas stream flows, and the volatile component can be suppressed from being liquefied or solidified and adhering or accumulating to the wall surface or the like of the piping.

[0028] On the other hand, the regenerative gas stream is generated by the action of the second gas stream generating portion. The regenerative gas stream passes through the adsorption portion, and the adsorption portion is regenerated to a low-humidity state by the regenerative gas stream taking moisture from the adsorption portion.

[0029] Further, the heated regeneration gas flows through the adsorption section to become a regeneration exhaust gas, and the introduction section is heated using the regeneration exhaust gas. Therefore, liquefaction and solidification of the volatilized component in the introduction section can be suppressed.

[0030] Therefore, liquefaction or solidification of the volatilized component volatilized from the powder particles and adhered or accumulated on the wall surface of the piping of each section including the introduction section can be suppressed.

[0031] The powder particle treatment device can further include a heating path through which the regeneration exhaust gas flows toward the introduction section, and a switching valve that switches the path of the regeneration exhaust gas between the heating path and a path through which the regeneration exhaust gas is discharged to the atmosphere.

[0032] According to this configuration, by switching of the switching valve, the regeneration exhaust gas can be caused to flow through the heating path when the introduction section is heated using the regeneration exhaust gas, and the regeneration exhaust gas can be discharged to the atmosphere at other times. Therefore, heating of the introduction section can be suppressed when the volatilized component is recovered in the recovery section, and improvement of the recovery efficiency of the volatilized component in the recovery section can be achieved.

[0033] The powder particle treatment device can further include a control section that switches the switching valve at a predetermined timing for a predetermined period, thereby causing the introduction section to be heated using the regeneration exhaust gas.

[0034] The recovery section can be a cooling cyclone that causes the gas stream discharged from the housing section to swirl while being cooled, and recovers the volatilized component, and discharges the gas stream from which the volatilized component has been removed.

[0035] In this case, it is preferable that the cooling cyclone include a cyclone main body that causes the gas stream discharged from the housing section to swirl, and a cooling mechanism that cools the cyclone main body from the outside.

[0036] According to this configuration, the cyclone main body is cooled from the outside by the cooling mechanism, and thus the gas stream that swirls in the cyclone main body can be cooled well.

[0037] The cooling mechanism is a cooling fan that is provided outside the cyclone main body and that blows cooling air toward the cyclone main body, and the introduction section can be disposed on the opposite side of the cooling fan from the cyclone main body at a position through which the cooling air from the cooling fan passes.

[0038] According to this configuration, the cooling air from the cooling fan passes through the introduction section, and thus the gas stream containing the volatilized component can be cooled from the stage at which the gas stream flows through the introduction section. As a result, liquefaction of the volatilized component in the cyclone main body can be promoted, and the recovery performance of the cooling cyclone with respect to the volatilized component can be improved.

[0039] It is preferable that, when the introduction section is heated, cooling by the cooling mechanism be stopped.

[0040] Therefore, when the introduction portion is heated, the waste of cooling the introduction portion and the cyclone body together by the cooling mechanism can be omitted.

[0041] The operation method of the cooling cyclone according to still another aspect of the present application operates the cooling cyclone that has a cyclone body and a cooling mechanism that cools the cyclone body from the outside, and recovers a volatile component from a moisture vaporized from a powder particle and a gas stream containing the volatile component, and performs a recovery process of swirling the moisture vaporized from the powder particle and the gas stream containing the volatile component in the cyclone body while cooling the cyclone body from the outside by the cooling mechanism, and cooling the swirling gas stream through the cyclone body to liquefy and recover the volatile component, and stops the cooling by the cooling mechanism when the recovery process is not performed.

[0042] According to this method, the cooling is performed from the outside of the cyclone body by the cooling mechanism, so that the swirling gas stream in the cyclone body can be cooled well. As a result, the liquefaction of the volatile component in the cyclone body can be promoted, and the recovery performance of the cooling cyclone for the volatile component can be improved.

[0043] On the other hand, when the recovery of the volatile component is not performed, the cooling by the cooling mechanism is stopped, so that the waste of energy consumption can be suppressed. Further, when the recovery of the volatile component is not performed, the introduction portion that introduces the moisture vaporized from the powder particle and the gas stream containing the volatile component into the cyclone body is heated, so that the volatile component volatilized from the powder particle is suppressed from being solidified and adhered or accumulated on the wall surface or the like of the pipeline of the introduction portion. In this configuration, when the introduction portion is heated, the waste of cooling the introduction portion and the cyclone body together by the cooling mechanism can be omitted.

[0044] Effects of the Invention

[0045] According to the present application, the volatile component volatilized from the powder particle can be suppressed from being liquefied or solidified to adhere or accumulate on the wall surface of the pipeline, the adsorbent material, or the like, and the performance reduction due to the adhesion or accumulation can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the configuration of a powder particle processing apparatus according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present application.

[0047] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the configuration of a powder particle processing apparatus according to another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present application. Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of an operation action of the powder particle processing apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

[0048] Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the configuration of a powder particle processing apparatus according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present application.

[0049] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the powder particle processing device. Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the powder particle processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0051] <Configuration of Powder Particle Processing Device>

[0052] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the configuration of a powder particle processing device 1 according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present application.

[0053] The powder particle processing device 1 is a device for processing powder particles such as resin particles that are materials of plastic products, and specifically, a device for removing moisture from powder particles to dry the powder particles.

[0054] The powder particle processing device 1 is provided with a drying hopper 11 that stores powder particles. A loading hopper 12 is provided above the drying hopper 11. One end of a suction line 13 is connected to the loading hopper 12. The other end of the suction line 13 is connected to a suction inlet of a conveying blower (not shown). Further, one end of a powder particle supply line 14 is connected to the loading hopper 12. The powder particle supply line 14 extends toward an external material tank that stores powder particles, and the other end thereof is connected to a suction pipe 15 provided in the external material tank.

[0055] If the conveying blower is driven, air in the loading hopper 12 is sucked into the suction line 13, and the powder particles in the external material tank are supplied into the loading hopper 12 via the suction pipe 15 and the powder particle supply line 14 by air conveying. Then, if a supply valve provided between the drying hopper 11 and the loading hopper 12 is opened, the powder particles are supplied from the loading hopper 12 to the drying hopper 11.

[0056] A powder particle discharge port 16 is formed at the lower end of the drying hopper 11, and a gate shutter 17 that opens and closes the powder particle discharge port 16 is provided. In a state where the gate shutter 17 is closed, the powder particles supplied from the loading hopper 12 can be stored in the drying hopper 11. If the gate shutter 17 is opened, the powder particles in the drying hopper 11 are discharged from the powder particle discharge port 16. The powder particles discharged from the powder particle discharge port 16 are sent to a molding machine.

[0057] A circulation line 21 for circulating air inside and outside the drying hopper 11 is connected to the drying hopper 11. Specifically, an air discharge pipe 22 is provided in the upper portion of the drying hopper 11 so as to penetrate the side wall. One end and the other end of the air discharge pipe 22 are open inside and outside the drying hopper 11, respectively. One end of the circulation line 21 is connected to the other end of the air discharge pipe 22. Further, an air supply pipe 23 is provided inside the drying hopper 11. One end of the air supply pipe 23 is drawn outside so as to penetrate the side wall of the drying hopper 11, and the other end of the circulation line 21 is connected to one end of the air supply pipe 23. The other end of the air supply pipe 23 is formed in a conical shape that expands downward, and the front end (lower end) thereof is open as an air supply port 24.

[0058] In the circulation line 21, an adsorber 31, a drying regeneration blower 32, and a drying heater 33 are installed in this order from the side farther from the air supply pipe 23.

[0059] The adsorber 31 has an adsorption cylinder 34 having a cylindrical peripheral wall. Air circulating in the circulation line 21 flows in the center line direction of the adsorption cylinder 34 inside the adsorption cylinder 34. An adsorption material 35 is housed inside the adsorption cylinder 34. As the material of the adsorption material 35, a material having a property of adsorbing moisture from air flowing inside the adsorption cylinder 34 and separating the moisture by heating, such as zeolite, is used.

[0060] The drying regeneration blower 32 is a blower that can perform a forward rotation operation and a reverse rotation operation. By the forward rotation operation of the drying regeneration blower 32, air is drawn into the drying regeneration blower 32 from the adsorber 31 side, and the air is blown out from the drying regeneration blower 32 toward the drying heater 33 side. On the other hand, by the reverse rotation operation of the drying regeneration blower 32, air is drawn into the drying regeneration blower 32 from the drying heater 33 side, and the air is blown out from the drying regeneration blower 32 toward the adsorber 31 side.

[0061] The drying heater 33 is disposed at the other end portion of the circulation line 21, that is, in the vicinity of the connection portion with the air supply pipe 23. When the drying regeneration blower 32 performs the forward rotation operation, the drying heater 33 heats air that is blown toward the drying heater 33 side from the drying regeneration blower 32 toward the drying hopper 11 (the air supply pipe 23).

[0062] By the forward rotation operation of the drying and regenerating blower 32, air flows in the circulation line 21 from the drying and regenerating blower 32 through the drying heater 33 toward the drying hopper 11. Therefore, in the drying hopper 11, air heated by the drying heater 33 is diffused from the air supply port 24 toward the lower side while being blown out. The temperature of the air is, for example, 60 to 180°C. The air blown out from the air supply port 24 toward the lower side passes between the powder particles stored in the drying hopper 11, and is discharged to the upper side of the stored powder particles. Therefore, the moisture of the powder particles is taken away by the air, the powder particles are dried, and the air containing the moisture is discharged to the circulation line 21 through the air discharge pipe 22.

[0063] The air containing the moisture discharged to the circulation line 21 flows in the circulation line 21 to flow into the adsorber 31. While the air flows in the adsorber 31 (the adsorption cylinder 34), the air comes into contact with the surface of the adsorbent 35, and the moisture contained in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent 35. Therefore, the air becomes air of low humidity and low dew point. In the forward rotation operation of the drying and regenerating blower 32, the air is sucked into the drying and regenerating blower 32, and is blown out from the drying and regenerating blower 32 toward the drying heater 33. Then, by heating the air with the drying heater 33, air of which the amount of saturated water vapor is large and which is of low humidity and low dew point is supplied to the drying hopper 11 as drying air. Therefore, the powder particle processing apparatus 1 as a dehumidifying and drying machine is excellent in the performance of drying the powder particles.

[0064] In order to remove the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent 35 of the adsorber 31 from the adsorbent 35 to regenerate the adsorbent 35 to a state of low humidity, a regenerating heater 41 is combined on the side of the drying and regenerating blower 32 of the adsorber 31. Further, an external air introduction line 42 is branched and connected in the circulation line 21 between the drying and regenerating blower 32 and the drying heater 33.

[0065] By the reverse rotation operation of the drying and regenerating blower 32, external air (external gas) is sucked into the external gas introduction line 42 through the regenerating filter 43, and is sucked into the drying and regenerating blower 32 from the external gas introduction line 42 via the circulation line 21. Then, the sucked air is blown out from the drying and regenerating blower 32 toward the side of the adsorber 31, and the air flowing in the circulation line 21 toward the adsorber 31 is heated by the regenerating heater 41 to become regenerating air, and the regenerating air passes through the adsorber 31. Therefore, the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent 35 is taken away by the regenerating air, and the adsorbent 35 is regenerated to a state of low humidity. The temperature of the regenerating air is, for example, 180 to 250°C.

[0066] A check valve 44 is installed between the branch point of the outside air introduction line 42 in the circulation line 21 and the drying heater 33. The check valve 44 allows air to flow to the drying heater 33 side and prevents air from flowing in the reverse direction, i.e., to the drying regenerative blower 32 side. Therefore, when the regeneration of the adsorbent material 35 is performed using the reverse rotation of the drying regenerative blower 32, the air in the drying hopper 11 can be prevented from being sucked out from the air supply port 24 to the air supply line 23.

[0067] Further, the check valve 45 that prevents air from flowing to the regenerative filter 43 side is installed in the outside air introduction line 42. Therefore, when the regeneration of the adsorbent material 35 is performed using the reverse rotation of the drying regenerative blower 32, air can be allowed to flow to the drying regenerative blower 32 side, and when the drying of the powder particles is performed using the forward rotation of the drying regenerative blower 32, the air blown out from the drying regenerative blower 32 can be prevented from being released to the outside.

[0068] In addition, the drying heater 33 can be used for heating the regeneration air, and the regenerative heater 41 can be omitted. In this case, for example, the following configuration can be used: the outside air introduction line 42 (including the regenerative filter 43 and the check valve 45) and the check valve 44 are omitted, an outside air suction line that sucks outside air to the line between the drying heater 33 and the drying hopper 11 is branched from the line, the outside air suction line is closed when the drying regenerative blower 32 performs the forward rotation to dry the powder particles and is opened when the drying regenerative blower 32 performs the reverse rotation to regenerate the adsorbent material 35, and the outside air is sucked to the outside air suction line. For example, by providing a check valve that prevents air from flowing from the line to the outside air suction line on the outside air suction line and a check valve that prevents air from flowing from the drying hopper 11 to the drying regenerative blower 32 side between the branch connection point of the outside air suction in the line and the drying hopper 11, the following configuration can be obtained: the outside air suction line is closed when the drying regenerative blower 32 performs the forward rotation to dry the powder particles and is opened when the drying regenerative blower 32 performs the reverse rotation to regenerate the adsorbent material 35.

[0069] Further, a cooling cyclone 51 and a drying filter 52 are provided in the circulation line 21. The cooling cyclone 51 and the drying filter 52 are installed in the circulation line 21 in this order between the air discharge line 22 and the adsorber 31 from the air discharge line 22 side.

[0070] The cooling cyclone 51 includes a cyclone main body 53, a cyclone introduction line 54 that introduces air discharged from the air discharge line 22 to the circulation line 21 into the cyclone main body 53, and a cooling mechanism 55 that cools the cyclone main body 53 from the outside.

[0071] The upper side wall 56 of the cyclone body 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the lower side wall 57 continuous to the lower side of the upper side wall 56 is formed in a substantially conical shape which is tapered toward the lower side. The cyclone inlet is formed in the upper side wall 56. The cyclone discharge pipe 59 is provided through the upper wall 58 of the cyclone body 53. The lower end of the cyclone discharge pipe 59 is opened toward the lower side in the cyclone body 53. The drying filter 52 is disposed above the cyclone body 53, and the upper end of the cyclone discharge pipe 59 is connected to the filter inlet of the drying filter 52.

[0072] The cyclone inlet pipe 54 is composed of an aluminum pipe. The cyclone inlet pipe 54 is formed in a spiral shape and extends upward and downward in order to secure a longer pipe length, and extends in the tangential direction of the cyclone inlet so as to be connected to the cyclone inlet in the tangential direction from the cyclone inlet of the cyclone body 53 along the upper side wall 56. The air blown in the tangential direction from the cyclone inlet spirally descends along the inner surface of the cyclone body 53, and then rises near the center line of the cyclone body 53, and is discharged through the cyclone discharge pipe 59.

[0073] The cooling mechanism 55 includes a cooling fan 61 which blows cooling air toward the cyclone body 53, and a motor M which drives the cooling fan 61. The cyclone body 53 is cooled because the cooling air from the cooling fan 61 meets the cyclone body 53, and the air which spirally descends along the inner surface of the cyclone body 53 is cooled via the cyclone body 53. In addition, the portion of the cyclone inlet pipe 54 which is formed in a spiral shape is disposed on the opposite side of the cooling fan 61 with respect to the cyclone body 53, and the cooling air from the cooling fan 61 passes along the center line of the spiral shape. Therefore, the cyclone inlet pipe 54 is cooled, and the air which is introduced into the cyclone body 53 from the circulation pipe 21 through the cyclone inlet pipe 54 is also cooled via the cyclone inlet pipe 54 when passing through the cyclone inlet pipe 54.

[0074] The air discharged from the cyclone discharge pipe 59 passes through the drying filter 52, and is discharged from the filter discharge port of the drying filter 52 to the circulation pipe 21 after foreign matter is removed by the drying filter 52.

[0075] One end of a regenerative air discharge pipe 62, which discharges regenerative air, is connected to the adsorber 31. The other end of the regenerative air discharge pipe 62 is branched and connected to the circulation line 21 between the air discharge pipe 22 of the drying hopper 11 and the cooling cyclone 51. A check valve 63, which prevents air from flowing to the adsorber 31 side, is installed on the regenerative air discharge pipe 62. Therefore, when drying of the powder particles is performed by a forward rotation operation of the drying regenerative blower 32, the air discharged from the air discharge pipe 22 to the circulation line 21 is prevented from flowing in the regenerative air discharge pipe 62. When regeneration of the adsorbing material 35 is performed by a reverse rotation operation of the drying regenerative blower 32, regenerative air flows in the regenerative air discharge pipe 62, and the regenerative air flows from the regenerative air discharge pipe 62 to the circulation line 21.

[0076] A check valve 64, which prevents air from flowing to the air discharge pipe 22 side, is installed on the circulation line 21 between the branched connection points of the air discharge pipe 22 of the drying hopper 11 and the regenerative air discharge pipe 62. Therefore, the regenerative air flowing from the regenerative air discharge pipe 62 to the circulation line 21 flows in the circulation line 21 toward the cooling cyclone 51.

[0077] Further, in the circulation line 21, an atmosphere opening pipe 65 is branched and connected between the adsorber 31 and the drying filter 52. A check valve 66, which prevents air (external air) from being sucked from the outside to the atmosphere opening pipe 62, is provided at the front end of the atmosphere opening pipe 65.

[0078] Further, on the circulation line 21, a check valve 67, which prevents air from flowing to the drying filter 52 side, is installed between the adsorber 31 and the drying filter 52.

[0079] Further, the powder particle processing device 1 is provided with a control section 71 including a micro controller. The micro controller has, for example, a CPU, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The operation of each section of the powder particle processing device 1, such as the drying regenerative blower 32, the drying heater 33, the regenerative heater 41, and the motor M of the cooling fan 61, is controlled by the control section 71.

[0080] <Operation>

[0081] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the powder particle processing device 1.

[0082] During the operation of the powder particle processing device 1, drying operation (step S11) for drying the powder particles and regeneration operation (step S12) for regenerating the adsorbing material 35 of the adsorber 31 to a low humidity state are alternately performed.

[0083] During the drying operation, the driving of the drying regenerative blower 32 is controlled so that the drying regenerative blower 32 performs a forward rotation operation. By the forward rotation operation of the drying regenerative blower 32, air is blown from the drying regenerative blower 32 toward the drying heater 33. During the forward rotation operation of the drying regenerative blower 32, the drying heater 33 is turned on. Therefore, air heated by the drying heater 33 is supplied from the air supply pipe 23 into the drying hopper 11 as drying air. The air in the drying hopper 11 that has taken moisture from the powder particles is discharged toward the circulating line 21 through the air discharge pipe 22. The air discharged to the circulating line 21 flows in the circulating line 21 toward the cooling cyclone 51, and is introduced into the cyclone main body 53 through the cyclone introduction pipe 54.

[0084] In the case where the volatile component is contained in the additive of the powder particles, the volatile component is volatilized as the powder particles are dried. Therefore, the air discharged from the drying hopper 11 to the circulating line 21 contains the volatile component volatilized from the powder particles. During the forward rotation operation of the drying regenerative blower 32, the motor M that drives the cooling fan 61 is driven, and cooling air is supplied from the cooling fan 61 toward the cyclone main body 53. Therefore, the air introduced into the cyclone main body 53 from the cyclone introduction pipe 54 is cooled by the cyclone introduction pipe 54 when passing through the cyclone introduction pipe 54, and further cooled by the cyclone main body 53 when swirling along the inner surface of the cyclone main body 53. By cooling the air, the volatile component and water vapor contained in the air are liquefied, and the liquefied volatile component and the like are gathered on the outside of the flow of the air by the centrifugal force of the air swirling in the cyclone main body 53 as droplets. The droplets fall by the action of gravity and are recovered to the recovery box 72 connected to the lower end of the cyclone main body 53.

[0085] The air discharged from the cyclone main body 53 through the cyclone discharge pipe 59 flows in the circulating line 21 toward the adsorber 31 after passing through the drying filter 52. Then, the air passes through the adsorber 31, and the moisture contained in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent material 35. The air that has passed through the adsorber 31 is sucked into the drying regenerative blower 32, and is blown from the drying regenerative blower 32 toward the drying heater 33, and is heated again by the drying heater 33, and is supplied from the air supply pipe 23 into the drying hopper 11. In this way, the air is circulated in the drying hopper 11 and the circulating line 21, the air takes moisture from the powder particles in the drying hopper 11, and the adsorbent material 35 in the circulating line 21 takes moisture from the air, and by repeating such actions, the powder particles are dried.

[0086] After the drying operation is performed for a prescribed time, a regeneration operation is performed. During the regeneration operation, the driving of the drying and regenerating blower 32 is controlled so that the drying and regenerating blower 32 performs a reverse rotation operation. By the reverse rotation operation of the drying and regenerating blower 32, outside air is sucked into the drying and regenerating blower 32 through the outside air introduction pipe 42 and is blown out from the drying and regenerating blower 32 toward the adsorber 31. During the reverse rotation operation of the drying and regenerating blower 32, the regeneration heater 41 is turned on. Therefore, air is heated by the regeneration heater 41 before passing through the adsorber 31 and becomes regeneration air. The temperature of the regeneration air is, for example, 180 to 230°C. Since the heated regeneration air passes through the adsorber 31, the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbing material 35 is taken away by the regeneration air, and the adsorbing material 35 is regenerated to a low humidity state.

[0087] The regeneration air after passing through the adsorber 31 remains in a moderately high temperature state, flows into the circulation pipe 21 through the regeneration air discharge pipe 62, flows into the cyclone introduction pipe 54 of the cooling cyclone 51 from the circulation pipe 21. Therefore, after the drying operation is stopped, air remaining in the circulation pipe 21 and the cyclone introduction pipe 54 is chased out from the circulation pipe 21 and the cyclone introduction pipe 54. Further, the regeneration air in a high temperature state flows through the circulation pipe 21 and the cyclone introduction pipe 54, and therefore, the circulation pipe 21 and the cyclone introduction pipe 54 are heated, and the volatile components and the like liquefied and adhered to the wall surface of the cyclone introduction pipe 54 and the like are vaporized. The regeneration air sequentially passes through the cyclone main body 53, the cyclone discharge pipe 59, and the drying filter 52, and is discharged to the atmosphere through the atmosphere opening pipe 65. Therefore, it is possible to suppress air containing volatile components from remaining in the cyclone introduction pipe 54 and the like, and further, it is possible to remove volatile components adhered to the wall surface of the cyclone introduction pipe 54 and the like, and to suppress volatile components from solidifying and being fixed or accumulated on the wall surface and the like.

[0088] After the regeneration operation is performed for a prescribed time, the regeneration operation ends, and in the case where the operation of the powder particle processing device 1 is continued (NO in step S13), the drying operation is performed again (step S11). In the case where the operation of the powder particle processing device 1 is ended (YES in step S13), the regeneration operation ends, and the operation of the powder particle processing device 1 ends.

[0089] <Effects>

[0090] As described above, during the drying operation, it is possible to dry the powder particles in the drying hopper 11 well. Further, by the cooling cyclone 51, it is possible to recover volatile components contained in air discharged from the drying hopper 11 to the circulation pipe 21, to suppress air containing volatile components from remaining in the circulation pipe 21, and to suppress volatile components from liquefying or solidifying to adhere or accumulate in the wall surface of the pipe, the adsorbing material, and the like.

[0091] Then, during the regeneration operation, the desorption air heated by the regeneration heater 41 passes through the adsorber 31, so the adsorbent material 35 can be regenerated to a good low-humidity state. Also, since the high-temperature desorption air circulates in the circulation line 21 and the like, and the dry air containing the volatile components passes through the line, the air containing the volatile components can be prevented from remaining in the cyclone inlet pipe 54 and the like, and the volatile components adhering to the wall surface of the cyclone inlet pipe 54 and the like can be removed, so the volatile components can be prevented from liquefying or solidifying to adhere to or accumulate on the wall surface and the like.

[0092] <Other Embodiments>

[0093] Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the configuration of a powder processing device 101 according to another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present application. In Figure 3 , the portions corresponding to the respective parts shown in Figure 1 are labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the respective parts. Also, hereinafter, the description of the portions labeled with the same reference numerals will be omitted, and only the points different from the configuration shown in Figure 3 will be described with respect to the configuration shown in Figure 1 .

[0094] In the powder processing device 1 shown in Figure 1 , the drying and regeneration blower 32 is provided, and the drying operation and the regeneration operation are performed by the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation of the drying and regeneration blower 32, respectively. In contrast, in the powder processing device 101 shown in Figure 3 , the drying blower 111 and the regeneration blower 112 are provided instead of the drying and regeneration blower 32.

[0095] On the circulation line 21, the drying blower 111, the adsorber 31, and the drying heater 33 are installed in this order from the side farther from the air supply line 23. In the adsorber 31, the region in which the adsorption cylinder 34 exists is divided into an adsorption region, a regeneration region, and a cooling region. Also, the adsorption cylinder 34 is provided with a rotation mechanism by which the adsorption cylinder 34 rotates across the adsorption region, the regeneration region, and the cooling region about a center line.

[0096] The drying blower 111 blows out the air sucked in from the side of the drying filter 52 toward the adsorber 31. The air blown out from the drying blower 111 passes through the adsorption region of the adsorber 31. At this time, in the adsorption region, the moisture contained in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent material 35, and the air becomes low-humidity and low-dew-point air. Also, the low-humidity and low-dew-point air is heated by the drying heater 33, and is supplied to the drying hopper 11 as dry air.

[0097] The regenerative blower 112 sucks in air (external air) from the outside through the regenerative filter 43 and the external air introduction line 42, and blows the air toward the adsorber 31. The air blown from the regenerative blower 112 is heated by the regenerative heater 41 to become regenerative air, and passes through the regenerative region of the adsorber 31. Therefore, in the regenerative region, the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent 35 is taken away by the regenerative air, and the adsorbent 35 is regenerated to a low-humidity state.

[0098] The portion of the adsorbent 35 whose regenerative region is heated and regenerated moves to the cooling region along with the rotation of the adsorption cylinder 34 by the rotation mechanism. In the cooling region, the portion of the adsorbent 35 whose regenerative region is heated and regenerated is cooled due to the supply of cooling air. Due to this cooling, the adsorption performance of the moisture of the heated and regenerated portion of the adsorbent 35 is improved, and therefore, by arranging this portion in the adsorption region, the adsorbent 35 can adsorb the moisture contained in the air well. In addition, the cooling air can also be air introduced by branching a portion of the air from the drying blower 111.

[0099] In addition, the cooling region can also be omitted depending on the drying object and the operating conditions.

[0100] One end of a regenerative air discharge line 113, which discharges the regenerative air from the regenerative region, is connected to the adsorber 31. The other end of the regenerative air discharge line 113 is open to the atmosphere. In addition, the regenerative air discharge line 113 is wound in a spiral shape so as to surround the periphery of the cyclone introduction line 54 of the cooling cyclone 51. Between the portion wound in the spiral shape and the adsorber 31, a switching valve 114 is installed on the regenerative air discharge line 113, for switching the flow destination of the regenerative air between the portion wound in the spiral shape and the atmosphere.

[0101] In addition, the regenerative air discharge line 113 is not limited to a spiral-shaped tube, and can be other configurations as long as it is configured to be able to heat the line through which the drying air containing the volatile component passes, such as the circulation line 21 and the cyclone introduction line 54. The regenerative air discharge line 113 can be, for example, a double-pipe configuration, or a configuration in which the regenerative air and the drying air pass through heat exchangers, respectively.

[0102] In addition, a demister 115 is provided in the powder processing device 101. The demister 115 is installed between the drying filter 52 of the circulation line 21 and the drying blower 111.

[0103] <Operation Action>

[0104] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation action of the powder processing device 101.

[0105] When the powder particle processing apparatus 101 is operated, the drying operation of drying the powder particles and the regeneration operation of regenerating the adsorbent 35 of the adsorber 31 to a low humidity state are performed in parallel (step S21).

[0106] That is, when the powder particle processing apparatus 101 is operated, the drying blower 111 and the regeneration blower 112 are simultaneously driven. By the operation of the drying blower 111, drying air is blown from the drying blower 111 toward the drying heater 33. The air from the drying blower 111 passes through the adsorber 31, and thus the moisture contained in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent 35. When the drying blower 111 is driven, the drying heater 33 is turned on. Thus, the air after passing through the adsorber 31 is heated by the drying heater 33 to become drying air, which is supplied from the air supply pipe 23 into the drying hopper 11. The air that has taken the moisture from the powder particles in the drying hopper 11 is discharged from the air discharge pipe 22 to the circulation line 21. The air discharged to the circulation line 21 flows in the circulation line 21 toward the cooling cyclone 51, and is introduced into the cyclone main body 53 through the cyclone introduction pipe 54 of the cooling cyclone 51.

[0107] The motor M of the cooling fan 61 of the cooling cyclone 51 is driven, and cooling air is transported from the cooling fan 61 toward the cyclone main body 53. Thus, the air introduced into the cyclone main body 53 from the cyclone introduction pipe 54 is cooled by the cyclone introduction pipe 54 when passing through the cyclone introduction pipe 54, and further cooled by the cyclone main body 53 when swirling along the inner surface of the cyclone main body 53. Since the air is cooled, the volatile components and water vapor contained in the air are liquefied, and the liquefied volatile components and the like are gathered as droplets on the outside of the flow of the air by the centrifugal force of the air swirling in the cyclone main body 53. The droplets fall by the action of gravity and are recovered to the recovery box 72 connected to the lower end of the cyclone main body 53.

[0108] The air discharged from the cyclone main body 53 through the cyclone discharge pipe 59 flows in the circulation line 21 toward the demister 115 after passing through the drying filter 52. Then, since the air passes through the demister 115, the particles of the liquid contained in the air are removed by the demister 115. The air that has passed through the demister 115 is sucked into the drying blower 111, blown from the drying blower 111 toward the drying heater 33, and again dehumidified by the adsorber 31 and heated by the drying heater 33, and then supplied from the air supply pipe 23 into the drying hopper 11. In this way, the air circulates in the drying hopper 11 and the circulation line 21, takes the moisture from the powder particles in the drying hopper 11, and the adsorbent 35 in the circulation line 21 takes the moisture from the air, and by repeating such actions, the powder particles are dried. In addition, the demister 115 can be omitted as needed.

[0109] On the other hand, by the operation of the regenerative blower 112, outside air is sucked into the regenerative blower 112 through the outside air introduction line 42, and air is blown from the regenerative blower 112 toward the regeneration region of the adsorber 31. When the regenerative blower 112 is operated, the regeneration heater 41 is turned on. Thus, air is heated by the regeneration heater 41 before passing through the adsorber 31 to become regeneration air. Since the heated regeneration air passes through the adsorber 31, moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent material 35 is taken away by the regeneration air, and the adsorbent material 35 is regenerated to a low-humidity state. At this time, the flow destination of the regeneration air is set to the atmosphere by the switching valve 114, and the regeneration air that has passed through the adsorber 31 is discharged to the atmosphere.

[0110] When the operation of the powder particle processing apparatus 1 is continued (NO in step S22), the drying operation and the regeneration operation are continued (step S21). When the operation of the powder particle processing apparatus 1 is ended (YES in step S22), the regeneration operation is continued for a predetermined time after the drying operation is ended. At this time, the flow destination of the regeneration air is set to the portion wound in a spiral shape by the switching valve 114, and the regeneration air that has passed through the adsorber 31 flows through the portion wound in a spiral shape, and is discharged to the atmosphere from the front end of the regeneration air discharge line 113.

[0111] The regeneration air after passing through the adsorber 31 is kept in a moderately high-temperature state. Thus, the regeneration air flows through the portion wound in a spiral shape of the regeneration air discharge line 62, and thus the cyclone inlet line 54 of the cooling cyclone 51 is heated (step S23). At this time, the driving of the cooling fan 61 is stopped. By heating the cyclone inlet line 54, it is possible to remove volatile components adhering to the wall surface of the cyclone inlet line 54 and the like, and it is possible to suppress the volatile components from being liquefied or solidified to adhere and accumulate to the wall surface and the like. In particular, it is possible to suppress the volatile components remaining in the line at the end of the drying operation from being cooled to adhere to the line.

[0112] <Effects>

[0113] In the powder particle processing apparatus 101, the same effects as the powder particle processing apparatus 1 can be obtained.

[0114] <Modifications>

[0115] The above describes two embodiments of the present application, but the present application can be further implemented in other ways.

[0116] For example, in the second embodiment, the regeneration operation can be performed for a predetermined time at the start of the operation of the powder processing device 1, instead of at the end of the operation of the powder processing device 1. In this case, the volatile components from the cyclone inlet pipe 54 and the like can be removed, and the adsorber 31 can be heated by the drying operation and the regeneration operation performed in parallel with the drying operation.

[0117] Further, the regeneration operation can be performed for a predetermined time at both the start and the end of the operation of the powder processing device 1.

[0118] Further, the drying operation can be stopped after being performed for a predetermined time each time, and the regeneration air can be switched by the switching valve 114 from the atmosphere to the portion wound in a spiral shape, so that the cyclone inlet pipe 54 of the cooling cyclone 51 can be heated.

[0119] Further, the cooling mechanism 55 provided in the cooling cyclone 51 is not limited to the configuration including the cooling fan 61, and can be a configuration including a passage (water jacket) through which cooling water flows.

[0120] Further, in the above-described configuration, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

[0121] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1, 101 Powder processing device

[0123] 11 Drying hopper (storage portion)

[0124] 31 Adsorber (adsorption portion)

[0125] 32 Drying and regeneration blower (air flow generation portion)

[0126] 33 Drying heater (heating portion)

[0127] 41 Regeneration heater (regeneration heating portion)

[0128] 51 Cooling cyclone

[0129] 53 Cyclone main body

[0130] 54 Cyclone inlet pipe (inlet portion)

[0131] 55 Cooling mechanism

[0132] 61 Cooling fan

[0133] 71 Control portion

[0134] 111 drying air blower (1st air flow generating portion)

[0135] 112 regeneration air blower (2nd air flow generating portion)

[0136] 113 regeneration air discharge pipe (heating path)

[0137] 114 switching valve

Claims

1. A powder / granule processing device, characterized in that, The powder particle processing device comprises: a housing section that houses powder particles; a heating section that heats an air current supplied to the housing section; an adsorption section through which the air current supplied to the housing section passes, and that adsorbs moisture contained in the air current as it passes through; an air current generation section that can perform a forward rotation operation and a reverse rotation operation, generates the air current supplied to the housing section by one of the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation, and generates a regeneration air current that regenerates the adsorption section to a low humidity state by the other of the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation; a recovery section that recovers a volatilized component volatilized from the powder particles housed in the housing section from the air current discharged from the housing section; a regeneration heating section that heats the regeneration air current before the regeneration air current is supplied to the adsorption section; an introduction section that introduces the air current discharged from the housing section to the recovery section; a connection section that connects the adsorption section and the introduction section, and that causes the regeneration air current after passing through the adsorption section, i.e., a regeneration exhaust gas, to flow into the introduction section, whereby the introduction section is heated by the regeneration exhaust gas flowing through the introduction section.

2. The powder particle processing device according to claim 1, wherein the recovery section is a cooling cyclone that cools the air current discharged from the housing section while swirling the air current, recovers the volatilized component, and discharges the air current from which the volatilized component is removed.

3. The powder particle processing device according to claim 2, wherein the cooling cyclone includes: a cyclone main body that swirls the air current discharged from the housing section; and a cooling mechanism that cools the cyclone main body from the outside.

4. The powder particle processing device according to claim 3, wherein the cooling mechanism is a cooling fan that is provided outside the cyclone main body and that supplies cooling air toward the cyclone main body, the introduction section is disposed at a position opposite the cooling fan with respect to the cyclone main body, at which the cooling air from the cooling fan passes through.

5. The powder particle processing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the introduction section is heated, cooling by the cooling mechanism is stopped.

Images