Filter device for separating particles and method for separating particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter device (100) for separating particles, particularly particles of coating material, from a particle-containing raw gas stream, the filter device (100) comprising a housing (102) with an inlet section (114), at least one filter module (113), a downwardly narrowing funnel (104), and a mixer (106) for raising the filter aid material. The raw gas stream can be fed into the filter device (100) through the inlet section (114) of the housing (102) in an inlet direction (138), the inlet direction (138) pointing substantially from the inlet section (114) toward the funnel (104). The present invention also relates to a method for separating particles from a particle-containing raw gas stream.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter device for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a particle-containing raw gas stream.The present invention further relates to a method for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a particle-containing raw gas stream. [Background technology]

[0002] In practice, devices for separating particles are known to be used in areas such as the dry separation of overspray particles in painting installations for vehicle bodies, for example.

[0003] In a known method for dry separation of overspray particles, paint mist is separated from the air in a paint spray cabin by filtration. A filter aid, preferably granular rock powder, is used as a filtration aid. The filter aid, also called precoat material, resides in a reservoir of the filter device, where it is preferably moved and loosened by a mixing device. The precoat material is stirred up by optionally introducing compressed air, and is then carried by the raw gas flowing into the filter device to the actual filter or filter element. The fine precoat material is deposited over the entire filter surface, forming a protective precoat layer. In other words, the overspray is separated from the raw gas volume flow onto the precoat layer adhering to the filter surface, without direct contact with the filter surface, where it would otherwise stick. After a certain time, the filter cake formed on the filter surface is blown off the filter by a pressure impulse.

[0004] The raw gas flows into the filter device through a so-called nozzle glass, which preferably has two openings and an aperture in the central region. This geometric configuration of the inlet section of the filter device guides the raw gas flow toward the precoat reservoir, which is typically the region where the filter aid material is swirled and / or introduced. Two vortex flows typically form in the lower region of the module. Furthermore, a so-called dead space is created behind the nozzle glass, through which the raw gas can flow upward toward the filter.

[0005] Due to the maximum air volume that can be processed by such filter devices, they are usually installed on both sides below the associated injection cabin.

[0006] WO 2010 / 069407 A1 discloses a coating installation having at least one spray coating device with at least one application unit for coating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies, with fluid paint, which has a device for separating fluid paint overspray from a raw gas flow containing overspray particles, the device having at least one filter element for separating the overspray from the raw gas flow, whereby fluid paint overspray, i.e., paint particles that do not adhere to the workpiece to be coated, which are collected and interlocked with the air flow flowing through the application area of ​​the coating installation, can be separated again from this air flow, and the purified air flow can be fed back into the application area in the air circulation or can be discharged into the environment of the installation.

[0007] WO 2014 / 139833 A1 further discloses that a filter device for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a particle-containing raw gas stream, which has a housing and at least one filter element, has an internal space through which a flow can be efficiently passed and can therefore be operated particularly reliably and reliably, especially when the filter device has an aperture device with at least one aperture element. In this case, the housing defines the internal space of the filter device, the at least one filter element is arranged in the internal space of the filter device, and the raw gas stream can be fed into the internal space of the filter device in the inflow direction through an inlet section of the filter device. Furthermore, the inlet section of the filter device can be partially covered by using at least one aperture element.

[0008] WO 2014 / 075984 A1 proposes a container for containing material, which allows reliable operation and reliable actuation. The container has an access opening for accessing the interior space of the container, an operating device arranged in the interior space for operating on the material, and a protective device arranged in the interior space for protecting the interior space and / or the operating device from access. The protective device is movable from a first protective position, in which access to the interior space of the container is blocked, to a second protective position, in which access to the operating device is blocked.

[0009] Furthermore, WO 2013 / 013847 A1 discloses a method for operating a filter device for purifying a raw gas stream containing wet paint overspray, which method allows for more efficient and cost-effective replacement of the filter aid material and possibly delayed replacement, by measuring at least one physical and / or chemical property of a component of the filter aid material collected in a filter aid material container during operation of the filter device. In this method, the wet paint overspray is separated from the raw gas stream in at least one filter element, with the filter aid material containing at least a portion of the wet paint overspray. In this method, the filter aid material containing the wet paint overspray is further collected in a filter aid material container.

[0010] Such a method of dry separation or such a filter device would, of course, require a maximum of 40 filters per device, which would provide a total volume of approximately 11,400 m 3 / h. Furthermore, in order to be able to process the air volume of the painting unit, it was previously necessary to install such filter devices on both sides of the associated painting unit, in particular below the spray cabin. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that in order to transfer or transport the rock powder from the reservoir into the raw gas volume flow and thereby be able to entrain the rock powder with the raw gas flow and transport it to the filter, several swirl nozzles (typically at least two nozzles) are required in the funnel, with the swirl involving a high compressed air consumption.

[0011] Still other dry separation devices are known in which the device geometry differs from that used in the above-described method, with the inflow of the raw gas stream occurring at a lower point in the device.

[0012] The raw gas containing the overspray flows horizontally into the funnel region located in the region below the filter device and brushes against a so-called paddle mixer, which directly introduces the precoat material into the flow. In this case, the raw gas can sufficiently engage the precoat material and transport it to the filter. As a result, it is no longer necessary to introduce compressed air to swirl the precoat material.

[0013] The rotational speed of the paddle mixer can be adapted to control the amount of precoat material transferred to the filter during the process.

[0014] The filter devices with paddle mixers have a larger number of filters (approximately 60 filters or filter elements) than the devices described above (approximately 40 filters), which allows a larger amount of raw gas to be processed per device, and it is generally sufficient to place these devices on one side below the injection cabin, i.e., only one cabin is assigned to one injection cabin.

[0015] In this regard, WO 2013 / 013846 A1 proposes a compact coating installation for coating workpieces, which allows reliable separation of paint overspray from the raw gas flow. The coating installation includes a coating cabin in which the workpieces can be coated with paint, a transport device for transporting the workpieces to be coated through the coating cabin in a transport direction, a filter device for purifying the raw gas flow leaving the coating cabin, which absorbs paint overspray in the coating cabin, and a clean gas line for a clean gas flow obtained by purifying the raw gas flow with the at least one filter device. The separation and / or coating installation includes at least one filter device for separating the paint overspray from the raw gas flow.

[0016] However, in this type of filter device, the clean gas box has traditionally been mounted above the device, and the filters are suspended horizontally within the filter device. Therefore, filter replacement must be performed on the raw gas side, which requires the operator to be in the dust space. Furthermore, to allow the operator access to all filters, a grid must be installed inside the device. It should also be noted that the filter sealing on the raw gas side, which increases the dust load, can increase the risk of improper installation and the resulting lack of sealing. Furthermore, the piping for compressed air purification is complicated.

[0017] In these systems, the low inflow of raw gas into the paddle mixer or hopper area significantly limits the installation space of the hopper below the inflow, even though the rock powder movement is generally good without the need for swirl nozzles. Therefore, the maintenance door is located on the side of the hopper opposite the raw gas inflow. Due to the location of the maintenance door and the necessary accessibility to it, an air guide, as in the first system, is not possible.

[0018] Furthermore, at least one additional door is required within the device to access the filter, preferably in a rigid configuration.

[0019] Furthermore, up until now, the air outlet from the clean gas box mounted on the device has been arranged so that the air passage crosses the associated injection cabin in small passages to reach the circulating air installation on the opposite side of the injection cabin. These cross passages, of course, create additional obstruction contours inside the injection cabin, where overspray can get stuck. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0020] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2010 / 069407(A1) Pamphlet [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2014 / 139833(A1) Brochure [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2014 / 075984(A1) Brochure [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2013 / 013847(A1) Pamphlet [Patent Document 5] International Publication No. 2013 / 013846(A1) Pamphlet Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0021] The object of the present invention is to provide a filter device which has a relatively large filter area on a smaller installation space and which in particular combines the advantages of the two devices mentioned above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0022] This problem is solved according to the invention by a filter device having the features of claim 1.

[0023] The filter device is used to separate particles, in particular particles of coating materials, from a particle-containing raw gas stream, which may be, for example, overspray particles in the exhaust of an injection cabin for a vehicle body or vehicle component.

[0024] The filter device is: - a housing having an inlet section; - at least one filter module arranged inside the housing; a downwardly narrowing funnel disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the housing; and a mixing device for swirling a filter aid material, in particular particulate rock dust, into the raw gas stream, the mixing device being arranged below a funnel and fluidly connected to the funnel so that the entrained filter aid material can be fed substantially into the funnel; and In this case, the raw gas flow can be fed in the inlet direction through the inlet section of the housing to the filter device, with the inlet direction pointing essentially from the inlet section towards the funnel.

[0025] The present invention preferably comprises at least one filter module with 72 filter elements, which are stacked in three filter rows of 24 filter elements, thereby providing a 300m filter for separating particles. 2 The basic idea is to provide a filter device that provides a filter area of ​​approximately 324 m2, according to the filter element manufacturer. 2 , 331m 2 , 342m 2 or 345m 2 The filter area can be provided. The installation position of the filter row is preferably horizontal, and the clean gas device or clean gas box, in particular with an integrated door, is preferably arranged like a backpack on the rear of the filter device. This allows the installation of the filter elements or filter rows to be carried out on the clean gas side, so that the operator is no longer exposed to dust when replacing the filter elements or filter rows. Furthermore, by inflowing the clean gas at a high position, i.e., in particular in the region above the funnel, more space is provided below the inlet section for the maintenance door. Furthermore, preferably, the clean gas flows out of the clean gas device in an at least approximately vertical direction downward or upward and is guided into the collecting channel by a channel below or above the filter device.

[0026] The advantages resulting therefrom are that the filter element can be replaced more easily and on the clean gas side, and that the air guidance through the maintenance door below the inlet area remains unchanged with respect to the previously standard arrangement inside the funnel.

[0027] On the other hand, a larger filter area per device can be provided compared to comparable conventional filter devices, which allows for the processing of more raw gas from the painting device. Therefore, it is sufficient to install the filter device according to the invention, for example, on one side below the spray cabin, so that additional installation space is available on the opposite side below the cabin.

[0028] The reduced number of filter devices per cabin of the painting line or painting facility further reduces the maintenance and cleaning effort and reduces the wear and tear of pipes, valves, etc.

[0029] The reduction in the number of filter devices required also reduces capital and operating costs since compressed air is not required to lift the rock dust.

[0030] The terms "below," "downward," and "downwardly" in this specification and the appended claims are relative to the direction of gravity.

[0031] The geometry, ie the structure and basic assembly, of the filter device according to the invention essentially corresponds to the geometry of a standard filter device, as explained at the beginning.

[0032] The filter device according to the invention therefore preferably comprises the following components or parts: a housing with at least one filter module, a funnel, a mixing device on the scale and a clean gas device, all of which are preferably arranged on or in a base frame.

[0033] The housing has an inlet section, which can have or be formed as a nozzle glass, through which raw gas flows into the filter device, i.e., at a higher level, rather than in the region of the funnel located below the housing.

[0034] A mixing device is arranged below the funnel and / or in the region below the funnel, which preferably rests on the scale, decoupled via one or more compensating devices, in particular having an elastomer or formed of an elastomer, which decouple the scale from the frame of the filter device, i.e., vibrations due to the drive of the filter device are prevented from being introduced into the scale, or at least reduced.

[0035] The scale is in particular a two-part scale, so that a skid, which may have a paddle arrangement, rides in a divided or distributed manner on the load cells of the scale.

[0036] The region of the mixer, in particular the region inside the funnel above the mixer, forms a reservoir for filter aid material, such as rock dust, from which the filter aid material is mobilized by the raw gas flow in the direction of the filter element.

[0037] Compared to a standard filter device, the filter device according to the invention is approximately 625 mm higher due to the additional third filter row, and the preferred 24 filter elements per filter row make the device approximately 245 mm wider. This significantly increases the filter area, but does not significantly increase the external or design dimensions of the filter device. Therefore, there are no problems with accommodating the filter device according to the invention on one side below the injection cabin, etc.

[0038] Furthermore, the filter device according to the invention can have a clean gas device, which is arranged in the housing externally relative to the inlet section and is fluidly connected to the filter module.

[0039] The inlet section may have or be formed as an aperture device, which may be used to adjust the volume and / or velocity of the raw gas stream fed into the filter device.

[0040] The aperture device may be a nozzle glass, in particular a nozzle glass having two openings and a central aperture.

[0041] Adjustable in this context means, in particular, that the volume and / or velocity of the raw gas flow can be influenced by changing or replacing the aperture device or the nozzle glass.

[0042] Furthermore, the filter module can have at least two, preferably three, superposed filter rows, which are oriented in particular horizontally and parallel to one another.

[0043] It is particularly advantageous if each filter train has at least 20 filter elements, preferably 24 filter elements.

[0044] Increasing the number of filter elements increases the filter area, but only slightly increases the outer dimensions of the filter device.

[0045] In another aspect of the invention, the filter elements together measure at least 300 m 2 , preferably 324m 2 and 345m 2 A filter area between the

[0046] It may be advantageous if the clean gas device directs the clean gas flow downwards or upwards from the filter device.

[0047] The clean gas flow discharged from the filter device can then be introduced into a collecting passage, to which the clean gas flow of another filter device of another device or cabin can also be supplied, in which case the collecting passage is arranged below or above the filter device in the area of ​​the painting device or spray cabin.

[0048] At least one dust sensor can optionally be arranged within the collection passage to monitor one or more clean gas streams, in particular to detect rock dust leaks.

[0049] In other words, it may be advantageous to provide at least one dust sensor downstream of the clean gas unit for monitoring the clean gas flow.

[0050] Optionally, a pocket filter may be provided in the transition area between the clean gas system or clean gas box and the collection passageway.

[0051] Furthermore, a mixing device can be mounted on the scale to monitor the amount of filter aid material.

[0052] Preferably, the mixing device has at least two skids or the like, each of which rests on a load cell or is stationary.

[0053] Monitoring the amount of filter aid material is used not only to add more filter aid material at the right time, but also for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the amount of filter aid material fed into the funnel so that the raw gas flow can sufficiently engage the filter aid material. Similarly, monitoring is used to determine process quality and provides an estimate of when the filter aid material is saturated and must be replaced.

[0054] In another embodiment of the invention, the mixer may comprise a paddle mixer having at least five, preferably seven, double paddles arranged along an axis.

[0055] The shaft is in particular hexagonal in the arrangement section of the double paddle, so that the double paddle is better fixed and cannot slip or tilt relative to it compared to a shaft with a round cross section.

[0056] Conventional paddle mixers essentially have a shaft on which individual propeller-like paddles are arranged displaced along the shaft.

[0057] In contrast, the paddle mixer according to the present invention has a double paddle with individual paddles diametrically opposed.

[0058] It should be noted that the individual paddles may be formed as separate parts or may be considered halves of a double paddle.

[0059] Thus, the paddle mixer can have two outer, two or four inner, and one central double paddle, the outer double paddles corresponding to each other as well as the inner double paddles.

[0060] The arrangement of the double paddle is preferably mirror symmetrical with respect to the mirror axis, which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and intersects it approximately in the middle.

[0061] It is advantageous if the individual paddles of the double paddle are formed point-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0062] In another aspect of the invention, each individual paddle of the double paddle may have a blade surface, which in turn has one or more partial surfaces.

[0063] It is particularly advantageous if one or more partial surfaces of the blade surface of the double paddle are designed in such a way that they transport the filter aid material towards the centre of the paddle mixer in relation to the longitudinal direction of the shaft.

[0064] In particular, the individual paddles of the double paddle, which are different from the central double paddle, have a deflection surface and a feed surface facing the center of the paddle mixer, where the deflection surface is bent or angled relative to the feed surface.

[0065] The outer edge of the feed surface, i.e., the edge facing radially outward, is preferably parallel to the wall of the paddle mixer vessel within which the rotating shaft is located.

[0066] The feed surface and its orientation cause the filter aid material to swirl or be thrown into the funnel at an angle of approximately 90° to the incoming raw gas and / or to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This throwing action of the double paddles also aids in the engagement of the filter aid material and thus in the pre-coating of the surface of the filter element.

[0067] The action of the diverting surface transports the filter aid material to the center of the paddle mixer for replacement.

[0068] In order to be able to completely empty the tank of the paddle mixer via the central suction nozzle during the emptying and / or cleaning process, it is particularly advantageous to transfer the filter aid material from the outer regions of the mixer towards the center of the mixer. Without a special configuration of the blade surfaces, for example, the filter aid material would collect in the corners or outer regions of the mixer, making it very difficult or even impossible to completely empty the tank.

[0069] Advantageously, the paddle mixer comprises a motor, in particular an electric motor, which has an electrical power output of at least 0.5 kW, preferably 3 kW.

[0070] In another embodiment of the invention, the rotational speed of the paddle mixer can be controlled in an open loop and / or closed loop manner using a frequency converter.

[0071] The open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the amount of swirl of the filter auxiliary material per hour can be achieved via the rotation speed of the paddle mixer within a predetermined range. If the amount of swirl monitored by the scale drops by, for example, 1 kg within a predetermined period of time, for example within a period of 2 minutes, the amount can be increased stepwise, preferably with the aid of software, by at least 1 Hz, until the scale indicates a sufficient amount.

[0072] It may be effective if the paddle mixer spins at a frequency of 20 Hz to 60 Hz, preferably 30 Hz to 50 Hz, to agitate the filter aid material.

[0073] Furthermore, the clean gas device may comprise at least one filter unit.

[0074] The filter unit of the clean gas device is preferably a pocket filter, which functions as a so-called police filter in the event of a leak in at least one filter module arranged inside the housing, and is therefore provided to capture and protect the rock powder that escapes in the event of a leak, so that the rock powder does not escape from the filter device but is guided or introduced, for example, into a collection channel.

[0075] Alternatively or additionally, one or more dust sensors may be provided in the collection channel before the circulating air ventilator and / or before the exhaust air ventilator.

[0076] Dust sensors preferably simultaneously monitor the clean gas streams from multiple filter devices for rock dust leakage.

[0077] By using a dust sensor, leaks due to, for example, a broken or poorly installed filter are immediately detected, whereas with a pocket filter, leaks are only detected when enough rock dust has accumulated in the pocket filter, thereby reaching the limit of the prevailing differential pressure, followed by a warning, which is preferably issued.

[0078] Therefore, the operating costs for the air management are reduced when a dust sensor is used instead of a pocket filter: a pressure difference across the pocket filter no longer needs to be established.

[0079] It is particularly advantageous if the filter train is replaceable via the side of the housing on which the clean gas device is located.

[0080] In this case, the entire filter row can be removed together with the associated filter elements, or the filter elements can be removed individually.

[0081] It is also conceivable that the entire filter module may be removable and replaceable.

[0082] By replacing the filter element via the clean side of the filter device, the responsible personnel are prevented from being contaminated by dust from the inner space of the filter device.

[0083] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a treatment plant for treating workpieces, in particular a painting plant for painting vehicle bodies, which has at least one filter device as described above.

[0084] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a method for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a raw gas stream containing the particles.

[0085] In that case the method comprises the following steps: - allowing the raw gas stream to flow into the filter device via the inlet section of the housing; - Suspending the filter aid material using a mixer, preferably a paddle mixer; -Engagement of the suspended filter auxiliary material with the raw gas flow; - coating the filter modules arranged inside the housing of the filter device with interlocked filter auxiliary material; - filtering the raw gas stream in a filter module; and - Allowing the clean gas stream to exit the filter device.

[0086] The filter module preferably comprises at least two stacked filter rows.

[0087] For example, each filter train may have a plurality of filter elements, such as at least 20 filter elements, preferably 24 filter elements.

[0088] Furthermore, the method may have the following steps: - Open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the rotation speed of the mixer in order to adapt the amount of suspended filter auxiliary material.

[0089] In another aspect of the invention, the method may comprise the following steps: The amount of suspended filter aid material is monitored by means of a scale on which the mixing device is supported.

[0090] The method preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in relation to the filter device. Preferably, the filter device also has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in relation to the method.

[0091] Further features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawing representation of an embodiment.

[0092] In the diagram: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0093] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a filter device according to the invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is another schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic representation of gas flow into the embodiment shown in FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a prior art paddle mixer. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view diagrammatically illustrating the paddle mixer shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a top view diagrammatically illustrating an embodiment of a paddle mixer according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view diagrammatically illustrating the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a shaft having double paddles according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a top view diagrammatically showing the double paddle shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0094] Identical or functionally equivalent elements have the same reference numbers in all figures.

[0095] The filter device 100, generally designated 100 and shown in Figures 1 to 3, is used to separate particles, particularly overspray particles of coating materials such as paint, from a raw gas stream containing the particles.

[0096] The filter device 100 comprises a housing 102, a funnel 104, a mixer 106, for example formed as a paddle mixer, and a clean gas device 106.

[0097] The housing 102 , funnel 104 , paddle mixer 106 and clean gas unit 106 are disposed within or on a frame 110 .

[0098] A funnel 104 is positioned below the housing 102 and a paddle mixer 106 is positioned below the funnel 104 .

[0099] The clean gas unit 106 is located to the side of the housing 102 .

[0100] A housing 102 encloses three stacked filter banks 112 of a filter module 113, which are fluidly connected to a clean gas system 106 as seen in FIG.

[0101] The housing 102 has an inlet section 114 which can be covered by a cover 116 when the filter device 100 is in its rest state.

[0102] Via the inlet section 114 a raw gas stream containing particles is introduced or fed from a treatment area or chamber, such as for example a painting cabin for a vehicle body.

[0103] The inlet section 114 has or is formed as an aperture device 118 that can be used to adjust the volume and / or velocity of the raw gas stream fed into the filter device 100 .

[0104] The aperture device 118 preferably comprises or is formed as a nozzle glass.

[0105] The funnel 104 preferably tapers downward in the direction of gravity and has a maintenance door 120 below the housing section 114 of the housing 102 that closes a maintenance opening 122 in the funnel 104 .

[0106] A service opening 122 provides access to the interior space of the funnel 104 .

[0107] The maintenance door 120 is preferably fixed at four positions at or within the maintenance opening 122 of the funnel 104, so that the funnel can be closed securely, i.e., in particular against dust.

[0108] A drawer-like storage device 124 is arranged on the side of the funnel 104 below the maintenance door 120, the storage device overhanging the funnel 104 and its bottom forming an angle with the attached side of the funnel 104 within the range of 60° to 120°, preferably approximately 90°.

[0109] The maintenance door 120 can be stored in the drawer-like storage device 124, for example for maintenance purposes, so that filter aid material adhering to the inside of the maintenance door 120 contaminates as little as possible the surroundings of the filter device 100. Likewise, filter aid material that falls out when the maintenance door 120 is opened can be captured in the drawer-like storage device 124.

[0110] The frame 110 also includes a frequency converter 126 that can be used to provide open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the rotational speed of the paddle mixer 106 .

[0111] The frequency converter 126 may alternatively be located in a separate control cabinet or directly on the motor of the paddle mixer 106 .

[0112] The paddle mixer 106 is supported on a scale 128 equipped with two load cells 130. The scale 128 makes it possible to monitor the amount of filter aid material contained in the paddle mixer 106 or fed therefrom into the funnel 104, i.e., introduced in particular in a vortex manner.

[0113] The load cells 130 are preferably each supported on one or more compensation devices, in particular vibration compensation devices, which have or are made of, for example, an elastomer, in order to isolate the load cells 130 from vibrations introduced into the frame 110.

[0114] The paddle mixer 106 further preferably has a centrally located suction nozzle 132 through which filter aid material contained within the paddle mixer 106 can be sucked out or removed.

[0115] Similarly, the funnel 104 preferably has a suction and / or feed nozzle 134 through which filter aid material can be fed directly into the funnel 104 or sucked out of it.

[0116] The clean gas device 106 has an integrated door 136, which may in particular be formed as a double door, through which the filter train 112 can be removed from or replaced on the clean gas side of the filter device 100.

[0117] In the diagrammatic cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the direction of the gas flow GS through the filter device 100 is shown in particular, in the course of which the raw gas introduced into the clean gas is filtered so that it can be removed from the filter device 100 as clean gas and fed back into the circulation air of the treatment plant or its area.

[0118] Raw gas introduced or fed into the filter device 100 initially follows substantially an inflow direction 138, which is preferably directed from the inlet section 114 towards the funnel 104, the interior region of which forms a feed region 140 into which the paddle mixer 106 feeds or swirls in the filter aid material.

[0119] The clean gas discharged downward from the clean gas device 108 is guided after the filter device 100, for example, into a collecting channel 142, from which the circulating air can be supplied again to the individual processing areas, in particular all areas, of the processing installation.

[0120] Within the filter device 100, the introduced raw gas absorbs the filter aid material within the feed region 140 of the funnel 104, which binds particles contained within the raw gas.

[0121] The gas containing the filter aid material is then guided through the filter elements, whereupon the filter aid material deposits on the surface of the filter elements of the filter train 112 or of the filter module 113 together with the bound particles, forming a so-called filter cake.

[0122] Each filter row 112 preferably has 24 filter elements (not shown), thereby allowing the filter apparatus 100 to have a total filter capacity of 324 m, for example, when three filter rows 112 are arranged one on top of the other. 2 Or 342m 2 , which is dependent on the filter element, which may come from different manufacturers and may therefore vary.

[0123] Through the filter array 112, the gas flow GS, i.e., here specifically separated or filtered gas flow, passes into the clean gas device 108, which may have at least one pocket filter to prevent contamination in the event of a leak (not shown).

[0124] The clean gas device 108 ensures that even if a malfunction in the filter module 113 causes filter aid material to escape, the gas flow GS, which has been almost completely freed of particles by the pocket filters, leaves the filter device 100 as clean gas.

[0125] FIG. 5 illustrates a particle-laden gas flow GS from the gas supply section 144 of a processing region or chamber to the filter element of the filter device 100 in a cross-sectional view of the housing 102, funnel 104, and gas supply section 144, where the dots in FIG. 5 represent particles in the gas flow GS, and an increase in dot density corresponds to an increase in particle concentration.

[0126] Next, in connection with Figures 6 to 11, the paddle mixer 106 of the present invention will be described in detail and its differences from prior art paddle mixers will be shown.

[0127] 6 and 7 show a prior art paddle mixer 200, which includes: a tank 202 with a centrally located suction nozzle 204 a shaft 206 with a paddle 208 disposed inside the vessel 202; and a motor 210, preferably an electric motor, arranged outside the vessel 202, for rotating the shaft 206;

[0128] The motor 210 typically has an output of 0.5 kW.

[0129] The face plane of each paddle 208 is twisted 30 to 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the longitudinal axis of shaft 206 to allow for the transfer of filter aid material to the center of paddle mixer 200 .

[0130] Each paddle 208 is circumferentially displaced from its adjacent paddle 208 (spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of shaft 206) by 75° to 165°, preferably 120°.

[0131] The arrangement of the paddles 208 along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 206 is preferably mirror symmetrical about a mirror axis 212 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 206 , the mirror axis passing through the center of the shaft 206 .

[0132] In contrast, the paddle device 10 of the present invention, as shown in Figures 8 to 11, has a shaft 214 with a hexagonal profile, on which double paddles 216 are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis.

[0133] The motor 210 of the paddle device 106 also preferably has an output of 3 kW.

[0134] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the paddle device 106 has seven double paddles 216 arranged mirror-symmetrically about the mirror axis 212 .

[0135] Each double paddle 216 is circumferentially offset by 50° to 100°, preferably 60° to 90°, relative to its adjacent paddle 216 (spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of shaft 214).

[0136] The double paddle 216 has two individual paddles that are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 214 and are formed point-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 214 .

[0137] The embodiment of the paddle mixer 106 shown in FIGS. 8-11 has two equal outer double paddles 218 , four equal inner double paddles 220 , and a center double paddle 222 .

[0138] Each double paddle 216 has two equal blade surfaces 224, each consisting of one or more partial surfaces, i.e., in particular, each individual paddle of one double paddle 216 has a single or divided blade surface 224.

[0139] Preferably, the outer and inner double paddles 218, 220 have a blade surface 224 with two partial surfaces, of which a deflection surface 226 facing the center or axis 206 of the paddle mixer 106 is bent and / or angled relative to the remaining feed surface 228, such that the surfaces 226, 228 form an angle W of 85° to 175°, preferably 135°, as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0140] The feed surface 228 is specifically used to feed the filter aid material into the funnel 104, while the redirection surface 226 is specifically used to transport the filter aid material to the center of the paddle mixer 106.

[0141] The outer edge of the feed surface 228 is preferably parallel to the wall of the vessel 202, thereby allowing the filter aid material to be uniformly distributed substantially through the longitudinal axis of the shaft 214 and swirl into the feed region 140, allowing the gas flow GS to engage more filter aid material toward the filter elements and / or reducing the formation of agglomerates of filter aid material and particles.

[0142] Each blade surface 224 of each double paddle 218 is preferably connected to the shaft 214 via two mutually parallel oriented web surfaces 230, which have one or more openings 232, preferably circular holes, to reduce weight and thus the mass moment of inertia, as can be seen in Figures 9 and 10.

[0143] The paddle mixer 106 according to the present invention therefore lifts the filter aid material and causes it to spiral into the feed region 140 of the funnel 104, further breaking down agglomerates of filter aid material and particles and allowing the filter aid material to be more easily transported into the paddle mixer 106, thereby improving the suction behavior during replacement of filter aid material, such as rock dust. The rotation speed of the paddle mixer 106 can then be controlled in an open loop and / or a closed loop via the frequency converter 126. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 100 Filter device 102 Housing 104 Funnel 106 Mixing equipment 108 Clean Gas Equipment 110 frames 112 Filter Columns 113 Filter Module 114 Entrance Section 116 Cover 118 Aperture device 120 Maintenance Door 122 Maintenance opening 124 Drawer-like storage device 126 Frequency Converter 128 scale 130 load cells 132 Suction nozzle of paddle mixer 134 Funnel suction and / or supply nozzle 136 Integrated Door 138 Inflow direction 140 Feed Area 142 Collection Passage 144 Gas Supply Section 200 Prior Art Paddle Mixer 202 tank 204 Suction nozzle 206 axes 208 Paddle 210 Motor 212 Mirror axis 214 Shaft with six-sided profile 216 Double Paddle 218 outer double paddle 220 Inner Double Paddle 222 Central double paddle 224 Blade Surface 226 Direction Change Surface 228 Feed Surface 230 Web page 232 Opening GS Gas Flow W angle

Claims

1. A filter device (100) for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, from a raw gas stream containing particles, said filter device (100) comprising: a housing (102) with an inlet section (114); - at least one filter module (113) arranged inside said housing (102); a downwardly tapering funnel (104) arranged below said housing (102) and in fluid connection with said housing (102); a mixer (106) for raising the filter aid material, in particular rock dust in particle form, said mixer being arranged below said funnel (104) and being fluidly connected to said funnel (104) so ​​that the raised filter aid material can be fed substantially into said funnel (104), The filter device (100) is configured such that the raw gas flow can be supplied through the inlet section (114) of the housing (102) in an inlet direction (138) of the filter device (100), and the inlet direction (138) is substantially directed from the inlet section (114) toward the funnel (104).

2. 2. The filter device (100) of claim 1, wherein the filter device (100) comprises a clean gas device (108), the clean gas device being arranged outside the housing relative to the inlet section (114) and fluidly connected to the filter module (113).

3. 3. The filter device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one filter module (113) has at least two, preferably three, stacked filter rows (112), the filter rows being oriented in particular horizontally and parallel to one another.

4. 4. The filter device (100) of claim 3, wherein each filter train (112) comprises at least 20 filter elements, preferably 24 filter elements.

5. The filter elements together have a length of at least 300 m ２ , preferably 324 m ２ and 345m ２ 5. The filter device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the filter area is formed between:

6. 6. The filter device (100) of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the clean gas device (108) directs the clean gas flow downward or upward from the filter device (100).

7. 7. The filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mixing device (106) is supported on a scale (128) for monitoring the amount of the filter aid material.

8. 8. The filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mixer (106) is a paddle mixer, the paddle mixer having at least five, preferably seven, double paddles (216), the double paddles (216) being arranged along an axis (214).

9. 9. The filter device (100) of claim 8, wherein each double paddle (216) comprises two individual paddles diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis.

10. 10. The filter device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the individual paddles are formed point-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft (214).

11. 11. A filter device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that each individual paddle of the double paddle (216) has a blade surface (224), said blade surface having one or more partial surfaces (226, 228).

12. 12. The filter device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the one or more partial surfaces (226, 228) of the blade surface (224) of the double paddle (216) are designed to transport the filter aid material to the center of the mixing device (106) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the axis (214).

13. 13. The filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the mixing device (106) has a motor (210), in particular an electric motor, the motor (210) having an electrical power output of at least 0.5 kW, preferably 3 kW.

14. 14. The filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the rotational speed of the mixer (106) can be controlled in an open loop and / or a closed loop by means of a frequency converter (126).

15. 15. The filter device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixer (106) churns the filter aid material at a rotational speed of 20 Hz to 60 Hz, preferably 30 Hz to 50 Hz.

16. 16. The filter device (100) of claim 6, wherein the clean gas device (108) has at least one filter unit and / or at least one dust sensor is provided downstream of the clean gas device (108) for monitoring the clean gas flow.

17. 17. The filter device (100) of claim 3, wherein the filter array (112) is replaceable via the side of the housing (102) on which the clean gas device (108) is arranged.

18. 18. A processing plant for processing workpieces, in particular a painting plant for painting vehicle bodies, comprising at least one filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method for separating particles, in particular particles of coating material, in particular for driving a filter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, said method comprising the following steps: - causing the raw gas stream to enter the filter device (100) through the inlet section (114) of the housing (102); - Suspending the filter aid material using a mixer (106), preferably a paddle mixer; - engaging the suspended filter aid material with the raw gas flow; - coating a filter module (113) arranged inside the housing (102) of the filter device (100) with the associated filter auxiliary material; - filtering said raw gas stream in said filter module (113); and - leaving the clean gas stream out of said filter device (100), The method has the following features.

20. The method further comprises: - open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the rotational speed of said mixer (106) in order to adapt the amount of suspended filter aid material, 20. The method of claim 19, comprising:

21. The method further comprises: - monitoring the amount of suspended filter aid material by means of a scale (128) supporting said mixing device (106); 21. The method of claim 19 or 20, comprising:

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