DEVICE FOR COOLING AND GRINDING PROCESSING MATERIAL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for cooling and grinding processing material or waste material.

[0002] Devices for comminuting various materials are manufactured in a wide variety of designs and are used in many areas for processing goods. One example is the comminution of waste materials or waste products to enable subsequent separation and recycling of individual materials or substances within the material. While many materials can generally be processed or comminutioned at ambient temperature, in some cases it may be necessary to cool the materials beforehand to enable grinding. For example, with materials containing rubber-elastic substances, it is often necessary to embrittle these materials, in particular to cool them below the glass transition temperature of such rubber-elastic materials.

[0003] It is generally known to first cool processing materials, particularly those comprising rubber-elastic materials, using a cryogenic cooling medium, such as dry ice or liquid nitrogen, and then to grind them. In today's common cryogenic grinding processes, cooling is carried out in a cooling unit or cooling device, and the cooled processing material is then transferred to a separate grinding unit or comminution machine. Such systems are known, for example, from EP 3 135 380 A1, DE 103 57 968 ​​A1, or DE 299 08 970 U1. However, the high consumption of cooling medium is problematic with these common processes, which in turn adversely affects the costs of such processes.Depending on the material to be processed, cryogenic grinding processes commonly used today may be unprofitable in certain cases, and therefore, processing and subsequent recycling, which are generally possible, are not carried out for economic reasons.

[0004] Further examples of cryogenic grinding devices are known from US Pat. No. 3,771,729 A and EP 0015151 A1, in which a cooled, embrittled material is comminuted by means of driven, mechanical grinding devices. A device according to the preamble of the independent claim is disclosed in EP 2 055 386 A1.

[0005] A further problem arises with today's commonly used cryogenic grinding devices due to the grinding devices themselves. With mechanical grinding devices, the low grinding temperature can quickly lead to damage, particularly to driven, moving parts of such grinding devices. Therefore, impact crushing devices are often used today, in which the material to be processed is accelerated by fast-rotating rotors in so-called centrifugal crushers and thrown against impact elements. However, the latter processes result in an even higher consumption of cooling medium, since not only the material to be processed itself but also a considerable amount of process air must be cooled. Furthermore, this process air must be separated from the processed material in cyclone systems after comminution to enable further processing of the material.

[0006] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device which enables a permanent, process-stable cold grinding of a wide range of different processing materials, and by means of which device the economic efficiency of cold grinding can be improved.

[0007] This object is achieved by a device according to the claims.

[0008] The device according to the invention for cooling and grinding processing material or starting material, for example waste material, comprises, as is known per se, a cooling unit for cooling the processing material with a supply means for supplying a cooling medium, as well as a grinding unit with at least one grinding means for comminuting the processing material

[0009] It is essential that the cooling unit and the grinding unit are arranged in a common housing that is sealed from the environment. An inlet lock is provided for introducing the material to be processed, and a discharge lock is provided for discharging the comminuted material or bulk material. The cooling unit is formed by at least one cooling zone arranged inside the housing, and the grinding unit is formed by at least one grinding zone arranged inside the housing. The at least one cooling zone and the at least one grinding zone are connected to one another for gas exchange or pressure equalization. A transfer barrier, such as a separating plate for solid or liquid cooling medium, is arranged between the at least one cooling zone and the at least one grinding zone.Furthermore, a transport path is formed for transferring the material to be processed in a transport direction from the entry lock into the at least one cooling zone and from the at least one cooling zone into the at least one grinding zone.

[0010] These structural features make it possible to provide a device by means of which cold grinding processes can be carried out in an economically advantageous manner. The accommodation of the cooling unit and grinding unit by forming at least one cooling zone and at least one grinding zone in a common housing enables a particularly space-saving design, which is particularly advantageous in installation locations where space is limited. During operation of the device, the material to be processed can be introduced via the inlet lock, and the processed or crushed material can be discharged via the outlet lock, so that no significant heat is introduced from the environment other than by the material to be processed itself.

[0011] Due to the gas exchange or pressure equalization connection of the at least one cooling zone and the at least one grinding zone, a consistently cold atmosphere can be created in the housing, since cold, gaseous or vaporized cooling medium, such as gaseous CO 2 when using dry ice or gaseous N 2 when using liquid nitrogen, can be evenly distributed in the housing. At the same time, however, an undesired transfer of solid or liquid cooling medium, such as ice water, dry ice or liquid nitrogen, into the at least one grinding zone is prevented by the transfer barrier, whereby the material to be processed can be transported from the at least one cooling zone to the at least one grinding zone via the transport path, for example a scoop mechanism or lifting mechanism or another conveying device. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the transport path are explained below.

[0012] During operation of the device, a consistently cold atmosphere results throughout the entire housing simply due to the automatic or spontaneous gas exchange between the at least one cooling zone and the at least one grinding zone. This increases the range of processable materials. For example, materials in which potential chemical reactions caused by the comminution itself, such as the escape and mixing of reactive substances, are processed can also be processed, since such chemical reactions can be suppressed in the extremely cold atmosphere of the at least one grinding zone. This is achieved without the need for additional cooling in the at least one grinding zone, which enables further savings in cooling medium.

[0013] The supply means for supplying a cooling medium can be designed in a manner known per se, whereby, depending on the grinding temperature requirements of the material to be processed, solid, liquid, or gaseous cooling medium can be used as the cooling medium. Preferably, a supply means is designed for metering in liquid cooling medium. For metering, a control device is preferably provided, which is signal-connected to at least one temperature sensor mounted inside the housing, and which control device is designed for metering the cooling medium into the at least one cooling zone by controlling a corresponding valve.

[0014] In principle, any known grinding means can be used or arranged as the grinding medium in the at least one grinding zone. For example, a pressing, tamping device, or another type of grinding device can be arranged, with any drive for a grinding device being arranged outside the housing. Preferred configurations of the grinding zone(s) and the grinding means arranged therein are explained below.

[0015] Of course, it is fundamentally also possible to provide multiple cooling zones for the gradual cooling of the processing material prior to comminution or grinding, whereby the cooling of the processing material can preferably be accomplished in a single cooling zone for process-related reasons. Furthermore, it is of course also possible to provide multiple grinding zones for the gradual comminution of the cooled processing material, whereby the type of grinding media can be designed differently from grinding zone to grinding zone. In this way, a first grinding zone can be designed, for example, for coarse comminution and a further grinding zone, arranged downstream of the first grinding zone in the transport direction, for fine comminution. For example, a grinding cascade can be designed with several grinding zones arranged one after the other and divided by overflow weirs or sieves.

[0016] In the device, it can be provided that the housing is formed by a hollow cylinder sealed against the environment, which hollow cylinder is mounted in such a way that a cylinder center axis of the hollow cylinder runs at least substantially parallel to a contact surface for the hollow cylinder.

[0017] Such a design of the device housing enables efficient, sequential accommodation of the individual zones and is also simple and cost-effective to manufacture, for example from tubular profiles. Furthermore, such a housing has good thermal insulation properties and can be easily insulated with insulating material. Such a housing is also optimal for accommodating rotating grinding devices, such as a rotating hammer mill. The bearing of the hollow cylinder can preferably be selected such that the cylinder center axis is aligned parallel or at least approximately parallel to the contact surface for the hollow cylinder. The bearing of the hollow cylinder can also be selected such that the cylinder center axis is aligned relative to a contact surface orThe installation surface is slightly inclined, whereby a portion of the cylinder's center axis located near the discharge lock can be positioned closer to the support surface than a portion of the cylinder's center axis located near the inlet lock. In this way, gravity can be used to move the processed material or shredded material.

[0018] Subsequently, the device can also be provided with the hollow cylinder being mounted so as to be rotatable about the cylinder center axis and with grinding bodies being arranged in at least one grinding zone or in the grinding zones.

[0019] In this way, driven grinding mechanisms in the cryogenic atmosphere inside the housing can be dispensed with, while still achieving excellent grinding performance during operation. The comminution of the processing material results from the stress exerted by the grinding media in the slowly rotating hollow cylinder. Avoiding adjustable grinding mechanisms also improves the maintenance and servicing of the device, as the grinding media in the grinding zone(s) can be replaced without great effort in the event of wear. In particular, this eliminates the need to disassemble various components of a more complex grinding device. Compared to today's standard impact comminution processes, which require large quantities of air to transport and accelerate the material being processed, this design of the device can significantly reduce operating costs.This is primarily because it eliminates the need to cool large volumes of air in addition to the material being processed, thus requiring significantly less cooling medium. Furthermore, the comminuted material does not need to be separated from the process air after grinding, allowing rapid further processing, if necessary, while still cooled.

[0020] However, it may also be expedient if the transport path comprises a jacketed conveyor screw arranged along the cylinder center axis of the hollow cylinder, wherein a jacket of the conveyor screw in the region of the at least one cooling zone has an outlet opening for the material to be processed pointing in the direction of a support surface or installation surface for the hollow cylinder.

[0021] During operation of the device, these features allow for a simple, yet efficient, and process-reliable introduction of the material to be processed into the at least one cooling zone. Furthermore, the material to be processed can be cooled very quickly, particularly by falling into the liquid cooling medium provided in the cooling zone.

[0022] It can furthermore be advantageous if the casing of the conveyor screw in the region of the at least one cooling zone has an inlet opening for the material to be processed, which is arranged downstream of the outlet opening in the transport direction and points away from the contact surface, wherein in the at least one cooling zone at least one perforated driver plate is arranged as a lifting device for the material to be processed, which driver plate is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket of the hollow cylinder and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis or at an angle to the cylinder center axis into the at least one cooling zone, and wherein the casing of the conveyor screw has a discharge opening for the material to be processed, which opens into or projects into the at least one grinding zone.

[0023] This in turn provides a simple, efficient and process-reliable means of transport for transferring the material to be processed from the at least one cooling zone to the at least one grinding zone. In particular, in conjunction with the transfer barrier for liquid or solid cooling medium, an undesired transfer of liquid or solid cooling medium from the at least one cooling zone into the at least one grinding zone can be prevented. The casing of the conveyor screw or the conveyor screw can, for example, be led through or open through an opening in the transfer barrier arranged in the region of the cylinder center axis, so that the discharge opening opens into or projects into the at least one grinding zone. The perforation of the driver plate can be selected or dimensioned such that the material to be processed or pieces thereof cannot pass through the holes orPerforations in the drive plate allow water to pass through, but liquid cooling medium, such as ice water or liquid nitrogen, can pass through the holes. This allows the drive plate to be used as a lifting device for the material being processed, while liquid cooling medium can flow or drip through the perforations in the drive plate, thus preventing unwanted transfer of liquid cooling medium into the grinding zone(s).

[0024] Furthermore, the at least one drive plate can be arranged in the at least one cooling zone in such a way that edges of the drive plate running transversely to the cylinder center axis of the hollow cylinder are at the same height in a direction of rotation of the hollow cylinder. However, the at least one drive plate can also be tilted in the hollow cylinder in such a way that, in the direction of rotation of the hollow cylinder, the edge of the drive plate facing the at least one grinding zone lags behind the edge of the drive plate facing away from the at least one grinding zone. This arrangement can be particularly advantageous when the hollow cylinder is mounted with the cylinder center axis aligned parallel to the contact surface, since the material to be processed can thereby be forced on the drive plate in the direction of the inlet opening of the casing of the conveyor screw due to gravity during operation of the device or during rotation of the hollow cylinder.

[0025] A design of the device may also be useful in which a discharge zone for the comminuted material is arranged in the housing following the at least one grinding zone in the transport direction or following a grinding zone arranged last in the transport direction, wherein a circumferential overflow weir or a circumferential, perforated sieve plate is arranged between the at least one grinding zone or the grinding zone arranged last in the transport direction and the discharge zone.

[0026] These features make it possible to provide a discharge zone for the comminuted material that is protected from the at least one grinding zone, thereby enabling reliable discharge of the comminuted material from the housing or hollow cylinder. In particular, during operation of the device, an undesired transfer of grinding media from the at least one grinding zone into the discharge zone can be prevented. Furthermore, the provision of a sieve plate can prevent the transfer of material to be processed that is not yet sufficiently ground and its undesired discharge from the housing.

[0027] Furthermore, it can also be provided that a further transport path is designed for transferring the comminuted material from the discharge zone to the discharge lock, wherein in the discharge zone, as a lifting device for the comminuted material, at least one lifting plate is arranged, which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket of the hollow cylinder and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis or at an angle to the cylinder center axis into the discharge zone.

[0028] These features enable simple, yet efficient, and process-reliable discharge of the shredded material during operation of the device. The further transport path can be formed, for example, by a material chute for the shredded material, which is arranged in the housing or hollow cylinder at an angle toward the discharge lock, in the direction of the device's support surface.

[0029] However, it can also be advantageous if the further transport path comprises a further jacketed conveyor screw arranged along the cylinder center axis of the hollow cylinder, wherein a jacket of the further conveyor screw in the area of ​​the discharge zone has an inlet opening for the comminuted processing material pointing away from a support surface or installation surface for the hollow cylinder.

[0030] This enables particularly reliable discharge of the shredded material during operation of the device. The casing of the additional conveyor screw can have a discharge opening for shredded material in the area of ​​the discharge lock, allowing the shredded material to be discharged from the housing via the discharge lock.

[0031] In a variant embodiment of the device, it can also be provided that the transport path and the further transport path comprise a common, jacketed conveyor screw arranged along the cylinder center axis continuously through all zones, wherein a jacket of this conveyor screw in the region of the at least one cooling zone has a first outlet opening for the material to be processed pointing in the direction of a support surface for the hollow cylinder and in the region of the at least one grinding zone has a second outlet opening for the material to be processed pointing in the direction of the support surface for the hollow cylinder, and wherein the jacket of this conveyor screw in the region of the at least one cooling zone has a first inlet opening for the material to be processed arranged in the transport direction after the first outlet opening and pointing away from the support surface and in the region of the discharge zone has asecond inlet opening for the comminuted material, wherein in the at least one cooling zone, as a lifting device for the processing material, at least one perforated driver plate is arranged, which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket of the hollow cylinder and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis or at an angle to the cylinder center axis into the at least one cooling zone, and wherein in the discharge zone, as a lifting device for the comminuted material, at least one lifting plate is arranged, which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket of the hollow cylinder and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis or at an angle to the cylinder center axis into the discharge zone.

[0032] These features allow the processing material and the shredded material to be transported using a single conveyor during operation. Specifically, only one drive is required to transport the processing material from the inlet lock to the grinding zone(s) and the shredded material from the discharge zone to the discharge lock.

[0033] In a further preferred development of the device, it can be provided that a recirculation line is formed around the housing, leading from a discharge area to a pre-cooling chamber arranged on the inlet side.

[0034] These features provide a means of recirculating cold, gaseous cooling medium from the discharge area or the discharge lock area to the inlet area or pre-cooling chamber during the operation of the device. Specifically, a pre-cooling option is created for the material to be processed before it is introduced into at least one cooling zone, which further reduces the amount of cooling medium required and thus operating costs.

[0035] In addition, a pressure relief valve can be provided in the area of ​​the pre-cooling chamber, which can be opened in the event of excess pressure in the housing.

[0036] Finally, a further development may be useful in which a screening device is arranged below the discharge lock.

[0037] This allows the crushed material to be sieved while still cold. In particular, any material that has been sieved out and is still too large can be fed back into the device for further grinding while still cold.

[0038] For this purpose, a return device for returning the screened material can also be provided. Such a return device can, for example, comprise a conveyor belt and a lifting and emptying device for introducing the material to be returned into a storage container for the processed material. This storage container for the processed material can, for example, be formed by a material hopper arranged at the inlet side or above the feed lock.

[0039] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0040] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1: An embodiment of a device for cooling and grinding processing material in a sectional view; Fig. 2: A partial, diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a device for cooling and grinding processing material; Fig. 3: A partial, diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of a device for cooling and grinding processing material.

[0041] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations. The disclosures contained throughout the description can be applied analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and these positional information must be applied analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0042] In the Fig. 1 An embodiment of a device 1 for cooling and grinding material to be processed is shown in a sectional view. As can be seen from the Fig. 1As can be seen, the device 1 has a cooling unit 2 for cooling the material to be processed. The cooling unit 2 has a supply means 3 for supplying a cooling medium. In principle, a gaseous, liquid or solid cooling medium can be supplied to the cooling unit 2 via a suitable supply means 3. Preferably, the supply means 3 is designed to supply a liquid cooling medium, such as ice water, but in particular liquid nitrogen. For this purpose, the supply means 3 can be formed, for example, by a supply line connected to a liquid nitrogen tank (not shown). For metering the cooling medium into the cooling unit 2, the supply means 3 can, for example, comprise a controllable valve. This valve can, for example, be controlled by a control device (not shown).Such a control device can be designed, as is known per se, to control the valve depending on a temperature in the cooling unit 2. For this purpose, one or more temperature sensors can be arranged in the cooling unit 2 and signal-connected to the control device.

[0043] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a grinding unit 4, which comprises at least one grinding means for comminuting the material to be processed. In principle, a known grinding device, such as a pressing device, a stamping device, or a differently designed grinding device, can be arranged in the grinding unit 4 as the grinding means. A preferred embodiment of the grinding unit 4 is explained in more detail below with reference to the additional figures.

[0044] It is essential that the cooling unit 2 and the grinding unit 4 are arranged in a common housing 6 which is sealed against the environment 5, as can be seen from the Fig. 1 The cooling unit 2 is formed by at least one cooling zone 7 arranged or configured in the housing 6, and the grinding unit 4 is formed by at least one grinding zone 8 arranged in the housing 6. In the Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, a cooling zone 7 is provided and two grinding zones 8 are arranged. It goes without saying that more than one cooling zone 7 and only one grinding zone 8 or more than two grinding zones 8 can be provided. In the Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3 In the illustrated embodiments, for example, only one grinding zone 8 is provided in the housing 6.

[0045] In the Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3further embodiments of the device 1 are shown in detail, wherein the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 For a better illustration of the interior of the housing 6 of the device 1, the same is shown in an open, diagrammatic representation. In reality, the housing 6 is, of course, closed, or as mentioned, sealed from the environment 5. In the Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3 For identical parts, the same reference symbols or component designations are used as in the Fig. 1 To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the Fig. 1 pointed out or referred to.

[0046] How best to use the Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3As can be seen, the at least one cooling zone 7 and the at least one grinding zone 8 are connected to one another for gas exchange or pressure equalization purposes. In order to prevent any undesired transfer of solid or liquid cooling medium 9, a transfer barrier 10 for solid or liquid cooling medium 9 is arranged between the at least one cooling zone 7 and the at least one grinding zone 8. The transfer barrier 10 can be formed, for example, by an intermediate or separating plate 11 arranged between the at least one cooling zone 7 and the at least one grinding zone 8, wherein at least one opening 12 or through-bore is formed in such a separating plate 11 in order to connect the two zones 7, 8 to one another for pressure or gas exchange purposes.

[0047] How best to summarize the Fig. 1 to Fig. 3As can be seen, an inlet lock 14 is provided or arranged for introducing the processed material 13 into the housing 6. A discharge lock 16 is provided for discharging the comminuted material 15. The inlet lock 14 and the discharge lock 16 can preferably be formed by rotary valves.

[0048] A transport path 18 is formed for transferring the material to be processed 13 in a transport direction 17, first from the feed lock 14 into the at least one cooling zone 7 and subsequently from the at least one cooling zone 7 into the at least one grinding zone 8. A preferred embodiment of this transport path is explained in more detail below.

[0049] How best to use the Fig. 1As can be seen, the housing 6 can preferably be formed by a hollow cylinder 19 which is sealed off from the environment 5. This hollow cylinder 19 can be mounted in such a way that a cylinder center axis 20 of the hollow cylinder 19 runs at least substantially parallel to a support surface 21 for the hollow cylinder 19. With appropriate mounting of the hollow cylinder 19, the cylinder center axis 20 of the hollow cylinder 19 can therefore be oriented parallel or at least approximately parallel to the support surface 21, or can be slightly inclined relative to the support surface 21. If a slightly inclined mounting of the hollow cylinder 19 is selected, a part of the cylinder center axis 20 arranged in the region of the discharge lock 16 can be positioned closer to the support surface 21 than a part of the cylinder center axis 20 arranged in the region of the input lock 14. In this way, gravity can be used to move the material 13 or the feedstock 14 to be processed.of comminuted material 15, and a backflow in the opposite direction to the transport direction 17 is advantageously prevented. Preferably, however, the hollow cylinder 19 can be selected with the cylinder center axis 20 aligned parallel or at least approximately parallel to the contact surface 21. In principle, a rotating grinding device, such as a rotating hammer mill, can be arranged as the grinding medium in the grinding zone(s) 8 of the hollow cylinder 19.

[0050] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is shown, but preferably in the at least one grinding zone 8, or in the grinding zones 8, grinding bodies 23 can be arranged as grinding means 22, and it can be provided that the hollow cylinder 19 is mounted rotatably about the cylinder center axis 20, as can be seen from the curved arrow in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3In order to rotate the hollow cylinder 19, a drive device 24 can be arranged, as shown in the Fig. 1 The grinding media 23 can be arranged, for example, as shown in Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3 shown, for example, be formed by grinding balls. In other words, the at least one grinding zone 8 can be designed as a ball mill. As shown in the Fig. 1As indicated, however, several grinding zones 8 can also be formed one behind the other in the transport direction 17, in which grinding zones 8, for example, different grinding bodies 23 or other grinding devices can be arranged. For example, in the grinding zone 8 directly adjacent to the at least one cooling zone 7, relatively large grinding bodies, for example grinding rods, can be arranged in order to achieve a coarse comminution of the processing material 13. In a further grinding zone 8 arranged downstream of this grinding zone 8 in the transport direction 17, smaller grinding bodies, for example small grinding balls, can be arranged in order to achieve a fine comminution of the processing material 13. In this way, a grinding zone cascade can be provided, wherein the processing material 13 is displaced during operation of the device 1 with the hollow cylinder 19 or housing 6 rotating, for example by displacement via overflow weirs 25 arranged between the grinding zones 8, see Fig. 2or sieve plates 26, see Fig. 3 crosses.

[0051] As in the Fig. 2 As shown, the transport path 18 can preferably comprise a jacketed conveyor screw 27 arranged to run along the cylinder center axis 20 of the hollow cylinder 19. In this case, a casing 28 of the conveyor screw 27 in the region of the at least one cooling zone 7 can have an outlet opening 29 for the material to be processed 13, said outlet opening pointing in the direction of the contact surface 21 for the hollow cylinder 19. During operation of the device 1, the material to be processed can thereby be transported in a simple manner into the at least one cooling zone 7 by the material to be processed 13 falling via the outlet opening 29 into the at least one cooling zone 7 or preferably directly into the liquid cooling medium 9 provided in the at least one cooling zone 7.

[0052] How best to proceed based on the Fig. 2As can be seen, the jacketed conveyor screw 27 can advantageously also be provided for transporting the material to be processed 13 from the at least one cooling zone 7 into the at least one grinding zone 8 during operation of the device 1. For this purpose, as shown, the casing 28 of the conveyor screw 27 can have an inlet opening 30 for the material to be processed 13 in the region of the at least one cooling zone 7, said inlet opening being arranged downstream of the outlet opening 29 in the transport direction 17 and pointing away from the contact surface 21. In combination with this, at least one perforated driver plate 33 can be arranged in the at least one cooling zone 7 as a lifting device 31 for the material to be processed 13. The driver plate 33 is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket 32 ​​of the hollow cylinder 19 and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis 20 or at an angle to the cylinder center axis 20 into the at least one cooling zone 7.

[0053] During operation of the device 1, the at least one driver plate 33 picks up processing material 13 from the lower end region of the at least one cooling zone 7 once per complete rotation of the hollow cylinder 19 and, after a further rotation of the hollow cylinder 19 by approximately 180°, conveys the processing material 13 at least partially into the inlet opening 30 formed in the casing 28 of the conveyor screw 27, whereby the processing material 13 can then be transported further in the transport direction 17 into the at least one grinding zone by means of the conveyor screw 27. In order to carry the processing material 13, the driver plate 33 preferably passes through liquid cooling medium 9 in the lower region of the at least one cooling zone 7, wherein the liquid cooling medium 9 is not carried along due to the perforation of the driver plate 33 but remains in the at least one cooling zone 7.The perforation of the drive plate can, in principle, be chosen geometrically as desired, as long as the perforation is selected or dimensioned in such a way that the material to be processed or its pieces cannot pass through the holes or perforations of the drive plate, but liquid cooling medium, such as ice water or liquid nitrogen, can pass through the holes. To empty the material to be processed into at least one grinding zone 8, the process can be carried out as shown in . Fig. 2 As shown, the casing 28 of the conveyor screw 27 has a discharge opening 34 for the material to be processed 13 which opens into or projects into at least one grinding zone 8.

[0054] The at least one driver plate 33 can basically be arranged in the at least one cooling zone 7 in such a way that edges 35, 36 of the driver plate 33 extending transversely to the cylinder center axis 20 of the hollow cylinder 19 run at the same height in a direction of rotation of the hollow cylinder 19, as can be seen from the Fig. 2 can be seen. The at least one driver plate 33 can also be arranged tilted in the hollow cylinder 19 such that in the direction of rotation of the hollow cylinder 19 the edge 35 of the driver plate 33 pointing towards the at least one grinding zone 8 lags behind the edge 36 of the driver plate 33 pointing away from the at least one grinding zone 8, as shown in the Fig. 1This arrangement can be particularly advantageous when the hollow cylinder 19 is mounted with the cylinder center axis 20 aligned parallel to the support surface 21, since the material to be processed 13 can thereby be forced or moved on the driver plate 33 in the direction of the inlet opening 30 of the casing 28 of the conveyor screw 27 due to gravity during operation of the device 1 or during rotation of the hollow cylinder 19.

[0055] As from the Fig. 2 or the Fig. 1 can be seen, in the housing 6 in the transport direction 17 following the at least one grinding zone 8, see Fig. 2 , or following a grinding zone 8 arranged last in the transport direction 17, see Fig. 1 , a discharge zone 37 for comminuted material 38 may be arranged. In this case, a circumferential overflow weir 39 may be arranged between the at least one grinding zone 8 or the last grinding zone 8 arranged in the transport direction 17 and the discharge zone 37, as shown in Fig. 1 Alternatively, a rotating sieve plate 40 can be arranged between the at least one grinding zone 8 or the grinding zone 8 arranged last in the transport direction 17 and the discharge zone 37, for example, as shown in the Fig. 2 is shown. During operation of the device 1, the overflow weir 39 or the sieve plate 40 can prevent undesired overflow of grinding media 23 into the discharge zone 37. The provision of a sieve plate 40 can also prevent oversized material 38 from overflowing into the discharge zone 37.

[0056] Furthermore, a further transport path 40 can be formed for transferring the comminuted material 15 from the discharge zone 37 to the discharge lock 16. Such a further transport path 40 can be formed, for example, by a material chute (not shown) for the comminuted material 15, which material chute is arranged in the housing 6 or the hollow cylinder 19 at an angle toward the discharge lock 16 in the direction of the support surface 21 for the device 1. To apply the comminuted material 15 to the further transport path 40, at least one lifting plate 42 can be arranged as a lifting device 41 for the comminuted material 15, which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket 32 ​​of the hollow cylinder 19 and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis 20 or at an angle to the cylinder center axis 20 into the discharge zone 37, wherein for the purpose of the most uniform discharge of the comminuted material 15 as in Fig. 2shown preferably several such lifting plates 42 can be arranged.

[0057] As also in the Fig. 2 As shown, the further transport path 40 can comprise, instead of a material chute, a further jacketed conveyor screw 43 arranged along the cylinder center axis 20 of the hollow cylinder 19. A casing 44 of this further conveyor screw 43 can in turn have, in the region of the discharge zone 37, an inlet opening 45 for the comminuted material 15 pointing away from a contact surface 21 for the hollow cylinder 19. The casing 44 of the further conveyor screw 43 can have a discharge opening for comminuted material 15 in the region of the discharge lock 16, so that the comminuted material 15 can be discharged from the housing 6 via the discharge lock 16.

[0058] The Fig. 3The embodiment shown represents an alternative design variant of the realization of the transport paths 18, 40 for processing material 13 and comminuted material 15 in the housing 6 or hollow cylinder 19. In this alternative embodiment, as can be seen from Fig. 3It can be seen that the transport path 18 and the further transport path 40 comprise a common jacketed conveyor screw 46 arranged along the cylinder center axis 20 and running continuously through all zones 7, 8, 37. A casing 47 of this conveyor screw 46 can have, in the region of the at least one cooling zone 7, a first outlet opening 48 for the material to be processed 13, pointing in the direction of a support surface 21 for the hollow cylinder 19, and can have, in the region of the at least one grinding zone 8, a second outlet opening 49 for the material to be processed 13, pointing in the direction of a support surface 21 for the hollow cylinder 19.Furthermore, the casing 47 of this conveyor screw 46 can have, in the region of the at least one cooling zone 7, a first inlet opening 50 for the material to be processed 13, which is arranged downstream of the first outlet opening 48 in the transport direction 17 and points away from the contact surface 21, and in the region of the discharge zone 37, a second inlet opening 51 for the comminuted material 15, which points away from the contact surface 21. Again, in the at least one cooling zone 7, as a lifting device 31 for the material to be processed 13, at least one perforated driver plate 33 can be arranged, which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket 32 ​​of the hollow cylinder 19 and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis 20 or at an angle to the cylinder center axis 20 into the at least one cooling zone 7. Fig. 3As shown, at least one lifting plate 42 is arranged in the discharge zone 37 as a lifting device 41 for the comminuted material 15, which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket 32 ​​of the hollow cylinder 19 and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis 20 or at an angle to the cylinder center axis 20 into the discharge zone 37.

[0059] During operation of the device 1, the mode of operation of the common conveyor screw 46 essentially corresponds to that described above for the Fig. 2 The other elements, with the exception of the design of the common screw conveyor 46 and its casing 47 in comparison to the screw conveyors 27, 43, are also described in the Fig. 2 The embodiment shown is essentially the same as the one described above in connection with the Fig. 2 elements described in the illustrated embodiment, which is why in the Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3 The same reference numerals are also assigned to essentially identical elements. A further description of these essentially identical elements is unnecessary at this point.

[0060] Both the conveyor screw 27 and the further conveyor screw 43 according to the Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment, as well as the common conveyor screw 46 according to the Fig. 3 The illustrated embodiment can each be driven by means of drive elements 52 mounted externally of the housing 6 or hollow cylinder 19.

[0061] As in the case of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the at least one driver plate 33 can also be used in the Fig. 3illustrated embodiment in the at least one cooling zone 7 such that edges 35, 36 of the driver plate 33 extending transversely to the cylinder center axis 20 of the hollow cylinder 19 run at the same height in a direction of rotation of the hollow cylinder 19, as can be seen from the Fig. 3 Alternatively, the at least one driver plate 33 can also be used in the Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment be arranged tilted in the hollow cylinder 19 such that in the direction of rotation of the hollow cylinder 19 the edge 35 of the driver plate 33 pointing towards the at least one grinding zone 8 lags behind the edge 36 of the driver plate 33 pointing away from the at least one grinding zone 8, as shown in the Fig. 1 is indicated.

[0062] As in the Fig. 1As shown, in the device 1, a recirculation line 55 can be formed which leads from a discharge area 53 to a pre-cooling chamber 54 arranged on the inlet side around the housing 6. This recirculation line 55 can be routed around the housing 6 in a bypass-like manner. During operation of the device 1, cold, gaseous cooling medium can reach the inlet area or pre-cooling chamber 54 via the recirculation line 55 from the discharge area 53 or from the area of ​​the discharge lock 16, and the material to be processed 13 can thus be cooled in this pre-cooling chamber 54. Overall, a cold atmosphere can be created from the pre-cooling chamber 54 to the discharge area 53 by means of the recirculation line 55.

[0063] In addition, a pressure relief valve 56 can be provided in the area of ​​the pre-cooling chamber 54. During operation of the device 1, this pressure relief valve 56 can be opened in the event of excess pressure in the housing.

[0064] How further in the Fig. 1 As shown, a screening device 57 can be arranged below the discharge lock 16. During operation of the device 1, the comminuted material 15 discharged from the housing 6 can be screened while still in a very cold state. A particular advantage here is that any screened-out or overly coarse material 15 can be returned to the housing while still cold for further or repeated grinding.

[0065] For this purpose, a return device 58 for returning screened material may also be provided. Such a return device 58 may, for example, comprise a conveyor belt 59 and a lifting and emptying device 60 for introducing the material to be returned into a storage container 61. A storage container 61 may, for example, be formed by a material hopper 62 arranged on the inlet side or above the feed lock.

[0066] The embodiments show possible embodiments, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments with each other are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in the art in this technical field due to the teaching of technical action by means of the objective invention.

[0067] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be derived from the description.

[0068] All information on value ranges in this description is to be understood as including any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the information 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges starting from the lower limit of 1 and the upper limit of 10, ie all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0069] For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, in order to better understand the structure, some elements have been shown out of scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. Reference symbol list 1 device 31 lifting device 2 Cooling unit 32 cylinder jacket 3 Feeding agent 33 Driver plate 4 Grinding unit 34 Discharge opening 5 Vicinity 35 edge 6 Housing 36 edge 7 Cooling zone 37 Discharge zone 8 Grinding zone 38 Overflow weir 9 Cooling medium 39 Sieve plate 10 Crossing barrier 40 Transport route 11 Partition plate 41 lifting device 12 opening 42 lifting plate 13 Processing material 43 screw conveyor 14 Entry lock 44 Sheathing 15 Good 45 Entrance opening 16 Discharge lock 46 screw conveyor 17 Transport direction 47 Sheathing 18 Transport route 48 Exit opening 19 hollow cylinder 49 Exit opening 20 Cylinder center axis 50 Entrance opening 21 Contact area 51 Entrance opening 22 Grinding media 52 drive organ 23 Grinding media 53 Discharge area 24 drive device 54 Pre-cooling chamber 25 Overflow weir 55 Recirculation line 26 Sieve plate 56 pressure relief valve 27 screw conveyor 57 screening device 28 Sheathing 58 Return device 29 Exit opening 59 conveyor belt 30 Entrance opening 60 Lifting and emptying device 61 storage container 62 material hopper

Claims

1. A device (1) for cooling and grinding material to be processed (13), comprising a cooling unit (2) for cooling the material to be processed (13) with a supply means (3) for supplying a cooling medium (9), a grinding unit (4) with at least one grinding means (22) for comminuting the material to be processed (13), wherein the cooling unit (2) and the grinding unit (4) are arranged in a common housing (6) sealed from an environment (5), wherein an inlet sluice (14) is provided for introducing the material to be processed (13) and a discharge sluice (16) is provided for discharging the comminuted material (15), and wherein the cooling unit (2) is formed by at least one cooling zone (7) arranged inside the housing (6) and the grinding unit (4) is formed by at least one grinding zone (8) arranged inside the housing (6), which at least one cooling zone (7) and which at least one grinding zone (8) are connected to one another in terms of gas exchange, and wherein the housing (6) is formed by a hollow cylinder (19) sealed with respect to the environment (5), which hollow cylinder (19) is mounted such that a cylinder center axis (20) of the hollow cylinder (19) extends at least substantially parallel to a contact surface (21) for the hollow cylinder (19), and wherein the hollow cylinder (19) is mounted so as to be rotatable about the cylinder center axis (20), and that grinding bodies (23) are arranged in the at least one grinding zone (8) or in the grinding zones (8) as grinding means (22), characterized in that a transfer barrier (10) for solid or liquid cooling medium (9) is arranged between the at least one cooling zone (7) and the at least one grinding zone (8), wherein a transport path (18) is formed for transferring the material to be processed (13) in a transport direction (17) from the inlet sluice (14) into the at least one cooling zone (7) and from the at least one cooling zone (7) into the at least one grinding zone (8).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport path (18) comprises a jacketed screw conveyor (27) arranged running along the cylinder center axis (20) of the hollow cylinder (19), wherein a jacket (28) of the screw conveyor (27) in the region of the at least one cooling zone (7) has an outlet opening (29) for the material to be processed (13) pointing in the direction of a contact surface (21) for the hollow cylinder (19).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the jacket (28) of the screw conveyor (27), in the region of the at least one cooling zone (7), has an inlet opening (30) for the material to be processed (13) which is arranged downstream of the outlet opening (29) in the transport direction (17) and points away from the contact surface (21), wherein in the at least one cooling zone (7), as a lifting device (31) for the material to be processed (13), at least one perforated carrier plate (33) is provided, which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket (32) of the hollow cylinder (19) and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis (20) or at an angle to the cylinder center axis (20) into the at least one cooling zone (7), and wherein the jacket (28) of the screw conveyor (27) has a discharge opening (34) for the material to be processed (13) which opens into or projects into the at least one grinding zone (8).

4. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a discharge zone (37) for comminuted material (15) is arranged in the housing (6) following the at least one grinding zone (8) in the transport direction (17) or following a grinding zone (8) arranged last in the transport direction (17), wherein a circumferential overflow weir (38) or a circumferential, perforated screen plate (39) is arranged between the at least one grinding zone (8) or the grinding zone (8) arranged last in the transport direction (17) and the discharge zone (37).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that a further transport path (40) is formed for transferring the comminuted material (15) from the discharge zone (37) to the discharge sluice (16), wherein at least one lifting plate (42) is arranged in the discharge zone (37) as a lifting device (41) for the comminuted material (15), which lifting plate (42) is attached to a circumferential cylinder jacket (32) of the hollow cylinder (19) and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis (20) or at an angle to the cylinder center axis (20) into the discharge zone (37).

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the further transport path (40) comprises a further jacketed screw conveyor (43) arranged running along the cylinder center axis (20) of the hollow cylinder (19), wherein a jacket (44) of the further screw conveyor (43) in the region of the discharge zone (37) has an inlet opening (45) for the comminuted material (15) pointing away from a contact surface (21) for the hollow cylinder (19).

7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the transport path (18) and the further transport path (40) comprise a common jacketed screw conveyor (46) arranged continuously along the cylinder center axis (20) through all zones (7, 8, 37), wherein a jacket (47) of this screw conveyor (46), in the region of the at least one cooling zone (7), has a first outlet opening (48) for the material to be processed (13), which first outlet opening (48) points in the direction of a contact surface (21) for the hollow cylinder (19), and, in the region of the at least one grinding zone (8), has a second outlet opening (49) for the material to be processed (13), which second outlet opening (49) points in the direction of a contact surface (21) for the hollow cylinder (19), and wherein the jacket (47) of this screw conveyor (46), in the region of the at least one cooling zone (7), has a first inlet opening (50) for the material to be processed (13), which first inlet opening (50) is arranged downstream of the first outlet opening (48) in the transport direction (17) and points away from the contact surface (21), and, in the region of the discharge zone (37), has a second inlet opening (51) for the comminuted material (15), which second inlet opening (51) points away from the contact surface (21), wherein at least one perforated carrier plate (33) is arranged in the at least one cooling zone (7) as a lifting device (31) for the material to be processed (13), which carrier plate (33) is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket (32) of the hollow cylinder (19) and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis (20) or at an angle to the cylinder center axis (20) into the at least one cooling zone (7), and wherein in the discharge zone (37), as a lifting device (41) for the comminuted material (15), at least one lifting plate (42) is arranged which is fastened to a circumferential cylinder jacket (32) of the hollow cylinder (19) and projects radially in the direction of the cylinder center axis (20) or at an angle to the cylinder center axis (20) into the discharge zone (37).

8. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a recirculation line (55) guided from a discharge region (53) to a pre-cooling chamber (54) arranged on the inlet side is formed around the housing (6).