Kneading apparatus and method for producing kneaded material

Abstract

To provide a kneading device and the like capable of improving a recovery rate of a kneaded material while facilitating discharge of the kneaded material.SOLUTION: The kneading apparatus 10 is equipped with a charging part 11 capable of charging a raw material X, a kneading part 12 capable of kneading the raw material X charged in the charging part 11 and a discharge part 13 capable of discharging a kneaded material Y prepared in the kneading part 12. The discharge part 13 is composed of a discharge port 12c and a discharge pipe 15 connected downward from the discharge port 12c. A liquid applying portion 16 for applying the second liquid to the kneaded material Y is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the discharge pipe 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a kneading device and a method for producing a kneaded product using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, kneading devices are known that include a kneading section for producing a kneaded material from raw materials containing liquid and a discharge section for discharging the kneaded material downstream. When the kneaded material has a particularly high viscosity, there are cases where transporting the kneaded material becomes difficult due to clogging of the discharge section downstream.

[0003] A conventional kneading device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This kneading device is provided with a forced discharge means such as a screw near the outlet of the discharge part in order to transfer the kneaded material to the downstream side of the discharge part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-200677 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional kneading devices, adhesion of the kneaded material to the forced discharge means leads to a decrease in the recovery rate of the kneaded material. Therefore, there has been a demand for a means that can improve the recovery rate of the kneaded material while facilitating discharge of the kneaded material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of research aimed at solving the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that a configuration in which the discharge section has a liquid applying section for applying a liquid to the kneaded material is preferable. Various aspects for solving the above problems will be described.

[0007] The kneading device of aspect 1 is a kneading device comprising an input section for inputting raw materials containing a first liquid, a kneading section for kneading the raw materials inputted into the input section, and a discharge section for discharging the kneaded product produced in the kneading section, wherein the discharge section has a liquid application section for applying a second liquid to the kneaded product, and the inner surface of the discharge section is subjected to a matte finish.

[0008] A second aspect is the kneading device according to the first aspect, wherein the inner surface of the discharge portion has an average surface roughness (Ra) of 0.01 μm or more and 500 μm or less. A third aspect is the kneading device according to the second aspect, wherein the inner surface of the discharge portion has an average surface roughness (Ra) of 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0009] A fourth aspect is the kneading device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the liquid application section is provided in two or more places. status Mr. 5 In the method for producing the kneaded product, the first to third aspects 4 In a method for producing a kneaded material using the kneading device according to any one of the above aspects, the method includes a step of feeding a raw material containing the first liquid from the feeding section and obtaining a kneaded material in the kneading section, and a step of discharging the kneaded material from the discharging section while applying the second liquid to the kneaded material by the liquid application section.

[0010] Aspects 6 is the aspect 5 In the method for producing a kneaded product described above, the second liquid is water or the first liquid when the kneaded product is not diluted with a diluent when used, and is water, the first liquid, the diluent, or a mixture of the kneaded product and the diluent when the kneaded product is diluted with a diluent when used. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, in a kneading device, it is possible to improve the recovery rate of the kneaded material while facilitating the discharge of the kneaded material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a kneading device according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a kneading device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the kneading device 10 of this embodiment includes an input section 11 into which a raw material X can be input, a kneading section 12 into which the raw material X input into the input section 11 can be kneaded, and a discharge section 13 into which a kneaded product Y produced in the kneading section 12 can be discharged.

[0014] Raw material X is not particularly limited as long as it is a raw material containing a first liquid and can be kneaded to obtain kneaded product Y, and is appropriately selected depending on the raw material to be produced. Examples of the first liquid include water, solvents such as hydrophilic organic solvents, and oily components that are liquid at room temperature. Specific examples of hydrophilic organic solvents include lower alcohols such as ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol, and ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. Examples of other components that make up raw material X include oily components other than those mentioned above, surfactants, polysaccharides, thickeners, grain flour, resins, rubber, etc. Raw material X can be appropriately selected and used depending on the purpose, etc.

[0015] The kneading machine constituting the kneading section 12 is not particularly limited and may be any known kneading machine as appropriate. For example, it may be a batch type or a continuous type. Examples of continuous kneading machines include screw kneaders such as single-screw kneaders and twin-screw kneaders. The kneading section 12 depicted in FIG. 1 is a kneading machine using a single screw 12a. For example, in FIG. 1, the kneading section 12 is disposed horizontally, with an inlet 12b provided above one longitudinal end. A feeding pipe 14 is connected to the upper end of the inlet 12b. The feeding section 11 is composed of the inlet 12b and the feeding pipe 14 connected to the upper end of the inlet 12b. The upper end of the feeding pipe 14 may be connected to a hopper, a raw material storage tank, or a pipe connected thereto (not shown).

[0016] A discharge port 12c for discharging the kneaded material Y is provided below the other end of the kneading section 12. A discharge pipe 15 is connected to the lower end of the discharge port 12c. The discharge section 13 is composed of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15 connected downward from the discharge port 12c. The shape of the discharge pipe 15 is not particularly limited, and as shown in FIG. 1, one or more bent portions 15a may be provided along the discharge pipe 15. Furthermore, the discharge pipe 15 may be formed so as to extend substantially vertically downward, or may be formed linearly so as to extend obliquely downward. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the discharge pipe 15 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately set depending on the purpose, etc. Furthermore, the diameter may be reduced or increased in the discharge direction. The lower end of the discharge pipe 15 may be connected to a storage tank, a storage container, or a pipe connected thereto (not shown).

[0017] Two liquid application sections 16 for applying the second liquid to the kneaded material Y are formed above the bent section 15a on the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15. A second liquid pipe 17 that communicates with the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15 is connected to the liquid application section 16, so that the second liquid can be ejected from the liquid application section 16 in the direction of arrow Z. The second liquid pipe 17 is installed so that the arrow Z direction, which is the ejection direction of the second liquid, forms an acute angle with the conveyance direction of the kneaded material Y.

[0018] Examples of the second liquid include water, solvents such as hydrophilic organic solvents, and oily components that are liquid at room temperature, which are exemplified as the first liquid. The second liquid may be the same as or different from the first liquid. Furthermore, when the kneaded material Y is diluted with a diluent before use, the second liquid may be the diluent, or a mixture of the kneaded material Y and the diluent.

[0019] The lower limit of the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surfaces of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15 that constitute the discharge section 13 is preferably 0.01 μm or more, more preferably 0.1 μm or more, and even more preferably 0.5 μm or more. When the lower limit of the average surface roughness (Ra) is 0.01 μm or more, the second liquid easily adheres to the inner surfaces of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15, and adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surfaces of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15 is suppressed. This allows the kneaded material Y to be easily discharged from the discharge section 13, improving discharge efficiency. Furthermore, the upper limit of the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surfaces is preferably 500 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, and even more preferably 20 μm or less. When the upper limit of the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surfaces is 500 μm or less, adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surfaces of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15 is suppressed. This improves the efficiency of discharging the kneaded material Y from the discharge portion 13.

[0020] There are no particular limitations on the method for processing the inner surfaces of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15, and any known processing method can be appropriately adopted. Examples of the processing method include matte finish, mirror finish, coating, lining, etc. In the present invention, Among these, matte finish is used to make it easier to hold the second liquid. but Recruitment will be .

[0021] (Action of this embodiment) First, raw material X containing a first liquid is introduced from the introduction section 11, and a desired kneaded material Y is produced in the kneading section 12. The obtained kneaded material Y is discharged from the discharge port 12c to the discharge pipe 15. At that time, the second liquid is discharged from the liquid application section 16. As a result, adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15 is reduced when the kneaded material Y passes through the discharge pipe 15. This makes it possible to reduce clogging of the kneaded material Y in the discharge pipe 15. Since the liquid application section 16 is provided upstream of the bent section 15a, it is possible to reduce clogging, adhesion, etc. of the kneaded material Y at the bent section 15a, where clogging is particularly likely to occur. Discharge of the second liquid from the liquid application section 16 makes it possible to improve the recovery rate of the kneaded material Y while facilitating discharge of the kneaded material Y.

[0022] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of the kneading device 10 of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) In the kneading device 10 of this embodiment, the liquid application section 16 is provided on the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15 that constitutes the discharge section 13 of the kneaded material Y. Therefore, the kneaded material Y passes through the discharge pipe 15 while the second liquid is discharged from the liquid application section 16. This reduces adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15, thereby reducing clogging of the kneaded material Y. Furthermore, the recovery rate of the kneaded material Y can be improved while facilitating the discharge of the kneaded material Y, thereby improving the transfer efficiency of the kneaded material Y.

[0023] (1-2) It is not necessary to provide a forced discharge means such as a screw, and the kneaded material Y can be discharged quickly with a simple configuration. (1-3) When the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surface of the discharge part 13 is 0.01 μm or more, the second liquid is more likely to adhere to the inner surfaces of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15, and adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surfaces of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15 is further suppressed. This further improves the discharge efficiency of the kneaded material Y from the discharge part 13, and therefore the recovery rate of the kneaded material Y can be further improved.

[0024] Furthermore, when the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surface of the discharge part 13 is 500 μm or less, adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surface of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15 is suppressed, thereby improving the discharge efficiency of the kneaded material Y from the discharge part 13.

[0025] (1-4) Since two or more liquid applicators 16 are provided, the second liquid can be efficiently discharged into the discharge pipe 15. (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the method for producing the kneaded material Y of the present invention will now be described.

[0026] The method for producing the kneaded material Y of this embodiment is performed using the kneading device 10 described in the first embodiment. First, a step is performed in which the raw material X containing the first liquid is introduced into the introduction section 11 and the kneaded material Y is obtained in the kneading section 12. The obtained kneaded material Y is then discharged from the discharge port 12c to the discharge pipe 15 while the second liquid is being discharged from the liquid application section 16.

[0027] The properties of the finally obtained kneaded product Y are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an emulsion, a thickened product, a suspension, a gel-like product, a cream-like product, etc. The second liquid is preferably a solvent such as water or a hydrophilic organic solvent exemplified as the first liquid, an oily component that is liquid at room temperature, a diluent when the kneaded product Y is diluted with a diluent at the time of use, a mixed liquid of the kneaded product Y and a diluent, etc.

[0028] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of the method for producing the kneaded material Y of this embodiment will be described. (2-1) In the method for producing the kneaded material Y of the present embodiment, the kneaded material Y passes through the discharge pipe 15 while the second liquid is being discharged from the liquid application part 16. This reduces adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15, thereby improving the recovery rate of the kneaded material Y.

[0029] (2-2) When the second liquid is the first liquid, a diluting liquid when the kneaded material Y is diluted with the diluting liquid at the time of use, a mixed liquid of the kneaded material Y and the diluting liquid, or the like, the influence on the physical properties or characteristics of the kneaded material Y can be reduced.

[0030] (Example of change) The above embodiment may be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications may be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0031] The physical properties of the kneaded material Y discharged from the discharge port 12c are not particularly limited. Any kneaded material Y can be used as long as it is prone to clogging due to the inner diameter of the discharge pipe 15 or the like, or prone to adhesion due to the surface roughness of the inner surface, the material, or the like. Examples of the kneaded material Y include a low viscosity of 10 mPa·s or more but less than 10,000 mPa·s, and a medium to high viscosity of 10,000 mPa·s or more but less than 1,000,000 mPa·s. Even if the kneaded material Y has a low viscosity, the second liquid reduces adhesion to the inside of the discharge section 13, thereby improving the recovery rate of the kneaded material Y. Even if the kneaded material Y has a medium to high viscosity, it is possible to reduce adhesion and clogging to the discharge pipe 15, etc., making it easier to discharge, and improve the recovery rate of the kneaded material Y.

[0032] The kneading device 10 of the above embodiment is provided with two liquid application sections 16. However, the number of liquid application sections 16 may be one, or three or more. The position where the liquid application section 16 is formed is not particularly limited as long as it is formed in the discharge section 13. The liquid application section 16 may be provided, for example, on the inner circumferential surface of the discharge port 12c, in the vicinity of the discharge port 12c, or downstream of the bent section 15a.

[0033] Furthermore, the second liquid pipe 17 is installed so that the arrow Z direction, which is the ejection direction of the second liquid, forms an acute angle with the conveyance direction of the kneaded material Y. This can further improve the conveyance efficiency of the kneaded material Y. However, the installation direction of the second liquid pipe 17 is not particularly limited, and for example, the arrow Z direction, which is the ejection direction of the second liquid, may be at a right angle or an obtuse angle with the conveyance direction of the kneaded material Y. Even with this configuration, the kneaded material Y can still be easily discharged.

[0034] The method of discharging the second liquid discharged from the liquid application unit 16 may be any method as long as it can be applied directly or indirectly to the kneaded material Y. Therefore, the second liquid may be discharged onto the inner surface of the discharge port 12c and the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15 through which the kneaded material Y passes, or may be directly adhered to the kneaded material Y. In either configuration, adhesion of the kneaded material Y to the inner surface of the discharge port 12c or the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15 can be reduced. The properties of the second liquid are not particularly limited, and examples include straight, shower, spray, mist, etc. The properties of the second liquid, such as the amount released and temperature, are not particularly limited, and are set appropriately depending on the purpose, etc.

[0035] The material of the inner surface of the discharge port 12c and the discharge pipe 15 that constitute the discharge part 13 is not particularly limited, and may be a metal surface such as stainless steel, or a non-metal surface such as glass, resin, fluorine coating, or glass coating. [Example]

[0036] Examples will be given below to more specifically explain the configuration and effects of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Test Category 1 (Production and transportation of kneaded materials using kneading equipment) Using the kneading apparatus of each example shown below, the passability of the kneaded material through the discharge pipe when it was produced and then discharged was evaluated.

[0037] Example 1 The kneading device 10 shown in FIG. 1 was used. A screw kneader was used as the kneading section 12. The inner diameter of the discharge pipe 15 was 108 mm and made of stainless steel. The inner peripheral surface of the discharge pipe 15 was subjected to a matte finish, and the average surface roughness (Ra) was adjusted to a range of 1 μm or more and 2 μm or less. Two liquid application sections 16 were formed on the inner surface of the discharge pipe 15 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the discharge pipe 15.

[0038] (Reference example 2) The inner peripheral surface of the discharge pipe 15 is mirror-finished, and the average surface roughness (Ra) is adjusted to a range of 0.1 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm. Other than this configuration, the same configuration as in Example 1 is adopted.

[0039] (Comparative Example 1) The configuration is the same as in Example 1, except that the liquid deposition unit 16 is omitted.

[0040] [Table 1] Test Category 2 (Evaluation of the passability of kneaded materials) A raw material X containing water as a first liquid was charged through the charging section 11, and an emulsion (100,000 mPa·s) was produced as a kneaded product Y through the kneading section 12. After production, in Example 1, the kneaded product Y was discharged from the discharge pipe 15 while water was being discharged as a second liquid from the liquid application section 16 of the discharge pipe 15. In Comparative Example 1, the kneaded product Y was discharged as is through the discharge pipe 15. The passability of the kneaded product Y through the discharge pipe 15 was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Passability of Kneaded Product" column of Table 1.

[0041] Evaluation criteria for material passability 3 (Good): When the kneaded material does not remain in the pipe and the entire amount is discharged 2 (Acceptable): The kneaded material sometimes remains in the pipe, but the entire amount can be discharged. 1 (Not possible): When the kneaded material remains in the pipe and cannot be completely discharged.

[0042] As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the configuration in which the discharge section 13 has the discharge pipe 15 can improve the recovery rate of the kneaded material while facilitating the discharge of the kneaded material. Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below. The kneading device of aspect 11 is a kneading device comprising an input section for inputting raw materials containing a first liquid, a kneading section for kneading the raw materials inputted into the input section, and a discharge section for discharging the kneaded product produced in the kneading section, and the discharge section has a liquid application section for applying a second liquid to the kneaded product. A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the kneading device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surface of the discharge portion is 0.01 μm or more and 500 μm or less. A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the kneading device according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surface of the discharge portion is 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less. A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the kneading device according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein the liquid application section is provided in two or more locations. A method for producing a kneaded product according to aspect 15, which is a method for producing a kneaded product using the kneading device according to any one of aspects 11 to 14, includes the steps of feeding a raw material containing the first liquid from the feeding section and obtaining a kneaded product in the kneading section, and discharging the kneaded product from the discharging section while applying the second liquid to the kneaded product using the liquid application section. Aspect 16 is a method for producing a kneaded material described in Aspect 15, wherein the second liquid is water, the first liquid, or, if the kneaded material is diluted with a diluent when used, the diluent, or a mixture of the kneaded material and the diluent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10...Kneading device 11...Insertion section 12...Kneading section 13...Discharge section 15…Discharge piping 16...Liquid application section X...Raw material Y: Kneaded material

Claims

1. an input unit for inputting a raw material containing a first liquid; a kneading section that kneads the raw material introduced into the introduction section; A kneading apparatus including a discharge section that discharges the kneaded material produced in the kneading section, The discharge section has a liquid applying section for applying a second liquid to the kneaded material.

2. 2. The kneading device according to claim 1, wherein the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surface of the discharge portion is 0.01 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

3. 3. The kneading device according to claim 2, wherein the average surface roughness (Ra) of the inner surface of the discharge portion is 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

4. The kneading device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid applying section is provided at two or more locations.

5. In a method for producing a kneaded product using the kneading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a step of feeding a raw material containing the first liquid from the feeding section and obtaining a kneaded product in the kneading section; A method for producing a kneaded material, comprising the step of discharging the kneaded material from the discharge section while applying the second liquid to the kneaded material using the liquid application section.

6. The method for producing a kneaded product according to claim 5, wherein the second liquid is water, the first liquid, or, if the kneaded product is diluted with a diluent at the time of use, the diluent, or a mixture of the kneaded product and the diluent.

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