Abstract
A fermentation residue conditioner for conditioning aggregate materials consisting of fermentation residue, sludge, both of which having high water content, and/or organic residual masses with low water content, particularly of fermentation residues from the fermentation of household waste, bio-waste and/or base materials containing food residues, having a fermentation residue dropping point for introducing the aggregate material and a fermentation residue removal point for removing the aggregate material. The fermentation residue conditioner is designed such that the aggregate material is transportable through the fermentation residue conditioner during conditioning. The fermentation residue conditioner has a deposit surface for supporting the aggregate material from the underside, and wherein the aggregate material can be transported through the conditioner by a conveyor chain.
Claims
1. A fermentation residue conditioner for conditioning an aggregate material consisting of at least one of a fermentation residue with high water content, a sludge with high water content, and an organic residual mass with low water content, the fermentation residue conditioner defining a fermentation residue dropping point for introducing the aggregate material, and a fermentation residue removal point for removing the aggregate material, the fermentation residue conditioner configured to transport the aggregate material through the fermentation residue conditioner, the fermentation residue conditioner comprising: a ventilation unit; a conveyor chain a deposit surface for supporting the aggregate material from the underside; a heating unit for heating the aggregate material supported by the deposit surface, the heating unit in thermal communication with the deposit surface for direct heat conduction to the aggregate material; a transport element attached to the conveyor chain, configured for engaging the aggregate material and moving the aggregate material in a transport direction (X) relative to the deposit surface, and configured such that the transport element protrudes into the aggregate material a distance no more than 60 mm relative to the deposit surface; and a shifting and decompacting unit for at least one of shifting, loosening, macerating, and homogenizing the aggregate material supported by the deposit surface and transported through the fermentation residue conditioner via the conveyor chain.
2. The fermentation residue conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor chain comprises a plurality of transport elements, wherein gaps are present between respective transport elements.
4. The fermentation residue conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the shifting and decompacting unit has a rotating shifting body that rotates around an axis (Y) that is horizontal and/or runs at a right angle to the transport direction (X).
5. The fermentation residue conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the shifting body of the shifting and decompacting unit only extends over a partial section of the deposit surface along the transport direction (X) between a fermentation residue dropping point and a fermentation residue removal point.
6. The fermentation residue conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the shifting and decompacting unit is movable along the transport direction (X).
7. A fermentation residue conditioner for conditioning an aggregate material consisting of at least one of a fermentation residue with high water content, a sludge with high water content, and an organic residual mass with low water content, the fermentation residue conditioner defining a fermentation residue dropping point for introducing the aggregate material, and a fermentation residue removal point for removing the aggregate material, the fermentation residue conditioner configured to transport the aggregate material through the fermentation residue conditioner, the fermentation residue conditioner comprising: a ventilation unit; a conveyor chain; a deposit surface for supporting the aggregate material from the underside; a heating unit for heating the aggregate material supported by the deposit surface, the heating unit in thermal communication with the deposit surface for direct heat conduction to the aggregate material; a transport element attached to the conveyor chain, configured for protruding into and engaging the aggregate material and moving the aggregate material in a transport direction (X) relative to the deposit surface, and configured such that the transport element does not protrude into the aggregate material by more than 60 mm relative to the deposit surface; a shifting and decompacting unit for at least one of shifting, loosening, macerating, and homogenizing the aggregate material supported by the deposit surface and moved through the fermentation residue conditioner via the conveyor chain; the deposit surface having at least a first deposit element positioned beneath the conveyor chain and coupled to the heating unit for providing the direct heat conduction to the aggregate material; and the deposit surface having at least a second deposit element being coupled to the ventilation unit for ventilating the aggregate material.
8. The fermentation residue conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor chain comprises a plurality of transport elements, wherein gaps are present between respective transport elements.
9. The fermentation residue conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the conveyor chain is made from metal.
10. A method of conditioning a fermentation residue via a fermentation residue conditioner, the container having a deposit surface for depositing aggregate material and a conveyor chain movable in a transport direction (X) relative to the deposit surface, the method comprising: depositing aggregate material on the deposit surface of the fermentation residue conditioner; applying direct conduction heating, via a heating unit, from underneath the conveyor chain to at least a portion of the aggregate material supported by the deposit surface, the heating unit in thermal communication with the deposit surface for direct heat conduction to the aggregate material; moving the aggregate material with the conveyor chain, which provides a force to an underside of the aggregate material such that the aggregate material is directly transported through the fermentation residue conditioner in said transport direction (X); ventilating the aggregate material with a ventilation unit as the aggregate material is transported through the fermentation residue conditioner for a subsequent aerobic treatment; and applying at least one of shifting, loosening, macerating, and homogenizing, via a shifting and decompacting unit, to a portion of the aggregate material as the aggregate material is transported through the fermentation residue conditioner.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a transport element attached to the conveyor chain, the transport element configured for engaging the aggregate material and moving the aggregate material in a transport direction (X), and the transport element also configured such that the transport element protrudes into the aggregate material by no more than 60 mm relative to the deposit surface.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transport element protrudes into the aggregate material by no more than 40 mm.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein ventilating the aggregate material further comprises ventilating the aggregate material with preheated and/or circuit-guided air.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the conveyor chain is made from metal.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] In the following, the invention is described in more detail using FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0045] FIG. 1A shows a schematic depiction of an exemplary fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention;
[0046] FIG. 1B shows an enlarged view of a section of the fermentation conditioner of FIG. 1A;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of an exemplary fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention with sectional plane running at a right angle to the transport direction, illustrating an air guiding system;
[0048] FIG. 3 shows another view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a heating system;
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a detailed elevational view of a deposit surface without the transport elements and aggregate visible for the fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention;
[0050] FIG. 5 shows detailed side views of individual deposit elements of an exemplary fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention;
[0051] FIG. 6A shows a detailed, elevational view of the deposit surface, similar to FIG. 4A, but with the transport elements of each conveyor chain visible for the fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention;
[0052] FIG. 6B shows an enlarged, perspective view of the deposit surface with both the transport elements and the deposit elements visible for the fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention;
[0053] FIG. 6C shows a geometry of a transport element according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0054] FIG. 6D shows a functional block diagram illustrating direct heat conduction between the deposit elements, transport elements and/or conveyor chain, and the aggregate material according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0055] FIG. 6E shows a functional block diagram illustrating direct heat conduction between the deposit elements (existing between conveyor chains) and the aggregate material according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0056] FIG. 7A shows an enlarged view of a section of the fermentation conditioner of FIG. 1A showing the fermentation residue removal point on the right end of the fermentation conditioner;
[0057] FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of a section of the fermentation conditioner of FIG. 1A showing the fermentation residue dropping point on the left end of the fermentation conditioner;
[0058] FIG. 7C shows a top view of aggregate material on the deposit surface, with transport elements;
[0059] FIG. 7D shows a side cross sectional view aggregate material on the deposit surface, with transport elements, along line A of FIG. 7C;
[0060] FIG. 7E shows a side cross sectional view similar to FIG. 7D and incorporating a pendulum embodiment of a shifting and decompacting unit, with the transport direction across the page; and
[0061] FIG. 7F shows an end cross sectional view of FIG. 7D also incorporating a pendulum embodiment of a shifting and decompacting unit, with the transport direction into or out of the page.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 1A, the exemplary fermentation residue conditioner 1 according to the invention has a deposit surface 2 for the aggregate material 3. The fermentation residues form the aggregate material 3 on the deposit surface 2 and are deposited at the fermentation residue dropping point 4, e.g. by a first conveyor 10, onto the deposit surface 2.
[0063] The deposit surface 2 supports the aggregate material 3. Transport elements 20 are used to move the aggregate material 3. The chain links 22 are part of a conveyor chain 24. A conveyor chain 24 is a chain that has been designed specifically for chain conveyor systems, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The conveyor chain 24 effects the movement of transport elements 20.
[0064] Thus, the chain links 22 and transport elements 20 form a complete conveyor chain 24 according to an exemplary embodiment. The conveyor chain 24 rotates clockwise on the page as shown in FIG. 1A. The chain links 22 and transport elements 20 will be described in further detail herein. Further, as will described in detail below, a plurality of conveyor chains 24 may be employed across the deposit elements 15, 16 as illustrated in FIG. 6A.
[0065] The transport of the aggregate material 3 to the fermentation residue removal point 5 according to the invention is effected by the design of the deposit surface 2 and the transport element(s) 20 moved by the conveyor chain 24. In the depicted example, the deposit surface 2 could as an alternative to a conveyor chain 24 have back-and-forth movable deposit elements 15 and 16, each associated with a drive element, for example hydraulics 17 (see FIGS. 4 and 6A), for moving the deposit elements 15 and 16 back and forth.
[0066] Further, in the depicted example of FIG. 1A, the transport element(s) 20 are movable relative to the deposit surface 2, and relative to the floor surface underlying the entire fermentation residue conditioner 1. The transport element(s) 20 are arranged next to one another and spaced apart in the transport direction X, and configured in the form of a continuous loop system referred to as the conveyor chain 24 (see also FIGS. 7A and 7B).
[0067] During the course of a return of the conveyor chain 24 having the spaced transport element(s) 20, the transport element(s) 20, in aggregate, are sufficiently flat to allow for the introduction of a movement force on the underside of the aggregate material 3. The transport element(s) 20, protrude into the aggregate material 3 by no more than 60 mm, preferably 40 mm, from the underlying and supporting deposit surface 2 (See also FIG. 7D).
[0068] As defined in this disclosure, the transport element(s) 20 have a definitive height quantity/magnitude relative to the deposit surface 2, which may be the surface of one of the deposit elements 15, 16. This means that transport element(s) 20 must have a height dimension amount greater than zero in order to protrude into the aggregate material 3. According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport elements 20 may comprise scrapers made from metal (see FIGS. 7C and 7D).
[0069] The shifting and decompacting unit 6, which is preferably accommodated along a rail system 8 which is arranged above the aggregate material height of the fermentation residues and/or outside of the fermentation residue conditioner, can, by means of a shifting body 7, which rotates in rotation direction R, contact, engage and/or penetrate the fermentation residues which are thus shifted, loosened, and broken up.
[0070] The shifting body 7 may be designed as a roller which rotates around the axis Y, and has protrusions 7a. The shifting body 7 with protrusions 7a provide the roller with a profile, that engages and/or penetrates the fermentation residues 3. The shifting body 7 with protrusions 7a may homogenize, break up, and loosen the fermentation residues 3 and thus dry them faster.
[0071] The floor of the fermentation residue conditioner 1 preferably has a heating unit 12 and/or a ventilation unit 11 below in direct contact with or in the deposit surface 2. The heating unit 12 has channels through which a heating medium can flow and which run horizontally below the deposit surface 2. The channels are each connected to a supply line 12b and a return line 12a for the heating medium, which are supplied with heating medium by means of a common return line, wherein the heating medium can also be discharged again by means of a common return line.
[0072] Of course, a plurality of heating circuits with a corresponding plurality of supply lines or return lines can also be provided. In the depicted example in FIG. 1, three such heating circuits are associated with individual sections along the first extension direction X of the fermentation residue conditioner 1. In the depicted example, the deposit elements 16 (see FIG. 5) advantageously form the channels through which the heating medium flows.
[0073] The fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention can advantageously also have a ventilation unit 11. In the depicted example, it is realized such that the deposit elements 15 (see FIG. 5) are provided with air outlet openings 18 and supplied with supply air by means of the ventilation unit 11. The supply air flows out of the air outlet openings 18 and enters into the aggregate material.
[0074] Referring now to FIG. 2, this figure shows a corresponding ventilation unit 11. In a width direction of the exemplarily depicted fermentation residue conditioner, every other deposit element 15 is supplied by the ventilation unit 11. The transport unit 13 and a first heating unit 14 are also illustrated in this figure.
[0075] In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the air is transported by a transport unit 13. According to one exemplary embodiment, the transport unit 13 may comprise a compressor. In the depicted example, the ventilation unit 11 is designed such that some of the air can be guided in the circuit. The transport unit 13 can be supplied with a mixture with any ratio of supply air and exhaust air which are extracted from the fermentation residue conditioner 1.
[0076] Furthermore, the first heating unit 14 is provided for supply air for the fermentation residue conditioner which is advantageous because, with air flow, additional heat can be introduced to the aggregate material 3 comprising the fermentation residues.
[0077] In addition, the warm air from the first heating unit 14 can absorb and discharge a greater quantity of moisture from the aggregate material 3 comprising the fermentation residues. Particularly, in case of fermentation residue and sludge, ammonia that is contained therein may be securely expelled by means of the ventilation unit 11 and deposit elements 15. Furthermore, due to the breaking up of fermentation residue clumps, possible fermentation processes or anaerobic processes which produce methane, that could be occurring within clumps while they are traveling through the fermentation residue conditioner 1, can be safely terminated/stopped.
[0078] Referring now to FIG. 3, this figure shows the cross-section of an exemplary fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention, in which every other deposit element 16 is supplied with a heating medium by a second heating unit 12. Of course, it is also possible and particularly advantageous if a single fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention has deposit elements 15 which are supplied with air by means of a ventilation unit 11 and deposit elements 16 which are supplied with a heating medium by the second heating unit 12. As a result, they can alternate, advantageously individually or in groups, in width direction of the fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention, i.e. perpendicular to the transport direction X of the fermentation residue conditioner
[0079] Referring now to FIG. 4, this figure shows a detailed elevational view of a deposit surface 2 without the transport elements 20 and aggregate material 3 visible for the fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention. In this view, the hydraulics 17 which can move each deposit element 15, 16 back and forth along the transport direction X are visible. As noted previously, the deposit element 15 may ventilate the aggregate material 3, while the deposit element 16 may heat the aggregate material 3 (not visible) through direct heat conduction. The hydraulics 17 may move each deposit element 15, 16 back and forth along the transport direction X. That is, the hydraulics 17 may translate each deposit element 15, 16 back and forth along the transport direction, as explained previously. The direct heating is performed between the deposit surface 2 and the aggregate material 3.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 5, this figure shows detailed side views of individual deposit elements 15, 16 of an exemplary fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention. As noted previously, the deposit element 15 may provide ventilation to the aggregate material 3 (not visible in this figure) by using air outlet openings 18. Meanwhile, deposit element 16 may provide heat to the aggregate material 3 (not visible in this figure) by direct heat conduction by heating the aggregate material 3 that rests on the deposit surface 2, the aggregate material 3 being moved by conveyor chain 24 (not visible in this figure).
[0081] Referring now to FIG. 6A, this figure shows a detailed, elevational view of the deposit surface 2, similar to FIG. 4A, but with one embodiment of the transport elements 20 of each conveyor chain 24 visible for the fermentation residue conditioner according to the invention. In this FIG. 6A, transport elements 20, as well as the chain links 22 between the transport elements 22, are visible. The transport elements 20 and chain links 22 form each conveyor chain 24 of a plurality of conveyor chains 24 shown. The plurality of conveyor chains 24, like the deposit elements 15, 16, are only shown in sections in FIG. 6A.
[0082] FIG. 6A also shows how transport elements 20 maybe positioned in an offset manner relative to the transport direction X. According to other exemplary embodiments (see FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D), the transport elements 20 may be positioned such they are substantially aligned in the transport direction X. As shown in FIG. 6A, the transport elements 20 may be substantially aligned in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction X. However, in other exemplary embodiments (not shown), the transport elements 20 may be offset relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction X.
[0083] Referring now to FIG. 6B, this figure shows an enlarged, perspective view of the deposit surface 2. The deposit surface 2 may comprise the transport elements 20, chain links 22, deposit elements 15, 16, and gaps (spaces) between the conveyor chains 24, all for effecting the movement of the aggregate material 3. This figure shows how there is direct physical contact between the deposit elements 16 that generate heat and the aggregate material 3 that sits between conveyor chains 24a, and 24b as well as aggregate material 3 supported by each conveyor chain 24a, 24b that includes the transport elements 20 and chain links 22. The figure also shows the direct physical contact (i.e. no air gaps) between the deposit surface 15, 16 and the aggregate material 3. As mentioned previously, the direct heating is performed between the deposit surface 2 and the aggregate material 3. The chain 24 is actually not important with respect to the heat transfer as the purpose of the chain 24 is to move the transport elements 20.
[0084] Referring now to FIG. 6C, this figure illustrates a geometry of a transport element 20 according to an exemplary embodiment. Adjacent on either side of the transport element 20 is a respective chain link 22. As noted above, the transport elements 20 and chain links 22 form a respective conveyor chain 24 as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the transport element 20 may comprise an angled side 21, while the remaining sides may comprise a substantially rectangular shape. Other geometries for the transport elements 20 are possible and are included within the scope of this disclosure as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0085] Referring now to FIG. 6D, this figure shows a functional block diagram illustrating direct heat conduction 33 between the deposit surface 16, transport elements 20, and the aggregate material 3 according to an exemplary embodiment. The direct heat conduction 33 may occur as there are no air gaps between the physical elements depicted in this schematic. Although there may be direct contact between the conveyor chain 24 and the deposit surface 2, the direct heating is performed between the deposit surface 2 and the aggregate material 3 and the chain 24 is not important with respect to the heat transfer. The purpose of the chain 24 is to move the transport elements 20 (protruding elements like scrapers or the like). In light of this, the deposit elements 16 heat the aggregate material 3 through direct conduction, which equates to transferring heat directly through objects and without any of the heat being conveyed through the air or other contact-less heat transfer as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 6E, this figure shows a functional block diagram illustrating direct heat conduction between the deposit elements 16 (existing between conveyor chains 24) and the aggregate material 3 according to an exemplary embodiment. The deposit elements 16 may generate heat, as described above, and through direct physical contact (without any air gaps), the elements 16 may transfer heat by direct heat conduction indicated by arrow 33 into the aggregate material 3.
[0087] Referring now to FIG. 7A, this figure shows an enlarged view of a section of the fermentation conditioner of FIG. 1A showing the fermentation residue removal point 5 on the right end of the fermentation conditioner. FIG. 7A shows greater detail of the chain 24, showing the chain 24T above the deposit surface 2 transporting aggregate material 3 in the transport direction X for removing aggregate material 3 from the fermentation conditioner, and the chain 24R below the deposit surface 2 returning in a loop-like fashion. Transport portion 24T shows transport elements 20, for the most part, contacting aggregate material 3 and moving aggregate material 3 in the transport direction. Return portion 24R does not contact the aggregate material 3.
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 7B, this figure shows an enlarged view of a section of the fermentation conditioner of FIG. 1A showing the fermentation residue dropping point 4 on the left end of the fermentation conditioner. FIG. 7B also shows greater detail of the chain 24, showing the chain 24T above the deposit surface 2 for accepting aggregate material 3 and transporting aggregate material 3 in the transport direction X, and the chain 24R below the deposit surface 2 returning in a loop-like fashion. Transport portion 24T shows transport elements 20, for the most part, contacting aggregate material 3 and moving aggregate material 3 in the transport direction. Return portion 24R does not contact the aggregate material 3 until looping to a position above the deposit surface 2 proximal to dropping point 4.
[0089] Referring now to FIG. 7C, this figure shows a top view of aggregate material 3 on the deposit surface 2. More specifically, aggregate material 3 is shown lying on an embodiment of transport elements 20 that extend across the deposit surface 2 perpendicular to the transport direction X. Chain 24 is shown as connecting a plurality of transport elements 20 for moving in transport direction X. In this embodiment of transport elements 20, transport elements 20 are arranged parallel to one another, perpendicular to the transport direction, and spaced apart, and configured in the form of a continuous loop system as the conveyor chain 24. As disclosed previously, the deposit surface 3 on which the aggregate material 3 rests is heated such that heat conduction goes directly from the heated deposit surface 2 into the aggregate material 3.
[0090] Referring now to FIG. 7D, this figure shows a side cross sectional view of aggregate material 3 on the deposit surface 2, with transport elements 20, along line A of FIG. 7C. The transport elements 20 are shown protruding into the aggregate material 3. As disclosed previously, the transport elements protrude into the aggregate material 3 by no more than 60 mm, and preferably no more than 40 mm, and more preferably at least 10 mm to 15 mm from the underlying and supporting deposit surface 2. Transport elements 20 have a height dimension amount greater than zero in order to protrude into the aggregate material 3. In the embodiment shown in this figure, transport elements 20 are in the general form of scrapers for moving the aggregate material 3 along the deposit surface 2. The three parallel angles arrows represent heat conduction 33 going directly from the heated deposit surface 2 into the aggregate material 3 as well as air flow going directly from the deposit surface into the aggregate material 3.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 7E, this figure shows a side cross sectional view similar to FIG. 7D and incorporating a pendulum embodiment of a shifting and decompacting unit 6, with the transport direction X from across the page. The shifting and decompacting unit 6 swings through the aggregate material 3 in a direction parallel to the transport direction X, and exemplified by the two arrows showing the back and forth motion of the shifting and decompacting unit 6. The shifting and decompacting unit 6 can be attached to a roof of the fermentation residue conditioner 1 and can comprise a motor (not shown) for imparting the pendulum motion.
[0092] Referring now to FIG. 7F, this figure shows an end cross sectional view of FIG. 7D also incorporating a pendulum embodiment of a shifting and decompacting unit 6, with the transport direction X into or out of the page. The shifting and decompacting unit 6 swings through the aggregate material 3 in a direction parallel to the transport direction X, and the width of the shifting and compacting unit 6 can be any width up to a width as wide as the width of the deposit surface 6 so as to be able to contact most if not all of the width of the aggregate material 3 on the deposit surface 2.
