PULP REPROCESSING AND REPAIR PLANT AND A METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING THE SAME

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a system for pulp preparation and the supply of pulp of production quality to at least one fiber forming plant, wherein the system is built in scalable modular form, as well as a fiber forming plant with such a system, a method for building such a system, and a method for expanding such a system. Background of the invention

[0002] It is desirable to protect citizens and the environment from plastic pollution. In particular, single-use plastic products such as packaging materials, plastic cutlery, and plastic tableware generate a large amount of waste. Therefore, there is a growing need for alternative materials for plastic packaging and containers, enabling the production of these products from recyclable plastics, materials with a lower plastic content, or even plastic-free materials.

[0003] The idea of ​​using natural fibers instead of conventional plastics in extrusion processes has existed at least since the early 1990s; see, for example, EP 0 447 792 B1. The raw material basis here, as in most fiber processing processes, is pulp. In principle, pulp consists of water, natural fibers, and a binder such as industrial starch (potato starch) and has a pasty consistency.

[0004] Since consumers are interested in a wide variety of environmentally friendly products in different sizes, shapes, and with varying requirements, and do not necessarily demand them in very large quantities, it would be desirable to have a manufacturing process for environmentally friendly molded parts made from natural fibers and a suitable machine available to produce these products (molded parts) effectively, flexibly, and with good reproducibility. Furthermore, it is very important that the molded parts can be produced in the shortest possible time and in large quantities, so systems or stations with high throughput are desirable.

[0005] Pulp can be used as a starting material for manufacturing fiber products. Pulp is a liquid solution containing a specific proportion of fiber. For high-quality and reproducible fiber product manufacturing, the pulp should therefore be produced under controlled conditions. A fiber forming machine uses a pulp bath from which the fiber products are formed into so-called molded parts. Only a small portion of the pulp from the pulp bath (or reservoir) is used for each forming process, which involves the initial arrangement of the fiber material into the desired product shape using a suitable tool (such as a suction tool).To ensure that the pulp bath maintains sufficient quality throughout the entire production process, including numerous successive forming operations—meaning it possesses a specific purity, a suitable concentration of fiber material in the liquid solution, and the desired fiber properties (fiber length, low fiber cross-linking, no clumping, etc.)—the existing pulp must be reprocessed and used pulp reliably replenished with good quality. Therefore, it is necessary to equip the fiber forming plant for the production of fiber products with a pulp preparation and replenishment system.

[0006] For the economical operation of a fiber forming plant, it is also desirable if the installation and commissioning of such a plant with pulp preparation and feed system can be carried out quickly and with minimal effort. Since fiber forming plants can vary considerably in size, throughput, and number per production site, a pulp preparation and feed system would be desirable that could meet at least the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production sites equally well, while still enabling rapid commissioning with minimal assembly effort. DE 102019127559 A1 discloses a preforming station with a pulp preparation and feed unit. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a pulp preparation and supply system that meets at least the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities equally, yet enables rapid commissioning with minimal assembly effort.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, a plant for pulp preparation and supply of production-quality pulp to at least one fiber forming plant is provided, wherein the plant is built in scalable modular form, with at least one supply module that includes or at least controls the machines and infrastructure supplies required for the operation of the plant, and one or more process modules in which the pulp is reprocessed and / or produced for supply and subsequently made available, wherein the supply module and the process modules are equipped with a multitude of coordinated interfaces to connect the supply and process modules to each other in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules and to receive the pulp or its components and raw materials via at least one input.to transport the pulp between the process modules and to offer it at production quality via an output for use by at least one fiber forming plant.

[0010] The term "pulp" (also referred to as suspension) describes the liquid mass containing fibers or fibrous material. The term "liquid" here denotes the state of matter of the pulp, whereby the liquid pulp comprises the fibrous material in the form of fibers (a liquid solution containing the fibrous material). The fibers can be present as individual fibers, as fibrous structures, or as groups of several interconnected fibers. The fibers constitute the fibrous material regardless of whether they are present in the pulp as individual fibers, as fibrous structures, or as groups of fibers. The fibers are dissolved in the liquid solution in such a way that they remain suspended in the liquid solution at as uniform a concentration as possible, independent of their location, for example, as a mixture or suspension of liquid solution and fibrous material. In some embodiments, the pulp can be appropriately temperature-controlled and / or circulated to achieve this. The pulp preferably has a low density, i.e.,The pulp contains less than or equal to 18% fiber material by weight. In one embodiment, a pulp with a fiber material content of less than 8%, preferably less than 5%, is used as a pumpable pulp, particularly preferably with a target concentration between 0.75% and 1.25%, for the fiber forming process. This low fiber material content can, among other things, prevent clumping of the fiber material in the liquid solution, so that the fiber material can still be processed with good quality. Although clumped fiber material can be formed in the fiber forming system, this would likely result in a molded part with fluctuating layer thickness, which should be avoided in the production of the molded parts if possible. Therefore, the fiber material content in the pulp should preferably be small enough so that clumping or chaining does not occur or only occurs to a negligible extent.The liquid solution can be any solution suitable for the fiber forming process. For example, the pulp can be an aqueous solution containing the fiber material. An aqueous solution is, among other things, easy to handle.

[0011] The continuous supply of production-quality pulp to the fiber forming plant is necessary because, during the forming processes of the preforms in the fiber forming plant, pulp or fiber material is consumed from the pulp reservoir in each forming process. This means that the properties of the remaining pulp change over time. To ensure a consistently high minimum quality in the forming process, production-quality pulp must be continuously supplied to the pulp reservoir in the fiber forming plant. The plant according to the invention must provide this pulp. The term "production quality" is to be understood here as a relative term, since different fiber forming processes can process different pulps of varying qualities. Even for a specific fiber forming process, it is only necessary to ensure that the production quality meets certain requirements.The production quality of the pulp could even fluctuate, provided it does not fall below a minimum quality standard. Pulp quality is measured by a multitude of parameters, such as the type and purity of the liquid solution, the concentration of fiber material in the liquid solution, and fiber material properties like fiber length, degree of fiber cross-linking, and the proportion of clumped fibers. What defines the respective production quality depends on the specific fiber forming process within the fiber forming plant. The term "fiber material" refers to all types of fiber materials suitable for forming shapes, which may also decompose under environmental influences such as humidity, temperature, and / or light. Fiber materials within the meaning of the present invention include, for example, synthetic fibers or natural fibers obtained from pulp, paper, cardboard, wood, grass, plant fibers, sugarcane residues, hemp, etc.or from its components or parts thereof and / or appropriately recycled material. The fiber material can also be artificially produced fibers such as PLA (polylactic acid), etc., which correspond to the aforementioned fiber materials or possess their properties. Preferably, the fiber material is compostable. The system according to the invention, with its modular design and scalable number of process modules, is suitable for producing different pulps with varying properties to meet different production quality requirements. Depending on the desired production quality and required throughput, the system according to the invention can be scaled accordingly, and existing systems can be expanded or modified without significant effort. The pulp in the desired production quality is made available for acceptance at the system's output.

[0012] Pulp preparation refers, on the one hand, to the preparation of pulp from starting materials and, on the other hand, to the reprocessing of pulp by drawing pulp from a pulp reservoir of a fiber forming plant that is or was used to produce molded parts from the pulp. In this process, the "used pulp" is returned to the inlet of the system according to the invention via suitable means, such as return lines, in order to be drawn into the system and then processed accordingly so that pulp of production quality is available again at the end. The process paths for reprocessing and replenishment from starting materials can be kept separate and only mixed at the outlet or in a final pulp container, or the used pulp can be fed into the replenishment process at an earlier stage and processed there together with the "fresh" pulp.Fresh pulp refers here to the portion of pulp that is extracted from raw materials which are also fed into the system via the inlet.

[0013] The term "inlet" refers to one or more external interfaces, which may be listed separately, through which materials, whether raw materials for pulp production or "spent pulp," are introduced into the system. For raw materials, the inlet can consist of a material hatch into which the raw material(s) are introduced, for example, continuous cellulose material for the production of the fiber material in the pulp. The outlet can refer to one or more interconnected or separate discharge points from the system. Since the pulp is supplied in a liquid state, the outlet can be designed as a pipe connection with an upstream valve for opening and metering the flow through the pipe connection. In this respect, the inlet and the outlet also represent external interfaces of the system.

[0014] Modules are separate units that are pre-assembled with their components and can therefore be easily operated and interconnected with minimal effort. The term "supply module" refers to modules that are solely intended for supplying and operating the process modules. Due to their design, supply modules are unable to carry out the processing and replenishment process without the process modules, as they do not, for example, contain process tanks. In contrast, the supply modules contain the machinery and infrastructure necessary for process control by the process modules.The infrastructure includes utilities such as water connections, electricity connections, and, if necessary, a dedicated power supply, as well as control equipment for process management, such as computers with installed process control software, data lines, storage for process recording, etc. The necessary machinery includes, for example, pumps for transporting materials and liquids between the process vessels in the process modules, valve controls, and other required components. The term "process module" refers to the modules in which the process vessels or process stations required for the reprocessing of spent pulp and / or the replenishment of fresh pulp are installed. The individual process modules can differ depending on the desired process of the plant. For increased throughput, the plant can comprise several process modules with identical equipment.In differently configured systems, for example, the individual process modules can all be configured differently if all process modules are intended to complement each other for a common process. Depending on the desired production quality of the pulp provided, some process modules that are present in other systems according to the invention can be omitted in some systems. Where, in the following, only the term "module" is used instead of "supply modules" and "process modules," the corresponding statements apply to both supply and process modules, provided this is feasible within the scope of this invention.

[0015] According to the present invention, the connections and transfer points for media (electricity, water, compressed air, data lines, etc.) and process components (starting materials, pulp intermediates and final stages) between the individual modules are referred to as "interfaces." For pipe or hose connections, the interfaces can, for example, be designed as compatible flanges. For power or data lines, the interfaces can, for example, be designed as connectable connections based on the plug-and-socket principle. The interfaces can also include other coupling principles, provided these enable a simple, fast, and reliable connection between the individual modules. The position of the interfaces on the respective modules is pre-configured and adapted to each other in such a way as to enable direct coupling between the modules.Preferably, the interfaces are closed simply by directly arranging the modules side by side. Whether all of the closed interfaces to the neighboring module are actually used then depends on the intended process. The unused interfaces can be used for the later connection of further modules, thus ensuring scalability of the system according to the invention within the limits of the number of available interfaces. The system according to the invention therefore has a scalable modular form due to the pre-configured interfaces. Furthermore, the system can also be operated as a one-person operation with minimal personnel requirements.

[0016] This provides a pulp preparation and supply system that meets at least the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities equally, yet enables rapid commissioning with minimal assembly effort.

[0017] In one embodiment, the supply module is arranged as the central module in the system, and in the case of multiple process modules, these are arranged around the supply module. The central supply module thus serves as the central supply hub for all surrounding modules. This enables, among other things, a compact system design, explicitly including not only the arrangement of the modules in the same plane but also an arrangement of the modules stacked on top of each other. For this purpose, the supply and process modules also include interfaces not only in the sides of the modules but also in the floor and / or ceiling of the respective modules.

[0018] In another embodiment, the supply module is composed of several sub-modules. This allows the sub-modules to fulfill different supply tasks, provided they are equipped with different machines and / or infrastructure supplies. This, among other things, further increases the system's flexibility.

[0019] In another embodiment, the interfaces are at least partially implemented on the plug-and-socket principle; preferably, all interfaces are implemented on the plug-and-socket principle. This enables, among other things, faster connection between the modules.

[0020] In another embodiment, the output can be adjusted to the pulp throughput of the connected fiber forming plant via a suitable valve. Control valves are known. Among other things, the amount of pulp output from the plant can be continuously adjusted to the requirements of the fiber forming plant via a control mechanism for the valve.

[0021] According to the invention, the output is designed as a multi-output for connection to several fiber forming machines. This allows, among other things, several fiber forming machines to be connected independently to the same system for the supply of production-quality pulp. If one of these machines no longer requires pulp, for example, because production on that machine has been stopped, the other fiber forming machines can still be supplied with pulp independently. Furthermore, using a single system for pulp preparation and the supply of production-quality pulp to several fiber forming machines represents a more efficient use of materials and technology and enables the effective operation of both the fiber forming machines and the system according to the invention, since it allows the latter to be operated continuously for a longer period than would be possible with only a single fiber forming machine.

[0022] In another embodiment, the multi-output is designed to control the individual throughput of pulp for each connected fiber forming machine. For this purpose, controllable valves can be used for the individual connections to the respective fiber forming machines. Such control valves are known. Among other things, the pulp output from the system can be continuously adjusted to the requirements of the fiber forming machine via the valve control.

[0023] In another embodiment, the system is operated in such a way that it continuously provides a minimum quantity of pulp at the output for collection by the connected fiber forming machine. A continuous material flow at both the input and output represents the easiest operating scenario to control for such a system. However, the minimum quantity must be collected at the output to ensure a continuous process over extended periods. Therefore, in a further embodiment, the system is designed and controlled to operate in a continuous mode at both the input and output, so that a continuous quantity of feedstock for the pulp is collected at the input and a continuous quantity of production-quality pulp is provided at the output.

[0024] In another embodiment, the system is designed to allow a variable material flow at the input and / or output in continuous mode, ranging from a minimum to a maximum quantity, without interrupting the continuous material flow at the input and output. Here, the material quantity at the input and output can fluctuate, but a constant flow of material into and out of the input is ensured. This operating mode contrasts with a so-called batch process (discontinuous or intermittent process), where there are periods at the input and output during which no material passes through either.Since the actual pulp production process within the plant is a batch process, such a possible variation between minimum and maximum quantities is easier to manage during the transition between continuous material flow at the input and output. To simplify this transition from continuous operation to and from external sources to internal batch operation (discontinuous or intermittent operation) in the process modules, one or more buffer tanks are arranged in the process module(s).

[0025] In another embodiment, the process module(s) comprise several containers serving as process tanks or buffer tanks. This allows the pulping process to be adapted to specific requirements. The containers can be equipped with their own process machinery (sensors, valves, agitators, etc.), which must be located in or on the respective containers to enable the process to run. This process machinery is controlled by the supply module and provided with the necessary media.

[0026] In a further embodiment, at least some of the containers have a bottom inclined towards an edge of the container. Preferably, the bottoms of all containers have an incline, and a reversibly closable cleaning opening is particularly preferably arranged at this edge of the container. This concentrates impurities or settling components in the respective containers at the lower edge, which, among other things, facilitates cleaning of the container and prevents or at least reduces contamination of the container contents. In a further embodiment, the incline is continuous, and preferably the bottom is designed as a flat inclined surface. In a further embodiment, the bottom has an angle α to the horizontal of between 2 degrees and 15 degrees, the incline to be selected depending on the concentration of the fiber material; preferably, the angle is between 3 degrees and 10 degrees.A greater incline than 15 degrees would reduce the available volume of the container too much and would also be unnecessary for the settling of materials at the edge of the container.

[0027] In another embodiment, the supply modules and process modules are provided as mobile containers, which, among other things, ensures easy transportability of these modules and enables quick and easy assembly of the modular system according to the invention, since the external dimensions of the containers are standardized. These can, for example, be so-called ISO containers with standardized external dimensions. Of course, containers with custom dimensions can also be used as an alternative.

[0028] In another embodiment, the multitude of coordinated interfaces of the supply and process modules comprises a number that exceeds the minimum number of necessary interfaces in a basic configuration, thus ensuring free scalability of the system at all times.

[0029] The present invention further relates to a fiber forming plant comprising a plant according to the invention for pulp preparation and supplying pulp of production quality to a pulp reservoir of the fiber forming plant; preferably, the fiber forming plant includes a return line from the reservoir to the plant for preparing the pulp used. A fiber forming plant is a plant in which a fiber forming process for the production of shaped products from fibrous material, starting from pulp as the initial material, is carried out.The fiber forming process refers to the process steps in a fiber forming plant that are involved in forming the molded part, starting with the provision of the pulp in the pulp reservoir, the forming of the part in the forming station from the fiber material from the pulp, the preforming of the part in the preforming station, the hot pressing of the part in the hot pressing station, and, if desired, the coating of the part with functional layers. The molded part is output as the product from the fiber forming plant at the end of the forming process.

[0030] This provides a fiber forming plant with a pulp preparation and supply system that meets at least the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities equally, yet enables quick commissioning of the plant according to the invention with minimal assembly effort.

[0031] The present invention further relates to a method for setting up a plant according to the invention for pulp preparation and supplying pulp of production quality to at least one fiber forming plant, comprising the steps: Providing a supply module that includes or at least controls the machinery and infrastructure required for the operation of the plant; providing one or more process modules in which the pulp is reprocessed and / or produced for resupply and subsequently made available; and connecting the supply module to the process module(s) via the multitude of coordinated interfaces of the supply and process modules to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules, so that the pulp or its components and raw materials can be received via at least one input, transported between the process modules for reprocessing or resupply, and the pulp can be offered with production quality via an output for use by at least one fiber forming plant.

[0032] This provides a method for setting up a pulp preparation and supply plant, which at least meets the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities equally, while still enabling quick commissioning of the plant according to the invention with minimal assembly effort.

[0033] The present invention further relates to a method for extending an inventive system for pulp preparation and subsequent delivery of pulp of production quality to at least one fiber forming plant, comprising, utilizing a scalable modular design of the system, the following steps: Connecting the process modules required for the expansion to the still free interfaces of the existing process and supply modules; and operating such an expanded plant for pulp preparation and supplying pulp of production quality to at least one fiber forming plant.

[0034] This method allows an existing pulp preparation and supply plant to be converted with minimal assembly effort into a plant that meets at least the essential requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities equally, or such a plant can be easily expanded to meet further requirements of different fiber forming plants and production facilities.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the method for expansion comprises the further step of adding and connecting at least one additional supply module to the existing process and supply modules via the still free interfaces of the existing process and supply modules.

[0036] It should be expressly noted that, for the sake of readability, expressions like "at least" have been avoided wherever possible. Instead, an indefinite article ("one", "two", etc.) should normally be understood as "at least one", "at least two", etc., unless the context makes it clear that "exactly" the specified number is meant.

[0037] It should also be noted here that, within the context of the present patent application, the term "in particular" is always to be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The term is therefore not to be understood as "namely" or "namely".

[0038] It is understood that features of the solutions described above or in the claims can also be combined, if necessary, in order to implement the advantages and effects achievable here in a cumulative manner. Brief description of the characters

[0039] Further features, effects, and advantages of the present invention are explained with reference to the accompanying drawing and the following description. Components that are at least substantially identical in their function in the individual figures are identified by the same reference numerals, although the components need not be numbered and described in all figures.

[0040] The drawing shows: Fig. 1: Schematic representation of an embodiment of the inventive system for pulp preparation and supply of production-quality pulp to at least one fiber forming line; Fig. 2: Schematic representation of a further embodiment of the inventive system for pulp preparation and supply of production-quality pulp to at least one fiber forming line; Fig. 3: Schematic representation of the scalability of the inventive system; Fig. 4: Container of the inventive system with inclined bottom in side section; Fig. 5: Schematic representation of a fiber forming line according to the inventive system; Fig. 6: Schematic representation of a method according to the inventive system for constructing the inventive system; and Fig. 7: Schematic representation of a method according to the inventive system for expanding the inventive system. Examples of implementation

[0041] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the plant 100 according to the invention for pulp preparation and replenishment of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber forming plant 200, wherein the plant 100 is built in a scalable modular form. Here, a supply module 110 is arranged between two process modules 120. The supply module 110 comprises the machines 112 required for the operation of the plant, such as pumps, etc., and infrastructure supplies 114, such as water, electricity, compressed air, gas, data lines, etc., or controls components of the process modules 120. The process modules 120, on the other hand, are responsible for reprocessing and / or replenishment of the pulp and subsequently making it available.The system includes a supply module 110 and process modules 120, each equipped with a variety of coordinated interfaces 150 to connect the supply and process modules 110 and 120. These interfaces ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules 120 and allow the pulp, or its components and raw materials, to be received via at least one input 130, transported between the process modules 120, and delivered to at least one fiber forming machine 200 via an output 140, where the pulp meets production quality standards 160. The interfaces 150 are at least partially designed using a plug-and-socket principle. Preferably, all interfaces 150 are designed using a plug-and-socket principle.As can be seen, the number of interfaces exceeds the number required for operating this system, which allows for future expansion at any time, since the subsequently added modules 110 and 120 can be supplied via the available interfaces or connected to other modules 110 and 120. Output 140 is designed here as a multi-output and can be adjusted to the pulp throughput of the connected fiber forming machines 200 via a corresponding controllable valve 145. In this way, system 100 can be operated in such a way that it continuously provides a minimum quantity of pulp at output 140 for collection by the connected fiber forming machine 200.Furthermore, the system 100 is designed and controlled to operate in continuous mode at input 130 and output 140, so that a continuous quantity of feedstock for the pulp is drawn off at input 130 and a continuous quantity of production-quality pulp is supplied at output 140. The system 100 is also designed to allow a variable material flow between a minimum and maximum quantity at input 130 and / or output 140 in continuous mode without interrupting the continuous material flow at input 130 and output 140. Since the system 100 is operated in a batch process in the process module(s) 120, it includes one or more buffer tanks in the process module(s). In this case, the process module(s) 120 are equipped with process tank 3 and buffer tanks 5 and 12.The supply modules 110 and process modules 120 can be designed as mobile containers.

[0042] Fig. 2 Figure 100 also shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of the plant 100 according to the invention for pulp preparation and supply of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber forming plant 200, wherein this plant 100 is also built in a scalable modular form. Here too, the supply module 110 is arranged as a central module, with the several process modules 120 arranged around the supply module 110. In contrast to Fig. 1 is in Fig. 2 The supply module 110 is composed of two sub-modules 110a, 110b to power the process modules 120 (here in greater numbers than in Fig. 1) to be able to operate accordingly. Here, the sub-modules 110a and 110b, for example, can fulfill different supply tasks, for which they are equipped with a different number of machines 112. For the other components not explained in detail here, please refer to the explanations regarding Fig. 1 and 3 referred to. The process modules are located here in Fig. 2 For example, process vessels 3, 6, 7, 8, and 11, buffer vessels 5, 9, 10, and 12, as well as a water tank 4, are shown. Vessels 1–12 are also shown here only to illustrate the pulp process. For a more detailed explanation of the functions of vessels 1–12 shown here, please refer to [reference to be inserted here]. Fig. 3 referred.

[0043] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the scalability of the system 100 according to the invention. Different systems 100 can comprise different modules, which is manifested in the different configurations of containers 1-13. The inclusion of containers 4, 8, 11, and 13 can also be optional. Since the modules 110 and 120 comprise a multitude of coordinated interfaces 150, exceeding the minimum number of interfaces 150 required in a basic configuration (for example, the configuration above with containers 3-5 and 12-13), the system 100 remains fully scalable at all times, as demonstrated by the four different system types 100. The components or containers 1-13 shown have the following functions: Component 1 is a scale for the incoming cellulose or fiber material as the starting material for the production of the fiber material.The scale serves as input 130 for the cellulose or fiber material. Component 2 designates a container with a lever-tipping device for filling the fiber material into container 3, which serves as a pulper where an initial mixture of solvent and fiber material is created or prepared. Container 4 designates a water tank. Container 5 designates a buffer container, and container 6 designates a centrifuge for a fiber concentration of more than 8% wt (weight percent), in which the material can be separated by weight. Within the pulp, containers 7 and 8 designate a mill for conditioning the fiber material and a destipper, respectively, in which small agglomerates of fiber material can be separated or broken up. Containers 9 and 10 designate buffer containers in which additives are added. Container 11 designates a rotary sieve.Container 12 also refers to a buffer container and container 13 again to a centrifuge, here for a fiber concentration of approximately 1% wt. (weight percent).

[0044] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a container 1-13 of the inventive system 100 with an inclined bottom B in a side section. The container 1-13 has a bottom B inclined towards the right edge R of the container 1-13. In other embodiments, the edge can also be located on a different side of the container. A reversibly closable cleaning opening RO is arranged at this edge R. The inclination is continuous, with the bottom B being a flat inclined surface. The inclination of the bottom B can have an angle α to the horizontal H of between 2 degrees and 10 degrees. Preferably, this angle is 3 degrees.

[0045] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a fiber forming plant 200 according to the invention comprising a plant 100 for pulp preparation and supply of pulp with production quality 160 to a pulp reservoir 210 of the fiber forming plant 200 and a return line 220 from the reservoir 210 to the plant 100 for the preparation of the pulp used.

[0046] Fig. 6Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method 300 according to the invention for setting up the plant 100 according to the invention for pulp preparation and supply of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber forming plant 200, comprising the steps of providing 310 a supply module 110, which includes or at least controls the machines 112 and infrastructure supplies 114 required for the operation of the plant 100; providing 320 one or more process modules 120, in which the pulp is reprocessed and / or produced for supply and subsequently made available;and connecting 330 of the supply module 110 with the process module(s) 120 via the multitude of mutually coordinated interfaces 150 of the supply and process modules 110, 120, in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules 120, so that the pulp or its components and starting materials can be received via at least one input 130, transported between the process modules 120 for processing or replenishment, and the pulp with production quality 160 can be offered via an output 140 for use by at least one fiber forming plant 200.;

[0047] Fig. 7Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method 400 according to the invention for extending the plant 200 according to the invention for pulp preparation and supply of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber forming plant 200, comprising, taking advantage of a scalable modular design of the plant 100, the following steps of connecting 410 the process modules 120 required for the extension to the still free interfaces 150 of the already existing process and supply modules 110, 120; and of operating 420 such an extended plant 100 for pulp preparation and supply of pulp with production quality 160 to at least one fiber forming plant 200.In this process, procedure 400 can include the further step of adding and connecting 430 at least one further supply module 110 to the existing process and supply modules 110, 120 via the still free interfaces 150 of the existing process and supply modules 110, 120.

[0048] It should be explicitly noted at this point that features of the solutions described above or in the claims and / or figures can also be combined, if necessary, in order to implement or achieve the explained features, effects and advantages in a cumulative manner.

[0049] It is understood that the embodiment described above is merely a first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiment of the invention is not limited to this embodiment. List of reference symbols used

[0050] 1 - 13 containers, 3 pulpers 100 Pulp preparation and supply system 110 Supply module 110a, b Sub-module of the supply module 112 Machines, e.g., pump, agitator, valve controls, etc. 114 Infrastructure supplies, e.g., power supply, water supply, data lines, machine and / or process control, etc. 120 Process module 130 Input 140 Output 145 Valve or valves at the output (e.g., controllable) 150 Interfaces 160 Pulp of production quality 200 Fiber forming plant 210 Pulp reservoir of the fiber forming plant 220 Return of the used pulp for processing α Angle between the bottom and the horizontal B Bottom of container 1 - 13 H Horizontal RR Edge of container 1 - 13

Claims

1. A machine (100) for pulp preparation and the resupply of production-quality pulp (160) to at least one fiber moulding plant (200), wherein the machine (100) is constructed in a scalable modular design, having at least one supply module (110) which comprises or at least controls the machines (112) and infrastructure supplies (114) required to operate said machine, and one or a plurality of process modules (120) in which the pulp is reprocessed and / or produced for resupply and then provided, the supply module (110) and the process modules (120) being equipped with a plurality of interfaces (150) which are mutually compatible in order to connect supply and process modules (110, 120) to one another in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules (120) and to receive the pulp or its components and raw materials via at least one input (130), to transport it between the process modules (120), and supply the production-quality pulp (160) via an output (140) for use by at least one fibre moulding plant (200), characterized in that the output (140) is configured as a multi-output for connecting a plurality of fibre moulding plants (200).

2. The machine (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the supply module (110) is arranged as a central module and, in the case of a plurality of process modules (120), these are arranged around said supply module (110).

3. The machine (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply module (110) comprises a plurality of sub-modules (110a, 110b), preferably said sub-modules perform different supply tasks and are correspondingly furnished with different machines (112) and / or infrastructure supplies (114).

4. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the interfaces (150) are at least partially designed according to the plug-socket principle, preferably all interfaces (150) are designed according to the plug-socket principle.

5. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the output (140) may be adapted to the pulp flow rate of the connected fibre moulding plant (200) via a corresponding valve (145).

6. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the multi-output (140) is configured to be controllable to an individual flow rate of pulp of the respective connected fibre moulding plant(200).

7. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the machine (100) can be operated in such a way that it continuously supplies a minimum quantity of pulp at the outlet (140) to be received by the connected fibre moulding plant(200).

8. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the machine (100) is configured and controlled to operate in a continuous mode at the input (130) and at the output (140), such that a continuous quantity of raw material for the pulp is received at the input (130) and a continuous quantity of production-quality pulp is provided at the output (140), wherein, as an option, the machine (100) is provided to allow a material flow varying between a minimum quantity and a maximum quantity in continuous mode at the input (130) and / or at the output (140) without interrupting the continuous material flow at the input (130) and at the output (140).

9. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the machine (100) can be operated in the process module or modules (120) in a so-called batch process and comprises one or a plurality of buffer containers (1 - 13) in the process module or modules (120) for this purpose.

10. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the process module or modules (120) comprise a plurality of containers (1 - 13) as process containers or buffer containers, preferably at least a proporation of the containers (1 - 13) having a base (B) with a gradient in the direction of an edge (R) of the respective container (1 - 13), preferably the bases (B) of all containers (1 - 13) having a gradient, particularly preferably, a reversibly closable cleaning opening (RO) is arranged at said edge (R) of the container (B), wherein, as an option, the gradient is continuous, preferably the base (B) is configured as a sloped surface, and / or wherein, as an option, the base (B) has as a gradient an angle (α) relative to the horizontal (H) of between 2 degrees and 15 degrees, preferably from 3 degrees to 10 degrees.

11. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the supply modules (110) and process modules (120) are provided as mobile containers.

12. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the plurality of mutually compatable interfaces (150) of the supply and process modules (110, 120) comprises a number which exceeds a minimum number of necessary interfaces (150) in a basic configuration, such that free scalability of the machine (100) is ensured at all times.

13. A fibre moulding plant (200) comprising a machine (100) for pulp preparation and the resupply of production-quality pulp (160) to a pulp reservoir (210) of the fibre moulding plant (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, preferably the fibre moulding plant comprises a return flow line (220) from the reservoir (210) to the machine (100) for preparation of the used pulp.

14. A method (300) for constructing a plant (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 for pulp preparation and the resupply of production-quality pulp (160) to at least one fibre moulding plant (200), comprising the steps of: - Provision of (310) a supply module (110) that comprises or at least controls the machines (112) and infrastructure supplies (114) required to operate the machine (100); - Provision of (320) one or a plurality of process modules (120) in which the pulp is reprocessed and / or produced for resupply and then provided; and - Connection of (330) the supply module (110) to the process module or modules (120) via the plurality of mutually compatable interfaces (150) of the supply and process modules (110, 120) in order to ensure the infrastructure supply of the process modules (120), such that the pulp or its components and raw materials may be received via at least one input (130), transported between the process modules (120) for preparation or resupply, and the production-quality pulp (160) may be supplied via an output (140) for use by at least one fibe moulding plant (200).

15. A method (400) for expanding a machine (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 for pulp preparation and the resupply of production-quality pulp (160) to at least one fibre moulding plant (200), comprising the following steps, taking advantage of a scalable modular design of said machine (100): - Connection of (410) the process modules (120) required for expansion to the available interfaces (150) of the existing process and supply modules (110, 120); and - Operation (420) of such an expanded machine (100) for pulp preparation and the resupply of production-quality pulp (160) to at least one fibre moulding plant (200), wherein, as an option, said method comprises: the further step of adding and connecting (430) at least one further supply module (110) to the existing process and supply modules (110, 120) via the available interfaces (150) of the existing process and supply modules (110, 120).