TOWER STRUCTURE OF A PRE-HEATING TOWER OF A PLANT FOR THERMALLY PROCESSING MINERALS, AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING THE PRE-HEATING TOWER

Abstract

A tower structure of a pre-heating tower of a plant for thermally processing minerals may include a plurality of support beams that extend vertically and parallel to one another and are connected to one another via cross beams. The tower structure may further include a plurality of mounting positions, each mounting position for fitting a platform to the tower structure. A cross-sectional profile of at least two of the support beams changes over a height of the tower structure. Further, at least two adjacent support beams may be configured such that there is a greater amount of space between the beams at a bottom end region of the adjacent support beams than at a region above the bottom end region.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A tower structure of a pre-heating tower of a plant for thermally processing minerals, the tower structure comprising: support beams that extend vertically and parallel to one another, the support beams being connected to one another via cross beams; and mounting positions, each for fitting a platform to the tower structure, wherein a cross-sectional profile of at least two of the support beams changes over a height of the tower structure, wherein at least two adjacent support beams of the support beams each have a first cross-sectional profile and a second cross-sectional profile, with the first cross-sectional profiles being configured at a bottom end region of the at least two adjacent support beams, wherein the first cross-sectional profiles are configured such that an amount of space between the at least two adjacent support beams is greater below a first or second mounting position of the mounting positions than above the first or second mounting position.

15. The tower structure of claim 14 wherein the first cross-sectional profiles are disposed below the first mounting position.

16. The tower structure of claim 14 wherein the first cross-sectional profiles are disposed below the second mounting position.

17. The tower structure of claim 14 wherein a dismountable cross beam of the cross beams is fitted below the second mounting position between the at least two of the support beams with the cross-sectional profile that changes over the height of the tower structure.

18. The tower structure of claim 14 wherein none of the cross beams is fitted below the second mounting position between the at least two of the support beams with the cross-sectional profile that changes over the height of the tower structure.

19. A pre-heating tower of a plant for thermally processing minerals, the pre-heating tower comprising: a tower structure including: support beams that extend vertically and parallel to one another, the support beams being connected to one another via cross beams, and mounting positions, each for fitting a platform to the tower structure, wherein a cross-sectional profile of at least two of the support beams changes over a height of the tower structure, wherein at least two adjacent support beams of the support beams each have a first cross-sectional profile and a second cross-sectional profile, with the first cross-sectional profiles being configured at a bottom end region of the at least two adjacent support beams, wherein the first cross-sectional profiles are configured such that an amount of space between the at least two adjacent support beams is greater below a first or second mounting position of the mounting positions than above the first or second mounting position; and platforms, wherein each platform includes a base plate and a cyclone fitted thereon, wherein in each case one of the platforms is fitted at each of the mounting positions of the tower structure.

20. The pre-heating tower of claim 19 wherein a height of each of the platforms exceeds a vertical spacing between two adjacent of the mounting positions of the tower structure.

21. The pre-heating tower of claim 20 wherein at least one of the platforms includes one of the cross beams, which cross beam is fitted between the at least two of the support beams with the cross-sectional profile that changes over the height of the tower structure.

22. A method for erecting the pre-heating tower of claim 19 of a plant for thermally processing minerals, the method comprising: erecting or providing the tower structure of claim 19 having the mounting positions for fastening the platforms, with each of the platforms partially or completely configuring a floor of the pre-heating tower; assembling a first platform of the platforms below a corresponding one of the mounting positions; raising the first platform that has been assembled up to an upper mounting position; mounting the first platform at the upper mounting position so that the first platform configures an upper floor of the pre-heating tower; raising a second platform of the platforms up to a corresponding one of the mounting positions below the first platform; and mounting the second platform at the corresponding one of the mounting positions for the second platform so that the second platform configures a second floor of the pre-heating tower.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the assembly of the first platform occurs at a level below a lowermost mounting position.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the assembly of the first platform occurs at a base level within the tower structure.

25. The method of claim 22 comprising pushing the first platform, once assembled, laterally into the tower structure below the mounting position for the second platform.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the raising of the first platform occurs within the tower structure.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein assembling the first or second platform comprises mounting a cyclone on a base plate.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein the tower structure is realized by an assembly of profiles composed of steel or concrete so that the tower structure has a wider lateral push-in opening below the mounting position for the second platform than above the mounting position for the second platform.

29. The method of claim 22 wherein the tower structure is realized by an assembly of profiles composed of steel or concrete so that the tower structure has a wider lateral push-in opening below the mounting position for the first platform than above the mounting position for the first platform.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail hereunder by means of a plurality of exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a pre-heating tower having a plurality of platforms according to one exemplary embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a tower structure of a pre-heating tower in a perspective view, according to one exemplary embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 3 in a schematic illustration shows two exemplary embodiments of a tower structure in a cross-sectional view;

[0034] FIG. 4 in a schematic illustration shows a platform for fitting in a tower structure according to FIG. 3, in a lateral view according to one exemplary embodiment; and

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of the platform of FIG. 4 in a plan view, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a pre-heating tower 10 which is, for example, part of a plant for thermally processing materials such as a cement production plant, for example. The pre-heating tower 10 has a plurality of cyclones 28 which serve for separating gas and material. By way of example, four cyclone stages through which the raw material passes are illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0037] Furthermore, the pre-heating tower 10 has, for example, a calciner 30 which serves for neutralizing and pre-calcinating the material. Materials such as, for example, limestone, ore, clay or other mineral products are pre-heated and neutralized in the counterflow in the pre-heating tower 10, wherein heated exhaust gas from a kiln such as, for example, a rotary kiln, is introduced into the pre-heating tower from below and passes through a plurality of cyclones. The material to be heated is fed into the pre-heating tower 10 at the upper end and in the flow counter to the kiln exhaust gas passes through the plurality of cyclones. The cyclones 28 and the calciner 30 are preferably connected to one another by way of pipelines 34. The material, in particular the fired cement clinker, at the kiln outlet 32 has a temperature of approximately 1150-1450° C., preferably 1400° C.

[0038] The pre-heating tower 10 has a tower structure 12 and a plurality of platforms 14 which are fitted to the tower structure 12. By way of example, the pre-heating tower 10 has six platforms 14 which are disposed so as to be mutually spaced apart in the height of the tower. The platforms 14 are preferably aligned horizontally and mutually parallel and are in particular mutually spaced apart in a substantially uniform manner. Each platform 14 preferably configures a complete floor, or part of a floor, of the pre-heating tower 10.

[0039] The lowermost platform 14 comprises a kiln outlet 32 through which the hot kiln exhaust gas enters the pre-heating tower 10 and the pre-heated material exits the pre-heating tower 10 and enters the kiln.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the tower structure 12 of the pre-heating tower 10 without platforms and installations. By way of example, the tower structure 12 has for vertical support beams 16a-d which extend parallel to one another and configure the outer structural edges of the tower structure 12. The support beams 16a-d are connected to one another by way of cross beams 18-26. By way of example, the cross beams 18-26 extend horizontally so as to be substantially orthogonal to the support beams 16a-d. It is likewise conceivable that the cross beams 18-26 extend so as to have merely a partially horizontal component. Each cross beam 18-26 connects in each case two adjacent support beams 16a-d to one another. The tower structure 12 of FIG. 2, by way of example, at the height level of a respective floor of the pre-heating tower 10 has a cross beam group a-d having in each case a plurality of cross beams 18-26d. The tower structure 12 has a plurality of mounting positions on each of which one platform 14 can be fitted. Fastening means for fastening a respective platform 14 to the tower structure 12 in a respective mounting position are preferably disposed on the cross beams 18-26 and/or the support beams 16a-d.

[0041] The tower structure 12 has lateral openings, the width of the latter being delimited by the spacing of two adjacent support beams 16a-d. The height of the respective opening is determined by the mutual spacing of two adjacent cross beams 16-24, preferably two adjacent floors of the tower structure 12. The tower structure 12 preferably has a quadrangular cross section. By way of example, the support beams 16a-d have in each case one angle section which has an equal leg angle or an unequal leg angle. The support beams 16a-d are mutually aligned in such a manner, for example, that the angle sections, at least in the upper region of the tower structure 12, point outward and in each case configure the external corners of the tower structure 12.

[0042] By way of example, two support beams 16c and 16d over the entire length thereof have a constant cross-sectional profile, wherein two support beams 16a and 16b have a cross-sectional profile which changes over the length of the support beams 16a and 16b. FIG. 2 furthermore shows a cross section of the tower structure 12 which is configured in a region above the second floor of the tower structure 12. By way of example, all support beams 16a-d above the second floor of the tower structure 12 preferably have a constant cross-sectional profile. Furthermore, by way of example, the tower structure 12, on a lateral face of the tower structure below the second floor, does not have any cross beam. In each case one cross beam 18-26a-d is preferably fitted at the same height level on each lateral face at the remaining mounting positions and/or floors of the tower structure 12. The lowermost, first floor by way of example has only three cross beams 18b-d.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows two embodiments of a cross-sectional profile of the tower structure 12 below the second floor. Two of the support beams 16a and 16b by way of example have in each case one first cross-sectional profile and one second cross-sectional profile. For example, the first cross-sectional profile is disposed below the second floor, and the second cross-sectional profile is disposed above the second floor of the tower structure 12. The first and the second cross-sectional profile of a respective support beam 16a-b have identical cross-sectional faces, for example.

[0044] For example, the first cross-sectional profile is configured as an unequal angle section, wherein the longer of the two legs by way of example points outward and the shorter leg points in the direction of the adjacent support beam 16c or 16d. In the second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the first cross-sectional profile of the adjacent support beams 16a and 16b has in each case a rectangular cross-sectional face, the latter corresponding to a leg of the angle section above the second floor of the tower structure 12, for example. The first cross-sectional profile of the adjacent support beams 16a and 16b is preferably configured and aligned in such a manner that the spacing of the adjacent support beams 16a and 16 below the second floor is greater than above the second floor of the tower structure 12. For example, the first cross-sectional profile in comparison to the second cross-sectional profile is rotated by, for example, 90° about the tip of the leg. The first cross-sectional profile at the height level of the second-floor transitions into the second cross-sectional profile so that the spacing between the adjacent support beams 16 and 16b above the second floor is smaller than below the second floor of the tower structure 12. The second cross-sectional profile of the support beams 16a and 16b is preferably configured as an equal-leg angle section.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows merely two examples of cross-sectional profiles of the support beams 16 below the second floor of the tower structure 12, wherein further embodiments are conceivable in which the lower cross-sectional profile of two adjacent support beams 16a and 16b is configured and aligned in such a manner that the mutual spacing of the support beams 16a and 16b is greater than above the second floor.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a platform 14 for fitting to the tower structure 12. By way of example, the platform 14 comprises a base plate 36 which is configured, for example, as a floor grate or from a plurality of floor planks. The base plate 36 preferably has one or a plurality of openings in which components for processing material are fitted, or through which the pipelines or cyclones of other platforms 14 extend, for example. The platform 14 furthermore preferably comprises components for processing or transporting material or air, such as, for example, a cyclone 28 or a plurality of pipelines 34 which direct material 5 into the cyclone 28 or out of the latter. The platform 14 preferably has at least one cyclone 28 and one base plate 36, wherein the cyclone 28 is fastened to the base plate 36.

[0047] FIG. 4 by way of example additionally shows the upper end of the calciner 30, wherein the disposal of the cyclone 28 and of the part of the calciner 30 is likewise illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows the platform 14 of FIG. 4 in a plan view.

[0048] During the construction of the pre-heating tower 10 at least one or a plurality of platforms 14, for example according to FIGS. 4 and 5, is/are assembled so that cyclones 28, pipelines 34, the calciner 30 and/or the kiln outlet 32 are fitted to a base plate 36. The assembly of the platforms 14 takes place outside the tower structure 12, for example, wherein a plurality of platforms 14 are simultaneously assembled, for example. Subsequently, the platforms 14 are successively pushed laterally into the tower structure 12 below the second floor. The platforms 14 are in each case preferably pushed into the tower structure 12 between the support beams 16a and 16b having the changed cross-sectional profile, because the opening between these support beams 16a and 16b is larger than between the remaining support beams 16 and in particular corresponds substantially to the width of the platform 14. In particular, the height of the assembled platforms having cyclones 28, pipelines 34, the calciner 30 and/or the kiln outlet 32 exceeds the floor height of a floor of the pre-heating tower 10, preferably the vertical spacing of two adjacent mounting positions of the tower structure 12.

[0049] The first of the plurality of platforms 14 within the tower structure 14, preferably means of a lifting device such as, for example, a tackle, is raised as far as an upper, in particular the uppermost, mounting position and fastened to the latter so that the first platform preferably configures an upper, or the uppermost, floor of the pre-heating tower 10. Subsequently, further platforms 14 are gradually pushed into the tower structure 12 in the same way and raised as far as the respective mounting position, wherein the following mounting positions are disposed below the first mounting position and the sequence of mounting the platforms 14 on the tower structure 12 is from the top to the bottom.

[0050] It is likewise conceivable that a platform 14 is in each case assembled at ground level within the tower structure 12 and subsequently is raised as far as the respective mounting position and fastened thereto as has been described above. Subsequently, a further platform is assembled at ground level within the tower structure 12 and fastened to a mounting position below the preceding mounting position.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0051] 10 Pre-heating tower [0052] 12 Tower structure [0053] 14 Platform [0054] 16 Support beam [0055] 18-26 Cross beams [0056] 28 Cyclone [0057] 30 Calciner [0058] 32 Kiln outlet [0059] 34 Pipelines [0060] 36 Base plate