Liquid manure separator for separating a thin phase from a solid component of a liquid manure mixture, and method for cleaning a liquid manure separator.

Abstract

The invention relates to a slurry separator (10) for separating a thin phase from a solid component of a slurry mixture, comprising a separator unit (12) which has a housing (14) in which a press screw (38) and a screen (40) surrounding the press screw (38) are arranged, wherein the press screw (38) is designed to convey the slurry mixture supplied to the interior of the screen (40) via a slurry inlet (16) in the direction of a predetermined flow direction and to press it from the inside out against the screen (40), whereby the thin phase is conveyed through the screen (40) in the direction of at least one thin phase outlet (20, 22) and the solid component remaining within the screen (40) is conveyed in the direction of a solid discharge (24); a rinsing device (26) which is designed to introduce at least one rinsing fluid into the housing (14) and to press it through the sieve (40) for the purpose of cleaning the sieve (40).The invention further relates to a method for cleaning such a manure separator (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slurry separator for separating a thin phase from a solid portion of a slurry mixture and to a method for cleaning a slurry separator.

[0002] Slurry separators are well known and are used to separate a thin phase from the solid portion of a slurry mixture. Such slurry separators may, for example, have a sieve, which serves to separate the thin phase, i.e., the liquid part of the slurry mixture, from the solids, i.e., the solid portion of the slurry mixture. The sieve can become clogged or blocked during use of the slurry separator. For example, solids, i.e., solid portions of the slurry mixture in question, can contribute to clogging the sieve. Furthermore, it can also happen, for example, that after use of the slurry separator, the slurry mixture adheres to the sieve and dries out, which can also clog the sieve. Clogging of the sieve can result in a reduced throughput of the slurry separator in question.This can also lead to the separation of the thin phase from the solid fraction no longer working as well as if the sieve were not clogged.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a solution for particularly effective removal of blockages in such sieves of a slurry separator.

[0004] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0005] The inventive slurry separator for separating a thin phase from a solid portion of a slurry mixture comprises a separator unit having a housing in which a press screw and a screen surrounding the press screw are arranged. Such a press screw is also called a screw press. The press screw is designed to convey the slurry mixture, which is fed into the interior of the screen via a slurry inlet of the housing, in a predetermined flow direction and to press it against the screen from the inside outward, whereby the thin phase is conveyed through the screen toward at least one thin phase outlet, and the solid portion remaining within the screen is conveyed toward a solid discharge.

[0006] The separator unit is designed in such a way that the slurry mixture can first enter the housing via the slurry inlet and from there comes into contact with the press screw, which then conveys the slurry mixture towards the sieve. The slurry mixture is then conveyed further through the sieve in the longitudinal direction of the separator unit or slurry separator, as a result of which the slurry mixture is pressed in a radial direction from the inside outwards against the preferably cylindrical sieve. The liquid portions of the slurry mixture, i.e. the thin phase, can pass through the openings of the sieve from the inside outwards, i.e. in a radial direction. The solid portion of the slurry mixture, on the other hand, is retained by the sieve inside the sieve. In this way, it is possible to use the separator unit to separate the slurry mixture into its liquid and solid parts, i.e. into the aforementioned thin phase and the solid portion.The thin phase then leaves the separator unit or its housing through at least one said thin phase outlet, whereby the solid fraction remaining and conveyed within the sieve in the direction of the solid discharge can then be removed from the separator unit or transported further away, for example via a conveyor belt.

[0007] As mentioned at the beginning, it can happen that the sieve of the separator unit becomes blocked during use of the manure separator. In order to be able to remove or clear such blockages in the sieve particularly easily, the manure separator according to the invention has a flushing device which is designed to introduce at least one flushing fluid into the housing and force it through the sieve to clean the sieve. For this purpose, the flushing device can be connected to corresponding openings in the housing of the separator unit such that the at least one flushing fluid can be introduced into the housing and forced through the sieve to clean the sieve. In particular, when the separator unit is not being used to separate the manure mixture, the flushing device can be used by introducing the at least one flushing fluid into the housing and forcing it through the sieve to clean the sieve.This allows the sieve to be cleared of blockages in a particularly simple and reliable manner, which, among other things, can increase the throughput of the separator unit. In other words, the flushing device serves to easily flush the sieve when needed.

[0008] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the flushing device comprises a pump designed to pump water, serving as the flushing fluid or at least as part of the flushing fluid, into the housing, through the sieve, and out of the housing. Using the water and said pump, it is possible to clean the sieve in a simple and reliable manner by introducing the water into the housing of the separator unit, forcing it through the sieve, and then pumping it out of the housing again. When the water is pumped out of the housing, particles released from the sieve, for example, are removed from the separator unit or flushed out of it. With the help of the pump and the water pumped by the pump, the sieve can therefore be easily cleared of blockages.

[0009] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the flushing device is designed to be connected to the housing of the separator unit in such a way that the pump pumps the water counter to the predetermined flow direction through the at least one dilute phase drain into the housing, from the outside in through the sieve, and out of the housing through an outlet arranged outside the sieve. By pumping the amount of water counter to the predetermined flow direction, the sieve can be freed of blockages particularly reliably. This is because the water is pressed in a radial direction from the outside in through the preferably cylindrical sieve.Particles that were pressed against the sieve from the inside out during use of the separator unit, potentially causing blockages, can be removed particularly reliably by the opposite flushing direction. This is because the water is forced radially through the sieve from the outside in, allowing it to easily flush out trapped particles and transport them out of the housing via the drain.

[0010] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the outlet is designed to be closable. During normal operation of the slurry separator, i.e., when the separator unit is used to separate the thin phase from the solid portion of the slurry mixture, the outlet can be closed, allowing the slurry mixture to be conveyed through the separator unit in the conventional manner along the specified flow direction. However, if the slurry separator is to be cleaned, i.e., if the flushing device is to be used, the outlet can be opened to allow the water to drain away in the manner already described.

[0011] A further possible embodiment of the invention provides that the flushing device is designed to be connected to the housing in such a way that the pump pumps the water in the predetermined flow direction through the slurry inlet and / or an overflow of the slurry inlet into the housing and from the inside to the outside through the sieve and through the at least one thin phase outlet out of the housing. It is therefore also possible to use the pump to pump the water through the separator unit in the predetermined flow direction. In this case, the water flows through the separator unit in the same direction as the slurry mixture when the separator unit is used to separate the thin phase from the solid portion of the slurry mixture. This can be advantageous, for example, if deposits have formed, particularly on the outside of the sieve, which pressurise and clog the outside of the sieve.If the water is then pumped through the separator unit in the specified flow direction, the water is pressed radially from the inside to the outside through the sieve, whereby external impurities, i.e. on the outer surface of the sieve, are particularly easily loosened and can be rinsed away.

[0012] A further possible embodiment of the invention provides that the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet are designed so that they can be closed. Depending on whether the water is used to rinse the sieve in the predetermined flow direction or in the opposite direction, it can be advantageous to design the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet so that they can be closed. If flushing is carried out in the opposite direction to the predetermined flow direction, closing the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet can ensure that the water cannot escape at that point and that it flows in the opposite flow direction, first through the at least one dilute phase outlet into the housing and then leaves the housing again exclusively via the said outlet. All openings in the housing of the separator unit orappropriately designed connections must be closable so that the corresponding openings or connections can be opened or closed depending on the flushing mode, i.e. depending on where the water is to be introduced and discharged for cleaning.

[0013] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the flushing device has a flushing tank in which the water and the pump are arranged, wherein the flushing tank can be connected to the housing in such a way that the pump pumps the water in a circuit from the flushing tank into the housing, through the sieve and back out of the housing into the flushing tank. The water used for flushing is therefore continuously pumped in a circuit, so that water can be saved accordingly. Instead of pumping the water in a circuit, it would also be possible to connect the flushing device to a water connection, for example to fill the said flushing tank and feed it into the housing of the separator unit by means of the pump, wherein it can then also be provided that the water escaping from the housing while the sieve is being flushed is no longer collected in the flushing tank.This can be advantageous, for example, if the separator's sieve is particularly dirty, so the water isn't circulated continuously or initially. Only after a while can the water be pumped through the circuit, so that water consumption isn't unnecessarily high.

[0014] A further possible embodiment of the invention provides that the flushing device has a pressure vessel designed to buffer air or an air-water mixture under excess pressure serving as the flushing fluid or at least as part of the flushing fluid and to suddenly introduce it into the housing and press it through the sieve. The pressure vessel can be connected, for example, to the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet. It is also possible to connect the pressure vessel, for example, to the at least one dilute phase outlet of the housing. A compressor, for example, can be connected to the pressure vessel in order to pump air under excess pressure into the pressure vessel and buffer it there. It is also possible to partially fill the pressure vessel with water and fill the remaining space with compressed air.For example, if the slurry separator is installed in a location where a water connection isn't readily available, a pressure tank can be advantageous. Air is usually readily available, and an air compressor can be connected to the pressure tank with relatively little effort. The pressure tank is then filled with excess pressure and abruptly opened to clean the sieve, thereby emptying it. As a result, the compressed air or air-water mixture is abruptly introduced into the housing at excess pressure and forced through the sieve, thus making cleaning the sieve particularly easy and reliable.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the pressure vessel has a closable connection designed to be connected to at least one opening in the housing. The closable connection can remain closed as long as the pressure vessel is not being used to flush or clean the sieve. If the pressure vessel has been filled with excess pressure, be it with air or with the aforementioned air-water mixture, the connection connected to at least one opening in the housing can be opened as needed to suddenly introduce the air-water mixture contained in the pressure vessel or the air buffered with excess pressure into the housing and thereby blow the sieve clear.

[0016] In the method according to the invention for cleaning the manure separator according to the invention or a possible embodiment of the manure separator according to the invention, at least one flushing fluid is introduced into the housing by means of the flushing device and forced through the sieve. Possible embodiments of the manure separator are to be regarded as possible embodiments of the method according to the invention and vice versa, whereby the manure separator can in particular have means for carrying out different method steps of the method.

[0017] Further features of the invention can be derived from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0018] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a slurry separator for separating a thin phase from a solid portion of a slurry mixture, wherein the slurry separator has a separator unit for separating the slurry mixture and a rinsing device for cleaning the separator unit; Fig. 2 a side view of the slurry separator, additionally showing a pressure vessel; Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view of the partially shown slurry separator, whereby the sectional view shows the interior of the separator unit, in the housing of which a press screw and a sieve surrounding the press screw are arranged.

[0019] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0020] A slurry separator 10 is shown in a perspective view in Fig. 1. The slurry separator 10 is designed to separate a thin phase from a solid portion of a slurry mixture. To separate the thin phase from the solid portion of the slurry mixture, the slurry separator 10 comprises a separator unit 12. The exact structure of the separator unit 12 will be explained later with reference to Fig. 3. The separator unit 12 comprises a housing 14. A slurry inlet 16 is provided for feeding the said slurry mixture to the separator unit 12. An overflow 18 is also connected to this. Both the slurry inlet 16 and the overflow 18 open into the housing 14 from above. The housing 14 also has a lower thin phase outlet 20 and an upper thin phase outlet 22. The thin phase can be tapped or removed via these openings or connections after the slurry mixture has been separated. Furthermore, a solids discharge 24 is provided at the rear end of the housing 14, through which the solids portion separated from the slurry mixture can be removed. The slurry separator 10 also includes a flushing device 26, which is designed to introduce at least one flushing fluid into the housing 14 for cleaning the separator unit 12.The flushing device 26 comprises a flushing tank 28, in which a pump (not visible here) and water are arranged. The water contained in the flushing tank 28 can be conveyed into the housing 14 of the separator unit 12 via a pressure connection 30 by means of the pump also contained therein (not visible here in detail). The water can in turn flow into the flushing tank 28 via an outlet 32, which connects the housing 14 of the separator unit 12 to the flushing tank 28. For better orientation, the longitudinal direction x, transverse direction y, and vertical direction z of the slurry separator 10 are shown in this figure and the following figures.

[0021] In Fig. 2 shows the slurry separator 10 in a side view. Deviating from the illustration in Fig. 1 also shows a pressure vessel 34, which may also be part of the flushing device 26. The pressure vessel 34 has a closable connection 36 that can be connected to the housing 14 of the separator unit 12 for cleaning the latter.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 3 shows part of the slurry separator 10 in a longitudinal section, allowing the interior of the separator unit 12 to be seen. A press screw 38 and a screen 40 are arranged within the housing 14 of the separator unit 12. The slurry mixture to be separated can enter the housing 14 via the slurry inlet 16, where it initially comes into contact with an end region of the press screw 38, which is not yet surrounded by the screen 40, which has an at least substantially cylindrical shape and surrounds the remaining region of the press screw 38. The press screw 38 is designed to convey the slurry via the slurry inlet 16 into the interior of the screen 40, wherein this occurs in a predetermined flow direction, i.e., from left to right according to the present illustration.

[0023] While the slurry mixture is conveyed from left to right within the sieve 40 by means of the press screw as shown here, the slurry mixture is pressed from the inside out, i.e. in a radial direction, against the sieve 40. As a result, the thin phase of the slurry mixture is pressed radially outwards through the sieve 40 and then reaches the lower thin phase outlet 20 or the upper thin phase outlet 22. The solids portion of the slurry mixture remains within the sieve 40 and is conveyed by the rotating press screw 38 to the solids discharge 24. From there, the solids portion can be transported away, for example, via a conveyor belt not shown here. Both during and after the separation of the thin phase from the solids portion of the slurry mixture, the sieve 40 can become blocked. For example, portions of the solids portion can become trapped in the gaps in the sieve 40.It is also possible, for example, that parts of both the thin phase and the solid fraction may become stuck to the sieve 40 and stick to it while the slurry separator 10 is not in use. The aforementioned flushing device 28 is provided to clean the potentially clogged sieve 40. Its possible mode of operation is explained in more detail below.

[0024] For example, the Fig. 1 and Fig.2, the pressure connection 30 of the rinsing tank 28 can be connected to the dilute phase drain 20. By means of the pump arranged in the rinsing tank 28, the water is then pumped through the lower dilute phase drain 20 into the housing of the separator unit 12. As a result, the water is conveyed opposite to the predetermined flow direction, i.e., according to the present illustration, from outside to inside and from right to left. This means that the water is pressed radially from outside to inside through the sieve 40, as a result of which blockages in the sieve 40 can be removed. The water is then conveyed further, taking with it any dissolved particles and can return to the rinsing tank 28 via the drain 32. The remaining openings of the housing 14 or connections of the housing 14 can be closed during this process, i.e., in particular, the slurry inlet 16, the overflow 18 of the slurry inlet 16, and the upper dilute phase drain 22.The water can be pumped in a circle until the sieve 40 has been sufficiently cleaned. Afterward, the rinsing container 28 can be emptied, for example, to remove the dissolved particles or contaminants from the rinsing container 28.

[0025] It is also possible, for example, to connect the pressure connection 30 of the rinsing tank 28 to the upper dilute phase drain 22 and to pump the water through this into the housing 14. In this case, too, the water is pressed from the outside inward in a radial direction through the sieve 40 into its interior, which can loosen any blockages in the sieve 40. The water can then flow back into the rinsing tank 28 via the drain 32 and continue to be pumped in a circle until the sieve 40 has been sufficiently cleaned. The slurry inlet 16, the overflow 18, and the lower dilute phase drain 20 can be closed or remain closed during this time, so that the water can circulate exclusively in the desired manner.

[0026] It is also possible to connect the pressure connection 30 to the slurry inlet and / or the overflow 18 of the slurry inlet 16 and then allow the water to flow through the separator unit 12 and the sieve 40 in the predetermined flow direction, just as it takes the slurry mixture when using the separator unit 12. In this case, it can be provided that the water is directed back into the rinsing tank 28 through the lower dilute phase outlet 20. In this case, the water used for rinsing flows in a radial direction from the inside to the outside through the sieve 40 and then flows back into the rinsing tank 28 through the lower dilute phase outlet 20, which can also occur as a cycle.

[0027] Another option for cleaning the sieve 40 is to use the pressure vessel 34. This can, for example, be connected via its connection 36 to the overflow 18 of the slurry inlet 16, in which case the slurry inlet 16 can be closed. Compressed air or a pressurized air-water mixture under excess pressure can, for example, be buffered in the pressure vessel 34. If the sieve 40 is to be cleaned, the pressurized air or the pressurized air-water mixture within the pressure vessel 34 can be released by suddenly opening the connection 36. As a result, the air or the air-water mixture passes, for example, through the overflow 18 into the interior of the housing 14 and can then blow the sieve 40 clear in a radial direction from the inside to the outside.However, it is equally possible to connect the pressure tank 34 with its connection 36 to the slurry inlet 16 or, for example, to one of the two dilute phase outlets 20, 22 in order to blow clean the sieve 40. Depending on where the pressure tank 34 is connected, the sieve 40 is then blown clean from the inside out or from the outside in. It is also possible to use the rinsing tank 28 and the pressure tank 34 simultaneously to clean the sieve 40.

[0028] By following the procedure described for cleaning the sieve 40, it is possible to easily clean the clogged sieve 40 when necessary. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 Manure separator 12 Separator unit 14 housings 16 Slurry inlet 18 Overflow of the slurry inlet 20 lower dilute phase drain 22 upper dilute phase flow 24 Solids ejection 26 Flushing device 28 rinsing containers 30 pressure connection 32 Process 34 pressure vessels 36 connection 38 Press screw 40 sieve x longitudinal direction y transverse direction z vertical direction

Claims

[1] Slurry separator (10) for separating a thin phase from a solid portion of a slurry mixture, comprising: - a separator unit (12) having a housing (14) in which a press screw (38) and a screen (40) surrounding the press screw (38) are arranged, wherein the press screw (38) is designed to convey the manure mixture fed into the interior of the screen (40) via a manure inlet (16) in the direction of a predetermined flow direction and to press it from the inside outwards against the screen (40), whereby the thin phase is conveyed through the screen (40) in the direction of at least one thin phase outlet (20, 22) and the solids content remaining within the screen (40) is conveyed in the direction of a solids discharge (24); - a rinsing device (26) which is designed to introduce at least one rinsing fluid into the housing (14) and to press it through the sieve (40) in order to clean the sieve (40). [2] Slurry separator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the flushing device (26) comprises a pump which is designed to convey water serving as the flushing fluid or at least as part of the flushing fluid into the housing (14) and through the sieve (40) and out of the housing (14). [3] Slurry separator (10) according to claim 2, the flushing device (26) is designed to be connected to the housing (14) in such a way that the pump conveys the water opposite to the predetermined flow direction through the at least one thin phase outlet (20, 22) into the housing (14) and from the outside to the inside through the sieve (40) and through an outlet (32) arranged outside the sieve (40) out of the housing (14). [4] Slurry separator (10) according to claim 3, wherein the outlet (32) is designed to be closable. [5] Slurry separator (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the flushing device (26) is designed to be connected to the housing (14) in such a way that the pump conveys the water in the predetermined flow direction through the slurry inlet (16) and / or an overflow (18) of the slurry inlet into the housing (14) and from the inside to the outside through the sieve (40) and through the at least one thin phase outlet (20, 22) out of the housing (14). [6] Slurry separator (10) according to claim 5, wherein the slurry inlet (16) and / or the overflow (18) of the slurry inlet are designed to be closable. [7] Slurry separator (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the flushing device (26) comprises a flushing tank (28) in which the water and the pump are arranged, wherein the flushing tank (28) can be connected to the housing (14) in such a way that the pump conveys the water in a circuit from the flushing tank (28) into the housing (14), through the sieve (40) and again out of the housing (14) into the flushing tank (28). [8] Slurry separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flushing device (26) comprises a pressure vessel (34) which is designed to buffer air or an air-water mixture with excess pressure serving as the flushing fluid or at least as part of the flushing fluid and to introduce it abruptly into the housing (14) and to press it through the sieve. [9] Slurry separator (10) according to claim 8, wherein the pressure vessel (34) has a closable connection (36) which is designed to be connected to at least one opening of the housing (14). [10] Method for cleaning a liquid manure separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one flushing fluid is introduced into the housing (14) by means of the flushing device (26) and pressed through the sieve (40).

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