Cyclone separator for separating fiber material from a fiber material-steam mixture, system for processing fiber material, and method for operating a cyclone separator

Abstract

The invention relates to a cyclone separator for separating fiber material from a fiber material-steam mixture, to a system for processing fiber material, and to a method for operating a cyclone separator, wherein the cyclone separator is designed such that a discharge of fiber material via a fiber material outlet and a co-discharge of steam via the fiber material outlet can be controlled in an improved manner. By means of a conical element which fits in the outlet space which correspondingly widens conically toward the fiber material outlet, the gap width of the annular gap between the conical element and the outlet space inner wall, which circumferentially delimits the outlet space, can be adjusted very simply via a relative movement between the conical element and the outlet end portion.

Description

[0001] P96087

[0002] 1

[0003] Cyclone separator for separating fiber material from a fiber material-vapor mixture, plant for processing fiber material and method for operating a cyclone separator

[0004] The invention relates to a cyclone separator for separating fiber material from a fiber material-vapor mixture, a plant for processing fiber material, and a method for operating a cyclone separator as described in this application.

[0005] Cyclone separators are used, for example, to separate fibrous material from a fibrous-vapor mixture. In these separators, the fibrous-vapor mixture is introduced tangentially into a cyclone separator housing at high pressure, forming a cyclone within which the fibrous material is then separated from the vapor by centrifugal force. The separated fibrous material can then be discharged from the cyclone separator housing, for example, by means of a screw conveyor. Such a device is known, for example, from DE 2816931.

[0006] Other designs of a cyclone separator are known, for example, from EP 3 027 806 B1 or from CN 217 190 244 U.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a cyclone separator for separating fibrous material from a fibrous material-vapor mixture, in which the discharge of the fibrous material via a fibrous material outlet and the co-discharge of vapor via the fibrous material outlet can be controlled more effectively, in order to, for example, better prevent blockages in the fibrous material outlet and to better adjust the proportion of vapor in the discharged fibrous material, whereby, for example, discharged fibrous material with a significantly reduced vapor content can also be obtained. The invention further provides a system with a cyclone separator according to the invention and a method for operating a cyclone separator or a system according to the invention. P96087

[0008] 2

[0009] The invention provides a cyclone separator for separating fiber material from a fiber material-vapor mixture according to claim 1, as well as a system according to claim 8 and a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0010] By means of the conical body, which fits snugly within the outlet cavity that widens conically towards the fiber material outlet, the gap width of the annular gap between the conical body and the inner wall of the outlet cavity, which defines the entire outlet cavity, can be easily adjusted (e.g., set) via relative movement between the conical body and the outlet section. This adjustment could, for example, be preset for a specific operating sequence and then remain fixed during operation. However, the cyclone separator is configured such that the adjustment of the annular gap width, and thus the relative movement between the conical body and the outlet section along the longitudinal axis, is possible during (ongoing) operation of the cyclone separator.The operation of the cyclone separator is controlled based on operating parameters recorded during its operation (explained in more detail below). This allows for the simple and reliable prevention of blockages in the fiber material outlet and enables the production of fiber material with a targeted and consistently maintained moisture content. For example, by continuously and automatically controlling the relative motion, the annular gap can be set very narrow to obtain very dry fiber material, which can then be fed to a downstream pulper in a wet process, or the fiber material can be further processed in a dry process. In both cases, the high degree of dryness achieved in the fiber material improves energy efficiency.

[0011] The conical body has a longitudinal axis, which extends, for example, coaxially or in and along the longitudinal axis of the separator body, and a cone angle which is measured relative to the longitudinal axis. A P96087 defines the conical shape or cone form of the conical body.

[0012] 3

[0013] The outer surface of the cone body extends at a cone angle to the longitudinal axis of the cone body, and thus, for example, to the longitudinal axis of the separator body. The cone angle is, for example, in a range of 5–60°, optionally in a range of 10–50°, optionally in a range of 10–45°, optionally in a range of 10–40°, optionally in a range of 10–35°, optionally in a range of 10–30°, optionally in a range of 15–30°, optionally in a range of 20–30°. The cone body extends radially in the direction of movement / transport of the fiber material (i.e., downstream) along the longitudinal axis of the separator body.

[0014] Upstream (i.e., in the direction of transport and / or movement in which the fiber material moves (or is moved) through the cyclone separator) of the outlet cavity or the cone arranged therein, the cyclone separator is equipped, for example, with a conveying device, such as a mechanical conveying device, which may be, for example, a rotary feeder, a high-flow pump, a gear pump, a rotary valve feeder, etc. According to the invention, the cyclone separator has a screw (e.g., a screw conveyor) which extends (e.g., with its longitudinal axis) along the longitudinal axis of the separator body in the cavity upstream of the cone body and which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The cavity (or an inner wall of the separator body that circumferentially / radially (with respect to the longitudinal axis) delimits the cavity) can be, for example,have a separation section that tapers conically along the longitudinal axis (e.g. towards the fiber material outlet) and has a tapered end where the screw is located.

[0015] The conical body can, for example, be directly connected to the worm and can, for example, be arranged on a worm shaft from which the worm is formed, and be connected to the worm and thus, for example, to the worm shaft, at least rotationally fixed or (completely) fixed (i.e., then forming a single piece).

[0016] The screw can have a P96087 on a screw section facing away from the conical body and / or the fiber material outlet.

[0017] 4

[0018] The screw diameter (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the separator body) is larger than the screw diameter of the remaining / resting screw section and larger than the inner diameter of the tapered end, and the screw can be arranged with this screw section of larger diameter upstream of the tapered end of the cavity of the separator body so that it cannot escape from the cavity in the direction of movement / transport of the fiber material (i.e., downstream).

[0019] The cavity can further include a transition section, for example, between the tapered end and the discharge section, in which the screw (e.g., with its remaining screw section of smaller diameter) extends. Optionally, the transition section is at least substantially cylindrical, and the remaining screw section of smaller diameter is also substantially cylindrical. This results in a very efficient yet space-saving conveying device for conveying / transporting fiber material towards the fiber material discharge or for discharging the fiber material via the annular gap and the fiber material discharge from the cyclone separator.

[0020] The desired relative movement can be achieved in various ways. For example, the conical body can be moved by the moving device along the longitudinal axis relative to the outlet section, which is optionally stationary, in order to adjust the width of the annular gap, and / or the outlet section can be movable by the moving device relative to the rest of the separator body and to the conical body along the longitudinal axis in order to adjust the width of the annular gap.

[0021] The conical body can be rigidly connected to the screw (e.g., integrally), and the screw, together with the conical body, can be moved (or be moved) by the moving device along the longitudinal axis relative to the discharge section in order to adjust the width of the annular gap. The conical body can, for example, be rotationally fixed to the screw (but axially movable relative to the screw) and can be moved by the P96087

[0022] 5

[0023] The moving device must be movable (or be moved) relative to the worm and the outlet section along the longitudinal axis in order to adjust the width of the annular gap.

[0024] The cyclone separator according to the invention further comprises, for example: a control device and at least one operating parameter sensor, which is connected to the control device and from which at least one operating parameter of the cyclone separator can be detected, wherein the control device is designed to control the movement device on the basis of the detected at least one operating parameter in order to adjust the width of the annular gap accordingly, based on the detected at least one operating parameter.

[0025] An operating parameter sensor could, for example, be a current consumption sensor that measures the current draw of an electric screw drive motor that rotates the screw. A particularly high current draw could indicate an impending blockage in the annular gap. Conversely, a very low current draw could indicate that the screw is transporting little or no fiber material and / or that the annular gap is so wide that, given the current amount of fiber material in the cyclone separator, more steam is passing through the gap. Alternatively or additionally, a sensor could be used to determine the moisture content of the discharged fiber material, a sensor to determine the moisture content of the fiber-steam mixture introduced into the cyclone separator, or a sensor to measure the amount of steam discharged from the cyclone separator via the steam outlet.Moisture content could be determined, for example, by measuring the electrical conductivity of the fiber material and / or the fiber material vapor mixture. Furthermore, the cyclone separator can incorporate a gap width sensor as an operating parameter sensor. Alternatively or additionally, a blockage sensor in the cyclone separator can detect a blockage signal by identifying whether fiber material is accumulating in the lower section of the cavity. This can be achieved, for example, by an optical sensor that interrupts an emitted light beam. P96087.

[0026] 6

[0027] The cyclone separator can further include, for example, a purge gas system designed to clean the annular gap via gas flow. When using a conical body that is axially movable relative to the screw, the cyclone separator can, for example, include such a purge gas system (or the purge gas system can be designed in such a way that it can clean a gap between the conical body and the screw via gas flow).

[0028] The steam discharged from the cyclone separator via the steam outlet can, for example, be recirculated back to the boiler in the system according to the invention, thereby improving the system's energy efficiency. By allowing an increased quantity of steam to be discharged via the steam outlet of the cyclone separator according to the invention, without the risk of clogging in the annular gap, this energy efficiency can be further improved.

[0029] If the system according to the invention has, for example, a pulper downstream of the cyclone separator, a connecting line between the pulper and the cyclone separator can, for example, be provided as a pneumatic connecting line.

[0030] The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawings. These exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as claimed. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for identical or similar features. The drawings show:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cyclone separator according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0032] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a section of a cyclone separator according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a section of a cyclone separator according to yet another embodiment of the invention, P96087

[0034] 7

[0035] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0036] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a system according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, a cyclone separator 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a separator body 100, a cone body 200 and a movement device 300.

[0038] The separator body 100 has an upper section 101 and a lower section 102 as well as a longitudinal axis L which extends from the upper to the lower section of the separator body 100.

[0039] Furthermore, the separator body 100 has a cavity 110 for receiving a fiber material-vapor mixture, an outlet section 120, a mixture inlet 130, and a vapor outlet 140. In the figures, the vapor outlet 140 is shown as an outlet pipe off-center with respect to the longitudinal axis L. However, the vapor outlet 140 is usually arranged centrally, for example, in the form of an outlet arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

[0040] The cavity 110 for receiving the fiber material-vapor mixture extends along the longitudinal axis L of the separator body 100, wherein a cyclone for separating the fiber material can be formed in the cavity 110 from the fiber material-vapor mixture.

[0041] The outlet section 120 is arranged, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, at an end of the lower section 102 of the separator body 100 that is facing away from the upper section 101.

[0042] Furthermore, the discharge section 120 has a fiber material discharge outlet 121 through which the separated fiber material F can be discharged from the separator body 100. The discharge section 120 also has a discharge cavity 122, which is defined by an inner wall 123 of the discharge cavity. P96087

[0043] 8 which widens conically along the longitudinal axis L towards the fiber material outlet 121.

[0044] The fiber material-vapor mixture can enter the cavity 110 via the mixing inlet 130, and the mixing inlet 130 is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis L and tangentially to the circumference of the cavity 110 extending around the longitudinal axis L, in order to at least support the formation of the cyclone from the incoming fiber material-vapor mixture in the cavity 110.

[0045] Steam can be released from the separator body via steam outlet 40.

[0046] The conical body 200 fits together with the outlet cavity 122 (i.e., both have the same cone / conical shape with respect to their outer circumference / outline; here in the form of a truncated cone shape) and is inserted into this outlet cavity 122 in such a way that a conical annular gap R is formed between the conical body 200 and the outlet cavity inner wall 123, which has its largest diameter section at the fiber material outlet 121.

[0047] By means of the movement device 300 a relative movement between the conical body 200 and the outlet end section 120 along the longitudinal axis L can be generated, whereby the width of the annular gap R can be adjusted.

[0048] Furthermore, the cyclone separator 10 has a screw 400 which extends along the longitudinal axis L in the cavity 110 upstream of the conical body 200 and is rotatable around the longitudinal axis L.

[0049] Furthermore, the cavity 110 can have a separation section 111 that tapers conically along its longitudinal axis and has a tapered end 112 at which the screw 400 is arranged. Additionally, the cavity 110 can have a substantially cylindrical transition section 113 between the tapered end 112 and the discharge end section 120, in which the screw 400 extends. P96087

[0050] 9

[0051] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the conical body 200 is rigidly connected to the screw 400, whereby the conical body 200 and the screw 400 can be moved together relative to the stationary discharge end section 120 (and the remaining, also stationary, separator body 100) along the longitudinal axis L by means of the movement device 300 in order to adjust the width of the annular gap R.

[0052] Furthermore, the cyclone separator 10 has a control device 500 and operating parameter sensors 501 and 502, which are connected to the control device 500, wherein each operating parameter sensor 501 , 502 can detect at least one operating parameter of the cyclone separator 10.

[0053] This allows the control device 500 to control the motion device 300 based on the detected operating parameter(s) in order to adjust the width of the annular gap R accordingly based on the detected operating parameter(s).

[0054] A current consumption sensor 501 can be used as an operating parameter sensor, which detects the current consumption of an electric worm drive motor 600 that drives the worm 400. The worm 400 is arranged on a worm shaft 401, which is connected to the worm drive motor 600 and can be driven by it to rotate the worm 400. In this embodiment, the conical body 200 is arranged on the worm shaft 401 and rigidly (i.e., rotationally and axially) connected to it. In this embodiment, the motion device 300 is, for example, hydraulically and / or pneumatically operated, with a piston 301 arranged on the worm shaft 401, which (and with it the worm 400 and the conical body 200 rigidly connected to it) is hydraulically and / or pneumatically movable along the longitudinal axis L.To enable axial movement of the worm shaft 401 relative to the worm drive motor 600, the worm shaft 401 engages, for example, with a splined end section 402 in a manner axially movable into the worm drive motor 600. Additionally or alternatively, a gap sensor 502 can be used as an operating parameter sensor, which detects a gap signal. For example, the gap sensor 502 can measure the width of the P96087.

[0055] 10

[0056] The annular gap can be detected and / or the gap sensor 502 can be a sensor for determining the moisture content in the applied fiber material F.

[0057] Furthermore, a blockage sensor can be used as an operating parameter sensor, which detects a blockage signal. With a steam outlet 140 arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis L, the steam outlet 140 is designed, for example, as an outlet pipe surrounding the screw shaft 401, which is then led laterally out of the separator body 100 (as, for example, in DE 28 16 931 A1).

[0058] When the cyclone separator 10 shown in Figure 1 is operated according to one embodiment, a fiber material-vapor mixture is introduced into the cavity 110 through the mixing inlet 130, and a cyclone is formed in the cavity for separating the fiber material. The separated fiber material F is transported by the screw 400 to the fiber material outlet 121, where it is discharged from the cyclone separator 10. The vapor, now free of the separated fiber material F, is discharged from the cyclone separator 10 at least substantially through the vapor outlet 140, with a portion of the vapor being discharged along with the separated fiber material F through the annular gap R. The width of the annular gap R can be increased or decreased as required for process control by the motion device 300, by moving the conical body 200 together with the screw 400 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0059] The control device 500 can control the motion device 300 (e.g., automatically), for example, based on operating parameters detected by the operating parameter sensors 501 and 502, to move the conical body 200 and the screw 400 along the longitudinal axis L in order to adjust, or increase or decrease, the width of the annular gap R. Furthermore, this control can optionally also be based on the blockage sensor and, if necessary, other sensors.

[0060] Furthermore, the screw 400 and the conical body 200 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis L by the screw drive motor 600 in order to move deposited fiber material F towards P96087 by moving the screw 400

[0061] 11 to transport the fiber material to the fiber material outlet 121 (and, for example, also through the transition section 113). Furthermore, the risk of clogging of the annular gap R can also be reduced by rotating the conical body 200 about the longitudinal axis L (relative to the outlet section 120).

[0062] The cyclone separator 10 can, for example, also have a purge gas device (not shown in Figure 1) which is designed to clean the annular gap R via gas flow.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows a section / partial view of a cyclone separator 10' according to another embodiment. The cyclone separator 10' is similar to the cyclone separator 10 described with reference to Figure 1, with the differences being explained below, which are as follows:

[0064] The conical body 200 according to the embodiment of Fig. 2 can be moved along the longitudinal axis L relative to the (here axially stationary) screw 400 and the (here stationary) outlet section 120 by means of the movement device 300 in order to adjust the width of the annular gap R. In this embodiment, the movement device 300 is, for example, designed as an electromagnetic device which is connected to and controllable by the control device 500.

[0065] The conical body 200 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis L together with the worm shaft 401 by means of at least one (e.g. pin-shaped) driver 303, which is firmly connected to the worm shaft 401 via a ring collar 211 and which engages axially displaceably in the conical body 200.

[0066] The cyclone separator 10' can further include a purge gas device 700, which is designed to clean both the annular gap R and an intermediate gap Z between the conical body 200 and the screw 400 via gas flow. P96087

[0067] 12

[0068] The cyclone separator 10” shown in Figure 3 according to yet another embodiment is similar to the cyclone separator 10 shown in Figure 1, with the differences being explained below, which are as follows:

[0069] The conical body 200 according to the other embodiment is not movable along the longitudinal direction L or is arranged stationary along the longitudinal direction L (e.g., at least substantially), and, for example, the screw 400 also cannot be moved along the longitudinal direction (or is arranged stationary along the longitudinal direction L (e.g., at least substantially). The width of the annular gap R in the cyclone separator 10" according to this embodiment can be adjusted by moving the outlet end section 120 of the separator body 100 relative to the rest of the separator body 100 (which is also arranged axially stationary) along the longitudinal axis L by means of the movement device 300. For example, the outlet end section 120 can be designed in the form of a sleeve and, for example, be arranged movably at the end of the transition section 113, which faces the fiber material outlet 121. The movement device 300 has, for example,a gear device 305, which is adjustable in engagement with a rack and pinion device 125, which is attached to an outer circumferential surface of the outlet end section 120 (e.g. in an area where the outlet end section 120 overlaps the transition section 113), so that the movement device 300 is set up to move the outlet end section 120 relative to the rest of the separator body 100 and at the same time also relative to the screw 400 and to the cone body 200.

[0070] The cyclone separator 10 according to the other embodiment can thus have the advantage, for example, that all parts which are moved to adjust the width of the annular gap R are not arranged inside the cavity (e.g., all parts to be moved to adjust the width of the annular gap R are outside the pressure area) and thus the relative movement is easier to implement.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4, a system A1 for processing fiber material has a pre-steamer 2000, a cooker 3000, a refiner 4000, and a [missing information] as shown in this P96087

[0072] 13

[0073] The application described a cyclone separator 10, 10' or 10" and a pulper 5000.

[0074] In the pre-steamer 2000, raw material (e.g. wood chips) can be pre-steamed without pressure, and then the pre-steamed raw material can be fed into the cooker 3000 via a first screw conveyor 2000a.

[0075] Fiber material is softened under steam pressure in the cooker 3000, and then the softened fiber material is transported to the refiner 4000 via a second screw conveyor 3000a.

[0076] The refiner 4000 fiberizes the softened fiber material obtained from the cooker 3000 and produces a fiber material-steam mixture, which is introduced into the cyclone separator 10, 10' or 10" (hereinafter referred to as 10) via a line 6000a and via the mixing inlet 130 of the cyclone separator 10, 10' or 10".

[0077] The cyclone separator 10 is fluidly connected to the cooker 3000 via the steam outlet 140 and the return line 6000b in such a way that steam discharged from the cyclone separator 10 via the steam outlet 140 can be returned to the cooker 3000.

[0078] Additionally, the fiber material F discharged from the cyclone separator 10 via the fiber material outlet 121 of the cyclone separator 10 can be fed to the pulper 500 via a third screw conveyor 7000a.

[0079] In the Pulper 5000, the fiber material F obtained from the cyclone separator 10 can be dispersed in a liquid, e.g. water.

[0080] From the pulper 5000, the dispersed fiber material can be transported further via a processing line 5000a, which may, for example, include a pump. P96087

[0081] 14

[0082] The dispersed fiber material can be transported via the processing line 5000a, for example, for further processing into medium-density fiberboard (e.g., this further processing may include a pressing process).

[0083] For example, the A1 plant can be used to carry out a medium-density fiberboard (MDF) wet recycling process.

[0084] As shown in Figure 5, a plant A2 for processing fibrous material comprises a pre-steamer 2000, a cooker 3000, a refiner 4000, a cyclone separator 10 (or a cyclone separator 10' or 10" as described in this application (hereinafter referred to as 10)), a collection device 8000 and a dryer 9000.

[0085] The pre-steamer 2000, the cooker 3000, the refiner 4000, the cyclone separator 10 together with the first and second screw conveyors 2000a and 3000a, the line 6000a and the return line 6000b can be designed and linked as in the system A1 of the embodiment of Fig. 4.

[0086] The collection device 8000 captures the fiber material F discharged from the cyclone separator 10 via the fiber material outlet 121 of the cyclone separator 10.

[0087] The fiber material F collected by the collecting device 8000 is transported by a further line 8000a to the drying unit 9000, wherein the further line 8000a may, for example, include a blower that drives the fiber material F to move to the drying unit 9000. Alternatively or additionally, a destipper may also be arranged in the further line 8000a, which can better separate the fiber material.

[0088] The fiber material dried by the dryer 9000 can be transported via a processing line 9000a, for example, for further processing into medium-density fiberboard (MDF), the processing line 9000a being equipped with a classifier for removing foreign matter. P96087

[0089] 15

[0090] For example, the A2 plant can be used to carry out a medium density fiberboard recycling drying process.

Claims

P96087 16 REQUIREMENTS 1. Cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") for separating fibrous material from a fibrous material-vapor mixture, comprising: - a separator body (100) which has an upper (101) and a lower section (102) and a longitudinal axis (L) extending in the direction from the upper (101) to the lower section (102) and which has -- a cavity (110) for receiving the fiber material vapor mixture, which extends along the longitudinal axis (L) of the separator body (100) and in which a cyclone for separating the fiber material can be formed from the fiber material vapor mixture, -- an outlet section (120) which, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L), is arranged at an end of the lower section (102) of the separator body (100) facing away from the upper section (101) and which — has a fiber material outlet (121) through which the separated fiber material (F) can be discharged from the separator body (100), and — has an outlet cavity (122) defined by an outlet cavity inner wall (123) which widens conically along the longitudinal axis (L) towards the fiber material outlet (121), -- a mixture inlet (130) through which the fiber material-vapor mixture can enter the cavity (110) and which is optionally oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) and tangentially to the circumference of the cavity (110) extending around the longitudinal axis (L), in order to at least support the formation of the cyclone from the incoming fiber material-vapor mixture in the cavity (110), -- a steam outlet (140), which can be discharged via soft steam from the separator body (100), - a conical body (200) that fits together with the outlet cavity (122) and is inserted into it in such a way that a conical annular gap (R) is formed between the conical body (200) and the outlet cavity inner wall (123), which has its largest diameter section at the fiber material outlet (121), P96087 17 - a movement device (300) by means of which a relative movement between the conical body (200) and the outlet end section (120) can be generated along the longitudinal axis (L), whereby the width of the annular gap (R) is adjustable, and - a worm (400) which extends along the longitudinal axis (L) in the cavity (110) upstream of the conical body (200) and is rotatable around the longitudinal axis (L).

2. Cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") according to claim 1, wherein the cavity (110) has a separation section (111) which tapers conically along the longitudinal axis (L) and which has a tapered end (112) at which the screw (400) is arranged.

3. Cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") according to claim 2, wherein the cavity (110) further has a transition section (113) between the tapered end (112) and the outlet end section (120), in which the screw (400) extends, wherein, further optionally, the transition section (113) is at least substantially cylindrical.

4. Cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conical body (200) is movable by the movement device (300) along the longitudinal axis (L) relative to the outlet section (120), which is optionally stationary, in order to adjust the width of the annular gap (R), and / or wherein the outlet section (120) is movable by the movement device (300) relative to the remaining separator body (100) and to the conical body (200) along the longitudinal axis (L) in order to adjust the width of the annular gap (R).

5. Cyclone separator (10, 10') according to claim 4, wherein, according to alternative I, the conical body (200) is rigidly connected to the screw (400) and the screw (400) together with the conical body (200) is movable by the movement device (300) along the longitudinal axis (L) relative to the discharge end section (120) in order to adjust the width of the annular gap (R), or wherein, according to alternative II, the conical body (200) is rotationally fixed to the screw (400) and is movable by the movement device (300) relative to the screw (400) and to the P96087 18 The outlet section (120) is movable along the longitudinal axis (L) in order to adjust the width of the annular gap (R).

6. Cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising - a control device (500) and - at least one operating parameter sensor (501 , 502) connected to the control device (500) and from which at least one operating parameter of the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") can be detected, - wherein the control device (500) is configured to control the motion device (300) on the basis of the detected at least one operating parameter, in order to adjust the width of the annular gap (R) accordingly based on the detected at least one operating parameter.

7. Cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a purge gas device (700) which is configured to clean the annular gap (R) via gas flow.

8. Plant (A1, A2) for processing fibrous material, comprising - a cooker (3000) which can soften a fibrous material, optionally a wood fiber material, under steam pressure, - a refiner (4000) connected to the cooker (3000) to obtain the softened fiber material emanating from the cooker (3000), from which the fiber material can be fiberized and discharged as a fiber-steam mixture, and - a cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") according to any of the preceding claims, which is connected to the refiner (4000) to obtain the fiber material vapor mixture discharged by the refiner (4000) via the mixture inlet (130), wherein, optionally, the vapor outlet (140) of the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") is fluidly connected to the cooker (3000), whereby the vapor discharged from the separator body (100) via the vapor outlet (140) can be returned to the cooker (3000).

9. Annex (A1) according to claim 8, further comprising P96087 19 - a pulper (5000) connected to the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") to obtain the fiber material discharged from the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10"), and from which the fiber material can be dispersed in a liquid, optionally in water.

10. A method for operating a cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") of a plant (A1, A2) according to any one of claims 8-9, comprising the following steps: - Introduction, optionally tangential introduction, of the fiber material vapor mixture into the cavity (110) of the separator body (100) of the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") via the mixture inlet (130), wherein a cyclone for separating the fiber material is formed in the cavity (110) from the introduced fiber material vapor mixture, - Separation of the fiber material (F) from the fiber material-vapor mixture by means of the cyclone formed in the cavity (110), - Discharge of the steam freed from fiber material (F) from the separator body (100) via the steam outlet (140), - Discharge of the separated fiber material (F) from the separator body (100) through the annular gap (R) and the fiber material outlet (121 ), - Recording at least one operating parameter of the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") and - Adjusting the width of the annular gap (R) based on at least one detected operating parameter.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the width of the annular gap (R) is adjusted in such a controlled manner that at least 50%, optionally at least 60% or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90%, of the vapor present in the fiber material vapor mixture supplied to the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") is discharged from the separator body (100) of the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") via the vapor outlet (140), wherein, optionally and if in combination with the system according to claim 8 or 9, the vapor discharged from the separator body (100) is returned to the cooker (30). P96087 20 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the method further comprises the following step: - Transporting the deposited fiber material (F) towards the annular gap (R) via the rotating screw (400).

13. Method according to one of claims 10-12 if in combination with claim 6, wherein the at least one detected operating parameter or parameters include at least one of a) a current consumption of a drive electric motor (600) of the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10") which rotates the screw (400), b) a width of the annular gap (R) and c) a blockage signal of a blockage sensor of the cyclone separator (10, 10', 10").

14. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 13 if in combination with claim 8 or 9, wherein the method further comprises the following step: - Returning the steam discharged from the separator body (100) via the steam outlet (140) to the cooker (3000).

Images