Barrel heater, barrel pump arrangement and method for operating a barrel heater on a barrel pump arrangement

Abstract

The invention addresses the problem of creating a barrel heater, a barrel pump arrangement and a method for operating a barrel heater on a barrel pump arrangement, whereby the barrel is heated as required and in a spatially limited manner. The invention relates to a barrel heater in the form of a heating sleeve (1) or of a heating ring (2), wherein the heating sleeve (1) or the heating ring (2) can be arranged around or on a barrel (3), characterised in that the heating sleeve (1) comprises, in a vertical extent (8) of the barrel (3), at least three heating zones (4), or the heating ring (2) is movable along the vertical extent (8) of the barrel (3).

Description

[0001] Barrel heater, barrel pump assembly, and method for operating a barrel heater on a barrel pump assembly

[0002] Drum heater, drum pump arrangement and method for operating a drum heater on a drum pump arrangement, in particular for gently conditioning viscous materials for conveying from drums to a point of use, for example adhesives or their additives, as required.

[0003] The invention relates to an energy-efficient barrel heater and barrel pump arrangement as well as the method for operating a barrel heater on a barrel pump arrangement and creates an energy-saving solution for a demand-based heat introduction into a barrel for its heating.

[0004] Different barrel heaters are already known.

[0005] For example, DE 1731190 LT discloses an electric barrel heater in which the entire barrel is evenly heated from the outside by means of a current-carrying resistance heating wire.

[0006] DE 1900672 LT discloses an electric heating coil that can be suspended in a barrel, whereby the entire barrel is heated evenly.

[0007] CN 218539637 U discloses a barrel heater in which water is heated by means of three heating rings, whereby the entire barrel is to be heated evenly.

[0008] CN 216600115 U discloses a heater for an oil drum, wherein the drum heater is designed as an electrically operated infrared heater that surrounds the drum.

[0009] The CN 218535582 U discloses an induction heater with induction heating coils of different sizes and spaced apart from each other around a pipe of an extruder.

[0010] US 5,662,243 A is known, which discloses spaced and immobile heating belts, a homogeneously heating sleeve, and a heated lid on a container. DE 44 22 606 CI discloses a heated drum follower plate in a method and apparatus for melting and conveying thermoplastic material contained in a drum, in particular a hot-melt adhesive.

[0011] Other heating belts, for example, from Kuhlmann Electro-Heat A / S, are known. These can be individually mounted around a drum and heat the drum at the installation location. For example, three belts can be arranged around a drum, each of which can be controlled independently of the other, but with intermittent control depending on the drum height.

[0012] Heating sleeves, for example from Kuhlmann Electro-Heat A / S, are also known; these can be applied to the outside of the barrel and heat the barrel evenly.

[0013] For example, heating sleeves from Kuhlmann Electro-Heat A / S are also known, which aim to achieve homogeneous heating of the barrels by having the lower heating wires more powerful than the upper ones, and the heating sleeve heats up evenly due to the rising heat effect, without the need for additional control. However, the barrel is heated evenly.

[0014] In drum pumps, for example, the material is also heated by a heated follower plate. Depending on the viscosity of the material and the required heating rate, heating sleeves are placed around the drum to further assist in heating the material.

[0015] The problem is that, depending on the material, material consumption, and service life of a drum, the material can be subject to chemical changes, aging, or oxidative processes during homogeneous heating. These processes can negatively impact or significantly reduce processing or reliability in meeting the required requirements and properties. Large quantities of the respective material may have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. Furthermore, as a drum becomes increasingly empty, areas of the drum are heated where heating is no longer required. This results in energy being wasted in conventional drum heating systems.

[0016] The object of the invention is to provide a barrel heater, a barrel pump arrangement and a method for operating a barrel heater on a barrel pump arrangement, whereby the barrel and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel is heated as needed and in a spatially or locally limited manner.

[0017] In the specified application, the invention achieves the creation of a drum heater in the form of a heating sleeve or a heating ring, wherein the heating sleeve or the heating ring can be arranged around or on a drum, wherein the heating sleeve comprises at least two heating zones in a vertical extension of the drum or the heating ring with at least one heating zone can be displaced or moved at least along a vertical extension of the drum, at least during heating operation. However, it can also be provided that the heating ring can be displaced or moved at least along a vertical extension of the drum even outside of heating operation, for example when changing a drum. Advantageously, the drum is only partially heated, and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum is heated as needed and in a spatially or locally limited manner.This protects the material in the drum, as the material to be heated is only heated in a spatially or locally limited area, thus limiting the thermal load. Furthermore, energy is saved because only the area of ​​the drum from which the material is to be removed or conveyed is heated, rather than the entire drum being heated regardless of fill level.

[0018] It is intended that the various heating zones of the heating sleeve can be switched on and off one after the other and / or in parallel, so that heating of the partial volume of the contents or material in the drum can only take place in a spatially or locally limited manner and the heat energy is directed exactly where it is needed.

[0019] Heating sleeves are heating mats or heating surfaces that can be arranged, applied, or stretched from the outside around the barrel shell or on the barrel shell or around the barrel outer surface or against the barrel outer surface over a wide range of height or the entire height of the barrel. Heating sleeves span a wide range of height or, in wide ranges, the height or the entire height of the barrel without interruption.

[0020] The heating sleeve can be made of one or more parts in the circumferential direction.

[0021] The heating sleeve can have an open or closed shape. The heating sleeve can be composed of heating sleeve sections. As an alternative to the heating sleeve, a heating ring can be provided, which can be displaced or moved along a vertical or vertical extension of the drum, at least or especially during heating operation, and thus, as a drum heater, only heats the area in which it is located.

[0022] The heating ring can be a single-piece or multi-piece design. The heating ring can have an open or closed shape in the circumferential direction. The heating ring can be composed of sub-ring sections.

[0023] The heating ring can also be composed of multiple heating rings. The heating ring can also be composed of individual heating rings of a smaller height stacked on top of one another. Furthermore, the individual stacked heating rings can overlap in height or be nested within one another. The individual heating rings can form a single heating zone or individual heating zones or groups of heating zones.

[0024] For reliable thermal coupling to the barrel, the heating ring can be movably or displaceably attached to the barrel jacket or the barrel outer surface, or it can be arranged at a distance from the barrel jacket or the barrel outer surface.

[0025] The heating ring surrounds the barrel over its entire circumference and can have other shapes adapted to the respective barrel, depending on the cross-section or base area of ​​the barrel.

[0026] The height of the heating ring, for example, is between one-half and one-thirtieth of the barrel height. Preferably, the heating ring has a height between one-third and one-tenth, or one-eleventh and one-twentieth, or one-twentieth and one-thirtieth of the barrel height. However, the height of the heating ring can also have any other, not explicitly stated, intermediate values ​​in relation to the barrel height.

[0027] The heating ring can advantageously be used to realize a continuous, essentially stepless heating operation of the drum heater, heating only the required area of ​​the viscous material inside the drum. When changing drums, it may be necessary or advantageous for the heating ring to be movable or movable upwards above the drum or downwards below the drum, in addition to extending vertically.

[0028] The respective heating zones can be segmented in the circumferential direction.

[0029] Furthermore, the respective heating zones can each have the same height or size vertically and / or circumferentially, or they can have different heights or sizes. This allows the drum, or a portion of the contents or material within the drum, to be heated more effectively and in a more spatially or locally limited manner.

[0030] A partial volume of the contents or material in a drum is understood to mean at least a portion of the contents or material in a drum. However, this portion of the filling can also comprise the entire contents of the drum.

[0031] Likewise, a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum also includes a residue or residual volume of the contents or material in the drum as the removal or emptying process progresses or continues. However, the partial volume may also include a portion of this residue or the residual volume of the contents or material in the drum.

[0032] The partial volume of the contents or material of a barrel preferably extends vertically and across the cross-section of the base area of ​​the barrel. However, the partial volume may be a partial volume extending vertically and across at least part of the cross-section of the base area of ​​the barrel.

[0033] Furthermore, the respective heating zones can be provided with the same heating output, or with different or scalable heating outputs. This allows the barrel to be heated more effectively and therefore more economically.

[0034] A further aspect of the invention relates to a barrel pump arrangement, wherein a follower plate is provided for sealing against the ambient air and for scraping the viscous material to be conveyed from the barrel edges, and a pump arranged on the follower plate, for example a scooping piston pump, is provided for conveying a viscous material from a barrel. The follower plate can be inserted into the open barrel from above and moved against the viscous material, and the viscous material can be conveyed through the follower plate by means of the pump, for example a scooping piston pump. A barrel heater is arranged on or around the barrel, wherein a heating sleeve with at least two heating zones in a vertical extension of the barrel is provided as the barrel heater. Alternatively, a heating ring can be displaced or moved along a vertical extension of the barrel, at least during heating operation.

[0035] Depending on the fill level of the drum or the position of the follower plate, at least one of the heating zones of the heating sleeve can be individually switched on and / or off and / or monitored and / or controlled, or the heating ring with at least one heating zone can be shifted or moved, at least during heating operation, depending on the fill level or the position of the follower plate, so that the drum or a vertical section, and thus the relevant or required partial volume of the contents or material in the drum, is heated as needed and spatially or locally. This means that the already emptied area of ​​the drum and the material not yet required remain unheated, thus saving energy and protecting the material.

[0036] However, it can also be provided that the heating ring can be displaced or moved at least along a vertical extension of the barrel even outside of the heating operation, for example when changing barrels.

[0037] It is advantageous to have any number of heating zones of the heating sleeve in the

[0038] Vertical extension should be considered so that any number of at least two or three or four or five or six or seven or eight or nine or ten and so on up to thirty heating zones are included, without specifically mentioning a certain number of heating zones. The advantage of an increasing number of heating zones is that the spatial areas can be scaled more finely, and the needs-based heating of the drum and the corresponding partial volume of the contents or material in the drum can be achieved. This means that heating zones can also be combined, their output can be scaled, and they can be controlled or operated spatially, locally and / or temporally combined and / or offset. The more heating zones there are, the more flexible and customized the drum heating can be.

[0039] The follower plate can also be provided with a heater as a follower plate heater. This allows the heating output of each heating zone to be individually adjustable or scalable depending on the position of the follower plate in the vertical extension of the drum, either alone or in combination with the follower plate heater.

[0040] Furthermore, there may be a control of the heating output for the respective heating zones.

[0041] The heating output of the individual heating zones can be regulated, for example, by reducing the heating output of the corresponding heating zone if the follower plate is located in the lower third / quarter of the respective heating zone and the next or subsequent heating zone in the vertical direction downwards is already switched on.

[0042] In this way, the combination of residual heat from the heating zone with lower heating output, the rising heat from the next or subsequent heating zone in vertical direction downwards and, if present, the follower plate heating allows efficient use of heating energy and thus energy savings through reduced heating output.

[0043] The heating ring allows for simultaneous vertical displacement or movement with the fill level or position of the follower plate, so that only the material that is immediately or promptly required is or will be heated or preheated.

[0044] The heating ring can therefore also be logically or mechanically coupled to the follower plate, so that the respective movement, the respective feed and the respective position of the heating ring are always changed or adjusted uniformly or equally and simultaneously to the follower plate.

[0045] In addition, an additional drive and its control for the movement of the heating ring can be dispensed with, which simplifies the design.

[0046] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a barrel heater on a barrel pump arrangement, wherein a viscous material is conveyed from a barrel by a pump, for example by a scooping piston pump arranged on a follower plate, wherein the follower plate is introduced into the open barrel from above and is moved against the viscous material and that the viscous material is conveyed through the follower plate by means of the pump, for example the scooping piston pump, whereby heating of the barrel takes place, wherein the heating of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel takes place as a function of a fill level or a position of the follower plate, wherein the heating of the viscous material in the barrel takes place in the region of or in the region below or below the follower plate in at least one heating zone.

[0047] The drum heater, for example, a heating sleeve with at least three heating zones in the vertical direction or a heating ring that can be moved or moved depending on the fill level or the position of the follower plate, ensures that only the material that is needed immediately or in the near future is heated. The remaining drum, which is already empty, and the material that is not yet needed, remains unheated. This saves energy and the material remains thermally unaffected.

[0048] With energy savings in mind, it is thus possible for a heating sleeve divided into several heating circuits or a heating ring that can be moved vertically along the drum to achieve fill-level-dependent drum heating. Depending on the drum fill level and the associated positioning of the follower plate, individual or grouped heating circuits can be switched on and off, ensuring that the heat energy is applied exactly where it is needed.

[0049] The drum can be heated by resistance wire heating, textile resistance heating, induction heating or microwave heating, whereby the type of heating depends on the material to be heated.

[0050] Although we talk about heating, preheating or heating, this also includes warming or tempering, since different high temperatures are required depending on the material.

[0051] To control the heating zones, a control system is advantageously provided, which switches the respective heating zone or zones on or off as required. This control system is preferably connected to or integrated into the pump control system of the respective drum pump arrangement, so that the respective heating zone or zones are always switched on or off uniformly or simultaneously with the position or position change of the follower plate. Likewise, a control system is advantageously provided for controlling the drive of the heating ring for movement at least along the vertical extent of the heating drum and for an upward drum change.Preferably, this control is also connected to the pump control of the respective barrel pump arrangement or integrated into it, so that the respective movement, the respective feed and the respective position of the heating ring in the vertical extension of the barrel can always be changed or adjusted uniformly or equally and simultaneously to the position or change in position of the follower plate.

[0052] Advantageous embodiments of the barrel heater, the barrel pump arrangement and the method are presented in the subclaims.

[0053] Since the heating sleeve in the drum heater advantageously has at least three, four, five, six or more heating zones, the demand-based and spatially or locally limited heating, the spatial and / or temporal combining, scaling as well as the spatial and / or temporally offset control of the heating of the drum or a vertical section and thus of the relevant or required partial volume of the contents or material in the drum is promoted.

[0054] In the case of drum heating, the heating ring advantageously comprises at least two, three or more heating zones in the vertical extension of the drum or in the vertical extension of the heating ring. This facilitates the needs-based and spatially or locally limited heating of the drum or a vertical section and thus of the relevant or required partial volume of the contents or material in the drum, particularly when the heating ring and / or the follower plate approaches the drum base, so that the heating can be adjusted or reduced accordingly there. Likewise, with the at least two heating zones, spatially and / or temporally staggered heating can also be achieved across the vertical extension of the drum and thus of the relevant or required partial volume of the contents or material in the drum.

[0055] Advantageously, the heating ring has at least one flexible, elastic, or expandable region in the circumferential direction. This makes it easier to slide or move the heating ring around or over projections or outwardly directed or projecting beads on or in the drum shell, on or in the drum outer surface, or on the ceiling or floor, and then to then be movably or slidably attached to the drum shell or outer surface for improved thermal coupling and heat transfer.

[0056] Depending on the design, the heating zone(s) of the heating ring can also extend into the flexible, elastic, or expandable area. Likewise, the flexible, elastic, or expandable area can each have one or more separate, individually controlled heating zones. Likewise, the individual heating zones can either belong together or be connected to form larger heating zones.

[0057] Advantageously, the heating ring is two-part, three-part or multi-part in the circumferential direction and has two, three or more heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments in the circumferential direction, so that the heating ring divided into the heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can be individually assembled or arranged around the drum on or onto the drum shell or the drum outer surface.

[0058] The heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can extend evenly or unevenly over the circumference and form the heating ring.

[0059] The heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can be reliably or permanently connected to one another to form the heating ring via plug-in connectors, magnetic connectors, adhesive connectors, or other types of connectors or variations of a connection. Likewise, the heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can be connected via hinge-like connectors or other swivel connectors, rotary connectors, or tilting connectors, around which the individual heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can be pivoted, allowing them to be placed, folded, or arranged around the drum, against the drum shell or the drum's outer surface. The number of hinges is preferably one less than the number of heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments.

[0060] The swivel connectors, rotary connectors or tilting connectors can be acted upon by means of a force, for example a spring force, whereby the individual heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments, on the one hand, remain in a stable position on the barrel and relative to one another as a heating ring placed around the barrel and / or, on the other hand, remain stable in an open position when placed around the barrel or during or after removal from the barrel.

[0061] The individual heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can each have one or more separate, individually controlled heating zones. Likewise, the individual heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can each have one or more individual heating zones, which are connected across the individual heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments to form heating zones that span the heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments.

[0062] The electrical connection between the heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments can be established via the respective connectors or via separate cabling.

[0063] The fact that the heating zones in the drum heating system can advantageously be switched on and / or off and / or monitored and / or controlled individually and / or in groups facilitates the needs-based and spatially or locally limited heating of the drum and thus of the relevant or required partial volume of the contents or material in the drum.

[0064] By advantageously overlapping at least adjacent heating zones in the barrel heating system, a continuous and seamless heating of a partial volume of the barrel, tailored to the needs of the user, in a spatially limited and locally scalable manner, is facilitated.

[0065] When heating the drum, the heating zones advantageously have the same heating output or different heating outputs or scalable heating outputs, which facilitates a demand-based and spatially or locally scalable heating of the drum and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum.

[0066] Advantageously, the heating output of the individual heating zones can be regulated accordingly by means of a control system depending on the fill level of the barrel or the position of the follower plate, so that the heating output of the heating zones can be adjusted or reduced if, due to the overlap of adjacent heating zones, the fill level of the barrel or the position of the follower plate is, for example, in the lower area of ​​the respective heating zone that is upper in vertical extension of the adjacent heating zones and already in the next or subsequent heating zone that is adjacent downwards.

[0067] In this case, depending on the fill level of the barrel or the position of the follower plate, the heating output of the upper heating zone in vertical extension, for example, is reduced, while the heating output of the lower or subsequent heating zone adjacent in vertical extension is increased.

[0068] In the case of the drum heating, an individual heating zone or a group of heating zones can advantageously be individually switched on and / or switched off and / or monitored and / or controlled depending on the fill level of the drum and / or the position or orientation of a follower plate of a drum pump arrangement, which facilitates a needs-based and spatially limited heating of the drum and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum.

[0069] Since the position of the heating ring along the vertical extension of the barrel can be advantageously adjusted depending on the fill level of the barrel and / or the position or location of the follower plate of the barrel pump arrangement, a demand-based and spatially or locally limited heating of the barrel and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel is also promoted.

[0070] In the case of drum heating, it is advantageous that the respective heating zone which is located above the filling level and / or the position or location of the follower plate of the drum pump arrangement can be switched off individually or, in the case of more than one heating zone, as a group, so that heating of the empty area of ​​the drum is avoided and energy can thus be saved.

[0071] Because the heating sleeve in the drum pump arrangement has at least three, four, five, six or more heating zones, wherein at least one of the heating zones can be individually switched on and / or monitored and / or controlled in the area of ​​the follower plate or, depending on the position of the follower plate, in the area below or beneath the follower plate, only the material that must be pumped or is required immediately or promptly is heated, thus facilitating the needs-based and spatially or locally limited heating of a partial volume of the drum and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum. With two, three or more heating zones, these can be switched on and off individually, simultaneously or sequentially and / or individually monitored and / or controlled.

[0072] Because the heating sleeve in the drum pump arrangement has at least three, four, five, six, or more heating zones, whereby, depending on the position of the follower plate in the area above the follower plate, the heating zone(s) can be switched off and / or monitored and / or controlled individually or as a group, heating of the empty area of ​​the drum is avoided. This saves energy.

[0073] Likewise, the relevant or required heating zones can be switched on individually or as a group, simultaneously or one after the other, and can also be switched off and / or monitored and / or controlled as required.

[0074] It can also be provided that the heating zone which is at the height of the follower plate is still switched on, even if the follower plate is already in the lower area of ​​this corresponding heating zone.

[0075] Because the heating ring in the barrel pump arrangement is movable or movable with the follower plate or separately from the follower plate, or follows the movement of the follower plate, with the heating ring at least partially leading the movement of the follower plate, precise and targeted area-oriented heating of a partial volume of the barrel and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel is achieved. This further simplifies the design, as an additional drive and drive control are eliminated.

[0076] The heating ring advantageously moves synchronously with the follower plate, either upwards or downwards depending on the operating situation. In particular, the heating ring precedes the downward movement of the follower plate to reliably preheat the respective material or a portion of the contents or material.

[0077] However, it is also possible or intended that the heating ring is moved independently of the follower plate.

[0078] Particularly at the bottom of the barrel, it is possible that the follower plate moves into the area of ​​the vertical extension of the heating ring, since it may not be possible for the heating ring to move downwards.

[0079] For example, it can be advantageous for the drive of the heating ring and the drive of the follower plate to be independent of one another, or for different drives to be present for the heating ring and the follower plate. If the heating ring in the barrel pump arrangement comprises at least two, three or more heating zones in its vertical extension or in a vertical extension of the barrel, this also facilitates the needs-based and spatially or locally limited heating of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel. In this way, the heating can be adjusted accordingly, particularly when the heating ring and / or the follower plate approaches the bottom of the barrel. Additionally or alternatively, the at least two heating zones can also be used to spatially and / or temporally staggered heating of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel across the vertical extension of the barrel.

[0080] The drum pump arrangement allows the individual heating zones to be switched on and / or off, monitored and / or controlled individually and / or as a group, facilitating demand-based and spatially or locally limited heating. This allows the heating of a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum to be scaled or combined across the vertical extension.

[0081] By overlapping at least adjacent heating zones in the barrel pump arrangement, a continuous and seamless, demand-based, spatially limited and locally scalable heating of a partial volume of the barrel and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel is promoted in the barrel pump arrangement.

[0082] By advantageously having the heating zones in the barrel pump arrangement each with the same heating output, different heating outputs, or scalable heating outputs, the demand-based and locally scalable heating of a portion of the barrel, and thus of a portion of the contents or material in the barrel, is facilitated. As described above, the heating output of the individual heating zones can be adjusted in an energy-efficient manner using a control system depending on the barrel fill level or the position of the follower plate.

[0083] By heating a partial volume of the barrel and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel in advance of the movement of the follower plate, efficient, demand-oriented and spatially limited heating of the barrel is promoted.

[0084] Accordingly, the heating of the barrel is switched off lagging behind the movement or above the following plate.

[0085] By switching on and / or off at least one heating zone individually or, in the case of two or more heating zones, in groups, a more precise and targeted, area-oriented and scaled heating of a partial volume of the barrel and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel is achieved.

[0086] Advantageously, at least one heating output of the heating zones is adjusted so that the demand-based and spatially limited heating of a partial volume of the barrel and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel is facilitated.

[0087] Advantageously, at least one heating zone in the area above and / or at a distance from and below the follower plate is switched off individually or, in the case of two or more heating zones, in groups. This prevents unneeded material from being preheated and the empty area of ​​the drum from being unnecessarily heated.

[0088] Alternatively or additionally, the heating power of at least one heating zone is adjusted and / or monitored and / or controlled, so that the heating of a partial volume of the barrel and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel can be carried out more efficiently.

[0089] Likewise, if a heating zone has been at least partially passed and its spatial influence on the heating of the partial volume diminishes, the heating power can already be reduced if an adjacent heating zone can already take over the heating of the partial volume of the barrel and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel.

[0090] Likewise, the heating power can be increased continuously or abruptly for one or the adjacent heating zone or for a heating zone with a spatially increasing influence on the heating of the partial volume of the contents or material in the drum.

[0091] Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below. They show:

[0092] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a drum heater as a heating sleeve with heating zones around a drum,

[0093] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a drum heater as a heating sleeve with overlapping heating zones around a drum,

[0094] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a drum heater as a heating ring around a drum,

[0095] Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a drum heater as a heating ring with two heating zones around a drum,

[0096] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a barrel pump arrangement with a barrel and a barrel heater as a heating sleeve with heating zones around the barrel,

[0097] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a barrel pump arrangement with a barrel and a barrel heater as a heating ring around the barrel,

[0098] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a heating ring for a drum heater with a flexible, elastic or expandable area,

[0099] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a heating ring for a drum heater, which is divided into two parts in the circumferential direction and has two heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments in the circumferential direction,

[0100] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a heating ring for a drum heater, which is in two parts in the circumferential direction and has two heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments connected by a hinge in the circumferential direction and

[0101] Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a heating ring for a barrel heater, which is divided into three parts in the circumferential direction and has three heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments connected by two hinges in the circumferential direction.

[0102] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a drum heater according to the invention, wherein the drum heater is in the form of a heating sleeve 1 arranged around a drum 3. The heating sleeve 1 comprises six heating zones 4 in a vertical extension 8 of the drum 3. With at least one of the heating zones 4, a partial volume of the drum 3 and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum 3 can be heated. These six heating zones 4 can each be switched on and / or off individually and / or in groups. For this purpose, the heating zones are connected to a controller (not shown). The partial volume to be heated can also be scaled accordingly. The heating zones 4 can, as shown in Figure 5, be individually switched on and / or off depending on the fill level of the drum 3, which in Figure 5 is defined by the position of a follower plate 5.Accordingly, the respective heating zones 4 located above the fill level can be switched off individually or, if there is more than one heating zone 4, as a group.

[0103] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a drum heater according to the invention, wherein the drum heater is in the form of a heating sleeve 1 arranged around a drum 3, and the heating sleeve 1 also comprises six heating zones 4 in a vertical extension 8 of the drum 3. Unlike the embodiment in Figure 1, adjacent heating zones 4 overlap, so that a seamless heating pattern is achieved in the vertical extension 8 of the drum 3 and thus of the respective partial volume of the contents or material. Furthermore, reference is made to the explanations relating to Figure 1, which also apply here.

[0104] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a barrel heater according to the invention in the form of a heating ring 2, wherein the heating ring 2 is arranged around a barrel 3. The heating ring 2 is displaceable or movable at least along the vertical extension 8 of the barrel 3, at least during heating operation.

[0105] If necessary, for example when changing a barrel, the heating ring 2 can also be moved upwards beyond the barrel, as shown in Figure 3.

[0106] The position of the heating ring 2 along the vertical extension 8 of the barrel 3 can be adjusted depending on the fill level of the barrel 3, which, as shown in Figure 6, is defined by the position of the follower plate 5. For this purpose, a controller (not shown) and a drive 7 are provided, by means of which the heating ring 2 can be moved accordingly. Accordingly, the contents or material in a partial volume of the barrel 3 can be heated.

[0107] The control can also be the control (not shown) of a barrel pump arrangement 6, by means of which the drive 10 for the follower plate 5 is controlled.

[0108] Depending on the design of the barrel pump assembly 6, the drive 10 of the follower plate 5 can also simultaneously be the drive 7 of the heating ring 2. Alternatively, the heating ring 2 can be coupled to the drive 10 of the follower plate 5, for example via a drive connecting rod 9, as shown in Figure 6. Likewise, independent drives 10 can be provided for the follower plate 5 and the heating ring 2 [not shown].

[0109] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a drum heater according to the invention in the form of a heating ring 2, wherein the heating ring 2 is arranged around a drum 3. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, in the embodiment according to Figure 4, the heating ring 2 comprises two heating zones 4. Furthermore, reference is made to the above statements regarding Figure 3, which also apply here.

[0110] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a barrel pump arrangement 6 according to the invention, wherein a follower plate 5 and a pump 11 arranged on a follower plate 5, for example a scooping piston pump 11, are provided for conveying a viscous material (not shown) from a barrel 3. The follower plate 5 is inserted into the open barrel 3 from above and moves in a downward movement against the viscous material (not shown). The viscous material (not shown) is conveyed through the follower plate 5 by means of the pump 11, for example a scooping piston pump 11. Furthermore, a barrel heater is arranged around the barrel 3. According to the invention, as described above for the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, the barrel heater is a heating sleeve 1 with, for example, six heating zones 4, which are arranged next to one another one above the other along the vertical extension 8 of the barrel 3.Depending on the fill level of the barrel 3 and thus of the follower plate, at least one of the heating zones 4 can be individually switched on and / or off to heat a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel 3.

[0111] In the specific example shown in Figure 5, the fill level and the corresponding follower plate 5 are located in the upper area of ​​the barrel 3. Accordingly, the heating zone 4 is activated in the area below or beneath the follower plate 5 and heats the corresponding partial volume of the contents or material in this area, which is indicated by the hatching of the relevant heating zone 4 in the upper area of ​​the barrel 3 in Figure 5. Depending on requirements, additional heating zones 4 can also be activated individually or as a group below the follower plate 5 for additional or larger partial volumes of the contents or material.

[0112] In the specific example, the only heating zone 4 above the follower plate 5 is already switched off.

[0113] As the viscous material (not shown) is consumed or pumped by the pump 11, for example a scooping piston pump 11, on the follower plate 5, and the follower plate actively moves downwards against the viscous material, the follower plate is moved further downwards toward the bottom of the barrel. This creates the need to heat a further or additional partial volume of the contents or material. Accordingly, heating zones 4 below or beneath the follower plate 5 are switched on, and heating zones 4 above or beneath the follower plate 5 are switched off. The heating zone at the level of the follower plate 5 can still be switched on, even if the follower plate 5 is already in the lower area of ​​the corresponding heating zone 4.

[0114] If the follower plate 5 approaches the barrel bottom, as is illustrated by way of example in Figure 5 in the lower region of the barrel 3 by broken lines and coarser hatching of the follower plate 5, the last or lowest heating zone 4 in the region of the barrel bottom remains switched on alone, as shown, while the remaining heating zones 4 above or above the follower plate 5 are switched off individually or in groups.

[0115] As shown in Figure 2, the heating zones 4 in the barrel pump arrangement 6 according to Figure 5 can also overlap (not shown).

[0116] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a barrel pump assembly 6 according to the invention, wherein a pump 11, for example a scooping piston pump 11 arranged on a follower plate 5, is also provided for conveying a viscous material (not shown) from a barrel 3. Likewise, the follower plate 5 is inserted into the open barrel 3 from above and moves in a downward motion against the viscous material (not shown). The viscous material (not shown) is conveyed through the follower plate 5 by means of the pump 11, for example a scooping piston pump 11.Furthermore, a barrel heater is arranged around the barrel 3, wherein according to the invention, as described above for the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 3, a heating ring 2 is provided as the barrel heater, which is displaceable or movable along a vertical extension 8 at least during heating operation and depending on a fill level of the barrel 3 and thus the position or location of the follower plate 5.

[0117] It is provided that the heating ring 2 with the follower plate 5 is displaceable or movable at least during heating operation or follows the movement of the follower plate 5, wherein the heating ring precedes the movement of the follower plate 5 downwards or downwards in the direction of the barrel bottom.

[0118] Advantageously, the heating ring 2 can comprise two heating zones 4, as shown, for example, in Figure 4. The heating zones 4 of the heating ring 2 can also overlap (not shown).

[0119] This allows the heating power of the upper heating zone 4 at the bottom of the barrel to be reduced accordingly, while the lower heating zone 4 heats the remaining viscous material.

[0120] If the follower plate 5 approaches the barrel bottom, as is illustrated by way of example in Figure 6 in the lower area of ​​the barrel 3 by broken lines and coarser hatching of the follower plate 5, the heating ring 2 remains, as shown, in the area of ​​the barrel bottom and is switched on until the barrel 3 is emptied and the follower plate 5 has consequently reached the barrel bottom.

[0121] If the barrel 3 has been pumped empty, at least the follower plate 5 and, if necessary, the heating ring 2 are moved upwards outside or above the barrel 3 for a barrel change.

[0122] If, for example, the barrel is placed on a sufficiently high base, the heating ring 2 can also be moved or shifted to a position below the barrel bottom.

[0123] The necessary drive 7 for the heating ring 2 in order to be shifted or moved along the vertical extension 8 can be a separate drive 7 for the heating ring 2 or the heating ring 2 is coupled or connected to the drive 10 for the follower plate 5 by a drive connecting rod 9.

[0124] Likewise, as already described above for Figure 3, a control (not shown) is provided for the drive 7, by means of which the heating ring 2 is moved or moved.

[0125] The control can also be the control (not shown) of the barrel pump arrangement 6, by means of which the drive 10 for the follower plate 5 is controlled.

[0126] In Figure 6, for example, the drive 7 of the heating ring 2 is coupled to the drive 10 of the follower plate via a drive connecting rod 9. Likewise, the drive 10 of the follower plate and the drive 7 of the heating ring 2 can also be designed separately or independently, i.e., not coupled.

[0127] Alternatively or in addition to the individual switching on or off, it can be provided that the respective heating zones 4 each have the same heating output or different heating outputs or scalable heating outputs, so that depending on a fill level of the drum 3 or a position of the follower plate 5 for heating zones 4 with spatially decreasing or increasing influence, the heating of the drum can already be reduced or increased in terms of the heating output.

[0128] The heating zones 4 have, for example, resistance wire heating or infrared radiation heating.

[0129] The method according to the invention for operating a drum heater on a drum pump arrangement 6, in which a viscous material is conveyed from a drum 3 by a pump 11, for example a scooping piston pump 11 arranged on a follower plate 5, in that the follower plate 5 is introduced from above into the open drum 3 and is moved against the viscous material, and as a result the viscous material is conveyed through the follower plate 5 by means of the pump 11, for example a scooping piston pump 11, and in addition the drum 3 is heated, provides that the heating of a partial volume of the drum 3 and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum 3 takes place depending on the fill level or the position of the follower plate 5, wherein the heating of the partial volume of the drum 3 and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the drum 3 takes place in the region of or in the region below or below the follower plate 5 in at least one heating zone 4.Accordingly, the heating of the partial volume of the barrel 3 and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel 3 takes place in advance of the movement of the follower plate 5. For this purpose, heating zones 4 are provided, for example in a heating sleeve 1, which are each switched on and / or off individually or in groups.

[0130] Alternatively, a heating ring 2 comprising one, two or more heating zones 4 may be present, by means of which the heating of the partial volume of the barrel 3 and thus of a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel 3 takes place in the area below or below the follower plate 5 and in a downward movement preceding the movement of the follower plate 5.

[0131] In addition, in the area of ​​the emptied drum 3, the corresponding heating zones 4 of the

[0132] Heating sleeve 1 in the area above the follower plate 5 and / or at a distance below the follower plate 5 in the area of ​​the material not yet required is switched off individually or in groups or is not yet switched on.

[0133] Alternatively or in addition to individual activation or deactivation, the method provides for the heating output of at least one heating zone 4 to be adjusted. Thus, depending on the fill level of the barrel 3 or the position of the follower plate 5, for example, the heating output is already reduced or lowered for a heating zone 4 with a spatially diminishing influence on the heating of the partial volume of the barrel 3 and thus a partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel 3. At the same time, the heating output is increased for a heating zone 4 with a spatially increasing influence on the heating of the partial volume of the contents or material in the barrel 3, while other heating zones with a spatially constant influence can have an undiminished heating output.

[0134] A heating ring 2 for a drum heater according to the invention has, as shown in Figure 7, a flexible, elastic, or expandable region 12, whereby the heating ring 2 can be expanded and easily guided over a drum 3 and then arranged on the drum shell or on the drum's outer surface. The heating ring 2 has at least one heating zone 4. The respective heating zone (4) of the heating ring 2 also extends into the flexible, elastic, or expandable region 12.

[0135] A further embodiment of a heating ring 2 for a drum heater is, as shown in Figure 8, two-part in the circumferential direction and has two heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments 13 in the circumferential direction. The heating ring cutouts or heating ring segments 13 are evenly distributed over the circumference of the drum 3 and each surround the drum 3 in a semicircle. The heating ring 2 has at least one heating zone 4. The heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13 are connected at the respective contact points or connection points in the circumferential direction via a connector 14, for example as a plug-in connector, via which, for example, an electrical connection for the respective heating zone (4) is also established at the same time.

[0136] According to the illustration in Figure 9, this exemplary embodiment shows a heating ring 2 for a drum heater, which is also two-part in the circumferential direction and has two heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13 connected in the circumferential direction via a connector 14, which in this exemplary embodiment is a hinge. The heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13 can be pivoted by means of the connector 14 as a hinge and can be conveniently arranged and applied laterally around the drum 3. The heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13 of the heating ring 2 have at least one heating zone 4. According to the illustration in Figure 10, this exemplary embodiment shows a heating ring 2 for a drum heater, which is three-part in the circumferential direction and has three heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13 connected in the circumferential direction via two hinges.One of the heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13, as the first heating ring cutout 13 or first heating ring segment 13, surrounds the barrel in a semicircle. The other two heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13, as outer or free heating ring cutouts.

[0137] 13 or heating ring segments 13 are connected to the first heating ring cutout 13 or heating ring segment 13 via a connector 14 acting as a hinge and can each be pivoted using the connector 14 acting as a hinge and conveniently arranged and positioned laterally around the barrel 3. The heating ring cutouts 13 or heating ring segments 13 of the heating ring 2 have at least one heating zone 4.

[0138] - Heating sleeve - Heating ring - Barrel - Heating zone - Follower plate - Barrel pump assembly - Heating ring drive - Vertical extension - Drive linkage - Drive for the follower plate - Pump, scumming piston pump - Flexible, elastic, expandable area - Heating ring cutout, heating ring segment - Connector

Claims

Patent claims 1. Barrel heater in the form of a heating sleeve (1) or a heating ring (2), wherein the heating sleeve (1) or the heating ring (2) can be arranged around or on a barrel (3), characterized in that the heating sleeve (1) comprises at least two heating zones (4) in a vertical extension (8) of the barrel (3) or the heating ring (2) with at least one heating zone (4) can be moved or displaced at least along the vertical extension (8) of the barrel (3), at least during heating operation.

2. Drum heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating sleeve (1) has at least three, four, five, six or more heating zones (4).

3. Barrel heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating ring (2) in the vertical extension (8) of the barrel (3) comprises at least two, three or more heating zones (4) and / or that the heating ring (2) has at least one flexible, elastic or expandable region (12) in the circumferential direction and / or that the heating ring (2) is two-part, three-part or multi-part in the circumferential direction and has two, three or more heating ring cutouts (13) or heating ring segments (13) in the circumferential direction.

4. Drum heating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating zones (4) can be switched on and / or off and / or monitored and / or controlled individually and / or in groups. and / or that at least adjacent heating zones (4) overlap and / or that the heating zones (4) each have the same heating output or different heating outputs or scalable heating outputs.

5. Barrel heating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a single one of the heating zones (4) or a group of heating zones (4) can be individually switched on and / or switched off and / or monitored and / or controlled depending on a fill level of the barrel (3) and / or a position of a follower plate (5) of a barrel pump arrangement (6).

6. Barrel heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the heating ring (2) along the vertical extension (8) of the barrel (3) is adjustable depending on a fill level of the barrel (3) and / or the position of the follower plate (5) of the barrel pump arrangement (6).

7. Barrel heating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective heating zone (4) which is located above the filling level and / or the position of the follower plate (5) of the barrel pump arrangement (6) can be switched off individually or, in the case of more than one heating zone (4), as a group.

8. Barrel pump arrangement (6), wherein a follower plate (5) and a pump (11) arranged on the follower plate (5) are provided for conveying a viscous material from a barrel (3), wherein the follower plate (5) can be inserted into the open barrel (3) from above and can be moved against the viscous material by means of a pump (11), and that the viscous material can be conveyed through the follower plate (5) by means of the pump (11), wherein a barrel heater is arranged on or around the barrel (3), characterized in that a heating sleeve (1) with at least two heating zones (4) in a vertical extension (8) of the barrel (3) is provided as the barrel heater, or that a heating ring (2) with at least one heating zone (4) is displaceable or movable along a vertical extension (8) of the barrel (3), at least during heating operation, wherein depending on a fill level of the barrel (3) or a position of the follower plate (5), at least one of the heating zones (4) individually can be switched on and / or off and / or monitored and / or controlled or the heating ring (2) is displaceable or movable.

9. Barrel pump arrangement (6) according to claim 8, characterized in that the heating sleeve (1) has at least three, four, five, six or more heating zones (4), wherein in the region of the follower plate (5) or, depending on the position of the follower plate (5), in the region below or below the follower plate (5), at least one of the heating zones (4) can be individually switched on and / or monitored and / or controlled, and / or wherein, depending on the position of the follower plate (5), in the region above the follower plate (5), the heating zone (5) or the heating zones (4) can each be switched off and / or monitored and / or controlled individually or as a group.

10. Barrel pump arrangement (6) according to one of the preceding claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the heating ring (2) is displaceable or movable with the follower plate (5) or separately from the follower plate (5) or follows the movement of the follower plate (5), wherein the heating ring (2) precedes the downward movement of the follower plate (5) and / or that the heating ring (2) comprises at least two, three or more heating zones (4) in a vertical extension (8) of the barrel (3).

11. Barrel pump arrangement (6) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the heating zones (4) can each be switched on and / or off and / or monitored and / or controlled individually and / or as a group and / or that at least mutually adjacent heating zones (4) overlap and / or that the heating zones (4) each have the same heating power or different heating powers or scalable heating powers.

12. Method for operating a drum heater on a drum pump arrangement (6), wherein a viscous material is conveyed from a drum (3) by a pump (11) arranged on a follower plate (5), wherein the follower plate (5) is introduced into the open drum (3) from above and moved against the viscous material and that the viscous material is conveyed through the follower plate (5) by means of the pump (11), wherein heating of the drum (3) takes place, characterized in that the heating of a partial volume of the viscous material in the drum (3) takes place as a function of a fill level or a position of the follower plate (5), wherein the heating of the partial volume of the viscous material in the drum (3) takes place in the region of or in the region below or below the follower plate (5) in at least one heating zone (4).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the heating of the partial volume of the viscous material in the barrel (3) takes place in advance of the movement of the follower plate (5).

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the at least one heating zone (4) is switched on and / or off individually or in groups and / or that an adjustment of the heating power of the at least one heating zone (4) takes place.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the at least one heating zone (4) in the area above and / or at a distance from and below the follower plate (5) is switched off individually or in groups and / or that the heating power of the at least one heating zone (4) is adjusted and / or monitored and / or controlled.

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