Raw material conveying device, raw material conveying method, and raw material adjustment amount display device

Abstract

To provide a raw material conveying device capable of conveying objects in an appropriate manner. [Solution] A raw material conveying device having a storage section for storing raw materials, an input port for inputting raw materials, an output port for discharging raw materials, a transport path for transporting the raw materials from the storage section to the output port, and a transport section having a screw whose rotating shaft is formed along the transport path. The raw material conveying device has a raw material volume information acquisition unit that acquires raw material volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the raw material deposits accumulated in the storage section; a volume information acquisition unit that acquires volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the transport path; a reference information acquisition unit that acquires reference information that serves as a standard for the volume information and the raw material volume information; an adjustment amount information generation unit that generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of raw materials to be stored in the storage section, based on the raw material volume information, volume information and reference information; and a raw material adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of raw materials to be stored in the storage section based on the adjustment amount information.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a raw material conveying device, a raw material conveying method, and a raw material adjustment amount presenting device that have one or more screws and have a conveying unit that conveys a raw material toward a discharge port in a conveying path.

Background Art

[0002] As a device for conveying a conveyance object such as a raw material, a screw conveyor that conveys the conveyance object in the axial direction of the screw as the screw rotates is known. The screw conveyor is used, for example, for conveying a raw material of ferro coke.

[0003] Ferro coke is manufactured by mixing iron ore with coal, for example, as described in Patent Document 1. Specifically, ferro coke is manufactured through a kneading process of kneading raw materials to obtain kneaded raw materials, a conveying process of conveying the kneaded raw materials to a molding machine, a molding process of forming the kneaded raw materials into lumps to obtain a molded product, and a carbonization process of carbonizing the molded product.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, in the conveying process, since the conveyance object is a hot raw material and gases such as carbon monoxide are generated during conveyance, a screw conveyor that is easy to ensure airtightness is used.

[0006] By the way, the screw conveyor has a housing part that houses the raw material, a discharge port that discharges the raw material, and a conveying path that conveys the raw material from the housing part to the discharge port. Up to the conveying path from the housing part, a wall part of the housing part is provided.

[0007] When the storage section is filled with a large amount of raw materials, there is a risk that the raw materials may come into contact with the walls as they are transported by the screw conveyor, causing them to accumulate. If transport continues while the raw materials are accumulated, they will be compressed and hardened between the screw and the walls. Furthermore, if transport continues, there is a problem of increased load on the motor that drives the screw.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a raw material conveying device capable of conveying objects in an appropriate manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. [1] A raw material conveying device having a storage section for storing raw materials, an input port for introducing the raw materials, an output port for discharging the raw materials, a transport path for transporting the raw materials from the storage section to the output port, and a transport section having a screw whose rotating shaft is formed along the transport path, A raw material volume information acquisition unit acquires raw material volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the raw material deposits accumulated in the storage unit. A volume information acquisition unit acquires volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the transport path. A reference information acquisition unit that acquires reference information that serves as the basis for the raw material volume information, An adjustment amount information generation unit generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of the raw material to be stored in the storage unit, based on the raw material volume information, the volume information, and the reference information. A raw material conveying device having a raw material adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of raw material to be contained in the storage unit based on the adjustment amount information. [2] The raw material adjustment unit adjusts the amount of raw material introduced from the input port, as described in [1]. [3] The raw material preparation unit adjusts the conveying speed of the conveying unit, as described in [1] or [2], for the raw material conveying device. [4] A raw material conveying method using a raw material conveying device having a conveying section for containing raw materials, an input port for introducing the raw materials, an output port for discharging the raw materials, a conveying path for transporting the raw materials from the containment section to the output port, and a conveying section having a screw whose rotating shaft is formed along the conveying path, A raw material volume information acquisition step, which involves acquiring raw material volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the raw material deposits accumulated in the storage section, A volume information acquisition step involves acquiring volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the transport path, A reference information acquisition step to acquire reference information that serves as the basis for the raw material volume information, A step of generating adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of the raw material to be stored in the storage unit, based on the raw material volume information, the volume information and the reference information, A raw material conveying method comprising a raw material adjustment step of adjusting the amount of raw material to be contained in the containment section based on the adjustment amount information. [5] A raw material conveying device having a storage section for storing raw materials, an input port for introducing the raw materials, an output port for discharging the raw materials, a transport path for transporting the raw materials from the storage section to the output port, and a transport section having one or more screws and transporting the raw materials toward the output port in the transport path, wherein the raw material adjustment amount display device displays the adjustment amount of the raw materials stored in the storage section, A raw material volume information acquisition unit acquires raw material volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the raw material in the storage unit. A volume information acquisition unit acquires volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the transport path. A reference information acquisition unit that acquires reference information that serves as the basis for the raw material volume information, An adjustment amount information generation unit generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of the raw material to be stored in the storage unit, based on the raw material volume information, the volume information, and the reference information. A raw material adjustment amount display device having a display unit that displays the adjustment amount information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the raw material conveying device and the like of the present invention, there is an adjustment amount information generation unit that generates adjustment amount information, which is an adjustment amount of raw materials, based on raw material volume information regarding the volume of deposits of raw materials, volume information regarding the volume of a conveyance path, and reference information serving as a reference for the raw material volume information. Thereby, the raw material conveying device can easily and appropriately adjust the amount of raw materials accommodated in the accommodation unit only by referring to the adjustment amount information. Therefore, it becomes possible to convey the object to be conveyed in an appropriate manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the raw material conveying device. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view of the right side surface of the raw material conveying device. [Figure 3] It is a functional block diagram of the raw material conveying device. [Figure 4] It is a processing flow of the raw material conveying method. [Figure 5] It is a functional block diagram of the raw material adjustment amount presentation device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a raw material conveying device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the raw material conveying device 100 is a device that conveys raw material M as an object to be conveyed in a predetermined direction.

[0013] The raw material M is not particularly limited, and for example, raw materials for ferrocoke can be mentioned. Specifically, a kneaded raw material obtained by kneading an iron source raw material, coal, and a binder in a kneader (not shown) can be used. In the present embodiment, the raw material conveying device 100 will be described as a device that conveys the kneaded raw material, which is a raw material for ferrocoke.

[0014] The iron source material is not particularly limited, but examples include iron ore, blast furnace dust, converter dust, and rolling sludge, which are by-products of the steelworks. These iron source materials may also be used in mixture form. For example, iron source materials with an average particle size of 0.5 mm or less are used. The average particle size of the iron source material can be measured, for example, by sieving.

[0015] For example, coal with an average particle size of 3.0 mm or less is used. The average particle size of coal can be measured, for example, by sieving. Different brands of coal may be mixed and used.

[0016] The mixing ratio of iron source material and coal can be, for example, 10-40% by mass for iron source material and 60-90% by mass for coal.

[0017] As binders, for example, coal-based soft pitch (SOP), asphalt pitch (ASP), and ferrotal, a by-product of the carbonization process of ferrocoke, can be used. One or more of these binders can be used in combination.

[0018] The raw material conveying device 100 has a storage section 10 for storing raw materials M. The storage section 10 is formed in the shape of a box. The storage section 10 is also called a kneading hopper because it stores kneading raw materials as raw materials M.

[0019] An inlet 11 for introducing raw material M is formed above the storage section 10. The discharge passage 20 of the kneader is connected to the inlet 11. The discharge passage 20 of the kneader is provided with an adjustment section 21 for adjusting the amount of raw material M dispensed. The adjustment section 21 is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the opening of the flow path, but for example, a solenoid valve can be used.

[0020] Below the storage section 10, a transport path 12 is formed that extends in the direction of transport of the raw material M. At one end of the transport path 12, an outlet 13 for discharging the raw material M is formed. In other words, the transport path 12 is a flow path for the raw material M connecting the storage section 10 to the outlet 13.

[0021] The conveying path 12 is provided with a conveying section 15 having a screw 14. The screw 14 has its rotation axis formed along the conveying path 12. The screw 14 is connected to a speed adjustment section 30 that adjusts its rotation speed. That is, when the screw 14 rotates, the raw material M is conveyed along its rotation from one end of the conveying path 12 to the other and discharged from the discharge port 13.

[0022] A double-roll molding machine (not shown) is connected to the discharge port 13. The mixed raw materials charged into the double-roll molding machine are molded under high pressure. The molded coal formed in the double-roll molding machine is carbonized in a carbonization furnace (not shown) to become ferrocoke.

[0023] The storage section 10 has a constricted section 16 formed such that the wall portion narrows as it approaches the transport path 12. The height of the constricted section 16 is also formed to decrease as it approaches the transport path 12.

[0024] Above the storage section 10, a volume measuring unit 40 is provided for measuring the volume of the raw material M stored in the storage section 10. The volume measuring unit 40 is not particularly limited, but for example, a laser volume meter that uses laser light to scan the shape of an object and measure its volume can be used.

[0025] The volume measuring unit 40 scans the shape of the material M deposits accumulated in the storage unit 10, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1. Based on the scanned shape of the material M deposits, the volume measuring unit 40 measures the volume of the deposits.

[0026] The raw material conveying device 100 has a control unit 50 that controls the operation of the raw material conveying device 100. The control unit 50 is communicated with each of the adjustment unit 21, the speed adjustment unit 30, and the volume measuring unit 40.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the right side of the raw material conveying device 100. As shown in Figure 2, the conveying section 15 may be configured to have multiple screws 14. In the example shown in Figure 2, four screws are provided. The number of screws 14 in the conveying section 15 is not limited to one or more.

[0028] In Figure 2, the ridges of the raw material M deposits are shown by dashed lines. Also, in Figure 2, the area AR shown by the double-dashed line is calculated as the volume of the transport path 12.

[0029] Figure 3 shows the functional blocks of the raw material conveying device 100. As shown in Figure 3, the raw material conveying device 100 includes a control unit 50 that controls the operation of the raw material conveying device 100, an input / output unit 60 that serves as an interface with external devices, and a storage unit 70 that stores various data. The control unit 50, the input / output unit 60, and the storage unit 70 are each connected to each other via bus B so that they can communicate data.

[0030] The input / output unit 60 is connected to the adjustment unit 21, the speed adjustment unit 30, and the volume measurement unit 40 for data communication. The volume of the raw material M deposit measured by the volume measurement unit 40 is input to the raw material conveying device 100 via the input / output unit 60 as raw material volume information. The raw material conveying device 100 also transmits data related to the operation of the adjustment unit 21 and the speed adjustment unit 30 via the input / output unit 60.

[0031] The memory unit 70 is a writable non-volatile memory such as an EPROM. The memory unit 70 is not particularly limited, but for example, a storage device such as an HDD or SSD can be used.

[0032] The memory unit 70 stores raw material volume information measured by the volume measurement unit 40. The raw material volume information may be the combined volume of the raw material M deposit and the structures provided in the housing unit 10, such as the screw 14.

[0033] Furthermore, the storage unit 70 stores the volume of the transport path 12 as volume information. If the volume information is known from the equipment specifications, etc., that value may be used, or it may be a value calculated from the dimensions of the transport path 12.

[0034] The memory unit 70 stores reference information that serves as the basis for raw material volume information. The reference information can be, for example, the ratio of the volume of raw material M to the volume of the transport path 12. The reference information is not particularly limited, but for example, the ratio of the volume of raw material M to the volume of the transport path 12 can be set to 100%.

[0035] The control unit 50 is a computer including a CPU. The control unit 50 controls the operation of the raw material conveying device 100. The control unit 50 includes a raw material volume information acquisition unit 51 that acquires raw material volume information, which is information about the volume of the raw material M deposited in the storage unit 10, and a volume information acquisition unit 52 that acquires volume information, which is information about the volume of the conveying path 12.

[0036] The control unit 50 includes a reference information acquisition unit 53 that acquires reference information, and an adjustment amount information generation unit 54 that generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of raw material M to be stored in the storage unit 10, based on raw material volume information, volume information, and reference information. The control unit 50 also includes a raw material adjustment unit 55 that adjusts the amount of raw material to be stored in the storage unit 10 based on the adjustment amount information.

[0037] The raw material volume information acquisition unit 51, volume information acquisition unit 52, reference information acquisition unit 53, adjustment amount information generation unit 54, and raw material adjustment unit 55 are realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 70.

[0038] The raw material volume information acquisition unit 51 acquires raw material volume information by reading the raw material volume information stored in the storage unit 70.

[0039] The volume information acquisition unit 52 acquires volume information by reading the volume information stored in the storage unit 70.

[0040] The reference information acquisition unit 53 acquires reference information by reading the reference information stored in the storage unit 70.

[0041] The adjustment amount information generation unit 54 generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of raw material M to be stored in the storage unit 10, according to, for example, the ratio of raw material volume information to volume information and the degree of difference between this ratio and reference information.

[0042] Specifically, the adjustment amount information generation unit 54 generates adjustment amount information to reduce the amount of raw material M stored in the storage unit 10 if the ratio of raw material volume information to volume information is higher than the reference information. Furthermore, the adjustment amount information generation unit 54 generates adjustment amount information such that the adjustment amount increases the further the ratio of raw material volume information to volume information is from the reference information. However, the adjustment amount information generation unit 54 does not generate adjustment amount information if the ratio of raw material volume information to volume information is lower than the reference information.

[0043] The raw material adjustment unit 55 adjusts the amount of raw material to be stored in the storage unit 10 based on the adjustment amount information generated by the adjustment amount information generation unit 54. The raw material adjustment unit 55 adjusts the amount of raw material to be stored in the storage unit 10 by adjusting at least one of the adjustment unit 21 and the speed adjustment unit 30.

[0044] Specifically, the raw material adjustment unit 55 adjusts the amount of raw material M fed in from the input port 11 to be less, for example, by narrowing the opening of the adjustment unit 21. The raw material adjustment unit 55 also adjusts the amount of raw material M discharged from the discharge port 13 to be more, for example, by increasing the rotation speed of the screw 14 relative to the speed adjustment unit 30, that is, by adjusting the conveying speed of the conveying unit 15.

[0045] Figure 4 shows the processing flow of the raw material conveying method using the raw material conveying device 100. The processing of the raw material conveying method is performed, for example, when the raw material conveying device 100 starts operating.

[0046] In the raw material transport method, as shown in Figure 4, the raw material volume information acquisition unit 51 reads the raw material volume information from the storage unit 70 and executes the raw material volume information acquisition step (step S01).

[0047] Next, the volume information acquisition unit 52 reads the volume information from the storage unit 70 and executes the volume information acquisition step (step S02).

[0048] The reference information acquisition unit 53 reads the reference information from the storage unit 70 and executes the reference information acquisition step (step S03).

[0049] The adjustment amount information generation unit 54 generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of raw materials to be stored in the storage unit 10, based on the raw material volume information, volume information, and reference information, and executes the adjustment amount information generation step (step S04).

[0050] Here, we will explain the case where the ratio of raw material volume information to volume information is 100% in the reference information. We will also explain the case where the ratio of raw material volume information to measured volume information is 200%.

[0051] The adjustment amount information generation unit 54 generates adjustment amount information such that, for example, the ratio of raw material volume information to volume information approaches 100%. Alternatively, the adjustment amount information generation unit 54 may generate adjustment amount information such that the ratio is 100% or less. The generated adjustment amount information is stored in the storage unit 70.

[0052] The raw material adjustment unit 55 reads the adjustment amount information stored in the storage unit 70 and adjusts the amount of raw material to be stored in the storage unit 10 based on the adjustment amount information, thereby executing the raw material adjustment step (step S05).

[0053] Specifically, the raw material adjustment unit 55 adjusts the amount of raw material stored in the storage unit 10 by adjusting at least one of the adjustment unit 21 and the speed adjustment unit 30. For example, by adjusting at least one of the adjustment unit 21 and the speed adjustment unit 30 so that the ratio is 100% or less, the raw material adjustment unit 55 can reduce the load on the motor that drives the screw 14 while maintaining appropriate transport efficiency.

[0054] Furthermore, since the amount of raw material M conveyed by the raw material conveying device 100 can be kept constant, in the raw material adjustment step of step S05, it is preferable that the raw material adjustment unit 55 adjusts the opening degree of the adjustment unit 21.

[0055] As described above, the raw material conveying device 100 of the present invention has an adjustment amount information generation unit 54 that generates adjustment amount information based on raw material volume information, volume information, and reference information. As a result, the raw material adjustment unit 55 of the raw material conveying device 100 can easily adjust the amount of raw material M to be stored in the storage unit 10 by simply referring to the adjustment amount information. Therefore, it becomes possible to convey the object to be conveyed in an appropriate manner.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of raw material to be stored in the storage section 10, is generated so that the ratio of raw material volume information to measured volume information approaches 100%. The manner in which the adjustment amount information is generated is not limited to this manner, and it is sufficient for the adjustment amount information to be generated in a manner that lowers the ratio. For example, if the ratio of raw material volume information to measured volume information is 200%, the adjustment amount information may be generated so that the ratio of raw material volume information to measured volume information approaches 150%. Even in this way, it is possible to transport the transported object in an appropriate manner.

[0057] (Second Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the raw material adjustment unit 55 of the raw material conveying device 100 adjusts at least one of the adjustment unit 21 and the speed adjustment unit 30. The adjustment of the adjustment unit 21 and the speed adjustment unit 30 is not limited to adjustment by the raw material adjustment unit 55, but may be performed by the user, for example. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0058] Figure 5 shows the functional blocks of the raw material adjustment amount display device 200. As shown in Figure 5, the raw material adjustment amount display device 200 has a control unit 50, an input / output unit 60, a storage unit 70, and a display unit 80 that displays adjustment amount information. Each of the control unit 50, input / output unit 60, storage unit 70, and display unit 80 is connected to each other via bus B so as to be able to communicate data.

[0059] For example, the display unit 80 can be a display capable of displaying adjustment amount information. The display unit 80 is not limited to a display, and a speaker capable of outputting adjustment amount information as sound may also be used.

[0060] The raw material adjustment amount display device 200 displays the adjustment amount information generated by the adjustment amount information generation unit 54 on the display unit 80. This allows the user to easily adjust at least one of the adjustment unit 21 and the speed adjustment unit 30 simply by referring to the adjustment amount information displayed on the display unit 80. This makes it possible to reduce the load on the motor driving the screw 14 while maintaining the appropriate transport efficiency of the raw material transport device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100 Raw material conveying equipment 200 Raw material adjustment amount display device 10 Storage Unit 11 Inlet 12 Conveyor paths 13 Outlet 14 Screw 15 Conveying section 51 Raw material volume information acquisition unit 52 Volume information acquisition section 53 Standard information acquisition section 54. Adjustment Quantity Information Generation Department 55 Raw Material Adjustment Department

Claims

1. A raw material conveying device having a storage section for storing raw materials, an input port for introducing the raw materials, an output port for discharging the raw materials, a conveying path for transporting the raw materials from the storage section to the output port, and a conveying section having a screw whose rotating shaft is formed along the conveying path, A raw material volume information acquisition unit acquires raw material volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the raw material deposits accumulated in the storage unit. A volume information acquisition unit acquires volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the transport path. A reference information acquisition unit that acquires reference information that serves as the basis for the raw material volume information, An adjustment amount information generation unit generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of the raw material to be stored in the storage unit, based on the raw material volume information, the volume information, and the reference information. A raw material conveying device having a raw material adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of raw material contained in the storage unit based on the adjustment amount information.

2. The raw material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the raw material adjustment unit adjusts the amount of raw material introduced from the input port.

3. The raw material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the raw material adjustment unit adjusts the conveying speed of the conveying unit.

4. The raw material conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the raw material adjustment unit adjusts the conveying speed of the conveying unit.

5. A raw material conveying method using a raw material conveying device having a conveying section for containing raw materials, an input port for introducing the raw materials, an output port for discharging the raw materials, a conveying path for transporting the raw materials from the containment section to the output port, and a conveying section having a screw whose rotating shaft is formed along the conveying path, A raw material volume information acquisition step, which involves acquiring raw material volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the raw material deposits accumulated in the storage section, A volume information acquisition step involves acquiring volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the transport path, A reference information acquisition step to acquire reference information that serves as the basis for the raw material volume information, A step of generating adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of the raw material to be stored in the storage unit, based on the raw material volume information, the volume information and the reference information, A raw material conveying method comprising a raw material adjustment step of adjusting the amount of raw material to be contained in the containment section based on the adjustment amount information.

6. A raw material conveying device having a storage section for storing raw materials, an input port for introducing the raw materials, an output port for discharging the raw materials, a transport path for transporting the raw materials from the storage section to the output port, and a transport section having one or more screws and transporting the raw materials toward the output port in the transport path, wherein the raw material adjustment amount display device displays the adjustment amount of the raw materials stored in the storage section, A raw material volume information acquisition unit acquires raw material volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the raw material deposits accumulated in the storage unit. A volume information acquisition unit acquires volume information, which is information relating to the volume of the transport path. A reference information acquisition unit that acquires reference information that serves as the basis for the raw material volume information, An adjustment amount information generation unit generates adjustment amount information, which is the adjustment amount of the raw material to be stored in the storage unit, based on the raw material volume information, the volume information, and the reference information. A raw material adjustment amount display device having a display unit that displays the adjustment amount information.

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