Treatment device and method for treating workpieces and / or material coating

Abstract

The invention relates to a treatment device (100) for treating workpieces and / or material coatings (166), in particular a drying device (102) for vehicle body and / or battery electrode coatings (168), comprising: a treatment chamber (106), which comprises a plurality of treatment chamber sections (108), each of which is assigned one of a plurality of separate circulating air modules (110) of the treatment device (100); a heat storage and heating device (114) for storing and providing heat; at least one heating gas guide (116) comprising at least one heating gas supply (118) and at least one heating gas return guide (120). The invention also relates to a method for treating workpieces and / or material coatings (166), comprising: passing a plurality of gas streams conducted in separate circuits through a plurality of treatment chamber sections (108) of a treatment chamber (106) of a flow treatment device (100); the gas stream is heated directly or indirectly by means of a heating gas stream generated in a heat storage and heating device (114) of the treatment device (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a treatment device for workpieces and / or material coatings, in particular a drying device for vehicle bodies and / or battery electrode coatings. The invention also relates to a method for treating the workpieces and / or material coatings. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are various methods for providing the required thermal energy in processing plants, especially drying plants.

[0003] In plants without exhaust gas aftertreatment, especially without thermal exhaust gas purification (TAR), the drying plant itself must be supplied with thermal energy, for which a gas combustion chamber is usually used in a circulating air component or module. In this case, the fresh air supplied to the drying plant must be heated separately.

[0004] Conversely, the thermal energy of the purified exhaust air from the plant with TAR can be utilized to heat the fresh air required for the drying plant via a heat exchanger.

[0005] In particular, in the area of ​​coating in the production of lithium-ion batteries and the associated drying processes, the required thermal energy can be supplied by means of small combustion chambers and indirect heating of the circulating air. Another possibility for providing heat is indirect heating by means of steam or thermal oil heat exchangers. It is also possible to directly heat the corresponding sections or zones of the processing plant by means of electric air heaters.

[0006] Furthermore, the electrification of the drying process based on renewable energy also offers the possibility of significantly reducing (i.e. by around 40%) the CO2 footprint of a paint shop or coating system for battery electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. In the case of a drying system in a paint shop, the CO2 footprint can even be reduced by almost 100% if the gas previously used is completely replaced by electricity from renewable energy sources.

[0007] However, the electrification of the corresponding drying equipment in paint shops or battery electrode coating requires a significantly increased demand for installed electrical power. As a result, the grid connection power of paint shops or battery electrode coating equipment of this type to the grid increases significantly, which has a corresponding impact on the costs of the grid connection. In addition, additional costs are incurred for the electrical infrastructure (e.g. transformer substations, cabling, required regulation technology, etc.).

[0008] There are two strategies known in practice to cope with the challenge of increased demand for electric power.

[0009] The first strategy involves the management of peak current consumption, especially in the case of electric drying equipment. Peak current consumption, i.e. temporary maximum power consumption, is caused, for example, by the short heating time required for the entire drying equipment to quickly reach its operational state. This increases the required installed power of the drying equipment and therefore the required grid connection power and the fixed cost factor of the operation associated with it. In addition, high current consumption is also recorded when the utilization of the drying equipment during operation is not constant due to production fluctuations, intermittent times, etc. For example, consumption is suppressed in partial load operation only from the perspective of enterprise economy. In this state, the drying equipment is usually kept at the operating temperature. Therefore, when the output increases, i.e. when the transition to full load operation occurs, the load increases. Therefore, during this period, the consumption must be greatly increased to reach the required level of the system, but in this case as close to the predetermined operating point as possible, rather than being increased to the peak load as it is required, for example, in the start-up mode.

[0010] It is known that a large amount of energy is required in a short time for the heating of the equipment, which requires a high connected power of the electric heating elements in the purely electric heating of the processing equipment or drying equipment. For example, in order to bring the drying equipment to the desired operating temperature within one to two hours, the power of each equipment needs to be in the single-digit megawatt range. However, the production operation itself may also require a power in the single-digit megawatt range, so that the huge demand for startup in a short time can be better understood by the following explanation rather than the absolute amount, that is, it is necessary to understand that the required installed power for this start or startup process requires one and a half to a maximum of three times the power of the production operation. Therefore, the equipment is overdesigned to overcome the peak load phase.

[0011] If a heat storage system is used to buffer energy in the form of heat, peak consumption can be reduced by phased withdrawal or provision of heat as the demand for heat increases and, at the same time, phased storage of heat as the load decreases. The design of the storage system is determined by the basic operating strategy and framework conditions, such as start-up times, operating hours per day or week (especially when the system is used in multi-shift operation), rest times, average utilization of the drying system, etc.

[0012] In this strategy, the economic efficiency of the heat storage or its embodiment is addressed, inter alia, by possible savings in grid charges and investments, for example based on the required heating power, cabling, transformer capacity, etc., and additional investment costs for suitable heat storage.

[0013] The second strategy involves increasing the flexibility of electricity purchasing, also known as smart purchasing, wherein it should be understood that the first and second strategies are not or should not be applied strictly separately from each other, but can be intersected and complementary to achieve optimal electrical energy consumption.

[0014] The recent expansion of renewable energy sources has led to severe fluctuations in energy production, which is primarily reflected in the variation in electricity prices during the day. The further expansion of renewable energy sources and the elimination of planned generation capacity will now further intensify this trend. It is therefore necessary to achieve significant cost advantages in operation through clever timing of electricity procurement.

[0015] The second strategy does not primarily aim to reduce grid-connected power, but rather to exploit times of low electricity prices (eg due to high, potentially excess generation or low demand) to store thermal energy.

[0016] The advantages of this type of storage concept are not only for operators of paint shops and coating plants for battery electrodes. Grid operators also rely on cooperation with large industrial customers to stabilize the grid and balance power generation and consumption, and these customers can fill the storage when necessary (from the perspective of grid operation). For this purpose, financial incentives are provided in terms of consumer prices and grid connection fees, with the form and type of mutual benefits being flexibly negotiable in the future.

[0017] In addition, the further expansion of renewable energy sources will further increase the volatility of power generation and also of electricity trading prices in the future. In fact, negative electricity price phases may / will continue to increase, so that revenue can be generated even through energy storage itself. The storage size and the number of storage cycles are in this context the main drivers for achieving positive returns.

[0018] In contrast, there are investment costs for thermal energy stores. Therefore, the size of the heat store and the integrated heating capacity must be individually coordinated to the application. Ideally, the heat store is filled and emptied many times during daily operation, but this also depends on the operating strategy, such as in a paint shop or battery electrode coating plant (number of shifts, rest times, etc.). A higher number of filling and discharging cycles increases the economic efficiency of the heat store used. Summary of the invention

[0019] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a processing device, in particular a drying device, for workpieces of the above-mentioned type, in particular vehicle bodies, which processing device stores and transfers thermal energy in order to reduce, or at least prolong and / or shift the power requirement, in particular the electrical power requirement, in a timely manner.

[0020] This object is achieved according to the present invention by providing a processing device for processing workpieces and / or material coatings, in particular a drying device for vehicle bodies and / or battery electrode coatings, the processing device comprising:

[0021] a treatment chamber comprising a plurality of treatment chamber sections, each of which is assigned one of a plurality of individual circulating air modules of a treatment plant,

[0022] - Thermal storage and heating equipment for storing and providing heat,

[0023] - At least one heating gas duct comprising at least one heating gas supply duct and at least one heating gas return duct.

[0024] Optionally, an exhaust gas and / or waste gas treatment device can also be provided for treating, in particular for purifying, at least a portion of the exhaust gas and / or waste gas generated in the treatment chamber, wherein the exhaust gas and / or waste gas treatment device is preferably an exhaust gas purification device, with the aid of which a) thermal and / or catalytic oxidation solvent conversion, and / or b) separation solvent purification can be performed.

[0025] In a first alternative, a) heating gas can be supplied from the heat storage and heating device to the circulating air module via a heating gas supply and / or heating gas can be conducted from the process chamber section back to the heat storage and heating device via a heating gas return line.

[0026] In this variant, the heat storage is integrated directly into the heating gas circuit between the circulating air module and the process chamber section of the treatment device.The heating gas is thus integrated directly into the circulating air circuit of the individual sections.

[0027] In a second alternative, b) the treatment device comprises a central heat exchanger to decouple the treatment chamber from the heat storage and heating device in the atmosphere, the central heat exchanger being arranged between a heating gas supply connected to the circulating air module and a heating gas return guide connected to the treatment chamber section, and by means of which the heat generated in the heat storage and heating device can be transferred to the heating gas guided in the heating gas guide.

[0028] In this variant, a heat storage device is combined as a heat source via a heat exchanger, which separates the storage circuit of the heat storage and heating device and the heating gas supply of the treatment device from one another in the atmosphere. The atmospheric separation enables high heat storage temperatures and thus high energy densities. In addition, possible contamination of the storage bed of the heat storage device and potential undesirable reactions of the solvent atmosphere being conducted back are excluded. In addition, this variant enables, in particular, retrofitting or retrofitting of a later heat storage device in order to integrate possibly newer storage technologies and / or additional capacities and / or adaptability.

[0029] In a third alternative, c) each circulating air module comprises a heat exchanger to decouple the corresponding process chamber section from the heat storage and heating device in the atmosphere, by means of which heat generated in the heat storage and heating device can be transferred to the heating gas circulating in the process chamber section.

[0030] In this variant, the heat storage is directly connected to the process chamber by means of a clean heating gas guide. The heat flow of the storage is guided through conventional circulating air modules, each with its own heat exchanger. This also achieves a separation of the heat flow of the heat storage and heating device from the circulating air flow between the circulating air module and the process chamber section in the atmosphere. Compared to conventional drying devices with clean gas heating, the heat flow of the heat storage and heating device runs in a loop, which requires a return guide to the heat storage and heating device. Due to the structural proximity to the conventional TAR construction of the drying device, this variant is also considered as a possibility to equip existing TAR drying devices with a heat storage and heating device according to the invention.

[0031] In this variant, it is useful to install a temperature regulating section between the heating gas supply and the discharge, if necessary, which helps to precisely adjust the heating gas temperature.

[0032] For example, the waste gas or exhaust gas of a treatment chamber section of the treatment chamber is purified by regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) in a hot waste gas purification device, preferably by a flameless RTO (FRTO) which is also powered, and which preferably also has a fresh air heat exchanger downstream to increase the efficiency of the entire system, which fresh air heat exchanger preheats the supplied fresh air.

[0033] Due to the low temperature level of the exhaust gas at the RTO output, it is advantageous in all variants to provide a further heat exchanger for warming the fresh air, which transfers additional heat from the circuit of the heat storage and heating device to the preheated fresh air.

[0034] It is also provided that the heat storage and heating device comprises at least one electric heating device for heating the heating gas, at least one mixing device and at least one heat storage unit.

[0035] Intermediate buffering of the thermal energy in the heat storage, i.e. the at least one heat storage unit, of the heat storage and heating device is preferably achieved by storing heat during weekends or during production breaks. Thus, when the process equipment must be heated up to operating temperature or when more thermal energy is required during production peaks, the stored thermal energy can be drawn in parallel with the heat provided or generated by the electrical heating device.

[0036] If the heat storage device comprises a plurality of heat storage units, it is advantageous if the heat storage units can be replenished or release heat individually.

[0037] The additional provision of heat energy by the heat storage device or at least one heat storage unit advantageously enables faster heating rates compared to a system with only an electrical heating device. The heat storage device also enables the installed power of the electrical heating device and thus the required connected power of the processing device to be reduced. Furthermore, the heat storage and heating device according to the invention enables increased flexibility in electricity procurement, whereby time-dependent fluctuations in electricity prices can be utilized.

[0038] Furthermore, it can be provided that the mixing device is arranged downstream of the electric heating device.

[0039] The heating gas heated in the electric heater can thus be guided in a manner corresponding to the operating mode of the heat storage and heating device, mixing with the heat stored in the heat storage unit, at least towards the process chamber, towards the heat storage unit or towards the process chamber.

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the mixing device is connected to at least one heat storage unit.

[0041] Advantageously, thermal energy can be selectively stored in the at least one heat storage unit via a mixing device arranged downstream of the electric heating device, ie arranged downstream.

[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the mixing device is configured so that the gas heated in the electric heating device can be mixed with the gas heated in the electric heating device.

[0043] - supplied to a processing chamber, or

[0044] - supplied to at least one heat reservoir to store at least part of the heat contained in the heating gas, or

[0045] - supplied to the process chamber with admixture of at least a portion of the heat stored in at least one heat reservoir.

[0046] The mixing device therefore advantageously has at least three switching positions, via which the heating gas flow can be preferably diverted.

[0047] It is further provided that the compressor is arranged upstream of the electric heating device.

[0048] The fresh air supplied to the heat storage and heating device is conveyed to the electric heating mechanism by a compressor, which preferably comprises a blower driven by an electric motor, in order then to heat it.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a further compressor is arranged downstream of the treatment chamber.

[0050] By means of a further compressor, which likewise preferably comprises a motor-driven blower, the gas flow directed back from the process chamber is conveyed in the direction of the electric heating device in order to be heated again there.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a controllable or controllable valve is arranged downstream of the mixing device.

[0052] The gas flow which is conducted to the process chamber can advantageously be controlled and / or regulated via a valve of this type.

[0053] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the treatment device comprises a fresh air supply, by means of which fresh air can be supplied to an inlet lock and / or an outlet lock of the treatment chamber.

[0054] By supplying fresh air to the inlet and / or outlet gates, a flow vortex is formed at the inlet and / or outlet gates of the process chamber, which flow vortex preferably prevents heated gas circulating in the process chamber section from escaping from the process chamber, since this heated gas would absorb solvents during processing, for example during drying of a painted vehicle body.

[0055] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the treatment device comprises a fresh air heat exchanger, by means of which heat generated in the exhaust gas and / or exhaust gas treatment device, in particular the hot exhaust gas purification device, can be transferred to fresh air of the fresh air supply.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the treatment device comprises a further fresh air heat exchanger, by means of which the heat generated in the heat storage and heating device can be transferred to the fresh air of the fresh air supply.

[0057] The two fresh air heat exchangers arranged in the flow path of the supplied fresh air enable the fresh air to be preheated or warmed so that no condensation can form in the region of the inlet and / or outlet locks, which could constitute a quality risk for the processed workpieces.

[0058] In another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the process chamber segments are arranged one behind the other along the transport direction of the workpieces.

[0059] Preferably, the workpiece is brought into the process chamber via an entry lock and then processed in the individual process chamber sections according to a predetermined treatment, wherein individual process chamber sections can be taken into account or ignored, i.e. the workpiece in question is simply guided through the corresponding process chamber section, as long as the treatment set there is not part of the overall treatment of the workpiece in question.

[0060] The processed workpieces preferably leave the process chamber via an exit lock.

[0061] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the treatment device comprises at least one aftertreatment chamber, which comprises at least one aftertreatment chamber section, to which cold gas, in particular fresh air, can be supplied.

[0062] In the post-treatment chamber, which preferably adjoins the process chamber with reference to the transport direction of the process chamber, preferably no further heat is supplied.

[0063] The supplied fresh air flows through a post-treatment chamber in which, in particular, painted workpieces, such as vehicle bodies, are treated, so that the treated workpieces gradually reach the ambient temperature.

[0064] It is further provided that the hot exhaust gas purification system comprises a gas burner and / or an electric heating device and / or a gas turbine, in particular a microturbine.

[0065] According to the invention, the object is also achieved by a method for processing a workpiece and / or a material coating, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0066] A plurality of gas streams guided in separate circuits are caused to flow through a plurality of process chamber sections of a process chamber of a treatment system; the gas streams are heated directly or indirectly by means of a heating gas stream generated in a heat storage and heating device of the treatment system.

[0067] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that heat from an electric heating device of the heat storage and heating device or heat from an electric heating device of the heat storage and heating device and at least one heat storage unit is supplied to the heating gas flow.

[0068] It may be advantageous if the treatment device, in particular one or more or all electrically powered heating devices and / or recycling devices, can be supplied with an average voltage of at least approximately 3 kV and / or at most approximately 8 kV, in particular 4160 V to 6600 V.

[0069] Preferably, all electrically-driven heating components of the circulating air device or the treatment device, for example, mainly preferably electrically-driven heating mechanisms, are supplied with, for example, an average voltage of at least about 3 kV and / or at most about 8 kV, in particular 4160 V to 6600 V instead of the usual average voltage of 400 V. This may require special heating elements with corresponding additional costs, but preferably has a huge saving potential in external devices related to wiring parts, cables, etc. In addition, a significantly lower voltage conversion factor from the power supply network is necessary, which also makes the substation smaller and saves space in a way that is conducive to saving investment costs. The connection with electrically-driven heating components with this type of average voltage also significantly reduces the cable diameter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject matter of the following description of exemplary embodiments and of the drawings.

[0071] In the attached picture:

[0072] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a processing device;

[0073] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a processing device;

[0074] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a processing device;

[0075] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the normal operation of a heat storage and heating device;

[0076] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a heat storage unit storing thermal energy in a heat storage and heating device;

[0077] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the full load operation of the heat storage and heating equipment;

[0078] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the flushing process of the processing equipment;

[0079] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a processing apparatus for material coating having a solvent recovery section is shown;

[0080] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a processing plant for material coating with a solvent recovery section is shown.

[0081] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] The processing equipment with the overall mark 100 is Figure 1 A first embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 1 is used for processing a workpiece (not shown).

[0083] The processing device 100 is, for example, a drying device 102 for drying workpieces.

[0084] The workpiece is, for example, a vehicle body.

[0085] The treatment plant 100 is preferably used for drying a previously painted or otherwise treated vehicle body.

[0086] The workpieces are preferably transported along a transport direction 104 through a process chamber 106 of the processing device 100 by means of a transport device (not shown) of the processing device 100 .

[0087] The process chamber 106 comprises a plurality of, for example at least three, preferably five, process chamber segments 108 or is formed by these process chamber segments.

[0088] Each process chamber segment 108 is preferably assigned a separate circulating air module 110 .

[0089] By means of each air circulation module 110 , a gas flow can preferably be guided in a circuit, in particular an air circulation duct 112 , and through the respective process chamber section 108 . Preferably, the respective air circulation module 110 and the respective process chamber section 108 form the air circulation duct 112 .

[0090] Preferably, each circulating air module 110 comprises one or more blowers for driving the flow of gas guided in the circuit.

[0091] In particular, it can be provided that the gas flow guided in the circulating air duct 112 can be heated by supplying heating gas. This heat input is then used in turn to warm the workpiece to be processed, in particular to dry the workpiece 102 designed as a vehicle body.

[0092] The treatment plant 100 further comprises a heat storage and heating device 114 which provides heating gas for heating the gas flow guided in the circulating air guide 112 .

[0093] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The structure and mode of operation of the heat storage and heating device 114 are described in more detail below.

[0094] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated first embodiment, the processing apparatus 100 comprises a heating gas guide 116 including a heating gas supply 118 and a heating gas return guide 120 .

[0095] The heating gas supply part 118 guides the heating gas heated in the heat storage and heating device 114 to the circulating air module 110 .

[0096] At least a portion of the gas circulating in the process chamber section 108 is guided back to the heat storage and heating device 114 via a heating gas return guide 120 .

[0097] Part of the gas circulating in the process chamber section 108 or part of the gas conducted in a circuit between the process chamber section 108 and the circulating air module 110 is preferably also conducted via an exhaust gas duct 122 to a hot exhaust gas purification device 124 of the treatment system 100 .

[0098] In the thermal exhaust gas purification system 124 , the exhaust gas, which in particular contains solvents, is burned for purification.

[0099] The exhaust gas purified in the thermal exhaust gas purification device 124 is discharged to the environment as exhaust gas.

[0100] The treatment device 100 preferably further comprises a fresh air supply 126 , by means of which fresh air is guided to an inlet gate 128 and an outlet gate 130 of the treatment chamber 106 .

[0101] In the path of the fresh air supply 126 , preferably there are also arranged a first fresh air heat exchanger 132 and a second fresh air heat exchanger 134 , which transfer heat to the supplied fresh air in order to avoid the formation of condensation in the inlet lock 128 and / or the outlet lock 130 .

[0102] The second fresh air heat exchanger 134 is preferably used to further heat the fresh air to the process temperature required in the process chamber section 108 and to compensate for temperature fluctuations caused by the electric RTO system.

[0103] The first fresh air heat exchanger 132 is arranged between the fresh air supply 126 and the hot exhaust gas purification device 124 in such a way that the heat contained in the exhaust gas 135 of the hot exhaust gas purification device 124 is transferred to the supplied fresh air.

[0104] The second fresh air heat exchanger 134 is arranged at the heating gas supply 118 between the heat storage and heating device 114 and the circulating air module 110 , and transfers a portion of the heat of the heating gas guided in the heating gas supply 118 to the fresh air.

[0105] The processing device 100 preferably also includes a post-processing chamber 136 including at least one, preferably two, post-processing chamber sections 138 .

[0106] The post-processing chamber 136 is preferably arranged downstream of the process chamber 106 with reference to the transport direction 104 .

[0107] Fresh air is supplied to the aftertreatment chamber section 138 via a further fresh air supply 140 or fresh air flows through it.

[0108] Workpieces being dried in the process chamber 106 preferably do not supply additional heat into the post-processing chamber section 138 .

[0109] However, during post-processing in the post-processing chamber section 138 , ie preferably during further drying, the workpiece discharges the heat supplied in the process chamber 106 .

[0110] The exhaust gas 141 of the aftertreatment chamber 136 is guided via an exhaust gas duct 142 through a further, third fresh air heat exchanger 144 in such a way that at least part of the heat contained in the exhaust gas is transferred to the supplied fresh air of the fresh air supply 140 .

[0111] The fresh air which is conducted through the fresh air supply 140 to the aftertreatment chamber segment 138 is preferably conducted on from one aftertreatment chamber segment 108 to the next via at least one gas duct 145 .

[0112] Figure 1 The arrangement of the heating gas conduction of the first embodiment shown enables the conduction of heating gas from the heat storage and heating device 114 directly to the circulating air module 110 and from the process chamber section 108 directly back to the heat storage and heating device 114 .

[0113] The processing device 100 Figure 2 In the second embodiment schematically shown in the figure, the heating gas guided in the heating gas guide section 118 is indirectly heated via a central heat exchanger 146, which transfers the heat generated or provided in the heat storage and heating device 114 to the heating gas guided in the heating gas supply section 118 or in the heating gas return guide section 120.

[0114] The gas flow of the heat storage and heating device 140 is therefore fluidly separated from the heating gas flow in the heating gas guide 116 .

[0115] exist Figure 3 Schematically shows a third embodiment of a treatment device 100, in which the circulating air modules 110 each have their own heat exchanger (not shown), which is thermally coupled to the heating gas supply section 118, i.e. the heat of the heating gas guided in the heating gas supply section 118 is transferred to the gas flow guided in the circulating air guide section 112.

[0116] The heating gas ducting 116 of the third specific embodiment is therefore decoupled from the gas flow between the circulating air module 110 and the process chamber segment 108 in the atmosphere.

[0117] In particular, clean gas, ie gas without, for example, an input of solvent, is guided in the heating gas duct 116 of the third specific embodiment.

[0118] The processing device 100 Figures 4 to 7Schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 so that different operating modes or states of the heat storage and heating device 114 can be seen, wherein continuous connecting lines represent gas ducts with cold gas or cooled gas, and dash-dot connecting sections represent gas ducts with heated gas. Dashed connecting sections mean that no gas is guided through these connecting sections in the corresponding operating mode.

[0119] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing normal operation of the heat storage and heating device 114 is shown.

[0120] The heat storage and heating device 114 preferably comprises an electric heating device 148 , a mixing device 150 and at least one, preferably three, heat storage units 152 , which together form a heat store.

[0121] The heat storage and heating device 114 preferably also includes a first blower compressor driven by the motor 154 155 and a second blower compressor 156 which delivers the gas flow in the heat storage and heating device 114 .

[0122] Furthermore, the heat storage and heating device 114 preferably comprises a sound damping unit 158 ​​which reduces sound emissions when fresh air 160 is supplied into the heat storage and heating device 114 .

[0123] Furthermore, the heat storage and heating device 114 comprises in particular at least one, preferably seven, openable and / or closed-loop control valves 162 for opening and / or regulating the gas volume flow in the heat storage and heating device 114 .

[0124] In normal operation, fresh air 160 is supplied to the heat storage and heating device 114 , the fresh air initially passing through the sound damping unit 158 ​​to reduce sound emissions.

[0125] The volume flow of the fresh air supply is controlled and / or regulated via a valve 162 , which is arranged downstream of the sound damper 158 and is preferably piston-controlled and / or piston-regulated.

[0126] The supplied fresh air is conveyed by means of the first blower compressor 155 in the direction of the electric heater 148 , where it is heated.

[0127] A mixing device 150 is arranged downstream of the electric heater 148 , which, in normal operation, guides the gas heated in the electric heater 148 , ie, the heating gas, relative to its switching position.

[0128] The mixing device 150 preferably has at least three switching positions.

[0129] In the first switching state, the heating gas supplied by the electric heating device 148 is guided only in the direction of the process chamber 106 arranged downstream of the mixing device 150 .

[0130] In the second switching state, the heating gas is guided only in the direction of the heat storage unit 152 in order to store thermal energy.

[0131] In contrast, in the third switching position, the heating gas from the electric heater 148 is guided in the direction of the process chamber 106 with the admixture of thermal energy stored in the heat storage unit 152 .

[0132] In accordance with Figure 4 In normal operation, the mixing device 150 in its first switching position conducts the heating gas in the direction of the process chamber 106 via a valve 162 arranged downstream, wherein the valve 162 regulates and / or controls the volume flow of the heating gas.

[0133] Therefore, in so-called normal operation, no heating gas is conducted to the heat storage unit 152 for storage.

[0134] A portion of the gas circulating in the process chamber 106 is conducted into the hot exhaust gas purification device 124 and is conducted from it as purified exhaust gas via an exhaust gas duct 164 out of the treatment device 100 .

[0135] According to the processing device 100 according to the present invention, Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment adopted of the three embodiments shown in FIG. 1 , a further portion of the gas used in the process chamber 106 is directed back into the heat storage and heating device 114 .

[0136] Reference Figure 1 In the first embodiment shown, the cooled gas from the process chamber section 108 is accordingly fed directly back into the heat storage and heating device 114, whereas in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the second and third embodiments shown in FIG. 1 , the cooled clean gas is guided back.

[0137] The cooled gas flow guided back is then conveyed by means of the second blower compressor 156 in the direction of the electric heating device 148 for further heating.

[0138] Two controlled and / or regulated valves 162 are preferably arranged downstream of the second blower compressor 156 , which control and / or regulate the volume flow in the direction of the electric heater 148 .

[0139] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the storage of thermal energy into the heat storage unit 152 of the heat storage and heating device 114 is shown.

[0140] A parallel storage into all included heat storage units 152 is shown. However, it is also conceivable to supply thermal energy to only one or some of the heat storage units 152, for which purpose additional valves can be provided between the mixing device 150 and the heat storage units 152.

[0141] During the storage process, the valves 162 assigned to the respective heat storage units 152 are at least partially opened (these valves are arranged downstream of the respective heat storage units 152), preferably to enable the residual gas contained in the heat storage units 152, which is displaced by the supplied heating gas, to flow into the circuit of the heat storage and heating device 114, the residual gas preferably having a lower temperature than the supplied heating gas.

[0142] At the end of the storage of thermal energy, the valve 162 assigned to the heat storage unit 152 is closed and the mixing device 150 is preferably switched into its first switching position.

[0143] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the full load operation of the heat storage and heating device 114 is shown.

[0144] During full-load operation, the process chamber 106 needs to reach the necessary operating temperature in a very short time. The mixing device 150 is switched to its third switching position during full-load operation so that the thermal energy stored in the heat storage unit 152 is preferably temporarily mixed into the heating gas heated in the electric heating device 148.

[0145] Preferably, once the desired operating temperature has been reached, the mixing device 150 is switched back to its first switching position, whereby no further heat is removed from the heat storage unit 152 .

[0146] During possible downtimes or intermittent periods, thermal energy can then preferably be stored again in the heat storage unit 152 , so that it is sufficient for full-load operation.

[0147] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a flushing process of the treatment device 100 is shown.

[0148] During the flushing process, the electric heater 148 does not heat, so that the supplied fresh air 160 flows through the electric heater 148 , the mixing device 150 and the process chamber 106 and the hot exhaust gas purification device 124 in order to flush the corresponding gas ducts.

[0149] It is also conceivable that the heat storage unit 152 can also be flushed by switching the mixing device 150 when necessary.

[0150] In particular, it should also be possible to burn the flushing gas in the hot exhaust gas purification device 124 for purification before it is conducted away from the treatment device via the exhaust gas duct 164 .

[0151] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a first specific embodiment of a processing device 100 , in particular a drying device 102 , for processing a material coating 166 , in particular for producing a battery electrode coating 168 for a lithium-ion battery is shown.

[0152] The processing device 100 also has a process chamber 106 which includes a plurality of process chamber segments 108 , wherein the segments 108 are divided into a first group 170 and a second group 172 .

[0153] exist Figure 8 The embodiment shown in exemplifies a so-called double coating, in which the material coating 166 is first unwound by a first roller 174 and conveyed along a conveying direction 176 .

[0154] The material coating 166 is applied on one side by means of a first coating device 178 , preferably a slot nozzle, and is subsequently guided through the first group 170 of process chamber segments 108 , wherein the coating of the material coating 166 is dried in the first group 70 of process chamber segments.

[0155] The material coating 166 is deflected downstream of the first group 170 in such a way that a second coating device 180 , preferably a slot nozzle, can coat the other side of the material coating 166 .

[0156] Following the second coating process, the material coating 166 is guided through the second group 172 of process chamber segments 108 , so that the coating of the material coating 166 on the other side is also dried.

[0157] Finally, the material coating 166 coated on both sides is wound onto a second roller 182 .

[0158] Before being wound onto the second roller 182 , a calendering method step may preferably also be carried out.

[0159] It is also conceivable to arrange the process chamber 106 and the first coating device 178 and the second coating device 180 in such a way that all process chamber sections 108 are arranged one after the other along the conveying direction 176 and the coating devices 178 and 180 are arranged upstream of the process chamber 106 so that both sides of the material coating 166 can be coated simultaneously.

[0160] A circulating air flow is supplied to the process chamber section 108 via the circulating air supply 184 for drying.

[0161] In contrast, the exhaust gas containing the solvent is discharged from the process chamber section 108 via the exhaust gas line 186 .

[0162] During the electrode coating process, an electrode material is coated or applied to the material coating 166. The electrode material includes a lithium compound, a binder, and a solvent, wherein the solvent is, for example, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Through the coating and drying process, NMP exists in gaseous form and is contained in the circulating air in the process chamber section 108.

[0163] A portion of the exhausted exhaust gas is supplied to a solvent recovery device 188 in which a heat recovery mechanism 190 is integrated.

[0164] In the solvent recovery unit 188 , the solvent-containing exhaust gas is cooled in one or more stages and the condensed NMP is collected in a container 192 .

[0165] The condensed NMP can then be recycled, for example, and can be found in sufficient quantity in a storage container for further coating processes.

[0166] The air available at the end of the solvent recovery device 188 and reduced in solvent is partly supplied again to the process chamber section 108 via the circulating air supply 184 , wherein the supply or volume flow can be adjusted by regulating the air quantity to the exhaust gas purification device 202 .

[0167] Fresh air can also be mixed into the circulating air supply via the adjustable fresh air supply 196. For example, flushing of the entire process chamber section 108 can be achieved thereby.

[0168] Furthermore, an adjustable emergency suction 198 can be provided at the circulating air supply in order to discharge circulating air from the circulating air supply 184 when necessary.

[0169] Preferably, in the region of the last stage of the solvent recovery device 188, another part of the solvent-reduced air is also supplied from the solvent recovery device 188 via a bypass line 200 to an exhaust gas purification device 202 having a first purification stage 204 and a possible second purification stage 206. The bypass line is in particular a side stream line. One or more purification stages in particular include a one-stage or two-stage concentrator, wherein an activated carbon filter can optionally be provided for further purification.

[0170] Each of the two purification stages 204 , 206 includes an adsorption region 208 , a cooling region 210 , and a desorption region 212 .

[0171] The air 214 adsorbed in the first purification stage 204 in the associated adsorption region 208 is supplied firstly to the cooling region 210 of the first purification stage 204 and the second purification stage 206 and from there further to the desorption region 212 accordingly.

[0172] On the other hand, the adsorbed air 214 is supplied to the adsorption region 208 of the second purification stage 206 , flows through this region, and is supplied via a ventilator 218 to an air filter device 220 , from which the filtered air is discharged into the atmosphere.

[0173] The air flowing through the desorption region 212 of the first purification stage 204 is conducted as concentrated air 216 back to the solvent recovery device 188 and mixed there with the solvent-containing exhaust gas of the process chamber 106 .

[0174] Conversely, the air flowing through the desorption region 212 of the second purification stage 206 is conveyed to the bypass 200 and thus flows through the exhaust gas purification device 202 again.

[0175] In the case of a one-stage exhaust gas purification system 202 , the single purification stage preferably corresponds to the first purification stage 204 in terms of function and structure.

[0176] The exhaust gas guide section 186 that supplies a portion of the circulating air exhausted from the process chamber section 108 to the solvent recovery device 188 is branched downstream of the process chamber 106 so that another portion is supplied to the central heat exchanger 222, via which the thermal energy of the heat storage and heating device 114 as described above is transferred to the exhaust gas.

[0177] The heated exhaust gas is conducted via a heating gas supply 224 into the circulating air duct 184 and is thus mixed with the circulating air for the process chamber section 108 .

[0178] Therefore, a heat storage and heating device 114 can also be used within the framework of a drying device 102 for a battery electrode coating 168 in order to provide sufficient thermal energy for the drying process in the process chamber 106 .

[0179] exist Fig. 9 A second embodiment of a processing device 100 for a material coating 166 is shown in FIG. Figure 8 The difference to the first embodiment shown in the figure is that there is no central heat exchanger for atmosphere decoupling upstream of the heat storage and heating device 114, but rather the exhaust gas discharged from the process chamber section 108 is directed directly into the heat storage and heating device 114 in order to be heated there and / or stored or transferred out.

[0180] Description of Reference Numerals

[0181] 100 Processing equipment

[0182] 102 Drying equipment

[0183] 104 Conveying direction

[0184] 106 Processing Room

[0185] 108 Processing Chamber Section

[0186] 110 Circulation air module

[0187] 112 Circulation air guide

[0188] 114 Heat storage and heating equipment

[0189] 116 Heating gas guide

[0190] 118 Heating gas supply

[0191] 120 Heating return guide

[0192] 122 Exhaust gas guide

[0193] 124 Hot exhaust gas purification equipment

[0194] 126 Fresh Air Supply Department

[0195] 128 Entrance Gate

[0196] 130 Exit Gate

[0197] 132 First fresh air heat exchanger

[0198] 134 Second fresh air heat exchanger

[0199] 135 Exhaust

[0200] 136 Post-processing room

[0201] 138 Post-processing chamber section

[0202] 140 Fresh air supply unit for post-processing room

[0203] 141 Exhaust of post-processing chamber

[0204] 142 Exhaust guide

[0205] 144 Third fresh air heat exchanger

[0206] 146 Central heat exchanger

[0207] 148 Electric heating device

[0208] 150 Mixing device

[0209] 152 Heat storage unit

[0210] 154 Motors for blower compressors

[0211] 155 First Blower Compressor

[0212] 156 Second Blower Compressor

[0213] 158 Sound Damping Unit

[0214] 160 Fresh Air

[0215] 162 Controlled and / or Regulating Valves

[0216] 164 Exhaust guide

[0217] 166 Material coating

[0218] 168 Battery electrode coating

[0219] 170 The first group of process chamber sections

[0220] 172 The second group of processing chamber sections

[0221] 174 First Roll

[0222] 176 Conveying direction

[0223] 178 First coating device

[0224] 180 Second coating device

[0225] 182 First Roller

[0226] 184 Circulating air supply

[0227] 186 Exhaust guide

[0228] 188 Solvent Recovery Unit

[0229] 190 Heat recovery mechanism

[0230] 192 Container

[0231] 194 Throttle valve

[0232] 196 Fresh Air Supply Department

[0233] 198 Emergency Suction Department

[0234] 200 Bypass guide

[0235] 202 Exhaust gas purification equipment

[0236] 204 First purification stage

[0237] 206 Second Purification Stage

[0238] 208 Adsorption area

[0239] 210 Cooling Area

[0240] 212 Desorption area

[0241] 214 Adsorbed Air

[0242] 216 Condensed Air

[0243] 218 Ventilator

[0244] 220 Air filtration device

[0245] 222 Central heat exchanger

[0246] 224 Heating gas supply

Claims

1. A processing device (100) for processing workpieces and / or material coatings (166), in particular a drying device (102) for vehicle bodies and / or battery electrode coatings (168), the processing device comprising: a treatment chamber (106) comprising a plurality of treatment chamber sections (108), each of which is assigned one of a plurality of individual circulating air modules (110) of the treatment device (100), - a heat storage and heating device (114) for storing and providing heat, and at least one heating gas duct (116), said heating gas duct comprising at least one heating gas supply duct (118) and at least one heating gas return duct (120), in a) heating gas can be supplied from the heat storage and heating device (114) to the circulating air module (110) via the heating gas supply (118), and / or heating gas can be guided back from the process chamber section (108) to the heat storage and heating device (114) via the heating gas return guide (120), or b) the treatment device (100) comprises a central heat exchanger (146, 222) to decouple the treatment chamber (106) from the heat storage and heating device (114) in the atmosphere, the central heat exchanger being arranged between the heating gas supply (118) connected to the circulating air module (110) and the heating gas return guide (120) connected to the treatment chamber section (108), and by means of which the heat generated in the heat storage and heating device (114) can be transferred to the heating gas guided in the heating gas guide (116), or c) Each circulating air module (110) comprises a heat exchanger to decouple the corresponding process chamber section (108) from the heat storage and heating device (114) in the atmosphere, and the heat generated in the heat storage and heating device (114) can be transferred to the heating gas circulating in the process chamber section (108) by means of the heat exchanger.

2. The processing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The heat storage and heating device (114) comprises at least one electric heating device (148) for heating a heating gas, at least one mixing device (150) and at least one heat storage unit (152).

3. The processing device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The mixing device (150) is arranged downstream of the electric heating device (148).

4. The processing device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The mixing device (150) is connected to at least one of the heat storage units (152).

5. The processing device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The mixing device (150) is configured to mix the gas heated in the electric heating device (148) - supplied to the process chamber (106), or - supplied to at least one heat reservoir (152) to store at least part of the heat contained in the heating gas, or - supplied to the process chamber (106) with the admixture of at least a portion of the heat stored in at least one of the heat reservoirs (152).

6. The processing device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The compressor (155) is arranged upstream of the electric heating mechanism (148).

7. The processing device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that Another compressor (156) is arranged downstream of the process chamber (106).

8. The processing device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that An adjustable or controllable valve (162) is arranged downstream of the mixing device (150).

9. The processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The treatment device (100) comprises a fresh air supply (126), by means of which fresh air can be supplied to an inlet lock (128) and / or an outlet lock (130) of the treatment chamber (106).

10. The processing device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that The treatment device (100) comprises a fresh air heat exchanger (132), by means of which heat generated in an exhaust gas and / or exhaust gas treatment device, in particular a hot exhaust gas purification device (124), of the treatment device (100) can be transferred to fresh air of the fresh air supply (126).

11. The processing device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The treatment device (100) comprises a further fresh air heat exchanger (134), by means of which the heat generated in the heat storage and heating device (114) can be transferred to the fresh air of the fresh air supply (126).

12. The processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The process chamber sections (108) are arranged one behind the other along a conveying direction (104) of the workpiece.

13. The processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The treatment device (100) comprises at least one aftertreatment chamber (136), which comprises at least one aftertreatment chamber section (138), to which cold gas, in particular fresh air, can be supplied.

14. The processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that An exhaust gas and / or waste gas treatment device is provided for treating, in particular for purifying, at least a portion of the exhaust gas and / or waste gas generated in the treatment chamber (106), wherein the exhaust gas and / or waste gas treatment device is preferably a waste gas purification device (124), by means of which a) thermal and / or catalytic oxidative solvent conversion, and / or b) Purification of separation solvent.

15. The processing device (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that The exhaust gas and / or waste gas treatment device (124) is a thermal waste gas purification device (124) which comprises a gas burner and / or a gas turbine, in particular a micro gas turbine.

16. A method for processing a workpiece and / or a material coating (166), comprising: causing a plurality of gas streams guided in separate circuits to flow through a plurality of process chamber sections (108) of a process chamber (106) of a processing device (100); The gas stream is heated directly or indirectly by means of a heated gas stream generated in a heat storage and heating device (114) of the processing device (100).

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Heat from an electric heating mechanism (148) of the heat storage and heating device (114) or heat from the electric heating mechanism of the heat storage and heating device (114) and at least one heat storage unit (152) is supplied to the heated gas flow.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that When electricity prices are low, heat generated by an electric heating mechanism (148) of the heat storage and heating device (114) is stored in at least one heat storage unit (152) of the heat storage and heating device (114).

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that In the case of high electricity prices, heat stored by at least one heat storage unit (152) of the heat storage and heating device (114) is transferred out and supplied to a heating gas flow.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that In phases of increased heat demand in the process chamber (106) of the process device (100), heat stored in at least one heat storage unit (152) of the heat storage and heating device (114) is transferred out and supplied to the heating gas flow.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that In a phase of low heat demand in the process chamber (106) of the process device (100), heat generated by the electric heating mechanism (148) of the heat storage and heating device (114) is stored in at least one heat storage unit (152) of the heat storage and heating device (114).

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