Filtering device for separating particles and method for separating particles

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter device (100) for separating particles, in particular particles of a coating material, from a raw gas stream containing particles, the filter device (100) comprising: a housing (102) having an inlet section (114); at least one filter module (113); a funnel (104) that tapers down; and a mixing device (106) for swirling the filtration aid. Here, a raw gas flow can be fed through an inlet section (114) of the housing (102) in an inflow direction (138) to the filter device (100), and the inflow direction (138) is directed substantially from the inlet section (114) in the direction of the funnel (104). The invention also relates to a method for separating particles from a raw gas stream containing particles.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a filtering device for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a raw gas stream containing particles. The present invention also relates to a method for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a raw gas stream containing particles. Background Art

[0002] In practice, it is known that filtering devices for separating particles are particularly used in the field of dry deposition of overspray particles, for example, in painting equipment for vehicle bodies.

[0003] In known methods for dry deposition of overspray particles, paint mist in the air from a paint booth is filtered and deposited. A filter aid, preferably granular stone powder, is used as an auxiliary agent for filtration. The filter aid (also referred to as precoating material) is located in a distribution container of the filtering device, and in which the filter aid is preferably kept in motion and loose by a mixing device. The precoating material is swirled up by the targeted introduction of compressed air and carried by the raw gas entering the filtering device and transported to the actual filter or filter element. The fine precoating material deposits at the entire filter surface and forms a protective precoating. In other words, the overspray from the raw gas volume flow deposits on the precoating adhering to the filter surface and does not come into direct contact with the filter surface, otherwise it would stick together. After a certain time, the filter cake formed at the filter surface is detached from the filter by a pressure shock.

[0004] The raw gas enters the filtering device through a so-called nozzle structure in the shape of glasses (Düsenbrille), wherein the nozzle structure in the shape of glasses preferably includes two openings and a shielding portion (Blende) in the central region. By designing the geometry of the inlet section of the filtering device, the raw gas flow is deflected towards the precoating section, where the coating section is generally understood as the following area of the filtering device, that is, the area into which the filter aid is swirled and / or moved by swirling. Usually, two flow vortices are formed in the lower region of the module. In addition, a so-called dead zone is generated behind the shielding portion of the nozzle structure in the shape of glasses, and the raw gas can flow upward towards the filter in the dead zone.

[0005] Since the largest air volume can be processed with such a filtering device, it is usually installed on both sides below the associated paint booth.

[0006] A painting device is known from WO 2010 / 069407 A1, which includes: at least one painting mechanism having at least one finishing unit for painting a workpiece, especially a vehicle body, with a fluid paint; a device for separating fluid paint overspray from the raw air flow containing overspray particles, wherein the device includes at least one filter element for separating overspray from the raw air flow. Thereby, the fluid paint overspray (i.e., paint particles that do not adhere to the workpiece to be painted and are sucked and carried away by the air flow passing through the finishing area of the painting device) can be separated from the air flow again, and the clean air flow is supplied to the finishing area again in the recirculation air circuit or released into the environment of the device.

[0007] A filtering device for separating particles, especially particles of a coating material, from a raw air flow containing particles is also known from WO 2014 / 139833 A1, which includes a housing and at least one filter element, and then especially has an effectively flow-through internal space, and can thus operate reliably and safely especially when the filtering device includes a shielding device, which includes at least one shielding element. In this case, the housing bounds the internal space of the filtering device, wherein at least one filter element is arranged in the internal space of the filtering device, and the raw air flow can be supplied to the internal space of the filtering device along the inflow direction through the inlet section of the filtering device. In addition, the inlet section of the filtering device can be covered sectionally by means of at least one shielding element.

[0008] Furthermore, a receiving container for receiving materials is proposed in WO 2014 / 075984 A1, which enables safe operation and reliable operation. The receiving container includes an access opening through which the internal space of the receiving container can be accessed; an acting device arranged in the internal space for acting on the materials; and a safety device arranged in the internal space for preventing access to the internal space and / or the acting device. Here, the safety device can be changed from a first safety posture to a second safety posture, in which access to the internal space of the receiving container is blocked in the first safety posture, and access to the acting device is blocked in the second safety posture.

[0009] Furthermore, it is known from WO 2013 / 013847 A1 that in order to implement a method for operating a filtration device for cleaning a raw gas stream carrying wet paint overspray, in which method the filter aid can be replaced effectively and cost - savingly as late as possible, the invention proposes to measure at least one physical and / or chemical property of the amount of filter aid collected in the filter aid receiving container during operation of the filtration device. In this method, the wet paint overspray is deposited at at least one filter element for separating the wet paint overspray from the raw gas stream, where the filter aid absorbs at least a part of the wet paint overspray. Furthermore, in this method, the filter aid carrying wet paint overspray is collected in the filter aid receiving container.

[0010] However, such a method for dry deposition or the corresponding filtration device is limited to a design volume flow of approximately 11400 m 3 / h because the maximum number of filters that can be installed in each device is 40. In addition, hitherto, such filtration devices have needed to be set up on both sides respectively below the associated painting mechanism, especially in the spray booth, in order to be able to handle the air volume of the painting mechanism. In addition, it should be taken into account that in the funnel, a plurality of swirling nozzles (standardized to at least two nozzles) are required to introduce or convey stone powder from the laying part into the raw gas volume flow, so that the stone powder can be carried by the raw gas stream and brought to the filter, where swirling is accompanied by high compressed air consumption.

[0011] Furthermore, another dry deposition device is known, in which the device geometry differs from the geometry used in the aforementioned method in that the inflow of the raw gas takes place deeper in the device.

[0012] The raw gas carrying overspray flows horizontally into a funnel area arranged in the lower region of the filtration device and passes through a so - called paddle mixer, which directly throws the pre - coating material into the flow. Here, the raw gas can carry enough pre - coating material and transport it to the filter. Thus, there is no longer a need to specifically introduce compressed air to swirl up the pre - coating material.

[0013] In order to control the amount of pre - coating material transported to the filter during the process, the rotational speed of the paddle mixer can be adjusted.

[0014] Compared with the initially mentioned device (about 40 filters), the filtration device with a paddle mixer is equipped with a higher number of filters (about 60 filters or filter elements). Thus, each device can handle a larger amount of raw gas, and usually it is sufficient to arrange these devices on one side below the spray booth, that is, only one is assigned to the spray booth.

[0015] In this context, a painting device for painting workpieces is proposed in WO 2013 / 013846 A1, which is configured as a compact type and can reliably deposit paint overspray from the raw air flow. Here, the painting device includes: a painting booth in which workpieces can be painted with paint; a conveying device by means of which the workpieces to be painted can be conveyed through the painting booth in a conveying direction; a deposition and / or filtration device for cleaning the raw air flow leaving the painting booth, which has absorbed paint overspray in the painting booth; and at least one cleaning gas line for cleaning the air flow, which can be obtained by cleaning the raw air flow with the aid of at least one filtering device. The deposition and / or filtration device includes at least one filtering device for separating the paint overspray from the raw air flow.

[0016] However, in such a filtering device, the clean gas tank has hitherto been placed on the device above, and the filter is suspended horizontally in the filtering device. Therefore, the filter must be replaced on the raw gas side, and the worker performing the replacement must stand completely in the dust space. In addition, a grid must be arranged inside the device so that the worker can access all the filters. It should also be noted that the filter is sealed on the raw gas side, whereby a higher dust load may lead to an increased risk of poor installation and the accompanying leak tightness. In addition, the compressed air purification pipeline is complex.

[0017] Since the raw gas flows deep into the area of the paddle mixer or hopper, the installation space below the inflow part at the hopper is severely restricted. Although the stone powder moves well in principle, this makes the swirling nozzle redundant. Therefore, the maintenance door is arranged on the opposite side of the raw gas entry in the hopper. Due to the position of the maintenance door and the required accessibility of the maintenance door, the air guidance in the device as mentioned above is not feasible.

[0018] Preferably, in a larger-scale implementation, at least one additional door is also required in the device to access the filter.

[0019] In addition, hitherto, the air escape from the clean gas tank placed on the device has been arranged such that the air passage passes through the associated spraying booth in a small passage and thus reaches the recirculating air device on the opposite side of the spraying booth. However, these through passages form additional disturbing profiles inside the spraying booth, where overspray may accumulate. Summary of the Invention

[0020] The object of the present invention is to provide a filtering device that has a relatively large filtering area in a small installation space and that particularly combines the advantages of the two previously mentioned devices.

[0021] This object is achieved according to the invention by a filtering device having the features according to claim 1.

[0022] The filtering device is used to separate particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a raw gas stream containing particles. The particles can be, for example, overspray particles in the exhaust gas of a spray booth for a vehicle body or vehicle component.

[0023] The filtering device comprises:

[0024] - a housing, which includes an inlet section;

[0025] - at least one filter module, which is arranged inside the housing;

[0026] - a downwardly tapering funnel, which is arranged below the housing and is fluidly connected to the housing; and

[0027] - a mixing device for swirling a filter aid, in particular particulate limestone powder, into the raw gas stream, the mixing device being arranged below the funnel and fluidly connected to the funnel such that the swirled filter aid can be essentially laid (vorlegbar) into the funnel,

[0028] wherein the raw gas stream can be supplied to the filtering device through the inlet section of the housing in the inflow direction, and wherein the inflow direction essentially points from the inlet section towards the funnel.

[0029] The invention is based on the basic idea of providing a filtering device which includes at least one filter module having preferably 72 filter elements, the filter elements being arranged in particular in three stacked filter rows, each filter row consisting of 24 filter elements, whereby a filtering area of more than 300 m 2 is available for separating particles. Depending on the manufacturer of the filter elements, a filtering area of approximately 324 m 2 , 331 m 2 , 342 m 2 or 345 m 2 can be provided in particular. The mounting position of the filter rows is preferably horizontal, and the clean gas mechanism or clean gas box (which in particular has an integrated door) is preferably arranged in a backpack-like manner at the rear side of the filtering device. It follows therefrom that the filter elements or filter rows can be assembled on the clean gas side, whereby the worker is no longer exposed to dust when replacing the filter elements or filter rows. Furthermore, by introducing the raw gas at a high level, i.e., in particular in the upper region of the funnel, more space is available below the inlet section for the maintenance door. Preferably, the clean gas also exits the clean gas mechanism in at least a substantially vertical direction downwards or upwards and is guided to a collection channel by means of a channel located below or above the filtering device.

[0030] The advantages resulting therefrom are, on the one hand, that the filter element is replaced in a simple manner and on the clean gas side, and the air guidance through the maintenance door below the inlet area remains unchanged compared to the hitherto standardized devices located inside the funnel.

[0031] On the other hand, compared to the hitherto analogous filter devices, each device can have a larger filter area, whereby more raw gas from the painting mechanism can be processed. Thus, for example, it is sufficient to install a filter device according to the invention on one side below the paint booth, which also means that the installation site opposite to this booth can be used as a free space.

[0032] The now smaller number of filter devices in each booth of the paint line or equipment also reduces the maintenance and cleaning workload, and fewer wearing parts such as pipes, valves, etc. have to be provided.

[0033] The reduced number of required filter devices also results in lower investment costs as well as lower operating costs, since, for example, no compressed air for swirling the stone powder is required.

[0034] The expressions "lower", "below" and "downward" in this specification and the appended claims refer to the direction of gravity.

[0035] The geometry of the filter device according to the invention, i.e. the structure and basic construction, basically corresponds to the geometry of the standard filter device as described at the beginning.

[0036] Correspondingly, the filter device according to the invention preferably comprises the following components or elements: a housing with at least one filter module, a funnel, a mixing device on a scale and a clean gas mechanism. These components are preferably all arranged in or on a base frame.

[0037] The housing includes an inlet section, which can have or be configured as an eyewear-shaped nozzle structure. The raw gas enters the filter device through the inlet section (i.e. at a high position and not in the area of the funnel arranged below the housing).

[0038] The mixing device is arranged below the funnel and / or in the lower region of the funnel. The mixing device is preferably located on the scale in an isolated manner via one or more compensator devices, which particularly include or are made of elastomers. One or more compensator devices isolate the scale from the frame of the filter device, i.e. prevent or at least reduce the vibrations caused by the operation of the filter device from being transmitted into the scale.

[0039] In particular, the scale is a two-part scale, such that the pads (Kufen) with paddle-type mixing devices can be located on the weighing units of the scale in a separated or distributed manner.

[0040] An area of the mixing device, especially an area inside the funnel above the mixing device, forms an area for laying a filtration aid, such as stone powder, so that it can be carried from there in the direction of the filtration element by the raw gas flow.

[0041] Compared with a standardized filtration device, the filtration device according to the present invention is about 625 mm higher due to the additional third filtration row, and the device is about 245 mm wider due to preferably 24 filtration elements in each filtration row. Thus, the filtration area is significantly increased without a significant increase in the external dimensions or sizes of the filtration device. Therefore, the placement of the filtration device according to the present invention on one side below a spray booth or the like is not a problem.

[0042] It can also be provided that the filtration device includes a clean gas mechanism, which is externally arranged at the housing in a manner opposite to the inlet section and is fluidly connected to the filtration module.

[0043] It can be advantageous that the inlet section includes a shielding mechanism or is configured as such a shielding mechanism, by means of which the volume and / or velocity of the raw gas flow supplied to the filtration device can be adjusted.

[0044] The shielding mechanism can be a spectacle-shaped nozzle structure, especially a spectacle-shaped nozzle structure having two openings and a central shielding part.

[0045] In this case, adjustable especially means that by replacing or changing the shielding mechanism or the spectacle-shaped nozzle structure, the volume and / or velocity of the raw gas flow can be affected.

[0046] It can also be provided that the filtration module includes at least two, preferably three, stacked filtration rows, which are especially horizontally oriented and parallel to each other.

[0047] Especially advantageously, each filtration row includes at least 20 filtration elements, preferably 24 filtration elements.

[0048] By increasing the number of filtration elements, the filtration area is increased, while the external dimensions of the filtration device only have an insignificant increase.

[0049] In other design solutions of the present invention, it can be provided that the filtration elements together form a filtration area of at least 300 m 2 , preferably between 324 m 2 and 345 m 2

[0050] It can be advantageous that the clean gas mechanism leads the clean gas flow out of the filtration device downward or upward.

[0051] Then, the clean air stream drawn from the filtering device can be introduced into the collection channel, and the clean air streams of other filtering devices of other mechanisms or other compartments can also be supplied to this collection channel, where the collection channel is arranged below or above the filtering device in the area of the painting mechanism or the spraying compartment.

[0052] Optionally, at least one dust sensor is arranged in the collection channel for monitoring one or more clean air streams, especially for detecting the leakage of stone powder.

[0053] In other words, it can be advantageous to provide at least one dust sensor for monitoring the clean air stream downstream of the clean gas mechanism.

[0054] Optionally, a bag filter can be arranged in the transition area between the clean gas mechanism or the clean gas tank and the collection channel.

[0055] It can also be provided that the mixing device is supported on a scale to monitor the amount of the filter aid.

[0056] Preferably, the mixing device has at least two pads or the like, which are respectively standing on or resting on the weighing unit.

[0057] Monitoring the amount of the filter aid is not only for timely refilling of the filter aid, but also for controlling and / or adjusting the amount of the filter aid arranged in the funnel so that the raw air stream can carry enough filter aid. The monitoring is also used for the assessment of the process quality and for drawing conclusions on when the filter aid is saturated and must be replaced.

[0058] In other design solutions of the present invention, it can be provided that the mixing device is a paddle-type mixing device, which has at least five, preferably seven double paddles arranged along the shaft.

[0059] The shaft is especially hexagonal in the arrangement section of the double paddles, whereby the double paddles can be better fastened and are not easy to slide compared with the shaft having a circular cross section.

[0060] The paddle-type mixing devices hitherto have in principle a shaft at which propeller-shaped single paddles are arranged in an offset manner along the shaft.

[0061] In contrast, the paddle-type mixing device according to the present invention has double paddles, which have radially opposite single paddles.

[0062] It should be understood that the single paddle can be constructed as a separate component, or it can also be understood as half of the double paddle.

[0063] The paddle-type mixing device can correspondingly include two outer double paddles, two or four inner double paddles and a central double paddle, where the outer double paddles correspond to each other, and so do the inner double paddles.

[0064] The arrangement of the double blades is preferably mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror axis, which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and intersects it approximately in the middle.

[0065] Advantageously, the single blades of the double blades are configured to be point-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0066] In other embodiments of the present invention, it may be provided that each single blade of the double blades has a blade surface, which has one or more sub-surfaces.

[0067] Particularly advantageously, one or more sub-surfaces of the blade surface of the double blades are designed to convey the filter aid in the longitudinal direction of the shaft to the middle of the paddle mixer.

[0068] In particular, the single blades of the double blades, which are different from the central double blades, have a deflection surface and a laying surface pointing towards the middle of the paddle mixer, wherein the deflection surface is curved or bent with respect to the laying surface.

[0069] The outer edge of the laying surface, i.e., the radially outwardly pointing edge, is preferably parallel to the wall of the trough of the paddle mixer, in which the rotating shaft is arranged.

[0070] Due to the laying surface and its orientation, the filter aid is swirled or fed into the funnel at an angle of approximately 90° to the inflowing raw gas and / or to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This throwing action of the double blades promotes the entrainment of the filter aid and thus also promotes the precoating of the surface of the filter element.

[0071] The deflection surface causes the filter aid to be conveyed to the middle of the paddle mixer for exchange.

[0072] In order to be able to completely empty the trough of the paddle mixer via the central suction branch during the emptying and / or cleaning process, it is particularly advantageous to convey the filter aid from the outer region of the mixer towards the middle of the mixer. Without a special design of the blade surface, for example, the filter aid would accumulate in the corners or outer regions of the mixer and it would be difficult or even impossible to completely empty the trough.

[0073] Advantageously, the paddle mixer includes a motor, in particular an electric motor, which has an electric power of at least 0.5 kW, preferably 3 kW.

[0074] In other embodiments of the present invention, it may be provided that the rotational speed of the paddle mixer can be controlled and / or adjusted by means of a frequency converter.

[0075] The amount of the filtering aid swirled up per hour can be controlled and / or adjusted within a certain range by the rotational speed of the paddle-type mixing device. If the swirled-up amount monitored by a scale drops by 1 kg, for example, within a given time period, such as within a 2-minute time period, the rotational speed can preferably be gradually increased by at least 1 Hz with the aid of software until the scale detects a sufficient amount.

[0076] It can be advantageous that the paddle-type mixing device swirls up the filtering aid at a rotational speed of 20 Hz to 60 Hz, preferably 30 Hz to 50 Hz.

[0077] It can also be provided that the cleaning gas mechanism includes at least one filtering unit.

[0078] The filtering unit of the cleaning gas mechanism is preferably a bag filter, which serves as a so-called emergency filter (Polizeifilter) in the case of leakage of at least one filtering module arranged inside the housing; that is, it is arranged to ensure that the stone powder escaping in the case of leakage is received, so that the stone powder does not escape from the filtering device and is, for example, guided or led into a collection channel.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, one or more dust sensors can be arranged in front of the recirculation air fan and / or the exhaust fan in the collection duct.

[0080] The dust sensors preferably monitor the stone powder leakage in the cleaning air flow from a plurality of filtering devices simultaneously.

[0081] By using dust sensors, airtightness problems, such as those caused by filter damage or improper filter installation, can be detected immediately. In contrast, when using a bag filter, airtightness problems are only detected when enough stone powder has accumulated in the bag filter and the current pressure difference limit value has thus been reached, and a warning is preferably issued subsequently.

[0082] Therefore, if dust sensors are used instead of bag filters, the operating costs for air circuit balance (Lufthaushalt) are reduced. There is no need to apply a pressure difference to the bag filter anymore.

[0083] It is particularly advantageous that the filter row can be replaced via the side of the housing where the cleaning gas mechanism is arranged.

[0084] In this case, the entire filter row with the associated filter elements can be removed accordingly, or the filter elements can also be removed individually.

[0085] It can also be envisaged that the entire filtering module is removable and replaceable.

[0086] Replacing the filter elements via the cleaning gas side of the filtering device prevents the relevant workers from being contaminated by the dust from the inner space of the filtering device.

[0087] According to the invention, this object is also achieved by a processing device for processing workpieces, in particular a painting device for painting the body of a vehicle, which comprises at least one of the filtering devices described above.

[0088] According to the invention, this object is also achieved by a method for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a raw gas stream containing particles.

[0089] This method here comprises the following steps:

[0090] - The raw gas stream flows into the filtering device via the inlet section of the housing;

[0091] - The filter aid is swirled up by means of a mixing device, preferably a paddle-type mixing device;

[0092] - The swirled-up filter aid is carried by the raw gas stream;

[0093] - The filter module arranged inside the housing of the filtering device is coated by the carried filter aid;

[0094] - The raw gas stream is filtered in the filter module; and

[0095] - The clean gas stream flows out of the filtering device.

[0096] The filter module preferably comprises at least two filter rows arranged one above the other.

[0097] For example, it can be stipulated that each filter row has a plurality of filter elements, for example at least 20 filter elements, preferably 24 filter elements.

[0098] It can also be stipulated that the method further comprises the following steps:

[0099] - Controlling and / or adjusting the rotational speed of the mixing device to adapt the amount of the swirled-up filter aid.

[0100] In other embodiments of the invention, it can be stipulated that the method further comprises the following steps:

[0101] - Monitoring the amount of the swirled-up filter aid by means of a scale, on which the mixing device is supported.

[0102] The method preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the filtering device. The filtering device preferably also has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the method. Description of the Drawings

[0103] Other features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the drawings of the embodiments and the following description.

[0104] In the figures:

[0105] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a filtering device according to the present invention is shown;

[0106] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Another schematic perspective view of the embodiment in;

[0107] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A schematic side view of the embodiment in;

[0108] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment in;

[0109] Figure 5 Shows Figures 1 to 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of the gas flow in the embodiment in;

[0110] Figure 6 A schematic top view of a paddle-type mixing device of the prior art is shown;

[0111] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 A schematic exploded view of the paddle-type mixing device in;

[0112] Figure 8 A schematic top view of an embodiment of a paddle-type mixing device according to the present invention is shown;

[0113] Figure 9 Shows Figure 8 A schematic exploded view of the embodiment in;

[0114] Figure 10 Shows Figure 8 And Figure 9 A schematic perspective view of the shaft together with the double paddles of the embodiment in; and

[0115] Figure 11 Shows Figure 10 A schematic top view of the double paddles in.

[0116] In all the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have the same reference numerals. Detailed Description

[0117] The embodiment of the filtering device 100, generally designated 100, shown in Figures 1 to 3 is used for separating particles, in particular for separating overspray particles of a coating material such as paint from a raw gas stream containing these particles.

[0118] The filtration device 100 includes a housing 102, a funnel 104, a mixing device 106 configured as a paddle-type mixing device for example, and a cleaning gas mechanism 108.

[0119] The housing 102, the funnel 104, the paddle-type mixing device 106, and the cleaning gas mechanism 108 are arranged in or at a frame 110.

[0120] The funnel 104 is arranged below the housing 102, and the paddle-type mixing device 106 is arranged below the funnel 104.

[0121] The cleaning gas mechanism 108 is arranged laterally at the housing 102.

[0122] The housing 102 encloses three stacked filter rows 112 of a filter module 113, which are in fluid connection with the cleaning gas mechanism 108, as can be seen Figure 4 therein.

[0123] The housing 102 includes an inlet section 114, which can be covered with a lid 116 in the stationary state of the filtration device 100.

[0124] The raw gas stream containing particles from a processing area or a processing chamber, such as a painting booth for a vehicle body, is introduced or supplied into the filtration device 100 via the inlet section 114.

[0125] The inlet section 114 includes a shielding mechanism 118 or is configured as such a shielding mechanism, by means of which the volume and / or velocity of the raw gas stream supplied to the filtration device 100 can be adjusted.

[0126] The shielding mechanism 118 preferably includes or is configured as a spectacle-shaped nozzle structure.

[0127] The funnel 104 tapers downward with reference to the direction of gravity and has a maintenance door 120 below the inlet section 114 of the housing 102, which closes a maintenance opening 122 of the funnel 104.

[0128] The interior space of the funnel 104 can be accessed via the maintenance opening 122.

[0129] The maintenance door 120 is preferably secured in or at the maintenance opening 122 of the funnel 104 at four positions in order to close it reliably, i.e., especially dust-tight.

[0130] Below the maintenance door 120, a drawer-shaped storage mechanism 124 is arranged at the side of the funnel 104, which projects from the funnel 104 and whose bottom plane encloses an angle with the associated side of the funnel 104, the angle being in the range of 60° to 120°, preferably about 90°.

[0131] For example, for maintenance purposes, the maintenance door 120 can be stored in a drawer-like storage mechanism 124 so that the filter aid attached to the inner side of the maintenance door 120 contaminates the environment of the filtration device 100 as little as possible. Similarly, the filter aid that has fallen out when the maintenance door 120 is opened can be received in the drawer-like storage mechanism 124.

[0132] In addition, a frequency converter 126 is arranged at the frame 110, by means of which the rotational speed of the paddle-type mixing device 106 can be controlled and / or adjusted.

[0133] Alternatively, the frequency converter 126 can also be arranged in a separate control cabinet (Schaltschrank) or directly at the motor of the paddle-type mixing device 106.

[0134] The paddle-type mixing device 106 is supported on a scale 128 having two weighing units 130. The scale 128 enables monitoring of the amount of filter aid that is received in the paddle-type mixing device 106 or is distributed by it, i.e., especially screwed into the funnel 104.

[0135] The weighing units 130 are preferably each supported on one or more compensator devices, especially vibration compensators, which for example have an elastomer or are made of an elastomer, in order to isolate the vibrations transmitted into the frame 110 from the weighing units 130 (entkoppeln).

[0136] The paddle-type mixing device 106 also includes a suction branch pipe 132 that is preferably arranged centrally, through which the filter aid received in the paddle-type mixing device 106 can be sucked out or led out.

[0137] Similarly, the funnel 104 preferably includes a suction and / or supply branch pipe 134, through which the filter aid can be directly supplied into the funnel 104 or sucked out from the funnel.

[0138] The cleaning gas mechanism 108 has an integrated door 136, which can in particular be configured as a double door, through which the filter row 112 can be removed or replaced from the filtration device 100 on the cleaning gas side.

[0139] In Figure 4 the schematic cross-sectional view especially shows the direction of the gas flow GS through the filtration device 100, during which the introduced raw gas is filtered into clean gas in order to be led out of the filtration device 100 as clean gas and especially supplied again to the circulating air of the processing equipment or its area.

[0140] The raw gas introduced or supplied into the filter device 100 initially travels essentially along an inflow direction 138 , which preferably points from the inlet section 114 in the direction of the funnel 104 , wherein the inner area of the funnel 104 constitutes a placement area 140 , into which the paddle-type mixing device 106 places or screws the filter aid into.

[0141] For example, the clean gas discharged downward from the clean gas device 108 is guided into the collecting channel 142 after the filter device 100 in order to be supplied from the collecting channel again to the individual processing areas, in particular the circulating air of all areas, of the processing system.

[0142] Inside the filter device 100 , the introduced raw gas absorbs the auxiliary filter agent in the arrangement area 140 of the funnel 104 , and the auxiliary filter agent binds the particles contained in the raw gas.

[0143] The gas containing the auxiliary filter agent is then passed through the filter element, wherein the auxiliary filter agent together with the bound particles settles on the filter row 112 of the filter module 113 or on the surface of the filter element, forming a so-called filter cake.

[0144] Each filter row 112 preferably comprises 24 filter elements (not shown), whereby the filter device 100 provides, for example, 324 m2 in the case of three filter rows 112 arranged one above the other. 2 or 342m 2 The total filter area depends on the filter element, which can be obtained from different manufacturers and may therefore differ.

[0145] The gas flow GS, ie in this case in particular the separated or filtered gas flow, passes through a filter row 112 into the clean gas system 108 , which can have at least one bag filter in order to prevent contamination in the event of a leak (not shown).

[0146] The clean gas device 108 ensures by means of a bag filter that, even if a fault-induced escape of auxiliary filter agent could occur at the filter module 113 , the gas flow GS leaves the filter device 100 in a form that is almost completely cleaned of particles as clean gas.

[0147] exist Figure 5 In the cross-sectional view of the housing 102, the funnel 104 and the gas supply section 144, a gas flow GS containing particles from the gas supply section 144 of the process area or process chamber to the filter element of the filter device 100 is shown by way of example, wherein Figure 5 The points in represent particles in the gas flow GS, and an increase in the point density should correspond to an increasing particle concentration.

[0148] Combine the following Figures 6 to 11Describe in detail the paddle-type mixing device 106 according to the present invention and distinguish it from the paddle-type mixing devices of the prior art.

[0149] In Figure 6 and Figure 7 there is shown a paddle-type mixing device 200 of the prior art, which includes:

[0150] - A trough 202 having a suction branch pipe 204 arranged in the center,

[0151] - A shaft 206 with paddles 208, which is arranged inside the trough 202, and

[0152] - A motor 210, preferably an electric motor, for rotating the shaft 206, which is arranged outside the trough 202.

[0153] The motor 210 typically has a power of 0.5 kW.

[0154] The surface plane of each paddle 208 is twisted between 30° and 60°, preferably about 45°, relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 206, so that the filter aid can be conveyed to the middle of the paddle-type mixing device 200.

[0155] Each paddle 208 is arranged to be circumferentially offset by 75° to 165°, preferably 120°, relative to its adjacent paddle 208, and the adjacent paddles are arranged at intervals in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 206.

[0156] The arrangement of the paddles 208 along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 206 is preferably mirror-symmetrical with reference to a mirror axis 212, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 206 and intersects the shaft 206 at the center.

[0157] In contrast, as Figures 8 to 11 shown, the paddle device 106 according to the present invention includes a shaft 214 having a hexagonal profile, and double paddles 216 are arranged on the shaft at intervals along the longitudinal axis.

[0158] In addition, the motor 210 of the paddle device 106 preferably has a power of 3 kW.

[0159] In Figures 8 to 10 the embodiment of, the paddle device 106 includes seven double paddles 216, which are arranged mirror-symmetrically with reference to the mirror axis 212.

[0160] Each double paddle 216 is arranged to be circumferentially offset by 50° to 100°, preferably 60° to 90°, relative to its adjacent paddle 216, and the adjacent paddles are arranged at intervals in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 214.

[0161] The double paddle blade 216 includes two single paddle blades, which are radially opposite to each other with reference to the longitudinal axis of the reference axis 214 and are point-symmetric with reference to the longitudinal axis of the reference axis 214.

[0162] The Figures 8 to 11 embodiment in the paddle blade type mixing device 106 has two identical outer double paddle blades 218, four identical inner double paddle blades 220 and a central double paddle blade 222.

[0163] Each double paddle blade 216 includes two identical blade surfaces 224, which are respectively composed of one or more sub-surfaces, that is, in particular, each single paddle blade of the double paddle blade 216 includes a one-piece or multi-piece blade surface 224.

[0164] Preferably, the outer double paddle blade 218 and the inner double paddle blade 220 include a blade surface 224 having two sub-surfaces, wherein the deflection surface 226 pointing to the middle of the paddle blade type mixing device 106 or the shaft 206 is bent and / or folded with respect to the remaining laying surface 228, and the surfaces 226, 228 enclose an angle W of 85° to 175°, preferably 135°, as shown in Figure 11 it can be seen.

[0165] The laying surface 228 is particularly used for laying the filter aid into the funnel 104, while the deflection surface 226 is particularly used for transporting the filter aid to the middle of the paddle blade type mixing device 106.

[0166] The outer edge of the laying surface 228 is preferably parallel to the wall of the groove 202, and thus enables the filter aid to be swirled into the laying area 140 in a manner that is substantially uniformly distributed on the longitudinal axis of the shaft 214, so that the air flow GS can carry more filter aid in the direction of the filter element and / or reduce the formation of agglomerates composed of the filter aid and particles.

[0167] Each blade section 224 of each double paddle blade 216 is preferably connected to the shaft 214 via two tab surfaces 230 that are parallel to each other, and the tab surfaces 230 have one or more openings 232, preferably round holes, to reduce weight and thus reduce the moment of inertia, as Figure 9 and 10 shown.

[0168] Therefore, the paddle blade type mixing device 106 according to the present invention can swirl up the filter aid and swirl it into the laying area 140 of the funnel 104, can also break the agglomerates composed of the filter aid and particles, and can more easily transport the filter aid towards the middle of the paddle blade type mixing device 106, thereby enabling improved suction characteristics during the replacement of the filter aid such as stone powder. In this case, the rotation speed of the paddle blade type mixing device 106 can be controlled and / or adjusted via the frequency converter 126.

[0169] Description of Reference Numerals

[0170] 100 Filters

[0171] 102 Housing

[0172] 104 Funnel

[0173] 106 Mixing device

[0174] 108 Clean Gas Mechanism

[0175] 110 Frame

[0176] 112 Filter Row

[0177] 113 Filter Module

[0178] 114 Entrance section

[0179] 116 Cover

[0180] 118 Shielding mechanism

[0181] 120 Maintenance door

[0182] 122 Maintenance opening

[0183] 124 Drawer-like storage mechanism

[0184] 126 Inverter

[0185] 128 Scales

[0186] 130 weighing unit

[0187] 132 Suction branch of paddle mixer

[0188] 134 Suction and / or supply branch of funnel

[0189] 136 Integrated Doors

[0190] 138 Inflow direction

[0191] 140 Layout Area

[0192] 142 Collection Channel

[0193] 144 Gas supply section

[0194] 200 Prior art paddle mixer

[0195] 202 slots

[0196] 204 Suction branch

[0197] 206 Axis

[0198] 208 blades

[0199] 210 motor

[0200] 212 mirror axis

[0201] 214 shaft with hexagonal profile

[0202] 216 double blades

[0203] 218 outer double blades

[0204] 220 inner double blades

[0205] 222 central double blades

[0206] 224 blade surface

[0207] 226 deflection surface

[0208] 228 laying surface

[0209] 230 tab surface

[0210] 232 opening

[0211] GS air flow

[0212] W angle

Claims

1. A filtration device (100) for separating particles from a raw gas stream containing particles, in particular particles of a coating material, wherein the filtration device (100) comprises: - a housing (102) which includes an inlet section (114); - at least one filtration module (113) which is arranged inside the housing (102); - a downwardly tapering funnel (104) which is arranged below the housing (102) and is in fluid connection with the housing (102); and - a mixing device (106) for swirling a filtration aid, in particular particulate stone powder, which is arranged below the funnel (104) and is in fluid connection with the funnel (104) such that the swirled filtration aid can essentially be distributed into the funnel (104), wherein the raw gas stream can be supplied to the filtration device (100) through the inlet section (114) of the housing (102) in an inflow direction (138), and wherein the inflow direction (138) essentially points from the inlet section (114) in the direction of the funnel (104).

2. The filtering device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filtration device (100) comprises a cleaning gas mechanism (108) which is arranged externally at the housing in a manner opposite to the inlet section (114) and is in fluid connection with the filtration module (113).

3. The filtering device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the filtration modules (113) comprises at least two, preferably three, stacked filtration rows (112) which are oriented horizontally and parallel to each other in particular.

4. The filtering device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each filtration row (112) comprises at least 20 filtration elements, preferably 24 filtration elements.

5. The filtering device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The filter elements together form a filter area of at least 300 m 2 , preferably between 324 m 2 and 345 m 2 .

6. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The cleaning gas mechanism (108) draws a cleaning gas stream out of the filtration device (100) downwards or upwards.

7. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The mixing device (106) is supported on a scale (128) to monitor the amount of the filtration aid.

8. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The mixing device (106) is a paddle-type mixing device which has at least five, preferably seven, double paddles (216) arranged along an axis (214).

9. The filtering device (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each double paddle (216) comprises two single paddles which are radially opposite with reference to the longitudinal axis.

10. The filtering device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The single paddle is configured to be point-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axis (214).

11. The filtering device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, Each single paddle of the double paddle (216) has a blade surface (224) which has one or more sub-surfaces (226, 228).

12. The filtering device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that, One or more of the sub-surfaces (226, 228) of the blade surface (224) of the double paddle (216) are designed to convey the filtration aid in the longitudinal direction of the axis (214) to the middle of the mixing device (106).

13. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The mixing device (106) comprises a motor (210), in particular an electric motor, which has an electric power of at least 0.5 kW, preferably 3 kW.

14. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The rotational speed of the mixing device (106) can be controlled and / or adjusted by means of a frequency converter (126).

15. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The mixing device (106) swirls the filter aid at a rotational speed of 20 Hz to 60 Hz, preferably 30 Hz to 50 Hz.

16. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 15, characterized in that, The clean gas mechanism (108) includes at least one filtration unit and / or at least one dust sensor for monitoring the clean gas flow is provided downstream of the clean gas mechanism (108).

17. The filtering device (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that, The filter row (112) can be replaced via the side of the housing (102) where the clean gas mechanism (108) is arranged.

18. A processing device for processing workpieces, in particular a painting device for painting a vehicle body, comprising at least one filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method for separating particles from a raw gas stream containing particles, in particular particles of a coating material, the method being particularly for operating a filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - The raw gas stream flows into the filter device (100) via the inlet section (114) of the housing (102); - The filter aid is swirled by means of a mixing device (106), preferably a paddle-type mixing device; - The swirled filter aid is carried by the raw gas stream; - The filter module (113) is coated with the carried filter aid, and the filter module is arranged inside the housing (102) of the filter device (100); - The raw gas stream is filtered in the filter module (113); and - The clean gas stream flows out of the filter device (100).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The method further comprises the following steps: - Controlling and / or adjusting the rotational speed of the mixing device (106) to adjust the amount of the swirled filter aid.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The method further comprises the following steps: - Monitoring the amount of the swirled filter aid by means of a scale (128), on which the mixing device (106) is supported.

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