SEPARATION OF MATERIAL IN A CENTRIFUGAL FORCE SEPARATOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for separating material in a centrifugal force separator (ZKS) and a device for carrying out this method.

[0002] ZKS enable the separation of particles based on their density relative to the density of a separation medium. Originally developed for coal processing, ZKS are now used for a wide variety of sorting tasks.

[0003] ZKS typically comprise cylindrical housings whose longitudinal axis is usually aligned at an angle, for example between 20° and 40°, to the horizontal during operation. Separation medium is usually introduced through an involute-shaped inlet in the housing shell in a lower region of the ZKS, so that a vortex flow with an air core is generated along the longitudinal axis of the ZKS, and the separation medium exits again through an involute-shaped outlet in the upper region of the housing shell. Material to be separated is introduced through an inlet usually located centrally on an upper end face of the cylindrical housing. Low-density particles float at the interface between the separation medium and the air core and are transported by gravity along the longitudinal axis of the ZKS to an outlet located centrally on the lower rear side of the cylindrical housing.High-density particles sink into the separation medium, are pushed radially outward by centrifugal force, and exit the ZKS through a separation medium outlet in the upper section of the housing. The particles contained in the material to be separated can thus be sorted according to their density relative to the density of the separation medium.

[0004] A variety of different ZKS are known from the state of the art. ZKS are also known under the names dense media separator (DMS), cylindrical cyclone separator, dynamic separator, and the product names Dyna Whirlpool separator, TriFlo separator, and LAR-CODEMS (large coal dense media separator). Suitable ZKS are disclosed, for example, in DE 198 47 229 A1 and WO 02 / 00352 A1.

[0005] CN 106 861 896 A discloses a centrifugal force separator, wherein a conveyor belt transports the material to be separated, which falls into the centrifugal force separator at the end of the conveyor belt due to gravity.

[0006] CN 109 701 732 A discloses a centrifuge on which a feed unit is arranged, wherein the feed unit has a screw conveyor which ends in front of the centrifuge.

[0007] JP 2014 230498 A discloses a tissue separator comprising a centrifugal force separator. A first solution containing tissue characteristics is introduced from above through a first inlet opening, and a second liquid is introduced through a second lateral opening to generate a vortex in the conically tapered container.

[0008] CN 208 928 368 U discloses a conveyor system for conveying material to be separated to a centrifugal force separator. Particles fall from a discharge plate into the centrifugal force separator.

[0009] EP 0 876 847 A2 discloses a process for separating mixed plastics. A separation liquid is fed through a stirred tank.

[0010] Although many state-of-the-art ZKSs are generally well-suited for separating different materials, they have disadvantages that impair the efficiency and stability of the separation process. In particular, the throughput of the separation process is often unsatisfactory, and interruptions can occur. In many cases, complex pre-sorting of the material to be separated is also necessary, which can further impair the economic viability of the process.

[0011] An object of the present invention can be seen in alleviating or eliminating at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Another object of the present invention can be seen in enabling an efficient separation process with high stability and high throughput for different types of material to be separated.

[0012] An embodiment of the invention provides a method for separating material to be separated in a centrifugal force separator (ZKS), wherein a separation medium is introduced into the ZKS in such a way that a vortex with an air core is generated inside the ZKS, wherein the material to be separated is introduced into the ZKS via at least one forced conveying device.

[0013] Another embodiment of the invention provides a device for carrying out the method described above, the device comprising a ZKS with a separating material inlet for introducing separating material and a separating medium inlet for introducing a separating medium, wherein the device has at least one forced conveying device connected to the separating material inlet.

[0014] In the state-of-the-art centrifugal separators, the material to be separated is typically introduced by gravity alone. For example, the particles slide from a funnel into a hose or pipe that opens into the centrifugal separator. Alternatively, the material to be separated can be flushed in as a suspension.

[0015] In connection with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it has been shown that significant disadvantages of known separation processes can be overcome if the material to be separated is forcibly conveyed into the ZKS. This type of material introduction enables continuous and controllable entry into the ZKS. Material bridges and caking can be avoided or reduced. Blockages occur less frequently, which reduces maintenance effort and increases system availability. The continuous material feed enables a more stable separation process, whereby high separation efficiency is achieved and high throughputs can be maintained. Forced conveying also enables greater flexibility of the separation process with regard to heterogeneous particle collectives, which reduces the effort required for pre-sorting the material to be separated.

[0016] In order to force-feed the material to be separated into the ZKS, at least one forced-feed conveyor is connected to the material to be separated inlet of the ZKS in such a way that forced conveyance of the material to be separated into the ZKS is enabled. The forced-feed conveyor is advantageously flanged directly onto the material to be separated inlet of the ZKS. A flange can be provided with a flat gasket, flexible sealing compound, or an O-ring, for example, and tightened to create a tight connection. Alternatively, the forced-feed conveyor can be connected to the ZKS, for example, via a sleeve with sealing lips or, if the material to be separated inlet is designed as a pipe section (casing pipe), via an annular space seal or press-ring seal. In a preferred embodiment, the forced-feed conveyor is connected to the material to be separated inlet via a compensator. This has the advantage that shrinkage, for example, can be absorbed and compensated.

[0017] In the following, additional advantageous embodiments of the method and the device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention are described.

[0018] Any conveying systems that enable forced conveying are suitable in connection with the method and device according to the invention. The forced conveying device can, for example, be a pipe containing a rotating screw or spiral that ensures the forced conveying of the material to be separated. It is preferred if the material to be separated is introduced via a screw conveyor or spiral conveyor provided as a forced conveying device. According to a preferred embodiment, the forced conveying device is therefore a screw conveyor or a spiral conveyor.

[0019] In connection with embodiments of the present invention, it is advantageous if the introduction via the forced conveyor device is preferably continuously adjustable via a drive unit. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the forced conveyor device therefore has a preferably continuously adjustable drive unit. This enables precise control of the material feed, thereby ensuring a high throughput without overloading the ZKS. Furthermore, the separation process can be flexibly adapted to the type of material to be separated by regulating the conveying speed. The forced conveyor device is therefore preferably driven by a motor whose speed can be continuously adjusted.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the material to be separated is fed into the forced conveying device from a storage container equipped with an agitator. The forced conveying device is therefore preferably connected to a storage container equipped with an agitator. The agitator can reduce material bridges during feeding of the forced conveying device, further increasing the efficiency and stability of the material to be separated feed.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material to be separated is introduced into the forced conveying device from a storage container with a discharge base. The forced conveying device is therefore preferably connected to a storage container having a discharge base. The discharge base is preferably a moving base, e.g. a screw discharge base. In this embodiment, the base of the storage container is formed at least partially, preferably completely, by screws, which enables particularly uniform feeding of the forced conveying device. The formation of material bridges can be particularly effectively reduced. The flow of material to be separated can also be varied within a wide range by changing the rotational speed of the screws.

[0022] Within the scope of exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is preferred if the ZKS has a substantially cylindrical housing for accommodating the separation medium and the material to be separated. Therefore, the ZKS preferably has a housing with a front side and a rear side, which are connected via a substantially cylindrical housing shell. The front side and rear side can also be referred to as the cover and base of the ZKS. ZKS as disclosed in DE 198 47 229 A1 and WO 02 / 00352 A1 are particularly preferred.

[0023] The ZKS preferably has at least one separating material inlet and at least one separating medium inlet. The separating material inlet and the separating medium inlet are preferably separate inlets, and it is preferred that the separating material and the separating medium are introduced into the ZKS separately. Separation systems in which the separating material and the separating medium are introduced together are also known in the prior art. However, separate introduction has the advantage, among other things, that the flow of the separating medium is easier to control.

[0024] The material to be separated is introduced at the front of the ZKS. In particular, it is preferred that the material to be separated be introduced substantially into the center of the front of the ZKS. The material to be separated inlet is therefore preferably arranged at the front of the ZKS, in particular substantially centrally at the front of the ZKS.

[0025] Preferably, the material to be separated is introduced essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ZKS. The longitudinal axis of the forced conveyor device is therefore preferably aligned essentially in line with the longitudinal axis of the ZKS. However, it is also possible for the longitudinal axis of the forced conveyor device to be aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the ZKS, in particular if more than one forced conveyor device is connected to the ZKS. Preferably, the ZKS has a light material outlet, which is preferably arranged on the rear side of the ZKS opposite the front side, in particular essentially centrally on the rear side. During operation, low-density material can thus migrate from a material to be separated inlet on the front side through an air column forming along the longitudinal axis of the ZKS to the light material outlet on the rear side of the ZKS, where it can be recovered as a light material fraction.

[0026] The separation medium inlet of the device according to the invention is preferably an involute-shaped inlet on the preferably substantially cylindrical housing shell of the ZKS. It is advantageous if the separation medium inlet is arranged on the housing shell adjacent to the rear of the ZKS, in particular if the separation medium inlet borders the rear of the ZKS. The separation medium inlet is preferably arranged substantially tangentially to a substantially cylindrical housing shell of the ZKS. In the method according to the invention, the separation medium is preferably introduced through such a separation medium inlet. The separation medium is therefore preferably introduced adjacent to the rear of the ZKS. The separation medium is preferably introduced substantially tangentially to the envelope of the separation medium flow.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the material to be separated is introduced into the ZKS via at least one further forced conveyor device. The device according to the invention therefore preferably has at least one further forced conveyor device connected to the material to be separated inlet. It is not absolutely necessary for the multiple forced conveyor devices to open into a single opening in the housing of the ZKS. The material to be separated inlet can also comprise several adjacent openings, to each of which a forced conveyor device is connected. It is particularly preferred if the material to be separated is introduced into the ZKS via at least two, in particular at least three forced conveyor devices; or if the device according to the invention has at least two, in particular at least three forced conveyor devices connected to the material to be separated inlet.The provision of multiple forced-conveyor conveyors allows for even greater flexibility in the introduction of the material to be separated. Advantageously, different materials to be separated, e.g., with regard to composition or size distribution, can be introduced via separate forced-conveyor conveyors. Furthermore, the forced-conveyor conveyors can be operated at different conveyor speeds. This allows the conveyor speed to be adapted to the respective material to be separated, ensuring a high throughput without overloading the ZKS. In addition, the ratio in which the different materials to be separated are introduced into the ZKS can be regulated.

[0028] The preferred embodiments described herein in connection with a single forced conveying device apply equally to each of the forced conveying devices of the methods and devices according to the invention, which relate to the use or presence of multiple forced conveying devices. Therefore, for example, in connection with the method and device according to the invention, it is preferred that at least one, particularly preferably each, of the forced conveying devices is a screw conveyor or a spiral conveyor. It is also preferred that at least one, particularly preferably each, of the forced conveying devices is connected to a storage container having a discharge bottom or an agitator.

[0029] Preferably, the introduction via the forced conveying devices takes place in different directions which deviate from the longitudinal axis of the ZKS. With regard to the device according to the invention, it is therefore preferred if the forced conveying devices are arranged at an angle to one another. Preferably, the forced conveying devices therefore each have a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes are arranged at an angle to one another. In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal axis of one forced conveying device is aligned substantially flush with the longitudinal axis of the ZKS, while the longitudinal axis of at least one further forced conveying device is aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the ZKS, preferably between 5° and 80°, even more preferably between 10° and 60°, in particular between 15° and 45°.In a preferred embodiment, the introduction takes place via forced conveyor devices whose longitudinal axes are arranged at an angle between 10° and 120°, preferably between 20° and 100°, even more preferably between 30° and 80°, most preferably between 40° and 60° to one another. Preferably, the introduction takes place via at least three forced conveyor devices, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axes of each pair of forced conveyor devices is between 10° and 120°, preferably between 20° and 100°, even more preferably between 30° and 80°, most preferably between 40° and 60°. In connection with the device according to the invention, it is also preferred if the angle between the longitudinal axes of the forced conveyor devices is between 10° and 120°, preferably between 20° and 100°, even more preferably between 30° and 80°, most preferably between 40° and 60°.Preferably, the device comprises at least three forced conveying devices, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axes of each pair of forced conveying devices is between 10° and 120°, preferably between 20° and 100°, even more preferably between 30° and 80°, and most preferably between 40° and 60°. The described arrangements make it possible to operate several forced conveying devices simultaneously in an efficient manner and to introduce the material to be separated from each forced conveying device into the air column forming in the ZKS.

[0030] The method and device according to the invention are suitable for separating a wide variety of materials, for example minerals, coal, and waste of any kind, in particular post-consumer or post-industrial waste. The use of the method according to the invention is particularly advantageous for plastic waste or old plastic. Due to their shape, volume, and low weight, waste, in particular old plastic, very easily leads to blockages in ZKS, as used in the prior art. Flat particle collectives, in particular, plastic films, can easily become entangled and agglomerate. In a preferred embodiment, the material to be separated therefore comprises plastics. The method and device according to the invention are outstandingly suitable for separating such materials, since the forced conveying prevents or significantly reduces blockages.

[0031] The proportion of plastics in the product to be separated is preferably at least 5 wt. %, preferably at least 10 wt. %, even more preferably at least 25 wt. %, even more preferably at least 50 wt. %, in particular at least 75 wt. The proportion of plastics in the product to be separated can preferably be up to 90 wt. %, preferably up to 100 wt. The plastics are preferably selected from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS), or mixtures thereof. The plastics are preferably polyolefins, in particular PE and / or PP. Polyolefins are particularly suitable for plastics recycling in thermal-chemical conversion plants. It is therefore preferred if the proportion of polyolefins, in particular the proportion of PE and / or PP, in the product to be separated is at least 1 wt. %, preferably at least 5 wt. %, more preferably at least 10 wt. %, in particular at least 20 wt.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the material to be separated is moistened before being introduced into the ZKS. It has been shown that the use of wet or moist material to be separated can lead to a particularly efficient separation process, since the transfer of material from the air column into the separation medium can be facilitated. For example, the transfer of hydrophobic plastics contained in the material to be separated from the air core into water as the separation medium can be facilitated. The material to be separated is preferably moistened with the same liquid that is also used as the separation medium. The material to be separated introduced into the ZKS preferably contains at least 0.1% by weight of separation medium, preferably at least 0.5% by weight, even more preferably at least 1% by weight, in particular at least 5% by weight. However, the material to be separated introduced into the ZKS preferably contains less than 80% by weight of separation medium, preferably less than 50% by weight, even more preferably less than 25% by weight.-%, in particular less than 15 wt.%. The separation material introduced into the ZKS preferably contains between 0.1 and 80 wt.% separation medium, preferably between 0.2 and 50 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.5 and 25 wt.%, even more preferably between 1 and 20 wt.%, in particular between 5 and 15 wt.% separation medium.

[0033] According to another exemplary embodiment, the material to be separated consists of a mixture of solid particles and liquids, in particular oil and solids, for example metal chips. Metal chips often have an oily, greasy coating, which is deposited on metal components and the resulting metal chips due to metal processing operations. In the centrifugal separator, the metal chips are separated from the oily coating and, so to speak, washed. The heavier metal chips are transported along the inside of the housing shell of the ZKS by means of the separation medium to the separation medium outlet, and the separated oil is transported centrally to the light material outlet. Separation with water or aqueous solutions therefore also includes a washing effect. There are also applications where not only the separation of the particles according to their density is required, but purely surface contaminants are to be washed away, e.g.Chips mixed with oil.

[0034] In the context of the process according to the invention, the separation medium preferably contains water; in particular, the separation medium consists of water, especially when the material to be separated comprises plastics, in particular polyolefins. Polyolefins with a lower density than water can thus be efficiently separated from other materials with a higher density.

[0035] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the separation medium contains at least oil (e.g. in an emulsion), or preferably consists of oil.

[0036] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the separation medium contains at least methanol, ethanol and / or isopropanol.

[0037] Accordingly, the separation medium can comprise aqueous solutions containing salts or suspensions (water with fine particles such as lime powder or ferrosilicon). Furthermore, water / alcohol mixtures or oils can be used as the separation medium for the separation of materials with a density of less than 1 g / cm³.

[0038] According to another exemplary embodiment, the separation medium contains at least grease solvents, such as surfactants, in particular cationic, anionic, and / or amphoteric surfactants. Thus, for example, oily deposits adhering to the material to be separated can be rinsed off or more effectively removed from the material to be separated.

[0039] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the device, the centrifugal force separator has a (cylindrical) housing with an end face, on which a material to be separated inlet is provided. The housing is in particular inclined with respect to a base surface (for example at an angle between the central axis of the cylindrical housing and the base plane of 20 to 70, in particular 45 degrees), and the end face, on which the material to be separated inlet is provided, is the upper end face. The forced conveying device is coupled to the end face in such a way that the material to be separated can be forcibly conveyed through the material to be separated inlet. The material to be separated is thus guided through the material to be separated inlet at least up to the point where it enters the housing and is accordingly forcibly conveyed. Thus, there is no uncontrolled and unguided introduction of material to be separated, such as via pure gravity transport.A forced conveying device is, for example, a screw conveyor whose conveyor screw extends to the material inlet or, for example, protrudes through the material inlet into the interior of the housing.

[0040] According to another exemplary embodiment of the device, the forced conveying device has an outlet area from which the material to be separated can be forced into the housing. For example, the forced conveying device can have a cylindrical outer housing, inside which a conveying device, such as a screw conveyor, is arranged.

[0041] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the device, the outlet region is formed at a free end of the forced conveying device, wherein the forced conveying device is arranged such that the outlet region is present at the material to be separated inlet or within the housing.

[0042] According to another exemplary embodiment of the device, the outlet area has an outlet opening on one end face at the free end of the forced conveying device. Thus, the material to be separated can be discharged into the housing in the axial direction or in the conveying direction.

[0043] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the device, the outlet region has an outlet opening on a jacket surface of the forced conveying device. This allows the material to be separated to be discharged into the housing transversely to the axial direction or the conveying direction. Discharge transversely to the axial direction can have particular advantages during separation in that the material to be separated is already introduced with the introduction direction towards the edge of the housing, thus enabling rapid removal of the heavy fraction by means of the edge flow of the separation medium. This allows the material to be separated to be introduced primarily via the open end face of the screw conveyor or spiral conveyor, but introduction via the jacket surface is also possible. Bores or longitudinal slots, or a sieve / perforated plate, for example, can be provided at the outlet opening in order to disperse the particles or the material to be separated more evenly and to avoid localized overloading due to larger agglomerates.

[0044] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the device, the outlet region of the forced conveying device is located inside the housing.

[0045] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the device, the forced conveying device is arranged displaceably relative to the housing in such a way that a position of the outlet region inside the housing can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis of the (cylindrical) housing. In other words, the forced conveying device has a longitudinal axis which runs through the separation material inlet, wherein the forced conveying device is displaceable along the longitudinal axis (central axis) relative to the (e.g. cylindrical) housing. In this case, the forced conveying device can be displaced and the insertion depth of the forced conveying device into the housing is changed. This makes it possible to change the residence time of the separation material, e.g. of the particles, in the ZKS. This can be advantageous for certain separation tasks if, for example, the residence time is increased.

[0046] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the device, the device comprises a safety device configured to detect an impermissible internal pressure of the centrifugal force separator and / or a malfunction of the forced conveying device. The safety device is coupled to the drive unit in such a way that, if an impermissible internal pressure of the centrifugal force separator and / or a malfunction of the forced conveying device is detected, an operational stop of the drive unit can be set. At the end of the conveyor section, for example, inside the housing, is the outlet area with outlet openings there, so that the material to be separated can be discharged into the housing at a desired position.Thus, an exact separation can be predetermined and defined, since, for example, at the desired position at which the material to be separated leaves the forced conveying device, a predetermined path to the separation medium outlet of the heavy fraction and a light material outlet of the light fraction can be set.

[0047] Due to the forced conveying of the material to be separated, overpressure can occur in the cylinder in the event of overload. The overpressure or jamming can be measured via the rotation of the forced conveying system, its electric motor, or a pressure sensor, and an emergency stop can be initiated.

[0048] In the following, preferred, non-limiting embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows schematically a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprising a forced conveying device. Figure 2shows schematically a device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprising several forced conveying devices. Figure 3 shows schematically a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprising a forced conveying device whose outlet area is located inside the housing of the centrifugal separator.

[0049] Fig. 1shows a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The device has a ZKS 1 with a cylindrical housing 4, in which an end face 2 and an opposite rear face 3 are connected to one another via a substantially cylindrical housing shell 4'. The ZKS 1 further has a material to be separated inlet 5 arranged substantially centrally on the end face 2 and a light material outlet 6 arranged substantially centrally on the rear face. The substantially cylindrical housing shell 4' has an involute-shaped separation medium inlet 7 adjacent to the rear face 3 of the ZKS and an involute-shaped separation medium outlet 8 adjacent to the end face 2 of the ZKS 1. The device shown further has a forced conveying device 9 connected to the material to be separated inlet 5.In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal axis 10 of the ZKS 1 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 11 of the forced conveying device 9. The forced conveying device 9 is connected to a storage container 12, which has an agitator 13.

[0050] In connection with the Fig. 1In the embodiment shown, to carry out a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, separation medium 14 is introduced into the separation medium inlet 7, preferably by a pump with adjustable speed (not shown), so that a vortex flow with an air core is generated along the longitudinal axis 10 of the ZKS 1 and the separation medium exits the ZKS again through the separation medium outlet 8. The material to be separated is forcibly conveyed from the storage container 12 by the forced conveying device 9 into the separation material inlet 5 on the front side 2 of the ZKS 1 and is thus introduced essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 10 of the ZKS 1. Low-density material floats at the interface between the separation medium and the air core and is conveyed along the longitudinal axis 10 of the ZKS 1 to the light material outlet 6 on the rear side 3, where it exits as light material fraction 16.During operation, the longitudinal axis 10 of the ZKS 1 is preferably aligned at an angle of 20° to 40° to the horizontal, so that the transport of the low-density material from the material to be separated inlet 5 to the light material outlet 6 is ensured by gravity. In contrast, higher-density material passes from the air core into the separation medium, is pushed radially outwards by centrifugal force and leaves the ZKS 1 together with the separation medium through the separation medium outlet 8 as the heavy material fraction 15. The direction of movement of the separation medium and the lower-density material to be separated are therefore opposite in the embodiment shown. The separation medium flows in a vortex path from the rear side 3 of the ZKS 1 towards the front side 2, whereas low-density particles move from the material to be separated inlet 5 on the front side 2 to the light material outlet 6 on the rear side 3 of the ZKS.

[0051] Fig. 2shows a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. The ZKS 1 essentially corresponds to the ZKS 1 of the Fig. 1 shown embodiment. However, the one shown in Fig. 2 The embodiment shown has three forced conveying devices 9, 9', 9", which are connected to the material to be separated inlet 5 of the ZKS 1. The longitudinal axes 11, 11', 11" of the forced conveying devices 9, 9', 9" are arranged at an angle to one another and to the longitudinal axis 10 of the ZKS. The forced conveying devices 9, 9', 9" can in turn be connected to storage containers (not shown), preferably having agitators or discharge floors.

[0052] For example, the forced conveying devices 9, 9', 9" can open into a common forced conveying section, in which a further forced conveying takes place, for example by means of a further forced conveying device (e.g. with a conveyor screw), so that the separating medium is forcibly guided into the interior of the housing 4. The common forced conveying section can be designed with a further forced conveying device and can be designed according to the embodiments of the forced conveying device 9 from Figure 1 or 3 be trained.

[0053] In connection with the Fig. 2 shown embodiment, the method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be carried out essentially analogously to the method described above with respect to Fig. 1 described procedures. However, the material to be separated is Fig. 2In the embodiment shown, the material to be separated is introduced into the ZKS 1 via three separate forced conveying devices 9, 9', 9''. Advantageously, different material to be separated, e.g. with regard to composition or size distribution, can be introduced via the separate forced conveying devices 9, 9', 9". The forced conveying devices 9, 9', 9" can be operated at different conveying speeds that are adapted to the respective material to be separated.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a forced conveying device 9, the outlet area 19 of which is located inside the housing 4 of the centrifugal force separator 1. The centrifugal force separator 1 is similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 formed, wherein the forced conveying device 9 is arranged displaceably within the housing 4.

[0055] The centrifugal force separator 1 comprises, in particular, a cylindrical housing 4, which has an end face 2 along its longitudinal axis (central axis) 10, on which a material to be separated inlet 5 is provided. The housing 4 is, in particular, inclined relative to a base plane 21 (for example, at an angle between the central axis of the cylindrical housing and the base plane 21 of 20 degrees to 70 degrees), and the end face 2, on which the material to be separated inlet 5 is provided, is the upper end face. The forced conveying device 9 is coupled to the end face 2 in such a way that the material to be separated can be forced through the material to be separated inlet 5. The material to be separated is thus guided through the material to be separated inlet 5 at least up to the inlet into the housing 4 and is accordingly forced conveyed.

[0056] The forced conveying device 9 has an outlet region 19, from which the material to be separated can be forced into the housing 4. For example, the forced conveying device 9 can have a cylindrical outer housing, in the interior of which a conveying device, such as a conveyor screw, is arranged. The outlet region 19 is formed at a free end of the forced conveying device 9, wherein the forced conveying device 9 is arranged such that the outlet region 19, as in Fig. 3 shown, is present within the housing 4.

[0057] The outlet area 19 has an outlet opening 20 on a jacket surface of the forced conveying device 9. Thus, the material to be separated can be discharged into the housing 4 transversely to the axial direction 11 or the conveying direction. Discharge transversely to the axial / longitudinal direction 11 can have particular advantages during separation in that the material to be separated is already introduced in the introduction direction to the inner jacket surface of the housing 4, thus enabling faster removal of the heavy fraction by means of the edge flow of the separation medium.

[0058] The outlet region 19 of the outlet opening 20 is thus located inside the housing 4. The forced conveying device 9 is further arranged so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis 11 along a (particularly translational) direction of movement 18 relative to the housing 4, such that a position of the outlet region 19 inside the housing 4 can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis 11 of the cylindrical housing 4. Thus, the position of the outlet opening 20 can be adjusted as desired inside the housing 4. An outer tube (pipe section (casing tube)) of the forced conveying device 9 can be provided, for example, with a seal 17, e.g., a flat seal, flexible sealing compound, or an O-ring, and tightened, whereby a tight connection can be achieved.Furthermore, the seal 17 can be formed, for example, by a sleeve with sealing lips or, if the separating material inlet is designed as a pipe section (casing pipe), by an annular space seal or press ring seal.

Claims

1. A device for separating material to be separated in a centrifugal force separator (1), wherein the device comprises: the centrifugal force separator (1) with an inlet (5) for material to be separated for introducing material to be separated and a separating medium inlet (7) for introducing a separating medium (14), and the at least one force-conveying device (9) connected to the inlet (5) for material to be separated, characterized in that the centrifugal force separator (1) comprises a housing (4) with an end face (2) at which an inlet (5) for material to be separated is provided, wherein the force-conveying device (9) is coupled to the end face (4) such that the material to be separated can be force-conveyed through the inlet (5) for material to be separated.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the force-conveying device (9) is a screw conveyor or a spiral conveyor.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the force-conveying device (9) comprises a preferably continuously controllable drive unit.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the force-conveying device (9) is connected to a storage container (12) comprising a discharge tray or an agitator (13).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the force-conveying device (9) comprises an outlet region (19) from which the material to be separated can be force-conveyed into the housing (4).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the outlet region (19) is formed at a free end of the force-conveying device (9), wherein the force-conveying device (9) is arranged such that the outlet region (19) is present at the inlet (5) for material to be separated or in the housing (4).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the outlet region (19) comprises an outlet opening (20) at an end face at the free end of the force-conveying device (9).

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the outlet region (19) comprises an outlet opening (20) at a surface area of the force-conveying device (9).

9. The device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the outlet region (19) is located in the interior of the housing (4).

10. The device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the force-conveying device (9) is arranged displaceably relative to the housing (4) such that a position of the outlet region (19) in the interior of the housing (4) can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis (11).

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the force-conveying device (9) comprises a longitudinal axis (11) which runs through the inlet (5) for material to be separated, wherein the force-conveying device (9) is displaceable along the longitudinal axis (11) relative to the housing (4).

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the device comprises at least one further force-conveying device (9') connected to the inlet (5) for material to be separated.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the force-conveying devices (9, 9') each comprise a longitudinal axis (11, 11'), wherein the longitudinal axes (11, 11') are arranged at an angle to one another.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axes (11, 11') of the force-conveying devices (9, 9') is between 10° and 120°, preferably between 20° and 100°, even more preferably between 30° and 80°, most preferably between 40° and 60°.

15. A method for separating material to be separated in a centrifugal force separator (1) by means of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the method comprises: introducing a separating medium (14) into the centrifugal force separator (1) such that a vortex with an air core is generated in the interior of the centrifugal force separator (1), and introducing the material to be separated via at least one force-conveying device (9) into the centrifugal force separator (1).