Rotary valve and processing plant equipped with rotary valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a processing plant (2) for metering, feeding, and / or discharging granules without pulsation, having a rotary valve (1) for metering, feeding, and / or discharging granules, a granulator (3), and a rotary valve (1) connected to the discharge section of the granulator (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary valve for metering, feeding, and / or discharging granules, which comprises a casing, in which an internal space is delimited by a casing wall having a cylindrical inner wall surface and having a central central axis, wherein the casing has, in an inlet zone, an inlet unit having an inlet opening opening into the internal space, and, in a discharge zone spaced from the central axis in the circumferential direction of the central axis, a discharge unit having an outlet opening similarly opening into the internal space, the casing has a rotor, the rotor is arranged in the internal space and is rotatable while performing a conveying rotational movement about a rotational axis coinciding with the central axis, and comprises rotary vanes extending radially from the central axis towards the inner wall surface, wherein a rotary chamber for accommodating granules is formed between each two successive rotary vanes, and the granules move from the inlet zone to the discharge zone during the conveying rotational movement, relates to the invention of such a rotary valve.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a processing plant for metering, feeding, and / or discharging granules without pulsation, having a granulator and a rotary valve connected to the discharge part of the granulator.

Background Art

[0003] In tablet manufacturing, especially in the continuous manufacture of hard dosage forms also known as solids, rotary valves are used for the process step of metering, feeding, and / or discharging granules.

[0004] Patent Document 1 (WO 2020 / 156750 A1) discloses a rotary valve of this type. The rotary valve comprises a casing having at least one input unit and at least one discharge unit, wherein a rotary-driven rotary is disposed in the casing, and the rotary-driven rotary has a plurality of cell walls, which extend substantially radially and the cells of the rotary are bounded circumferentially. At least the cell walls of the rotary are formed of an elastic and flexible material, and each pair of adjacent cell walls are connected to each other by their respective cell bottoms in the region of their radially inward ends, and as a result the cell bottoms of the rotary are formed of an elastic and flexible membrane, which is connected to each pair of adjacent cell walls in the region of its radially inward ends and overlaps with a cavity located radially inward of each membrane.

[0005] A rotary valve is also disclosed in Patent Document 2 (DE102004044217B4). This rotary valve comprises a casing having a casing cover that closes the end face and a rotary, and the casing comprises an internal space whose boundary is substantially defined by an inner wall of a cylindrical shape, an upper inlet opening into the internal space, a lower outlet opening out from the internal space, a central axis, and end faces that define the boundary of the internal space. The casing cover is attached to the casing and has storage openings arranged concentrically with respect to the central axis. The rotary is arranged concentrically with respect to the central axis, positioned through the storage opening and supported for rotational machining, and is equipped with vanes. These vanes extend radially with respect to the central axis to the vicinity of the inner wall, and in the direction of the central axis to the vicinity of the housing cover. In this configuration, each casing cover has an opening toward the internal space and at least one groove-like recess that extends radially with respect to the central axis from each storage opening, beyond the vanes, to the outlet.

[0006] A known drawback of rotary valves from prior art is that they are not suitable for performing additional process steps required in tablet manufacturing. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 156750 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102004044217 Specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide a rotary valve suitable for carrying out further process steps for tablet manufacturing, in addition to the dispensing, loading, and dispensing of granules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This problem is solved in the rotary valve of the type described above, in which the casing wall extends beyond the outlet opening and has a sieve wall portion formed as a sieve in the region of the outlet opening. The sieve allows for further processing of the granules by crushing and sieving them. Advantageously, the rotary valve performs not only the distribution, input, and discharge of granules, but also the process steps of sieving and crushing the granules. Furthermore, by sieving and crushing the granules, the rotary valve can improve the distribution, especially from small mass flows.

[0010] The sieve may be formed in different embodiments, for example, as a mesh sieve or as a metal insert, preferably as a thin metal sheet insert or a steel insert.

[0011] In this respect, an advantageous configuration of the rotary valve is that the sieve is removable and / or replaceable. By replacing the sieve, it is possible to install sieves with different mesh sizes in the rotary valve, and thus it is possible to match the particle size of the granules to process requirements. Even if the sieve is worn out, it can be replaced. In addition, the removal of the sieve ensures that cleaning of the sieve is easy. If the sieve is not needed, it can be removed, or, for example, a simple frame can be used.

[0012] In an advanced form of the rotary valve, the inner wall surface is formed at least partially as a sealing surface, and / or each rotary vane has a vane surface that is formed at least partially as a sealing surface. By forming a sealing surface, the pressure difference between the inlet side and the outlet side can be effectively separated from each other.

[0013] In a further development of the rotary valve, the rotary valve is equipped with a drive unit that transitions the rotary into a conveying rotational motion. Preferably, the drive unit is suitable for performing a constant conveying rotational motion or alternating conveying rotational motion. Here, the alternating conveying rotational motion has rotation of the rotary in the conveying direction (forward movement) followed by rotation of the rotary in the opposite direction to the conveying direction (backward movement), where the degree of rotation of the rotary in the conveying direction is greater than the degree of rotation of the rotary in the opposite direction to the conveying direction. At the same time, the conveying rotational motion must always be viewed in relation to the sieve length. Preferably, the rotation of the rotary in the conveying direction is by an angle α, and the subsequent rotation of the rotary in the opposite direction to the conveying direction is by an angle β, where angle α is greater than angle β. This improves the granule sieving and crushing processes and ensures that the emptying of the rotary chamber is improved. Preferably, angle α has an angular dimension of 5° to 30°, and angle β has an angular dimension of 5° to 25°, in which case angle α preferably has an angular dimension of 10° and angle β has an angular dimension of 5°.

[0014] Furthermore, the rotary vane is formed such that the rotary chamber forms a multi-start helical space. This multi-start helical space of the rotary chamber allows for uniform mass flow through proper overlapping of the rotary chambers via the sieves, thus improving granule distribution by the rotary valve. The wider the rotary is formed, the more advantageous the multi-start helical space of the rotary chamber becomes in achieving uniform mass flow.

[0015] Preferably, the input zone and the discharge zone are arranged asymmetrically within the casing. By arranging the input and discharge zones asymmetrically with respect to each other, the filling of the cell chamber, preferably having a multi-start spiral arrangement, is optimized.

[0016] In further developments of rotary valves, the rotary chamber has an asymmetrically formed cross-section. The asymmetrically formed cross-section of the rotary chamber has a positive effect on optimally filling the input side of the rotary chamber and on emptying the discharge side of the rotary chamber.

[0017] In a further development of the rotary valve, the rotary valve has at least one nozzle device for emptying each rotary chamber with compressed air control. The nozzle device improves the emptiness of the rotary chamber. In this regard, the nozzle device is formed to allow angle-controlled injection of compressed air in the area of ​​the sieve wall portion.

[0018] This problem is further solved in the type of system described above, wherein the rotary valve is formed as the rotary valve described in any one of claims 1 to 13. Advantageously, such a processing plant is suitable for producing the required granules in tablet manufacturing, particularly in the continuous production of solid dosage forms, and for distributing them according to processing requirements for further processing during the process.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment in this regard, the granulator is formed as a fluidizing device, preferably as a vortex bed device or a jet fluidized bed device.

[0020] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a processing plant equipped with a rotary valve downstream of the granulator. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a rotary valve having a cross-section A-A. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cross-section A-A of the first embodiment of the rotary valve shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a radial view of the rotary valve arranged in the first embodiment of the rotary valve. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of a rotary valve having a cross-section B-B. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a half cross-section taken along the cross-section B-B of the second embodiment of the rotary valve shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a radial view of the rotary valve arranged in the second embodiment of the rotary valve.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Unless otherwise specified, the following description relates to all embodiments of the rotary valve 1 for metering, feeding, and / or discharging granules, and the processing plant 2 equipped with the rotary valve 1, which are depicted in the drawings.

[0023] The processing plant 2 has a rotary valve 1 downstream of the granulator 3. Here, the granulator 3 is configured as a fluidizing device, preferably as a high-shear granulator 4, as a roller compressor, or especially as a vortex bed device or a jet bed device. The rotary valve 1 is located upstream of the dryer 5, especially a vortex bed dryer 6, and is connected to the dryer 5 by a line 7, preferably a flexible hose connector 59. The processing plant 2 having the rotary valve 1 is suitable for ensuring pulsation-free distribution, input, and / or discharge of granules into the dryer 5.

[0024] The rotary valve 1 comprises a casing 9 having a casing wall 8 that has at least a substantially cylindrical internal space 10, the internal space 10 being bounded by a cylindrical inner wall surface 11. Furthermore, the internal space 10 has a central axis 12. The internal space 10 of the casing 9 is formed open at its end faces 13 and 14, which are covered by casing covers 15 and 16, respectively, which are removably fixed to the casing 9 by screws (not shown).

[0025] An input unit 19, located in the input zone 17 and having an inlet opening 18, opens into the internal space 10 from above. In the discharge zone 20, which is spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the central axis 12, a discharge unit 22 is located, which has an outlet opening 21 that similarly opens into the internal space 10.

[0026] The casing wall 8 extends beyond the outlet opening 21 and has a sieve wall portion 24 that is formed as a sieve 23 in the region of the outlet opening 21. The sieve 23 is preferably removable and / or replaceable. In the first embodiment of the rotary valve 1 shown in Figure 3, the sieve 23 extends radially within the casing wall 8 and has a hole 26 formed as a bore 25. In the second embodiment of the rotary valve 1 shown in Figure 6, the hole 26 formed as the bore 25 extends axially with respect to the longitudinal central axis 27 of the rotary valve 1.

[0027] The sieve 23 can be formed in different embodiments. For example, as a mesh sieve, or as a metal insert, preferably as a thin metal sheet insert or a steel insert.

[0028] By replacing the sieve 23, it is possible to install sieves 23 with different mesh sizes in the rotary valve 1, and thus the particle size of the granular material can be adapted to process requirements. Typical mesh sizes range from 0.1 mm to 2 mm, and especially from 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0029] Furthermore, the holes 25 formed as pores 26 may preferably have different shapes. The holes 25 may have shapes such as squares, circles, ellipses, or parallelograms. Moreover, the sieve 23 may have holes 25 of different shapes.

[0030] Even if the sieve 23 becomes worn out, it can be replaced. In addition, the fact that the sieve 23 can be removed ensures that cleaning of the sieve is easy. If the sieve 23 is not needed, it can be removed, or a simple frame, for example, not shown, can be used.

[0031] Advantageously, the rotary valve 1 performs not only the distribution, input, and discharge of granules, but also process steps of sieving and crushing the granules. Furthermore, sieving and crushing of the granules makes it possible to improve the distribution of small mass flows, in particular, by the rotary valve 1.

[0032] In the first embodiment of the rotary valve 1 shown in Figure 3, the input zone 17 is located on the upper half side 28 of the rotary valve 1, and the discharge zone 20 is located on the lower half side 29 of the rotary valve 1. The inner wall surfaces 30 and 31 of the input unit 19 extend parallel to the longitudinal central axis 27 and perpendicular from the upper side 57 to the lower side 58. The inner wall surface 32 of the discharge unit 22 extends obliquely to the longitudinal central axis 27 from the upper side 57 to the lower side 58 of the rotary valve 1, while the inner wall surface 33 extends perpendicularly from the upper side 57 to the lower side 58 and parallel to the longitudinal central axis 27. Therefore, the discharge area 34 of the discharge unit 22 is smaller than the projected area 35 of the outlet opening 21.

[0033] The input zone 17 and the discharge zone 20 are positioned at least partially offset from each other across the width 36 of the rotary valve 1. As a result, the input zone 17 and the discharge zone 20 are positioned asymmetrically from each other within the casing 9.

[0034] In contrast, as shown in the second embodiment of the rotary valve 1 in Figure 6, the input zone 17 and the discharge zone 20 are arranged vertically in the center of the rotary valve 1. The inner wall surfaces 30, 31 of the input unit 19 are conical and converge from the upper side 57 to the lower side 58 of the rotary valve 1. Thus, the input surface 37 of the input unit 19 is larger than the protruding surface 38 of the inlet opening 18. The inner wall surfaces 32, 33 of the discharge unit 22 are conical and branch from the upper side 57 to the lower side 58 of the rotary valve 1. Thus, the discharge surface 34 of the discharge unit 22 is larger than the protruding surface 35 of the discharge opening 21. Thus, the input unit 19 and the discharge unit 22, as well as the input zone 17 and the discharge zone 20, are formed symmetrically with respect to the Miller axis 39 within the casing 9.

[0035] The internal space 10 contains a rotary 42 that rotates about a rotation axis 40 that coincides with the central axis 12 while performing a transport rotation motion 41. The rotary 42 is interchangeably located in the internal space 10. Driven by a drive unit 43, preferably by a motor 44, more preferably by an electric motor or torque motor 45, the shaft 46 of the rotary 42 is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) formed in the casing covers 15, 16, through bearing openings (not shown) formed in the casing covers 15, 16. Furthermore, the rotary 42 has rotary vanes 47 that extend radially from the central axis 12 toward the inner wall surface 11.

[0036] Between each of two consecutive rotary vanes 47, a cellular wheel chamber 48 for containing granules is formed. The rotary 42 has a plurality of rotary chambers 48, preferably 3 to 25 rotary chambers 48. The rotary chambers 48 move in the conveying direction 49 from the input zone 17 to the discharge zone 20. The filling of the cell chambers 48 is optimized by arranging the input zone 17 and the discharge zone 20 asymmetrically with respect to each other. Each rotary chamber 48 contains granules below the input unit 19, and in the discharge unit 22, the granules are conveyed through sieve wall portions 24 formed as sieves 23. This allows for continuous volumetric conveying of granules, preferably at a rotary speed of 1 to 100 rpm. The conveying capacity is determined by the granule content in the rotary chambers 48 and the speed of the rotary 42.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the rotary vane 47 of the first embodiment of the rotary 42 is formed such that the rotary chamber 48 forms a multi-start helical space 50 in the direction of the rotation axis 40. The multi-start helical space 50 of the rotary chamber 48 allows for uniform mass flow rate to be achieved by properly overlapping the rotary chamber 48 on the sieve 23, and thus improves the distribution of granules by the rotary valve 1. Preferably, the space 50 has an asymmetrically formed cross-section 51. The wider the rotary 42 is formed, the more advantageous the multi-start helical space 50 of the rotary chamber 48 is in achieving uniform mass flow.

[0038] In contrast to the first embodiment of the rotary 42, the rotary vanes 47 of the second embodiment of the rotary 42 shown in Figure 7 are formed such that the space 50 formed between two consecutive rotary vanes 47 takes the form of a semi-cylindrical shape. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the cross-section 51 of the rotary chamber 48 is formed in a semi-circular shape.

[0039] The drive unit 43 is preferably configured to produce a constant conveying rotational motion 41 of the rotary 42. Such a conveying rotational motion 41 is realized in the first embodiment. The arrangement of the rotary chambers 48 during the constant conveying rotational motion 41 is preferably selected such that at least two rotary chambers 48 are in contact with the sieve 23 at least partially at any point during the conveying rotational motion 41. This can suppress pulsation of the mass flow.

[0040] Optionally, the drive unit 43 is suitable for generating a conveying rotational motion 41, preferably formed as an alternating conveying rotational motion 41. Such a conveying rotational motion 41 is realized in a second embodiment, where the alternating conveying rotational motion 41 comprises a rotation (forward movement) of the rotary 42 in the conveying direction 49, followed by a rotation (backward movement) of the rotary 42 in the opposite direction to the conveying direction 49. In the alternating conveying rotational motion 41, the degree of rotation (forward movement) of the rotary 42 in the conveying direction 49 is preferably greater than the degree of rotation (backward movement) of the rotary 42 in the opposite direction to the conveying direction 49. At the same time, the conveying rotational motion 41 must always be viewed in relation to the length 60 of the sieve. Even with the alternating conveying rotational motion 41, the arrangement of the rotary chambers 48 is preferably selected such that at least two rotary chambers 48 are in contact with the sieve 23 at least partially at any point in the conveying rotational motion 41. This makes it possible to suppress pulsation in the mass flow.

[0041] For example, with alternating conveying rotational motion 41 and a sieve length 60 mm, the forward movement is 60 mm and the backward movement is 45 mm. Other values ​​for forward and / or backward movement are also possible. Thus, after one cycle, i.e., one forward movement and one backward movement, the rotary 42 rotates substantially only 15 mm in the conveying direction 49. This ensures that the same sieve surface 61 is always used and prevents the same sieve surface 61 from being washed again by backward movement.

[0042] This naturally results in angles, namely angle α for forward motion and angle β for backward motion. Thus, the alternating conveying rotational motion 41 also means, in particular, rotating the rotary 42 in the conveying direction 49 by angle α, and then rotating the rotary 42 in the opposite direction to the conveying direction 49 by angle β, where angle α is greater than angle β. This improves the granule sieving and crushing processes and certainly improves the emptying of the rotary chamber 48. Preferably, angle α has an angular dimension of 5° to 30° and angle β has an angular dimension of 5° to 25°, and particularly preferably, angle α has an angular dimension of 10° and angle β has an angular dimension of 5°. The angular dimensions of angles α and β are preferably selected so that at least two spaces 50 are at least partially in contact with the screen 23 at each point in time during the conveying rotational motion 41. This can suppress pulsation of the mass flow.

[0043] By selecting the drive unit 43, the conveying rotational motion 41 can be determined, and in particular, a constant conveying rotational motion 41 or an alternating conveying rotational motion can be selected. The drive unit can also be configured to produce a constant conveying rotational motion 41 of the rotary 42 on the one hand, and an alternating conveying rotational motion 41 on the other hand.

[0044] By forming sealing surfaces 52 and 53, the pressure difference between the input unit 19 and the discharge unit 22 can be effectively separated from each other, and accordingly, two different pressure levels can be maintained. As an example, in the first embodiment of the rotary valve 1 shown in Figure 3, the inner wall surface 11 is formed at least partially as a sealing surface 52, and each rotary vane 47 has a vane surface 54 formed at least partially as a sealing surface 53. In the half cross-section of the second embodiment of the rotary valve 1 shown in Figure 6, only the inner wall surface 11 has a sealing surface 52.

[0045] In a second embodiment of the rotary valve 1 shown in Figure 6, two different possibilities are shown as examples, each comprising at least one nozzle device 55 for emptying the rotary chamber 48 with compressed air control.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the rotary 42 has a nozzle device 55 for emptying each rotary chamber 48 in the form of a plurality of nozzles 56 arranged within the rotary vane 47.

[0047] In the second embodiment, the casing cover 15 has a nozzle device 55 in the form of a nozzle 56, in particular for emptying each rotary chamber 48. Particularly preferably, the nozzle device 55 is formed to allow angle-controlled injection of compressed air into the area of ​​the sieve wall portion 24. Here, it is particularly preferable that the nozzle 56 is located within the casing covers 15, 16 for each rotary chamber 48 simultaneously positioned above the sieve wall portion 24. For example, if the rotary chambers 48 are simultaneously positioned above the sieve 23, it should be possible to preferably blow compressed air through the nozzle 56. While this application relates to the invention described in the claims, it also includes the following other aspects. 1. A rotary valve (1) for dispensing, feeding, and / or discharging granules, This rotary valve (1) is equipped with a casing (9), and within the casing (9) is an internal space (10) which is demarcated by a casing wall (8) having a cylindrical inner wall surface (11) and has a central central axis (12). The casing (9) includes an input unit (19) in the input zone (17) having an inlet opening (18) that opens into the internal space (10), and a discharge unit (22) in the discharge zone (20) spaced apart from the central axis (12) in the circumferential direction of the central axis, which similarly includes an outlet opening (21) that opens into the internal space (10). A rotary (42) is provided. The rotary (42) is positioned in the internal space (10) and is capable of rotating while performing a transport rotational motion (41) about a rotation axis (40) that coincides with the central axis (12), and is equipped with rotary vanes (47) that extend radially from the central axis (12) toward the inner wall surface (11). Between each of two consecutive rotary vanes (47), a rotary chamber (48) for containing granules is formed, and this rotary chamber (48) moves from the input zone (17) to the discharge zone (20) during the conveying rotational motion (41). In the rotary valve (1), A rotary valve (1) characterized in that the casing wall (8) extends beyond the outlet opening (21) and has a sieve wall portion (24) formed as a sieve (23) in the area of ​​the outlet opening (21). 2. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1 above, characterized in that the sieve (23) is removable and / or replaceable. 3. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that the inner wall surface (11) is formed at least partially as a sealing surface (52), and / or each rotary vane (47) has a vane surface (54) formed at least partially as a sealing surface (53). 4. The rotary valve (1) is characterized by comprising a drive unit (43) that transitions the rotary (42) to the conveying rotational motion (41), as described in any one of the above 1 to 3. 5. The rotary valve (1) according to item 4 above, characterized in that the drive unit (43) is suitable for performing a constant conveying rotational motion (41) or alternating conveying rotational motion (41). 6. The alternating conveying rotation motion (41) comprises rotation of the rotary (42) in the conveying direction (49) and subsequent rotation of the rotary (42) in the opposite direction to the conveying direction (49). The rotary valve (1) according to item 5 above, characterized in that the degree of rotation of the rotary (42) in the conveying direction (49) is greater than the degree of rotation of the rotary (42) in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (49). 7. The rotary (42) rotates by an angle α in the conveying direction (49), and following this rotation, the rotary (42) rotates by an angle β in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (49). The rotary valve (1) according to 6 above, characterized in that the angle α is greater than the angle β. 8. The angle α has an angular dimension of 5° to 30°, and the angle β has an angular dimension of 5° to 25°. Preferably, the rotary valve (1) according to 7 above, characterized in that the angle α has an angular dimension of 10° and the angle β has an angular dimension of 5°. 9. The rotary valve (1) according to any one of 1 to 8 above, characterized in that the rotary vane (47) is formed such that the rotary chamber (48) forms a multi-start screw-shaped helical space (50). 10. The rotary valve (1) according to any one of 1 to 9 above, characterized in that the input zone (17) and the discharge zone (20) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to each other within the casing (9). 11. The rotary valve (1) according to any one of 1 to 10 above, characterized in that the rotary chamber (48) has an asymmetrically formed cross-section (51). 12. The rotary valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the rotary valve (1) has at least one nozzle device (55) for controlling the rotary chamber (48) with compressed air. 13. The rotary valve (1) according to 12, characterized in that the rotary (42) has a nozzle device (55) for emptying each rotary chamber (48), and / or the casing cover (15, 16) has a nozzle device (55) for emptying each rotary chamber (48). 14. A processing plant (2) for distributing, feeding, and / or discharging granules without pulsation, comprising a granulator (3) and a rotary valve (1) connected to the discharge section of the granulator (3), wherein the rotary valve (1) is formed as the rotary valve (1) described in any one of the above 1 to 13. 15. The processing plant according to 14, characterized in that the granulator (3) is formed as a fluidizing device, preferably as a vortex bed device or a jet bed device.

Claims

1. A rotary valve (1) for dispensing, feeding, and / or discharging granules, This rotary valve (1) is equipped with a casing (9), and within the casing (9) is an internal space (10) which is demarcated by a casing wall (8) having a cylindrical inner wall surface (11) and has a central central axis (12). The casing (9) includes an input unit (19) in the input zone (17) having an inlet opening (18) that opens into the internal space (10), and a discharge unit (22) in the discharge zone (20) spaced apart from the central axis (12) in the circumferential direction of the central axis, which similarly includes an outlet opening (21) that opens into the internal space (10). A rotary (42) is provided. The rotary (42) is positioned in the internal space (10) and is capable of rotating while performing a transport rotational motion (41) about a rotation axis (40) that coincides with the central axis (12), and is equipped with rotary vanes (47) that extend radially from the central axis (12) toward the inner wall surface (11). Between each of the two consecutive rotary vanes (47), a rotary chamber (48) for containing granules is formed, and this rotary chamber (48) moves from the input zone (17) to the discharge zone (20) during the conveying rotational motion (41). The casing wall (8) extends beyond the outlet opening (21) and has a sieve wall portion (24) that is formed as a sieve (23) in the area of ​​the outlet opening (21). The rotary valve (1) includes a drive unit (43) that moves the rotary (42) into the conveying rotational motion (41). In the rotary valve (1), The drive unit (43) is suitable for performing alternating transport rotational motion (41), The alternating conveying rotation motion (41) comprises rotation of the rotary (42) in the conveying direction (49) and subsequent rotation of the rotary (42) in the opposite direction to the conveying direction (49). The degree of rotation of the rotary (42) in the conveying direction (49) is greater than the degree of rotation of the rotary (42) in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (49). A rotary valve (1) characterized by the above.

2. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sieve (23) is removable and / or replaceable.

3. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall surface (11) is formed at least partially as a sealing surface (52), and / or each rotary vane (47) has a vane surface (54) formed at least partially as a sealing surface (53).

4. The rotary (42) rotates by an angle α in the conveying direction (49), and following this rotation, the rotary (42) rotates by an angle β in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (49). The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle α is greater than the angle β.

5. The angle α has an angular dimension of 5° to 30°, and the angle β has an angular dimension of 5° to 25°. Preferably, the rotary valve (1) according to claim 4 is characterized in that the angle α has an angular dimension of 10° and the angle β has an angular dimension of 5°.

6. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary vane (47) is formed such that the rotary chamber (48) forms a multi-start screw-shaped helical space (50).

7. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the input zone (17) and the discharge zone (20) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to each other within the casing (9).

8. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary chamber (48) has an asymmetrically formed cross-section (51).

9. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary valve (1) has at least one nozzle device (55) for controlling compressed air to empty the rotary chamber (48).

10. The rotary valve (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotary (42) has a nozzle device (55) for emptying each rotary chamber (48), and / or the casing cover (15, 16) has a nozzle device (55) for emptying each rotary chamber (48).

11. A processing plant (2) for distributing, feeding, and / or discharging granules without pulsation, comprising a granulator (3) and a rotary valve (1) connected to the discharge section of the granulator (3), wherein the rotary valve (1) is formed as the rotary valve (1) described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The processing plant according to claim 11, characterized in that the granulator (3) is formed as a fluidizing device, preferably as a vortex bed device or a jet bed device.

Images