Slurry separator for separating a thin phase from a solid fraction of a slurry mixture and method for cleaning a slurry separator

Abstract

The invention relates to a slurry separator (10) for separating a thin phase from a solid component of a slurry mixture, comprising a separator unit (12) which has a housing (14) in which a press screw (38) and a screen (40) surrounding the press screw (38) are arranged, wherein the press screw (38) is designed to convey the slurry mixture supplied to the interior of the screen (40) via a slurry inlet (16) in the direction of a predetermined flow direction and to press it from the inside out against the screen (40), whereby the thin phase is conveyed through the screen (40) in the direction of at least one thin phase outlet (20, 22) and the solid component remaining inside the screen (40) is conveyed in the direction of a solid discharge (24); a rinsing device (26) which is designed to introduce at least one rinsing fluid into the housing (14) and to press it through the sieve (40) for the purpose of cleaning the sieve (40).The invention further relates to a method for cleaning such a manure separator (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slurry separator for separating a thin phase from a solid component of a slurry mixture and to a method for cleaning a slurry separator.

[0002] Manure separators are a well-known device used to separate the liquid phase from the solid component of a manure mixture. These separators typically include a screen to separate the liquid phase from the solid component. During use, the screen can become clogged. Solids within the manure mixture can contribute to this clogging. Additionally, after use, the manure mixture may adhere to the screen and dry, leading to further clogging. Blockages in the screen can reduce the throughput of the manure separator.This can also contribute to the separation of the thin phase from the solid fraction not working as well as if the sieve were not clogged.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a solution for the particularly effective removal of blockages in such sieves of a manure separator.

[0004] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments set forth in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, at least analogously, as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as of any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the dependent claims.

[0005] The slurry separator according to the invention for separating a thin phase from a solid component of a slurry mixture comprises a separator unit having a housing in which a press screw and a screen surrounding the press screw are arranged. Such a press screw is also called a screw press. The press screw is designed to convey the slurry mixture, which is fed into the interior of the screen via a slurry inlet in the housing, in a predetermined flow direction and to press it from the inside out against the screen, whereby the thin phase is conveyed through the screen towards at least one thin phase outlet, and the solid component remaining within the screen is conveyed towards a solids discharge.

[0006] The separator unit is designed so that the slurry mixture can first enter the housing via the slurry inlet and from there come into contact with the press screw, which then conveys the slurry mixture towards the screen. The slurry mixture is then conveyed longitudinally through the screen, as a result of which it is pressed radially from the inside out against the preferably cylindrical screen. The liquid components of the slurry mixture, i.e., the thin phase, can pass through the openings of the screen from the inside out, i.e., in a radial direction. The solid components of the slurry mixture, on the other hand, are retained by the screen. In this way, the separator unit makes it possible to separate the slurry mixture into its liquid and solid components, i.e., the aforementioned thin phase and the solid component.The thin phase then leaves the separator unit or its housing through at least one of the aforementioned thin phase discharges, whereby the solid fraction remaining and conveyed in the direction of solid discharge within the sieve can then be removed from the separator unit or, for example, transported further away via a conveyor belt.

[0007] As mentioned at the outset, blockages of the separator unit's screen can occur during use. To facilitate the clearing of such blockages, the manure separator according to the invention features a flushing device designed to introduce at least one flushing fluid into the housing and force it through the screen. The flushing device can be connected to corresponding openings in the separator unit's housing, allowing the at least one flushing fluid to be introduced into the housing and forced through the screen. In particular, when the separator unit is not being used to separate the manure mixture, the flushing device can be used to introduce the at least one flushing fluid into the housing and force it through the screen.This allows the sieve to be cleared of blockages in a particularly simple and reliable way, which in turn increases the throughput of the separator unit. In other words, the rinsing device serves to easily clear the sieve when necessary.

[0008] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the rinsing device includes a pump designed to pump water, serving as the rinsing fluid or at least as a component thereof, into the housing, through the sieve, and out of the housing. Using this water and the pump, the sieve can be cleaned simply and reliably by introducing the water into the housing of the separator unit, forcing it through the sieve, and then pumping it out of the housing. As the water is pumped out of the housing, particles dissolved from the sieve, for example, are removed from the separator unit or flushed out. Thus, the sieve can be easily cleared of blockages using the pump and the water it pumps.

[0009] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the rinsing device is designed to be connected to the housing of the separator unit in such a way that the pump conveys the water in the opposite direction to the predetermined flow direction through the at least one thin-phase drain into the housing, and from the outside in through the screen and out of the housing through a drain located outside the screen. The amount of water conveyed in the opposite direction to the predetermined flow direction allows the screen to be cleared of blockages particularly reliably. This is because the water is forced radially from the outside in through the preferably cylindrical screen. Solids or...Particles that were pressed against the sieve from the inside out during use of the separator unit, potentially causing blockages, can be removed particularly reliably by the opposite rinsing direction. This is because the water is forced radially from the outside in through the sieve, easily flushing out trapped particles and carrying them out of the housing via the drain.

[0010] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the outlet is designed to be closable. During normal operation of the slurry separator, i.e., when the separator unit is used to separate the liquid phase from the solid fraction of the slurry mixture, the outlet can be closed, allowing the slurry mixture to be conveyed through the separator unit in the conventional manner along the predetermined flow direction. However, if a cleaning operation is to take place on the slurry separator, i.e., when the flushing device is used, the outlet can be opened to allow the water to drain away as described above.

[0011] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the flushing device is designed to be connected to the housing in such a way that the pump conveys the water in the predetermined flow direction through the slurry inlet and / or an overflow of the slurry inlet into the housing, and from the inside out through the screen and through the at least one thin-phase outlet out of the housing. It is therefore also possible to use the pump to convey the water through the separator unit in the predetermined flow direction. In this case, the water flows through the separator unit in the same direction as the slurry mixture does when the separator unit is used to separate the thin phase from the solid component of the slurry mixture. This can be advantageous, for example, if deposits have formed, particularly on the outside of the screen, which are impacting and clogging the screen.When the water is then conveyed through the separator unit in the specified flow direction, the water is forced radially from the inside out through the sieve, which makes it particularly easy to dissolve and flush away external impurities, i.e., on the outer surface of the sieve.

[0012] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet are designed to be closable. Depending on whether the water is used to rinse the screen in the predetermined flow direction or in the opposite direction, it can be advantageous to design the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet to be closable. If rinsing is carried out in the opposite direction to the predetermined flow direction, closing the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet ensures that the water cannot escape at that point and, in the opposite flow direction, first enters the housing through the at least one thin-phase outlet and exits the housing exclusively through said outlet. All openings of the housing of the separator unit can be used for this purpose.Appropriately designed connections must be lockable so that, depending on the rinsing mode, i.e., depending on where the water is to be introduced and discharged for cleaning, the corresponding openings or connections can be opened or closed.

[0013] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the rinsing device includes a rinsing tank in which the water and the pump are arranged. The rinsing tank can be connected to the housing in such a way that the pump circulates the water from the rinsing tank into the housing, through the sieve, and back out of the housing into the rinsing tank. The rinsing water is thus continuously circulated, resulting in water savings. However, instead of circulating the water, it would also be possible to connect the rinsing device to a water supply, for example, to fill the aforementioned rinsing tank and introduce the water into the housing of the separator unit using the pump. In this case, it could also be provided that the water exiting the housing during the rinsing of the sieve is no longer collected in the rinsing tank.This can be advantageous, for example, if the separator's filter is particularly dirty, allowing the water to be temporarily or initially not circulated. Only after a while might it then be necessary to circulate the water, thus preventing unnecessarily high water consumption.

[0014] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the flushing device includes a pressure vessel designed to buffer air or an air-water mixture serving as the flushing fluid, or at least as a component thereof, under overpressure and to introduce it abruptly into the housing and force it through the screen. The pressure vessel can be connected, for example, to the slurry inlet and / or the overflow of the slurry inlet. It is also possible to connect the pressure vessel, for example, to the at least one thin-phase outlet of the housing. A compressor can be connected to the pressure vessel, for example, to pump pressurized air into the vessel and buffer it there. It is also possible to partially fill the pressure vessel with water and fill the remaining space with compressed air.If, for example, the manure separator is located in a place where a water connection is not readily available, a pressure tank can be advantageous. Air is usually available everywhere, and an air compressor could be connected to the pressure tank with relatively little effort. The tank is then filled with overpressure and, to clean the screen, suddenly opened and emptied. As a result, the compressed air or air-water mixture is suddenly introduced into the housing under overpressure and forced through the screen, allowing for particularly easy and reliable cleaning of the screen.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the pressure vessel has a closable connection designed to be connected to at least one opening of the housing. The closable connection can remain closed as long as the pressure vessel is not used for flushing or cleaning the screen. Once the pressure vessel has been filled with overpressure, either with air or with the aforementioned air-water mixture, the connection linked to at least one opening of the housing can be opened as needed to suddenly introduce the air-water mixture contained in the pressure vessel or the overpressure-buffered air into the housing and thereby clear the screen.

[0016] In the inventive method for cleaning the inventive manure separator or a possible embodiment of the inventive manure separator, at least one rinsing fluid is introduced into the housing by means of the rinsing device and forced through the sieve. Possible embodiments of the manure separator are to be regarded as possible embodiments of the inventive method and vice versa, wherein the manure separator may in particular have means for carrying out different process steps of the method.

[0017] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0018] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slurry separator for separating a thin phase from a solid component of a slurry mixture, wherein the slurry separator has a separator unit for separating the slurry mixture and a rinsing device for cleaning the separator unit; Fig. 2 is a side view of the slurry separator, in which a pressure vessel is also shown; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the partially shown slurry separator, in which the interior of the separator unit can be seen due to the sectional view, in whose housing a press screw and a sieve surrounding the press screw are arranged.

[0019] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0020] A manure separator 10 is shown in a perspective view in Fig. 1 The slurry separator 10 is designed to separate a thin phase from the solid component of a slurry mixture. To separate the thin phase from the solid component of the slurry mixture, the slurry separator 10 includes a separator unit 12. The exact structure of the separator unit 12 will be described later using the following examples. Fig. 3 The separator unit 12 comprises a housing 14. A slurry inlet 16 is provided for feeding the aforementioned slurry mixture to the separator unit 12. An overflow 18 is connected to this inlet. Both the slurry inlet 16 and the overflow 18 open into the housing 14 from above. The housing 14 also features a lower thin-phase outlet 20 and an upper thin-phase outlet 22. The thin phase can be drawn off or removed via these openings or connections after the slurry mixture has been separated. Furthermore, a solids discharge 24 is provided at the rear end of the housing 14, through which the solid fraction separated from the slurry mixture can be removed. The slurry separator 10 also includes a flushing device 26, which is designed to introduce at least one flushing fluid into the housing 14 for cleaning the separator unit 12.The rinsing device 26 comprises a rinsing tank 28 in which a pump (not shown here) and water are arranged. The water in the rinsing tank 28 can be conveyed via a pressure connection 30 into the housing 14 of the separator unit 12 by means of the pump, which is also contained therein and not shown here. The water can then flow back into the rinsing tank 28 via a drain 32, which connects the housing 14 of the separator unit 12 to the rinsing tank 28. For better orientation, the longitudinal direction x, transverse direction y, and vertical direction z of the slurry separator 10 are shown in the present and subsequent figures.

[0021] In Fig. 2 The manure separator 10 is shown in a side view. This differs from the illustration in Fig. 1 A pressure vessel 34 is also visible, which may additionally belong to the rinsing device 26. The pressure vessel 34 has a lockable connection 36, which can be connected to the housing 14 of the separator unit 12 for cleaning purposes.

[0022] In Fig. 3 A longitudinal section view of part of the slurry separator 10 reveals the internal structure of the separator unit 12. A press screw 38 and a screen 40 are arranged within the housing 14 of the separator unit 12. The slurry mixture to be separated enters the housing 14 via the slurry inlet 16 and initially comes into contact with an end section of the press screw 38, which is not yet enclosed by the screen 40. The screen 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape and surrounds the remaining portion of the press screw 38. The press screw 38 is designed to convey the slurry through the slurry inlet 16 into the interior of the screen 40 in a predetermined flow direction, i.e., from left to right as shown in the illustration.

[0023] While the slurry mixture is conveyed from left to right within the screen 40 by the press screw, as shown in the illustration, it is pressed against the screen 40 from the inside out, i.e., in a radial direction. As a result, the thin phase of the slurry mixture is forced radially outwards through the screen 40 and thus reaches the lower thin phase outlet 20 or the upper thin phase outlet 22. The solid component of the slurry mixture remains within the screen 40 and is conveyed by the rotating press screw 38 to the solids discharge 24. From there, the solid component can be conveyed away, for example, via a conveyor belt (not shown here). Both during and after the separation of the thin phase from the solid component of the slurry mixture, the screen 40 can become clogged. For example, parts of the solid component can become lodged in the gaps of the screen 40.It is also possible, for example, that parts of the thin phase as well as the solid fraction may accumulate on the screen 40 during periods of non-use of the slurry separator 10 and clog it. The aforementioned flushing device 28 is provided to clean the potentially clogged screen 40. Its possible operation is explained in more detail below.

[0024] For example, the one in the Figuren 1 and 2The pressure port 30 of the rinse tank 28, as shown, is connected to the thin-phase outlet 20. The pump located in the rinse tank 28 then pumps the water through the lower thin-phase outlet 20 into the housing of the separator unit 12. Consequently, the water is conveyed in the opposite direction to the specified flow direction, i.e., from the outside to the inside and from right to left, as shown in the illustration. This means that the water is forced radially from the outside to the inside through the screen 40, thereby dislodging any blockages in the screen 40. The water is then conveyed further, carrying any dissolved particles with it, and can flow back into the rinse tank 28 via the outlet 32. The remaining openings of the housing 14, or connections of the housing 14, can be closed during this process, in particular the slurry inlet 16, the overflow 18 of the slurry inlet 16, and the upper thin-phase outlet 22.The water can be pumped in a circle until the sieve 40 has been sufficiently cleaned. Afterwards, the rinse tank 28 can be emptied, for example, to remove the dissolved particles or dirt from the rinse tank 28.

[0025] For example, it is also possible to connect the pressure port 30 of the cleaning tank 28 to the upper thin-phase outlet 22 and pump the water through it into the housing 14. In this case, too, the water is forced radially from the outside inwards through the sieve 40 into its interior, thereby dislodging any blockages in the sieve 40. The water can then flow back into the cleaning tank 28 via the outlet 32 ​​and thus be continuously circulated until the sieve 40 has been sufficiently cleaned. The slurry inlet 16, the overflow 18, and the lower thin-phase outlet 20 can be closed or remain closed during this process, ensuring that the water circulates only as intended.

[0026] It is also possible to connect the pressure port 30 to the slurry inlet and / or the overflow 18 of the slurry inlet 16 and then allow the water to flow through the separator unit 12 and the screen 40 along the specified flow direction, just as the slurry mixture does when using the separator unit 12. It can be provided that the water is directed back into the rinsing tank 28 via the lower thin-phase outlet 20. In this case, the rinsing water flows radially from the inside out through the screen 40 and then back into the rinsing tank 28 via the lower thin-phase outlet 20, which can also be done as a closed loop.

[0027] Another way to clean the screen 40 is to use the pressure vessel 34. This can be connected, for example, via its port 36 to the overflow 18 of the slurry inlet 16, in which case the slurry inlet 16 can be closed. The pressure vessel 34 can be used to buffer, for example, compressed air or a pressurized air-water mixture. If the screen 40 needs to be cleaned, the pressurized air or air-water mixture inside the pressure vessel 34 can be released by suddenly opening port 36. As a result, the air or air-water mixture enters the housing 14, for example, through the overflow 18, and can then blow the screen 40 outwards in a radial direction.However, it is equally possible to connect the pressure vessel 34 with its connection 36 to the slurry inlet 16 or, for example, to one of the two thin-phase outlets 20, 22 in order to blow out the screen 40. Depending on where the pressure vessel 34 is connected, the screen 40 is then blown out from the inside out or from the outside in. It is also possible to use the rinsing tank 28 and the pressure vessel 34 simultaneously to clean the screen 40.

[0028] Using the described procedure for cleaning the sieve 40, it is easy to clean the clogged sieve 40 if necessary. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0029] 10 Slurry separator 12 Separator unit 14 Housing 16 Slurry inlet 18 Slurry inlet overflow 20 Lower thin-phase outlet 22 Upper thin-phase outlet 24 Solids discharge 26 Flushing device 28 Flushing tank 30 Pressure connection 32 Outlet 34 Pressure tank 36 Connection 38 Press screw 40 Screen x Longitudinal direction y Transverse direction z Vertical direction

Claims

1. Slurry separator (10) for separating a thin phase from a solid portion of a slurry mixture, comprising: - a separator unit (12) having a housing (14) in which a press screw (38) and a screen (40) surrounding the press screw (38) are arranged, wherein the press screw (38) is designed to convey the slurry mixture fed into the interior of the screen (40) via a slurry inlet (16) in the direction of a predetermined flow direction and to press it from the inside outwards against the screen (40), whereby the thin phase is conveyed through the screen (40) in the direction of at least one thin phase outlet (20, 22) and the solid portion remaining within the screen (40) is conveyed in the direction of a solid discharge (24); - a rinsing device (26) which is designed to introduce at least one rinsing fluid into the housing (14) and to press it through the sieve (40) in order to clean the sieve (40).

2. Slurry separator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the flushing device (26) comprises a pump which is designed to convey water serving as the flushing fluid or at least as part of the flushing fluid into the housing (14) and through the sieve (40) and out of the housing (14).

3. Slurry separator (10) according to claim 2, the flushing device (26) is designed to be connected to the housing (14) in such a way that the pump conveys the water opposite to the predetermined flow direction through the at least one thin-phase outlet (20, 22) into the housing (14) and from the outside to the inside through the sieve (40) and through an outlet (32) arranged outside the sieve (40) out of the housing (14).

4. Slurry separator (10) according to claim 3, wherein the outlet (32) is designed to be closable.

5. Slurry separator (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the flushing device (26) is designed to be connected to the housing (14) in such a way that the pump conveys the water in the predetermined flow direction through the slurry inlet (16) and / or an overflow (18) of the slurry inlet into the housing (14) and from the inside to the outside through the sieve (40) and through the at least one thin-phase outlet (20, 22) out of the housing (14).

6. Slurry separator (10) according to claim 5, wherein the slurry inlet (16) and / or the overflow (18) of the slurry inlet are designed to be closable.

7. Slurry separator (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the flushing device (26) has a flushing tank (28) in which the water and the pump are arranged, wherein the flushing tank (28) can be connected to the housing (14) in such a way that the pump conveys the water in a circuit from the flushing tank (28) into the housing (14), through the sieve (40) and again out of the housing (14) into the flushing tank (28).

8. Slurry separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flushing device (26) has a pressure vessel (34) which is designed to buffer air or an air-water mixture with excess pressure serving as the flushing fluid or at least as part of the flushing fluid and to introduce it suddenly into the housing (14) and to press it through the sieve.

9. Slurry separator (10) according to claim 8, wherein the pressure vessel (34) has a closable connection (36) which is designed to be connected to at least one opening of the housing (14).

10. A method for cleaning a slurry separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one rinsing fluid is introduced into the housing (14) by means of the rinsing device (26) and pressed through the sieve (40).

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