Powder and granular material processing device and powder and granular material processing method

Abstract

To provide a granule processing device capable of suppressing worsening of an environment caused by exhaust from a gas line other than a drying line, a granule processing method, and a gas processing device.SOLUTION: Granules stored in a drying hopper 11 are dried by feeding a heated and dehumidified drying gas to the drying hopper 11. A drying zone and a regeneration zone are set in an adsorption unit 18 dehumidifying the drying gas. In the drying zone, an adsorbent in an adsorption cylinder 24 adsorbs moisture contained in the drying gas to dehumidify the drying gas. In the regeneration zone, a regenerated gas removes moisture from the adsorbent to regenerate the adsorbent. The regenerated gas having removed moisture from the adsorbent is subjected to deodorizing treatment by a deodorizer 91 and is subsequently discharged to ambient air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing powder or granular material such as a resin material, and a gas processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the manufacturing process of plastic products, a pre-drying process is carried out to remove moisture from the plastic material before the plastic material is fed into a molding machine.

[0003] Plastic materials often contain various additives such as UV inhibitors and flame retardants. Some additives contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and when additives containing VOCs are mixed into plastic materials, the VOCs volatilize from the plastic materials during the pre-drying process. Volatile components such as VOCs not only give off an odor, but can also precipitate and adhere to the pipes through which they pass, contaminating the inside of the pipes.

[0004] For this reason, a configuration has been proposed in which a deodorizing device is installed in the drying line through which air that has removed moisture from plastic materials flows, and the deodorizing device removes odorous components such as VOCs contained in the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6068969 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in devices that have gas lines other than the drying line through which gas flows, exhaust gas from the gas lines other than the drying line is often released directly into the outside air, raising concerns about a deterioration in the environment of factories where such devices are installed.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a powder / granular material processing apparatus that can prevent contamination of a drying line and suppress environmental deterioration caused by exhaust from gas lines other than the drying line. and powder and granular material processing method The purpose is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the present invention provides a powder and granular material processing apparatus that includes a drying line through which a dry gas flows, a regeneration line through which a regeneration gas flows, a storage section provided in the drying line for storing powder and granular material, a heating section for heating the dry gas flowing along the drying line toward the storage section, a drying section through which the dry gas flowing along the drying line toward the storage section passes, and a regeneration section through which the regeneration gas flowing along the regeneration line passes, and an adsorption section in which moisture contained in the dry gas passing through the drying section is adsorbed onto an adsorbent, and the adsorbent is regenerated in the regeneration section by the regeneration gas removing moisture from the adsorbent, and a gas processing section connected to the downstream end of the regeneration line for decomposing and processing the regeneration gas from the regeneration line and then discharging it.

[0009] According to this configuration, the heated and dehumidified dry gas is supplied to the storage unit, thereby drying the powder and granular material stored in the storage unit. The adsorption unit has a drying region and a regeneration region. In the drying region, moisture contained in the dry gas is adsorbed by the adsorbent, thereby dehumidifying the dry gas. In the regeneration region, moisture is removed from the adsorbent by the regeneration gas, thereby regenerating the adsorbent. During this process, odorous components are also adsorbed and desorbed by the adsorbent, and at least a portion of them migrate from the drying line to the regeneration line. The regeneration gas that has removed moisture and odorous components from the adsorbent is decomposed and then exhausted. This effectively removes organic components from the drying line and prevents environmental degradation caused by exhaust from the regeneration line through which the regeneration gas flows.

[0010] The adsorption section may use, as the adsorbent, a moisture adsorbent that adsorbs moisture contained in the dry gas and an adsorbent for other components that adsorb components other than moisture contained in the dry gas in combination.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a powder or granular material processing apparatus includes a drying line through which a dry gas flows, a regeneration line through which a regeneration gas flows, a storage section provided in the drying line for storing powder or granular material, a heating section for heating the dry gas flowing along the drying line toward the storage section, and a cylindrical adsorption tube having a drying region through which the dry gas flowing along the drying line toward the storage section and a regeneration region through which the regeneration gas flowing along the regeneration line passes, the adsorption tube being provided with hydrophilic adsorbents and hydrophobic adsorbents arranged along the center line thereof, the drying region adsorbing moisture contained in the dry gas onto the hydrophilic adsorbent and the organic components contained in the dry gas onto the hydrophobic adsorbent, the adsorption section in the regeneration region regenerating the hydrophilic adsorbent by the regeneration gas removing moisture from the hydrophilic adsorbent and the organic components by the regeneration gas removing the hydrophobic adsorbent, and a gas treatment section connected to the regeneration line for decomposing and treating the regeneration gas from the regeneration line and then discharging it.

[0012] According to this configuration, the heated and dehumidified dry gas is supplied to the storage unit, thereby drying the powder and granular material stored in the storage unit. The adsorption unit has a drying region and a regeneration region. In the drying region, moisture contained in the dry gas is adsorbed onto a hydrophilic adsorbent, thereby dehumidifying the dry gas. In the regeneration region, moisture is removed from the hydrophilic adsorbent by the regeneration gas, thereby regenerating the hydrophilic adsorbent. Furthermore, organic components contained in the dry gas are adsorbed onto a hydrophobic adsorbent in the drying region. In the regeneration region, the organic components are removed from the hydrophobic adsorbent by the regeneration gas, thereby regenerating the hydrophobic adsorbent. The regeneration gas that has removed the organic components (odor components) from the hydrophobic adsorbent is decomposed and then exhausted. This effectively removes organic components from the drying line and prevents environmental degradation caused by exhaust from the regeneration line through which the regeneration gas flows.

[0013] The hydrophobic adsorbent and the hydrophilic adsorbent may be honeycomb structures made of zeolite.

[0014] The decomposition treatment may be a catalytic decomposition treatment using a low-temperature catalyst (low-temperature deodorizing catalyst).

[0015] This allows the processing temperature to be kept low at 200 to 400° C., thereby saving energy.

[0016] The powder and granular material processing device may further include a regeneration heater that is provided upstream of the dehumidification section in the regeneration line and heats the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line, in which case the regeneration heater may be used as a catalyst heater that heats the regeneration gas flowing into the low-temperature catalyst.

[0017] The powder and granular material processing apparatus may further include an exhaust / regeneration heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the exhaust gas from the gas processing apparatus and the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line, thereby lowering the temperature of the exhaust gas from the gas processing apparatus and raising the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line.

[0018] In this configuration, the temperature of the high-temperature exhaust gas from the gas treatment section is reduced, thereby minimizing the danger to nearby workers caused by the exhaust heat, while the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line is increased, thereby reducing the energy required to heat the regeneration gas.

[0019] The powder / granular material processing apparatus may further include a drying / regeneration heat exchanger that lowers the temperature of the dry gas flowing through the drying line and raises the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line by heat exchange between the dry gas flowing through the drying line from the storage section toward the dehumidification section and the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line.

[0020] In this configuration, the temperature of the dry gas flowing from the storage section to the dehumidification section is lowered, allowing the moisture contained in the dry gas to be effectively adsorbed by the adsorbent in the dehumidification section. As a result, the dew point of the dry gas can be effectively reduced. Meanwhile, the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line is increased, reducing the energy required to heat the regeneration gas.

[0021] The powder / granular material processing apparatus may be configured to include both an exhaust / regenerative heat exchanger and a drying / regenerative heat exchanger.

[0022] The temperature of the exhaust gas from the gas treatment section is preferably 110° C. or less.

[0023] If the temperature of the exhaust gas is 110° C. or less, the deterioration of the environment due to the exhaust gas can be effectively suppressed.

[0024] The gas processing unit may be connected to a single regeneration line, or in a configuration in which multiple sets of drying lines, regeneration lines, storage units, heating units, and dehumidification units are provided, the gas processing unit may be connected in common to the multiple regeneration lines.

[0025] A powder or granular material processing method according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for processing powder or granular material in an apparatus including a drying line through which a dry gas flows, a regeneration line through which a regeneration gas flows, and a storage section provided in the drying line for storing powder or granular material, and includes a heating step of heating the dry gas flowing through the drying line toward the storage section, a dehumidification step of dehumidifying the dry gas by adsorbing moisture contained in the dry gas flowing through the drying line toward the storage section into an adsorbent, a regeneration step of regenerating the adsorbent by passing the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line through the adsorbent, and a gas processing step of decomposing the regeneration gas after passing through the adsorbent and then venting it.

[0026] According to this method, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those achieved by the powder / granular material processing apparatus according to the above-described aspect.

[0027] A gas treatment device according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes a gas line through which gas flows, a gas treatment unit connected to the downstream end of the gas line and discharging the gas from the gas line after decomposing it, and a heat exchange unit that exchanges heat between the exhaust from the gas treatment unit and the gas flowing in the gas line, thereby lowering the temperature of the exhaust from the gas treatment unit and raising the temperature of the gas flowing in the gas line.

[0028] According to this configuration, the gas flowing through the gas line is exhausted after being decomposed. Furthermore, the temperature of the exhaust from the gas treatment unit is lowered by heat exchange between the exhaust from the gas treatment unit and the gas flowing through the gas line. Therefore, the exhaust from the gas line can be made harmless, and environmental degradation caused by the exhaust can be suppressed.

[0029] In addition, the temperature of the gas flowing through the gas line increases due to heat exchange between the exhaust gas from the gas processing unit and the gas flowing through the gas line, so when it is necessary to heat the gas flowing through the gas line, the energy required for heating can be reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress environmental deterioration caused by exhaust gas from gas lines other than the drying line, such as a regeneration line through which regeneration gas flows. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder / granular material processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in which a deodorizing device is connected to a plurality of dehumidifying dryers. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder or granular material processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an adsorption unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] <Powder and granular material processing equipment> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is included in a plastic product manufacturing facility and processes powder and granular material such as plastic pellets, which are raw materials for plastic products. Specifically, the powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that dries powder and granular material and transports the dried powder and granular material to a molding machine.

[0035] <Dehumidifying dryer> The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 includes a drying hopper 11 and a loader hopper 12 disposed above the drying hopper 11. Powder and granular material, which is the raw material for plastic products, is supplied from the loader hopper 12 to the drying hopper 11, dried while contained (stored) in the drying hopper 11, and then transported from the drying hopper 11 to a molding machine.

[0036] Drying gas for drying the powder or granular material is supplied into the drying hopper 11 from a drying line 13. One end of the drying line 13 is disposed inside the drying hopper 11. The other end of the drying line 13 is connected to an air discharge pipe 14 provided so as to penetrate the upper wall of the drying hopper 11, and communicates with the inside of the drying hopper 11 via the air discharge pipe 14. Outside the drying hopper 11, the drying line 13 passes through a drying filter 15, an aftercooler 16, a drying blower 17, an adsorption section 18, and a drying heater 19, in that order, from the other end side of the drying line 13, i.e., the air discharge pipe 14 side.

[0037] One end of a discharge pipe 21 is connected to the suction port of the drying blower 17. The other end of the discharge pipe 21 is connected to the air discharge pipe 14. A drying filter 15 is installed in the middle of the discharge pipe 21 and removes foreign matter from the drying gas flowing through the discharge pipe 21. The discharge pipe 21 passes through an aftercooler 16 between the drying filter 15 and the drying blower 17. One end of a first supply pipe 22 is connected to the outlet of the drying blower 17.

[0038] The adsorption section 18 includes an adsorber 23. The adsorber 23 has a configuration in which covers 25 are provided on both ends of a substantially cylindrical adsorption tube 24. The adsorption tube 24 has multiple air flow paths extending along its centerline. The inner surface of the air flow path (the surface that comes into contact with air) is formed of an adsorbent material (e.g., zeolite) that adsorbs moisture. The area in which the adsorption tube 24 exists is defined as a drying area, a cooling area, and a regeneration area. The air flow paths of the adsorption tube 24 include an air flow path in the drying area (hereinafter referred to as the "drying flow path"), an air flow path in the cooling area (hereinafter referred to as the "cooling flow path"), and an air flow path in the regeneration area (hereinafter referred to as the "regeneration flow path"). The cover 25 at one end of the adsorber 23 is provided with a port 26A communicating with the drying flow path, a port 26B communicating with the cooling flow path, and a port 26C communicating with the regeneration flow path. The cover 25 at the other end of the adsorber 23 is provided with a port 27A communicating with the drying channel, a port 27B communicating with the cooling channel, and a port 27C communicating with the regeneration channel. The adsorption unit 18 also includes a rotation mechanism 28 that rotates the adsorption tube 24 around its centerline. The rotation mechanism 28 includes a motor 29 as a drive source.

[0039] The adsorption unit 18 also includes a regeneration blower 31 and a regeneration heater 32. The suction port of the regeneration blower 31 is open to the atmosphere through a regeneration filter 33. A regeneration line 34 is connected to the outlet of the regeneration blower 31. The regeneration line 34 includes a regeneration duct 35 and an exhaust duct 36. One end of the regeneration duct 35 is connected to the outlet of the regeneration blower 31, and the regeneration duct 35 passes through the aftercooler 16 and the regeneration heater 32 in that order midway, and the other end is connected to port 26C of the adsorber 23. One end of the exhaust duct 36 is connected to port 27C of the adsorber 23. As a result, the regeneration line 34 is in communication with the regeneration flow path of the adsorption column 24.

[0040] The other end of the first supply pipe 22 is connected to port 26A of the adsorber 23 and communicates with the drying flow path. Meanwhile, one end of a second supply pipe 37 is connected to port 27A, which communicates with the drying flow path. The second supply pipe 37 passes through the drying heater 19, penetrates the side wall of the drying hopper 11, and has its other end disposed within the drying hopper 11. Within the drying hopper 11, the other end of the second supply pipe 37 bends downward and extends, forming a conical shape that widens downward. A first reflux pipe 38 branches off and is connected to the second supply pipe 37 between the adsorption section 18 and the drying heater 19. The first reflux pipe 38 is connected to port 27B of the adsorber 23 and communicates with the cooling flow path of the adsorption column 24. One end of a second reflux pipe 39 is connected to the other port 26B, which communicates with the cooling flow path. The other end of the second return pipe 39 branches off and is connected to the discharge pipe 21 between the drying filter 15 and the aftercooler 16 .

[0041] When the drying blower 17 is driven, air is blown from the outlet of the drying blower 17 into the first supply pipe 22, generating a dry gas airflow in the first supply pipe 22 toward the adsorption unit 18. The airflow flows from port 26A of the adsorber 23 into the drying flow path of the adsorption column 24, passes through the drying flow path, and flows out from port 27A of the adsorber 23 into the second supply pipe 37. As the airflow passes through the drying flow path, moisture contained in the airflow is adsorbed by the adsorption column 24, and the airflow that has passed through the drying flow path becomes a dry gas airflow with a low dew point. A portion of the airflow that flows out into the second supply pipe 37 flows into the first return pipe 38, flows into the cooling flow path from port 27B of the adsorber 23, passes through the cooling flow path, and flows into the second return pipe 39 from port 26B of the adsorber 23. When the airflow passes through the cooling passage, it cools the areas that have been heated by the regeneration air described below in the regeneration zone of the adsorber 23. This allows the adsorber 23 to return to a temperature at which it can adsorb moisture in the subsequent drying zone.

[0042] The dry gas flowing through the second supply pipe 37 is heated by the drying heater 19 to become heated dry gas, which is then supplied into the drying hopper 11. The temperature of the dry gas is, for example, 60 to 180°C. The dry gas blown out from the other end of the second supply pipe 37 passes between the powder and granular materials stored in the drying hopper 11 and escapes above the stored powder and granular materials. As a result, the dry gas removes moisture from the powder and granular materials, drying them. The dry gas that has removed moisture from the powder and granular materials is discharged through the air discharge pipe 14 to the discharge pipe 21 and flows through the discharge pipe 21 toward the drying blower 17.

[0043] Meanwhile, the regeneration blower 31 is driven. When the regeneration blower 31 is driven, outside air is sucked into the inlet of the regeneration blower 31 through the regeneration filter 33. The outside air is then blown out from the outlet of the regeneration blower 31 into the regeneration duct 35 of the regeneration line 34, generating an airflow in the regeneration duct 35 toward the adsorption unit 18. The airflow (outside air) passes through the aftercooler 16 and the regeneration heater 32 in order, then flows into the regeneration flow path of the adsorption column 24 from port 26C of the adsorber 23, passes through the regeneration flow path, and is discharged from port 27C of the adsorber 23 into the exhaust duct 36 of the regeneration line 34. In the aftercooler 16, heat is exchanged between the outside air flowing through the regeneration line 34 and the dry gas flowing through the discharge duct 21, causing the temperature of the outside air flowing through the regeneration line 34 to rise and the temperature of the dry gas flowing through the discharge duct 21 to fall. The outside air flowing through the regeneration line 34 is further heated by the regeneration heater 32 to become regeneration gas, and this regeneration gas passes through the regeneration flow path of the adsorption column 24. Meanwhile, the portion of the dry gas that has adsorbed moisture in the dry region of the adsorption column 24 moves to the regeneration region as the adsorption column 24 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 28. As a result, the moisture adsorbed in the adsorption column 24 is desorbed from the adsorption column 24, and the adsorption column 24 is regenerated to a low-humidity state. The temperature of the regeneration gas is set to, for example, 180 to 250°C in order to desorb moisture from the adsorption column 24.

[0044] The lower part of the drying hopper 11 is formed in a conical shape tapering downward, and a discharge outlet 41 is formed at the lower end. The drying hopper 11 is provided with a gate shutter 42 that opens and closes the discharge outlet 41. When the gate shutter 42 is closed and the discharge outlet 41 is closed, powder and granular material supplied from the loader hopper 12 can be stored in the drying hopper 11. A discharge branch pipe 43 is connected to the discharge outlet 41. The discharge branch pipe 43 is interposed in a transport line 44. When the gate shutter 42 is opened and the discharge outlet 41 is opened while powder and granular material is stored in the drying hopper 11, the powder and granular material in the drying hopper 11 is discharged from the discharge outlet 41 to the discharge branch pipe 43.

[0045] The transport line 44 includes a switching valve 45 , a first transport pipeline 46 and a second transport pipeline 47 .

[0046] The switching valve 45 has an input port 51, a circulation output port 52, an atmosphere-open port 53, and a drying line introduction port 54. The switching valve 45 is provided with valve elements that individually open and close the circulation output port 52, the atmosphere-open port 53, and the drying line introduction port 54. Depending on the positions of the valve elements, the switching valve 45 can be switched among a circulation position in which the atmosphere-open port 53 is closed and the circulation output port 52 and the drying line introduction port 54 are opened, thereby connecting the input port 51 to the circulation output port 52 and the drying line introduction port 54 within the valve body; an open position in which the circulation output port 52 and the drying line introduction port 54 are closed and the atmosphere-open port 53 is opened, thereby connecting the input port 51 to the atmosphere-open port 53 within the valve body; and a drying line introduction position in which the circulation output port 52 and the atmosphere-open port 53 are closed and the drying line introduction port 54 is opened, thereby connecting the input port 51 to the drying line introduction port 54 within the valve body.

[0047] One end of the first transport pipeline 46 is connected to the circulation output port 52 of the switching valve 45. A destination hopper for storing powder and granular material to be fed into the molding machine is provided above the molding machine, and the other end of the first transport pipeline 46 is connected to the side wall of the destination hopper and communicates with the interior of the destination hopper.

[0048] One end of the second transport pipeline 47 is connected to the upper wall of the destination hopper and communicates with the interior of the destination hopper. The other end of the second transport pipeline 47 is connected to an input port 51 of the switching valve 45. A primary / secondary switching valve 55, a dust collection cyclone 56, a transport filter 57, and a transport blower 58 are installed in the second transport pipeline 47 in this order from the destination hopper side.

[0049] The primary / secondary switching valve 55 has a primary input port 61, a secondary input port 62, and an output port 63. The primary / secondary switching valve 55 is provided with valve bodies that individually open and close the primary input port 61 and the secondary input port 62. Depending on the positions of the valve bodies, the primary / secondary switching valve 55 can be switched between a primary transport position in which the secondary input port 62 is closed and the primary input port 61 is opened, thereby connecting the primary input port 61 to the output port 63 within the valve body, and a secondary transport position in which the primary input port 61 is closed and the secondary input port 62 is opened, thereby connecting the secondary input port 62 to the output port 63 within the valve body.

[0050] The second transport pipeline 47 is further divided into a first pipeline section 71, a second pipeline section 72, a third pipeline section 73, a fourth pipeline section 74, and a fifth pipeline section 75. One end of the first pipeline section 71 is connected to the upper wall of the destination hopper as one end of the second transport pipeline 47, and the other end of the first pipeline section 71 is connected to the secondary input port 62 of the primary-secondary switching valve 55. One end of the second pipeline section 72 is connected to the output port 63 of the primary-secondary switching valve 55, and the other end of the second pipeline section 72 is connected to the air introduction section 76 of the dust collecting cyclone 56. One end of the third pipeline section 73 is connected to the intake section 77 of the dust collecting cyclone 56, and the other end of the third pipeline section 73 is connected to the inlet 78 of the transport filter 57. One end of the fourth pipe line section 74 is connected to the outlet 79 of the transport filter 57, and the other end of the fourth pipe line section 74 is connected to the suction port of the transport blower 58. One end of the fifth pipe line section 75 is connected to the outlet port of the transport blower 58, and the other end of the fifth pipe line section 75 is connected to the input port 51 of the switching valve 45.

[0051] One end of a primary suction line 81 is connected to the top wall of the loader hopper 12, and the primary suction line 81 communicates with the interior of the loader hopper 12. The other end of the primary suction line 81 is connected to the primary input port 61 of the primary / secondary switching valve 55. One end of a powder or granular material supply line 82 is connected to the side wall of the loader hopper 12. The powder or granular material supply line 82 extends toward a raw material tank (not shown) that stores powder or granular material, and the other end is connected to a suction pipe 83 arranged in the raw material tank.

[0052] When powder or granular material is supplied from the raw material tank to the loader hopper 12, the selector valve 45 is set to the open position, and the primary-secondary selector valve 55 is set to the primary transport position. When the transport blower 58 is driven, air is sucked from the fourth pipe line 74 into the suction port of the transport blower 58 and blown out from the outlet of the transport blower 58 to the fifth pipe line 75. The air blown out to the fifth pipe line 75 enters the valve body of the selector valve 45 from the input port 51 and is released from the valve body to the atmosphere through the atmosphere release port 53. This generates negative pressure in the primary suction line 81, the second pipe line 72, the third pipe line 73, and the fourth pipe line 74. The negative pressure causes the powder or granular material in the raw material tank to be sucked up into the suction pipe 83 and supplied from the suction pipe 83 through the powder or granular material supply line 82 into the loader hopper 12.

[0053] After the powder / granular material is dried, when the powder / granular material is transported from the drying hopper 11 to the destination hopper, the selector valve 45 is set to the circulation position and the primary-secondary selector valve 55 is set to the secondary transport position. Then, the transport blower 58 is driven. When the transport blower 58 is driven, air is sucked into the suction port of the transport blower 58 from the fourth pipe line 74, creating a negative pressure in the fourth pipe line 74. This negative pressure causes air in the destination hopper to be sucked into the first pipe line 71, creating an airflow through the first pipe line 71, the second pipe line 72, the third pipe line 73, and the fourth pipe line 74. Meanwhile, air blown from the outlet of the transport blower 58 to the fifth pipe line 75 enters the valve body of the selector valve 45 through the input port 51 and flows out of the circulation output port 52 of the selector valve 45 to the first transport pipe line 46 and port 26A. This generates a transport airflow by circulating air through a transport line 44 consisting of the switching valve 45, the first transport pipeline 46, and the second transport pipeline 47. When the gate shutter 42 of the drying hopper 11 is opened and the discharge port 41 of the drying hopper 11 is opened, the powder and granular material in the drying hopper 11 is sucked out from the discharge port 41 into the transport line 44, and the powder and granular material is transported on the transport airflow through the transport line 44 (first transport pipeline 46) toward the destination hopper. At this time, dry air also flows into the transport line 44 from the drying hopper 11, thereby reducing the humidity of the transport air flowing through the transport line 44.

[0054] Dust and other foreign matter contained in the transport airflow is captured when the transport airflow passes through the dust collecting cyclone 56 and the transport filter 57. In the dust collecting cyclone 56, air is sucked from the intake section 77 of the dust collecting cyclone 56 into the third duct section 73, creating a negative pressure inside the dust collecting cyclone 56. This negative pressure causes air (the transport airflow) to be sucked into the dust collecting cyclone 56 from the second duct section 72 via the air introduction section 76, and within the dust collecting cyclone 56, the air swirls, and centrifugal force and gravity separate the air from the foreign matter, which is then collected in a collection box connected to the bottom end of the dust collecting cyclone 56.

[0055] When VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are contained in the powder / granular additives, the VOCs volatilize as the powder / granular material dries. Consequently, the dry gas circulating through the drying line 13 contains VOCs volatilized from the powder / granular material. Some of the VOCs contained in the dry gas circulating through the drying line 13 adhere to the adsorption column 24 (adsorbent) in the adsorption section 18. Therefore, the regeneration gas discharged from port 27C of the adsorber 23 to the exhaust pipe 36 of the regeneration line 34 also contains VOCs. While the adsorbent used in the adsorption column 24 can adsorb and desorb odorous components even if it is a normal adsorbent for moisture, it is also possible to replace the normal adsorbent for moisture with an adsorbent suitable for the VOCs to be removed, or to use a combination of an adsorbent suitable for VOCs and a normal adsorbent for moisture. This allows the odorous VOCs to be efficiently discharged from the regeneration line 34.

[0056] <Deodorizing device> The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is equipped with a deodorizing device 91. The deodorizing device 91 is connected to the downstream end of the exhaust pipe 36 of the regeneration line 34, and functions as a gas processing device that exhausts the regeneration gas flowing through the exhaust pipe 36 to the outside air, performs deodorizing treatment to remove VOCs from the regeneration gas, and exhausts the deodorized regeneration gas (exhaust gas) to the outside air.

[0057] Specifically, the deodorizer 91 is equipped with a deodorization line 92 connected to the exhaust pipe 36 and communicating with the exhaust pipe 36. The deodorizer 91 employs a catalytic decomposition method as a deodorization treatment method, and a catalytic heater 93 and a low-temperature catalyst 94 are installed in the deodorization line 92, in this order, from the exhaust pipe 36 side. The regeneration gas flowing from the exhaust pipe 36 into the deodorization line 92 is heated by the catalytic heater 93 to 200 to 300°C, and then contacts and passes through the low-temperature catalyst 94. During this process, VOCs contained in the regeneration gas are chemically decomposed, and the VOCs are removed from the regeneration gas flowing through the deodorization line 92. Note that some VOCs can be decomposed even at relatively low temperatures due to their characteristics; in this case, the catalytic heater 93 may be omitted. At this time, the regeneration gas is heated to 180°C or higher by the regeneration heater 32, which promotes the decomposition of VOCs in the low-temperature catalyst 94. That is, the regeneration heater 32 can also be used as a catalyst heater for heating the regeneration gas flowing into the low-temperature catalyst 94 .

[0058] The deodorization device 91 also includes an aftercooler 95. The deodorization line 92 passes through the aftercooler 95 downstream of the low-temperature catalyst 94. Meanwhile, the regeneration pipe 35 of the regeneration line 34 passes through the aftercooler 95 between the aftercooler 16 and the regeneration heater 32. In the aftercooler 95, heat exchange occurs between the outside air (regeneration gas) flowing through the regeneration line 34 and the exhaust gas (regeneration gas) flowing through the deodorization line 92, raising the temperature of the outside air flowing through the regeneration line 34 and lowering the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing through the deodorization line 92. As a result, the exhaust gas flowing through the deodorization line 92 is discharged into the outside air at a temperature lowered to 110°C or lower, for example, 92 to 93°C.

[0059] <Action and effect> As described above, the heated and dehumidified dry gas is supplied to the drying hopper 11, thereby drying the powder and granular material contained in the drying hopper 11. The adsorption section 18, which dehumidifies the dry gas, has a drying region, a cooling region, and a regeneration region. In the drying region, the moisture contained in the dry gas is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption tube 24, thereby dehumidifying the dry gas. In the regeneration region, the regeneration gas removes moisture from the adsorbent, thereby regenerating the adsorbent. The regeneration gas that has removed moisture from the adsorbent is deodorized by the deodorizing device 91 and then exhausted to the outside air. This makes it possible to suppress environmental deterioration caused by exhaust from the regeneration line 34 through which the regeneration gas flows.

[0060] The deodorization treatment by the deodorization device 91 is a catalytic decomposition treatment using a low-temperature catalyst (low-temperature deodorization catalyst) 94. This allows the treatment temperature to be kept low at 200 to 400°C, thereby achieving energy savings.

[0061] The deodorization device 91 is provided with an aftercooler 95 for performing heat exchange between the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line 34 and the exhaust gas flowing through the deodorization line 92. The heat exchange in the aftercooler 95 reduces the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing through the deodorization line 92 to 110°C or less, for example, to 92 to 93°C. This makes it possible to further neutralize the exhaust gas and further suppress environmental degradation caused by the exhaust gas. On the other hand, since the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line 34 increases, the energy required to heat the regeneration gas can be reduced.

[0062] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is also provided with an aftercooler 16 for heat exchange between the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line 34 and the dry gas flowing through the discharge pipe 21. This reduces the temperature of the dry gas flowing from the drying hopper 11 toward the adsorption section 18, allowing the moisture contained in the dry gas to be effectively adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption section 18. As a result, the dew point of the dry gas can be effectively reduced. Meanwhile, the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line 34 increases, further reducing the energy required to heat the regeneration gas.

[0063] <Variation 1> For example, in the above-described embodiment, the powder and granular material processing apparatus 1 is configured such that the deodorizing device 91 is incorporated into a dehumidifying dryer that dehumidifies and dries powder and granular material, but the deodorizing device 91 may also be attached externally to the dehumidifying dryer.

[0064] In this case, as shown in Figure 2, one deodorizing device 91 may be provided for multiple dehumidifying dryers, the deodorizing device 91 may be commonly connected to the regeneration line 34 of each dehumidifying dryer, and the exhaust gas (regeneration gas) from the regeneration line 34 of each dehumidifying dryer may be deodorized by the deodorizing device 91.

[0065] The adsorption section 18 may also be configured to include a hydrophilic adsorbent (adsorbent for moisture) and a hydrophobic adsorbent (adsorbent for other components) arranged inside the adsorption column 24 along the centerline of the adsorption column 24, with the moisture contained in the dry gas being adsorbed by the hydrophilic adsorbent in the drying region, and the components other than moisture contained in the dry gas (e.g., organic components such as VOCs) being adsorbed by the hydrophobic adsorbent, and the hydrophilic adsorbent being regenerated in the regeneration region as the regeneration gas removes moisture from the hydrophilic adsorbent, and the hydrophobic adsorbent being regenerated as the regeneration gas removes organic components from the hydrophobic adsorbent. The hydrophilic adsorbent and the hydrophobic adsorbent may be, for example, honeycomb structures made of zeolite.

[0066] <Other embodiments> FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a powder or granular material processing apparatus 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Like the powder and granular material processing device 1 described above, the powder and granular material processing device 101 is included in a plastic product manufacturing facility and is a device that dries powder and granular material such as plastic pellets, which are the raw materials for plastic products, and transports the dried powder and granular material to a molding machine.

[0068] The powder and granular material processing apparatus 101 includes a drying hopper 111 and a loader hopper 112 disposed above the drying hopper 111. Powder and granular material that is the raw material for plastic products is supplied from the loader hopper 112 to the drying hopper 111, dried while contained (stored) in the drying hopper 111, and then transported from the drying hopper 111 to a molding machine.

[0069] Drying gas for drying the powder or granular material is supplied into the drying hopper 111 from a drying line 113. One end of the drying line 113 is disposed inside the drying hopper 111. The other end of the drying line 113 is connected to an air discharge pipe 114 that penetrates the upper part of the side wall of the drying hopper 111, and communicates with the inside of the drying hopper 111 via the air discharge pipe 114. Outside the drying hopper 111, the drying line 113 passes through a drying filter 115, an aftercooler 116, a drying blower 117, an adsorption section 118, and a drying heater 119, in that order, from the other end side of the drying line 113, i.e., the air discharge pipe 114 side.

[0070] The drying line 113 includes a discharge pipe 121, a first supply pipe 122, and a second supply pipe 123. One end of the discharge pipe 121 is connected to the air discharge pipe 114, and the other end of the discharge pipe 121 is connected to the suction port of the drying blower 117. A drying filter 115 is installed in the middle of the discharge pipe 121 and removes foreign matter from the drying gas flowing through the discharge pipe 121. The discharge pipe 121 passes through an aftercooler 116 between the drying filter 115 and the drying blower 117.

[0071] The adsorption section 118 includes an adsorber 124. The adsorber 124 has a configuration in which covers 126 are provided on both ends of a substantially cylindrical adsorption tube 125. As shown in FIG. 4, a hydrophilic adsorbent 127 and a hydrophobic adsorbent 128 are provided inside the adsorption tube 125. The hydrophilic adsorbent 127 and the hydrophobic adsorbent 128 are honeycomb structures made of zeolite, formed into cylindrical shapes of the same diameter, and stacked side by side along the center line of the adsorption tube 125. The hydrophilic adsorbent 127 is designed to adsorb moisture well, and the hydrophobic adsorbent 128 is designed to adsorb VOCs well.

[0072] The adsorption column 125 is provided with a drying region, a cooling region, and a regeneration region. The lid 126 at one end of the adsorber 124 is provided with a port 131A communicating with the drying region, a port 131B communicating with the cooling region, and a port 131C communicating with the regeneration region. The lid 126 at the other end of the adsorber 124 is provided with a port 132A communicating with the drying region, a port 132B communicating with the cooling region, and a port 132C communicating with the regeneration region. The adsorption section 118 is also provided with a rotation mechanism 133 that rotates the adsorption column 125 around its centerline. The rotation mechanism 133 includes a motor 134 as a drive source.

[0073] One end of the first supply pipe 122 is connected to the outlet of the drying blower 117, and the other end of the first supply pipe 122 is connected to a port 132A of the adsorber 124. As a result, the first supply pipe 122 is in communication with the drying region of the adsorption tube 125. Meanwhile, one end of the second supply pipe 123 is connected to the port 131A that is in communication with the drying region. A middle portion of the second supply pipe 123 passes through the drying heater 119, penetrates the side wall of the drying hopper 111, and the other end is disposed inside the drying hopper 111. Inside the drying hopper 111, the other end of the second supply pipe 123 is bent downward and extends, forming a conical shape that widens as it approaches the bottom.

[0074] A first reflux line 135 branches off and is connected to the second supply line 123 between the adsorption section 118 and the drying heater 119. The first reflux line 135 is connected to a port 131B of the adsorber 124 and communicates with the cooling region of the adsorption column 125. One end of a second reflux line 136 is connected to the other port 132B that communicates with the cooling region. The other end of the second reflux line 136 branches off and is connected to the discharge line 121 between the aftercooler 116 and the drying blower 117.

[0075] The adsorption unit 118 includes a regeneration blower 141 and a regeneration heater 142. The suction port of the regeneration blower 141 is open to the atmosphere through a regeneration filter 143. A regeneration line 144 is connected to the outlet of the regeneration blower 141. The regeneration line 144 includes a regeneration pipe 145 and an exhaust pipe 146. One end of the regeneration pipe 145 is connected to the outlet of the regeneration blower 141, and the regeneration pipe 145 passes through the aftercooler 116 and the regeneration heater 142 in this order midway, and the other end is connected to a port 131C of the adsorber 124. One end of the exhaust pipe 146 is connected to a port 132C of the adsorber 124. As a result, the regeneration line 144 is in communication with the regeneration region of the adsorption column 125.

[0076] When the drying blower 117 is driven, air is blown from the outlet of the drying blower 117 into the first supply pipe 122, generating a dry gas airflow in the first supply pipe 122 toward the adsorber 124. The airflow flows into the drying region of the adsorption column 125 from port 132A of the adsorber 124, passes through the drying region, and flows out into the second supply pipe 123 from port 132B of the adsorber 124. As the airflow passes through the drying region, moisture contained in the airflow is adsorbed by the hydrophilic adsorbent 127, and the airflow that has passed through the drying region becomes a dry gas airflow with a low dew point. A portion of the airflow that flows out into the second supply pipe 123 flows into the first return pipe 135, flows into the cooling region from port 131B of the adsorber 124, passes through the cooling region, and flows out into the second return pipe 136 from port 132B of the adsorber 124. As the airflow passes through the second drying zone, it cools the areas that were heated by the regeneration air in the regeneration zone of the adsorber 124. This allows the adsorber 124 to return to a temperature at which it can adsorb moisture in the next drying zone.

[0077] The dry gas flowing through the second supply pipe 123 is heated by the drying heater 119 to become heated dry gas, which is then supplied into the drying hopper 111. The temperature of the dry gas supplied into the drying hopper 111 is, for example, 60 to 180°C. The dry gas blown out from the other end of the second supply pipe 123 passes between the powder and granular materials stored in the drying hopper 111 and escapes above the stored powder and granular materials. As a result, the dry gas removes moisture from the powder and granular materials, drying them. The dry gas that has removed moisture from the powder and granular materials is discharged through the air discharge pipe 114 to the discharge pipe 121 and flows through the discharge pipe 121 toward the drying blower 117.

[0078] When VOCs are contained in the powder or granular material as an additive, the VOCs volatilize from the powder or granular material as the powder or granular material dries. Therefore, the drying gas circulating through the drying line 113 contains VOCs volatilized from the powder or granular material. When the airflow of the drying gas passes through the drying region of the adsorption column 125, the VOCs volatilized from the powder or granular material and contained in the airflow are adsorbed by the hydrophobic adsorbent 128.

[0079] Meanwhile, the regeneration blower 141 is driven. When the regeneration blower 141 is driven, outside air is sucked into the inlet of the regeneration blower 141 through the regeneration filter 143. The outside air is then blown out from the outlet of the regeneration blower 141 into the regeneration pipe 145 of the regeneration line 144, generating an airflow in the regeneration pipe 145 toward the adsorber 124. The airflow (outside air) passes through the aftercooler 116 and the regeneration heater 142 in this order, flows into the regeneration region of the adsorption column 125 from the port 131C of the adsorber 124, passes through the regeneration region, and flows out from the port 132C of the adsorber 124 into the exhaust pipe 146 of the regeneration line 144. In the aftercooler 116, heat is exchanged between the outside air flowing through the regeneration line 144 and the dry gas flowing through the discharge pipe 121, causing the temperature of the outside air flowing through the regeneration line 144 to rise and the temperature of the dry gas flowing through the discharge pipe 121 to fall. The outside air flowing through the regeneration line 144 is further heated by the regeneration heater 142 to become regeneration gas, and this regeneration gas passes through the regeneration flow path of the adsorption column 125 .

[0080] Meanwhile, the portion of hydrophilic adsorbent 127 that has adsorbed moisture from the dry gas in the dry region and the portion of hydrophobic adsorbent 128 that has adsorbed VOCs from the dry gas in the dry region move to the regeneration region as adsorption column 125 is rotated by rotation mechanism 133. This causes moisture to be desorbed from hydrophilic adsorbent 127 and VOCs to be desorbed from hydrophobic adsorbent 128, thereby regenerating hydrophilic adsorbent 127 and hydrophobic adsorbent 128. The temperature of the regeneration gas is set to, for example, 180 to 250°C.

[0081] The lower part of the drying hopper 111 is formed in a conical shape tapering downward, and a discharge outlet 151 is formed at the lower end. The drying hopper 111 is provided with a gate shutter 152 that opens and closes the discharge outlet 151. When the gate shutter 152 is closed and the discharge outlet 151 is closed, powder and granular material supplied from the loader hopper 112 can be stored in the drying hopper 111. A discharge branch pipe 153 is connected to the discharge outlet 151. When the gate shutter 152 is opened and the discharge outlet 151 is opened while powder and granular material is stored in the drying hopper 111, the powder and granular material in the drying hopper 111 is discharged from the discharge outlet 151 to the discharge branch pipe 153.

[0082] The discharge branch pipeline 153 is included in a transport line 154. In addition to the discharge branch pipeline 153, the transport line 154 includes a switching valve 155, a first transport pipeline 156, and a second transport pipeline 157. The discharge branch pipeline 153 is interposed in the middle of the first transport pipeline 156.

[0083] The switching valve 155 has an input port 161, a circulation output port 162, and an atmosphere-open port 163. The switching valve 155 is provided with valve bodies that individually open and close the circulation output port 162 and the atmosphere-open port 163. Depending on the positions of the valve bodies, the switching valve 155 can be switched between a circulation position where the atmosphere-open port 163 is closed and the circulation output port 162 is opened, thereby connecting the input port 161 and the circulation output port 162 within the valve body, and an open position where the circulation output port 162 is closed and the atmosphere-open port 163 is opened, thereby connecting the input port 161 and the atmosphere-open port 163 within the valve body.

[0084] One end of the first transport pipeline 156 is connected to the circulation output port 162 of the switching valve 155. A destination hopper for storing powder and granular material to be fed into the molding machine is provided above the molding machine, and the other end of the first transport pipeline 156 is connected to the side wall of the destination hopper and communicates with the interior of the destination hopper.

[0085] One end of the second transport pipeline 157 is connected to the upper wall of the destination hopper and communicates with the interior of the destination hopper. The other end of the second transport pipeline 157 is connected to an input port 161 of the switching valve 155. A primary-secondary switching valve 164, a dust collection cyclone 165, a transport filter 166, and a transport blower 167 are installed in the second transport pipeline 157 in this order from the destination hopper side.

[0086] The primary-secondary switching valve 164 has a primary input port 171, a secondary input port 172, and an output port 173. The primary-secondary switching valve 164 is provided with valve bodies that individually open and close the primary input port 171 and the secondary input port 172. Depending on the positions of the valve bodies, the primary-secondary switching valve 164 can be switched between a primary transport position where the secondary input port 172 is closed and the primary input port 171 is opened, thereby connecting the primary input port 171 to the output port 173 within the valve body, and a secondary transport position where the primary input port 171 is closed and the secondary input port 172 is opened, thereby connecting the secondary input port 172 to the output port 173 within the valve body.

[0087] The second transport pipeline 157 is further divided into a first pipeline section 174, a second pipeline section 175, a third pipeline section 176, a fourth pipeline section 177, and a fifth pipeline section 178. One end of the first pipeline section 174 is connected to the upper wall of the transport destination hopper as one end of the second transport pipeline 157, and the other end of the first pipeline section 174 is connected to a secondary input port 172 of the primary-secondary switching valve 164. One end of the second pipeline section 175 is connected to an output port 173 of the primary-secondary switching valve 164, and the other end of the second pipeline section 175 is connected to an air introduction section 181 of the dust collecting cyclone 165. One end of the third pipeline section 176 is connected to an intake section 182 of the dust collecting cyclone 165, and the other end of the third pipeline section 176 is connected to an inlet 183 of the transport filter 166. One end of the fourth pipe line portion 177 is connected to the outlet 184 of the transport filter 166, and the other end of the fourth pipe line portion 177 is connected to the suction port of the transport blower 167. One end of the fifth pipe line portion 178 is connected to the outlet port of the transport blower 167, and the other end of the fifth pipe line portion 178 is connected to the input port 161 of the switching valve 155.

[0088] One end of a primary suction line 185 is connected to the upper wall of the loader hopper 112, and the primary suction line 185 communicates with the interior of the loader hopper 112. The other end of the primary suction line 185 is connected to the primary input port 171 of the primary / secondary switching valve 164. One end of a powder or granular material supply line 186 is connected to the side wall of the loader hopper 112. The powder or granular material supply line 186 extends toward a raw material tank (not shown) that stores powder or granular material, and the other end is connected to a suction pipe arranged in the raw material tank.

[0089] When powder or granular material is supplied from the raw material tank to the loader hopper 112, the selector valve 155 is set to the open position, and the primary-secondary selector valve 164 is set to the primary transport position. When the transport blower 167 is driven, air is sucked from the fourth pipe line section 177 into the suction port of the transport blower 167 and blown out from the outlet of the transport blower 167 into the fifth pipe line section 178. The air blown out into the fifth pipe line section 178 enters the valve body of the selector valve 155 from the input port 161 and is released from the valve body to the atmosphere through the atmosphere release port 163. This generates negative pressure in the primary suction line 185, the second pipe line section 175, the third pipe line section 176, and the fourth pipe line section 177. The negative pressure causes the powder or granular material in the raw material tank to be sucked up into the suction pipe and then supplied from the suction pipe through the powder or granular material supply line 186 into the loader hopper 112.

[0090] After the powder or granular material has been dried, when the powder or granular material is transported from the drying hopper 111 to the destination hopper, the selector valve 155 is set to the circulation position, and the primary-secondary selector valve 164 is set to the secondary transport position. Then, the transport blower 167 is driven. When the transport blower 167 is driven, air is sucked from the fourth pipe line portion 177 into the suction port of the transport blower 167, creating a negative pressure in the fourth pipe line portion 177. Due to this negative pressure, air in the destination hopper is sucked into the first pipe line portion 174, and an airflow is generated in the first pipe line portion 174, the second pipe line portion 175, the third pipe line portion 176, and the fourth pipe line portion 177. On the other hand, the air blown out from the outlet of the transport blower 167 to the fifth pipeline section 178 enters the valve body of the switching valve 155 from the input port 161 of the switching valve 155 and flows out from the circulation output port 162 of the switching valve 155 to the first transport pipeline 156. This generates a transport airflow by circulating the air through the transport line 154 consisting of the switching valve 155, the first transport pipeline 156, and the second transport pipeline 157. When the gate shutter 152 of the drying hopper 111 is opened and the discharge port 151 of the drying hopper 111 is opened, the powder and granular material in the drying hopper 111 is sucked out from the discharge port 151 to the transport line 154, and the powder and granular material is transported on the transport airflow through the transport line 154 (first transport pipeline 156) toward the destination hopper.

[0091] Foreign matter such as dust contained in the transport airflow is captured when the transport airflow passes through the dust collecting cyclone 165 and the transport filter 166. In the dust collecting cyclone 165, air is sucked from the intake section 182 of the dust collecting cyclone 165 to the third pipe line section 176, creating a negative pressure inside the dust collecting cyclone 165. Due to this negative pressure, air (the transport airflow) is sucked into the dust collecting cyclone 165 from the second pipe line section 175 via the air introduction section 181, and within the dust collecting cyclone 165, the air swirls, and centrifugal force and gravity separate the air from the foreign matter, which is then collected in a collection box connected to the bottom end of the dust collecting cyclone 165.

[0092] An exhaust pipe 146 of the regeneration line 144 is connected to a deodorization line 191 for decomposing and deodorizing the regeneration gas flowing from the adsorber 124 to the exhaust pipe 146. Like the deodorization device 91 in the above-described embodiment, the deodorization line 191 is configured to employ catalytic decomposition as the deodorization method. That is, a low-temperature catalyst 192 is interposed in the deodorization line 191. In addition, both ends of a heating branch pipe 193 are connected to the deodorization line 191 on the exhaust pipe 146 side of the low-temperature catalyst 192. A catalytic heater 194 is passed through the middle of the heating branch pipe 193.

[0093] A portion of the regeneration gas flowing from exhaust pipe 146 into deodorization line 191 flows through heating branch pipe 193, is heated by catalytic heater 194, and then merges with the regeneration gas flowing in deodorization line 191. As a result, the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing in deodorization line 191 is raised to 200 to 300°C, and the heated regeneration gas passes through low-temperature catalyst 192. At this time, VOCs contained in the regeneration gas are chemically decomposed, and the VOCs are removed from the regeneration gas flowing in deodorization line 191.

[0094] If VOCs can be decomposed at relatively low temperatures, catalytic heater 194 may be omitted.

[0095] Further, deodorization line 191 passes through exhaust gas / regenerative heat exchanger 195 downstream of low-temperature catalyst 192. Meanwhile, exhaust gas / regenerative heat exchanger 195 has regeneration pipe 145 of regeneration line 144 passing through it between aftercooler 116 and regeneration heater 142. In exhaust gas / regenerative heat exchanger 195, heat is exchanged between the outside air (regeneration gas) flowing through regeneration line 144 and the exhaust gas (regeneration gas) flowing through deodorization line 191, raising the temperature of the outside air flowing through regeneration line 144 and lowering the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing through deodorization line 191. As a result, the exhaust gas flowing through deodorization line 191 is discharged into the outside air at a temperature lowered to 110°C or lower, for example, 92 to 93°C.

[0096] <Action and effect> The heated and dehumidified dry gas is supplied to the drying hopper 111, whereby the powder and granular material contained in the drying hopper 111 is dried. The adsorption section 118 has a drying region and a regeneration region. In the drying region, moisture contained in the dry gas is adsorbed by the hydrophilic adsorbent 127, thereby dehumidifying the dry gas. In the regeneration region, moisture is removed from the hydrophilic adsorbent 127 by the regeneration gas, thereby regenerating the hydrophilic adsorbent 127. Furthermore, VOCs contained in the dry gas are adsorbed by the hydrophobic adsorbent 128 in the drying region. In the regeneration region, VOCs are removed from the hydrophobic adsorbent 128 by the regeneration gas, thereby regenerating the hydrophobic adsorbent 128. The regeneration gas that has removed VOCs, which are odor components, from the hydrophobic adsorbent 128 is decomposed in the deodorization line 191 and then exhausted. This prevents environmental degradation caused by exhaust from the regeneration line 144 through which the regeneration gas flows.

[0097] In addition, the configuration of the powder or granular material processing apparatus 101 can also achieve the same effects as those achieved by the configuration of the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 described above.

[0098] <Variation 2> In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration was described in which the heat of the exhaust gas flowing through the deodorization line 92, 191 was used to heat the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line 34, 144, but the heat of the exhaust gas flowing through the deodorization line 92, 191 may also be used to heat the drying hopper 11, 111 or the destination hopper, or may be used to heat a device other than the powder or granular material processing device 1, 101, such as a mixer that mixes multiple types of materials including powder or granular material.

[0099] Furthermore, the deodorizing device 91 is not limited to being used in the powder and granular material processing device 1 (dehumidifying dryer), and may also be used in facilities that do not handle powder and granular material. For example, the deodorizing device 91 may be used to deodorize exhaust air from a smoking booth to the outside, in which case the heat of the exhaust air flowing through the deodorizing line 92 may be used to warm the air inside the smoking booth. The deodorizing device 91 may also be used to deodorize exhaust air from a paint factory to the outside, in which case the heat of the exhaust air flowing through the deodorizing line 92 may be used to dry paint applied to a painted object.

[0100] In deodorizing device 91, a catalytic decomposition method using a low-temperature catalyst 94 is employed as the deodorizing method. Also, in deodorizing line 191, a catalytic decomposition method using a low-temperature catalyst 192 is employed. However, as the deodorizing method, any of the following may be appropriately employed: a combustion method that oxidatively decomposes odorous components (volatile components) such as VOCs at high temperatures; an ozone oxidation method that oxidatively decomposes odorous components by bringing ozone into contact with the odorous components; a plasma decomposition method that oxidatively decomposes odorous components using plasma; a photocatalytic decomposition method that oxidatively decomposes odorous components using ultraviolet rays and a catalyst mainly composed of titanium oxide; an adsorption method that adsorbs odorous components onto an adsorbent; and a cleaning method that brings exhaust gas containing odorous components into gas-liquid contact with a cleaning liquid (acid, alkali, water) to allow the odorous components to be absorbed into the cleaning liquid and decomposed.

[0101] Although the regeneration gas flowing through the exhaust pipes 36 and 146 is exhausted to the outside air, the regeneration gas may be exhausted to a predetermined gas line instead of the outside air.

[0102] In the powder / granular material processing apparatus 1, 101, a drying gas and a regeneration gas made of an inert gas may be used instead of the drying gas and the regeneration gas.

[0103] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1,101: Powder and granular material processing equipment 11,111: Drying hopper (storage section) 13,113: Drying line 16,116: Aftercooler (drying / regeneration heat exchanger) 18,118: Adsorption part 19,119: Drying heater (heating unit) 34,144: Regeneration line 91: Deodorizing device (gas processing unit) 94,192: Low temperature catalyst 95: Aftercooler (exhaust / regenerative heat exchanger) 127: Hydrophilic adsorbent (moisture adsorbent) 128: Hydrophobic adsorbent (adsorbent for other components) 195: Exhaust / regenerative heat exchanger

Claims

1. a drying line through which a drying gas flows; a regeneration line through which the regeneration gas flows; a storage section connected to one end and the other end of the drying line and configured to store powder or granular material; a heating unit that heats the drying gas flowing through the drying line toward the storage unit; an adsorption section in which a drying region through which the dry gas flowing through the drying line toward the storage section passes and a regeneration region through which the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line passes are set, in which moisture contained in the dry gas passing through the drying region is adsorbed by an adsorbent, and in which moisture is removed from the adsorbent by the regeneration gas in the regeneration region, thereby regenerating the adsorbent; a gas treatment unit connected to the downstream end of the regeneration line, for decomposing and treating the regeneration gas from the regeneration line and then discharging the gas.

2. 2. The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption section uses, as the adsorbent, a moisture adsorbent that adsorbs moisture contained in the dry gas and an adsorbent for other components that adsorb components other than moisture contained in the dry gas in combination.

3. a drying line through which a drying gas flows; a regeneration line through which the regeneration gas flows; a storage section connected to one end and the other end of the drying line and configured to store powder or granular material; a heating unit that heats the drying gas flowing through the drying line toward the storage unit; a drying region through which the dry gas flowing along the drying line toward the storage section passes and a regeneration region through which the regeneration gas flowing along the regeneration line passes, the adsorption tube being provided with a hydrophilic adsorbent and a hydrophobic adsorbent arranged in a centerline direction of the adsorption tube; in the drying region, moisture contained in the dry gas is adsorbed onto the hydrophilic adsorbent, and organic components contained in the dry gas are adsorbed onto the hydrophobic adsorbent; and in the regeneration region, moisture is removed from the hydrophilic adsorbent by the regeneration gas, thereby regenerating the hydrophilic adsorbent, and organic components are removed from the hydrophobic adsorbent by the regeneration gas, thereby regenerating the hydrophobic adsorbent; a gas treatment unit connected to the regeneration line, for decomposing and treating the regeneration gas from the regeneration line and then discharging the gas.

4. 4. The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hydrophobic adsorbent and the hydrophilic adsorbent are honeycomb structures made of zeolite.

5. The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the decomposition treatment is a catalytic decomposition treatment using a low-temperature catalyst.

6. a regeneration heater provided in the regeneration line upstream of the adsorption section and configured to heat the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the regeneration heater is used as a catalyst heater for heating a regeneration gas flowing into the low-temperature catalyst.

7. 7. The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust / regeneration heat exchanger that lowers the temperature of the exhaust from the gas processing unit and raises the temperature of the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line by heat exchange between the exhaust from the gas processing unit and the regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line.

8. The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a drying / regenerating heat exchanger that lowers the temperature of the dry gas flowing through the drying line and raises the temperature of the regenerating gas flowing through the regenerating line by heat exchange between the dry gas flowing through the drying line from the storage section toward the adsorption section and the regenerating gas flowing through the regenerating line.

9. The powder / grain processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the temperature of the exhaust gas from the gas processing section is 110°C or less.

10. The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gas processing unit is connected to a single regeneration line.

11. a plurality of sets of the drying line, the regeneration line, the storage unit, the heating unit, and the adsorption unit are provided, each set consisting of a single drying line, a single regeneration line, a single storage unit, a single heating unit, and a single adsorption unit; The powder / granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gas processing unit is commonly connected to a plurality of the regeneration lines.

12. A method for treating powder or granular material in an apparatus including a drying line through which a drying gas flows, a regeneration line through which a regeneration gas flows, and a storage section to which one end and the other end of the drying line are connected and which stores the powder or granular material, comprising: a heating step of heating the drying gas flowing through the drying line toward the storage section; an adsorption step of adsorbing moisture contained in the dry gas flowing through the drying line toward the storage section into an adsorbent; a regeneration step of passing a regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration line through the adsorbent to regenerate the adsorbent; a gas treatment step of decomposing the regeneration gas that has passed through the adsorbent and then discharging it.

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