DE102020102458B4 - Process for treating a fibrous substance with a dust-binding agent and device for carrying out the process - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for treating a fibrous material (2) with a dust binding agent by means of a device (1), the method having the steps: - providing a fibrous material (2) having dust particles and continuously feeding the fibrous material (2) through a feed unit (7) of the device (1); - loosening the fibrous material (2) using a roller, a spiked roller, a chopper, an agitator, a brush or any combination of these having loosening unit (8 ) the device (1);- spraying a dust binding agent in a spray chamber (3) of the device (1) onto the fibrous substance (2), the dust binding agent having an aqueous-based film former, the dust binding agent being atomized into drops by at least one atomizer (6) arranged in the spray chamber (3), and the dust binding agent being set up to bind dust particles to fibers of the fibrous substance (2) and/or to promote cluster formation of the dust particles; and- continuously ejecting the sprayed fibrous web (2) from the device (1) through an ejection unit (9) of the device (1).

Description

The invention relates to a method for treating a fibrous substance with a dust-binding agent and a corresponding device for carrying out the method. A method and a device for the treatment of hay or straw are, for example, from DE 31 07 656 A1 , the US 2018/0035692 A1 or the WO 2018/152649 A1 known.

In animal husbandry, dust contamination of the bedding used, such as straw, is a major problem. In horse husbandry, in particular, dust can cause serious health problems when it comes to bedding and feeding with hay. Likewise, dust problems in organic pig farming are very common due to the straw used as bedding.

Aerosols are generally defined as the smallest particles in the solid or liquid state of aggregation, which are suspended in a gaseous medium and are formed by atomization or pulverization of liquid or solid substances. Bioaerosols are complex airborne particles of biological origin, which are generally divided into animate and inanimate particles. In this context, living particles represent the entirety of the air constituents of biological origin of human, animal, plant and microbial origin (e.g. bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites, yeasts, protozoa, endotoxins). Depending on their origin, these can cause allergic, toxic and infectious reactions in the organism. Dust represents the inanimate part and is defined as the disperse distribution of solid substances in gases that can arise as a result of mechanical processes or turbulence. Living and inanimate particles form common agglomerates, whereby approx. 80% of the airborne microorganisms are attached to particles. This association is also referred to as a cluster, with dust taking on the role of a carrier ("carrier"), since the living components of the bioaerosol attach themselves to the dust particles.

The physical particle properties play an important role, especially for the horse's health, since the lungs act as a kind of filter. This primarily protects the alveoli (the smallest functional units of the respiratory tract) from being wetted with inhaled particles. Although a large number of inhaled particles are deposited by the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, particles can penetrate into the alveoli depending on their size, chemical properties (hydrophilic or hydrophobic), shape and density (Art T. et al., Environmental Control of Respiratory Disease Equine Respiratory Diseases, International Veterinary Information Service, New York, 2002).

The size of a particle has a decisive health relevance for humans and animals. Particles can be divided into fractions based on the aerodynamic particle diameter. The classification of the particles into fractions has been defined differently in the literature. In the past, a distinction was made between coarse dust (50 - 500 µm), medium dust (10 - 50 µm), fine dust (0.5 - 10 µm) and very fine dust (0.1 - 0.5 µm) (Melhorn G., Textbook of the Animal hygiene 1., Fischer Verlag, Jena, Stuttgart, pp. 89-120, 1979).

A further classification is made in connection with information on emission factors or mass concentrations. This is referred to as PM (Particulate Matter), with PM10 and PM4, for example, including all particles that are described by a separation curve with a separation efficiency of 50% below 10 µm or 4 µm. According to ISO 7708:1995 (Beuth-Verlag, Berlin, page 3), the PM10 fraction is to be equated with the thoracic fraction (DIN EN 481:1993, Beuth-Verlag, Berlin, page 4).

Various studies have been carried out on the effects of increased concentrations of suspended dust in the stable air on the health of horses. The most frequently occurring respiratory diseases, some of which are already referred to as "occupational diseases" of sport horses, are COB (chronic obstructive bronchitis - English: COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), RAO (recurrent respiratory disease, which can only be caused by a change in husbandry or feed or use can be eliminated or alleviated by bronchodilators) as well as IAD (infectious inflammation of the airways). The size of the respective particle has a decisive influence on the respiratory disease potential, with the thoracic (PM10) and the alveolar particle fraction (PM4) being particularly relevant. Particles of this size can penetrate into the smallest functional units (alveoli) of the respiratory tract and damage them.

Bitterle (Bitterle E., Oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms of target cells of the alveolar epithelium after exposure to ultrafine aerosol particles at the air-medium interface, dissertation, Technical University, Munich, 2004) describes the location of deposition for particles with a size of 10 µm in particular the neck and throat area (impaction). According to Seedorf and Hartung (Seedorf J. & Hartung J., Dusts and Microorganisms in Animal Husbandry, KTBL-Font 393, ISBN 3784321453, 2002), the majority of large particles are associated with a Diameter > 5 µm secreted by impaction in the upper part of the respiratory tract. Fine particles, on the other hand, can penetrate into deep regions of the respiratory tract, with the fine fraction (< 5 µm) being deposited there by sedimentation and impaction. According to Art et al. (Art T. et al., Environmental Control of Respiratory Disease, Equine Respiratory Diseases, International Veterinary Information Service, New York, 2002) the majority of particles < 0.5 µm in size are cleared from the respiratory tract by expiration, with diffusion smaller particles (< 0.1 µm) from the bronchioles into the adjacent tissue.

Zeitler (Zeitler M.H., Hygienic significance of the dust and germ content of the stable air, offprint from the "Bavarian Agricultural Yearbook", lectures at the XXV. Weihenstephan University Conference, 65th year Ed.: TU Weihenstephan, Chair of Animal Hygiene and Farm Animal Science Weihenstephan. 151-165, 1988) classifies the airborne germs transported by dust particles as particularly dangerous for animal health because they can have infectious, toxic or allergenic effects. The author attributes a possible overload of the mucociliary clearance services (unspecific defense processes of the airways of the respiratory tract) to the permanent mechanical irritant effect of particles. If these are overloaded, the cilia (5 - 10 µm long cell processes) can be impaired or even lost. As a consequence, there is a reduction in the resistance of the airways, which according to Mayr (Mayr A., Infectious diseases, In: Dietz O., Huskamp B. Handbuch Pferdepraxis 2nd edition, Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 346-361. ISBN 3432292627, 1999) even facultative pathogens can trigger symptoms and lead to non-specific coughing.

Various studies have shown that the horse's unfitness for equestrian sport was caused by chronic changes in the respiratory organs in over 30% of the horses examined. Other studies predict that about 80% of stabled horses have symptomatic respiratory damage (McPherson EA & Thomson JR, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the horse: Nature of the disease, Equine Veterinary Journal, 15, 203-206, 1983) .

The already mentioned RAO (Recurrent Airway Obstruction) is a recurring airway obstruction that represents an irritation of the lungs resulting from an allergy. A distinction is made here between infectious agents (bacteria, viruses and lung parasites), environmental antigens (mold spores, pollen, mites and dust from hay and straw) and chemical-physical stimuli (harmful gases, dust particles). It has not yet been clearly researched which of these factors is to be assigned an overarching weighting (Marti E. et al., Relationship between respiratory diseases and allergies in horses, FFP advanced training event on horse health on April 23 & 24, 2005 in Münster-Handorf. Topic : Immune diseases in horses, 2005), whereby Seedorf and Hartung (Seedorf J. & Hartung J., Dusts and microorganisms in animal husbandry, KTBL publication 393, ISBN 3784321453, 2002) attribute the origin of the disease to an allergic reaction, primarily to mold spores and airborne particles from hay and straw. McPherson and Thomson (McPherson EA & Thomson JR, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the horse: Nature of the disease, Equine Veterinary Journal, 15, 203-206, 1983) were able to show that the disease is directly related to the level of airborne particles ) as early as 1983.

Both airborne particles and mold spores can be responsible for a variety of diseases of the respiratory tract. This includes, for example, air sac mycosis (inflammation of the air sac), which, according to Markus (Markus RG, Investigations into the therapy of horse air sac mycosis - ligature of the internal carotid artery using transendoscopic clip application, dissertation, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, 2002) is primarily caused by the mold genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Candida. According to Franz (Franz C., Der Blick ins Pferd, In: Herbst & Winter 2003/2004, 2003), the penetration of foreign bodies and coarser dust particles can also be regarded as the cause of an acute to chronic inflammation. Grabner (Grabner A., Diagnoses and therapy of the horse's air sac mycosis, Veterinary Practice, 2, 10-14, 1987) describes the cause of an air sac mycosis in somewhat more detail. He states that the entry of mold through the tube flaps, which open with every swallow, is responsible and assumes that the colonization of the air sac would depend on the mold infestation of the feed as well as on stall-specific conditions.

Research by Ghent University (Jolien Van Cleemput et al., Deoxynivalenol, but not fumonisin B1, aflatoxin B1 or diesel exhaust particles disrupt integrity of the horse's respiratory epithelium and predispose it for equine herpesvirus type 1 infection, Veterinary Microbiology, vol. 234, July 2019 , pages 17-24) have shown that, in addition to other pollutants found in hay and straw, such as aerobic mesophilic germs, yeasts or mold, mycotoxins are not only of health importance for the animal, but also for the people working in the stable. The investigations have shown that toxins such as A-trichothecenes, B-trichothecenes, fumonisins, or also cerealenone metabolites are often found in hay or straw, which can lead to damage to the health of humans and animals.

Most of the respiratory diseases mentioned cannot be completely cured. Expensive drugs and therapies can only prevent the worst or alleviate the symptoms of the disease, while treating respiratory diseases can incur high costs. In addition, there are general examination and consultation costs for each treatment. In the case of more serious interventions, accommodation and supervision must also be paid for financially.

Equally, the health of humans can be damaged by the dust in the barn.

With regard to the reduction of airborne particles in horse husbandry, the primary focus must be on treating the main sources of contamination from suspended dust, which includes various bedding materials (wheat straw, shavings, flax, hemp), roughage (hay, haylage) and various concentrated feeds (oats, barley, compound feed).

To date, there has been no practical solution to the problem of straw and/or hay, other than using alternative and much more expensive bedding materials. Even in organic pig farming with so-called deep litter (i.e. straw), the dust problem has not yet been solved. In horse husbandry, the problem is also exacerbated by the fact that the animals pick up the bedding and rest on it for many hours, with the dust contained in the straw being stirred up and inhaled by the breathing process.

The "means of choice" is currently water. Here, watering or wetting the hay primarily serves to reduce dust. This involves pouring water from a watering can over the hay or dipping the hay in water to wash off dust particles and prevent the horse from breathing them in while eating.

Also known are hay steamers, for example the HAYGAIN HG-2000 hay steamer that works with a steam generator. The duration of hay steaming depends on the type of hay, the hay density and the outside temperature and is on average between 50 and 60 minutes. The HAYGAIN HG-2000 has a capacity of over 45 kilos of hay and is therefore intended for use on larger farms. Another hay steamer is known as the "Perfect-Hay Steamer Box" and is offered in 300 and 560 liter capacities. It is essentially an insulated box into which the hay is placed and steam injected. Another hay steamer with a generator and a plastic hay container is offered under the name "HAY STEAMER".

Mycotoxins harmful to human and animal health may be stable at high temperatures. For example, deoxynivalenol has a temperature stability of up to 140° C, which means that it is not deactivated, for example, by steaming.

In general, the dust problem is at least mitigated by watering the hay, but the available scientific work allows the conclusion that spoilage sets in very quickly due to the presence of fungal spores and bacteria. Water additives are therefore also available on the market. It is advisable to at least add enough salt to the water. However, such hay irrigation solutions lead to a not inconsiderable amount of work and time for daily feeding. In addition, handling water in winter at sub-zero temperatures is a particular problem, whereas in summer microbial spoilage can set in within a short time, depending on the temperature.

In addition to these options for use in the barn, some feed manufacturers also offer dusted hay for sale. Here, a kind of industrial vacuum cleaner is usually used to clean the hay, which is associated with high costs.

Alternatively, the use of oil is known. Although this has certain dust-binding effects when used in sufficient quantities, it is nutritionally problematic because, among other things, the energy input leads to an increase in weight (obesity) in the animals and can also easily lead to problems with the digestive tract.

Also known is the use of appropriate nets into which the hay is brought and which practically do not allow "free eating". This is intended to avoid the absorption of dust. The same applies to "Heu-Toy" as an "alternative hay net".

Other methods are not yet available. In particular, there is also no known method of treating the litter in which any application of water or other liquids is not possible.

All previously available and used methods are only partially suitable for solving the problems with roughage. As already explained above, there is currently no practicable way of efficiently binding the existing dust for the litter. When dedusting the litter, the pig husbandry mentioned at the beginning (especially in organic animal husbandry) must also be considered. Here the financial leeway is even smaller than in horse husbandry.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a method and a corresponding device for treating a fibrous substance with a dust-binding agent, which at the same time enable effective and cost-effective dust removal.

To solve the problem described above, a method according to claim 1 is therefore proposed, which is easy to use and inexpensive and can be operated in a space-saving manner. In addition, a device for carrying out the method according to the invention is set out in claim 8 . Preferred embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

• - Bereitstellen eines Staubpartikel aufweisenden faserhaltigen Stoffs und kontinuierliches Zuführen des faserhaltigen Stoffs durch eine Zuführeinheit der Vorrichtung;
• - Auflockern des faserhaltigen Stoffs durch eine eine Walze, eine Stachelwalze, einen Häcksler, ein Rührwerk, eine Bürste oder eine beliebige Kombination dieser aufweisende Auflockerungseinheit der Vorrichtung; und
• - Aufsprühen eines Staubbindemittels in einer Sprühkammer der Vorrichtung auf den faserhaltigen Stoff, wobei das Staubbindemittel einen Filmbildner auf wässriger Basis aufweist, wobei das Staubbindemittel durch mindestens einen in der Sprühkammer angeordneten Zerstäuber zu Tropfen zerstäubt wird und wobei das Staubbindemittel dazu eingerichtet ist, Staubpartikel an Fasern des faserhaltigen Stoffs zu bindenund/oder eine Clusterbildung der Staubpartikel zu begünstigen.

Accordingly, a method for treating a fibrous material, preferably hay or straw, with a dust binding agent using a device is proposed, which has the following steps:

• - providing a fibrous material containing dust particles and continuously feeding the fibrous material through a feeding unit of the device;
• - fluffing the fibrous material by a fluffing unit of the apparatus comprising a roller, spiked roller, chopper, agitator, brush or any combination thereof; and
• - Spraying a dust binding agent onto the fibrous substance in a spray chamber of the device, the dust binding agent having an aqueous-based film former, the dust binding agent being atomized into drops by at least one atomizer arranged in the spray chamber, and the dust binding agent being set up to attach dust particles to fibers of the fibrous substance and/or to promote clustering of the dust particles.

The fibrous substance particularly preferably consists essentially of hay or straw or has hay or straw. However, the process can also be used to remove dust from other fibrous substances, e.g. vegetable, animal or synthetic fibrous substances such as grasses, herbs, leaves, cotton, wool, textile fibers etc.

After providing the fibrous material, the fibrous material is loosened. The loosening can increase the surface area of the fibrous material to be sprayed, particularly when the fibrous material is provided in a compressed form. For example, hay or straw bales of any shape can be treated after loosening. Provision can also be made for the fibrous material to be comminuted or broken up as a result of the loosening.

After loosening, the fibrous material is sprayed with a dust binder, the dust binder being atomized into droplets. The dust binding agent has an aqueous-based film former. Dust particles can be bound to fibers of the fibrous substance by the dust binding agent. Likewise, the dust binder promotes cluster formation, both of dust particles and of dust particles and bioaerosols. In this way, the level of dust in the air, for example in stables, can be reduced. In addition, e.g. after the sprayed fibrous material has been laid out, raising dust that has already settled on the floor can be reduced or prevented. Cluster formation can mean an adhesive bond between two or more dust particles, e.g. several dust particles adhering to one another or a dust particle adhering to at least one other dust particle, it being possible for the adhesive effect to be produced by the dust binding agent. Each dust particle of the formed cluster does not necessarily have to adhere to every other dust particle of the cluster. Cluster formation can also mean that, for example, a first dust particle is directly bound to a fiber of the fibrous substance, and a second dust particle is indirectly bound to the fiber by adhering to the first dust particle.

An enzyme and/or an enzyme mixture for breaking down or decomposing mycotoxins is preferably sprayed on with the dust-binding agent, or the dust-binding agent has such an enzyme when it is sprayed on. The enzyme and/or the enzyme mixture can be water soluble. The enzyme mixture can contain one or more enzymes. The enzyme mixture can also have other components that are not enzymes. For example, the enzyme mixture can consist of or comprise an enzyme and water. The enzyme may be suitable for human and animal consumption, be harmless to human and animal consumption, and/or be a feed additive or food additive. The dust binding agent thus not only prevents dust particles from penetrating the respiratory tract of the animal (and humans), but also possible harmful effects in the digestive tract.

The enzyme which is sprayed on when the dust-binding agent is sprayed on or which is present in the dust-binding agent can be designed to break down or decompose at least one of A-trichothecenes, B-trichothecenes, fumonisins or cerealenone metabolites. In this way, possible damage to the liver and the immune system, e.g. caused by fumonisins, can be avoided or reduced.

Before spraying on, if the temperature falls below a target temperature, the dust binding agent can be heated with a heating element to a temperature equal to or greater than the target temperature, with the target temperature preferably being 15° C., particularly preferably 20° C., with the temperature of the dust binding agent preferably being measured by a temperature sensor and the heating element can be controlled based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. In this way it can be ensured, particularly in winter, that the sprayed dust-binding agent has at least the target temperature. A dust binder temperature of 20 °C has proven advantageous in terms of viscosity and spray properties.

After the dust-binding agent has been sprayed on, the method can preferably have the step of separating off the clusters formed by the cluster formation. The step of separating the clusters preferably does not take place immediately after the step of spraying on the dust-binding agent, but only after a time interval of at least a few minutes.

Advantageously, during spraying, the dust binding agent can be sprayed on at 5-30 ml/minute/kg of fibrous material, preferably at 10-25 ml/minute/kg of fibrous material. It is also conceivable that the dust-binding agent can be sprayed on at 60-120 ml/minute, preferably at 80-100 ml/minute. Provision can be made to use 40-60 ml/10 kg of fibrous material.

The dust-binding agent can also preferably be atomized during spraying to give droplets with a droplet size of 20-50 μm, preferably 30-40 μm, particularly preferably 35 μm. In particular when spraying the dust-binding agent onto hay or straw, a droplet size of 20-50 μm and particularly 35 μm has proven to be advantageous for wetting the fibers.

Particularly preferably, when spraying on the dust-binding agent, a water-based film former comprising cassia gum E 427, agar-agar, carboxymethyl cellulose or any combination of these can be sprayed on. These film formers are approved as food additives. However, other film formers can also be sprayed on, preferably those with food additive approval and/or feed additive approval. The dust binder can also contain carbohydrate mixtures and/or mixtures of monomers, dimers, oligomers and polymers of glucose on an aqueous basis.

A dust binder comprising a preservative, preferably a potassium sorbate, a citric acid, a sugar substance, a maltodextrin or any combination of the like, can preferably be sprayed on as the dust binder when spraying on. For example, the dust-binding agent can contain cassia gum (E 427), agar-agar, caroboxy-methylcellulose or any combination thereof, as well as carbohydrate mixtures and/or modified starches such as maltodextrin and/or mixtures of monomers, dimers, oligomers and polymers of glucose as film formers water-based with a suitable preservative, e.g. made of potassium sorbate and citric acid.

When spraying on, a dust-binding agent having a viscosity of 20-60 mPas, preferably 30-50 mPas, particularly preferably 35-45 mPas, can preferably be sprayed on as the dust-binding agent. This allows the dust binding agent to be atomized particularly well.

Furthermore, a device for carrying out the method according to the invention for treating a fibrous material, preferably hay or straw, with a dust binding agent is disclosed, the device having a spray chamber, the spray chamber having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and at least one arranged between the inlet and outlet opening Atomizer for atomizing and spraying a dust binding agent onto a fibrous material, the device having a feed unit which is set up to continuously feed the fibrous material into the spray chamber via the inlet opening, a loosening unit for loosening and/or comminuting the fibrous material, wherein the fluffing unit comprises a roller, spiked roller, chopper, agitator, brush or any combination thereof, and an ejection unit adapted to continuously eject the fibrous material from the spray chamber through the outlet opening.

The terms "eject", "ejects", "ejected" do not necessarily mean that the fibrous material is thrown, i.e. follows a (parabolic) trajectory or the like. Rather, it can also mean that the fibrous substance is transported or transported by the ejection unit out of the spray chamber through the outlet opening. Likewise, the terms "feeding", "feeding" or "fed" may mean that the fibrous material is transported or conveyed from the feed unit into the spray chamber through the entry port.

The loosening unit is preferably arranged in the spray chamber. However, it can also be provided that the loosening unit is arranged at least partially in front of the spray chamber in the feed direction of the fibrous material. The loosening unit is particularly preferably arranged in front of the atomizer in the feed direction. In one embodiment, the feed unit is arranged in front of the spray chamber or extends into the spray chamber. In another embodiment, the delivery unit extends through the spray chamber. The ejection unit can be arranged in the spray chamber or behind the spray chamber in the feed direction. The ejection unit can also extend through the spray chamber. More than one atomizer can be arranged in the spray chamber. In one embodiment, at least two atomizers are arranged vertically one above the other or horizontally next to one another, so that the fibrous material can be passed between the atomizers. The atomizers can also be arranged in a grid, a grid and/or regularly spaced apart from one another.

The dust binder can contain an enzyme and/or an enzyme mixture for breaking down or decomposing mycotoxins, preferably at least one of A-trichothecenes, B-trichothecenes, fumonisins or cerealenone metabolites.

The device can have a thermal container fluidically connected to the atomizer for receiving the dust binding agent, the thermal container having at least one heating element for heating the dust binding agent and at least one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the dust binding agent.

The device can have an ejection opening adjustment device which is set up to adjust the shape and/or size of the outlet opening, preferably the width of the outlet opening. The ejection cross section can thus be adapted to the insertion opening of a transport means for transporting away the sprayed fibrous substance. For example, the discharge opening can be converted from a rectangular shape to a round shape, e.g., circular or oval, by the discharge opening adjustment device. However, it can also be provided that the shape of the outlet opening is retained and only the outlet area is varied, for example by reducing a radius or by maintaining an aspect ratio. In one embodiment, the outlet opening can be rectangular or slit-shaped, with the width of the rectangle or slit being able to be adjusted by the ejection width adjustment device. The width can be adjusted, for example, manually or by a motor with a slider.

The atomizer can advantageously have a single-component nozzle, a two-component or multi-component nozzle, a rotary atomizer or any combination of these. At least one atomizer preferably has a flat jet nozzle. When using a two-component nozzle, air or steam can preferably be used as the propellant medium. The rotary atomizer can be designed as a non-pressurized rotating disk and produce droplets with a droplet size of 35 µm. The droplets generated by the rotary atomizer show only very little or no scattering in the droplet spectrum, which means that the material is very well covered. It can be provided that two rotary atomizers are used, each of which sprays a circle over the entire surface with a circumference corresponding to the working width of the device, e.g. 70 cm, which can result in complete wetting of the fibrous material.

The device can have a separating unit for separating dust particle clusters formed during spraying, preferably at least one suction device, brush, washing unit or combination of these. The separating unit can be arranged behind the spray chamber and/or the ejection unit and/or between the spray chamber and the ejection unit in the feed direction of the fibrous material.

The device can preferably have a collecting container for the intermediate storage of the fibrous material treated with the dust binding agent, which can be connected to the spray chamber via the outlet opening. The collection container can particularly preferably have a closing flap, via which the fibrous material treated with the dust-binding agent can be removed. Furthermore, the collecting container can preferably be separated from the device, so that an easy exchange of collecting containers is made possible.

The feed unit can preferably be identical to the ejection unit, the feed unit to the loosening unit and/or the loosening unit to the ejection unit.

The term "identical" here means that the respective units are realized by the same object and/or the same component. For example, if the feeding unit is identical to the ejection unit and the feeding unit is given by a conveyor belt, then the ejection unit corresponds to the same conveyor belt; the conveyor belt then transports, for example, fibrous material into the spray chamber, through the spray chamber and out of the spray chamber. In one embodiment, the feeding unit can be identical to the ejection unit. In another embodiment, the feed unit can be identical to the loosening unit. In a further embodiment, the loosening unit can be identical to the ejection unit. In yet another embodiment, the feed unit can be identical to both the ejection unit and the fluffing unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed unit and/or the ejection unit may comprise a conveyor belt, a roller, a pair of rollers, a fan, a ramp or any combination of these.

The feed unit can have a receiving device for round bales made of a material containing fibrous material, the receiving device being set up for unwinding the material of the round bale. The receiving device can be set up to transport the unwound material to the loosening unit. If the feed unit has a conveyor belt, a roller, a pair of rollers, a fan or an inclined plane, the receiving device can also be set up for transfer to the conveyor belt, roller, pair of rollers, fan or inclined plane. The device can thus process both round bales made of square bales made of fibrous material, such as hay or straw. The device allows the fibrous material to be loosened up and sprayed with the dust-binding agent, regardless of how it is made available (e.g. round bales or cross bales).

The device can advantageously have a control unit for controlling and/or regulating the ejection unit, a mass or volume flow of the fibrous substance ejected by the ejection unit and/or a mass or volume flow of the dust-binding agent sprayed on by the atomizer. For example, by setting a suitable ratio of the mass or volume flows, a wetting time of the fibrous substance with the dust-binding agent can be set. Likewise, the amount of dust binding agent sprayed on per kilogram of fibrous material can be adjusted and/or varied by the control unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet opening can be opposite the outlet opening, with the ejection unit accelerating the fibrous material introduced into the spray chamber from the feed unit in the direction of the outlet opening and being able to eject it through the outlet opening.

• 1 ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Behandlung eines faserhaltigen Stoffs mit einem Staubbindemittel;
• 2 den zeitlichen Verlauf zweier PM10 Messungen für unbehandeltes Heu sowie gemäß dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren mit einem Staubbindemittel behandeltes Heu;
• 3 eine erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und
• 4 eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The invention is to be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments according to the attached figures. It shows:

• 1 a schematic flowchart of the inventive method for treating a fibrous material with a dust binding agent;
• 2 the time course of two PM10 measurements for untreated hay and hay treated with a dust-binding agent according to the method according to the invention;
• 3 an embodiment according to the invention of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention; and
• 4 a further embodiment according to the invention of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The following mainly describes the treatment of hay with the dust binding agent. However, this is not intended to restrict the fibrous material to hay. Obviously, the measurements and devices described below for detecting the dust binding agent can also be used for other fibrous materials, such as straw. Obviously other fluids can also be sprayed with the device.

The 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the method according to the invention. First, the fibrous material is provided. Thereafter, the fibrous material is loosened. The dust binding agent is then sprayed onto the fibrous material. The spraying can preferably be done mechanically, for example with the aid of the device described further below. Alternatively, the dust-binding agent can also be applied with a pump sprayer to the fibrous material, which may have been previously loosened by hand. The dust-binding agent preferably has an aqueous-based film former. The dust binding agent sprayed onto the fibrous substance can cause dust particles to adhere to the fibers of the fibrous substance fabric to be bound. This can prevent or at least make it more difficult for the dust particles bound to the fibers to be stirred up. In addition, the dust binding agent can combine dust particles with a smaller diameter to form less harmful clusters with a larger diameter. The film former preferably comprises cassia gum E 427, agar agar, carboxymethyl cellulose or any combination of these. The film-forming agent is particularly preferably made from a food additive and/or is approved as a feed additive. As a result, the dust agent can be harmless to humans or animals. The dust binder can be easily contacted, inhaled and/or otherwise introduced by humans and animals. This can result in uncomplicated and simple handling of the dust-binding agent or of the device, since safety precautions such as respiratory protection, protective goggles, protective gloves, safety shoes, etc. can be dispensed with. The dust-binding agent and/or the film-forming agent preferably has a preservative, preferably a potassium sorbate, a citric acid, a sugar substance, a maltodextrin or any combination of the like. The dust binder can contain a carbohydrate mixture and/or mixtures of monomers, dimers, oligomers and polymers of glucose on an aqueous basis. The dust binder can be sprayed on with a flow rate of 60-120 ml/minute, preferably with a flow rate of 80-100 ml/minute. The dust-binding agent can advantageously be sprayed on at a rate of 5 to 30 ml/min/kg of fibrous material, particularly preferably at a rate of 10 to 25 ml/min/kg of fibrous material. Depending on the expected amount of dust, in particular the amount of dust contained in the fibrous material before spraying, air quality, place of use or other external influences, the fibrous material can also be sprayed with more or less dust binding agent. The dust-binding agent can be atomized during spraying, preferably to give droplets with a droplet size of 20-50 μm, preferably 20-40 μm, particularly preferably 35 μm. However, the droplet size sprayed on can also be selected and/or varied depending on the nature, the material and the type of fibrous substance fed. For example, a droplet size of 20-50 μm, preferably 20-40 μm, has proven particularly advantageous for hay or straw. The dust-binding agent can have a viscosity of 20-60 mPas, preferably 30-50 mPas, particularly preferably 35-45 mPas.

The dust binding agent can contain an enzyme or an enzyme mixture for breaking down or decomposing mycotoxins. In particular, the enzyme or enzyme mixture can degrade or decompose at least one of A-trichothecenes, B-trichothecenes (such as deoxynivalenol), fumonisins or cerealenone metabolites. The enzyme or the enzyme mixture can also be selected in such a way that other mycotixins can also be decomposed. In this way, damage to humans and animals caused by such toxins, for example damage to the liver and the immune system by fumonisins, can be prevented or at least significantly reduced.

Provision can be made for the dust-binding agent to be heated to a target temperature of at least 15-20° C. before it is sprayed on. This results in good spray properties of the dust binder. However, it can also be provided that the dusting agent is heated to a different target temperature, e.g. depending on its composition. However, depending on the latitude and/or time of year, the temperature of the dust binding agent can fall significantly below the target temperature without heating. Provision can therefore be made for the dust-binding agent to be kept available in a thermal container that is fluidically connected to the atomizer and to be heated with a heating element arranged in the thermal container, for example, or to bring it to the desired temperature. The heating element can be controlled by a control and/or regulator unit, e.g. the control unit, whereby the control can be based on the temperature of the dust binding agent measured by a temperature sensor arranged in the thermal container, for example. Provision can also be made to use measurement data from a further sensor for detecting the outside temperature for controlling the heating element.

After spraying the fibrous material, the formed clusters can optionally be separated. The step of separating the clusters preferably does not take place immediately after the step of spraying on the dust-binding agent, but only after an interval of at least one minute. The time interval can depend on the amount of dust-binding agent sprayed on in relation to the amount of fibrous material. The clusters can preferably be separated with a suction device or a brush or by washing them off. The device can be set up appropriately for this purpose and/or have suitable suction devices, brushes or washing units. However, provision can also be made for the clusters to be separated not by the device but by another suitable unit.

1. 1. Entnahme einer beliebigen Probe eines Rundballen Heu.
2. 2. Vorbereitung eines ersten und zweiten Raums mit identischer Größe (je 26 m² Grundfläche), Auslegen von Folie auf dem Fußboden des jeweiligen Raums.
3. 3. Messung des Staubgehaltes der Luft in dem ersten Raum (erste Messung) über 15 Minuten zur Bestimmung der Grundbelastung der ersten Raums.
4. 4. Einbringen der Heuprobe (siehe Punkt 1) in dem ersten Raum. Beginn der zweiten Messung bei Unterlüften des Heus mit einem mäßigen aber gleichmäßigen Luftstrom. Messdauer gesamt: 20 Minuten (erste 15 Minuten „Aktiv“, verbleibende 5 Minuten „Abklingzeit“).
5. 5. In dem Zeitraum „Aktiv“ leichtes Bewegen des Heus alle 3 Minuten. Ab Minute 15 Einstellen der Unterlüftung („Abklingzeit“).
6. 6. Besprühung der Heuprobe mit dem Staubbindemittel.
7. 7. Messung des Staubgehaltes in dem zweiten Raum (dritte Messung) zur Bestimmung der Grundbelastung des zweiten Raums, analog zu Punkt 3.
8. 8. Verbringen der behandelten Heuprobe in den zweiten Raum.
9. 9. Messung wie unter Punkt 4 beschrieben (vierte Messung).
10. 10. Statistische Auswertung der Messungen. Berücksichtigung der ersten und dritten Messung (Grundbelastung in den Räumen) für statistische Auswertung der zweiten und vierten Messung.

2 shows an example of the time course of two PM10 measurements for untreated hay and hay treated with a dust-binding agent according to the method according to the invention and proves the effectiveness of the method according to the invention. for the inside 2 shown exemplary Measurements were taken using a “GRIMM” model 11R laser aerosol spectrometer. The measurements were carried out as follows:

1. 1. Taking any sample from a round bale of hay.
2. 2. Prepare a first and second room of identical size (each 26 m ² floor area), laying foil on the floor of each room.
3. 3. Measurement of the dust content of the air in the first room (first measurement) over 15 minutes to determine the basic pollution level in the first room.
4. 4. Place the hay sample (see point 1) in the first room. Start the second measurement by aerating the hay with a moderate but even air flow. Total measurement time: 20 minutes (first 15 minutes "active", remaining 5 minutes "cooldown").
5. 5. In the "Active" period, gently move the hay every 3 minutes. From minute 15, the under ventilation is stopped (“cooldown time”).
6. 6. Spraying the hay sample with the dust binding agent.
7. 7. Measurement of the dust content in the second room (third measurement) to determine the basic pollution of the second room, analogous to point 3.
8. 8. Moving the treated hay sample to the second room.
9. 9. Measurement as described under point 4 (fourth measurement).
10. 10. Statistical evaluation of the measurements. Consideration of the first and third measurement (basic load in the rooms) for statistical evaluation of the second and fourth measurement.

It is clearly recognizable that the PM10 value measured in the second measurement (untreated hay) is significantly higher than the value measured in the fourth measurement (treated hay) at any time during the air pollution measurement. At time t = 8, the PM10 value of the second measurement is approximately 6 times greater than the value of the fourth measurement. Also noticeable is a significantly lower scatter of the measured air pollution values in the case of the hay treated with the dust binding agent compared to the untreated hay.

An embodiment of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention is in 3 shown. The device 1 has a feed unit 7 , a spray chamber 3 , a loosening unit 8 and an ejection unit 9 . The provided hay 2 (ie the provided fibrous material) is fed from the feed unit 7 to the spray chamber 3 through an inlet opening 4 . In the spray chamber 3, the loosening unit 8 and an atomizer 6 are arranged. The loosening unit 8 loosens the hay 2 supplied. The dust-binding agent is then sprayed onto the loosened hay 2 by the atomizer 6 . The ejection unit 9 ejects the hay 2 through an outlet opening 5 from the spray chamber. For example, the ejection unit 9 can eject the sprayed hay 2 into a collecting container 10 . The collection container 10 can have a flap 14 . The collecting container 10 can be detachably fastened. The ejection unit 9 can be arranged in front of or behind the atomizer 6 in the ejection direction. The atomizer 6 can be connected to a dust-binding agent tank via a supply line system (not shown). The device 1 can have a control unit 11 . The control unit 11 can control and/or regulate the ejection unit 9 . The mass flow or volume flow of the hay 2 ejected from the spray chamber 3 can thus be controlled and/or regulated by the control unit 11 . In another embodiment, the control unit can regulate and/or control the nebulizer 6 and/or the feed system of the nebulizer 6 . The mass flow or volume flow of the dust-binding agent sprayed on by the atomizer 6 can thus be controlled and/or regulated by the control unit 11 . In a further embodiment, the control unit 11 can control and/or regulate the mass or volumetric flow both of the hay 2 ejected from the spray chamber 3 and of the dust-binding agent sprayed on. The wetting quantity of the hay 2 with the dust-binding agent and/or the wetting duration can thus be controlled and/or regulated by the control unit 11 . The spray chamber 3 can have a floor sprinkler 15 . This means that the hay can also be sprayed with the dust binding agent from below. The spray chamber 3 may have a drain 16 or the like, such as a screen.

At the in 3 shown preferred embodiment, the feed unit 7 is formed by a conveyor belt and the loosening unit 8 by a spiked roller. In addition, the ejection unit 9 is identical to the feed unit 7 for this embodiment, ie the ejection unit 9 is formed by the same conveyor belt as the feed unit 7 . In this embodiment, as in 3 shown, the atomizer 6 is arranged at the outlet opening 5 . The conveyor belt 7, 9 extends in the feed direction into the spray chamber 3, but not beyond the atomizer 6; as in 3 the ejection unit 9 is thus shown here in the ejection direction in front of the atomizer 6 . The conveyor belt can be controlled by the control unit 11 be controlled and/or regulated. In particular, the feed speed, that is to say here the running speed of the conveyor belt, can be controlled and/or regulated by the control unit. The control unit 11 is preferably an electric motor. At the in 3 embodiment shown, the spiked roller is mechanically connected to the conveyor belt via a gear 13 . The transmission ratio of the gear 13 can preferably be selected in such a way that the tangential speed of the surface of the spiked roller 8 can be greater than the feed speed of the conveyor belt 7, 9. A particularly good loosening of the supplied hay 2 can be achieved in this way. However, any other transmission ratios of the gear 13 can obviously also be selected. At the in 3 shown embodiment, the number of stages of the gear 13 is selected such that the spiked roller 8 and the rollers of the conveyor belt 7, 9 have the same direction of rotation. As a result, the shearing force acting on the supplied hay 2 between the spiked roller 8 and the conveyor belt 7, 9 is increased, resulting in particularly good loosening. By continuously feeding hay 2 into the spray chamber 3 , loosened hay is transported to the atomizer 6 and sprayed hay is ejected through the outlet opening 5 .

In another embodiment, the gear 13 is designed in such a way that the spiked roller 8 and the rollers of the conveyor belt 7 rotate in opposite directions. As a result, the hay 2 fed by the conveyor belt 7 can be loosened up by the spiked roller 8 and accelerated in the feed direction. If the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5 are arranged opposite one another (cf. e.g 3 ), the hay 2 accelerated by the spiked roller 8 can be thrown under the atomizer 6 and through the outlet opening 5; the spiked roller 8 (loosening unit 8) can thus correspond to the ejection unit 9 and the conveyor belt to the feed unit 7.

In another embodiment it can also be provided that the loosening unit 8 is not connected or coupled to the feed unit 7 and/or the ejection unit 9 . The loosening unit 8 can preferably be driven independently of the feed unit 7 and/or the ejection unit 9 . As a result, for example, the direction and speed of rotation of the spiked roller 8 can be controlled and/or regulated.

A further embodiment of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention is in 4 shown. The device 1 shown has a feed unit 7 , a loosening unit 8 , a spray chamber 3 and an ejection unit 9 . The loosening unit 8 has a spiked roller. Provision can also be made for the loosening unit 8 to have several spiked rollers arranged one behind the other, for example. As well as the in 3 embodiment shown can also be in 4 shown embodiment of the device 1 continuously fibrous material, such as hay or straw, the loosening unit 8 and the spray chamber 3 out and eject continuously sprayed fibrous material. In the 4 The embodiment shown can be dimensioned in such a way that a daily ration of hay for a large horse (approx. 8 kg of hay) is completely loosened and sprayed within two minutes.

At the in 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the feeding unit 7 and the ejection unit 9 comprise a conveyor belt 9, the conveyor belt of the feeding unit 7 being the same as that of the ejection unit 9. It is also possible to use two conveyor belts that work independently of one another and whose conveying speed can be set differently. The conveyor belt 9, as part of the feed unit 7, leads the fibrous material to be sprayed, in particular hay, through the loosening unit 8 into the spray chamber 3 and, as part of the ejection unit 9, transports the sprayed hay on to an optional deflection piece 19 4 In the embodiment shown, the loosening unit 8 is arranged in front of the spray chamber 3 counter to the transport direction of the conveyor belt 9 . In particular, the inlet opening 4 of the spray chamber 3 can be arranged downstream of the loosening unit 8 in the feed direction, so that the fibrous material can be fed out as shown in FIG 4 shown is loosened before entering the spray chamber, while the fibrous substance according to 3 loosened up in the spray chamber. As with the in 3 In the embodiment shown, the conveyor belt 9 runs essentially in the horizontal plane and/or parallel to the installation surface of the device 1. The spiked roller 8 can be mechanically coupled to the drive of the conveyor belt 9 via a gear 13. But it can also be provided that spiked roller 8 and conveyor belt 9 can be controlled and moved independently of one another. The feed unit 7 can not in 3 and 4 have shown recording device for round bales, by means of which the round bales can be handled. The device 1 can thus also process or spray fibrous material, in particular hay or straw, in the form of round bales.

This in 4 The deflection piece 19 shown can be detachably connected to the spray chamber 3 . But it can also, as with the in 4 Device 1 shown, be provided that the deflection piece 19 is not detachably connected to the spray chamber 3 or is an integral part of the spray chamber. In In this case, the outlet opening of the deflection piece 19 can correspond to the outlet opening 5 of the spray chamber 3 or be interpreted as such. In one embodiment, however, the deflection piece 19 can also be part of the ejection unit 9 or the ejection unit 9 can have the deflection piece. The inlet opening 4 of the spray chamber 3 can be aligned essentially perpendicular to the horizontal plane and the outlet opening 5 essentially parallel to the horizontal plane. Depending on the design of the deflection piece 19, the sprayed hay can also be ejected from the device 1 in one or more other directions.

As well as the in 3 embodiment shown also performs in 4 shown embodiment of the device 1 continuously hay via the feed unit 7 of the loosening unit 8 and the spray chamber 3 to. This means that hay that has been continuously sprayed with the dust binding agent is also ejected through the ejection unit 9 or in the in 4 shown embodiment transported by the conveyor belt 9 in the deflection piece 19. The sprayed hay then falls into the in 4 shown embodiment under the influence of gravity downwards from the deflection piece 19.

The device 1 can be used as in 4 shown have an ejection opening adjustment device 18, by means of which the outlet opening 5 of the spray chamber 3 or the deflection piece 19 can be varied. At the in 4 In the embodiment shown, the ejection opening adjustment device 18 has a manually operable slide arranged on the outside of the device 1, so that when the slide is actuated, the width of the outlet opening 5 of the spray chamber 3 and/or the deflection piece 19 is increased or decreased.

In the 4 The embodiment of the device 1 shown also has a thermal container 17 which is fluidly connected to the nebulizer not shown in the figure. The dust-binding agent to be sprayed on can be kept or stored in the thermal container 17 . The thermal container 17 can have at least one temperature sensor and at least one heating element. Both the temperature sensor and the heating element can be arranged in the thermal container. The temperature sensor and the heating element can be connected to a control and/or regulator unit so that the heating element is controlled based on the measured values of the temperature sensor. The dust-binding agent in the thermal container 17 can thus be brought to or maintained at a target temperature by heating with the heating element. The thermal container 17 can also be associated with a metering pump (not shown) for regulating the amount of dust-binding agent to be sprayed on.

Preferably at the in 4 Embodiment shown, two rotary atomizers are arranged in the spray chamber 3, which are preferably designed as rotating discs working without pressure and which completely wet a circle corresponding to the working width of the device 1. As in 4 shown, the spray chamber 3 can have a flap 20 accessible from outside the device 1 . When the flap 20 is open, the at least one atomizer arranged in the spray chamber 3 can be easily accessible for assembly or disassembly or for maintenance purposes. The device 1 can have a catch guard 21 which can catch fibrous material, for example hay or straw, thrown up by the loosening unit 8 or can prevent it from being thrown out of the device 1 .

In another embodiment that is not shown, the conveyor belt can extend in the feed direction through the spray chamber to the outlet opening or beyond.

In another embodiment that is not shown, the loosening unit can be arranged in front of the spray chamber in the feed direction.

In an embodiment that is not shown, the atomizer can have a single-component nozzle, a two-component nozzle, a rotary atomizer, or any combination of these. The atomizer can preferably have a flat jet nozzle. The nebulizer can be placed at any position in the spray chamber or any inside of the spray chamber. The atomizer can preferably be arranged at the outlet opening. Several nozzles or atomizers can be arranged in a pattern, grid or evenly spaced from one another and/or the dust-binding agent can be sprayed on from different directions. Provision can also be made for the atomizer to be integrated into the loosening unit. For example, a spiked roller used as a loosening unit can have nozzles for spraying on the dust-binding agent.

In another preferred embodiment that is not shown, the feed unit and/or ejection unit can alternatively or additionally have a roller, a pair of rollers, a fan, a bevel or any combination of these. For example, the fibrous substance can alternatively or additionally be drawn or conveyed into the spray chamber by a roller or a pair of rollers of two rollers arranged one above the other with opposite directions of rotation which are pulled or conveyed out of the spray chamber by the same or a different roller or pair of rollers. Alternatively or additionally, the fibrous material can be blown or sucked into the spray chamber via a fan and/or blown or sucked out of the spray chamber by the same or a different fan. Alternatively or additionally, the fibrous material may be conveyed into the spray chamber via a slope and/or conveyed out of the spray chamber through the same or a different slope. If the device has more than one bevel, one, several or all of the bevels can have different angles of inclination to a horizontal plane. Provision can also be made for one or more bevels to be curved once or multiple times.

In an embodiment that is not shown, the loosening unit can have a roller, a chopper, an agitator, a blower, a brush or any combination of these. Provision can also be made for the loosening unit to have two rollers which are spaced apart from one another in the feed direction and rotate at different speeds, so that the fibrous material is pulled apart and thereby loosened. Provision can also be made for the loosening unit to have two pairs of rollers spaced apart from one another in the feed direction, each having two rollers arranged vertically one above the other.

In an embodiment that is not shown, the outlet opening cannot be arranged parallel to the inlet opening. In particular, the outlet opening can be arranged in such a way that the ejection direction is oriented essentially perpendicular to the feed direction. Provision can be made for the fibrous material to be ejected in a vertical downward direction. It can be provided that the outlet opening has a funnel shape.

In an embodiment that is not shown, the device can have a separating unit for separating dust particle clusters formed during spraying, for example at least one suction device, brush, washing unit or combination of these. The separating unit can be arranged behind the spray chamber and/or the ejection unit and/or between the spray chamber and the ejection unit in the feed direction of the fibrous material.

In one embodiment, the device 1 can be fixed in place via a frame 12 . In another embodiment, the device 1 or the frame 12 can stand on wheels or rollers, so that the device 1 can be moved.

Reference List

1

contraption

2

fibrous substance

3

spray chamber

4

entry opening

5

exit port

6

atomizer

7

feeding unit

8th

fluffing unit

9

ejection unit

10

collection container

11

control unit

12

frame

13

transmission

14

flap

15

floor sprinkler

16

drain

17

thermal container

18

Ejection opening adjustment device

19

deflection piece

20

flap

21

catch guard

Claims (23)

Method for treating a fibrous material (2) with a dust binding agent by means of a device (1), the method having the steps: - providing a fibrous material (2) having dust particles and continuously feeding the fibrous material (2) through a feed unit (7 ) of the device (1); - loosening the fibrous material (2) by a roller, a spiked roller, a chopper, an agitator, a brush or any combination of these having loosening unit (8) of the device (1); - Spraying a dust binder in a spray chamber (3) of the device (1) onto the fibrous substance (2), the dust binder having an aqueous-based film former, the dust binder being produced by at least one atomizer (6) arranged in the spray chamber (3) is atomized into droplets, and wherein the dust-binding agent is set up to bind dust particles to fibers of the fibrous material (2) and/or to promote clustering of the dust particles; and - continuously ejecting the sprayed fibrous material (2) from the device (1) through an ejection unit (9) of the device (1). procedure after claim 1 In which an enzyme and/or an enzyme mixture for breaking down or decomposing mycotoxins is sprayed on with the dust binding agent or the dust binding agent has such an enzyme when it is sprayed on. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 or 2 In which the enzyme sprayed on when spraying on the dust binding agent or exhibited by the dust binding agent is designed to break down or decompose at least one of A-trichothecenes, B-trichothecenes, fumonisins or cerealenone metabolites. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the dust-binding agent is heated with a heating element to a temperature equal to the desired temperature or greater than the desired temperature before spraying on when the desired temperature is fallen below, the desired temperature preferably being 15°C, particularly preferably 20°C, wherein preferably the temperature of the dust binding agent is measured with a temperature sensor and the heating element is controlled based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. Method according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises the separation of dust particle clusters after the dust-binding agent has been sprayed on. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which, during the spraying, the dust-binding agent is sprayed on with a flow rate of 5-30 ml/minute/kg fibrous material, preferably with a flow rate of 10-25 ml/minute/kg fibrous material. Process according to one of the preceding claims, in which the dust-binding agent is atomized during spraying to give droplets with a droplet size of 20-50 µm, preferably 30-40 µm, particularly preferably 35 µm. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein when the dust binding agent is sprayed on, a water-based film former comprising cassia gum E 427, agar agar, carboxymethyl cellulose or any combination of these is sprayed on. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a dust binding agent comprising a preservative, preferably a potassium sorbate, a citric acid, a sugar substance, a maltodextrin or any combination of the like, is sprayed on as the dust binding agent during the spraying. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a dust-binding agent having a viscosity of 20-60 mPas, preferably 30-50 mPas, particularly preferably 35-45 mPas, is sprayed on as the dust-binding agent during spraying. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous material (2) is or comprises hay or straw. Device (1) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, the device having: - a spray chamber (3), which has an inlet opening (4), an outlet opening (5) and at least one atomizer (6) arranged between the inlet and outlet opening (4; 5) for atomizing and spraying a dust binding agent onto a fibrous substance (2nd ) having; - a feeding unit (7) arranged to feed the fibrous material (2) continuously into the spray chamber (3) through the inlet opening (4); - a loosening unit (8) for loosening and/or breaking up the fibrous material (2), the loosening unit (8) having a roller, a spiked roller, a chopper, an agitator, a brush or any combination thereof; and - an ejection unit (9) which is set up to continuously eject the fibrous material (2) through the outlet opening (5) from the spray chamber. Device (1) after claim 12 , in which the dust-binding agent has an enzyme and/or an enzyme mixture for breaking down or decomposing mycotoxins, preferably at least one of A-trichothecenes, B-trichothecenes, fumonisins or cerealenone metabolites. Device (1) after claim 12 or 13 which has a thermal container (17) fluidically connected to the atomizer (6) for receiving the dust binding agent, wherein the thermal container (17) has at least one heating element for heating the dust binding agent and at least one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the dust binding agent. Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 14 Having an ejection opening adjusting device (18) for adjusting the shape and/or the size of the outlet opening (5), preferably the width of the outlet opening (5). Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 15 , in which the atomizer (6) has a single-component nozzle, a two-component nozzle, a rotary atomizer or any combination of these. Device (1) one of Claims 12 until 16 , in which the device has a separating unit for separating dust particle clusters formed during spraying, preferably at least one suction device, brush, washing unit or combination of these. Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 17 , wherein the device (1) has a collecting container (10) for intermediate storage of the fibrous material (2) treated with the dust-binding agent, which is connected to the spray chamber (3) via the outlet opening (5). Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 18 , in which the feed unit (7) and the ejection unit (9), the feed unit (7) and the loosening unit (8) and/or the loosening unit (8) and the ejection unit (9) are designed as identical assemblies of the device. Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 19 wherein the feed unit (7) and/or the ejection unit (9) comprises a conveyor belt, a roller, a pair of rollers, a fan, an incline or any combination of these. Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 20 , in which the feed unit (7) has a receiving device for round bales made of a material containing fibrous material (2), the receiving device being set up for unwinding the material of the round bale, the receiving device preferably for transporting the unwound material to the loosening unit (8) or when referring to claim 19 set up for transfer to the conveyor belt, the roller, the pair of rollers, the blower or the incline. Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 21 , wherein the device has a control unit (11) for controlling and/or regulating the ejection unit (9), a mass or volume flow of the fibrous material (2) ejected by the ejection unit (9) and/or one sprayed on by the atomizer (6). Having mass or volume flow of the dust binding agent. Device (1) according to one of Claims 12 until 23 , the inlet opening (4) being opposite the outlet opening (5), the ejection unit (9) being set up to direct the fibrous substance (2) introduced into the spray chamber (3) by the feed unit (7) in the direction of the outlet opening (5) to accelerate and eject through the outlet opening (5).

Images