Collection system for filtration and drying tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a collection system for removing residual powdery products from the bottom (2) of a filtration and drying tank (1), the tank (1) comprising a lateral access opening (3) in the vicinity of the bottom (2). According to the invention, the collection system comprises a collection head (4) mounted at one end of a handling arm (5), which makes it possible to introduce the collection head (4) into the tank (1) via the lateral access opening (3) and to move said collection head (4) on the bottom (2), a hose (6) of which a first end (6a) is in fluid communication with the collection head (4) and of which a second end (6b) opens into a collection container (7) arranged outside the tank (1) and an associated suction for sucking up the powdery products via the collection head (3) and for conveying them to the collection container (7) via the hose (6).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of reactors and tanks used in the chemical, pharmaceutical or agri-food industry.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to filtration and drying tanks, filter dryers or vacuum dryers or glove boxes associated with such devices. State of the art

[0003] Filtration and drying tank systems, also called filter dryers, are known, having a flat bottom. At the end of the drying process, the powdered products obtained are generally emptied by the action of an agitator. After such emptying, a residual layer of powdered products, called a "heel", remains at the bottom of the filter dryer, which has not been evacuated. This residual layer results from the functional clearance between the agitator and the bottom of the filter dryer or the tank or a filter medium. When the filter dryer has a large diameter, the residual layer can constitute a substantial quantity of product.

[0004] The recovery of this quantity of residual product therefore presents a significant economic interest. It is therefore known to manually collect this heel, using a manual scraper for example through a glove box to ensure the protection of operators by confining the enclosure. Such an operation often proves complicated, especially when the drying filter has a large diameter.

[0005] Such an operation is long and carries risks of MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) for operators. In addition, the efficiency of such an operation is limited because a certain proportion of the powdered product inevitably remains in the tank, despite careful and repeated passage of the scraper.

[0006] Scraping also requires, for easy and complete access, disassembly of the bottom and open access to the filter media. For confined access, access for manual scraping is traditionally done through a glove box on the side of the tank. Other existing techniques, such as blow-out evacuation, do not allow access for mechanical scraping of the heel.

[0007] It is known, through document FR 3 107 464, to install a vacuum cleaner in a glove box. Such a vacuum cleaner comprising a flexible and porous recovery bag makes it possible to recover waste resulting from cleaning the glove box. Such vacuum cleaners are not intended to recover residual powdery products in a mixing or drying tank, but only waste or deposits in the glove box. The use of a porous recovery bag is also not compatible with the recovery of high value-added powders. Description of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a new collection system for recovering residual powdery products with high added value from a filtration and drying tank.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to propose a filter dryer and glove box assembly comprising a new collection system for collecting residual products after the emptying operation.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose a glove box and collection means assembly, comprising a new collection system for collecting residual products after the emptying operation.

[0011] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using a collection system for evacuating residual powdery products deposited on a bottom of a filtration and drying tank, the tank comprising a lateral access opening in the vicinity of the bottom, characterized in that it comprises: a collection head mounted at one end of a handling arm, which makes it possible to introduce the collection head into the tank via the lateral access opening and to move said collection head on the bottom, a collection tube of which a first end is in fluid communication with the collection head and of which a second end opens into a collection container arranged outside the tank, and a suction system associated with the collection tube for sucking up the residual powdery products via the collection head and for conveying said residual powdery products to the collection container via the collection tube.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection head has a shape comprising at least one projection, of the nipple or spike type, intended to move with contact on the bottom.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection head is mounted in an articulated manner on the end of the handling arm.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection container is arranged in the vicinity of the lateral access opening of the tank.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection system comprises a glove box associated with the tank and mounted on the side access opening to move the handling arm.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection container is removably mounted in the glove box.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment, the suction system comprises: a gas device generating a gas circulation at the collection head and a corresponding flow control unit, an outlet pipe establishing a fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the sealed collection container, a filter arranged inside the collection container at the inlet of the outlet pipe to separate the gas and powder product flows, and a pressure balancing device mounted connected to the collection container, to suck the gas into the collection container and thus balance the gas flow rates entering and leaving the collection container.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment, the suction system comprises: a gas device generating a gas circulation at the collection head and a corresponding flow control unit, an outlet pipe establishing a fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the collection container, a filter arranged inside the collection container at the inlet of the outlet pipe to separate the gas and powder product flows, and a balancing Venturi mounted in the outlet pipe and powered by the gas device, to suck the gas into the collection container and thus balance the gas flow rates entering and leaving the collection container.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment, the suction system comprises a suction Venturi associated with the collection head and powered by the gas device, to suck the powdery products into the tank,

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, the balancing Venturi has a vent opening into the outlet pipe, which has an exhaust in the glove box, said glove box comprising a ventilation system sized to absorb the gas flow coming from the vent of the balancing Venturi.

[0021] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved thanks to an assembly comprising a filtration and drying tank and a collection system as presented above.

[0022] The collection system according to the invention has the advantage of being able to recover a larger quantity and more quickly of residual product from a filter dryer after the emptying operation and this more quickly than during a known manual scraping operation.

[0023] The collection system also has the advantage of being able to collect residual products and bring them to a collection point identical to the collection point used during the initial mechanical emptying operation, using an agitator from tank 1. This collection point can be located inside or outside a glove box.

[0024] Another advantage of the collection system is that it achieves a level of containment identical to that of previous systems. In addition, the ergonomics of the collection system are improved. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, in which: there Figure 1is a partial view of an exemplary embodiment and arrangement of a collection system in accordance with the invention, the Figure 2 is a partial and enlarged view of the collection system of the Figure 1 , and the Figure 3 is an enlarged and perspective view of part of the collection system of the Figure 1 . Method(s) of carrying out the invention

[0026] Structurally and functionally identical elements present in several distinct figures are assigned the same numerical or alphanumeric reference.

[0027] There Figure 1is a partial view of an exemplary embodiment and arrangement of a collection system according to the invention. The collection system makes it possible to evacuate residual powdery products deposited in a filtration and drying tank 1. The tank 1 therefore has a bottom 2 on which the residual powdery products are deposited. The tank 1 also has a lateral access opening 3 in the vicinity of the bottom 2.

[0028] The collection system comprises a collection head 4 mounted or fixed on one end of a handling arm 5. The latter makes it possible to introduce the collection head 3 into the tank 1 via the lateral access opening 3 and to move said collection head 3 on the bottom 2. According to an exemplary embodiment, the handling arm 5 is telescopic or comprises several arm sections assembled to each other.

[0029] The collection system comprises a collection tube 6, a first end 6a of which is in fluid communication with the collection head 4 and a second end 6b of which opens into a sealed collection container 7. The latter is arranged outside the tank 1. The residual powdery products, called “heel”, are conveyed to the collection container 7.

[0030] The collection tube 6 is, for example, flexible. The collection container 7 is, according to another exemplary embodiment, a rigid tank. Alternatively, the collection container 7 may also consist of or include a flexible, waterproof bag, such as a plastic bag.

[0031] The collection system comprises a suction system associated with the collection tube 6 for sucking up the powdery products via the collection head 4. The collection tube 6 makes it possible to convey the powdery products to the collection container 7.

[0032] The collection container 7 is advantageously arranged in the vicinity of the lateral access opening 3 of the tank 1.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection system comprises a glove box 8 associated with the tank 1 and mounted on the lateral access opening 3. The manipulation arm 5 supporting the collection head 4 is introduced into the tank 1 via this lateral access opening 3. The manipulation arm 5 therefore has its first end 6a moving with the collection head 4 on the bottom 2. The second end 6b of the manipulation arm 5 extends outside the tank 1, into the glove box 8 to be manipulated.

[0034] There Figure 2 is a partial and enlarged view of the collection system of the Figure 1 .

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection container 7 is removably mounted in the lower part of the glove box 8. The collection container 7, for example in the form of a rigid receptacle, is advantageously removably mounted in a bottom wall of the glove box 8.

[0036] According to another exemplary embodiment, the collection container 7 is a waterproof bag or a glove box bottom tube 8.

[0037] There Figure 3 is an enlarged and perspective view of part of the collection system of the Figure 1 The collection head 4 advantageously has a protruding shape (9) of the nipple or spike type, intended to move with contact on the bottom (2).

[0038] In the example embodiment illustrated in the Figure 3, the collection head 4 comprises protruding shapes 9, of the nipple or spike type, intended to move with contact on the bottom 2. The protruding shapes 9 advantageously have a spacing 10 between them, promoting the suction of residual powdery products and gas contained in the tank 1. The collection head 4 is thus, thanks to these protruding shapes 9, kept at a distance from the surface to be sucked to optimize the collection of powdery products.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, the collection head 4 is mounted in an articulated manner at the end of the handling arm 5. Such an articulation, allowing the collection head 4 to be tilted forwards and backwards, facilitates scraping and suction operations.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, the suction system comprises a gas device generating a gas flow and a circulation of gas at the collection head 4. This circulation is advantageously controlled by a flow management control unit. The gas is advantageously nitrogen.

[0041] The suction system also comprises an outlet pipe 12 establishing fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the collection container 7. A filter 13, for example in the form of a cartridge or a bag, is arranged inside the collection container 7, at the inlet of the outlet pipe 12, to separate the flows of gas and residual powdered products collected.

[0042] The suction system also comprises a balancing Venturi 14 mounted in the outlet pipe 12 and powered by the gas device. The balancing Venturi 14 makes it possible to suck the gas into the collection container 7 and thus balance the gas flow rates entering and leaving said collection container 7. The balancing Venturi 14 is also controlled by the flow management control unit.

[0043] The balancing Venturi 14 has a vent opening into the outlet pipe 12, which has an exhaust 12a in the glove box 8. The glove box 8 has for this purpose a ventilation system sized to absorb the gas flow coming from the vent of the balancing Venturi 14. In this exemplary embodiment, it is the creation of a vacuum in the collection container 7 via the balancing Venturi 14, which makes it possible to obtain suction of the powders.

[0044] According to another exemplary embodiment, the suction system also comprises a suction Venturi 11 directly associated with the collection head 4 and powered by the gas device. The suction Venturi 11 makes it possible to suck the residual powdery products deposited on the bottom 2 into the collection tube 6 and convey them to the collection container 7.

[0045] The collection system thus makes it possible, thanks to the suction Venturi 11, to suck up the residual powder and a certain volume V1 of gas contained in the tank 1. The collection tube 6 conveys the sucked powder, the volume V1 of sucked gas and a volume V2 of feed gas from the suction Venturi 11, into the collection container 7 via an exhaust.

[0046] Furthermore, the collection system allows, thanks to the balancing Venturi 14, to suck into the collection container 7, a volume of gas equivalent to the sum of the volumes V1 and V2. The collection system then allows, via the exhaust 12a, to evacuate into the glove box 8, the volumes V1 and V2 of gas to which is added a volume V3 of gas supplying the balancing Venturi 14.

[0047] According to another exemplary embodiment, the volumes V1, V2 and V3 are routed to the outside of the glove box 8.

[0048] The pressure in the collection container 7 therefore remains at the level of the pressure prevailing in the tank and in the glove box, advantageously at a pressure level lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0049] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the filtration and drying tank 1, a glove box 8 associated with said tank 1 and a collection system as described above.

[0050] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the filtration and drying tank 1 and a collection system as described above.

[0051] It is obvious that the present description is not limited to the examples explicitly described, but also includes other embodiments and / or implementations. Thus, a described technical characteristic is likely to be replaced by an equivalent technical characteristic, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Collection system for evacuating residual powdered products deposited on a bottom (2) of a filtration and drying tank (1), the tank (1) comprising a lateral access opening (3) in the vicinity of the bottom (2), characterized in thatit comprises: - a collection head (4) mounted at one end of a handling arm (5), which makes it possible to introduce the collection head (4) into the tank (1) via the lateral access opening (3) and to move said collection head (4) on the bottom (2), - a collection tube (6) of which a first end (6a) is in fluid communication with the collection head (4) and of which a second end (6b) opens into a collection container (7) arranged outside the tank (1), and - a suction system associated with the collection tube (6) for sucking up the residual powdery products via the collection head (4) and for conveying said residual powdery products to the collection container (7) via the collection tube (6).

2. Collection system according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe collection head (4) has a shape comprising at least one projection (9), of the nipple or spike type, intended to move with contact on the bottom (2).

3. Collection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the collection head (4) is mounted in an articulated manner on the end of the manipulation arm (5).

4. Collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the collection container (7) is arranged in the vicinity of the lateral access opening (3) of the tank (1).

5. Collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a glove box (8) associated with the tank (1) and mounted on the side access opening (3) to move the handling arm (5).

6. Collection system according to claim 5, characterized in that the collection container (7) is removably mounted in the glove box (8).

7. Collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the suction system comprises: - a gas device generating a gas circulation at the collection head (4) and a corresponding flow control unit, - an outlet pipe (12) establishing a fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the sealed collection container (7), - a filter (13) arranged inside the collection container (7) at the inlet of the outlet pipe (12) to separate the gas and powdery product flows, and - a pressure balancing device mounted connected to the collection container (7), to suck the gas into the collection container (7) and thus balance the gas flow rates entering and leaving the collection container (7).

8. Collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe suction system comprises: - a gas device generating a gas circulation at the collection head (4) and a corresponding flow control unit, - an outlet pipe (12) establishing a fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the sealed collection container (7), - a filter (13) arranged inside the collection container (7) at the inlet of the outlet pipe (12) to separate the gas and powdery product flows, and - a balancing Venturi (14) mounted in the outlet pipe and powered by the gas device, to suck the gas into the collection container (7) and thus balance the gas flow rates entering and leaving the collection container (7).

9. Collection system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the suction system comprises a suction Venturi (11) associated with the collection head (4) and powered by the gas device, to suck the powdery products into the tank (1), 10. Collection system according to claims 5 or 6 and 8 or 9, characterized in that the balancing Venturi (14) has a vent opening into the outlet pipe (12), which has an exhaust (12a) in the glove box (8), said glove box (8) comprising a ventilation system sized to absorb the gas flow coming from the vent of the balancing Venturi (14).

11. Assembly comprising a filtration and drying tank (1) and a collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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