Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
  • C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
  • C10M175/00—Working-up used lubricants to recover useful products ; Cleaning
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
  • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
  • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D17/0211—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with baffles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
  • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
  • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D17/0214—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with removal of one of the phases
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
  • B01D17/12—Auxiliary equipment particularly adapted for use with liquid-separating apparatus, e.g. control circuits
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/0012—Settling tanks making use of filters, e.g. by floating layers of particulate material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/0039—Settling tanks provided with contact surfaces, e.g. baffles, particles
  • B01D21/0045—Plurality of essentially parallel plates
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/0039—Settling tanks provided with contact surfaces, e.g. baffles, particles
  • B01D21/0069—Making of contact surfaces, structural details, materials therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/10—Settling tanks with multiple outlets for the separated liquids
  • B01D21/12—Settling tanks with multiple outlets for the separated liquids with moving scrapers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/24—Feed or discharge mechanisms for settling tanks
  • B01D21/245—Discharge mechanisms for the sediments
  • B01D21/2455—Conveyor belts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/30—Control equipment
  • B01D21/302—Active control mechanisms with external energy, e.g. with solenoid valve
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/30—Control equipment
  • B01D21/307—Passive control mechanisms without external energy, e.g. using a float
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
  • B01D21/30—Control equipment
  • B01D21/34—Controlling the feed distribution; Controlling the liquid level ; Control of process parameters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D2221/00—Applications of separation devices
  • B01D2221/14—Separation devices for workshops, car or semiconductor industry, e.g. for separating chips and other machining residues

Definitions

• the invention of the present application is broadly related to systems for treating and recovering liquid coolants used in machine metal working processes. Specifically, the invention is directed to an apparatus and method for renewing such coolants by removing solid wastes and contaminating oils therefrom and inhibiting bacterial growth by aerating the coolant through recir- culation and adding biochemicals to deter bacteriolog ⁇ ical build up.
• An additional feature which a desirable system need possess is one wherein bacterial growth in the coolant
• the invention of the present application provides a system, including both an apparatus and method, which is directed to these problems. It is a system which provides methods for eliminating both solid and liquid contaminants and for treating the coolant in order to reduce the likelihood of bacterial growth therein.
• the invention of the present application is an apparatus and method for removing solid and liquid contaminants in a liquid such as coolant fluid in order to allow the liquid to be reused.
• the method includes steps of filling an entry compartment, in a filtration device, with the contaminated liquid and passing the liquid through a plate separator which extends down- wardly and obliquely. As the liquid passes through the plate separator, lighter contaminating liquids rise to downwardly facing sides of plates extending obliquely within the separator. These lighter contaminating fluids are, thereafter, allowed to rise back into the entry compartment where they are recovered and disposed of.
• the method can include additional steps to retard bacterial growth.
• One of such steps can include the recirculation of clean fluid, after it has been pumped out of the clean fluid collection tank, back through the processing compartment and collection tank.
• the apparatus invention of the application is a device by which the method invention can be accom ⁇ plished.
• the device includes a process tank which is further subdivided into a liquid entry compartment and a processing compartment.
• the plate separator extends obliquely within the process tank and a first, upper end of the separator communicates with the entry compart ⁇ ment.
• the second, lower end communicates with the processing compartment, so that contaminated fluid introduced into the entry compartment will be passed downwardly through the separator and enter the process ⁇ ing compartment of the process tank.
• a clean tank is separated from the processing compartment by a weir, over the upper edge of which fluid passed into the processing compartment overflows.
• the fluid is, there ⁇ after, collected in the clean tank.
• the device can, further, include means for introducing the anti ⁇ bacterial treating agent into the liquid.
• the means by which the agent is added can provide that the agent will be introduced into either the process tank or the clean tank.
• a preferred embodiment of the invention includes means for controlling flow of the liquid to be renewed through the various compartments and tanks.
• a conduit by which the liquid is channeled into the entry compart ⁇ ment can have a solenoid actuated valve interposed therein.
• the valve is normally biased to an open position so that, unless the solenoid is actuated, the liquid will pass from a contaminated reservoir into the entry compartment.
• a float actuated switch can be mounted within the clean tank in order to sense whether
• Such a switch includes a float member which, when the level of fluid is below the desired maximum, is in a position wherein the switch is deactivated and the solenoid is not energized to close the solenoid actuated valve. If the fluid in the clean tank rises to a level above the desired maximum, the float member of the switch will be driven to a position to effect switching of the switch in order to activate the solenoid controlling the valve. The valve will, thereby, be closed to prevent entry of contaminated fluid for processing until the level of processed fluid in the clean tank recedes.
• the device can include a pump for transferring processed fluid from the clean tank to a service tank or back into a sump.
• a second float switch having a float member similar to that of the first switch can be disposed in the clean tank to sense a minimum desired level of fluid within the tank.
• the pump would normally be actuated unless the switch, through its float member, sensed the level of fluid in the clean tank receding to a point below the desired minimum level. At that point, the float switch would function to deactivate the pump in order to allow the level of fluid in the clean tank, assuming a continuous input to the tank, to rise.
• the weir wall can be so structured, and a baffle can be provided relative to the weir wall, so that only liquid _virtually devoid of such tramp oils passes over the weir separating the clean tank from the processing compartment.
• the weir wall can be structured having a lower generally vertically extending portion and an upper generally vertically extending portion spaced laterally from the lower portion and toward
• An interconnecting portion of the weir wall disposed either generally horizontally or obliquely interconnects the upper and lower portions in order to complete the wall.
• the baffle member is positioned above the interconnecting portion of the wall so that any tramp oil which does manage to pass through the separator will rise to the surface of the liquid being processed on a side of the baffle away from the side facing the weir. Overflow of the tramp oil into the clean tank will, thereby, be virtually precluded.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance -with the invention of the present applica- tion, some portions thereof being broken away;
• Fig. 2 is a view taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 is a view taken generally along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 is a view taken generally along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, showing some elements schematically, of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus illus ⁇ trated in Fig. 5.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 in accordance with the invention of the present application for renewing coolant fluids and other similar liquids.
• An interconnecting portion of the weir wall disposed either generally horizontally or obliquely interconnects the upper and lower portions in order to complete the wall.
• the baffle member is positioned above the interconnecting portion of the wall so that any tramp oil which does manage to pass through the separator will rise to the surface of the liquid being processed on a side of the baffle can be disconnected from a line 20 running between it and the surge tank 16.
• the reservoir 14 can, thereby, be transported to loca ⁇ tions at which contaminated fluids are deposited therein and, thereafter, be returned to the renewing apparatus 10 for discharge of its contents.
• coolant liquid can, in certain embodiments of the apparatus invention, be pumped directly from a sump to housing 12.
• the line 20 by which the reser ⁇ voir is connected to the surge tank 16 can include a solenoid actuated valve 22.
• the purpose of the valve 22 will be discussed hereinafter.
• Contaminated fluids from the reservoir 14 can be pumped through the line 20 connecting it to the surge tank 16 and, thereafter, through a line 24 to a port 26 through which it enters into the housing 12.
• the surge tank 16 insures that any air which might be pumped through line 20 by becoming entrained in the contam ⁇ inated liquid when the liquid level in reservoir 14 recedes below the level of the connection of line 20 therewith does not pass through line 24.
• the fluid passes through the port 26 into the housing 12 and, specifically, into a liquid entry compartment 28.
• a plate separator 30 Positioned beneath the compartment 28, and sealing the bottom thereof, is a plate separator 30 extending downwardly and obliquely from the bottom of the entry compartment 28. An upper end of the separator 30, thereby, communicates with the entry compartment
• a lower end of the separator 30 communicates with a processing compartment 32 which, in cross-section taken in one direction, is generally triangular in shape.
• a plurality of corrugated plates 34 5 extend longitudinally from the upper end of the separa ⁇ tor 30 to the bottom end thereof.
• the plates 34 as best seen in Fig. 4, are corrugated to define upper and lower vertices 36.
• Fig. 4 illustrates only four plates, it will be understood that significantly
• the entry compartment 28. .A duct 38 can be mounted to a sidewall 40 of the entry compartment 28 for removing this tramp oil and transferring it to a location where it is collected for disposal.
• Duct 38 can be positioned at a height above the
• a conveyor 42 can be provided for removing solid contaminants which have settled out of the liquid coolant being processed and deposited on the bottom of the processing compartment 32.
• the conveyor 42 can be structured and positioned so that the solid contami ⁇ nants, as they exit from the separator 30, are deposited onto the conveyor 42.
• the conveyor 42 would be a drag type conveyor consisting of a plurality of angle irons oriented generally transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor 42, and open between the angle irons 44.
• the solid contaminant would be allowed to pass through the conveyor 42 and down to a bottom 46 of the processing compartment 32.
• the angle irons 44 would scrape the contaminant along the bottom surface 46 and up an oblique wall 48 of the compartment 32, which wall 48 forms the bottom of a rear leg extension 50 of the main portion of the compartment 32.
• the solid contamin ⁇ ant would be dragged along this oblique wall 48 and through an aperture 52 formed in a side wall of the leg 50 into a sludge elimination subsystem.
• a clean tank 56 is separated from the processing compartment 32 by a weir type structure.
• the weir will allow collection of completely decontaminated liquid in the clean tank 56 since all of the tramp oil should have been retained in the liquid entry compartment 28 and all of the solid contaminants should have been deposited on the conveyor 42 for removal from the processing compartment 32.
• some of the tramp oil will be carried through the separator 30 and will rise to the surface of the liquid within the processing compartment 32 since it tends to be lighter.
• this tramp oil has been illustrated as a flecked stratum in Figs. 1 through 3.
• the wall 60 can be formed having a lower generally vertically extending portion 64 and an upper generally vertically extending portion 66 spaced some- what laterally toward the clean tank 56 from the ' lower portion 64.
• An interconnecting portion 68 of the wall 60 seen as being generally horizontal in Figs. 2 and 3,
• the wall 60 continuous to isolate the contents of the processing compartment 32 from those in the clean tank 56.
• the baffle 62 generally verti ⁇ cally and above the interconnecting portion 68 of the weir wall 60 with an upper edge of the baffle above the upper edge 58 of the weir wall 60 and a lower edge of the baffle 60 below the upper edge 58 of the weir wall 60, all of the tramp oil which rises within the liquid should be contained on the processing compartment side of the baffle 62. All of the liquid contaminants should, therefore, be eliminated from the liquid which ultimately passes over the weir into the clean tank 56.
• Appropriate means can be provided for collecting and removing the stratum of tramp oil in the processing compartment 32.
• a skimmer (not shown) can be used in conjunction with apparatus 10 for this purpose.
• a line 70 exiting from the bottom of the clean tank 56 is shown as passing through a final filter 72 to a transportable service tank 74.
• the final filter 72 can serve to remove any non-soluble contaminants from the liquid which is passed to the service tank 74.
• renewed coolant can be returned directly to a sump rather than through an intermediate service tank.
• a shut-off valve 76 is shown as being interposed in the line 70 between the final filter 72 and the service tank 74.
• the shut-off valve 76 can be made to be operable manually or in any other manner. Flow of renewed fluid from the clean tank 56 to the service tank 74 can, thereby, be precluded as desired.
• a branch line 78 can be tapped off the main line 70 between a main pump 79 and the service tank 74. With the shut-off valve 76 in its closed position, means (not shown) can be operated to allow flow through this line
• a circulation pump 80 positioned on the opposite side of the housing 12 from the final filter 72, can facilitate flow through the branch line 78. Such flow may be desirable for a number of reasons. Most significantly, such flow can be used for backflushing to clean the processing compartment 32 and for recirculation to provide additional aeration of the processed liquid in order to inhibit bacterial growth.
• a biochemical source generally indicated schematically by the reference numeral 82, can be mounted to the housing 12.
• a line 84 from the biochemical source 82 can run to the line 24 passing from the surge tank 16 to the liquid entry compartment 28.
• a biochemical agent can, thereby, be either automatically metered or selec ⁇ tively dispensed into the contaminated liquid in order . to retard growth of bacteria. If necessary, a number of biochemical agents can be injected into the system.
• Newly combined coolant can also be fed into either the processing compartment 32 or the clean tank 56.
• a coolant concentrate source 86 can be channeled into a dispenser 88 wherein the concentrate is mixed with water provided through another line 90. The mixture is, thereafter, dispensed into the desired chamber through appropriately constructed piping 92.
• a first float actuated switch 94 having a float member 96 is mounted within the clean tank 56 near the upper levels thereof.
• the float member 96 is cantilevered outwardly from the switch housing 93 by a shaft 100.
• the shaft 100 is pivotally mounted to the housing 98 so that, as the level of liquid within the clean tank 56 rises and falls, the float member 96 will remain on the
• the switch 94 is configured so that, when the level of liquid within the clean tank 56 rises above a desired maximum level, the switch 94 will activate a solenoid controlling the normally open valve 22 interposed in the line 20 between the reservoir 14 and the surge tank 16. Activation of the solenoid will, in turn, close the valve 22 to preclude further flow of fluid into the liquid entry compartment 28.
• the switch 94 When the level of liquid in the clean tank 56 drops below the maximum desired level, the switch 94 will be deactivated, thereby deactivating the solenoid.
• the valve 22 will, in turn, be allowed to open, and flow of liquid will again be initiated.
• a second float actuated switch 102 is mounted to the wall of the clean tank 56 proximate a desired minimum level.
• the second switch 102 includes a float member 104 cantilevered from a switch housing 106 by a shaft 108 pivotally mounted at the housing 106.
• the float member carried by the second switch 102 will seek to attain the level of the surface of liquid within the clean tank 56. This will, however, often be precluded if the liquid level is too high.
• the pump 79 is operatively connected to the second switch 102 and is normally activated when the level of fluid in the clean tank 56 sensed by the second switch
• the switch 102 When the level in the tank 56 recedes to below the desired minimum level, the switch 102 will cause the pump to deactivate, thereby allowing the level of fluid in the tank 56 to rise if liquid is flowing continuously over weir wall

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=23313293

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

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Family Cites Families (14)

• 1982
  • 1982-10-20 IT IT23843/82A patent/IT1152926B/it active
  • 1982-12-09 EP EP83900307A patent/EP0097696A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1982-12-09 WO PCT/US1982/001720 patent/WO1983002240A1/en unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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