Continuous powder processing equipment

Abstract

To properly send powder within a treatment vessel.SOLUTION: A continuous powder treatment device for mixing powder and producing granules from powder includes a cylindrical treatment vessel that extends in a lateral sending direction from an inlet toward an outlet, a supply tube connected to the inlet of the treatment vessel, a screw that is provided within the supply tube and sends out powder within the supply tube to the inlet of the treatment vessel, a rotary shaft that is disposed within the treatment vessel and extends in the sending direction, and a plurality of rotary vanes that are fixed to the rotary shaft within the treatment vessel and are arranged in the sending direction, wherein the rotary vanes rotate to give the force of moving in the sending direction to the powder and stir and crush the powder. The plurality of rotary vanes each have a knife edge at the front in the rotary direction. The plurality of rotary vanes include a plurality of normal vanes and at least one sending vane. The sending vane gives greater sending force than that of the normal vane to the powder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous powder processing apparatus for mixing powders or granulating granules from wet powders. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in the fields of medicine, chemicals, food, and the like, multiple powders have been mixed, the mixed powders have been moistened, and granules have been produced from the moistened powder. Powders are difficult to handle as they are, so by making them into granules, the handling properties can be improved. Continuous powder processing devices used for mixing powders and granulating moistened powders are known. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of continuous powder processing device.

[0003] The continuous powder processing device of Patent Document 1 (referred to as "continuous stirring processing device" in Patent Document 1) comprises a cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet at one axial end and an outlet at the other axial end, and an agitator inserted into the processing vessel. The agitator has a rotating shaft and a plurality of stirring blades provided on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft. Each stirring blade has a flat shape parallel to the rotation plane (i.e., a plane perpendicular to the rotating shaft), and a single-edged knife edge portion is provided at the front of the stirring blade in the rotation direction. As the stirring blade rotates around the rotating shaft, the material to be processed in the processing vessel is stirred and mixed, and the material to be processed is crushed and dispersed by the knife edge portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-7571 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the stirring blade of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the workpiece is sent from the inlet to the outlet of the treatment vessel by the inclination of the knife edge portion with respect to the rotation plane. From the viewpoint of ensuring the residence time of the workpiece in the treatment vessel, it is desirable that the conveying action of the workpiece by the blade rotating in the treatment vessel is small. On the other hand, if the conveying action of the workpiece by the rotating blade is small, there is also a problem that the workpiece is more likely to adhere to the wall of the treatment vessel in places where the mixing of the workpiece (e.g., binder and powder) has not progressed sufficiently compared to other places in the treatment vessel.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to propose a technology for appropriately feeding powder within a processing container in a continuous powder processing device that mixes powders or granulates granules from powder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A continuous powder processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention teeth , a cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet and extending in a lateral feed direction from the inlet to the outlet; a supply pipe connected to the inlet of the processing vessel; A supply pipe is disposed in the supply pipe. of a screw for delivering powder to the inlet of the treatment vessel; a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction; a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder, Each of the plurality of rotor blades is arranged at the front in the direction of rotation. The feeding force is applied to the powder. having a knife edge, The plurality of rotating blades includes a plurality of standard blades and at least one feed blade, the feed blade being configured to apply a greater feed force to the powder than each of the plurality of standard blades.

[0008] According to the continuous powder processing device having the above configuration, the feed blades are arranged in the areas where there are factors that cause the powder movement to be stagnated, thereby promoting the local movement of the powder, but the rate of the powder movement in the entire processing vessel is limited by the feed force of the standard blades. In this way, while ensuring the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel, it is possible to suppress localized powder retention and move the powder more uniformly. Therefore, in the continuous powder processing device, uneven granulation and mixing caused by uneven powder feeding is suppressed, and stable granulation and mixing can be performed.

[0009] Further, a continuous powder processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention teeth , a cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet and extending in a lateral feed direction from the inlet to the outlet; a supply pipe arranged continuously with the inlet of the processing vessel and extending in the feeding direction; A supply pipe is disposed in the supply pipe. of a screw for delivering powder to the inlet of the treatment vessel; a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction; a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder, Each of the plurality of rotor blades is arranged at the front in the direction of rotation. The feeding force is applied to the powder. having a knife edge, The plurality of rotating blades includes a plurality of standard blades and at least one return blade, and is configured to apply a return force to the powder to move it in a return direction opposite to the feed direction.

[0010] According to the continuous powder processing apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration, the rotating return blades are locally arranged to apply a return force to the powder, thereby extending the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel. As a result, even if the processing volume in the processing vessel is relatively small, the powder can be sent so that the powder remains in the processing vessel for an appropriate residence time, thereby suppressing insufficient granulation and insufficient mixing. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a technique can be proposed for appropriately feeding powder within a processing vessel in a continuous powder processing apparatus that mixes powders or granulates powders into granules. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a continuous powder processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of a blade part including a standard blade, and FIG. 5(B) is a view taken along the line VB in FIG. 5(A). [Figure 6] FIG. 6(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of a blade part including a feed blade, and FIG. 6(B) is a view taken along the line VIB of FIG. 6(A). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a continuous powder processing apparatus according to Modification 1 of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of a blade part including a return blade, and FIG. 8(B) is a view taken along the line VIIIB of FIG. 8(A). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] 1 and 2 show a continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This continuous powder processing apparatus 1 is used for mixing powders or granulating wet powders. For example, the average particle size of the mixed powder before wetting is 30 to 70 μm, and the average particle size of the granules is 80 to 250 μm.

[0014] [Outline of the configuration of the continuous powder processing apparatus 1] The continuous powder processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment comprises a cylindrical processing vessel 2 extending horizontally, a supply pipe 3 arranged continuous with the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, a rotating shaft 4 arranged inside the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3, a screw 5 attached to the rotating shaft 4 within the supply pipe 3, and a plurality of rotating blades 6 attached to the rotating shaft 4 within the processing vessel 2.

[0015] The processing vessel 2 is a cylindrical body with both ends open, and has an inlet 2a formed by an inner circumferential surface 2c of one open end and an outlet 2b formed by an inner circumferential surface 2c of the other open end. The horizontal direction from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b is called the "feed direction X", and the opposite direction to the feed direction X is called the "return direction Y". The feed direction X and the return direction Y are parallel to the extension direction of the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2. In the processing vessel 2 according to this embodiment, the central axis 20 extends substantially horizontally. However, the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2 may be slightly inclined downward from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b, or may be slightly inclined upward from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b. By inclining the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2 in this manner, the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2 can be adjusted.

[0016] In this embodiment, the inlet end of the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 protrudes radially inward, and the diameter of the inlet 2a is smaller than the diameter of the outlet 2b. That is, the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 is a cylindrical surface with a constant diameter D except for the inlet end. An end of the supply pipe 3 is fitted into the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2.

[0017] A cylindrical guide hole 3a extending parallel to the feed direction X is provided inside the supply pipe 3. The guide hole 3a communicates with the inside of the processing vessel 2. A first closing member 12 is joined to the end of the supply pipe 3 that communicates with the processing vessel 2. Compressed air is introduced from a compressor (not shown) into the space between the first closing member 12 and the inlet end face of the processing vessel 2 to prevent powder from flowing into the space through a gap between the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3. This compressed air flows out into the inside of the processing vessel 2 through the gap between the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3.

[0018] The supply pipe 3 is provided with an inlet 3b that opens upward. A hopper 35 is connected to this inlet 3b. Powders to be mixed or powders moistened with a treatment liquid are charged into the hopper 35.

[0019] In this embodiment, the processing vessel 2 is rotatably supported by a frame 11. The frame 11 includes a base 11a located on one side of the processing vessel 2, and a pair of vessel supports 11b and 11c protruding from the base 11a. The vessel supports 11b and 11c support the processing vessel 2 rotatably about a central axis 20 via bearings 21 and 22.

[0020] An electric motor 71 that rotates the processing vessel 2 is attached to the base 11a of the frame 11. Bevel gears 72, 73 are provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 71 and on the outer circumferential surface of the processing vessel 2, respectively, and these bevel gears 72, 73 mesh with each other.

[0021] A motor support part 16 is fixed to the base 11a of the frame 11, and a motor 75 for rotating the rotating shaft 4 is attached to the motor support part 16. Furthermore, a bearing 21 and a first closing member 12 covering the inside of the bearing 21 are fixed to the container support part 11b of the frame 11, and a bearing 22 and a second closing member 13 covering the inside of the bearing 22 are fixed to the container support part 11c. In this embodiment, the first closing member 12 is disk-shaped and is integrated with the supply pipe 3. The second closing member 13 is annular and penetrates the treatment container 2. In addition, a cover 15 for covering the space between the container support parts 11b and 11c of the frame 11 is attached to the container support parts 11b and 11c of the frame 11. A chute 14 for guiding granules discharged from the outlet 2b of the treatment container 2 is attached to the second closing member 13.

[0022] 3 and 4, the rotating shaft 4 extends in the axial direction of the processing vessel 2 (i.e., the feed direction X) inside the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 4 inside the supply pipe 3 and the processing vessel 2 is square. However, the shape of the rotating shaft 4 is not limited to this.

[0023] In this embodiment, the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 is located below the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2. That is, the rotating shaft 4 is eccentric with respect to the processing vessel 2. For example, the eccentricity amount e of the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 with respect to the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2 is 1 / 6 to 1 / 12 of the diameter D of the center and the outlet end of the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 is the same as the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2, and the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 4 is faster than the rotation speed of the processing vessel 2. The rotation speed of the rotating shaft 4 is set so that the peripheral speed at the tip of the rotating blade 6 described below is about 10 m / s, and the rotation speed of the processing vessel 2 is set so that the peripheral speed at the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 is about 1 m / s.

[0025] A screw 5 is provided around the rotating shaft 4 inside the supply pipe 3. The screw 5 includes a boss 51 into which the rotating shaft 4 is inserted, and a helical screw blade 52 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the boss 51. The length of the screw 5 is approximately the same as the length of the guide hole 3a.

[0026] Meanwhile, in the processing vessel 2, a plurality of rotating blades 6 are provided around the rotating shaft 4. A plurality of blade components 60 and a plurality of spacer rings 61 are inserted into the rotating shaft 4. The spacer rings 61 adjust the gaps between the blade components 60 aligned in the feed direction X. The rotating blades 6 and the blade components 60 including the same will be described in detail below.

[0027] [Configuration of the blade part 60] As shown in Figs. 5(A) and 5(B) and Figs. 6(A) and 6(B), the blade part 60 comprises a boss 65 through which the rotating shaft 4 is inserted, and a pair of rotating blades 6 extending radially from the periphery of the boss 65. The pair of rotating blades 6 are arranged diagonally (or point-symmetrically) via the boss 65. The boss 65 has a boss hole 6a through which the rotating shaft 4 is inserted. In this embodiment, the boss hole 6a has a square shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 4. As shown in Figs. 5(A) and 5(B), when the pair of rotating blades 6 are contained within the same plane, the boss 65 may be omitted.

[0028] Each rotary vane 6 is a substantially diamond-shaped plate. A knife edge 6b is formed at the front of the rotary vane 6 in the rotation direction R so as to be sharpened toward the front in the rotation direction R. The knife edge 6b is inclined toward the inlet 2a (away from the outlet 2b) toward the front in the rotation direction R. Therefore, when the rotary vane 6 rotates, the knife edge 6b applies a force to the powder toward the outlet 2b of the processing vessel 2.

[0029] Returning to Figs. 3 and 4, the blade components 60 are attached to the rotating shaft 4 so that the phases of adjacent blade components 60 are shifted by 90°. Spacer rings 61 are appropriately arranged between adjacent blade components 60. Each spacer ring 61 has a square through hole corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 4, and is inserted into the rotating shaft 4. A holding member 62 is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 4 to prevent the blade components 60 and the spacer ring 61 from falling off. The diameter L of the blade components 60 is set so that the shortest distance between each rotating blade 6 and the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 (clearance directly below the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2) is about several millimeters (for example, 1 to 5 mm).

[0030] The plurality of rotating blades 6 includes a plurality of standard blades 6A and at least one feed blade 6B. In this embodiment, a blade part 60A having the standard blade 6A and a blade part 60B having the feed blade 6B are attached to the rotating shaft 4.

[0031] Both the rotating standard blade 6A and the feed blade 6B provide the powder with a feeding force moving it in the feed direction X, and also have the function of stirring and crushing the powder. Each feed blade 6B is configured to provide the powder with a greater feeding force than each standard blade 6A.

[0032] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), the blade angle θA of each standard blade 6A is approximately 0°. The blade angle is defined as the inclination of the cross section of the blade with respect to the plane of rotation S (i.e., the plane perpendicular to the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4). In contrast, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the blade angle θB of at least the root portion of each feed blade 6B is larger than the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A. In the feed blade 6B, the front portion in the rotation direction R is located further back in the feed direction X than the rear portion in the rotation direction R (in other words, the forward position in the return direction Y).

[0033] The blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B is larger than the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A, so that a larger feed force can be applied to the powder. As the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B is larger, the feed force increases, while the amount of powder adhering to the feed blade 6B increases. More specifically, the force with which the feed blade 6B presses the powder against the treatment vessel 2 increases with an increase in the blade angle θB, reaching a maximum at 90°, while the feed force of the feed blade 6B increases with an increase in the blade angle θB, decreasing when the blade angle exceeds a certain angle (approximately 45°) and becoming zero at 90°. For these reasons, the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B is preferably 1° to 15°.

[0034] The blade angle of the feed blade 6B at the base (i.e., the connection part with the boss 65) and the blade angle of the tip (i.e., the part farthest from the boss 65 in the radial direction and the radial direction) may be substantially the same. The feed blade 6B may be a so-called "torsion blade" having different blade angles at the base and the tip. In this case, the feed blade 6B may be formed so that the blade angle at the base is blade angle θB, the blade angle becomes smaller toward the tip, and the blade angle at the tip is substantially 0° (or the same as the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A). By making the feed blade 6B a torsion blade in which the blade angle at the tip is smaller than that at the base, the force that moves the powder in the radial direction (radial direction) is increased at the base of the feed blade 6B. As a result, the powder is pushed out toward the tip side by the base of the feed blade 6B, and the powder is collected at the tip of the feed blade 6B, which has a high peripheral speed, thereby improving the granulation effect.

[0035] In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the first and second rotary vanes 6 from the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 are the feed vanes 6B, and the other rotary vanes 6 are the standard vanes 6A. In this case, the vane angle of the first vane 6B and the vane angle of the second vane 6B may be substantially the same. Alternatively, the vane angle of the first vane 6B may be larger than the vane angle of the second vane 6B. The feed vanes 6B are in two consecutive stages from the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, but a stage consisting of the standard vane 6A may be interposed between the two vanes 6B.

[0036] In the above, an example was shown in which the feed blade 6B was locally provided on the side of the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, but the feed blade 6B is not limited to the above example, and may be locally provided in a portion of the multiple rotating blades 6 arranged in the feed direction X where there is a factor that hinders the movement of the powder in the feed direction X. In addition, the feed blade 6B is not limited to being provided in two consecutive stages, and may be provided in two alternate stages with a stage of the standard blade 6A interposed therebetween, or in a single stage.

[0037] [Operation of continuous powder processing device 1] Here, the operation of the continuous powder processing device 1 configured as above when granulating the wet powder will be described. In the continuous powder processing device 1, the wet powder (for example, a mixture of a binder and a powder) stored in the hopper 35 is introduced into the supply pipe 3 through the inlet 3b. The wet powder in the supply pipe 3 is supplied quantitatively to the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 by the rotation of the screw 5. In the processing vessel 2, the rotary vane 6 rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 4, so that the wet powder is sent in the feed direction X and is mixed and crushed. The wet powder becomes granules while moving through the processing vessel 2 in the feed direction X and is discharged from the outlet 2b. Granules are produced in this way, and the produced granules are discharged from the outlet 2b of the processing vessel 2. Although the case where the continuous powder processing device 1 is used for granulation has been described, the continuous powder processing device 1 also operates in the same manner as described above when used for mixing powders.

[0038] [Modifications] Next, a modified example of the continuous powder processing device 1 according to the above embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the continuous powder processing device 1A according to Modification 1 of the present embodiment. In the description of this modification, the same or similar members as those in the continuous powder processing device 1 according to the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1A according to the first modification of the present embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the multiple rotary vanes 6 include at least one return vane 6C in addition to multiple standard vanes 6A and at least one feed vane 6B. In this modification, a vane part 60A having the standard vane 6A, a vane part 60B having the feed vane 6B, and a vane part 60C including the return vane 6C are attached to the rotary shaft 4.

[0040] The rotating return blade 6C applies a return force to the powder to move it in the return direction Y. Specifically, as shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B), the magnitude (absolute value) of the blade angle θC of at least the base portion of the return blade 6C is larger than the magnitude of the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A. Also, the inclination of the blade angle θC of at least the base portion of the return blade 6C is opposite to the inclination of the blade angle θB of at least the base portion of the feed blade 6B. That is, in the return blade 6C, the front portion in the rotation direction R is in a position further forward in the feed direction X than the rear portion in the rotation direction R (in other words, in a position further back in the return direction Y).

[0041] The return blade 6C may have a blade angle at the base (i.e., the connection part with the boss 65) that is approximately the same as that at the tip (i.e., the part farthest from the boss 65 in the radial direction). The return blade 6C may also be a so-called "torsion blade" having different blade angles at the base and tip. In this case, the return blade 6C may be formed so that the blade angle at the base is the blade angle θC, the blade angle becomes smaller toward the tip, and the blade angle at the tip is approximately 0° (or the same as the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A). By making the return blade 6C a torsion blade in which the blade angle at the tip is smaller than that at the base, the force that moves the powder in the radial direction (radial direction) is increased at the base of the return blade 6C. As a result, the powder is pushed out toward the tip side by the base of the return blade 6C, and the powder is collected at the tip of the return blade 6C, which has a high peripheral speed, thereby improving the granulation effect.

[0042] 7, among the multiple rotating blades 6 provided around the rotating shaft 4, the first and second rotating blades 6 from the inlet 2a side of the processing vessel 2 are feed blades 6B, the fourth and fifth rotating blades 6 from the outlet 2b side of the processing vessel 2 are return blades 6C, and the remaining rotating blades 6 are standard blades 6A. The magnitude (absolute value) of the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B is greater than the magnitude of the blade angle θC of the return blade 6C.

[0043] In this way, the sending blade 6B is locally arranged on the side of the inlet 2a of the treatment vessel 2, and the return blade 6C is locally arranged on the side of the outlet 2b of the treatment vessel 2. However, in order to quickly discharge the granules from the outlet 2b of the treatment vessel 2, it is preferable that the standard blade 6A is arranged in the stage closest to the outlet 2b among the multiple rotating blades 6, and it is preferable that the return blade 6C is arranged several stages away from the outlet 2b side among the multiple rotating blades 6. Also, although the return blade 6C is provided over multiple stages in the above, the return blade 6C may be provided in a single stage.

[0044] In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1A according to the first modified example of this embodiment, the multiple rotary vanes 6 include multiple standard vanes 6A, at least one feed vane 6B, and at least one return vane 6C, but the feed vane 6B may be omitted. In this case, the rotating return vane 6C is locally arranged to apply a return force to the powder, thereby providing an effect of extending the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2.

[0045] [Summary] As described above, the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a continuous powder processing apparatus 1 that mixes powders or granulates powders into granules, A cylindrical processing vessel 2 having an inlet 2a and an outlet 2b and extending in a horizontal feed direction X from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b; A supply pipe 3 connected to an inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2; a screw 5 disposed in the supply pipe 3 and feeding the powder in the supply pipe 3 to the inlet 2a of the treatment vessel 2; a rotating shaft 4 disposed in the treatment vessel 2 and extending in a feed direction X; The processing vessel 2 includes a plurality of rotating blades 6 arranged in a feed direction X and fixed to a rotating shaft 4, the plurality of rotating blades 6 rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move it in the feed direction X and to agitate and crush the powder. Each of the multiple rotating blades 6 has a knife edge 6b at the front in the rotation direction R, and the multiple rotating blades 6 include multiple standard blades 6A and at least one feed blade 6B, and the feed blade 6B is configured to apply a greater feed force to the powder than each of the multiple standard blades 6A.

[0046] According to the continuous powder processing device 1 having the above configuration, the movement of the powder is locally promoted by arranging the feed blade 6B at a place where there is a factor that causes the movement of the powder to be stagnated (not limited to one place), but the movement of the powder in the entire processing vessel 2 is controlled by the feed force of the standard blade 6A. Therefore, while ensuring the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2, it is possible to suppress localized retention of the powder and move the powder more uniformly. Therefore, in the continuous powder processing device 1, uneven granulation and mixing caused by uneven powder feeding is suppressed, and stable granulation and mixing are performed.

[0047] In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the feed blade 6B is disposed on the inlet 2a side of the processing vessel 2 among the multiple rotary blades 6.

[0048] At the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, the mixing of the powder is not sufficiently advanced, and therefore the powder is more likely to adhere to the wall of the processing vessel 2 than at other locations in the processing vessel 2. Therefore, by promoting the local movement of the powder by the feed blade 6B arranged near the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, the adhesion of the powder to the wall of the processing vessel 2 is suppressed.

[0049] In the vicinity of the inlet 2a of the treatment vessel 2, compressed air is supplied through the gap between the treatment vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3 to prevent the powder from entering the gap. Insufficiently mixed wet powder has an uneven water content, and the part with a high water content is likely to adhere, hindering the outflow of air from the gap. If the concentration of insufficiently mixed wet powder in the vicinity of the inlet 2a of the treatment vessel 2 becomes excessively high, it becomes difficult to seal the gap, making it difficult to increase the supply amount. In contrast, if the feed blade 6B arranged in the vicinity of the inlet 2a of the treatment vessel 2 locally promotes the movement of the powder, the amount of powder remaining in the vicinity of the inlet 2a of the treatment vessel 2 can be suppressed, and it becomes possible to maintain good sealing of the gap by the compressed air. This makes it possible to increase the supply amount of powder to the treatment vessel 2, and to increase the overall processing amount.

[0050] In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, each of the standard blades 6A has a first blade angle θA, and the feed blade 6B has a second blade angle θB larger than the first blade angle θA at least at the base.

[0051] In this way, by making the blade angle of the feed blade 6B larger than that of the standard blade 6A, the feed force that the feed blade 6B imparts to the powder is made larger than the feed force that the standard blade 6A imparts to the wet fluid.

[0052] In the above, the second blade angle θB is preferably 1° or more and 15° or less, which makes it possible to increase the feeding force applied to the powder within a range in which adhesion of the powder to the feeding blade 6B is suppressed.

[0053] In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1A according to the modified example of the above embodiment, the multiple rotary vanes 6 further include at least one return vane 6C that applies a return force to the powder to move it in a return direction Y opposite to the feed direction X.

[0054] The rotating return blades 6C are locally arranged to apply a return force to the powder, thereby extending the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2. As a result, even if the processing amount in the processing vessel 2 is relatively small, the powder can be kept in the processing vessel 2 for an appropriate residence time, thereby suppressing insufficient granulation and insufficient mixing.

[0055] Furthermore, in the continuous powder processing apparatus 1A according to the modified example of the above embodiment, the return blade 6C is disposed on the outlet 2b side of the processing vessel 2 among the multiple rotary blades 6. By disposing the return blade 6C in this manner, it is possible to effectively extend the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2 while suppressing the influence on the stirring and crushing by the standard blade 6A. Note that when the multiple rotary blades 6 include the return blade 6C, the feed blade 6B may be omitted.

[0056] In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1A according to the modified example of the above embodiment, the magnitude (absolute value) of the blade angle θC of the return blade 6C is smaller than the magnitude of the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B.

[0057] As a result, the feeding force applied to the powder by one feeding blade 6B is greater than the returning force applied to the powder by one returning blade 6C. In this way, by balancing the feeding force and the returning force, the powder in the processing vessel 2 can be moved more uniformly and in a manner that ensures a sufficient residence time.

[0058] In addition, in the continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A of this embodiment, the processing vessel 2 is configured to rotate around the central axis 20 (axial center) of the cylinder, the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 is the same as the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2, and the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 4 is faster than the rotation speed of the processing vessel 2.

[0059] Rotation of the processing vessel 2 in this manner promotes the flow of the powder, suppresses adhesion of the powder to the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2, and is expected to result in uniformization of the powder. The rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 and the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2 may be opposite, but in that case, the powder is likely to accumulate in the lower part of the processing vessel 2. In contrast, if the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 and the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2 are the same, it is possible to prevent the powder from accumulating in the lower part of the processing vessel 2.

[0060] In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A according to this embodiment, the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 is located below the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2.

[0061] According to this configuration, a space is secured above the rotating blades 6, so that the powder that has risen following the inner circumferential surface 2c of the treatment vessel 2 collides with the rotating blades 6 and is crushed when it separates from the inner circumferential surface 2c of the treatment vessel 2 above the rotating blades 6. Therefore, compared to the case where the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 and the central axis 20 of the treatment vessel 2 are aligned, the granulation effect and mixing effect can be improved.

[0062] Although the preferred embodiment (and modified examples) of the present invention have been described above, the present invention also includes modifications of the specific structure and / or details of the function of the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0063] For example, in the above-mentioned continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A, the processing vessel 2 rotates, but the rotation of the processing vessel 2 may be fixed. In addition, when the processing vessel 2 is fixed, the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3 may be configured separately, and the processing vessel 2 may be provided with an inlet 2a that opens upward.

[0064] Further, for example, in the above-mentioned continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A, the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 is eccentric with respect to the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2, but the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 may be arranged concentrically with the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1,1A: Continuous powder processing equipment 2: Processing container 2a: Entrance 2b:Exit 3: Supply pipe 4: Rotating shaft 5: Screw 6: Rotating blade 6A: Standard blade 6B: Feed feather 6C: Return blade 6b: Knife Edge 20: Central axis 40: Central axis X: Feed direction Y: Return direction

Claims

1. A cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet and extending in a horizontal feed direction from the inlet to the outlet; a supply pipe connected to the inlet of the processing vessel; a screw disposed within the supply pipe for delivering the powder within the supply pipe to the inlet of the processing vessel; a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction; a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder, Each of the plurality of rotary vanes has a knife edge at a front portion in a rotational direction for applying the feeding force to the powder, the plurality of rotor blades includes a plurality of standard blades and at least one feed blade, the feed blade being configured to impart a greater feed force to the powder than each of the plurality of standard blades. Continuous powder processing equipment.

2. The feed blade is disposed on the inlet side of the processing vessel among the plurality of rotating blades. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. Each of the plurality of standard blades has a first blade angle, and the feed blade has a second blade angle at least at a root portion that is larger than the first blade angle. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second blade angle is equal to or greater than 1° and equal to or less than 15°. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. The plurality of rotary vanes include at least one return vane that applies a return force to the powder to move the powder in a return direction opposite to the feed direction. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The return blade is disposed on the outlet side of the treatment vessel among the plurality of rotating blades. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 5 .

7. The blade angle of the return blade is smaller than the blade angle of the feed blade. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The processing vessel is configured to rotate around a central axis of a cylinder, The rotation direction of the rotating shaft is the same as the rotation direction of the processing vessel, and the rotation speed of the rotating shaft is faster than the rotation speed of the processing vessel. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The central axis of the rotating shaft is located below the central axis of the processing vessel. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 8 .

10. A cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet, the processing vessel extending in a lateral feed direction from the inlet to the outlet; a supply pipe connected to the inlet of the processing vessel; a screw disposed within the supply pipe for delivering the powder within the supply pipe to the inlet of the processing vessel; a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction; a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder, Each of the plurality of rotary vanes has a knife edge at a front portion in a rotational direction for applying the feeding force to the powder, the plurality of rotating vanes includes a plurality of standard vanes and at least one return vane, and is configured to apply a return force to the powder to move it in a return direction opposite to the feed direction; Continuous powder processing equipment.

11. The return blade is disposed on the outlet side of the treatment vessel among the plurality of rotating blades. The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 10 .

Images