Separator device for dehydrating wet materials

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separator device 1 for separating liquid from solid material. The separator device comprises a drive shaft 10 rotatably mounted about a drive rotation axis D1 and extending in an axial direction A between an upstream shaft end 11 and a downstream shaft end 12, a screw conveyor 20 connected to the drive shaft and configured for conveying the material in a conveying direction F from an upstream inlet 31 to a downstream outlet 32 ​​and at least partially surrounding the drive shaft, a screening device 30 surrounding the screw conveyor and configured for separating the liquid from the solid material and for conveying the material, in particular the solid material, in the conveying direction from the inlet to the outlet, and a drive unit 40 coupled to a downstream shaft end of the drive shaft for driving the drive shaft, the drive shaft being mechanically coupled to the drive unit such that the drive shaft is in the form of a tension rod.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a separator device for dewatering wet agglomerates, comprising a drive shaft rotatably mounted about a drive axle and extending axially between an upstream shaft end and a downstream shaft end, a conveying screw connected to the drive shaft and configured to convey the agglomerates in a conveying direction from an upstream inlet to an outlet located downstream relative to the inlet, a screening device surrounding the conveying screw and configured to separate liquid from the solid agglomerates and to guide the agglomerates, in particular the solid agglomerates, in the conveying direction from the inlet to the outlet, and a drive unit connected to the drive shaft, in particular to the downstream shaft end of the drive shaft, for driving the drive shaft. [Background technology]

[0002] It is well known to dewater the wet mass with a separator device. To dewater the wet mass, this type of separator device comprises a cylindrical conveying screw surrounded by a screening device. The conveying screw is driven by a drive unit. To obtain an optimal dewatering result, the conveying screw must fit as tightly as possible against the screening device. For this reason, high manufacturing precision is required for the manufacture of the conveying screw and the screening device. In order that the conveying screw does not jam in the screening device and fits tightly against the screening device, the conveying screw is centered with high precision inside the screening device. In this respect, the manufacture of the screening device and the conveying screw and the assembly of the separator device are complex and expensive.

[0003] It is therefore an object to provide a separator device for dewatering wet agglomerates, which allows simple and inexpensive dewatering of the wet agglomerates. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect, this object is achieved by a separator device as claimed in claim 1. The separator device is configured for dewatering a wet mass. The wet mass is in particular a suspension containing solids. The wet mass comprises in particular a solid and a liquid.

[0005] To dewater the wet mass, the separator apparatus has a drive shaft rotatably mounted about a drive axle, the drive shaft extending axially between an upstream shaft end and a downstream shaft end, the drive axle extending substantially axially.

[0006] Furthermore, the separator device comprises a conveying screw, which is connected to a drive shaft, in particular the conveying screw at least partially surrounds the drive shaft, the drive shaft preferably extending through the conveying screw.

[0007] The conveying screw is configured to convey the mass to be dewatered in a conveying direction from an upstream inlet to an outlet downstream with respect to the inlet. In the conveying direction, the mass to be dewatered is increasingly dewatered, i.e. liquid is separated from the mass to be dewatered. As a result, the dry mass content of the mass to be dewatered increases from the inlet to the outlet. The dry mass content of the mass to be dewatered is therefore greater at the outlet than at the inlet. The degree of dewatering depends substantially on the conveying pressure generated by the conveying screw. The higher the conveying pressure, the greater the dry mass content of the mass to be dewatered at the outlet. The dry mass content is in particular the ratio of the mass of dry matter to the total mass comprising the mass of dry matter and the mass of liquid.

[0008] The conveying screw is preferably conical or cylindrical. In particular, the conveying screw preferably has a cross-sectional area that decreases or is constant from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet. In particular, the conveying screw has screw flights, in particular conical screw flights, the height of the screw flights varying or constant in the conveying direction. The height of the screw flights preferably decreases from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet.

[0009] Preferably, the screw flight has an outer diameter and an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter, and the outer diameter decreases in the conveying direction while the inner diameter is constant, or the outer diameter decreases in the conveying direction while the inner diameter decreases, or the outer diameter and the inner diameter are constant in the conveying direction.

[0010] It is further provided that the separator device has a screening device surrounding the conveying screw. The conveying screw preferably extends inside the screening device. The conveying screw, in particular the screw flight, preferably bears tightly against the screening device, in particular against the screen inner surface. The conveying screw is preferably arranged rotatably inside the screening device. The screening device is preferably arranged stationary relative to the conveying screw. The screening device is preferably mounted in a floating manner. A screening device mounted in a floating manner is arranged so that it can move radially, for example on a guide rail, but cannot be displaced axially. The screening device is preferably mounted in a double manner.

[0011] The screening device is configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass, i.e. to dewater the wet mass, and further configured to guide the wet mass, in particular the solid wet mass, in a conveying direction from an inlet to an outlet.

[0012] The screening device of the separator device is preferably conical, pyramidal, in particular hollow conical. The screening device comprises in particular a screen wall made from a curved or rolled metal sheet or a curved or rolled steel plate, in which outlets are made as a screen pattern. The outlets are made, for example, by laser cutting. In particular, the screen wall is a conically or cylindrically rolled and / or conically or cylindrically curved screen wall. In particular, the screen wall has a welded seam that fixes the conically or cylindrically rolled and / or conically or cylindrically curved screen wall to the conical or cylindrical shape.

[0013] For separating the liquid from the wet mass, it is particularly preferred that the screening device has a liquid-permeable screen wall of conical configuration with an outlet extending between an inner screen surface of the screen wall facing the conveying screw and an outer screen surface of the screen wall, the outer screen surface being located radially outward with respect to the inner screen surface and facing away from the conveying screw, so that the liquid separated from the wet mass by the conveying pressure can leave the screening device during operation of the separator device.

[0014] In particular, the screening device has an annular screen cross-sectional area and / or inner screen diameter and / or outer screen diameter that decreases from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet or is constant between the upstream inlet and the downstream outlet.

[0015] The separator device preferably comprises a separator device housing, an inlet chamber and / or an outlet chamber.

[0016] The screening device is preferably arranged inside the housing of the screening device. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment, it is provided that the housing of the screening device has an inlet and an outlet, and that the screening device is arranged inside the housing of the screening device such that it connects the inlet and the outlet in terms of flow. Furthermore, the housing of the screening device preferably has an outlet through which the separated liquid can be discharged from the housing of the screening device.

[0017] The separator device preferably has a suction device connected in terms of flow to the outlet. To this end, the suction device is preferably arranged outside the screening device and connected to the screening device downstream of the inlet in terms of flow. The suction device is configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass. The suction device sucks the liquid from the outlet of the liquid-permeable screen wall. For example, the suction device can be connected in terms of flow to a liquid tank from which the liquid is extracted.

[0018] Furthermore, a desired suction pressure can be set in the screening device by means of the suction device, by means of which the liquid is sucked out of the screening device. In particular, the desired suction pressure can be set by the suction device in a manner that depends on the desired dry mass content at the outlet and / or the moisture content of the wet mass to be dewatered fed at the inlet and / or the viscosity of the wet mass to be dewatered fed at the inlet. For example, if a high dry mass content of the mass is desired at the outlet or if the wet mass fed at the inlet is particularly wet, the suction pressure can be set accordingly high.

[0019] This preferred embodiment of the separator device is based on the inventors' discovery that there is no need for a feed pump, which must feed the wet mass to be dewatered to the screening device. There is therefore no need for a feed pump, which must be configured to deliver both liquid and solids to the screening device. Since the liquid separated from the wet mass to be dewatered is only radially extracted by the screening device, the suction device advantageously must be configured only to extract and possibly transport the liquid. The suction device therefore experiences significantly less wear than the feed pumps of known systems.

[0020] It is finally provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the suction device is further configured to suck the liquid separated from the wet mass and / or the wet mass to be fed at the inlet by means of a vacuum. The vacuum is in particular a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure prevailing at the operating location of the separator device. In particular, the suction device extracts the liquid by means of a pressure lower than the pressure prevailing at the inlet and / or outlet. In particular, the suction device is configured to generate a type of vacuum such that the wet mass to be fed at the inlet can even be fed from a pit or the like that is located substantially lower than the separator device.

[0021] In this respect, a separator device constructed in this way has the advantage that the wet mass fed at the inlet is aspirated particularly well.Furthermore, this development has the advantage that the wet mass can also be aspirated from a pit that is located lower than the separator device.

[0022] Preferably, an inlet chamber is arranged at the inlet, the inlet chamber being configured to receive the wet cake to be dewatered and to supply it at the inlet. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that an outlet chamber is arranged at the outlet, the outlet chamber being configured to receive cake that has been supplied at the outlet and separated from the liquid. The cake supplied to the inlet chamber at the inlet has a higher moisture content than the cake supplied to the outlet chamber at the outlet.

[0023] In particular, the separator device preferably has a forming device arranged downstream of the outlet and surrounding the drive shaft. In particular, the forming device is arranged so as to be axially displaceable. The forming device is particularly preferably arranged so as to be axially displaceable with respect to the outlet. In particular, the forming device has a variable inner diameter which is changeable between a minimum inner diameter and a maximum inner diameter which is larger than the minimum inner diameter. The minimum inner diameter preferably corresponds to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft. The forming device is in particular changeable between a closed position in which the outlet is closed and an open position in which the outlet is open. In the closed position, the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft and in the open position, the inner diameter of the forming device is larger than the minimum inner diameter.

[0024] The forming device preferably comprises a ring unit. The ring unit can be configured as an elastic single-part ring, in particular as a single-part rubber ring. Furthermore, the forming device preferably comprises a forming device flange, to which the ring unit is fixed. In particular, the forming device flange comprises a cylindrical forming device flange part. Furthermore, it is preferred that the outlet is configured as a flange, and it is also possible for the outlet configured as a flange to have a cylindrical outlet part. In particular, it is preferred that the cylindrical forming device flange part is movably attached to the cylindrical outlet part.

[0025] The separator apparatus preferably has a forming device adjustment unit configured for axially displacing the forming device relative to the screening apparatus. The axial position of the forming device relative to the screening apparatus is preferably fixed once by the displacement of the forming device. In particular, the separator apparatus is configured for axially displacing the forming device relative to the screening apparatus during operation. In particular, the forming device adjustment unit is configured for axially displacing the forming device relative to the screening apparatus during operation of the separator apparatus. The forming device can preferably be displaced axially relative to the screening apparatus in a manner that depends on the desired degree of dry mass content of the dewatered agglomerate at the outlet and / or the moisture content of the wet agglomerate to be dewatered at the inlet and / or the viscosity of the wet agglomerate to be dewatered at the inlet.

[0026] Furthermore, the molding device sets a desired conveying pressure at the screening device, by which the liquid is conveyed through the screening device. In particular, the desired conveying pressure can be shifted axially by the molding device in a manner that depends on the desired dry mass content at the outlet and / or the moisture content of the wet mass to be dewatered fed at the inlet and / or the viscosity of the wet mass to be dewatered fed at the inlet. For example, if a high dry mass content of the mass at the outlet is desired or if the wet mass fed at the inlet is particularly wet, the molding device can be arranged at a correspondingly greater distance from the outlet.

[0027] The invention is based on the discovery that known solutions have a complex, space-consuming mechanism with a drive unit, a lever and possibly a weight that closes the outlet and a solid flap that opens the outlet at a certain conveying pressure. In the opinion of the inventors, conventional solutions of this kind are more maintenance-intensive than the forming device according to the invention. Due to the space-saving configuration of the forming device according to the invention and the smaller maintenance intervals, the arrangement of the drive unit on the outlet side is advantageous according to the invention. In particular, also since the dewatered wet mass exits on the outlet side, it is not necessary to seal the drive unit separately against possible liquid ingress, as is the case with known solutions in which the drive unit is arranged on the inlet side. The separator device according to the invention is therefore less maintenance-intensive and less costly in this respect than known solutions.

[0028] Furthermore, the separator device comprises a drive unit which is coupled, in particular mechanically coupled, to a downstream shaft end of the drive shaft for driving the drive shaft. In particular, the drive unit is mechanically coupled without a seal to the drive shaft in the region of the downstream shaft end. In this case, "without a seal" means, in particular, that there is no seal present which is configured to prevent the ingress of liquids into the interior of the drive unit. However, a seal can also be arranged in the drive unit, which seal is provided to prevent the escape of lubricants or the like from the drive unit. It is provided that the drive shaft is coupled to the drive unit such that the drive shaft is configured as a tension rod.

[0029] A separator device of this type has various advantages. As a result of the drive shaft being configured as a tension rod, it can be configured thinner compared to known solutions. In particular, a drive shaft configured as a tension rod can be a flexed, slack configured shaft. In particular, as a result of the drive shaft being configured as a tension rod, the tolerance requirements are significantly lower, since a drive shaft configured as a tension rod easily compensates for manufacturing-induced and / or assembly-induced angular errors.

[0030] In particular, the invention is based on the finding that the conveying screw bears tightly against the screening device even with significantly lower manufacturing precision compared to known solutions, and that the invention is further based on the finding that an arrangement of the drive shaft as a tension rod allows self-alignment of the conveying screw relative to the screening device.

[0031] The embodiment of the separator device according to the invention allows for the arrangement of the drive unit on the outlet side. As a result, there is no need for a seal configured to prevent the liquid of the mass to be dewatered from entering the drive unit. Since seals of this kind wear over time, the outlet-side arrangement of the drive unit results in a separator device that is substantially less worn compared to known solutions. Thus, in the case of the separator device according to the invention, there are significantly fewer maintenance operations compared to known solutions. Furthermore, as a result of this outlet-side arrangement of the drive unit, the probability of failure of the separator device due to the ingress of liquid into the drive unit is significantly reduced.

[0032] It is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the separator device that the drive shaft is configured as a solid shaft and / or that the conveying screw is configured hollow. The drive shaft preferably has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the conveying screw configured as a hollow shaft. In particular, the drive shaft extends into the interior of the conveying screw at a distance from the inner wall of the conveying screw. This has the advantage that the drive shaft with the conveying screw can also correct relatively large angular errors. Furthermore, it has the advantage that the drive shaft can be more easily mounted on the conveying screw, and only the upstream shaft end of the drive shaft and the upstream end of the conveying screw need to be in contact with each other.

[0033] It is provided according to a further preferred development of the separator device that the drive shaft is flexurally slack and the conveying screw is flexurally stiff in comparison to the drive shaft. In particular, the drive shaft has a low geometric moment of inertia compared to the conveying screw. Furthermore, it is preferred that the drive shaft additionally or alternatively has a low bending stiffness and / or a low torsional stiffness compared to the conveying screw.

[0034] The relatively flexurally stiff conveying screw of the preferred development of the separator device allows a particularly advantageous pressing action for dewatering the masses to be dewatered. In contrast, the relatively flexible drive shaft compensates for possible angular errors. This preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it allows the separator device to be manufactured with less strict tolerances without a reduction in the pressing action of the conveying screw as a result of a reduction in the conveying pressure due to leakage.

[0035] It is provided according to a further preferred embodiment of the separator device that the drive shaft is made up of several parts. In particular, the multi-part split drive shaft has a first sub-shaft and a second sub-shaft. The first sub-shaft is rotatably and drivably mounted on the drive unit. It is further provided that the second sub-shaft is coupled to the conveying screw and has an upstream end coupled to the conveying screw. The first and second sub-shafts and the second sub-shaft and the conveying screw are preferably fixed in terms of torque and / or coupled to each other so as to transmit axial forces.

[0036] The first and second sub-shafts can be coupled to one another, for example by means of a screw and a plug-in connection. In particular, the first sub-shaft has an axially through-bore through which the screw is guided and the second sub-shaft has an axially threaded bore into which the screw is screwed. Furthermore, it is preferred that the first sub-shaft has a shaft shoulder and that the second sub-shaft has a receiving part into which the shaft shoulder of the first sub-shaft can be received. In particular, it is provided that the first shaft shoulder is axially displaceable inside the receiving part. The first and second sub-shafts are preferably connected to one another in the region of the outlet chamber.

[0037] The multi-part drive shaft facilitates assembly and disassembly of the separator device for maintenance and servicing work, in particular if the first and second sub-shafts are connected to each other in the area of ​​the outlet chamber.

[0038] Furthermore, according to one preferred development of the separator device, it is provided that the conveying screw extends axially between an upstream screw end and a downstream screw end, the conveying screw in the region of the upstream screw end being mechanically coupled to the drive shaft in the region of the upstream shaft end.

[0039] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the separator device, it is provided that the conveying screw and the drive shaft are connected to one another in a non-positive and / or positive locking manner, in particular that the conveying screw and the drive shaft are connected to one another in a non-positive manner by means of a threaded connection and / or an interference fit and / or a feather key or the like.

[0040] It is further provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the conveying screw and the drive shaft are torque-fixed and / or axial force-transmittingly coupled to one another.

[0041] It is provided according to a further preferred embodiment of the separator device that the drive shaft is configured as a tension rod, in the region of the upstream shaft end and in the region of the downstream shaft end in each case having shaft ends with a cross section, the area of ​​which is greater than the area of ​​the cross section of the shaft intermediate section extending between the two shaft ends. This type of tension rod with a constriction has the advantage firstly of having a particularly flexible sag, but has the necessary thickness at the end for coupling to the drive unit and / or the conveying screw in order to transmit the torque from the drive unit to the conveying screw. In this preferred embodiment, the drive shaft is particularly simple to manufacture and requires relatively little maintenance.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, this preferred embodiment provides that the drive shaft has at least one universal joint and / or is configured as a cardan shaft. This preferred embodiment advantageously allows for a relatively compact overall design of the drive shaft and therefore also the separator device, if this is desired. In this preferred embodiment, the universal joint or cardan shaft allows for the correction of possible angular errors etc.

[0043] In a further development of the separator device, it is provided that the drive shaft and the drive unit in the region of the downstream shaft end are connected to one another in a non-positive and / or positive locking manner, in particular that the drive shaft and the drive unit in the region of the downstream shaft end are connected to one another in a non-positive manner by means of a screw connection and / or an interference fit and / or a feather key or the like.

[0044] Furthermore, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the separator device that the drive shaft and the drive unit are torque-fixed and / or coupled to one another so as to transmit axial forces.

[0045] Furthermore, it is provided in a further preferred development of the separator device that the drive unit has a motor shaft rotatably mounted about the motor rotation axis, the drive unit being arranged such that the motor rotation axis is inclined to the drive rotation axis.

[0046] According to a further preferred development of the separator device, it is provided that the drive unit is arranged relative to the drive shaft such that the motor rotation axis runs perpendicular to the drive rotation axis. This type of drive unit arrangement allows relatively simple axial access to the separator device.

[0047] Furthermore, it is provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the outlet is arranged between the drive unit and the screening device.

[0048] It is provided according to a further preferred embodiment of the separator device that the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw are arranged axially displaceable relative to the screening device, in particular the separator device has a shaft adjustment unit for axially adjusting the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw.

[0049] The axial position of the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw relative to the screening device is preferably fixed once by displacement of the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw. In particular, the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw can be axially displaced relative to the screening device by the shaft adjustment unit. In particular, the separator device is configured to axially displace the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw relative to the screening device during operation. In particular, the shaft adjustment unit is configured to axially displace the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw relative to the screening device during operation of the separator device. The drive shaft and / or the conveying screw can preferably be axially displaced relative to the screening device in a manner that depends on the desired degree of dry mass content of the dewatered agglomerate at the outlet and / or the moisture content of the wet agglomerate to be dewatered at the inlet and / or the viscosity of the wet agglomerate to be dewatered at the inlet.

[0050] A second aspect of the invention: a conically configured screening device and a conveying screw.

[0051] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a separator device for dewatering wet agglomerates.

[0052] Although known separator devices of this kind are inexpensive to manufacture, the screw flights of the conveying screw wear out during the operation of the separator device. During wear, gaps appear between the conveying screw and the screening device. As a result, the gaps facilitate leakage in the conveying direction of the separator, so that the wet mass is conveyed at a lower pressure. As a result, the wet mass is less satisfactorily dewatered the longer the operation time of the separator device increases.

[0053] Therefore, in the case of known separator devices, the conveying screw needs to be periodically replaced or overhauled by applying material or corresponding machining in order to allow the conveying screw to further operate inside the separator device, which replacement or overhaul of the conveying screw is complicated and expensive.

[0054] It is therefore an object to provide a separator device for dewatering wet agglomerates, which makes dewatering the wet agglomerates simple and inexpensive.

[0055] According to this second aspect, this object is achieved by a separator device for dewatering wet mass, the separator device having a drive shaft rotatably mounted about a drive rotation axis and extending axially between an upstream shaft end and a downstream shaft end, and a conveying screw connected to the drive shaft and configured to convey the wet mass to be separated from the liquid in a conveying direction from an upstream inlet to an outlet downstream with respect to the inlet, a screening device surrounding the conveying screw, configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass and configured to guide the wet mass, in particular the solid wet mass, in the conveying direction from the inlet to the outlet, characterized in that the surrounding part of the conveying screw and the inner surface of the screening device are each conical in shape.

[0056] As a result of the conical design of the contact surface between the conveying screw and the screening device, the play that occurs as a result of wear between the conveying screw and the screening device can be easily rectified by axial adjustment, which is effected by a relative movement between the conveying screw and the screening device along the longitudinal axis of the conveying screw.

[0057] The separator device is configured to dewater the wet mass, which is in particular a solid-containing suspension, which in particular comprises solids and liquids.

[0058] To dewater the wet mass, the separator apparatus has a drive shaft rotatably mounted about a drive axle and extending axially between an upstream shaft end and a downstream shaft end.

[0059] The separator device preferably comprises a drive unit which is coupled, in particular mechanically coupled, to the drive shaft in the region of the downstream shaft end for driving the drive shaft. The mechanical coupling between the drive shaft and the drive unit is preferably a non-positive and / or positive-locking coupling. Particularly preferably, the drive shaft and the drive unit are non-positively coupled to one another by means of a threaded coupling and / or an interference fit. In particular, the drive unit is mechanically coupled without seals to the drive shaft in the region of the downstream shaft end. A drive unit which is mechanically coupled without seals to the drive shaft in the region of the downstream shaft end is in particular free of shaft seals and / or slide ring seals. This has the advantage that fewer wear parts are used in this separator device, and therefore less maintenance work is required.

[0060] The drive unit has a motor shaft rotatably mounted about the motor axis of rotation, the drive unit being preferably arranged such that the motor axis of rotation is inclined relative to the drive axis of rotation, in particular the drive unit being preferably arranged relative to the drive shaft such that the motor axis of rotation is perpendicular to the drive axis of rotation.

[0061] In particular, it is preferred that the drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the drive unit in such a way that the drive shaft is preloaded with a tensile force in the axial direction. The drive shaft is preferably configured as a tension rod up to this end. The tension rod can, for example, be of cylindrical configuration with a constant cross section, or the tension rod can, for example, in the region of the upstream shaft end and in the region of the downstream shaft end, have shaft ends with a cross section in each case, the area of ​​which is greater than the area of ​​the cross section of the shaft middle section extending between the two shaft ends.

[0062] The drive shaft is preferably constructed as a solid shaft.

[0063] The separator device further comprises a conveying screw connected to the drive shaft and configured to convey the wet cake to be separated from the liquid, i.e. to be dewatered, in a conveying direction from an upstream inlet to an outlet downstream relative to the inlet.

[0064] The conveying screw is preferably hollow, in particular the conveying screw at least partially surrounds the drive shaft, which particularly preferably runs inside the conveying screw.

[0065] The conveying screw preferably extends axially between an upstream screw end and a downstream screw end. The conveying screw is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft in the region of the upstream shaft end, in particular in the region of the upstream screw end. The conveying screw and the drive shaft are preferably coupled to one another in a non-positive and / or positive locking manner. Particularly preferably, the conveying screw and the drive shaft are coupled to one another in a non-positive manner by means of a threaded connection and / or an interference fit.

[0066] The drive shaft and / or the conveying screw are preferably arranged to be axially movable or adjustable. In particular, the separator device has a shaft adjustment unit for axially adjusting the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw. In particular, the drive shaft and / or the conveying screw are arranged to be axially movable or adjustable with respect to the screening device described in the text below.

[0067] It is further provided that the separator device comprises a screening device surrounding the conveying screw, the conveying screw preferably extending inside the screening device, the screening device being preferably arranged stationary with respect to the conveying screw.

[0068] The screening device is configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass, i.e. to dewater it. Furthermore, the screening device is configured to guide the wet mass, in particular the solid wet mass, in a conveying direction from an inlet to an outlet. The screening device preferably extends between the inlet and the outlet.

[0069] Both the conveying screw of the separator device and the screening device are both conical in shape.

[0070] The screening device consists in particular of a screen wall made from curved or rolled metal sheet or curved or rolled steel sheet, in which outlets are made as a screen pattern. The outlets are made, for example, by laser cutting. In particular, the screen wall is a conically rolled and / or conically curved screen wall. In particular, the screen wall has a welded seam, by which the conically rolled and / or conically curved screen wall is fixed in a cone shape.

[0071] The separator device preferably comprises a screening device housing, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber.

[0072] The screening device is preferably arranged inside the housing of the screening device. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment, it is provided that the housing of the screening device has an inlet and an outlet, and the screening device is arranged inside the housing of the screening device so as to connect the inlet and the outlet in terms of flow. Furthermore, the housing of the screening device preferably has an outlet through which the separated liquid can be discharged from the housing of the screening device.

[0073] The separator device preferably comprises a suction device connected to the outlet in terms of flow. For this purpose, the suction device is preferably arranged outside the screening device and is connected to the screening device downstream of the inlet in terms of flow. The suction device is configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass. The suction device sucks the liquid from the outlet of the liquid-permeable screen wall. For example, the suction device can be connected to a liquid tank from which the liquid is extracted in terms of flow.

[0074] It is finally provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the suction device is configured to suck the liquid separated from the wet mass and / or the wet mass to be fed at the inlet by means of a vacuum, in particular a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure prevailing at the operating location of the separator device. In particular, the suction device extracts the liquid by means of a pressure lower than the pressure applied at the inlet and / or outlet. In particular, the suction device is configured to generate a type of vacuum that allows feeding the wet mass to be fed at the inlet even from a pit or the like that is located substantially lower than the separator device.

[0075] In this respect, the separator device constructed in this way has the advantage that it can particularly well suck up the wet mass provided at the inlet.Furthermore, this development has the advantage that it can also suck up the wet mass from a pit that is located lower than the separator device.

[0076] Provided that an inlet chamber is disposed at the inlet, the inlet chamber configured to receive and supply to the inlet wet clumps to be separated from the liquid. Additionally or alternatively, an outlet chamber is disposed at the outlet, the outlet chamber configured to receive the clumps separated from the liquid, the clumps supplied to the inlet chamber at the inlet having a higher moisture content than the clumps supplied to the outlet chamber at the outlet.

[0077] In particular, it is preferred that the separator device comprises a forming device arranged downstream of the outlet and surrounding the drive shaft. In particular, the forming device is arranged so as to be axially displaceable. The forming device is particularly preferably arranged so as to be axially displaceable with respect to the outlet. In particular, the forming device has a variable inner diameter which is variable between a minimum inner diameter and a maximum inner diameter which is larger than the minimum inner diameter. The minimum inner diameter preferably corresponds to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft. The forming device can in particular be changed between a closed position in which the outlet is closed and an open position in which the outlet is open. In the closed position, the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the minimum inner diameter with respect to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft, and in the open position, the inner diameter of the forming device is larger than the minimum inner diameter.

[0078] The forming device preferably comprises a ring unit. The ring unit can be configured as an elastic single-part ring, in particular as a single-part rubber ring. Furthermore, the forming device preferably comprises a forming device flange, to which the ring unit is fixed. In particular, the forming device flange comprises a cylindrical forming device flange part. Furthermore, it is preferred that the outlet is configured as a flange, and it is also possible for the outlet configured as a flange to have a cylindrical outlet part. It is particularly preferred that the cylindrical forming device flange part is movably attached to the cylindrical outlet part.

[0079] A separator device of this kind has various advantages, in particular the conveying screw is tightly fitted to the screening device, regardless of wear of the conveying screw, and furthermore the conical configuration improves the dewatering of the wet mass compared to known solutions.

[0080] According to a preferred embodiment of the separator device, the screening device is hollow cone-shaped. In particular, the hollow cone-shaped screening device has a cone-shaped screen interior space.

[0081] According to a further preferred development of the separator device, the screening device has an annular screen cross-sectional area and / or an inner screen diameter and / or an outer screen diameter which decrease from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet.

[0082] Furthermore, in one preferred development, it is provided that, in order to separate the liquid from the solid agglomerates, the screening device comprises a conically configured liquid-permeable screen wall having an outlet extending between an inner screen surface of the screen wall facing the conveying screw and an outer screen surface of the screen wall radially outward from the inner screen surface and facing away from the conveying screw, through which outlet the liquid separated from the wet agglomerates can exit during operation of the separator device.

[0083] Furthermore, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the separator device that the outlet has an opening cross-section which increases in the direction from the screen inner surface to the screen outer surface.

[0084] It is provided according to a further preferred embodiment of the separator device that the conveying screw has a screw cross-sectional area which decreases from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet.

[0085] Furthermore, it is provided in a further preferred development of the separator device that the conveying screw has a conical screw flight with a screw flight height which varies or is constant in the conveying direction and / or that the conveying screw has a conveying screw shaft with a conveying screw outer diameter, which is preferably constant or varies in the conveying direction.

[0086] Furthermore, as a further development of the separator device it is provided that the height of the screw flights decreases from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet.

[0087] Furthermore, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the separator device that the screw flight has an outer screw flight diameter and an inner screw flight diameter, the inner screw flight diameter being smaller than the outer screw flight diameter, where it is specified that the outer screw flight diameter decreases in the conveying direction and the inner screw flight diameter is constant, or that the outer screw flight diameter decreases in the conveying direction and the inner screw flight diameter decreases.

[0088] According to a further preferred development of the separator device, it is provided that the conveying screw, in particular the screw flight, comes into close contact with the screening device, in particular with the screen inner surface.

[0089] It is provided according to a further preferred development of the separator device that the conveying screw is arranged displaceable in the conveying direction relative to the screening device.

[0090] This second aspect is defined by the subject matter of the following embodiments (claims).

[0091] 1. A separator device (1) for dewatering a wet mass (M), said separator device (1) comprising: a drive shaft (10) rotatably mounted about a drive rotation axis (D1) and extending in an axial direction (A) between an upstream shaft end (11) and a downstream shaft end (12); a conveying screw (20) connected to the drive shaft (10) and configured to convey the wet mass (M) to be separated from the liquid (L) in a conveying direction (F) from an upstream inlet (31) to an outlet (32) located downstream with respect to the inlet (31); a screening device (30) surrounding the conveying screw (20), the screening device (30) being configured to separate the liquid (L) from the wet mass (M) and to guide the wet mass (M), in particular the solid wet mass (M), from the inlet (31) to the outlet (32) in a conveying direction (F), The outer periphery of the conveying screw (20) and the inner surface of the screening device (30) are each conical in shape.

[0092] 2. The separator device (1) of claim 1, wherein the screening device (30) is hollow cone shaped.

[0093] 3. A separator device (1) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the screening device (30) has an annular screen cross-sectional area and / or an inner screen diameter and / or an outer screen diameter that decrease from the upstream inlet (31) to the downstream outlet (32).

[0094] 4. A separator device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screening device (30) for separating liquid from solid agglomerates is conically configured and has a liquid-permeable screen wall, the screen wall having an outlet extending between an inner screen surface of the screen wall facing the conveying screw (20) and an outer screen surface of the screen wall located radially outward of the inner screen surface and facing away from the conveying screw (20), through which liquid (L) separated from the wet agglomerates (M) can exit during operation of the separator device (1).

[0095] 5. The separator device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the outlet has an opening cross-section that increases in a direction from the screen inner surface to the screen outer surface.

[0096] 6. A separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conveying screw (20) has a screw cross-sectional area that decreases from the upstream inlet (31) to the downstream outlet (32).

[0097] 7. A separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conveying screw (20) has a conical screw flight (24) with a screw flight height which varies or is constant in the conveying direction (F) and / or the conveying screw (20) has a conveying screw shaft (23) with a conveying screw outer diameter which is preferably constant or varies in the conveying direction (F).

[0098] 8. The separator apparatus (1) of claim 7, wherein the height of the screw flights decreases from the upstream inlet (31) to the downstream outlet (32).

[0099] 9. The screw flight (24) has a screw flight outer diameter and a screw flight inner diameter smaller than the screw flight outer diameter, The outer diameter of the screw flight is reduced and the inner diameter of the screw flight is constant in the conveying direction (F), or 9. The separator device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an outer diameter of the screw flight decreases and an inner diameter of the screw flight decreases in the conveying direction (F).

[0100] 10. A separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the conveying screw (20), in particular the screw flight (24), is in firm contact with the screening device (30), in particular with the inner screen surface.

[0101] 11. A separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the conveying screw (20) is arranged so as to be displaceable in the axial direction (A) relative to the screening device (30).

[0102] A third aspect of the invention: a displaceable rubber disc for setting the dry matter content of the mass fed to the outlet.

[0103] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a separator device for dewatering wet agglomerates.

[0104] It is well known to dewater the wet mass with a separator device. To dewater the wet mass, this type of separator device comprises a cylindrical conveying screw surrounded by a screening device and conveying the wet mass from an inlet to an outlet. Furthermore, this type of separator device comprises a forming device which is stationary at the outlet of the separator device and closes the outlet until the separator device supplies the dewatered wet mass to the outlet above a certain conveying pressure generated by the conveying screw. The forming device therefore blocks the wet mass to be conveyed in a manner that depends on the stiffness of the forming device. The degree of residual moisture that the wet mass to be dewatered should have at the outlet therefore depends on the stiffness of the forming device. If it is desired to vary the residual moisture of the dewatered mass at the outlet, a forming device with a correspondingly changed stiffness is provided.

[0105] In the case of known solutions, the desired residual moisture that the wet mass to be dewatered must have at the outlet cannot therefore be set flexibly and inexpensively by means of the forming device.

[0106] It is therefore an object to provide a separator device for dewatering wet cakes, which allows for simple adjustment and low cost dewatering of the wet cakes.

[0107] According to this third aspect, this object is achieved by a separator device for dewatering wet mass, comprising a drive shaft rotatably mounted about a drive rotation axis and extending axially between an upstream shaft end and a downstream shaft end, a conveying screw connected to the drive shaft and configured to convey the mass in a conveying direction from an upstream inlet to an outlet downstream relative to the inlet, and a screening device surrounding the conveying screw and configured to separate liquid from the wet mass and to guide the wet mass, in particular the solid wet mass, in the conveying direction from the inlet to the outlet, characterized in that a shaping device surrounding the conveying screw is arranged axially displaceable downstream of the outlet.

[0108] The forming device is relatively displaceable in the axial direction. This can be achieved by displacing the forming device together with the conveying screw and / or the drive shaft, thus providing a displacement of this entire unit relative to the screening device. As a result, the displacement of the forming device can be performed independently of the position and displacement of the conveying screw and / or the drive shaft. As a result of the displacement of the forming body, the part where the plug of dewatered mass is formed as much as possible can be extended in the axial direction, so that a longer plug is formed and, as a result, a higher back pressure is generated at the outlet. As a result, the conveying pressure increases, which accelerates the dewatering in the area of ​​the conveying screw and the screening device. As a result, the dewatering rate is thus controlled in an open or closed loop by the displacement of the forming body.

[0109] The separator device is configured to dewater the wet mass, which is in particular a solid-containing suspension, which in particular comprises solids and liquids.

[0110] To dewater the wet mass, the separator apparatus has a drive shaft rotatably mounted about a drive axle and extending axially between an upstream shaft end and a downstream shaft end.

[0111] The separator device preferably comprises a drive unit which is coupled, in particular mechanically coupled, to the drive shaft in the region of the downstream shaft end in order to drive the drive shaft. The mechanical coupling between the drive shaft and the drive unit is preferably a non-positive and / or positive-locking coupling. Particularly preferably, the drive shaft and the drive unit are non-positively coupled to one another by means of a threaded coupling and / or an interference fit. In particular, the drive unit is mechanically coupled without seals to the drive shaft in the region of the downstream shaft end. A drive unit which is mechanically coupled without seals to the drive shaft in the region of the downstream shaft end is in particular free of shaft seals and / or slide ring seals. This has the advantage that fewer wear parts are used in this separator device and, in this respect, less maintenance work is required.

[0112] The drive unit has a motor shaft rotatably mounted about the motor axis of rotation, the drive unit being preferably arranged such that the motor axis of rotation is inclined relative to the drive axis of rotation, in particular the drive unit being preferably arranged relative to the drive shaft such that the motor axis of rotation is perpendicular to the drive axis of rotation.

[0113] In particular, it is preferred that the drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the drive unit in such a way that the drive shaft is preloaded with a tensile force in the axial direction. The drive shaft is preferably configured as a tension rod up to this end. The tension rod can, for example, be of cylindrical configuration with a constant cross section, or the tension rod can, for example, in the region of the upstream shaft end and in the region of the downstream shaft end, have in each case one shaft end with a cross section whose area extent is greater than the area extent of the cross section of the shaft middle section extending between the two shaft ends.

[0114] The drive shaft is preferably constructed as a solid shaft.

[0115] The separator device further comprises a conveying screw connected to the drive shaft and configured to convey the wet cake to be separated from the liquid, i.e. to be dewatered, in a conveying direction from an upstream inlet to an outlet downstream with respect to the inlet. In particular, the conveying screw at least partially surrounds the drive shaft. The conveying screw is preferably conical.

[0116] In particular, the conveying screw preferably has a cross-sectional area which decreases from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet. In particular, the conveying screw has a conical screw flight with a screw flight height which varies or is constant in the conveying direction. The height of the screw flight preferably decreases from the upstream inlet to the downstream outlet.

[0117] Preferably, the screw flight has an outer screw flight diameter and an inner screw flight diameter smaller than the outer screw flight diameter, the outer screw flight diameter decreasing in the conveying direction and the inner screw flight diameter being constant, or the outer screw flight diameter decreasing in the conveying direction and the inner screw flight diameter decreasing in the conveying direction.

[0118] It is further provided that the separator device has a screening device surrounding the conveying screw. The conveying screw preferably extends inside the screening device. The conveying screw, in particular the screw flights, preferably tightly contacts the screening device, in particular the screen inner surface. The conveying screw is preferably rotatably arranged in the screening device. The screening device is preferably arranged stationary with respect to the conveying screw.

[0119] The screening device is configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass, i.e. to dewater it, and further configured to guide the wet mass, in particular the solid wet mass, in a conveying direction from the inlet to the outlet.

[0120] The screening device of the separator device is preferably conical, in particular hollow conical. The screening device consists in particular of a screen wall made from curved or rolled metal sheet or curved or rolled steel sheet, in which outlets are made as a screen pattern. The outlets are made, for example, by laser cutting. In particular, the screen wall is a conically rolled and / or conically curved screen wall. In particular, the screen wall has a welded seam, by which the conically rolled and / or conically curved screen wall is fixed in the cone.

[0121] It is particularly preferred that the screening device for separating the liquid from the wet mass has a conically configured liquid-permeable screen wall with an outlet extending between an inner screen surface of the screen wall facing the conveying screw and an outer screen surface of the screen wall facing away from the conveying screw, radially outwardly of the inner screen surface, so that the liquid separated from the wet mass can leave the screening device during operation of the separator device.

[0122] In particular, the screening device has an annular screen cross-sectional area and / or inner screen diameter and / or outer screen diameter that decreases from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet.

[0123] The separator device preferably has a screening device housing, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber.

[0124] The screening device is preferably arranged inside the housing of the screening device. In this preferred embodiment, it is preferably provided that the housing of the screening device has an inlet and an outlet, and that the screening device is arranged inside the housing of the screening device so as to connect the inlet and the outlet in terms of flow. Furthermore, the housing of the screening device preferably has an outlet, through which the separated liquid can be discharged from the housing of the screening device.

[0125] The separator device preferably has a suction device connected to the outlet from a flow point of view. For this purpose, the suction device is preferably arranged outside the screening device and connected to the screening device downstream of the inlet from a flow point of view. The suction device is configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass. The suction device extracts the liquid from the outlet of the liquid-permeable screen wall. For example, the suction device can be connected to a liquid tank from which the liquid is extracted from a flow point of view.

[0126] It is finally provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the suction device is configured to suck the liquid separated from the wet mass and / or the wet mass to be fed at the inlet by means of a vacuum, in particular a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure prevailing at the operating location of the separator device. In particular, the suction device extracts the liquid by means of a pressure lower than the pressure applied at the inlet and / or outlet. In particular, the suction device is configured to generate a type of vacuum that allows feeding the wet mass to be fed at the inlet even from a pit or the like that is located substantially lower than the separator device.

[0127] In this respect, a separator device constructed in this way has the advantage that the wet lump of material located at the inlet is sucked in particularly well. Furthermore, this development has the advantage that the wet lump of material can also be sucked in from a pit that is located lower than the separator device.

[0128] Preferably, an inlet chamber is arranged at the inlet, the inlet chamber configured to receive and supply the wet clot to be separated from the liquid to the inlet. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that an outlet chamber is arranged at the outlet, the outlet chamber being provided at the outlet and configured to receive the clot separated from the liquid. The clot supplied to the inlet chamber at the inlet has a higher moisture content than the clot supplied to the outlet chamber at the outlet.

[0129] Furthermore, the separator device has a forming device surrounding the conveying screw and is arranged axially displaceable downstream of the outlet.

[0130] A separator device of this kind has various advantages: in particular, the movably mounted forming device makes it possible to flexibly and inexpensively adjust the residual moisture of the wet mass to be dewatered at the outlet.

[0131] It is provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the forming device has a variable inner diameter which is variable between a minimum inner diameter and a maximum inner diameter which is greater than the minimum inner diameter.

[0132] According to a further preferred embodiment of the separator device it is provided that the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the drive shaft.

[0133] Furthermore, it is provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the molding device is changeable between a closed position in which the outlet is closed and an open position in which the outlet is open, and that in the closed position the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the drive shaft and in the open position the inner diameter of the molding device is larger than the minimum inner diameter.

[0134] It is provided according to a further preferred embodiment that the forming device comprises a ring unit.

[0135] Furthermore, according to one preferred development of the separator device, it is provided that the ring unit is configured as a one-piece ring, in particular as a one-piece rubber ring. In particular, the ring unit is configured as a resilient one-piece ring.

[0136] It is further provided according to a preferred embodiment of the separator device that the forming device has a forming device flange, to which the ring unit is fixed.

[0137] It is provided according to a further preferred development of the separator device that the forming device flange has a cylindrical forming device flange portion.

[0138] It is provided according to a further preferred development of the separator device that the outlet is configured as a flange.

[0139] It is further provided according to a preferred embodiment of the separator device that the outlet configured as a flange has a cylindrical outlet portion.

[0140] It is provided according to one preferred development of the separator device that the flange part of the cylindrical forming device is movably mounted on the cylindrical outlet part.

[0141] This third aspect is defined by the subject matter of the following embodiments (claims).

[0142] 1. A separator device for dewatering wet agglomerates, the separator device comprising: a drive shaft rotatably mounted about a drive axle and extending axially between an upstream shaft end and a downstream shaft end; a conveying screw connected to the drive shaft and configured to convey the agglomerates in a conveying direction from an upstream inlet to an outlet downstream relative to the inlet; a screening device surrounding the conveying screw, the screening device being configured to separate the liquid from the wet mass and to guide the wet mass, in particular the solid wet mass, in the conveying direction from an inlet to an outlet, A separator device, the separator device being a molding device surrounding the conveying screw, disposed downstream of the outlet so as to be axially displaceable.

[0143] 2. The separator apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming apparatus has a variable inner diameter that is variable between a minimum inner diameter and a maximum inner diameter that is greater than the minimum inner diameter.

[0144] 3. The separator apparatus of claim 2, wherein the minimum inner diameter corresponds to an outer diameter of the drive shaft.

[0145] 4. A separator device as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the molding device is variable between a closed position in which the outlet is closed and an open position in which the outlet is open, and in the closed position, the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the drive shaft, and in the open position, the inner diameter of the molding device is larger than the minimum inner diameter.

[0146] 5. A separator apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the molding device has a ring unit.

[0147] 6. A separator device according to claim 5, wherein the ring unit is configured as a single-piece ring, in particular as a single-piece rubber ring.

[0148] 7. A separator apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the forming apparatus has a forming apparatus flange to which the ring unit is secured.

[0149] 8. The separator apparatus of claim 7, wherein the former flange comprises a cylindrical former flange portion.

[0150] 9. The separator apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outlet is configured as a flange.

[0151] 10. The separator apparatus of claim 9, wherein the outlet is configured as a flange having a cylindrical outlet portion.

[0152] 11. A separator apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the cylindrical forming apparatus flange portion is movably attached to the cylindrical outlet portion.

[0153] For further advantages, design variants and design details of the second and third aspects and their possible developments, reference is also made to the above description of the corresponding features and developments of the separator device according to the first aspect and its possible developments.

[0154] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the first and / or second and / or third aspect of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0155] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an exemplary preferred embodiment of a separator device. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a separator device based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of the separator device based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a separator device based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5a] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a separator device based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5b] FIG. 5b is a detailed illustration of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5a. [Figure 6] 5a and 5b show cross-sectional views of a further preferred embodiment of a separator device based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a separator device based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0156] In the drawings, identical elements or substantially functionally identical elements are given the same names. The general description is in principle relevant to all embodiments unless differences are explicitly specified. The description of the present invention based on the examples with reference to the drawings is made substantially diagrammatically, and the elements illustrated in each drawing may be exaggerated and other elements may be simplified for better description.

[0157] FIG. 1 shows a perspective three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a separator device 1. The separator device 1 is configured to dewater a wet mass M in order to provide a dewatered mass S having a desired dry mass content. For this purpose, the separator device 1 has a drive shaft 10 which is rotatably mounted about a drive rotation axis D1 and extends in an axial direction A between an upstream shaft end 11 and a downstream shaft end 12. The drive shaft 10 is driven by a motor shaft of a drive unit 40 which is rotatably mounted about a motor rotation axis D2. In the exemplary embodiment, the motor rotation axis D2 extends perpendicularly to the drive rotation axis D1, but alternative arrangements of the drive unit 40 in which the motor rotation axis D2 is arranged at an angle to the drive rotation axis D1 or in which the motor rotation axis D2 extends parallel to the drive rotation axis D1 are also conceivable.

[0158] Further details regarding the arrangement of the screening device 30 inside the screening device housing 50 can be seen from the cross-sectional views of figures 2 to 7. Figures 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment of a separator device 1 having a cylindrical screening device 30 in which a cylindrical conveying screw 20 is rotatably mounted. Figures 5a, 5b and 6 show a preferred embodiment of a separator device 1 having a conical screening device 30 in which a conical conveying screw 20 is rotatably mounted.

[0159] It is clear that in a preferred embodiment, the conveying screw 20 and the screening device 30 are configured such that the conveying screw 20 is in tight, intimate contact with the screening device 30, in particular with the inner screen surface of the liquid-permeable screen wall of the screening device 30. As a result of this arrangement, the wet mass M to be dewatered is compressed in the conveying direction F between the conveying screw 20 and the screening device 30 in a manner that depends on the conveying pressure. This causes the liquid L to be forced out of the wet mass M through the liquid-permeable screen wall of the screening device 30.

[0160] The liquid-permeable screen wall has an outlet extending between an inner screen surface of the screen wall facing the conveying screw 20 and an outer screen surface of the screen wall facing away from the conveying screw 20, radially outward of the inner screen surface. The liquid L separated from the wet mass M can exit the screening device 30 through the outlet, where the size of the outlet is configured such that the liquid L, but not the solids of the wet mass M, can exit the screening device through the screen wall, so that the solids of the wet mass M are led through the screening device 30 to the outlet 32. The outlet preferably has a cross section that increases in the direction from the inner screen surface to the outer screen surface.

[0161] The housing 50 of the screening device has an inlet 31 and an outlet 32 ​​connected in terms of flow by the screening device 30. An inlet chamber 51 is arranged at the inlet 31 of the screening device housing 50, and an outlet chamber 52 is arranged at the outlet 32 ​​of the screening device housing 50. The housing 50 of the screening device thus extends axially between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. The inlet chamber and the outlet chamber are thus connected to each other in terms of flow by the housing 50 of the screening device. The inlet chamber 51 is configured to receive the wet mass M to be dewatered and to supply it to the inlet 31. To this end, the inlet chamber 51 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an opening 51a through which the wet mass M to be dewatered can be supplied to the inlet chamber 51. The wet mass M supplied to the inlet chamber 51 is conveyed in the conveying direction F by the conveying screw and conveyed from the inlet 31 on the upstream side to the outlet 32 ​​downstream with respect to the inlet 31. For this purpose, the conveying screw 20 is connected to the drive shaft 10, the rotational movement of which is transmitted to the conveying screw 20. Then, when the wet mass conveyed by the conveying screw 20 reaches the outlet 32 ​​as a dewatered mass S with a desired dry mass content, the dewatered mass S is conveyed to the outlet chamber 52 configured to receive the dewatered mass S to be fed to the outlet 32. It should be understood that the dewatered mass S may have residual moisture. However, the dry mass content of the dewatered mass S fed to the outlet is in any case greater than the dry mass content of the wet mass M to be dewatered fed at the inlet.

[0162] At the outlet 32 ​​of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 1, a forming device 70 is arranged surrounding the conveying screw shaft 23. In this exemplary embodiment, the forming device 70 is arranged in the axial direction A downstream of the outlet 32. The forming device 70 is of a flexible or elastic configuration and has a variable inner diameter that is variable between a minimum inner diameter and a maximum inner diameter that is greater than the minimum inner diameter. In this figure, the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft 23.

[0163] The forming device 70 comprises a ring unit 71 and a forming device flange 72 to which the ring unit 71 is fixed. In this embodiment, the ring unit 71 is configured as a single-piece rubber ring. The rubber ring is arranged together with the forming device flange 72 on the housing 50 of the screening device in the area of ​​the outlet.

[0164] The forming device 70 can be changed between a closed position, in which the outlet 32 ​​is closed, and an open position, in which the outlet 32 ​​is open. In the closed position, the screening device housing 50 is closed to the outlet chamber 52, i.e. is not connected to the outlet chamber 52 in terms of flow. In the open position, the screening device housing 50 is open to the outlet chamber 52, i.e. is in communication with the outlet chamber 52 in terms of flow. In the closed position, the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft 23. When the separator device 1 is operated, the dewatered agglomerates S enter the outlet chamber 52 through the outlet 32 ​​from the screening device housing 50 or the screening device 30. Here, the dewatered agglomerates S press the forming device 70, in particular the ring unit, outwards as soon as a certain conveying pressure is reached. The forming device 70 is in the open position, in which the inner diameter of the forming device 70 is larger than its minimum inner diameter, and the screening device is connected to the outlet chamber at the outlet in terms of flow.

[0165] The forming device 70 acts as an elastic resistance and helps to build up the necessary conveying pressure on the lump M conveyed between the conveying screw 20 and the screening device 30, and dewaters the supplied wet lump M in the conveying direction F.

[0166] 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1, each based on the preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

[0167] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 10 is configured as a tension rod-like solid shaft, while the cylindrical conveying screw shaft 23 of the conveying screw 20 is configured hollow. The conveying screw 20 extends in the axial direction A between an upstream screw end 21 and a downstream screw end 22. From the cross-sectional view it is clear how the cylindrical screening device 30 surrounds the conveying screw 20 and how the conveying screw 20 surrounds the drive shaft 10. The conveying screw is rotatably mounted inside the screening device 30, and the conveying screw 20 or the conveying screw shaft 23 is mechanically coupled in the region of the upstream screw end 21 to the drive shaft 10 in the region of the upstream shaft end 11. In the embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 10 and the conveying screw 20 are mechanically coupled in a non-positive manner by an interference fit. As a result of this mechanical connection, the rotational movement of the drive shaft 10 is transmitted to the conveying screw 20. For driving the drive shaft 10 , the latter is mechanically coupled in the region of the downstream shaft end 12 to a drive unit 40 (not shown in detail).

[0168] It can be seen that the drive shaft 10 is made up of several parts. The drive shaft 10 has a first sub-shaft 10a and a second sub-shaft 10b. The first sub-shaft 10a is rotatably mounted to the drive unit 40. Furthermore, the second sub-shaft 10b is coupled to the conveying screw 20. The first sub-shaft 10a and the second sub-shaft 10b are coupled to each other inside the outlet chamber 52 in a torque-fixed and axial force-transmitting manner. For the torque-fixed and axial force-transmitting coupling of the first sub-shaft 10a and the second sub-shaft 10b, a threaded and plug-in connection is provided. For this purpose, the first sub-shaft 10a is provided with at least one shaft shoulder 16 which is introduced into the second sub-shaft 10b. The second sub-shaft 10b has a receiving portion 17 which corresponds to the shaft shoulder 16 of the first sub-shaft 10a. As a result, the first sub-shaft 10a can be plugged into the second sub-shaft 10b, in particular for torque transmission. It is particularly preferred that the first and second sub-shafts are arranged axially displaceable relative to one another. Furthermore, the first sub-shaft 10a is provided with a through hole 18, and the second sub-shaft 10b is provided with an internally threaded hole 19.

[0169] A shaft adjustment unit 80 is provided for adjusting the axial relative position of the second sub-shaft 10b with respect to the first sub-shaft 10a. In the currently preferred embodiment, the shaft adjustment unit 80 has a threaded rod 81 which extends through the through hole 18 and is screwed into the internally threaded hole 19. At the downstream shaft end 12, a bearing 82 of the shaft adjustment unit 80 is arranged end-side, on which the threaded rod 81 is arranged rotatably and axially fixed. When the threaded rod 81 is then rotated, the second sub-shaft 10b is displaced in the axial direction A with respect to the first sub-shaft 10a. As a result, the distance between the screw flight 24 and the forming device 70 arranged at the outlet 32 ​​can be set, and thus the dry mass content of the dewatered agglomerates S fed to the outlet can be set. When the second sub-shaft 10b and thus the conveying screw 20 are pressed axially in the direction of the inlet chamber 51, the distance between the screw flight 24 and the forming device 70 is increased. As a result, the dry mass content of the dewatered agglomerates S fed to the outlet 32 ​​increases. If the distance between the screw flight 24 and the forming device 70 is reduced, i.e., if the second sub-shaft 10b is displaced axially together with the conveying screw 20 towards the outlet chamber 51, the conveying pressure inside the screening device decreases and the dry mass content of the dewatered agglomerates S fed to the outlet 32 ​​decreases. In the preferred embodiment shown in this example, the conveying screw or the second sub-shaft can be displaced in the axial direction A by manually rotating the threaded bolt or screw.

[0170] In order to achieve a drive shaft 10 that is as free of sagging as possible and compensates for angular errors, the drive shaft 10 (in this embodiment the second sub-shaft 10b) has different cross-sectional areas. For example, the drive shaft 10 configured as a tension rod comprises in the region of the upstream shaft end 11 and in the region of the connection of the first sub-shaft 10a and the second sub-shaft 10b in each case one shaft end 13, 14, between which an intermediate shaft section 15 extends. Here, the cross-sectional area of ​​the shaft end sections 13, 14 is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate shaft section 15.

[0171] The cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 3 is based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 2. The embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 3 differs substantially from the preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 2 in that the shaft adjustment unit 80 can be automatically actuated by a drive unit to bring about an axial displacement of the conveying screw 20 inside the screening device 30. For this purpose, the axial bearing 82 of the shaft adjustment unit 80 has a corresponding connector for the drive and an axial bearing correspondingly mounted on the shaft adjustment unit 80.

[0172] Figure 4 is an external cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. In contrast to the embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3, the conveying screw 20 or the drive shaft 10 of the embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Figure 4 cannot be axially displaced relative to the screening device 30. Correspondingly, the separator device 1 shown in Figure 4 does not have a shaft adjustment unit 80.

[0173] However, in the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 4, a forming device 70 arranged downstream of the outlet 32 ​​is arranged displaceably in the axial direction A and is provided to surround the conveying screw shaft 23. It is also in this preferred embodiment that the forming device 70 has a variable inner diameter that can be changed between a minimum inner diameter and a maximum inner diameter that is larger than the minimum inner diameter. In this figure, the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft 23.

[0174] Also, in this embodiment, the forming device 70 can be changed between a closed position where the outlet 32 ​​is closed and an open position where the outlet 32 ​​is open. Figure 4 shows the forming device 70 in the closed position. In the closed position, the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the conveying screw shaft 23. When the separator device 1 is operated and the dried agglomerates S from the outlet 32 ​​enter the outlet chamber 52, the agglomerates M press the forming device 70 outward. The forming device 70 is in the open position where the inner diameter of the forming device 70 is larger than the minimum inner diameter.

[0175] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the forming device 70 comprises a ring unit 71 and a forming device flange 72 to which the ring unit 71 is fixed. The ring unit 71 is configured as a single-piece rubber ring. The forming device flange 72 has a cylindrical forming device flange portion. In this embodiment, the outlet is configured as a flange 32a with a cylindrical outlet portion. The forming device 70 is arranged relative to the outlet 32 ​​such that the cylindrical forming device flange portion surrounds the cylindrical outlet portion, so that the forming device 70 is movable or displaceable in the axial direction A relative to the outlet 32. A forming device adjustment unit (not shown) for displacing the forming device 70 can be provided, which forming device adjustment unit is configured to displace the forming device 70 in the axial direction relative to the outlet. When the forming device 70 is displaced towards the drive unit 40, so that the spacing between the outlet 32 ​​and the ring unit increases, the dry mass content of the dewatered agglomerates S fed to the outlet 32 ​​increases. Conversely, if the spacing between the outlet 32 ​​and the ring unit of the forming apparatus 70 becomes smaller, the dry mass content of the dewatered agglomerates S fed to the outlet 32 ​​decreases, i.e., the water content increases.

[0176] The preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 5a is substantially based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In contrast to the preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in Fig. 2, the screening device 30 in the case of the cross-section shown in Fig. 5a is conically configured as a hollow cone. Here, the hollow cone has an axially varying annular screen cross-sectional area, an axially varying inner screen diameter and an axially varying outer screen diameter. The annular screen cross-sectional area, the inner screen diameter and the outer screen diameter of the screening device 30 decrease in the conveying direction F from the upstream inlet 31 to the downstream outlet 32.

[0177] Like the screening device 30, the conveying screw 20 is also conical in shape. The conveying screw has a cross-sectional area that decreases in the conveying direction F from the upstream inlet 31 to the downstream outlet 32. In this embodiment, the conveying screw is provided with a conically moving screw flight 24 with a screw height. The screw height decreases in the conveying direction F. The conical screw flight 24 thus has a constant inner screw flight diameter in the conveying direction F and a decreasing outer screw flight diameter. The inner screw flight diameter corresponds to the outer or external diameter of the conveying screw shaft 23. The detailed view of FIG. 5b shows the conical profile of the screening device 30 and the conical conveying screw 20 arranged therein.

[0178] The preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in Figure 6 is based on the preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5a and 5b. In contrast to the preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in Figure 6 has a forming device 70 which is displaceable in the axial direction A relative to the outlet 32, as described above in connection with the preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in Figure 4.

[0179] FIG. 7 is an external cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 based on the preferred embodiment of the separator device 1 shown in FIG. 1. The separator device 1 shown in FIG. 7 comprises a suction device 60 arranged outside the screening device 30 and connected to the screening device 30 downstream of the inlet 31 in terms of flow. For this purpose, the housing 50 of the screening device preferably has an outlet 53 to which the suction device 60 is connected in terms of flow for extracting the liquid L. The suction device 60 is configured to separate the liquid L from the wet mass M to be dewatered and in particular also to extract the liquid L from the outlet of the liquid-permeable screen wall. For this purpose, the suction device 60 generates a suction pressure, by means of which the liquid is separated from the mass to be dewatered. Furthermore, the suction pressure of the suction device 60 can be used in a preferred manner to suck the wet mass M to be dewatered, which is provided at the inlet. For example, the separator device 1 can also comprise a liquid tank 61 connected in terms of flow to the suction device 60 and for receiving the liquid L extracted by the suction device 60. Thus, a solid mass tank 62 can also be provided for receiving the dewatered mass S conveyed to the outlet chamber 52. In particular, the suction pressure generated by the suction device 60 can be set in a manner that depends on the desired dry mass content of the dewatered mass S fed to the outlet and / or on the viscosity of the wet mass M to be dewatered fed at the inlet and / or on the liquid of the wet mass M to be dewatered fed at the inlet.

[0180] The preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is preferably equipped with a suction device as described in relation to the preferred embodiment of the separator apparatus 1 shown in FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 1: Separator device 10: Drive shaft 10a: First sub-shaft 10b: Second sub-shaft 11: Upstream shaft end 12: Downstream shaft end 13: Shaft end 14: Shaft end 15: Middle part of shaft 16: Shaft shoulder 17: Receiving part 18:Through hole 19: Internal thread hole 20: Conveyor screw 21: Upstream screw end 22: downstream screw end 23: Conveying screw shaft 24: Screw Flight 30: Screening device 31:Entrance 32:Exit 32a: flange 40: Drive unit 50: Screening device housing 51: Entrance chamber 51a:Aperture 52: Exit chamber 53: Outlet 60:Suction device 61: Liquid tank 62: Solid mass tank 70: Molding equipment 71: Ring unit 72: Forming equipment flange 80: Shaft adjustment unit 81: Threaded bolts / screws 82: Axial bearing A: Axial direction D1: Drive shaft D2: Motor shaft F: Transport direction L:Liquid M: Wet lump S: Dry lump

Claims

1. A separator device (1) for dewatering a wet mass (M), said separator device (1) comprising: a drive shaft (10) rotatably mounted about a drive rotation axis (D1) and extending in an axial direction (A) between an upstream shaft end (11) and a downstream shaft end (12); a conveying screw (20) connected to the drive shaft (10) and configured to convey the mass to be dewatered in a conveying direction (F) from an upstream inlet (31) to an outlet (32) located downstream relative to the inlet (31); a screening device (30) surrounding the conveying screw (20), the screening device (30) being configured to separate the liquid (L) from the wet mass (M) to be dewatered and to guide the wet mass (M), in particular the solid wet mass (M), in the conveying direction (F) from the inlet (31) to the outlet (32); a drive unit (40) coupled to the downstream shaft end (12) of the drive shaft (10) for driving the drive shaft (10); The separator device (1), wherein the drive shaft (10) is coupled to the drive unit (40) such that the drive shaft (10) is configured as a tension rod.

2. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (10) is configured as a solid shaft and / or the conveying screw (20) is of hollow configuration.

3. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (10) has a flexible, loose configuration, and the conveying screw (20) has a flexible, rigid configuration compared to the drive shaft (10).

4. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (10) is made up of several parts.

5. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveying screw (20) extends in the axial direction (A) between an upstream screw end (21) and a downstream screw end (22), and the conveying screw (20) in the region of the upstream screw end (21) is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft (10) in the region of the upstream shaft end (11).

6. 6. The separator device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the conveying screw (20) and the drive shaft (10) are connected to each other in a non-positive locking manner and / or a positive locking manner.

7. 7. The separator device (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the conveying screw (20) and the drive shaft (10) are torque-locked and / or coupled to each other so as to transmit axial forces.

8. The drive shaft (10) in the region of the upstream shaft end (11) and in the region of the downstream shaft end (12), in each case the shaft ends (13, 14) are configured as tension rods with a cross section whose area is greater than the area of ​​the cross section of an intermediate shaft section (15) extending between the two shaft ends (13, 14); and / or 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, which has at least one universal joint and / or is configured as a cardan shaft.

9. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (10) in the region of the downstream shaft end (12) and the drive unit (40) are connected to each other in a non-positive locking manner and / or a positive locking manner.

10. 10. The separator device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the drive shaft (10) and the drive unit (40) are torque-locked and / or coupled to each other so as to transmit axial forces.

11. 2. The separator device (1) of claim 1, wherein the drive unit (40) has a motor shaft rotatably mounted about a motor rotation axis (D2), and the drive unit (40) is arranged such that the motor rotation axis (D2) is inclined relative to the drive rotation axis (D1).

12. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit (40) is arranged relative to the drive shaft (10) such that the motor rotation axis (D2) extends perpendicular to the drive rotation axis (D1).

13. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is arranged between the drive unit (40) and the screening device.

14. 2. The separator device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (10) and / or the conveying screw (20) are arranged axially (A) displaceable relative to the screening device (30).

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