DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING FIBRES

Abstract

A device and method for treating fibres of a mixture of substances containing fibres, wherein the device comprises at least one outlet element for the passage of the mixture of substances containing fibres comprising an outlet opening and at least one first refining surface arranged around the outlet opening in a circumferential direction, as well as at least one feeding device for positioning the outlet element, and wherein a moveable handling body having a second refining surface is arranged opposite the at least one outlet element for handling the mixture of substances containing fibres, wherein, with the passage of the mixture of substances containing fibres through the outlet element, a gap-type handling area is formed between the first refining surface of the outlet element and a sub-surface of the second refining surface of the moveable handling body applied with the mixture of substances.

Claims

1. Device (1), in particular a refiner, for treating fibres (3) of a mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3), comprising: at least one outlet element (11) for the passage of the mixture of substances (2) containing fibres with an outlet opening (12) and at least one first refining surface (8), arranged around the outlet opening (12) in a circumferential direction, at least one feeding device (18) for positioning the outlet element (11); characterised in that for treating the mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3), a movable treatment body (7) comprising a second refining surface (9) is arranged opposite relative to the at least one outlet element (11), wherein during the passage of the mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3) through the outlet element (11), a gap-type treatment zone (16) is formed between the first refining surface (8) of the outlet element (11) and a sub-surface (10) of the second refining surface (9) of the movable treatment body (7), which is applied with the mixture of substances, wherein at least the first refining surface (8) has at least one, preferably more than two, row(s) of blades (26), characterized in that, the at least one row of blades of the first refining surface (8) has a closed refining edge.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the movable treatment body (7) is designed such that it can be driven in a direction of movement (23) essentially laterally, preferably orthogonally, towards an outlet element axis (21) of the outlet element (11) by means of a drive device (20).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the movable treatment body (7) is designed in a rotationally symmetrical manner, for example as a disc (22), cylinder, cone, or band shaped, such as a chain or a band.

4. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the movable treatment body (7) is designed as a disc (22) so as to be rotatable laterally, preferably orthogonally, towards the outlet element (11).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the at least one feeding device (18) is designed so as to be movable parallel to an axis of rotation (24) of the disc, in order to set a pre-definable radial distance (25) of the outlet element axis (21) from the axis of rotation (24).

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first refining surface (8) has a larger longitudinal extension in the direction of movement (23) than in a transverse direction and/or against the direction of movement (23).

9. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one, preferably more than two, row(s) of blades (26) of the first refining surface (8) are arranged concentrically to the outlet opening (12).

10. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first refining surface (8) is designed substantially complementary in shape to the sub-surface (10) of the second refining surface (9) of the movable treatment body (7), which is applied with the mixture of substances.

11. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that an end section (14) of at least one outlet element (11) is designed to be at least partly rotatable, preferably drivable, around the outlet element axis (21).

12. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one feeding device (18) is designed such that it can be aligned in order to set a working distance (17) between the first refining surface (8) of the at least one outlet element (11) and the sub-surface (10) of the second refining surface (9) of the movable treatment body (7), which is applied with the mixture of substances.

13. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least two outlet elements (11) are arranged symmetrically in the circumferential direction and/or radial direction in relation to the movable treatment body (7).

14. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one second outlet element (11) is arranged substantially opposite to a first outlet element (11), wherein the first outlet element (11) of a second refining surface (9) of the movable treatment body (7) and the respective corresponding second outlet element (11) is assigned to a third refining surface (13) opposite to the second refining surface (9).

15. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least two outlet elements (11) are arranged along the direction of movement (23) and/or essentially orthogonally to the direction of movement (23).

16. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least the movable treatment body (7) of the drive device (20) is arranged in a sealed manner from a housing (28) by means of a contacting and/or non-contacting sealing element (30), preferably a maintenance-free labyrinth seal.

17. Method for treating fibres (3) of a mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3), comprising the following method steps: provision of a refiner (1) according to claim 1; provision of a mixture of substances (2), which comprises at least one liquid component, preferably water, and fibres (3), preferably pulp (4); moving of a movable treatment body (7) relative to the at least one outlet element (11) at a pre-definable relative speed (27); pressing the mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3) through the at least one outlet element (11) with a pre-definable process pressure (15); treatment of the mixture of substances (2) by forming a gap-type treatment zone (16) for the treatment of fibres (3) between a first refining surface (8) of the at least one outlet element (11) and a sub-surface (10) of a second refining surface (9) of the movable treatment body (7), which is applied with the mixture of substances, by positioning the outlet element (11) relative to the movable treatment body (7).

18. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that the movable treatment body (7) is moved in a direction of movement (23) substantially laterally, preferably orthogonally, towards an outlet element axis (21) of the outlet element (11) by means of a drive device (20).

19. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that the relative speed (27) of the moving treatment body (7) is regulated in order to set a refining intensity formed in the gap-type treatment zone (16).

20. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that a working distance (17) is regulated between the first refining surface (8) of the at least one outlet element (11) and the corresponding sub-surface (10) of the second refining surface (9), which is applied with the mixture of substances, in order to set pressure forces on the moving treatment body (7) by means of at least one feeding device (18).

21. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that a chemical and/or enzymatic and/or mechanical pre-treatment of the mixture of substances (2) is carried out prior to the provision of the mixture of substances (2).

22. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that at least the method steps of the pressing-through and treatment are repeated with at least parts of the processed mixture of substances (2).

23. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that during the pressing-through an end section (14) of the outlet element (11) is rotated around the outlet element axis (21).

Description

[0067] For a better understanding of the invention, the same will be explained in more detail based on the following figures.

[0068] It is shown in each case in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0069] FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of a device for the treatment of fibres according to the state of the art (a) and example of an arrangement according to the invention (b);

[0070] FIG. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of an outlet element and a treatment body with respective refining surfaces for explanation of the operating principle;

[0071] FIG. 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of possible embodiments of a device with two outlet elements, which are arranged in a distributed manner in the circumferential direction on a second refining surface (a) and are arranged opposite one another on a second and third refining surface (b);

[0072] FIG. 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of possible embodiments of treatment bodies as cylinder (a), cone (b) or band (c) with several outlet elements;

[0073] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of possible embodiments of outlet elements with a first refining surface with a larger extension in the direction of movement (a), or concentrically arranged rows of blades (b) in a bottom view, or with a first refining surface complementary to the shape (c) in a bottom view;

[0074] FIG. 6 a schematic cross-sectional representation of a possible embodiment of an outlet element with a rotatable end section;

[0075] FIG. 7 a schematic overview representation of a possible arrangement of a device for treating fibres.

[0076] It should be noted introductorily that, in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or identical component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or identical component designations. Even the position indications selected in the description, e.g. top, bottom, lateral, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated and, in case of a change in position, these position indications should be analogously transferred to the new position.

[0077] FIG. 1a is a schematic illustration of a double-disc refiner according to the state of the art. This illustration helps to explain the operating principle of conventional, known treatment devices, in which a very high amount of energy must be applied for moving the rotating refining surfaces or sets. In the selected representation, the mixture of substances 2 is supplied via a substance mixture supply 32 in a pressure housing 33. The movably and rotatably, respectively, arranged rotor 34 forms a treatment zone 16 with the stators 35 on both sides, which extends over the entire rotor surface and the respective stator surfaces. The movement of the mixture of substances 2 used is indicated schematically using movement arrows. The surfaces 36, which are applied with the mixture of substances, are shown by dotted lines for better illustration. As can be seen very clearly from this representation, it is necessary to apply the mixture of substances to the entire moving surface 36 of both refining tools used in the treatment process, i.e. the rotor 34 and the stators 35. Normally, the refining tools used are very expensive and partly complicated. In addition, the shaft of the rotor 34, as well as secondary surfaces that are not effective in the treatment process, such as the lateral or outer surfaces of the rotor and the stators, are fully applied with the mixture of substances 2, i.e. also with the process pressure in the pressure housing 33. This causes a very high power consumption and required idle power, respectively, of the known device. This also applies analogously for surfaces of refiners with a drum or cone arrangement, which are fully applied with the mixture of substances and which are not shown here.

[0078] After the treatment or processing of the mixture of substances 2 in a known device, as shown in FIG. 1a, the processed mixture of substances or fibres 5 exits through a mixture of substances outlet opening 37. Up to the mixture of substances outlet opening 37, the mixture of substances 2 or the processed mixture of substances 5 is usually exposed to the process pressure 15, which is why sealing elements 30, which are not shown in detail, but are partly very complex, must be provided for sealing the pressure housing 33.

[0079] According to the invention, the application of a mixture of substances 2 to a treatment body 7 takes place only on sub-surfaces 10 of a second refining surface 9, which are applied with the mixture of substances, as shown e.g. in FIG. 1b. In size and/or shape, these sub-surfaces 10 of a second refining surface 9, which are applied with the mixture of substances, essentially match with the corresponding first refining surfaces 8. As can be seen in FIG. 1b, for the treatment of the fibres 3 containing mixture of substances 2, a common movable treatment body 7 with a second refining surface 9 is arranged opposite in relation to the at least one outlet element 11. In the selected execution example, two outlet elements 11 are arranged symmetrically spaced-apart in the radial direction from the axis of rotation 24 of the treatment body 7 designed as disc 22. When the mixture of substances 2 containing fibres 3 exits through the two outlet elements 11, a gap-type treatment zone 16 is formed in each case between the first refining surface 8 of the outlet element 11 and the sub-surface 10 of the second refining surface 9 of the movable treatment body 7, which is applied with the mixture of substances.

[0080] Through comparison of FIGS. 1a and 1b, the concept according to the invention can be carried out relatively easily, whereby, according to the invention, only small parts of the total surface of the treatment body 7, i.e. only the sub-surfaces 10 of the second refining surface 9, are applied with the mixture of substances. The circular segment surfaces on the second refining surface 9, which are bordered with a dashed line, indicate that part of the processed mixture of substances or of the processed fibres 5 can be “taken along”.

[0081] However, in comparison with the state of the art, this causes only a negligible proportion of the power consumption of the device 1, since the idle power of the device 1 according to the invention accelerates only a small part of the treated mixture of substances 5 on the second refining surface 9, which is anyway transported away in the direction of the housing 28 due to centrifugal forces.

[0082] The at least one outlet element 11 for the passage of the mixture of substances 2 containing fibres has, in each case, one outlet opening 12 and at least one first refining surface 8 arranged around the outlet opening 12 in a circumferential direction. In the selected representation of the operating principle, the representation of possible feeding devices 18, supply devices 19, drive devices 20, etc. in FIG. 1b is dispensed with for the sake of simplicity. Reference is made to the discussion of FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 for the description of the mode of operation and possible arrangements of the said elements.

[0083] To illustrate the processes in the treatment of fibres 3 in the treatment zone 16, reference is made to the schematic representation of FIG. 2. The movable treatment body 7 is arranged opposite to the at least one outlet element 11, as a result of which a gap-type treatment zone 16 is formed between the outlet element 11 or the first refining surface 8 and the sub-surface 10 of the second refining surface 9 of the movable treatment body 7, which is applied with the mixture of substances 2.

[0084] As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the mixture of substances 2 comprises a liquid component and fibres 3, which can particularly consist of pulp 4 or cellulose. The mixture of substances 2 is pressed through the outlet element 11 with a pre-definable process pressure 15. The movable treatment body 7 can, for example, be “passively” put into a relative movement in a direction of movement 23 through the outlet of the processed mixture of substances or of the treated fibres 5 from the treatment zone 16. The treatment body 7 can also be moved “actively” in the direction of movement 23 by means of a drive device 20, e.g. as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 7. When the fibres 3 containing mixture of substances 2 passes through the outlet element 11, the fibres 3 are primarily treated with pressure shocks in the gap-type treatment zone 16 formed in the gap-type manner. These pressure shocks on the fibres 3 are caused through the relative movement of the first and second refining surface 8, 9, especially through the teeth, blades, rows of blades 26 arranged on the respective refining surfaces or similar identically functioning elements.

[0085] As can very well be seen from FIG. 2 in connection with FIG. 1, as well as FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the relative movement of the treatment body 7 is used to avoid clogging of any notches 29 of the first and/or further refining surfaces 8, 9, 13.

[0086] The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1b illustrates a treatment body 7 designed as disc 22. In this case, the treatment body 7 is rotatable around an axis of rotation 24 or movable. The outlet element 11 has an outlet element axis 21, which essentially corresponds to an imaginary longitudinal axis through the outlet element 11 at the centre of the outlet opening 12. As can be seen especially well from FIG. 2 in connection with FIG. 1b and/or FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the relative speed 27 in the treatment zone 16 can be set mainly using the radial distance 25 between the outlet element axis 21 and the axis of rotation 24.

[0087] It can be seen from the combined view of FIG. 2 and FIG. 1b, FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 that the movable treatment body 7 goes past the outlet element 11 in a movement direction 23. This relative movement takes place preferably and essentially in a lateral way, especially orthogonally towards an outlet element axis 21.

[0088] An exemplary design of a feeding device 18 for positioning the outlet element 11 is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and FIG. 7 and can be accordingly transferred onto FIGS. 1b, 2 and 5. As can especially be seen from FIG. 3a and b, the feeding device 18 can be used to move the at least one outlet element 11 in the direction of the treatment body 7 and/or transversely in relation to it. Such a feeding device 18 can particularly be used to set the working distance 17.

[0089] FIGS. 3a to 3c schematically represent devices 1, in which two or more outlet elements 11 are arranged in relation to a treatment body 7. FIG. 3a represents two outlet elements 11, which are arranged on a second refining surface 8 of the treatment body 7 symmetrically spaced-apart from the axis of rotation 24. FIG. 3b schematically represents a situation, where two outlet elements 11 are arranged essentially opposite and symmetrical to each other on a second refining surface 8, or a third refining surface 9, of the treatment body 7. In the embodiments represented in FIG. 3a and b, any bending moments on the disc 22 and thus on the axis of rotation 24 can be compensated for by designing the treatment body 7 as disc 22.

[0090] The supply of the at least one outlet element 11 can, in each case, be achieved via a separate supply device 19 or even via a common supply device 19 for provision of the fibres 3-containing mixture of substances 2. The representation of such supply devices 19 in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is dispensed with for the sake of simplicity.

[0091] The movable treatment body 7 can, according to the invention, be designed as a rotationally symmetrical body, e.g. as a cylinder or a drum or a cone or a disc 22, as represented in FIG. 1b to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4a, 4b or FIG. 7. Alternatively, it is possible to design the movable treatment body 7 as a band, e.g. as a chain or a band, as can be seen schematically from FIG. 4c. It can be seen particularly from FIGS. 3 and 4 that several outlet elements 11 can be assigned to a commonly used treatment body 7. The movable treatment body 7 can be connected with a drive device 20, as can be seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 7. Such a drive device 20 can be designed e.g. as a hydraulic or pneumatic motor and especially preferably as an electric motor and can have speed control.

[0092] The feeding device 18 schematically represented in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 can be designed such that it can be aligned or positioned for setting a working distance 17 between the at least one outlet element 11 and the sub-surface 10 of the second or third refining surface 9,13 of the movable treatment body 7, which is applied with the mixture of substances 2. By means of such a feeding device 18, possibly the radial distance 25 of an outlet element 11 from the axis of rotation 24 of a treatment body 7 designed as a disc 22 can also be set, as can be seen particularly well in the overview of FIG. 1b, FIG. 2 and FIG. 7. It is also imaginable that several outlet elements 11 can be positioned together in relation to the treatment body 7 by means of a common feeding device 18. It can also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that at least two outlet elements 11 can be arranged in the circumferential direction and/or radial direction and/or longitudinal direction in relation to the movable treatment body 7. The outlet elements 11 can thereby be arranged symmetrically and/or offset with one another on a second refining surface 8 and/or third refining surface 9.

[0093] A special embodiment in cylinders, cones, bands or chains has not been illustrated, in which at least a second outlet element 11 is arranged essentially opposite to a first outlet element 11, whereby the first outlet element 11 or the first refining surface 8 of a second refining surface 9 of the movable treatment body 7 and the corresponding second outlet element 11 is arranged on a third refining surface 13 opposite to the second refining surface 9. For a treatment body 7 designed as a disc 22, this situation can be seen from FIG. 3b and can be extrapolated by the skilled person onto other rotationally symmetrical and/or band-shaped treatment body 7.

[0094] In FIGS. 5a to c and FIG. 6 several outlet elements 11 in different possible embodiments are shown.

[0095] FIG. 5a schematically shows a bottom view of an outlet element 11 with a first refining surface 8, which has a larger longitudinal extension in the direction of movement 23 than in the diagonal and/or transverse direction. The arrangement of blades, spikes or other extensions on the first refining surface 8 can be selected by the skilled person depending on the desired application, e.g. as disperser or refiner. Similarly, this is also applicable for the second and/or third refining surface 9,13, which are not represented separately. The represented exemplary execution shows several rows of blades 26 surrounding the outlet opening 12 and distributed outwards, which are spaced apart from one another using notches 29. When such first refining surfaces 8 are used, their shape can be optimised by the skilled person according to the respective application and geometry of the treatment body 7. The treatment zone 16 should, as explained above, be formed essentially between the first refining surface 8 and the corresponding sub-surface 10 of the second refining surface 9, which is applied with the mixture of substances.

[0096] FIG. 5b shows a similar embodiment of an outlet element 11 with a first refining surface 8 in the bottom view, where the rows of blades 26 each have continuous and thus closed refining edge. A concentric arrangement of the rows of blades 26, spaced apart from each other using notches 29, can also be seen in the selected representation.

[0097] As can very well be seen from FIGS. 5a and 5b, homogenisation of the mixture of substances outlet 6 along the circumference of the first refining surface 8 can be achieved through the suitable design of the first refining surface 8, especially through its geometry and/or arrangement of blades. The outlet 6 of the mixture of substances is indicated with motion arrows.

[0098] FIG. 5c shows a schematic sectional view through an outlet element 11, a first refining surface 8 surrounding the outlet opening 12 as well as a curved treatment body 7. The first refining surface 8 is designed as being essentially complementary in shape to the sub-surface 10 of the treatment body 7 or of the second refining surface 9, which is applied with the mixture of substances 2. Here, especially concave and convex shapes of the first refining surface 8 can be imagined, as can be seen particularly well in FIG. 5c.

[0099] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of another possible embodiment of an outlet element 11, whereby the outlet element 11 has a rotatable end section 14. This end section 14 can be designed as being easily replaceable for easier maintenance. Likewise, such an end section 14 can be “passively” or “actively” rotatable, whereby the “active” rotation can be carried out by means of a rotation device that is not shown. It is easily comprehensible from FIG. 6 that any wear of the first refining surface 8, especially in the direction of movement 23, can be homogenised through the incremental and/or continuous rotation of the end section 14 over the circumference of the first refining surface 8.

[0100] According to the invention, the outlet elements 11 shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c and FIG. 6 as well as their discussions can be included in the description of FIGS. 1b, 2, 3, 4 and 7. Likewise, their combination within the scope of this invention has not been discussed separately for the sake of brevity, but reference is made to the corresponding discussions.

[0101] FIG. 7 shows a schematic overview of the device 1 according to the invention. Here, two outlet elements 11 are arranged in relation to the movable treatment body 7. Positioning of the respective outlet element 11 is performed by means of a feeding device 18. The supply of the mixture of substances 2 takes place via a supply device 19. The treatment body 7 designed as a disc 22 is driven by a drive device 20 in a direction of movement 23.

[0102] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the device 1 has a housing 28, which is shown in an opened state. The housing 28 primarily serves for collecting the substances during the treatment and can be sealed at least against the drive device 20 using one or several sealing elements 30. Such sealing elements 30 are, for example, also shown in FIG. 3 and can be designed as contacting or even non-contact sealing elements. The processed mixture of substances or the processed fibres 5 can be collected in a collecting container 31. It is also conceivable that the supply device 19 is connected with the collecting container 31 in order to implement a circulation principle.

[0103] Within the scope of this invention, the individual method steps can also be automated and preferably controlled via a central, not shown system control. Moreover, the operation is contemplated on an operating panel or even a touch screen for the monitoring and control of the device 1.

[0104] The setting of a pre-definable distribution of fibre lengths and/or fibre cross-sections and/or their distribution can thus be defined by the user and regulated using a system control. The repeated passage of at least parts of the process mixture of substances 5 can also be used to set the homogeneity and/or quality of the processed fibres 5.

[0105] The substance density of the mixture of substances 2 can influence the quality of the processed mixture of substances 5. Suspensions, i.e. mixtures of substances 2, with a fibre proportion of 0.1 to approx. 35 vol. %, preferably 1 to approx. 20 vol. %, can be processed safely and easily with this device 1 and the corresponding method. Substance densities of up to 50 vol. % and above are also imaginable. Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary for the skilled person to fall back on suitable supply devices 19, which are able to forward mixtures of substances 2 with such high substance densities. For example, feed screw arrangements are particularly suited for this.

[0106] The embodiments show possible embodied variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically represented execution variants of the same, but various combinations of the individual embodied variants among themselves are also possible and this variation possibility lies in the ability of the skilled person working in this technical field based on the technical teaching of this invention.

[0107] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. The description and the drawings should however be used for interpreting the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different represented and described execution examples can, in their own right, represent independent inventive solutions. The task underlying the independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0108] All specifications about value ranges in this description should be understood such that these include any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the specification 1 to 10 should be understood such that all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10 are included, i.e. all sub-ranges start with a lower limit of 1 or larger and end with an upper limit of 10 or lower, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0109] For the sake of good order, it is finally pointed out that elements have partly been represented not to scale and/or in a scaled-up and/or a scaled-down form for a better understanding of the structure.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs 1 Device 2 Mixture of substances 3 Fibre 4 Cellulose 5 Processed mixture of substances/fibres 6 Mixture of substances outlet 7 Treatment body 8 First refining surface 9 Second refining surface 10 Sub-surface applied with mixture of substances 11 Outlet element 12 Outlet opening 13 Third refining surface 14 End section 15 Process pressure 16 Treatment zone 17 Working distance 18 Feeding device 19 Supply device 20 Drive device 21 Outlet element axis 22 Disc 23 Direction of movement 24 Axis of rotation 25 Radial distance 26 Row of blades 27 Relative speed 28 Housing 29 Notch 30 Sealing element 31 Collecting container 32 Substance mixture supply 33 Pressure housing 34 Rotor 35 Stator 36 Surface/secondary surface applied with the mixture of substances according to the state of the art 37 Mixture of substances outlet opening