Apparatus for drying and / or cooling crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1, 1a, 1b) for drying and / or cooling bulk material, specifically crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes, in particular crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute having an average crystal size of between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, the apparatus comprising an elongate hollow body (10) which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (L) and has a receiving space (102) for receiving the bulk material, and comprising a stationary discharge housing (20) which has a discharge device (200) for discharging (A) the bulk material from the hollow body (10), wherein the receiving space (102) of the hollow body (10) contains internal fittings (103) for at least partially entraining the bulk material while the hollow body (10) rotates about the longitudinal axis (L), and an end portion (104), next to the discharge housing (20), of the hollow body (10) has lifting elements (105) for lifting the bulk material in order to discharge (A) it. According to the invention, the discharge device (200) projects axially into the hollow body (10) and has an upwardly open filling opening (201) located above the longitudinal axis (L) of the hollow body (10).

Description

[0001] Device for drying and / or cooling crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for drying and / or cooling bulk material according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The bulk material according to the invention is / are crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes, in particular crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute with an average crystal size of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 1 mm. Crystalline sugar essentially comprises sucrose, which is obtained from sugar cane and / or sugar beets (and is therefore also referred to as cane sugar and / or beet sugar).

[0004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a use of a device of the aforementioned type for drying and / or cooling bulk material, namely crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes, in particular crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute with an average crystal size between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm.

[0005] In practice, such devices are also referred to as drum dryers, which are used particularly in sugar production plants.

[0006] The sugar fed into the drum dryer or device is moist upon entry into the device due to the previous process steps; in particular, the sugar has previously been treated in a centrifuge and can also be described as "centrifuge-moist" upon entry into the device.

[0007] The device is designed to effectively dry the sugar. The movement of the sugar crystals within the device creates mechanical interactions between the dried syrup and the still-liquid components, creating the necessary crystallization nuclei required for sugar production. Consequently, the device can convert the syrup adhering to the surface into a crystalline form. The drying process should therefore be coordinated with the crystallization process.

[0008] In practice, so-called countercurrent drying drums are known, in which the material to be dried and air are conveyed in countercurrent. The crystalline sugar is discharged from the device after appropriate treatment. For this purpose, it is known in practice to provide an opening at the bottom of a rotating hollow body of the device through which the sugar can be discharged from the device. The sugar is then fed to other devices for storage, further processing, filling, and / or packaging.

[0009] The drum dryer's footprint is comparatively large. Furthermore, the sugar must be removed from the drum dryer, which is a complex process. Space-saving provision of the device cannot be ensured by conventional devices. A raised installation, particularly jacking up, of the device is necessary for further removal of the bulk material, but this requires considerable space and is associated with considerable expense. Furthermore, the bulk material feed must be designed and / or arranged at an appropriate height.

[0010] The present invention is based on the object of providing a device for treating bulk material that enables reliable and effective discharge of treated bulk material. The bulk material is formed by sugar crystals or crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes.

[0011] The present object is achieved by a device for treating bulk material having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments or further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention is based on a device for treating bulk material with an elongated hollow body rotatable about a longitudinal axis, wherein the device can also be referred to as a drum dryer. The hollow body has a receiving space for receiving the bulk material. Furthermore, the device is provided with a stationary discharge housing which has a discharge device for discharging the bulk material from the hollow body. In this case, internals for at least partially entraining the bulk material when the hollow body rotates about the longitudinal axis are present in the receiving space of the hollow body. An end section of the hollow body facing the discharge housing has lifting elements for raising the bulk material for the purpose of discharge.As previously explained, the bulk material is / are crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitute(s), in particular with an average crystal size and / or an average particle size of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 1 mm. The crystalline sugar can originate from sugar beet and / or sugar cane, with the bulk material being in particular crystalline beet sugar and / or crystalline cane sugar. After treatment in the device, the bulk material can be referred to as refined sugar, preferably household sugar (sucrose), in particular refined beet sugar and / or refined cane sugar.

[0013] Sugar substitutes are chemical polyols, also called sugar alcohols.

[0014] According to the invention, it is now proposed that the discharge device projects axially into the hollow body and has an upwardly open filling opening which is arranged above the longitudinal axis of the hollow body.

[0015] These features create the basic prerequisite for the device to enable reliable and effective discharge of treated bulk material. Furthermore, by raising the discharge device's filling opening above the longitudinal axis of the hollow body, a raised discharge position can also be achieved, ultimately reducing the device's overall height in its final assembly position on site.

[0016] According to the invention, in particular the discharge of the bulk material can be optimized, while at the same time the device can be provided in a space-saving manner.

[0017] The subsequent further treatment of the bulk material is simplified because the discharge of the bulk material from the top allows for a simple arrangement of any conveying devices and / or other devices for feeding the bulk material to further treatment steps, such as packaging.

[0018] Furthermore, the space requirement of the device according to the invention, in terms of the overall height of the device and upstream and / or downstream conveying devices, is reduced compared to devices known from practice. The treatment of the bulk material by the device can, for example, be drying and / or cooling during the bulk material's passage through the device.

[0019] In the final assembly position of the device, the longitudinal axis of the hollow body is preferably slightly inclined in the direction of the discharge in order to support the movement of the bulk material during its treatment in the direction of the discharge housing.

[0020] In addition to the preferred inclination of the device from the product feed or bulk material inlet to the product discharge or bulk material discharge, the internal fittings can ensure the movement of the bulk material or product transport in the device.

[0021] Drying or cooling in the device is, in particular, the final process step before packaging the bulk material. In particular, the device enables the bulk material to be brought into a dry and / or stable state for storage, transport, and / or packaging. The maximum residual water content of the bulk material after treatment in the device according to the invention should preferably be between 0.01% and 0.08%, in particular between 0.03% and 0.04%.

[0022] Preferably, the movement of the device can prevent the formation of lumps of the bulk material and / or the formation of amorphous crystal layers on the crystal surface.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device enables a throughput of the bulk material of at least 50 t / h, in particular between 50 t / h and 1000 t / h, more preferably between 80 t / h and 200 t / h.

[0024] Furthermore, the bulk material, in particular the wet sugar, can have a temperature of at least 40 °C upon entering the device, preferably between 45 °C and 80 °C, more preferably between 50 °C and 70 °C, and in particular 60 °C + / - 20%. The water content of the bulk material upon entering can be at least 0.1%, preferably between 0.2% and 5%, in particular between 0.5% and 1%. This water content can be reduced to the residual water contents discussed above through treatment in the device.

[0025] Upon exiting the device, the bulk material may have been cooled to a temperature of no more than 40 °C, preferably no more than 35 °C, more preferably between 15 °C and 35 °C. The temperature of the bulk material may also depend on the ambient climatic conditions.

[0026] The device and / or the hollow body preferably has a length of between 1 m and 25 m, preferably between 5 m and 20 m, more preferably between 6 m and 14 m. Furthermore, the maximum diameter of the hollow body can be between 0.5 m and 10 m, preferably between 1 m and 5 m. The total height of the device can furthermore be up to 10 m, preferably between 1 m and 10 m, more preferably between 2 m and 8 m. This height can be reduced compared to devices known from practice by the inventive design of the discharge of the bulk material, preferably by at least 1 m.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device comprises a discharge opening of the discharge device, which communicates with the internal filling opening and is provided on the outside of the discharge device, for discharging the bulk material from the hollow body. Particularly preferably, the discharge opening is directly adjacent to the interior of the discharge housing.

[0028] The discharge opening is preferably arranged at least partially, preferably completely, in the upper region of the discharge housing, in particular wherein the upper region relates to the installed state or the state of use of the device. In the state of use, the device is mounted in particular on a substrate. According to the invention, the upper region of the discharge housing faces away from the substrate. Furthermore, the upper region in particular does not include the underside of the device and / or the discharge housing facing the substrate. Particularly preferably, the discharge opening is arranged at least partially, preferably completely, in the upper three-quarters of the discharge housing, in particular wherein the upper three-quarters arises in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body.Thus, the upper three-quarters of the discharge housing can comprise the half of the discharge housing provided above the longitudinal axis of the hollow body and the quarter adjoining the upper half of the discharge housing. The quarter adjoining the upper half of the discharge housing refers to a terminal edge that runs, in particular, parallel to the substrate. Accordingly, the upper three-quarters can be separated from the lower quarter of the discharge housing by a terminal edge that runs, in particular, at least substantially parallel to the substrate.

[0029] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive concept, it is provided that the discharge opening is arranged at least partially, preferably completely, in the upper half of the discharge housing, in particular wherein the upper half is provided above the longitudinal axis of the hollow body, facing away from the substrate.

[0030] Arranging the discharge opening in the upper area enables optimized discharge of the bulk material from the device. This makes it easier to connect to additional devices for further processing of the bulk material, preferably with a smaller space requirement. In particular, the upper arrangement of the discharge opening, particularly preferably at least partially above the longitudinal axis of the hollow body, which is made possible in particular by the upper arrangement of the filling opening of the discharge device, allows the distance between the underside of the end section of the hollow body and the ground to be reduced. This reduction also requires less space or a lower overall height for the entire device and furthermore facilitates assembly.

[0031] Furthermore, the discharge device preferably has a receiving hopper with a hopper neck. The receiving hopper can have the filling opening. The hopper neck is, in particular, a tapered section of the receiving hopper for discharging the bulk material, particularly wherein the hopper neck is arranged in the lower region of the receiving hopper facing the ground. The receiving hopper can be adapted to the shape of the end section, so that, in particular, a large quantity of bulk material can be collected and discharged through the receiving hopper.

[0032] The funnel neck is arranged, in particular, preferably entirely, in the discharge housing or in the interior of the discharge housing. The funnel neck can have an inner opening leading into a funnel region of the receiving funnel and another outer opening opposite the inner opening. The outer opening of the funnel neck can, in particular, directly merge into the discharge opening and / or form the discharge opening.

[0033] The funnel neck preferably merges, preferably directly, into an outer discharge nozzle having the discharge opening. In this context, it can be provided that the funnel neck is arranged entirely within the interior of the discharge housing. On the outer side of the discharge housing, in particular the front side, the funnel neck can then merge into the discharge nozzle, which protrudes and / or protrudes from the outer side of the discharge housing. The discharge nozzle can simplify the arrangement of additional devices or means for further processing of the bulk material.

[0034] Accordingly, in particular both the discharge nozzle and the funnel neck can have the discharge opening, since particularly preferably the funnel neck on the outside of the discharge housing preferably merges directly into the discharge nozzle.

[0035] The discharge opening preferably forms the open end of the discharge nozzle facing the hollow body or the end section of the hollow body. Furthermore, the discharge nozzle can have an outer opening opposite the discharge opening. The outer opening can form a further open end of the discharge nozzle. The outer opening can—but does not have to—be arranged at least partially, preferably entirely, in the upper region of the discharge housing, preferably in the upper three-quarters of the discharge housing, in particular in the upper half of the discharge housing.

[0036] In a further preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept, the receiving funnel has an asymmetric funnel region.

[0037] The asymmetrical hopper section can more preferably merge into the hopper neck in its lower region facing the ground. The hopper section can also have a rear wall, a front wall facing the hollow body, in particular arranged parallel to the rear wall, and discharge walls connecting the front and rear walls for discharging the bulk material towards the hopper neck. The rear wall of the hopper section can also be considered a component of the discharge housing. The discharge walls can merge into one another in their respective lower regions, preferably in a curved transition region. The lower region refers to the region of the discharge walls facing the ground. Thus, the respective length of the lower region of the respective discharge wall can correspond to at least 10%, preferably between 10% and 30%, of the length of the respective discharge wall.The length of the respective discharge wall preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated discharge wall.

[0038] The discharge walls can also be of different lengths to form the asymmetrical funnel region. Differently occupied areas of the discharge walls can also be created in this way. Preferably, both discharge walls can have at least substantially the same width - in particular, the width of the discharge walls runs in the longitudinal direction or in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the hollow body - but differ in their length. The first discharge wall can be at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably between 70% and 200%, in particular between 80% and 130% larger in area than the second discharge wall. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the first discharge wall is at least 50%, preferably between 70% and 200%, more preferably between 80% and 130% longer than the second discharge wall.

[0039] In a further preferred embodiment, the first discharge wall slopes downwards from the front wall to the rear wall and can thus, in particular, have an inclined position. This inclined arrangement of the first discharge wall thus enables improved discharge of the bulk material from the filling opening of the receiving hopper into the hopper neck.

[0040] The filling opening is preferably formed by at least one curved, in particular circular arc-shaped, boundary edge of the front wall and / or the rear wall. In particular, the at least one boundary edge can be positioned close to and / or at a short distance from the lifting elements. Thus, the minimum distance between the boundary edge and the immediately adjacent respective lifting element can be less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm, in particular between 1 mm and 4 cm, and more preferably between 5 mm and 3 cm. A very advantageous embodiment of the invention proposes that—viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the hollow body—at least one upper boundary edge of the filling opening of the discharge device has a curvature that is adapted to the curvature of a radially inner height and / or envelope curve formed by the lifting elements.The edge of the filling opening is positioned close to the lifting elements. "Close" here means a radial distance of only a few centimeters or even a distance of just a few millimeters.

[0041] This contributes to the reliability of the discharge process. In particular, the bulk material in the discharge area can be effectively sealed off from the rest of the receiving chamber, or at least largely sealed off. The risk of bulk material being blown out of the lifting elements by air currents in the receiving chamber and thus lost as discharge is significantly reduced.

[0042] According to a first advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that each lifting element has at least three walls which together form a shovel-like lifting element, wherein one of the walls forms an end face of the lifting element which faces an inlet area of ​​the bulk material in the receiving space. In particular, at least one wall is flat. In this way, a significant contribution is made to the efficiency of discharge by the device. The bulk material can thus be easily picked up by the lifting elements and held until discharge. The inlet area in the receiving space of the hollow body is the area in which an inlet opening is located in the hollow body, where the bulk material enters the receiving space of the hollow body. Viewed axially, the inlet area is opposite the discharge housing.

[0043] According to a highly advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, each lifting element has a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall. The first wall and the second wall form a first angle with each other that is greater than 90 degrees. The third wall adjoins the end faces of the other walls in such a way that an angle greater than 90 degrees results both between the first wall and the third wall and between the second wall and the third wall. Such a design also contributes significantly to increasing the efficiency of discharge by the device. In particular, it enables the bulk material to flow particularly well and unhindered into a lifting element between two consecutive lifting elements.

[0044] Furthermore, the first and second walls can preferably each be aligned with a direction of their surface extension parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body. However, an oblique alignment to the longitudinal axis is also conceivable.

[0045] According to another refinement, the first and second walls, with their end faces opposite the third wall, extend up to one end face of the hollow body of the device. This refinement also contributes to reliability and increased discharge.

[0046] It is highly advantageous if the first wall is perpendicular to an inner surface of the hollow body. In other words, the first wall is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hollow body, around which the hollow body rotates during operation of the device. This allows, on the one hand, the distance between the lifting elements to be significantly reduced without significantly losing volume in the lifting elements. On the other hand, it minimizes the distance the bulk material must travel during discharge, thus minimizing the time during which the bulk material is discharged from the lifting element.

[0047] It is advantageous for increasing the discharge if the first wall forms an angle with the second wall in a range of about 130 degrees to about 150 degrees, preferably an angle of about 140 degrees.

[0048] Particularly preferably, at least the second wall is flat, preferably for optimized introduction of the bulk material into the receiving hopper.

[0049] The device comprises, in particular, an air supply device for supplying air into the hollow body for drying and / or cooling the bulk material. The air supply device is preferably arranged such that the air is fed into the device in a countercurrent flow relative to the flow of the bulk material.

[0050] Preferably, the air required for drying and / or cooling can be heated and / or cooled to the required temperature, in particular in air heaters and / or air coolers, and then preferably passed through the device using the countercurrent principle.

[0051] The built-in components can also ensure that the bulk material can repeatedly trickle across the drying or cooling air.

[0052] The device can also be operated depending on different ambient conditions. In particular, the heating and / or cooling of the air before supply via the air supply device is carried out depending on the cold or warm environment.

[0053] Particularly in warm environments, cooling of the ambient air before feeding it to the device is necessary. Preferably, air is supplied to the device via the air supply device at a temperature between 10 °C and 30 °C, in particular 15 °C + / - 30%. In particular, the air supply device enables cooling of the bulk material to 30 °C + / - 10 °C upon discharge.

[0054] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the air supply device is designed such that the supplied air is introduced into the end section of the hollow body, which in particular enables the air supply device to operate according to the countercurrent principle. In particular, the air supply device can be arranged on and / or adjacent to the discharge housing. The air supply device is preferably arranged stationary, rotationally fixed, and / or non-rotating on the discharge housing.

[0055] Furthermore, the air supply device can, in particular, ensure an at least substantially uniform and / or low-turbulence air flow across the cross-section of the device, in particular excluding the end section of the hollow body. Consequently, the bulk material can be dried at least substantially uniformly in the hollow body during transport along the longitudinal axis of the hollow body.

[0056] Particularly preferably, the air supply device can open into the end section of the hollow body. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the air supply device introduces at least one air flow into the end section of the hollow body, which also enables operation in the countercurrent process. Preferably, the air supply device has a ventilation housing on the outside of the discharge housing, which communicates with the receiving space of the hollow body. The ventilation housing can be firmly connected to the discharge housing. The air heaters and / or air coolers can be connected and / or arranged at least indirectly to this ventilation housing, so that the heated and / or cooled air flow can be introduced into the hollow body via the ventilation housing.

[0057] Furthermore, in a further preferred embodiment of the inventive concept, the air supply device can be designed to introduce a plurality of separate, in particular spatially separated and / or fluidically separated, partial air flows. In particular, the air supply device is designed such that, upon entering the hollow body, at least a first partial air flow is directed downward, in particular away from the inlet opening of the discharge device, and / or at least one further partial air flow is directed laterally. The plurality of partial air flows enable an optimized introduction of the heated air flow.Thus, the arrangement of the partial air flows according to the invention, which can ultimately be ensured via the air supply device, creates the possibility according to the invention that the air supply device can be arranged in particular only on the discharge housing and in communication with the end section of the hollow body, whereby uniform drying and / or cooling of the bulk material can nevertheless be made possible over the length of the hollow body, in particular in the countercurrent principle.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, in a further preferred embodiment, the air supply device comprises an air flow divider, forming an upper air duct and a lower air duct, in particular wherein the air ducts are each designed to guide a partial air flow, particularly preferably of the aforementioned type. This provides, in particular, the basic prerequisite for improved introduction of the air, in particular the cold air, into the receiving space. In particular, this allows the air, preferably the cold air, to be introduced more specifically into the end section of the hollow body and / or into the receiving space, and its air flow can be evened out there.

[0059] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and further partial air flows run at least partially obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body upon entry into the hollow body and / or are at least partially redirected and / or deflected upon entry into the hollow body. This oblique arrangement of the partial air flows preferably enables optimized introduction of the air flow into the hollow body, in particular for drying and / or cooling the bulk material.

[0060] In addition, according to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, flat first air guiding devices with a horizontal or nearly horizontal cross-section can be arranged in the upper air duct, and flat further air guiding devices with a vertical or nearly vertical cross-section can be arranged in the lower air duct. This achieves a very uniform distribution of the air, especially the cold air. Furthermore, the flow velocity of the air, especially the cold air, in the area of ​​the discharge device can be kept low, thereby preventing unwanted drifting of the bulk material to be discharged in this area.

[0061] Particularly preferably, at least two first air guiding devices are arranged in the upper air duct, in particular between 2 and 8, and at least three further air guiding devices are arranged in the lower air duct, in particular between 3 and 15. Tests conducted during the development of the present invention have shown that the aforementioned number of air guiding devices can ensure improved air entry into the hollow body.

[0062] Preferably, at least one first air guiding device and / or at least one further air guiding device, in particular all first air guiding devices and / or all further air guiding devices, are curved in cross-section. A curved design enables the air flow to enter the hollow body with low turbulence and thus contributes to a more uniform air flow in the hollow body.

[0063] According to a further, highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that a further tubular air introduction device protrudes into the receiving space, which is in particular aligned concentrically to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body and preferably communicates with an opening of the discharge housing.

[0064] This design contributes to highly effective treatment of the bulk material in the device. Thus, in particular, warm air for drying the bulk material can be blown specifically and primarily into the intake area of ​​the receiving chamber through the tubular additional air inlet device extending into the receiving chamber. At the same time, cold air can be conveyed into the receiving chamber, particularly through the air supply device, for the final cooling of the heated bulk material. The tubular additional air inlet device preferably extends into the receiving chamber up to at least one-third, particularly preferably up to approximately half, of its longitudinal extent.

[0065] The additional air inlet device allows the air temperature to be increased as needed, thereby increasing the drying performance, particularly in the front section, where the filling opening is located. This makes it possible to reduce the drying energy in the rear section of the hollow body, where the discharge area is located, allowing the drying process to proceed more gently. An optimized ratio between energy input and water evaporation can be ensured.

[0066] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that a ring-like element be present in the receiving space, which extends radially from an inner surface of the hollow body into the receiving space. The ring-like element spatially separates a region of the receiving space containing the lifting elements, in particular the end section of the hollow body, from a remaining region containing the said internal components. In particular, the ring-like element has openings that are uniformly arranged along the ring-like element and extend radially inward, each starting from the inner surface of the hollow body.

[0067] This creates a damming effect of the bulk material in the end area of ​​the hollow body. This ensures a good residence time of the bulk material in the device, thus increasing the reliability and uniformity of the drying and / or cooling process.

[0068] It is very advantageous if there is an axial distance between the internals and the lifting elements. This creates an area in which there are no internals. This leads to a more uniform flow of bulk material in this area. The flow of the bulk material into the lifting elements is thereby further facilitated. It has proven advantageous if the discharge walls in particular each form an angle in the range of approximately 40° to approximately 60°, preferably an angle of approximately 55 degrees, to a horizontal line running at least substantially parallel to the subsurface and / or the lower edge or the lowest edge of the hollow body. This can contribute to reliable discharge of the bulk material entering the discharge device.

[0069] According to a further development, a sealing device is arranged in the region of a front opening of the hollow body into which the discharge housing projects. This sealing device seals the hollow body against the discharge housing, wherein the sealing device is connected to the hollow body. In this way, an easy-to-implement yet effective seal can be provided, which contributes to reliable operation of the device.

[0070] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments for drying and / or cooling bulk material, namely crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute, in particular crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitute(s) with an average crystal size between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm.

[0071] It is understood that with regard to the advantages and / or with regard to preferred embodiments of the use, reference may be made to the above-mentioned statement regarding the device according to the invention, which also applies in the same way to the use according to the invention, without this requiring any further explicit explanation.

[0072] The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for drying sugar or for drying at least one sugar substitute, so that the advantages of the drying drum according to the invention or the device according to the invention are highly evident when used according to the invention.

[0073] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures. This also makes further features and advantages of the invention clear. Identical reference symbols, even in different figures, refer to identical, comparable or functionally identical components. Corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved even if a repeated description or reference to them is not made. The figures are not, or at least not always, to scale. In some figures, proportions or distances may be exaggerated in order to emphasize features of an embodiment more clearly. If the term “and / or” is used in a list of two or more terms or objects, this can mean that any one of the listed terms or objects can be used on its own.It can also mean that any combination of two or more of the listed terms or objects can be used.

[0074] They show, schematically

[0075] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device in the assembled state (particularly preferred embodiment),

[0076] Fig. 2 is a partial view of the device according to Fig. 1 from above,

[0077] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the device according to section III of Fig. 2,

[0078] Fig. 4 is an internal view of the discharge area of ​​the hollow body of the device according to view IV of Fig. 3,

[0079] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the hollow body in the discharge area of ​​the device,

[0080] Fig. 6 is a perspective external view of the discharge area of ​​the device according to view VI of Fig. 5,

[0081] Fig. 7 is a sectional view along section VII from Fig. 6,

[0082] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of lifting elements according to the invention, Fig. 9 is a view of a second embodiment of the device from above, comparable to the view in Fig. 2,

[0083] Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the device according to section line XX in Fig. 9,

[0084] Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective external view of a further embodiment of the discharge area of ​​the device according to the invention,

[0085] Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective front view of the discharge area of ​​the device shown in Fig. 11,

[0086] Fig. 13 is a schematic front view of the discharge area of ​​the device shown in Fig. 12,

[0087] Fig. 14 is a schematic rear view of the discharge area of ​​the device shown in Fig. 11,

[0088] Fig. 15 is a further schematic front view of the discharge area of ​​the device shown in Fig. 12,

[0089] Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a partial section of another embodiment of the device according to the invention,

[0090] Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention in the assembled state,

[0091] Fig. 18 is a schematic perspective view of a receiving funnel according to the invention with discharge nozzles arranged thereon,

[0092] Fig. 19 is a further schematic perspective view of the receiving funnel shown in Fig. 18 without the discharge nozzle,

[0093] Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective detailed view of internals according to the invention, Fig. 21 is a schematic perspective sectional view of a further embodiment according to the invention of the discharge area of ​​the device and

[0094] Fig. 22 is a schematic front view of a further embodiment of the discharge area of ​​the hollow body of the device without a ring-like element.

[0095] The following statements refer to the embodiments of the device 1a, 1b according to the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 10.

[0096] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1a in perspective and in an assembled state. The device 1a has a cylindrical hollow body 10 which can be set in rotation about a longitudinal axis L by drive motors (not shown in detail) on suitable bearing bases 13 and bearing rings 14 rotatably mounted therein. Furthermore, a container-like feed device 11 with a feed opening (not shown) is shown, through which bulk material to be treated can be fed to the device 1a. The bulk material is formed by crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute. In particular, the crystalline sugar and / or the sugar substitute(s) has an average crystal size of between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm.

[0097] Air introduced into the device 1a can be expelled through an air outlet opening 12. In the present embodiment, the device 1a serves in particular for the treatment, i.e., the drying and cooling of sugar crystals.

[0098] The device 1a has a discharge housing 20. The discharge housing 20 is stationary relative to the rotatable hollow body 10. In other words, during operation of the device 1a, the hollow body 10 rotates around the discharge housing 20. Furthermore, it can be seen that the discharge housing 20 is provided with a discharge opening 202 and with a warm air supply nozzle 21. The warm air supply nozzle 21 has an opening 22 through which warm air can be introduced into the interior or receiving space of the hollow body 10, as will be explained in more detail later. Furthermore, the discharge housing 20 is connected to an air supply device 204. Preconditioned cold air for cooling the bulk material can be supplied to the receiving space of the hollow body 10 via the air supply device 204. This will also be explained in more detail later.

[0099] In the illustrated assembly state, the hollow body 10 is slightly inclined with a longitudinal axis L at an angle y relative to a horizontal in the direction of the discharge housing 20. This facilitates the movement of the bulk material from the feed device 11 in the direction of the discharge housing 20.

[0100] In Figs. 2 and 3, the device 1a is shown only with those components that are essential for understanding the invention. Thus, only the hollow body 10 together with the discharge housing 20 are visible. The bulk material fed via the feed device 11 (Fig. 1) can enter a receiving space 102 of the hollow body 10 via an inlet opening 101 in an end wall of the hollow body 10.

[0101] The receiving chamber 102 has a shell-side inner surface 113, which is provided with a plurality of internals 103. The internals 103 serve to achieve favorable heat and mass transfer conditions between the bulk material to be treated and the air introduced into the receiving chamber 102. Thus, the internals 103 ensure that the bulk material is carried in the direction of rotation of the hollow body 10 and can repeatedly trickle transversely through the introduced air. The internals 103 are not shown in detail in Figs. 1 to 10.

[0102] In a further preferred embodiment, as shown in Figs. 16 and 20, internals 103 are provided which are designed to carry the bulk material along the transport or movement direction B of the bulk material - that is, in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10. The internals 103 can be of the same or different design. Different internals 103 are shown in more detail in Fig. 20. Thus, in the front region of the hollow body 10, which faces the feed device 11, a first form of internals 103a is provided, which has a scoop-shaped, in particular curved, section and is firmly connected to the inner surface 113 of the hollow body 10 via a holding section. The first section, which has the internals 103a, is followed by a second section, which has a second form of internals 103b.The second internals 103b are wider in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body 10 than the internals 103a, in particular by at least 50% to 200%. The internals 103b are also scoop-shaped and are connected to the inner surface 113 of the hollow body 10 via a corresponding holder. The internals 103b have an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section and, in particular, have a zigzag-shaped line as a terminal edge on their open, long end face. The zigzag line can, in particular, be symmetrical and preferably serve to improve the flowability of the bulk material.

[0103] During the rotation of the hollow body 10, the bulk material also moves in a direction of movement B, i.e. in the direction of the discharge housing 20.

[0104] At the end opposite the inlet opening 101, the hollow body 10 has an end face 111 with a central opening 112 aligned concentrically around the longitudinal axis L. The opening 112 is circular. The discharge housing 20, with a likewise circular housing portion, is partially recessed into this opening 112. An annular gap thus created between the end face 111 and the discharge housing 20 is sealed by a circumferential sealing device 210.

[0105] The discharge housing 20 is connected to a discharge device 200. The discharge device 200 projects axially into the receiving space 102. It has an upwardly open filling opening 201, which is arranged above the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10. The discharge device 200 is preferably funnel-shaped.

[0106] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 3, an end section 104 of the hollow body 10 adjoins the internals 103 of the receiving space 102. In the exemplary embodiment, this end section 104 has the same diameter as the region of the hollow body 10 with the internals 103. However, the end section 104 can also have a different diameter, for example a larger diameter. The end section 104 begins with an annular element 106. After the annular element 106, there is a region 114 without any internals. After an axial distance a from the annular element 106, there follows a region in which the inner surface 113 is provided with a plurality of specially designed lifting elements 105. The distance a can vary depending on the design of the device 1a and can easily amount to several decimetres.

[0107] Deviating from the exemplary embodiment, it is also conceivable that no ring-like element 106 is present. In this case, it is equally advantageous and provides the aforementioned benefits if the aforementioned axial distance a also follows the last of the internals 103 without any internals 103.

[0108] The lifting elements 105 serve to lift the bulk material that has reached the end section 104 to such an extent that it can be discharged into the filling opening 201 of the discharge device 200. From there, the bulk material reaches the discharge opening 202, where it can then be removed directly from the device 1a or conveyed to subsequent processing stations by further, generally airtight conveying devices (such as a rotary valve).

[0109] As can be seen, the lifting elements 105 extend axially to the end face 111 of the hollow body 10. Furthermore, in the region of the central opening 112, a further ring-like element 107 is arranged, which concentrically surrounds the central opening 112. The wall of the further ring-like element 107 is perpendicular to the end face 111, thus extending in the axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L into the receiving space 102.

[0110] Furthermore, a further air introduction device 109 is shown. This serves to introduce heated air into the receiving space 102 and is designed as a tube which, starting from the discharge housing 20, extends concentrically to the longitudinal axis L into the receiving space 102. The further air introduction device 109 rotates with the hollow body 10 and is rotatably mounted in a receptacle in the discharge housing 20. To increase stability, the air introduction device 109 is radially supported against the hollow body 10 by a support device 110 which also rotates. The further air introduction device 109 extends only part of the length of the hollow body 10 into the receiving space 102, preferably only up to a maximum of approximately half or up to one-third of the length of the hollow body 10. This enables targeted heating of the bulk material located in the inlet area and in the central area of ​​the receiving space 102.

[0111] Finally, it can be seen from the figures that the air supply device 204 has an air flow divider 205, through which an upper air duct 206 and a lower air duct 207 are formed. The upper air duct 206 also has air guiding devices 208, and the lower air duct 207 has air guiding devices 209. The air guiding devices 208, 209 serve to specifically guide the air flow of the possibly conditioned air supplied to the receiving space 102, as will be explained later. The air can, in particular, be cold air for cooling the bulk material.

[0112] Reference is now made to Figs. 4 and 5. These show a more detailed view in the axial direction from the inside of the discharge housing 20 and the end section 104 of the hollow body 10.

[0113] It is indicated by dashed lines that the hollow body 10, when rotating about the longitudinal axis L, has a high-speed cross-sectional portion H and a low-speed cross-sectional portion N. The ring-like element 106, which may consist of several segments, has a plurality of openings 106a. The openings 106a originate from the inner surface 113 and extend in the radial direction of the ring-like element 106, preferably almost to its radial center. They are elongated in the circumferential direction of the ring-like element 106. Furthermore, the openings 106a are arranged evenly distributed along the circumference of the ring-like element 106.Due to the ring-like element 106 and the openings 106a, on the one hand, a good residence time of the bulk material in the receiving space 102 is contributed to, and on the other hand, the openings 106a enable a controlled transition of the bulk material from the receiving space 102 into the end section 104 and the actual discharge area of ​​the hollow body 10.

[0114] As can be seen, the air guiding devices 208, 209 each consist of several leaf- or wing-like elements. The air guiding devices 208 have elements with cross-sections that are aligned approximately horizontally, and the air guiding devices 209 have elements with cross-sections that are aligned approximately vertically.

[0115] If, in a view according to Fig. 4, the discharge housing 20 is divided into four imaginary quadrants, the air guiding devices 208 are arranged at least predominantly in a second quadrant (from 90-180 degrees) and the air guiding devices 209 are arranged at least predominantly in a third quadrant (from 180-270 degrees). Furthermore, the air guiding devices 208, 209 each preferably consist of several flat elements arranged in a row in the air flow direction, which are shaped and arranged in such a way that a curved course of the air flow results. In particular, the incoming cold air for cooling is guided by the air guiding devices 208 into an air flow L1 directed primarily downwards and toward the low-rotation cross-sectional part N and by the air guiding devices 209 into an air flow L2 directed primarily toward the high-rotation cross-sectional part H (see also Fig. 7).

[0116] However, a small portion of the air guided in the upper air duct 206 is introduced axially into the upper region of the receiving space 102 as air flow LT. The air flow LT can transport bulk material falling from the further ring-like element 107 axially toward the receiving space 102. Thus, the falling of bulk material onto a radial inner side of the further ring-like element 107 can be largely prevented (see also Fig. 7).

[0117] The described air flow pattern can contribute to both very effective cooling and efficient discharge of the bulk material. This way, the air flow is largely kept away from the discharge device 200, or at least the flow velocity in the area of ​​the discharge device 200 is kept low.

[0118] As can be seen from Fig. 4, the discharge device 200 is located at least predominantly in a first quadrant (from 0 - 90 degrees) of the discharge housing 20. A partition element 115 is also arranged between the air guiding device 208 and the discharge device 200.

[0119] It goes without saying that if the direction of rotation of the hollow body 10 is reversed with the lifting elements 105 being aligned accordingly, the discharge device 200 is to be arranged predominantly in the second quadrant, the air guiding devices 208 in the first quadrant and the air guiding devices 209 in the fourth quadrant.

[0120] It should also be emphasized that, in a plan view of the discharge housing 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, the filling opening 201 of the discharge device 200 has an upper boundary edge 201a that is curved and extends close to the radially inwardly projecting lifting elements 105. The filling opening 201 is thus located so far above the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10 that even the discharge opening 202 can be arranged at the level of the longitudinal axis L or even above it. The discharge opening 202, thus raised in its position, also contributes to the fact that the required overall height of the device 1a can be significantly reduced during assembly and operation.

[0121] The curvature of the boundary edge 201a is adapted to a curvature formed by a radially inner height and / or envelope curve 105d, formed by the radially inner ends of the lifting elements 105. This feature also contributes to optimizing the discharge of the bulk material. This minimizes the risk of the bulk material being blown away in the area of ​​the filling opening 201 of the discharge device 200, even if, despite the aforementioned air guidance, an increased air flow should exceptionally occur in this area.

[0122] Inclined walls of the discharge device 200 have an angle 5 to the horizontal, which preferably lies in a range of approximately 30° to approximately 60°, particularly preferably approximately 55°. This supports the reliable removal of the discharge A of the bulk material (indicated by dashed lines) dropped into the discharge device 200 by the lifting elements 105.

[0123] Furthermore, it should be noted that the discharge device 200, viewed in the direction of rotation of the hollow body 10, has a length I in the region of its filling opening 201 which is dimensioned such that the entire received quantity of bulk material can be discharged into the filling opening 201 by a lifting element 105 over the length I.

[0124] From Fig. 6 it is clearly visible that the discharge opening 202 is at the level of the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10 or even above it.

[0125] Fig. 7 clearly shows how air entering the air supply device 204 passes through the air flow divider 205 into the upper air duct 206 and into the lower air duct 207. As already explained, the air in the upper air duct 206 is predominantly transformed into a downward air flow L1 and partly into an axial air flow LT by the air guiding devices 208. The air in the lower air duct 207 is predominantly directed downwards and from there as air flow L2 in the direction of the high-speed cross-sectional part H (cf. Fig. 4) of the hollow body 10. It is thus distributed in a circulating manner within the hollow body 10. The ring-like element 106 and the downstream area 114 without internals can even out the flow of the bulk material and thus promote the inflow of bulk material into the lifting elements 105.

[0126] The special design of the lifting elements 105 is clearly visible in Fig. 8. Each lifting element 105 preferably has at least one flat wall 105a, 105b, 105c, preferably at least three flat walls 105a, 105b, 105c, in particular a first wall 105a, a second wall 105b, and a third wall 105c. The second wall 105b is preferably flat. The walls 105a and 105c can - but do not have to - be flat. The flatness of the walls 105a to 105c, in particular the second wall 105b, creates the basic prerequisite for the bulk material picked up by the lifting elements 105 to begin slipping out of the lifting element 105 at a defined pivot point when the hollow body 10 rotates.

[0127] The first wall 105a is perpendicular to the inner surface 113 and is aligned with the longitudinal axis L, thus pointing toward it (see also Fig. 4). The first wall 105a is connected to the second wall 105b and forms an angle a with it that is greater than 90 degrees. Preferably, the angle a is in a range of approximately 130 to 150 degrees; particularly preferably, the angle a is approximately 140 degrees.

[0128] The end faces of the walls 105a, 105b extend up to the end face 111 of the hollow body 10 or are connected to it. The end faces of the walls 105a, 105b facing away from the end face 111 are in turn connected to the third wall 105c. The third wall 105c forms an angle ß with the first wall 105a that is greater than 90 degrees. Likewise, the third wall 105c forms an angle greater than 90 degrees with the second wall 105b. Furthermore, the walls 105a, 105b have surface extensions F1 and F2, with mutually perpendicular directions F1a, F1b and F2a, F2b, respectively. The first and second walls 105a and 105b are each aligned with a direction F2a or F1a of their surface extension F2, F1 parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10.

[0129] The aforementioned features contribute to maximizing the inflow area c for the bulk material between successive lifting elements 105 while still allowing a large number of lifting elements 105 to be present. Overall, this contributes to high discharge efficiency through the device 1a.

[0130] In addition, while enabling a high discharge, the length of the lifting elements 105 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, i.e. in the axial direction of the hollow body 10, can also be kept short, which also enables a short filling opening 201 of the discharge device 200 in this direction and thus a positioning of the discharge opening 202 at the level of the longitudinal axis L or even higher.

[0131] Finally, a second embodiment of a device 1b is described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. In contrast to device 1a, device 1b is not equipped with a further tubular air inlet device for warm air extending into the receiving space. Furthermore, device 1b does not have a separate air supply device for cold air with corresponding air guiding devices. Instead, a common air supply device 204 is provided, into which warm or cold air can be introduced as needed. Otherwise, components with the same function and effect as in device 1a are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0132] It can be seen that the device 1b also has a discharge-optimized end section 104 like the device 1a, in which a discharge device 200 projects axially into a receiving space 102 of a hollow body 10. The discharge device 200 also has an upwardly open filling opening 201, which is arranged above a longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10.

[0133] 11 to 22 show a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention or of components of a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figs. 11 to 22 differs from the embodiments of the device 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 10, for example, in the representation and the presence of the internals 103 in the hollow body 10 and furthermore in a modified jacking up or mounting of the entire device 1, as shown schematically in Fig. 17. This mounting differs from the mounting shown in Fig. 1. In addition, there are some further changes to the discharge device 200 or to the discharge housing 20. The following explanations of the embodiment shown in Figs.The embodiments of the device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 22 can—but do not have to—be transferred to the aforementioned embodiments explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Likewise, if necessary, embodiments such as those explained in connection with the embodiments explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 can also be transferred to the embodiment described below without requiring further explicit explanation. This applies in particular with regard to the sealing device 210, the ring-like elements 106, 107, the bearing rings 14, and the bearing bases 13.

[0134] Fig. 17 shows a device 1 for drying and / or cooling bulk material s, namely crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes. The crystalline sugar and / or the sugar substitute(s) can have an average crystal size between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm. Fig. 17 shows that the device 1 is oriented at an angle. With regard to the oblique orientation and the angle y, reference is made to the aforementioned explanations for Fig. 1. The device 1 is also rotatably mounted via bearing bases 13 and corresponding bearing rings 14. In the end regions, the device 1 is further supported by a holding frame. A feed device 11 with a corresponding filling opening 12 for introducing the bulk material into the device 1 can be provided on the device 1. The discharge region of the device 1 is also shown in Fig. 17.

[0135] The device 1 comprises an elongated hollow body 10 rotatable about a longitudinal axis L, as shown in the sectional view of Fig. 16. The hollow body 10 has a receiving space 102 for receiving the bulk material. Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a stationary discharge housing 20, which has a discharge device 200 for discharging the bulk material from the hollow body 10.

[0136] Fig. 16 shows that internals 103 are provided in the receiving space 102 of the hollow body 10 for at least partially entraining the bulk material during rotation of the hollow body 10 about the longitudinal axis L. The internals 103 are shown in more detail in Fig. 20. Thus, a first type of internals 103a can be provided in the front region of the hollow body 10, which can face the feed device 11, while a second type of internals 103b can be provided in the rear section. The internals 103a, 103b have already been described above, so reference may be made to the relevant explanations. In further embodiments, only one type of internals 103 or more than two different types of internals 103 can be provided. Different types of internals 103 can be provided in spatially separate regions in the hollow body 10 or "mixed" in one region of the hollow body 10.Finally, the internals 103 enable the transport of the bulk material in the direction of movement B up to the end section 104 of the hollow body 10.

[0137] The hollow body 10 has an end section 104 facing the discharge housing 20. Lever elements 105 are provided in the end section 104 for lifting the bulk material for discharge. These lifting elements 105 are shown, for example, in Fig. 16 and in detail also in Fig. 12 and Fig. 15. The lifting elements 105 ultimately serve as throwing scoops and enable the discharge of the bulk material. The discharge device 200 projects axially into the hollow body 10 and comprises an upwardly open filling opening 201, which is arranged above the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10. This filling opening 201 is clearly visible, for example, in Fig. 15, but also in Fig. 13.

[0138] As shown in Figs. 11 to 22, the filling opening 201 of the discharge device 200 is provided above the longitudinal axis L. The discharge device 200 does not rotate when the hollow body 10 rotates, so that when the hollow body 10 rotates, the bulk material can be discharged from the receiving space 102. This discharge thus takes place in particular above the longitudinal axis L and not, as is usual in practice, in the lower region of the hollow body 10.

[0139] The arrangement of additional conveying devices for further transport of the bulk material after it has exited device 1 is thus drastically simplified. This is particularly clearly shown in Fig. 17.

[0140] Because the filling opening 201 is arranged above the longitudinal axis L, a discharge option for the bulk material is created, which can (but does not have to) be located above the longitudinal axis L. This discharge option can, however, be located in the upper section of the discharge housing 20 and thus drastically simplify the arrangement of additional conveying devices. Accordingly, the overall height or the height that must be jacked up of the entire device 1 can be drastically reduced. In practice, it is common practice to provide the filling opening 201 on the lowest edge or on the underside of the device 1 in a discharge area. At the same time, this makes it more difficult to arrange additional conveying devices, which in turn leads to a higher arrangement of the device 1 and requires a high assembly effort for the device 1.

[0141] Fig. 11 shows that the discharge device 200 has a discharge opening 220. The discharge opening 220 can be either the outermost opening of the discharge device 200 or an inner opening of the discharge device 200, which, however, lies outside the receiving space 102 of the hollow body and also outside the interior of the discharge housing 20 or borders the interior of the discharge housing 20, as shown in Fig. 11 and in particular in Fig. 21.

[0142] In particular, the discharge opening 220 can also form the discharge opening 202 described in connection with Figs. 1 to 10.

[0143] Fig. 21 shows that the discharge opening 220 is considered to be an inner opening which is adjacent to the outside of the discharge housing 20.

[0144] If necessary, in further embodiments, the outermost outer opening 235 of the discharge device can also be regarded as a discharge opening 220, but this does not have to be the case.

[0145] In any case, the discharge opening 220 provided on the outside of the discharge device 200 communicates with the internal filling opening 201. The discharge opening 220 serves to discharge the bulk material from the hollow body 10.

[0146] In Fig. 11 and in particular in Fig. 21, it is shown that the discharge opening 220 is arranged in the upper region 221 of the discharge housing 20, preferably in the upper three-quarters 222 of the discharge housing 20 and in particular in the upper half 223 of the discharge housing 20. This is shown schematically in Figs. 14 and 21.

[0147] The outermost opening 235 can also be arranged in the upper region 221 and preferably in the upper three-quarters 222 and at least partially in the upper half 223. The upper three-quarters 222 of the discharge housing 20 are to be understood as referring to the height of the discharge housing 20 transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the hollow body 10, wherein the lower quarter of the discharge housing 20 faces the substrate, so that the upper three-quarters 222 is ultimately formed by a segment which, in particular, has a lower section or end edge which preferably runs parallel to the lowermost edge of the device 1 and / or preferably parallel to the substrate.

[0148] In Figs. 12, 13 and 15, it is clearly visible that the discharge device 200 has a receiving hopper 224 with a hopper neck 225. The hopper neck 224 merges into an outer hopper nozzle 226 having the hopper opening 220, as shown, for example, in Fig. 16. The hopper opening 220 can be provided, in particular, in the transition region between the hopper neck 225 and the hopper nozzle 226, as shown in Fig. 21. Accordingly, the hopper opening 220 can also form the outer end face of the hopper neck 25, which is open. The end face of the hopper neck 225 opposite the hopper opening 220 can point into the receiving area of ​​the receiving hopper 224 or open into it.The discharge opening 220 can form the open end face of the discharge nozzle 226 facing the hollow body 10. Preferably, the discharge nozzle 226 can have an outer opening 235 opposite the discharge opening 220, forming a further open end face of the discharge nozzle 226, as already explained above. This outer opening 235 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 21. Fig. 17 shows that this outer opening 235 can directly lead into another device for further processing of the bulk material.

[0149] Fig. 18 shows the receiving funnel 224 with funnel neck 225 as well as the discharge nozzle 226 adjoining the funnel neck 225. Fig. 19 shows the receiving funnel 224 without the discharge nozzle 226. Thus, Fig. 19 also shows in particular the discharge opening 220, which in the illustrated embodiment can also be assigned to the funnel neck 225.

[0150] 12, 18, and 19 show that the receiving hopper 224 has an asymmetrical hopper portion 227. In the illustrated embodiment, the hopper portion 227 has a rear wall 228 and a front wall, as can also be seen in Fig. 12. However, for reasons of clarity, Figs. 18 and 19 do not show the front wall 229 of the receiving hopper 224, as is shown in Fig. 16 and also in Fig. 15. The front wall 229 faces the hollow body 10 and runs in particular parallel to the rear wall 228. The front wall 229 and the rear wall 228 are connected to one another via discharge walls 230a, 230b for discharging the bulk material in the direction of the hopper neck 225. The discharge walls 230a, 230b merge into one another in their respective lower regions 231a, 231b. Figures 18 and 19 show that this transition region 223 is curved.The respective length of the lower region of the discharge walls 231a, 231b can in particular correspond to at least 10%, preferably between 10% and 40%, of the respective length - viewed in longitudinal extension - of the respective discharge wall 230a, 230b.

[0151] The discharge walls 230a, 230b can have different lengths from one another. Accordingly, the discharge walls 230a, 230b can also enclose different areas. Preferably, the first discharge wall 230a can be at least 50%, in particular between 70% and 200%, larger in area than the second discharge wall 230b, as can be seen schematically in particular from Fig. 15.

[0152] Fig. 13 shows that the first discharge wall 230a slopes downwards or is arranged at an angle from the front wall 229 to the rear wall 228. This serves in particular to improve the discharge of the bulk material and to improve the transfer of the bulk material from the filling opening 201 into the hopper neck 225.

[0153] For reasons of clarity, Fig. 22 schematically shows the discharge device 200 and the discharge housing 20 without the annular element 106. Thus, Fig. 22 shows the arrangement of the filling opening 201 in relation to the lifting elements 105. Fig. 22 also shows that the filling opening 201 is formed by at least one curved, in particular circular arc-shaped, boundary edge 201a of the front wall 229 or the rear wall 228. The boundary edge 201a is brought close to the lifting elements 105 or at a small distance from the lifting elements 105. The distance 236 between the boundary edge 201a and the immediately adjacent lifting element 105 is schematically shown in Fig. 22. This distance 236 is in particular between 1 mm and 5 cm, preferably between 10 mm and 30 mm. In addition, Fig.22, that seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10, at least one upper boundary edge 201a of the filling opening 201 of the discharge device 200 has a curvature which is adapted to a curvature of a radially inner envelope curve or height curve 105d formed by the lifting elements 105, in particular wherein the boundary edge 201a of the filling opening 201 is brought close to the lifting elements 105.

[0154] Fig. 16 shows that the lifting elements 105 have at least three walls 105a, 105b, 105c. Together, the walls 105a, 105b, 105c form a scoop-like lifting element 105, with at least one of the walls 105a, 105b, 105c forming an end face of the lifting element 105 facing an entry area of ​​the bulk material in the receiving space 102. At least one of the walls 105a, 105b, 105c is flat. Wall 105b is particularly preferably flat.

[0155] As shown in Fig. 11, the device 1 comprises an air supply device 204, which is provided for supplying air into the hollow body 10 for drying and / or cooling the bulk material. The air supply device 204 is designed in particular such that the air supplied to the receiving frame 102 is introduced into the hollow body 10, in particular according to the countercurrent principle with respect to the transport direction B of the bulk material in the hollow body 10.

[0156] Fig. 12 shows that the air supply device 204 is designed such that the supplied air is introduced into the end section 104 of the hollow body 10. In particular, an at least substantially uniform and / or low-turbulence air flow is ensured across the cross-section of the device 1, in particular excluding the end section 104.

[0157] The air supply device 204 can be arranged on the discharge housing 20, in particular, in a stationary, rotationally fixed, and / or non-rotating manner. This is illustrated schematically in Figs. 11 and 12. Thus, the discharge housing 20 does not rotate when the hollow body 10 rotates. The air supply device 204 is also arranged in a stationary or non-rotating manner when the hollow body 10 (and the end section 104) rotates.

[0158] Fig. 13 shows that the air supply device 204 opens into the end section 104 of the hollow body 10, which is also shown in more detail in Fig. 16. Fig. 12 shows the discharge housing 20 and the discharge device 200 as well as the end section 104 of the hollow body 10. The discharge housing 20 is connected to the hollow body 10, which is also shown in Fig. 17, so that the stationary air supply device 204 can introduce air into the end region 104 of the hollow body 10. Finally, the discharge housing 20 in particular is arranged at least partially opening into the end section 104 of the hollow body 10 or engaging therein, so that the air supply device 204 can also communicate directly with the end section 104 of the hollow body 10.

[0159] Fig. 11 shows that the air supply device 204 has a ventilation housing 233 on the outside of the discharge housing 20, which communicates with the receiving space 102 of the hollow body 10. If necessary, this ventilation housing 233 can also have a ventilation divider or air flow divider 205.

[0160] 11 and 12 show that the air supply device 204 is designed to introduce a plurality of separate, namely spatially separate and flow-separated, partial air flows. In the illustrated embodiment, two partial air flows are ultimately provided by the air supply device 204. Fig. 13 illustrates that upon entry into the hollow body 10, at least a first partial air flow is directed downwards, in particular away from the filling opening 201 of the input device 200. A further partial air flow can be directed laterally, in particular at least substantially parallel to a subsurface on which the device 1 can be arranged. The two partial air flows can in particular be arranged transversely and / or orthogonally to one another.

[0161] Fig. 12 shows that the ventilation housing 233 has an air flow divider 205, forming an upper air duct 206 and a lower air duct 207. The air ducts 206, 207 can each serve to guide a partial air flow. The partial air flows can enter the end section 104 of the hollow body 10 via the air ducts 206, 207. Fig. 13 illustrates that the first and further partial air flows run obliquely to the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10 upon entering the hollow body 10. Fig. 13, but also Fig. 15, show that flat first air guiding devices 208 with a horizontal cross-section are arranged in the upper air duct 206 and flat further air guiding devices 209 with a vertical cross-section are arranged in the lower air duct 207.The air guiding devices 208, 209 can ensure that the partial air flows introduced into the end section 104 have the desired orientation relative to one another and relative to the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10. The air guiding devices 208, 209 can, in particular, redirect the partial air flows introduced through the ventilation housing 233.

[0162] Fig. 15 shows that at least two first air guiding devices 208 are provided in the upper air duct 206, in particular between 2 and 8, and at least 3 further air guiding devices 209 are provided in the lower air duct 207, in particular between 3 and 15.

[0163] At least one first air guiding device 208 and / or at least one further air guiding device 209 are curved in cross section.

[0164] If necessary, in addition to the air supply device 204, a further tubular air introduction device 109 can also be provided, which projects into the receiving space 102 of the hollow body 10, as shown in Fig. 12. This further air introduction device 219 is also shown, for example, in Fig. 16. In the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 10, the reference number 109 is also used instead of 219 if necessary. This further air introduction device 219 can, in particular, be optionally provided for the additional introduction of air. The air introduced by the further air introduction device 219 can also be introduced in the receiving space 102 using the countercurrent principle with respect to the transport direction of the bulk material. If necessary, the air introduction device 219 can extend very far into the receiving space 102 and have a corresponding ventilation pipe provided for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 16.In particular, the further air introduction device 219 can extend over at least 5%, preferably between 10% and 70%, of the length of the hollow body 10. In particular, the further air introduction device 219 is aligned concentrically to the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 10 and preferably communicates with an opening 22 of the discharge housing 20, as schematically shown in Fig. 4.

[0165] The air inlet device 219 can be rotatably mounted on the discharge housing 20 and, in particular, can be rotatably connected to the hollow body 10. If necessary, a plurality of support struts 234 can be provided for this purpose, via which the further air inlet device 219 can be supported on the inner surface 113 of the hollow body 10. Fig. 12 shows that an annular element 106 is present in the receiving space 102, which protrudes radially from an inner surface 113 of the hollow body 10 into the receiving space 102 and spatially separates a region of the receiving frame 102 comprising the lifting elements 110 from a remaining region comprising the aforementioned internals 103. In particular, the annular element 106 can separate the end section 104 of the hollow body 10 from the section of the hollow body 10 comprising the internals 103. The ring-like element 106 may be composed in segments, as shown in Fig. 12.In particular, the ring-like element 106 has openings 106a which are arranged uniformly along the ring-like element 106 and each extend radially inwardly from the inner surface 113 of the hollow body 10.

[0166] The ring-like element ultimately enables the function of a weir in the receiving space 102 of the hollow body 10. Thus, in particular, the bulk material can accumulate in front of the weir or the ring-like element 106 and, if necessary, be conveyed into the end section 104 of the hollow body 10 via the openings 106a or the further open area of ​​the receiving space 102. This ensures a metered supply of the bulk material to the discharge device 200. Sufficient drying and / or cooling time for the bulk material in the device 1 can also be ensured.

[0167] The device 1 shown in Fig. 17 is intended for drying and / or cooling bulk material and is used for this purpose. Thus, Fig. 17 also shows a related use of the device 1. The device 1 is used for drying and / or cooling crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes, in particular crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute with an average crystal size between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. List of reference symbols:

[0168] Device a, 1b Device 0 Hollow body 1 Feed device 2 Filling opening 3 Bearing base 4 Bearing rings 0 Discharge housing 1 Warm air supply nozzle 2 Opening 01 Inlet opening 02 Receptacle 03 Internals 03a Internals 03b Internals 04 End section 05 Lifting elements 05a First wall 05b Second wall 05c Third wall 05d Radially inner envelope curve 06 Ring-like element 06a Openings 07 Further ring-like element 09 Further air inlet device 09a Receptacle 10 Support device 11 Front side 12 Opening 13 Inner surface 14 Area without internals 15 Partition element 00 Discharge device 01 Filling opening 01a Boundary edge 202 Discharge opening 204 Air supply device 205 Air flow divider 206 Upper air duct 207 Lower Air duct 208 Air guiding devices, horizontal 209 Air guiding devices, vertical 210 Sealing device

[0169] 219 Additional air inlet device 220 Exhaust opening 221 Upper section of 20 222 Upper three-quarters of 20 223 Upper half of 20 224 Receiving funnel 225 Funnel neck 226 Exhaust nozzle

[0170] 227 Funnel area 228 Rear wall 229 Front wall 230a First discharge wall 230b Second discharge wall 231a Lower area of ​​230a 231b Lower area of ​​230b 232 Transition area

[0171] 233 Ventilation housing 234 Support strut 235 Outer opening of 226 236 Distance a Angle ß Angle

[0172] Y angle 5 angle a axial distance c inflow area

[0173] A Discharge B Direction of movement of the bulk material

[0174] F1 , F2 area extension

[0175] F1a, F2a Area extension in one direction

[0176] F1 b, F2b Area extension in another direction

[0177] H high-speed cross-sectional part

[0178] N low-torque cross-sectional part

[0179] I Circumference length

[0180] L Longitudinal axis, rotation axis

[0181] L1 , L1 ' air flow

[0182] L2 air flow

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Device (1, 1a, 1b) for drying and / or cooling bulk material, namely crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes, in particular crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute with an average crystal size between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, with an elongated hollow body (10) which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (L) and has a receiving space (102) for receiving the bulk material, and with a stationary discharge housing (20) which has a discharge device (200) for discharging (A) the bulk material from the hollow body (10), wherein in the receiving space (102) of the hollow body (10) there are internals (103) for at least partially entraining the bulk material during a rotation of the hollow body (10) about the longitudinal axis (L), and an end section facing the discharge housing (20) (104) of the hollow body (10) has lifting elements (105) for lifting the bulk material for discharge (A), characterized in thatthat the discharge device (200) projects axially into the hollow body (10) and has an upwardly open filling opening (201) which is arranged above the longitudinal axis (L) of the hollow body (10).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a discharge opening (220) of the discharge device (200), which is provided on the outside of the discharge device (200) and communicates with the internal filling opening (201), for discharging the bulk material from the hollow body (10), is arranged at least in regions in the upper region (221) of the discharge housing (20), preferably in the upper three-quarters (222) of the discharge housing (20), in particular in the upper half (223) of the discharge housing (20).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the discharge device (200) has a receiving funnel (224) with the filling opening (201) and a funnel neck (225), wherein the funnel neck (225) merges into an outer discharge nozzle (226) having the discharge opening (220), in particular wherein the discharge opening (220) forms the open end face of the discharge nozzle (226) facing the hollow body (10) and wherein, preferably, the discharge nozzle (226) has an outer opening (235) opposite the discharge opening (220) and forming a further open end face of the discharge nozzle (226).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving hopper (224) has an asymmetric hopper region (227), in particular wherein the hopper region (227) has a rear wall (228), a front wall (229) facing the hollow body (10), in particular arranged parallel to the rear wall (228), and discharge walls (230a, 230b) connecting the front wall (229) and the rear wall (228) for discharging the bulk material in the direction of the hopper neck (225), in particular wherein the discharge walls (230a, 230b) merge into one another in their lower region (231a, 231b), preferably in a curved transition region (232).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first discharge wall (230a) is at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably between 70% and 200%, in particular between 80% and 130%, larger in area than the second discharge wall (230b), in particular wherein the first discharge wall (230a) slopes down from the front wall (229) to the rear wall (228).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling opening (201) is formed by at least one curved, in particular circular arc-shaped, boundary edge (201a) of the front wall (229) and / or the rear wall (228), in particular wherein the at least one boundary edge (201a) is brought close to the lifting elements (105) at a small distance (236) and / or and / or that, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the hollow body (10), at least one upper boundary edge (201a) of the filling opening (201) of the discharge device (200) has a curvature which is adapted to a curvature of a radially inner envelope curve (105d) formed by the lifting elements (105), in particular wherein the boundary edge (201a) of the filling opening (201) is brought close to the lifting elements (105).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each lifting element (105) has at least three walls (105a, 105b, 105c) which together form a shovel-like lifting element (105), wherein one wall (105c) of the walls (105a, 105b, 105c) forms an end face of the Lifting element (105) which faces an entry area of ​​the bulk material in the receiving space (102), in particular wherein at least one wall (105a, 105b, 105c) is flat.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an air supply device (204) is provided for supplying air into the hollow body (10) for drying and / or cooling the bulk material, in particular wherein the air supply device (204) is designed such that the supplied air is introduced into the end section (104) of the hollow body (10), wherein, preferably, an at least substantially uniform and / or low-turbulence air flow over the cross section of the device (1, 1a, 1b), in particular excluding the end section (104) of the hollow body (10), is ensured.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air supply device (204) is arranged on the discharge housing (20), in particular in a stationary, rotationally fixed and / or non-rotating manner, in particular wherein the air supply device (204) opens into the end section (104) of the hollow body (10) and / or in particular wherein the air supply device (204) introduces at least one air flow into the end section (104) of the hollow body (10) and / or in particular wherein the air supply device (204) has a ventilation housing (233) on the outside of the discharge housing (20) which communicates with the receiving space (102) of the hollow body (10).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air supply device (204) is designed to introduce a plurality of separate, in particular spatially separated and / or flow-separated, partial air flows, in particular wherein the air supply device (204) is designed such that upon entry into the hollow body (10) at least a first partial air flow is directed downwards, in particular away from the filling opening (201) of the discharge device (200), and / or at least one further partial flow is directed laterally, and / or that the ventilation housing (233) has an air flow divider (205), whereby an upper air duct (206) and a lower air duct (207) are formed, in particular wherein the air ducts (206, 207) each serve to guide a partial air flow.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the further partial air flow run at least partially obliquely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the hollow body (10) when entering the hollow body (10).

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that flat first air guiding devices (208) with a horizontal orientation of their cross section are arranged in the upper air duct (206) and flat further air guiding devices (209) with a vertical orientation of their cross section are arranged in the lower air duct (207), in particular wherein at least two first air guiding devices (208) are arranged in the upper air duct (206), in particular between 2 and 8, and at least three further air guiding devices (209) are arranged in the lower air duct (207), in particular between 3 and 15, and / or in particular wherein at least one first air guiding device (208) and / or at least one further air guiding device (209) is / are curved in cross section.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tubular further air introduction device (219, 109) projects into the receiving space (102), in particular wherein the further air introduction device (219, 109) is aligned concentrically to the longitudinal axis (L) of the hollow body (10) and preferably communicates with an opening (22) of the discharge housing (20).

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the receiving space (102) there is an annular element (106) which projects radially from an inner surface (113) of the hollow body (10) into the receiving space (102) and spatially separates a region of the receiving space (102) having the lifting elements (105) from a remaining region having the said internals (103), in particular wherein the ring-like element (106) has openings (106a) which are arranged uniformly along the ring-like element (106) and extend radially inwards, each starting from the inner surface (113) of the hollow body (10).

15. Use of a device (1, 1a, 1b) for drying and / or cooling bulk material, namely crystalline sugar and / or sugar substitutes, in particular crystalline sugar and / or at least one sugar substitute with an average crystal size between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, according to one of the preceding claims.

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