Device and method for emptying granular catalyst material from a reactor

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the invention, a conveying attachment (7) for removing granular catalyst material (3) from a reactor (1) is proposed. The conveying attachment (7) comprises an attachment head, which has a receiving opening for receiving the catalyst material (3) and a discharge opening for discharging the catalyst material (3). The conveying attachment (7) furthermore comprises at least one motor and at least one screw (8) for conveying the catalyst material (3), wherein the at least one screw (8) can be driven by the at least one motor. According to a further aspect of the invention, a removal device (2) for removing granular catalyst material (3) from a reactor (1) is proposed. The removal device (2) comprises the conveying attachment (7) described above, a suction device (4) and a suction tube (5) which is connected to the discharge opening of the conveying attachment (7) and to the suction device (4). A method for removing granular catalyst material (3) from a reactor (1) using the removal device (2) is also proposed.

Description

[0001] Apparatus and method for emptying granular catalyst material from a reactor

[0002] The invention relates to a conveyor attachment for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor. Furthermore, a removal device for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor is proposed, which is equipped with the conveyor attachment. Furthermore, a method for operating the removal device, which is intended for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor, is described.

[0003] The invention is preferably intended for industrial applications in the field of large-scale chemicals, preferably petroleum chemistry. The pressure vessels used are mostly essentially cylindrical and typically have a diameter of 1 to 7 m and a height of 5 to 40 m. They have a manhole at the top that allows access to the interior. The exhausted catalyst material must be transported out of the reactor through this manhole or a similar device. At the bottom of the reactor there is a product discharge; according to the present invention, this is not used for emptying. The granular catalyst material is located in a stationary bed and fills most of the interior of the reactor. There is sufficient space between the granules for gaseous or liquid substances to pass from top to bottom in the reactor.

[0004] A typical catalyst for use with the present invention is a catalyst for so-called fixed-bed reactors, which are used, for example, in the desulfurization of crude oil. The activity of a catalyst decreases over time due to a variety of factors. Typically, the catalyst then has to be replaced. This requires removing the catalyst from inside the reactor. In some cases, the volume of the catalyst material grains increases during practical operation, leading to compaction and making emptying more difficult. However, other influences can also cause the grains to become more or less interconnected, in particular to agglomerate or clump together, which can make removal or suction more difficult. Experience has shown that in approximately 25% of cases encountered in the chemical industry, the catalyst material is still freely flowing when emptying begins.In about 50% of cases, the grains are stuck together or otherwise bonded together; in this case, it is necessary to loosen the compact substance of grains, for example, manually using appropriate simple tools. In the remaining 25% of cases, the grains are caked together, and considerable mechanical means are required to remove the tightly bonded mass from the reactor.

[0005] The invention is particularly directed at the aforementioned 50% of cases of stuck-together grains and the 25% of cases of still-free-flowing material from the grains. It is also directed, but not primarily, at emptying the reactor filling, which forms a tightly bonded mass of grains.

[0006] From KR 101580391 Bl, a device for emptying with a suction hose is known. The suction hose has a lower, open suction end located inside the reactor and an upper outlet end connected to a suction device located outside the reactor. This suction device has a cyclone and a vacuum pump. This device also has an impact machine designed as a small tracked vehicle with chains and a seat for an operator. The tracked vehicle is used inside the reactor. This device is preferably suitable for very large reactors. It is not clear how the tracked vehicle can be brought into the interior of the reactor through the small manhole shown; in any case, the tracked vehicle is considerably larger than the clear opening of the manhole.

[0007] WO 2019 / 002248 A1 discloses a device and method for removing catalyst material from a reactor. The reactor material is sucked out of the reactor using a suction hose. A rigid pipe is attached to a lower end of the suction hose. A percussion machine is arranged near an opening in the pipe. The percussion machine has arms made of chain links that are motor-driven to loosen the catalyst material. The loosened catalyst material is sucked into the opening of the pipe. This solution requires a solid structure with a rigid pipe end. It is moved within the reactor using a structure made of rods and traction cables. The opening of the pipe is oriented downwards.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a conveyor attachment for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor that has a simpler design, is easier to move within the reactor, and can also accommodate catalyst material in a horizontal orientation. The invention is further based on the object of providing a removal device for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor that achieves these advantages, as well as an operating method for the removal device.

[0009] The objects are achieved by a conveyor attachment according to independent patent claim 1, the removal device according to independent patent claim 18, and the method according to independent patent claim 19. The dependent patent claims specify optional embodiments of the invention. It is pointed out that the features listed in the independent and dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any way, provided this is technically expedient. This also applies across the boundaries of the claim categories and even if a patent claim is not dependent on another patent claim. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in connection with the figures. Features of the conveyor attachment, the removal device, and the method specified in the description can be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically expedient.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a conveying attachment for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor is specified. The conveying attachment comprises an attachment head having a receiving opening for receiving the catalyst material and an outlet opening for the outlet of the catalyst material. The conveying attachment further comprises at least one motor and at least one screw for conveying the catalyst material, wherein the at least one screw is drivable by the at least one motor. The conveying attachment preferably forms a compact attachment whose outlet opening can be connected to a hose. The attachment head is preferably cylindrical, but can also be designed differently. In its interior, the attachment head preferably forms a passage or a cavity that establishes a connection between the receiving opening and the outlet opening.When catalyst material is drawn through the hose connected to the feed attachment, the feed attachment collects the catalyst material through the intake opening. The catalyst material enters the hose from the outlet opening and is thus sucked away.

[0011] The at least one screw conveys the catalyst material towards the receiving opening. It can also be used to crush or loosen the catalyst material, particularly if catalyst grains are stuck together, heavily agglomerated or clumped, or if there is a tightly cohesive mass of catalyst material in the reactor that cannot be sucked up without prior processing. The screw not only conveys the catalyst material towards the receiving opening, but the conveying attachment can also move partially independently within the catalyst material. According to one embodiment, the at least one motor can be assigned to exactly one screw and drive it. According to another variant, the at least one motor can be assigned to several screws and drive them.Furthermore, it is possible for the conveyor attachment to have multiple screws and multiple motors, with one motor preferably being assigned to each screw. The at least one screw can preferably be driven in the forward and reverse directions by the motor, allowing different directions of movement.

[0012] The at least one screw is preferably a conveyor screw. The conveyor screw can be designed, for example, as a screw shaft or an axisless spiral. As has been shown, conveyor screws are very well suited for both conveying and loosening the catalyst material. If more than one conveyor screw is used, the conveyor screws are preferably aligned parallel to one another. The at least one conveyor screw preferably has a length of 200 mm to 375 mm, preferably 250 mm to 300 mm.

[0013] It is advantageous if the thread diameter of the conveyor screw decreases, in particular tapers, towards one end of the conveyor screw. This allows the conveyor screw to work its way particularly well into the optionally solidified catalyst material. The conveyor screw preferably has a maximum diameter starting from the attachment head and tapers noticeably towards its end. A maximum thread diameter of the conveyor screw is preferably 120 mm to 200 mm, more preferably 150 mm to 160 mm. The conveyor screw preferably tapers to a point. The thread diameter of the conveyor screw preferably decreases conically, i.e., decreases linearly towards the end of the conveyor screw.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a thread of the conveyor screw has at least one projection and / or at least one notch for comminuting and / or loosening the catalyst material. These can help to loosen the solidified or stuck catalyst material. In particular, an outer profile of the thread can be provided with the projection(s) and / or with one or more notches ("recesses"). The projections are preferably protruding teeth provided on the thread. The notches are preferably cutouts or recesses provided on the thread, or other types of notches.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, the at least one motor may be a compressed air motor. A compressed air motor or gas expansion motor is operated with compressed air or compressed gas. Compressed air motors are particularly preferable at the intended location in a potentially dusty and humid environment. According to the present disclosure, the compressed air motors can be supplied with compressed air via a hose or hoses (compressed air lines) connected to the conveyor attachment or directly to the at least one motor. Alternatively, a hydraulic motor or an electric motor with a high protection class appropriate to the application can be used.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one screw is fastened to the attachment head. It is possible for the at least one screw to be fastened directly to the attachment head, for example by being seated or mounted in it or by being fastened to an outer wall of the attachment head. Alternatively, the at least one screw is fastened indirectly to the attachment head, for example via a further component of the conveyor attachment, which is either integrated into the attachment head or attached to the attachment head. In this sense, it is advantageous if the at least one motor is fastened to the attachment head to the side of the receiving opening and coupled to the screw, such that the at least one screw is fastened to the attachment head via the at least one motor.

[0017] The at least one screw is preferably arranged at least partially in front of a plane defined by the receiving opening of the attachment head, so that at least a portion of the screw extends in front of the attachment head. An imaginary plane can be placed in the receiving opening. According to this embodiment, at least a portion of the screw is located in front of this plane, i.e., outside the attachment head.

[0018] For clarification, it should be added that the imaginary plane placed in the receiving opening divides the space into a first area and a second area. The attachment head is located in the first area. The attachment head then ends virtually flush with this imaginary plane, thus extending up to it at most. Adjoining this imaginary plane is the second area, into which preferably at least a portion of the screw extends. This second area can be regarded, within the meaning of the present disclosure, as an area that lies "in front of the plane" according to the preceding formulation, or more simply, "in front of the attachment head." According to the advantageous embodiment described, the screw intersects an imaginary plane defined by the receiving opening of the attachment head.

[0019] If, for example, the screw is a conveyor screw, its thread should be arranged at least partially, but preferably completely, in front of the plane. In this area, the at least one screw can convey the catalyst material in the direction of the receiving opening. If, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving opening and thus the plane defined by it runs essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the screw (or to the motor shaft), then the screw can usually also be arranged completely in front of the plane (or only in sections, by having an initial section of the screw arranged in or behind and not in front of the plane). If, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving opening and thus the plane defined by it is not essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the screw (or to the motor shaft), then the screw can usually also be arranged completely in front of the plane (or only in sections, by having an initial section of the screw arranged in or behind and not in front of the plane).to the motor shaft) but at an angle offset to the axis of rotation of the screw (or to the motor shaft), then the screw is usually arranged completely forward of the plane. However, even in this case (the angularly offset arrangement to the plane), the screw can only be arranged in sections forward of the plane in such a way that only a section of the screw is located forward of the plane.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, it is also conceivable that the plane defined by the receiving opening is not a clear, straight plane, but rather, for example, runs in a stepped manner. For example, it is conceivable that various projections or cover elements or roofs are provided, which are arranged, for example, to the side of the central section of the receiving opening. For example, the receiving opening could be provided centrally, offset furthest back in the direction of the receiving element or suction hose, while the receiving opening extends laterally of that central section at an angular offset or in a stepped manner further away from the receiving element or suction hose. In this way, catalyst material could be fed centrally in the direction of the receiving element orSuction hose and the lateral projections or cover elements or roofs prevent or at least reduce the sucked-in catalyst material from being whirled away again or whirled laterally past the receiving opening of the catalyst material. In such a described case of additional projections or cover elements or roofs, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one screw can further preferably be arranged at least partially in front of a plane, so that at least a section of the screw extends in front of the attachment head, wherein the plane is defined by the central part of the receiving opening of the attachment head.

[0021] Preferably, at least a section of the at least one screw overlaps the receiving opening in a vertical plan view of the receiving opening. Preferably, at least a section of the screw is arranged so as to overlap or be aligned with the receiving opening. Thus, the catalyst material can be conveyed not only in the general direction of the receiving opening, but directly in its direction. If the screw is a conveyor screw, then according to a variant of the present disclosure it is provided that a thread of the conveyor screw overlaps or covers the receiving opening at least in sections in a vertical plan view of the receiving opening. Preferably, an axis of the at least one screw is not arranged so as to be aligned with the receiving opening.However, alternative embodiments of the present disclosure are also conceivable in which the axis of the at least one screw is arranged in alignment with the receiving opening.

[0022] According to one variant of the present disclosure, the conveyor attachment has a first screw and a second screw. Preferably, the axes of rotation of the first screw and the second screw are aligned parallel to one another. The first screw and the second screw can preferably be driven independently of one another. According to the present disclosure, this can be implemented such that the conveyor attachment has a first motor coupled to the first screw and a second motor coupled to the second screw. According to the present disclosure, the first motor and the second motor can be controlled independently of one another. In particular, it may be possible to drive the first screw and the second screw in opposite directions. According to another variant of the present disclosure, the threads of the first screw and the second screw are designed to be opposite directions.If the motors are pneumatic motors, they are preferably each equipped with a separate compressed air connection (and a compressed air line). According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, only one motor is provided, which drives both the first screw and the second screw.

[0023] According to a further corresponding variant of the present disclosure, the conveyor attachment has at least one first screw and at least one second screw. Accordingly, the conveyor attachment can have at least one first motor and at least one second motor. Accordingly, more than two motors, for example, a third motor (possibly coupled to a third screw) and a fourth motor (possibly coupled to a fourth screw), can also be provided. The screws and motors can correspond to the screws and motors described above or below.

[0024] It is advantageous if the attachment head has a receiving element and an outlet element, wherein the receiving element forms the receiving opening, wherein the outlet element forms the outlet opening, and wherein the receiving element and the outlet element are rotatable relative to one another. The receiving element and the outlet element can thus be rotated relative to one another. This is particularly advantageous when the outlet element is connected to a suction hose. The specified arrangement prevents the hose from twisting. As the receiving element works its way through the catalyst material, it can change its orientation. The outlet element can rotate relative to the receiving element, thus preventing twisting of the suction hose and any other supply and / or control lines connected to the attachment head.Preferably, the receiving element and / or the outlet element are cylindrical, or at least partially cylindrical.

[0025] In principle, different designs of the receiving element are conceivable. Thus, according to one possible variant of the disclosure, the receiving element can be formed by a thin-walled element intended to receive and convey the catalyst material, allowing the catalyst material to pass through the receiving element and reach the outlet element. However, more solid designs are also possible. According to such embodiments, the receiving element can have a comparatively thick wall and can optionally also include and / or support additional components, for example, an engine.

[0026] The receiving element and the outlet element are preferably connected to one another in a rotatable and axially non-sliding manner. This can be achieved by means of a pivot bearing. Both a direct connection between the two elements and an indirect connection is possible. The receiving element and the outlet element are preferably directly connected to one another in a rotatable manner. In this two-part, rotatable variant of the attachment head, the receiving element and the outlet element are preferably coupled via a ring connection. Here, the receiving element is preferably designed as a suction mouth that carries the at least one motor, and the outlet element is designed as a suction pipe. The suction pipe preferably has a smaller radial diameter than the suction mouth. In particular, it is advantageous if the suction pipe has a diameter that is smaller than a maximum radial diameter of the suction mouth.According to the present disclosure, it is possible for the suction mouth to have a radial diameter that increases at least in sections in the direction of the receiving opening.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one screw is attached to the receiving element of the attachment head. The at least one screw can be attached directly or indirectly to the receiving element.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, it is possible for the at least one screw to be fastened directly to the receiving element. For example, it is possible for a motor shaft connected to the screw or the motor shaft driving the screw to be fastened to the receiving element and / or to be mounted on or in this receiving element. According to advantageous embodiments, a wall of the receiving element has sufficient strength so that the wall can support the screw. It can further be provided that the wall accommodates a motor shaft to which the screw is fastened. The screw is preferably fastened to the side of the receiving opening on the receiving element. According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the motor is further integrated into the receiving element so that the motor can drive the screw from within the receiving element.In particular, the motor can be connected to a motor shaft which is arranged at least in sections in the receiving element, wherein the motor shaft is connected to the screw.

[0029] Alternatively, the at least one screw is indirectly fastened to the receiving element of the attachment head, for example via a further component of the conveyor attachment, which is either integrated into the receiving element or attached to the receiving element. In this sense, it is advantageous if the at least one motor is fastened to the receiving element laterally of the receiving opening and coupled to the screw. Accordingly, the at least one screw is fastened to the receiving element via the at least one motor. The at least one screw is preferably aligned substantially perpendicular to the receiving opening. This means that an axis of rotation of the at least one screw is aligned substantially perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by the receiving opening.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the at least one screw is aligned either at an angle of substantially 90° to the imaginary plane formed by the receiving opening or at an angle of 90° + / - 5° to the imaginary plane formed by the receiving opening. Thus, for example, a tolerance range of 5° can be provided. In other words, an angle of 85° to 95° between the axis of rotation and the imaginary plane formed by the receiving opening is permissible according to this variant of the present disclosure. Particularly advantageously, the axis of rotation of the at least one screw is aligned at an angle of 90° + / - 3° to the imaginary plane formed by the receiving opening.

[0031] Preferably, the at least one motor or a housing supporting the motor is attached to a side wall of the receiving element. The motor or its housing can be screwed to the receiving element, for example, via support plates. Preferably, the screw is attached directly to a motor shaft of the motor.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one screw is oriented at an angle of 5° to 85°, preferably 10° to 15°, to the receiving opening. The value range of the angle is preferably specified between a rotational axis of the at least one screw and an imaginary plane defined by the receiving opening. Thus, the at least one screw is particularly preferably oriented at an angle of 5° to 85°, preferably 10° to 15°, to the imaginary plane defined by the receiving opening. A correspondingly designed conveying attachment can be placed on the catalyst material such that the rotational axis of the at least one screw is oriented essentially horizontally. The conveying attachment can thus work its way through the bed of catalyst material in an essentially lateral or horizontal direction.Due to the above-mentioned orientation of the receiving opening relative to the screw, the receiving opening is also oriented downwards. It has been found that this design allows for increased suction performance. The suction hose, which is connected to the rear on the side facing away from the screw(s), runs quickly and upwards out of the reactor in a substantially vertical orientation due to the angular offset, instead of being disadvantageously initially aligned horizontally and having to make a sharp bend, curve, or even kink. The specified orientation of the receiving opening relative to the axis of rotation of the screw can be achieved using various designs of the conveyor attachment.According to the present disclosure, the screw, a motor carrying the screw, or another component carrying the screw can be mounted in a correspondingly aligned manner on the attachment head, in particular on the receiving element of the attachment head.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, it is possible for the at least one screw to be rotatably attached to the attachment head, such that an angle between the at least one screw and the receiving opening is variable. The angle is preferably formed between a rotational axis of the at least one screw and an imaginary plane defined by the receiving opening. Thus, the at least one screw is preferably rotatably attached to the attachment head, such that an angle between the at least one screw and the imaginary plane defined by the receiving opening is variable. The screw is preferably attached to the attachment head in such a way that its orientation relative to the attachment head is variable.According to variants of the present disclosure, this can be achieved by rotatably attaching the screw, a motor, or another component supporting the screw to the attachment head, in particular to the receiving element of the attachment head, for example by means of a swivel joint. Thus, the angle between the screw and the attachment head can be changed during operation of the attachment head. The angular offset of the screw(s) can also be actively controlled and actively adjustable, for which purpose, for example, a dedicated motor can be provided.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a removal device for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor is proposed. The removal device is equipped with the conveyor attachment described above, further with a suction device and with a suction hose connected to the outlet opening of the conveyor attachment and to the suction device. The suction hose can be attached to the outlet element of the conveyor attachment, for example, by means of a pipe clamp. The suction hose is preferably semi-flexible. It is preferably designed to be sufficiently abrasion-resistant so that it is not worn too quickly by abrasive grains of the catalyst material. Hoses with an internal diameter of, for example, approximately 100 mm are preferably used. Due to its flexibility, the suction hose can be positioned in the reactor. The suction device is preferably composed of a cyclone and a vacuum pump.

[0035] In addition to the suction hose, the extraction device may also comprise other supply and / or control lines connected to the conveying attachment. In an embodiment of the present disclosure with at least one compressed air motor, this may involve at least one compressed air hose (compressed air line). When using a motor or motors of a different type, the extraction device may comprise corresponding control and / or power supply lines. Only optionally, the extraction device may also comprise a linkage and / or traction cables, which can be used to move the conveying attachment and / or the suction hose in the reactor.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor is proposed. The method utilizes the removal device described above to carry out the method. The method comprises the following steps: placing the conveyor attachment onto the catalyst material, operating the at least one motor, wherein the catalyst material is conveyed by the at least one screw of the conveyor attachment toward the receiving opening of the conveyor attachment, and is loosened and / or crushed, and forming a suction air flow in the suction hose by means of the suction device, such that the catalyst material is sucked into the receiving opening of the conveyor attachment. The conveyor attachment of the removal device is thus placed onto the catalyst material. The at least one motor is activated, causing the at least one screw to dig into the catalyst material.The rotation of the screw conveys the catalyst material toward the intake opening and is sucked in by the suction air flow. The rotation of the screw can cause the conveyor attachment to move automatically within the catalyst material—without external influence from rods, ropes, or the like.

[0037] The sucked-in catalyst material is transported further through the suction hose. The separation of suction air and particles at an upper outlet end of the suction hose is preferably carried out according to methods known from the prior art, in particular according to the previously mentioned publication KR 101580391 Bl.

[0038] During the process, the at least one screw is preferably oriented substantially horizontally, so that the conveyor attachment moves substantially horizontally through the catalyst material and / or conveys and / or processes the catalyst material substantially horizontally. The substantially horizontal orientation means that the conveyor attachment may tilt slightly upwards or downwards during the process, but that the conveying direction, at least initially in the feed area of ​​the screw(s) of the conveyor attachment, is substantially horizontal.

[0039] Preferably, a rotation axis of the screw is oriented substantially horizontally when the method is carried out. The rotation axis can either be oriented exactly horizontally or its orientation can deviate by a maximum of + / - 5° from the exactly horizontal orientation. Thus, a deviation from the horizontal orientation of 5° upwards or downwards can occur. In this value range, the screw is to be regarded as being oriented substantially horizontally. Particularly preferably, the orientation of the rotation axis deviates by a maximum of + / - 3° from the exactly horizontal orientation. The horizontal orientation is preferably understood to mean that the screw or its rotation axis is oriented horizontally to the earth's surface and / or a surface of the catalyst material. In other words, the screw or its rotation axis is preferably oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity when the method is carried out.

[0040] This allows the conveyor attachment to process the catalyst material essentially in a horizontal direction. This has the advantage, among other things, that the conveyor attachment does not dig too deeply into the catalyst material. Furthermore, with appropriate alignment, automatic movement of the conveyor attachment within the catalyst material is easier. The conveyor attachment preferably moves essentially horizontally through the catalyst material. Even if the screws are at an angular offset to the receiving opening, the conveyor attachment can still be aligned essentially horizontally, because the angular offset essentially only reorients the openings, thus bringing the suction hose connected to the rear into a preferred vertical orientation.

[0041] As a further independent embodiment of the present disclosure, a conveyor attachment for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor of the types described above or below can be provided, wherein the screw(s) is / are supplemented by an additional, driven loosening tool. For example, the screw(s) can be supplemented by a chain or multiple chains, or alternative impact tools (or one of the multiple screws can be replaced by such an impact tool). This also applies analogously to a further independent embodiment of the removal device according to the present disclosure, as well as to a further independent embodiment of the method for removing granular catalyst material from a reactor using the removal device according to the present disclosure.

[0042] Advantageous embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a reactor in which a removal device according to the present disclosure is used, in a sectional view, Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a conveyor attachment according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a partial sectional view from above,

[0044] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the conveyor attachment according to Fig. 2 without screw in a front view,

[0045] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the conveyor attachment according to Fig. 2 with a screw in a front view,

[0046] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the conveyor attachment with two screws in a partial sectional view from above,

[0047] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the conveyor attachment according to Fig. 5 in a front view (the two screws have been omitted for the sake of clarity),

[0048] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the conveyor attachment with screws whose diameter decreases towards one end, in a view from above,

[0049] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a conveyor attachment according to Fig.

[0050] 7 used screw in a front view and

[0051] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the conveyor attachment with an angularly offset screw in a side view.

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a reactor 1 in which a removal device 2 according to the present disclosure is used, in a sectional view. In the reactor 1 there is a catalyst material 3 which is removed from the reactor 1 by the removal device 2. The catalyst material 3 is basically granular, but it regularly agglomerates or clumps together, so that simple suction removal is often not possible or only satisfactory for a portion of the catalyst material 3. The removal device 2 has a suction device 4 arranged outside the reactor 1, to which a flexible suction hose 5 is connected. The suction hose 5 is guided into the reactor 1 through a reactor opening 6. A conveying attachment 7 is connected to the suction hose 5.The conveyor attachment 7 enables the granular catalyst material 3 to be processed and conveyed by means of two screws 8, allowing the conveyor attachment 7 to suck up the catalyst material 3. The suction device 4 sucks the catalyst material 3 picked up by the conveyor attachment 7 upwards through the suction hose 5. Finally, in the suction device 4, the catalyst material 3 is separated from the suction air.

[0053] The rotation axes of the screws 8 of the conveyor attachment 7 are aligned essentially horizontally in the catalyst material 3. This allows the conveyor attachment 8 to work its way horizontally through the catalyst material 3. This can also occur automatically, i.e., without moving the conveyor attachment 7, by means of a rod assembly or the like, which could, for example, convey the suction hose 5 together with the conveyor attachment 7 through the bed of catalyst material 3. However, such a rod assembly can advantageously be dispensed with, because a rotating movement of the screws 8, on the one hand, conveys the catalyst material 3 towards the suction hose 5, and, in addition, the conveyor attachment 8 can also move within the reactor 1. The removal device 2 is thus easy to handle.

[0054] The orientation of the two screws 8 is indicated in Fig. 1 from a lateral perspective, as if the two screws 8 were arranged vertically one above the other. However, this usually does not correspond to the actual orientation. Thus, the conveyor attachment 7 is preferably aligned during use such that the two screws 8 are arranged essentially in a common horizontal plane. Both screws 8 thus work their way through the upper level of the bed on catalyst material 3.

[0055] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a conveyor attachment 7 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a partial sectional view from above. The conveyor attachment 7 has an attachment head 9. A motor 10 is attached to the attachment head 9 via a support 11. A screw 8 is connected to the motor. The screw 8 in this case is a conveyor screw. The attachment head 9 forms a receiving element 12. The receiving element 12 has a receiving opening 13. The catalyst material 3, which the screw 8 conveys in the direction of the receiving opening 13, can be sucked in through the receiving opening 13. The attachment head 9 further forms an outlet element 14, opposite the receiving element 12. The outlet element 14 has an outlet opening 15, which outlet opening 15 is opposite the receiving opening 13.The suction hose 5 can be connected to the outlet opening 15, which can suck the catalyst material 3 out of the attachment head 9.

[0056] In a cut-out section of the attachment head 9, it is visible that the outlet element 14 sits in a bearing 16 formed by the receiving element 12. The outlet element 14 can rotate in the bearing 16. This is advantageous when the conveying attachment 7 moves in a catalyst material 3, for example, in a circular path or generally in the bed of the catalyst material 3. Since the receiving element 12 and the outlet element 14 are rotatable relative to one another, any twisting of the suction hose 5, which might otherwise be caused by the movement of the conveying attachment 7 or the screws 8, is prevented. The screw 8 is arranged in front of an imaginary plane 17 defined by the receiving opening 13 of the attachment head 9. The screw 8 is thus located in front of the receiving opening 13 and can convey catalyst material 3 in its direction.

[0057] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the conveyor attachment 7 according to Fig. 2 without a screw in a front view. Visible from the front is the receiving element 12 of the attachment head 9, which forms the receiving opening 13. The motor 10 is attached to the side of the receiving element 12 by means of the support 11. No screw is shown in this view. The screw can be attached to a motor shaft 18 of the motor 10.

[0058] The motor 10 or the motor shaft 18—and consequently also the axis of a screw 8 (see also Fig. 4)—is arranged below the axis of the receiving opening 13. Thus, when used in the bed of catalyst material 3, the receiving opening 13 and, in particular, the suction hose 5 adjoining it in the suction direction are located above the screws 8 and thus above the catalyst material 3 to be sucked off.

[0059] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the conveyor attachment 7 according to Fig. 3 with a screw 8 in a front view. The screw 8 is a conveyor screw. This view is a vertical plan view of the receiving opening 13 of the receiving element 12. It can be seen that the screw 8 overlaps the receiving opening 13. Thus, the screw 8 can convey catalyst material directly toward the receiving opening 13.

[0060] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the conveyor attachment 7 with two screws 8 in a partial sectional view from above. This conveyor attachment 7 has an attachment head 9 to which two motors 10 are attached. The motors 10 are pneumatic motors. Each motor 10 is connected to a screw 8. This enables independent drive of the two screws 8.

[0061] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the conveyor attachment 7 according to Fig. 5 in a front view. The screws are not shown here. The two motors 10 are mounted offset on the receiving element 12 of the attachment head 9. The power of the two motors 10 and the rotational movement of the screws enable even better conveyance of catalyst material toward a receiving opening 13 of the receiving element 12.

[0062] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the conveyor attachment 7 with screws 8 whose diameter decreases toward one end, in a view from above. The diameter decreases conically. The screws 8 are designed as conveyor screws in this case. Due to the decreasing diameter, the screw ends 19 of the screws 8 can dig more effectively into the catalyst material. The screws 8 shown here also have notches 20. These enable improved comminution or loosening of the catalyst material.

[0063] Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a screw 8 or conveyor screw used in the conveyor attachment according to Fig. 7, in a front view. An outer profile 21 of a thread of the screw 8 has a substantially spiral shape when viewed from the front. The outer profile 20 is provided with notches 20, which enables improved comminution or loosening of the catalyst material.

[0064] Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the conveyor attachment 7 with an angularly offset screw 8 in a side view. According to this embodiment, a motor 10, which carries the screw 8, is attached at an angular offset to an attachment head 9 of the conveyor attachment 9. Thus, an axis of rotation 22 of the screw 8 forms an angle of approximately 45° with an imaginary plane 17, which is defined by a receiving opening 13 of the attachment head 9. The angle is between the plane defined by the axis of rotation 22 of the screw 8 vertically upwards (in the direction of the upwardly directed suction hose 8) and the aforementioned imaginary plane 17 of the receiving opening 13, as can be seen from the two dashed lines representing the respective planes (or the screw axis). If the axis of rotation 22 of the screw 8 is approximately horizontal oris aligned horizontally, then the receiving opening 13 is oriented downwards due to the existing angle. The conveying attachment 7 is usually located in the surface area or only slightly below a surface of the catalyst material 3 to be picked up when the removal device is in operation. The proposed angularly offset orientation enables a higher suction power because the receiving opening 13 is also oriented downwards and the suction hose 5 adjoining it at the rear is thus relatively quickly shifted into a vertical and upward orientation (instead of initially also running horizontally or horizontally on the bed of catalyst material 3 and having to make a sharp curve or even a kink in the direction of the vertical course).

[0065] Advantageously, the described angle of approximately 45° (as shown in Fig. 9) can also be variable. For example, the angle can also be set to vary between 90°, i.e., a standard orientation in which the rotational axis 22 of the screw 8 and the axis formed by the recess opening 13 run parallel to each other, and 5°.

[0066] 1. Reactor

[0067] 2. Removal device

[0068] 3. Catalyst material

[0069] 4. Suction device

[0070] 5. Suction hose

[0071] 6. Reactor opening

[0072] 7. Funding essay

[0073] 8. Screw

[0074] 9. Attachment head

[0075] 10. Engine

[0076] 11. Support

[0077] 12. Recording element

[0078] 13. Recording opening

[0079] 14. Exit element

[0080] 15. Exit opening

[0081] 16th Camp

[0082] 17th level

[0083] 18. Motor shaft

[0084] 19. Screw end

[0085] 20. Notch (recess)

[0086] 21. Outer profile

[0087] 22. Axis of rotation

Claims

Patent claims 1. Conveyor attachment (7) for removing granular catalyst material (3) from a reactor (1), comprising: an attachment head (9) which has a receiving opening (13) for receiving the catalyst material (3) and an outlet opening (15) for the outlet of the catalyst material (3), at least one motor (10) and at least one screw (8) for conveying the catalyst material (3), wherein the at least one screw (8) can be driven by the at least one motor (10).

2. Conveyor attachment (7) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one screw (8) is a conveyor screw.

3. Conveyor attachment (7) according to claim 2, wherein a winding diameter of the conveyor screw decreases, in particular decreases conically, towards one end of the conveyor screw.

4. Conveyor attachment (7) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a thread of the conveyor screw has at least one projection and / or at least one notch (20) for comminuting and / or loosening the catalyst material (3).

5. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one motor (10) is a compressed air motor.

6. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one screw (8) is fastened to the attachment head (9).

7. Conveyor attachment (7) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one motor (10) is fastened to the attachment head (9) laterally of the receiving opening (13) and is coupled to the screw (8) so that the at least one screw (8) is fastened to the attachment head (9) via the at least one motor (10).

8. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one screw (8) is arranged at least in sections in front of a plane (17) which is defined by the receiving opening (13) of the attachment head (9), so that at least a section of the screw (8) extends in front of the attachment head (9).

9. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the at least one screw (8) overlaps the receiving opening (13) in a vertical plan view of the receiving opening (13).

10. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor attachment (7) has a first screw (8) and a second screw (8).

11. Conveyor attachment (7) according to claim 10, wherein the first screw (8) and the second screw (8) can be driven independently of one another.

12. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the conveyor attachment (7) comprises a first motor (10) coupled to the first screw (8) and a second motor (10) coupled to the second screw (8).

13. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment head (9) has a receiving element (12) and an outlet element (14), wherein the receiving element (12) forms the receiving opening (13), wherein the outlet element (14) forms the outlet opening (15), and wherein the receiving element (12) and the outlet element (14) are rotatable relative to one another.

14. Conveyor attachment (7) according to claims 6 and 13, wherein the at least one screw (8) is fastened to the receiving element (12) of the attachment head (9).

15. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one screw (8) is aligned substantially perpendicular to the receiving opening (13).

16. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one screw (8) is aligned at an angle of 5° to 85°, preferably 10° to 15°, to the receiving opening (13).

17. Conveyor attachment (7) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one screw (8) is rotatably attached to the attachment head (9) so that an angle between the at least one screw (8) and the receiving opening (13) is variable.

18. Removal device (2) for removing granular catalyst material (3) from a reactor (1) with a conveyor attachment (7) according to one of claims 1 to 17, with a suction device (4) and with a suction hose (5) which is connected to the outlet opening (15) of the conveyor attachment (7) and to the suction device (4).

19. A method for removing granular catalyst material (3) from a reactor (1) using the removal device (2) according to claim 18, comprising the steps: Placing the conveyor attachment (7) onto the catalyst material (3), operating the at least one motor (10), wherein the catalyst material (3) is conveyed by the at least one screw (8) of the conveyor attachment (7) in the direction of the receiving opening (13) of the conveyor attachment (7), and is loosened and / or crushed, and forming a suction air flow in the suction hose (5) by means of the suction device (4), so that the catalyst material (3) is sucked into the receiving opening (13) of the conveyor attachment (7).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the at least one screw (8) is oriented substantially horizontally during the implementation of the method, so that the conveyor attachment (7) moves substantially horizontally through the catalyst material (3) and / or conveys and / or processes the catalyst material (3) substantially in a horizontal direction.

Images