Separator for separating a medium
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023749039
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-08-09
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing separator devices, such as pressure sorters, face issues with clogging and fiber fleece formation, which affect the separation of media into thin and thick phases, and cannot adjust the viscosity of the thick phase effectively due to neglecting factors like volume flow and viscosity in control systems.
A separator device with a pump, a separator unit, and a drive motor, featuring a control device that adjusts the pump speed based on detected motor current and setpoint values, and a rotor design with a convex curve to manage viscosity independently, allowing for precise control of the thick phase viscosity.
Enables the adjustment and maintenance of constant viscosity in the thick phase, improving separation efficiency by considering volume flow and viscosity, and reducing clogging risks through the rotor's design and control system.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Separator for separating a medium
[0002] The invention relates to a separator device comprising a pump with a pump drive, a separator unit for separating a medium into a thin liquid phase and a thick liquid phase, and a drive motor for driving the separator unit. Separator devices known from the prior art include, for example, pressure screens suitable for fractionating solids from a medium. Such pressure screens have a screen body that divides the pressure screen into an inlet chamber and an accept chamber. The screen body either rotates itself or is stationary. If the screen body is stationary, the pressure screen has a motor-driven rotor, so that the inlet chamber is delimited on the one hand by the screen body and on the other hand by the rotor.The medium entering the inlet chamber flows against the screen body, whereby the screen body has openings that allow the filtrate to pass into the accepts chamber and retain the concentrate or contaminants in the inlet chamber. A fundamental problem with pressure screening of this type is that the openings in the screen body can become clogged, and fiber mats can also form on the inlet side of the screen body. Therefore, solutions are known from the prior art that cause the medium to be backflushed from the accepts chamber into the inlet chamber, thus counteracting clogging of the openings in the screen body. This problem is solved in particular by profile elements on the circumferential surface of the rotor, which have a first flank for accelerating the medium in the direction of rotation and a second flank for sucking liquid back from the accepts chamber through the screen body into the inlet chamber.Such a pressure sorter with corresponding profile elements is disclosed, for example, in document EP 0 646 199 B1.
[0003] Furthermore, document EP 0 646 199 B1 discloses a control of a frequency converter based on differential pressures prevailing between the inlet side of the screen body and the other side of the screen body, with the frequency converter being connected upstream of the motor that drives the rotor. This control is based on the consideration that the intensity of the fiber mat formation on the inlet side of the screen depends on the rotor speed, and the intensity of the fiber mat formation, in turn, influences the magnitude of the pressure difference. The disclosed control allows the screen body to be kept clear.
[0004] However, the control system disclosed in EP 0 646 199 B1 neglects the fact that the pressure difference between the inlet side of the sieve body and the other sieve body side depends, among other things, on the volume flow and the viscosity of the inflowing medium. EP 0 646 199 B1 only considers fiber web formation as a disturbance variable. Consequently, the separation result can only be partially influenced by controlling the frequency converter. For subsequent process steps, the separation result is usually defined by the highest possible viscosity of the concentrate. It is therefore desirable that the viscosity of the concentrate can be adjusted and kept constant. With the control system disclosed in EP 0 646 199 B1, adjusting the viscosity of the concentrate is not possible.
[0005] The aim of the invention is therefore to separate a medium into a thin liquid phase and a thick liquid phase, whereby the viscosity of the thick liquid phase can be adjusted and kept constant.
[0006] The object is achieved by a separator device comprising a pump with a pump drive, a separator unit for separating a medium into a low-viscosity phase and a high-viscosity phase, and a drive motor for driving the separator unit. The separator unit comprises a housing having at least one inlet for the medium, at least one first outlet for the low-viscosity phase, and at least one second outlet for the high-viscosity phase. Arranged within the housing are a stationary sieve body, which divides an interior of the separator unit into a sieve chamber and a filtration chamber, and a rotor driven by the drive motor within the sieve body.
[0007] A control device is coupled to the pump drive of the pump and the drive motor. The control device has a detection unit for detecting an actual value of a drive value of the drive motor, a comparison unit for determining a deviation between the actual value and a setpoint value of the drive value, and a control element for generating an output signal based on the deviation and for outputting the output signal to the pump drive. If the actual value is below the setpoint, the output signal causes the pump drive to reduce the pump speed. If the actual value is above the setpoint, the output signal causes the pump drive to increase the pump speed.
[0008] The invention is based on the finding that the viscosity of the viscous phase depends, among other things, on the feed volume flow of the input medium. The feed volume flow can be used to regulate the residence time of the medium in the sieve chamber. The shorter the residence time (higher volume flow), the less time the sieve body has to dewater the medium; consequently, the medium thickens less in the sieve chamber. The longer the residence time of the medium in the sieve chamber, the more time the sieve body has to dewater the medium, and consequently, the medium thickens more.
[0009] Furthermore, the invention makes use of the fact that the viscosity of a medium located in an annular gap between an inner, rotating cylinder and an outer, stationary cylinder is proportional to the torque of the inner cylinder.
[0010] In this respect, a drive value of the drive motor, which is proportional to the viscosity of the medium or to the torque of the drive motor that drives the rotor, can be used as a controlled variable for regulating the pump speed. Depending on the type of drive motor, the motor current (synchronous motor) or the slip (asynchronous motor) can be proportional to the torque of the drive motor. Preferably, the drive value of the drive motor is the motor current of the drive motor. It is therefore particularly preferred that the detection unit detects an actual value of the motor current of the drive motor, and that the comparison unit compares the actual value with a target value of the motor current of the drive motor and indicates a result of the comparison.
[0011] The disclosed invention allows the viscosity of the viscous phase to be adjusted independently of fluctuations in the material properties of the medium.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the separator device has a user interface with a setting unit for setting the setpoint. Due to the proportionality between the drive value and the viscosity, the setpoint can be set in relation to a desired viscosity. If the viscosity of the viscous phase to be set or desired is to be comparatively low, a comparatively low setpoint can be set. If the viscosity of the viscous phase to be set is to be comparatively high, a comparatively high setpoint can be set. Therefore, it is not necessary to know the absolute values of the desired viscosity to set the setpoint.
[0013] It is preferred that the adjustment unit has a first adjustment button for increasing the setpoint. This allows the setpoint to be increased if the viscosity of the viscous phase is to be increased. It is preferred that the setpoint can be increased in uniform steps, for example, in decimal or decimal increments. However, other increments are also possible.
[0014] The setting unit preferably has a second setting button for decreasing the setpoint. This allows the setpoint to be decreased if the viscosity of the viscous phase is to be reduced. The setpoint can preferably be decreased in uniform steps, e.g., in decimal steps or decimal steps. However, other step intervals are also possible. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the setting unit has a slider. The slider can be analog or digital. The slider preferably has a horizontal or vertical bar. A slider can preferably be moved along the bar. It is preferred that the slider can be moved using a mouse, a user's fingers, or other aids. In the case of a digital slider, the user can preferably move the slider using a touchscreen.By moving the slider, a user can adjust the setpoint. A numerical scale is preferably displayed along the bar. It is also preferred that symbols are arranged along the bar that are objectively associated with an increase or decrease of a value. For example, a plus and a minus sign can be arranged at two opposite ends of the bar. Therefore, no absolute values are necessary to adjust the setpoint.
[0015] The setpoints are preferably stored in a memory linked to the user interface. A user can access and recall the setpoints stored in the memory via the user interface.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface, including the setting unit, is coupled to the control device to provide the set setpoint to the control device. Preferably, the setpoint is provided to the comparator unit. The comparator unit can then compare the set setpoint with the detected actual value and determine any deviation between the two values.
[0017] It is preferred that the user interface is arranged on an outer side of the housing. A user of the separator device can thus easily set the setpoint on the user interface. The user interface preferably has a touchscreen so that a user can set the setpoint by touching the touchscreen. It is also preferred that the user interface can be accessed via a terminal device, e.g., a laptop, tablet, or the like. The user can then set the setpoint on the setting unit of the user interface via the terminal device and increase or decrease it using the first and second setting buttons and / or the slider.
[0018] The separator device preferably has a drive motor control unit for controlling the drive motor. This allows, for example, the direction of rotation or the speed of the drive motor to be controlled. Furthermore, the direction of rotation, the torque, or other drive values of the drive motor can be controlled using the drive motor control unit.
[0019] It is particularly preferred that the rotor has a shape other than circular-cylindrical. In contrast, pressure sorters known from the prior art usually have a circular-cylindrical rotor. However, the rotor of the present invention is preferably a vertical cylinder.
[0020] It is preferred that a cross-section of the rotor defines a closed, convex curve. Preferably, the curve of the cross-sectional area is a curve with a constant width. The width of a curve is defined as the distance between two parallel straight lines that are tangent to the curve. For a curve of constant width, the width remains the same, regardless of where on the curve the straight lines act. During rotation, the rotor generates a uniform load on the sieve body. The compressive and tensile forces acting on the rotor largely cancel each other out. When the rotor rotates about the rotor axis, the rotor creates tensile and compression zones within the sieve chamber. In the compression zones, the medium from the sieve chamber is pressed through the sieve body into the filtration chamber. In the tensile zones, the medium from the filtration chamber is sucked back through the sieve body into the sieve chamber. The openings of the sieve body are flushed through.The sieve body preferably has openings adapted to the medium to be separated. Examples of media to be separated include liquid manure, digestate, or media containing microplastics.
[0021] Preferably, the rotor has a substantially protrusion-free rotor peripheral surface. Since the rotor's geometric shape creates pressure and tension zones within the filtration chamber, the rotor requires no additional profile elements on the rotor peripheral surface to flush the openings of the screen body. A protrusion-free rotor peripheral surface also reduces rotor wear. Furthermore, the rotor can be cleaned more effectively.
[0022] It is preferred that the rotor be helical. Due to the helical or twisted design of the rotor, the medium receives an additional conveying effect within the screening chamber when the drive motor rotates in a first direction. This can shorten the residence time of the medium within the screening chamber. When the drive motor rotates in the opposite direction, the rotor's helical design creates a braking effect on the medium. The medium consequently has a longer residence time within the screening chamber. By changing the direction of rotation of the rotor, the viscosity of the viscous phase can be further controlled.
[0023] The housing preferably has a cover for closing the housing, wherein the cover is pivotably mounted on the housing. The cover can therefore be moved between a closed position and a tilted position, wherein the cover closes the housing in the closed position. A mechanical unit, for example a hinge unit, is preferably arranged on the housing for pivoting the cover. A pivotable cover facilitates servicing of the separator unit, such as maintenance or cleaning, since the cover does not have to be completely removed for this servicing. The rotor is preferably a substantially cylindrical hollow body. A rotor shell, which forms the rotor circumferential surface, is preferably rolled from sheet metal. To prevent the medium from entering the rotor, the rotor is preferably sealed on the cover surface and on the base surface or on the axial end faces.
[0024] It is preferred that the separator device has a drive shaft that couples the drive motor to the rotor. A longitudinal axis of the drive shaft is preferably coaxial with the rotor axis of the rotor. Preferably, the drive shaft is connected to a hub body that supports the rotor. The hub body preferably supports the rotor by means of at least one support strut. It is preferred that the support strut is arranged perpendicular to the rotor shell, and that the support strut couples the hub body to the rotor. The drive shaft and hub body form a first shaft-hub connection.
[0025] Preferably, the first shaft-hub connection is an axially movable connection. Due to the axially movable shaft-hub connection, no axial force is transmitted between the shaft and the hub, but only a torque. The torque can therefore be transmitted from the drive shaft to the hub body and thus to the rotor connected to the hub body. In the area of the first shaft-hub connection, the drive shaft preferably has a splined shaft profile. A second shaft-hub connection is preferably provided for coupling the drive motor to the drive shaft.
[0026] It is preferred that the separator device has a hollow spindle through which the drive shaft extends. The spindle is preferably rigid. It is preferred that a central axis of the spindle is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The spindle and drive shaft are preferably arranged so as not to make contact with each other.
[0027] The hub body is preferably mounted on the axle mandrel. It is preferred that the hub body be mounted on the axle mandrel by means of a fixed-loose bearing. The hub body is preferably formed as a single piece, but it can also be formed as two, three, or more than three parts.
[0028] The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the viscosity of a viscous phase within a separator device, preferably within the separator device described above. The method comprises the steps of detecting an actual value of a drive value of a drive motor, determining a deviation between the actual value and a target value of the drive value of the drive motor, increasing a pump speed of a pump drive if the actual value is above the target value, and decreasing the pump speed if the actual value is below the target value.
[0029] The actual value of the drive value of the drive motor is preferably detected by means of a detection unit. It is preferred that the drive value is proportional to the viscosity of the viscous phase. It is particularly preferred that an actual value of a drive current of the drive motor is detected. Preferably, the actual value is compared with the target value of the drive value of the drive motor by means of a comparison unit. The target value is preferably a target value of the drive current of the drive motor. It is particularly preferred that the target value is a target value set by a user. Preferably, an output signal is generated based on the determined deviation. The output signal is preferably generated by a control element and output to the pump drive. It is particularly preferred that the output signal causes the pump drive to adjust the pump speed proportional to the deviation between the actual value and the target value.
[0030] It is particularly preferred that the setpoint is set relative to a desired viscosity of the viscous phase. If the viscosity of the viscous phase to be set or desired is to be comparatively low, a comparatively low setpoint can be set by a user. If the viscosity of the viscous phase to be set is to be comparatively high, a comparatively high setpoint can be set by a user. The user preferably sets the setpoint on a user interface coupled to the comparator unit.
[0031] It is preferred that the viscosity of the viscous phase be increased by increasing the setpoint. To do this, the user can preferably increase the setpoint using a setting unit on the user interface. It is preferred that the setpoint can also be increased during operation. Therefore, if the user notices during operation that the viscous phase is not sufficiently viscous, the setpoint can be increased at any time.
[0032] To reduce the viscosity of the viscous phase, the setpoint is preferably reduced. It is preferred that the user be able to reduce the setpoint using the user interface's adjustment unit. This is preferably also possible during operation, so that a user can reduce the setpoint at any time if they notice during operation that the viscous phase is too viscous. A slider, adjustment buttons, or similar devices can be provided to increase or decrease the setpoint.
[0033] In a preferred step of the method, the set target value is provided to a memory. The set target values can be temporarily stored in the memory and recalled and re-adjusted for subsequent adjustment processes.
[0034] A preferred step of the method is controlling the drive motor with a drive motor control unit to change the direction of rotation of the drive motor. This preferably influences the flow of a medium through a screen chamber. The flow can be influenced in particular when a rotor driven by the drive motor is helical. With a first direction of rotation, the helical design of the rotor achieves a conveying effect. The residence time of the medium in the screen chamber is shortened, the medium thickens less, and the viscous phase consequently has a comparatively lower viscosity. With a direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, a braking effect is achieved. The residence time of the medium in the screen chamber is increased, the medium thickens more, and the viscous phase consequently has a comparatively higher viscosity.
[0035] The invention also relates to a control device for controlling the viscosity of a viscous phase within a separator device, preferably within a separator device as described above. The control device comprises a detection unit for detecting an actual value of a drive value of a drive motor, a comparison unit for determining a deviation between the actual value and a target value of the drive value of the drive motor, and a control element for generating an output signal to a pump drive. The output signal causes the pump drive to reduce a pump speed if the actual value is below the target value. If the actual value is above the target value, the output signal causes the pump drive to increase the pump speed.
[0036] The control device is preferably configured to receive the setpoint via a user interface. It is particularly preferred that the comparator unit of the control device receives the setpoint via the user interface. The setpoint received from the user interface is preferably a setpoint that a user has set on the user interface in relation to a desired viscosity of the viscous phase. If the viscosity of the viscous phase to be set or desired is to be comparatively low, a user can set a comparatively low setpoint. If the viscosity of the viscous phase to be set is to be comparatively high, a user can set a comparatively high setpoint.
[0037] It is preferred that the control device is configured to increase the viscosity of the viscous phase if a setpoint is received that is higher than a previously received setpoint. It is particularly preferred that the output signal causes the pump drive to increase or decrease the pump speed proportional to the deviation between the actual value and the setpoint. If a setpoint is received that is higher than a previously received setpoint, the deviation between the actual value and the setpoint determined by the comparator unit changes. By adjusting the pump speed proportional to the deviation between the actual value and the setpoint, even minimal adjustments to the setpoint can be taken into account.
[0038] It is preferred that the control device is configured to reduce the viscosity of the viscous phase if a setpoint is received that is lower than a previously received setpoint. If a setpoint is received that is lower than a previously received setpoint, the deviation between the actual value and the setpoint determined by the comparison unit changes. When the pump speed is adjusted proportionally to the deviation between the actual value and the setpoint, a setpoint that is reduced compared to a previously received one results in the pump speed being reduced proportionally less if the setpoint is still above the actual value, and increased proportionally more if the setpoint is below the actual value.
[0039] Preferably, the control device is configured to receive a setpoint value temporarily stored in a memory. It is preferred that the setpoint values set on the user interface be temporarily stored in the memory so that they can be recalled by a user in a subsequent setting process.
[0040] It is preferred that the control device is designed to control the viscosity of the viscous phase taking into account the direction of rotation of the drive motor. The direction of rotation of the drive motor can preferably be changed by means of a drive motor control unit. It is preferred that the rotor of the separator device is designed such that a conveying effect is achieved in a first direction of rotation and a braking effect is achieved in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. The conveying effect shortens the residence time of the medium in the screen chamber, the medium is thickened to a lesser extent, and the viscous phase consequently has a comparatively lower viscosity. The braking effect increases the residence time of the medium in the screen chamber, the medium is thickened to an increased extent, and the viscous phase consequently has a comparatively higher viscosity.It is therefore preferable that the pump speed is adjusted taking into account the conveying or braking effect.
[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer program for controlling the control device described above is proposed, wherein the computer program has program code means configured to carry out a method comprising the steps of detecting an actual value of a drive value of a drive motor, determining a deviation between the actual value and a target value of the drive value of the drive motor, increasing a pump speed of a pump drive if the actual value is above the target value, and reducing the pump speed if the actual value is below the target value, when the computer program is executed on a computer of the control device.
[0042] Embodiments of the invention will now be described below with reference to the drawings. These are not necessarily intended to represent the embodiments to scale; rather, the drawings are schematic and / or slightly distorted where this is useful for explanation. With regard to additions to the teachings immediately apparent from the drawings, reference is made to the relevant prior art. It should be noted that numerous modifications and changes to the form and detail of an embodiment can be made without deviating from the general idea of the invention. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential for the further development of the invention, both individually and in any combination.Furthermore, all combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the description, the drawings and / or the claims fall within the scope of the invention. The general idea of the invention is not limited to the exact form or detail of the preferred embodiments shown and described below, or limited to an object that would be limited compared to the object claimed in the claims. In specified dimensioning ranges, values lying within the stated limits are also intended to be disclosed as limit values and to be used and claimed as desired. For the sake of simplicity, the same reference numerals are used below for identical or similar parts or parts with identical or similar functions.
[0043] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the drawings, which show:
[0044] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the separator device;
[0045] Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the rotor;
[0046] Fig. 3A a top view of the rotor including the rotor's movement path
[0047] Fig. 3B is a plan view of the rotor without the rotor's movement path;
[0048] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the separator unit;
[0049] Fig. 5 shows the forces on the rotor;
[0050] Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the bearing arrangement;
[0051] Fig. 7 is a partially sectioned view of a design stage of the separator device;
[0052] Fig. 8 shows a further illustration of the design status of the separator device; and in
[0053] Fig. 9 a user interface.
[0054] Fig. 1 shows the separator device 1. It comprises a pump 2 with a pump drive 4, a separator unit 6, a drive motor 8, and a control device 10. The control device 10 has a detection unit 12, a comparator unit 14, and a control element 16. In the embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 1, the comparator unit 14 and the control element 16 are combined in a common assembly.
[0055] The separator unit 6 is shown in section. The separator unit 6 comprises a housing 18 with an inlet 20 for a medium M, a first outlet 22 for a low-viscosity phase F, and a second outlet 24 for a high-viscosity phase A. The medium M is conveyed by means of the pump 2 through the inlet 20 with a feed volume flow Q into the separator unit 6. The feed volume flow Q depends on a pump speed of the pump drive 4. The higher the pump speed, the higher the feed volume flow Q. Preferably, there is a linear, particularly preferably a proportional, relationship between the feed volume flow Q and the pump speed of the pump drive 4.
[0056] In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, the medium M first enters a third pipe socket 54, hereinafter also referred to as the inlet socket. The inlet socket 54 is part of the housing 18 and is preferably arranged at a lower section of the housing 18. The inlet socket 54 is in fluid communication with a sieve chamber 26. The sieve chamber 26 is radially bounded on the one hand by a sieve body 28 and on the other hand at least partially by a rotor 30. In the embodiment shown, the sieve body 28 is a stationary sieve body.
[0057] The rotor 30 is a cylindrical hollow body. The rotor 30 has a rotor shell 32 which forms a rotor circumferential surface 34 (see Figure 2). The rotor circumferential surface 34 is free of elevations, i.e., no profile elements are arranged on the rotor circumferential surface 34. The rotor 30 is axially sealed so that the medium M cannot penetrate into the cylindrical hollow body of the rotor 30. The rotor 30 rotates about a rotor axis LR. The rotor axis LR is preferably arranged coaxially to a sieve body axis LS of the sieve body 28. The sieve body 28 is cylindrical. An annular gap 36 is formed between the rotor 30 and the sieve body 28, through which the medium M flows from an inlet section 38 to an outlet section 40. The annular gap 36 forms the part of the sieve chamber 26 within which the supplied medium M is thickened.The medium M, which enters the annular gap 36 of the sieve chamber 26 at the inlet section 38 and exits the annular gap 36 of the sieve chamber 26 at the outlet section 40, is accelerated in the rotational direction by the rotational movement of the rotor 30 and is at least partially conveyed from the sieve chamber 26 through openings (not shown) of the sieve body 28 into a filtration chamber 42. The medium M remaining in the sieve chamber 26 is dewatered and consequently thickened. The filtered liquid collects in the filtration chamber 42 and forms a thin phase F of the incoming medium M, whereas a thick phase A of the incoming medium M forms in the sieve chamber 26. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the rotor 30 does not extend over the entire length of the sieve body 28.It is preferred that the rotor 30 extends in a range of approximately 20% to 100%, preferably 50% to 100%, particularly preferably 70% to less than 100% of the length of the sieve body 28.
[0058] The filtration chamber 42 is radially delimited on the one hand by the sieve body 28 and on the other hand by the housing 18. The filtration chamber 42 is in fluid communication with the first outlet 22 for the low-viscosity phase F. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the low-viscosity phase F reaches the first outlet 22 via a first pipe socket 50. The medium M thickened in the sieve chamber 26 and in particular in the annular gap 36 exits as the high-viscosity phase A through the second outlet 24 of the housing 18. The high-viscosity phase A reaches the second outlet 24 for the high-viscosity phase A via a second pipe socket 52. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the second pipe socket 52 is curved.
[0059] The housing 18 has a cover 56 designed to close the housing 18. The cover 56 is pivotally mounted. According to Figure 1, the cover 56 is in a closed position. A mechanical unit 60 is formed on the housing 18, whereby the cover 56 can be moved from the closed position shown in Figure 1 into a tilted position (not shown). When the cover 56 is in a closed position, the cover 56 is frictionally connected to the housing 18 on a side opposite the mechanical unit 60. Consequently, the cover 56 cannot detach itself in the closed position. To move the cover 56 from the closed position to the tilted position, a user can release the frictional connection and manually move the cover 56 into the tilted position. In the tilted position, the separator unit 6 is easily accessible to the user, and service work such as cleaning can be carried out.The first pipe socket 50 and the second pipe socket 52 are preferably not elements of the cover 56 (see Fig. 8). As a result, the cover 56 can be opened without dismantling the pipe sockets 50, 52. Service times are reduced. The rotor 30 is driven by the drive motor 8. A drive shaft 62 couples the drive motor 8 to the rotor 30. The bearing arrangement between the drive shaft 62 and the rotor 30 is described with reference to Fig. 6, which shows a detailed view of the bearing arrangement.
[0060] The detection unit 12 is coupled to the drive motor 8 and is designed to detect an actual value IW of a drive value AW of the drive motor 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the detection unit 12 is an ammeter. Accordingly, an actual value IW of a motor current of the drive motor 8 is detected. It is preferred that a dependency of the motor current on the flow rate (volume flow) of the separator unit 6 be determined. Taking this dependency into account, a corrected actual value IW of the motor current can preferably be provided to the comparator unit 14 and compared with a target value SW.
[0061] The current measuring device or detection unit 12 is coupled to the comparator unit 14 and provides it with the detected actual value IW. The comparator unit 14 is also supplied with a setpoint SW of the drive value AW of the drive motor 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the setpoint SW is a setpoint of the motor current of the drive motor 8. The setpoint SW can be a predetermined setpoint SW. However, the setpoint SW is particularly preferably a setpoint SW that can be set by a user of the separator device 1. The comparator unit 14 is designed to compare the setpoint SW with the actual value IW and to determine a deviation between the setpoint SW and the actual value IW. The control element 16 is coupled to the comparator unit 14 and generates an output signal AS which is based on the deviation between the setpoint SW and the actual value IW determined by the comparator unit 14.The output signal AS is provided by the control element 16 to the pump drive 4.
[0062] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the rotor 30. The rotor 30 is, as already described, a cylindrical hollow body. The rotor shell 32 is preferably rolled from a sheet metal. A cover surface 64 of the rotor is designed as a rotor seal 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor seal 66 has an opening 68. However, this opening 68 is not open in the operating state of the separator device, but rather closed (see Figure 4), so that the medium M cannot penetrate into the rotor 30 during operation.
[0063] Figures 3A and 3B show a plan view of the cover surface 64 of the rotor 30. Figure 3A also shows the movement path 70 (dashed line) of the rotor 30 when it is driven by the drive motor 8 about the rotor axis LR. According to Figures 2, 3A and 3B, the rotor 30 has a shape that deviates from a circular cylindrical shape. In the plan view according to Figures 3A and 3B, the rotor shell 32 forms a closed, convex curve 72, wherein the curve 72 is a curve of constant width B. To illustrate the width B, two parallel auxiliary lines 74, 76 that are tangent to the curve 72 on two opposite sides are shown in Figure 3B. The width B between these two auxiliary lines 74, 76 remains constant, regardless of the point at which the parallel lines 74, 76 are tangent to the curve 72. In the embodiment shown, the curve 72 forms a kind of triangle, with corners 78, 80, 82 of the triangle being rounded.It is also possible for the curve 72 to form a type of quadrilateral, pentagon, or polygon with more than five corners, with the corners preferably being rounded. Figure 3A shows that the rotor's movement path 70 forms a circular path concentric around the rotor axis LR, with the rotor axis LR running perpendicular to the viewing plane of Figure 3A and intersecting the opening 68, which is formed as a circle, at its center MP (see Figure 3B). This means that any point on the rotor circumferential surface 34 is moved on a circular path around the rotor axis LR.
[0064] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the separator unit 6, horizontal to the rotor axis LR and the sieve body axis LS. Shown are the rotor 30, the sieve body 28, and the housing 18. The rotor 30 and the sieve body 28 define the sieve chamber 26. The sieve body 28 and the housing 18 define the filtration chamber 42. The rotor 30 has the shape described above. The rotor axis LR and the sieve body axis LS are arranged coaxially to one another. The opening 68 of the rotor is closed. The annular gap 36, which forms between the rotor 30 and the sieve body 28, is of uneven width. This means that the space between the rotor 30 and the sieve body 28 is a space whose gap width varies.At the points where the rounded corners 78, 80, 82 of the rotor 30 are opposite the sieve body 28, the annular gap 36 is significantly smaller than at the points where the curved sections formed between the rounded corners 78, 80, 82 are opposite the sieve body 28.
[0065] Figure 5 shows a measured pressure load on the rotating rotor 30 as well as a schematic view of the force arrangement on the rotor 30. The pressures measured on the rotor 30 (in bar) result in a central 3-point arrangement 84. The pressure curves 86, 88, 90 shown, from a first point 92 to an adjacent point 94, initially show an increasing pressure load from the rotor 30 onto the sieve body 28. The pressure increases up to a maximum pressure load Pmax, after which the pressure drops. The pressure curves 86, 88, 90 show that the pressure on the rotating rotor 30 is built up and released almost evenly. Compressive forces 96 and tensile forces 98 acting on the rotor 30 are thus largely eliminated, and the sieve body 28 is also loaded almost evenly.
[0066] Pressure zones are created in the sections where pressure is built up or pressure is exerted by the rotor 30 on the sieve body 28. Tension zones are created in the sections where the pressure is released or tensile forces act on the rotor 30.
[0067] In the pressure zones, the medium M, which flows into the screen chamber 26 and thus into the annular gap 36 between the rotor 30 and the screen body 28, is pressed from the screen chamber 26 through the screen body 28 into the filtration chamber 42. In the tension zones, the medium M is sucked back from the filtration chamber 42 through the screen body 28 into the screen chamber 26. The alternating pressure and tension zones allow the openings (not shown) of the screen body 28 to be flushed.
[0068] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the separator unit 6 in the area of the drive shaft 62, wherein the bearing arrangement between the drive shaft 62 and the rotor 30 is shown in detail. The rotor 30 itself is not shown in Figure 6, but a first support strut 100 and a second support strut 102 are shown, which are arranged perpendicular to the rotor shell 32 of the rotor 30 (see Figure 1). The second support strut 102 also forms an axial seal for the rotor 30. The support struts 100, 102 support the rotor 30 on a hub body 104. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6, the hub body 104 is constructed in three parts. However, it is equally possible for the hub body to be constructed in one part, two parts, or more than three parts. The first hub body portion 106, the second hub body portion 108 and the third hub body portion 110 are preferably positively connected to one another.According to Figure 6, a first shaft-hub connection 112 is formed between the first hub body portion 106 and the drive shaft 62. For this purpose, the drive shaft 62 has a profile at a first axial end 113 or in the region of the first shaft-hub connection 112, which can engage in a corresponding recess in the first hub body portion.
[0069] The first shaft-hub connection 112 shown in Figure 6 between the drive shaft 62 and the hub body 104 is an axially movable connection. Consequently, no axial forces are transmitted between the drive shaft 62 and the hub body 104. Only the torque is transmitted from the drive shaft 62 to the hub body 104. Since the hub body 104 is coupled to the rotor 30 via the support struts 100, 102, the rotor 30 is consequently set in rotation.
[0070] Figure 6 also shows a hollow axle mandrel 114. The drive shaft 62 extends through the axle mandrel 114. A central axis of the axle mandrel LA is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft LW. The central axis of the axle mandrel LA and thus also the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft LW are also coaxial with the rotor axis LR and the sieve body axis LS. The axle mandrel 114 and the drive shaft 62 are preferably arranged so as not to contact one another. The axle mandrel 114 is rigid and attached to a housing section (see Figure 1). In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the hub body 104 is mounted on the rigid axle mandrel 114 by means of a fixed-loose bearing, wherein the loose bearing 116 is axially closer to the first shaft-hub connection 112 than the fixed bearing 118. For fixing the inner rings of the fixed bearing 118 and the loose bearing 116 to the axle mandrel 114, a sleeve 120 and an axial fixing element 122 are also provided.According to Figure 6, the axial fixing element 122 is connected to the axle mandrel 114 in a force-locking manner by means of a screw.
[0071] A second shaft-hub connection 124 is provided between a motor hub 126 and the drive shaft 62. For this purpose, the drive shaft 62 has a profile at a second axial end 128, which is opposite the first axial end 113, which engages in a corresponding recess in the motor hub 126. The torque of the drive motor 8 is transmitted to the drive shaft 62 via this second shaft-hub connection 124.
[0072] Figure 7 shows a design status of the separator device 1, with the separator unit 6 shown in section. The separator unit 6 according to Figure 7 essentially corresponds to the separator unit 6 according to Figure 1, so that reference is made to the description with regard to Figure 1. The separator unit 6 is constructed on a stand body 130 and can be placed on a floor via this. The stand body 130 has a sufficiently large recess within which the drive motor 8 is arranged. The drive motor 8 is therefore arranged between the separator unit and the floor. According to Figure 7, the drive motor 8 is arranged in a motor housing 132.
[0073] The drive motor 8 is coupled to a drive motor control unit 134. The drive motor control unit 134 controls the motor. The direction of rotation, the torque, the motor current, or other drive values of the drive motor can be controlled via the drive motor control unit 134. The drive motor 8 is also coupled to the detection unit 12 or the current measuring device for detecting the motor current. The motor current detected by the current measuring device is provided as an actual value IW to the comparator unit 14. A setpoint value SW of the motor current is also provided to the comparator unit 14 as a comparison value. To set the setpoint value SW, the separator device 1 has a user interface 136 with a setting unit 138. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 7, the user interface 136 is arranged on the housing 18 of the separator unit 6.
[0074] The setpoint SW can be set by a user in relation to a desired viscosity of the viscous phase A, wherein the setpoint SW (motor current) is proportional to the viscosity of the viscous phase A. The higher the viscosity should be, the higher the setpoint SW is set by the user. A first setting button 140 is provided to increase the setpoint SW. Using the first setting button 140, a user can increase the setpoint SW, preferably even during operation of the separator device 1. Preferably, the setpoint SW can be increased successively in uniform steps. A second setting button 142 is provided to decrease the setpoint SW. Using the second setting button 142, a user can increase the setpoint SW, preferably in uniform steps. Alternatively or additionally, a slider can be provided to increase and decrease the setpoint SW.It is also possible for the user to access setpoint values SW stored in a memory 180. The setpoint values SW stored in the memory 180 are preferably setpoint values SW that the user has set in previous setting processes on the setting unit 138 and made available to the memory 180 (see Figure 9). Furthermore, it is possible for the setpoint value SW to be automatically adjustable depending on the devices or methods downstream of the separator device. For this purpose, it is preferred that the memory 180 has setpoint values SW that are assigned to downstream devices or methods, and that are automatically retrieved and set on the setting unit 138 depending on the downstream devices or methods.
[0075] The comparator unit 14 determines a deviation between the actual value IW detected by the detection unit 12 or the ammeter and the set target value SW. The determined deviation is provided by the comparator unit 14 to the control element 16. The comparator unit 14 and the control element 16 are arranged in a common assembly according to Figure 7 (as in Figure 1). Based on the deviation, the control element 16 generates an output signal that is fed to the pump drive 4. If the actual value IW is below the target value SW, the generated output signal AS causes the pump drive 4 to reduce the pump speed. Reducing the pump speed results in the medium M being conveyed at a reduced feed volume flow Q through the inlet 20 into the separator unit 6 and thus into the screen chamber 26.Due to the reduced feed volume flow Q, the residence time of the medium M in the screen chamber 26 increases and the medium M has more time to dewater. As a result, the medium M is thickened more within the screen chamber 26 and has a higher viscosity. If the actual value IW is above the setpoint SW, the generated output signal AS causes the pump drive 4 to increase the pump speed. Increasing the pump speed results in the medium M flowing into the screen chamber 26 with an increased feed volume flow Q. Due to the increased feed volume flow Q, the residence time of the medium M in the screen chamber 26 is reduced. The shorter the residence time (high volume flow), the less time the screen body 28 has to dewater the medium M. As a result, the medium M is less thickened and the viscosity decreases.
[0076] Figure 8 shows a further illustration of the design status of the separator device 1. The base body 130 is positioned on the floor by means of four feet 144.
[0077] Figure 8 does not show an interior view of the separator unit 6, but rather shows only the housing 18 of the separator unit 6. The housing 18 has the lid 56, which is pivotally mounted on the housing 18. To move the lid 56 from the closed position to the tilted position, the lid 56 has a handle 150. A user can grasp the handle 150 and pivot the lid 56 about a tilting axis K. The tilting axis K runs through hinges 200 of the mechanical unit 60. The first and second outlets 22, 24 are arranged parallel to one another according to Figure 8. The first pipe socket 50 for the low-viscosity phase F and the second pipe socket 52 for the high-viscosity phase A are arranged on the housing 18. The first pipe socket 50 opens into the first outlet 22, the second pipe socket 52 opens into the second outlet 24.The pipe sockets 50, 52 preferably form a counter-stop that holds the cover 56 in a tilted position (not shown). The inlet 20 is arranged on a side of the housing 18 opposite the cover 56. It is provided that the inlet 20 can be coupled to the pump 2 (not shown in Figure 8). A pressure gauge 148 is preferably arranged at the inlet 20. The pressure gauge 148 is configured to measure the pressure of the medium M flowing through the inlet 20. The user interface 160 shown in Figure 9 has a touchscreen 162 surrounded by a boundary edge 164. The setting unit 138 is displayed digitally on the touchscreen 162. The setting unit 138 comprises the first setting button 140 and the second setting button 142 as well as a slider 170. It is also possible for the setting unit 138 to have either a slider 170 or setting buttons 140, 142.The slider comprises a slider 172 that can be moved along a bar. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the slider 172 can be moved by a user's touch. By moving the slider 172, the setpoint SW can be increased or decreased. In addition, adjustment buttons 140, 142 are provided, via which the setpoint SW can also be adjusted. The adjustment buttons can be actuated by a point touch. The first adjustment button 140 for increasing the setpoint SW has a plus sign, which is objectively associated with an increase in a value. The second adjustment button 142 for decreasing the setpoint SW has a minus sign, which is objectively associated with a decrease in a value. It is preferred that the setpoint SW can be increased or decreased in uniform steps using the adjustment buttons 140, 142.Preferably, the grinder 172 moves automatically upon actuation of the adjustment buttons 140, 142 in the direction of the respectively actuated adjustment button 140, 142. This means that upon actuation of the first adjustment button 140, the grinder automatically moves along the bar in the direction of the first adjustment button 140, and upon actuation of the second adjustment button 142, the grinder automatically moves in the direction of the second adjustment button 142.
[0078] The set setpoint SW is displayed via a setpoint display 168. In addition, an actual value display 166 can be provided, which displays the detected actual value IW. The user interface 136 is coupled to the control device 10. Via this, the set setpoint SW can be provided to the comparator unit 14 (not shown in Figure 9). Furthermore, the actual value detected by the detection unit 12 (not shown in Figure 9) can be provided to the user interface 160 and displayed on the setpoint display 168.
[0079] The user interface 160 is further coupled to a memory 180, in which the set target values SW are provided. Set target values SW can be temporarily stored in the memory 180 and called up again for subsequent setting processes. The set target values SW stored in the memory 180 are preferably shown in a memory display 182. The user can view the stored set target values SW in the memory display 182 and select a desired set target value SW by touch. The set target value SW selected in this way is then set on the setting unit 138. It is preferred that the set target values SW provided in the memory 180 are assigned to specific devices or methods downstream of the separator device. The user can then, for example,Select the downstream device or process on the memory display 182 or on another display not shown, and the memory 180 automatically provides the corresponding setpoint SW to the setting unit 138.
Claims
Claims 1. A separator device (1) comprising a pump (2) with a pump drive (4), a separator unit (6) for separating a medium (M) into a low-viscosity phase (F) and a high-viscosity phase (A), and a drive motor (8) for driving the separator unit (6), wherein the separator unit (6) comprises a housing (18) having at least one inlet (20) for the medium (M), at least one first outlet (22) for the low-viscosity phase (F), and at least one second outlet (24) for the high-viscosity phase (A), wherein a stationary sieve body (28) is arranged within the housing (18) and divides an interior of the separator unit (6) into a sieve chamber (26) and a filtration chamber (42), and a rotor (30) driven by the drive motor (8) is arranged within the sieve body (28).and wherein, during operation, the medium (M) enters the screen chamber through the inlet (20) by means of the pump (2) and exits the screen chamber (26) as a viscous phase (A) at an outlet section (40) of the screen chamber (26), characterized by a control device (10) which is coupled to the pump drive (4) of the pump (2) and the drive motor (8), wherein the control device (10) has a detection unit (12) for detecting an actual value (IW) of a drive value (AW) of the drive motor (8), a comparison unit (14) for determining a deviation between the actual value (IW) and a setpoint value (SW) of the drive value (AW) of the drive motor (8), and a control element (16) for generating an output signal (AS) based on the determined deviation and for outputting the output signal (AS) to the pump drive (4), wherein the output signal (AS) controls the pump drive (4) causes a pump speed to be reduced if the actual value (IW) is below the setpoint (SW),and wherein the output signal (AS) causes the pump drive (4) to increase the pump speed if the actual value (IW) is above the setpoint (SW)., 2. Separator device according to claim 1, comprising a user interface (136) with a setting unit (138) for setting the setpoint (SW).
3. Separator device according to claim 2, wherein the user interface (136) is coupled to the control device (10) for providing the set target value (SW) to the control device (10).
4. Separator device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the user interface (136) is arranged on an outer side of the housing (18).
5. Separator device according to one of the preceding claims or the preamble of claim 1, wherein the rotor (30) has a shape deviating from a circular cylindrical shape.
6. Separator device according to claim 5, wherein a cross section of the rotor (30) defines a closed, convex curve (72).
7. Separator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (30) has a substantially elevation-free rotor peripheral surface (34).
8. Separator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (30) is helical.
9. Separator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (18) has a cover (56) for closing the housing (18), and wherein the cover (56) is pivotally mounted on the housing (18).
10. Separator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (30) is a substantially cylindrical hollow body. 1 1. Separator device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a drive shaft (62) which couples the drive motor (8) to the rotor (30).
12. Separator device according to claim 11, wherein the drive shaft (62) is connected to a hub body (104) which supports the rotor (30), and wherein the drive shaft (62) and the hub body (104) form a first shaft-hub connection (112).
13. Separator device according to claim 12, wherein the first shaft-hub connection (1 12) is an axially movable connection.
14. Separator device according to one of claims 12 or 13, comprising a hollow axle mandrel (114) through which the drive shaft (62) extends.
15. Separator device according to claim 14, wherein the hub body (104) is mounted on the axle mandrel (114).
16. A method for adjusting a viscosity of a viscous phase within a separator device, preferably within a separator device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: - Recording an actual value of a drive value of a drive motor; - Determining a deviation between the actual value and a setpoint of the drive value of the drive motor; - Increasing a pump speed of a pump drive if the actual value is above the setpoint; and - Reduce the pump speed if the actual value is below the setpoint.
17. The method according to claim 16, comprising: - Setting the setpoint in relation to a desired viscosity of the viscous phase.
18. The method of claim 17, comprising: - Increasing the viscosity of the viscous phase by increasing the setpoint.
19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, comprising: - Reduce the viscosity of the viscous phase by reducing the setpoint.
20. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising: - Providing the setpoint to a storage device.
21. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, comprising: - Controlling the drive motor with a drive motor control unit to change the direction of rotation of the drive motor.
22. Control device for controlling a viscosity of a viscous phase within a separator device, preferably within a separator device according to one of claims 1 to 15, with - a recording unit for recording an actual value of a drive value of a drive motor, - a comparator unit for determining a deviation between the actual value and a setpoint value of the drive value of the drive motor, and - a control element for generating an output signal based on the determined deviation and for outputting the output signal to a pump drive, wherein the output signal causes the pump drive to reduce a pump speed if the actual value is below the setpoint, and wherein the output signal causes the pump drive to increase the pump speed if the actual value is above the setpoint.
23. Control device according to claim 22, which is arranged to receive the setpoint via a user interface.
24. Control device according to claim 22 or 23, which is arranged to increase the viscosity of the viscous phase if a setpoint is received which is higher than a previously received setpoint.
25. Control device according to one of claims 22 to 24, which is arranged to reduce the viscosity of the viscous phase if a setpoint is received which is lower than a previously received setpoint.
26. Control device according to one of claims 22 to 25, which is arranged to receive a setpoint value temporarily stored in a memory.
27. Control device according to one of claims 22 to 26, which is designed to control the viscosity of the viscous phase taking into account the direction of rotation of the drive motor.
28. Computer program for controlling the control device according to one of claims 22-27, wherein the computer program comprises program code means arranged for Carrying out the method according to one of claims 16 to 21, when the computer program is executed on a computer of the control device.