APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING OPERATING PARAMETERS FOR DEGASSING AND/OR DEODORIZING PLASTIC PARTICLES

Abstract

An apparatus for determining operating parameters for degassing and/or deodorizing plastic particles comprises at least one test chamber for degassing and/or deodorizing a test quantity of plastic particles, wherein each test chamber has a filling opening for filling the test quantity, a withdrawal opening for withdrawing bulk material, a vent opening for venting the test chamber, wherein a pressurized gas line for feeding pressurized gas and a heating element and/or a steam line for feeding steam and a steam generator are connected to a feed opening of the test chamber.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining operating parameters for at least one of degassing and deodorizing plastic particles, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one test chamber for at least one of degassing and deodorizing a test quantity of plastic particles, wherein each test chamber has a. a filling opening for filling in the test quantity, b. a withdrawal opening for withdrawing a sample quantity of the plastic particles, c. a vent opening for venting the test chamber, wherein connected to a feed opening of the test chamber are at least one of d. a pressurized gas line for feeding pressurized gas and a heating element and, e. a steam line for feeding steam and a steam generator.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a gas flow regulator that is connected to the pressurized gas line.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a pressurized gas source that is connectable to the pressurized gas line.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steam generator has a vent opening.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a water softening unit that is connected to the steam generator.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a steam volume regulator that is connected to the steam line.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a water source that is connectable to the steam generator.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a vent line that is connectable to the vent opening for connecting the test chamber to a central venting system.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a withdrawal unit connected to the one withdrawal opening.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the withdrawal unit comprises a withdrawal pipe, which can be shut off by means of a shut-off element.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the withdrawal pipe is a downpipe.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a control unit which is designed to control operating parameters.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of an outer wall of the test chamber, wherein the temperature control unit comprises a double-walled housing surrounding one of the test chamber and a separate heater.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a rack supporting the apparatus, to which rack the test chamber is attached.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an evaluation unit for the determination of operating parameters.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the evaluation unit comprises a gas chromatograph.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas line and the steam line are directly connected by means of a connection line.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a regulating unit is arranged along the connection line.

19. A method for determining operating parameters for at least one of degassing and deodorizing plastic particles comprising the method steps of providing an apparatus for determining operating for at least one of degassing and deodorizing plastic particles, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one test chamber for at least one of degassing and deodorizing a test quantity of plastic particles, wherein each test chamber has a. a filling opening for filling in the test quantity, b. a withdrawal opening for withdrawing a sample quantity of the plastic particles, c. a vent opening for venting the test chamber, wherein connected to a feed opening of the test chamber are at least one of d. a pressurized gas line for feeding pressurized gas and a heating element and e. a steam line for feeding steam and a steam generator, filling a test quantity of plastic particles into the test chamber, at least one of degassing and deodorizing the test quantity in the test chamber by feeding at least one of temperature-controlled pressurized gas and steam via a feed opening of the test chamber, removing a sample quantity of at least one of the degassed and deodorized plastic particles from the test chamber, determining material properties of the sample quantity, determining operating parameters for at least one of degassing and deodorizing on the basis of the determined material properties.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0050] An apparatus marked 1 in FIG. 1 as a whole comprises a rack 2, which is shown purely schematically in FIG. 1. The rack 2 has a support surface with which the rack 2 and thus the apparatus 1 as a whole can be reliably and stably arranged on a ground. The rack 2 can be flat, in particular plate-like. The support surface is in particular square, in particular rectangular. The rack 2 can also be of frame-like design and have a plurality of interconnected, in particular welded, longitudinal beams. The longitudinal beams are in particular manufactured as standardized profile elements, in particular as I- or T-beams made of steel material.

[0051] The rack 2 can have height-adjustable support feet and/or castors on its support surface in a manner known per se. In addition, the rack 2 can have forklift receptacles and/or lifting lugs in order to simplify the transport of the rack 2. The apparatus 1 is suitable for mobile use.

[0052] A test chamber 3 is detachably secured to the apparatus 1. The test chamber 3 is substantially cylindrical in shape with a longitudinal axis 4 which is oriented in particular transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the support surface of the rack 2. In particular, the test chamber 3 is oriented vertically with the longitudinal axis 4.

[0053] The test chamber 3 has a housing 30 which is designed with double walls.

[0054] A vent opening 6 is arranged at the test chamber 3 in an upper region, in particular on the upper end face 5 of the test chamber 3. A vent line 7 is connected to the vent opening 6. With the vent line 7 the test chamber 3 can be connected to a central venting system. A filling opening for filling the plastic particles into the test chamber 3 can be formed in particular by the vent opening 6. It is possible, for example, to remove the vent line 7 from the vent opening 6 in order to add plastic granulate to the test chamber 3 through the vent opening 6.

[0055] Accordingly, the test chamber 3 can be emptied via the upper vent opening 6, for example by means of an extraction system. Alternatively, a separate emptying opening can be provided at the test chamber 3, in particular in the region of the lower end face, i.e. at the bottom of the test chamber 3.

[0056] In addition, a further vent opening 8 with a further vent line 9 is arranged at the double-walled housing 30. The vent opening 6 and the vent line 7 have a first line cross-section which is larger than a second line cross-section of the vent opening 8 and the vent line 9. The vent line 7 forms a main vent. The vent line 9 forms a secondary vent.

[0057] The test chamber 3 has a withdrawal opening 10, which is arranged in particular on the cylindrical jacket wall of the cylindrical test chamber 3. With respect to a lower end face 11 arranged opposite the upper end face 5, which forms the bottom of the test chamber 3, the withdrawal opening 10 is arranged in a height position H which corresponds approximately to half the total height H.sub.ges of the test chamber 3. In particular, the following applies: H≤0.5*H.sub.ges, in particular H≤0.4*H.sub.ges and in particular H≤0.3*H.sub.ges. The height positioning of the withdrawal opening 10 on the test chamber 3 ensures that bulk material can be reliably withdrawn from the test chamber, in particular even if the test chamber 3 is not completely filled with the test quantity.

[0058] A withdrawal unit is connected to the withdrawal opening 10, which, according to the embodiment example shown, comprises a withdrawal pipe 12 in the form of a, in particular cylindrical, downpipe. The withdrawal pipe 12 is in particular inclined with respect to the vertical with an angle of inclination of less than 30°. This ensures uncomplicated removal of bulk material from the test chamber 3, in particular by gravity. The withdrawal unit further has a shut-off element 13, which can be designed in particular as a shut-off slide and/or flap, in particular in the withdrawal pipe 12. With the shut-off element 13, the withdrawal pipe 12 can be shut off directly and a flow of bulk material therethrough can be prevented.

[0059] The test chamber 3 has a temperature control unit 14 which serves to control the temperature of an outer wall 39 of the test chamber 3. The temperature control unit 14 is in particular arranged directly at the test chamber 3 and is formed by a double-walled housing 30, i.e. by an outer pipe surrounding the test chamber 3. A temperature control fluid, in particular heated air, can be fed to this casing that surrounds the test chamber 3. A pressurized gas line 31 is connected to the double-walled housing 30 at a pressurized gas connection 20 in order to feed heated pressurized gas, in particular heated pressurized air.

[0060] The test chamber 3 has a feed opening 35 to which a steam generator 16 is connected by means of a steam line 32. The section of the steam line 32 that is connected to the feed opening 35 is also referred to as the gassing line. The feed opening 35 forms a steam connection to the test chamber 3. In addition, a steam volume regulator 17 is provided, which is arranged integrated in the steam generator 16 according to the embodiment example shown. Alternatively, it is possible that the steam volume regulator 17 is arranged separately and in particular downstream of the steam generator 16. The steam volume regulator 17 regulates the amount of steam supplied to the test chamber 3. A vent line 9 corresponding to the secondary vent 9 of the test chamber 3 is connected to the steam generator 16 at a vent opening 8.

[0061] An optional water softening unit 18 is connected upstream of the steam generator 16. The water softening unit 18 enables the use of drinking water, in particular water containing lime, for steam generation. A water source 19 can be connected upstream of the water softening unit 18. The water source 19 can be implemented by a water connection to a water pipe network. The use of the apparatus 1 is thereby simplified. In particular, elaborate provisions for a water source can be dispensed with.

[0062] In addition or alternatively, a water tank can be provided as a water source for a corresponding water pipe connection. By means of a water tank, the apparatus is suitable for self-sufficient use. In particular, a water pipe network for the water supply is dispensable.

[0063] A gas flow regulator 21, in particular an air flow regulator, is connected to the pressurized gas line 31. A heating element 22, in particular an air heater, is arranged upstream of the gas flow regulator 21. A pressurized gas source 23 can be connected to the heating element 22. The pressurized gas source 23 can be a pressurized air line network, which is typically available in a machine hall anyway. Additionally or alternatively, the pressurized gas source 23 may be designed as a compressor. With the compressor, the apparatus is suitable for mobile, in particular self-sufficient, use.

[0064] The pressurized gas line 31 is connected to the steam line 32 by means of a connection line 33. A regulating unit 34 is arranged along the connection line 33. By means of the connection line 33 it is possible to feed, in particular heated, pressurized gas from the pressurized gas line 31 via the connection line 33 to the steam line 32 and to feed it via the gassing line and the feed opening 35 to the test chamber 3. In this case, the feed opening 35 is a gassing connection.

[0065] The regulating unit 34 can be used to adjust the proportion of heated pressurized gas that is fed to the steam line 32. With the regulators 17, 21 and 34 it is thus possible to add either only heated pressurized gas or only water vapor or both in combination via the feed opening 35 into the test chamber 3.

[0066] The apparatus 1 has a central voltage supply 24, which is in particular permanently connected to the apparatus 1. The central voltage supply 24 provides the electricity that is required for the operation of the apparatus.

[0067] The apparatus 1 has a central control unit 25 which is in signal connection, in particular bidirectional signal connection, in particular with the steam generator 16, the steam volume regulator 17, the gas flow regulator 21, the gas heater 22 and the temperature control unit 14 by means of a signal connection 26 which is shown purely symbolically in FIG. 1. The control unit 25 enables the uncomplicated and immediately variable definition of the operating parameters for the degassing and deodorization of the test quantity in the test chamber 3.

[0068] The apparatus 1 comprises an evaluation unit 27 which includes a gas chromatograph 29. The evaluation unit 27 is suitable for determining the operating parameters for degassing in an automated manner.

[0069] The evaluation unit 27 can be permanently connected to the apparatus 1. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 27 can be designed mechanically separate from the apparatus 1, in particular from the rack 2.

[0070] An insulating element 36 is arranged along the steam line 32 downstream of the steam volume regulator 17. The insulating element 36 is designed to be of a hollow shape, in particular of a substantially cuboid shape. The insulating element 36 is of box-like design. The insulating element 36 is also referred to as an insulating box.

[0071] The gassing line is passed through the insulating box 36, wherein a partial flow is led via a branch line 37 in cross flow to the gassing line through the insulating box 36. The branch line 37 is a bypass line and serves to reduce heat losses of the gas flow into the test chamber 3. The gas that is fed into the insulating box 36 via the branch line 37 is discharged from the insulating box 36 via the return line 38 and fed to the pressurized gas line 31.

[0072] Another bypass line not shown, which has a larger line cross-section compared to the bypass line 37, can be used to preheat the sample chamber 3 with heated air and/or water vapor. Alternatively, a separate heater, in particular in the form of a heating blanket, may be attached to the outer wall 39 and used to preheat the test chamber 3.

[0073] A drainage line 39 is connected to the housing 30. Via the drainage line 39, condensate that has formed in the double-walled housing 30 can be drained off in a targeted manner and, in particular, be drained off automatically due to the force of gravity. The drainage line 39 can be designed to be closable with a blocking element.

[0074] A method for determining the operating parameters for degassing and/or deodorizing a test quantity is explained in more detail below.

[0075] In the apparatus 1 provided, a test quantity of a defined amount, for example 10 l, is filled into the test chamber 3. Subsequently, the test quantity in the test chamber is degassed and/or deodorized at defined operating parameters, i.e. in particular at a first pressure provided by the gas flow regulator 21, at a first temperature provided by the heating element 22, at a defined gas quantity provided by the gas flow regulator 21, at a defined humidity provided by the steam flow regulator 17 and/or over a defined degassing period, which is also specified in particular by the central control unit 25. In particular, the test quantity in the test chamber 3 is degassed and/or deodorized using heated gas and/or with the addition of steam.

[0076] After completion of the degassing and/or deodorization cycle, bulk material, in particular a partial quantity of the test quantity, is withdrawn from the test chamber 3 by means of the withdrawal pipe 12 and analyzed by means of the evaluation unit 27. The evaluation unit 27 is used to examine predeterminable material properties. For this purpose, the evaluation unit has in particular an odour sensor 28 and a gas chromatograph 29.

[0077] Depending on the material properties determined, a new degassing and/or deodorization cycle can be carried out or the previously applied operating parameters can be qualified as suitable.

[0078] The method is uncomplicated, simple and not very cost-intensive.