阅读说明：本技术 用于冷却颗粒状材料的设备 (Apparatus for cooling particulate material ) 是由 M·艾格纳 C·瓦格纳 R·胡贝尔 K·费赫廷格 于 2020-04-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于冷却颗粒状材料、尤其是由聚合物材料构成的颗粒物的设备,包括外部容器(2),带有尤其是截锥形的,外部周面(3)和至少部分区段地布置在外部容器(2)内部中的内部容器(4),带有尤其是截锥形的,内部周面(5),其中,在外部周面(3)与内部周面(5)之间构造有中间空间(6),其中,设备(1)的入口侧的开始区域(11)中设置有进入装置(7)用于引入气体流以及颗粒到中间空间(6)中,且其中,设备(1)的与进入装置(7)相对置的出口侧的结束区域(12)中设置有用于颗粒的排出开口(15),其中,进入装置(7)如此布置和/或构造,使得气体流以及颗粒基本上沿切向能够引入到中间空间(6)中。(An apparatus for cooling particulate material, in particular particles of polymer material, comprising an outer vessel (2) with an, in particular, truncated-cone-shaped, outer circumferential surface (3) and an inner vessel (4) which is arranged at least in sections in the interior of the outer vessel (2) with an, in particular, truncated-cone-shaped, inner circumferential surface (5), wherein an intermediate space (6) is formed between the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5), wherein an inlet device (7) is provided in a starting region (11) of an inlet side of the apparatus (1) for introducing a gas stream and the particles into the intermediate space (6), and wherein an outlet opening (15) for the particles is provided in an end region (12) of the outlet side of the apparatus (1) opposite the inlet device (7), wherein the inlet device (7) is arranged and/or configured in such a way, so that the gas flow and the particles can be introduced into the intermediate space (6) substantially tangentially.)

1. Apparatus for cooling particulate material or granules, in particular granules consisting of polymer material, said apparatus comprising:

an outer container (2) having an outer peripheral surface (3), in particular a truncated cone shape; and

an inner container (4) which is arranged at least in sections in the interior of the outer container (2) and has an inner circumferential surface (5), in particular a truncated cone, wherein an intermediate space (6) is formed between the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5),

wherein an inlet device (7) for introducing a gas stream and the particles into the intermediate space (6) is arranged in a starting region (11) on the inlet side of the apparatus (1), and

wherein a discharge opening (15) for the particles is provided in an end region (12) of the outlet side of the device (1) opposite the inlet device (7),

wherein the inlet device (7) is arranged and/or constructed in such a way that the gas flow and the particles can be introduced into the intermediate space (6) substantially tangentially.

2. The device according to claim 1, the outer circumferential surface (3) and/or the inner circumferential surface (5) being arranged substantially rotationally symmetrically with respect to a central longitudinal axis (10).

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, the outer circumferential surface (3) and/or the inner circumferential surface (5) being inclined with respect to a central longitudinal axis (10) with a cone angle (β), wherein the cone angle (β) is in the range of 1 ° < = β < =15 °, in particular in the range of 3 ° < = β < =10 °, preferably in the range of 3 ° < = β < =6 °.

4. The device according to any of claims 1 to 3, the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) being spaced from each other on all sides without touching.

5. The device according to any of claims 1 to 4, the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) being oriented parallel to each other.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, the width (a) of the intermediate space (6) between the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) being in the range of 20mm < = a < =200mm, in particular in the range of 50mm < = a < =100mm, preferably in the range of 60mm < = a < =80 mm.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the width (a) of the intermediate space (6) between the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) decreasing, in particular uniformly, in the direction of the outlet-side end region (12).

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the width (a) of the intermediate space (6) between the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) increasing, in particular uniformly, in the direction of the outlet-side end region (12).

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the length or height (ha) of the outer container (2) or of the outer circumferential surface (3) being greater than the length or height (hi) of the inner container (4) or of the inner circumferential surface (5), wherein the following applies in particular: ratio (hi): (ha) is in the range from 0.1 to 1, in particular in the range from 0.3 to 0.85, preferably in the range from 0.50 to 0.75.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) ending flush at a starting area (11) of their inlet side.

11. The device according to any of claims 1 to 10, the outer circumferential surface (3) extending further or longer in the direction of the outlet-side end zone (12) than the inner circumferential surface (5).

12. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, the diameter (da1) of the outer circumferential surface (3) at the start region (11) of the inlet side being greater than the diameter (da2) of the outer circumferential surface at the end region (12) of the outlet side or the outer container (2) tapering in the direction of the end region (12) of the outlet side.

13. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, the diameter (di1) of the inner circumferential surface (4) at the start region (11) of the inlet side being larger than the diameter (di2) of the inner circumferential surface at the end region (12) of the outlet side or the inner container (5) shrinking in the direction of the end region (12) of the outlet side.

14. The device according to any of claims 1 to 13, the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) converging in the direction of the end zone (12) of the outlet side.

15. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, the opening (18) of the outer circumferential surface (3) defined by the diameter (da2) at the outlet-side end region (12) or the face defined by the diameter of the discharge opening (15) being reduced relative to the opening (19) of the inner circumferential surface (5) defined by the diameter (di2) at the outlet-side end region (12) in such a way that a sufficient flow resistance is created for the gas in order to cause a separation of the particles from the gas.

16. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, a constricted, in particular truncated-cone-shaped, discharge socket (13) being arranged at an outlet-side end region (12) of the outer circumferential surface (3), in which discharge opening (15) is provided, via which discharge opening a particle flow is discharged from the device (1), wherein the area of the discharge opening (15) is less than or equal to 20%, preferably less than or equal to 10%, of the area of an opening (18) of the outer circumferential surface (3) defined by a diameter (da2) at the outlet-side end region (12).

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the inner circumferential surface (5) being open or gas-permeable or, if possible, provided with a gas-permeable cover surface (17) at its end close to the inlet-side starting region (11).

18. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 17, the inlet device (7) having an inlet channel (9) via which a gas flow and a particle flow can be supplied, and an inlet stub (8) which is arranged upstream with respect to the inlet channel and via which the inlet channel (9) is configured to be curved and runs parallel to the circumferential edges of the outer circumferential surface (3) and the inner circumferential surface (5) and opens into the intermediate space (6) substantially tangentially.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the inlet channel (9) having the same width (a) as the intermediate space (6) and/or the inlet channel (9) closing the intermediate space (6) on the inlet side.

20. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the inlet channel (9) opening into the intermediate space (6) at an angle (a) relative to a plane (14) oriented normal to the longitudinal axis (10), wherein the angle (a) is in the range of 0< a < =10 °, wherein it is provided in particular that the inlet channel (9) is uniformly inclined at the angle (a) over its entire longitudinal extension.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein additional gas inlet openings are formed in the outer circumferential surface (3) and/or in the inner circumferential surface (5), which gas inlet openings are arranged and/or formed such that gas can be introduced into the intermediate space (6), in particular substantially tangentially, via the gas inlet openings.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for cooling particulate material, in particular particles made of polymer material, according to claim 1.

Background

Granules (granules) are produced, for example, by plasticizing the polymer material in an extruder. The strand-shaped polymer melt discharged via the perforated plate is then cut into small particles by means of a rotating knife. These particles, in which at least the nucleus region is still present in the melt, are then cooled and solidified in a gas or water stream and are simultaneously transported away by means of the fluid stream.

The subsequent further cooling of the particles then takes place, for example, in a downstream additional cooling unit. From the prior art, for example, cylindrical cooling vessels are known in which the particles move and are cooled there.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a cooling unit in which the residence time of the particles is as high as possible and the residence time spectrum of the individual particles can be kept narrow and the particles are kept separate.

The invention solves this object by means of a device according to the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the device comprises: an outer container having an outer peripheral surface, in particular, a truncated cone shape; and an inner container which is arranged at least in sections in the interior of the outer container and has an inner circumferential surface which is in particular frustoconical, wherein an intermediate space is formed between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface. An inlet device for introducing a gas stream and particles or particles into the intermediate space is arranged in a starting region on an inlet side of the device, wherein an outlet opening for the particles is arranged in an end region of an outlet side of the device opposite the inlet device. The inlet device is arranged and/or constructed in such a way that the gas flow and the particles can be introduced into the intermediate space substantially tangentially.

The specific tangential introduction of the gas stream or particles and the resulting movement thereof through the intermediate space between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface lengthens the travel which the particles have to travel through the apparatus and thus assists the increase in the residence time. While keeping the residence time spectrum of the particles narrow. By the air flow so directed, the gas also maintains a substantially laminar flow and there are no vortices. The particles are thereby maintained in a narrow velocity range and uncontrolled collisions, which will cause the particles to decelerate, are reduced. Furthermore, particle contact with the wall is also minimized and particle deceleration and/or sedimentation is prevented. Adhesion of small particles at the wall is also avoided. It is particularly advantageous to prevent the small particles from adhering to one another to a maximum extent.

The particles are transported by means of a medium, in particular by means of a gas, which is guided through the assembly. The gas can be any gas or gas mixture, in particular air. The gas stream transports particles, wherein these material particles or fines or the like are cooled here by means of the gas stream and, if appropriate, further solidified and, if appropriate, further reacted chemically (for example by thermal influence), cooled or by a reaction initiated or induced by the gas. It is also possible to use an evaporating medium, such as water.

The assembly according to the invention can be used for all materials for which the shaping of the strand parts into granules can be carried out. Such materials include polymers, pastes, ceramic blanks, rubbers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, silicones, and the like. The granulated material can be reinforced with fibres and/or can also be partially cross-linked. It may be based on polyesters, polyolefins or polyamides. In particular, it is also possible for all at least partially plasticizable, preferably extrudable, materials which are softenable or meltable and which are convertible or solidifiable into particles, which are transported by means of the assembly according to the invention and are cooled in particular during the transport.

Advantageous embodiments of the device result from the features of the dependent claims.

For example, it is advantageous for structural reasons to provide that the outer circumferential surface and/or the inner circumferential surface are arranged substantially rotationally symmetrically with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

The device is usually placed vertically, but the device can also be placed lying or horizontally or in an inclined position depending on the purpose.

In order to achieve an advantageous gas flow, it is advantageous if the outer and/or inner circumferential surface is inclined relative to the central longitudinal axis by a cone angle β, wherein the cone angle is in the range of 1 ° < = β < =15 °, in particular in the range of 3 ° < = β < =10 °, preferably in the range of 3 ° < = β < =6 °. This here the secondary air flow remains sufficiently high and causes: the particles remain separated in the intermediate space for a particularly long time and also enable particularly heavy particles to remain in the cooling funnel for a correspondingly long time.

A flow without interference can be achieved if the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface are spaced apart from one another on all sides without touching one another.

Advantageous residence times are also obtained if the width of the intermediate space between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface is in the range of 20mm < = a < =200mm, in particular in the range of 50mm < = a < =100mm, preferably in the range of 60mm < = a < =80 mm. This also causes the particles to remain in the intermediate space for a long time and separately. Too large a spacing will result in too little air flow directed in the circumferential direction and thereby reduce the residence time of the particles. Too narrow a gap will increase the air velocity and the particle density, wherein this leads on the one hand to a shorter residence time but also to a higher probability of collision and meeting of the particles with one another.

In this connection, it is advantageous to also take into account the size or diameter of the particles or granules when selecting the width a of the intermediate space 6. The advantageous width a is in this case between 4 and 40 times the average diameter of the particles.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface are oriented parallel to one another.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the width of the intermediate space between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface decreases, in particular uniformly, in the direction of the end region on the outlet side. This constriction of the intermediate space is advantageous in particular in the case of smaller particles, since the acceleration effect of the gas flow generated by the narrower intermediate space is utilized for maintaining the separating effect.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the width of the intermediate space between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface increases, in particular increases uniformly, in the direction of the end region on the outlet side. Conversely, an increased height of the intermediate space also has advantages in the case of larger particles, since the deceleration due to the impact with the wall is reduced in this case and the separation can thus also be easily maintained.

The inner container or inner periphery is shorter or no higher than the outer container or outer periphery. In this connection, it has proven advantageous if the length or height of the outer container or of the outer circumferential surface is greater than the length or height of the inner container or of the inner circumferential surface. Particularly advantageously, the ratio hi: ha is in the range from 0.1 to 1, in particular in the range from 0.3 to 0.85, preferably in the range from 0.50 to 0.75.

In order to be able to advantageously mount or connect the access device to the device, it is expedient if the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface end flush at the beginning of their entry side.

It is also advantageous if the diameter of the outer circumferential surface at the beginning of the inlet side is greater than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface at the end of the outlet side or if the outer container tapers in the direction of the end of the outlet side.

Similarly, it is also advantageous for the inner container to be designed such that the diameter of the inner circumferential surface at the inlet-side starting region is greater than the outlet-side diameter of the inner circumferential surface at the outlet-side end region or the inner container is constricted in the direction of the outlet-side end region.

A more uniform flow velocity, a favorable residence time and a favorable residence time spectrum can thus be achieved if the outer and inner circumferential surfaces converge in the direction of the end region of the outlet side.

For an effective separation of the particles from the gas stream, it is advantageous if the outer circumferential surface extends further or longer in the direction of the end region of the outlet side than the inner circumferential surface. In this section of the device close to the outlet, there is thus a separation region in which the inner vessel has ended and there is no longer a defined intermediate space. The separation zone is only further limited by an outer container or outer circumference. But where the particles continue to move helically along the outer peripheral surface to the outlet. Whereas the gas flow is led out through the inner vessel at the end of the intermediate space or in the separation zone in the opposite direction, i.e. towards the inlet, and whereby a separation of particles from the gas flow takes place.

In order to separate the particles from the gas flow, it is advantageous here if the inner circumferential surface is open or gas-permeable at its end close to the starting region of the inlet side and the gas can be drawn off in this way through said opening of the inner circumferential surface close to the starting region. The openings may be provided with a gas-permeable cover, for example by means of a grille.

The separation of the particles is assisted by the continuity of the outer periphery compared to the inner periphery. In this connection, for an effective separation of the particles from the gas, it is particularly advantageous if the opening of the outer circumferential surface defined by the diameter at the end region of the outlet side or the surface defined by the diameter of the outlet opening is reduced relative to the opening of the inner circumferential surface defined by the diameter at the end region of the outlet side in such a way that a sufficient flow resistance is formed for the gas.

The outer circumferential surface can therefore be constricted to such an extent that the outlet opening defined by the opening on the outlet side is so small and offers so much resistance that virtually no gas or air can still exit through said opening, but the gas must have to take its way through the inner container to escape. However, this leads to a large structural height and is sometimes impractical for structural reasons.

In this respect, in particular in the case of a vertical arrangement, an advantageous embodiment provides that an additional constricted, in particular frustoconical discharge connection is arranged at the end region of the outlet side of the outer circumferential surface, i.e. at the opening of the outlet side, in which discharge connection the actual discharge opening is arranged, via which the particle flow is discharged from the device. The discharge connection has a steeper angle of the wall and therefore contracts more quickly in height. This results in good gas separation with a small overall height. The opening at the outlet side of the outer circumferential surface is thereby smaller, since the discharge opening has a significantly smaller area. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous for good separation of the particles from the gas flow for the area of the discharge opening to be less than or equal to 20%, preferably less than or equal to 10%, of the area of the opening of the outer circumferential surface defined by the diameter at the end region of the outlet side.

In order to achieve a tangential flow in the intermediate space, it is advantageous if the inlet device has an inlet channel and an inlet connection, which is arranged in particular upstream with respect to the inlet channel, via which the gas flow and the particles to be cooled can be supplied. The inlet channel is curved in a space-saving manner and has the same width as the intermediate space. The inlet channel runs parallel to the circumference of the outer and inner circumferential surfaces and thus opens into the intermediate space essentially tangentially.

The gas or particle flow thus deflected is thus on the one hand moved tangentially relative to the inner or outer periphery of the intermediate space, but advantageously also introduced at a small entry angle. It is advantageous here if the inlet channel opens into the intermediate space at an angle α relative to a plane oriented normal to the longitudinal axis, wherein the inlet angle α is in the range from 0< α < =10 °. It is particularly advantageous for the flow situation if the inlet channel is constantly inclined over its entire longitudinal extent at this angle. By means of this directionally oriented construction, the generation of directed particle movements is also achieved in the case of large amounts of medium being required.

The entry angle α is thus understood to mean the main flow direction of the gas and of the particles or granules. The entry angle is then also maintained at least in the starting section in the further course of the particles in the intermediate space.

In this way, the particles or gas flow into the intermediate space not only tangentially but also slightly in the direction of the outlet. Thereby, advantageous movement patterns for dwell time, dwell time spectrum and separation are obtained, as can be seen for example in fig. 6. The particles thus move on a spiral path starting from the start region on the inlet side to the end region on the outlet side, the spiral path having a smaller and smaller diameter.

The amount or velocity of the gas flow is generally adapted to the requirements and particle size. In this connection, it may be advantageous to introduce an additional gas quantity. In this case, it is expedient to provide additional gas inlet openings in the outer circumferential surface and/or in the inner circumferential surface, which are arranged and/or configured such that, via the gas inlet openings, additional gas, but no particles, can advantageously also be introduced into the intermediate space essentially tangentially. The additional gas flow assists the primary gas flow through the inlet device, thus causing further cooling of the particles and affecting the residence time. In this way, for example, cold gas can also be introduced into the funnel for a corresponding further cooling. Reactive gases may also be introduced here in order to initiate a specific reaction.

Drawings

Other advantages and design aspects of the invention will appear from the description and the accompanying drawings.

The invention is illustrated in the following schematic drawings by means of particularly advantageous, but not limitative, embodiments and is described in an exemplary manner with reference to the drawings.

The following are shown schematically:

figure 1 shows a device according to the invention in a perspective view,

figure 2 shows the device according to figure 1 in a side view,

figure 3 or 3a shows a cross-section B-B through the device,

figure 4 shows a top view from above,

figure 5 shows a test carried out with a known comparison device,

fig. 6a,6b show tests carried out with two cooling devices according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 4 show a device 1 according to the invention from different perspectives. In the present embodiment, the device 1 is positioned vertically, more precisely in a carrying bracket. In the uppermost region of the apparatus 1 there is arranged an inlet device 7 for introducing a gas or particle stream. This upper section of the device 1 is defined here as the starting area 11 of the inlet side. The section of the device 1 opposite the entry means 7 is referred to as the exit-side end region 12. There is also a discharge opening 15 from which the particles leave the apparatus 1.

The device 1 comprises an outer container 2 and an inner container 4 arranged therein. The outer container 2 has a frustoconical outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner container 4 has a frustoconical inner circumferential surface 5. The inner container 4 is arranged in the outer container 2 in such a way that an intermediate space 6 is formed between the outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner circumferential surface 5. The width a of the intermediate space between the outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner circumferential surface 5 is in the present case about 70 mm.

The outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner circumferential surface 5 are continuously spaced apart from each other and do not touch at any position. Correspondingly, the intermediate space 6 is free of obstructions and forms a truncated-cone-shaped annular space in which the gas flow and the particles circulate in a spiral.

The outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner circumferential surface 5 are inclined with respect to the central longitudinal axis 10 by a cone angle β. In the present embodiment, the taper angle β is about 5 °.

In the present embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner circumferential surface 5 are oriented parallel to each other. But may advantageously deviate from a parallel orientation and be provided, for example, with an increase or decrease in the width of the gap.

It can be seen that the outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner circumferential surface 5 converge in the direction of the end region 12 on the outlet side, i.e. in this case downwardly. Correspondingly, the diameter da1 of the outer circumferential surface 3 at the inlet-side end region 11 is greater than the diameter da2 of the outer circumferential surface 3 at the outlet-side end region 12 or the diameter of the lower opening 18 of the outer circumferential surface 3 here.

Similarly, the diameter di1 of the inner circumferential surface 5 at the start region 11 on the inlet side or the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 5 here of the upper opening 19 is also greater than the diameter di2 of the inner circumferential surface 5 on the outlet side at the end region 12 on the outlet side. The relatively large opening 19 in the upper part of the inner circumferential surface 5 at the entry-side starting region 11 is closed off here by the cover surface 17.

It can also be seen that the outer circumferential surface 3 has a greater length or height ha than the height hi of the inner circumferential surface 5. In the device 1 according to fig. 1, the ratio hi: ha is about 0.6.

In the lower section of the device 1, there is thus a separation region 16 in which the inner vessel 4 has ended and the defined intermediate space 6 is no longer present. The separation zone 16 is only limited by the outer vessel 2 or the outer circumferential surface 3.

But in the separation zone 16 the particles continue to move downwards along the outer circumferential surface 3. Conversely, the gas flow is drawn upwards via the inner circumferential surface 5 at the end of the intermediate space 6. In this case, the particles are separated from the gas stream accordingly. The particles leave the apparatus 1 below through the discharge opening 15 and the gas leaves the apparatus 1 above through the opening 19 in the upper part of the inner circumferential surface 5. The upper opening 19 is provided with a gas-permeable cover surface 17, in the present case realized by a grating.

The flow resistance has been increased by reducing the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 3. If the openings 18 at the lower end of the outer circumferential surface 3 are sufficiently small, the flow resistance is so great that the gas is not discharged through the lower openings 18, but rather only via the upper openings 19 of the inner circumferential surface 5. The particles are always discharged below and the lower openings 18 can also simultaneously function as discharge openings 15 if the lower openings are sufficiently small. However, in many cases, this leads to a greater overall height of the device 1. Accordingly, the flow resistance can also be increased even further by additional structural measures. As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 3a, an additional truncated cone-shaped outlet socket 13 is thus arranged completely below the outlet-side end region 12 of the outer circumferential surface 3. An actual discharge opening 15 for the particles is also formed in this discharge connection 13, from which the particles finally leave the device 1. The discharge connection 13 is directly connected to the lower opening 18 of the outer circumferential surface 3, wherein the cross-sectional area of the discharge opening 15 is significantly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the lower opening 18, currently only about 7-8% of the cross-sectional area of the lower opening 18. The flow resistance is further increased by these additional cross-sectional narrowings and the separation of the particles from the gas stream becomes more efficient.

The inlet device 7 arranged in the starting region 11 on the inlet side has an inlet connection 8 to which, for example, a conveying line can be connected, via which the still hot particles or particles are introduced into the system 1 together with the gas stream.

The inlet connection 8 opens into the inlet channel 9. The inlet channel 9 is curved or bent in a spiral manner and runs substantially circularly parallel to the circumference of the outer circumferential surface 3 and the inner circumferential surface 5. The inlet channel 9 closes the intermediate space 6 above or on the inlet side. In the present case, the inlet channel 9 describes an almost complete circle of almost 360 ° in the case of the current diameter of the circumferential surfaces 3,5 and in the case of the current angle of inclination α and then opens into the intermediate space 6 approximately in the region below the inlet socket 8. The inlet channel 9 accordingly has the same width a as the intermediate space 6. Correspondingly, the gas or particle flow is introduced into the intermediate space 6 tangentially, i.e. the particles and the gas flow circulate approximately around a central longitudinal axis 10 in the intermediate space 6 on an approximately circular path. Furthermore, turbulence, torn edges (Abrisskanten) and impact edges (Sto β kanten) are thereby avoided.

But at the same time the inlet channel 9 is also slightly inclined downwards (towards the discharge direction). This can already be seen from fig. 1, and the inlet channel 9 extends on a surface sloping downwards with a constant slope into the interior of the intermediate space 6. The oblique entry angle α is defined relative to a plane 14 oriented normal to the longitudinal axis 10 and is about 5 ° as can be seen in fig. 2.

In this way, the particles or gas flow into the intermediate space 6 not only tangentially but also slightly downwardly directed. Thereby, a movement pattern as can be seen in fig. 6 is obtained. The particles thus move on a spiral path from a starting region 11 on the inlet side to an end region 12 on the outlet side, the spiral path becoming smaller and smaller in diameter.

The following examples show tests and results carried out comparatively with different cooling devices (fig. 5 and fig. 6a,6 b):

these experiments were performed with the following parameters:

-volume of air: 2700m³/h

-amount of particles: 85kg/h

-a medium: air (a)

-air temperature, inflow: 19 deg.C

The particles are always separated.

"structural type criteria" (fig. 5):

inlet air: 0.6 kg/s; 20 deg.C

Inlet particles: 100kg/h

D4 mm; 80 traces

"Structure type 1 (column)" (FIGS. 6a,6b, left column):

inlet air: 0.6 kg/s; 20 deg.C

Inlet particles: 100kg/h

D4 mm; 50 traces

"structure type 2 (cone)" (fig. 6a,6b, right column):

inlet air: 0.6 kg/s; 20 deg.C

Inlet particles: 100kg/h

D4 mm; 50 traces

The tests were performed with different materials and in particular the velocity profile and the residence time spectrum were studied. The resulting final temperature of the particles is also taken into consideration for evaluation.

The cyclone separators known from the prior art, which are referred to as "construction type standard" (fig. 5), are cylindrical cyclone separators and conical ends with tangential air entry, but without an inner container and without other devices in the inner region. At the upper end there is an air discharge pipe, which extends approximately 1/3 into the column. In the cyclone, in particular, the particle residence time is simulated. As can be clearly seen in fig. 5, the particles advance very rapidly into the lower region of the cyclone separator, so that there is no long residence time in the cooling silo and an agglomeration of the particles takes place in the lower region or in the region of the discharge funnel. This results in an increased particle frequency at which adhesion can occur and twins and triplets (i.e. two or three particles attached to each other) are formed. Furthermore, this region also heats up and thus disturbing wall attachments can occur.

In the cylindrical cooling silo according to the invention with an inner circumference "structure type 1 (cylindrical)" (fig. 6a,6b, left column), it is clearly seen in particular in the particle-trajectory (fig. 6b) that the particles are more uniformly guided than in the case of the "structure type standard" cyclone separator. The air flow in the inlet region has an increased air speed, which is however strongly reduced in height. But this is not too much of a problem in the case of small unfilled particles with a smaller specific weight, since the air can hold the particles further at the periphery for a sufficiently long time.

In the conical cooling silo according to the invention with an inner periphery "structure type 2 (conical)" (fig. 6a,6b, right row), the air flow can be kept as constant as possible over the structural height. This results in not only a reduction in the diameter of the silo, but also a longer residence time of the particulate matter in the cooling silo. Furthermore, the air flow is sufficiently high that particularly heavy particles can also remain in the helix and thus sufficiently separated and can solidify/cool accordingly.