Particle generating device and method for controlling and / or controlling such a particle generating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a particle generating device (1) and a method for controlling and / or regulating the particle generating device (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a particle production device, which comprises: a granulator having an agitator, the agitator being driven by an agitator driving device, the granulator having at least one granulator inlet for supplying raw materials; a screening device, the screening device being connected to the granulator via a particle supply pipeline, the screening device having a screen chamber defined by a screen housing, the screen chamber being divided by a screen into a particle chamber for receiving particles discharged from the granulator and a screening material chamber for receiving screened particles, wherein the screening material chamber is connected to a conveying gas supply pipeline having a supply pipeline inlet; and a processing device, the processing device The processing equipment is connected to the screening material chamber of the screening device through a particle conveying pipeline having a conveying pipeline outlet. The processing equipment has a processing chamber, and the process gas conveyed by the conveying device component can flow through the processing chamber on a processing path from the processing chamber inlet to the processing chamber outlet, wherein the conveying gas can be conveyed on the conveying gas conveying path extending from the supply pipeline inlet to the conveying pipeline outlet through the conveying device component, and the conveying gas conveying path is also suitable for conveying the screened particles from the screening material chamber of the screening device to the processing chamber of the processing equipment through the particle conveying pipeline with the help of the conveying gas.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling and / or regulating a particle generating device, the particle generating device comprising: a granulator having an agitator, the agitator being driven by an agitator driving device, the granulator having at least one granulator inlet for supplying raw materials; a screening device, the screening device being connected to the granulator via a particle supply pipeline, the screening device having a screen chamber defined by a screen housing, the screen chamber being divided by a screen into a particle chamber for receiving particles discharged from the granulator and a screening material chamber for receiving screened particles, wherein the screening material chamber is connected to a conveying gas supply pipeline having a supply pipeline inlet. Connection; a processing device, which is connected to a screening material chamber of a screening device through a particle conveying pipeline having a conveying pipeline outlet, and the processing device has a processing chamber, and a process gas conveyed by a conveying device component can flow through the processing chamber on a processing path from the processing chamber inlet to the processing chamber outlet, wherein a conveying gas can be conveyed on a conveying gas conveying path extending from the supply pipeline inlet to the conveying pipeline outlet through the conveying device component, and the conveying gas conveying path is also suitable for conveying the screened particles from the screening device to the processing chamber of the processing device through the particle conveying pipeline with the help of the conveying gas. Background Art

[0003] Particle generating devices are known from the prior art.

[0004] WO 2019 / 105700 A2 discloses a screening device, which is arranged between a granulator and a processing equipment designed as a fluidized bed dryer, and is used for screening particles, especially wet particles or dry particles, wherein the screening device has: a screen shell with a screen bottom, a screen cover and side walls; a particle supply pipeline arranged on the screen shell; a particle conveying pipeline for the screened particles arranged on the screen shell; and a screen arranged in the screen shell; and a conveying gas supply pipeline.

[0005] A disadvantage of the particle generating device disclosed in the prior art is that the particle conveying pipeline, which connects the screen shell of the screening device and the processing equipment designed as a fluidized bed dryer, is at least partially blocked during the particle conveying process, and since the particle conveying pipeline needs to be cleaned accordingly, the particle conveying process and thus the particle generating process must be interrupted in order to maintain the particle generating device. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to specify a particle generating device and a method for controlling and / or regulating the same which do not require interruption of the particle transport process and the particle generating process associated therewith.

[0007] In a device of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved in that the particle generation device has a measuring device which is suitable for detecting a physical variable from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity of the conveying gas on the conveying gas conveying path. By detecting a physical variable from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity on the conveying gas conveying path, detailed information about blockages in the particle conveying line can be determined, which information can be used to continuously clear the particle conveying line during the particle conveying process in order to prevent blockages, without interrupting the particle generation process.

[0008] The conveying gas and / or process gas is a gaseous medium, preferably air, but also an inert gas.

[0009] In a related improvement of the particle generating device, the measuring device has a measuring instrument for detecting the physical quantity of the conveying gas on the conveying gas conveying path, preferably on the conveying gas conveying path section assigned to the conveying gas supply line. The measuring instrument is preferably designed as a thermal mass flowmeter, a Coriolis flowmeter, a magnetic induction flowmeter, an ultrasonic flowmeter, a vortex flowmeter, a differential pressure meter or a flow monitor. As a flow monitor, for example, a flow sensor SI5000 of ifm electronic gmbh or a similar company is installed. By arranging the measuring device designed as a measuring instrument, it is very easy to detect physical quantities from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity on the conveying gas conveying path. Ideally, the measuring instrument is arranged on the conveying gas conveying path section assigned to the conveying gas supply line, because since the conveying gas flow does not carry particles, the physical quantity of the conveying gas can be measured accordingly here without any effort.

[0010] According to another advantageous design of the granulation device, the granulator is designed as a mixer granulator. Mixer granulators, in particular high-shear mixers, have been used in the pharmaceutical industry for decades for wet granulation, among other things. Today, robust and reliable mixer granulators, mostly designed as vertical granulators, are setting new standards in pharmaceutical granulation processes. These mixer granulators are the first choice, especially when high particle densities and fast granulation are important in the granulation process. In addition, they require relatively little space for installation, are easy to operate and simple to clean. The granulation process is the production of granules, which starts with the supply of raw materials and ends with the emptying of the granulator.

[0011] Advantageously in this respect, the agitator drive has a substantially constant driving torque within its speed range. Thus, the particle characteristics, such as, in particular, the particle size, can be influenced and directly adjusted in the granulator during the granulation process. The agitator drive provides a uniform high driving torque within its speed range, allowing the shear force proportional to the speed n of the agitator drive to be adjusted during the granulation process, so that the particle characteristics can be directly adjusted. Driving torque refers to a physical quantity such as the torsion or bending of the drive shaft of the agitator drive. It is the product of force [N] and lever arm [m], provided that force and lever arm are perpendicular to each other. The unit of driving torque is energy [1Nm (Newton meter)]. The driving torque of the drive shaft driving the agitator is proportional to the power output of the agitator drive coupled to the drive shaft, i.e., P=2πMn, where M is driving torque [Nm], n is speed [1 / s], P is power [W], and π is pi.

[0012] According to a further improvement of the particle generating device, a sieve body is arranged in the particle chamber of the screening device so as to transport the particles from the particle chamber through the sieve to the screening material chamber, wherein the sieve body can be suitably driven by a sieve body drive device designed as a motor. The advantage of arranging the sieve body in the sieve housing is that the particles can be pressed through the sieve in an improved manner by the sieve body. Therefore, the screening process occurring in the screening device is optimized by the sieve body. Suitably, the sieve body arranged in the particle chamber is adapted to the particle chamber design, which further improves the screening process, because the particles are pressed through the sieve under continuous and constant pressure by the sieve body adapted to the shape of the sieve. The screening process refers to screening the particles located in the particle chamber.

[0013] Furthermore, preferably, a rotor disk is arranged in the screening material chamber of the screening device, which rotor disk can be driven by a rotor disk drive device designed as a motor. Particularly preferably, the rotor disk is arranged in the area of ​​the bottom of the screening material chamber. The advantage of arranging the rotor disk in the screening material chamber in the area of ​​the bottom of the screening material chamber is that the screened particles do not remain at the bottom of the screening material chamber, but are completely discharged from the screening material chamber in the direction of the processing device.

[0014] According to a further advantageous design of the particle generation device, the conveying gas supply line is arranged in particular tangentially on the side wall of the screen housing. Since the conveying gas supply line is arranged tangentially on the side wall of the screen housing (suitably in the region of the bottom of the screening material chamber), centrifugal forces act on the screened particles in particular in the screening material chamber, which transport the particles upwards away from the bottom of the screening material chamber, so that the screened particles can be discharged from the screening material chamber in an improved manner in the direction of the processing device. This is further facilitated by the cylindrical, at least partially conical, construction shape of the screening device. In this respect, the particle conveying line is preferably arranged on the screen housing above the conveying gas supply line.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the particle production device, the particle conveying line is arranged in particular tangentially on the side wall of the screen housing. By means of this arrangement of the particle conveying line, the screened particles can be discharged from the screened material chamber in the direction of the processing device in an improved manner, in particular when the conveying gas supply line is simultaneously arranged tangentially on the side wall of the screen housing.

[0016] Furthermore, the conveying gas supply line has a filter assembly at the supply line inlet, which is expediently designed as a HEPA filter. HEPA filters set the benchmark in terms of mechanical cleaning of conveying gases, in particular conveying air, sucked in from the environment. HEPA usually stands for "High Efficiency Particulate Air". Due to the arrangement of the filter and the corresponding cleaning of the conveying gas, the sieved particles are not contaminated.

[0017] Preferably, the conveying gas supply line is connected to the process gas supply line so that the process gas can be used as conveying gas. This ensures that the conveying gas has the same properties as the process gas used to process the sieved particles in the processing device.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the particle production device, the processing device is designed as a coating device or a fluidizing device. By designing the processing device as a coating device, the sieved particles can be directly coated, for example with a protective layer. Designing as a fluidizing device, in particular a fluidized bed or sprayed bed device, the sieved particles conveyed from the sieved material chamber into the processing device can also be further processed and preferably spherical particles with a precisely defined particle size can be produced and coated.

[0019] Furthermore, the conveying device assembly has a process gas conveying device and / or a conveying gas conveying device. Advantageously in this respect, the process gas conveying device is arranged upstream of the processing device in the process gas supply line and / or downstream of the processing device in the process gas discharge line. The conveying gas conveying device is expediently arranged in the conveying gas supply line. In a preferred embodiment, the conveying device assembly is designed as a process gas conveying device and is arranged downstream in the process gas discharge line. This generates a negative pressure in the conveying gas conveying path, which conveys the screened particles from the screening material chamber via the particle conveying line to the processing device for further processing.

[0020] According to a further improvement of the particle generating device, the particle generating device has a control device, which preferably has a regulating function, and which controls and / or regulates the granulator taking into account the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas. In this regard, the control device controls and / or regulates the agitator drive and / or the granulator outlet closure. Suitably, the control device is configured to set the rotation speed of the agitator drive and / or open or close the granulator outlet closure. By controlling and / or regulating the particle generating device, in particular the agitator drive and / or the granulator outlet closure, the particle generating process can be divided into sub-processes, in particular batches, such as a granulation process, a particle conveying process and a particle processing process. The particle generating process refers to the entire manufacturing process, i.e. from the supply of raw materials to the discharge of the processed particles from the processing equipment.

[0021] The particle conveying process refers to the conveying of particles from the screening material chamber to the processing equipment, and the particle processing process refers to the processing of the screened particles transported to the processing equipment, which ends with the discharge of the processed particles.

[0022] According to a further advantageous development of the particle generation device, the processing device has a device inlet closure device, wherein in this respect in particular the control device controls and / or regulates the device inlet closure device. By controlling and / or regulating the device inlet closure device, in particular designed as a flap, the processing chamber of the processing device is closed relative to the particle conveying line, so that process gas flows only through the processing device in order to maintain the particle processing process. Preferably, in this way, in the processing device designed as a fluidizing device, sufficient fluidization of the sieved particles for the particle processing process is ensured.

[0023] Furthermore, the processing device preferably has a process gas supply line, in which a process gas flow control device is arranged, wherein the control device expediently controls and / or regulates the process gas flow control device. The process gas flow control device advantageously allows the pressure loss occurring at the processing device to be regulated. In particular, the process gas flow control device is used when the device inlet closure is opened for the particle conveying process, in order to generate a negative pressure in the conveying gas delivery line and to expediently precisely regulate this negative pressure.

[0024] In addition, the particle production device preferably has a plurality of processing devices and a plurality of particle conveying pipelines, wherein each processing device is connected to the screening device via a particle conveying pipeline to realize a quasi-continuous particle production process. This enables the number of particles produced in a certain period to be multiplied, thereby reducing production costs.

[0025] Furthermore, in a method of the type mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved in that the particle generation device has a measuring device which detects a physical variable from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity of the conveying gas on the conveying gas conveying path during the particle conveying process. By detecting a physical variable from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity on the conveying gas conveying path, detailed information about blockages in the particle conveying line can be determined, which information can be used to continuously clear the particle conveying line during the particle conveying process in order to prevent blockages, without interrupting the particle generation process.

[0026] In this respect, the method is preferably carried out as a batch processing method. According to a particularly preferred method, the particle production device has a plurality of processing devices and a plurality of particle conveying pipelines, wherein each processing device is connected to a screening device via a particle conveying pipeline so as to carry out a quasi-continuous particle production process. By connecting a large number of processing devices to the screening device by means of a large number of particle conveying pipelines, a batch particle production process can be converted into a quasi-continuous particle production process. The screened particles are sequentially supplied to the processing devices by a control device so that particles are quasi-continuously produced by a large number of processing devices. In addition, this enables the number of particles produced in a certain period to be multiplied, thereby reducing production costs.

[0027] In a further advantageously designed method, the particle generating device has a control device, which advantageously has a regulating function, to which the detected physical quantity is advantageously transmitted during the particle conveying process for further processing. In this regard, the control device has an evaluation device, which further processes the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas taking into account the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas.

[0028] According to a further advantageous development of the method, the processing plant has an plant inlet closure device, wherein the control device controls and / or regulates the plant inlet closure device before the particle conveying process such that the plant inlet closure device is moved from the closed position into the open position.

[0029] According to a further advantageous improvement of the method, the processing equipment has a process gas supply pipeline, in which a process gas flow regulating device is arranged, wherein the control device controls and / or regulates the process gas flow regulating device before and / or during the particle conveying process so that a negative pressure is formed on the conveying gas conveying path to convey the screened particles from the screening material chamber to the processing equipment.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the control device compares the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas with a first threshold value of the physical quantity stored in the control device when further processing it in order to control and / or regulate the particle generation device, in that the control device sends a control and / or regulation signal to the agitator drive and / or the granulator outlet closure device in order to set the rotation speed of the agitator drive device and / or open or close the granulator outlet closure device. In this regard, if the threshold value of the conveying gas is below, the agitator drive device is stopped and / or the granulator outlet closure device is closed. Preferably, during the particle conveying process, the rotation speed of the agitator drive device increases continuously over time. In addition, in this regard, the control device compares the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas with a second threshold value of the physical quantity stored in the control device when further processing it, wherein when the second threshold value of the conveying gas is exceeded, the agitator drive device is started and / or the granulator outlet closure device is opened. By means of the continuous and permanent control of a physical variable from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity by the control device, it is automatically ensured that neither the sieve arranged in the sieve housing of the sieving device nor the granule conveying line can become blocked or, in the worst case, become blocked so that the granule production process has to be interrupted. It is further advantageous if an interruption time is stored in the control device, after which the agitator drive is started and / or the granulator outlet closure is opened.

[0031] Preferably, before or during the pellet transfer process, at least one pelletizer inlet for supplying raw material is closed so that infiltration air cannot enter the pellet generating device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of any of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a particle generating device; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a screening material chamber of a screening device of a particle generating device; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a particle generating device; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a particle generating device; Figure 5 A first schematic graph showing how the rotor speed of the agitator rotor and the flow speed of the physical quantity change with time respectively; Figure 6 The second schematic graph is a graph showing how the rotor speed of the agitator rotor and the physical quantity flow speed change with time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Unless otherwise stated, the following description relates to all embodiments of the preferred particle generating device 1 shown in the drawings.

[0034] The granule production device 1 comprises a granulator 2, a screening device 3 and a processing device 4, wherein the granulator 2 is connected to the screening device 3 via a granule supply pipeline 5, and the screening device 3 is connected to the processing device 4 via a granule conveying pipeline 6. Suitably, the granule production device 1 further comprises a control device 7, which has a regulating function for controlling and / or regulating the granule production device 1, wherein the control device 7 preferably comprises an evaluation device 61 and / or a database 65.

[0035] The granulator 2, which is preferably designed as a mixer granulator 66, has at least one granulator inlet 8 for supplying raw materials AS. Raw materials AS refer to all materials to be supplied to the granulator for granulation during the granulation process, in particular various auxiliary materials, active ingredients, fillers, dyes, disintegration promoters and granulation liquids.

[0036] Each granulator inlet 8 can be opened or closed by a granulator inlet closing device 9, wherein the granulator inlet closing device 9 is particularly designed as a granulator inlet closing baffle 10 or a granulator inlet cover 11. In an embodiment not shown, the granulator inlet closing device 9 is designed as a granulator inlet valve. The granulator inlet closing device 9 can be arranged on the granulator 2 or in the raw material supply pipeline 12. Figure 1In the embodiment, two granulator inlet sealing devices 9 are arranged on the granulator 2; Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, two granulator inlet closing devices 9 are respectively arranged in the raw material supply pipeline 12. In addition, the granulator inlet closing device 9 is suitably designed to send control or adjustment signals to the control device 7 for its control and / or adjustment, and / or receive control or adjustment signals from the control device 7. The control or adjustment signal is shown as a short dashed arrow.

[0037] The raw material AS can be granulated by an agitator 13 having an agitator rotor 62 arranged in the granulator 2, wherein the agitator rotor 62 of the agitator 13 can be driven by an agitator drive 14, wherein the agitator drive 14 preferably has a substantially constant drive torque within its speed range. For this purpose, the agitator drive 14 is preferably designed as a torque motor or an electric motor. The agitator drive 14 is suitably designed to send a control or regulation signal to the control device 7 for its control and / or regulation, and / or to receive a control or regulation signal from the control device 7. The control or regulation signal is shown as a short dashed arrow. The control device 7 is configured to set the speed n of the agitator drive 14, suitably stop the agitator drive 14, so that the agitator 13 is stationary and no particles are discharged from the granulator 2 together.

[0038] Furthermore, the granulator 2 has a granulator outlet 15. The granulator outlet 15 optionally has a granulator outlet closure device 16, which is suitably designed as a granulator outlet closure baffle 17. The granulator outlet closure device 16 can be arranged at the granulator outlet 15, in the granule supply line 5 or at the screening device 3. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the granulator outlet closing device 16 is arranged on the granulator 2; Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the granulator outlet closing device 16 is arranged on the screening device 3. The granulator outlet closing device 16 is suitably designed to send a control or adjustment signal to the control device 7 for its control and / or adjustment, and / or receive a control or adjustment signal from the control device 7. The control or adjustment signal is shown as a short dashed arrow. The control device 7 is configured to open or close the granulator outlet closing device 16.

[0039] The granule supply line 5 connects the granulator 2 with the screening device 3 via the granulator outlet 15 and the screening device granule inlet 18 .

[0040] The screening device 3 has a screen chamber 20 defined by a screen housing 19, which is divided by a screen mesh 21 into a particle chamber 22 for receiving particles discharged from the granulator 2 and a screening material chamber 23 for receiving the screened particles. A screen body 24 is preferably arranged in the particle chamber 22 of the screening device 3, so as to transport particles from the particle chamber 22 to the screening material chamber 23 via the screen 21, wherein the screen body 24 can be suitably driven by a screen body drive device 26 designed as a motor 25, and the motor 25 is preferably a torque motor or an electric motor. The screen body drive device 26 is suitably designed to send control or regulation signals to the control device 7 for its control and / or regulation, and / or receive control or regulation signals from the control device 7. The control or regulation signals are shown as short-dashed arrows.

[0041] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the sieve body 24 is not provided in the particle chamber 22 of the screening device 3; Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment, a sieve body 24 is arranged in the particle chamber 22.

[0042] Preferably, a rotor disk 27 is arranged in the screening material chamber 23 of the screening device 3, which can be driven by a rotor disk drive 29 designed as a motor 28. The rotor disk 27 is particularly arranged in the area 30 of the screening material chamber bottom 31. The motor 28 is preferably designed as a torque motor or an electric motor. The rotor disk drive 29 is suitably designed to send control or regulation signals to the control device 7 for its control and / or regulation, and / or receive control or regulation signals from the control device 7. The control or regulation signals are shown as short dashed arrows.

[0043] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the rotor disc 27 is not provided in the screening material chamber 23; Figure 1 and Figure 4 In the embodiment, a rotor disc 27 is arranged in the screening material chamber 23.

[0044] A conveying gas supply line 33 having a supply line inlet 32 ​​is connected to the screening material chamber 23 via a conveying gas inlet 75, wherein a filter assembly 34 is arranged at the supply line inlet 32, which is expediently designed as a HEPA filter 35, while ambient air as conveying gas TG is sucked in via the conveying gas supply line 33.

[0045] Preferably, if Figure 2As shown schematically, the conveying gas supply line 33 is arranged in particular tangentially on the side wall 36 of the screen housing 19. By supplying the conveying gas TG, the conveying of the screened particles from the screened material chamber 23 into the processing device 4 is improved. In addition, a gas flow is generated in the screen housing 19 of the screening device 3, which minimizes or completely prevents the adhesion or deposition of particles on the inner surface of the screen housing 19. In particular, the conveying gas supply line 33 is preferably arranged transversely, but particularly preferably tangentially on the screen housing 19, which produces very good flow conditions for the conveying gas TG in the screen housing 19 to prevent the adhesion or deposition of particles in the particle conveying line 6.

[0046] Furthermore, the screening material chamber 23 of the screening device 3 is connected to the processing device inlet 48 of the processing device 4 by means of the screening material outlet 37 and via the particle conveying line 6 having the conveying line outlet 38. Figure 2 As also shown in FIG. 1 , the particle conveying line is also arranged particularly tangentially on the side wall 36 of the screen housing 19 of the screening material chamber 23 of the screening device 3. The particle conveying line 6 is preferably arranged at the same height as the conveying gas supply line 33 on the screen housing 19, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown. Figure 3 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the particle conveying line 6 is arranged above the conveying gas supply line 33 on the sieve housing 19 .

[0047] The treatment device 4 with the treatment chamber 39 is expediently designed as a coating device 40, in particular as a drum coater 69, or as a fluidizing device 41, which has a spraying mechanism 68 with a nozzle 67. The fluidizing device 40 is in turn in particular a fluidized bed device 42 or, in an embodiment not shown, a spouted bed device.

[0048] The process gas PG conveyed by the conveyor assembly 43 can flow through the process chamber 39 along a process path 53 from a process chamber inlet 72 to a process chamber outlet 73. In the fluidizing device 41, the sieved particles conveyed by the conveying gas TG into the process chamber 39 of the process device 4 are fluidized by the process gas PG and thus further processed, for example during drying and / or coating. The processed particles are discharged from the process device 4 via a discharge device 71 having a particle discharge line 70. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the two fluidizing devices 41 of the particle generating device 1 have a common particle discharge line 71 .

[0049] In addition, a conveying gas TG can be conveyed on a conveying gas conveying path 52 extending from a supply pipeline inlet 32 ​​to a conveying pipeline outlet 38 via the conveying device assembly 43, wherein the conveying gas TG is suitable for conveying the screened particles from the screening material chamber 23 of the screening device 3 to the processing chamber 39 of the processing equipment 4 via the particle conveying pipeline 6 during the particle conveying process.

[0050] Therefore, the conveyor assembly 43 has a process gas conveyor 44 and / or a transport gas conveyor 45, wherein the process gas conveyor 44 is arranged upstream of the processing device 4 in a process gas supply line 46, such as Figure 1 and / or arranged in the process gas exhaust line 47 downstream of the processing equipment 4, such as Figure 4 The process gas delivery device 44 and / or the conveying gas delivery device 45 are preferably designed as a blower 74. If present, the conveying gas delivery device 45 is particularly preferably arranged in the conveying gas supply line 33, such as Figure 1 In the most preferred embodiment, the particle generating device 1 has only one process gas conveying device 44, which is arranged downstream of the processing device 4 in the process gas discharge line 47, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in the implementation method of .

[0051] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the conveying gas supply line 33 is connected to the process gas supply line 46, so that the process gas PG is used as conveying gas TG. This is advantageous because the sieved particles only come into contact with the process gas during the particle generation process.

[0052] Furthermore, the treatment device 4 has a device inlet closing device 49 for the treatment device inlet 48. The treatment device inlet 48 can be opened or closed expediently by the device inlet closing device 49, wherein the device inlet closing device 49 is in particular designed as a device inlet closing flap 50. In an embodiment not shown, the device inlet closing device 49 is designed as a device inlet valve.

[0053] The device inlet closing device 49 can be arranged on the processing device 4 or in the particle conveying pipeline 6, wherein the arrangement on the processing device 4 represents a preferred embodiment. In each of the embodiments shown, the device inlet closing device 49 is arranged on the processing device 4. In addition, the device inlet closing device 49 is suitably designed to send control or regulation signals to the control device 7 for its control and / or regulation, and / or receive control or regulation signals from the control device 7. The control or regulation signals are shown as short-dashed arrows.

[0054] In the process gas supply line 46 of the processing device 4, a process gas flow regulating device 51 is suitably arranged for regulating the pressure loss generated on the processing device 4. The process gas flow regulating device 51 is suitably designed to send control or regulating signals to the control device 7 for its control and / or regulation, and / or receive control or regulating signals from the control device 7. The control or regulating signal is shown as a short dashed arrow.

[0055] Finally, the particle generating device 1 has a measuring device 54 which is suitable for detecting a physical quantity from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity VTG of the conveying gas TG on the conveying gas conveying path 52. The measuring device 54 is preferably assigned to the screening device 3. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 5 , the measuring device 54 is arranged on a conveying gas delivery path section 55 assigned to the conveying gas supply line 33 . Figure 3 In the embodiment, the measuring device 54 is arranged in the particle conveying line 6.

[0056] The measuring device 54 is suitably designed as a measuring instrument 56 for detecting the physical quantity of the conveying gas TG on the conveying gas delivery path 52. Here, the measuring instrument 56 is preferably designed as a thermal mass flow meter, a Coriolis flow meter, a magnetic induction flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, a vortex flow meter, a differential pressure meter or a flow monitor outputting a Boolean signal, such as the SI5000 flow sensor from ifmelectronic gmbh.

[0057] Figure 4 A particularly preferred embodiment of the particle generating device 1 is shown in the embodiment shown. Figure 4 The particle production apparatus 1 shown has a plurality of processing devices 4a, 4b and a plurality of particle conveying pipelines 6, wherein each processing device 4 is connected to the screening device 3 via the particle conveying pipeline 6 to realize a quasi-continuous particle production process. Figure 4 The particle conveying pipeline 6 forms two particle conveying pipelines 6a and 6b. The two particle conveying pipelines 6a and 6b each have a first common particle conveying pipeline section 57 and a second particle conveying pipeline section 58 respectively assigned to only one processing device 4. Between the first particle conveying pipeline section 57 and the corresponding second particle conveying pipeline section 58a or 58b, a switching device 60 (e.g. a switchable baffle system 61) is arranged at a connection point 59, which is suitable for switching the particle conveying pipelines 6a and 6b so that the processing device 4a or 4b is filled with screened particles for further processing through its corresponding particle conveying pipeline 6a or 6b. In an embodiment not shown, the multiple particle conveying pipelines 6 are designed to be completely independent of each other and do not have a common particle conveying pipeline section 57.

[0058] In another embodiment that is not shown, the particle generating device 1 has three, four, five, six or more processing devices 4 .

[0059] The method for controlling and / or regulating the particle generating device 1 is performed in particular by the following steps, wherein the sequence of the steps is not to be regarded as a chronological sequence. The steps can be performed in any order and can also be performed simultaneously if necessary.

[0060] - starting the delivery device assembly 43 to deliver the process gas PG on the process path 53; - adjusting the process gas flow regulating device 51 to generate a negative pressure on the conveying gas conveying path 52 for conveying the sieved particles from the sieved material chamber 23 to the processing device 4, which is preferably carried out before and / or during the particle conveying process; - Detection of the volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG on the conveying gas delivery path 52 TG The physical quantity of the group; - suitably transmitting the detected physical quantities during the particle transfer process to the control device 7 for further processing; - further processing of the detected physical quantities of the conveying gas by the control device 7, such as storage, evaluation, etc.; In the evaluation device 61 of the control device 7 , the volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG detected on the conveying gas delivery path 52 is evaluated. TG The physical quantity of the group is evaluated, in particular it is compared with a threshold value 63; - Open each granulator inlet closure device 9 to supply raw material AS; - filling the granulator 2 with raw material AS through at least one granulator inlet 8 and producing granules; - before or during the pellet transfer process, closing at least one pelletizer inlet 8 for supplying raw material AS, in particular each pelletizer inlet closure device 9, so that infiltration air cannot enter the pellet production device; - in particular, the granules produced in the granulator 2 are discharged into the screening device 3 via the agitator 13; - controlling and / or regulating the stirrer 13 via the stirrer drive 14; - Control and / or adjust the granulator outlet closure device 16; - Screening the particles in the screening device 3; - conveying the screened particles from the screening material chamber 23 to the processing device 4; - when the sieved particles have been transferred from the sieved material chamber 23 to the processing device 4, the device inlet closure 49 is closed; - Processing the sieved particles in the processing device 4; - discharging the particles treated in the treatment device 4 through the discharge device 71; - opening the plant inlet closure 49 when processed particles from the processing plant are transferred to the screening material chamber 23 into the processing plant 4 after the particle processing process or when a new batch of particles is to be processed; -Repeat the above steps in any order.

[0061] For example, now we will use Figure 1 The particle generation process is explained in more detail in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] In a first step, the conveyor device assembly 43 designed as a process gas conveyor device 44 is started up so that the process gas PG is conveyed through the processing installation on the process path 53. The process gas conveyor device 44 is a blower 74 here.

[0063] At the same time, each granulator inlet closure device 9 is opened to supply the raw material AS, and the granulator outlet closure device 16 is closed. The granulator 2 is filled with the raw material AS through at least one granulator inlet 8, and granules are produced.

[0064] During the production of granules in the granulator 2, the process gas flow rate through the processing device is regulated by the process gas flow regulating device 51. By opening the device inlet closing device 49, a negative pressure is generated on the conveying gas conveying pipeline 52 to convey the sieved granules from the sieved material chamber 23 to the processing device 4, thereby sucking in ambient air as conveying gas through the filter assembly 34. The physical quantity of the conveying gas TG, that is, the flow velocity V TG , and transmitted to the control device 7 for further processing.

[0065] Subsequently, the two granulator inlets 8 for supplying the raw material AS, in particular each granulator inlet closure device 9, are closed so that infiltrating air cannot enter the granulation production device.

[0066] Subsequently, the granulator outlet closure 16 is opened and the granules are conveyed from the granulator 2 to the screening device 3 via the agitator rotor 62. There, the granules are screened and then conveyed as screened granules via the granulator conveying line 6 to the processing device 4 with the aid of a conveying gas. Before and during the granule conveying process, the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas is evaluated by the control device 7. For this purpose, the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas is compared with a first threshold value 63 stored in the control device in the evaluation device 61. As soon as it falls below the threshold value 63, a control signal is sent to the agitator drive 14 to stop the agitator drive 14. The granules conveyed to the screening device 3 are further conveyed to the processing device 4 as screened granules. Since the granules are no longer conveyed from the granulator 2, the amount of screened granules on the conveying gas conveying line 52, in particular in the screening device 3 and the granulator conveying line 6, is reduced, and the flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG is increased. TG Improve again.

[0067] After an interruption time 64 which is predetermined and stored in a database 65 of the control device 7 has elapsed, the agitator drive 14 receives a control signal again and starts again to discharge the produced granules from the granulator 2. This sequence of steps is repeated until the granulator 2 is completely emptied.

[0068] Then, the control device 7 sends a control or regulation signal to each granulator inlet closing device 9 to supply the raw material AS, and sends a control or regulation signal to the granulator outlet closing device 16 to close it. The granulator 2 is filled with the raw material AS again through at least one granulator inlet 8, and granules are produced. The steps after the granules are produced in the granulator 2 will also be repeated.

[0069] The control device 7 sends a control signal to the device inlet closing device 49 to close it. After the device inlet closing device 49 is closed, the sieved particles conveyed to the processing device 4 are further processed in the processing device 4, for example, coated by the spraying device 68, and discharged via the discharge device 71 after their processing. For this purpose, both the spraying device 68 and the discharge device 71 receive the necessary control and / or regulation signals from the control device 7.

[0070] This batch-wise particle production process is then repeated at any frequency until a desired amount of particles has been produced by the particle production device 1 .

[0071] refer to Figure 5 A first exemplary method for controlling and / or regulating the agitator drive 14 is described with reference to the graph in FIG.

[0072] In this graph, the rotational speed n (rpm) of the stirrer drive 14 and thus also the rotational speed n of the stirrer rotor 62 is plotted against time (seconds) and the flow velocity V of the conveying gas is plotted against time (seconds). TG The relationship between (meters / second) and time (seconds).

[0073] At the beginning of the particle conveying process, the flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG is set to TG The threshold value 63 of the conveying gas TG is stored as a physical quantity in the control device 7. In this embodiment, the flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG is TG The threshold value 63 of the transport gas TG is set to 14 m / s. For the measuring device 54 designed as a measuring instrument 56, a flow monitor is used, which provides a Boolean signal, that is, indicates the flow velocity V of the transport gas TG. TG Is it greater than or less than a threshold value 63. In the embodiment shown, for example a flow sensor SI5000 from ifm electronic gmbh is used.

[0074] For the automated process, the agitator drive 14 continuously increases its rotational speed n, since a high rotational speed n of the agitator drive 14 is necessary for a complete emptying of the granulator 2 in one operation. TG When the threshold value 63 is reached, the stirrer drive 14 stops, so that no more particles are transported into the particle chamber 22. Then, the predetermined interruption time 64 is waited until the particle conveying process starts again, that is, the stirrer drive 14 is started again. It can be seen that the rotation speed n of the stirrer drive 14 changes in a sawtooth shape over time, and the flow velocity V TG After the first start, it changes in a zigzag pattern until the maximum flow velocity V TG These time courses can be explained by the particles being transported into the particle chamber 23.

[0075] As long as no particles are conveyed from the granulator 2 into the particle chamber 23 of the screening device 3, the flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG TG Once the particles are transported from the granulator 2 to the particle chamber 23 of the screening device 3 by starting the agitator drive unit 14, the flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG increases due to the increased pressure loss on the conveying gas conveying path 52. TG If it is lower than the flow velocity V of the transport gas TG TG If the threshold value 63 is reached, the agitator drive 14 is stopped so that no more particles are conveyed into the particle chamber 22 .

[0076] The sieved particles on the conveying path 52 are transported by the conveying gas TG to the processing device 4. Once the pressure loss decreases, that is, the sieved particles on the conveying path 52 decrease, the flow velocity V of the conveying gas TG decreases. TG will increase again. With the end of the interruption time 64, these steps are repeated in chronological order. Thus, as time passes, the granulator 2 is completely emptied, so that the rotation speed n of the agitator drive 14 increases more rapidly until it reaches a maximum value, see the last three sawtooth cycles 76 of the rotation speed n. At the same time, the flow speed V of the conveying gas TG TG By evaluating the flow velocity V TG These two values, φ and the rotational speed n of the stirrer drive 14, can determine when the granulator 2 is empty.

[0077] After the particle conveying process, the screened particles are conveyed to the processing device 4, where they are processed and another batch of particles is produced in the granulator 2.

[0078] Therefore, the volume flow rate, mass flow rate or flow velocity V of the conveying gas is detected. TG of physical quantities (but especially the flow velocity V TG ), will prevent the conveying gas transport path from being at least partially blocked during the particle conveying process.

[0079] exist Figure 6 A second exemplary method for controlling and / or regulating the agitator drive 14 is described in the graph of FIG. Figure 6 Methods and basis Figure 5 corresponding to the method.

[0080] Also in Figure 6 In the curve diagram, below Figure 5 After a first threshold value 63a corresponding to the threshold value 63 in the curve diagram of , the agitator drive 14 is stopped by the control device 7. Figure 5 The method explained in Figure 6 In the embodiment, after the agitator drive device 14 stops, the interruption time 64 is not waited, but the flow velocity V is used as a physical quantity. TG When the second threshold value 63b is exceeded, the agitator drive device 14 is started again. TG After exceeding the threshold value 63b, the rotation speed n of the agitator drive 14 is continuously increased, thereby conveying the particles from the granulator 2 to the particle chamber 22 of the screening device 3. Since the particles block both the screen and the particle conveying pipeline 6, a corresponding pressure loss occurs, and thus the flow velocity V TGDecrease again until the flow velocity of the transport gas V TG Again below the first threshold value 63a. This sequence of steps is repeated until the granulator 2 is empty.

[0081] Figure 1 and Figure 3 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 works in an intermittent manner, while Figure 4 The implementation scheme works in a quasi-continuous manner.

Claims

1. A particle generating device (1), comprising: A granulator (2), the granulator having an agitator (13) driven by an agitator drive (14), the granulator having at least one granulator inlet (8) for supplying raw material (AS); a screening device (3), the screening device being connected to the granulator (2) via a particle supply pipeline (5), the screening device having a screen chamber (22) defined by a screen housing (19), the screen chamber being divided by a screen (21) into a particle chamber (22) for receiving particles discharged from the granulator (2) and a screening material chamber (23) for receiving screened particles, wherein the screening material chamber (23) is connected to a conveying gas supply pipeline (33) having a supply pipeline inlet (32); a processing device (4), the processing device being connected to the screening material chamber (23) of the screening device (3) via a particle conveying pipeline (6) having a conveying pipeline outlet (38), the processing device having a processing chamber (39) connected by a conveying gas supply pipeline (6) having a conveying pipeline outlet (38), the processing device having a processing chamber (39) connected by a conveying gas supply pipeline (6) having a conveying gas supply ... The process gas (PG) transported by the conveying device component (43) can flow through the processing chamber on a processing path (53) from the processing chamber inlet (72) to the processing chamber outlet (73), wherein the conveying device component (43) can transport the conveying gas (TG) on the conveying gas conveying path (52) extending from the supply pipeline inlet (32) to the conveying pipeline outlet (38), and the conveying gas conveying path is also suitable for conveying the screened particles from the screening material chamber (23) of the screening device (3) to the processing chamber (39) of the processing equipment (4) through the particle conveying pipeline (6) with the help of the conveying gas (TG), characterized in that the particle generating device (1) has a measuring device (54), which is suitable for detecting a physical quantity of the conveying gas (TG) from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity (v) on the conveying gas conveying path (52).

2. The particle generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measuring device (54) has a measuring instrument (56) for detecting a physical quantity of the conveying gas (TG) on the conveying gas conveying path (52), preferably on a conveying gas conveying path section (55) assigned to the conveying gas supply line (33).

3. The particle generating device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The measuring instrument (56) is designed as a thermal mass flowmeter, a Coriolis flowmeter, a magnetic induction flowmeter, an ultrasonic flowmeter, a vortex flowmeter, a differential pressure meter or a flow monitor.

4. A particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The granulator (2) is designed as a mixing granulator (66).

5. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The stirrer drive (14) has a substantially constant drive torque within its rotational speed range.

6. A particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A sieve body (24) is arranged in the particle chamber (22) of the screening device (3) so as to transport particles from the particle chamber (22) through the sieve (21) into the screening material chamber (23), wherein the sieve body (24) can be suitably driven by a sieve body drive device (26) designed as a motor (25).

7. A particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A rotor disk (27) is arranged in the screening material chamber (23) of the screening device (3), which rotor disk can be driven expediently by a rotor disk drive (29) designed as a motor (28).

8. The particle generating device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The rotor disk (27) is arranged in the region (30) of the screening chamber bottom (31).

9. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The conveying gas supply line (33) is arranged, in particular, tangentially on a side wall (36) of the sieve housing (19).

10. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The particle conveying line (6) is arranged, in particular, tangentially on a side wall (36) of the screen housing (19).

11. The particle generating device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The particle conveying line (6) is arranged on the screen housing (19) above the conveying gas supply line (33).

12. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The conveying gas supply line (33) has a filter assembly (34) at the supply line inlet (32), which is expediently designed as a HEPA filter (35).

13. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The transport gas supply line (33) is connected to the process gas supply line (46) so that the process gas (PG) can be used as the transport gas (TG).

14. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The treatment device (4) is designed as a coating device (40) or a fluidizing device (41).

15. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The delivery device assembly (43) has a process gas delivery device (44) and / or a transport gas delivery device (45).

16. The particle generating device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that The process gas conveying device (44) is arranged upstream of the process device (4) in a process gas supply line (46) and / or downstream of the process device (4) in a process gas discharge line (47).

17. The particle generating device (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The conveying gas delivery device (45) is arranged in the conveying gas supply line (33).

18. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The granulator (1) has a control device (7), which advantageously has a regulating function, and which controls and / or regulates the granulator (2) taking into account the detected physical quantity of the transport gas (TG).

19. The particle generating device (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The control device (7) controls and / or regulates the agitator drive device (14) and / or the granulator outlet closing device (16).

20. The particle generating device (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that The control device (7) is configured to set the rotation speed (n) of the agitator drive device (14) and / or to open or close the granulator outlet closing device (16).

21. A particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The processing device (4) has a device inlet sealing device (49).

22. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of claims 18 to 20 and claim 21, characterized in that The control device (7) controls and / or regulates the device inlet sealing device (49).

23. A particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The processing device (4) has a process gas supply pipeline (46), in which a process gas flow control device (51) is arranged.

24. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of claims 18 to 20 and claim 23, characterized in that The control device (7) controls and / or adjusts the process gas flow regulating device (51).

25. The particle generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The particle production device (1) comprises a plurality of processing devices (4) and a plurality of particle conveying pipelines (6), wherein each processing device (4) is connected to the screening device (7) via a particle conveying pipeline (6) to achieve a quasi-continuous particle production process.

26. A method for controlling and / or regulating a particle generating device (1), the particle generating device comprising: A granulator (2), the granulator having an agitator (13) driven by an agitator drive (14), the granulator having at least one granulator inlet (8) for supplying raw material (AS); a screening device (3), the screening device being connected to the granulator (2) via a particle supply pipeline (5), the screening device having a screen chamber (22) defined by a screen housing (19), the screen chamber being divided by a screen (21) into a particle chamber (22) for receiving particles discharged from the granulator (2) and a screening material chamber (23) for receiving screened particles, wherein the screening material chamber (23) is connected to a conveying gas supply pipeline (33) having a supply pipeline inlet (32); a processing device (4), the processing device being connected to the screening material chamber (23) of the screening device (3) via a particle conveying pipeline (6) having a conveying pipeline outlet (38), the processing device having a processing chamber (39) connected by a conveying gas supply pipeline (6) having a conveying pipeline outlet (38), the processing device having a processing chamber (39) connected by a conveying gas supply pipeline (6) having a conveying gas supply ... The process gas (PG) delivered by the device component (43) flows through the process chamber on a process path (53) from the process chamber inlet (72) to the process chamber outlet (73), wherein the conveying gas (TG) is delivered on the conveying gas delivery path (52) extending from the supply pipeline inlet (32) to the conveying pipeline outlet (38) by the delivery device component (43), and the conveying gas delivery path is also suitable for conveying the screened particles from the screening material chamber (23) of the screening device (3) through the particle conveying pipeline (6) to the process chamber (39) of the processing equipment (4), characterized in that the particle generating device (1) has a measuring device (54), which detects a physical quantity of the conveying gas (TG) from the group of volume flow, mass flow or flow velocity (v) on the conveying gas delivery path (52) during the particle conveying process.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The process is carried out as a batch process.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The particle generating device (1) has a control device (7), which preferably has a regulating function, and preferably during the particle conveying process, the detected physical quantity is transmitted to the control device for further processing.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The control device (7) has an evaluation device (61) which further processes the detected physical variable of the conveying gas (TG) taking into account the detected physical variable of the conveying gas (TG).

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The processing device (4) has a device inlet closure device (49), wherein the control device (7) controls and / or regulates the device inlet closure device (49) before the particle conveying process so that the device inlet closure device moves from a closed position to an open position.

31. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that The processing device (4) has a process gas supply pipeline (46), in which a process gas flow regulating device (51) is arranged, wherein the control device (7) controls and / or regulates the process gas flow regulating device (14) before and / or during the particle conveying process, so that a negative pressure is formed on the conveying gas conveying path (52) to convey the screened particles from the screening material chamber (23) to the processing device (4).

32. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that The control device (7) compares the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas (TG) with a first threshold value (63a) of the physical quantity stored in the control device (7) when further processing it, so as to control and / or regulate the particle generating device (1), in such a way that the control device (7) sends a control and / or regulation signal to the agitator drive device (14) and / or the granulator outlet closing device (16) in order to set the rotation speed (n) of the agitator drive device (14) and / or open or close the granulator outlet closing device (16).

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that During the particle conveying process, the rotational speed (n) of the agitator drive (14) increases continuously over time.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that When the conveying gas (TG) falls below a first threshold value (63a), the agitator drive (14) is stopped and / or the granulator outlet closure (16) is closed.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The control device (7) compares the detected physical quantity of the conveying gas (TG) with a second threshold value (63b) of the physical quantity stored in the control device when further processing the physical quantity, wherein when the second threshold value (63b) of the conveying gas (TG) is exceeded, the agitator drive device (14) is started and / or the granulator outlet closing device (16) is opened.

36. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that An interruption time (64) is stored in the control device (7), after which the agitator drive (14) is started and / or the granulator outlet closure (16) is opened.

37. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 36, characterized in that Before or during the pellet transfer process, at least one of the pelletizer inlets (8) for supplying the raw material (AS) is closed so that infiltration air cannot enter the pellet production device (1).

38. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 37, characterized in that The particle production device (1) comprises a plurality of processing devices (4) and a plurality of particle conveying pipelines (6), wherein each processing device (4) is connected to the screening device (3) via a particle conveying pipeline (6) to perform a quasi-continuous particle production process.

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