Sorting device and biomass material processing system equipped with same

Abstract

To provide a sorting device which can sort and remove foreign matters from granules with more compact configuration, and a biomass feedstock processing system comprising the sorting device.SOLUTION: A sorting device 1 comprises a sorting machine 3 for sorting and removing foreign matters, and the sorting machine 3 comprises: an external cylinder 8; an internal cylinder 9 erecting from a bottom surface 81 of the external cylinder 8; and an exhaust stack 10 drooping into the internal cylinder 9 from a top face 82 of the external cylinder 8. Air-flow including granules generated by air-flow generating means 2 is introduced into the sorting machine 3, becomes swirl flow and ascending while swirling in an annular space S1, and thereafter, flows into an internal space S2 of the internal cylinder 9, and in the internal space S1, foreign matters having a relatively high specific gravity drop from the swirl flow by centrifugal force, and in the internal space S2 of the internal cylinder 9, the granules are separated from the swirl flow and drop by centrifugal force, and are discharged to the exterior from a take-out port 8d provided in the bottom surface 81 of the sorting machine 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting device for sorting and removing foreign matter from powdery or granular material, and a biomass raw material processing system equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, biomass such as rice husks and wood chips have been used as fuel, fertilizer, and other purposes. During this process, the biomass is crushed or solidified in a designated processing device. However, if pebbles or other foreign objects are mixed in with the biomass, this can lead to breakdowns in the processing device. In many cases, biomass is transported in dump trucks and piled up at collection sites for storage. However, sand and gravel blown up by the tires during transportation can get mixed into the biomass, or pebbles stuck to the soles of workers' shoes can get mixed into the biomass at the collection site. Therefore, it has been difficult to completely prevent the mixing of foreign objects.

[0003] A device called a winnowing machine has long been known to remove such foreign matter. In recent years, an automated version of this device, a de-stoner, has become popular as a type of agricultural machinery. A de-stoner is configured to separate powder and foreign matter by placing the powder and foreign matter mixed in on an inclined perforated plate, swinging the plate back and forth while blowing air from below, causing the powder and foreign matter with a light specific gravity to rise and flow down the incline, while collecting the heavy foreign matter such as pebbles against the incline and collecting them at the top (see, for example, Cited Document 1).

[0004] Also, a method has been proposed for separating objects into heavy and light items using a cyclone-type air sorter. For example, in the air sorting system disclosed in Patent Document 2, heavy items are separated from objects using the air sorter, and light items are separated using a cyclone-type sorter installed downstream, and the airflow discharged from the cyclone-type sorter is discharged into the atmosphere after dust is removed using a bag filter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2002-254036 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2007-111639 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The above-mentioned stone removal device has a problem that the structure for reciprocating the perforated plate is complicated, the number of parts is large, and it is expensive. In addition, there is a concern that the eccentric cam and the bearing part for reciprocating the perforated plate may be damaged during operation.

[0007] Furthermore, the wind sorting system disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem in that it requires a large installation area because it has multiple sorters arranged in multiple stages, limiting the installation location.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a sorting device that can sort and remove foreign matter from powder or granular material with a more compact configuration, and a biomass raw material processing system equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The sorting device of the present invention comprises an airflow generating means for generating an airflow containing powder and granular material, and a sorting machine for sorting and removing foreign matter from the airflow, and the sorting machine comprises an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder standing up from the bottom surface of the outer cylinder, and an exhaust pipe hanging down from the top surface of the outer cylinder into the interior of the inner cylinder, an annular space being defined between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, an inlet being provided at the bottom of the side wall of the outer cylinder, the airflow generated by the airflow generating means flowing from the inlet into the outer cylinder in a tangential direction to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, becoming a swirling flow which rises while swirling through the annular space before flowing into the internal space of the inner cylinder, in which foreign matter with a relatively large specific gravity falls from the swirling flow due to centrifugal force, and in the internal space of the inner cylinder the powder and granular material is separated from the swirling flow by centrifugal force and falls, and is discharged to the outside from an outlet provided at the bottom surface of the sorting machine.

[0010] The biomass material processing system of the present invention comprises a biomass material processing device for processing biomass material, and a supply device for supplying the biomass material to the biomass material processing device, wherein the biomass material processing device comprises a hopper, and the supply device is the above-mentioned sorting device, wherein the sorter is located above the hopper, and the powder and granular material discharged from the sorter is supplied to the hopper, and the powder and granular material is biomass material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the sorting device of the present invention and the biomass raw material processing system equipped with the same, in the annular space of the sorter, foreign matter with a relatively large specific gravity falls from the swirling flow due to centrifugal force, and in the internal space of the inner cylinder, the powder and granular material is separated from the swirling flow by centrifugal force, falls, and is discharged to the outside through the outlet.Therefore, the removal of foreign matter and separation of air and powder and granular material can be performed by the sorting device, and the sorting device and biomass raw material processing system can be made smaller than multi-stage systems that perform these functions in separate devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a biomass material processing system equipped with the sorting device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] A photo of pebbles mixed into rice husks as foreign matter in a verification experiment. [Figure 5] A photograph of rice husks taken out from the outlet of the sorting device shown in Figure 1 during a verification experiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to Fig. 1, the sorting device 1 according to this embodiment is for removing foreign matter such as pebbles having a relatively high specific gravity from powder or granular material, and includes an airflow generating means 2, a sorter 3, and an exhaust pipe 4 connected to the sorter 3.

[0014] The airflow generating means 2 generates an airflow containing powder and granular materials and supplies it to the sorter 3, and includes a blower 5, an inlet pipe 6 connecting the blower 5 to the sorter 3, and an inlet 7 for injecting the powder and granular materials into the inlet pipe 6. Examples of powder and granular materials include, but are not limited to, biomass such as wood chips, rice husks, soybean pulp, and straw.

[0015] The blower 5 includes a casing 51 and a fan (not shown) housed in the casing 51, and generates an airflow by the rotation of the fan. The airflow generated by the blower 5 is sent to the sorter 3 via an inlet pipe 6. The inlet pipe 6 is provided with an ejector nozzle 63 in its middle, and a gate valve 61 for adjusting pressure loss within the inlet pipe 6 is provided near the downstream end of the inlet pipe 6.

[0016] In addition, a vent line 52 is connected to the blower 5, and a portion of the air blown out from the blower 5 is discharged to the outside through the vent line 52. An adjustment valve 53 is provided in the vent line 52, and by adjusting the adjustment valve 53, the amount of air discharged to the outside through the vent line 52 can be adjusted.

[0017] The feeder 7 stores and holds the powder and granular material, and supplies it to the inflow pipe 6. The above-mentioned ejector nozzle 63 has a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the air current flowing through the inflow pipe 6, and is arranged so that its tip is located below the lower opening of the feeder 7. The powder and granular material stored and held in the feeder 7 is sucked into the inflow pipe 6 by the air current ejected from the tip of the ejector nozzle 63, introduced into the inflow pipe 6, and transported by the air current to the sorter 3.

[0018] The sorting machine 3 comprises an outer cylinder 8, an inner cylinder 9 housed in the outer cylinder 8, and an exhaust cylinder 10 inserted into the inner cylinder 9, with an annular space S1 defined between the outer cylinder 8 and the inner cylinder 9. An inlet 8a to which the tip of the inlet pipe 6 is connected is provided in the lower part of the side wall of the outer cylinder 8, and as shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 8a opens in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 8 at the position where the inlet 8a is formed.

[0019] An assist air inlet 8b is provided in the lower part of the outer cylinder 8 at a position opposite the inlet 8a in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 8, and an outlet 8d is provided in the bottom surface 81 of the outer cylinder 8. The inlet 8b also opens in the tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 8 at the position where the inlet 8b is formed. An assist air inlet pipe 8c is connected to the assist air inlet 8b, and external air can be introduced into the outer cylinder 8 via the assist air inlet pipe 8c. In addition, an adjustment valve 8e is provided in the assist air inlet pipe 8c, and by adjusting the adjustment valve 8e, the amount of air introduced via the assist air inlet pipe 8c can be adjusted.

[0020] The outer cylinder 8 and inner cylinder 9 are integrally formed, with the inner cylinder 9 standing upright from the bottom surface 81 of the outer cylinder 8. The height of the inner cylinder 9 is smaller than that of the outer cylinder 8, and a predetermined gap is provided between the upper end of the inner cylinder 9 and the upper surface 82 of the outer cylinder 8. The inner cylinder 9 has no bottom, and the internal space S2 of the inner cylinder 9 communicates with the outside via the outlet 8d. The lower portion of the inner cylinder 9 forms an inverted cone section whose diameter gradually decreases downward, while the upper portion of the inner cylinder 9 forms a straight section with a uniform diameter.

[0021] The exhaust pipe 10 hangs down from the upper surface 82 of the outer pipe 8 and extends into the interior of the inner pipe 9, and has an exhaust port 10a at its lower end. The outer pipe 8, the inner pipe 9 and the exhaust pipe 10 are all arranged concentrically.

[0022] The exhaust pipe 4 is connected to an exhaust stack 10 and extends to the intake port of the blower 5. The air discharged from the blower 5 is exhausted through the exhaust pipe 4. Blower 5 is returned to .

[0023] In this configuration, powder and granular material introduced from the input device 7 into the inlet pipe 6 is transported to the sorter 3 by the airflow generated by the blower 5 and flowing through the inlet pipe 6. That is, the airflow containing the powder and granular material introduced from the inlet pipe 6 into the sorter 3 constitutes an air-transport fluid. As described above, the inlet 8a provided in the outer cylinder 8 opens tangentially to the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 8. Therefore, the air containing the powder and granular material (air-transport fluid) that flows into the outer cylinder 8 flows along the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 8, forming a swirling flow that rises while swirling in the annular space S1. At this time, foreign matter such as pebbles with a relatively high bulk density (specific gravity) collides with the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 8 due to a relatively strong centrifugal force, falls from the swirling flow, and accumulates at the bottom of the outer cylinder 8. This removes foreign matter with a relatively high specific gravity from the swirling flow.

[0024] The swirling flow from which foreign matter has been removed in the annular space S1 flows, carrying the powder and granular material, from the upper opening of the inner cylinder 9 into the internal space S2 of the inner cylinder 9. The powder and granular material collide with the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 9 due to a relatively weak centrifugal force and falls, separating the powder and granular material from the air. The powder and granular material separated in this way is discharged to the outside from the outlet 8d, while the air is returned to the suction port of the blower 5 via the exhaust stack 10 and the exhaust pipe 4.

[0025] It is generally known that the smaller the cyclone diameter, the smaller the capture limit particle size. That is, the strength of the centrifugal force of the swirling flow is proportional to the outer diameter of the spaces S1 and S2; the larger the outer diameter, the stronger the centrifugal force, and the smaller the outer diameter, the weaker the centrifugal force. When the centrifugal force is strong, objects with low specific gravity are transported with the air without being separated from the airflow. When the centrifugal force is weak, even objects with low specific gravity are separated from the airflow and fall. Using this principle, the sorting device 1 of this embodiment generates a relatively strong centrifugal force in the annular space S1 to separate foreign matter from the swirling flow, and separates powdery matter from the swirling flow in the inner space S2 of the inner cylinder 9, which has a smaller outer diameter than the annular space S1 and therefore experiences a relatively weak centrifugal force.

[0026] As described above, in the annular space S1, foreign matter such as pebbles with a high bulk density is deposited at the bottom of the outer cylinder 8 by centrifugal force, and at the same time, a small amount of powder and granular material also accumulates as a drift at the bottom of the outer cylinder 8. The powder and granular material deposited in this way functions as a cushion to prevent the foreign matter from bouncing back. The powder and granular material that has accumulated at the bottom of the outer cylinder 8, including the foreign matter, is removed at the end of work through a cleaning port (not shown) provided in the outer cylinder 8.

[0027] Furthermore, the air and the powder and granular material are separated in the internal space S2 of the inner cylinder 9, and the air is discharged from the sorter 3 through the exhaust pipe 10, but this air also contains fine dust. This dust-containing air is then returned to the blower 5 through the exhaust pipe 4 and circulates within the sorting device 1. Therefore, a dust collector for removing dust contained in the air discharged from the sorter 3 is not required, which also simplifies the configuration of the sorting device 1.

[0028] On the other hand, when air is circulated in the sorting device 1 in this manner, frictional heat of the impeller (not shown) of the blower 5 accumulates, which may cause the blower 5 to overheat. To solve this problem, in this embodiment, a portion of the air (approximately 10% of the amount of air blown by the blower 5) is released into the atmosphere from the vent line 52 connected to the blower 5, and an amount of external air corresponding to the air released in this manner (vent air) is allowed to flow into the sorter 3 from the above-mentioned assist air inlet 8b as assist air, thereby adjusting the amount of air circulating in the sorting device 1.

[0029] Similarly to the air transport fluid introduced through the inlet 8a, the external air introduced through the assist air inlet 8b flows along the inner circumferential surface of the external cylinder 8 and merges with the swirling flow of the air transport fluid rising while swirling in the annular space S1. At this time, some of the powder and granular material that has accumulated as a drift on the bottom of the external cylinder 8 is stirred up by the external air from the assist air inlet 8b and transported through the annular space S1 to the internal space S2 of the internal cylinder 9. This prevents excessive accumulation of powder and granular material on the bottom of the external cylinder 8.

[0030] Here, the ratio (H / D) of the inner diameter D to the height H of the outer cylinder 8 is preferably 2 to 3 (the height H of the outer cylinder 9 is 2 to 3 times the inner diameter D of the outer cylinder 9). By setting such a ratio, it is possible to ensure the swirl of the airflow and an appropriate residence time required to remove foreign matter from the swirling flow in the annular space S1. In addition, the airflow velocity flowing through the annular space S1 is preferably 0.5 to 1.0 m / s.

[0031] As described above, according to this embodiment, the removal of foreign matter from the mixed powder and the extraction of the powder can be performed by the sorting machine 3, and the entire device can be made smaller than the conventional multi-stage device, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since a dust collector is not required, the entire device can be made even smaller.

[0032] Next, we will explain a biomass material processing system that uses such a sorting device 1. The biomass material processing system 100 shown in Figure 3 includes a biomass material processing device A that performs predetermined processing on biomass material in the form of powder or granular material, and the above-mentioned sorting device 1, with the sorting device 1 functioning as a supply device for supplying biomass material such as rice husks to the biomass material processing device A. Examples of biomass material processing device A include, but are not limited to, a crushing device for crushing biomass material, and a biomass fuel rod manufacturing device that crushes and solidifies biomass material to manufacture biomass fuel rods.

[0033] The biomass material processing device A includes a hopper A1 for storing biomass material, a main body A2 for processing the biomass material, and a constant volume feeder A3 for feeding the biomass material supplied from the hopper A1 at regular intervals to the main body A2. The sorting machine 3 included in the sorting device 1 is installed above the hopper A1, and the biomass material discharged from the outlet 8d of the sorting machine 3 is directly fed into the hopper A1.

[0034] In this configuration, the powder containing foreign matter contained in the input device 7 is transported to the sorter 3 through the inlet pipe 6, where the foreign matter is removed before being supplied to the hopper A1, where it is subjected to predetermined processing (crushing and solidification) in the main body A2. This prevents damage to parts (not shown) such as the crushing rollers of the main body A2 by the foreign matter. [Example]

[0035] In order to verify the performance of the sorting device 1 according to the above embodiment, an experiment was conducted in which pebbles with diameters of 3 mm to 10 mm were mixed as foreign matter into rice husks as powdery material and the mixture was sorted using the sorting device 1. The inner diameter D of the outer tube 8 was 397 mm, the height H of the outer tube 8 was 796 mm, the outer diameter (outer diameter of the straight part of the inner tube 9) of the inner tube 9 was 155 mm, and the height of the inner tube 9 was 720 mm, and the wind speed from the blower 5 was 17.6 m / s. As a result, the rice husks removed from the outlet 8d of the sorter 3 did not contain pebbles, and the pebbles and rice husks could be separated. Figure 4 is a photograph of the pebbles used as foreign matter in the experiment, and Figure 5 is a photograph of the rice husks removed from the outlet 8d.

[0036] The above describes the sorting device and the biomass raw material processing system equipped with the same according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Sorting device 2. Airflow generating means 3. Sorting machine 4 exhaust pipe 5. Blower 6 Inflow pipe 7 Inserter 8 outer cylinder 8d outlet 9 Inner cylinder 10 Exhaust stack A Biomass Material Processing System A1 Hopper

Claims

1. an airflow generating means for generating an airflow containing powder or granular material; a sorting machine for sorting and removing foreign matter from the airflow, The sorting machine includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder standing upright from a bottom surface of the outer cylinder, and an exhaust cylinder hanging down from an upper surface of the outer cylinder into the inner cylinder, and an annular space is defined between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder; An inlet is provided at the lower part of the side wall of the outer cylinder, the airflow generated by the airflow generating means flows from the inlet into the outer cylinder in a tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, becomes a swirling flow, rises while swirling in the annular space, and then flows into the internal space of the inner cylinder; In the annular space, foreign matter having a relatively large specific gravity falls from the swirling flow due to centrifugal force, In the internal space of the inner cylinder, the powder or granular material is separated from the swirling flow by centrifugal force, falls, and is discharged to the outside through an outlet provided on the bottom surface of the sorting machine.

2. Further comprising an exhaust pipe connected to the exhaust stack, the airflow generating means includes a blower that generates an airflow, an inlet pipe that extends from the blower and is connected to the inlet, and a charger that charges powder or granular material into the inlet pipe; 2. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air discharged from the exhaust stack of the sorter is returned to the blower through the exhaust pipe.

3. A vent line is connected to the blower, and an assist air inlet pipe is connected to the outer cylinder, A portion of the air sent out from the blower is discharged to the outside through the vent line, 3. The sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein external air is introduced into the outer cylinder through the assist air inlet pipe.

4. 2. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the height of the outer cylinder is two to three times the inner diameter of the outer cylinder.

5. a biomass material processing device for processing biomass material; a supply device for supplying biomass material to the biomass material processing device, The biomass feedstock processing device includes a hopper, The supply device is a sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The sorting machine included in the sorting device is located above the hopper, and the powder or granular material discharged from the sorting machine is supplied to the hopper, A biomass raw material processing system, wherein the powdered or granular material is a biomass raw material.

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