FLUIDIZED BED INSTALLATION

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluidized bed installation (1), comprising at least two chambers (2, 3, 4), wherein each chamber (2, 3, 4) has a main body (5) and a gas inlet (6) and a gas outlet (7), wherein each main body (5) has an inlet (8) and an outlet (9) for a solid (19), wherein the inlet (8) of a first chamber (2) is connected to a feed (10) of the fluidized bed installation (1), the outlet (9) of the first chamber (2) is connected to the inlet (8) of a second chamber (4), and the outlet (9) of the second chamber (4) is connected to a discharge (11) of the fluidized bed installation (1), and wherein a valve (12) is arranged between two connected chambers (2, 3, 4) and/or at the feed (10) and/or at the discharge (11) such that either continuous operation or semi-continuous operation of the fluidized bed installation (1) is enabled.

Claims

1. A fluidized bed installation (1) comprising at least two chambers (2, 3, 4), the at least two chambers including a first chamber (2) and a second chamber (4), wherein each of the at least two chambers (2, 3, 4) has a main body (5), a gas inlet (6) and a gas outlet (7), wherein each main body (5) has an inlet (8) and an outlet (9) for a solid (19), wherein the inlet for a solid (8) of the first chamber (2) is connected to a feed line (10) of the fluidized bed installation (1), the outlet for a solid (9) of the first chamber (2) is connected to the inlet for a solid (8) of the second chamber (4) and the outlet for a solid (9) of the second chamber (4) is connected to a discharge line (11) of the fluidized bed installation (1), and wherein a valve (12) is arranged between two the first and second chambers (2, 3, 4) and/or on the feed line (10) and/or on the discharge line (11), so as optionally to allow continuous or semicontinuous operation of the fluidized bed installation (1), for a solid

2. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least two chambers include at least one third chamber (3) arranged between the outlet for a solid (9) of the first chamber (2) and the inlet for a solid (8) of the second chamber (4), such that the inlet for a solid of the third chamber (3) is connected to the outlet for a solid (9) of the first chamber (2) and the outlet for a solid (9) of the third chamber (3) is connected to the inlet (8) of the second chamber (4).

3. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the valve (12) includes a weir.

4. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the main body (5) has a base (13) and a lid (14), wherein the base (13) comprises the gas inlet (6) and the lid (14) comprises the gas outlet (7).

5. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the base (13) comprises a gas distributor, wherein the gas distributor has a plurality of outlet orifices (20) via which a gas introduced through the gas inlet (6) may be introduced into the main body (5).

6. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the outlet orifices (20) are arranged toroidally.

7. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the base (13) has spray nozzles via which a liquid may be introduced into the main body (5).

8. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the lid (14) has a filter element (15), wherein the filter element (15) prevents the solid (19) from leaving the main body (5) through the gas outlet (7).

9. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the filter element (15) comprises a woven textile filter and/or a metal mesh filter and/or a gas/solid cyclone.

10. The fluidized bed installation (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mill, which is integrated into the discharge line (11).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fluidized bed installation according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0018] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of part of the fluidized bed installation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a fluidized bed installation according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fluidized bed installation according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a valve between two chambers of the fluidized bed installation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of various positions of the valve of FIG. 5,

[0023] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a first alternative of a base of a chamber of the fluidized bed installation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a second alternative of a base of a chamber of the fluidized bed installation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0025] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a third alternative of a base of a chamber of the fluidized bed installation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, and

[0026] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a fourth alternative of a base of a chamber of the fluidized bed installation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fluidized bed installation 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The fluidized bed installation 1 comprises a plurality of chambers 2, 3, 4, wherein a first chamber 2 is arranged in series connection with three third chambers 3 and one second chamber 4. Each of the chambers 2, 3, 4 in each case comprises an inlet 8 and an outlet 9. The inlet 8 in the first chamber 2 is connected to a feed line 10 of the fluidized bed installation 1. The outlet 9 of the first chamber 2 is connected to the inlet 8 of one of the third chambers 3. The three third chambers 3 are arranged in series connection, such that in each case one inlet 8 is connected to one outlet 9. The outlet 9 of the final third chamber 3 of the series connection is connected to the inlet 8 of the second chamber 4. The outlet 9 of the second chamber 4 is connected to a discharge line of the fluidized bed installation.

[0028] A solid, in particular in powder form, may be fed to the individual chambers 2, 3, 4 via the feed line 10. As a result of the series connection, the solid firstly enters the first chamber 2, then the third chambers 3, and finally the second chamber 4.

[0029] Inside the individual chambers 2, 3, 4 the solid comes into contact with a gas, in particular with air. This is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through the first chamber 2 and the first third chamber 3 of the series connection of third chambers 3. It is obvious that both the first chamber 2 and the third chamber 3 are of identical construction. The second chamber 4 is preferably also of identical construction.

[0030] Each chamber 2, 3, 4 comprises a main body 5 and a base 13 and a lid 14. The base 13 is provided with a gas inlet 6, while the lid 14 comprises a gas outlet 7. Gas, in particular air, may be introduced into the main body via the gas inlet 6. A solid may moreover be introduced into the main body 5 via the respective inlets 8 of the chambers 2, 3, 4. Through contact with the flowing gas, the preferably pulverulent solid is set in motion and assumes a fluid-like state within the main body 5. The gas flows from the gas inlet 6 to the gas outlet 7 and leaves the respective chamber 2, 3, 4 via the gas outlet 7. To prevent solid from likewise leaving the chamber 2, 3, 4, the lid 14 comprises a filter element 15. The filter element 15 is advantageously a metal mesh filter. The metal mesh filter is in particular supplied with compressed air at regular intervals, in order to clean the metal mesh filter 15.

[0031] The base 13 has a gas distributor with a plurality of outlet orifices 20 (cf. FIG. 1), wherein the gas received via the gas inlet 9 enters the main body 5 via the outlet orifices 20. The gas outlet orifices 20 are in particular arranged toroidally, whereby toroidal movement of the solid 19 is present within the main body 5. Alternatively or in addition, the outlet orifices 20 may preferably be arranged at least in part so as to enable translational transfer of the solid 19 between two chambers 2, 3, 4. To control such translational transfer, a valve 12 is in particular present, which is described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a schematic figure of a fluidized bed installation 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Unlike in FIG. 1, the chambers 2, 3, 4 are arranged in a ring, so achieving a space-saving construction. Finally, FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of the fluidized bed installation 1. This corresponds to the second exemplary embodiment, wherein a pressure surge-resistant housing 16 is additionally present. The pressure surge-resistant housing 16 thus protects the individual chambers 2, 3, 4 from external influences.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a section through two chambers 2, 3, 4, wherein the valve 12 is visible. Flanges 17 are in particular introduced between the main bodies 5 of the chambers 2, 3, 4 as valve seats for the valve 12. The flanges 17 are preferably welded to the main body 5. The main bodies 5 have an orifice which is closable by the valve 12. By intermediate positions of the valve 12, a mass flow rate between the individual chambers 2, 3, 4 may be adjusted as desired. Various positions of the valve 12, in particular a completely closed, a completely open and a partly open position, are shown in FIG. 6.

[0034] For reliable closure of the valve 12, moreover, a seal 18 is provided. The individual chambers 2, 3, 4 may thus be completely separated from one another. Once the chambers 2, 3, 4 have been separated, a semicontinuous mode of operation is possible for the fluidized bed installation 1. To this end, the first chamber 2 is filled with a solid 19, wherein the solid 19 remains in the first chamber 2 until a predefined product quality is achieved. Only then is the valve 12 between the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 preferably opened, in order to allow transfer of the solid between the first chamber 2 and the third chamber 3. The same applies to all the third chambers 3 and the fourth chamber 4. If, on the other hand, the valves 12 are open, a continuous operating mode is possible for the fluidized bed installation. The continuous operating mode is achieved in particular in that a solid 19 is constantly added via the feed line 10, while a solid and/or the finished product is continuously removed via the discharge line 11. Transfer between the individual chambers 2, 3, 4 takes place, in particular, due to a differential pressure between the chambers 2, 3, 4 and/or due to differences in height.

[0035] FIGS. 7 to 10 show different alternatives for the arrangement of the chambers 2, 3, 4 and the configuration of the bases 13. Thus, FIG. 7 shows a first alternative, in which the bases 13 have a straight surface. The chambers 2, 3, 4 are here at the same level.

[0036] In FIG. 8 the bases 13 have a conical or arched surface. Provision is again preferably made for the chambers 2, 3, 4 to be arranged at the same level.

[0037] FIG. 9 shows an alternative in which the bases 13 have beveled surfaces. This is advantageously combined with the chambers 2, 3, 4 being arranged at different levels, such that the beveled surfaces of the bases 13 form a continuous inclined plane. Thus, transfer of the solid 19 between the individual chambers 2, 3, 4 is also enabled by gravity.

[0038] Finally, FIG. 10 shows an alternative in which the bases 13, as in FIG. 7, have planar surfaces. However, the chambers 2, 3, 4 are arranged at different levels. This in particular allows different filling quantities in the main bodies of the individual chambers 2, 3, 4.

[0039] In one further preferred embodiment, the fluidized bed installation additionally comprises a distribution system, wherein the distribution system is separately configured to introduce solid into and remove it from each individual chamber 2, 3, 4. This in particular enables batch operation of the fluidized bed installation 1, in that a solid 19 may be introduced into each chamber 2, 3, 4 individually and also removed again individually therefrom.

[0040] The fluidized bed installation 1 according to the present invention has the following advantages: [0041] choice between continuous and semi-continuous process control [0042] individually controllable chambers 2, 3, 4 for different process conditions in the individual main bodies 5, in particular with regard to temperature, air, gas velocities and spraying rates [0043] variable process length and thus flexibility of product residence time and throughput [0044] possibility of drying and granulation inside a fluidized bed installation 1 due to the separate chambers 2, 3, 4 [0045] step by step granulation or drying in mini batches, in order to ensure conservative process control [0046] continuous coating, since a different coating substance can be atomized in each chamber 2, 3, 4 in order in particular to multiply functionalize drugs [0047] bottom spray method with rotating particle bed with uniform distribution of spray liquid and permanent product wall movement to minimize incrustation of the main body 5; the bottom spray method is achieved in particular by mounting spray nozzles in the bases 13 of the chambers 2, 3, 4.