Patents Assigned to BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
  • Patent number: 11697854
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge can be employed in the sugar industry for separating crystalline carbohydrates or sugar alcohols from a crystal suspension called a magma or a mother liquor. The magma has a varying content of fine grain that is dependent on the properties of the pretreatment and of the raw material. Variable control values are provided in a control device of the centrifuge. One or plurality of sensors are provided that carry out the measurements in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, and/or conductive ways. These measurements that are conducted serve for determining the fine grain fraction of the magma. The measurements are supplied as measurement signals to the control device of the centrifuge. The control device automatically analyzes the measurement signals supplied to it and evaluates them with respect to the fine grain content of the magma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Jens Mahrholz, Uwe Schwanke, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Patent number: 11320199
    Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporation dryer (1) for drying particles, having—a process chamber (10) with at least one product inlet (11) for supplying the particles to be dried into the process chamber (10) and a product outlet (12) for discharging dried particles from the process chamber (10), —a heat exchanger (20) arranged within the process chamber (10), —having at least one inlet (21, 211) into the heat exchanger (20) for pressurized steam as process steam and at least one condensate outlet (22, 222) from the heat exchanger (20), wherein—the at least one condensate outlet (22, 222) is connected to an expansion tank (30), wherein at least one pump (40) is connected to the expansion tank (30), and the expanding steam is pumped out of the expansion tank (30) and supplied to the process steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Gerald Caspers, Hartmut Hafemann
  • Patent number: 10822666
    Abstract: A method for obtaining crystals from a mother solution operates such that mother solution is fed into a crystallisation device. Supersaturation of the mother solution is brought about by open and/or closed-loop control of the temperature (?). Seed crystals are added to the mother solution at a seeding point (Sp). The seed crystals are grown as nuclei by continuous closed-loop process control and are finally removed from the method as crystals. They form the product yield. The formation of crystal nuclei in the mother solution is countered by steps in the closed-loop process control. During the closed-loop process control and the crystallisation procedure, the position of the limit (M) of the formation of secondary nuclei is determined using sensors that detect data currently, wherein the position of the limit (M) is established as a value of the concentration (c) and the temperature (?) from these data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Jens Mahrholz, Andreas Lehnberger
  • Publication number: 20200299790
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge can be employed in the sugar industry for separating crystalline carbohydrates or sugar alcohols from a crystal suspension called a magma or a mother liquor. The magma has a varying content of fine grain that is dependent on the properties of the pretreatment and of the raw material. Variable control values are provided in a control device of the centrifuge. One or plurality of sensors are provided that carry out the measurements in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, and/or conductive ways. These measurements that are conducted serve for determining the fine grain fraction of the magma. The measurements are supplied as measurement signals to the control device of the centrifuge. The control device automatically analyzes the measurement signals supplied to it and evaluates them with respect to the fine grain content of the magma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Jens Mahrholz, Uwe Schwanke, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Patent number: 10549288
    Abstract: A device having a centrifuge operating discontinuously in batch-type manner for separating syrup from sugar massecuites including a centrifuge housing having a wall and a base, as well as a cylindrical centrifuge drum in a centrifuge housing having discharge openings. A first receiving container serves for the reception of a green discharge. A second receiving serves for the reception of a white discharge. A control device and valve or shut-off assemblies controllable by the control device are provided at or in the discharge opening or in connecting lines for the purposes of separating the green discharge and the white discharge. At least one sensor is provided in the transport path of the syrup. The sensor includes a measuring device for the measurement of a physical value which is representative of the difference between green discharge and white discharge. The control device controls the valve or shut-off assemblies in dependence on the measured values of the physical value transmitted by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Lehnberger, Dirk Spangenberg, Igor Djoukwe
  • Patent number: 10330385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing fluids and/or solid substances from a mixture of particle-shaped materials with a container which forms a ring-shaped process chamber with a plurality of cells separated from each other by walls, comprising an inlet cell, intermediate cells and an outlet cell, a feeding installation for conveying the mixture to be treated into the inlet cell of the process chamber, a discharge installation for discharging the mixture treated from the outlet cell of the process chamber, a ventilation installation for feeding in a first fluidisation agent, in particular in the form of overheated vapour, from below into the process chamber through an inflow floor for generating a fluidised bed in the process chamber, a heating installation for preparing the first fluidisation agent in the flow direction before the ventilation installation, swirl impellers for conditioning the flow in the container from the process chamber to the heating installation and which in part also le
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Gerald Caspers, Hartmut Hafemann, Carsten Bonath, Holger Fersterra
  • Patent number: 9764337
    Abstract: A discontinuous centrifuge consists of a rotatable centrifuge drum incorporating a drive spindle, a casing and a base. A hub of the centrifuge drum comprises a plurality of arms for the indirect or direct connection of the casing of the centrifuge drum to the drive spindle of the centrifuge drum. A scraper serves for scraping a product off the inner wall of the casing of the rotatable centrifuge drum. The scraper comprises an element which is pivotal about an axis, which axis extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge drum. The element comprises a blade which extends over almost the entire height of the centrifuge drum and makes contact with the product after the pivotal movement. The scraper is not moveable vertically. The arms of the hub have upper surfaces which are located below the drum base. The scraper is mounted independently of the swinging suspension of the centrifuge drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Hans-Heinrich Westendarp, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Publication number: 20170045293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing fluids and/or solid substances from a mixture of particle-shaped materials with a container which forms a ring-shaped process chamber with a plurality of cells separated from each other by walls, comprising an inlet cell, intermediate cells and an outlet cell, a feeding installation for conveying the mixture to be treated into the inlet cell of the process chamber, a discharge installation for discharging the mixture treated from the outlet cell of the process chamber, a ventilation installation for feeding in a first fluidisation agent, in particular in the form of overheated vapour, from below into the process chamber through an inflow floor for generating a fluidised bed in the process chamber, a heating installation for preparing the first fluidisation agent in the flow direction before the ventilation installation, swirl impellers for conditioning the flow in the container from the process chamber to the heating installation and which in part also le
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Gerald Caspers, Hartmut Hafemann, Carsten Bonath, Holger Fersterra
  • Patent number: 9463475
    Abstract: A discontinuous centrifuge has a rotatable centrifuge drum with a casing. The cylindrical centrifuge casing is provided with holes to discharge a liquid produced during the centrifugation. The holes have a cross-section with an elliptical shape. The cross-section of the holes is widened from the inside to the outside. The hole wall is continuous in this case. The diameter of the cross-sections of the holes parallel to the drum axis on the inside of the casing is equal to the diameter of the cross-sections of the holes parallel to the drum axis on the outside of the casing. The diameter of the cross-sections of the holes in the peripheral direction, on the other hand, on the inside of the casing is smaller than the diameter of the cross-sections of the holes in the peripheral direction on the outside of the casing. The area of the elliptical holes may be additionally also divided by webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Hans-Heinrich Westendarp, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Patent number: 9180467
    Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge for centrifuging sugar massecuites has an upwardly flaring conical sieve basket (20) which rotates about a vertical axis (16). A product distributor (40) flares downwardly and extends into the bottom region of the sieve basket (20). The product distributor (40) is substantially coaxial with respect to the sieve basket (20), has a discharge rim and rotates about the same vertical axis (16) as the sieve basket (20). Within and in the upper region of the product distributor (40), there is provided a distributor pot (30) which serves as a feeding device for the sugar massecuites in the axial region of the centrifuge. The peripheral wall of the product distributor (40) is divided up into a plurality of ring elements (41, 42, 43) which overlap in the direction of the axis (16) and the internal diameters of which differ from each other. A bell (50) surrounds the product distributor (40) and flares conically downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Bartsch, Hans-Heinrich Westendarp
  • Patent number: 9174224
    Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge serves for centrifuging sugar massecuites. It has elements (20, 30, 40, 50) which rotate about a common axis (16). Furthermore, there is provided a drive unit (70), an outer housing incorporating a framework (10) having a base (11) and side walls (12) and vibration damping elements (82). An inner housing (80) is provided around the elements (20, 30, 40, 50) rotating about the common axis (16). The vibration damping elements (82) are arranged between the inner housing (80) and the base (11) of the framework (10) of the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Bartsch, Hans-Heinrich Westendarp
  • Publication number: 20150290662
    Abstract: A device having a centrifuge operating discontinuously in batch-type manner for separating syrup from sugar massecuites including a centrifuge housing having a wall and a base, as well as a cylindrical centrifuge drum in a centrifuge housing having discharge openings. A first receiving container serves for the reception of a green discharge. A second receiving serves for the reception of a white discharge. A control device and valve or shut-off assemblies controllable by the control device are provided at or in the discharge opening or in connecting lines for the purposes of separating the green discharge and the white discharge. At least one sensor is provided in the transport path of the syrup. The sensor includes a measuring device for the measurement of a physical value which is representative of the difference between green discharge and white discharge. The control device controls the valve or shut-off assemblies in dependence on the measured values of the physical value transmitted by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Lehnberger, Dirk Spangenberg, Igor Djoukwe
  • Patent number: 8844162
    Abstract: A device for removing fluids from particulate materials, including a container having a circular process chamber with a cylindrical external contour, an input device for inputting the materials into the process chamber, a discharge device for discharging the particulate materials freed of the fluid from the process chamber, a feed device for feeding a fluidizing agent from below into the process chamber, and at least one conditioning device for conditioning the fluidization agent in the direction of flow prior to the feed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Lothar Krell, Gerald Caspers
  • Publication number: 20140256528
    Abstract: A discontinuous centrifuge consists of a rotatable centrifuge drum incorporating a drive spindle, a casing and a base. A hub of the centrifuge drum comprises a plurality of arms for the indirect or direct connection of the casing of the centrifuge drum to the drive spindle of the centrifuge drum. A scraper serves for scraping a product off the inner wall of the casing of the rotatable centrifuge drum. The scraper comprises an element which is pivotal about an axis, which axis extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge drum. The element comprises a blade which extends over almost the entire height of the centrifuge drum and makes contact with the product after the pivotal movement. The scraper is not moveable vertically. The arms of the hub have upper surfaces which are located below the drum base. The scraper is mounted independently of the swinging suspension of the centrifuge drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Hans-Heinrich Westendarp, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Publication number: 20120142513
    Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge for centrifuging sugar massecuites has an upwardly flaring conical sieve basket (20) which rotates about a vertical axis (16). A product distributor (40) flares downwardly and extends into the bottom region of the sieve basket (20). The product distributor (40) is substantially coaxial with respect to the sieve basket (20), has a discharge rim and rotates about the same vertical axis (16) as the sieve basket (20). Within and in the upper region of the product distributor (40), there is provided a distributor pot (30) which serves as a feeding device for the sugar massecuites in the axial region of the centrifuge. The peripheral wall of the product distributor (40) is divided up into a plurality of ring elements (41, 42, 43) which overlap in the direction of the axis (16) and the internal diameters of which differ from each other. A bell (50) surrounds the product distributor (40) and flares conically downwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Bartsch, Hans-Heinrich Westendarp
  • Publication number: 20120122650
    Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge serves for centrifuging sugar massecuites. it has elements (20, 30, 40, 50) which rotate about a common axis (16). Furthermore, there is provided a drive unit (70), an outer housing incorporating a framework (10) having a base (11) and side walls (12) and vibration damping elements (82). An inner housing (80) is provided around the elements (20, 30, 40, 50) rotating about the common axis (16). The vibration damping elements (82) are arranged between the inner housing (80) and the base (11) of the framework (10) of the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Bartsch, Hans-Heinrich Westendarp