Separator and mill with a separator

Abstract

A separator having a separator housing, a separator wheel arranged inside the separator housing and having an axis of rotation (X), and a guide vane assembly arranged in the separator housing, an annular space being provided between the guide vane assembly and the separator housing radially (R) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (X) and a separation zone being provided between the guide vane assembly and the separator wheel, and the guide vane assembly having a plurality of vertical guide vanes. In order to increase separation performance, at least one deflecting element is arranged between at least two adjacent vertical guide vanes and has at least one downward-pointing curved and/or bent portion.

Claims

1. A separator, comprising a separator housing, a separator wheel arranged inside the separator housing and having an axis of rotation (X), and a guide vane assembly arranged in the separator housing, wherein an annular space for an upward flowing gas-solids mixture is provided between the guide vane assembly and the separator housing in the radial direction (R) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (X) and a separation zone is provided between the guide vane assembly and the separator wheel, wherein the guide vane assembly comprises a plurality of vertical guide vanes, wherein multiple for deflectors for deflecting the gas-solids mixture towards the separation zone are arranged between at least two adjacent vertical guide vanes, wherein each deflector of the multiple deflectors has at least one downward-pointing curved and/or bent portion, wherein each deflector has a radial inner end with a first end section and a radial outer end with a second end section, wherein the first end section and the second end section are directed downward such that the second end section located at the radial outer end of the deflector is directed towards the upward flowing gas-solids mixture, wherein each vertical guide vane has a radial inner end and a radial outer end, and wherein the deflector radial inner end and deflector radial outer end are located between the vertical guide vane radial inner end and vertical guide vane radial outer end, wherein at least one vertical flap element extending into the separating zone is arranged on an inner circumference of the guide vane assembly, wherein the flap element swivels about a vertical axis, wherein the flap element is arranged on an inner end face of the vertical guide vane, wherein a length of the flap element is equal to a length of the vertical guide vane and wherein the guide vane assembly has at least one swirl breaker.

2. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the deflectors extends over the entire width between two neighboring guide vanes.

3. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the deflectors has a variable radius of curvature in a partial section in the radial direction (R) of the guide vane assembly.

4. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second end sections is straight.

5. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one second end section of the multiple deflectors is an arc, with a straight prolongation, which is tangential to a curvature at an end point of the second end section, runs at an angle (α) to a horizontal, whereby α≥20°.

6. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one first end section of the multiple deflectors is an arc with a straight prolongation, which is tangential to a curvature at an end point of the first end section, and at least one second end section of the same deflector is an arc with a straight prolongation which is tangential to a curvature at an end point of the second end section, run together at an angle (β), where β≥90°.

7. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one first end section of the multiple deflectors is an arc with a straight prolongation, which is tangential to a curvature at an end point of the first end section, runs at an angle (γ) to the horizontal, while: γ≥10°.

8. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least three to five of the multiple deflectors are arranged between every two neighboring vertical guide vanes.

9. The separator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flap element has at least one horizontal slot.

10. The separator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one flap element has a curvature and/or a bending.

11. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separator housing is conical.

12. A mill having the separator as claimed in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention shall be represented and explained with the aid of the figures as an example. There are shown:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a separator in cross section;

(3) FIG. 2 a mill with integrated separator per FIG. 1 in cross section;

(4) FIG. 3 a schematic side view of the upper section of the separators of FIG. 1 partly in cross section;

(5) FIG. 4 a guide vane assembly in perspective representation;

(6) FIG. 5 the guide vane assembly of FIG. 4 in a top view;

(7) FIG. 6 an enlarged cut-out of the guide vane assembly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

(8) FIG. 7 a guide vane assembly according to another embodiment in a perspective representation;

(9) FIG. 8 the guide vane assembly of FIG. 7 in a top view;

(10) FIG. 9 a guide vane assembly according to another embodiment in a perspective representation;

(11) FIG. 10 the guide vane assembly of FIG. 9 in a top view;

(12) FIG. 11 a guide vane assembly according to another embodiment in a perspective representation;

(13) FIG. 12 the guide vane assembly of FIG. 11 in a top view;

(14) FIG. 13 a guide vane assembly according to another embodiment in a perspective representation;

(15) FIG. 14 the guide vane assembly of FIG. 13 in a top view;

(16) FIG. 15 an enlarged cut-out of the guide vane assembly shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

(17) FIGS. 16 to 22 various embodiments of deflecting elements in side view;

(18) FIG. 23 a diagram of the volume flow fraction plotted against particle size.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(19) FIG. 1 shows a separator 10 in schematic representation. The separator 10 comprises a separator housing 20, in which in a lower region there is provided an inlet 21 for a volume flow Q of a gas-solids mixture 100.

(20) In the separator housing 20 there are arranged a separator wheel 30 and a guide vane assembly 50. The separator wheel 30 and the guide vane assembly 50 have a common principal axis, which is the axis of rotation X for the separator wheel 30. The axis of rotation X extends in the direction of the force of gravity F. Perpendicular to the axis of rotation X extends a radial direction R. Between the guide vane assembly 50 and the separator housing 20, an annular space 26 is provided in the radial direction R. The space between the separator wheel 30 and the guide vane assembly 50 forms the separating zone 32. The guide vane assembly 50 is studded with deflecting elements 53, having a downwardly pointing curvature. The deflecting elements 53 shall be described more closely in particular in connection with FIGS. 12 to 18.

(21) The separator wheel 30 is driven in rotation by a drive device 40, so that the separator wheel 30 turns about the axis of rotation X.

(22) Above the separator wheel 30 there is arranged a first outlet 22. The first outlet 22 is connected to a suction mechanism (not shown), which creates a negative pressure. A first particle variety 101, the fine material, is sucked through the first outlet 22 when the device is used as intended.

(23) Beneath the separator wheel 30 there is arranged a funnel 25, which empties into a second outlet 23. A second particle variety 102, the coarse material, is taken away through the second outlet 23 when the device is used as intended. The separator wheel 30 rejects large particles 102. These large particles get into the funnel 25 and from there go to the second outlet 23.

(24) The separator housing 20 is closed at the top end by a housing cover 24.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a mill 110, which is designed as a pendulum mill. Inside the housing 112, which is closed off on top by a mill cover 114 and at the bottom by means of a mill floor 116, there is located a milling mechanism 118, comprising several milling pendulums 120. Through the milling mechanism 118, the separator 10 is integrated into the mill housing. Between the mill housing 112 and the guide vane assembly 50 there is situated the annular space 26.

(26) FIG. 3 shows the top part of the separator 10. The separator wheel 30 is situated inside the guide vane assembly 50. Between the separator wheel 30 and the guide vane assembly 50 there is situated a separating zone 32. The cylindrical separator housing 20 can also be conical in design. With such a conical separator housing 20′ (shown by broken line), an upwardly tapering annular space 26 is formed.

(27) The first outlet 22 communicates with the interior space of the separator wheel 30.

(28) The guide vane assembly 50 has a multitude of vertical guide vanes 54. Five deflecting elements 53 are arranged between neighboring vertical guide vanes 54, each of them having a downwardly pointing curvature.

(29) The volume flow Q of the gas-solids mixture 100 flows from the bottom into the annular space 26 and from there through the guide vane assembly 50 into the separating zone 32. Fine particles 101 get into the interior of the separator wheel 30 and are sucked through the first outlet 22. Coarse particles 102 fall downward and out from the separating zone 32. The deflecting elements 53 impart flow components directed at the separator wheel to the gas-solids mixture flowing through the guide vane assembly 50, as indicated by the arrows drawn.

(30) FIG. 4 shows the guide vane assembly 50 of FIG. 3 in a perspective representation. FIG. 5 shows a top view of the guide vane assembly 50 represented in FIG. 4.

(31) The guide vane assembly 50 has a plurality of vertical guide vanes 54, with five deflecting elements 53 being arranged between every two neighboring guide vanes 54.

(32) Each deflecting element 53 extends across the entire width between two vertical guide vanes 54. The deflecting elements 53 are arranged equidistant in the vertical direction.

(33) On its outer circumferential surface the guide vane assembly 50 has a multitude of swirl breakers 52. The swirl breakers 52 protrude into the annular space 26 (see FIG. 1) and oppose a flow in the circumferential direction. The swirl breakers 52 have a rectangular basic form and are made of sheet metal. The swirl breakers 52 stand off in the radial direction R from the guide vane assembly 50 and extend across the entire height of the guide vane assembly.

(34) FIG. 6 shows an enlarged cut-out of the guide vane assembly 50 represented in FIG. 4.

(35) The deflecting elements 53 have a downwardly pointing curvature. Each deflecting element 53 has a radial inner end 55 and a radial outer end 56. The radial inner ends 55 do not protrude into the separating zone 32 in the embodiment shown.

(36) A first end section 57 is arranged at the radial inner end 55 of each deflecting element 53 and a second end section 58 is arranged at the radial outer end 56 of each deflecting element 53. The two end sections 57, 58 are curved.

(37) FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the guide vane assembly 50 in a perspective representation. FIG. 8 shows the top view of the guide vane assembly 50 represented in FIG. 7.

(38) Flap elements 60 are arranged in addition on the inside of the guide vane assembly 50, which can swivel about a vertical axis 62. In the embodiment shown, these flap elements 60 are arranged on the inner end face 59 (see FIG. 6) of all vertical guide vanes, being swiveled in the direction of rotation D and forming with the radial direction R an angle δ.

(39) The angle δ in the embodiment shown here is 30°. Preferably, the angle δ lies in the range of 0° to 60°.

(40) FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the guide vane assembly 50 in a perspective representation. FIG. 10 shows the top view of the guide vane assembly 50 represented in FIG. 9.

(41) The flap elements 60 have a curvature in the direction of the inner circumference of the guide vane assembly 50. In FIG. 10, the direction of rotation D of the separator wheel (not shown) is drawn. The free ends of the flap elements point in the direction of rotation D.

(42) FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the guide vane assembly 50 in a perspective representation. FIG. 12 shows the top view of the guide vane assembly 50 represented in FIG. 11.

(43) The flap elements 60 have a curvature in the direction of the inner circumference of the guide vane assembly 50. In FIG. 12, the direction of rotation D of the separator wheel (not shown) Is drawn. The free ends of the flap elements likewise point in the direction of rotation D, while the separator wheel rotates counterclockwise, contrary to FIGS. 9 and 10.

(44) FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the guide vane assembly 50 in a perspective representation. FIG. 14 shows the top view of the guide vane assembly 50 represented in FIG. 13.

(45) In this embodiment, the deflecting elements 53 protrude by their radially inner end 55 into the separating zone 32 (see FIG. 3). In order to enable the swiveling of the flap elements 60, these are provided with horizontal slots 64. Since five deflecting elements 53 are arranged between every two vertical guide vanes 54, each flap element 60 has four slots 64.

(46) FIG. 15 shows an enlarged cut-out of the guide vane assembly 50 represented in FIGS. 13 and 14.

(47) FIGS. 16 to 22 show different embodiments of a deflecting element 53. The deflecting elements 53 each have a radial inner end 55 and a radial outer end 56. The radial inner end 55 has a first end section 57 and the radial outer end 56 has a second end section 58. The deflecting elements 53 have a downwardly directed curvature (see FIGS. 16 to 20) or a downwardly directed bend (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

(48) The deflecting elements 53 are arranged relative to an axis of rotation X of the separator wheel (not shown here), the spacing between deflecting element 53 and axis of rotation X being shown smaller here for drawing reasons.

(49) The embodiments shown in FIGS. 16 to 22 differ in particular in the configuration of the end sections 57, 58. The end sections 57, 58 may both be curved (see FIGS. 16 to 18) or both be straight (see FIGS. 20 to 22), while also straight and/or curved end sections may be joined together across a curved middle section. FIGS. 21 and 22 show deflecting elements 53 with bends.

(50) The first end section 57 of each deflecting element 53 or its tangential prolongation (see FIG. 19) is situated at an angle γ to the horizontal H. The angle γ in the embodiments shown is between 0° (see FIG. 16) and around 28° (see, e.g., FIG. 20). The horizontal H, which corresponds to the radial direction R, makes a right angle with the axis of rotation X.

(51) The second end section 58 of each deflecting element 53 or its tangential prolongation (see FIGS. 16, 17, 19. 20 for example) is situated at an angle α to the horizontal H. The angle α in the embodiments shown is between around 35° (see, e.g., FIG. 17) and around 65° (see FIG. 16).

(52) The first end section 57 and the second end section 58 of a deflecting element 53 or its tangential prolongations make an angle M. The angle β in the embodiments shown is between around 108° (see FIG. 20) and around 153° (see FIG. 18).

(53) The angles α, β and γ in the embodiments shown add up to 180°. With the exception of angle γ in FIG. 18, all angles α, β, γ point downward.

(54) FIG. 23 shows the particle size distribution of the fine material from two separations S1 and S2. The measurements were done preferably by means of sedimentation analysis.

(55) The feedstock for the two separations S1 and S2 was identical in terms of the particle size distribution.

(56) The first separation S1 was performed with a conventional separator. In the first separation S1, 97% of the particles have a particle size x<28 μm. Somewhat above 50% of the particles were smaller than 10 μm and somewhat below 25% were <5 μm.

(57) In the second separation S2, a separator according to the invention was used. This differs from the separator of the first separation S1 in particular in that four deflecting elements with downward pointing curvatures per FIG. 4 to 6 are present each time between the vertical adjacent guide vanes.

(58) The second separation S2 shows that an improvement in the particle size distribution is achieved thanks to the invention.

(59) In separation S2, 97% of the particles were smaller than 10.9 μm. Nearly 75% have a particle size x<6 μm and nearly 50% of the particles have a particle size x<4 μm.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(60) 10 Separator 20 Separator housing 20′ Conical separator housing 21 Inlet 22 First outlet 23 Second outlet 24 Housing cover 25 Funnel 26 Annular space 30 Separator wheel 32 Separating zone 40 Drive device 50 Guide vane assembly 52 Swirl breaker 53 Deflecting element 54 Vertical guide vane 55 Radial inner end 56 Radial outer end 57 First end section 58 Second end section 59 End face of the vertical guide vane 60 Flap element 62 Vertical swivel axis 64 Slot 100 Gas-solids mixture 101 First particle variety (fine material) 102 Second particle variety (coarse material) F Force of gravity H Horizontal Q Inlet volume flow R Radial direction S1 First separation S2 Second separation X Axis of rotation α Angle β Angle γ Angle