Agglomeration unit, suction device and method for agglomerating absorbent material

Abstract

The present invention relates to an agglomeration unit for agglomerating suction material, wherein the agglomeration unit comprises an agglomeration chamber, the agglomeration chamber containing an agglomeration agent for agglomerating the suction material. With this invention, suction material can be processed into a particularly stable agglomerate that can be disposed of safely and easily. In further aspects, the invention relates to a suction device comprising such an agglomeration unit, as well as a method for agglomerating suction material with such a suction device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an agglomeration unit for agglomerating suction material, wherein the agglomeration unit comprises an agglomeration chamber, the agglomeration chamber containing an agglomeration agent for agglomerating the suction material. With this invention, suction material can be processed into a particularly stable agglomerate that can be disposed of safely and easily. In further aspects, the invention relates to a suction device comprising such an agglomeration unit, as well as a method for agglomerating suction material with such a suction device. Background of the invention:

[0002] In the construction industry, vacuuming devices such as construction or industrial vacuums are commonly used to collect dust or particles that may accumulate on a construction site. This serves two purposes: firstly, to keep the site clean, and secondly, to protect workers from inhaling the dust or particles. Furthermore, such construction or industrial vacuums can be used in workshops, for example, to vacuum up dust in a workshop. Construction vacuums typically have a dust collection container to collect the vacuumed material.

[0003] The material being vacuumed up can include substances or components classified as hazardous or toxic to humans, and therefore to workers on a construction site or in a workshop. Such hazardous materials, commonly found on construction sites and in workshops, include mineral dusts, which may contain quartz, for example, or hardwood dust particles. When vacuuming up material on a construction site or in a workshop, such toxic or hazardous substances can enter the dust collection container designed to hold the vacuum cleaner. In this case, the proper disposal of the contents of the dust collection container can be difficult or pose particular challenges for the vacuum cleaner user.When emptying the dust collection container of a construction vacuum, toxic or hazardous substances can escape and enter the environment, potentially inhaling them into the respiratory system of workers on the construction site. To facilitate the disposal of such substances, dust bags can be placed in the vacuum's dust collection container to collect the vacuumed material. This allows the collected material, along with the toxic or hazardous substances, to be disposed of in the dust bag. Once full, the bag can be removed from the dust collection container and disposed of. However, if these dust bags containing toxic or hazardous substances are simply placed in waste containers on the construction site, they may tear or be damaged in other ways.In this case, the toxic or hazardous substances can once again escape into the environment and enter the respiratory tract of the workers on the construction site.

[0004] Vacuum cleaners are known in the prior art in which the collected material is compacted by forcing the air out of the material contained in the vacuum cleaner's dust container. Rotating plastic sliders, for example, can be used for this purpose. Such solutions are disclosed, for instance, in EP 1 859 719 B1. However, a disadvantage of such compaction solutions is that the resulting compaction is often not very stable and can easily disintegrate. Therefore, such compaction solutions are not suitable for providing a satisfactory solution for the disposal of toxic substances in the construction industry.

[0005] WO 2012 000 967 A1 discloses a dust collection system for a vacuum cleaner, wherein two compaction elements are arranged inside the dust collection container for compacting the dust. A first compaction element is designed as a roller system, while a second compaction element is designed as a piston system. The dust collection system utilizes rollers, among other things, and the rolling of the vacuumed material generally causes fine dust to be stirred up. Therefore, a solution such as that disclosed in WO 2012 000 967 A1, which includes the rolling of the vacuumed material, contradicts a technical solution for the disposal of toxic substances in the construction industry, where there is a risk of toxic or hazardous dust particles entering a person's respiratory tract.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a technical solution for the safe and simple disposal of vacuumed material that may contain toxic or hazardous substances. The technical solution to be provided should, on the one hand, reliably prevent the toxic or hazardous substances from entering the respiratory tract of people. On the other hand, the technical solution should be so simple and user-friendly that it can be implemented by workers or tradespeople, for example, those working on construction sites.

[0007] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments relating to the subject matter of the independent claims are found in the dependent claims. Description of the invention:

[0008] According to the invention, an agglomeration unit is provided for agglomerating suction material, wherein the agglomeration unit has an agglomeration chamber and wherein an agglomeration agent is provided in the agglomeration chamber for agglomerating the suction material.

[0009] By agglomerating the material being extracted, the present invention departs from the prior art, which proposes compacting the material. It has been shown that compacted material disintegrates back into its constituent parts when very low forces, barely exceeding a few Newtons, are applied. Essentially, compaction merely forces out the air between the particles of the material, whereas agglomeration produces solid pellets or briquettes that only disintegrate under higher forces. This makes the pellets or briquettes produced by agglomeration particularly easy to dispose of, especially when there is a risk that they contain toxic substances.The pills or briquettes can be individually packaged within the agglomeration unit or within a suction device containing such a unit, allowing the user to remove and safely dispose of these packaged pills or briquettes. The particularly stable and break-resistant pills or briquettes produced during agglomeration can also be removed and disposed of unpackaged from the agglomeration unit or suction device, provided the user has taken appropriate personal protective measures for such a task.

[0010] The pills or briquettes produced by agglomeration can preferably be referred to as an "agglomerate" in the context of the invention. Preferably, the term "agglomerate" can be used for the agglomerated absorbent material, i.e., the originally preferably powdery absorbent material that is compressed in the proposed agglomeration unit by an agglomeration process under comparatively high pressure. Typical breaking forces required to break the pills or briquettes can, for example, be in the range of greater than 10 Newtons (N).

[0011] The agglomeration process comprises the agglomeration of the extracted material by an agglomeration agent. Preferably, the agglomeration agent can be moved within the agglomeration chamber to agglomerate the extracted material. According to the invention, it is preferred that the agglomeration agent is driven by a drive mechanism, which can be either hydraulic or pneumatic.

[0012] It is preferred, according to the invention, that the agglomeration agent is designed as a piston or as a screw press, screw press, and / or spindle press. The agglomeration agent can simultaneously serve as a transport or conveying means to transport the aspirated material from the dust collection container into the agglomeration chamber. However, it is equally preferred, according to the invention, that the agglomeration agent and the transport means are designed as separate devices. In the embodiment of the invention in which the agglomeration agent and the transport means are designed as separate devices, the agglomeration agent can be designed as a piston or as a screw press, screw press, and / or spindle press, and the transport means can be designed as a screw conveyor, screw conveyor, and / or spindle conveyor.

[0013] The agglomeration device is preferably movably arranged within the agglomeration chamber, and can move in a linear and / or rotary manner. In other words, the agglomeration device can be configured to perform a back-and-forth or a forward-backward movement. In this configuration, the agglomeration device can be designed as a piston or include a piston. The agglomeration device can also preferably be configured to perform a rotary movement, i.e., to rotate within the agglomeration chamber. In this configuration, the agglomeration device can be designed as a screw press, screw press, and / or spindle press, or include such a press.

[0014] Preferably, the agglomerating agent can be configured to exert a force on the material being absorbed, whereby the material can be agglomerated by the applied force. The forces used to agglomerate the material in the context of the present invention can preferably be determined by a pressure with which the agglomerating agent presses onto the material or with which the agglomerating agent compresses the material. In this agglomeration process, the material to be agglomerated is not only deaerated, so that the air contained between the particles of the material is forced out. Rather, the invention enables the previously preferably predominantly powdery material to be compressed into solid pellets or briquettes, so that the resulting agglomerate is particularly break-resistant and stable.Tests have shown that the pills and briquettes produced by the proposed agglomeration process remain stable and do not break even when subjected to forces exceeding 10 Newtons (N). The forces used to agglomerate the absorbent material in the context of the present invention correspond, for example, to pressures between 50 and 1,000 megapascals (MPa).

[0015] In accordance with the invention, it is preferred that the agglomerating agent has an active surface that is in contact with the material being agglomerated during agglomeration, wherein the size of the active surface is less than or equal to 200 cm². If the agglomerating agent is designed, for example, as a piston, the front piston surface that is in contact with the material being agglomerated during agglomeration can be referred to as the active surface. The piston can, in particular, be shaped like a plunger, with the plunger surface of the piston representing the active surface that is in contact with the material being agglomerated during agglomeration. This active surface is preferably less than or equal to 200 cm². If the agglomerating agent is designed as a screw press, the front region of the screw that is in contact with the material being agglomerated during agglomeration can be referred to as the active surface.

[0016] It is preferred, according to the invention, that the agglomeration agent is driven by a drive mechanism. Preferably, the drive of the agglomeration unit can comprise a pump for a fluid, wherein a transmission ratio or pressure increase can be achieved by the drive comprising at least two working surfaces of different sizes or areas. It is preferred, according to the invention, that a first working surface of a smaller size is driven by the pump, so that force is transmitted via the fluid to a second working surface of a smaller size. The drive can be linear, as a piston drive, or rotary, as a screw press, screw press, and / or spindle press, wherein the drive is preferably a component of the agglomeration agent of the agglomeration unit.The second working surface of the drive can preferably correspond to the working surface of the agglomerating agent, which is in contact with the material being agglomerated during the agglomeration process. In the context of the invention, the agglomerating agent can preferably also be referred to as an "agglomerator." Naturally, the drive can also have more than two working surfaces, so that further transmission stages and thus greater forces or pressures can be provided.

[0017] It is preferred, according to the invention, that the drive be designed as a hydraulic drive or a pneumatic drive. In the case of a hydraulic drive, the fluid mentioned above can, for example, be a hydraulic fluid such as oil. In the case of a pneumatic drive, air or compressed air can be used as the fluid.

[0018] In accordance with the invention, it is preferred that a force is exerted on the agglomeration material during agglomeration, wherein the force is determined by a pressure in the range of 50 to 1,000 megapascals (MPa), preferably in the range of 100 to 750 megapascals, and particularly preferably in the range of 250 to 500 megapascals. These forces or pressures advantageously ensure that sufficiently high cohesive forces are achieved in the agglomeration material to prevent the pills or briquettes from disintegrating upon contact and / or transport. In this way, a reliably stable and robust agglomeration result can be achieved, with the pills or briquettes produced by agglomeration being particularly easy to handle and dispose of.Due to its ease of use, simplified disposal, and the resulting reduction in disposal costs, the proposed agglomeration solution can be received particularly positively by users and readily implemented.

[0019] It is preferred, in accordance with the invention, that the force exerted on the absorbent material during agglomeration is applied at a substantially constant rate. Tests have shown that applying a substantially constant force during the agglomeration process leads to further improved stability and fracture resistance of the resulting pills and briquettes. In particular, pills and briquettes produced by agglomeration with a substantially constant force are especially homogeneous and therefore particularly resistant to spontaneous disintegration.

[0020] It is preferred, according to the invention, that the agglomeration unit comprises means for adding a binder to the absorbent. To further improve the stability and breaking strength of the resulting pills and briquettes, a binder can be added to the absorbent before or during the agglomeration process, the binder advantageously ensuring particularly strong cohesion of the absorbent particles in the pills and briquettes produced by agglomeration. The binder can be solid or liquid and can be added to the absorbent as a mixture or as a pure substance. For example, the binder can be water. Furthermore, the binder can be selected from the group consisting of, but is not limited to, wax, latex, starch, molasses, cement, and / or polymers.

[0021] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a suction device with a proposed agglomeration unit. The terms, definitions, and technical advantages introduced for the agglomeration unit preferably apply analogously to the suction device. The suction device can, for example, be designed as a construction vacuum or as a central disposal station. Construction vacuums are devices known per se and are used, for example, on construction sites or in workshops to vacuum up dust or particles. This is done, on the one hand, to keep the construction site clean and, on the other hand, to protect the workers on the construction site from inhaling the dust or particles.

[0022] Construction vacuums preferably comprise a motor, a turbine, and a filter device. The motor, turbine, and filter device of the construction vacuum can be arranged in a vacuum head, which preferably forms the upper part of the vacuum. The motor of the construction vacuum is preferably configured to drive the turbine, which is preferably configured to generate a vacuum inside the vacuum. This vacuum is preferably used to draw in the material being vacuumed. The material is preferably drawn in by the vacuum generating a suction flow. For this purpose, the vacuum can be connected to a suction hose to transmit the vacuum to a suction point or to direct the suction flow. During operation, the suction flow comprises an air-material mixture.In other words, the air forming the suction stream contains dust and particles. This air-dust mixture can enter the suction device via the suction hose and openings. In conventional construction vacuums known from the prior art, the vacuumed material separates from the suction stream and collects in the dust collection container. The dust collection container preferably forms the lower part of the construction vacuum.

[0023] The suction device can also be designed as a central disposal station. Such a central disposal station can be used, for example, on a construction site to collect the contents of various suction devices and their dust collection containers until the contents can be emptied or properly disposed of. For instance, a user of a suction device can take the device to the central disposal station to empty its dust container. The dust collection container can be fluidically connected to the central disposal station, allowing its contents to be transferred. The contents of the suction device's dust collection container can then be vacuumed or extracted from the central disposal station.The central disposal station can include a motor and a turbine, the turbine being configured to generate a vacuum and thus a suction flow. The central disposal station can also be configured to allow a cover to be opened, enabling filled dust bags from the suction devices to be placed into the collection chamber of the central disposal station. The suction device can, for example, be a dust box such as those used with rotary hammers. Such dust boxes can be attached directly to the rotary hammer—preferably to its underside—to collect the dust generated during operation. For example, robotic vacuum cleaners or backpack vacuums (i.e., vacuum cleaners worn on the back) can also be considered suction devices within the meaning of the invention.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that the suction device comprises at least one separator for removing particles from the material being suctioned. Preferably, one or more separating devices can be provided to remove particles of different sizes from the material being suctioned or from the suction stream at different locations within the suction device. For example, in a first separation stage, particles with a comparatively large diameter can be removed from the suction stream. A first separator or a first separating device used to carry out the first separation stage can, for example, be designed as an inertial separator. It is preferred, in accordance with the invention, that the particles removed from the suction stream in this first separation stage are not agglomerated. They are accordingly collected in a separate dust collection container for later disposal.

[0025] The inertial separator is preferably configured to separate particles with a comparatively large diameter from the suction stream and particles with a smaller diameter. For the purposes of the invention, the diameter of the particles with the comparatively large diameter is preferably referred to as the "first diameter" or "first particle diameter," while the diameter of the particles with the smaller particle diameter is preferably referred to as the "second diameter" or "second diameter." The particles with the comparatively large diameter are preferably those particles that, due to their size, are not capable of passing through the alveoli. For the purposes of the invention, this preferably means that these particles with the comparatively large diameter do not penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled by a person.This makes such non-alveolar-penetrating particles significantly less dangerous to humans, as they generally cause little to no damage compared to alveolar-penetrating particles. Therefore, it is preferred, according to the invention, that non-alveolar-penetrating particles are separated from the suction stream in a first separation stage. Alveolar-penetrating particles, on the other hand, can penetrate deep into the human lungs and thus damage them.

[0026] Inertial separators can preferably also be referred to as inertial force separators, whereby, for example, cyclones or deflector plates can be used as inertial separators. In the case of cyclones, as an example of a centrifugal separator, a flow or suction stream containing particles of different sizes can be set into rotation, whereby heavier particles, which preferably have a larger first diameter, are separated by centrifugal force. The centrifugal force acts less strongly on lighter particles with a smaller second diameter, so that such small, light particles remain in the flow. In the case of a deflector plate, a flow or suction stream can be deflected, whereby heavier particles, which preferably have a larger first diameter, cannot follow the deflection or cannot follow it quickly enough due to their inertia, and are thus separated.Lighter particles with a smaller, secondary diameter can better follow the deflection, so that such small, light particles advantageously remain in the flow. It is preferred, according to the invention, that the small, light particles that are not separated from the suction stream in this first separation stage are agglomerated in the agglomeration unit or in the agglomeration chamber.

[0027] It is preferred, according to the invention, that the suction device includes a dust collection container for receiving the vacuumed material in addition to the agglomeration chamber. This preferably means, according to the invention, that the agglomeration of the vacuumed material does not take place in the dust collection container of a conventional vacuum cleaner, but in a separate agglomeration chamber that is part of the proposed agglomeration unit. Comparatively large forces are required for agglomeration, which are transmitted to the vacuumed material to be agglomerated by an agglomeration agent. These comparatively large forces preferably correspond to pressures in the range between 50 and 1,000 MPa. However, due to these large forces, the agglomeration process cannot be carried out in a conventional dust collection container, so a separate agglomeration chamber is provided in the proposed agglomeration unit.The separate agglomeration chamber is preferably significantly smaller than the dust collection container of the vacuuming device. This allows for particularly effective control of the forces or pressures required to agglomerate the vacuumed material. With larger containers, such as those of conventional construction or industrial vacuum cleaners, the large cross-section of these containers would necessitate very high forces to agglomerate the vacuumed material as desired.

[0028] The dust collection container of the suction device can be used to collect, in particular, non-alveolar-penetrating particles with a comparatively large diameter, which can preferably be separated from the suction stream in the first separation stage.

[0029] In another aspect, the invention relates to a suction device for agglomerating suction material. The terms, definitions, and technical advantages introduced for the suction device and the agglomeration unit preferably apply analogously to the agglomeration process. The agglomeration process is characterized by the following process steps: a) Suction of the material by a suction stream that picks up the material, b) Transport of the material into the agglomeration chamber of the agglomeration unit of the suction device, c) Agglomeration of the material by an agglomeration agent.

[0030] Preferably, particles with a comparatively small second diameter can be agglomerated using the proposed method. The agglomerate preferably consists of solid pills or briquettes, which advantageously only break or crumble again at so-called breaking forces greater than 10 Newtons. The particles with the comparatively small second diameter are preferably filtered out of the suction stream before agglomeration. For this purpose, a filter device or a filter can be used, for example. The particles with the comparatively small second diameter are preferably so-called alveolar-penetrating particles, which are particularly harmful to humans and the human lungs. In other words, it is therefore preferred within the meaning of the invention that these alveolar-penetrating particles are removed – for example, by a filter device or a filter device.A filter allows particles to be filtered out of the suction stream. For example, respirable particles have a diameter in the range of 5–10 micrometers (µm). After filtering, these small, respirable particles can be transported by a conveying device into the agglomeration chamber of the suction device's agglomeration unit. The conveying device can be, for example, a vibratory motor, a screw conveyor, a screw conveyor, and / or a spindle conveyor.

[0031] It is preferred, according to the invention, that another portion of the vacuumed material is separated from the suction stream by a separator before agglomeration, so that this other portion of the vacuumed material is not agglomerated. It is preferred, according to the invention, that particles with a comparatively large first diameter are separated from the suction stream. It is particularly preferred, according to the invention, that particles with a diameter of more than 1 millimeter (mm) are separated from the suction stream to remain in the dust collection container of the vacuum device, while the smaller particles are filtered out of the suction stream to be fed to the agglomeration process. It has been shown that particles with a diameter of less than 1 mm are particularly well suited for agglomeration because they form a compact agglomerate that, for example, only breaks apart again at breaking forces in the range of 10 N.

[0032] In accordance with the invention, it is preferred that particles with a comparatively small diameter are separated from the suction stream. Preferably, the respirable particles can be separated from the suction stream by a filter before being transported to the agglomeration chamber for agglomeration. It is particularly preferred in accordance with the invention that, above all, the respirable particles with a diameter greater than 5–10 micrometers (µm) are agglomerated. The terms "respirable" and "respirable" are preferably used synonymously in the context of the present invention. Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figure, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0033] In the figure, identical and similar components are numbered with the same reference symbols.

[0034] They show: Fig. 1 View of a preferred embodiment of a proposed suction device Examples of implementation and description of figures:

[0035] Figure 1Figure 50 shows a preferred embodiment of a proposed suction device 50. The suction device 50 has a dust collection container 58 for receiving the material S to be suctioned, as well as a motor 54 and a turbine 56 for generating a negative pressure and a suction flow for drawing in the material S. Furthermore, the suction device 50 has a separator 52. When a suction flow loaded with material S is drawn into the suction device 50, particles 60 with a comparatively large diameter can be separated from the suction flow or the material S by means of the separator 52. The particles 60 with the comparatively large diameter are preferably non-alveolar particles that, according to current knowledge, are not very dangerous to humans and their respiratory tract. These non-alveolar particles 60 can preferably be removed from the suction flow or the material S by the separator 52 of the suction device 50.The material S is separated from the suction material. The material in . Figure 1 The illustrated separation device 52 is designed, for example, as a deflector plate. However, cyclones or other inertial separation devices, mass separators, or centrifugal separators can also be used as separation device 52 in the suction device 50. The non-alveolar particles 60, which are separated from the suction stream by the separation device 52 in a first separation stage, can be collected in the dust collection container 58 of the suction device 50 and later disposed of easily, as they are virtually harmless to humans.

[0036] Particles 70 with a comparatively small diameter of less than 10 µm are considered to be alveolar-permeable; they can penetrate deep into the human lungs or airways and thus pose a risk to human health. After the first separation stage, these alveolar-permeable particles 70 remain in the suction stream and are removed during the subsequent stages. Figure 1 The illustrated design of the suction device 50 directs the air through a filter 22 into the agglomeration unit 10. In other words, the filter device 22 of the suction device 50 is designed to filter out the alveolar-permeable particles 70 from the suction flow in a second separation stage, so that in particular the alveolar-permeable particles 70 to be agglomerated enter the agglomeration unit 10 in order to be agglomerated in the agglomeration chamber 12 of the agglomeration unit 10.

[0037] The agglomeration unit 10 has an agglomeration chamber 12 in which an agglomeration agent 14 is movably arranged. The agglomeration agent 14 can, for example, be designed as a piston. The front plunger surface of the piston 14 can serve as an active surface 16, with this active surface 16 coming into contact with the material S to be agglomerated during the agglomeration process. At this point, the material S to be agglomerated preferably consists almost exclusively of particles 70 capable of passing through the alveoli. The agglomeration agent 12 can be driven by a drive 18, which can be designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic drive. In the Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the agglomeration agent 12 can, for example, perform a linear up-and-down movement. Agglomerates A, i.e., pills or briquettes, are shown in the lower region of the agglomeration chamber 14 as a product of the agglomeration process. The agglomeration unit 10 can also include means 20 for adding a binding agent to the absorbent material S to be agglomerated. The binding agent can further improve the cohesion between the particles to be agglomerated. Furthermore, transport means 24 can be provided in the agglomeration unit 10 to bring the alveolar-permeable particles 70 into the area of ​​action of the agglomeration agent 12. Reference symbol list

[0038] 10 Agglomeration unit 12 Agglomeration chamber 14 Agglomerating agent 16 Working area 18 Drive 20 Means of adding a binding agent 22 Filter 24 Transport device 50 Suction device 52 Separator 54 Motor of the suction device 56 Turbine of the suction device 58 Dust collection container of the suction device 60 Particles with a comparatively large diameter 70 Particles with a comparatively small diameter A Agglomerate S Suction material

Claims

1. Agglomeration unit (10) for agglomerating suction material S characterized in that the agglomeration unit (10) has an agglomeration chamber (12), wherein an agglomeration means (14) for agglomerating the suction material S is provided in the agglomeration chamber (12).

2. Agglomeration unit (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the agglomeration means (14) is designed as a piston, screw press, screw press and / or spindle press.

3. Agglomeration unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the agglomeration means (14) has an active surface (16) which is in contact with the suction material S during agglomeration, wherein a size of the active surface (16) is less than or equal to 200 cm 2 is.

4. Agglomeration unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the agglomeration means (14) is driven by means of a drive (18).

5. Agglomeration unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the drive (18) is designed as a hydraulic drive or as a pneumatic drive.

6. Agglomeration unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that during agglomeration, a force is exerted on the suction material S, wherein the force is determined by a pressure which lies in a range of 50 to 1,000 mega-pascals (MPa), preferably in a range of 100 to 750 mega-pascals and particularly preferably in a range of 250 to 500 mega-pascals.

7. Agglomeration unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the force exerted on the suction material S during agglomeration is essentially constant.

8. Agglomeration unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the agglomeration unit (10) comprises means (20) for adding a binding agent to the suction material S.

9. Suction device (50) comprising an agglomeration unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the suction device (50) is designed as a construction vacuum cleaner or as a central disposal station.

10. Suction device (50) according to claim 9 characterized in that the suction device (50) has at least one separator (52) for separating particles from the suction material S.

11. Suction device (50) according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that the suction device (50) has, in addition to the agglomeration chamber (12), a dust collection container (58) for receiving the suction material S.

12. Method for agglomerating suction material S with a suction device (50) according to one of claims 9 to 11 characterized by the following process steps: a) Suction of the suction material S by a suction flow, b) Transport of the suction material S into the agglomeration chamber (12) of the agglomeration unit (10) of the suction device (50), c) Agglomeration of the suction material S by the agglomeration means (14).

13. Method according to claim 12 characterized in that Particles (60) with a comparatively large diameter are separated from the suction stream S, so that the particles (60) with the comparatively large diameter are not agglomerated.

14. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13 characterized in that the particles (60) with the comparatively large diameter are collected in a dust collection container (58) of the suction device (50).

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14 characterized in that Particles (70) with a comparatively small diameter are separated from the suction stream using a filter (22) before the particles (70) with the comparatively small diameter are transported into the agglomeration chamber (12) for agglomeration.

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