Pneumatic transfer device for active metal powder

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of transfer devices, in particular to an active metal powder pneumatic transfer device which is characterized in that a powder storage tank, a cyclone separation tank, a dust removal tank and a high-pressure fan are circularly communicated through a conveying pipeline, and the conveying pipeline is communicated with an inert gas inlet; the active metal powder is pneumatically transferred to the cyclone separation tank from the powder storage tank under the protection of inert gas, settles in the cyclone separation tank due to self weight and flows into target equipment through the discharge port of the cyclone separation tank, so that the transfer safety is effectively improved on the premise of guaranteeing the transfer speed as a whole; and after the inert gas flows through the dust removal tank, a small amount of nano and submicron powder in the gas is adsorbed by the filter element, and the clean gas can flow into the powder storage tank through the pipeline and the high-pressure fan to form a closed loop, so that energy conservation and environmental protection are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of transport devices, and in particular to a pneumatic transport device for active metal powder. Background Art

[0002] Active metal powders such as aluminum alloy and titanium alloy powders are widely used and have a broad application market and significant commercial value in the fields of powder metallurgy, spraying and additive manufacturing. However, these metal powders are highly active and easily react with oxygen in the air and release heat, posing safety hazards such as fire and explosion.

[0003] In the production process, after the active metal powder is prepared by aerosolization, it needs to be transferred to other equipment for post-processing steps such as spheroidization, screening, and packaging. At present, the transfer step mainly relies on manual operation. The operator needs to repeatedly disassemble the powder storage tank and transfer the powder storage tank to the target location with the help of a forklift. This process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also there is a risk of personal injury caused by accidental falling of the powder storage tank. In addition, during the process of disassembling and assembling the powder storage tank, the powder is exposed to the air and there is a risk of contamination. Contaminated active metal powder is difficult to recycle. Therefore, the existing transfer method may cause both personnel and economic losses to the company.

[0004] At present, most of the pneumatic powder transfer devices on the market rely on vacuum pumps to drive the powder flow through positive and negative air pressure. However, this method lacks atmosphere protection measures, and the powder is directly exposed to air during the transfer process. If the device is directly used to transfer active metal powders, it is easy to cause oxidation contamination of the active metal powders, and there is a risk of oxygen explosion. It can be seen that the existing devices do not meet the needs of automatic transfer of active metal powders, and it is very necessary to develop automatic metal powder transfer devices. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve the problems of high intensity and high safety risk in the prior art of active metal powder transportation, the present application provides an active metal powder pneumatic transportation device.

[0006] The present application provides a pneumatic transport device for active metal powders using the following technical solution:

[0007] A pneumatic transport device for active metal powder, comprising a powder storage tank, a cyclone separation tank, a dust removal tank, a high-pressure fan, and a conveying pipeline, wherein the conveying pipeline comprises a first pipeline connecting the powder storage tank and the cyclone separation tank, a second pipeline connecting the cyclone separation tank and the dust removal tank, a third pipeline connecting the dust removal tank and the high-pressure fan, and a fourth pipeline connecting the high-pressure fan and the powder storage tank;

[0008] The third pipeline is connected to an inert gas inlet, and is also equipped with a pressure detection gauge and an oxygen content detection gauge. A one-way air release valve is provided on one side of the dust removal tank;

[0009] A powder storage cavity is formed inside the powder storage tank, and a feed port, an observation port, an automatic powder outlet connected to the cyclone separation tank, and an air return port connected to the high-pressure blower are arranged at the top of the powder storage tank; a powder suction pipe inserted into the powder storage cavity is fixed at the automatic powder outlet, and the bottom end of the powder suction pipe is placed at the bottom end of the powder storage cavity; a discharge port is opened at the lower end of the cyclone separation tank; and a filter element is arranged in the dust removal tank.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the powder storage tank, cyclone separation tank, dust removal tank and high-pressure fan are connected. After the metal powder enters the powder storage tank, it is transferred to the cyclone separation tank under the protection of inert gas, and then spontaneously deposited due to gravity. After that, the metal powder can be transported to other equipment through the discharge port, realizing efficient transportation; the air flow flows through the dust removal tank and is filtered by the filter element in the dust removal tank, and the clean gas continues to flow into the conveying pipeline for recycling.

[0011] Optionally, the bottom end of the powder suction pipe is beveled, and the upper end of the powder suction pipe is provided with a vent.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the oblique design and specific position arrangement of the powder suction tube reduce the difficulty of pneumatically transporting active metal powders, and the setting of the vent further improves the transport efficiency.

[0013] Optionally, a back-blowing device for cleaning the filter element is provided in the dust removal tank, and the lower end of the dust removal tank is connected to a powder collecting tank.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, a small amount of nano and submicron powder enters the dust removal tank with the flowing gas and is adsorbed on the filter element. The setting of the backflush device and the powder collecting tank ensures the effective cleaning of the filter element and avoids affecting the operating efficiency of the system due to filter element blockage.

[0015] Optionally, a manual powder outlet is provided at the lower end of the powder storage tank.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the setting of the manual powder outlet improves the flexibility and emergency response capability of the equipment, allowing operators to quickly manually discharge powder during equipment failure or maintenance, thereby ensuring the continuity of the production process and reducing the risk of production interruption due to equipment problems.

[0017] Optionally, a support is provided at the lower end of the powder storage tank.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the setting of the support enhances the stability of the powder storage tank, reduces the risk of accidental tipping of the powder storage tank, and improves the safety of the overall operation; this design ensures the reliability of the equipment during operation and reduces the probability of accidents causing personal injury and property loss.

[0019] Optionally, the feed mask is provided with a powder collecting cover.

[0020] Optionally, the delivery pipeline is an anti-static corrugated hose, and the high-pressure blower is grounded.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solutions, the application of anti-static corrugated hose effectively prevents the accumulation of static electricity and reduces the risk of fire or explosion caused by static electricity; the grounding treatment of the high-pressure fan further ensures the safety of the equipment during operation, avoids potential accidents caused by static electricity, and improves the reliability of the entire system.

[0022] Optionally, all interfaces are sanitary quick-release interfaces.

[0023] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0024] The entire system adopts a closed design to effectively prevent dust and significantly improve the construction environment. Inert gas is introduced into the system as a protective gas to ensure that active metal powders are protected from oxidation and contamination during transportation. The mechanism of inert gas recycling ensures that the consumption of inert gas is extremely small after the washing is completed, thus reflecting the environmental protection, safety and economy of the system.

[0025] The oblique design and specific position arrangement of the powder suction pipe in the powder storage tank enable it to adapt to active metal powders of various specifications and shapes, including powders with poor fluidity; an air vent is arranged at the upper end of the powder suction pipe, which can greatly improve the powder transfer efficiency. Under a small airflow, the gas in the system can flow and generate an air pressure difference, thereby driving the powder transportation and reducing the load of the high-pressure fan. The power of the high-pressure fan can also be flexibly adjusted according to the transfer requirements to improve the transfer efficiency.

[0026] The system does not require additional cooling devices, has a simple design, can adapt to a variety of operating conditions, is highly portable, and is convenient for providing automatic loading services for equipment such as mixers, screening machines, and 3D printers.

[0027] The device is easy to operate, has high powder transfer efficiency, and effectively reduces labor costs; at the same time, due to its easy operation, the operator's workload is also reduced accordingly, thereby improving work efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic transport device for active metal powder according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Explanation of the reference numerals: 1. powder storage tank; 11. powder storage chamber; 12. feed port; 13. powder collecting hood; 14. observation port; 15. automatic powder outlet; 16. air return port; 17. powder suction pipe; 171. air vent; 18. support member; 19. manual powder outlet; 2. cyclone separation tank; 21. discharge port; 3. dust removal tank; 31. filter element; 32. powder collecting tank; 33. backblowing device; 34. one-way air release valve; 4. high-pressure fan; 5. first pipeline; 6. second pipeline; 7. third pipeline; 71. inert gas inlet; 72. pressure test gauge; 73. oxygen content test gauge; 8. fourth pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the embodiments and the attached Figure 1 The technical solution of the utility model is described clearly and completely. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0031] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0032] The present application discloses a pneumatic transport device for active metal powder. Figure 1 The pneumatic transport device for active metal powder includes a powder storage tank 1, a cyclone separation tank 2, a dust removal tank 3, and a high-pressure fan 4, which are connected in sequence through four conveying pipelines, and the high-pressure fan 4 is connected to the powder storage tank 1 to form a circulation system. Among them, there is a first pipeline 5 between the powder storage tank 1 and the cyclone separation tank 2, a second pipeline 6 between the cyclone separation tank 2 and the dust removal tank 3, a third pipeline 7 between the dust removal tank 3 and the high-pressure fan 4, and a fourth pipeline 8 between the high-pressure fan 4 and the powder storage tank 1.

[0033] All interfaces are sanitary quick-install interfaces, and valves that can be closed are set according to actual needs. The valves can be gate valves, stop valves, ball valves or butterfly valves. In order to ensure safety, all conveying pipelines are anti-static corrugated hoses, and the plug of the high-pressure fan 4 is grounded.

[0034] The third pipeline 7 is connected to the inert gas inlet 71, and is also equipped with a pressure detection gauge 72 and an oxygen content detection gauge 73. The linkage control relationship between the inert gas inlet 71 valve and the pressure detection gauge 72 and the oxygen content detection gauge 73 is a prior art and will not be described in detail. The embodiment of the present application takes the input of argon gas into the inert gas inlet 71 as an example, and the entire pneumatic transport process is under argon protection, which can avoid contamination of active metal powder.

[0035] A powder storage chamber 11 is formed inside the powder storage tank 1. A feed port 12 is provided at the top of the powder storage tank 1. The feed port 12 is connected to the powder storage chamber 11. The feed port 12 can be directly connected to a feeding device or can be equipped with a powder collecting cover 13. The embodiment of the present application takes the latter as an example. The powder collecting cover 13 is used to receive active metal powder flowing out of a powder making furnace, a screening machine and other equipment.

[0036] In addition, an observation port 14, an automatic powder outlet 15 and an air return port 16 are provided at the upper end of the powder storage tank 1. The observation port 14 is used to monitor the amount of active metal powder collected. A powder suction pipe 17 inserted into the powder storage cavity 11 is fixedly installed at the automatic powder outlet 15. The top end of the powder suction pipe 17 extends out of the outer wall of the powder storage tank 1 and is connected to the cyclone separation tank 2 through the first pipeline 5, thereby realizing the connection between the powder storage tank 1 and the cyclone separation tank 2, so as to realize the powder discharge function of the automatic powder outlet 15; the air return port 16 is connected to the high-pressure blower 4 through the fourth pipeline 8, thereby realizing the connection between the powder storage tank 1 and the high-pressure blower 4.

[0037] A support 18 is installed at the lower end of the powder storage tank 1. The support 18 can be any one of a support leg, a support frame or a threaded rod for easy fixation. The powder storage tank 1 is lifted by the support 18, and a manual powder outlet 19 is opened at the bottom of the powder storage tank 1. In the normal working process, the manual powder outlet 19 remains closed. The manual powder outlet 19 can be used to clean up residual powder, or when the automatic transfer system fails, it can be used as the main powder outlet for manual transfer.

[0038] The powder suction pipe 17 can be made of any material that matches the production requirements. In the embodiment of the present application, the powder suction pipe 17 is shown as stainless steel. The upper end of the powder suction pipe 17 is provided with a vent 171, which can be circular, rectangular, triangular, etc. The bottom end of the powder suction pipe 17 is placed at the manual powder outlet 19 and is cut obliquely, and the opening direction of the cut is opposite to the tilt direction of the powder suction pipe 17.

[0039] The lower end of the cyclone separation tank 2 is provided with a discharge port 21, which is used to connect target equipment such as a mixer, a sieving machine, and a 3D printer. After the active metal powder is added to the powder storage chamber 11 from the feed port 12, the powder is transported to the cyclone separation tank 2 through the powder suction pipe 17, and the active metal powder is separated from the flowing gas under the action of gravity and flows into the target equipment through the discharge port 21.

[0040] A filter element 31 is installed in the dust removal tank 3, a powder collecting tank 32 is installed at the lower end of the filter element 31, and a back-blowing device 33 for cleaning the filter element 31 is also connected. A one-way air release valve 34 is installed on the side wall of the dust removal tank 3. The back-blowing device 33 is composed of a compressed air source, a control valve and a nozzle. Its structure and working principle are both existing technologies. Specifically, compressed air is used to generate a high-speed airflow to clean the dust on the surface of the filter element 31. By adjusting the opening of the control valve and the angle of the nozzle, the working intensity and effect of the back-blowing device 33 can be adjusted.

[0041] The implementation principle of the pneumatic transport device for active metal powder in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: first, the fourth pipeline 8 is connected to the first pipeline 5, the valve of the inert gas inlet 71 is opened, argon gas is introduced, and the progress of the gas washing is judged by the oxygen content detection meter 73, and the gas washing is completed until the oxygen content in the system is reduced to less than 300ppm. During the gas washing process, the air in the system is discharged through the one-way air release valve 34.

[0042] Subsequently, the fourth pipe 8 is connected to the air return port 16, and the first pipe 5 is connected to the automatic powder outlet 15. At this time, the entire system is protected by argon gas to avoid contamination of active metal powder. Active metal powder is added to the powder storage tank 1 from the feed port 12, and the powder content is observed through the observation port 14. When the powder height in the powder storage chamber 11 is close to the vent 171, the feed port 12 is closed. The high-pressure blower 4 is started to generate an air pressure difference in the system. The powder in the powder storage chamber 11 is sucked into the cyclone separation tank 2 through the powder suction pipe 17 and the first pipe 5. The active metal powder is separated from the flowing gas under the action of gravity and flows into the target device through the outlet 21.

[0043] A small amount of nanometer and submicron powders enter the dust removal tank 3 with the flowing gas and are adsorbed on the filter element 31. The clean gas flows into the powder storage tank 1 again through the third pipeline 7, the high-pressure fan 4, and the fourth pipeline 8, forming a closed loop. The remaining powder is observed through the observation port 14. After the transfer is completed, the high-pressure fan 4 is turned off.

[0044] In order to avoid argon leakage and insufficient gas pressure in the system, when the system is started, the inert gas inlet 71 will replenish the system with gas in real time according to the feedback value of the pressure detection meter 72.

[0045] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A pneumatic transport device for active metal powder, characterized in that: The invention comprises a powder storage tank (1), a cyclone separation tank (2), a dust removal tank (3), a high-pressure fan (4), and a conveying pipeline, wherein the conveying pipeline comprises a first pipeline (5) connecting the powder storage tank (1) and the cyclone separation tank (2), a second pipeline (6) connecting the cyclone separation tank (2) and the dust removal tank (3), a third pipeline (7) connecting the dust removal tank (3) and the high-pressure fan (4), and a fourth pipeline (8) connecting the high-pressure fan (4) and the powder storage tank (1); The third pipeline (7) is connected to an inert gas inlet (71) and is also equipped with a pressure detection gauge (72) and an oxygen content detection gauge (73); a one-way air release valve (34) is provided on one side of the dust removal tank (3); A powder storage chamber (11) is formed inside the powder storage tank (1); a feed port (12), an observation port (14), an automatic powder outlet (15) connected to the cyclone separation tank (2), and an air return port (16) connected to the high-pressure blower (4) are provided at the top of the powder storage tank (1); a powder suction pipe (17) inserted into the powder storage chamber (11) is fixed at the automatic powder outlet (15); the bottom end of the powder suction pipe (17) is placed at the bottom end of the powder storage chamber (11); a discharge port (21) is provided at the lower end of the cyclone separation tank (2); and a filter element (31) is provided inside the dust removal tank (3).

2. The active metal powder pneumatic transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom end of the powder suction pipe (17) is cut obliquely, and the upper end of the powder suction pipe (17) is provided with a vent (171).

3. The active metal powder pneumatic transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dust removal tank (3) is provided with a back-blowing device (33) for cleaning the filter element (31), and the lower end of the dust removal tank (3) is connected to a powder collecting tank (32).

4. A pneumatic transport device for active metal powder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The lower end of the powder storage tank (1) is provided with a manual powder outlet (19).

5. The active metal powder pneumatic transport device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A support member (18) is provided at the lower end of the powder storage tank (1).

6. The active metal powder pneumatic transport device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The feed port (12) is covered with a powder collecting cover (13).

7. The active metal powder pneumatic transport device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The conveying pipeline is an anti-static corrugated hose, and the high-pressure blower (4) is grounded.

8. The active metal powder pneumatic transport device according to claim 4, characterized in that: All interfaces are sanitary quick-install interfaces.

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