Material feed device for a material input system

Abstract

Material feed device (10) for a material feed system (100) for introducing compressed feed material (M) into a conveying flow, with - a compression chamber (14), and - a press screw (20) arranged in the compression chamber (14), which is configured to convey feed material (M) introduced into the compression chamber (14) via a material inlet (18) in an axial direction through the compression chamber (14) into an outlet area (16) of the compression chamber (14) and to compress the feed material (M) located in the outlet area (16), wherein a material outlet (26) for the compressed feed material (M) is located in the outlet area (16); characterized by a closing unit (28) which is movable in the axial direction for opening and closing the material outlet (26).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a material feeding device for a material input system for introducing compressed feed material into a conveying flow, comprising a compression chamber and a press screw arranged in the compression chamber, which is configured to convey feed material introduced into the compression chamber via a material inlet in the axial direction through the compression chamber into an outlet area of ​​the compression chamber and to compress the feed material located in the outlet area, wherein a material outlet for the compressed feed material is located in the outlet area.

[0002] The invention further relates to a material feed system for introducing compressed feed material into a conveying flow, comprising a material feed device for compressing feed material and a feed chamber for introducing the feed material compressed by the material feed device into a conveying flow, wherein the feed chamber is permeable to the conveying flow and includes a conveying flow inlet for introducing the conveying flow into the feed chamber and a conveying flow outlet for diverting the conveying flow out of the feed chamber after material has been introduced.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a material feed system for introducing compressed feed material into a conveying flow, comprising the steps of: introducing feed material into a compression chamber of a material feed device of the material feed system via a material inlet of the material feed device, conveying the feed material introduced into the compression chamber via the material inlet in an axial direction through the compression chamber into an outlet area of ​​the compression chamber by means of a press screw arranged in the compression chamber, compressing the feed material located in the outlet area by means of the press screw, and discharging the compressed feed material from the compression chamber via a material outlet of the material feed device into a feed chamber through which the conveying flow flows.

[0004] In many applications, such as biogas technology, it is necessary to feed material, such as silage or other biogas substrate, into a system component, such as a digester. The material feeding devices used for this purpose typically have a filling opening for the biogas substrate into a compaction chamber. Within the compaction chamber, the biogas substrate is compressed by a screw press, thus subjecting it to mechanical stress. This mechanical stress crushes and frays the fibers of the biogas substrate, opening cell walls and creating a surface for bacterial growth. The compacted substrate cake is then discharged through a material outlet into a feeder and into a conveying flow. The biogas substrate can then be conveyed via this flow, for example, into a digester of a biogas plant.

[0005] In practice, it has been shown that the load on the components of a corresponding material input system, and thus also the service life and the stirring effort in a fermentation tank, depends significantly on the amount of feed material dosed into the conveying flow.

[0006] For example, a feeding device is known from the publication DE 20 2009 013 404 U1 in which the material outlet for the compressed feed material is designed as an open material passage, wherein a distributor having a propeller blade is arranged in the material passage.

[0007] Further state of the art is known, for example, from the publications DE 20 2007 013 711 U1, DE 10 47 417 A, DD 38 213 A1, EP 3 617 402 A1 and WO 2023 / 062 052 A1.

[0008] The open material outlets for the compressed feed material of this and other known material feeding devices do not yet allow for suitable metering of the feed material, meaning that demand-based metering of media with varying material properties is not currently possible. Furthermore, the known feeding devices do not yet allow for practical adjustment of the degree or intensity of compression of the feed material, and therefore also no influence or adjustment of the material density of the compressed feed material.

[0009] Furthermore, the open material outlets for the compressed feed material of known material feeding devices do not yet allow sufficient adjustment of the material compression or compaction to the properties of the feed material, such as its viscosity, composition, and / or foreign matter content. In particular, in the event of temporary changes in the flow properties of the feed material, for example, due to an intentional or unintentional additional liquid input, such as rainwater, the known material feeding devices do not allow for a suitable temporary adjustment of the material feed, which can significantly disrupt the material feeding process.

[0010] The object underlying the invention is therefore to enable a metered introduction of compressed feed material into the entry chamber of a material entry system.

[0011] The problem is solved by a material feeding device of the type mentioned above, wherein the material feeding device according to the invention has a closure unit which is movable in the axial direction for opening and closing the material outlet. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the quantity of metered feed material, the degree or intensity of compression of the feed material, and the flow resistance can be adjusted by means of an axially movable closure unit. By setting a suitable degree of opening, a desired quantity of the compressed feed material can be metered into the conveying flow. Furthermore, the material density and the strength of the compressed feed material can also be adjusted by setting the axial position of the closure unit.As the opening of the material outlet increases, i.e., as the distance between the closure unit and the material outlet increases, the compression of the feed material is reduced. Conversely, as the opening of the material outlet decreases, i.e., as the distance between the closure unit and the material outlet decreases, the compression of the feed material is increased. Furthermore, the axially movable closure unit allows the material outlet to be closed, so that the introduction of feed material into the conveying flow can be temporarily interrupted, for example, if there is insufficient material in the compression chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, adjusting the axial position of the closure unit allows the material compression or compaction to be adapted to the properties of the feed material. Thus, a material-specific compaction can be set via the degree of opening of the material outlet, taking into account, for example, the viscosity, composition, and / or foreign matter content of the feed material. By changing the axial position of the closure unit, the material feed device can also react to temporary changes in the flow properties of the feed material, for example, due to an intentional or unintentional additional liquid input, such as rainwater, thereby preventing disruption of the material feeding process.

[0013] The compression chamber is preferably located within a housing of the material feed device. The feed material can be, for example, fibrous material, particularly silage, especially preferably corn silage or grass silage, biogas substrate, manure, or slurry. Compression by means of the press screw mechanically stresses the feed material, so that, in the case of fibrous material, for example, it is crushed or frayed, thereby opening cell walls and creating a surface for bacterial growth. Compression of the feed material also ensures the removal of air trapped within it, thus significantly reducing the buoyancy of the feed material after it enters the conveying flow.

[0014] The material feeding device according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the press screw is movable in the axial direction. The material feeding device thus comprises an axially movable closure unit and an axially movable press screw. The closure unit and the press screw can be kinematically coupled so that the closure unit and the press screw always perform a uniform axial movement. Alternatively, the closure unit can also be kinematically decoupled from the press screw in such a way that the closure unit and the press screw are movable independently of each other in the axial direction.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the material feeding device according to the invention, the press screw is mechanically connected to the closure unit, such that axial movement of the closure unit can be caused by axial movement of the press screw. The press screw and the closure unit can be connected to each other by material bonding, force bonding, and / or positive locking. For example, the press screw and the closure unit are welded together. Alternatively, the press screw and the closure unit can also be screwed and / or clamped together. Alternatively, the press screw and the closure unit can be connected to each other via a positive locking mechanism, for example, a bayonet lock.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the material feeding device according to the invention has a controllable actuator configured to move the press screw and the closing unit in an axial direction. The actuator can be hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric. The actuator allows the closing unit to be moved into a desired axial position. By moving the closing unit into a desired axial position, the desired degree of opening of the material outlet can be set.

[0017] Furthermore, a material feeding device according to the invention is advantageous in which the press screw and the closure unit are mechanically connected to one another in such a way that a rotational movement of the closure unit can be caused by a rotational movement of the press screw. The press screw and the closure unit can, for example, be rigidly connected to one another. The material feeding device preferably comprises a rotary drive for rotating the press screw together with the closure unit. The rotary drive can, for example, be an electric motor. Alternatively, the rotary drive can also be a hydraulic or pneumatic drive.

[0018] The material feeding device is further advantageously developed by making the closure unit movable in the axial direction separately and / or independently of the press screw. For example, the closure unit can be moved in the axial direction without axial movement of the press screw. Alternatively or additionally, the closure unit and the press screw can also be moved in opposite axial directions. Preferably, there is no kinematic coupling and / or mechanical connection between the press screw and the closure unit.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the material feeding device according to the invention has a controllable actuator which is configured to move the closure unit axially independently of the press screw. The actuator can be hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric. By means of the actuator, the closure unit can be moved independently of the press screw into a desired axial position. By moving the closure unit into a desired axial position, a suitable degree of opening of the material outlet can be set.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the material feeding device according to the invention, the closure unit is rotatable independently of the press screw. Alternatively or additionally, the press screw is rotatable independently of the closure unit. The press screw and the closure unit can be kinematically decoupled from each other. The material feeding device preferably comprises a first rotary drive for rotating the press screw independently of the closure unit. The material feeding device preferably comprises a second rotary drive for rotating the closure unit independently of the press screw. The first rotary drive and / or the second rotary drive can be designed as an electric motor. Alternatively, the first rotary drive and / or the second rotary drive can be designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic drive.

[0021] Furthermore, a material feeding device according to the invention is advantageous in which the closure unit comprises a closure disc or a closure disc arrangement with several closure discs. The several closure discs of the closure disc arrangement are preferably arranged axially one behind the other and / or coaxially to one another. One or more closure discs can be designed as perforated discs and / or have a ring structure.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the material feeding device according to the invention, one or more of the closure discs of the closure disc assembly has a break-up contour, in particular directed radially outwards, for breaking up and / or dissolving material agglomerations of the compressed feed material. The break-up contour of the one or more closure discs can be an external toothing. When the material outlet is open, the compressed feed material is guided along the break-up contour of the one or more closure discs. Material agglomerations of the feed material guided along the break-up contour of the one or more closure discs are broken up and / or dissolved.

[0023] Furthermore, a material feeding device according to the invention is advantageous in which at least two sealing discs of the sealing disc arrangement have different outer diameters. Thus, the breaking contours of the two sealing discs are located on different planes, which supports the breaking up and / or dissolving of material agglomerations.

[0024] Furthermore, a material feeding device according to the invention is preferred, in which one or more rotary vanes are arranged between the closure unit and the press screw or on the closure unit, which are preferably configured to move along a circular path when the press screw rotates. A cone may be located between the closure unit and the press screw or on the closure unit, which is preferably configured to perform a rotary movement when the press screw rotates. The one or more rotary vanes assist in conveying the feed material through the at least partially open material outlet. The one or more rotary vanes also assist in the uniform introduction of the feed material into the conveying flow.

[0025] Furthermore, a material feeding device according to the invention is preferred, which has a closure stop arranged on a housing of the material feeding device for the axially movable closure unit. The closure stop can have a break-up contour, in particular radially inwardly oriented, for breaking up and / or dissolving material agglomerations of the compressed feed material. The break-up contour of the closure stop can be an internal toothing. When the material outlet is open, the compressed feed material is guided along the break-up contour of the closure stop. Material agglomerations of the feed material guided along the break-up contour of the closure stop are broken up and / or dissolved. The closure stop can have one or more stop elements. The stop elements can have a ring structure with internal toothing.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, the material feeding device according to the invention has a bearing extension extending axially and connected to the press screw and / or the closure unit for insertion into a bearing, wherein the bearing extension is arranged on the side of the closure unit facing away from the press screw. The bearing extension can be designed as a stub shaft. The bearing can be a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing.

[0027] The material feeding device according to the invention is further advantageously enhanced by an electronic control unit, which is configured to control the actuator for moving the press screw together with the closing unit and / or the actuator for moving the closing unit independently of the press screw, in particular for opening and closing the material outlet and / or for introducing a metered quantity of feed material into the conveying flow. The control unit is preferably configured to cause the closing unit to move into a desired axial position by means of the actuator, independently of any pressure or force acting on the closing unit. To open the material outlet, the closing unit is moved by means of the actuator into an open position in which the material outlet is not closed by the closing unit.To close the material outlet, the sealing unit is moved into a closed position by means of the actuator, in which the material outlet is sealed by the sealing unit. To introduce a metered quantity of feed material into the conveying flow, the sealing unit is moved into a defined axial position by means of the actuator, so that a defined open state is established. By introducing a metered quantity of feed material into the conveying flow, mass flow control is preferably implemented.

[0028] In a further development of the material feeding device according to the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to automatically adjust the opening degree of the material outlet via the actuator for moving the press screw including the closing unit and / or the actuator for moving the closing unit independently of the press screw, depending on one or more operating parameters without operator intervention. Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust the opening degree of the material outlet via the actuator for moving the press screw including the closing unit depending on the current consumption of a rotary drive for rotating the press screw including the closing unit. Thus, the degree or intensity of compression of the fed material can be controlled or regulated via the current consumption of the rotary drive.By adjusting the opening degree of the material outlet in relation to the current draw of the rotary drive for the screw press, the material feeder can also react to temporary changes in the flow properties of the feed material, for example, due to an intentional or unintentional introduction of additional liquid, such as rainwater. If the flowability of the feed material temporarily increases, the current draw of the rotary drive decreases. In this case, the control unit reduces the opening degree of the material outlet by closing the sealing unit axially, thus preventing an unintentional excessive discharge of feed material with temporarily increased flowability. If the flowability of the feed material temporarily decreases, the current draw of the rotary drive increases.In this case, the control unit increases the opening degree of the material outlet by opening the closure unit axially, thus preventing an unintentional reduction in the discharge of feed material with temporarily reduced flowability. Alternatively, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust the opening degree of the material outlet via the actuator for moving the closure unit independently of the press screw, depending on the current consumption of a rotary drive for rotating the press screw, also independently of the closure unit.

[0029] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a material feeding system of the type mentioned above, wherein the material feeding device of the material feeding system according to the invention is designed according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the material feeding system according to the invention, reference is therefore first made to the advantages and modifications of the material feeding device according to the invention.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the material feed system according to the invention, the closure unit is configured to move towards the feed chamber or into the feed chamber when the material outlet opens. Alternatively or additionally, the closure unit is configured to move away from the feed chamber or out of the feed chamber when the material outlet closes. Moving the closure unit towards the feed chamber or into the feed chamber increases the opening gap of the material outlet. Moving the closure unit away from the feed chamber or out of the feed chamber decreases the opening gap of the material outlet or closes it completely.

[0031] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a method of the type mentioned above, wherein a closure unit for opening and closing the material outlet is moved in the axial direction, and an electronic control device automatically adjusts the degree of opening of the material outlet via an actuator as a function of one or more operating parameters. The method according to the invention is preferably used to operate a material feeding system according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention, reference is therefore first made to the advantages and modifications of the material feeding system according to the invention.

[0032] The electronic control unit adjusts the opening degree of the material outlet via the actuator, preferably automatically, depending on the current draw of a rotary drive for the rotary operation of the press screw and its closing unit. Alternatively, the electronic control unit adjusts the opening degree of the material outlet via the actuator automatically, depending on the current draw of a rotary drive for the rotary operation of the press screw, independently of the closing unit.

[0033] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the electronic control unit controls the actuator, in particular for opening and closing the material outlet and / or for introducing a metered quantity of feed material into the conveying flow. The control unit causes the closing unit to move into a desired axial position by means of the actuator, independently of any pressure or force acting on the closing unit.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the press screw is axially movable and mechanically connected to the closure unit, wherein an axial movement of the closure unit can be caused by an axial movement of the press screw. Preferably, the closure unit is moved axially independently of the press screw. Alternatively or additionally, the closure unit and the press screw are driven separately and / or independently of each other by rotation.

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a system with a material input system according to the invention in a schematic perspective view; Fig. 2 a material injection system according to the invention in a schematic perspective representation; Fig. 3 a detailed presentation of the in the Fig. 2 material input system shown, wherein the material outlet of the material feed device is closed; Fig. 4 a detailed description of the in the Fig. 2 material input system shown, wherein the material outlet of the material feed device is open; Fig. 5 parts of a material feeding device according to the invention in a perspective exploded view; Fig. 6 another material injection system according to the invention in a lateral sectional view; Fig. 7 a detailed description of the in the Fig. 6 material input system shown, wherein the material outlet of the material feed device is closed; and Fig. 8 a detailed presentation of the in the Fig. 6 material input system shown, wherein the material outlet of the material feed device is open.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a system 200 with a fermentation tank 202. The fermentation tank 202 contains a substrate to which feed material M is to be supplied from a storage container 102 of a material input system 100. To supply the feed material M, the substrate within the fermentation tank 202 is pumped out of the storage container 102 as a conveying flow via the tank outlet 204 by means of a conveying unit 210. The conveying unit 210 is a rotary lobe pump, which conveys the conveying flow along a circulation path 208 and back into the fermentation tank 202 via a container inlet 206.

[0037] The material input system 100 is located downstream of the conveying unit 210 in the direction of flow of the conveying flow.

[0038] The material input system 100 comprises a conveying device 104 designed as a transfer screw for conveying the feed material M from the storage container 102 into a material feed device 10 of the material input system 100. The conveying device 104 is driven rotaryally by a conveying drive 106. The conveying drive 106 can, for example, be an electric motor.

[0039] The material feeding device 10 comprises a housing 12 containing a compression chamber 14. A compression screw 20 is located in the compression chamber 14 and is configured to convey the feed material M, introduced into the compression chamber 14 via an inlet 18, axially through the compression chamber 14 to an outlet area 16 of the compression chamber 14 and to compress the feed material M located in the outlet area 16. A material outlet 26 for the compressed feed material M is located in the outlet area 16. The material outlet 26 is connected to a feed chamber 110 in a feed housing 108 of the material feed system 100.The entry chamber 110 serves to introduce the feed material M, compressed by the material feed device 10, into the conveying flow, wherein the entry chamber 110 is through which the conveying flow flows and comprises a conveying flow inlet 112 for introducing the conveying flow into the entry chamber 110 and a conveying flow outlet 114 for diverting the conveying flow out of the entry chamber 110 after the material has been introduced.

[0040] Downstream of the feed chamber 110, a separation unit 212 is located. The separation unit 212 serves to remove foreign matter from the feed stream and accelerates the feed stream, further breaking down the fibrous materials. The feed stream, along with the introduced feed material M, is then returned to the fermentation tank 202 via the circulation path 208.

[0041] The Fig. Figure 2 shows that a press screw 20 is located in the compression chamber 14 of the material feed device 10. The press screw 20 can be moved axially by means of an actuator 22. The actuator 22 is a hydraulic actuator and can be controlled by the control device 48 to set an axial position of the press screw 20. A rotary drive 24 of the material feed device 10 serves to drive the press screw 20 rotationally. The rotary drive 24 is an electric motor.

[0042] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the outlet area 16 of the material feed device 10 and the entry chamber 110 of the material entry system 100 in a sectional view.

[0043] In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 3, the material outlet 26 leading into the feed chamber 110 is closed by means of a closure unit 28. The closure unit 28 is axially movable for opening and closing the material outlet 26. The press screw 20 is mechanically connected to the closure unit 28, such that axial movement of the closure unit 28 can be caused by axial movement of the press screw 20. The press screw 20 and the closure unit 28 are also mechanically connected to each other in such a way that rotational movement of the closure unit 28 can be caused by rotational movement of the press screw 20. In the closed state of the material outlet 26, material agglomerations of the compressed feed material M build up in the area of ​​the material outlet 26, forming a material cake.To introduce the feed material M into the conveying flow passing through the feed chamber 110, the material outlet 26 is opened by axially moving the closure unit 28.

[0044] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the material feed device 10 with the material outlet 26 open. The material outlet 26 was opened by moving the closure unit 28 together with the press screw 20 axially into the entry chamber 110 by the actuator 22.

[0045] The locking unit 28 has a locking disc assembly 30 with several locking discs 32a-32c. The several locking discs 32a-32c of the locking disc assembly 30 are arranged one behind the other and coaxially to each other in the axial direction.

[0046] The housing 12 of the material feed device 10 also has a locking stop 34 for the axially movable locking unit 28. The locking stop 34 has several stop bodies 36a-36c, which are arranged one behind the other and coaxially to each other in the axial direction.

[0047] A cone 38 is located between the closing unit 28 and the press screw 30. When the press screw 20 rotates, the cone 38 also rotates. A bearing extension 40 is attached to the closing unit 28 and is inserted into a bearing. The bearing extension 40 is located on the side of the closing unit 28 facing away from the press screw 20 and is designed as a stub shaft. The bearing can be, for example, a rolling bearing or a plain bearing.

[0048] The control unit 48 of the material feed device 10 controls the actuator 22 to move the press screw together with the closing unit 28 to open and close the material outlet 26 and to introduce a metered quantity of feed material M into the conveying flow. The control unit 48 is configured to initiate axial movement of the closing unit 28 by means of the actuator 22, independently of any pressure or force acting on the closing unit 28. To open the material outlet 26, the closing unit 28 is moved by the actuator into an open position in which the material outlet 26 is not closed by the closing unit 28. To close the material outlet 26, the closing unit 28 is moved by the actuator 22 into a closed position in which the material outlet 26 is closed by the closing unit 28.To introduce a metered quantity of feed material M into the conveying flow, the closure unit 28 is moved to a defined axial position by means of the actuator 22, thus establishing a defined opening state. By introducing a metered quantity of feed material M into the conveying flow, mass flow control is implemented. The electronic control unit 48 automatically adjusts the opening degree of the material outlet 26 via the actuator 22 for moving the press screw 20 together with the closure unit 28, depending on the current consumption of the rotary drive 24 for the rotary drive of the press screw 20 together with the closure unit 28.

[0049] The entry housing 108 has a chamber cover 116, which is removable to provide access to the entry chamber 110.

[0050] The Fig. Figure 5 shows that the sealing discs 32b, 32c of the sealing disc assembly 30 have a radially outwardly directed fracture contour 44b, 44c. The fracture contours 44b, 44c serve to break up and dissolve material agglomerations of the compressed feed material M. The fracture contours 44b, 44c of the sealing discs 32b, 32c are external serrations. When the material outlet 26 is open, the compressed feed material is guided along the fracture contours 44b, 44c of the sealing discs 32b, 32c. The material agglomerations of the feed material M guided along the fracture contours 44b, 44c of the sealing discs 32b, 32c are broken up and dissolved. The sealing discs 32a-32c of the sealing disc assembly 30 have different outer diameters. Several rotary vanes 42a-42c are arranged on the cone 38, which move along a circular path when the press screw 20 rotates.

[0051] The stop bodies 36b, 36c have radially inwardly directed breakout contours 46b, 46c for breaking up and dissolving material agglomerations of the compressed feed material M. The breakout contours 46b, 46c of the stop bodies 36b, 36c are internal serrations. With the material outlet 26 open, the compressed feed material M is guided along the breakout contours 46b, 46c of the stop bodies 36b, 36c. The material agglomerations of the feed material guided along the breakout contours 46b, 46c of the stop bodies 36b, 36c are broken up and dissolved. The stop bodies 36a-36c have a ring structure so that the feed material M can pass through them on the inside.

[0052] The locking unit 28 of the in the Fig. The material feed device 10 shown in Figure 6 is kinematically decoupled from the press screw 20. The material feed device 10 comprises a first rotary drive 50a for rotating the press screw 20 independently of the closing unit 28. Furthermore, the material feed device 10 has a second rotary drive 50b for rotating the closing unit 28 independently of the press screw 20. The rotary drives 50a and 50b are each designed as electric motors.

[0053] The closing unit 28 is therefore rotatable independently of the press screw 20. Furthermore, the press screw 20 is rotatable independently of the closing unit 28. Consequently, different speeds and / or directions of rotation can be set on the press screw 20 and the closing unit 28 by means of the control device 48.

[0054] The Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows a material feeding device 10 in which the press screw 20 and the closure unit 28 are rotationally decoupled, with an axial bearing, for example an axial ball bearing, arranged between the end face of the press screw 20 and the cone connected to the closure unit 28. Due to the rotational decoupling of the press screw 20 and the closure unit 28, as well as the connection via an axial bearing, different rotational states can be set for the press screw 20 and the closure unit 28, and axial displacement of the closure unit 28 via an axial movement of the press screw 20 is also possible.

[0055] In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 7, the press screw 20 and the closure unit 28 are in an axial position in which the material outlet 26 is closed by the closure unit 28.

[0056] In the Fig.In the state shown in Figure 8, the press screw 20 and the closure unit 28 are in an axial position in which the material outlet 26 is open, so that compressed feed material M can be introduced into a conveying flow flowing through the entry chamber 110. Reference sign 10 Material feeding device 12 cases 14. Compression chamber 16 Outlet area 18 Material inlet 20 press screw 22 Actuator 24 Rotary drive 26 Material outlet 28 locking unit 30 locking disc arrangement 32a-32c sealing washers 34 Lock stop 36a-36c Stop body 38 cone 40 storage process 42a-42c hinged wing 44b, 44c Break-up contours 46b, 46c Break-up contours 48 Control unit 50a, 50b Rotary drives 100 material input system 102 storage containers 104 Funding facility 106 Conveyor drive 108 entry housings 110 Registration Chamber 112 Flow inlet 114 Conveyor flow outlet 116 chamber covers 200 plant 202 fermentation tanks 204 Container outlet 206 Container inlet 208 Circulation pathway 210 Conveyor unit 212 Separation unit M Feed material

Claims

[1] Material feed device (10) for a material feed system (100) for introducing compressed feed material (M) into a conveying flow, with - a compression chamber (14), and - a press screw (20) arranged in the compression chamber (14), which is designed to convey feed material (M) introduced into the compression chamber (14) via a material inlet (18) in an axial direction through the compression chamber (14) into an outlet area (16) of the compression chamber (14) and to compress the feed material (M) located in the outlet area (16), wherein a material outlet (26) for the compressed feed material (M) is located in the outlet area (16); characterized by a closure unit (28) which is movable in the axial direction for opening and closing the material outlet (26). [2] Material feeding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the press screw (20) is movable in the axial direction. [3] Material feeding device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the press screw (20) is mechanically connected to the closure unit (28), so that an axial movement of the closure unit (28) can be caused by an axial movement of the press screw (20). [4] Material feed device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a controllable actuator (22) which is designed to move the press screw (20) together with the closure unit (28) in an axial direction. [5] Material feed device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the press screw (20) and the closure unit (28) are mechanically connected to each other in such a way that a rotational movement of the closure unit (28) can be caused by a rotational movement of the press screw (20). [6] Material feeding device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the closure unit (28) is movable separately and / or independently of the press screw (20) in the axial direction. [7] Material feeding device (10) according to claim 1, 2 or 6, characterized by a controllable actuator which is designed to move the closure unit (28) independently of the press screw (20) in the axial direction. [8] Material feed device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the closure unit (28) is rotatable independently of the press screw (20) and / or the press screw (20) is rotatable independently of the closure unit (28). [9] Material feed device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking unit (28) has a locking disc (32a-32c) or a locking disc arrangement (30) with several locking discs (32a-32c). [10] Material feeding device (10) according to claim 9, characterized bythat the one closure disc (32a-32c) or one or more closure discs (32a-32c) of the closure disc arrangement (30) have a break-up contour (44b, 44c) for breaking up and / or dissolving material agglomerations of the compressed feed material (M). [11] Material feeding device (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that at least two of the closure discs (32a-32c) of the closure disc arrangement (30) have different outer diameters. [12] Material feeding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that one or more rotary vanes (42a-42c) are arranged between the closure unit (28) and the press screw (20) or on the closure unit (28). [13] Material feed device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya closure stop (34) arranged on a housing (12) of the material feed device (10) for the axially movable closure unit (28), wherein the closure stop (34) has a break-up contour (46b, 46c) for breaking up and / or dissolving material agglomerations of the compressed feed material (M). [14] Material feed device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a bearing extension (40) extending in the axial direction and connected to the press screw (20) and / or the closure unit (28) for insertion into a bearing, wherein the bearing extension (40) is arranged on the side of the closure unit (28) facing away from the press screw (20). [15] Material feeding device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 14, characterized byan electronic control device (48) which is configured to control the actuator (22) for moving the press screw (20) together with the closing unit (28) and / or the actuator for moving the closing unit (28) independently of the press screw (20). [16] Material feeding device (10) according to claim 15, characterized by , that an electronic control device (48) is configured to automatically adjust the degree of opening of the material outlet (26) via the actuator (22) for moving the press screw (20) together with the closing unit (28) and / or the actuator for moving the closing unit (28) independently of the press screw (20) depending on one or more operating parameters without operator intervention. [17] Material feed system (100) for introducing compressed feed material (M) into a conveying flow, with - a material feed device (10) for compressing feed material (M); and - a feed chamber (110) for introducing the feed material (M) compressed by the material feed device (10) into a conveying flow, wherein the feed chamber (110) is permeable to the conveying flow and comprises a conveying flow inlet (112) for introducing the conveying flow into the feed chamber (110) and a conveying flow outlet (114) for diverting the conveying flow out of the feed chamber (110) after material has been introduced; characterized by , that the material feed device (10) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. [18] Material delivery system (100) according to claim 17, characterized by , that the locking unit (28) is configured to, - to move towards the entry chamber (110) when the material outlet (26) opens, or to move into the entry chamber (110); and / or - to move away from the entry chamber (110) when closing the material outlet (26) or to move out of the entry chamber (110). [19] Method for operating a material feed system (100) for introducing compressed feed material (M) into a conveying flow comprising the steps: - Introducing feed material (M) into a compression chamber (14) of a material feed device (10) of the material input system (100) via a material inlet (18) of the material feed device (10); - Conveying the feed material (M) introduced into the compression chamber (14) via the material inlet (18) in an axial direction through the compression chamber (14) into an outlet area (16) of the compression chamber (14) by means of a press screw (20) arranged in the compression chamber (14), - Compressing the feed material (M) located in the outlet area (16) by means of the press screw (20); and - Discharge of the compressed feed material (M) from the compression chamber (14) via a material outlet (26) of the material feed device (10) into an entry chamber (110) through which the conveying flow flows; characterized by , that a closure unit (28) is moved in the axial direction to open and close the material outlet (26) and an electronic control device (48) automatically adjusts the degree of opening of the material outlet (26) via an actuator (22) depending on one or more operating parameters. [20] Method according to claim 19, characterized by , that the electronic control device (48) controls the actuator (22). [21] Method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized by , that the press screw (20) is axially movable and mechanically connected to the closure unit (28), wherein an axial movement of the closure unit (28) is caused by an axial movement of the press screw (20). [22] Method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized by , that - the closure unit (28) is moved axially independently of the press screw (20); and / or - the closure unit (28) and the press screw (20) are driven separately and / or independently of each other by rotation.

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