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EP0242873B1 - Process for treating tobacco and similar organic materials - Google Patents

Process for treating tobacco and similar organic materials Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0242873B1
EP0242873B1 EP87105912A EP87105912A EP0242873B1 EP 0242873 B1 EP0242873 B1 EP 0242873B1 EP 87105912 A EP87105912 A EP 87105912A EP 87105912 A EP87105912 A EP 87105912A EP 0242873 B1 EP0242873 B1 EP 0242873B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
microwave
conveyer
gas
tobacco
liquid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP87105912A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0242873A1 (en
Inventor
Oskar Dr. Stuhl
Klaus-Dieter Wenzel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RJ Reynolds Tobacco GmbH
Original Assignee
RJ Reynolds Tobacco GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by RJ Reynolds Tobacco GmbH filed Critical RJ Reynolds Tobacco GmbH
Priority to AT87105912T priority Critical patent/ATE45272T1/en
Publication of EP0242873A1 publication Critical patent/EP0242873A1/en
Priority to JP9189088A priority patent/JPS63279776A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0242873B1 publication Critical patent/EP0242873B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B3/00—Preparing tobacco in the factory
    • A24B3/18—Other treatment of leaves, e.g. puffing, crimpling, cleaning
    • A24B3/182—Puffing
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S131/00—Tobacco
    • Y10S131/903—Fixing the product after puffing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for treating tobacco and similar organic materials
  • the material in which the material is impregnated with an inert organic liquid and is heated above the boiling point of this liquid by introducing a hot gas, the liquid evaporating with expansion of the material,
  • Such a process is known from DE-A-19 17 552 and DE-A-22 03 105.
  • tobacco is impregnated with liquid or vaporous inert organic compounds.
  • the impregnating agent is evaporated, causing the tobacco to expand, i.e. H. a loosening and volume increase of the tobacco takes place.
  • the impregnating liquid should be introduced into the tobacco in the vapor state. This also enables a reduction in the amount of impregnation agent required. As the tobacco expands, its filling capacity is increased by 60 to 120%.
  • the impregnating agent evaporated during the expansion is discharged together with the gas.
  • the expanding agent can be recovered from the mixture.
  • a disadvantage of this known method is that a remainder of the impregnating agent remains in the expanded tobacco. In order to remove these residual amounts from the expanded tobacco, it is necessary to store the tobacco for a long time until the impregnating agent has evaporated. Such storage means a loss of time in the tobacco treatment and requires appropriate storage facilities with equipment for tobacco conditioning. The remaining amount removed by storage is difficult to recover.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a method of the type mentioned that enables a uniform and complete expulsion of the remaining impregnating agent from the tobacco with gentle tobacco treatment
  • this object is achieved in that the material (for example the tobacco) is subjected to a microwave treatment after the expansion, the remainder of the impregnating liquid being evaporated and removed for recovery, and in the microwave treatment a second gas for expulsion the impregnating liquid is blown into the organic material.
  • the material for example the tobacco
  • a second gas the temperature and / or moisture content of which can be regulated, is blown into the organic material under pressure during the microwave treatment. This loosens the organic material, making the microwave treatment more uniform. A clumping of the organic material is avoided, with the result that no local overheating occurs. Evaporation and removal of the remaining impregnation agent is facilitated by the gas flow. Furthermore, the gas injection can prevent the volume expansion of the organic material occurring in the preceding expansion step from being impaired by the treatment associated with the microwave radiation. The loosened state of the material is maintained by blowing in the gas.
  • a particular advantage of the method according to the invention is the improvement of Control options for the process parameters during microwave treatment.
  • the transport speed of the conveyor in the microwave chamber and / or the strength of the gas flow during microwave treatment and / or the radiation power of the microwave transmitter can be changed or regulated.
  • the gas stream penetrating the material to be treated causes the impregnating agent to be expelled uniformly, taking over the function of a carrier gas for the remaining impregnating agent.
  • the recovery of the impregnation agent is simplified.
  • the treatment in the microwave chamber is possible in continuous continuous operation and is easy to control.
  • the invention further relates to a microwave oven with the features of the claim for carrying out the method described.
  • a conveyor is provided in the microwave chamber, from whose conveying surface the second gas emerges.
  • a kind of fluidized bed is created over the conveyor surface of this conveyor, in which the organic material is whirled up and temporarily held in suspension.
  • the gas outlet need not extend the entire length of the conveyor.
  • the term “hair dryer” does not necessarily mean a single conveying device. Several conveying devices can also be arranged one behind the other.
  • the gassing of the organic material located on the conveyor can also take place through gas outlet openings which are arranged in the microwave chamber independently of the conveyor, for example on the wall of the microwave chamber. It is therefore not necessary for the gas to flow against the organic material from below, although this is a preferred embodiment.
  • the impregnation agent is also loosened and improved when the gassing openings are arranged on the side walls or on the top wall of the microwave chamber.
  • tobacco is fed to the impregnation device 11 via a humidifier 10.
  • the impregnation device 11 consists of a screw conveyor 12, in the inlet end of which the impregnating liquid is introduced in addition to the tobacco. This liquid is supplied in vapor form via line 13.
  • the inert organic liquid is preferably halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. B. trichlorofluoromethane (Frigen-11).
  • Other inert organic liquids that can be used for the expansion are specified in DE-A-19 17 552 and DE-A-22 03 105.
  • the tobacco arrives at the expander 14, to which hot water vapor, which has been heated in the heater 16, is fed by a blower 15.
  • the temperature of the water vapor (or another gas used as a heat carrier) is above the boiling point of the impregnating agent, so that it evaporates and causes an increase in volume of the tobacco material in the expander 14.
  • a line leads from the outlet of the expander 14 to a cyclone 17.
  • a return line 20 leads from the outlet 19 to the heater 16.
  • a line 21 branches off from the return line 20 and leads to the regenerator 22, in which the impregnating agent is removed from the steam.
  • the vapor components (water and air) are discharged into a sump 23 while the impregnating agent is fed into the tank 24.
  • a line 25, which contains a pump 26 leads to the evaporator 27, the outlet of which is connected to line 13.
  • the evaporator 27 causes the impregnating liquid to be introduced into the impregnating device 11 in vapor form.
  • the tobacco arrives at a steam-operated separator 28 for the impregnating agent and from there via a conveyor 31 to the microwave oven 33. fed to the regenerator 22.
  • the conveyor 31 leads to the microwave oven 33, from which the conditioned and loosened tobacco freed from the expansion agent is removed via the conveyor 34.
  • the microwave oven 33 is shown schematically in FIG. 2. It contains a microwave chamber 35, the walls of which are coated with a material shielding against high frequency.
  • the microwave chamber 35 has an inlet section 35a of low height, a central section 35b of higher height and an outlet section 35c of low height.
  • the lower boundary of the microwave chamber 35 is formed by the conveying surface 36 of the conveyor 37, which is also coated with radiation-shielding material.
  • the conveyor 37 is an oscillating conveyor, the continuous conveying surface 36 of which extends under all three sections 35a, 35b, 35c.
  • outlet nozzles 38 are provided on the conveying surface 36, from which air or gas or steam emerges in order to gas the tobacco material 39 lying on the conveyor and whirl up to produce a fluidized bed.
  • the inlet section 35a. and the outlet portion 35c there are no nozzles.
  • the height of these sections 35a and 35c corresponds approximately to the height of the tobacco layer on the conveyor 37 and the length of these sections is dimensioned to be sufficiently large that no microwave energy can escape from the microwave chamber 35.
  • the conveyor 31 projects into a narrow channel 39 leading to the inlet section 35a, the walls of which are also shielded.
  • the discharge end of the conveyor 37 is arranged near the end wall 40 of the microwave chamber 35 on the output side and is provided with an extension 41 directed downwards. Between the end wall 40 and the extension 41, a narrow vertical shaft is formed, through which tobacco material falls onto the conveyor 34 arranged underneath, which leads out of the microwave oven 33.
  • the width of the shaft between the walls 40 and 41 corresponds approximately to the height of the inlet section 35a and outlet section 35c. In this way, a good inlet and outlet shielding of the microwave chamber is achieved by narrow conveying paths and labyrinth-like deflection of the tobacco path.
  • end walls 43, the side walls and the bottom wall 42 are lined with shielding material in the region of the microwave oven lying below the conveying surface 36, in order to bring about a further security against the escape of microwave energy.
  • the upper run of the conveyor 34 there is an opening 44 through which the upper run can pass together with the tobacco material lying on it.
  • a narrow slot 45 is provided in the end wall 40 of the microwave oven for the lower run of the conveyor 34.
  • the conveyor 37 which is completely contained in the microwave oven 33, has vertical stands 46, on which an oscillating beam 48 is mounted via springs 47. Numerous parallel leaf spring elements 49 protrude obliquely upward from the horizontal oscillating beam 48. At the upper ends of the leaf spring elements 49, the conveyor bar 50 is attached, the top of which forms the conveyor surface 38. A compensating beam 51 is fastened below the oscillating beam 48 via further leaf spring elements 49 and runs parallel to the oscillating beam 48 and to the conveyor beam 50.
  • the conveyor is excited by an eccentric 52 which is driven by the motor 53.
  • the conveyor bar 50 executes such vibrations that the tobacco material lying on it is conveyed from the inlet section 35a to the outlet section 35c and thereby passes through the middle section 35.
  • the conveyor bar 50 is connected via a flexible hose to an air line 55 which comes from a conditioning device 56 (FIG. 1).
  • moisture and / or temperature sensors 57 are arranged at different points, which measure the moisture or the temperature of the tobacco without contact and whose signals in a control device 58, for. B. a microprocessor to be processed.
  • the control unit 58 controls the amount and / or temperature and / or humidity of the air supplied via line 55 and possibly also the conveying speed of the conveyor 37.
  • microwave emitters 61 are installed, which send microwave energy in the direction of the tobacco.
  • the microwave energy of the microwave emitters 61 can also be regulated by the control device 58.
  • Suction openings 59 which are connected to a suction source 60, are provided in all three sections 35a, 35b and 35c for sucking off the air supplied to the microwave chamber and the impregnation agent.
  • the tobacco material supplied to the microwave chamber 35 via the conveyor 31 reaches the conveyor 37 and is first conveyed by it through the inlet section 35a.
  • the tobacco layer is so high that it substantially fills the height of the inlet section 35a without being compressed.
  • the tobacco material is loosened and whirled up by blowing from below, while at the same time it is subjected to the microwave treatment.
  • the tobacco material is deposited in a loose layer again on the conveying surface 36 in order to be transported to the conveyor 34 and to be carried away thereon.

Landscapes

  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
  • Polysaccharides And Polysaccharide Derivatives (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus to expand shredded material, the latter is impregnated with an inert organic liquid which is evaporated subsequently. The substantial portion of the impregnant is separated. To eliminate the residual amount of impregnate still contained in the material, the material is fed in heaps on a conveyor belt (36) to a microwave chamber (39). Upstream and downstream of the microwave chamber, one sluice each (38,40) is provided. The gates (43,44;49,51) of the sluice are synchronized with the drive of the conveyor belt (36). Microwave energy is supplied under continuous control to the microwave chamber (39). The vapors are removed by suction lines (47,55) and fed to a regenerator for recovery of the impregnant.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Behandlung von Tabak und ähnlichen organischen Materialien,The invention relates to a method for treating tobacco and similar organic materials,

bei welchem das Material mit einer inerten organischen Flüssigkeit imprägniert und durch Einleiten eines heißen Gases über den Siedepunkt dieser Flüssigkeit erhitzt wird, wobei die Flüssigkeit unter Expansion des Materials verdampft,in which the material is impregnated with an inert organic liquid and is heated above the boiling point of this liquid by introducing a hot gas, the liquid evaporating with expansion of the material,

und bei welchem nach der Expansion eine Wiedergewinnung eines Teils der verdampften Flüssigkeit erfolgt, während ein Rest im Material verbleibt.and in which, after expansion, a portion of the vaporized liquid is recovered while a remainder remains in the material.

Ein derartiges Verfahren ist bekannt aus DE-A-19 17 552 und DE-A-22 03 105. Bei den bekannten Verfahren wird Tabak mit flüssigen bzw. dampfförmigen inerten organischen Verbindungen imprägniert. In einer nachfolgenden Wärmebehandlung mit einem Gas-bzw. Wasserdampf wird das Imprägnierungsmittel verdampft, wobei der Tabak expandiert, d. h. eine Auflockerung und Volumenvergrößerung des Tabaks stattfindet. Um eine Extraktion der löslichen, normalerweise in dem zu behandelnden Tabak vorhandenen Bestandteile auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren, sollte die imprägnierende Flüssigkeit in den Tabak im Dampfzustand eingetragen werden. Dies ermöglicht außerdem eine Reduzierung der Menge des erforderlichen Imprägnierungsmittels. Bei der Expansion des Tabaks wird dessen Füllkapazität um 60 bis 120 % erhöht. Das bei der Expansion verdampfte lmprägnierungsmittel wird zusammen mit dem Gas abgeführt. Aus dem Gemisch kann das Expandierungsmittel zurückgewonnen werden. Nachteilig bei diesem bekannten Verfahren ist, daß im expandierten Tabak noch ein Rest des Imprägnierungsmittels verbleibt. Um diese Restmengen aus dem expandierten Tabak zu entfernen, ist es erforderlich, den Tabak über längere Zeit zu lagem, bis sich das Imprägnierungsmittel verflüchtigt hat. Eine solche Lagerung bedeutet einen Zeitverlust bei der Tabakbehandlung und sie erfordert entsprechende Lagereinrichtungen mit Ausrüstungen für die Tabakkonditionierung. Die durch Lagerung entfernte Restmenge ist einer Wiedergewinnung nur schwerlich zugänglich.Such a process is known from DE-A-19 17 552 and DE-A-22 03 105. In the known processes, tobacco is impregnated with liquid or vaporous inert organic compounds. In a subsequent heat treatment with a gas or. Water vapor, the impregnating agent is evaporated, causing the tobacco to expand, i.e. H. a loosening and volume increase of the tobacco takes place. In order to minimize extraction of the soluble constituents normally present in the tobacco to be treated, the impregnating liquid should be introduced into the tobacco in the vapor state. This also enables a reduction in the amount of impregnation agent required. As the tobacco expands, its filling capacity is increased by 60 to 120%. The impregnating agent evaporated during the expansion is discharged together with the gas. The expanding agent can be recovered from the mixture. A disadvantage of this known method is that a remainder of the impregnating agent remains in the expanded tobacco. In order to remove these residual amounts from the expanded tobacco, it is necessary to store the tobacco for a long time until the impregnating agent has evaporated. Such storage means a loss of time in the tobacco treatment and requires appropriate storage facilities with equipment for tobacco conditioning. The remaining amount removed by storage is difficult to recover.

Aus US-A-3 828 797 ist es bekannt, die Expansion von Tabak durchzuführen, indem der mit einer flüchtigen organischen Flüssigkeit imprägnierte Tabak einer Mikrowellenbehandlung unterzogen wird. Bei diesem Verfahren wird die gesamte Energie, die zum Verdampfen des Expansionsmittels erforderlich ist, in Form von Mikrowellen zugeführt. Eine derartig energiereiche Mikrowellenbehandlung ist im großtechnischen Maßstab aber außerordentlich schwierig, weil bei vollständiger Verdampfung des Expansionsmittels leicht Überhitzungen des Tabakmaterials auftreten können. Es ist praktisch nicht möglich, die Mikrowellenenergie so zu dosieren, daß das gesamte Expansionsmittel verdampft, daß andererseits aber keine Überhitzung des Tabaks erfolgt. Ferner ist der Energieverbrauch dieses bekannten Verfahrens sehr hoch. Das Verfahren funktioniert zwar unter Laborbedingungen, ist bei großtechnischen Anwendungen jedoch kaum durchführbar.From US-A-3 828 797 it is known to carry out the expansion of tobacco by subjecting the tobacco impregnated with a volatile organic liquid to a microwave treatment. In this process, all of the energy required to evaporate the expansion medium is supplied in the form of microwaves. Such a high-energy microwave treatment is extremely difficult on an industrial scale, however, because the tobacco material can easily overheat when the expansion medium is completely evaporated. It is practically not possible to dose the microwave energy in such a way that the entire expansion agent evaporates, but on the other hand there is no overheating of the tobacco. Furthermore, the energy consumption of this known method is very high. The process works under laboratory conditions, but is hardly feasible for large-scale applications.

In einer parallelen Anmeldung mit gleichem Zeitrang (EP-A-202418) ist ein Verfahren beschrieben, bei dem nach der Expansion die im Tabak noch vorhandene Restmenge an Imprägnierungsmittel dem Tabak dadurch entzogen wird, daß der Tabak einer Mikrowellenbehandlung ausgesetzt wird, wobei der Rest der imprägnierenden Flüssigkeit verdampft und zur Wiedergewinnung abgeführt wird. Dieses Verfahren erfordert einen beträchtlichen Platzbedarf und die Menge des zu behandelnden Materials pro Zeiteinheit ist nur im beschränkten Umfang bei vorgegebener Anlagengröße variierbar, insbesondere schwerlich erhöhbar. Weiterhin ist ein aufwendiges Regelungssystem erforderlich. In seltenen Ausnahmefällen, z. B. bei nicht optimal abgestimmtem oder defektem Regelsystem wäre nicht auszuschließen, daß der Tabak verklumpt, was zu einer ungleichmäßigen Mikrowellenbehandlung führen könnte. Es .bestünde dann die Möglichkeit, daß das Imprägnierungsmittel aus den tieferliegenden Tabakschichten nicht vollständig abgeführt würde.In a parallel application with the same seniority (EP-A-202418) a method is described in which, after expansion, the residual amount of impregnating agent still present in the tobacco is removed from the tobacco by subjecting the tobacco to microwave treatment, the rest of the the impregnating liquid is evaporated and discharged for recovery. This method requires a considerable amount of space and the amount of material to be treated per unit of time can only be varied to a limited extent with a given system size, in particular it is difficult to increase. A complex control system is also required. In rare exceptional cases, e.g. B. with not optimally coordinated or defective control system could not be excluded that the tobacco clumps, which could lead to an uneven microwave treatment. There would then be the possibility that the impregnating agent would not be completely removed from the deeper layers of tobacco.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren der eingangs genannten Art anzugeben, das ein gleichmäßiges und vollständiges Austreiben des restlichen Imprägnierungsmittels aus dem Tabak bei schonender Tabakbehandlung ermöglichtThe invention has for its object to provide a method of the type mentioned that enables a uniform and complete expulsion of the remaining impregnating agent from the tobacco with gentle tobacco treatment

Die Lösung dieser Aufgabe besteht erfindungsgemäß darin, daß das Material (z. B. der Tabak) nach der Expansion einer Mikrowellenbehandlung ausgesetzt wird, wobei der Rest der imprägnierenden Flüssigkeit verdampft und zur Wiedergewinnung abgeführt wird, und daß bei der Mikrowellenbehandlung ein zweites Gas zum Austreiben der imprägnierenden Flüssigkeit in das organische Material eingeblasen wird.According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the material (for example the tobacco) is subjected to a microwave treatment after the expansion, the remainder of the impregnating liquid being evaporated and removed for recovery, and in the microwave treatment a second gas for expulsion the impregnating liquid is blown into the organic material.

Bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren wird während der Mikrowellenbehandlung ein zweites Gas, dessen Temperatur und/oder Feuchtigkeitsgehalt geregelt sein kann, unter Druck in das organische Material eingeblasen. Dadurch wird das organische Material aufgelockert, wodurch die Mikrowellenbehandlung vergleichmäßigt wird. Ein Verklumpen des organischen Materials wird vermieden, mit der Folge, daß keine lokalen Überhitzungen auftreten. Das Verdampfen und Abführen des Rest-Imprägnierungsmittels wird durch die Gasströmung erleichtert. Ferner kann durch die Gaseinblasung verhindert werden, daß die bei dem vorgeschalteten Expansionsschritt auftretende Volumenexpansion des organischen Materials durch die mit der Mikrowellenbestrahlung verbundene Behandlung beeinträchtigt wird. Der aufgelockerte Zustand des Materials bleibt durch das Einblasen des Gases aufrechterhalten.In the method according to the invention, a second gas, the temperature and / or moisture content of which can be regulated, is blown into the organic material under pressure during the microwave treatment. This loosens the organic material, making the microwave treatment more uniform. A clumping of the organic material is avoided, with the result that no local overheating occurs. Evaporation and removal of the remaining impregnation agent is facilitated by the gas flow. Furthermore, the gas injection can prevent the volume expansion of the organic material occurring in the preceding expansion step from being impaired by the treatment associated with the microwave radiation. The loosened state of the material is maintained by blowing in the gas.

Ein besonderer Vorteil des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens besteht in der Verbesserung der Steuerungsmöglichkeiten der Verfahrensparameter während der Mikrowellenbehandlung. So kann beispielsweise die Transportgeschwindigkeit des Förderers in der Mikrowellenkammer und/oder die Stärke des Gasstromes bei der Mikrowellenbehandlung und/oder die Strahlungsleistung der Mikrowellensender verändert oder geregelt werden. Ferner ist es möglich, die Eingangsfeuchte des in die Mikrowellenanlage eingespeisten Gases bzw. die Temperatur dieses Gases so einzustellen, daß der Tabak beim Verlassen der Mikrowellenkammer eine bestimmte Endfeuchte hat. Auf diese Weise können separate Trocknungs- und/oder Auffeuchtungsvorgänge entfallen. Der das zu behandelnde Material durchdringende Gasstrom bewirkt ein gleichmäßiges Austreiben des Imprägnierungsmittels, wobei er die Funktion eines Trägergases für das Rest-Imprägnierungsmittel übemimmt. Die Wiedergewinnung des Imprägnierungsmittels wird vereinfacht. Die Behandlung in der Mikrowellenkammer ist in kontinuierlichem Durchlaufbetrieb möglich und einfach zu steuern.A particular advantage of the method according to the invention is the improvement of Control options for the process parameters during microwave treatment. For example, the transport speed of the conveyor in the microwave chamber and / or the strength of the gas flow during microwave treatment and / or the radiation power of the microwave transmitter can be changed or regulated. It is also possible to adjust the input moisture of the gas fed into the microwave system or the temperature of this gas so that the tobacco has a certain final moisture when it leaves the microwave chamber. In this way, separate drying and / or dampening processes can be omitted. The gas stream penetrating the material to be treated causes the impregnating agent to be expelled uniformly, taking over the function of a carrier gas for the remaining impregnating agent. The recovery of the impregnation agent is simplified. The treatment in the microwave chamber is possible in continuous continuous operation and is easy to control.

Die Erfindung betrifft ferner einen Mikrowellenofen mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs zur Durchführung des erläuterten Verfahrens.The invention further relates to a microwave oven with the features of the claim for carrying out the method described.

Erfindungsgemäß ist in der Mikrowellenkammer ein Förderer vorgesehen, aus dessen Förderfläche das zweite Gas austritt. Über der Förderfläche dieses Förderers entsteht eine Art Wirbelschicht, in der das organische Material aufgewirbelt und vorübergehend in der Schwebe gehalten wird. Der Gasaustritt braucht sich nicht über die gesamte Länge des Förderers zu erstrecken. Unter dem Begriff «Fön1erer» ist nicht notwendigerweise eine einzige Fördervorrichtung zu verstehen. Es können auch mehrere Fördervorrichtungen hintereinander angeordnet sein.According to the invention, a conveyor is provided in the microwave chamber, from whose conveying surface the second gas emerges. A kind of fluidized bed is created over the conveyor surface of this conveyor, in which the organic material is whirled up and temporarily held in suspension. The gas outlet need not extend the entire length of the conveyor. The term “hair dryer” does not necessarily mean a single conveying device. Several conveying devices can also be arranged one behind the other.

Die Begasung des auf dem Förderer befindlichen organischen Materials kann ferner auch durch Gasaustrittsöffnungen erfolgen, die unabhängig vom Förderer in der Mikrowellenkammer angeordnet sind, beispielsweise an der Wand der Mikrowellenkammer. Es ist also nicht erforderlich, daß das Gas von unten gegen das organische Material strömt, obwohl dies eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform darstellt. Eine Auflockerung und Verbesserung der Abführung des Imprägnierungsmittels tritt auch ein, wenn die Begasungs- öffnungen an den Seitenwänden oder an der Oberwand der Mikrowellenkammer angeordnet sind.The gassing of the organic material located on the conveyor can also take place through gas outlet openings which are arranged in the microwave chamber independently of the conveyor, for example on the wall of the microwave chamber. It is therefore not necessary for the gas to flow against the organic material from below, although this is a preferred embodiment. The impregnation agent is also loosened and improved when the gassing openings are arranged on the side walls or on the top wall of the microwave chamber.

Im folgenden wird unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung anhand der Verarbeitung von Tabak näher erläutert.In the following, an embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawings based on the processing of tobacco.

Es zeigen :

  • Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung des gesamten Verfahrensablaufs und
  • Fig. 2 eine schematische detailliertere Darstellung des Mikrowellenofens, in der dem zweite Verfahrensschritt durchgeführt wird.
Show it :
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the entire process and
  • 2 shows a schematic, more detailed illustration of the microwave oven in which the second method step is carried out.

Gemäß Fig. 1 wird Tabak über einen Befeuchter 10 der Imprägniereinrichtung 11 zugeführt. Die Imprägniereinrichtung 11 besteht aus einem Schneckenförderer 12, in dessen Einlaßende zusätzlich zu dem Tabak die imprägnierende Flüssigkeit eingeführt wird. Diese Flüssigkeit wird über Leitung 13 in Dampfform zugeführt. Bei der inerten organischen Flüssigkeit handelt es sich vorzugsweise um Halogenkohlenwasserstoffe, z. B. um Trichlorfluormethan (Frigen-11). Andere für die Expansion benutzbare inerte organische Flüssigkeiten sind in DE-A-19 17 552 und DE-A-22 03 105 angegeben.1, tobacco is fed to the impregnation device 11 via a humidifier 10. The impregnation device 11 consists of a screw conveyor 12, in the inlet end of which the impregnating liquid is introduced in addition to the tobacco. This liquid is supplied in vapor form via line 13. The inert organic liquid is preferably halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. B. trichlorofluoromethane (Frigen-11). Other inert organic liquids that can be used for the expansion are specified in DE-A-19 17 552 and DE-A-22 03 105.

Vom Auslaß des Schneckenförderers 11 gelangt der Tabak zu dem Expander 14, dem von einem Gebläse 15 heißer Wasserdampf zugeführt wird, der in dem Erhitzer 16 erwärmt worden ist. Die Temperatur des Wasserdampfes (oder eines anderen als Wärmeträger benutzten Gases) liegt über der Siedetemperatur des Imprägnierungsmittels, so daß dieses verdampft und im Expander 14 eine Volumenvergrößerung des Tabakmaterials verursacht.From the outlet of the screw conveyor 11, the tobacco arrives at the expander 14, to which hot water vapor, which has been heated in the heater 16, is fed by a blower 15. The temperature of the water vapor (or another gas used as a heat carrier) is above the boiling point of the impregnating agent, so that it evaporates and causes an increase in volume of the tobacco material in the expander 14.

Vom Auslaß des Expanders 14 führt eine Leitung zu einem Zyklon 17. Der Tabak sinkt im Zyklon 17 zum unteren Auslaß 18, während die gasförmigen Bestandteile durch den oberen Auslaß 19 entweichen. Vom Auslaß 19 führt eine Rückführleitung 20 zum Erhitzer 16. Von der Rückführleitung 20 zweigt eine Leitung 21 ab, die zu dem Regenerator 22 führt, in welchem das Imprägnierungsmittel von dem Dampf entfernt wird. Die Dampfbestandteile (Wasser und Luft) werden in einen Sumpf 23 abgeführt, während das Imprägnierungsmittel in den Tank 24 geleitet wird. Vom Tank 24 führt eine Leitung 25, die eine Pumpe 26 enthält, zu dem Verdampfer 27, dessen Auslaß mit Leitung 13 verbunden ist. Der Verdampfer 27 bewirkt, daß die imprägnierende Flüssigkeit in Dampfform in die Imprägniervorrichtung 11 eingeleitet wird.A line leads from the outlet of the expander 14 to a cyclone 17. The tobacco sinks in the cyclone 17 to the lower outlet 18, while the gaseous components escape through the upper outlet 19. A return line 20 leads from the outlet 19 to the heater 16. A line 21 branches off from the return line 20 and leads to the regenerator 22, in which the impregnating agent is removed from the steam. The vapor components (water and air) are discharged into a sump 23 while the impregnating agent is fed into the tank 24. From the tank 24, a line 25, which contains a pump 26, leads to the evaporator 27, the outlet of which is connected to line 13. The evaporator 27 causes the impregnating liquid to be introduced into the impregnating device 11 in vapor form.

Vom Auslaß 18 des Zyklons 17 gelangt der Tabak zu einem mit Wasserdampf betriebenen Abscheider 28 für das Imprägnierungsmittel und von dort über einen Förderer 31 zum Mikrowellenofen 33. Von dem Abscheider 28 wird über Leitung 21 a weitere imprägnierende Flüssigkeit, die noch im Tabak vorhanden ist, dem Regenerator 22 zugeführt.From the outlet 18 of the cyclone 17, the tobacco arrives at a steam-operated separator 28 for the impregnating agent and from there via a conveyor 31 to the microwave oven 33. fed to the regenerator 22.

Der Förderer 31 führt zu dem Mikrowellenofen 33, aus dem der konditionierte und gelockerte, von dem Expansionsmittel befreite Tabak über den Förderer 34 abgeführt wird.The conveyor 31 leads to the microwave oven 33, from which the conditioned and loosened tobacco freed from the expansion agent is removed via the conveyor 34.

Der Mikrowellenofen 33 ist in Fig. 2 schematisch dargestellt. Er enthält eine Mikrowellenkammer 35, deren Wände mit einem gegen Hochfrequenz abschirmenden Material beschichtet sind. Die Mikrowellenkammer 35 weist einen Einlaufabschnitt 35a geringer Höhe, einen Mittelabschnitt 35b größerer Höhe und einen Auslaufabschnitt 35c geringer Höhe auf. Die untere Begrenzung der Mikrowellenkammer 35 wird von der Förderfläche 36 des Förderers 37 gebildet, die ebenfalls mit strahlungsabschirmendem Material beschichtet ist. Der Förderer 37 ist bei dem vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel ein Schwingförderer, dessen durchgehende Förderfläche 36 sich unter allen drei Abschnitten 35a, 35b, 35c erstreckt. Im Bereich des Mittelabschnitts 35b sind an der Förderfläche 36 zahlreiche Austrittsdüsen 38 vorgesehen, aus denen Luft bzw. Gas oder Dampf austritt, um das auf dem Förderer liegende Tabakmaterial 39 zu begasen und zur Erzeugung einer Wirbelschicht aufzuwirbeln. Im Einlaufabschnitt 35a . und dem Auslaufabschnitt 35c sind keine Düsen vorhanden. Die Höhe dieser Abschnitte 35a und 35c entspricht etwa der Höhe der Tabakschicht auf dem Förderer 37 und die Länge dieser Abschnitte ist ausreichend groß bemessen, so daß keine Mikrowellenenergie aus der Mikrowellenkammer 35 austreten kann. Der Förderer 31 ragt in einen zum Einlaufabschnitt 35a führenden engen Kanal 39 hinein, dessen Wände ebenfalls abgeschirmt sind.The microwave oven 33 is shown schematically in FIG. 2. It contains a microwave chamber 35, the walls of which are coated with a material shielding against high frequency. The microwave chamber 35 has an inlet section 35a of low height, a central section 35b of higher height and an outlet section 35c of low height. The lower boundary of the microwave chamber 35 is formed by the conveying surface 36 of the conveyor 37, which is also coated with radiation-shielding material. In the present exemplary embodiment, the conveyor 37 is an oscillating conveyor, the continuous conveying surface 36 of which extends under all three sections 35a, 35b, 35c. In Be Rich in the middle section 35b, numerous outlet nozzles 38 are provided on the conveying surface 36, from which air or gas or steam emerges in order to gas the tobacco material 39 lying on the conveyor and whirl up to produce a fluidized bed. In the inlet section 35a. and the outlet portion 35c there are no nozzles. The height of these sections 35a and 35c corresponds approximately to the height of the tobacco layer on the conveyor 37 and the length of these sections is dimensioned to be sufficiently large that no microwave energy can escape from the microwave chamber 35. The conveyor 31 projects into a narrow channel 39 leading to the inlet section 35a, the walls of which are also shielded.

Das Abwurfende des Förderers 37 ist nahe der ausgangsseitigen Stimwand 40 der Mikrowellenkammer 35 angeordnet und mit einem nach unten gerichteten Fortsatz 41 versehen. Zwischen der Stirnwand 40 und dem Fortsatz 41 wird ein schmaler vertikaler Schacht gebildet, durch das Tabakmaterial auf den darunter angeordneten Förderer 34 fällt, der aus dem Mikrowellenofen 33 herausführt. Die Weite des Schachts zwischen den Wänden 40 und 41 entspricht etwa der Höhe von Einlaufabschnitt 35a und Auslaufabschnitt 35c. Auf diese Weise wird durch enge Förderwege und labyrinthartige Umlenkung des Tabakweges eine gute einlaß- und auslaßseitige Abschirmung der Mikrowellenkammer erreicht. Zusätzlich sind die Stimwände 43, die Seitenwände und die Bodenwand 42 in dem unterhalb der Förderfläche 36 liegenden Bereich des Mikrowellenofens mit abschirmenden Material ausgekleidet, um eine weitere Sicherheit gegen das Austreten von Mikrowellenenergie zu bewirken. Im Bereich des Obertrums des Förderers 34 befindet sich eine Öffnung 44, durch die der Obertrum zusammen mit dem auf ihm liegenden Tabakmaterial hindurchgehen kann. Für den Untertrum des Förderers 34 ist ein schmaler Schlitz 45 in der Stimwand 40 des Mikrowellenofens vorgesehen.The discharge end of the conveyor 37 is arranged near the end wall 40 of the microwave chamber 35 on the output side and is provided with an extension 41 directed downwards. Between the end wall 40 and the extension 41, a narrow vertical shaft is formed, through which tobacco material falls onto the conveyor 34 arranged underneath, which leads out of the microwave oven 33. The width of the shaft between the walls 40 and 41 corresponds approximately to the height of the inlet section 35a and outlet section 35c. In this way, a good inlet and outlet shielding of the microwave chamber is achieved by narrow conveying paths and labyrinth-like deflection of the tobacco path. In addition, the end walls 43, the side walls and the bottom wall 42 are lined with shielding material in the region of the microwave oven lying below the conveying surface 36, in order to bring about a further security against the escape of microwave energy. In the area of the upper run of the conveyor 34 there is an opening 44 through which the upper run can pass together with the tobacco material lying on it. A narrow slot 45 is provided in the end wall 40 of the microwave oven for the lower run of the conveyor 34.

Der Förderer 37, der vollständig im Mikrowellenofen 33 enthalten ist, weist vertikale Ständer 46 auf, an denen über Federn 47 ein Schwingbalken 48 gelagert ist. Von dem horizontalen Schwingbalken 48 stehen zahlreiche parallele Blattfederelemente 49 schräg nach oben ab. An den oberen Enden der Blattfederelemente 49 ist der Förderbalken 50 befestigt, dessen Oberseite die Förderfläche 38 bildet. Unterhalb des Schwingbalkens 48 ist über weitere Blattfederelemente 49 ein Ausgleichsbalken 51 befestigt, der parallel zu dem Schwingbalken 48 und zu dem Förderbalken 50 verläuft. Der Förderer wird von einem Exzenter 52 erregt, der von dem Motor 53 angetrieben ist. Dabei führt der Förderbalken 50 derartige Schwingungen aus, daß das auf ihm liegende Tabakmaterial von dem Einlaufabschnitt 35a zum Auslaufabschnitt 35c gefördert wird und dabei den Mitteiabschnitt 35 passiert.The conveyor 37, which is completely contained in the microwave oven 33, has vertical stands 46, on which an oscillating beam 48 is mounted via springs 47. Numerous parallel leaf spring elements 49 protrude obliquely upward from the horizontal oscillating beam 48. At the upper ends of the leaf spring elements 49, the conveyor bar 50 is attached, the top of which forms the conveyor surface 38. A compensating beam 51 is fastened below the oscillating beam 48 via further leaf spring elements 49 and runs parallel to the oscillating beam 48 and to the conveyor beam 50. The conveyor is excited by an eccentric 52 which is driven by the motor 53. The conveyor bar 50 executes such vibrations that the tobacco material lying on it is conveyed from the inlet section 35a to the outlet section 35c and thereby passes through the middle section 35.

Der Förderbalken 50 ist über einen flexiblen Schlauch an eine Luftleitung 55 angeschlossen, die von einer Konditioniereinrichtung 56 kommt (Fig. 1).The conveyor bar 50 is connected via a flexible hose to an air line 55 which comes from a conditioning device 56 (FIG. 1).

In der Mikrowellenkammer 35 sind an verschiedenen Stellen Feuchtigkeit und/oder Temperaturfühler 57 angeordnet, die die Feuchte bzw. die Temperatur des Tabaks berührungslos messen und deren Signale in einem Steuergerät 58, z. B. einen Mikroprozessor, verarbeitet werden. Das Steuergerät 58 steuert die Menge und/oder Temperatur und/oder Feuchtigkeit der über Leitung 55 zugeführten Luft und ggf. auch die Fördergeschwindigkeit des Förderers 37.In the microwave chamber 35, moisture and / or temperature sensors 57 are arranged at different points, which measure the moisture or the temperature of the tobacco without contact and whose signals in a control device 58, for. B. a microprocessor to be processed. The control unit 58 controls the amount and / or temperature and / or humidity of the air supplied via line 55 and possibly also the conveying speed of the conveyor 37.

Im Mittelabschnitt 35b der Mikrowellenkammer 35 sind Mikrowellenstrahler 61 installiert, die Mikrowellenenergie in Richtung auf den Tabak senden. Die Mikrowellenenergie der Mikrowellenstrahler 61 kann ebenfalls durch das Steuergerät 58 geregelt werden.In the middle section 35b of the microwave chamber 35, microwave emitters 61 are installed, which send microwave energy in the direction of the tobacco. The microwave energy of the microwave emitters 61 can also be regulated by the control device 58.

Zum Absaugen der der Mikrowellenkammer zugeführten Luft und des Imprägnierungsmittels sind in allen drei Abschnitten 35a, 35b und 35c Saugöffnungen 59 vorgesehen, die an eine Saugquelle 60 angeschlossen sind.Suction openings 59, which are connected to a suction source 60, are provided in all three sections 35a, 35b and 35c for sucking off the air supplied to the microwave chamber and the impregnation agent.

Das der Mikrowellenkammer 35 über den Förderer 31 zugeführte Tabakmaterial gelangt auf den Förderer 37 und wird von diesem zunächst durch den Einlaufabschnitt 35a gefördert. Die Tabakschicht ist so hoch, daß sie die Höhe des Einlaufabschnitts 35a im wesentlichen ausfüllt, ohne zusammengedrückt zu werden. Im Mittelabschnitt 35b, dessen Höhe mindestens das Doppelte derjenigen des Einlaufabschnitts 35a beträgt, wird das Tabakmaterial durch Anblasen von unten aufgelockert und hochgewirbelt, während es gleichzeitig der Mikrowellenbehandlung unterzogen wird. Beim Verlassen des Mittelabschnitts lagert sich das Tabakmaterial in einer lockeren Schicht wieder auf der Förderfläche 36 ab, um bis zum Förderer 34 transportiert und auf diesem abgeführt zu werden.The tobacco material supplied to the microwave chamber 35 via the conveyor 31 reaches the conveyor 37 and is first conveyed by it through the inlet section 35a. The tobacco layer is so high that it substantially fills the height of the inlet section 35a without being compressed. In the middle section 35b, the height of which is at least twice that of the inlet section 35a, the tobacco material is loosened and whirled up by blowing from below, while at the same time it is subjected to the microwave treatment. When leaving the middle section, the tobacco material is deposited in a loose layer again on the conveying surface 36 in order to be transported to the conveyor 34 and to be carried away thereon.

Claims (8)

1. Process for treating tobacco and similar organic materials, comprising
impregnating the material with an inert organic liquid and heating it beyond the boiling point of said liquid by introducing a first hot gas whereby the liquid is evaporated while the material is being expanded,
recovering, after the expansion, part of the evaporated liquid while a residue is left in the material, characterized in that after the expansion, the material is exposed to a microwave treatment, whereby the residue of the impregnating liquid is evaporated and withdrawn for recovery, and that, with the microwave treatment, a second gas is blown into the organic material to expel the impregnating liquid.
2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the second gas is discharged from a conveyer accomodated in a microwave furnace (33) and that it is blown from below into the organic material.
3. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that the discharge pressure of the second gas is high enough to cause turbulences and dis- aggregation of the organic material.
4. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, prior to its introduction into the organic material, the second gas is treated in a conditioning means (56) for adjusting the humidity content and/or the temperature.
5. Microwave furnace for performing the microwave treatment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a microwave chamber (35) provided with microwave radiators (61) and with suction apertures (59) connected to a suction source (60), characterized in that the microwave chamber (35) is provided with a conveyer (37) connected to a feed conduit (55), the conveying surface (36) of which conveyer (37) has a plurality of outlet nozzles (38) to blow in air, gas and steam, whereby the medium exiting from the outlet nozzles is blown through the organic material placed on the conveying surface (36).
6. Microwave furnace according to claim 5, characterized in that the conveyer (37) is a vibration conveyer.
7. Microwave furnace according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, above the conveyer (37), the microwave chamber (35) comprises a higher central portion (35b) adjoined by an inlet portion (35a) and an outlet portion (35c) of a lesser height and that the conveyer (37) substantially extends over the total length of all portions (35a, 35b, 35c).
8. Microwave furnace according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the microwave chamber (35) is limited downwardly by the conveying surface (36) of the conveyer (37) consisting of shielding material.
EP87105912A 1986-04-23 1987-04-22 Process for treating tobacco and similar organic materials Expired EP0242873B1 (en)

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AT87105912T ATE45272T1 (en) 1986-04-23 1987-04-22 METHODS OF TREATMENT OF TOBACCO AND SIMILAR ORGANIC MATERIALS.
JP9189088A JPS63279776A (en) 1987-04-22 1988-04-15 Method and apparatus for treating tobacco material or organic material similar thereto

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EP86105606 1986-04-23
EP86105606A EP0242418B1 (en) 1986-04-23 1986-04-23 Process for treating tobacco and similar organic materials

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EP0242418B1 (en) 1989-01-04
ATE39600T1 (en) 1989-01-15
DE3661587D1 (en) 1989-02-09
ATE45272T1 (en) 1989-08-15
JPS62257374A (en) 1987-11-09
DE3760403D1 (en) 1989-09-14
ES2010686B3 (en) 1989-12-01
EP0242418A1 (en) 1987-10-28
US4944316A (en) 1990-07-31
US4821747A (en) 1989-04-18
GR3000206T3 (en) 1990-12-31
EP0242873A1 (en) 1987-10-28

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