Device and method for processing bulk material

A processing system for bulk material comprising:

• a. a processing device for the bulk material,
• b. at least one bulk material storage container for storing the bulk material,
• c. a bulk material dosing device connected to the at least one bulk material storage container for dosed discharge of the bulk material from the bulk material storage container,
• d. a bulk material downcomer connected to the bulk material dosing device for conveying the bulk material into the processing device,
• e. at least one additive feed for feeding an additive,
• f. an additive dosing device connected to the at least one additive feed for dosed discharge of the additive from the additive feed,
• g. an additive downcomer connected to the additive dosing device for conveying the additive into the processing device,
• wherein the additive downcomer opens into the bulk material downcomer,
• wherein the additive downcomer is arranged in the bulk material downcomer at a penetration depth (T), wherein the penetration depth (T) is at least 60% of an inner diameter (DN1) of the bulk material downcomer.

A method for processing bulk material, comprising the following steps

• dosed discharge of the bulk material from at least one bulk material storage container by means of a bulk material dosing device connected thereto, wherein the bulk material dosing device is at least one of a rotary valve, a screw conveyor, a vibratory conveyor and a belt conveyor, and wherein the bulk material comprises plastics,
• direct and gravimetric conveying of the bulk material from the bulk material dosing device through a bulk material downcomer into a processing device, wherein the processing device is an extruder,
• dosed discharge of an additive from at least one additive feed by means of an additive dosing device connected thereto, wherein the additive downcomer opens and extends a penetration depth into the bulk material downcomer,
• gravimetrically conveying the additive from the additive dosing device through an additive downcomer into the processing device.