Patents Assigned to GEA Process Engineering A/S
  • Patent number: 10428961
    Abstract: The sanitary diverter valve (70) is for use in a drying system or powder conveying system including conveying lines and a purge line of a purge arrangement. The sanitary diverter valve comprises a valve housing (71) with a number of openings (72, 73, 74) configured to be connected to respective lines of the system. The valve housing (71) is substantially cylindrical and includes a first opening (72), a second opening (73) and a third opening (74). Furthermore, the diverter valve (70) comprises a rotatable diversion member (75) provided with a flow channel (76) having a first end (76a) and a second end (76b), an open space (77) being defined between the valve housing (71) and the rotatable diversion member (75).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GEA PROCESS ENGINEERING A/S
    Inventor: Morten Gregersen
  • Patent number: 10427173
    Abstract: A cyclone (4) for separation of solids and gases comprising a predefined circumference and at least one inlet (42a), for supplying a mixed stream of powder and air/gas, a first outlet in the form of a powder outlet (43) at the bottom of the cyclone (4) for extracting powder, a vortex finder (45) at the top of the cyclone, said vortex finder (45) further comprising a wall (50) and a second outlet in the form of an air/gas outlet (44) for extracting air/gas, characterized in that said cyclone (4) comprises a secondary powder extraction system (46) including a third outlet (48a), located in or at the vortex finder (45) to extract powder particles from the mixed stream entering the vortex finder (45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GEA PROCESS ENGINEERING A/S
    Inventor: Kasper Berthu Damkjær
  • Publication number: 20190255792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw press apparatus (1) comprising an outer casing (2) surrounding a screening tube (6a) with a plurality of liquid discharge holes, a slurry inlet port (3) at one end of the screening tube and a solids discharge port (4) at an opposite end of the screening tube, the screening tube housing an axially located auger (5), the outer casing (2) having a first opening in fluid communication with the slurry inlet port (3), a second opening in fluid communication with the solids discharge port (4), and a third opening (8) in fluid communication with the liquid discharge holes of the screening tube (6), a cleaning device (20) located between the outer casing and the screening tube, a device (10) for axially moving the cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Alexander William Lear
  • Publication number: 20190255455
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an external mixing pressurized two-fluid nozzle for atomising a liquid by means of liquid pressure and gas, comprising an inner feed liquid pipe (1) extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end, having a feed liquid conduit (2), a feed liquid inlet (3) positioned at the upstream end and a feed orifice (4) positioned at the downstream end, and a co-axial first gas pipe (5) extending radially outside the inner feed liquid pipe (1) and forming a first gas conduit (6) between the first gas pipe (5) and the inner feed liquid pipe (1), the first gas pipe (5) having a gas outlet slit (7) positioned at the downstream end. Said external mixing two-fluid nozzle provides a swirling motion of the gas, which combined with a pressurized feed liquid enables the production of spray dried powder at industrially applicable capacities with low energy consumption and a small particle size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Per Bo SORENSEN, Anders Bo JENSEN, Soren FREDSTED
  • Patent number: 10376809
    Abstract: The insert (20) is adapted to be fitted into an atomizer wheel. Each insert (20) has a longitudinal axis and comprises an inner end face (21), an outer end face (22), an external surface (23) and an internal surface (24) defining a channel (35) having a center axis (c) and extending between an inlet (25) at the inner end face (21) and an outlet (26) at the outer end face (22). At least the inlet (25) is offset from the longitudinal axis such that the center axis of the channel (35) is offset from the longitudinal axis of the insert (20). The insert (20) is adapted to be utilized in an atomizer wheel for a spray dryer for atomizing slurries of abrasive material, for instance for spray drying absorption for flue gas cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Erling Skov Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20190009282
    Abstract: A cyclone (4) for separation of solids and gases comprising a predefined circumference and at least one inlet (42a), for supplying a mixed stream of powder and air/gas, a first outlet in the form of a powder outlet (43) at the bottom of the cyclone (4) for extracting powder, a vortex finder (45) at the top of the cyclone, said vortex finder (45) further comprising a wall (50) and a second outlet in the form of an air/gas outlet (44) for extracting air/gas, characterized in that said cyclone (4) comprises a secondary powder extraction system (46) including a third outlet (48a), located in or at the vortex finder (45) to extract powder particles from the mixed stream entering the vortex finder (45).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Kasper Berthu DAMKJÆR
  • Patent number: 10066872
    Abstract: In the air disperser (4) having a number of components including a top, a bottom and an outer circumferential wall forming a space (45) defined within an inner radius and an outer radius and having an air inlet (81), a set of guide vanes (7), and an air outlet (82) at the inner radius adapted to be positioned above a feed outlet from atomizing means, at least some of the components are formed by precision metal forming such as metal spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Kent Lückstädt Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20180229150
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an external mixing pressurized two-fluid nozzle for atomising a liquid by means of liquid pressure and gas, comprising an inner feed liquid pipe (1) extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end, having a feed liquid conduit (2), a feed liquid inlet (3) positioned at the upstream end and a feed orifice (4) positioned at the downstream end, and a co-axial first gas pipe (5) extending radially outside the inner feed liquid pipe (1) and forming a first gas conduit (6) between the first gas pipe (5) and the inner feed liquid pipe (1), the first gas pipe (5) having a gas outlet slit (7) positioned at the downstream end. Said external mixing two-fluid nozzle provides a swirling motion of the gas, which combined with a pressurized feed liquid enables the production of spray dried powder at industrially applicable capacities with low energy consumption and a small particle size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Per Bo SORENSEN, Anders Bo JENSEN, Soren FREDSTED
  • Publication number: 20180172559
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sampling apparatus for use in explosive environments comprising particles of a mean size of up to 500 ?m, the sampling apparatus comprising a displaceable arm having a sample container, which displaceable arm has a first position where the sample container is inserted into a first zone for collecting a sample of particles into the sample container, and a second zone where the displaceable arm is outside the product stream, the second zone being contained in a housing with an opening for the displaceable arm. The sampling apparatus has an interface between the first and the second zone, which interface is selected from the list consisting of a closable member, a gate valve or an air knife. The invention also relates to a dryer comprising a drying chamber and a sampling apparatus of the invention. In a further aspect the invention relates to a method of estimating the flowability of a sample of organic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Kniep JØRGENSEN, Anders SEHESTED, Esben KRAUTHAMMER
  • Patent number: 9981200
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an external mixing pressurized two-fluid nozzle for atomising a liquid by means of liquid pressure and gas, comprising an inner feed liquid pipe (1) extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end, having a feed liquid conduit (2), a feed liquid inlet (3) positioned at the upstream end and a feed orifice (4) positioned at the downstream end, and a co-axial first gas pipe (5) extending radially outside the inner feed liquid pipe (1) and forming a first gas conduit (6) between the first gas pipe (5) and the inner feed liquid pipe (1), the first gas pipe (5) having a gas outlet slit (7) positioned at the downstream end. Said external mixing two-fluid nozzle provides a swirling motion of the gas, which combined with a pressurized feed liquid enables the production of spray dried powder at industrially applicable capacities with low energy consumption and a small particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Per Bo Sorensen, Anders Bo Jensen, Soren Fredsted
  • Patent number: 9863700
    Abstract: For providing inline sterile freeze drying of a product containing solid matter and a solvent, such as water, in a plurality of trays accommodated in at least one trolley, a system comprises a filling station having an inlet end and an outlet end, or a docking station, a freeze storage, a freeze dryer unit, an emptying station having an inlet end and an outlet end, or a docking station, a plurality of trays adapted to be accommodated in at least one trolley. A cleaning and sterilizing unit is provided between the outlet end of the emptying station and the inlet end of the filling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Morten Woldsted Pedersen, Christian Grønborg
  • Publication number: 20170202237
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing a coffee extract, comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of roasted coffee beans and water, milling the mixture of roast coffee beans and water in a pressurised chamber, and separating the milled mixture in a liquid coffee extract and spent coffee grounds. The coffee extract maintains many of the flavour components of the roasted beans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Jakob Kryger Sørensen, Anders Holmen Pedersen, Henrik Haraldsted
  • Publication number: 20170202236
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for production of an instant coffee product in a high yield, comprising the steps of extracting roast and ground coffee beans with water having a temperature of 80° C. or less, to produce a first extract and spent coffee grounds, adding water to the spent coffee grounds to produce an aqueous suspension, hydrolysing the aqueous suspension using a hydrolysing enzyme to produce a second extract and spent remains, adding the first extract to the second extract, optionally after concentration and/or drying of the second extract, to obtain a combined extract, and drying the combined extract to obtain an instant coffee product. The high yield is obtained due to the reduction of enzyme inhibiting substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Anders Holmen Pedersen, Jakob Kryger Sørensen, Henrik Haraldsted
  • Publication number: 20170108271
    Abstract: The air disperser (4) for a spray drying apparatus has an air inlet (81) leading to a space (45) defined within an inner radius and an outer radius in which a set of guide vanes (7) is positioned. A top, a bottom and an outer circumferential wall are defined, and an air outlet (82) at the inner radius is adapted to be positioned above a feed outlet from atomizing means. Each guide vane (7) has a pre-defined length in the radial direction. At least the bottom and outer wall of said space (45) are provided by a base module (5). The top is provided by a top plate (6) and the set of guide vanes (7) is releasably secured to a fixating device (10, 11) to form a framework, and the framework is secured relative to the base module (5) in the axial direction by the top plate (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Kristian Krogh
  • Publication number: 20170097190
    Abstract: In the air disperser (4) having a number of components including a top, a boom and an outer circumferential wall forming a space (45) defined within an inner radius and an outer radius and having an air inlet (81), a set of guide vanes (7), and an air outlet (82) at said inner radius adapted to be positioned above a feed outlet from atomizing means, at least some of said components are formed by precision metal forming such as metal spinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Kent Lückstädt Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9566617
    Abstract: A nozzle for cleaning-in-place of a vessel has a nozzle body to be connected to a wall of the vessel and defining an opening, a nozzle insert is contained within the nozzle body and is able to assume at least two distinct positions relative to the nozzle body, a first position in which the nozzle insert is retracted into the nozzle body and a second position in which the nozzle insert is advanced in the axial direction relative to the nozzle body and protrudes into the vessel. Apertures are exposed in the second position to allow distribution of a cleaning fluid. The nozzle insert has two nozzle insert parts, in mutual abutment in the first position and spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the axial direction in the second position to form a gap between adjacent nozzle insert parts, the apertures being exposed in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Willum Jensen
  • Publication number: 20160252299
    Abstract: In a spray drying apparatus, comprising in a usual manner a drying chamber, an air disperser, and at least one pressure nozzle arrangement (4), means are provided for emptying the feed in the nozzle arrangement(s) (4) after the supply of feed from a feed system (5) is halted and before the nozzle arrangement(s) (4) are removed from the drying chamber and positioned in a cleaning system (7). The emptying takes place while maintaining atomization in the nozzle arrangement (4). The feed emptying system (6) comprises a pump (60), a pressurized air/gas source (61) and a conduit (62), and the spray drying apparatus at least one valve (45, 53, 63, 64, 65, 66) allowing switching from the feed system (5) to the feed emptying system (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Jens Ulrik Nielsen, Thomas Filholm, Troels O.J.P. Berg, Thomas Willum Jensen
  • Patent number: 9227157
    Abstract: In the application a spray dryer absorption apparatus for treating a stream of flue gas containing acidic components is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber having vertical cylindrical walls, said chamber comprises (i) an inlet for a flue gas stream containing an acidic component, (ii) an atomizer for spraying droplets of an absorbent slurry into said flue gas stream to effect a chemical reaction between the droplets and the acidic component of the flue gas, thereby forming a particulate reaction product, and (iii) an outlet for the treated flue gas and entrained particulate reaction product, wherein the bottom of the chamber having vertical cylindrical walls is substantially horizontal and impervious to gases. The apparatus of the invention has the advantage of a simplified geometry accounting for lower building and maintenance costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Niels Jacobsen, Christian Holm Fridberg, Bjarne Rasmussen, Anna Vibeke Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8903235
    Abstract: The closure element (1) is adapted to be installed in a vessel wall provided with an aperture and has a peripheral flange (2) and a central cover unit (3). The closure element (1) is provided with at least one light source within a predefined zone (35) located in the central cover unit (3) and the light source is confined within the central cover unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Claus Blak, Anders Yde Dahl, Sten Krog Duerlund
  • Publication number: 20140175188
    Abstract: The insert (20) is adapted to be fitted into an atomizer wheel. Each insert (20) has a longitudinal axis and comprises an inner end face (21), an outer end face (22), an external surface (23) and an internal surface (24) defining a channel (35) having a centre axis (c) and extending between an inlet (25) at the inner end face (21) and an outlet (26) at the outer end face (22). At least the inlet (25) is offset from the longitudinal axis such that the centre axis of the channel (35) is offset from the longitudinal axis of the insert (20). The insert (20) is adapted to be utilized in an atomizer wheel for a spray dryer for atomizing slurries of abrasive material, for instance for spray drying absorption for flue gas cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Erling Skov NIELSEN