The present mvention relates to a conveyor/cooler of loose solid materials with smaU particle size, such as bottom ash produced by fluid bed boilers or casting sand, sintered power, cement clinker, slag or small particle size minerals produced during various industrial processes of buming, cooking, sintering etc. While the present invention is apphcable to treating various hot sohd loose material, such as the above listed, a preferred use thereof is to treat ash produced in fluid bed boilers which will be referred to in the following as an exemplificative and not limiting embodiment.

In fluid bed burners, the more used system for extraction and cooling of ashes (which exit from the combustion chamber at temperatures around 800-900°C) is constituted by a water cooled scroll (the water cools both the external shell and the scroll). But such a system has the following drawbacks:

- high wear because ofthe erosion action exerted by the ash (which has a high content of silica and other abrasive materials) on the metallic parts both ofthe scroll screw and the shell;

- danger, because of the fast wear of the shell, of creation of slits which, causing the water to contact high temperature ashes, could cause a danger of explosions because ofthe fast evaporation of water;

- possibility of sudden stops ofthe scroll in case there are hard materials having sizes higher than the distance between the scroll screw and the enclosing shell; and

- dispersion into the environment ofthe whole heat content which cannot be recovered.

In addition to the above, there exist the problem of a high consumption of water for carrying out cooling, water nowadays has a very high value and must be safeguarded from any kind of pollution.

The above mentioned problems and shortcomings are overcome by the

conveyor/cooler according to the present invention having the features set forth in the

characΛerizing part of claim 1. Further advantageous features of said apparatus are set forth in the dependent claims.

The characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will be more evident by the following disclosure and the annexed drawing relating to non limiting embodiments wherein the various figures:

- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a known apparatus of the prior art for conveying loose materials, with a water cooled scroll;

- Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus according to the present invention for conveying/cooling loose materials such as ash from fluid bed boilers; - Fig. 3 and 3a are side and front diagrammatic views, respectively, of one embodiment ofthe device for distributing material on the belt according to the present invention;

- Fig. 3b and 3c are side and front diagrammatic views, respectively, of a second embodiment ofthe device for distributing material on the belt according to the present invention;

- Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic cross section ofthe metallic belt conveyor/cooler according to the present invention;

- Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic view ofthe device for adjusting the extraction speed; - Fig. 6 shows a diagrammatic view ofthe device embodiment which operates

under vacuum with respect to environment and provides energy recovery into the

boiler;

- Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and represents a diagrammatic view ofthe vacuum device not provided with energy recovery into the boiler; - Fig. 8 is a schematic view ofthe device in its embodiment under pressure;

- Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the sealing lateral chamber into conveyor/cooler according to the present invention, used in the embodiment under

pressure;

- Fig. 10 is a frontal diagrammatic view ofthe mixing devices in the form of cooling plowshares according to the present invention; and

- Fig. 11 is a side view thereof;

- Fig. 12, 12a, 13 and 13a show lateral and front views respectively, of a transition member connected to the device adapted to make the thickness uniform; and

- Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view of proper spoon mixers. Obviously, the same reference numbers through the various figures indicate the same or equivalent parts. We would like to point out again that while the present invention is applicable to treating various hot solid loose material, a preferred use thereof is to treat ashes produced in fluid bed boilers which will be referred to in the following as an exemplificative and not limiting embodiment. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a prior art apparatus for conveying loose materials, having a water cooled scroll which has the above disclosed shortcomings. Briefly, for clarity of disclosure, reference number 100 is for the boiler, the ash of which are conveyed by scroll 102 which has an ash exit 104 to the processing system. Further, the cooling water circulating path 106 is also diagrammatically shown. The conveyor/cooler 10 according to the present invention uses, for conveying

and cooling of loose materials, such as particulariy ashes and other combustion matter from fluid bόd boilers 12, a metallic conveyor belt means 14, preferably made of steel, properly inserted into a sealed metallic container 16 (see Figure 2) and driven by

proper motor means. Ash 18 leaves the combustion chamber of boiler 12 by gravity through one or more vertical discharge channels 20 also used as pressure separation means. The amount of material to be extracted is adjusted according to a pressure signal or an overpressure signal generated at a proper height in the container bottom area where the discharge tubes dip and which contains material to be discharged. Below such channels or tubes 20, at a distance such that passage of pieces of materials 18 having tlie largest available size (but less than 1/3 ofthe tube diameter, as its minimum size), the metallic conveyor belt 14, on which the material is laid forming a continuous bed which is moving toward the exit area 22 is provided.

Cooling of material 18 is mainly carried out by means of air flowing against the stream with respect to material itself; said air could be both forced from outside to metallic container 16 inside through a proper ventilation means (and in such a case the cooler operates at a positive pressure with respect to outside) or drawn inside container naturally by generating in it a natural depression. Choosing both the under pressure operation or the depression operation will be dependent on the convenience of interfacing in the more proper manner conveyor/cooler 10 to the process from which the hot material to be cooled comes, as will be clear from the following disclosure. Conveyor/cooler 10 can operate according to two different modes, with them being dependent on needs of cooling and conveyor/cooler 10 length which, in particular cases, could also be a conveyor of material itself While the apparatus is operating under pressure (diagrammatically shown in

Fig. 2 too) the heat exchange is carried out naturally, without material mixing means for augmenting heat exchange between hot material and cooling air. In such a mode it will be convenient to distribute material on belt itself in a uniform manner and in thin layers to the end of augmenting the exchange surface; material will transfer heat upwardly by radiation (to the top of metallic container, which in turn, by convection, will transfer heat to both internal and internal air, material will also transfer heat downwardly to the belt itself by contact; belt 14 could transfer heat to air which is inside the cooler both during forward (by means of its down side) and backward (by means of both sides). To the end of distributing material in an even manner, downstream the discharge area a proper material distributing means D is provided, said means could be, according to particular cases constituted by an adjustable high blade L (to the end of providing adjustment of material 18 on be 14) shown in Fig. 3 and 3a or a proper set of hammer M hinged to a bar the height thereof is adjustable, shown in Figures 3b and 3 c, also for obtaining the desired material height. The first assembly is used in case the layer heigh is larger than the provided maximum dimension of material pieces to be cooled; the second one is apphcable where said dimension could be higher than the desired material 18 layer thickness.

Feeding channels 20 are preferably provided with a safety mechanic control device (not shown) (such as blade vab es) and sensor means (not shown) which control the material level 18. The level has to be such as to provide separation between the combustion chamber environment (in the down part thereof as it is known, there exist a pressure which is aroimd that of one meter of water column) and the pressure of metallic container 16 of said conveying/extractor belt 14 (which operates at a different pressure).

In Fig. 2, as well as in Figure 4-9, a chain system means 30 provided with scrapers 30 is also shown, said scrapers rubbing agamst the container 16 bottom for conveying toward the exit the powdery material wliich is dropped from belt 14 and

has deposited onto the bottom. At the bottom end of the discharging channels, a special transition valve assembly 24 provides for the following functions:

- it prevents the ash discharge tubes 20 to become empty in case material 18 is extremely fluid;

- it distributes ash 18 along the whole length of belt 14 in a thin layer so that the heat exchange surface is enhanced, both for radiation (both toward the top and bottom) and convection (toward the top) and conduction (toward the bottom because ofthe contact with the metallic belt 14); and

- it allows passage of pieces of excessive size.

The gap which provides material passage under the bottom edge of the transition valve or device could be adjustable to the end of obtaining a proper thickness on belt. Transition valve will be connected to the belt metallic container and connection to the part of discharge tube integral to combustion chamber will be carried out by a proper joint which allows expansions caused by the high temperatures. To the end of avoiding the corrosive action caused by high temperature material contacting parts subjected to fiiction, a proper coating of a ceramic material could be placed on them whh said coating having a proper thickness and proper characteristics.

Also, to the end both of reducing metallic part temperature and thermal recovery, thermal recovery fins could be fixed to the upper part of transition valve. Said finning could also be fixed to a wide or narrow area of discharge tube(s).

In the upper part of tube 20 a sensor (not shown) is provided, said sensor being adapted to detect possible material low level, which sensor drives a proper valve to close when no material is detected. In such a way, the necessary separation between the boiler combustion chamber 12 and conveyor/cooler 10 is provided, even during irregular operating conditions.

To the end of withstanding the abrasion exerted by the hot ash on the metallic parts subjected to rubbing, a coating of ceramic material or any other proper anti- wearing material of a proper thickness is preferably added at the bottom end of the feeding channels). A cross section ofthe belt conveyor/cooler is shown in Figure 4.

The thickness ofthe material 18 layer on belt 14 is adjusted with respect to the particle size of the ash and to the cooling needs. As the thickness is set, the ash capacity is adjusted by changing the moving speed of belt 14 in accordance with a signal from an overpressure sensor placed at a proper height in the bottom area ofthe fluid bed (as to maintain the operating parameters ofthe fluid bed, namely pressure or overpressure, at the proper value) (see Fig. 5). Such an adjustment could be carried out automatically by an adjusting loop constituting of a transmitter 34 ofthe variable to be controlled (pressure or overpressure ofthe bottom area of the fluid bed), a controller 36 for delivering the exit signal and a frequency converter 38, which regulates revolutions of belt driving motor in accordance with the received signal. Belt 14 is, as above mentioned, enclosed into a sealed container 16; as above mentioned it can operate, according to the interface criterions between the extraction system and the boiler, both under vacuum with respect to the atmosphere or under

pressure. In one case, two kinds of interfaces with the combustion chamber are available,

depending on whether or not it is convenient to use the heat recovery possible with the extraction system.

To the end of using the possibility of heat recovery which is allowed by the system, the assembly of Fig. 6 is provided. In such a case, the external air, drawn in the desired amount (the air amount entering the extractor depends on the size of the air intake or it is adjustable by installing proper variable feeding valves) by the vacuum at which the belt 14 container 16 operates, absorbs heat delivered by the ash because ofthe contact between air and the ash itself, with container 16 walls which are heated by radiation, with the metallic belt 14, both during its forward and backward runs (we have to take into consideration that in this specific case, the belt operates as a regenerative heat exchanger because it absorbs heat from ashes during the forward run and it delivers such a heat to the air during the backward run) and generally with all the metallic surfaces impinged by air during its travel. The so heated air can be fed back into combustion chamber of boiler 12, thus joining it to the primary or secondary combustion air (preferably to secondary air because ofthe low pressure at which is introduced into combustion chamber), this could happen through an additional fan 42 of primary or secondary air 44 and 46, respectively, which allows to bring the air exiting from extractor container to the requested pressure.

In case h is not believed necessary to reuse the recovered heat energy (see Fig. 7), h is also possible to discharge air into atmosphere after proper filtering by a filter means 48, by using the chimney C effect which is caused by hot air or an ejection fan (not shown) according to particular cases and operating conditions. The vacuum operation ofthe system eliminates any problem concerned with the

exit of powders and gases and allows to inspect the extractor 10 also during operation without any inconvenience. It will be sufficient to size in the proper manner openings providing air feeding. They could have a fixed area or a variable area, if a cooling area control is required.

On the other hand, it makes the reuse of heat recovery more complicated due to the need of a further machine (fan 42) which must operate in hard working conditions (high temperature and powders).

The operation under pressure eliminates these shortcomings because it uses, for cooling ashes, air taken from delivery of one ofthe primary or secondary air fans (primary air fan 46 in Fig. 8) which, before being fed into boiler, travels through the ash extractor or indeed its metallic container 16 (see Fig. 8).

This arrangement, on one hand makes easier the interfacing with boiler, on the other hand requires special measures for preventing exiting of powders, both for environmental problems and for powder infiltration in the seals placed between containing wall and rollers or guide and transmission drums.

A solution for this problem is to arrange all the powdery air exiting sites within a chamber 50 maintained under a pressure lightly higher than the inner pressure, said chamber could have one or more external transparent walls, of properly stiffened glass, for example for providing visual inspection ofthe roller operation (see Fig. 9). According to the operating conditions (where, for example it is necessary to discharge ashes at low temperature, or high ash capacity, or when there is the possibility to have a proper extractor length suitable for the cooling requirements) it could be necessary to increase the heat exchange between ashes and air beyond the value allowed by the illustrated system while a forced drive of solid material on belt is not used.

This can be made in various ways:

- each of the feeding channels from combustion chamber to the belt can be

constituted by two concentric tubes (not shown but evident for a man skilled in the art), extemally finned, if necessary. In such a case, air coming from extractor flows through the annular gap existing between the two tubes, increasing the ash cooling and the heat energy recovery as well as the personnel safety;

- insertion of proper metallic surfaces (not shown) with a high or low number of fins according to the need, between belt and container roof which, by absorbing the ash radiated heat, increase the air exchange surface. Said surfaces also constituting an optical shield between ashes and the extemal upper wall of container, will allow to maintain the carter extemal surface at an acceptable value;

- spraying of pulverized water on the bottom part of belt during the forward travel or on the upper part during backward travel, for the purpose of lowering the temperature ofthe belt itself. In such a manner, the cooled belt is able to remove a higher amoimt of heat from ashes (the metallic belt conveys heat to water which suddenly evaporates through very fine drops). It is likely that, because of the ash temperature of about 800°C, temperature rates on belt plates of about 300-350°C are generated while, by inserting proper sprayers, said heat rate could be lowered to about 150-200°C. A plate temperature sensor could meter the proper amount of water so that condensate development can be avoided.

Where the measures used for the purpose of increasing cooling of sohd material are not enough, material mixing means could be used in order to

- mixing material on the belt in order to make its temperature uniform; and

- increasing the contact surface between hot sohd material and cool air. These means could be:

- spoon mixers (c) mounted on axes normal to the belt 14 direction, which mixers are driven by material itself (see Fig. 14); said mixers c, installed along one or more lines and staggered, in order to act on the whole material provide for moving irfaterial upwardly and dropping it back on bed, exposing a main part of solid particle to the cooling action of air. Where required, said spoon mixers could be driven by a proper motor instead of material itself

- insertion of plowshares 54, fixed in such a manner that sohd material laid on belt can be mixed (see Figures 10 and 11). It is known that ashes have low heat conductibility characteristics, whereby their mixing could obtain a uniform temperature of solid particles in an effective manner. Such devices could be especially useful when, because of particular reasons (for example high material capacity) is necessary to have not enough low material layers. Moreover said plowshares 54 can include inner channels 56 for conducting air which could be blown into the sohd material 18, also for the purpose of increasmg the heat exchange with the cooling air. Each single inner channel 56 will be connected to a main air feeding channel 58. To the end of reducing erosion, a coating of ceramic material could be cairied out on the extemal plowshare surface. Said plowshares are connected in an oscillating manner and they are free to rotate around the main channel 58 which further acts as a supporting shaft so that any erratic matter can pass therethrough. A proper counterweight or elastic counteracting system move back plowshares into operating position. According to the heat exchange needed for obtaining the desired temperature value, one or more lines of staggered plowshares 54 can be added.

Clearly, when one believes necessary to use said mixing means, the material layer, unlike what indicated for the first kind of use of the cooling belt, will be sufficiently thick in order to allow a good dip of said means into the solid material.

The first mixers (spoon mixers) will be generally used for fine materials which cannot cause blocking of spoons; the second mixers (plowshares) could be used when such a blocking is possible. Indeed in this case the plowshares may rise rotating around the rod to which they are pivoted. hi a preferred embodiment the discharge tubes will be finned in such a manner as to provide an effective coolmg and higher heat recovery which is particularly convenient in such an embodiment. hi addition to solve all the prior art shortcomings, the present invention has the further advantage that when the material exits from conveyor/cooler, said material is completely dried. This is an important feature in processes such as waste burning wherein ashes must be subjected to fiuther treatments such as sintering or vitrification, in other words they are a secondary product. Ash drying treatments of conventional apparatus are here avoided.

It is apparent that modifications, changes, adaptations and substitutions of parts can be made in the embodiments disclosed as illustrative and not limitative without departure from the scope of protection defined by the following claims.