Biomass crushing and separating device

Micrometric separator (1) for biomasses (100) in particles, of the type including a first crushing stage (2) wherein particles are introduced dispersed in a conveying fluid bed, and a first conveyor for conveying the particles in the fluid bed. The first crushing stage (2) has a first crushing chamber (5) for reciprocal collisions of particles, that has a first revolving disc (7) provided with first members (9) for generating a turbulent flow in the fluid bed, and a first contrast body (8), in front of the first revolving disc (7), as well as one or more outlets (22) of the fluid bed, the first contrast body (8) being provided with an inlet (6) having an inflow section with the axis substantially incident to the first revolving disc (7).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns with a micrometric separator for biomasses, having the main function of crushing such biomasses, and subsequently selecting (screening) the so-crushed particles, with the object of obtaining organic matrixes provided with different active ingredients, for example provided with different protein content, reciprocally separated.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known art to realize separators of the afore mentioned type wherein a specific mechanical device acts, because of compressing actions, or because of friction, or more because of collision, in such a way that the interaction between conveniently shaped parts of such a device and the biomasses in process would allow the mechanical crushing of said biomasses introduced inside the device. Further separating devices, for example of the cyclonic type, are then placed downstream to allow the selection of the previously crushed particles.

For example, the European Application EP-A-1712286 in the name of MANOLA teaches about the use of shaped rollers rotatable around their own axis and around a central cylinder that during the rotation, because of collision and eventually compression, would crush the biomasses, particularly composed of organic dry materials, thanks to the interaction of the biomasses themselves with the shaped revolving rollers and the central cylinder.

Such a device, particularly effective in extracting organic matrixes from the dry biomasses (for example hazelnut shells, or woody fibers), however exhibits the disadvantage that, in case wherein matrixes with protein content are destined to be extracted from the organic material easily to degrade, the contact of the biomasses with the crushing surfaces of rollers and the cylinder may cause the modification of the active ingredients of the organic matrixes that are intended to be extracted.

It is further known, for example in the US Application US-A-2002/0117564 in the name of HANH et al., how to realize micrometric separators wherein the material to be crushed, not necessarily composed of biomasses, is conveyed in a fluid bed that is alternatively subjected, inside a proper chamber, to high increases and decreases of pressure, for example obtained by servo-controlled rotors being able to generate pressure waves, so to cause the crush of the material conveyed by the fluid because of resonance.

These equipments, although efficient for crushing hard materials, are difficult to regulate for crushing biomasses to the end of obtaining selected matrixes containing convenient active ingredients, and they are further technically complex and expensive.

According to another technique, for example known from the International Patent Application WO 2008/053475, the biomass crushing for extracting organic matrixes containing active ingredients is carried out by an apparatus that is able to generate vortex motions inside an air flow wherein the biomasses are dispersed in particles. Such vortex motions may be generated in a cylindrical chamber, introducing tangential fluidic flows with high pressures and predefined flow rates. Such an apparatus does not prevent particles of the introduced biomasses from colliding against the walls of the cylindrical receptacle, or even from remaining in contact with such walls, during their processing, with a possible consequent modification of the active ingredients contained in the organic matrixes to be extracted.

It is an object of the present invention to realize an apparatus for micrometric separation of biomasses in particles not presenting the drawbacks of the known art before complained.

It is then an object of the present invention to provide a micrometric separator for biomasses allowing an efficient crushing of biomasses, and a corresponding subsequent selection, being able to provide organic matrixes containing active ingredients, for example proteins, extremely pure.

Another object of the present invention is to realize a micrometric separator for biomasses allowing to obtain extremely high yields.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a micrometric separator for biomasses being compact and technically easy to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects are obtained by the micrometric separator for biomasses according to the first independent claim and the following dependent claims. The micrometric separator for biomasses in particles, according to the present invention, comprises at least one first crushing stage wherein the particles of biomasses are introduced dispersed in a conveying fluid bed (conveying fluid current), and first means for conveying particles through the aforesaid fluid bed. Such a first crushing stage comprises a first crushing chamber for reciprocal collisions of particles having a first revolving disc provided with first members for generating at least one turbulent flow in the fluid bed, for example composed of cylindrical bodies projecting from the revolving disc into the first crushing chamber, and at least one first contrast body, facing the first revolving disc, as well as one or more outlet of the fluid bed. The afore said first contrast body is further provided with at least one first inlet with an inflow section having its axis substantially incident to the plane the afore said revolving disc lies.

It has to be noticed that with the term “revolving disc” it is herein and after intended any revolving body having two dimensions prevailing the third, that could have a plan with any geometrical irregular or regular shape. Preferably, but not exclusively, such a revolving disc may have the shape, in plan, of a circle. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the micrometric separator is provided as well with a second crushing stage, placed downstream the aforesaid first stage, and fluidically connected thereto, that comprises a second crushing chamber for reciprocal collisions of particles having at least one second revolving disc provided with second members for generating at least one turbulent flow in the fluid bed, for example composed of branched grooves having different transversal section obtained on the second revolving disc, as well as at least one second contrast body, facing such a second rotating disc, and one or more outlets for the fluid bed. The second contrast body is provided as well of at least one second inlet having an inflow section with an axis substantially incident to the plane the second revolving disc lies.

As the Applicant could notice, the formation of vortex flows by merely the rotation of a disc provided with convenient members generating turbulences, for example projecting bodies or grooves, inside a chamber having dimensions chosen in relation with the particle dimension of the biomasses intended to be treated, would allow the biomasses to crush by reciprocal collisions without a significant contribution for crushing of possible biomass collisions against the walls of the device chamber, the contrast body or the disc, usually made of metal. That would allow, as aforesaid, to prevent the possible deterioration of the active ingredients contained in the crushed particles (organic matrixes) and then to increase the yield and quality of organic matrixes obtained at the process ending. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the afore said first and second stages are enclosed inside a receptacle provided with means for cooling the inner environment, for example comprising one or more air inlets for the entrance of the outer ambient air.

The cooling of the biomasses during their process has been found to be one of the characteristics mostly determining the high pureness of organic exiting matrixes and the high separator yield according to the present invention.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the micrometric separator comprises a third stage, placed downstream the first stage and/or the second stage, comprising at least one revolving body provided with means for generating a rotary and/or vortex flow in the fluid bed inside a corresponding case. Such a revolving body comprises as well a first outlet for selected particles of the afore said biomasses coming from the first or second stage, the aforesaid first means for conveying particles in a fluid bed conveying said particles from said first stage, or from said second stage, to said further stage and conveying said selected particles exiting from said first outlet as well. Preferably, the aforesaid means for generating a rotary and/or vortex flow comprise a plurality of fins projecting from the afore said revolving body.

Generally referring to the attached figures, the micrometric separator1according to the present invention is of the type adapted for the micrometric reduction and the subsequent final selection of biomasses, introduced in particles, with the object of obtaining organic matrixes having distinct organoleptic characteristics (and particularly proteinic characteristics).

As shown inFIG. 1, the micrometric separator1, according to a particular aspect of the present invention, comprises crushing means of the multi-stage type, and selecting means for the crushed biomasses100, as well as first means110for conveying in a fluid bed, for example and preferably composed of devices for generating a suction or throw air flow, and proper ducts joining the different stages of the separator1.

It has to be noticed that such means110, that could alternatively use an inert gas as a conveying fluid, are shaped in such a way to generate a fluidic flow having such a flow rate and pressure to suspendedly hold the biomasses100introduced therein and to convey them along the various stages of the separator1.

Firstly referring to the crushing means as can be seen particularly inFIGS. 2,3and5, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, these comprise at least one first crushing stage2composed of a first crushing chamber5, contained in an appropriate case10, wherein the biomasses are introduced from an entrance11, they are subjected to a first crushing caused by the reciprocal collisions between the biomasses themselves, mainly provoked by the turbulences generated in the fluid bed and, after the crushing, they will flow out from the corresponding outflow openings22.

It has to be observed that the crushing caused by reciprocal collision of biomasses100is a basic aspect of the crushing and selecting process of biomasses obtained by the separator1according to the present invention, because it has been observed that the crushing of biomasses100by compression, or friction or collisions, made by usually metallic extraneous surfaces of a machine, would not allow to obtain organic matrixes with organoleptic characteristics extremely pure or in sufficient amounts.

Such a first crushing chamber5of the separator1herein illustrated is defined by a first revolving disc7, provided with projecting members9for generating a turbulent flow in the fluid bed conveying the biomasses100, a corresponding contrast body8, in front of the revolving disc7, and provided with an inlet6for the fluid bed, as well as a plurality of outflow openings22, substantially radial relatively to the disc7, for the same fluid bed.

As mentioned yet, the chamber5is inserted inside a case10, in the particular embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, the contrast body being fixed thereto. This latter has, in this embodiment, a cylindrical body shape with a circular section having the inlet6, acting as an inlet for biomasses100, in particles, into the same chamber5.

The inlet6for the fluid bed into the first crushing chamber5, as can be seen particularly inFIG. 2, is in fluidic communication with the afore said entrance11of the case10, through a connecting chamber, and it is obtained in the contrast body8such that its passing section would have its axis incident, and preferably orthogonal, to the plane the revolving disc7is lain.

As can be seen particularly inFIGS. 3 and 5, the revolving disc7is composed of a metallic disc with a circular shape, lying on an horizontal plane and rotated by appropriate motor means (not shown) around its own vertical axis. Such a revolving disc7presents, along a circumference ideally represented on its surface inside the chamber5, a plurality of projecting bodies9, substantially cylindrical, extending into the chamber5towards the contrast body8, almost up to lick the wall of the latter in front of the same disc7. Between such cylindrical bodies9radial openings21are provided as well, inside which the fluid bed may in case flow out toward the afore said outflow openings22.

It has to be noticed that, although herein it is described a revolving disc7, having a horizontal development, and a fixed contrast body8, any other arrangement and shape of such elements, as well as any other arrangement and shape of the chamber5and the outlets and inlets of the latter, would fall in the protection scope herein demanded, as long as the revolving disc7, the contrast body8and the chamber5are according to the first independent attached claim, so that to generate appropriate turbulences in the conveying fluid of biomasses100, being able to produce a crush because of mutual collision of the biomasses100themselves.

For example, in the alternative embodiments of the present invention herein not shown, the contrast body8may be composed of a disc, or other revolving element, the disc7, such as the body8, may lie on a tilted plane not being horizontal, as well as further inlets for the fluid bed into the chamber5may be provided.

Similarly, as it will be seen below, the members9for generating turbulences may be chosen not only from projecting cylindrical bodies, but may composed as well of radial, transversal or circumferential grooves, fins, ribs, etc., and these may be present not only over the revolving disc7, but on the contrast body8too.

Again, the first crushing stage2may comprise more revolving discs inside the crushing chamber5and the contrast body8may adopt any proper shape to assure the opportune turbulence generation inside the chamber5itself.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, particularly referring toFIGS. 4 and 6, after the first crushing stage2afore described there is a second crushing stage3, placed downstream relatively to the first stage, comprising, as the first crushing stage2, a second crushing chamber15, that is placed inside the afore said case10, and that is provided with a second inlet16and a plurality of outflow openings23, preferably radial, and it is further composed of a second contrast body18in front of a second revolving disc17, in its turn comprising second members19for generating turbulences in the fluid bed passing through the chamber15.

Such turbulences, as in the first crushing chamber5, have the object to cause the particles of biomasses100to collide one each other for further crushes, minimizing the collisions of the same particles against the case wall10or against the faced surfaces of the disc17and the contrast body18.

The second contrast body18, that in the particular embodiment of this invention herein shown has the shape of a pierced disc with a truncated cone profile, exhibits the second inlet16for the inflow of biomasses100into the chamber15, that has an inflow section with axis incident, and particularly substantially orthogonal, to the horizontal plane on which the second revolving disc17lies.

Such a second inlet16for the biomasses, as can be seen inFIG. 2, is fluidically connected to the outflow openings22of the first chamber5of the first crushing stage2by a duct12that, allowing the fluid bed passage wherein the biomasses100are present, acts as a collector for conveying the biomasses100themselves, initially crushed in the first chamber5and exiting from the openings22, toward the second crushing chamber15of the second crushing stage3.

The second revolving disc17, composed of a metallic circular disc rotated by motor means13around its own vertical axis, comprises on its inner surface of the chamber15, as mentioned, second members19for generating turbulences in the fluid bed, that are composed, in the particular embodiment herein illustrated, by a plurality of branched ducts, having reciprocal different dimensions and arrangement. It has to be noticed that the crossing section between them is generally different and that some ducts are radial, others are transversal, others are even blind, and finally other ducts are opened on the outer edge of the disc17.

Preferably, as can be seen inFIG. 6, the branched ducts are mainly composed of radial ducts, with greater section, closed in one of their ends, the transversal ducts departing therefrom, having smaller section, opened at their ends placed at the outer edge of the disc17.

Such branched ducts, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, may further have (axial) depth greater than the axial distance between the faced surfaces of the second revolving disc17and the corresponding contrast body18. As mentioned yet, in the embodiment of the present invention herein described, both the first crushing stage2and the second stage3are contained inside the same case10, this latter comprising as well air inlets14for allowing the inflow and the outflow (eventually forced) of ambient air into the same case10, with the object of cooling the apparatus and particularly the biomasses100crushing because of reciprocal collisions.

It has to be observed that any other cooling means for biomasses subjected to crushing may be equally used, without therefore falling out from the protection scope herein demanded. The biomass cooling100during their crushing mainly because of reciprocal collisions, has proved to be a critical element for obtaining the final organic matrixes having high pureness.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, means for regulating the reciprocal distance of the first revolving disc7and the corresponding contrast body8and/or the second revolving disc17and the corresponding contrast body18may be present, although herein not shown, whereby modifying the dimensions of the corresponding crushing chambers5and15. This would allow to easily adapt the first two crushing stages2and3of the separator, according to the present invention, to the particular type of biomasses100intended to be processed.

The biomasses crushed in the first two crushing stages2and3of the separator1herein illustrated, exiting from the outflow openings23of the chamber15, conveyed by the afore said fluid bed, penetrate into a duct20joining the case10to a contrast case30, having a vertical development, wherein a separating stage4of the separator1is accommodated.

Such a separating stage4comprises, in the contrast case30, a revolving body31provided with means for generating a rotary and/or vortex flow (cyclonic) in the conveying fluid bed for biomasses100, an opening33for the particles coming from the crushing stages2and3of the separator1, and a first outlet32, intended for the outflow of the particles selected into the same separating stage4. Such a first outlet32, preferably comprising a duct axially obtained inside the revolving body31(that is at its rotation axis) and opened at both its higher and lower bases, is connected, at the higher base of the revolving body31, to the afore said first conveying means110by a fluid bed for the biomasses100.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the separating stage4of the separator1comprises as well an adjustable element34for partially blocking the first outlet32, of biomasses100, that forms means for selecting the dimensions of the outflow section of the first outlet32, of the separating stage4, and comprises as well a second outlet36for non-selected particles, obtained in the afore said contrast case30, at its lower base. Such a second outlet36is fluidically connected to second conveying means120in a fluid bed of non-selected particles of biomasses100, that may be designed, as later shown, in such a way to convey such non-selected particles of biomasses100arrived in such a second outlet36to the entrance11of the case10again, wherein the two crushing stages2,3of the separator1are accommodated, and thus at the inlet6of the chamber5of the first crushing stage2.

More particularly, in the specific embodiment of the separator1shown inFIG. 1, the contrast case30is a cylindrical case, or any way having an axial symmetry, wherein the afore said opening33is opened substantially tangentially, and wherein the body31is axially rotating along a vertical axis, having an axial symmetry too, and being shaped as two truncated cones joined by their minor bases. The afore said means for generating a rotary and/or vortex flow inside the case30, of which the revolving body31is provided with, may be preferably composed of a plurality of fins or ribs (not shown) projecting in a transversal way relatively to the axis of the revolving body31, from its outer surface.

The adjustable element34, afore described, is composed, in the embodiment herein illustrated, of a semi-conical body4, disposed in such a way to present its own base in front of the lower base of the revolving body31, and the position thereof relatively to the revolving body31itself is adjustable, thanks to appropriate means herein not illustrated.

The semi-conical body determines, with the lower base of the revolving body31, an entrance chamber35, for the selected particles, fluidically joining with the first outlet, constituting the outlet for the particles of the selected biomasses100. The regulation of the position of the semi-conical body obviously changes the dimensions of the entrance chamber35and then changes the fluid dynamic resistance offered by the circuit composed by the same chamber35and by the duct, with appreciable effects in the particle dimensions exiting from such a duct.

It means that, according to the regulation of the position of the semi-conical body it is possible in practice to obtain a simple regulation of the particle dimensions of biomasses100intended to reach the first outlet32.

But it has to be observed that, without the semi-conical body too, the substantially cyclonic flow, given by the revolving body31to the particles of the biomasses100crushed in the crushing stages placed downstream, would act a selection of particles destined for evacuation through the first outlet32(thanks to conveying fluidic means110) and those on the other hand intended to remain inside the contrast case30and to be evacuated, through the second outlet36, by the second conveying fluidic means120.

Therefore, the particles of biomasses100, coming from the two crushing stages2,3of the separator1, are selected inside the separating stage4thanks to the revolving body31, in such a way that the particles having fine dimensions (and then limited mass) are evacuated by the fluidic flow conveniently generated by means110, from the first outlet32, whereas the particles having rough dimensions (and greater mass) are instead collected inside the case30at the second outlet36from which, thanks to second conveying means120, as afore mentioned, they may be introduced again into the first two crushing stages2,3of the separator1. As the person skilled in the art may deduce, the separator1may be provided as well with means—herein not illustrated—for regulating the flow rate and/or pressure and/or speed of the fluidic flow generated by the conveying fluidic means110for conveying in a fluid bed the biomasses100, and second fluidic conveying means120. Further, the separator1may also comprise means for regulating the rotation speed of discs7,17and of the revolving body31, preferably in a separated way one each other. The operation of the afore described separator is as follows.

The biomasses100, conveniently conveyed in particles by a fluid bed generated by conveying fluidic means110, in case with the involvement of second conveying means120, pass through the entrance11of the case10and then, through the inlet6, penetrate into chamber5.

Then, the rotation of the disc7and of the corresponding cylindrical bodies9generates turbulent motions inside the conveying fluidic flow for the biomasses100that, in their turn, would cause the reciprocal collision of particles of biomasses100being present inside the same chamber5.

The mutual collisions between particles of biomasses100are such to allow a first crushing thereof, without the need of any mechanical operation of friction, collision or compression on biomasses100by extraneous materials, as the walls of the separator1.

The particles so crushed exit from the outflow openings22and, thanks to the fluidic flow, cross the duct12for entering into the second crushing chamber15, through the aforesaid second inlet16.

In this chamber15too, the rotation of the disc17, provided with branched ducts19, causes the turbulent flow generation aiding the reciprocal collisions of particles of biomasses100conveyed and fluidically supported inside the same chamber15, which are further crushing themselves thanks to reciprocal collisions. It has to be noticed that, thanks to the ventilation air inlets14, it is possible to cool the same biomasses100during their crushing by reciprocal collisions.

Hence, exiting through the outflow openings23of the second crushing chamber15, the crushed particles are conveyed, through the tube20and the opening33, inside the vertical case30of the separating stage4.

The rotation of the revolving body31, with the projecting transversal fins, causes the formation of vortex motions in the fluid bed of particles that, even if they could provoke further collisions between particles of the biomasses100themselves, have the main function of generating a cyclonic motion causing the lightest particles, with minor dimensions, to be evacuated, through the chamber35, from the exit duct outwardly the third separating stage4, whereas it causes the heaviest particles, having bigger dimensions, to fall down because of gravity towards the bottom of the contrast case30, from which, thanks to second fluidic conveying means120and through the second outlet36, they may be brought back into the first two crushing stages2,3, and then newly introduced into the entrance11of the case10.

As the Applicant could verify, the crushing because of reciprocal collisions of biomasses100, with their temperature controlling, leads to the selection of fine organic particles (matrixes) provided with organoleptic characteristics extremely pure.