Apparatus for processing powder material

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for processing a powder material, capable of achieving further energy saving.SOLUTION: In an apparatus 1 for processing a powder material, the powder material is accommodated in a drying space 143 inside a drying hopper 11, and a dry gas flowing through a dry gas line 16 is supplied to the drying space 143. The dry gas flowing through the dry gas line 16 is heated by a drying heater 25. Therefore, in the drying space 143, the powder material is heated, moisture in the powder material is evaporated, and the powder material is dried. The powder material supplied to the drying space 143 is stored in a storage tank 106 serving as a supply starting point. The apparatus 1 for processing a powder material is provided with a heat exchange mechanism 144, where heat exchange is performed between the powder material stored in the storage tank 106 and high-temperature regenerated gas supplied into a main body 151 through a gas introduction pipe 152 from a regenerated gas discharge pipe 76.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder and granular material processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In the manufacturing process of plastic products, a drying process is carried out to remove moisture from powdered plastic material before it is fed into a molding machine.

[0003] Various types of drying devices have been proposed. One type of device uses a system in which air used to dry powder or granular materials is circulated within the device. In this device, low-humidity air is heated to a low dew point, and the low-humidity, high-temperature, low-dew-point air is supplied to the powder or granular material. This causes moisture to evaporate from the powder or granular material. After passing through the powder or granular material, the air is dehumidified by adsorbing moisture onto an adsorbent material, and the air is returned to low-humidity air. The low-humidity air is then heated again, and the low-dew-point air is supplied to the powder or granular material. Meanwhile, to remove moisture from the adsorbent material, air taken in from outside the device is heated, and the high-temperature air is supplied to the adsorbent material. The air containing the moisture removed from the adsorbent is discharged from the device.

[0004] There are also devices that do not circulate air for drying powder or granules within the device. In these devices, air is taken in from outside the device, heated, and the high-temperature air is supplied to the powder or granules, and air containing the moisture that has evaporated from the powder or granules is discharged from the device.

[0005] Regardless of which of these methods is adopted, waste heat (waste of thermal energy) is generated by discharging high-temperature air, and this waste heat can be utilized to save energy. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that saves energy by exchanging heat between the air before it is heated by a heater and the high-temperature air that has passed through the powder or granular material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-305957 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, with this proposed technology, even after heat exchange, the temperature of the exhaust air remains higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the waste is discharged as is, limiting the energy-saving effect. Furthermore, the initial moisture content of powders and granular materials varies greatly depending on the storage environment, such as temperature and humidity. Therefore, to prevent insufficient drying of powders and granular materials, operating conditions are set assuming a high initial moisture content, which may result in unnecessary heat being applied to the powders and granular materials.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a powder / granular material processing apparatus that can achieve further energy savings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the powder or granular material processing apparatus of the present invention is a powder or granular material processing apparatus used for drying powder or granular material, and includes a drying container that provides an internal drying space in which powder or granular material is accommodated, a drying gas line through which gas supplied to the drying space flows, a drying heater that heats the gas flowing in the drying gas line, an exhaust gas line through which gas discharged to the outside flows, a storage container that stores powder or granular material and serves as the starting point for supplying the powder or granular material to the drying space, and a heat exchange mechanism that exchanges heat between the powder or granular material stored in the storage container and the gas flowing in the exhaust gas line.

[0010] According to this configuration, powder or granular material is accommodated in a drying space inside the drying container, and gas flowing through the drying gas line is supplied to the drying space. The gas flowing through the drying gas line is heated by a drying heater. As a result, the temperature of the powder or granular material rises in the drying space, and moisture evaporates from the powder or granular material, drying the powder or granular material. The powder or granular material to be supplied to the drying space is stored in a storage container, which is the source of the supply.

[0011] The gas flowing through the exhaust gas line is a high-temperature gas. That is, as explained in the Background Art section, in a powder or granular material processing apparatus in which gas passing through a drying space is circulated through a drying gas line, high-temperature gas containing moisture removed from the adsorbent flows through the exhaust gas line, while in a powder or granular material processing apparatus in which gas passing through a drying space is discharged to the outside without being circulated, high-temperature gas containing moisture evaporated from the powder or granular material flows through the exhaust gas line.

[0012] Therefore, a heat exchange mechanism is provided to exchange heat between the powder and granular material stored in the storage container and the gas flowing through the exhaust gas line. The powder and granular material stored in the storage container remains stored in the storage container for a relatively long time until the supply of the powder and granular material to the drying space starting from the storage container begins. Therefore, heat exchange between the powder and granular material stored in the storage container and the gas flowing through the exhaust gas line imparts a large amount of heat to the powder and granular material stored in the storage container from the gas flowing through the exhaust gas line, sufficiently increasing the temperature of the powder and granular material and decreasing the temperature of the gas flowing through the exhaust gas line.

[0013] Because the powder or granules are sufficiently heated before the supply of the powder or granules from the storage container to the drying space begins, the time required for the powder or granules to reach a temperature suitable for drying in the drying space is shorter than in conventional powder or granule processing devices. This reduces the thermal energy required to dry the powder or granules, thereby reducing the operating load of various components, such as the drying heater. This further improves energy efficiency in powder or granule processing devices. Furthermore, by maintaining the temperature of the powder or granules stored before drying higher than room temperature, the initial moisture content of the powder or granules is reduced, stabilizing the state of the powder or granules immediately before being introduced into the drying container (drying space) independently of the environment, and reducing the thermal energy required for subsequent drying processes.

[0014] The heat exchange mechanism may be configured to include a main body having a cylindrical side wall, one end wall closing one end of the side wall, and another end wall closing the other end of the side wall, and being placed within the storage container; a gas inlet pipe having one end open within the main body and the other end connected to an exhaust gas line; and a gas exhaust pipe having one end open within the main body and the other end open outside the storage container.

[0015] In this configuration, gas flowing through the exhaust gas line flows into the main body through the gas inlet pipe, and the gas that passes through the main body is discharged to the outside of the storage container through the gas exhaust pipe. Because the main body is placed inside the storage container, heat exchange occurs between the powder and granular material in the storage container and the gas passing through the main body through the side walls, one end wall, and the other end wall of the main body. As a result, the temperature of the powder and granular material stored in the storage container increases, and the temperature of the gas discharged to the outside of the storage container through the gas exhaust pipe decreases.

[0016] Therefore, it is preferable that at least one of the one end wall and the other end wall of the main body is formed in a cone shape tapering away from the side wall.

[0017] This configuration increases the contact area between the powder in the storage container and the main body, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the powder in the storage container and the gas passing through the main body.

[0018] The main body preferably has plate-shaped fins extending from the sidewalls around the periphery.

[0019] This configuration also increases the contact area between the powder and granular material in the storage container and the main body, improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the powder and granular material in the storage container and the gas passing through the main body.

[0020] The heat exchange mechanism may be configured to include a pipe having one end connected to the exhaust gas line, a middle portion passing through the storage container, and the other end opening outside the storage container.

[0021] In this configuration, gas flowing through the exhaust gas line flows into the piping at one end, passes through the piping, and is discharged from the other end of the piping to the outside of the storage container. Because the piping passes through the storage container at a midpoint, heat exchange occurs through the piping wall between the powder and granular material in the storage container and the gas passing through the midpoint of the piping. As a result, the temperature of the powder and granular material stored in the storage container increases, and the temperature of the gas discharged from the piping to the outside of the storage container decreases.

[0022] Therefore, it is preferable that the piping has, midway through the storage container, a first pipe section extending in one direction and a second pipe section communicating with the first pipe section and extending in a direction intersecting the one direction.

[0023] This configuration allows the length of the piping within the storage container to be increased, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the powder and granular material within the storage container and the gas passing through the middle of the piping.

[0024] The heat exchange mechanism may be configured to include a jacket covering the outer periphery of the side wall of the storage container, a gas inlet pipe having one end connected to the jacket and the other end connected to an exhaust gas line, for introducing gas flowing through the exhaust gas line into the jacket, and a gas exhaust pipe having one end connected to the jacket and the other end open outside the storage container, for discharging gas flowing inside the jacket.

[0025] In this configuration, the outer periphery of the side wall of the storage container is covered with a jacket. Gas flowing through the exhaust gas line flows into the jacket through a gas inlet pipe, passes through the jacket, and is discharged to the outside of the storage container through a gas exhaust pipe. This allows heat exchange between the powder and granular material in the storage container and the gas passing through the jacket via the surface of the jacket that comes into contact with the side wall of the storage container. As a result, the temperature of the powder and granular material in the storage container increases, and the temperature of the gas discharged to the outside of the storage container through the gas exhaust pipe decreases.

[0026] The storage container may be a bag containing powder or granular material. In this case, the heat exchange mechanism may include a heating tank that provides a bag storage space for storing the bag and is configured to be able to close the bag storage space, a heated gas inlet pipe that has one end open to the bag storage space and the other end connected to an exhaust gas line, and a heated gas exhaust pipe that has one end open to the bag storage space.

[0027] In this configuration, the powder or granular material is sealed in a bag, and the bag is contained in the bag containing space in the heating tank. Gas flowing through the exhaust gas line flows into the bag containing space through the heated gas inlet pipe, and the gas passing through the bag containing space flows through the heated gas outlet pipe. This allows heat exchange between the powder or granular material in the bag and the gas passing through the bag containing space via the bag. As a result, the temperature of the powder or granular material in the bag rises.

[0028] The powder or granular material in the bag may be transferred from the bag to an insulated container, with the bag serving as a starting point for supply to the drying space, and then supplied from the insulated container to the drying space. In this case, the powder or granular material processing apparatus preferably further includes an insulated tank that houses the insulated container and is configured to be able to close a container housing space in which the insulated container is housed, a insulated gas inlet pipe having one end that opens into the container housing space and the other end to which the other end of the heated gas outlet pipe is connected, and a insulated gas outlet pipe having one end that opens into the container housing space and the other end that opens outside the insulated tank.

[0029] In this configuration, gas flows from the heating gas exhaust pipe into the heat-retaining gas inlet pipe, and regeneration gas flows from the heat-retaining gas inlet pipe into the container housing space in the heat-retaining tank, where it passes through the container housing space. The gas in the container housing space flows out of the container housing space into the heat-retaining gas exhaust pipe and is discharged to the outside of the heat-retaining tank through the heat-retaining gas exhaust pipe. Since the temperature of the gas passing through the container housing space is higher than the temperature of the powder and granular material heated together with the bag in the bag housing space in the heating tank, heat exchange occurs in the container housing space between the powder and granular material in the heat-retaining container and the gas passing through the container housing space via the heat-retaining container. This allows the powder and granular material in the heat-retaining container to be kept warm or heated.

[0030] In addition, while the powder is being supplied from the heat-insulating container to the drying space, the powder sealed in the bag can be heated together with the bag in the heating tank, so the temperature of the powder can be raised more sufficiently.

[0031] The powder and granular material processing device may further include an adsorber having an adsorbent material that adsorbs moisture and through which gas passes while coming into contact with the adsorbent material, a regeneration gas line through which gas flows for desorbing moisture from the adsorbent material, and a regeneration heater that heats the gas flowing in the regeneration gas line, and may be configured so that the gas flowing in the dry gas line passes through the adsorber, and the gas flowing in the regeneration gas line passes through the adsorber after being heated by the regeneration heater.

[0032] In this configuration, the gas flowing through the dry gas line passes through the adsorbent, causing the moisture contained in the gas flowing through the dry gas line to be adsorbed onto the adsorbent, and the gas flowing through the regeneration gas line passes through the adsorbent after being heated by the regeneration heater, causing the moisture to be desorbed from the adsorbent.

[0033] Alternatively, the drying container may have a dry gas inlet and a dry gas outlet, each of which opens into the drying space, one end of a dry gas line may be connected to the dry gas inlet, the other end of the dry gas line may be connected to the dry gas outlet, and the exhaust gas line may be the regeneration gas line.

[0034] This configuration allows heat exchange between the powder in the storage container and the gas flowing in the regeneration gas line, which increases the temperature of the powder in the storage container and decreases the temperature of the gas flowing in the regeneration gas line.

[0035] The drying vessel may have a dry gas inlet and a dry gas outlet, each of which is open to the drying space, and the dry gas line may include a dry gas supply line connected to the dry gas inlet and a dry gas discharge line connected to the dry gas outlet, and the discharge gas line may be the dry gas discharge line.

[0036] This configuration allows heat exchange between the powder in the storage container and the gas flowing through the dry gas discharge line, which increases the temperature of the powder in the storage container and decreases the temperature of the gas flowing through the dry gas discharge line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] According to the present invention, further energy saving of the powder and granular material processing apparatus can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder / granular material processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a heat exchange mechanism. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main body, the gas inlet pipe, and the gas outlet pipe of the heat exchange mechanism taken along a cutting plane along the center line of the main body. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the heat exchange mechanism taken along a cutting plane perpendicular to the center line. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing another configuration of the heat exchange mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing still another configuration of the heat exchange mechanism. [Figure 7]10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a heat exchange mechanism when a paper bag containing powder or granular material is used instead of a storage tank. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder or granular material processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] <Powder and granular material processing equipment> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is included in a plastic product manufacturing facility 2 and performs a process (drying process) to dry powder and granular material such as plastic pellets that are the raw material for plastic products. The powder and granular material dried in the powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is transported to a molding machine 3 included in the manufacturing facility 2.

[0042] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 includes a drying hopper 11 and a loader hopper 12 disposed above the drying hopper 11. The powder and granular material is supplied from the loader hopper 12 to the drying hopper 11, dried while contained in the drying hopper 11, and then transported from the drying hopper 11 to the molding machine 3.

[0043] Drying hopper 11 has a drying gas inlet 13 and a drying gas outlet 14. A drying gas introduction pipe 15 penetrates the side wall of drying hopper 11. Drying gas introduction pipe 15 bends downward within drying hopper 11 and extends, with its lower end formed in a cone shape that widens as it approaches the bottom, and drying gas inlet 13 is formed by opening the bottom end of the cone-shaped lower end. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 , drying gas outlet 14 is formed in the upper part of the side wall of drying hopper 11, but it may also be formed in the top plate (upper wall) of drying hopper 11.

[0044] The powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 is equipped with a dry gas line 16. One end of the dry gas line 16 is connected to a dry gas inlet 13 via the dry gas inlet pipe 15. The other end of the dry gas line 16 is connected to a dry gas outlet 14.

[0045] The powder / granular material processing apparatus 1 includes a drying filter 21 , an aftercooler 22 , a drying blower 23 , an adsorber 24 , and a drying heater 25 .

[0046] The dry gas line 16 passes through a dry filter 21, an aftercooler 22, a dry blower 23, an adsorber 24, and a dry heater 25 in this order from the dry gas outlet 14 side.

[0047] Specifically, the dry gas line 16 includes a first dry gas pipe 31, a second dry gas pipe 32, a third dry gas pipe 33, a fourth dry gas pipe 34, and a fifth dry gas pipe 35. One end of the first dry gas pipe 31 is connected to the dry gas outlet 14, and the other end of the first dry gas pipe 31 is connected to an inlet 41 of the drying filter 21. One end of the second dry gas pipe 32 is connected to an outlet 42 of the drying filter 21, and the other end of the second dry gas pipe 32 is connected to a first inlet 43 of the aftercooler 22. One end of the third dry gas pipe 33 is connected to a first outlet 44 of the aftercooler 22, and the other end of the third dry gas pipe 33 is connected to an inlet 45 of the drying blower 23. The first inlet 43 and the first outlet 44 of the aftercooler 22 are connected to each other within the aftercooler 22. One end of the fourth drying gas pipe 34 is connected to an outlet 46 of the drying blower 23, and the other end of the fourth drying gas pipe 34 is connected to the adsorber 24. One end of the fifth drying gas pipe 35 is connected to the adsorber 24, and the other end of the fifth drying gas pipe 35 is connected to an inlet 47 of the drying heater 25. The drying gas introduction pipe 15 is connected to an outlet 48 of the drying heater 25.

[0048] The adsorber 24 includes a substantially cylindrical adsorption column 51. The adsorber 24 also includes an adsorbent 52 for adsorbing moisture inside the adsorption column 51. A number of gas flow paths extending along the center line of the adsorption column 51 are formed inside the adsorption column 51, and the adsorbent 52 forms the inner surface of each gas flow path. The adsorbent 52 is, for example, zeolite.

[0049] A drying region, a cooling region, and a regeneration region are set in the region where the adsorption column 51 exists. Hereinafter, the gas flow path in the drying region will be referred to as the "drying flow path," the gas flow path in the cooling region will be referred to as the "cooling flow path," and the gas flow path in the regeneration region will be referred to as the "regeneration flow path."

[0050] The adsorption column 51 is sandwiched between a first cover 53 and a second cover 54 on both sides along the centerline. The first cover 53 is provided with a first drying port 53D communicating with the drying channel, a first cooling port 53C communicating with the cooling channel, and a first regeneration port 53R communicating with the regeneration channel. The second cover 54 is provided with a second drying port 54D communicating with the drying channel, a second cooling port 54C communicating with the cooling channel, and a second regeneration port 54R communicating with the regeneration channel.

[0051] The adsorber 24 includes a rotation mechanism 56 that uses a motor 55 as a drive source and rotates the adsorption cylinder 51 by the driving force of the motor 55.

[0052] The first drying port 53D is connected to a fifth drying gas pipe 35 of the drying gas line 16. The second drying port 54D is connected to a fourth drying gas pipe 34 of the drying gas line 16. The fourth drying gas pipe 34 and the fifth drying gas pipe 35 are connected to each other via a drying flow path in the adsorption column 51.

[0053] One end of a first reflux pipe 57 is connected to the first cooling port 53C. The other end of the first reflux pipe 57 branches off and is connected to a midpoint of the fifth dry gas pipe 35 of the dry gas line 16. One end of a second reflux pipe 58 is connected to the second cooling port 54C. The other end of the second reflux pipe 58 branches off and is connected to a midpoint of the third dry gas pipe 33 of the dry gas line 16. The first reflux pipe 57 and the second reflux pipe 58 are in communication with each other via a cooling channel within the adsorption column 51.

[0054] The powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 includes a regeneration gas line 61. The powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 also includes a regeneration filter 62, a regeneration blower 63, a heat exchanger 64, and a regeneration heater 65.

[0055] The regenerated gas line 61 includes a first regenerated gas pipe 71, a second regenerated gas pipe 72, a third regenerated gas pipe 73, a fourth regenerated gas pipe 74, a fifth regenerated gas pipe 75, and a regenerated gas discharge pipe 76. One end of the first regenerated gas pipe 71 is connected to an outlet 81 of the regenerative blower 63. An inlet 82 of the regenerative blower 63 is open to the atmosphere via a regenerative filter 62. The other end of the first regenerated gas pipe 71 is connected to a second inlet 83 of the aftercooler 22. One end of the second regenerated gas pipe 72 is connected to a second outlet 84 of the aftercooler 22, and the other end of the second regenerated gas pipe 72 is connected to a first inlet 85 of the heat exchanger 64. The second inlet 83 and second outlet 84 of the aftercooler 22 are connected within the aftercooler 22. One end of the third regeneration gas pipe 73 is connected to a first outlet 86 of the heat exchanger 64, and the other end of the third regeneration gas pipe 73 is connected to an inlet 87 of the regeneration heater 65. The first inlet 85 and first outlet 86 of the heat exchanger 64 are connected to each other within the heat exchanger 64. One end of the fourth regeneration gas pipe 74 is connected to an outlet 88 of the regeneration heater 65, and the other end of the fourth regeneration gas pipe 74 is connected to a first regeneration port 53R of the adsorber 24. One end of the fifth regeneration gas pipe 75 is connected to a second regeneration port 54R of the adsorber 24, and the other end of the fifth regeneration gas pipe 75 is connected to a second inlet 91 of the heat exchanger 64. The fourth regeneration gas pipe 74 and the fifth regeneration gas pipe 75 are connected to each other via a regeneration flow path within the adsorption column 51. One end of the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 is connected to a second outlet 92 of the heat exchanger 64. The second inlet 91 and the second outlet 92 of the heat exchanger 64 are in communication with each other inside the heat exchanger 64 .

[0056] When the drying blower 23 is driven, a gas flow is generated in the dry gas line 16 in a direction from the outlet 46 of the drying blower 23 toward the adsorber 24 (hereinafter, the gas flowing in the dry gas line 16 is referred to as "dry gas"). As a result, the dry gas flowing in the fourth drying gas pipe 34 flows into the drying flow path from the second drying port 54D of the adsorber 24. The dry gas flowing into the drying flow path passes through the drying flow path and flows out from the first drying port 53D of the adsorber 24 to the fifth drying gas pipe 35. While the dry gas passes through the drying flow path, moisture contained in the dry gas is adsorbed by the adsorbent 52, and the dry gas that has passed through the drying flow path becomes dry gas with a low dew point due to dehumidification.

[0057] The drying gas flowing through the fifth drying gas pipe 35 toward the drying hopper 11 passes through the drying heater 25. While passing through the drying heater 25, the drying gas is heated by the drying heater 25, and the heating further lowers the dew point, resulting in a low-humidity, high-temperature, and low-dew-point drying gas. The temperature of the heated drying gas is set to, for example, 60 to 160°C. The drying gas that has passed through the drying heater 25 flows through the drying gas introduction pipe 15 and is blown out from the drying gas inlet 13 at the tip of the drying gas introduction pipe 15. The drying gas blown out from the drying gas inlet 13 flows downward among the powder and granular materials stored in the drying hopper 11, changes direction at the bottom of the drying hopper 11, and flows out above the powder and granular materials. This causes moisture to evaporate from the powder and granular materials, drying them. The drying gas containing the moisture evaporated from the powder or granules is discharged from the drying hopper 11 through the drying gas outlet 14 to the first drying gas pipe 31 and flows through the first drying gas pipe 31 toward the drying filter 21.

[0058] The dry gas flowing through the first dry gas pipe 31 passes through the dry filter 21 and then flows through the second dry gas pipe 32. The dry filter 21 removes foreign matter such as powder and granular materials from the dry gas. The dry gas flowing through the second dry gas pipe 32 passes through the aftercooler 22, flows through the third dry gas pipe 33, and is sucked into the suction port 45 of the dry blower 23.

[0059] Meanwhile, the regenerative blower 63 is driven. When the regenerative blower 63 is driven, outside air is sucked into the suction port 82 of the regenerative blower 63 through the regenerative filter 62. The regenerative filter 62 removes foreign matter such as dust from the outside air. The gas from which the foreign matter has been removed is blown out from the outlet 81 of the regenerative blower 63. As a result, a gas flow is generated in the regenerative gas line 61 in a direction from the outlet 81 toward the aftercooler 22 (hereinafter, the gas flowing through the regenerative gas line 61 is referred to as "regenerative gas").

[0060] The regeneration gas flowing through the first regeneration gas pipe 71 passes through the aftercooler 22 and then flows into the second regeneration gas pipe 72. The regeneration gas flowing through the second regeneration gas pipe 72 passes through the heat exchanger 64 and then flows into the third regeneration gas pipe 73. The regeneration gas then flows from the third regeneration gas pipe 73 into the regeneration heater 65, and passes through the regeneration heater 65. The regeneration gas that has passed through the regeneration heater 65 flows through the fourth regeneration gas pipe 74 and into the regeneration flow path from the first regeneration port 53R of the adsorber 24. The regeneration gas that flows into the regeneration flow path passes through the regeneration flow path and then flows out into the fifth regeneration gas pipe 75 from the second regeneration port 54R of the adsorber 24. The regeneration gas flowing through the fifth regeneration gas pipe 75 passes through the heat exchanger 64 and then flows into the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76.

[0061] In the aftercooler 22, heat exchange occurs between the dry gas passing through the aftercooler 22 and the regeneration gas passing through the aftercooler 22. Due to this heat exchange, the temperature of the dry gas decreases and the temperature of the regeneration gas increases.

[0062] In the heat exchanger 64, heat is exchanged between the regeneration gas flowing from the aftercooler 22 to the regeneration heater 65 and the regeneration gas flowing out from the adsorber 24. Since the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing out from the adsorber 24 is higher than that of the regeneration gas flowing out from the adsorber 24 to the regeneration heater 65, the heat exchange in the heat exchanger 64 causes the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing out from the adsorber 24 to decrease, and the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing out to the regeneration heater 65 to increase.

[0063] The regeneration gas heated in the aftercooler 22 and the heat exchanger 64 is further heated in the regeneration heater 65 to become high-temperature regeneration gas, and the high-temperature regeneration gas flows into the regeneration flow path of the adsorber 24.

[0064] As the dry gas flows through the drying flow path of the adsorber 24, the adsorbent 52 constituting the inner surface of the drying flow path adsorbs moisture from the dry gas and becomes highly humid. To regenerate the highly humid adsorbent 52, the adsorption cylinder 51 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 56, and the drying flow path, in which the adsorbent 52 is now in a highly humid state, is moved from the drying region to the regeneration region. As a result, the drying flow path becomes a regeneration flow path, and moisture is adsorbed by the adsorbent 52 constituting the inner surface of the regeneration flow path.

[0065] While the high-temperature regeneration gas passes through the regeneration flow path, moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent 52 in a high-humidity state, and the adsorbent 52 is regenerated to a low-humidity state with less moisture than when it was in a high-humidity state. To desorb moisture from the adsorbent 52 in a high-humidity state, the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing into the regeneration flow path is set to, for example, 180 to 250°C. Therefore, the regeneration gas flowing out from the second regeneration port 54R of the adsorber 24 to the fifth regeneration gas pipe 75 remains at a high temperature of about 80°C even after passing through the aftercooler 22, and this high-temperature regeneration gas flows into the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76.

[0066] The adsorbent 52, which has been regenerated to a low-humidity state, is heated by the high-temperature regeneration gas and thus rises in temperature. To cool the high-temperature adsorbent 52, the adsorption cylinder 51 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 56, and the regeneration flow path, the inner surface of which is made up of the high-temperature adsorbent 52, is moved from the regeneration region to the cooling region. As a result, the regeneration flow path becomes a cooling flow path, and the adsorbent 52 that forms the inner surface of the cooling flow path becomes hot.

[0067] A portion of the dry gas flowing through the fifth dry gas pipe 35 of the dry gas line 16 flows through the first reflux pipe 57 and enters the cooling flow path from the first cooling port 53C of the adsorber 24. The dry gas that has passed through the cooling flow path flows out from the second cooling port 54C to the second reflux pipe 58, flows through the second reflux pipe 58, and merges with the dry gas flowing from the second reflux pipe 58 to the third dry gas pipe 33. As the dry gas passes through the cooling flow path, the adsorbent 52 that forms the inner surface of the cooling flow path is cooled, and the temperature of the adsorbent 52 drops to a temperature at which it can adsorb moisture.

[0068] The lower part of the drying hopper 11 is formed in a conical shape tapering downward, and a discharge outlet 101 is formed at the lower end. The drying hopper 11 is provided with a gate shutter 102 that opens and closes the discharge outlet 101. When the gate shutter 102 is closed and the discharge outlet 101 is closed, powder and granular material supplied from the loader hopper 12 can be stored in the drying hopper 11. A discharge branch pipe 103 is connected to the discharge outlet 101. When the gate shutter 102 is opened and the discharge outlet 101 is opened while powder and granular material is stored in the drying hopper 11, the powder and granular material in the drying hopper 11 is discharged from the discharge outlet 101 to the discharge branch pipe 103.

[0069] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is provided with a primary transport pipe 104 and a secondary transport pipe 105 .

[0070] One end of the primary transport pipe 104 is connected to the side wall of the loader hopper 12. The primary transport pipe 104 extends toward a storage tank 106 that stores powder and granular material.

[0071] One end of the secondary transport pipe 105 is connected to the discharge branch pipe 103. A destination hopper 107 is provided above the molding machine 3, which is the destination of the powder and granular material after drying, to store the powder and granular material to be fed into the molding machine 3. The other end of the secondary transport pipe 105 is connected to the side wall of the destination hopper 107.

[0072] The powder / granular material processing apparatus 1 also includes a primary / secondary switching valve 111 , a dust collecting cyclone 112 , a transport filter 113 , a transport blower 114 , and a switching valve 115 .

[0073] The primary / secondary switching valve 111 has a primary input port 116, a secondary input port 117, and an output port 118. The primary / secondary switching valve 111 is provided with valve bodies that individually open and close the primary input port 116 and the secondary input port 117. Depending on the positions of the valve bodies, the primary / secondary switching valve 111 can be switched between a primary transport position in which the secondary input port 117 is closed and the primary input port 116 is opened, thereby connecting the primary input port 116 to the output port 118 within the valve body, and a secondary transport position in which the primary input port 116 is closed and the secondary input port 117 is opened, thereby connecting the secondary input port 117 to the output port 118 within the valve body.

[0074] One end of a primary suction pipe 121 is connected to the primary input port 116. The other end of the primary suction pipe 121 is connected to the upper wall of the loader hopper 12. One end of a secondary suction pipe 122 is connected to the secondary input port 117. The other end of the secondary suction pipe 122 is connected to the upper wall of the destination hopper 107.

[0075] One end of a first common suction pipe 123 is connected to the output port 118. The other end of the first common suction pipe 123 is connected to an inlet 124 of the dust collecting cyclone 112. One end of a second common suction pipe 126 is connected to an outlet 125 of the dust collecting cyclone 112. The other end of the second common suction pipe 126 is connected to an inlet 127 of the transport filter 113. One end of a third common suction pipe 129 is connected to an outlet 128 of the transport filter 113. The other end of the third common suction pipe 129 is connected to an inlet 131 of the transport blower 114. One end of a fourth common suction pipe 133 is connected to an outlet 132 of the transport blower 114.

[0076] The switching valve 115 has an input port 134, a circulation output port 135, and an atmosphere-open port 136. The switching valve 115 is provided with valve bodies that individually open and close the circulation output port 135 and the atmosphere-open port 136. Depending on the positions of the valve bodies, the switching valve 115 can be switched between a circulation position where the atmosphere-open port 136 is closed and the circulation output port 135 is opened, thereby connecting the input port 134 and the circulation output port 135 within the valve body, and an open position where the circulation output port 135 is closed and the atmosphere-open port 136 is opened, thereby connecting the input port 134 and the atmosphere-open port 136 within the valve body.

[0077] The other end of the fourth common suction pipe 133 is connected to the input port 134. That is, one end of the fourth common suction pipe 133 is connected to the blowout port 132 of the transport blower 114, and the other end is connected to the input port 134 of the switching valve 115. The circulation output port 135 is connected to one end of a circulation connecting pipe 137. The other end of the circulation connecting pipe 137 branches off and is connected to the discharge branch pipe 103.

[0078] When powder or granular material is supplied from the storage tank 106 to the loader hopper 12, the selector valve 115 is set to the open position, and the primary-secondary selector valve 111 is set to the primary transport position. When the transport blower 114 is driven, an airflow is generated in the fourth common suction pipe 133 from the outlet 132 of the transport blower 114 toward the input port 134 of the selector valve 115. This airflow generates negative pressure in the primary suction pipe 121, the first common suction pipe 123, the second common suction pipe 126, and the third common suction pipe 129. This negative pressure then sucks the powder or granular material from within the storage tank 106 into the primary transport pipe 104, and the powder or granular material is supplied into the loader hopper 12 through the primary transport pipe 104. The airflow generated in the fourth common suction pipe 133 passes through the valve body of the selector valve 115 and is released to the atmosphere from the open atmosphere port 136.

[0079] After drying the powder and granular material, when the powder and granular material is transported from the drying hopper 11 to the destination hopper 107, the switch valve 115 is set to the circulation position, and the primary-secondary switch valve 111 is set to the secondary transport position. Then, the transport blower 114 is driven. When the transport blower 114 is driven, an airflow is generated in the fourth common suction pipe 133 from the outlet 132 of the transport blower 114 toward the input port 134 of the switch valve 115. This airflow generates negative pressure in the secondary suction pipe 122, the first common suction pipe 123, the second common suction pipe 126, and the third common suction pipe 129. Meanwhile, the airflow generated in the fourth common suction pipe 133 passes through the valve body of the switch valve 115, flows from the circulation output port 135 of the switch valve 115 through the circulation connecting pipe 137 and the discharge branch pipe 103 in this order, and then flows from the discharge branch pipe 103 to the secondary transport pipe 105. When the gate shutter 102 of the drying hopper 11 is opened and the discharge port 101 of the drying hopper 11 is opened, the powder and granular material in the drying hopper 11 is discharged from the discharge port 101 to the discharge branch pipe 103. The powder and granular material discharged to the discharge branch pipe 103 is then transported by the air current through the discharge branch pipe 103 and the secondary transport pipe 105 toward the destination hopper 107.

[0080] Foreign matter such as dust contained in the airflow heading from the first common suction pipe 123 to the transport blower 114 is captured as the airflow passes through the dust collecting cyclone 112 and the transport filter 113. Inside the dust collecting cyclone 112, the airflow swirls, and centrifugal force and gravity separate the foreign matter from the airflow, and the foreign matter is stored in a collection box connected to the lower end of the dust collecting cyclone 112.

[0081] <Storage tank> The storage tank 106 is incorporated in the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1. For example, a paper bag containing powder or granular material is opened by the user (operator) of the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1, and the powder or granular material is transferred from the paper bag to the storage tank 106.

[0082] The lower part of the storage tank 106 is formed in a conical shape that tapers downward, and a discharge outlet 141 is formed at the lower end. The storage tank 106 is provided with a shutter 142 that opens and closes the discharge outlet 141. With the shutter 142 closed and the discharge outlet 141 closed, the powder or granular material is transferred from the paper bag to the storage tank 106, whereby the powder or granular material can be stored in the storage tank 106.

[0083] The discharge port 141 is connected to the tip (other end) of the primary transport pipe 104 extending from the loader hopper 12. As a result, when the switch valve 115 is set to the open position, the primary / secondary switch valve 111 is set to the primary transport position, the shutter 142 is opened, and the transport blower 114 is driven, the powder or granular material is sucked from the storage tank 106 into the primary transport pipe 104 and supplied into the loader hopper 12 through the primary transport pipe 104. The powder or granular material supplied into the loader hopper 12 is then supplied from the loader hopper 12 to a drying space 143 provided inside the drying hopper 11, and is stored in the drying space 143. Therefore, in the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1, the storage tank 106 serves as the starting point for supplying the powder or granular material to the drying space 143 in the drying hopper 11.

[0084] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 also includes a heat exchange mechanism 144 for heat exchange between the powder and granular material stored in the storage tank 106 and the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 of the regeneration gas line 61.

[0085] The powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 is equipped with a control unit 145, and the operation of each unit of the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 is controlled by the control unit 145. The control unit 145 includes a microcomputer (microcontroller). The microcomputer has a built-in CPU and memory. The memory includes, for example, non-volatile memory that allows data to be rewritten, such as flash memory or E2PROM, and volatile memory, such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory stores programs for controlling each unit of the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1. The CPU executes the programs stored in the non-volatile memory and uses the volatile memory as a work area when executing the programs. The memory also stores various data necessary for controlling each unit.

[0086] <Heat exchange mechanism> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the heat exchange mechanism 144. As shown in FIG.

[0087] The heat exchange mechanism 144 includes a main body 151 , a gas inlet pipe 152 and a gas outlet pipe 153 .

[0088] The main body 151 is disposed within the storage tank 106. The main body 151 includes a cylindrical side wall 154, an upper end wall 155 that closes the upper end of the side wall 154, and a lower end wall 156 that closes the lower end of the side wall 154. The upper end wall 155 is formed in a conical shape that tapers upward. The lower end wall 156 is formed in a conical shape that tapers downward.

[0089] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of main body 151, gas inlet pipe 152, and gas outlet pipe 153 taken along a cut surface along the center line of main body 151. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of main body 151 taken along a cut surface perpendicular to the center line.

[0090] Four partition plates 157 are provided inside the main body 151. The four partition plates 157 are arranged at equal intervals in the direction of the center line of the main body 151. The periphery of each partition plate 157 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 154 of the main body 151.

[0091] Three gas vent holes 158 are formed in each partition plate 157. The gas vent holes 158 have a rectangular shape cut out from the periphery of the partition plate 157. In each partition plate 157, the three gas vent holes 158 are provided at equal angular intervals around the center line of the main body 151 (the center of the partition plate 157), that is, at intervals of 120°. The gas vent holes 158 of each partition plate 157 are formed at different positions from each other in the circumferential direction of the main body 151.

[0092] The number of partition plates 157 is not limited to four, but may be one, two, or three, or may be five or more. Furthermore, the number of gas vent holes 158 in each partition plate 157 is not limited to three, but may be one or two, or may be four or more.

[0093] Furthermore, main body 151 has a plurality of rectangular plate-shaped fins 159. The plurality of fins 159 extend radially from the outer peripheral surface of side wall 154, and each fin 159 extends in the direction of the center line of main body 151. Fig. 4 shows a configuration in which ten fins 159 are provided on main body 151. In this configuration, the ten fins 159 are divided into groups of five, and five fins 159 in each group are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of main body 151 at two positions that are rotationally symmetrical about the center line of main body 151.

[0094] 3, the gas introduction pipe 152 penetrates the upper end of the side wall 154 of the main body 151, extends radially of the side wall 154, bends downward on the center line of the main body 151, and extends along the center line of the main body 151. The gas introduction pipe 152 also penetrates the center of each partition plate 157, and one end (lower end) of the gas introduction pipe 152 opens in a space laterally surrounded by the lower end wall 156. The other end of the gas introduction pipe 152 opens outside the storage tank 106, and the tip (other end) of the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 is connected to the other end.

[0095] The gas exhaust pipe 153 passes through the upper end of the side wall 154 of the main body 151. The position where the gas exhaust pipe 153 passes through the side wall 154 is different in the circumferential direction of the main body 151 from the position where the gas inlet pipe 152 passes through the side wall 154. One end of the gas exhaust pipe 153 opens in a space laterally surrounded by the upper end wall 155. The other end of the gas exhaust pipe 153 opens outside the storage tank 106.

[0096] As described above, during regeneration of the adsorbent 52, high-temperature regeneration gas flows through the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76. The high-temperature regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 flows through the gas inlet pipe 152 and into the main body 151. The regeneration gas that has flowed into the main body 151 passes from the lower part of the main body 151 through the gas vent holes 158 of each partition plate 157, reaches the upper part of the main body 151, and flows out into the gas discharge pipe 153. The regeneration gas flowing through the gas discharge pipe 153 is released from the gas discharge pipe 153 to the outside of the storage tank 106. Because the main body 151 is disposed within the storage tank 106, heat exchange occurs between the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106 and the gas passing through the main body 151 via the side wall 154, upper end wall 155, and lower end wall 156 of the main body 151. This heat exchange increases the temperature of the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106, and decreases the temperature of the regeneration gas discharged to the outside of the storage tank 106 through the gas discharge pipe 153.

[0097] <Action and effect> As described above, in the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1, the powder or granular material is stored in the drying space 143 inside the drying hopper 11, and the drying gas flowing through the drying gas line 16 is supplied to the drying space 143. The drying gas flowing through the drying gas line 16 is heated by the drying heater 25. Therefore, the temperature of the powder or granular material rises in the drying space 143, and moisture evaporates from the powder or granular material, thereby drying the powder or granular material. The powder or granular material to be supplied to the drying space 143 is stored in the storage tank 106, which is the source of the supply.

[0098] The powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 is provided with a heat exchange mechanism 144, which exchanges heat between the powder or granular material stored in the storage tank 106 and the high-temperature regeneration gas supplied from the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 through the gas inlet pipe 152 into the main body 151. The powder or granular material stored in the storage tank 106 remains stored in the storage tank 106 for a relatively long time until the supply of the powder or granular material to the drying space 143, which starts from the storage tank 106, begins. Therefore, heat exchange occurs between the powder or granular material stored in the storage tank 106 and the high-temperature regeneration gas flowing through the main body 151, so that a large amount of heat is imparted from the regeneration gas flowing through the main body 151 to the powder or granular material stored in the storage tank 106, the temperature of the powder or granular material stored in the storage tank 106 is sufficiently higher than that of the outside air, and the temperature of the regeneration gas released from the main body 151 to the outside of the storage tank 106 is reduced.

[0099] Because the temperature of the powder or granules is sufficiently elevated before the supply of the powder or granules from the storage tank 106 to the drying space 143 begins, the thermal energy required to heat the powder or granules in the drying space 143 to a temperature suitable for drying can be reduced compared to conventional powder or granule processing devices. This reduces the energy consumed by the powder or granule processing device 1 during operation, thereby shortening the time required to dry the powder or granules and shortening the operating time of each component of the powder or granule processing device 1, such as the drying blower 23 and the drying heater 25. Furthermore, by maintaining the temperature of the powder or granules stored before drying higher than room temperature, the initial moisture content of the powder or granules can be reduced, thereby reducing the thermal energy required for subsequent drying. Furthermore, by stabilizing the state of the powder or granules immediately before being introduced into the drying hopper 11 (drying space 143) independently of the environment, the drying process can be performed stably without operating conditions that require excessive heat input. Therefore, the powder or granule processing device 1 can achieve further energy savings.

[0100] In the heat exchange mechanism 144, the upper end wall 155 and the lower end wall 156 of the main body 151 are formed in a conical shape that tapers away from the side wall 154. This increases the contact area between the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106 and the main body 151, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106 and the gas passing through the main body 151.

[0101] Furthermore, main body 151 has rectangular plate-shaped fins 159 extending from side wall 154 to the periphery. The shape of fins 159 is not limited to a rectangular plate shape, and may be, for example, a triangular plate shape or a semicircular plate shape. By providing fins 159 on main body 151, the contact area between the powder and granular material in storage tank 106 and main body 151 can be increased, thereby further improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the powder and granular material in storage tank 106 and the gas passing through main body 151.

[0102] <Other configurations of heat exchange mechanism> FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing another configuration of the heat exchange mechanism 144. As shown in FIG.

[0103] The heat exchange mechanism 144 is not limited to a configuration including the main body 151, the gas inlet pipe 152, and the gas outlet pipe 153, but may also include a pipe 161 as shown in FIG.

[0104] One end and the other end of the pipe 161 are open to the outside of the storage tank 106. To one end of the pipe 161, the tip of the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 is connected.

[0105] The piping 161 is provided so that a part of the piping passes through the storage tank 106. The piping 161 has a plurality of first pipe portions 162 and a plurality of second pipe portions 163 in the part of the piping that passes through the storage tank 106.

[0106] Figure 5 shows a configuration in which eight first pipe sections 162 are provided, and the eight first pipe sections 162 are positioned at equal intervals horizontally within the storage tank 106 and extend vertically.

[0107] The second pipes 163 are located between adjacent first pipes 162, extend horizontally, and are connected at both ends to the first pipes 162. Specifically, the second pipe 163 at one horizontal end is located between the lower end of a first pipe 162 and the lower end of the adjacent first pipe 162, and both ends are connected to the lower ends of those first pipes 162. The second pipe 163 second from one horizontal end is located between the upper end of a first pipe 162 and the upper end of the adjacent first pipe 162, and both ends are connected to the upper ends of those first pipes 162. The third second pipe 163 from one horizontal end is located between the lower end of a first pipe 162 and the lower end of the adjacent first pipe 162, and both ends are connected to the lower ends of those first pipes 162. In this way, the second pipes 163 are arranged in a staggered pattern. As a result, the middle portion of the pipe 161 is bent in a pulse shape, and its length is increased.

[0108] The regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 flows into the pipe 161 from one end thereof, passes through the pipe 161, and is discharged from the other end of the pipe 161 to the outside of the storage tank 106. Because a part of the pipe 161 passes through the inside of the storage tank 106, heat exchange occurs between the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106 and the gas passing through the part of the pipe 161 via the pipe wall of the pipe 161. As a result, the temperature of the powder and granular material stored in the storage tank 106 rises, and the temperature of the gas discharged from the pipe 161 to the outside of the storage tank 106 falls.

[0109] In addition, by bending the middle part of the pipe 161 in a pulsed manner, the length of the pipe 161 inside the storage tank 106 can be increased, and the efficiency of heat exchange between the powder and granular material inside the storage tank 106 and the gas passing through the middle part of the pipe 161 can be improved.

[0110] <Another configuration of the heat exchange mechanism> FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing still another configuration of the heat exchange mechanism 144. In FIG.

[0111] The heat exchange mechanism 144 may have the configuration shown in FIG.

[0112] In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the heat exchange mechanism 144 includes a jacket 171 , a gas inlet pipe 172 and a plurality of gas outlet pipes 173 .

[0113] The jacket 171 covers the outer periphery of the side wall of the storage tank 106. The jacket 171 is formed in a bag shape with a space inside.

[0114] One end of the gas inlet pipe 172 is connected to the lower end of the jacket 171, and the gas inlet pipe 172 communicates with the internal space of the jacket 171. The other end of the gas inlet pipe 172 is connected to the tip of the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76.

[0115] One ends of the multiple gas exhaust pipes 173 are connected to the jacket 171 at different positions, and each gas exhaust pipe 173 is in communication with the space inside the jacket 171. Figure 6 shows a configuration in which two gas exhaust pipes 173 are provided, and in this configuration, one end of one gas exhaust pipe 173 is connected to the upper end of the jacket 171, and one end of the other gas exhaust pipe 173 is connected to a position that is different in the circumferential direction of the storage tank 106 from the connection position of the one gas exhaust pipe 173, and is connected to a position between the connection position of the gas inlet pipe 172 and the connection position of the one gas exhaust pipe 173 in the up-down direction. The other end of each gas exhaust pipe 173 is open outside the storage tank 106.

[0116] 6, the outer periphery of the side wall of the storage tank 106 is covered with a jacket 171. The regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 flows into the jacket 171 through a gas inlet pipe 172, passes through the jacket 171, and is discharged to the outside of the storage tank 106 through a gas discharge pipe 173. This allows heat exchange between the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106 and the gas passing through the jacket 171 via the surface of the jacket 171 that comes into contact with the side wall of the storage tank 106. As a result, the temperature of the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106 increases, and the temperature of the gas discharged to the outside of the storage tank 106 through the gas discharge pipe 173 decreases.

[0117] <Other forms of storage tanks> FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a heat exchange mechanism 182 when a paper bag 181 containing powder or granular material is used instead of the storage tank 106.

[0118] A paper bag 181 enclosing powder or granular material may be used as the storage tank instead of the storage tank 106. In this case, the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 employs a heat exchange mechanism 182 instead of the heat exchange mechanism 144.

[0119] The heat exchange mechanism 182 includes a heating tank 183 , a heating gas inlet pipe 184 , and a heating gas outlet pipe 185 .

[0120] The heating tank 183 provides a bag accommodating space 186 in which the paper bag 181 is accommodated, and is configured so that the bag accommodating space 186 can be closed.

[0121] The heating gas introduction pipe 184 extends vertically, penetrating the top plate of the heating tank 183. The lower end of the heating gas introduction pipe 184 opens into the bag accommodating space 186 at the bottom of the bag accommodating space 186. The upper end of the heating gas introduction pipe 184 opens outside the heating tank 183, and the tip of the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 is connected to the upper end.

[0122] One end of the heating gas exhaust pipe 185 is connected to the top plate of the heating tank 183 and opens into the bag receiving space 186 .

[0123] In the heat exchange mechanism 182, the powder or granular material is sealed in a paper bag 181, and the powder or granular material is contained together with the paper bag 181 in a bag accommodating space 186 of a heating tank 183. The regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration gas discharge pipe 76 flows into the bag accommodating space 186 in the heating tank 183 through a heating gas introduction pipe 184, and the regeneration gas that has passed through the bag accommodating space 186 flows through a heating gas discharge pipe 185. This causes heat exchange between the powder or granular material in the paper bag 181 and the regeneration gas passing through the bag accommodating space 186 via the paper bag 181. As a result, the temperature of the powder or granular material in the paper bag 181 rises.

[0124] The powder or granular material in the paper bag 181 may be supplied to the drying space 143 from the paper bag 181, which serves as the starting point, once transferred from the paper bag 181 to an insulated container 194, and then supplied from the insulated container 194 to the drying space 143. In this case, the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 further includes an insulated tank 191, an insulated gas inlet pipe 192, and an insulated gas outlet pipe 193.

[0125] The heat-retaining tank 191 provides a container accommodating space 195 in which a heat-retaining container 194 is accommodated, and is configured so that the container accommodating space 195 can be closed.

[0126] The heat-retaining gas introduction pipe 192 extends vertically, penetrating the top plate of the heat-retaining tank 191. The lower end of the heat-retaining gas introduction pipe 192 opens into the container accommodating space 195 at the bottom of the container accommodating space 195. The upper end of the heat-retaining gas introduction pipe 192 opens outside the heat-retaining tank 191, and the tip of the heating gas discharge pipe 185 is connected to the upper end.

[0127] One end of the heat-retaining gas exhaust pipe 193 is connected to the top plate of the heat-retaining tank 191 and opens into the container accommodating space 195. The other end of the heat-retaining gas exhaust pipe 193 opens outside the heat-retaining tank 191.

[0128] The regeneration gas flows from the heating gas discharge pipe 185 into the heat-retaining gas introduction pipe 192, and then flows from the heat-retaining gas introduction pipe 192 into a container accommodating space 195 in the heat-retaining tank 191, where the regeneration gas passes through the container accommodating space 195. The regeneration gas in the container accommodating space 195 flows out from the container accommodating space 195 into the heat-retaining gas discharge pipe 193, and is discharged to the outside of the heat-retaining tank 191 through the heat-retaining gas discharge pipe 193.

[0129] The temperature of the regeneration gas passing through the container accommodating space 195 is higher than the temperature of the powder and granules heated together with the paper bags 181 in the bag accommodating space 186 in the heating tank 183, so in the container accommodating space 195, heat is exchanged between the powder and granules in the heat-insulating container 194 and the regeneration gas passing through the container accommodating space 195 via the heat-insulating container 194. This allows the powder and granules in the heat-insulating container 194 to be kept warm or heated.

[0130] In addition, while the powder is being supplied from the heat-retaining container 194 to the drying space 143, the powder sealed in the paper bag 181 can be heated together with the paper bag 181 in the bag storage space 186 in the heating tank 183, so that the temperature of the powder can be raised more sufficiently.

[0131] <Other embodiments> Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder or granular material processing apparatus 201 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 8, parts corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals as those parts. In the following, the description of the parts given the same reference numerals will be omitted, and the configuration of the powder or granular material processing apparatus 201 will be described focusing on the differences from the configuration shown in Fig. 1.

[0132] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 201 is an apparatus that performs a process of drying powder and granular material such as plastic pellets, similar to the powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. However, while the powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 employs a system in which a drying gas is circulated within the drying hopper 11 (drying space 143) and through a drying gas line, the powder and granular material processing apparatus 201 employs a system in which a drying gas is not circulated.

[0133] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 201 does not have the adsorber 24 that is provided in the powder and granular material processing apparatus 1, and therefore does not have an aftercooler 22, a regenerative filter 62, a regenerative blower 63, a heat exchanger 64, a regenerative heater 65, etc.

[0134] In the powder or granular material processing apparatus 201, the dry gas line 16 includes a dry gas supply pipe 202 and a dry gas discharge pipe 203. One end of the dry gas supply pipe 202 is connected to the outlet 46 of the dry blower 23, and the other end of the dry gas supply pipe 202 is connected to the inlet 47 of the dry heater 25. Outside air is drawn into the suction port 45 of the dry blower 23 through a dry filter 204. One end of the dry gas discharge pipe 203 is connected to the dry gas outlet 14 of the drying hopper 11. The dry gas discharge pipe 203 extends toward the heat exchange mechanism 144, and the other end of the dry gas discharge pipe 203 is connected to the gas inlet pipe 152 of the heat exchange mechanism 144.

[0135] When the drying blower 23 is driven, a flow of dry gas is generated in the dry gas line 16 from the outlet 46 of the drying blower 23 toward the drying heater 25. The dry gas is heated by the drying heater 25 while passing through the drying heater 25, and the heating lowers the dew point, turning it into a high-temperature, low-dew-point dry gas. The dry gas that has passed through the drying heater 25 flows through the drying gas inlet 13 at the tip of the drying gas inlet 15 and is blown into the drying space 143. This causes moisture to evaporate from the powder or granular material, drying the powder or granular material. The dry gas containing the moisture evaporated from the powder or granular material is discharged from the drying space 143 through the drying gas outlet 14 to the drying gas exhaust pipe 203, and flows through the drying gas exhaust pipe 203 toward the heat exchange mechanism 144.

[0136] The temperature of the dry gas flowing through the dry gas discharge pipe 203 has dropped compared to immediately after heating by the drying heater 25, but remains higher than room temperature. The high-temperature dry gas flowing through the dry gas discharge pipe 203 flows through the gas inlet pipe 152 and into the main body 151. The dry gas that has flowed into the main body 151 passes through the main body 151 and flows out to the gas discharge pipe 153. The dry gas flowing through the gas discharge pipe 153 is discharged from the gas discharge pipe 153 to the outside of the storage tank 106. Since the main body 151 is disposed inside the storage tank 106, heat exchange occurs between the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106 and the gas passing through the main body 151. This heat exchange increases the temperature of the powder and granular material in the storage tank 106, and decreases the temperature of the dry gas that is discharged to the outside of the storage tank 106 through the gas discharge pipe 153.

[0137] In the powder or granular material processing apparatus 201, the temperature of the powder or granular material is sufficiently raised before the supply of the powder or granular material from the storage tank 106 to the drying space 143 begins, so the time required for the temperature of the powder or granular material in the drying space 143 to be raised to a temperature suitable for drying is shorter than in conventional powder or granular material processing apparatuses. This reduces the time required to dry the powder or granular material, and shortens the operating time of each part of the powder or granular material processing apparatus 201, such as the drying blower 23 and the drying heater 25. Therefore, the powder or granular material processing apparatus 201 can achieve further energy savings.

[0138] <Modification> Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in other forms.

[0139] For example, in a configuration in which the drying blower 23 has an adjustable airflow rate, the temperature of the drying gas discharged from the drying gas outlet 14 is measured, and when the temperature rises to a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature indicating that the powder or granular material has been dried to a certain extent), the control unit 145 may control the drying blower 23 to reduce the airflow rate from the previous level. By reducing the airflow rate of the drying blower 23, the energy consumed by the drying blower 23 is reduced, thereby achieving further energy savings.

[0140] 5, 6 or 7 may be applied to the powder or granular material processing apparatus 201.

[0141] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1,201: Powder and granular material processing equipment 11: Drying hopper (drying container) 13: Drying gas inlet 14: Drying gas outlet 16: Drying gas line 24: Adsorption device 25: Drying heater 52: Adsorbent 61: Regenerated gas line 65: Regenerative heater 76: Regeneration gas exhaust pipe (exhaust gas line) 143: Drying space 144,182: Heat exchange mechanism 151:Main body 152: Gas inlet pipe 153: Gas exhaust pipe 154: Side wall 155: Upper end wall (one end wall) 156: Lower end wall (other end wall) 159: Finn 161: Piping 162: First pipe section 163: Second pipe section 171: Jacket 172: Gas inlet pipe 173: Gas exhaust pipe 181: Paper bag (bag) 183: Heating tank 184: Heating gas inlet tube 185: Heated gas exhaust pipe 186: Bag storage space 191:Heat tank 192: Heat-insulating gas introduction pipe 193: Heat insulation gas exhaust pipe 194: Heat insulation container 195: Container storage space 203: Dry gas exhaust pipe (exhaust gas line)

Claims

1. A powder / granular material processing apparatus used for drying powder / granular material, a drying container that provides an internal drying space for accommodating powder and granular material; a drying gas line through which gas supplied to the drying space flows; a dry heater that heats the gas flowing through the dry gas line; an exhaust gas line through which gas to be exhausted to the outside flows; a storage container that stores powder and granular material and serves as a starting point for supplying the powder and granular material to the drying space; a heat exchange mechanism for exchanging heat between the powder and granular material stored in the storage container and the gas flowing through the exhaust gas line; A powder and granular material processing device comprising:

2. The heat exchange mechanism includes: a main body disposed in the storage container, the main body having a cylindrical side wall, an end wall closing one end of the side wall, and an end wall closing the other end of the side wall; a gas introduction pipe having one end open to the inside of the main body and the other end connected to the exhaust gas line; a gas discharge pipe having one end opened inside the main body and the other end opened outside the storage container; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one end wall and the other end wall is formed in a cone shape tapering away from the side wall.

4. The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the main body further includes plate-shaped fins extending from the side wall to the periphery.

5. 2. The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange mechanism comprises a pipe having one end connected to the exhaust gas line, a middle portion passing through the storage container, and the other end opening outside the storage container.

6. The piping has a portion passing through the storage container, a first pipe portion extending in one direction; a second pipe portion communicating with the first pipe portion and extending in a direction intersecting the one direction; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. The heat exchange mechanism includes: a jacket covering the outer periphery of the side wall of the storage container; a gas introduction pipe having one end connected to the jacket and the other end connected to the exhaust gas line, for introducing gas flowing through the exhaust gas line into the jacket; a gas exhaust pipe having one end connected to the jacket and the other end open outside the storage container, for exhausting the gas flowing inside the jacket; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The storage container is a bag in which powder or granular material is sealed, The heat exchange mechanism includes: a heating tank that provides a bag accommodating space in which the bag is accommodated and is configured to be able to close the bag accommodating space; a heating gas introduction pipe having one end open to the bag accommodating space and the other end connected to the exhaust gas line; a heated gas exhaust pipe having one end open to the bag accommodating space; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. a heat-retaining tank configured to accommodate a heat-retaining container into which the powder or granular material is transferred from the bag and to be able to close a container accommodation space in which the heat-retaining container is accommodated; a heat-retaining gas introduction pipe having one end open to the container accommodation space and the other end connected to the other end of the heating gas discharge pipe; a heat-retaining gas exhaust pipe having one end open to the container accommodating space and the other end open outside the heat-retaining tank; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

10. an adsorber having an adsorbent that adsorbs moisture and through which the gas passes while coming into contact with the adsorbent; a regeneration gas line through which a gas for desorbing moisture from the adsorbent flows; a regeneration heater that heats the gas flowing through the regeneration gas line; further comprising The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gas flowing through the dry gas line passes through the adsorber, and the gas flowing through the regeneration gas line passes through the adsorber after being heated by the regeneration heater.

11. the drying container has a drying gas inlet and a drying gas outlet, each of which is open to the drying space; the dry gas line has one end connected to the dry gas inlet and the other end connected to the dry gas outlet; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the exhaust gas line is the regeneration gas line.

12. the drying container has a drying gas inlet and a drying gas outlet, each of which is open to the drying space; The dry gas line a dry gas supply line connected to the dry gas inlet; a drying gas discharge line connected to the drying gas outlet; It is equipped with The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the exhaust gas line is the dry gas exhaust line.

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