JP7656415B2 - Continuous powder processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a continuous powder processing device that mixes powders or granulates wet powders into granules.

Conventionally, in the fields of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and the like, multiple powders have been mixed, the mixed powders moistened, and granules produced from the moistened powder. Powders are difficult to handle as they are, so making them into granules improves their handleability. Continuous powder processing devices used for mixing powders and granulating moistened powders are known. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of continuous powder processing device.

The continuous powder processing device of Patent Document 1 (referred to as "continuous stirring processing device" in Patent Document 1) comprises a cylindrical processing vessel with an inlet at one axial end and an outlet at the other axial end, and an agitator inserted into the processing vessel. The agitator has a rotating shaft and multiple stirring blades attached to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft. Each stirring blade has a flat shape parallel to the rotation plane (i.e., a plane perpendicular to the rotating shaft), and a single-edged knife edge is provided at the front of the stirring blade in the rotation direction. As the stirring blade rotates around the rotating shaft, the material to be processed in the processing vessel is stirred and mixed, and the material to be processed is crushed and dispersed by the knife edge.

JP 2016-7571 A

In the stirring blade of Patent Document 1, the workpiece is sent from the inlet to the outlet of the treatment vessel by the inclination of the knife edge portion relative to the rotation surface. From the viewpoint of ensuring the residence time of the workpiece in the treatment vessel, it is desirable for the blade rotating in the treatment vessel to have a small action of sending the workpiece. On the other hand, if the action of the rotating blade to send the workpiece is small, there is also an issue that in places where the workpiece (e.g., binder and powder) has not been mixed sufficiently, the workpiece is more likely to adhere to the wall of the treatment vessel compared to other places in the treatment vessel.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to propose a technology for appropriately feeding powder within a processing vessel in a continuous powder processing device that mixes powders or granulates powders into granules.

A continuous powder processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises :
a cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet and extending in a lateral feed direction from the inlet to the outlet;
a supply pipe connected to the inlet of the processing vessel;
a screw disposed within the supply pipe for delivering the powder within the supply pipe to the inlet of the processing vessel;
a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction;
a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder,
Each of the plurality of rotary vanes has a knife edge at a front portion in a rotational direction for applying the feeding force to the powder ,
The plurality of rotating blades includes a plurality of standard blades and at least one feed blade, the feed blade being configured to apply a greater feed force to the powder than each of the plurality of standard blades.

In the continuous powder processing device configured as above, the feed blades are positioned where there are factors that cause the powder movement to stagnate, thereby promoting localized powder movement, but the rate of powder movement throughout the processing vessel is limited by the feed force of the standard blades. In this way, while ensuring the powder residence time in the processing vessel, localized powder retention can be suppressed, allowing the powder to move more uniformly. Therefore, in the continuous powder processing device, uneven granulation and mixing caused by uneven powder feeding is suppressed, allowing stable granulation and mixing to be performed.

Further, a continuous powder processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises:
a cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet and extending in a lateral feed direction from the inlet to the outlet;
a supply pipe arranged continuously with the inlet of the processing vessel and extending in the feeding direction;
a screw disposed within the supply pipe for delivering the powder within the supply pipe to the inlet of the processing vessel;
a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction;
a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder,
Each of the plurality of rotary vanes has a knife edge at a front portion in a rotational direction for applying the feeding force to the powder ,
The plurality of rotating blades includes a plurality of standard blades and at least one return blade, and is configured to apply a return force to the powder to move it in a return direction opposite to the feed direction.

With the continuous powder processing device configured as above, the rotating return blades are arranged locally to apply a return force to the powder, thereby extending the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel. As a result, even when the amount of powder to be processed in the processing vessel is relatively small, the powder can be sent so that it remains in the processing vessel for an appropriate residence time, thereby preventing insufficient granulation or mixing.

The present invention provides a technology for appropriately feeding powder within a processing vessel in a continuous powder processing device that mixes powders or granulates powders into granules.

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a continuous powder processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main portion of FIG. FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the configuration of a blade part including a standard blade, and FIG. 5B is a view taken along the line VB in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the configuration of a blade part including a feed blade, and FIG. 6B is a view taken along the line VIB of FIG. 6A. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a continuous powder processing apparatus according to a first modified example of the present embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the configuration of a blade part including a return blade, and FIG. 8B is a view taken along the line VIIIB in FIG. 8A.

Figures 1 and 2 show a continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This continuous powder processing apparatus 1 is used for mixing powders or granulating wet powders. For example, the average particle size of the mixed powder before wetting is 30 to 70 μm, and the average particle size of the granules is 80 to 250 μm.

[Outline of the configuration of the continuous powder processing apparatus 1]
The continuous powder processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment comprises a cylindrical processing vessel 2 extending horizontally, a supply pipe 3 arranged continuous with the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, a rotating shaft 4 arranged inside the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3, a screw 5 attached to the rotating shaft 4 within the supply pipe 3, and a plurality of rotating blades 6 attached to the rotating shaft 4 within the processing vessel 2.

The processing vessel 2 is a cylindrical body with both ends open, and has an inlet 2a formed by the inner circumferential surface 2c of one open end, and an outlet 2b formed by the inner circumferential surface 2c of the other open end. The horizontal direction from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b is called the "feed direction X", and the opposite direction to the feed direction X is called the "return direction Y". The feed direction X and the return direction Y are parallel to the extension direction of the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2. In the processing vessel 2 according to this embodiment, the central axis 20 extends approximately horizontally. However, the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2 may be slightly inclined downward from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b, or may be slightly inclined upward from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b. By inclining the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2 in this way, the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2 can be adjusted.

In this embodiment, the inlet end of the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 protrudes radially inward, and the diameter of the inlet 2a is smaller than the diameter of the outlet 2b. In other words, the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 is a cylindrical surface with a constant diameter D except for the inlet end. The end of the supply pipe 3 is fitted into the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2.

Inside the supply pipe 3, a cylindrical guide hole 3a extending parallel to the feed direction X is provided. The guide hole 3a is connected to the inside of the processing vessel 2. A first blocking member 12 is joined to the end of the supply pipe 3 that is connected to the processing vessel 2. Compressed air is introduced from a compressor (not shown) into the space between the first blocking member 12 and the inlet end face of the processing vessel 2 to prevent powder from flowing into the space through the gap between the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3. This compressed air flows out into the inside of the processing vessel 2 through the gap between the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3.

The supply pipe 3 is provided with an inlet 3b that opens upward. A hopper 35 is connected to this inlet 3b. The powder to be mixed, or the powder moistened with the addition of a processing liquid, is fed into the hopper 35.

In this embodiment, the processing vessel 2 is rotatably supported by a frame 11. The frame 11 includes a base 11a located on the side of the processing vessel 2, and a pair of vessel supports 11b, 11c protruding from the base 11a. The vessel supports 11b, 11c support the processing vessel 2 rotatably about a central axis 20 via bearings 21, 22.

An electric motor 71 that rotates the processing vessel 2 is attached to the base 11a of the frame 11. Bevel gears 72, 73 are provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 71 and on the outer circumferential surface of the processing vessel 2, respectively, and these bevel gears 72, 73 mesh with each other.

A motor support part 16 is fixed to the base 11a of the frame 11, and a motor 75 that rotates the rotating shaft 4 is attached to the motor support part 16. Furthermore, a bearing 21 and a first blocking member 12 that covers the inside of the bearing 21 are fixed to the container support part 11b of the frame 11, and a bearing 22 and a second blocking member 13 that covers the inside of the bearing 22 are fixed to the container support part 11c. In this embodiment, the first blocking member 12 is disk-shaped and is integrated with the supply pipe 3. The second blocking member 13 is annular and penetrates the treatment container 2. In addition, a cover 15 that covers the space between the container support parts 11b and 11c of the frame 11 is attached. A chute 14 that guides the granules discharged from the outlet 2b of the treatment container 2 is attached to the second blocking member 13.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rotating shaft 4 extends in the axial direction of the processing vessel 2 (i.e., the feed direction X) within the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 4 within the supply pipe 3 and the processing vessel 2 is square. However, the shape of the rotating shaft 4 is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 is located below the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2. In other words, the rotating shaft 4 is eccentric with respect to the processing vessel 2. For example, the eccentricity amount e of the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 with respect to the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2 is 1/6 to 1/12 of the diameter D of the center and the outlet end of the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 is the same as the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2, and the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 4 is faster than the rotation speed of the processing vessel 2. The rotation speed of the rotating shaft 4 is set so that the peripheral speed at the tip of the rotating blade 6 described below is about 10 m/s, and the rotation speed of the processing vessel 2 is set so that the peripheral speed at the inner surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 is about 1 m/s.

In the supply pipe 3, a screw 5 is provided around the rotating shaft 4. The screw 5 includes a boss 51 that is inserted into the rotating shaft 4, and a helical screw blade 52 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the boss 51. The length of the screw 5 is approximately the same as the length of the guide hole 3a.

Meanwhile, within the processing vessel 2, multiple rotating blades 6 are provided around the rotating shaft 4. Multiple blade components 60 and multiple spacer rings 61 are inserted into the rotating shaft 4. The spacer rings 61 adjust the gaps between the blade components 60 aligned in the feed direction X. The rotating blades 6 and the blade components 60 including them are described in detail below.

[Configuration of the blade part 60]
As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B) and Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the blade part 60 is composed of a boss 65 through which the rotating shaft 4 is inserted, and a pair of rotating blades 6 extending radially from the periphery of the boss 65. The pair of rotating blades 6 are arranged diagonally (or point-symmetrically) via the boss 65. The boss 65 is formed with a boss hole 6a through which the rotating shaft 4 is inserted. In this embodiment, the boss hole 6a has a square shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 4. As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), when the pair of rotating blades 6 are contained within the same plane, the boss 65 may be omitted.

Each rotating blade 6 is a roughly diamond-shaped plate. A knife edge 6b is formed at the front of the rotating blade 6 in the rotation direction R so that it is pointed forward in the rotation direction R. The knife edge 6b is inclined so that it approaches the inlet 2a (moves away from the outlet 2b) forward in the rotation direction R. Therefore, when the rotating blade 6 rotates, the knife edge 6b applies a feeding force to the powder toward the outlet 2b of the processing vessel 2.

3 and 4, the blade parts 60 are attached to the rotating shaft 4 so that the phases of adjacent blade parts 60 are shifted by 90°. Spacer rings 61 are appropriately arranged between adjacent blade parts 60. Each spacer ring 61 has a square through hole that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 4, and is inserted into the rotating shaft 4. A retaining member 62 is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 4 to prevent the blade parts 60 and spacer ring 61 from falling off. The diameter L of the blade parts 60 is set so that the shortest distance between each rotating blade 6 and the inner surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 (clearance directly below the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2) is about several millimeters (e.g., 1 to 5 mm).

The multiple rotating blades 6 include multiple standard blades 6A and at least one feed blade 6B. In this embodiment, a blade part 60A having a standard blade 6A and a blade part 60B having a feed blade 6B are attached to the rotating shaft 4.

The rotating standard blade 6A and the feed blade 6B both provide a feed force to the powder that moves it in the feed direction X, and also have the function of stirring and crushing the powder. Each feed blade 6B is configured to provide a greater feed force to the powder than each standard blade 6A.

Specifically, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), the blade angle θA of each standard blade 6A is approximately 0°. The blade angle is defined as the inclination of the cross section of the blade with respect to the plane of rotation S (i.e., the plane perpendicular to the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4). In contrast, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the blade angle θB of at least the base of each feed blade 6B is larger than the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A. In the feed blade 6B, the front part in the rotation direction R is located further back in the feed direction X than the rear part in the rotation direction R (in other words, it is located further forward in the return direction Y).

The blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B is larger than the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A, so a larger feeding force can be applied to the powder. The larger the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B, the greater the feeding force, while the amount of powder adhering to the feed blade 6B increases. More specifically, the force with which the feed blade 6B presses the powder against the treatment vessel 2 increases with increasing blade angle θB, reaching a maximum at 90°, while the feeding force of the feed blade 6B increases with increasing blade angle θB, decreasing once it exceeds a certain angle (approximately 45°) and becoming zero at 90°. For these reasons, it is desirable for the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B to be 1° to 15°.

The blade angle of the feed vane 6B at the base (i.e., the connection part with the boss 65) and the blade angle of the tip (i.e., the part farthest from the boss 65 in the radial direction and the radial direction) may be approximately the same. The feed vane 6B may also be a so-called "torsion vane" in which the blade angles are different at the base and the tip. In this case, the feed vane 6B may be formed so that the blade angle at the base is blade angle θB, the blade angle becomes smaller toward the tip, and the blade angle at the tip is approximately 0° (or the same as the blade angle θA of the standard vane 6A). In this way, by making the feed vane 6B a twist vane in which the blade angle at the tip is smaller than that at the base, the force that moves the powder in the radial direction (radial direction) is increased at the base of the feed vane 6B. As a result, the powder is pushed toward the tip by the base of the feed blade 6B, and the powder is collected at the tip of the feed blade 6B, which has a high peripheral speed, thereby improving the granulation effect.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first and second rotary blades 6 from the inlet 2a side of the processing vessel 2 are feed blades 6B, and the rotary blades 6 of the other stages are standard blades 6A. In this case, the blade angle of the first stage feed blade 6B and the blade angle of the second stage feed blade 6B may be approximately the same. Alternatively, the blade angle of the first stage feed blade 6B may be larger than the blade angle of the second stage feed blade 6B. In addition, the feed blades 6B are in two consecutive stages from the inlet 2a side of the processing vessel 2, but a stage consisting of standard blades 6A may be interposed between the two stages of feed blades 6B.

In the above, an example was shown in which the feed vane 6B was locally installed on the side of the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, but the feed vane 6B is not limited to the above example, and may be locally installed in a portion of the multiple rotating vanes 6 arranged in the feed direction X where there is a factor that inhibits the movement of the powder in the feed direction X. In addition, the feed vane 6B is not limited to two consecutive stages, and may be installed in two stages alternately with a stage of standard vanes 6A between them, or in a single stage.

[Operation of continuous powder processing apparatus 1]
Here, the operation of the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 configured as above when granulating the wet powder will be described. In the continuous powder processing apparatus 1, the wet powder (e.g., a mixture of a binder and a powder) stored in the hopper 35 is introduced into the supply pipe 3 through the inlet 3b. The wet powder in the supply pipe 3 is quantitatively supplied to the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 by the rotation of the screw 5. In the processing vessel 2, the rotating blade 6 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 4, so that the wet powder is sent in the feed direction X and is mixed and crushed. The wet powder becomes granules while moving in the processing vessel 2 in the feed direction X and is discharged from the outlet 2b. Granules are produced in this way, and the produced granules are discharged from the outlet 2b of the processing vessel 2. Although the case where the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 is used for granulation has been described, the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 also operates in the same manner as described above when used for mixing powder.

[Modifications]
Next, a modified example of the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the continuous powder processing apparatus 1A according to the modified example 1 of the present embodiment. In the description of this modified example, the same or similar members as those in the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the continuous powder processing device 1A according to the first modified example of this embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the multiple rotating blades 6 include at least one return blade 6C in addition to multiple standard blades 6A and at least one feed blade 6B. In this modified example, a blade part 60A having a standard blade 6A, a blade part 60B having a feed blade 6B, and a blade part 60C including a return blade 6C are attached to the rotating shaft 4.

The rotating return blade 6C applies a return force to the powder that moves it in the return direction Y. Specifically, as shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B), the magnitude (absolute value) of the blade angle θC of at least the base portion of the return blade 6C is greater than the magnitude of the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A. Also, the inclination of the blade angle θC of at least the base portion of the return blade 6C is opposite to the inclination of the blade angle θB of at least the base portion of the feed blade 6B. That is, in the return blade 6C, the front portion in the rotation direction R is in a position further forward in the feed direction X than the rear portion in the rotation direction R (in other words, in a position further back in the return direction Y).

The blade angle of the return blade 6C at the base (i.e., the connection part with the boss 65) and the blade angle of the tip (i.e., the part farthest from the boss 65 in the radial direction and the radial direction) may be approximately the same. The return blade 6C may also be a so-called "torsion blade" in which the blade angles are different at the base and the tip. In this case, the return blade 6C may be formed so that the blade angle at the base is blade angle θC, the blade angle becomes smaller toward the tip, and the blade angle at the tip is approximately 0° (or the same as the blade angle θA of the standard blade 6A). In this way, by making the return blade 6C a torsion blade in which the blade angle at the tip is smaller than that at the base, the force that moves the powder in the radial direction (radial direction) is increased at the base of the return blade 6C. As a result, the powder is pushed toward the tip by the base of the return blade 6C, and the powder is collected at the tip of the return blade 6C, which has a high peripheral speed, thereby improving the granulation effect.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, of the multiple rotating blades 6 provided around the rotating shaft 4, the first and second rotating blades 6 from the inlet 2a side of the processing vessel 2 are feed blades 6B, the fourth and fifth rotating blades 6 from the outlet 2b side of the processing vessel 2 are return blades 6C, and the remaining blades 6 are standard blades 6A. The magnitude (absolute value) of the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B is greater than the magnitude of the blade angle θC of the return blade 6C.

In this way, the feed vane 6B is locally arranged on the side of the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, and the return vane 6C is locally arranged on the side of the outlet 2b of the processing vessel 2. However, in order to ensure that the granules are quickly discharged from the outlet 2b of the processing vessel 2, it is preferable that the standard vane 6A is arranged in the stage of the multiple rotating vanes 6 that is closest to the outlet 2b, and it is preferable that the return vane 6C is arranged several stages away from the outlet 2b side of the multiple rotating vanes 6. Also, although the return vane 6C is provided across multiple stages in the above example, the return vane 6C may be provided in a single stage.

In the continuous powder processing device 1A according to the first modified example of this embodiment, the multiple rotating blades 6 include multiple standard blades 6A, at least one feed blade 6B, and at least one return blade 6C, but the feed blade 6B may be omitted. In this case, the rotating return blade 6C is arranged locally to apply a return force to the powder, thereby achieving the effect of extending the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2.

[Summary]
As described above, the continuous powder processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a continuous powder processing apparatus 1 that mixes powders or granulates powders into granules,
a cylindrical processing vessel 2 having an inlet 2a and an outlet 2b and extending in a horizontal feed direction X from the inlet 2a to the outlet 2b;
A supply pipe 3 connected to an inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2;
a screw 5 disposed in the supply pipe 3 and configured to feed the powder in the supply pipe 3 to the inlet 2a of the treatment vessel 2;
a rotating shaft 4 disposed in the treatment vessel 2 and extending in a feed direction X;
The processing vessel 2 is provided with a plurality of rotating blades 6 arranged in a feed direction X and fixed to a rotating shaft 4, the plurality of rotating blades 6 rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move it in the feed direction X and to agitate and crush the powder.
Each of the multiple rotating blades 6 has a knife edge 6b at the front in the rotation direction R, and the multiple rotating blades 6 include multiple standard blades 6A and at least one feed blade 6B, and the feed blade 6B is configured to apply a greater feed force to the powder than each of the multiple standard blades 6A.

According to the continuous powder processing device 1 configured as above, the feed blade 6B is placed where there is a factor that causes the powder movement to stagnate (not limited to one location), thereby promoting the local movement of the powder, but the rate of the powder movement in the processing vessel 2 as a whole is limited by the feed force of the standard blade 6A. Therefore, while ensuring the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2, it is possible to suppress localized powder retention and move the powder more uniformly. Therefore, in the continuous powder processing device 1, uneven granulation and mixing caused by uneven powder feeding is suppressed, and stable granulation and mixing are performed.

In addition, in the continuous powder processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the feed blade 6B is arranged on the inlet 2a side of the processing vessel 2 among the multiple rotating blades 6.

At the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, the powder is not mixed sufficiently, so the powder is more likely to adhere to the walls of the processing vessel 2 than at other locations in the processing vessel 2. Therefore, the feed blade 6B arranged near the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 promotes the local movement of the powder, thereby suppressing the adhesion of the powder to the walls of the processing vessel 2.

In the vicinity of the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, compressed air is supplied through the gap between the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3 to prevent the powder from entering the gap. Wet powder that is not sufficiently mixed has an uneven moisture content, and parts with a high moisture content tend to adhere, preventing air from flowing out from the gap. If the concentration of wet powder that is not sufficiently mixed near the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 becomes excessively high, it becomes difficult to seal the gap, making it difficult to increase the supply amount. In contrast, if the movement of the powder is locally promoted by the feed blade 6B arranged near the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2, the amount of powder remaining near the inlet 2a of the processing vessel 2 can be reduced, making it possible to maintain good sealing of the gap with compressed air. This makes it possible to increase the amount of powder supplied to the processing vessel 2, and increase the overall processing amount.

In addition, in the continuous powder processing device 1 according to this embodiment, each of the multiple standard blades 6A has a first blade angle θA, and the feed blade 6B has a second blade angle θB that is larger than the first blade angle θA at least at the base portion.

In this way, by making the blade angle of the feed blade 6B larger than that of the standard blade 6A, the feed force that the feed blade 6B exerts on the powder is made larger than the feed force that the standard blade 6A exerts on the wet fluid.

In the above, it is preferable that the second blade angle θB is 1° or more and 15° or less. This allows the feeding force applied to the powder to be increased within a range in which adhesion of the powder to the feeding blade 6B is suppressed.

In addition, in the continuous powder processing device 1A according to the modified example of the above embodiment, the multiple rotary vanes 6 further include at least one return vane 6C that applies a return force to the powder to move it in a return direction Y opposite to the feed direction X.

The rotating return blades 6C are positioned locally to apply a return force to the powder, thereby extending the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2. As a result, even if the processing volume in the processing vessel 2 is relatively small, the powder can be kept in the processing vessel 2 for an appropriate residence time, thereby preventing insufficient granulation and mixing.

In addition, in the continuous powder processing apparatus 1A according to the modified example of the above embodiment, the return blade 6C is arranged on the outlet 2b side of the processing vessel 2 among the multiple rotating blades 6. By arranging the return blade 6C in this manner, it is possible to effectively extend the residence time of the powder in the processing vessel 2 while suppressing the influence on the stirring and crushing by the standard blade 6A. Note that when the multiple rotating blades 6 include the return blade 6C, the feed blade 6B may be omitted.

In addition, in the continuous powder processing device 1A according to the modified example of the above embodiment, the magnitude (absolute value) of the blade angle θC of the return blade 6C is smaller than the magnitude of the blade angle θB of the feed blade 6B.

As a result, the feed force exerted on the powder by one feed blade 6B is greater than the return force exerted on the powder by one return blade 6C. In this way, by balancing the feed force and the return force, the powder in the processing vessel 2 can be moved more uniformly and with a sufficient residence time.

In addition, in the continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A according to this embodiment, the processing vessel 2 is configured to rotate around the central axis 20 (axial center) of the cylinder, the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 is the same as the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2, and the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 4 is faster than the rotation speed of the processing vessel 2.

By rotating the processing vessel 2 in this manner, the flow of the powder is promoted, which inhibits adhesion of the powder to the inner surface 2c of the processing vessel 2, and is expected to result in uniformization of the powder. The rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 and the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2 may be opposite, in which case the powder will tend to accumulate at the bottom of the processing vessel 2. In contrast, if the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 4 and the rotation direction of the processing vessel 2 are the same, it is possible to prevent the powder from accumulating at the bottom of the processing vessel 2.

In addition, in the continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A according to this embodiment, the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 is located below the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2.

With this configuration, a space is secured above the rotating blades 6, so that when the powder that has risen up following the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 separates from the inner circumferential surface 2c of the processing vessel 2 above the rotating blades 6 and falls, it collides with the rotating blades 6 and is crushed. Therefore, the granulation effect and mixing effect can be improved compared to when the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 and the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2 are aligned.

The above describes preferred embodiments (and modifications) of the present invention, but the present invention also includes modifications of the specific structure and/or details of the functions of the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows:

For example, in the above-mentioned continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A, the processing vessel 2 rotates, but the rotation of the processing vessel 2 may be fixed. Also, when the processing vessel 2 is fixed, the processing vessel 2 and the supply pipe 3 may be configured separately, and the processing vessel 2 may be provided with an inlet 2a that opens upward.

For example, in the above-mentioned continuous powder processing apparatus 1, 1A, the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 is eccentric with respect to the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2, but the central axis 40 of the rotating shaft 4 may be arranged concentrically with respect to the central axis 20 of the processing vessel 2.

Reference Signs List 1, 1A: Continuous powder processing apparatus 2: Processing vessel 2a: Inlet 2b: Outlet 3: Supply pipe 4: Rotating shaft 5: Screw 6: Rotating blade 6A: Standard blade 6B: Feed blade 6C: Return blade 6b: Knife edge 20: Central axis 40: Central axis X: Feed direction Y: Return direction

Claims (11)

a cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet and extending in a lateral feed direction from the inlet to the outlet;
a supply pipe connected to the inlet of the processing vessel;
a screw disposed within the supply pipe for delivering the powder within the supply pipe to the inlet of the processing vessel;
a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction;
a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder,
Each of the plurality of rotary vanes has a knife edge at a front portion in a rotational direction for applying the feeding force to the powder ,
the plurality of rotor blades includes a plurality of standard blades and at least one feed blade, the feed blade being configured to impart a greater feed force to the powder than each of the plurality of standard blades.
Continuous powder processing equipment. The feed blade is disposed on the inlet side of the processing vessel among the plurality of rotating blades.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 1 . Each of the plurality of standard blades has a first blade angle, and the feed blade has a second blade angle at least at a root portion that is larger than the first blade angle.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The second blade angle is equal to or greater than 1° and equal to or less than 15°.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 3 . The plurality of rotary vanes include at least one return vane that applies a return force to the powder to move the powder in a return direction opposite to the feed direction.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The return blade is disposed on the outlet side of the treatment vessel among the plurality of rotating blades.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 5 . The blade angle of the return blade is smaller than the blade angle of the feed blade.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. The processing vessel is configured to rotate around a central axis of a cylinder,
The rotation direction of the rotating shaft is the same as the rotation direction of the processing vessel, and the rotation speed of the rotating shaft is faster than the rotation speed of the processing vessel.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The central axis of the rotating shaft is located below the central axis of the processing vessel.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 8 . a cylindrical processing vessel having an inlet and an outlet and extending in a lateral feed direction from the inlet to the outlet;
a supply pipe connected to the inlet of the processing vessel;
a screw disposed within the supply pipe for delivering the powder within the supply pipe to the inlet of the processing vessel;
a rotating shaft disposed within the treatment vessel and extending in the feed direction;
a plurality of rotating blades arranged in the feed direction and fixed to the rotating shaft in the treatment vessel, the plurality of rotating blades rotating to apply a feed force to the powder to move the powder in the feed direction and to agitate and crush the powder,
Each of the plurality of rotary vanes has a knife edge at a front portion in a rotational direction for applying the feeding force to the powder ,
the plurality of rotating vanes includes a plurality of standard vanes and at least one return vane, and is configured to apply a return force to the powder to move it in a return direction opposite to the feed direction;
Continuous powder processing equipment. The return blade is disposed on the outlet side of the treatment vessel among the plurality of rotating blades.
The continuous powder processing apparatus according to claim 10 .

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