Setup and procedure for starting up a granulating device

Abstract

Device (100) for starting up a granulating device, in particular one downstream of an extruder, comprising: a granulating device, such as a dry granulating device, for granulating a strand of material; a conveying line (102) coupled to the granulating device for granules, wherein the conveying line (102) leads from the granulating device in a conveying direction to a classifying device for classifying the granules; and a diverter (104, 200) arranged in the conveying line (102) for diverting the granules from a feed line (106) into one of at least two discharge lines (108, 110), wherein the diverter (104, 200) comprises: - a housing (112, 208) with a feed opening (114, 206), at least one first discharge opening (116) and at least one second discharge opening (118); and - a flap (120, 214) which is pivotable in the housing (112, 208) about a pivot axis (122) between a first conveying position in which a first conveying passage (124, 218) between the feed opening (114, 206) and the first discharge opening (116) is released while closing off a second conveying passage (126, 220) between the feed opening (114) and the second discharge opening (118), and a second conveying position in which the second conveying passage (126, 220) between the feed opening (114) and the second discharge opening (118) is released while closing off the first conveying passage (124, 218) between the feed opening (114) and the first discharge opening (116), wherein the diverter (104, 200) is designed to divert start-up material, such as granulate material, during a start-up process of the granulating device and wherein at least one guide section (142, 202), such as a guide element and / or deflector plate, is provided in the area of ​​the feed opening (114, 206) to guide the granulate over an edge and / or end face (144, 212) of the flap (120, 214).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for starting up a granulating device with a diverter for diverting, in particular granular, conveyed material from a feed line into one of at least two discharge lines.

[0002] Document EP 2 217 638 B1 discloses a device for producing polyamide 6 or copolyamide granules using an underwater granulator, wherein a fluid path connection exists between the underwater granulator and an extraction device. A sluice gate for discharging granules is provided in the fluid path connection. Further technological background information can be found in DE 20 2012 103 597 U1, DE 10 2017 118 169 A1, DE 88 11 969 U1, and DE 197 32 778 A1.

[0003] During the start-up process of a strand pelletizing line, particularly a dry pelletizing line, a certain amount of low-quality start-up material is generated. This poor-quality start-up material can clog or at least negatively impact downstream classifying screens and other conveying equipment. Furthermore, the pellet stream is abrasive, and the pellets, due to their chaotic fall and high kinetic energy, can become lodged in crevices, subjecting the conveying equipment to significant wear. Conventional diverters or valves do not meet these requirements and therefore cannot be used to remove start-up material during strand pelletizing, especially dry pelletizing. Since diverters designed for underwater pelletizing have a different construction, they are also unsuitable for removal during dry pelletizing.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of structurally and / or functionally improving a device mentioned above. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of functionally improving a method mentioned above.

[0005] The problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments and / or further developments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and / or the accompanying figures. In particular, the independent claims of one claim category may also be further developed and / or combined analogously to the dependent claims of another claim category. Likewise, the device and method features described below may be combined and / or further developed with one another.

[0006] A diverter can be used to divert conveyed material, such as granules, from a feed line into one of at least two discharge lines. The diverter can be a starting diverter. It can be a hinged diverter and / or a two-way diverter. The diverter can also be used to approach a granulating device, such as a dry granulating device.

[0007] The diverter valve can have a housing. The housing can have a feed opening. The housing can have at least one first discharge opening. The housing can have at least one second discharge opening. The diverter valve can have a flap. The flap can be arranged in or within the housing. The flap can be pivotable about a pivot axis, particularly within the housing. The flap can be pivotable between a first conveying position and a second conveying position. The first and / or second conveying position can be an end position of the flap. The flap and / or diverter valve can be designed and / or configured such that the flap rests against the housing in the first and / or second conveying position, for example, with an edge of the flap, or just does not rest against it.The flap and / or diverter can be designed and / or configured such that, in the first conveying position and / or second conveying position, a gap is formed between the housing and the flap, for example, at an edge of the flap. The edge can be located on the side of the flap that is substantially closer to the feed opening, such as the end face. The flap and / or diverter can be designed and / or configured such that the flap, particularly in the first conveying position and / or second conveying position, does not reach a stop, such as an end stop, against the housing.

[0008] The first conveying pass can be formed and / or defined between the feed opening and the first discharge opening. The second conveying pass can be formed and / or defined between the feed opening and the second discharge opening. In the first conveying position, the first conveying pass can be enabled. In the first conveying position, the first conveying pass between the feed opening and the first discharge opening can be enabled while blocking the second conveying pass between the feed opening and the second discharge opening. In the second conveying position, the second conveying pass can be enabled. In the second conveying position, the second conveying pass between the feed opening and the second discharge opening can be enabled while blocking the first conveying pass between the feed opening and the first discharge opening.

[0009] The diverter can be designed and / or configured to divert start-up material during the start-up process of a granulating device, particularly one downstream of an extruder. The granulating device can be a dry granulating device. The start-up material and / or the conveyed material can be a granular material, for example, a dry granular material. The granular material can consist of strands of granules. The granular material can be granular and / or pellet-shaped and / or grain-like. The conveyed material can be the start-up material. The conveyed material or the granular material and / or the start-up material can be a plastic material. The start-up material can be start-up granules. The start-up material can be of inferior quality and / or granules produced by the granulating device during a start-up process and / or during a start-up period. The start-up material can be deformed granules.The starting material can be at least partially granular and / or pellet-shaped and / or grain-shaped and / or fibrous. The starting material can be at least partially thread-like. The starting material can contain material threads, such as plastic threads. The threads or material threads can be fused threads, such as plastic fused threads. The starting material can consist of fused and / or bonded material, such as plastic material and / or granules or strands of granules. The starting material and / or the granules can be an agglomerate. The granulating device can be designed to produce the starting material or the granules.

[0010] The diverter can have at least one wear element. This at least one wear element can be a wear plate and / or wear sheet. The at least one wear element can be located on a side facing the first conveying pass. The diverter can, for example, have a first, second, and / or third wear element.

[0011] The flap may have a guide plate. The flap and / or its guide plate may be designed to direct, such as diverting, and / or guiding, such as feeding, the conveyed material or granules to the at least one first discharge opening and / or to the at least one second discharge opening. The diverter and / or its flap or guide plate may be designed to direct, such as diverting, conveyed material or starting material transported in free fall. Material transported in free fall can be understood to mean that the material is conveyed essentially without pressure and / or not by means of a fluid, such as water. The diverter and / or its flap or guide plate may be designed to direct, such as diverting, for example, accelerated, especially kinetically accelerated, conveyed material or starting material. The acceleration of the conveyed material or starting material...The initial material movement can be caused by the granulating device, for example, by a rotating cutter head and / or rotating granulating knives or cutting edges. The conveyed material, the initial material, and / or the granulate material can possess, for example, high, kinetic energy. This can also be understood to mean that the conveyed material with accelerated and / or kinetic energy is transported essentially without pressure and / or is not conveyed by means of a fluid, such as water. The flap can have at least one wear element. This wear element can be arranged and / or attached to the guide plate. It can be a wear plate and / or a wear sheet. The wear element can be located on a side of the flap or guide plate facing the first conveying passage.

[0012] The flap can be in tight contact with the inside of the housing, at least in sections, along its circumference. The flap can have at least one first sealing element along its circumference, at least in sections. This first sealing element can be located on two opposite sides or edges of the flap. The two opposite sides can extend substantially in the conveying direction or downstream. No sealing element can be provided on the end face of the flap or on the side or edge substantially facing the feed opening. The first sealing element can be in contact with the inside of the housing. The first sealing element can be made of and / or contain a plastic, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The first sealing element can be designed as a sealing lip and / or a sealing plate.The first sealing element can be arranged between the guide plate and the first wear element. The first sealing element can be located laterally on the flap or its guide plate. The first sealing element, or the sealing lip and / or sealing plate, can project beyond the guide plate and / or the first wear element at least partially around the circumference of the flap, for example, on the two opposite sides of the flap. Several first sealing elements, for example, two, can be provided. Each of these first sealing elements can be assigned to one side of the flap. The flap can essentially be designed in a sandwich-like manner.

[0013] At least one guide section can be provided in the area of ​​the feed opening. This guide section can be a guide element and / or deflector plate. It can also be a guide plate or guide profile. The guide section can be a projection or form a projection. It can be permanently connected to the housing, for example, by bolting, riveting, or welding. A housing section can form the guide section. For example, two guide sections can be provided. One of the two guide sections can be assigned to the first conveying position of the flap, and the other guide section can be assigned to the second conveying position. The guide section can be arranged and / or designed to reduce the size of the feed opening, particularly in the downstream direction.The at least one guide section can be formed by a flange, such as a round or rectangular flange. The opening of the flange can be smaller than the feed opening. The at least one guide section and / or the flange can be arranged on the housing, or permanently connected to it, for example by bolting, riveting, or welding, particularly upstream or downstream of the feed opening. The at least one guide section can be designed and / or arranged to guide the conveyed material or granules over an edge and / or end face of the flap. The end face can be the side or edge of the flap that faces substantially towards the feed opening. In the first and / or second conveying position, the edge and / or end face of the flap can be positioned substantially behind and / or below or following the at least one guide section in the downstream direction.The edge and / or front face of the flap can be substantially covered by at least one guide section in the first and / or second conveying position when viewed downstream. The downstream direction can essentially correspond to the conveying direction. A granule-free zone can be formed downstream of the at least one guide section. The flap, or its edge / front face that substantially faces the feed opening, can project into or be located within this granule-free zone in the first and / or second conveying position. The diverter can thus be designed so that the conveyed material cannot reach or strike the edge and / or front face of the flap that substantially faces the feed opening.

[0014] The diverter valve may have a shaft for pivoting the flap about the pivot axis. The shaft may be a pivot shaft and / or a rotary shaft. The flap and / or at least the flap's guide plate may be connected to or attached to the shaft. For example, the guide plate may rest on and / or be attached to the shaft. The shaft may be arranged substantially transversely and / or perpendicular to the conveying direction. The shaft may be located on a side of the housing opposite the feed opening.

[0015] A housing section, for example a housing element, can be provided between the shaft and the side of the housing opposite the feed opening. This housing section can, on the one hand, limit the first conveying pass and, on the other hand, the second conveying pass, for example, section by section. The housing section can be essentially triangular, V-shaped, and / or streamlined. At least one second wear element can be arranged and / or attached to the housing section. This second wear element can be a wear plate and / or a wear sheet. The second wear element can be arranged on the side of the housing section facing the first conveying pass.

[0016] A second sealing element can be arranged between the shaft and the side of the housing opposite the feed opening. This second sealing element can be a sealing lip and / or a sealing plate. The second sealing element can be in contact with the shaft. The second sealing element can also be arranged on the housing section. For example, the second sealing element can be located between the at least one second wear element and the housing section. The second sealing element can be made of and / or contain a plastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0017] The shaft can be supported in the housing, for example by means of bearings. The bearing(s) can be ball bearings and / or deep groove ball bearings. A third sealing element can be effectively arranged between the shaft and the housing upstream of the bearing. This third sealing element can be a sealing ring and / or a shaft seal.

[0018] The diverter valve can have a mechanism, such as a lever mechanism and / or rod mechanism, designed to pivot the flap between conveying positions. The diverter valve, or the mechanism and / or the flap, can be operated manually, for example by an operator, and / or by means of a drive, for example automatically. The mechanism can be coupled to the shaft. The diverter valve and / or its flap can be mechanically driven and / or pivotable. The flap can be pivotable manually and / or by means of a drive. The diverter valve can have a drive for pivoting the flap between conveying positions. The drive can be a pivoting drive and / or rotary drive and / or a mechanical drive. The drive can be a manual and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic and / or electric drive.The drive can include a lever mechanism and / or cylinders, such as a lifting cylinder, and / or a piston-rod assembly. The drive can be coupled to the shaft. The drive can include a motor, such as an electric motor. The drive can be coupled directly to the shaft or indirectly, for example, via a mechanical mechanism such as a lever mechanism, cylinder, piston-rod assembly, or gearbox. For example, the shaft can be driven directly by a rotary drive.

[0019] The diverter may have a feed line. The feed line may be connected to the feed opening. The feed line may be a feed channel. The feed line may be connected to the granulating device, for example, to an outlet of the granulating device. The diverter may have at least one first discharge line. The at least one first discharge line may be connected to the at least one first discharge opening. The at least one first discharge line may be a first discharge channel. The at least one first discharge line may be connected to or lead to a classifying device. The classifying device may have at least one classifying screen. The classifying device may be used and / or designed to classify the conveyed material or granulate. The diverter may have at least one second discharge line.The at least one second discharge line can be connected to the at least one second discharge opening. The at least one second discharge line can be a second discharge channel. The at least one second discharge line can be connected to or lead to a container, such as a collection container or reject container. The container can serve to collect start-up material.

[0020] A diverter valve as described above and / or below can be used to divert start-up material, such as granules, during the start-up process of a granulating device, particularly one downstream of an extruder, such as a dry granulating device. The start-up material or granules can be dry granules.

[0021] A device can be and / or serve to drive a granulating unit. The granulating unit can be a dry granulating unit. The granulating unit can be downstream of an extruder. The granulating unit can be designed to granulate a strand of material, such as a strand of plastic material, particularly one produced by the extruder. The device can include the granulating unit. A conveying line for granules can be coupled to the granulating unit. The device can include the conveying line. The conveying line can lead from the granulating unit in a conveying direction to a classifying unit. The classifying unit can have at least one classifying screen. The classifying unit can be designed and / or serve to classify the granulate material. A diverter valve can be effectively arranged in the conveying line. The device can include the diverter valve.The diverter can be designed and / or operated as described above and / or below. The diverter can be located between the granulating device and the downstream conveying equipment. The device can include a container, such as a collection container or reject container. The container can be used to collect start-up material.

[0022] A control device may be provided. The system may include the control device. The control device may be configured to release, based on a control command, a conveying pass of the diverter, in particular the first, towards the classifying device, especially by pivoting the flap, for example, into the first conveying position. The control device may be configured to determine or generate the control command based on a predefined and / or detected quantity and / or a predefined and / or detected volume or flow rate and / or a time and / or a time interval. The control command may be generated automatically or triggered manually by an operator.The control device can be configured to release, based on another control command, a conveying pass of the diverter, in particular a second pass, towards the container, especially by pivoting the flap, for example into the second conveying position. The control device can be configured to control the drive of the diverter, for example based on the control command, and / or to cause the flap to pivot, for example into a conveying position.

[0023] A method can be used to start up a device and / or a granulating unit. The device and / or granulating unit can be designed and / or operated as described above and / or below. The granulating unit can be a dry granulating unit. The granulating unit can be downstream of an extruder.

[0024] In this process, granules, particularly dry ones, can be produced using the granulating device. The granules can be fed to a classifying device via a conveying line. The classifying device then classifies the granules. A diverter valve allows start-up material to be diverted when the granulating device is started.

[0025] When starting up the granulating device, the flap of the diverter can be held in the second conveying position, in which the second conveying pass between the feed opening and the second discharge opening is released while the first conveying pass between the feed opening and the first discharge opening is closed, so that start-up material generated by the granulating device can be discharged.

[0026] Based on a control command, the flap can then be pivoted into the first conveying position, so that the first conveying passage between the feed opening and the first discharge opening is released while closing the second conveying passage between the feed opening and the second discharge opening, and granulate material produced by the granulating device can pass through the conveying line towards the classifying device.

[0027] The invention allows the lower-quality portion of granules produced during start-up to be diverted from strand granulators, particularly those with high throughput. This prevents clogging of the classifying screen and / or negative impacts on its function or the conveying system. A diverter, such as a start-up diverter, can be provided that is robust, wear-resistant, and / or does not trap granules. The diverter's flap can be folded or tilted so that its leading edge projects into a granule-free zone in each end position. The diverter, or its flap, can overcome any granule obstructions during operation.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the figures, which show schematically and by way of example: Fig. 1 a side view of a device for approaching a granulating device with a switch according to a first variant; Fig. 2 another side view of the facility according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a front view of the facility according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the facility along section AA according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 an exploded view of the facility according to Fig. 1 Fig. 6 a side view of a second variant of a turnout; Fig. 7 a side view of the switch according to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 a front view of the switch according to Fig. 6; and Fig. 9 a sectional view of the turnout along section AA according to Fig. 8.

[0029] Fig. Figures 1 to 5 show different views of a device 100 for starting up a granulating unit downstream of an extruder, such as a dry granulating unit. A conveying line 102 for granules leads from an outlet of the granulating unit (not shown in the figures) in a conveying direction (arrow in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) to a classifying device (not shown in the figures). A diverter 104 is effectively arranged in the conveying line 102. The diverter 104 is designed as a two-way diverter for diverting granular conveyed material from a feed line 106 into a first discharge line 108 and a second discharge line 110, respectively. The first discharge line 108 leads to the classifying device, and the second discharge line 110 leads to a container for collecting low-quality start-up granules. In particular, the diverter 104 is designed and / or configured to divert start-up granules during a start-up process of the granulating device.

[0030] The diverter 104 has a housing 112 with a feed opening 114, a first discharge opening 116, and a second discharge opening 118. The feed line 106 opens into the feed opening 114, the first discharge line 108 is assigned to the first discharge opening 116, and the second discharge line 110 is assigned to the second discharge opening 118. The diverter 104 also has a flap 120. The flap 120 is pivotable in the housing 112 about a pivot axis 122 between a first conveying position (see figure 116). Fig. 4), in which a first conveying pass 124 between the feed opening 114 and the first discharge opening 116 is released while blocking a second conveying pass 126 between the feed opening 114 and the second discharge opening 118, and a second conveying position in which the second conveying pass 126 between the feed opening 114 and the second discharge opening 118 is released while blocking the first conveying pass 124 between the feed opening 114 and the first discharge opening 116.

[0031] The diverter 104 has a first wear element 128 designed as a wear plate, which is arranged on the side of the flap 120 facing the first conveying passage 124. The flap 120 rests in close contact with the inside of the housing 112 in sections along its circumference, and the flap 120 has two first sealing elements 130 in contact with the inside of the housing 112 in sections along its circumference. The two first sealing elements 130 are designed as sealing plates and project outwards on opposite sides of the flap. The two first sealing elements 130 are made of a plastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The flap 120 has a sandwich-like structure and has a guide plate 132, which is connected to a shaft 134, such as a pivot shaft and / or rotary shaft, for pivoting the flap 120 about the pivot axis 122. As in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the first two sealing elements 130 are arranged between the guide plate 132 and the first wear element 128. On the side of the flap 120 facing the second conveying passage 126, a further wear element 136, designed as a wear plate, can be arranged, at least partially. An additional wear element 138 can also be provided on an inner section 140 of the first discharge line 108.

[0032] In the area of ​​the feed opening 114, two guide sections 142, designed as deflector plates, are provided to guide the conveyed material over an edge or end face 144 of the flap 120. As in Fig. Figure 4 shows the edge or end face 144 of the flap 120 in the first or second conveying position in the downstream direction, i.e., in the conveying direction, as illustrated by the arrow, essentially positioned behind / below or following the respective guide section 142, so that no granulate material can reach the edge or end face 144 of the flap 120 in these positions. The edge or end face 144 of the flap 120 is thus located in a granulate-free area in the first or second conveying position.

[0033] The diverter 104 further comprises a drive 146 for pivoting the flap 120 between the conveying positions. The drive 146 is designed as a pneumatic and / or hydraulic pivoting drive and has a lever mechanism 148 with a piston-rod arrangement 150 and a lifting cylinder 152, which is coupled to the shaft 134.

[0034] The device 100 includes a control unit (not shown in the figures) which is configured to release the first conveying pass 124 of the diverter 104 towards the classifying device by pivoting the flap 120, by means of the drive 146, based on a control command. The control unit is configured to determine or generate the control command based on a predefined and / or detected quantity and / or a predefined and / or detected volume or flow rate and / or a time and / or a time interval.

[0035] In a start-up procedure, when the granulating device is started, the flap 120 of the diverter 100 can be held in the second conveying position, in which the second conveying passage 126 between the feed opening 114 and the second discharge opening 118 is released while the first conveying passage 124 between the feed opening 114 and the first discharge opening 118 is closed, so that start-up material produced by the granulating device is discharged, and then, based on the control command, the flap 120 is pivoted into the first conveying position, so that the first conveying passage 124 between the feed opening 114 and the first discharge opening 116 is released while the second conveying passage 126 between the feed opening 114 and the second discharge opening 118 is closed, so that the granulate material produced by the granulating device then passes through the conveying line 102 towards the classifying device.

[0036] Fig. Figures 6 to 9 show a different variant of a 200-type turnout. Compared to the 100-type turnout according to... Fig. In sections 1 to 5, the switch 200 is smaller. Furthermore, instead of the guide sections 142 designed as deflector plates, the switch 200 has a guide section 202 designed as a flange, here a rectangular flange. The rectangular flange 202 has a smaller opening 204 than the feed opening 206 of the switch 200 and is located at the upstream end of the feed opening 206 on the housing 208 of the switch 200 and is firmly connected to it. The rectangular flange 202 thus reduces the size of the feed opening 206, so that in the downstream direction, i.e., in the conveying direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. Figure 9 illustrates that directly below the rectangular flange 202, particularly in the edge area of ​​the housing 208, a granule-free area 210 is formed, into which the edge or front face 212 of the flap 214 of the diverter 200 can project in the first or second conveying position.

[0037] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the diverter 200 further comprises a housing section 216 designed as a housing element, which is arranged between the shaft 218 and the side of the housing 208 opposite the feed opening 206. The housing element 216 is essentially V-shaped and streamlined and delimits both the first conveying passage 218 and the second conveying passage 220. A second wear element 222, designed as a wear plate, is arranged on the side of the housing element 216 facing the first conveying passage 218. A second sealing element 224 is arranged between the second wear element 222 and the housing element 216, which abuts the shaft 226 of the diverter 200 in a sealing manner. The second sealing element 224 is designed as a sealing plate and is made of a plastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0038] Furthermore, in contrast to switch 100, switch 200 has the following features according to Fig. 1 to 5 feature a drive 228, which is directly coupled to the shaft 226. The drive 228 is designed as a rotary drive and can, for example, include an electric motor. The shaft 226 can thus be driven directly by means of the rotary drive, thereby pivoting the flap 214.

[0039] Furthermore, particular attention is drawn to... Fig. Reference is made to numbers 1 to 5 and the corresponding description.

[0040] The term "may" refers in particular to optional features of the invention. Accordingly, there are also further developments and / or embodiments of the invention that additionally or alternatively include the respective feature(s).

[0041] From the combinations of features disclosed herein, isolated features can also be selected as needed and, after dissolving any structural and / or functional relationship that may exist between the features, used in combination with other features to define the subject matter of the claim. The order and / or number of steps of the method can be varied. Reference sign 100 Device for starting up granulating device 102 Conveyor line 104 Switch 106 Supply line 108 first drainage line 110 second drainage line 112 cases 114 Feed opening 116 first drainage opening 118 second drainage opening 120 flap 122 Swivel axis 124 first funding round 126 second funding round 128 first wear element 130 first sealing elements 132 Circuit board 134 wave 136 Wear element 138 Wear element 140 inner section of the first drainage line 142 Guide section / deflector plates 144 Edge / Front of the flap 146 Drive 148 Lever mechanism 150 piston-rod arrangement 152 lifting cylinders 200 switches 202 Guide section / flange 204 Opening flange 206 Feed opening 208 cases 210 granular current-free area 212 Edge / Front 214 flap 216 Housing section 218 first funding round 220 two funding rounds 222 second wear element 224 second sealing element 226 wave 228 Drive

Claims

Device (100) for starting up a granulating device, in particular one downstream of an extruder, comprising: a granulating device, such as a dry granulating device, for granulating a strand of material; a conveying line (102) coupled to the granulating device for granules, wherein the conveying line (102) leads from the granulating device in a conveying direction to a classifying device for classifying the granules; and a diverter (104, 200) arranged in the conveying line (102) for diverting the granules from a feed line (106) into one of at least two discharge lines (108, 110), wherein the diverter (104, 200) comprises: a housing (112, 208) with a feed opening (114, 206), at least one first discharge opening (116) and at least one second discharge opening (118); and- a flap (120, 214) which is pivotable in the housing (112, 208) about a pivot axis (122) between a first conveying position in which a first conveying pass (124,218) between the feed opening (114, 206) and the first discharge opening (116) under the closure of a second conveying passage (126, 220) between the feed opening (114) and the second discharge opening (118) is released, and a second conveying position in which the second conveying passage (126, 220) between the feed opening (114) and the second discharge opening (118) is released under the closure of the first conveying passage (124, 218) between the feed opening (114) and the first discharge opening (116), wherein the diverter (104, 200) is designed to divert start-up material, such as granulate material, during a start-up process of the granulating device, and wherein at least one guide section (142, 202), such as a guide element and / or A deflector plate is provided for directing the granules over an edge and / or end face (144, 212) of the flap (120, 214). Device (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the diverter (104, 200) has at least one wear element (128, 136, 138, 222), such as a wear plate and / or wear sheet, and / or that the at least one wear element (128, 222) is arranged on a side facing the first conveying pass (124, 218). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (120, 214) at least partially with its circumference is in close contact with the inside of the housing (112, 208), and / or that the flap (120, 214) has at least partially on its circumference at least one first sealing element (130) which is in contact with the inside of the housing (112, 208), and / or that the first sealing element (130) is made of and / or comprises a plastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge and / or end face (144, 212) of the flap (120, 214) is positioned in the first and / or second conveying position in the downstream direction substantially behind and / or below or following the at least one guide section (142, 202). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one guide section (142, 202) is arranged and / or designed to reduce the size of the feed opening (114, 206), in particular in the downstream direction. Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch (104, 200) and / or the flap (120, 214) can be operated manually, in particular by an operator, and / or by means of a drive (146, 228), in particular automatically. Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch (104, 200) has a shaft (134, 226), such as a pivot shaft and / or rotary shaft, for pivoting the flap (120, 214) about the pivot axis (122). Device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that a housing section (216), such as a housing element, is provided between the shaft (134, 226) and the side of the housing (112, 208) opposite the feed opening (114, 206), which limits, in particular, the first conveying passage (124, 218) and the second conveying passage (126, 220), in particular section by section. Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims 7 to 8, characterized in that a second sealing element (224), such as a sealing lip and / or sealing plate, is arranged between the shaft (134, 226) and the side of the housing (112, 208) opposite the feed opening (114, 206), which abuts the shaft (134, 226) in a sealing manner, and / or that the second sealing element (224) is arranged on the housing section (216), and / or that the second sealing element (224) is made of and / or comprises a plastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control device is provided which is configured to release, based on a control command, a, in particular first, conveying passage (124, 218) of the diverter (104, 200) in the direction of the classifying device, in particular by pivoting the flap (120, 214). Device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the control device is configured to determine or generate the control command based on a predefined and / or detected quantity and / or a predefined and / or detected volume or volume flow and / or a time and / or a time interval. A method for starting up a device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein, when starting up the granulating device, the flap (120, 214) of the diverter (104, 200) is held in the second conveying position, in which the second conveying passage (126, 220) between the feed opening (114, 206) and the second discharge opening (118) is released while closing the first conveying passage (124, 218) between the feed opening (114, 206) and the first discharge opening (116), so that start-up material produced by the granulating device is discharged, and wherein, based on the control command, the flap (120, 214) is pivoted into the first conveying position, so that the first conveying passage (124, 218) between the feed opening (114, 206) and the first discharge opening is opened. (116) under closure of the second conveying pass (126, 220) between the feed opening (114,206) and the second discharge opening (118) is released and the granulate material produced by the granulating device is conveyed through the conveying line (102) towards the classifying device.

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