Valve assembly for bulk materials

Abstract

The invention relates to a vertical valve assembly for bulk materials, comprising: a housing for receiving and temporarily storing the bulk material; a vertically movable slide element which has a hollow cross-section and is open at a first end and at a second end so that bulk material can flow through the hollow cross-section when the valve assembly is open; and a stationary flow element, in particular a flow cone, which is arranged in the housing above the slide element in order to direct a material flow of the bulk material in the housing, wherein the flow element expands in the direction of the slide element.

Description

[0001] R.415529

[0002] Description

[0003] title

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The present invention relates to a vertical valve arrangement for bulk materials for metering the bulk material with a reduced risk of blockages or the like occurring in the valve arrangement due to the bulk material.

[0006] Valve technology for bulk solids is problematic because, unlike liquids, bulk solids tend to clog outlets and damage guides or similar components. Therefore, instead of technically simple valve arrangements, complex valve arrangements with active controls and actuators, such as cells, rotary valves, rocker arms, screw conveyors, or conveyor belts, are often used. In these systems, a variable speed of an actuator typically alters the flow rate. However, this results in a continuous energy input, especially when the bulk solid's flow rate remains constant.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The inclined, in particular vertical, valve arrangement according to the invention for metering bulk materials, with the features of claim 1, has the advantage that a continuous volume flow of the bulk material can be set using gravity. Preferably, the volume flow of the bulk material is proportional to a stroke of the valve arrangement. The inclined, in particular vertical, valve arrangement of the invention has a simple and cost-effective design. Furthermore, the metering of bulk material can be achieved solely by means of gravity.

[0009] - 2 - This eliminates the need for continuous operation of drives or similar devices to measure bulk material.

[0010] According to the invention, this is achieved by the inclined, in particular vertical, valve arrangement having a housing for receiving the bulk material, for example, a granular material. The housing of the inclined, in particular vertical, valve arrangement forms a bulk material reservoir so that bulk material can be metered by gravity when the valve arrangement is opened. Furthermore, the valve arrangement comprises a longitudinally, in particular vertically, movable slide element with a hollow cross-section, wherein the hollow cross-section is open at a first end and a second end. Bulk material is conveyed through the hollow cross-section when the valve arrangement is opened.Furthermore, the valve arrangement comprises a stationary flow element, in particular a flow cone or the like, which is arranged in the housing, in particular vertically, above the slide element, in particular the first end of the slide element, in order to direct a material flow of the bulk material in the housing.

[0011] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0012] Preferably, the flow element expands in the direction of the slide element, particularly vertically, with the slide element being arranged below the flow element, particularly vertically.

[0013] Preferably, the sliding element (in particular the first end of the sliding element) is completely covered by the flow element in the longitudinal or vertical direction. This allows for very simple control of the mass flow when opening and closing the valve arrangement.

[0014] Preferably, the housing further comprises a guide area for guiding or longitudinally guiding the sliding element. Preferably, the guide area is a neck area oriented downwards on the housing, on the inside of which the guide area for the sliding element is formed.

[0015] Preferably, the housing also has a tapered section. This allows the housing to taper towards the sliding element in a funnel shape (R.415529).

[0016] - 3 - be formed. The tapered area is preferably a conical area.

[0017] The sliding element preferably comprises a hollow cylinder or a hollow cuboid or the like. By changing the vertical position of the sliding element, the mass flow of the bulk material can be controlled in a very simple manner.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve arrangement further comprises a movable diaphragm. The movable diaphragm is fixed to the first end of the slide element and to the housing. Preferably, the movable diaphragm has an annular shape. The movable diaphragm particularly protects the guide area, preventing bulk material, abrasion, or dust from the bulk material from entering the guide area between the slide element and the housing. More preferably, the diaphragm is configured as an actuator element to move the slide element vertically.

[0019] The housing preferably has a control opening for introducing a medium into a control chamber to move the diaphragm. The control chamber is preferably located below the diaphragm, between an inner wall of the housing and the diaphragm. Thus, for example, the slide element can be moved vertically by introducing a pressurized gaseous medium or by removing gas from the control chamber. For this purpose, a compressor, which can be switched between two delivery directions, can be used to build up or release pressure in the control chamber. This allows for particularly simple control of the valve arrangement. Air is preferably used as the control medium.

[0020] Alternatively, the sliding element is moved by means of another actuator. Preferably, the actuator acts directly or indirectly on the sliding element. The actuator is, for example, a magnetic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a mechanical actuator (e.g., a camshaft), a pneumatic actuator, or an electromechanical actuator. R.415529

[0021] - 4 -

[0022] The valve arrangement preferably includes a spring element for pre-tensioning or resetting the slide element. The spring element preferably acts directly on the slide element. The spring element allows a preferred position to be defined when the valve arrangement is at rest. For example, the spring element can be designed to exert an opening or closing force on the slide element.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve arrangement also includes a seal between the slide element and the flow element. The seal is preferably an elastomer. This ensures a reliable seal of the valve arrangement in the closed state. The seal in the closed state is preferably gas-tight. Preferably, the first end of the slide element rests directly against the seal. The first end is designed such that a reliable seal is possible against a sealing surface of the first end of the slide element, preventing bulk material from resting on the sealing surface of the slide element. Preferably, the first end is arcuate or conical in cross-section.

[0024] Preferably, the valve arrangement exhibits a stroke-dependent material flow characteristic due to a geometric design of the first end of the slide element. Here, a desired, predetermined material flow characteristic can be set by a geometric design of the first end of the slide element. Preferably, recesses are provided at the first end of the slide element. The recesses can have geometrically different shapes. Particularly preferably, the recesses form a sawtooth pattern, a crenellated pattern, or a wave pattern. More preferably, the recesses are designed as through-openings in the wall area of ​​the slide element. Any combinations are also possible, especially with the through-openings and various geometric designs of the free first end of the slide element.Preferably, the first end of the slide element is configured to generate linear or non-linear material flow characteristics. R.415529.

[0025] - 5 -

[0026] Furthermore, geometric modifications to the flow element are also preferred, for example, a geometric adaptation of the free, downward-pointing end of the flow element by providing recesses as a sawtooth pattern, crenellated pattern or wave pattern and / or additionally providing through-openings in the flow element.

[0027] To enable a particularly compact design of the valve assembly, a hollow section is preferably formed in the flow element, in which an actuator for moving the slide element is arranged. This can be, for example, a magnetic actuator with an armature, which is operatively connected to the slide element and performs the opening and closing process of the slide element. Alternatively, an electric motor or the like can be provided to change the vertical position of the slide element. The actuator is protected within the hollow section of the flow element. By utilizing the hollow section for the actuator, a particularly compact valve assembly can be achieved. Preferably, a retaining system for the actuator and its components is also provided on the inside of the flow element.

[0028] Preferably, the valve arrangement is used in a plant for extracting carbon dioxide from air, in particular in an adsorption system or a desorption system, for metering granular material that is able to bind and release carbon dioxide.

[0029] The invention further relates to a CO2 separation unit, in particular a direct air capture device, for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream, with a previously described valve arrangement for adjusting a material flow of a pourable sorption material.

[0030] The invention further relates to the use of a previously described valve arrangement for adjusting the material flow of a free-flowing sorbent material in a CO2 separation unit, in particular a direct air capture device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, especially an air stream. R.415529

[0031] - 6 -

[0032] drawing

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0034] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a valve arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention in the closed state,

[0035] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the valve arrangement of Figure 1 in the partially open state,

[0036] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the valve arrangement of Figure 1 in the fully open state,

[0037] Figures 4 to 6 show sectional views of a valve arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention in the closed, partially open and fully open states.

[0038] Figures 7 to 10 show further preferred embodiments of the

[0039] Valve arrangement

[0040] Figures 11 and 12 show a further preferred embodiment of a valve arrangement according to the invention,

[0041] Figures 13 to 16 show representations of a mass flow over a stroke of the valve arrangement in four different geometric configurations at a free end of a slide element, and

[0042] Figures 17 to 19 show another preferred embodiment of the invention in closed, partially open and fully open positions.

[0043] Preferred embodiments of the invention R.415529

[0044] - 7 -

[0045] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein identical or functionally identical parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0046] Figures 1 to 3 show a valve arrangement 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0047] Figure 1 shows the fully closed state of the valve arrangement 1, Figure 2 a partially open state and Figure 3 a fully open state.

[0048] As can be seen in Figure 1, the valve assembly 1 comprises a housing 3 as a reservoir for receiving a bulk material, for example a granular material, for the extraction of carbon dioxide from air. The valve assembly 1 is arranged vertically to allow the bulk material to be metered by gravity.

[0049] The housing 3 comprises a preferably cylindrical base wall section 33, which serves as a bulk material reservoir. Adjoining the base wall section 33 is a conically tapered section 32, which opens into a hollow cylindrical neck section 35. The housing 3 thus has a funnel shape.

[0050] Inside the neck region 35, a guide area 31 is arranged for guiding a slide element 4. In this embodiment, the slide element 4 is a cylindrical tube. As can be seen from Figures 1, 2 and 3, the metering of bulk material can be controlled by a vertical movement of the slide element 4.

[0051] The sliding element 4 has a first end 41 and a second end 42. Both ends 41 and 42 are open. The sliding element 4 has a constant internal cross-sectional area.

[0052] The valve arrangement 1 further comprises a stationary flow element 5, which is designed as a flow cone. The flow element 5 is fixed in the R.415529

[0053] - 8 -

[0054] Housing 3 is arranged. As can be seen from Figure 1, the flow element is designed to direct the material flow of the bulk material in the housing.

[0055] The flow element 4 expands in the direction of the slide element 4, which is arranged vertically below the flow element. Line XX indicates the vertical direction at the valve assembly.

[0056] The sliding element 4 is moved in the vertical direction by means of a schematically represented actuator 10, for example a magnetic actuator.

[0057] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, in the closed initial state shown in Figure 1, the slide element 4 is moved vertically downwards by the actuator 10, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 2. This allows bulk material, as indicated by arrows B, to flow over the edge of the slide element 4 at the open, first end 41 into the hollow cross-section and be supplied for further use. When the slide element 4 is fully open, as shown in Figure 3, a large mass flow of bulk material is released through the valve arrangement 1.

[0058] Thus, the valve arrangement 1 can provide a continuous mass flow of the bulk material, preferably proportional to the stroke of the slide element 4, using gravity. No permanent energy supply is required for a predetermined mass flow. In addition to gravity, a repose angle at the tapered section 32 of the housing 3 is also utilized. The neck section 35 ensures reliable guidance of the slide element 4 in the vertical direction XX.

[0059] Figures 3 to 5 show a valve arrangement 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment additionally features a movable diaphragm 6. The movable diaphragm 6 is annular in shape. As can be seen in Figure 4, the movable diaphragm 6 is fixed on one side to the first end 41 of the slide element 4 and on the other side to the housing 3, more precisely to the tapered section 32. A control opening 34 is also formed in the housing 3. This results in a control area 60 below the diaphragm 6. The control area 60 is thus defined by the diaphragm 6, a part of the slide element 4, and a part of the tapered section 32.

[0060] - 9 - tapered area 32 defined. As further shown in Figure 4, a circumferential annular channel 61 is provided in the tapered area 32 of the housing 3 in the area of ​​the control area 60, which is designed to distribute a control medium in a ring shape for a uniform movement of the slide element 4.

[0061] Figure 4 schematically illustrates the supply and discharge of a control medium, preferably a gas such as air, by the double arrow C. The diaphragm 6 thus protects, in particular, the guide area 31 of the slide element 4 from the ingress of bulk material. When medium is withdrawn from the control area 60, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the diaphragm 6 is also moved as an actuator, causing the slide element 4 to move downwards, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 5. When the control area 60 is completely emptied of the medium, as shown in Figure 6, the diaphragm 6 rests against the inner wall of the tapered area 32. The valve assembly 1 is then fully open.

[0062] Thus, the membrane 6 has two functions: firstly, a protective function for the guide area 31, and secondly, an actuator function for moving the slide element 4. By selecting a pressure in the control area 6, the position of the membrane and therefore also the degree of opening of the slide element 4 can be easily adjusted.

[0063] Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of the invention which additionally includes a spring element 7. The spring element 7 is arranged between the housing 3 and the sliding element 4, which has a circumferential flange 43 at its second end 42 as a bearing surface. As can be seen in Figure 7, the spring element 7 pre-tensions the sliding element 4 in the opening direction, as indicated by the arrow F.

[0064] In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 8, a spring element 7 is also provided, which, however, biases the sliding element 4 in the closing direction (arrow F). In this embodiment, an additional stop is provided at the neck region 35 for the sliding element 4, which has an additional stop flange. R.415529

[0065] - 10 -

[0066] The fifth embodiment shown in Figure 9 additionally features a seal 8, which is arranged on the flow element 5. In the closed state shown in Figure 9, the first end 41 of the slide element 4 seals against the seal 8. This achieves a reliable, preferably gas-tight, seal on the valve assembly. This particularly prevents dust or similar substances from entering the slide element 4 and thus potentially the downstream area of ​​the valve assembly.

[0067] Figure 10 shows, as a sixth embodiment, a structure identical to the fourth embodiment of Figure 8 with an additional seal 8.

[0068] Figures 11 and 12 show a seventh embodiment of the invention. This seventh embodiment features a valve design in which a stroke-dependent material flow characteristic is achieved in a specific manner. As can be seen in Figures 11 and 12, a configuration with several recesses 9 is provided at the first end 41. The recesses 9 are sawtooth-shaped along the circumference of the first end 41. Figure 11 shows the closed state of the valve arrangement 1, and Figure 12 shows a partially open state of the valve arrangement. Due to the sawtooth design, the cross-sectional area exposed as the slide element 4 opens continuously increases, allowing the bulk material to flow into the hollow cylindrical area of ​​the slide element 4. This can be adjusted as desired by geometrically shaping the angle of the sawtooth profile at the first end 41.

[0069] Regarding the seventh embodiment, it should be noted that the geometric design of the first end 41 can be configured in various ways. Further examples are shown in Figures 13 to 16. Firstly, as can be seen in Figure 14, there can be only one or more separate sawtooth-shaped recesses 9. As can be seen in Figure 15, a recess 9a can also be crenellated or slotted. As shown in Figure 16, through-openings 9b can also be provided adjacent to the first end 41, either additionally or exclusively. R.415529

[0070] - 11 -

[0071] Figures 13 to 16 also show the achievable mass flow rates m across the stroke H in the corresponding diagrams. Figure 13 shows an exponential increase when a sawtooth pattern is formed along the circumference of the first end 41. Figure 14 also shows an exponentially increasing mass flow rate m across the stroke H, but with a lower slope, when fewer sawtooth-shaped recesses 9 are provided. Figure 15 shows a substantially linear increase in the mass flow rate m across the stroke H when the recess 9a is slot-shaped or crenellated. Figure 16 shows the mass flow rate m across the stroke H with a combination of a recess at the free first end 41 and a through-opening 9b. This results first in a substantially linear increase, then a plateau phase P, and then, when bulk material can flow through the through-opening 9b, another substantially linear increase (see Figure 13).Figure 16).

[0072] Figures 17 to 19 show an eighth embodiment of the invention. Figure 17 shows the fully closed state of the valve arrangement 1, Figure 18 the partially open state, and Figure 19 the fully open state of the valve arrangement.

[0073] In contrast to the preceding embodiments, in the eighth embodiment the actuator 10 is arranged inside a hollow area 50 of the flow element 5. The actuator 10 is directly connected to the slide element 4 at its first end 41 via an anchor element 11. Through-openings are provided in the connection between the anchor element 11 and the slide element 4. As can be seen in Figure 19, this allows bulk material to flow through the through-openings of the retaining system 12 for the slide element 4. The design of the first end 41 of the slide element 4 is sawtooth-shaped, as shown in the seventh embodiment in Figures 11 and 12. Thus, with a partial opening, as shown in Figure 18, bulk material can first flow through the recesses 9, so that only a partial mass flow of the bulk material is metered through the slide element 4.When fully open (Figure 19), the full bulk material mass flow is then supplied.

[0074] Thus, the present invention provides a valve arrangement 1 which has a simple and cost-effective design with a safe operating mode R.415529

[0075] - 12 - can provide. In particular, after the opening process, no continuous energy supply for a fixed mass flow is required; instead, the bulk material can be metered at the housing 3 using gravity and the angle of repose. Variants at the first end 41, such as the provision of recesses 9, allow for a simple variable throttle cross-section, enabling, in particular, a metering quantity proportional to the stroke H of the slide element 4. The diaphragm 6 protects the guide area from bulk material and thus from clogging. Depending on the application, a different actuator can also be provided to operate the slide element 4.

[0076] The valve arrangement 1 can be used in various technical fields as a shut-off device or also in lock operations for bulk materials.

Claims

R.415529 - 13 - Claims 1. Inclined, in particular vertical, valve arrangement (1) for bulk materials (2), comprising: - a housing (3) for receiving and temporarily storing the bulk material (2), - a longitudinally, in particular vertically, movable slide element (4) with a hollow cross-section which is open at a first end (41) and which is open at a second end (42) so that bulk material (2) can flow through the hollow cross-section when the valve arrangement is open, and - a stationary flow element (5), in particular a flow cone, which is arranged in the housing (3) above the slide element (4), in particular the first end (41) of the slide element (4), to direct a material flow of the bulk material (2) in the housing (3).

2. Valve arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flow element (5) is in The direction towards the sliding element (4) is extended.

3. Valve arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slide element (4), in particular the first end (41) of the slide element (4), is completely covered by the flow element (5) in the longitudinal direction (XX), in particular in the vertical direction (XX).

4. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) has a guide area (31) for guiding, in particular longitudinally guiding, the slide element (4).

5. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) further comprises a tapered area (32) to feed the bulk material in the direction of the slide element (4). R.415529 - 14 - 6. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the slide element (4) comprises a hollow cylinder or a hollow cuboid.

7. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a movable diaphragm (6) which is fixed to the first end (41) of the slide element (4) and to the housing (3) to cover a gap between the slide element (4) and the housing.

8. Valve arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein the housing (3) has a control opening (34) to introduce and remove a medium into a control area (60) for movement of the diaphragm (6) and displacement of the slide element (4).

9. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a spring element (7) for pre-tensioning the slide element (4) and / or for resetting the slide element (4).

10. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a seal (8) which is arranged between the slide element (4) and the flow element (5) for sealing the hollow cross-section of the slide element (4).

11. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein recesses (9), in particular sawtooth-like recesses or crenellated recesses or wave-like recesses and / or through-openings, are formed at the first end (41) of the slide element (4).

12. Valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a hollow region (50) is formed in the flow element (5) in which an actuator (10) for moving the slide element (4) is arranged.

13. CO2 separation unit, in particular a direct air capture device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream, with a valve arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims for adjusting a material flow of a pourable sorption material. R.415529 - 15 - 14. Use of a valve arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 for adjusting a material flow of a pourable sorption material in a CO2 separation unit, in particular a direct air capture device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream.

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