Abstract:
The invention refers to a process for regulating a screw press, particularly for dewatering a pulp suspension. It is mainly characterized by the speed being varied as a function of the torque.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a process for regulating a screw press, particularly for dewatering a pulp suspension. 
     In current screw presses, the level is measured in the feed box. If the level rises, either the screw press speed is increased or the infeed of suspension to be dewatered is reduced. This is primarily the case in sludge dewatering presses because they have very long retention times and any change in the filling level does not have any effect until after this retention period, which is in the range of 20 minutes. 
     In pulp screw presses, a torque controller is normally used. This keeps the torque at a constant level regardless of speed and throughput. On the other hand, the regulating efficiency is relatively poor, as is then reflected in the power consumption by the subsequent mixer. The reason for substantial fluctuations in the power consumption is the varying outlet dry content, which is lower at high speed and higher at low speed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the invention is always to obtain a constant final dry content, also at fluctuating feed conditions. In addition, the invention should provide constant operating conditions without any build-up of operating parameters. 
     The invention is thus characterised by the speed being varied as a function of the torque, where the regulating process can be applied according to a torque characteristic curve. This ensures that the dry profile of the pulp suspension remains even along the screw axle, even at different production rates. 
     A favourable further development of the invention is characterised by the nominal speed being increased when the torque rises. If the amount of pulp fed to the press increases, the screw has a higher filling level and the torque increases. The result would be a higher outlet concentration. By raising the nominal speed of the press, the filling level drops accordingly and the outlet concentration remains constant. 
     A favourable configuration of the invention is characterised by the speed being maintained at a constant level if the torque changes within a pre-set range. As a result, any build-up of operating parameters as a result of the regulating process can be prevented. 
     An advantageous configuration of the invention is characterised by the counter-pressure being reduced if the torque is rising. This means that constant operations can be achieved quickly, particularly in the starting phase. 
     An advantageous further development of the invention is characterised by the torque being varied in the range of 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 3. The regulating process is particularly stable within this torque range. 
     A favourable further development of the invention is characterised by the speed being varied in the range of 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 2.5. As a result, a constant regulating process can be achieved even if production fluctuates erratically, which means that the power consumption by a subsequent mixer is also very constant. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described in examples and referring to the drawings, where 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first pulp suspension dewatering system in accordance with the invention having a drive motor controller which regulates the speed of the drive motor according to the torque of the drive motor; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second pulp suspension dewatering system having a drive motor controller which regulates the speed of the drive motor according to the torque of the drive motor and the counter-pressure applied by a counter-pressure device; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a third pulp suspension dewatering system having a drive motor controller which regulates the speed of the drive motor according to the torque of the drive motor and the counter-pressure applied by a counter-pressure device, the drive motor controller providing a constant speed output over a pre-set torque range; and 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a fourth pulp suspension dewatering system having a drive motor controller which regulates the speed of the drive motor according to the throughput of the system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows the control loop of a screw press  1  with drive motor  2  and gearbox  3 . The (pulp) suspension to be dewatered is fed to the screw press through an inlet  4  and discharged again at the end of the press through an outlet  5 . In addition, the filtrate  6  pressed out of the suspension is also discharged. At the end of the screw shaft, there is a counter-pressure device  7 , which can be set to obtain a desired final dry content. The current power consumption  8  (P [kW]) and speed  9  (n [rpm]) determine the current torque  10  (T [kNm]). Based on this torque T, a nominal speed  12  (S [rpm]) is pre-set for the frequency controller  13  of the drive motor  2  according to a pre-defined function  11 . All values in between also result from the appropriate pre-set minimum and maximum nominal speed and the minimum and maximum nominal torque. If the torque exceeds the minimum nominal torque, the speed  12  is raised from the minimum nominal speed as far as the maximum nominal speed at the maximum nominal torque, depending on the extent to which the minimum torque is exceeded. The speed range available is usually selected very generously because the pulp properties (temperature, freeness, etc.) have a great deal of influence on the speed required. As a result, the speed can fluctuate practically in a range of 1:2 at the same output and with the same screw press type  1 . If the nominal speed  12  is now reduced, the filling level of the screw press  1  increases. This effects better dewatering because the pulp has more time to drain. Conversely, the filling level of the screw press  1  drops when the nominal speed  12  is reduced. The limiting values for the nominal torque are set as a function of the desired final (outlet) dry content, so that this dry content is achieved at both minimum and at maximum production. The torque required for dewatering is also strongly influenced by the pulp grade. Thus, the torque can also fluctuate in a range of 1:2 at the same output in order to obtain the same outlet dry content. 
     If the pulp feed and thus, the counter-pressure are altered, this effects a change in the current power consumption  8  by the motor  2 , which reactivates the regulating process. A disadvantage is that the control parameters and the effects of any changes in the parameters are very difficult for the operator to understand. 
     FIG. 2 shows the additional regulating process for the counter-pressure. Based on the current torque  10 , a nominal value  15  is pre-set for the counter-pressure applied by the counter-pressure device  7  in accordance with a pre-defined dependency  14 . At low torque, counter-pressure is high, and at rising torque the counter-pressure is low. As a result, constant operations and a constant outlet dry content can be achieved quickly, particularly in the starting phase. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a control process similar to FIG. 2, but where dependency  11 ′ of the speed on the torque is different to that in FIG.  2 . In a pre-set torque range between T 1  and T 2 , the nominal speed S remains constant. Here, it is an advantage if the torque range is set between 5 and 20 kNm. With these torques—also know as the dead range—it is possible to prevent the speed always being re-adjusted at very low fluctuations, which would cause a system build-up. 
     FIG. 4 shows an even more complex regulating process. This process, however, makes operations much simpler for the operating personnel. The output is taken as an additional parameter in determining the nominal speed S ( 12 ). In order to do this, the current throughput  16  (F [l/min]) and consistency  17  (C [%]) are measured, and the throughput  18  (P [bdmt/d]) is determined. This is then used to define a nominal value  20  for the speed S 1  [rpm] according to a pre-defined dependency  19 . In addition, an optimum torque value  22  (T S  [kNm]) is defined as a function  21  of the output. This optimum torque value  22  then determines the limiting values T 1  ( 24 ) and T 2  ( 25 ) with a pre-defined band width  23  (D [kNm]) for the so-called dead range of the dependency  11 ′. This dependency  11 ′ is then used to define the range of fluctuation  12 ′ (S 2  [rpm]) for the speed, where this remains constant in the dead range between T 1  and T 2 . The speeds  20  (S 1 ) and  12 ′ (S 2 ) then determine the speed  12  (S) of the frequency controller  13  for regulating the drive motor  2 . The advantage of this regulating process is that the adjustable control parameters, such as minimum speed and minimum torque at minimum output, and maximum speed and maximum torque at maximum production, are easier for the operator to understand and it is also quite simple for him to modify these values. Any changes in the output cause an immediate change in speed in order to adapt the outlet dry content accordingly. There is, however, a disadvantage in that the flow rate  16  and consistency  17  measurements must be very accurate as they have direct influence on the speed.