Pipe conveyor and use of the pipe conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe conveyor (10) comprising: a conduit (12), in the cross-section of which mutually spaced conveying elements (32) are arranged which are connected to one another by means of a drivable conveyor chain (26), wherein conveying pockets (64) for receiving products (Pr) are formed between the conveying elements (32); an infeed section (14) of the conduit (12), in the region of which the products (Pr) can be introduced into the conveying pockets (64) via a first opening (34) in the conduit (12); a second opening (42) in the conduit (12) for discharging the products (Pr) into a processing chamber (38); and, adjoining the second opening (42), an outfeed section (16) of the conduit (12).

Description

[0001] R.413557

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] Pipe conveyor and use of the pipe conveyor

[0005] Technical field

[0006] The invention relates to a pipe conveyor characterized by a relatively low energy requirement for maintaining different pressures in a feed area and a processing area into which the pipe conveyor conveys products from the feed area. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a pipe conveyor designed according to the invention.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Pipe conveyors for conveying products are known in various forms from the prior art (source: https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Rohrkettenf0rderer). Such pipe conveyors are characterized by the fact that disc-shaped conveying elements are arranged within the closed cross-section of a pipe, preferably at uniform intervals, and are connected to one another by means of a conveyor chain or similar traction element. The conveyor chain is driven in a conveying direction by a drive mechanism and thereby conveys the conveying elements from an inlet area, where the products are fed in through an opening in the pipe between two adjacent conveying elements, into a processing area or processing zone, where the products are discharged from the pipe through another opening.If the pressure in the area where the products are introduced into the pipe differs from the pressure in the processing area where the products are discharged from the pipe, pressure differences arise between the individual components. R.413557.

[0009] - 2 -

[0010] Leakage losses occur in conveying elements due to pressure equalization within the pipe. Such leakage losses can only be compensated for by expending additional energy, e.g., to maintain or generate a negative pressure in the processing chamber.

[0011] Disclosure of the invention

[0012] The pipe conveyor according to the invention, with the features of claim 1, has the advantage that leakage losses between the individual conveying elements due to different pressures in the area of ​​an inlet section, an outlet section, and a processing area or processing chamber arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section are reduced or minimized by targeted pressure adjustment. This makes it possible to maintain the negative or positive pressure prevailing in a processing chamber (in each case compared to the external environment) with relatively low energy expenditure, and thus to advantageously design the pipe conveyor as a pressure lock between a processing chamber and an inlet and / or an outlet section.

[0013] The invention is based on the idea of ​​reducing leakage losses on the one hand by sealing measures or minimizing gaps between the conveying elements and the inside of the pipe, and on the other hand by connecting the inlet and outlet sections with at least one pressure equalization line in order to enable continuous or stepwise pressure adjustment during the conveying of the products between the different pressure levels of the external environment and the processing space.

[0014] In light of the above explanations, a pipe conveyor according to the invention with the features of claim 1 therefore comprises a pipeline in whose cross-section conveying elements spaced apart from one another are arranged. The conveying elements are connected by means of a driveable traction element, in particular a conveyor chain, wherein conveying cells for receiving products to be transported are formed between the conveying elements. Furthermore, the pipe conveyor comprises an inlet section of the pipeline, wherein the inlet section has a first section in the area of ​​which the products R.413557

[0015] - 3 - can be introduced via a first opening in the pipeline between two conveying elements. Furthermore, a discharge station for emptying the products in a processing area is provided via a second opening formed in the pipeline. A discharge section of the pipeline connects to the discharge station, with a higher or lower pressure prevailing in the processing area compared to the inlet and discharge sections. This higher or lower pressure can be generated by a pressure device or similar device. According to the invention, the inlet and discharge sections are connected to each other via at least one pressure equalization line, which opens at least indirectly into the cross-section of the pipeline and forms a pneumatic connection between the inlet and discharge sections.Furthermore, it is provided that sealing means are provided between the conveying elements and an inner wall of the pipeline along which the conveying elements are movable, designed to at least reduce pressure equalization between adjacent conveying cells.

[0016] Advantageous further developments of the pipe conveyor according to the invention are listed in the dependent claims.

[0017] To minimize leakage losses and to achieve the most continuous possible equalization between the two different pressures prevailing in the processing area and in the area of ​​the inlet and outlet sections, it is preferably provided that several pressure equalization lines are available, which are in particular arranged at equal intervals from each other, and that the distances between the pressure equalization lines preferably correspond at least to the length of a conveying cell between two conveying elements.

[0018] To additionally create the possibility of discharging processed products or waste materials from the processing area to the environment via the pipe conveyor, it is provided that the pipeline in the processing area has a third opening through which products can be discharged into the conveying cells, and that the pipeline has a fourth opening in the discharge area through which the products from pipeline R.413557

[0019] - 4 - are dischargeable, and that the pressure equalization lines are arranged in the area of ​​the inlet section between the first opening and the processing area and in the area of ​​the outlet section between the processing area and the fourth opening.

[0020] To ensure that the pressure present in the machining area prevails in the conveying cells when they are immersed in the machining area, it is further preferred that the pipeline in the machining area is connected to the interior of the machining area via an additional first pressure equalization line.

[0021] With regard to the aforementioned fourth opening for diverting products from the discharge area, it is also advantageous that the pipeline in the discharge area between the at least one pressure equalization line and the fourth opening is connected to the environment via an additional second pressure equalization line.

[0022] A particularly compact design of the pipe conveyor is achieved by having the inlet and outlet sections run parallel to each other, and by having the pressure equalization lines extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axes.

[0023] Regarding the sealing means between the conveying elements and the inner wall of the pipeline, there are different options: In one variant, the sealing means are provided by elastic sealing elements on the conveying elements, which are in contact with the inner wall of the pipeline. These sealing elements on the conveying elements can, for example, be in the form of an elastic rubber coating or similar material.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the sealing means between the conveying elements and the inner wall may also be formed by an elastic coating or similar on the inner wall of the pipeline, which is in contact with the conveying elements. R.413557

[0025] - 5 -

[0026] Another, particularly compact design of the pipe conveyor is achieved by designing the pipe conveyor as an oval runner with two deflection wheels around which the conveyor chain is arranged.

[0027] The invention further relates to a CO2 separation device, in particular a DAC (Direct Air Capture) system, for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment, with a pipe conveyor according to the type described above for conveying, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agents, preferably a free-flowing sorbent material.

[0028] In this case, the CO2 separation device preferably has a sorption chamber and a desorption chamber, wherein the tube conveyor is designed to convey, in particular circulate, the CO2 separation agent between the sorption chamber and the desorption chamber.

[0029] Finally, the invention also includes the use of a pipe conveyor designed according to the invention as described above in food technology or as a component of a CO2 separation plant, in particular a DAC (Direct Air Capture) plant for conveying a sorber material.

[0030] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings.

[0031] Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a pipe conveyor in a simplified representation,

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a section of the pipe conveyor according to Fig. 1 in conjunction with a possible pressure profile in an inlet section and an outlet section and R.413557

[0034] - 6 -

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a section of the pipe conveyor according to Figs. 1 and 2, in which sealing means are formed between the conveying elements on an inner wall of the pipeline.

[0036] Embodiments of the invention

[0037] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a simplified representation of a pipe conveyor 10, such as those used in the food industry or as part of a DAC (Direct Air Capture) system. The pipe conveyor 10 is designed as an oval runner and has a pipe 12 with a substantially closed, preferably round, inner cross-section. The pipe 12 has a straight inlet section 14 and a straight outlet section 16, which are arranged parallel to each other at a distance A. Furthermore, the pipe 12 has two deflection sections 18 and 20, in which deflection wheels 22 and 24 are arranged. As is known per se, the deflection wheels 22 and 24 serve to guide and drive a conveyor chain 26 arranged inside the pipe 12. One deflection wheel 22 is coupled to a drive motor 28, which rotates the deflection wheel 22 in the plane of the drawing.The other deflection wheel 24 is designed as a free-running deflection wheel 24, since the first wheel is driven clockwise.

[0039] The conveyor chain 26 has interconnected chain links 30, with each half-link 30 being rigidly connected to a disc-shaped conveyor element 32 by its two parallel legs. Furthermore, a complete chain link 30 is arranged between two immediately adjacent conveyor elements 32, connecting the two conveyor elements 32 via the half-link links 30 (Fig. 2).

[0040] In the area of ​​the inlet section 14, in the illustrated embodiment near the deflection wheel 22, the pipeline 12 has a first opening 34, in the area of ​​which an inlet funnel 36 is arranged, for example. Product Pr, in particular in the form of bulk material, can be fed into the pipeline 12 via the inlet funnel 36.

[0041] - 7 - between two immediately adjacent conveying elements 26.

[0042] The side of the pipe conveyor 10 facing the deflection wheel 24 is arranged together with the deflection wheel 24 within a processing chamber 38 enclosed by a housing 37. The processing chamber 38 serves for the treatment or processing of the products Pr. In particular, it may be provided that the processing chamber 38 is connected to a pressure device 40 or similar device. The pressure device 40 makes it possible to set a pressure pi within the processing chamber 38 that differs from a pressure P2 prevailing in the area of ​​the feed hopper 36 or the first opening 34, as well as in the external environment or outside the pipeline 12.

[0043] Within the processing area 38, the pipeline 12 also has a second opening 42 through which the products Pr are discharged into the processing area 38 for further processing or treatment.

[0044] Furthermore, it is provided that a third opening 44 (e.g., also with an inlet funnel 46) is arranged within the processing chamber 38, through which processed products Pr or waste materials, etc., can be discharged from the processing chamber 38. To discharge the products Pr discharged via the third opening 44 into the pipeline 12, the pipeline 12 also has a fourth opening 48 in the area of ​​the outlet section 16, for example, near the deflection wheel 22, which also has a connection to the external environment, so that the pressure P2 also prevails in the area of ​​the fourth opening 48.

[0045] Since, as already explained, a pressure pi differs within the processing chamber 38 from that of the surroundings and from that of the first opening 34 and the fourth opening 48, the pipe conveyor 10 also incorporates measures according to the invention to reduce or minimize leakage losses caused by pressure equalization between the pressure pi in the processing chamber 38 and the pressure p2 of the external environment, in order to form pressure locks between the processing chamber 38 and the inlet section 14 and the outlet section 16. These measures include means 50 that close the circumferential gap between the conveying elements 26 and a R.413557

[0046] - 8 -

[0047] The inner wall 52 of the pipeline 12 is to be minimized or completely avoided. For this purpose, the means 50, as can be seen particularly from Fig. 2, can comprise sealing elements 54 arranged on the circumference of the conveying elements 26. By way of example, the sealing elements 54 are formed by two annular sealing discs made of elastic material, the outer circumferential surfaces of which interact with the inner wall 52 of the pipeline 12.

[0048] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 3, the means 50a can be formed as a coating 56 on the inner wall 52 of the pipeline 12. In this case as well, the coating 56 preferably consists of an elastic material to enable contact with the circumference of the conveying elements 26.

[0049] It is also mentioned that a combination of measures 50 and 50a is conceivable.

[0050] Furthermore, the measures comprise at least one, preferably several, pressure equalization lines 60, which preferably run as straight pressure equalization lines 60 perpendicular to the inlet section 14 and the outlet section 16, and connect the pipeline 12 to each other in the area of ​​the inlet section 14 and the outlet section 16. As can be seen particularly from Figures 1 and 2, the pressure equalization lines 60 are designed as pipe sections 62 which have a pneumatic connection with the cross-section of the pipeline 12. It can also be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that a distance a between two pressure equalization lines 60 is greater than the length L of a conveying cell 64 formed between two immediately successive conveying elements 30 for the products Pr.

[0051] Figure 2 shows the pressure p profile along the inlet section 14 and the outlet section 16 in the pipeline 12. The products Pr are conveyed along the inlet section 14 in the conveying direction 66 at a reduced pressure within the processing chamber 38 relative to the external environment or the area of ​​the first opening 34 and the fourth opening 48. The pressure p profile in the diagram is represented in the inlet section 14 by the characteristic curve p. zu and the pressure p profile in the outlet section 16 R.413557

[0052] - 9 - through the characteristic curve p ab marked. In particular, it can be seen that by arranging the several pressure equalization lines 60 in series, a pressure profile can be generated which enables an almost continuous or multi-step equalization between the pressure pi prevailing in the processing chamber 38 and the pressure P2 in the area of ​​the first opening 34 and the fourth opening 48 (for example, ambient pressure).

[0053] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 1, an additional first pressure equalization line 68 can be arranged within the processing chamber 38 in the area of ​​the inlet section 14 shortly before the second opening 42, through which the pressure pi prevailing in the processing chamber 38 can be introduced into the cross-section of the pipeline 12. Likewise, it can optionally be provided that a second pressure equalization line 70 is arranged shortly before the fourth opening 48, after the last pressure equalization line 60, which connects the cross-section of the pipeline 12 with the external environment at the pressure p2 prevailing in the area of ​​the fourth opening 48.

[0054] The pipe conveyor 10 described so far can be adapted or modified in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. For example, it is conceivable to use a conveyor rope, a conveyor belt or a conveyor belt as a traction element instead of a conveyor chain 26.

Claims

R.413557 - 10 - Claims 1. Pipe conveyor (10) with a pipeline (12) in whose cross-section spaced-apart conveying elements (32) are arranged, which are connected to one another by means of a driven traction element, in particular a conveyor chain (26), wherein conveying cells (64) for receiving products (Pr) are formed between the conveying elements (32), with an inlet section (14) of the pipeline (12), wherein in the area of ​​the inlet section (14) the products (Pr) can be introduced into the conveying cells (64) via a first opening (34) of the pipeline (12), with a second opening (42) of the pipeline (12) for discharging the products (Pr) into a processing chamber (38), and with an outlet section (16) of the pipeline (12) adjoining the second opening (42), wherein a pressure (pi) prevails in the processing chamber (38) which differs from a pressure (P2) in the inlet section (14) and / or the Distinguishing features include the run-out section (16) and / or the area of ​​the first opening (34).that the inlet section (14) and the outlet section (16) are connected to each other via at least one pressure equalization line (60) which opens at least indirectly into the cross-section of the pipeline (12) and which forms a pneumatic connection between the inlet section (14) and the outlet section (16), and that means (50; 50a) are provided between the conveying elements (32) and an inner wall (52) of the pipeline (12), along which the conveying elements (32) are movable, which are designed to at least reduce pressure equalization between adjacent conveying cells (64).

2. Pipe conveyor (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that several pressure equalization lines (60) are provided, which are preferably arranged at equal distances (a) from each other, and that the distances (a) preferably correspond at least to the length (L) of a conveying cell (64) between two conveying elements (32).

3. Pipe conveyor (10) according to claim 1 or 2, R.413557 - 11 - characterized in that the pipeline (12) in the processing chamber (38) has a third opening (44) through which the products (Pr) can be discharged into the conveying cells (64), that the pipeline (12) in the area of ​​the discharge section (16) has a fourth opening (48) through which the products (Pr) can be discharged from the pipeline (12), and that the at least one pressure equalization line (60) is arranged in the area of ​​the inlet section (14) between the first opening (34) and the processing chamber (38) and in the area of ​​the discharge section (16) between the processing chamber (38) and the fourth opening (48).

4. Pipe conveyor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipeline (12) in the processing chamber (38) is connected or connectable to the processing chamber (38) in front of the second opening (42) via an additional first pressure equalization line (68).

5. Pipe conveyor (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the pipeline (12) in the discharge section (16) between the at least one pressure equalization line (60) and the fourth opening (48) is connected or connectable to the external environment via an additional second pressure equalization line (70).

6. Pipe conveyor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet section (14) and the outlet section (16) run parallel to each other, and that the at least one pressure equalization line (60) runs perpendicular to the inlet section (14) and the outlet section (16).

7. Pipe conveyor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (50) on the conveying elements (32) in contact areas to an inner wall (52) of the pipeline (12) are formed by elastic sealing elements (54) which are arranged in contact with the inner wall (52).

8. Pipe conveyor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, R.413557 - 12 - characterized in that the means (50a) are formed by an elastic coating (56) on an inner wall (52) of the pipeline (12), which is arranged in contact with the conveying elements (32).

9. Pipe conveyor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe conveyor (10) is designed as an oval runner with two deflection wheels (22, 24) around which the conveyor chain (26) is arranged circumferentially.

10. CO2 separation device, in particular DAC (Direct Air Capture) system, for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular air stream (14) of an environment, with a pipe conveyor (10) according to one of the preceding claims for conveying, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agents, preferably a free-flowing sorbent material.

11. CO2 separation device according to claim 10, characterized by a sorption chamber and a desorption chamber, wherein the tube conveyor (10) is configured to convey, in particular circulate, the CO2 separation agent between the sorption chamber and the desorption chamber.

12. Use of a pipe conveyor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in food technology or as a component of a CO2 separation plant, in particular a DAC (Direct Air Capture) plant for conveying a sorbent material.

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