U.S. patent application number 14/845221 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-12 for process and device for introducing additive materials in a receptacle at the area of highest pressure.
The applicant listed for this patent is EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H.. Invention is credited to Klaus Feichtinger, Manfred Hackl, Gerhard Wendelin.
Application Number | 20170008194 14/845221 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37714527 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170008194 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Wendelin; Gerhard ; et
al. |
January 12, 2017 |
PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR INTRODUCING ADDITIVE MATERIALS IN A
RECEPTACLE AT THE AREA OF HIGHEST PRESSURE
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a device for introducing
and/or adding non-dry-powder additive materials and/or coating
materials with a liquid, solid, semi-solid, or paste-like
consistency or in suspended or emulsified form, for example,
peroxides, fats, waxes, IV improvers, polymers, or similar
materials, to an existing lumpy or particulate material which is
moved and mixed, and optionally warmed and reduced to small pieces
in a receptacle and/or compressor (1), said material being in
particular polymer particles and/or flakes, wood fibers, paper
cuttings, or similar materials. According to the invention, the
additive material is introduced below the level of the material
and/or material particles already in the receptacle (1).
Inventors: |
Wendelin; Gerhard; (Linz,
AT) ; Feichtinger; Klaus; (Linz, AT) ; Hackl;
Manfred; (Linz, AT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Gesellschaft
m.b.H. |
Ansfelden |
|
AT |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160101540 A1 |
April 14, 2016 |
|
|
Family ID: |
37714527 |
Appl. No.: |
14/845221 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12516177 |
Jan 12, 2010 |
|
|
|
PCT/AT2007/000527 |
Nov 22, 2007 |
|
|
|
14845221 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 1/0529 20130101;
B29C 48/288 20190201; B29B 2017/048 20130101; B29K 2105/06
20130101; Y02W 30/62 20150501; A61B 5/685 20130101; B01F 7/163
20130101; A61N 1/0551 20130101; B29C 48/08 20190201; B29C 48/2886
20190201; B29C 48/29 20190201; B02C 18/2225 20130101; B29B 7/88
20130101; B29K 2105/0005 20130101; B01F 7/162 20130101; A61B
5/04001 20130101; A61N 1/0536 20130101; B02C 18/12 20130101; B01F
3/1221 20130101; A61B 2562/0209 20130101; B29C 48/04 20190201; B01F
3/14 20130101; A61B 2562/046 20130101; B29B 17/0412 20130101; B29B
7/42 20130101; B29B 7/603 20130101; B29B 7/94 20130101; Y02W 30/625
20150501; B01F 15/0203 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B29B 7/42 20060101
B29B007/42; B02C 18/22 20060101 B02C018/22; B02C 18/12 20060101
B02C018/12; B29B 7/60 20060101 B29B007/60; B29B 7/88 20060101
B29B007/88 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 23, 2006 |
AT |
A 1951/2006 |
Claims
1. A device for introducing and adding non-dry particulate,
additives, or coating stuffs of a liquid, solid, semi-solid, or
pasty consistency to a lumpy or particulate material, the device
comprising: at least one receiving receptacle or cutting condenser
comprising: a lateral wall, at least one mixing tool disposed
inside the receptacle or cutting condenser, wherein the at least
one mixing tool moves the material, and at least one feeding device
for adding the particulate, additives, or coating stuffs, wherein
said feeding device is disposed on the lateral wall and displaced
vertically above an upper edge of the mixing tool such that a
vertical gap is present between the feeding device and the mixing
tool upper edge, and wherein said feeding device is arranged in a
region of the lateral wall such that during operation the at least
one mixing tool is operated to move the material above the gap to
communicate with the feeding device such that said material exerts
maximum pressure onto the region of the lateral wall where said
feeding device is positioned.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
feeding device is arranged at an inner side of said lateral wall of
said receptacle to discharge into said receptacle through said
lateral wall, or is formed in the lateral wall of said
receptacle.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
feeding device comprises an outlet opening or a nozzle.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
feeding device is flush with the inside of the lateral wall of said
receptacle.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the inner
side of said receptacle is a non-wettable surface.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing
tool is rotatable about a vertical axis.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing
tool also comminutes the lumpy or particulate material.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the material is plastic
material in the form of non-molten polymeric particles, wood fibers
or scraps of paper.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the non-dry
particulate, additives, or coating stuffs is in a suspended or
emulsified form.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the non-dry
particulate, additives, or coating stuffs is of an elevated
viscosity.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the non-dry
particulate, additives, or coating stuffs comprises at least one
member of the group consisting of: peroxides, fats, waxes, IV
enhancers, and polymers.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the material particles
are moved within the receptacle.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the material particles
are rotated within said receptacle.
14. The device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one
feeding device is fed by at least one metering pump.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one
metering pump is a gear pump or diaphragm pump.
16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one
metering pump is configured to meter said additives in the form of
droplets.
17. The device according to claim 4, wherein the feeding device
does not protrude or project from the inner side of said receptacle
towards an interior of said receptacle.
18. The device according to claim 5, wherein the non-wettable
surface comprises anti-adhesion coating or embossing.
19. A device for introducing an additive to a material, the device
comprising: a receptacle, comprising: a lateral wall; a mixing tool
disposed inside the receptacle and configured to mix the material;
and a feeding device disposed on the lateral wall and configured to
introduce the additive to the receptacle, wherein a vertical
location of said feeding device has been predetermined and
preselected as a location above a top of the mixing tool at which a
pressure of the material is highest.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/516,177, filed Jan. 12, 2010, which is a National Stage of
International Application No. PCT/AT2007/000527 filed Nov. 22,
2007, which claims priority to Austrian Patent Application No. A
1951/2006, filed Nov. 23, 2006, the disclosures of all applications
being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a process according to a method for
introducing and adding a non-dry particulate to a material and a
device for introducing and adding a non-dry particulate to a
material.
[0003] Numerous processes and devices are known from the prior art
in which the liquid additives are either sprayed from above onto
the plastic material or added in the fluid bed process.
[0004] It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,957 to add liquid
additives to plastic granules in a mixer.
[0005] In WO 00/38895, to reduce the dust nuisance or dust
formation, a process of this type is further improved, in a first
step, by spraying the liquid additives onto the plastic granules in
a spray chamber in the countercurrent process, followed by a static
mixing process.
[0006] In EP 7624, a liquid additive is added to the plastic
granules, namely in an inert gas current.
[0007] In WO 84/02530, the plastic granules are first whirled in a
continuous mixer and, in this turbulent state, wetted with a highly
heated liquid additive in the gas stream.
[0008] A process is known from WO 9425509 in which polymer granules
are wetted in a mixing device with a liquid additive via an
injection nozzle, whereby, to improve the wetting, the surface of
the plastic granules is structured irregularly or is roughened.
[0009] A process and a mixing device are described in WO
2006/010291 in which a liquid additive is added to plastic granules
via an injection device in a mixer and the mixture subsequently
reaches an extruder.
[0010] Furthermore, a process is known from EP 9817 in which the
plastic granules are first wetted with a "coupling agent" or
carrier which is to ensure better distribution of the liquid
additive on the surface of the plastic granules. In particular,
paraffins or paraffin-like substances are noted as coupling
agents.
[0011] Furthermore, a process is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,093
in which a liquid additive is added to already preheated plastic
granules.
[0012] DE 263 16 22 describes a process for the simultaneous and
continuous feeding of powdery solids and liquids in treatment
machines. This occurs via a ring nozzle, wherein the liquid is
formed into a tubular casing in the centre of which the solids are
introduced.
[0013] However, processes of this type are primarily suitable only
for highly fluid, finely sprayable additives and function only
inadequately for highly viscous, sluggish additives or for
additives of solid or semi-solid consistency. In most cases, the
plastic material is only wetted incompletely and unevenly.
[0014] If highly viscous additives are heated to higher
temperatures in order to enable them to be added nevertheless in a
highly fluid form, then deposits or precipitates of the additives
are often formed at cooler points or colder surfaces of the
device.
[0015] This leads to difficulties and inaccuracies during dosing
and to contamination of the devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The object of the invention is to create a process and a
device by means of which the non-dry particle-like, highly viscous
additives can be easily and uniformly added to a given fragmented
material, in particular a plastic material or polymer particles.
The surface of the material should thereby be wetted as completely
and uniformly as possible with the additives and the additives
should be uniformly distributed or dispersed within the material
particles. Moreover, the additives should be added in correct
dosages and be able to prevent deposits and thus contaminations at
undesired points.
[0017] These objects are solved by the characterizing features of
the disclosed embodiments.
[0018] The process of the invention or the device of the invention
make it possible to very uniformly and homogeneously advantageously
apply additives or coating substances to fragmented, particle-like
materials, so that a complete wetting of the surface of the
material particles results.
[0019] Moreover, in this way, the smallest amounts of additives can
also be accurately dosed, since the entire amount of the additives
used are introduced directly into the material particles and there
is no possibility for the additives to be deposited. In particular,
this is ensured by the fact that the additives do not come into
contact with any colder components of the container or reactor.
This does not result in any contaminations whatsoever or material
deposits of condensed or solidifed additives at undesirable points
in the reactor, as a result of which frequent cleaning is no longer
required. The precipitation of additives or dust with additives at
cooler points is greatly reduced or even prevented in comparison to
the introduction by spraying the additives onto the material
particles from above, which is known from the prior art.
[0020] The dynamic movement or rotation of the material particles
in the container facilitates the introduction of the additives, the
application onto the surfaces of the material particles and
promotes the uniform distribution or dispersion of the additives on
the material particles. This is ensured thereby that the material
particles glide along or rotate past on the inside of the side wall
of the container and, in this way, take or carry along the
additives flowing out there.
[0021] Thus, by means of the process according to the invention,
the entire surface is wetted and the additives optimally
distributed in the mixture of the particles.
[0022] One or more feeding devices can be provided. These feeding
devices are arranged on the inside of the side wall of the
container or lead into the container on the inside of the side wall
of the container.
[0023] There are various possibilites for attaching and placing the
feeding devices. It is especially advantageous to provide several
feeding devices which are, for example, arranged at the same level
above the container bottom or mixing tool and are preferably
uniformly distributed over the periphery of the inner wall of the
container.
[0024] A further possibility is to arrange the individual feeding
devices in a straight vertical row or a diagonally upward extending
row above one another, optionally offset or in the form of a
spiral. The feeding devices may also be, in particular,
statistically or uniformly distributed, or only a single feeding
device can be provided.
[0025] The feeding devices are arranged in the container in such a
way that they are, in particular, continuously and permanently
situated below the level of the material found in the container, so
that the additives can be exclusively added directly into the
quantity of the rotating material particles. In most cases, a
mixing vortex is formed due to the movement of the material
particles inside the container, which is also schematically shown
in The FIGURE. Advantageously, the edge or the uppermost level of
the mixing vortex should be located above the feeding devices
during the entire process.
[0026] Advantageously, the feeding devices are arranged at the
level of the middle third area of the fill level of the material in
the container or the mixing vortex, as a result of which the
additives are uniformly disperse on the material particles.
[0027] In particular for very highly viscous additives, it is
advantageous if the feeding devices are arranged in that area or at
that level of the inside of the container at which the moved or
rotating material particles exert the highest pressure. As a
result, a good distribution of the material is ensured. This area
or the pressure exerted by the material on the side wall is
determined in dependency on the rotational speed, the type, number
and form of the mixing tool.
[0028] The feeding devices can be formed as simple feed connections
or feed openings in the side wall of the container or also be
designed in the form of feed nozzles. The additives are preferably
dosed or supplied via dosing pumps, e.g. gear pumps or diaphragm
pumps. These control the amount of the additives added. Since, as
described, all of the additives can be introduced directly into the
material particles, they can be dosed very accurately and free of
loss. Losses due to deposits or the like are largely excluded.
[0029] In order not to disturb the movement of the material
particles inside the container, it is advantageous if the feeding
devices are sealed flush with the inner wall of the container and
do not project or protrude inside the container.
[0030] Usually, the additive which is to be introduced into the
material emerges from the feeding devices in the form of droplets
or in pasty form. As a result of the movement forced by the mixing
tool, the material particles move along the inner wall of the
container, come into contact with it and rub against it.
Consequently, the additives just emerging through the feeding
device are immediately and directly carried along by the material
particles and are distributed all the better in the mixture.
[0031] For some additives, a wetting of the container wall by the
additives may be desirable in order to consequently produce a
better dispersion of the additives with the material particles. To
enable this, an additional separate heating device can be provided
which merely heats the inside of the side wall of the container or
the container side wall. This heating device is advantageously
independent of temperable or heatable mixing tools or further
heating devices for heating the material in the container. In this
way, the viscosity of the additives is reduced, as a result of
which the flowability of the additives is improved and the inner
wall of the container is better wetted. Consequently, an even
better distribution of the additives is given on the material
particles.
[0032] To prevent obstructions of pasty or highly viscous
additives, the feeding devices themselves and their feed lines or
storage tanks may also be heatable. In this way, solid or pasty
waxes can be added in sufficiently fluidized form, e.g. at room
temperature. If necessary, the pressure which is exerted on the
additives or with which the additives are supplied can also be
adjusted accordingly, in particular selected at a corresponding
level, in order to be able to introduce highly viscous
additives.
[0033] Basically, it is advantageous to treat the material at an
increased temperature or rather to maintain the temperature of the
material higher, since the viscosities of the additives are lowered
as a result and a better distribution and homogeneous dispersion of
the material particles take place.
[0034] Furthermore, it can be advantageous to avoid or reduce a
wetting of the inner wall of the container by the additives. This
can be accomplished, for example, by special coatings or also by
special embossings of the container wall. In this way, the additive
droplets adhering to the inner wall of the container can better
loosen from the side wall and be more easily carried along by the
material or by the moving material particles and a wetting of the
container wall is omitted.
[0035] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention can be
found in the description and the attached drawing.
[0036] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to
embodiments in the drawing and is described by way of example in
the following with reference to the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The FIGURE shows a schematic view of a device according to
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] A device according to the invention is shown in a schematic
sectional view in The FIGURE.
[0039] The device in the form of a cutting compacter shown in The
FIGURE has a receptacle 1 in the bottom area of which a crushing or
mixing tool 4 that is pivotable about a vertical axis is provided
which is actuated by a drive motor 5. At the level of this crushing
and mixing tool 4, an opening is provided in the side wall of the
receptacle 1 to which the housing 2 of a screw extruder is
attached. An extruder screw 3 which is actuated by a drive motor 6
is located in the housing 2. The crushed and mixed material, in
particular a plastic material, conveyed by the screw extruder
emerges from the screw housing through the outlets 7. When plastic
material is processed, the material is first melted or plasticized
in the extruder. The container 1 may also be acted upon with a
vacuum.
[0040] The material to be treated is given in the receptacle 1. The
material is present in the receptacle 1 in a fragmented or
particle-like form and thus has a large surface in relation to its
volume. The material can be, for example, thermoplastic material in
the form of flakes, granules, foil waste or the like. Wood fibres,
newsprint paper or the like are also feasible. Due to the
continuous dynamic movement or rotation of the material particles
in the receptacle 1 caused by the mixing tool 4, the individual
particles are thoroughly mixed and, optionally, depending on the
configuration of the mixing tool 4, the material is also crushed
and/or precompacted and perhaps also heated or dried or
crystallized. The movement of the material particles in the
receptacle 1 serves, in particular with plastic materials, to
ensure that the individual plastic particles do not stick together
when heated and that the fragmented character of the material
remains intact.
[0041] Furthermore, a feeding device 10 in the form of a feed
connection is provided in the lower area of the side wall of the
container 1, which opens into the container 1 via an opening,
whereby the opening seals flush with the inner surface of the side
wall and no part of the feeding device 10 protrudes inside the
container. One or more additives or coating substances can be dosed
into the receptacle 1 via this feeding device 10.
[0042] The feeding device 10 is configured such that it is suitable
for feeding non-dry particle-shaped or non-dry powdery or non-dry
granular or non-dry crystalline additives. Dry powdery or granular
additives, e.g. pigments, fillers or the like, are for the most
part added from the top via a simple feed funnel. Thus, pumpable
highly fluid or viscous, solid, semi-solid or pasty additives, in
particular of higher viscosity, are added via the feeding device
10. For example, the feeding device 10 is suitable for adding
highly fluid additives, such as plasticizers, peroxides, etc.,
viscous additives or also pasty, or more solid additives having a
cream-like or pasty consistency, e.g. fats or waxes or also
polymers. The term solid additives refers, for example, to waxes or
fats which are inherently stable at room temperature, but
nevertheless are still ductile and moldable. Originally, powdery
additives or aggregates, such as pigments, fillers or the like, can
also be added in this way by means of a carrier solution as
dispersion or suspension, perhaps also as a suspension or
emulsion.
[0043] According to the Figure, the feeding device 10 is placed
below the level of the rotating material particles found in the
container 1 or below the uppermost edges of the mixing vortex.
Additives are therefore not added from the top, for example by
spraying or drop by drop, but through the side wall of the
container 1. The feeding device 10 or the feed opening is thereby
always brushed over by material that moves past and the emerging
additives are carried along and in this way applied to the material
particles and dispersed or distributed within the material
particles. As is clearly seen in the Figure, the feeding device 10
is displaced vertically above the upper edge of the mixing tool 4
such that a vertical gap is present between the feeding device 10
and the mixing tool upper edge.
[0044] The dispersion of the additives functions all the better,
the larger the surfaces of the material particles are.
[0045] The additives, in particular reactive additives, are added,
depending on the degree of dilution, through an eventual carrier of
the additives, in amounts of between 0.01 and 20% by weight. For
example, when using PET flakes as receiver material, a quantity of
0.2 to 0.6% of an additive is applied.
[0046] The maximum amount with which the additives are to be used
is that amount which is necessary to wet the entire surface of the
material found in the container 1 or the entire surface of the
material particles.
[0047] Depending on the type of additive used and its reactivity, a
reaction of the additive with the material perhaps does not take
place until in the extruder or in the molten mass.
[0048] Finally, the material is completely melted in the extruder
and, if necessary, filtered and/or degassed.
[0049] The process according to the invention can be carried out in
one step, but can also be included in a two or more step process.
Advantageously, the additives are thereby already added in the
first step, in a pretreatment container connected upstream or in a
first receptacle 1. For this purpose, the feeding devices are
arranged in this pretreatment container. The further treatment of
the material and/or the addition of further additives or an
eventual drying or crystallizing then takes place in further
containers 1.
* * * * *