Method and machine for the sintering and/or drying of powder materials using infrared radiation

• US 20080047160A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joan, Mr. Iglesias Vives
• Original Assignee: Joan, Mr. Iglesias Vives
• Inventors: IGLESIAS VIVES, Joan
• Granted Patent: US 8,015,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/266
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 17/20 the axis of rotation being horizontal or slightly inclined
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/14 using gases or vapours other than air or steam , e.g. inert gases
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/30 from infrared-emitting elements by radiation emanating from passages containing heated fluids other than combustion gases F26B23/10

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device, as well as the variants thereof, which operates continuously or discontinuously for the agglomeration and/or drying of powder materials using selective infrared irradiation on a surface which is continually supplied with renewed powder, with or without the spraying of liquids. The process can be performed in sealed conditions or open the atmosphere, with or without the recovery of volatile components.

Claims

1. - A procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation, characterized in that the procedure comprises the following steps when working in continuous process:

continuous feeding of the component materials,

regulation of the weight flow of the product,

stirring via blades mounted upon shafts,

application of IR radiation,

eventual addition of liquid agglutinating material via pulverization,

extraction of volatile vapours, and

continuous discharge of the product;

2. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the machine comprises a vessel (10) externally covered by an insulating material and which is fed of product (18) through a set of valves (2) or through a 8-blades rotary valve (26), and in whose interior at least two counter-stirring and extractable shafts (11) are positioned horizontally with attached blades (12), and provided with sensors (22, 23 and 24) for temperature control;

in the upper part of the machine a focusing screen (13) is positioned horizontally, said focusing screen (13) externally covered with insulation material and thin disposable reflective sheets of metal and with a source of infrared radiation (14) in its interior and with a cover (28);

the machine have an overflow discharge system with an adjustable height (9) at the opposite end of the vessel (10) to the product entry point of the vessel (10);

all of the above is equipped with sealing means (2) and (26) to control the internal atmosphere and, when necessary an inert gas flow is added.

3. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the rotational velocity of the shaft (15) is always slower than the rotational velocity of the shaft (16), the function of the shaft (15) being the renovation of the product at the upper surface of the mass by mixing it homogenously with the product located deeper down, and the function of the shaft (16) being the breaking up of those lumps that exceed a certain size.

4. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the rotational velocities of the two shafts (15) and (16) is independently controllable.

5. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the blades (12) have the possibility of varying the length, width, thickness and inclination (angle with respect to the shaft);

this inclination of the blades (12) with respect to the aforementioned shafts (15) and (16) allows the adaptation of the products to be treated.

6. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2 and 5, characterized in that the outer points of the blades (12) act against the possible build up of product deposits on the external surface of the shafts (15) and (16).

7. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, 5 and 6, characterized in that the inclination of the blades (12) with respect to the shafts (15) and (16) to which they are attached allows the control of the progress flow of the product inside the vessel.

8. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that the inclination of the blades (12) with respect to the shafts (15) and (16) to which they are attached allows the homogenisation degree of the product, in lateral and axial directions, and in composition and particle size.

9. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in the addition of liquid agglutinating material via pulverization step the droplets size is comprised between 1 and 200 microns, and the quantity of this liquid represents 3-40% of the weight of the final dry/agglomerated product.

10. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that alternatively, in those cases of working with materials that form lumps, the height-adjustable overflow will be replaced with a screw system (19).

11. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the focusing screen (13) have an adjustable height of 3 cm. minimum to 40 cm. maximum.

12. - The procedure and machine for the agglomeration and/or drying of powdered materials through the use of infrared radiation as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the internal surface of the machine'"'"'s vessel (10) is highly reflective to IR radiation by employing such metals as aluminium, nickel, silver, zinc, and have a mirror finish.