ADJUSTABLE SIDE-ENTRY DIVIDE STIRRING MACHINE

Abstract

Side-entry agitator (1), comprising a mounting structure for liquid-tight mounting of the side-entry agitator (1) on a wall (3) of a liquid- and gas-tight container and an agitator shaft (5) with an agitator propeller (6) attached thereto, as well as a drive motor (4) for driving the agitator shaft (5) and / or the agitator propeller (6), wherein the side-entry agitator (1) comprises an agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) for adjusting the angle of the axis of the agitator shaft (5) and is designed as a submersible agitator, characterized in that the agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) comprises a mounting plate (8) which is oriented at an angle to the axis of the agitator shaft (5) in the direction of an inclined plane, and comprises a receptacle (9) for the mounting plate (8) by means of which the mounting plate (8) can be accessed from outside the liquid- and gas-tight container to change the thrust direction of the installed agitator.It can be aligned into different rotational positions.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a side-entry agitator according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art:

[0002] Biogas has now become an economically relevant factor. Its production requires appropriate facilities. Such a biogas production plant can be divided into a main fermenter, a secondary fermenter, and a final storage facility.

[0003] These fermenters and secondary fermenters are usually large containers sealed gas-tight by covers in which biogas is produced by fermenting substrate.

[0004] To prepare the substrate, the fermenters are fed with liquid and often also solid materials. These materials are mixed in the fermenter using agitators to form a homogeneous substrate. Homogenization of the substrate is necessary for an uninterrupted process and consistent gas production. The substrate is then transferred from the fermenter to the final repository via an overflow process based on the communicating tank principle or by pumping.

[0005] Submersible agitators are used to homogenize the substrate. These are placed in the respective containers. Their flow direction is changed from time to time to ensure that the entire contents of the container are stirred as thoroughly as possible.

[0006] So far, two variants of submersible agitator adjustment mechanisms are known: on the one hand, so-called “gas-tight wall adjustment” and on the other hand, so-called “side-entry agitators”. Side-entry agitators:

[0007] "Side-entry agitators" have their drive (motor with gearbox) located outside the tank, and only the agitator shaft with the attached propeller is inserted into the tank in a gas-tight manner through a hole formed in the tank. These side-entry agitators are permanently installed; their thrust direction cannot be adjusted. In addition, they only drive the substrate at one height of the tank, meaning that sufficient homogenization of the substrate for a good yield in biogas production cannot be achieved. Gas-tight wall adjustment:

[0008] In contrast, the gas-tight wall-mounted adjustment principle uses a submersible agitator. This means that the motor, gear, and agitator shaft with the attached agitator propeller are also located inside the tank. To improve the homogenization process, this submersible agitator can be adjusted in height using a slide on a so-called "guide rail" also located inside the tank. Both the guide rail and the agitator, along with its motor and connecting cable, are thus located in the middle of the substrate during operation.

[0009] The height adjustment of the submersible agitator, which is achieved using a cable that is guided gas-tight from the container and operated via a cable winch, allows for the substrate to be influenced at different heights in the container to improve homogenization. Furthermore, the guide rail can be rotated, which also allows for horizontal adjustment of the agitator's orientation.

[0010] The disadvantages of this design are the comparatively high technical complexity as well as the costs of manufacturing and installation. Even more disadvantageous, however, are the downtime costs in the event of a defect. Due to the long electrical cable and the rope adjustment required, such a defect can occur suddenly in the middle of the moving substrate in the tank. This then requires complex installation and removal of the agitator. This usually requires the involvement of a technician. On the other hand, the roof of the tank must be opened, which is a time-consuming process and then resealed gas-tight after repair. This typically results in about a day of production downtime, resulting in further significant costs.

[0011] In the prior art, DE 69 605 692 T2 discloses a device for attaching a submersible mixing device in industry, wastewater treatment, etc.

[0012] The mixing device features a so-called "intermediate part" on a "special cover." This is equipped with an angled mounting surface for connecting an electric motor, thus creating an "inclined plane" so that the propeller axis can form an angle of up to 45°. This allows the propeller to be directed in different directions by screwing the "special cover" to the tank wall at different rotational positions.

[0013] DE 10 2011 105 326 A1 discloses a device for the biaxial adjustment of a system component, in particular a unit for generating energy from renewable energy sources, relative to a foundation, chassis, or a second system component. The device comprises lower and upper pivot units with concentrically arranged annular structures. The annular structures are connected to a common mounting component. The mounting component is configured between the pivot units such that two pivot axes are neither parallel nor perpendicular to each other. The annular structures are connected to each other and coupled to a drive. The pivot axes intersect in a region of the mounting component in which an angle of inclination between protruding legs of the axes is less than or equal to 45 degrees. Object and advantages of the invention:

[0014] The object of the invention is to increase the economic efficiency of a biogas plant while simultaneously reducing the costs of its operation.

[0015] The problem is solved based on the preamble of claim 1 by its characterizing features. Advantageous and expedient developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0016] Accordingly, the invention relates to a side-entry agitator comprising a mounting structure for fluid-tight mounting of the side-entry agitator to a wall of a container. An agitator propeller is mounted on the propeller shaft located in the gearbox, which propeller is in turn driven by a drive motor via the motor shaft. This is characterized in that the side-entry agitator comprises an agitator angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the agitator axis.

[0017] This design of a side-entry submersible agitator is based on the realization that by providing an adjustment option for the conveying direction generated by the agitator in the substrate inside the usually cylindrically shaped container, a significant improvement in the homogenization process can be achieved and thus the gas yield and economic efficiency of a biogas plant operated with it can be significantly increased.

[0018] This allows the agitator to drive the substrate in a horizontal circular motion within the container, but also to apply it at an angle downward or upward. This allows the substrate to be applied to deeper or higher layers of the container from a fixed position on the wall of the container and set in motion for homogenization.

[0019] In addition, the acquisition costs of such a side-entry submersible agitator are significantly lower than those of a so-called “gas-tight wall-mounted” agitator due to its lower material and installation costs.

[0020] The mounting structure is a mount that can be adjusted from outside a gas-tight container for an agitator, preferably a submersible agitator, mounted inside the container for mixing, in particular, biogas substrate. No passage through a gas-tight cover of the container containing the substrate is required, yet the agitator's conveying direction can be adjusted to influence the movement and mixing of the substrate in the container.

[0021] A second, significant advantage of this side-entry submersible agitator is that, even if access to the agitator becomes necessary, no gas-tight cover needs to be opened or even removed from the vessel. While the substrate level must be lowered, and gas escapes when opening it, the procedure is considerably easier than with the gas-tight wall-mounted adjustments commonly used today, where the roof must always be opened. This avoids further massive costs that would otherwise otherwise be incurred due to system downtime, typically lasting a day. In the event of a malfunction, the agitator must be dismantled, and the gas-tight vessel must be opened from the side.

[0022] The agitator mount is compact and very easy to install and remove from the tank. The prerequisite for this is an opening in the side wall of the tank, which preferably includes a frame. Most tanks are / will be made of reinforced concrete, thus ensuring structural stability.

[0023] The agitator angle adjustment mechanism of the side-entry submersible agitator comprises a mounting plate which is aligned at an angle to the axis of the agitator shaft in the sense of an inclined plane.

[0024] The thrust direction of the built-in agitator is changed by rotating this inclined plane from outside the tank. This allows the agitator's thrust direction to follow a circular path with changing horizontal and vertical angles. The thrust direction can be freely selected within the circular path.

[0025] The mounting plate is in turn held in a holder provided for it, by means of which the mounting plate can be aligned in different rotational positions.

[0026] To improve the rotation properties of the mounting plate, the holder can be designed as a sliding ring.

[0027] To align the agitator in a desired rotational position for its operation, the agitator angle adjustment mechanism includes a fixing unit for securing the rotational position of the mounting plate. In one embodiment, this can be a screw connection by means of which the rotational position of the mounting plate can be fixed.

[0028] The fixing unit comprises fixing positions distributed over at least one pitch circle for fixing the rotational position of the mounting plate. These can be threaded holes, for example, into which a screw can be engaged if the position overlaps with, for example, another hole.

[0029] To limit the rotational movement of the mounting plate, the agitator angle adjustment mechanism can include a rotation limiter. This can be formed, for example, from a rotation stop, such as a bolt or the like, arranged on the movable part of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism and a complementary rotation stop arranged on the part firmly connected to the wall of the container.

[0030] This prevents the stirring unit from rotating in a circle several times and potentially damaging a supply line, such as a cable.

[0031] To further improve the influence on the drive direction of the agitator, the agitator angle adjustment mechanism can comprise a second mounting plate which is aligned at an angle in the sense of an inclined plane with respect to a right angle extending from the mounting position of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism on the wall of the container.

[0032] This allows the agitator to be aligned based on an angular adjustment of the drive axis of two inclined planes relative to each other. The angle of the inclined plane relative to the tank wall for aligning the second mounting plate determines the basic orientation of the agitator in the tank, around which the agitator axis can be rotated around the first inclined plane on the first base plate, at least in a circular segment—within the limits of the rotation limit. The first inclined plane, around which the first mounting plate can be rotated, enables the variation of this basic conveying direction.

[0033] By selecting two equal angles (e.g., 22.5° each) for the inclined planes, the agitator's range of motion, or the maximum achievable horizontal and vertical deflection, can be preselected. This allows the adjustment range to be defined (large or small).

[0034] Preferably, the first mounting plate is aligned parallel to the second mounting plate. This simplifies the design.

[0035] The agitator angle adjustment mechanism includes a receptacle for connecting a gear box acting on the first mounting plate. This gear box can, for example, be a manually driven gear box, further reducing costs. This allows the angle of the agitator's axis to be adjusted and reoriented within the tank by rotating the first mounting plate.

[0036] To prevent the escape of liquid and / or solid substrate and / or gas, at least one seal is arranged between the movable part of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism and the part fixedly connected to the wall of the container.

[0037] The gear unit preferably has a parking brake. This allows the movable part of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism located inside the container to be fixed in its current position. This is helpful when adjusting the orientation of the agitator, since this requires the fixing unit of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism to be loosened beforehand, e.g., the fixing screws must be disengaged from the complementary thread. In this case, the effect of gravity and / or the substrate continuing to move within the container due to inertia could cause the movable part of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism to rotate relative to the part attached to the container wall. This can be prevented by means of the parking brake.

[0038] The gearbox can be designed as a plug-in gearbox. Since it is only required for adjustment of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism in question, one such gearbox is sufficient for several such agitator angle adjustment mechanisms, possibly arranged on the tank, thus further reducing costs.

[0039] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the side-entry submersible agitator is designed as a submersible agitator. This means that the motor is arranged on the movable part of the side-entry submersible agitator, opposite the part of the side-entry submersible agitator that is to be firmly connected to the vessel wall. The motor is preferably attached to or on the axis of the agitator shaft.

[0040] The side-entry submersible agitator can be designed such that the drive motor is arranged on the same side as the propeller with respect to the mounting plate and / or is arranged such that the drive motor remains inside the tank when mounted on the wall of the tank and is designed as a submersible motor.

[0041] During operation, both the motor and its power supply are located in the substrate to be homogenized.

[0042] In summary, the invention can also be described as follows.

[0043] It concerns an externally adjustable holder for a submersible agitator mounted inside a gas-tight container for mixing biogas substrate.

[0044] The agitator mount is compact and very easy to install and remove from the tank. This requires a framed opening in the tank's side wall. Most tanks are made of reinforced concrete, ensuring structural stability.

[0045] Such containers are often used in biogas plants and are divided into main fermenters, secondary fermenters and final storage facilities.

[0046] These fermenters are fed with liquid and often also solid substances. Solid and liquid substances are mixed in the fermenter using agitators to form a homogeneous substrate. Homogenization of the substrate is necessary for an uninterrupted process and consistent gas production.

[0047] The substrate then reaches the final repository via an overflow process based on the principle of communicating tanks or by pumping from the fermenter via the secondary fermenter. In addition to the easy installation and removal of the agitator, the invention also enables the adjustment of the thrust direction of the permanently installed agitator. This is achieved by simply rotating the agitator from the outside.

[0048] The agitator is mounted on a bracket equipped with an angle, which in turn can be freely rotated on a base equipped with a counter-angle. Rotating the two angles relative to each other results in a circular path for the agitator's thrust direction. From the neutral position (pointing directly toward the center of the container), for example, in the described version (45° adjustment angle), it can be freely adjusted 45° to the right, as well as a position pointing 22.5° upwards and 22.5° downwards on the circular path mentioned.

[0049] The entire system is gas- and liquid-tight, and the agitator is locked in the set position. Adjustment is extremely simple from the outside via a shaft that can be rotated using a plug-in gear reduction. The agitator is generally only operated in the locked position. To adjust the position, the agitator must first be stopped and then the clamping screws loosened. After adjustment (turning), the clamping screws are retightened; the agitator is locked and can be operated.

[0050] The agitator installed in the tank is adjusted from the outside via a sealed shaft. The thrust direction of the installed agitator is changed by rotating one or two inclined planes relative to each other from outside the tank. This causes the thrust direction of the agitator to describe a circular path with changing horizontal and vertical angles. The thrust direction can be freely selected within the circular path. By selecting different angles for the inclined planes, the agitator's range of motion or the maximum achievable horizontal and vertical deflection can be changed. This allows the adjustment range to be defined (large, small). It enables easy (independent) installation and removal of an agitator installed on the tank wall, especially a submersible agitator.

[0051] If the container is covered with a gas hood, which is usually the case, it doesn't need to be opened. This saves considerable costs.

[0052] The side-entry submersible agitator according to the invention is advantageously characterized by its simplicity and compactness. It enables safe, robust operation and, in the event of servicing, easy, independent installation and removal of the agitator. Operational interruptions in biogas plants can quickly become very expensive. With this solution, such a side-entry submersible agitator can be replaced quickly and easily. In comparison, servicing submersible agitators with today's state of the art technology is complex and expensive.

[0053] If the position of the submersible agitator in the tank can be predetermined to some extent, which is usually the case, this compact solution with the side-entry submersible agitator according to the invention is good, safe and inexpensive. Description of an example:

[0054] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures.

[0055] They show examples and diagrams: Fig. 1: Section of a fermentation tank wall with a side-entry submersible agitator installed in a neutral position, pointing straight into the tank center. Fig. 2: a similar representation as in Fig. 1., but with the orientation of the side-entry submersible agitator changed by an angle of approximately 45° by means of an agitator angle adjustment mechanism. Fig. 3: a representation of the side-entry submersible agitator installed in a fermentation tank wall as in the Fig. 2., but enlarged and as a sectional view. Fig. 4: a similar representation as in Fig. 3, but again enlarged and this time in an oblique top view but without the fermentation vessel wall.

[0056] Accordingly, the Fig. 1 a side-entry submersible agitator 1, which is arranged by means of a mounting structure 2 in a recess of a wall 3 of a container, in particular a fermentation tank wall 3.

[0057] The side-entry submersible agitator 1 comprises a drive motor 4 and an agitator shaft 5 with an agitator propeller 6 that can be attached thereto. The agitator shaft 5 is concealed by the agitator propeller 6 that is fixed to it, preferably attached thereto. In this embodiment, it is formed by the drive shaft of the drive motor 4. According to another embodiment, however, it can also be formed as a separate component and connected to the drive shaft of the drive motor 4.

[0058] In this side-entry submersible agitator 1, the conveying direction of the agitator propeller 6 can be adjusted by means of an agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7 for adjusting the angle of the axis of the agitator shaft 5 (cf. Fig. 2).

[0059] For this purpose, the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7 is equipped with a mounting plate 8, which is aligned at an angle relative to the axis of the agitator shaft 5, in the sense of an inclined plane. By rotating the mounting plate 8 in the plane passing through it, the drive motor 4 attached to it, and thus the agitator shaft 5, can be changed in its respective axis orientation relative to the wall 2 of the container and thus adjusted to a new conveying direction for the substrate to be homogenized.

[0060] For this purpose, the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7 comprises a holder 9, designed here as a sliding ring (see Fig. 4) for the mounting plate 8, by means of which the mounting plate 8 can be easily aligned into different rotational positions by rotation.

[0061] The Fig. 2 shows a similar representation of the side-entry submersible agitator 1 as in Fig. 1., but with the orientation of the side-entry submersible agitator 1 changed by an angle of approximately 45° by means of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7.

[0062] Through the cable bushing 4.1 for the drive motor, the motor can be supplied with power via a suitably arranged cable in order to drive the agitator propeller located on the agitator shaft 5.

[0063] Fig. Figure 3 shows a representation of the side-entry submersible agitator 1 installed in the wall 3 of a tank as shown in Fig. 2., but enlarged and as a sectional view.

[0064] A recess 3.1 is formed in the wall 3. The side-entry submersible agitator 1 is inserted into the wall 3 from the outside (left in the illustration) through this recess 3.1 and projects into the tank (right side of the illustration).

[0065] The side-entry submersible agitator 1 is mounted on the wall 3 of the tank by means of a frame 10. The second mounting plate 11 is fixed to this frame 10 in a force-transmitting manner by means of a flange 11.1 arranged between them. This flange 11.1 can, for example, be designed as a tube.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, this tubular flange 11.1, on the side to which the second mounting plate 11 is connected, has an end face configured in the manner of an inclined plane. This inclined plane relates to a right angle extending from the mounting position of the frame 10 on the wall 3 of the container. The end face of the flange 11.1 is aligned at an angle in the sense of an inclined plane with respect to this right angle. This means that the second mounting plate 11, when installed in the container, is oriented at an angle, not at a right angle to the wall.

[0067] Mounted in this way, the axis alignment of the agitator shaft 5, symbolically represented here by dashed lines, can be adjusted by means of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7, as already described above, by rotating the (first) mounting plate 8. In the illustrated embodiment, this agitator shaft 5 simultaneously forms the axis of the drive motor 4.

[0068] The drive motor 4 is attached to a flange 8.1 at its end, in this example by means of screws. The flange 8.1, in turn, is connected to the mounting plate 8 at its other end at an angle other than 90°. This is done in such a way that the mounting plate 8 forms an inclined plane with respect to the axis of the drive motor 4 and the agitator shaft 5, as well as the agitator propeller 6 attached to it, so that the conveying direction of the agitator propeller 6 is changed by rotating the mounting plate 8.

[0069] The flange 8.1 can, for example, be provided as a tube with a cover 8.1.1 as a receptacle for the drive motor 4. However, other forms of receptacles are also possible, such as a plug-in receptacle and / or a lateral fixation on the motor housing or the like.

[0070] The receptacle 9, designed as a sliding ring and preferably provided with a seal 9.2, can comprise a sliding disk 9.1 to reduce frictional resistance during rotation of the mounting plate 8 accommodated therein. Such sliding disks 9.1 are preferably arranged on both sides of the mounting plate 8.

[0071] The sliding ring 9, which rotatably holds the (first) mounting plate 8, is in turn fastened to a second mounting plate 11, here for example by means of screws 9.3.

[0072] The (first) mounting plate 8 comprises a torque absorber 9.4 which passes through the second mounting plate 11 and which, in the embodiment shown here, is designed in the form of a sleeve which is preferably closed on one side.

[0073] This allows a rotational force to be transmitted from the externally accessible side of the second mounting plate 11 to the (first) mounting plate 8, thereby changing the alignment of the axis of the agitator shaft 5 with the agitator propeller 6 attached thereto, and here also of the drive motor 4.

[0074] The Fig. 4 shows a similar representation as in Fig. 3, but again enlarged and this time in an oblique top view but without the fermentation vessel wall.

[0075] In order to fix the rotational position of the (first) mounting plate 8, which is set in the manner described above, and thus the alignment of the axis and the agitator shaft 7 attached thereto, the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 1 is equipped with a fixing unit 12.

[0076] This fixing unit 12 has fixing positions 12.1 distributed over at least one partial circle (see Fig. 4) for fixing the rotational position of the mounting plate 8. These fixing positions 12.1 are arranged on a plate 12.3 that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the torque absorber 9.4 and are designed here as openings for locking elements 12.2, here screws 12.2, to be inserted therein.

[0077] In order to be able to rotate the torque absorption 9.4 and thus the mounting plate 8 relative to the second mounting plate 11, the fixing unit 12 must be deactivated. To do this, the locking elements 12.2 must be loosened and removed from the openings of the fixing positions 12.1. The number of openings in the fixing positions 12.1 is significantly greater than the number of locking elements 12.2 and the locking element receptacles assigned to them (e.g. threads for receiving the screws 12.2 shown as an example) on the second mounting plate 11. The distance between the openings in the fixing positions 12.1 depends on the desired angular adjustment between the individual orientations of the agitator shaft 5. The finer the adjustment option desired, the smaller the angle of rotation and thus the distance between the individual openings in the fixing positions 12.1 must be.

[0078] In order to ensure precise guidance of the side-entry submersible agitator 1, the (first) mounting plate 8 is aligned parallel to the second mounting plate 11.

[0079] To prevent the mounting plate 8 from rotating by an angle of more than 360°, the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7 includes a rotation limiter 13. This limiter is designed here in the form of a first stop 13.1 attached to the second mounting plate 11 and a second counter-stop 13.2 attached to the (first) mounting plate 8. In this example, they are each implemented as bolts that run against each other upon corresponding rotation of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7.

[0080] To facilitate adjustment of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism 7, it has a receptacle 9.5 for connecting the gear shaft 14.1 of a gear 14 acting on the first mounting plate 8.

[0081] The gear 14 is designed as a plug-in gear and can comprise a parking brake, by means of which the (first) mounting plate 8 and thus the components fastened to it: agitator shaft, agitator propeller 6 and drive motor 4, is / are secured against rotation when the fixing unit 12 is deactivated.

[0082] This gear 14 is a transmission gear, can be operated manually and can also be used on other side-entry submersible agitators 1 for their adjustment.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiment described here, the side-entry submersible agitator 1 is designed as a submersible agitator. This means that all components attached to the mounting plate 8 are designed to be immersed in and operated in the liquid and / or solid substrate to be homogenized in the container. List of reference symbols: 1 side-entry submersible agitator 2 Assembly structure 3 Wall of the container / fermentation container wall 3.1 Recess 4 drive motor 4.1 Cable entry for drive motor only in Fig. 1 visible (rectangle approximately in the middle), according to Fig. 2 oil drain plug (not relevant) 5 agitator shaft 6 agitator propellers 7 Agitator angle adjustment mechanism 8 Mounting plate 8.1 Flange 8.1.1 Lid 9 Mounting / sliding ring 9.1 Sliding disc 9.2 Seal 9.3 Screw 9.4 Torque absorption 9.4.1 Screw 9.5 Mounting for gear shaft 10 frames 11 Mounting plate 12 Fixing unit 12.1 Fixing position 12.2 Locking element / screw 12.3 Plate 13 Rotation limit 13.1 Stop 13.2 Counter stop 14 gearboxes 14.1 Gear shaft

Claims

[1] Side-entry agitator (1), comprising a mounting structure for liquid-tight mounting of the side-entry agitator (1) on a wall (3) of a liquid- and gas-tight container and an agitator shaft (5) with an agitator propeller (6) attached thereto, as well as a drive motor (4) for driving the agitator shaft (5) and / or the agitator propeller (6), wherein the side-entry agitator (1) comprises an agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) for adjusting the angle of the axis of the agitator shaft (5) and is designed as a submersible agitator, characterized bythat the agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) comprises a mounting plate (8) which is aligned at an angle in the sense of an inclined plane with respect to the axis of the agitator shaft (5), and comprises a receptacle (9) for the mounting plate (8), by means of which the mounting plate (8) can be aligned into different rotational positions from outside the liquid- and gas-tight container in order to change the thrust direction of the installed agitator. [2] Side-entry agitator (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the receptacle (9) is designed as a sliding ring. [3] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) comprises a fixing unit (12) for fixing the rotational position of the mounting plate (8). [4] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the fixing unit (12) comprises fixing positions (12.1) distributed over at least one partial circle for fixing the rotational position of the mounting plate (8). [5] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) comprises a rotation limiter (13) for limiting the rotational movement of the mounting plate (8). [6] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) comprises a second mounting plate (11) which is aligned at an angle in the sense of an inclined plane with respect to a right angle extending from the mounting position of the agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) on the wall (3) of the container. [7] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first mounting plate (8) is aligned parallel to the second mounting plate (11). [8] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the agitator angle adjustment mechanism (7) comprises a receptacle (9.5) for the connection of a gear (14) acting on the first mounting plate (8). [9] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gearbox (14) has a parking brake. [10] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gear (14) is designed as a plug-in gear. [11] Side-entry agitator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the drive motor (4) is arranged on the same side as the agitator propeller (6) with respect to the mounting plate (8) and / or is arranged such that the drive motor (4) remains within the container when mounted on the wall (3) of the container and is designed as a submersible motor.

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