EA044928B1 - FILTER PRESS AND WASHING DEVICE FOR INSTALLATION WITH PLATE FILTER - Google Patents

Description

Links to related applications

No.

Field of technology

In general, the invention relates to the field of filter devices, in particular, horizontal filter presses. More specifically, embodiments relate to an improved apparatus for washing filter press plate assemblies containing filter media.

State of the art

Horizontal filter presses usually contain for filtration several vertically oriented filter press plate units assembled in a horizontal package, mounted on parallel side bars. During the filter cycle, the plate assemblies are held tightly together by one or more hydraulic cylinders. When the plate assemblies are moved apart, the filter opens and the filter-press cake falls out of the filter-press plate assemblies. Thanks to this, for example, after discarding the filter cake, it is possible to clean part of the filter medium (ie filter fabric) of the filter plate assemblies by shaking and/or washing them.

Typically, rinsing devices are built into the spray bars of each filter press plate assembly. Each spray bar contains a number of spray nozzles. Disadvantages of such devices include increased manufacturing cost, increased weight, and difficulty identifying spray nozzles that have clogged/scale deposits. Moreover, since the spray bars (and their spray nozzles) are mounted above each filter press plate, their effectiveness in washing the lower portions of the filter media associated with each filter press plate is limited. Another disadvantage of such prior art devices is that the spray bar is shaken with the rest of the filter press plate assembly, thereby increasing the likelihood of manifold cracking, leaks, bent spray nozzles, or broken pipe connections.

Other flushing agents have been proposed, particularly those shown and described in WO 2015/127366A2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as an integral part of this disclosure. The disadvantages of such washing mechanisms include a high center of gravity and the requirement for a large ceiling height and the availability of free space above the filter to accommodate upwardly extended structures of washing equipment sufficient to clean the filter press plate assemblies.

Other flushing agents have also been proposed, such as those shown and described in WO/2016/179408, which is also incorporated by reference in its entirety as an integral part of the present disclosure. Such devices, however, may require additional side space and will incur increased manufacturing costs.

Accordingly, there is a need to create a cheaper, simpler and improved washing apparatus for filter press plate units, which eliminates the mentioned disadvantages of existing washing apparatus for horizontal filter presses.

Objectives of the invention

Thus, it is an object of some embodiments of the invention to provide an improved horizontal filter press or an improved washer for filter press plate assemblies that eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of a conventional washer.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings and description. Although it is intended that each object of the invention be achieved by at least one embodiment of the invention, not every embodiment of the invention necessarily solves all the objects of the invention.

The essence of the invention

The present disclosure provides a horizontal filter press 100. The horizontal filter press 100 may include multiple filter press plate assemblies 101 mounted on side bars 104. The horizontal filter press 100 may also include a rail 105. The horizontal filter press 100 may also include a carriage. 2 washing devices.

The washing device carriage 2 can be movably mounted on the rail guide 105. It may include a washing unit 1 for washing the filter press plate assemblies 101 of the horizontal filter press 100. The washing unit 1 may, in some embodiments, include a wash water manifold 11. The wash water manifold 11 may have a first outlet pipe 13 for supplying wash water to the first rotor 19, and a second outlet pipe 14 for supplying wash water to the second rotor 19. Each of the rotors 19 may include a reel 20 for winding a flexible hose 23 thereon. of the rotors 19 can rotate relative to the carriage 2 of the washing device.

The washing unit 1 may also include a spray bar 25. The first end of the spray bar may be in fluid connection with the first flexible hose 23. The first flexible hose 23

- 1 044928 may be secured to the first rotor 19 by means of a reel 20. The second end of the spray bar 25 may be in fluid connection with a second flexible hose 23. The second flexible hose 23 may be secured by means of a reel 20 to the second rotor 19. The spray bar 25 may be configured with the possibility of receiving wash water from the wash water collector 11, in particular, through the first and second rotors 19 and through the first and second flexible hoses 23.

In some embodiments, the first and second rotors 19 may be secured, particularly in bushings or bearings 16. In some embodiments, the first and second rotors 19 may be coupled to the first 12 and second 13 exhaust pipes of the manifold 11, respectively, in specifically, a rotating hydraulic connection 15. In some embodiments, the first and second rotors 19 may have a hollow shaft 27. The hollow shaft 27 may be adapted to receive wash water from the wash water manifold 11. The hollow shaft 27 may also be adapted to supply flushing water to the spray bar 25, in particular through the first and second flexible hoses 23.

In some embodiments, the first flexible hose 23 may be in fluid connection to the hollow shaft 27 of the first rotor 19 through a hydraulic fitting located adjacent to the spool 20 on the first rotor 19. Likewise, the second flexible hose 23 may be in fluid connection to the hollow shaft 27 of the second rotor 19 , in particular, through a hydraulic fitting located near the coil 20 of the second rotor 19.

In the standby position, the first and second flexible hoses 23 may be wrapped around a reel 20 provided on the first and second rotors 19, respectively. In the flushing position, the first and second flexible hoses 23 can be at least partially unwound from the reel 20 provided on the first and second rotors 19, respectively.

In some embodiments, spray bar 25 may include at least one guide plate 28. At least one guide plate 28 may be configured to center spray bar 25, particularly between two of several filter press plate assemblies 101 during wash cycle.

In some embodiments, the washer 1 may have a drive motor 22. The drive motor 22 may be adapted to drive rotation of the first and second rotors 19, particularly through a drive belt or chain 18. In some embodiments, each of the first and second rotors 19 may include a driven pulley, pinion, or sprocket 21. These driven pulleys, pinions, or sprocket 21 may be adapted to engage, in particular, a drive belt or chain 18. In some embodiments, the washer unit 1 may in particular, tension means 30 are used to tension the drive belt or chain 18. It will be understood that, although not explicitly shown, each of the rotors 19 may alternatively be driven directly by its own motor 22, with or without the use of a gearbox. .

In some embodiments, the fluid connection of the spray bar 25 to the first and second flexible hoses 23 may, in particular, be accomplished by a hydraulic fitting 24. In some embodiments, the washing unit 1 may include multiple spray bars 25. In some embodiments, each rotor 19 may comprise a number of reels 20 and/or flexible hoses 23 corresponding in particular to the number of spray bars 25. For example, as shown in the drawings, in particular a plurality of spray bars 25 may be used. In some embodiments, the washer carriage 2 may be movably mounted on the rail 105 by means of sliders 26. The sliders 26 may preferably be equipped with guide means 9, for example in particular one or more rollers and/or one or more sliding surfaces.

Also disclosed is a method for using/controlling the operation of the horizontal filter press 100 described above. The method may include the step of rotating the first and second rotors 19. The method may also include raising and lowering the spray bar 25 by rotating the first and second rotors 19. As the first and second rotors 19 rotate, the first and second flexible hoses 23 are wound onto respective reels 20, or unwinding the first and second flexible hoses 23 from these respective reels 20. The method may also include the step of supplying wash water from the manifold 11 to one of several filter press plate assemblies 101 via the spray bar 25.

The rotation step of the first and second rotors 19 may include the step of activating a drive motor 22 equipped with a drive pulley, pinion, or sprocket 17. The rotation step of the first and second rotors 19 may also include a rotation step of a belt or chain 18 meshed with the drive pulley, pinion or sprocket 17. The rotation step of the first and second rotors 19 may further comprise a step of applying torque to a driven pulley, pinion, or sprocket 21 mounted on each first and second rotors 19, for example, a belt or chain 18 may apply torque to each driven pulley, gear or sprocket 21).

- 2 044928

In some embodiments, the method may also include the step of lowering the spray bar 25 between two of the multiple filter press plate assemblies 101. This may include the step of centering at least one guide plate 28 with spray bar 25 between said two of the multiple filter press plate assemblies 101 during the wash cycle.

It will be apparent from this disclosure and drawings that various features/components and method steps described herein may be modified without substantially departing from the scope of the invention.

Brief description of drawings

To complement the proposed description and facilitate understanding of the distinctive features of the invention, attached to this description as an integral part is a set of drawings illustrating the preferred device and methods using it, which are illustrative in nature and do not limit the invention. It should be understood that the same reference numerals in the drawings may identify the same components. On the drawings:

in fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing unit 1 in accordance with some embodiments;

in fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the image in FIG. 1 illustrating internal elements;

in fig. 3 is an end view of the image in FIG. 1;

in fig. 4 is an end view of the image in FIG. 2, from a direction perpendicular to the cut plane;

in fig. 5 is a side view of the image in FIG. 1;

in fig. 6 is a top view of the image in FIG. 1;

in fig. 7 is a perspective view of a washing unit 1 mounted on a washing device carriage 2, in accordance with some embodiments;

in fig. 8 shows how the device shown in FIG. 7, relative to the filter press plate assemblies 101 on the horizontal filter press 100;

in fig. 9 is a side view of the image in FIG. 7;

in fig. 10a-10d are end views showing how the spray bars 25 can move between the filter press plate assemblies 101 for parts of the assemblies including the filter media;

in fig. 11a-11d show in perspective view how the spray bars 25 can move back up between the filter press plate assemblies 101 to return to the standby position;

in fig. 12a-12d are side views showing how the guide plates 28 help the spray bars 25 lower between the filter press plate assemblies 101 during the wash cycle (ie, in the wash position);

in fig. 13 is a perspective view of a horizontal filter press 100 including a washing device carriage 2 equipped with a washing unit 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-12 For clarity of illustration, most of the filter press plate assemblies 101 in FIG. 13 are not shown.

The following is a more detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings relating to particular embodiments.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The horizontal filter press 100 includes a number of vertically arranged filter press plate assemblies 101 assembled in a horizontal stack. The filter press plate assemblies 101 are supported by a pair of side bars 104 extending parallel to each other from the front end 102 to the rear end 103 of the horizontal filter press 100. The horizontal filter press 100 also has a rail 105 extending along the working portion on each side of the horizontal filter press. filter press 100. The rail guides 105 run generally parallel to the side bars 104.

The washing device carriage 2 contains a slider 26 on the first side 3 and the second side 4 of the carriage. Each slider 26 has an upper end 7 and a lower end 8. The upper end 7 and/or the lower end 8 are provided with guide means 9 (e.g., rollers or sliding surfaces) operatively adapted to engage the rail guides 105. In some embodiments, the rail guides 105 may, in particular, contain rollers along which the sliders 26 slide. The guide means 9 are configured to create a support that can support the weight of the washing device carriage 2 (including the washing unit 101), as well as to ensure that the washing device carriage 2 moves along the rail guides 105 The washer carriage 2 may include stepping means 10 for performing stepwise movement of the washer carriage 2 along the rails 105. The stepping means 10 may include, in particular, a movement ratchet rack configured to operate with an existing movement mechanism.

- 3 044928

The washing unit 1 of the filter press plate assembly is installed on the upper side 5 of the carriage 2 of the washing device. The washing unit 1 is attached to a frame and mounting structure 6 holding the washing unit 1 on the upper side 5 of the carriage 2 of the washing device. The washing unit 1 includes a wash water manifold 11, into which wash water is supplied through an inlet pipe 12. The inlet pipe 12 may be connected to a high pressure wash water source. The wash water manifold 11 supplies wash water to the two rotors 19 through a first outlet pipe 13 and a second outlet pipe 14 extending perpendicularly from the wash water manifold 11. The rotors 19 are in fluid connection to the first outlet pipe 13 and the second outlet pipe 14 through rotary hydraulic connections 15 and one or more flange connections 29, as shown in the drawings.

Each rotor 19 is mounted in one or more bushings or bearings 16, for example, near each end of the rotor 19, as shown in the drawings. Each rotor 19 has a hollow shaft 27 in fluid communication with the wash water manifold 11 through rotating hydraulic connections 15. At least one coil 20 diverges radially from the hollow shaft 27 of each rotor 19. Preferably, at least one coil 20 diverges radially from each rotor 19. several coils 20 spaced apart along the axis.

Each reel 20 is configured to store, deploy, and rewind a flexible hose 23.

The first (proximal) end of the flexible hose 23 attached to each reel 20 has a fluid connection to the hollow shaft 27 of the corresponding rotor 19. The first (proximal) end of the flexible hose can be connected to the hollow shaft 27 through a hydraulic fitting. At the other (distal) end of the flexible hose 23 there is a hydraulic fitting 24. The hydraulic fitting 24 provides a fluid connection between the flexible hose 23 and the end of the spray bar 25.

Each spray bar 25 may be provided with openings (eg, pinholes, nozzles, windows, apertures, etc.), which are openings adapted to supply wash water to the surface areas of the respective filter press plate assemblies 101. The hydraulic fittings 24 connecting the spray bars 25 to the flexible hoses 23 may be optimally adjusted to maintain the orientation of the spray bars 25 as the spray bars 25 are raised and lowered between the filter press plate assemblies 101 (see FIGS. 10a-11d).

To raise or lower the spray bars 25 between the filter press plate assemblies, the rotors can be rotated. The rotation of the rotors 19 can in particular be carried out by a drive motor 22 mounted on the frame and mounting structure 6 and/or carriage 2 of the washing device. In the particular non-limiting embodiment shown, the drive motor 22 has a drive pulley, pinion, or sprocket 17 mounted on the motor drive shaft. A drive pulley, pinion, or sprocket 17 drives a drive belt or chain 18. Each rotor 19 may have a driven pulley, pinion, or sprocket 21 that engages the drive belt or chain 18. Accordingly, input signals to the drive motor 22 rotate the drive belt or chain 18, which, in turn, rotates the rotors 19.

When the rotors 19 rotate, the flexible hoses 23 are wound onto their corresponding reels 20 or unwinded from them. Winding the flexible hoses 23 onto the corresponding reels 20 lifts the spray bar 25 relative to the filter press plate assemblies 101. To lower the spray bars 25 relative to the filter press plate assemblies 101, flexible hoses 23 can be wound from the corresponding reel 20 by rotating the rotors 19 in the opposite direction. Tensioning means 30, such as the illustrated idler rollers with spring tensioners, can maintain constant tension on the drive belt or chain 18 and in contact with the drive 17 and driven 21 pulleys, gears, or sprockets. In some embodiments, tension means 30 may include pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, solenoids, or other known damping devices.

Each spray bar 25 may include one or more guide plates 28 to maintain the orientation of the spray bars 25 during the wash cycle and/or to ensure that the spray bars 25 are equally spaced between the filter press plate assemblies 101.

Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, a person skilled in the art, using the principles of the invention, can suggest additional embodiments and modifications that do not go beyond the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the following drawings and description are provided by way of example to facilitate understanding of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

-

Claims (17)

Reference numbers: 1 - washing unit of the filter press plate assembly, 2 - washing device carriage, 3 - first side, 4 - second side, 5 - top side, 6 - frame and mounting structure, 7 - upper end, 8 - lower end, 9 - guiding means (for example, rollers, sliding surfaces), 10 - means for ensuring step-by-step movement (for example, a ratchet rack of the movement mechanism), 11 - wash water collector, 12 - inlet pipe, 13 - first exhaust pipe, 14 - second exhaust pipe, 15 - rotating hydraulic connection, 16 - bushing or bearing, 17 - drive pulley, gear or sprocket, 18 - drive belt or chain, 19 - rotor, 20 - coil, 21 - driven pulley, gear or sprocket, 22 - drive motor, 23 - flexible hose, 24 - hydraulic fitting, 25 - spray bar, 26 - slider(s), 27 - hollow shaft, 28 - guide plate, 29 - flange connection, 30 - tensioning means (for example, an idle roller with a tensioner), 100 - horizontal filter press, 101 - filter press plate assembly, 102 - front end, 103 - rear end, 104 - side bar(s), 105 - rail guide. CLAIM 1. Horizontal filter press (100), having several units (101) of the filter press plate mounted on the side bars (104), and a rail guide (105), as well as a washing device carriage (2) mounted on the rail guide ( 105) with the ability to move and containing a washing unit (1) for washing the units (101) of the filter press plate, wherein the washing unit (1) contains a wash water collector (11) having a first outlet pipe (13) for supplying wash water to the first rotor (19), characterized in that the washing unit (1) additionally contains a second outlet pipe (14) for supplying washing water to the second rotor (19), with each rotor (19) containing several coils (20) spaced apart along the axis, each of which is configured to wind a flexible hose (23) onto it, and each rotor (19) can rotate relative to the carriage (2) of the washing device; in this case, the washing unit (1) additionally contains several spray bars (25); wherein the first end of each spray bar (25) is in fluid communication with a first flexible hose (23) mounted on one of the reels (20) on the first rotor (19); the second end of each spray bar (25) is in fluid communication with a second flexible hose (23) mounted on one of the reels (20) on the second rotor (19); each spray bar (25) receives wash water from the wash water manifold (11) through the first and second rotors (19) and its corresponding first and second flexible hoses (23); the spray bars (25) are designed to be raised and lowered between the filter press plate units (101) when the rotors (19) rotate; flexible hoses (23) are designed to be wound onto the corresponding reels (20) or unwinded from them when the rotors (19) rotate; - 5 044928 winding flexible hoses (23) onto the corresponding reels (20) leads to the lifting of the spray bar (25) relative to the filter press plate units (101) and the spray bars (25) are designed to be lowered relative to the filter plate units (101) press when winding flexible hoses (23) from the corresponding reels (20) by rotating the rotors (19). 2. The horizontal filter press (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rotors (19) are each mounted on one or more bushings or bearings (16). 3. The horizontal filter press (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second rotors (19) are each connected to the first (12) and second (13) outlet pipes of the manifold (11), respectively, by means of a rotating hydraulic connection ( 15). 4. Horizontal filter press (100) according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the first and second rotors (19) have a hollow shaft (27), into which wash water is supplied from the wash water manifold (11) and which transfers it to the spray bars (25) through them. corresponding first and second flexible hoses (23). 5. The horizontal filter press (100) of claim 4, wherein each first flexible hose (23) is in fluid communication with the hollow shaft (27) of the first rotor (19) through a hydraulic fitting located adjacent to its corresponding reel ( 20) of the first rotor (19), and each second flexible hose (23) is in fluid communication with the hollow shaft (27) of the second rotor (19) through a hydraulic fitting located adjacent to its corresponding reel (20) of the second rotor (19) . 6. The horizontal filter press (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein in the standby position, the first and second flexible hoses (23) are wound on reels (20) mounted on the first and second rotors (19), respectively. 7. Horizontal filter press (100) according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which, in the washing mode position, the first and second flexible hoses (23) are at least partially unwound from reels (20) mounted on the first and second rotors (19 ) respectively. 8. The horizontal filter press (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each spray bar (25) has at least one guide plate (28) configured to align each spray bar (25) between two of the plurality of assemblies ( 101) filter press plates during the washing cycle. 9. Horizontal filter press (100) according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the washing unit (1) includes a drive motor (22) configured to rotate the first and second rotors (19) by means of a drive belt or chain (18). 10. A horizontal filter press (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second rotors (19) each comprise a driven pulley, pinion or sprocket (21) for engaging a drive belt or chain (18). 11. Horizontal filter press (100) according to claim 9 or 10, further including tension means (30) for tensioning the drive belt or chain (18). 12. A horizontal filter press (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray bars (25) are fluidly coupled to their respective first and second flexible hoses (23) via a hydraulic fitting (24). 13. Horizontal filter press (100) according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the carriage (2) of the washing device is mounted for movement on a rail guide (105) supported by sliders (26) having guide means (9). 14. The horizontal filter press (100) according to claim 13, wherein the guide means (9) comprise one or more rollers or one or more sliding surfaces. 15. A method for controlling the operation of a horizontal filter press (100) according to any of the previous paragraphs, during which the first and second rotors (19) are rotated and by rotating the first and second rotors (19) the spray bars (25) are raised or lowered by winding the first and the second flexible hoses (23) onto the corresponding reels (20) or by unwinding the first and second flexible hoses (23) from these reels (20); and the wash water is supplied from the manifold (11) to several units (101) of the filter press plate through the spray bars (25). 16. The method according to claim 15, in which when the first and second rotors (19) rotate, a drive motor (22) equipped with a drive pulley, gear or sprocket (17) is activated; rotate the belt or chain (18), functionally engaged with the drive pulley, gear or sprocket (17); and transmit torque to a driven pulley, pinion or sprocket (21) mounted on the first and second rotors (19). 17. The method of claim 15 or 16, further comprising lowering each spray bar (25) between two of the plurality of filter press plate assemblies (101) and -