Belt conveyor systems for high-volume bulk materials

Abstract

A transport system (100) for high-temperature bulk materials in an industrial plant includes a plurality of volumetric containers (1) arranged sequentially along a transport direction (L) and secured to a movable conveyor belt (101); these containers have inner walls that interlock to form a continuous transport area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container device and a dry transport system including the container device, which is suitable for moving high-temperature bulk materials even in the presence of fine materials.

[0002] For example, the present invention is applied to the removal of ash from fossil fuels produced in the combustion chamber, particles of direct reduced iron (DRI) leaving the reduction furnace, or residues of clinker extracted from a rotary kiln.

[0003] Analysis of existing technologies and their shortcomings Dry conveying systems, even at high temperatures, are known to remove bulk materials, such as bottom ash, from the combustion chamber. Such systems are based on a closed-loop metal belt conveyor that surrounds a motor drum and return drums positioned at both longitudinal ends of the belt itself. These drums rotate about a transverse axis to drive the moving belt. The latter's conveying path provides a forward channel with a substantially straight track and a second empty return channel between the loading and unloading areas, which also has a substantially straight track toward the loading area.

[0004] The movable belt has a longitudinal loading surface defined by multiple plates, which are typically made of metal and partially overlap each other.

[0005] These plates are transported via transverse tracks, orthogonal or perpendicular to the loading surface, and serve to limit the volume of transported materials. These plates are fixed to a wire mesh, which acts as a motion transmission element, by screws or rivets, thus realizing the aforementioned conveyor belt.

[0006] One of the basic planning parameters for the above-mentioned type of belt conveyor is the volumetric flow rate of the material that can be conveyed. The latter is mainly related to the following parameters: The cross-section that can be used for transportation depends on the width of the plate; The height of the side rails of the protective plate; and The forward linear velocity carried in the forward path.

[0007] The increase in the aforementioned cross-section is often limited by existing obstacles, especially if it is a modernization project where the conveyor replaces the previous transportation solution. For this reason, it is difficult to increase the flow rate through this parameter.

[0008] Furthermore, given the height difference between the loading and unloading areas, the increased transport inclination dictates the critical issue of not allowing for increases in side rail height and / or belt linear speed. This is especially true for materials with very small internal friction angles, particularly at high temperatures, which behave like liquids, making transport unreliable at relatively high speeds. Therefore, as the inclination of the transport direction relative to the horizontal increases, the flow rate of the aforementioned system tends to decrease significantly.

[0009] Therefore, based on the above, the transportation solutions available in the art cannot meet the important requirement of maximizing the volumetric flow rate of the dry transportation system of the type under consideration. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical problem addressed and solved by the present invention is to provide a transportation system that allows for the fulfillment of the above-described requirements with reference to known technologies.

[0011] This problem is solved by the aforementioned transport container and the transport system that includes the transport container.

[0012] Preferred features of the present invention are set forth in the relevant claims.

[0013] The present invention provides a conveyor system comprising multiple sealing devices or containers, which replaces conventional plates with side rails and has a specific shape suitable for ensuring optimal movement conditions and stability of the conveyed materials.

[0014] In the preferred configuration, each container consists of the following elements, described with reference to the direction of transport: - Front wall, adjacent to the previous container; - Rear wall, adjacent to the following container; - The bottom wall is provided with holes or other devices for connecting the container to the conveyor belt; - Two sidewalls, located in a vertical plane, converge relative to the direction of advance of the forward wall so as to be accommodated by the sidewall of the preceding container and the sidewall of the next container.

[0015] Preferably, each container is provided with a reinforcing device, for example in the form of a tubular element, within the container volume defined by the aforementioned walls, connecting the front wall to the rear wall.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the transport direction may be inclined. Advantageously, the container is made wholly or partially of metal and / or a material resistant to the high temperatures of the transported material. Once the container receives the material to be transported within the system's loading area, it protects it and, in this case, preserves its hot contents to the unloading area.

[0017] In a preferred configuration, the aforementioned front wall defines an acute angle with the direction of travel (i.e., outside the aforementioned accommodating volume), which advantageously varies within a range of approximately 0° to 75°.

[0018] In a preferred configuration of the invention, the front and rear walls of the metal container are at acute angles to the direction of travel (outside and inside the containment volume, respectively), and are in particular parallel to each other, primarily to alleviate the loading phase in the event of a significant height difference between the transport end areas.

[0019] The angle value can be determined based on the inclination of the conveyor itself and the overall size requirements specified in the factory layout, thereby achieving a higher capacity volume size to obtain the project volume flow rate, such as a conveyor speed of up to 0.5 m / s.

[0020] Furthermore, the height of the side walls and front walls of each container can be 60% higher than the rear wall.

[0021] Each metal container can be produced by manufacturing its parts and assembling them, for example by continuous welding, or by casting in a single solution, for example by a technique known in the art as the "de-bubbling method".

[0022] The containers of the present invention enable efficient and reliable transport of materials, even those with high transport inclination and / or high flow rates, particularly bulk materials, and even fine and / or high-temperature materials, by allowing materials to be completely confined within a transport volume defined by the walls of each container.

[0023] This container is particularly well-suited for use in the aforementioned types of belt transport systems, but may even be used in different applications.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the container is mechanically connected to a motion transmission mesh, typically a wire mesh, placed beneath it to act as a conveyor belt. The motion transmission wire mesh may be configured in a loop, similar to descriptions associated with known art.

[0025] Transport containers can be continuously connected in series to a transport network or to other conveyor belts, meaning several containers can follow each other longitudinally in the transport direction and interlock between their respective sidewalls, as described above. This interlocking determines a guiding effect, namely, preventing differential lateral movement of adjacent (subordinate) containers.

[0026] The shape and arrangement of the containers ensure the compactness of the transport section and prevent misalignment between each container and adjacent containers behind and in front by guaranteeing reliability during the loading and unloading phases and the transport process.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the front wall of each container, or some of the front walls of the containers, may be provided with an overlapping flap with the rear wall of the container preceding it. By improving the reliability and continuity of the loaded material as described above, this allows for compensation for possible thermal expansion along the direction of travel of the moving conveyor belt, even at high temperatures.

[0028] Based on the preferred arrangement, the container has an adjacent bottom wall connected to the conveyor belt, and each front wall has overlapping flaps that cover the upper end of the container's rear wall in front of it by forming a continuous transport and containment volume.

[0029] This configuration, even without overlapping flaps, can achieve a range exceeding 200m. 3 / h volumetric flow rate.

[0030] The front of the conveyor belt can be supported by multiple support rollers rotating about a transverse axis, which are advantageously positioned with a constant pitch according to the inclination of the conveyor. The return stroke of the conveyor belt, i.e., downstream of unloading, can be supported by transverse cantilever rollers, thereby supporting the lateral extension of the container sidewalls. The adjacency of the containers allows for continuity of support.

[0031] The transport system can be confined and enclosed in a housing, which is advantageously made of metal and, in corresponding cases, thermally insulated.

[0032] Depending on the application requirements, each container may also be provided with insulation or made of refractory materials to preserve the heat content of the transported materials.

[0033] Depending on the type of material being transported and the expected amount of fine materials contained therein, the transport system may provide a device for cleaning the bottom of the housing, for example, by an electric scraper chain known in the art. When the conveyor belt is inclined relative to the horizontal direction, this cleaning device can be primarily positioned in the loading area, collecting the fine materials into a collection zone.

[0034] The advantages associated with the use of the container and transport system of the present invention are considerable compared to those obtainable by conveyors of the known art, and can be combined at least in part in the following aspects: Even in the presence of fine and / or high-temperature materials, bulk materials should be transported in a safe and closed manner without any loss of material in the forward passage. - Managing large-volume material flows, working in conjunction with conveyor belt speed and individual container volume to reduce overall size; - The possibility of achieving a high height difference between the loading and unloading areas.

[0035] Other advantages, features, and uses of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments, which are shown by way of example and not for the purpose of limitation. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Referring to the attached diagram, in which: Figures 1A to 1C A preferred embodiment of the transport container according to the invention is shown by displaying a front perspective view (relative to the transport direction), a top lateral perspective view, and additional front perspective views from different angles thereof. Figure 2 By displaying its top perspective, it involves Figure 1A Embodiment variations of the container; Figure 3A and 3BThe front and side perspective views respectively show the arrangement of the objects side by side along the transport direction. Figure 2 The two containers shown; Figure 4 A preferred embodiment of the belt transport system according to the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic horizontal view of the container sequence; Figure 5 Showing Figure 4 Used as Figure 1A A transverse perspective view of a variant of the container with a transport system shown; Figure 6 Showing Figure 4 or Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the transmission system.

[0037] The dimensions shown in the above figures are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily to scale.

[0038] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Various embodiments and variations of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures above. In the detailed description below, further embodiments and variations of the embodiments and variations already addressed in the same description will be described in a specific manner, differing from those already shown. Furthermore, the different embodiments and variations described below may be used in combination where compatible.

[0039] First refer to Figure 1A-1C According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transport container or device is designated as a whole as 1.

[0040] The container 1 is configured to contain bulk materials, or even block materials, at high temperatures in industrial plants. For this purpose, it has a body 10 that defines the internal container volume 11.

[0041] In this embodiment, the main body 10 of container 1 is made entirely of metal.

[0042] Container 1 is suitable for use with a transport system, as will be explained below with reference to, for example... Figure 5 This describes the belt transport system, and is specified here as 100.

[0043] The internal volume 11 is defined by a plurality of integrated walls surrounding its lower, front, and rear portions. In this example, the volume 11 and container 1 open at the top. The aforementioned walls preferably have a substantially planar development and are implemented in the form of plates.

[0044] In particular, the main body 10 of the container 1 has a front wall 21 and a rear wall 22 disposed on opposite sides of the container 1 along the longitudinal or transport direction L, and the front wall 21 is preferably disposed upstream of the rear wall 22 relative to the forward direction V.

[0045] The front wall 21 has overlapping flaps 211 that project outward relative to the internal volume 11 and are configured to engage or overlap with the rear wall of the adjacent container, as will be described in more detail below.

[0046] Then, the main body 10 has a bottom wall 25 that carries a movable belt 101 for connection to the transport system 100 (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 5 The device 30 (shown) is described. In this embodiment, the connecting device 30 includes one or more bases or holes for fastening elements such as screws or bolts.

[0047] The front wall 21 and the rear wall 22 rise from the bottom wall 25, are located on the same side of the bottom wall 25, particularly on the opposite side relative to the movable belt 101, and are integral to the bottom wall 25.

[0048] In this embodiment, the front wall 21 is inclined relative to the bottom wall 25, thus forming an acute angle α with it (outside of volume 11), preferably variable in the range of approximately 30°-50°. Still in this example, even the rear wall has the same inclination, as... Figure 1B As shown, there is a supplementary obtuse exterior angle β'.

[0049] Generally, the two front and rear walls 21 and 22 can have the same inclination or different angles relative to the bottom wall 25.

[0050] The main body 10 finally has a first sidewall and a second sidewall, 23 and 24 respectively, which are longitudinally arranged between the front wall 21 and the rear wall 22 and protrude outward from the opposite side relative to the front wall 21. Advantageously, the first sidewall 23 and the second sidewall 24 converge towards the front wall 21, that is, in the direction of travel V.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the height H1 of the first sidewall 23, the second sidewall 24, and the front wall 21 is higher than the height H2 of the rear wall 22, preferably by 60%.

[0052] In this example, the front wall 21, the rear wall 22, and the side walls 23 and 24 extend in their respective planes that are substantially orthogonal to the transport direction L, which is obviously a vertical plane for the horizontal transport direction.

[0053] The side walls 23 and 24 project longitudinally beyond the rear wall 22, in the opposite direction to the propulsion direction v. In other words, the rear wall 22 is embedded between the side walls 23 and 24, i.e., in a leading position in the transport direction v. The protruding portions of the side walls 23 and 24 are illustrated by way of example. Figure 1B 230 and 240 are specified in the code.

[0054] In this embodiment, each of the first sidewall 23 and the second sidewall 24 has a flange designated as an external flange 231 and 241, respectively. Each flange 231, 241 is applied to or obtained outside the volume 11 in the lower portion of its respective sidewall 23, 24 adjacent to or near the bottom wall 25. Preferably, each flange 231, 241 has a substantially “L” shape in cross-section, having a first branch 2311, 2411 and another branch 2312, 2412 that are parallel to and adhered to the sidewalls 23, 24, substantially orthogonal or approximately right-angled with respect to the first branch, projecting laterally outward and advantageously parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom wall 25. The flanges 231, 241 then extend the base plane of the container defined by the bottom wall 25 via the second arms 2312 and 2412.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first branches 2311 and 2411 of flanges 231 and 241 each have a basic polygonal planar shape, particularly a basic trapezoidal shape, advantageously resembling an isosceles trapezoid.

[0056] Each flange 231, 241 can even extend longitudinally beyond the sidewalls 23, 24 on one side of the front wall 21.

[0057] As shown below, the flanges 231, 241, and especially the transverse branches 2312 and 2412, are configured to support the container 1 during the return stroke of the movable belt 101.

[0058] In this article, terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “front,” “previous,” and “later” are used. Figure 1A The arrangement of the container and the transport direction and route specified therein. This means that container 1 and its conveyor belt (which is a whole) can be used in different directions, and in particular cannot be used horizontally. For the sake of consistency, the same wording is used, as they do refer to the direction and process of transport.

[0059] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment variation, container 1 further includes a reinforcing element 4, preferably a cross member or an upright form, inserted between the front wall 21 and the rear wall 22, extending parallel or at an angle relative to the bottom wall 25. Advantageously, the reinforcing element 4 has a tubular structure. The reinforcing element 4 serves as a spacer between the front wall 21 and the rear wall 22, allowing them to be reinforced. This reinforcing element 4 is preferred when operating conditions provide high temperatures and / or material flow.

[0060] like Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, container 1 is suitable for use in a conveyor system, arranged sequentially with other identical containers along the transport direction L, enabling mutual engagement with the preceding and following containers. Specifically, the front wall and protrusion of the sidewall of an adjacent container can be accommodated between sidewalls 23 and 24, the adjacent container preferably being located downstream in the sequential forward direction V.

[0061] Accordingly, the front wall 21 and portions of the side walls 23 and 24 can engage with the inner side walls of the container disposed upstream of the sequence.

[0062] Figure 3B The alignment function of sidewalls 23 and 24 in the aforementioned joint arrangement is highlighted by the fictional parallelepiped shape. As previously mentioned, the latter extends in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction L, particularly vertically, and converges in the propulsion direction V, thus being partially contained by the sidewall of the preceding container and partially containing the sidewall of the following container.

[0063] As described above, a conveyor system using the aforementioned multiple containers, such as Figures 4 to 6 As shown, and specified as a whole as 100. This container, with two instances shown as examples... Figure 4 The two are designated as 1 and 1' to highlight their sequential arrangement, and are both fixed to the movable strip 101 at their own bottom wall 25.

[0064] As shown above, adjacent containers 1 and 1' are joined together to form a continuous transport area.

[0065] The system 1 mainly includes the aforementioned conveyor belt or movable belt 101, which has a ring structure and wraps around the engine drum 104 and (invisible) drum along a closed path.

[0066] Then, the movable belt 101 acts as an element for transmitting motion between the drive drum 103 and the motor of the container 1, 1'.

[0067] Preferably, the movable belt is implemented in the form of wire mesh.

[0068] Advantageously, the system 100 has a housing 110, preferably made of metal, which houses the movable belt 101 and the container 11 fixed thereon.

[0069] like Figure 6 As shown in the cross-section, the movable belt 101 is supported during its forward stroke by idle rollers 105 that rotate about the transverse axis of the conveyor belt itself, and is advantageously arranged with a constant longitudinal pitch along the transport direction L.

[0070] During the return stroke, the movable belt 101 can be supported by cantilever rollers 106 and also rotates about the transverse axis. Once the container 1 is supported by the side flanges 231, 241 of the latter, it is specifically supported by protruding branches 2312, 2412.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the transport system 100 may provide means for cleaning the bottom of the housing 110, based on the type of material being transported and the expected amount of fine materials contained therein, such as preferably in the form of an electric scraper chain, not shown and of a type known in the art.

[0072] For systems where the transport direction L is inclined relative to the horizontal direction, the bottom cleaning device is mainly located in the loading area, collecting fine materials to the collection point.

[0073] The transport system 100 can be used to dry DRI "direct reduced iron" leaving the reduction furnace / reactor, bottom ash or fly ash produced in the combustion chamber, or cement clinker coming out of the rotary kiln.

[0074] The invention has so far been described with reference to its preferred embodiments. This means that other embodiments belonging to the same inventive core may exist, as defined by the scope of the claims reported below.

Claims

1. A transport container (1) configured in a transport system (100) for transporting high-temperature bulk materials in an industrial plant, wherein, The container (1) has a body (10) that defines an internal constrained volume (11) by a plurality of mutually fixed walls, the plurality of walls comprising: A front wall (21) and a rear wall (22) are provided on opposite sides of the container (1) along the transport direction (L), the front wall (21) being arranged upstream of the rear wall (22) relative to the forward direction (V); Bottom wall (25), support device (30), the support device (30) for connecting the transport container itself to the movable belt (101) of the transport system (100), wherein the front wall (21) and the rear wall (22) are substantially parallel to each other and are both inclined relative to the bottom wall (25) and the transport direction (L), wherein the front wall (21) and the rear wall (22) are substantially parallel to each other and are both inclined relative to the bottom wall (25) and the transport direction (L) respectively by forming acute angles (α, β) with the bottom wall (25) with respect to the constraint volume on the outside and inside; The reinforcing element (4), in the form of a transverse or upright member, is inserted between the front wall (21) and the rear wall (22); A first sidewall (23) and a second sidewall (24) are longitudinally disposed between the front wall (21) and the rear wall (22), and have portions (230, 240) that protrude outward from the opposite side to the front wall (21) relative to the rear wall (22), wherein the first sidewall (23) and the second sidewall (24) converge toward the front wall (21); The configuration causes the container (1) to be arranged sequentially with other identical containers arranged along the transport direction (L), wherein a portion of the front wall (21) and the side walls (23, 24) are disposed between the protruding portions of the side walls of the adjacent container, the latter being arranged upstream of the arrangement relative to the forward direction (V).

2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The support device (30) includes one or more bases for fastening elements.

3. The transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The front wall (21) and the rear wall (22) have the same inclination relative to the bottom wall (25), and the inclination forms an acute angle (α, β) with the bottom wall (25) that varies within the range of about 30°-50°.

4. The transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The height (H1) of the first sidewall (23) and the second sidewall (24) and / or the front wall (21) is higher than the height (H2) of the rear wall (22).

5. The transport container (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The height (H1) of the first sidewall (23) and the second sidewall (24) and / or the front wall (21) is 60% higher than the height (H2) of the rear wall (22).

6. The transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The front wall (21) has overlapping flaps (211) that project outward relative to the internal constraint volume (11) and are configured to engage or hang from the rear wall (22) of the adjacent container.

7. The transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The protruding portions (230, 240) of the sidewalls (23, 24) are configured to engage with the sidewalls of adjacent containers.

8. The transport container (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The protruding portions (230, 240) of the sidewalls (23, 24) are configured to engage with the sidewalls of adjacent containers and are arranged downstream of the arrangement in the transport direction (V).

9. The transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport container (1) is made entirely or primarily of metal.

10. The transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each of the first sidewall (23) and the second sidewall (24) has a protruding flange (231, 241) or extension that extends laterally outward from the container (1).

11. The transport container (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The protruding flanges (231, 241) or extensions are configured to support the container during the return stroke of the movable belt (101).

12. A transport system (100) for drying high-temperature bulk materials in an industrial plant, comprising: A mesh-like movable belt (101) configured in a ring shape; and Multiple transport containers (1, 1'), each container being arranged adjacent to each other along the transport direction (L) and fixed to the movable belt (101) at its own bottom wall (25) according to any of the preceding claims.

13. The transport system (100) according to claim 12, having a sealed housing (110) for accommodating the movable belt (101) and the container (1), and including means for cleaning the bottom of the housing (110).

14. The transportation system (100) according to claim 13, wherein, The device is a scraper chain.

15. The transport system (100) according to claim 13, having means (106) for supporting the return stroke of the movable belt (101), wherein the protruding flange (231, 241) of the container (1) is located on the means (106).

16. The transport system (100) according to claim 15, wherein the device (106) is a cantilever roller.

17. The transport system (100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the transport system (100) is a dry transport system for direct reduced iron leaving the reduction furnace / reactor, bottom ash or fly ash generated in the combustion chamber or cement clinker output from the rotary kiln.

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