Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F26—DRYING
  • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
  • F26B21/00—Arrangements for supplying or controlling air or other gases for drying solid materials or objects
  • F26B21/30—Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F26—DRYING
  • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
  • F26B21/00—Arrangements for supplying or controlling air or other gases for drying solid materials or objects
  • F26B21/30—Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply
  • F26B21/33—Humidity
  • F26B21/333—Humidity by condensing the moisture in the drying medium, which may be recycled, e.g. using a heat pump cycle

Definitions

• the invention relates to a thermodynamic air treatment machine. It also relates to a device for treating products, in particular agricultural products, such as those conditioned in bales or in bundles, the device incorporating at least one thermodynamic air treatment machine according to the invention. Finally, it relates to the products resulting from such treatments with a device of the invention.
• an air treatment machine has been described which has several modes of new functioning and constitution. This machine is, for example, associated with a drier or a barn and makes it possible in particular to dry and refrigerate crops before their use in agriculture, to prepare food products or components thereof and all other products.
• the treatment machine is oversized to achieve treatment results due in particular to the fact that the receptacles in which the products to be treated are arranged with air or a mixture air and sprayed treatment products introduce significant pressure losses in the air circulation circuit.
• thermodynamic air treatment machine of the type comprising, included in a sealed envelope:
• the machine of the invention is characterized in that it cooperates with a programmable automaton for, according to a program determined in advance and as a function of the simple measurement of the quantity of water in the air in at least one access port. air to be treated, adjust:
• the invention then relates to a device for treating a product which comprises at least one pipe for blowing a treatment flow like air, a predetermined part of which comes from the blowing outlet of a fan.
• the device of the invention can have a large number of forms. Particularly, for some of the flows which pass through it, the treatment machine may be connected by a distribution box in suction, and by a distribution box in blowing with the air flow passing through the main fan. Therefore, several arrangements can be made, in particular depending on whether the removal of air to be treated or the ejection of treated air on the thermodynamic treatment machine is done on the suction of the fan and / or on the blowing of the fan. main.
• bales In the state of the art, it has been known for a very long time to condition crops of agricultural products in the form of bales, particularly of cylindrical outer shape, of circular or rectangular section.
• the bales can be made with grass or more generally fodder.
• agricultural products are packaged in bundles or bales, they have a very high humidity either because the plants are themselves wet or wet or because atmospheric condensation is deposited on the products.
• such humidity allows the development of microorganisms, insects and accelerates the rotting of conditioned agricultural products.
• the transport of these wet products is more expensive than if the packaged products are dry and their storage in the wet state leads to a loss of significant parts of the agricultural products by rotting.
• pulsed hot air dryers have been used in which the balls are arranged and a motorized fan draws air passing over a boiler to be heated.
• drying with forced hot air is expensive since it requires a boiler and a fan and it does not allow the qualities of the thus dried fodder to be preserved. Drying in barns shares with the technique of forced drying with hot air to dry the bales from the outside. The inevitable result is that if the core of the ball is dry, the edge is much too dry, which is ineffective.
• the invention relates to a device for processing agricultural products of the kind comprising:
• a dryer containing the agricultural products to be treated • a main fan connected to the dryer by an air supply circuit.
• the device is characterized in that it comprises an air treatment machine composed of the combination of the main fan and a thermodynamic air drying machine disposed on a predetermined part of the air blowing circuit.
• FIG. 1 a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the processing device of the present invention applied to the treatment of round bales;
• FIG. 2 a block diagram of a detail of the processing device of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 a sectional diagram of part of the processing device of Figure 2;
• FIG. 4 a top view of a part of the processing device of Figure 1 during operation thereof;
• FIG. 5 a diagram of another embodiment of the processing device according to the invention;
• FIG. 6 a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a thermodynamic treatment machine incorporated in the treatment device of Figures 1, 2 or 5;
• - Figure 7 a block diagram explaining the control of a first mode of operation of the processing device according to the invention;
• FIG. 8 a block diagram explaining the control of a second operating mode of the processing device according to the invention.
• - Figures 15 and 16 two diagrams explaining an embodiment of a processing device according to the invention
• - Figure 17 a diagram of a device for processing bulk products
• - Figure 18 a diagram of a product processing device by successive stages.
• thermodynamic treatment machine of the invention we will first write the essential components of the thermodynamic treatment machine of the invention, according to the teaching of French patent application number 01 07 088 filed May 21, 2001 on behalf of the same applicant.
• thermodynamic treatment machine 60 essentially comprises a sealed cabinet inside of which four compartments are formed, separated by three partitions not referenced in the drawing but represented by vertical lines.
• a first door 61 and a second door 67 are arranged on a circuit for circulation of the treatment air.
• These doors 61 and 67 constitute accesses which by opening and closing means which can be controlled and controlled remotely using suitable means, allow the access to be placed in one of the following three states: “open in suction ",” open in blowing "or” closed “, the first two states being able in one embodiment to be controlled according to a range of degrees so as to regulate the air flow through the access 61 or 67.
• Each motor fan 63 and 66 are respectively arranged in the first and fourth compartments of the treatment machine 60.
• Each motor fan has a control and command circuit which makes it possible to start it and adjust its blowing or suction power by example depending on the fan rotation speed.
• Each of the second and third compartments is occupied by an evaporator 64 or 65 coupled to a heat exchange battery with the air flows which pass through the thermodynamic machine 60.
• Each evaporator 64 or 65 is connected to a circulation circuit of a refrigerant equipped with a pressure reducer 68, a compressor 69 and a reversing valve VI.
• Valve inversion VI and the compressor 69 are electrically connected to circuits for monitoring and controlling their state.
• the reversing valve VI allows that, according to a first direction of circulation of the refrigerant, the evapocondenser 64 works in an evaporator, while the evapocondenser 65 then works in condenser or that, according to a second direction of circulation of the refrigerant, the evaporator 65 works as an evaporator, while the evaporator 64 then works as a condenser. It follows that, for a flow of air to be treated entering through the door 61 and leaving through the door 67, the thermodynamic machine 60 can operate either in cooling mode or in heat pump mode depending on the control signal applied. to the reversing valve 68.
• the thermodynamic air treatment machine 60 has five registers A to E, each composed of flaps the degree of opening of which is controlled by means of an electromechanical actuator controlled by an electrical signal itself controlled by a suitable output d 'a control and command circuit.
• Each register A to E is equipped with a pipe which can be connected either to part of the air circulation circuit or to outside air, or to a source of a treatment product to be combined with the treatment air which it is desired to inject into one of the compartments of the thermodynamic air treatment machine 60.
• the various control and command circuits of the organs described above are themselves controlled using a programmable controller which is also connected to at least one sensor of mass of water in the air and, the temperature, if any.
• the automaton includes a memory of predefined programs which the user executes and which execute according to laws defined by programming using the following information.
• the programmable logic controller, its constitution and its programming mode are within the reach of those skilled in the art on reading the present application. According to an operating mode of the machine of the invention, when moist air, sucked into the air circulation circuit to be treated and treated air, meets the cold source constituted by a heat exchange battery in contact with the evaporator of the refrigeration circuit, it transfers heat to it and discharges its humidity which condenses on the cold surface.
• thermodynamic treatment machine 60 also includes a means for collating the liquid water (not shown) on each of the exchange batteries. Furthermore, if the air dried on the cold battery then passes through the hot source constituted by the heat exchange battery in contact with the condenser of the refrigeration circuit, it heats up and can then be used as dry air heated to turn heat and dry a product placed downstream by blowing the machine.
• the air can access the thermodynamic treatment machine of the invention through the door 61, be sucked in by the fan motor 66 which ejects it. on the cold coil of the evaporator 64 working in an evaporator to be dried there.
• the fan motor 66 which ejects it. on the cold coil of the evaporator 64 working in an evaporator to be dried there.
• These various air intake or suction solutions can be combined on a single circuit. aspiration of air to be treated, or on a plurality of air sectors of different humidity, and particularly ambient air. It is also possible to let air treated by one of the registers escape to reduce the internal pressure.
• the register C between the two evapocondensers 64, 65 is closed, and two air circuits are treated in respectively suction access on the registers B and D and in supply air on the doors 61 and 67.
• the two motorized fans 63 and 66 work in the supply air.
• dry outside air is sucked in through register B through the hot coil of the evaporator 64 working as an evaporator.
• the heat contained in this dry air for example atmospheric air taken during the hot hours of the day, is transferred to the refrigerant in the evaporator 64. and the air which has passed through it is blown through the door 61.
• the heat thus recovered can be returned by an air circuit established between the register D and the door 67 through the hot battery of the evapocondenser 65 working in condenser and the fan motor 66 working in blowing. There is thus an energy recovery mode.
• the refrigeration circuit of the invention is preferably equipped with reversible exchangers which are either evaporator or condenser depending on the direction of circulation of the refrigerant imposed by the reversing valve VI.
• the operating modes can therefore be selected using the programmable controller essentially according to one mode: dehumidification, heating, refrigeration and / or energy recovery and / or a determined combination of the above modes.
• dehumidification heating, refrigeration and / or energy recovery and / or a determined combination of the above modes.
• thermodynamics of air by acting using the programmable controller on the control and command circuits:
• the programmable controller of the machine 60 for thermodynamic air treatment is connected to at least one sensor of the mass of water in the air to be treated on at least one air access to be treated.
• a single such sensor is sufficient in most cases.
• the temperature in different points of the air flows is also taken into account as well as the bodies of water in the event of air drying and the temperature and / or body of water sensors in the air are arranged at different access points of the machine according to the knowledge of a person skilled in the art and the processing characteristics encountered in the operation of the thermodynamic treatment machine of the invention.
• the air treated by the thermodynamic treatment machine of the invention is intended to be blown onto or through a product to be treated with air treated by drying, cooling and / or heating as will be explained further when the machine of the invention is connected to a processing device.
• thermodynamic treatment parameters of use and in particular the degree of drying, heating and / or cooling, the amount of energy and or the yield of the thermodynamic treatment are directly entered using an interface available at the user directly via a console connected to the machine's automaton and / or remotely from a central monitoring station via a communications network such as the Internet.
• the product treatment device which comprises the treatment machine of the invention comprises a simple supply air supply duct from the thermodynamic treatment machine.
• At least part of the air to be treated is sucked around and / or inside the products to be dried.
• An at least partial circulation is then formed so that the treated air blown by the thermodynamic treatment machine gives up or takes up heat from the bathed and / or crossed product and makes it possible to take or add, depending on the rates of relative humidity of the air blown by the machine and the processed product, a certain amount of humidity.
• the product to be treated is placed in a receptacle and at least part of the air flow which bathes it is produced and / or treated by the thermodynamic machine of the invention.
• the treatment device of the invention also comprises a main fan which makes it possible to resolve the pressure drops through and / or around the products to be treated.
• a main fan 1 12 Figure 1 1 1
• 122 Figure 12
• the diagram of Figure 1 1 is therefore such that the thermodynamic machine is placed on the blowing outlet of the main fan 1 12 while the diagram of Figure 12 is therefore such that the thermodynamic machine is placed on the suction inlet the main fan 122.
• At least one suction port of the thermodynamic machine 1 15; 125 is connected to the suction flow or the supply flow of said main fan 1 12; 122.
• This access can be a main door of the machine 60 like the door 61 or a register A and / or B.
• the thermodynamic machine being able to change direction of operation, this representation should not be considered as unique. On the contrary, a wide variety of connections are possible so that many situations of various pressure drops can be remedied.
• the blowing ports of the treatment machine may not be (unlike what is shown in Figures 1 1 and 12) connected to the blowing or suction circuit of the main fan but to another blowing point in the products to be treated or elsewhere.
• At least one blowing port of the thermodynamic machine 1 15; 125 is connected to the suction flow or the supply flow of said main fan 1 12; 122.
• This access can be a main door of the machine 60 such as door 67 or a register D and / or E.
• the thermodynamic machine can change the operating direction, this representation should not be considered as unique. On the contrary, a wide variety of connections are possible so that many situations of various pressure drops can be remedied.
• the suction ports of the treatment machine may not be (contrary to what is shown in FIGS. 1 1 and 12) connected to the blowing or suction circuit of the main fan but to another point d aspiration in the products to be treated or elsewhere.
• the treatment device comprises a flow distribution box 1 13 ( Figure 1 1) or 123 ( Figure 12) connected between the suction flow or the blowing flow of said main fan 1 12; 122 and at least one suction or blowing port of the thermodynamic treatment machine 1 15; 125.
• the flow distribution box 1 13; 123 includes means for adjusting the input and output rates using a control signal produced by a controller.
• the distribution box has at least three accesses to a flow distribution enclosure which are controlled by a flap register whose inclination is adjusted using an electric motor as will be described more far.
• the processing device includes a other distribution box 1 14; 124, an input of which is connected to an output of the flow distribution box 1 13; 123 and a first outlet of which is connected to at least one blowing or suction port of the thermodynamic treatment machine 1 15; 125.
• the other flow distribution box 11; 124 includes means for adjusting the input and output rates using a control signal produced by a controller.
• the second distribution box 1 14; 124 is preferably identical to the first box.
• the controllers of the means for adjusting the inlet and outlet flow rates of the two distribution boxes include means for controlling the degree of opening of an inlet register or an outlet register of so that the sum of the pressures established inside the distribution boxes is a predetermined constant.
• the means for adjusting the degree of opening comprise means for executing a prerecorded function dependent on the flow rates on each of the inputs or outputs of the box.
• the means for controlling the degree of opening of each of the input or output registers of each box include memories recording pre-recorded opening degree profiles according to predetermined operating regimes.
• the two boxes are adjusted so that the box 1 13 closes its output access to the input of the thermodynamic treatment machine 1 15 is not supplied and / or so that the second box, 1 14 closes its second inlet coming from the treatment outlet of the thermodynamic treatment machine 1 15 so that the latter does not participate in the flow of air blown by the treatment combination 1 10.
• FIG. 15 there is shown an embodiment of a distribution box 150 which have three protected accesses and controlled by registers.
• the accesses are in entry (letter E) or in exit (letters A or B).
• the box 150 therefore comprises a sealed envelope, an input port 150E and two output ports 150A and 150B. Only the two output ports 150A and 150B are equipped with registers 154 and 159.
• the register 154 has been detailed schematically. Like the registers described for the machine 60 (FIG. 6), the register 154 has an opening intended to put the interior of the box 150 into communication with an outlet pipe.
• the opening has a variable free surface as a function of the angle of inclination of flaps 157 movable around a motorized axis 158.
• the flaps are mounted on a frame 156 allowing it to be mobilized with a single electric motor (not shown) and connected to control and command circuit 151A (or 151 B) which is connected to a controller 152A (or 152B) which receives an adjustment signal rA (or rB) of the degree of opening of the shutters so that the flow d the air coming out can be controlled and controlled.
• control and command circuit 151A or 151 B
• controller 152A or 152B
• the signal rA (or rB) is produced by the programmable controller described with the aid of FIG. 6, or in cooperation with it with a more complete controller.
• the distribution box When in the calibration phase, the distribution box can be temporarily (or permanently) connected to a pressure gauge 155 which produces a signal P representative of the pressure inside the distribution box 150.
• a pressure gauge 155 which produces a signal P representative of the pressure inside the distribution box 150.
• the mounting of the two distribution boxes 160 and 162 is shown, each with its flow inlet and a flow outlet B, in the direction of the arrows drawn, and of the machine 161 for thermodynamic treatment of the invention.
• the box 160 upstream in the main stream has two outputs referenced A and B and the other box 162 placed downstream on the stream has two inputs E and one outlet B.
• the controllers triggered by the adjustment signals rA1, rB1, and rA2, rB2 execute functions for determining the adjustment and therefore the degree of opening of the dampers of the registers to balance the flow rates on the two paths and to resolve constancy of pressures.
• the pressures P1 in the first box 160 are measured using the pressure gauge 163 and P2 in the second box 162 using the pressure gauge 164.
• the best behavior of the device is then recorded in the form of a table which provides a list of values for adjusting the flaps of the registers rA1, rB1, and rA2, rB2 for various input regimes rE and as a function of the pressure P3 measured at using a calibration manometer connected to the waterproof casing of the treatment machine 161.
• FIG 13 there is shown a diagram of a first mode of operation of a product processing device according to the invention.
• the device is essentially composed of a receptacle 132, 133, 135, and of a combination 1 10 of a main fan and of a thermodynamic treatment machine with its boxes according to the embodiment of Figure 11.
• the entry 1 1 1 of the combination 1 10 is connected by a suitable pipe to a suction port 136 on a suction chamber 135 of the receptacle.
• the outlet 1 16 of the suit 1 10 is connected to a blowing port 134 of a blowing chamber 133.
• the chamber 131 of the receptacle which contains the products to be treated by the device of the invention is then crossed by an air flow in a first direction represented by the arrow in the drawing.
• the device is identical to that of FIG. 13. But it operates in a second mode in the opposite direction, the suction chamber being located in the upper part 142 with an access 143 and the blowing chamber 144 located in the base with its access 145.
• the products to be treated are traversed by a flow of air in a second direction represented by the arrow in the drawing.
• FIG. 1 there is shown an application of an embodiment of a treatment device according to the invention applied to agricultural products, here constituted by a batch of fodder shaped into several non-contiguous round bundles 8 and 9.
• the device comprises a building 1 which serves as a dryer.
• a windproof fabric 5 which divides the dryer into two parts, respectively an upper part 6 under the roof and a lower part 7 under the windproof fabric 5.
• the lower part 7 is at ground level and receives the agricultural products to be dried.
• thermodynamics 2 according to the invention.
• the treatment combination 2 is, according to the invention, made up of the combination of two separate machines.
• the building is produced in the form of a prefabricated greenhouse mounted on a prepared concrete slab.
• FIG. 2 there is shown the detail of the combination treatment 2 used as in the embodiment 'of Figure 1.
• This combination of treatment 2 is identical to that described with the aid of FIG. 1 1 and comprises a main fan for blowing air 15 and a thermodynamic air treatment machine 20 with distribution boxes 12 and 15.
• the thermodynamic air treatment machine 20 performs a drying treatment by dehumidification.
• a pipe 1 1 shown in the form of a rectangular section tube in Figure 1 is arranged in the foundations of the building 1 under the lower part 7, so that the agricultural products, here in the form of round bales 8 and 9, are placed on nozzles formed on the pipe 1 1.
• air is blown (first horizontal arrow) through the air blowing pipe 10 through the door 3.
• the air pressure in the upper part of the dryer 6 increases and the air flow is distributed in pressure (second vertical arrows) through the windbreak net 5 to establish itself in the lower part 7.
• the windbreak net can be replaced by a means for blowing the treated air through diffusion outlets uniformly distributing the flow of process air, such as double deflection outlets .
• the flow of treatment air from treatment combination 2 therefore enters agricultural products, here bales 8 and 9.
• Bales 8 and 9 are formed by blades of grass or fodder so that their fibrous structures allow the passage of the air which passes through the balls 8 and 9.
• the air which has passed through the agricultural products is charged with moisture which it evaporates in the surface and / or the thickness of the agricultural product.
• Moisture laden air is drawn into the pipeline or trench 1 1 which is connected to a suction inlet of the treatment suit 2.
• the dry air coming from the treatment machine 2 is charged with moisture as it passes through one of the balls 8 or 9 is sucked from the lower part 7 of the dryer to the suction inlet of the treatment machine 2 according to the horizontal arrow shown in the pipe 11.
• the same treatment scheme is applied when agricultural products are packaged in bundles, for example in tied bundles, which also allow them to be crossed by dry processing air.
• the same scheme is applied also for agricultural products, such as tobacco leaves or hop stalks, or even for agrifood products, such as bread, which are placed on racks in shelves that a flow of dry air treatment can also pass through as will be explained later, so that the product parts are swept by process air.
• the pipe 1 1 for suctioning the air once it has passed through the agricultural products to be treated is in the embodiment of Figure 1 produced directly by masonry in the foundations of building 1.
• the pipe 1 1 is made by a trench with a bottom and two vertical walls which are made of cement.
• a filter can advantageously be arranged at the suction inlet of the treatment machine to retain the dust, debris and leaves entrained by the sucked air and prevent them also passing through the treatment combination 2.
• the closing of the top of the the trench is provided by the floor slab of building 1 through which are made looks for extracting moist air to install suction nozzles on each of which is placed a bale of fodder 8 or 9 as well as will be explained later.
• FIG. 2 there are shown details of embodiment of the processing device according to the invention.
• the products here four round bales of fodder 22 to 25, are placed on the nozzles 22a to 25b which are arranged on the manholes practiced in the floor slab of the building 1 of FIG. 1, if this embodiment of the nozzles is chosen suction, to put in communication the lower part 7 of the dryer 1 with the trench or suction pipe 1 1.
• several trenches or suction pipes, identical to the suction pipe 1 1, are arranged in parallel in the ground of the building 1, the ends of these trenches are connected by a common connection to the suction inlet 18 of the processing machine 2.
• the air blowing pipe 10, from the treatment combination 2 is connected to the upper part 6 of the building or dryer 1 via a door 3 ( Figure 1), which, in a particular embodiment, has tilting flaps under the action of an electromechanical actuator, controlled by an electrical signal produced by the programmable controller. It follows that the amount of air from the pipe 10 can be partially controlled using the door 3, depending on the degree of opening of the shutters that compose it.
• FIG 3 there is shown a sectional view of the building 1 in the area where there is a trench 30 similar to the trench 1 1 of Figure 1, in which is drawn the air from the agricultural products being dried .
• the floor of the building 1 comprises a concrete slab 31 inside which a trench has been made provided in predetermined locations with nozzles 32 which touch the ground above the ground 31.
• Agricultural products can be directly deposited on each nozzle, as in the case of bales of rectangular section or circular section, as the case may be.
• a cover 33 can be arranged on the nozzle so as to avoid aspiration by the nozzle
• a handle 34 is provided on the cover
• FIG 4 there is shown a top view of a ball 40 placed above a suction nozzle 42 on the trench 30.
• the suction air flow 41 sucks the air laterally according to the four side arrows indicated, so that the drying air, which comes from the upper part of the dryer, is sucked through the boot or ball 40 to be transmitted to the suction inlet of the treatment machine.
• the dry treatment air (lateral arrows) passes through the thickness of the round bale 40 and reaches the less dense core of the bale, through which the suction carried out by the trench 30 and the nozzle 42 prevails.
• the air dry exterior is charged with humidity and, if heated or cooled, exchanges its heat with the fodder rolled up in the round bale.
• the air charged with humidity, and / or if necessary, heated or cooled in its passage in the round bale 40 is then recycled by the treatment combination according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 there is shown another embodiment of a processing device according to the invention.
• the bales of fodder for example of rectangular section, 54, 55 are extremely compressed during their constitution.
• the process air does not easily enter the interior.
• Another processing mechanism is used according to the invention than that described with the aid of FIG. 4.
• the balls have a rectangular section and a height generally greater than the largest dimension of the section.
• a stack of successively vertical layers is arranged like the bale layer 54 and horizontal like the bale layer 55, the bales then being placed on their edges.
• the balls are slightly spaced from each other, so as to provide, between two balls in each layer 54, 55 and the following, a slight gap for the passage of the treatment air, like space 57.
• the stacking thus constitutes a form of labyrinth, placed directly on the floor 50 of the hangar and is therefore distributed in a volume of treatment 51, surmounted at its upper part under the roofs (not shown) of the hangar by a suction chamber 52.
• a pipe 59 takes and sucks the air to be treated in the suction chamber 52.
• the suction chamber 52 is, in a preferred embodiment, separated by no partition or windproof net from the product receptacle, here square bales distributed in non-contiguous layers.
• a distribution sheath 56 is placed at the entrance to the first layer 54 of bales, in contact with the ground 50, and extends in the width direction, perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.
• the distribution sheath is preferably composed of a grid made of steel blades, of a galvanized steel sheet or of perforated steel plates as is common in agriculture.
• the grid or the set of plates rests on rubble stones to raise it above the ground 50 and allow it to be connected with the first layer 54.
• the front face of the distribution sheath 56 is closed by a partition like a wall of rubble stone or planchayage, so as to close the space due to the sheath distribution 56.
• the blowing outlet of the treatment suit 53 is connected by a nozzle and a pipe (not referenced in the drawing) to the distribution sheath 56. In this way, thanks to the interstices between the balls and despite the contact, mediocre, between two balls of two successive layers, the blowing of the treatment air occurs which combines with the depression produced by the aspiration in the aspiration chamber 52.
• the pipe 59 is connected to the input of the treatment suit 53 composed of a main fan and of the thermodynamic machine of the invention, according to what has been described above in particular with the aid of FIGS. 1 1 to 16.
• the outlet from the treatment suit 53 produces a flow of dry air, if necessary heated or cooled and also loaded with a treatment product.
• a ball has been located a which is bathed by a flow of dry air 58 which then passes through the poor contact between the ball a of layer 54 and the ball b of layer 55, then the along the ball ç and d of the following layers up to the suction chamber 52.
• the circulation of dry air produces a suction of humidity first on the surface of each ball, then more deeply, so that, even if the air flow penetrates only slightly deep into the ball, it is gradually dried by capillarity from the outside.
• the building has a floor 50 which may therefore not be prepared and may not receive a trench.
• side walls (not referenced) are further provided to close the hangar.
• the stacks of external bales serve to limit the treatment area laterally.
• FIGS. 7 and 8 two modes of operation of the device for processing agricultural products according to the invention are shown, equipped with a programmable controller 70.
• FIGS. 7 and 8 two modes of operation of the device for processing agricultural products according to the invention are shown, equipped with a programmable controller 70. In FIGS. 7 and
• the air coming from the first outlet of the distribution box 12 enters through register A of the thermodynamic treatment machine 20.
• This first operating mode is controlled by the start of the drying treatment as long as a water mass measurement probe (not shown), placed in the air flow to be treated, detects a humidity higher than a predetermined rate entered on a setting input device (not shown) on the programmable controller 70.
• the programmable controller 70 ( Figure 7) comprises a plurality of control circuits, each intended to produce a command or control signal of the component of the processing device to which it is connected.
• a module 72a for measuring the degree of humidity of the air at the suction inlet 18 of the treatment machine 2 of FIG. 2; • A control module 72b connected to a power control circuit of the main fan 15 of the treatment combination; "A control module 72c for generating the signals rA and rB for adjusting the opening of the two registers of the distribution box 12, signals defined according to the constitution and according to the initial calibration (see figures 14 and 15 above) ; "A control module 72d connected to the electromechanical actuator the opening adjustment of each registry A to E of the thermodynamic machine 20 according to the selected operating mode; "A 72nd control module receiving:
• thermodynamic treatment machine 20 a signal for placing the thermodynamic treatment machine 20 in an operating mode taken between a dehumidification mode, a heating mode, a cooling mode or an energy recovery mode;
• a control module 72f which emits a signal for controlling the opening of the exit door, referenced 21 which is connected by a suitable pipe to the input of the other distribution box 17;
• a 72g control module to generate the signals rA and rB for adjusting the opening of the two adjustable registers of the distribution box 17, signals defined according to the constitution and according to the initial calibration (see Figures 14 and 15 above) ); • A 72h module for shaping the electrical measurement voltage from a humidity sensor in the air prevailing in the lower part 7 of the dryer or building 1;
• a control module 72i which is connected to the electromechanical actuator which regulates the degree of opening of the flaps of the door 10 for access to the supply air supply ducting in the upper part 5 of the dryer or building 1 .
• the programmable controller 70 includes an operating mode control means (not shown in the drawing) which receives the consistent measurement signals from the two water mass sensors, respectively the signal M72a produced by the module 72a and the signal M72h produced by the module 72h to execute the calculation of a mode change signal.
• the signal to indicate the intensity of the IT processing (Mode) applied in the selected mode is determined by a relation defined by: ⁇ M12i
• the signals Mode and IT are transmitted to the various modules and in particular to the modules 72d to regulate the opening of the registers A to E of the thermodynamic machine, 72e to regulate the components of the refrigerating circuit and 72f to regulate the state of opening of the two main doors like door 21 of the thermodynamic machine 20.
• the treatment device has been placed by the automaton 70 in dehumidification operating mode.
• the air from the first outlet of the distribution box 12 enters through the register A, passes through the cold coil of the evapocondenser 64 ( Figure 6) working in an evaporator, the door 61 ( Figure 6) being closed as well as the other registers B, D and E.
• the register C being open as well as the door 67 ( Figure 6) referenced 21 in Figure 7, the flow of moist air from the distribution box 12, cools on the condenser 64, gives way there humidity by condensation which deposits frost and / or liquid water and crosses the register C, then heats up on the hot battery 65 of the evaporator 65 working in condenser and is returned to the second input of the other distribution box 17 where it mixes with the humid air but at a high flow rate which has been transmitted from the distribution box 12 by the pipe 16. The mixture depleted in humidity is reinjected through the door 10 into the dryer.
• the second operating mode in energy recovery has been represented in FIG. 8.
• This second operating mode is controlled by the programmable controller after the first operating mode in dehumidification when the operating mode control means determines that the Mode function is "1".
• the air from the first outlet of the distribution box 12 enters through the register B of the thermodynamic machine 20 (see also on the identical machine 60 of FIG. 6). It transfers its heat to the cold coil of the evaporator 64 working in an evaporator and is blown into the open air 67 ( Figure 8) by the fan 62 through the door 61 ( Figure 6). Registers A and C are closed.
• the calorific energy of the air from the dryer thus recovered makes it possible to heat the evapocondenser 65 which then works as a condenser and the register D being open on dry air, particularly outside air if the outside air is dry according to the signal M72i, dry air heats up on the hot battery 65 and is blown through the door 67 referenced 21 in FIG. 8 by the fan motor 66.
• the register E is closed.
• the pressurization of the interior of the thermodynamic machine 20 leads to a venting through the door 67 ( Figure 2 and Figure 8, arrow) of a predetermined flow of air to the atmosphere.
• the programmable controller 70 (FIG. 8) comprises the control circuits already described with the aid of FIGS. 6 or 7.
• the door 3 for blowing the treated air into the upper part of the dryer 1 is designed so that, according to a particular position of its flaps, an estimated share 75 of outside or atmospheric air is introduced into the upper part as shown schematically in the upper right part of Figure 8 with an arrow.
• FIG. 9 there is shown another embodiment of a device for processing agricultural products according to the invention.
• the dryer of Figure 9 is made up in a cabinet or in a room of a building constructed for this purpose.
• the dryer comprises an upper part 93, a lower part 90 and a bottom 94 which are similar to the upper parts 6, lower 7 and to the trench 11 of FIG. 1.
• a windproof net 99 separates the upper part 93 from the lower part 90.
• the agricultural or agro-food products are arranged on shelves 98.
• the bottom 94 communicates with the lower part 90 by suction nozzles.
• the bottom 94 is connected to the suction inlet (arrow FA) of a treatment combination such as combination 2 of FIG. 1 (not shown in FIG.
• the arrangement of the air flow makes it possible, in particular when the agricultural products consist of light aerial parts of plants such as tobacco leaves or hop stalks, to prevent that during the treatment, in particular of drying, by the machine treatment 2 (not shown in Figure 9) is done without fluttering in the dryer plant fragments. Indeed, the flow of air blown through the windbreak net 99 and the nozzles suction 95 and 96 tends to press the plants on their support rack.
• FIG 17 there is shown another embodiment of a device 170 for processing bulk products such as fodder to feed livestock.
• the dryer comprises a process air blowing chamber 176 above which is a zone C for loading and unloading D of the fodder to be treated first, then treated and suitable for feeding cattle.
• the fodder to be treated is introduced into the treatment chamber of the dryer, the bottom of which is closed by a grid retaining the mass of products to be treated (fodder here).
• a suction chamber Under the separating grid is disposed a suction chamber whose profile is adapted to balance the suction pressures over the entire surface of the bottom grid between receptacle 172 and suction chamber 173.
• the chamber d The suction has a smaller section near the suction nozzle 174 than the most distant section thanks to a wedge shape.
• the nozzle 174 is connected by a suction pipe to the inlet of a treatment combination 171 of a main fan and of a thermodynamic treatment machine as defined using FIGS. 11 and 12.
• the outlet of blowing of the treatment suit 171 is connected to a blowing nozzle by a blowing pipe.
• the blowing nozzle is connected to the blowing chamber 176.
• FIG. 18 there is shown another embodiment of a device 180 for processing bulk products by sequential processing such as nuts.
• the device comprises a sealed receptacle comprising a plurality of racks 185-1 to 185-5 here five in number. This number may be different depending on the products and the intensity of the treatments.
• Each rack 185-1 to 185-5 is intended to receive a layer of products to be dried in a determined drying state. Process air can pass through the screen for the duration of the sequence. When the sequence is finished, the rack is opened and the products therein fall by gravity onto the next rack. Products like nuts are dispensed from a supply
• a combination of treatment 181 comprising a main fan and a thermodynamic treatment machine according to what has been defined with the aid of FIGS. 11 and 12 is connected by its blowing outlet to a blowing chamber 184 at the bottom of the rack receptacle .
• a grid makes it possible to separate the chamber where the racks 185-1 to 185-5 are located and the blown air rises in the opposite direction to the sequence of the dried products which descend on the racks.
• a suction nozzle is formed connected to a suction pipe connected itself to the suction inlet of the treatment suit 181.
• a mechanism 189 controlled by means of the programmable controller 70 of the device of the invention allows, in synchronism with the drying or treatment applied, to open and close the racks 185-1 to 185-5 as well as controlling the advance of the conveyor belt 182.
• the products treated using the device of the invention are products of all kinds, in bulk or in pieces, agricultural products such as crops of plants, fodder, vegetables, in bulk, in bundles, in bales, in compressed bales, fruits or parts of plants such as nuts.
• algae are loaded onto a rack or drying cell, and the treatment combination of the invention is operated to extract water from the algae loaded in the cell and bring the assembly to a level of dry matter compatible with the storage, conservation and use of these dried algae.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8871292

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (3)

Family Cites Families (11)

• 2002
  • 2002-01-15 FR FR0200433A patent/FR2834779B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2003
  • 2003-01-14 EP EP03717340A patent/EP1468232A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-01-14 AU AU2003222328A patent/AU2003222328A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-01-14 WO PCT/FR2003/000094 patent/WO2003060408A1/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events