Screw machine and method as well as processing installation for the processing of bulk material

A method for the processing of bulk materials, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a screw machine comprising a casing, at least one casing bore formed in the casing, at least one shaft which is drivable for rotation about an associated axis of rotation and which is arranged in the associated casing bore, at least one treatment element for the treatment of a bulk material to be processed which is non-rotationally arranged on the at least one shaft, a feed opening for feeding the bulk material into the at least one casing bore and a vacuum filter insert for degassing of the supplied bulk material, wherein the vacuum filter insert is arranged in the casing downstream of the feed opening when seen in a direction of conveyance, the vacuum filter insert being provided with at least one filter element, the vacuum filter insert forming a gas-permeable wall portion which defines the at least one casing bore;
• supplying bulk material to the at least one casing bore via the feed opening;
• degassing the bulk material via the vacuum filter insert, wherein the vacuum filter insert is flushed with a compressed gas when the screw machine is at standstill, wherein flushing is activated when a predefined lower speed limit of the at least one shaft is reached;
• and
• processing the bulk material.

A processing installation for the processing of bulk material, the processing installation comprising:

• a screw machine comprising a casing, at least one casing bore formed in the casing, at least one shaft which is drivable for rotation about an associated axis of rotation and which is arranged in the associated casing bore, at least one treatment element for treatment of a bulk material to be processed which is non-rotationally arranged on the at least one shaft, a feed opening for feeding the bulk material into the at least one casing bore and a vacuum filter insert for degassing of the supplied bulk material, wherein the vacuum filter insert is arranged in the casing downstream of the feed opening when seen in a direction of conveyance, the vacuum filter insert being provided with at least one filter element, the vacuum filter insert forming a gas-permeable wall portion which defines the at least one casing bore;
• a drive device for rotatably driving the screw machine;
• a vacuum generation device for degassing the bulk material via the vacuum filter insert;
• a flushing device for cleaning the vacuum filter insert;
• and
• a control device, wherein a protective element comprising through-openings is arranged upstream of the at least one filter element when seen in a degassing direction, wherein the protective element has at least two separate protective areas comprising through-openings, each protective area being assigned to a central channel.

A processing installation for the processing of bulk material, the processing installation comprising:

• a screw machine comprising a casing, at least one casing bore formed in the casing, at least one shaft which is drivable for rotation about an associated axis of rotation and which is arranged in the associated casing bore, at least one treatment element for the treatment of a bulk material to be processed which is non-rotationally arranged on the at least one shaft, a feed opening for feeding the bulk material into the at least one casing bore and a vacuum filter insert for degassing of the supplied bulk material, wherein the vacuum filter insert is arranged in the casing downstream of the feed opening when seen in a direction of conveyance, the vacuum filter insert being provided with at least one filter element, the vacuum filter insert forming a gas-permeable wall portion which defines the at least one casing bore;
• a drive device for rotatably driving the screw machine;
• a vacuum generation device for degassing the bulk material via the vacuum filter insert;
• a flushing device for cleaning the vacuum filter insert;
• and
• a control device, wherein the control device is configured in such a way that the vacuum filter insert is flushed with a compressed gas when the screw machine is at a standstill, wherein flushing is activated when a predefined lower speed limit of the at least one shaft is reached.