EP0447314B1 - Process and device for dynamic separation of two areas - Google Patents

Process and device for dynamic separation of two areas Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0447314B1
EP0447314B1 EP91400675A EP91400675A EP0447314B1 EP 0447314 B1 EP0447314 B1 EP 0447314B1 EP 91400675 A EP91400675 A EP 91400675A EP 91400675 A EP91400675 A EP 91400675A EP 0447314 B1 EP0447314 B1 EP 0447314B1
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Prior art keywords
gas
zones
zone
stream
relatively
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EP91400675A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0447314A1 (en
Inventor
François Meline
Robert Guetron
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Societe Generale pour les Techniques Nouvelles SA SGN
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Societe Generale pour les Techniques Nouvelles SA SGN
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/16Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by purification, e.g. by filtering; by sterilisation; by ozonisation
    • F24F3/163Clean air work stations, i.e. selected areas within a space which filtered air is passed
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains
    • F24F2009/007Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains using more than one jet or band in the air curtain

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for ensuring the dynamic separation of two zones, one of these zones possibly being in particular a zone under controlled atmosphere, the confinement of which relative to the external atmosphere must be preserved.
  • the invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.
  • the dart of the vein in order for the dynamic separation of the two zones to be effective, is relatively slow, that is to say the zone of this vein in which the injected gas does not mix with the surrounding atmosphere and has a velocity vector equal at all points, has a length at least equal to the length of the opening, so that this dart alone completely separates the two zones.
  • the rate of injection of gas into the relatively slow vein is substantially equal to the flow induced by the face of the relatively fast vein which is in contact with this relatively slow vein, so that the relatively fast vein can develop fully without that its course is not bent on one side or the other.
  • the relatively slow vein ensures the effective separation between the two zones thanks to its sting, and the relatively fast vein stabilizes the relatively slow vein by serving as a "dynamic tutor".
  • the dynamic barrier thus created is not effective in the other direction. Indeed, a current of air or gas coming from the external atmosphere and directed towards the confined zone risks bending the sting of the relatively slow vein towards this latter zone, thus leading to the rupture of the confinement.
  • a moving gas stream creates on both sides of its path a depression all the greater the higher the gas speed. This depression sucks in the surrounding gas and leads to a gradual widening of the vein as it progresses. This enlargement supposes, of course, that sufficient gas is present on either side of the relatively rapid gas stream. Otherwise, this vein will tend to bend on the side where the gas supply is insufficient.
  • the relatively fast stream is fed on one side by the relatively slow stream and, on the opposite side, by the external atmosphere.
  • the object of the present invention is precisely a method and a device for dynamic separation of two zones, designed so as to very significantly reduce the consumption of gas inside these zones and so as to ensure effective dynamic separation in a sense as in the other.
  • a curtain is created between the two zones of gas comprising a relatively fast vein located on the side of the first zone and a relatively slow vein adjacent to the relatively fast vein, on the side of the other zone, the relatively slow vein having a stinger which completely separates the two zones and being injected at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate induced by the face of the relatively fast vein which is in contact with this relatively slow vein, characterized by the fact that the gas curtain thus created further comprises a second relatively slow vein adjacent to the relatively fast vein, on the side of the first zone, this second relatively slow vein having a dart totally separating the two zones and being injected at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate induced by the face of the relatively fast vein which is in contact with the second relatively slow vein.
  • a device for the dynamic separation of two zones, comprising a set of nozzles capable of emitting a gas curtain completely separating the two zones, and suction means. of this gas curtain, the set of nozzles comprising, on the side of a first of said zones to be protected vis-à-vis the other zone, a first nozzle capable of emitting a relatively rapid gas stream and, on the side from the other zone, a second nozzle adjacent to the first nozzle and capable of emitting a relatively slow jet, the width of this second nozzle being at least equal to 1/6 th of the length of the gas curtain, characterized by the fact that the nozzle assembly comprises, on the side of the first zone, a third nozzle adjacent to the first nozzle and capable of emitting a relatively slow jet, the width of this third nozzle being at least equal to 1/6 e of the length of the gas curtain.
  • the suction means comprise a suction grid placed opposite the set of nozzles and oriented parallel to this set.
  • means can be provided to diffuse inside this enclosure a stream of gas, at a flow rate which is then very much lower than the gas flow rate which was to be imperatively injected into the devices of the prior art.
  • the dynamic separation of two zones 10 and 12 is carried out by means of a device mainly comprising a set of nozzles 14 making it possible to create between the two zones 10 and 12 a gas curtain 16, and suction means 18 for this gas curtain.
  • the zone 10 is a confined zone which has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped delimited on all its faces by a wall 20, with the exception of its front face which is open towards the outside.
  • a wall 20 the floor 20a, the ceiling 20b and the vertical bottom 20c of this wall 20.
  • the front face of the area 10 is open to define an access opening whose upper edge supports over its entire length the set of nozzles 14, fixed to the ceiling 20b and whose lower edge supports over its entire length the suction means 18, fixed to the floor 20a.
  • the device according to the invention can be used in many other cases, whether to ensure the dynamic confinement of an area delimited by an enclosure having one or more openings of different shapes, or to delimit, at the 'interior of a room, a confined area without the help of any material wall.
  • the latter applies in particular to the protection of an operating bed or table from a circular, rectangular or other ramp overlooking the area concerned and carrying the set of nozzles.
  • nozzles 14 comprises, in accordance with the invention, three juxtaposed nozzles designated respectively by the references 22, 24 and 26.
  • each of these nozzles consists of a box, for example of rectangular section, open on the side of the opening formed in the wall 20, that is to say facing the suction means 18, for example in the form of a grid.
  • the opening of the central nozzle 24 has a relatively small width (for example, about 6 mm), so that the speed of the gas stream 28 leaving this nozzle 24 is relatively fast (for example, about 4 m / s ), for a low flow rate (for example, around 100 m3 / h).
  • the nozzles 22 and 26, which are placed respectively on the side of the zone 10 and on the side of the zone 12 and preferably have identical characteristics, have an orifice whose width is relatively large (for example, about 200 mm ), so that, for an average gas injection rate inside these nozzles (for example, about 440 m3 / h), the gas streams 30 and 32 leaving these nozzles have a relatively low speed ( for example, about 0.4 m / s).
  • the darts 30a and 32a of the gas streams 30 and 32 have a length at least equal to the height of the opening in which the device according to the invention ensures dynamic separation between zones 10 and 12.
  • the darts 30a and 32a both ensure complete dynamic separation between zones 10 and 12.
  • the height of the opening is defined by the distance separating the assembly nozzles 14 of the suction means 18, the length of each of the darts 30a and 32a is at least equal to this distance.
  • the width of the slots formed in the nozzles 22 and 26 is therefore equal to at least about 1/6 th of the distance separating the assembly of nozzles 14 from the suction means 18.
  • the height of the protected opening is therefore, at most, equal to approximately 1200 mm.
  • each of these streams could be deflected, for example under the effect of an air current between zones 10 and 12, in the absence of the relatively fast gas stream 28.
  • the speed of the gaseous vein 28 emitted by the nozzle 24 is high enough for this vein to serve as a support for each of the veins 30 and 32. The latter are thus stabilized and any risk of rupture of the confinement resulting from their deformation due any possible draft is suppressed.
  • a gaseous vein exiting a nozzle comprises, in addition to the aforementioned dart whose width gradually decreases away from the nozzle, a zone of full development of the jet, the width of which on the contrary gradually increases in s' away from the nozzle, and in which the gas injected by the nozzle mixes, by suction, with the surrounding gas.
  • the gas emitted by the nozzle "feeds" on the surrounding gas.
  • the quantity of surrounding gas which must be supplied to a developing gas stream is all the more important the higher the speed of the gas inside this stream. In fact, the depression created by the vein is then greater and the quantity of gas necessary to fill it is therefore greater.
  • the relatively fast gas stream 28 coming from the nozzle 24 must be fed by the relatively slow gas streams 30 and 32 coming from the nozzles 22 and 26, since the stream 28 is located directly between these veins 30 and 32. Consequently, the relatively fast gas stream 28 is fed entirely by the relatively slow gas streams 30 and 32.
  • the flow of gas from the nozzles 22 and 26 must be adjusted in order to supply the relatively rapid gas stream 28 with the quantity of gas necessary for its full development.
  • the gas flow injected by the nozzles 22 and 26 must be substantially equal to the flow induced by each of the faces of the relatively fast gas stream 28 in contact with the relatively slow gas streams 30 and 32 respectively.
  • the suction means 18 advantageously consist of a grid 34 which extends parallel to the set of nozzles 14, opposite this set, over its entire length and over a width which takes account of the development of the jets 30 and 32
  • This grid 34 constitutes the upper wall of a suction chamber 35 (FIG. 2).
  • This circuit which can in particular be designed in a manner comparable to that which is described in document EP-A-0 099 818, comprises means making it possible to aspirate the curtain of gas formed by the veins 28, 30 and 32 through the grid 34, means for purifying this gas, and means for reinjecting it into each of the nozzles of the set of nozzles 14 with the desired flow rate.
  • This circuit which can be realized so arbitrary by a person skilled in the art taking into account these different imperatives, is not part of the invention.
  • the device according to the invention makes it possible to create a gas curtain of symmetrical structure formed from three juxtaposed gas streams and ensuring, on the one hand, protection of the area 10 against vis-à-vis zone 12 and, on the other hand, protection of zone 12 vis-à-vis zone 10.
  • the first protection is ensured against any current of gas tending to pass through the zone 12 the atmosphere contained in zone 10, by the assembly formed by the dart 30a of the relatively slow gas stream 30 and by the relatively fast gas stream 28 which stabilizes the stream 30. Protection against any current gas tending to pass into zone 10 the atmosphere contained in zone 12 is provided for its part by the sting 32a of the relatively slow gas stream 32, this gas stream 32 being stabilized by the relatively fast gas stream 28.
  • Cross-protection is particularly useful in many industrial applications, in particular when zone 10 contains an atmosphere which must at all costs be protected against pollution of the external atmosphere contained in zone 12 and in which the atmosphere in zone 10 could be dangerous if it reached the outside atmosphere of zone 12.
  • the gas curtain formed by this set therefore ensures complete isolation of the controlled area 10 from the outside area 12 and, conversely , an insulation of the external zone 12 with respect to the controlled zone 10.
  • the rear face 20c of the wall 20 delimiting the controlled zone 10 comprises, in the example described, a double wall internally delimiting a gas inlet chamber 36 which communicates with the zone 10 by perforations 38.
  • the chamber 36 is connected to a gas source (not shown) so that the gaseous atmosphere of the zone 10 is renewed at a controlled rate, which is optimized according to the dimensions of the perforations 38, so that it does not modify the direction of the gas streams leaving the nozzle assembly 14.
  • a set of nozzles 14 emitting three juxtaposed gas streams comprising a relatively fast intermediate stream 28 and two relatively slow side streams 30 and 32 makes it possible to very significantly reduce the amount of gas introduced into zone 10 compared to previous devices in which the relatively rapid vein was directly in contact with the atmosphere contained in the controlled zone.
  • a flow rate of a few m3 / h is sufficient in the case of FIG. 2, whereas the prior devices would have required a flow rate of approximately 470 m3 / h.
  • FIG. 2 one of the multiple intervention possibilities offered by the dynamic separation device according to the invention is also illustrated, by way of example only, inside the controlled zone 10.
  • a master / slave manipulator 40 passes through the gas curtain formed by the nozzle assembly 14, so that the master arm 42 is located in the external zone 12 and the slave arm 44 in the confined zone 10.
  • the central block 46 of this remote manipulator 40 is mounted on a support 48 linked to a carriage 50 capable of moving on rails 52 fixed on the ceiling 20b and extending in a direction parallel to the opening formed on the front face of the wall 20, that is to say to the set of nozzles 14 and to the suction means 18.
  • the central block 46 which crosses the gas streams 28, 30 and 32, has the effect of cutting the darts 30a and 32a.
  • the stream intermediate gas 28 allows, thanks to its speed, to immediately evacuate a large part of the contaminants possibly diffused in the slow jets. Therefore, the dynamic separation between zones 10 and 12 is preserved.
  • the gas curtain obtained using the dynamic separation device according to the invention can be crossed by any other tools or members allowing an operator to intervene from the outside, at any point in the zone 10 It can in particular be a light gripping tool maneuvered by the operator from the outside, or even the operator's arms.
  • the dynamic separation obtained using the three juxtaposed gas streams can be used to isolate a specific area inside a larger room, without this area being delimited by any material barrier. Furthermore, the arrangement of the assembly of nozzles and suction means can be produced differently, these two elements not necessarily being placed on the horizontal edge of an opening.

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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)
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Abstract

In order to ensure a bidirectional dynamic separtion between two zones (10,12), between said zones is formed a gas curtain constituted by three juxtaposed gas streams or jets (28,30,32). The central stream or jet is relatively fast and serves to stabilize the two relatively slow lateral streams or jets (30,32). The latter ensure the relative confinement of the two zones by means of their tongues (30a,32a) and their flow rate is determined in such a way as to supply the relatively fast stream with the gas necessary for its full development. In the case where one (10) of the zones has a reduced volume, a low flow rate, additional gas flow can be injected into the said zone.

Description

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant d'assurer la séparation dynamique de deux zones, l'une de ces zones pouvant notamment être une zone sous atmosphère contrôlée dont le confinement par rapport à l'atmosphère extérieure doit être préservé. L'invention concerne également un dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé.The invention relates to a method for ensuring the dynamic separation of two zones, one of these zones possibly being in particular a zone under controlled atmosphere, the confinement of which relative to the external atmosphere must be preserved. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.

Dans des secteurs industriels aussi différents que l'industrie nucléaire, la médecine, la biologie, et les industries électronique et agro-alimentaire, il est souvent nécessaire d'isoler certaines zones par rapport à l'atmosphère extérieure, que ce soit pour protéger les personnes se trouvant à l'extérieur de ces zones par rapport à une atmosphère confinée toxique ou dangereuse, pour éviter au contraire qu'une atmosphère confinée ne soit polluée par l'atmosphère environnante, ou pour remplir simultanément ces deux fonctions.In industrial sectors as different as the nuclear industry, medicine, biology, and the electronics and food industries, it is often necessary to isolate certain areas from the outside atmosphere, whether to protect people outside these zones in relation to a toxic or dangerous confined atmosphere, on the contrary to prevent a confined atmosphere from being polluted by the surrounding atmosphere, or to simultaneously fulfill these two functions.

Dans la plupart des cas, ces contraintes conduisent à délimiter les zones sous atmosphère contrôlée par des parois étanches qui assurent le confinement souhaité. Cependant, quel que soit le secteur industriel concerné, les opérateurs peuvent être amenés à intervenir dans la zone sous atmosphère contrôlée, à travers la barrière de confinement, avec un certain degré de liberté de mouvement. Pour cette raison, on a été amené dans certains cas à remplacer au moins en partie la paroi solide délimitant la zone sous atmosphère contrôlée par une barrière dynamique préservant le confinement de la zone concernée tout en autorisant des interventions plus faciles au travers de cette barrière dynamique.In most cases, these constraints lead to delimiting the zones under an atmosphere controlled by watertight walls which ensure the desired confinement. However, whatever the industrial sector concerned, operators can be called upon to intervene in the zone under controlled atmosphere, through the confinement barrier, with a certain degree of freedom of movement. For this reason, it has been necessary in certain cases to replace at least in part the solid wall delimiting the zone under controlled atmosphere by a dynamic barrier preserving the confinement of the zone concerned while allowing easier interventions through this dynamic barrier. .

Comme l'illustre notamment le document EP-A-0 099 818, il a été proposé de protéger l'atmosphère extérieure vis-à-vis d'une zone confinée accessible par une ouverture et contenant des produits dangereux risquant de polluer l'atmosphère extérieure, en créant dans cette ouverture un rideau de gaz comprenant une veine relativement rapide située du côté de l'atmosphère extérieure à protéger et une veine relativement lente adjacente à la première et située du côté de la zone contenant les produits dangereux.As illustrated in particular by document EP-A-0 099 818, it has been proposed to protect the outdoor atmosphere vis-à-vis a confined area accessible by an opening and containing dangerous products likely to pollute the outside atmosphere, by creating in this opening a curtain of gas comprising a relatively fast vein located on the side of the outside atmosphere to protect and a relatively slow vein adjacent to the first and located on the side of the area containing the dangerous products.

Dans ce document, afin que la séparation dynamique des deux zones soit efficace, le dard de la veine relativement lente, c'est-à-dire la zone de cette veine dans laquelle le gaz injecté ne se mélange pas à l'atmosphère environnante et présente un vecteur vitesse égal en tout point, a une longueur au moins égale à la longueur de l'ouverture, de telle sorte que ce dard sépare complètement à lui seul les deux zones. De plus, le débit d'injection du gaz dans la veine relativement lente est sensiblement égal au débit induit par la face de la veine relativement rapide qui est en contact avec cette veine relativement lente, afin que la veine relativement rapide puisse se développer pleinement sans que son trajet ne soit infléchi d'un côté ou de l'autre.In this document, in order for the dynamic separation of the two zones to be effective, the dart of the vein is relatively slow, that is to say the zone of this vein in which the injected gas does not mix with the surrounding atmosphere and has a velocity vector equal at all points, has a length at least equal to the length of the opening, so that this dart alone completely separates the two zones. In addition, the rate of injection of gas into the relatively slow vein is substantially equal to the flow induced by the face of the relatively fast vein which is in contact with this relatively slow vein, so that the relatively fast vein can develop fully without that its course is not bent on one side or the other.

Dans un rideau de gaz ainsi réalisé, la veine relativement lente assure la séparation effective entre les deux zones grâce à son dard, et la veine relativement rapide stabilise la veine relativement lente en lui servant de "tuteur dynamique".In a gas curtain thus produced, the relatively slow vein ensures the effective separation between the two zones thanks to its sting, and the relatively fast vein stabilizes the relatively slow vein by serving as a "dynamic tutor".

Ces caractéristiques permettent d'éviter tout passage de l'atmosphère polluée de la zone confinée dans l'atmosphère extérieure, puisque tout déplacement d'air ou de gaz dans ce sens se heurte au dard de la veine relativement lente, qui prend alors appui sur la veine relativement rapide. Ce confinement dynamique autorise cependant des interventions multiples en tout point de la barrière gazeuse.These characteristics make it possible to avoid any passage of the polluted atmosphere from the confined zone into the external atmosphere, since any movement of air or gas in this direction collides with the dart of the relatively slow vein, which then takes support on the vein relatively fast. This dynamic confinement however allows multiple interventions at any point of the gas barrier.

En revanche, la barrière dynamique ainsi créée n'est pas efficace dans l'autre sens. En effet, un courant d'air ou de gaz en provenance de l'atmosphère extérieure et orientée vers la zone confinée risque d'incurver le dard de la veine relativement lente vers cette dernière zone, conduisant ainsi à la rupture du confinement.On the other hand, the dynamic barrier thus created is not effective in the other direction. Indeed, a current of air or gas coming from the external atmosphere and directed towards the confined zone risks bending the sting of the relatively slow vein towards this latter zone, thus leading to the rupture of the confinement.

Par ailleurs et de façon connue, une veine de gaz en déplacement crée de part et d'autre de son trajet une dépression d'autant plus importante que la vitesse du gaz est élevée. Cette dépression aspire le gaz environnant et conduit à un élargissement progressif de la veine au fur et à mesure de sa progression. Cet élargissement suppose, bien entendu, que du gaz en quantité suffisante soit présent de part et d'autre de la veine gazeuse relativement rapide. Dans le cas contraire, cette veine tendra à s'infléchir du côté où l'apport de gaz est insuffisant.Furthermore and in a known manner, a moving gas stream creates on both sides of its path a depression all the greater the higher the gas speed. This depression sucks in the surrounding gas and leads to a gradual widening of the vein as it progresses. This enlargement supposes, of course, that sufficient gas is present on either side of the relatively rapid gas stream. Otherwise, this vein will tend to bend on the side where the gas supply is insufficient.

Dans le cas du rideau de gaz décrit dans le document EP-A-0 099 818, la veine relativement rapide est alimentée d'un côté par la veine relativement lente et, du côté opposé, par l'atmosphère extérieure.In the case of the gas curtain described in document EP-A-0 099 818, the relatively fast stream is fed on one side by the relatively slow stream and, on the opposite side, by the external atmosphere.

En revanche, si le dispositif est utilisé en sens inverse (c'est-à-dire avec la veine relativement rapide située du côté de la zone confinée), afin de protéger l'atmosphère contenue dans la zone confinée vis-à-vis de l'atmosphère extérieure, des moyens doivent être prévus afin d'alimenter en gaz la veine relativement rapide du côté de cette zone confinée.On the other hand, if the device is used in the opposite direction (that is to say with the relatively fast vein located on the side of the confined area), in order to protect the atmosphere contained in the confined area from the external atmosphere, means must be provided in order to supply gas to the relatively rapid stream on the side of this confined area.

Dans ce dernier cas, on doit donc injecter un gaz sous un débit relativement élevé dans la zone sous atmosphère contrôlée. Lorsque ce gaz est un gaz rare, cela conduit à une consommation importante qui pénalise fortement le coût d'exploitation de l'installation.In the latter case, it is therefore necessary to inject a gas at a relatively high rate in the zone under controlled atmosphere. When this gas is a rare gas, this leads to significant consumption which greatly penalizes the operating cost of the installation.

Par ailleurs, il est souvent souhaitable de disposer d'une barrière dynamique efficace aussi bien dans un sens que dans l'autre entre deux zones, afin par exemple de protéger l'extérieur vis-à-vis de la pollution présente dans la zone confinée, tout en préservant le confinement de cette dernière par rapport à l'extérieur.In addition, it is often desirable to have an effective dynamic barrier both in one direction and in the other between two zones, in order for example to protect the exterior vis-à-vis the pollution present in the confined zone, while preserving the confinement of this last compared to the outside.

La présente invention a précisément pour objet un procédé et un dispositif de séparation dynamique de deux zones, conçus de façon à réduire de façon très sensible la consommation de gaz à l'intérieur de ces zones et de façon à assurer une séparation dynamique efficace dans un sens comme dans l'autre.The object of the present invention is precisely a method and a device for dynamic separation of two zones, designed so as to very significantly reduce the consumption of gas inside these zones and so as to ensure effective dynamic separation in a sense as in the other.

A cet effet, il est proposé conformément à l'invention un procédé de séparation dynamique de deux zones, selon lequel, afin de protéger une première de ces zones vis-à-vis de l'autre, on crée entre les deux zones un rideau de gaz comprenant une veine relativement rapide située du côté de la première zone et une veine relativement lente adjacente à la veine relativement rapide, du côté de l'autre zone, la veine relativement lente ayant un dard qui sépare totalement les deux zones et étant injectée à un débit sensiblement égal au débit induit par la face de la veine relativement rapide qui est en contact avec cette veine relativenent lente,
caractérisé par le fait que le rideau de gaz ainsi créé comprend de plus une deuxième veine relativement lente adjacente à la veine relativement rapide, du côté de la première zone, cette deuxième veine relativement lente ayant un dard séparant totalement les deux zones et étant injectée à un débit sensiblement égal au débit induit par la face de la veine relativement rapide qui est en contact avec la deuxième veine relativement lente.
To this end, it is proposed according to the invention a method of dynamic separation of two zones, according to which, in order to protect a first of these zones from the other, a curtain is created between the two zones of gas comprising a relatively fast vein located on the side of the first zone and a relatively slow vein adjacent to the relatively fast vein, on the side of the other zone, the relatively slow vein having a stinger which completely separates the two zones and being injected at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate induced by the face of the relatively fast vein which is in contact with this relatively slow vein,
characterized by the fact that the gas curtain thus created further comprises a second relatively slow vein adjacent to the relatively fast vein, on the side of the first zone, this second relatively slow vein having a dart totally separating the two zones and being injected at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate induced by the face of the relatively fast vein which is in contact with the second relatively slow vein.

Il est également proposé un dispositif pour la séparation dynamique de deux zones, comprenant un ensemble de buses apte à émettre un rideau de gaz séparant totalement les deux zones, et des moyens d'aspiration de ce rideau de gaz, l'ensemble de buses comportant, du côté d'une première desdites zones à protéger vis-à-vis de l'autre zone, une première buse apte à émettre une veine de gaz relativement rapide et, du côté de l'autre zone, une deuxième buse adjacente à la première buse et apte à émettre un jet relativement lent, la largeur de cette deuxième buse étant au moins égale à 1/6e de la longueur du rideau de gaz,
caractérisé par le fait que l'ensemble de buses comprend, du côté de la première zone, une troisième buse adjacente à la première buse et apte à émettre un jet relativement lent, la largeur de cette troisième buse étant au moins égale à 1/6e de la longueur du rideau de gaz.
A device is also proposed for the dynamic separation of two zones, comprising a set of nozzles capable of emitting a gas curtain completely separating the two zones, and suction means. of this gas curtain, the set of nozzles comprising, on the side of a first of said zones to be protected vis-à-vis the other zone, a first nozzle capable of emitting a relatively rapid gas stream and, on the side from the other zone, a second nozzle adjacent to the first nozzle and capable of emitting a relatively slow jet, the width of this second nozzle being at least equal to 1/6 th of the length of the gas curtain,
characterized by the fact that the nozzle assembly comprises, on the side of the first zone, a third nozzle adjacent to the first nozzle and capable of emitting a relatively slow jet, the width of this third nozzle being at least equal to 1/6 e of the length of the gas curtain.

Avantageusement, les moyens d'aspiration comprennent une grille d'aspiration placée en face de l'ensemble de buses et orientée parallèlement à cet ensemble.Advantageously, the suction means comprise a suction grid placed opposite the set of nozzles and oriented parallel to this set.

Dans le cas où l'une des zones est délimitée par une enceinte, des moyens peuvent être prévus pour diffuser à l'intérieur de cette enceinte un courant de gaz, à un débit qui est alors très sensiblement inférieur au débit de gaz qui devait être impérativement injecté dans les dispositifs de l'art antérieur.In the case where one of the zones is delimited by an enclosure, means can be provided to diffuse inside this enclosure a stream of gas, at a flow rate which is then very much lower than the gas flow rate which was to be imperatively injected into the devices of the prior art.

Un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention va à présent être décrit, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en se référant aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe représentant de façon très schématique un dispositif conforme à l'invention, assurant la séparation dynamique de deux zones dont l'une est délimitée par une enceinte ; et
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective, partiellement en coupe, illustrant le dispositif de séparation dynamique de la figure 1, appliqué au confinement d'une zone de travail dans laquelle des manipulations très diverses doivent pouvoir être effectuées.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view very schematically showing a device according to the invention, ensuring the dynamic separation of two zones, one of which is delimited by an enclosure; and
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating the dynamic separation device of Figure 1, applied to the confinement of a work area in which very diverse manipulations must be able to be carried out.

Conformément à l'invention et comme l'illustrent très schématiquement les figures 1 et 2, on réalise la séparation dynamique de deux zones 10 et 12 au moyen d'un dispositif comprenant principalement un ensemble de buses 14 permettant de créer entre les deux zones 10 et 12 un rideau de gaz 16, et des moyens d'aspiration 18 de ce rideau de gaz.In accordance with the invention and as very schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dynamic separation of two zones 10 and 12 is carried out by means of a device mainly comprising a set of nozzles 14 making it possible to create between the two zones 10 and 12 a gas curtain 16, and suction means 18 for this gas curtain.

Dans l'exemple illustré, la zone 10 est une zone confinée qui a la forme d'un parallélépipède rectangle délimité sur toutes ses faces par une paroi 20, à l'exception de sa face avant qui est ouverte vers l'extérieur. En particulier, on voit sur la figure 2 le plancher 20a, le plafond 20b et le fond vertical 20c de cette paroi 20. La face avant de la zone 10 est ouverte pour délimiter une ouverture d'accès dont le bord supérieur supporte sur toute sa longueur l'ensemble de buses 14, fixé au plafond 20b et dont le bord inférieur supporte sur toute sa longueur les moyens d'aspiration 18, fixés au plancher 20a.In the example illustrated, the zone 10 is a confined zone which has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped delimited on all its faces by a wall 20, with the exception of its front face which is open towards the outside. In particular, we see in Figure 2 the floor 20a, the ceiling 20b and the vertical bottom 20c of this wall 20. The front face of the area 10 is open to define an access opening whose upper edge supports over its entire length the set of nozzles 14, fixed to the ceiling 20b and whose lower edge supports over its entire length the suction means 18, fixed to the floor 20a.

On comprendra aisément que le dispositif selon l'invention peut être utilisé dans de nombreux autres cas, que ce soit pour assurer le confinement dynamique d'une zone délimitée par une enceinte présentant une ou plusieurs ouvertures de formes différentes, ou pour délimiter, à l'intérieur d'une pièce, une zone confinée sans l'aide d'aucune paroi matérielle. Ce dernier cas s'applique notamment à la protection d'un lit ou d'une table d'opération à partir d'une rampe de forme circulaire, rectangulaire ou autre surplombant la zone concernée et portant l'ensemble de buses.It will easily be understood that the device according to the invention can be used in many other cases, whether to ensure the dynamic confinement of an area delimited by an enclosure having one or more openings of different shapes, or to delimit, at the 'interior of a room, a confined area without the help of any material wall. The latter applies in particular to the protection of an operating bed or table from a circular, rectangular or other ramp overlooking the area concerned and carrying the set of nozzles.

Les caractéristiques physiques et chimiques à l'intérieur de la zone confinée 10, telles que la température, l'hygrométrie, la concentration en gaz, etc., peuvent être contrôlées à volonté par des moyens connus.The physical and chemical characteristics inside the confined zone 10, such as temperature, hygrometry, gas concentration, etc., can be controlled as desired by known means.

Comme l'illustre la figure 1, l'ensemble de buses 14 comprend, conformément à l'invention, trois buses juxtaposées désignées respectivement par les références 22, 24 et 26. Dans la pratique, chacune de ces buses est constituée par une boîte, par exemple de section rectangulaire, ouverte du côté de l'ouverture formée dans la paroi 20, c'est-à-dire en vis-à-vis des moyens d'aspiration 18, par exemple sous la forme d'une grille.As illustrated in Figure 1, all of nozzles 14 comprises, in accordance with the invention, three juxtaposed nozzles designated respectively by the references 22, 24 and 26. In practice, each of these nozzles consists of a box, for example of rectangular section, open on the side of the opening formed in the wall 20, that is to say facing the suction means 18, for example in the form of a grid.

L'ouverture de la buse centrale 24 présente une largeur relativement faible (par exemple, environ 6 mm), de telle sorte que la vitesse de la veine gazeuse 28 sortant de cette buse 24 est relativement rapide (par exemple, environ 4 m/s), pour un faible débit (par exemple, environ 100 m³/h). Au contraire, les buses 22 et 26, qui sont placées respectivement du côté de la zone 10 et du côté de la zone 12 et présentent de préférence des caractéristiques identiques, ont un orifice dont la largeur est relativement grande (par exemple, environ 200 mm), de telle sorte que, pour un débit moyen d'injection de gaz à l'intérieur de ces buses (par exemple, environ 440 m³/h), les veines gazeuses 30 et 32 sortant de ces buses ont une vitesse relativement faible (par exemple, environ 0,4 m/s).The opening of the central nozzle 24 has a relatively small width (for example, about 6 mm), so that the speed of the gas stream 28 leaving this nozzle 24 is relatively fast (for example, about 4 m / s ), for a low flow rate (for example, around 100 m³ / h). On the contrary, the nozzles 22 and 26, which are placed respectively on the side of the zone 10 and on the side of the zone 12 and preferably have identical characteristics, have an orifice whose width is relatively large (for example, about 200 mm ), so that, for an average gas injection rate inside these nozzles (for example, about 440 m³ / h), the gas streams 30 and 32 leaving these nozzles have a relatively low speed ( for example, about 0.4 m / s).

Conformément à une première caractéristique essentielle de l'invention, les dards 30a et 32a des veines gazeuses 30 et 32, c'est-à-dire les zones de ces veines gazeuses dans lesquelles le vecteur vitesse reste identique aussi bien en ce qui concerne son module qu'en ce qui concerne sa direction, ont une longueur au moins égale à la hauteur de l'ouverture dans laquelle le dispositif selon l'invention assure la séparation dynamique entre les zones 10 et 12. En d'autres termes, les dards 30a et 32a assurent l'un comme l'autre une séparation dynamique complète entre les zones 10 et 12. Dans le cas illustré sur la figure 1, dans lequel la hauteur de l'ouverture est définie par la distance séparant l'ensemble de buses 14 des moyens d'aspiration 18, la longueur de chacun des dards 30a et 32a est au moins égale à cette distance.In accordance with a first essential characteristic of the invention, the darts 30a and 32a of the gas streams 30 and 32, that is to say the zones of these gas streams in which the speed vector remains identical as well as regards its module as regards its direction, have a length at least equal to the height of the opening in which the device according to the invention ensures dynamic separation between zones 10 and 12. In other words, the darts 30a and 32a both ensure complete dynamic separation between zones 10 and 12. In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the height of the opening is defined by the distance separating the assembly nozzles 14 of the suction means 18, the length of each of the darts 30a and 32a is at least equal to this distance.

Dans la pratique, étant donné que la longueur du dard d'une veine gazeuse est égale à environ 6 fois la largeur de la fente formée dans la buse par laquelle cette veine gazeuse est émise, la largeur des fentes formées dans les buses 22 et 26 est donc égale à au moins environ 1/6e de la distance séparant l'ensemble de buses 14 des moyens d'aspiration 18. Dans l'exemple cité où la largeur des fentes des buses 22 et 26 est d'environ 200 mm, la hauteur de l'ouverture protégée est donc, au plus, égale à environ 1200 mm.In practice, given that the length of the sting of a gas stream is approximately 6 times the width of the slot formed in the nozzle through which this gas stream is emitted, the width of the slots formed in the nozzles 22 and 26 is therefore equal to at least about 1/6 th of the distance separating the assembly of nozzles 14 from the suction means 18. In the example cited where the width of the slots of the nozzles 22 and 26 is approximately 200 mm, the height of the protected opening is therefore, at most, equal to approximately 1200 mm.

Dans le dispositif selon l'invention, il existe donc une double séparation dynamique entre les zones 10 et 12, assurée par chacun des dards 30a et 32a des veines relativement lentes 30 et 32.In the device according to the invention, there is therefore a dynamic double separation between the zones 10 and 12, provided by each of the darts 30a and 32a of the relatively slow veins 30 and 32.

Compte tenu de la vitesse relativement faible des veines de gaz 30 et 32, chacune de ces veines risquerait d'être infléchie, sous l'effet par exemple d'un courant d'air entre les zones 10 et 12, en l'absence de la veine gazeuse 28 relativement rapide. Cependant, la vitesse de la veine gazeuse 28 émise par la buse 24 est suffisamment élevée pour que cette veine puisse servir de support à chacune des veines 30 et 32. Ces dernières sont ainsi stabilisées et tout risque de rupture du confinement résultant de leur déformation due à un éventuel courant d'air est supprimé.Given the relatively low speed of the gas streams 30 and 32, each of these streams could be deflected, for example under the effect of an air current between zones 10 and 12, in the absence of the relatively fast gas stream 28. However, the speed of the gaseous vein 28 emitted by the nozzle 24 is high enough for this vein to serve as a support for each of the veins 30 and 32. The latter are thus stabilized and any risk of rupture of the confinement resulting from their deformation due any possible draft is suppressed.

De manière connue, une veine gazeuse sortant d'une buse comporte, en plus du dard précité dont la largeur diminue progressivement en s'éloignant de la buse, une zone de plein développement du jet, dont la largeur augmente au contraire progressivement en s'éloignant de la buse, et dans laquelle le gaz injecté par la buse se mélange, par aspiration, au gaz environnant. Dans cette zone de plein développement du jet, le gaz émis par la buse se "nourrit" du gaz environnant. Comme on le comprend aisément, la quantité de gaz environnant qui doit être apportée à une veine gazeuse en développement est d'autant plus importante que la vitesse du gaz à l'intérieur de cette veine est élevée. En effet, la dépression créée par la veine est alors plus importante et la quantité de gaz nécessaire pour la combler est donc plus grande.In known manner, a gaseous vein exiting a nozzle comprises, in addition to the aforementioned dart whose width gradually decreases away from the nozzle, a zone of full development of the jet, the width of which on the contrary gradually increases in s' away from the nozzle, and in which the gas injected by the nozzle mixes, by suction, with the surrounding gas. In this zone of full development of the jet, the gas emitted by the nozzle "feeds" on the surrounding gas. As is easily understood, the quantity of surrounding gas which must be supplied to a developing gas stream is all the more important the higher the speed of the gas inside this stream. In fact, the depression created by the vein is then greater and the quantity of gas necessary to fill it is therefore greater.

Si l'on applique cette observation au dispositif selon l'invention, on observe que la veine gazeuse 28 relativement rapide issue de la buse 24 doit être nourrie par les veines gazeuses 30 et 32 relativement lentes issues des buses 22 et 26, puisque la veine 28 est située directement entre ces veines 30 et 32. Par conséquent, la veine gazeuse 28 relativement rapide est nourrie en totalité par les veines gazeuses 30 et 32 relativement lentes. Pour que ces dernières remplissent correctement cette fonction, le débit de gaz issu des buses 22 et 26 doit être réglé afin d'apporter à la veine gazeuse 28 relativement rapide la quantité de gaz nécessaire à son plein développement. En d'autres termes, le débit de gaz injecté par les buses 22 et 26 doit être sensiblement égal au débit induit par chacune des faces de la veine gazeuse 28 relativement rapide respectivement en contact avec les veines gazeuses 30 et 32 relativement lentes.If this observation is applied to the device according to the invention, it is observed that the relatively fast gas stream 28 coming from the nozzle 24 must be fed by the relatively slow gas streams 30 and 32 coming from the nozzles 22 and 26, since the stream 28 is located directly between these veins 30 and 32. Consequently, the relatively fast gas stream 28 is fed entirely by the relatively slow gas streams 30 and 32. In order for the latter to correctly fulfill this function, the flow of gas from the nozzles 22 and 26 must be adjusted in order to supply the relatively rapid gas stream 28 with the quantity of gas necessary for its full development. In other words, the gas flow injected by the nozzles 22 and 26 must be substantially equal to the flow induced by each of the faces of the relatively fast gas stream 28 in contact with the relatively slow gas streams 30 and 32 respectively.

Etant donné que les veines gazeuses 30 et 32 sont relativement lentes, l'apport de gaz nécessaire à leur plein développement respectivement sur la face de la veine 30 tournée vers la zone 10 et sur la face de la veine 32 tournée vers la zone 12 est relativement faible. Par conséquent, si le volume des zones 10 et 12 est suffisamment grand, il apparaît pratiquement inutile d'effectuer un apport de gaz dans ces zones pour compenser la quantité de gaz qui sert à nourrir les veines gazeuses 30 et 32.Since the gaseous veins 30 and 32 are relatively slow, the supply of gas necessary for their full development respectively on the face of the vein 30 facing the zone 10 and on the face of the vein 32 facing the zone 12 is relatively small. Consequently, if the volume of zones 10 and 12 is large enough, it appears practically useless to carry out a gas supply in these zones to compensate for the quantity of gas which is used to feed the gas streams 30 and 32.

Dans le cas illustré sur les figures 1 et 2 où l'une des zones telles que la zone 10 présente un volume relativement faible, il peut être utile d'introduire régulièrement dans ce volume un courant de gaz servant à compenser la partie de ce gaz qui est prélevé par la veine gazeuse 30. Cependant, en raison de la faible vitesse de cette veine gazeuse, le débit de ce courant de gaz d'apport reste très faible par rapport à celui qui est nécessaire, dans l'art antérieur pour nourrir la veine gazeuse relativement rapide lorsque celle-ci est directement en contact avec l'atmosphère confinée à l'intérieur du local.In the case illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 where one of the zones such as zone 10 has a relatively small volume, it may be useful to regularly introduce into this volume a stream of gas used to compensate for the part of this gas. which is taken up by the gas stream 30. However, due to the low speed of this gas stream, the flow rate of this stream of filler gas remains very low compared to that which is necessary in the prior art for feeding the relatively fast gas stream when it is directly in contact with the atmosphere confined inside the room.

Les moyens d'aspiration 18 sont constitués avantageusement par une grille 34 qui s'étend parallèlement à l'ensemble de buses 14, en face de cet ensemble, sur toute sa longueur et sur une largeur qui tient compte du développement des jets 30 et 32. Cette grille 34 constitue la paroi supérieure d'une chambre d'aspiration 35 (figure 2).The suction means 18 advantageously consist of a grid 34 which extends parallel to the set of nozzles 14, opposite this set, over its entire length and over a width which takes account of the development of the jets 30 and 32 This grid 34 constitutes the upper wall of a suction chamber 35 (FIG. 2).

Entre cette chambre d'aspiration 35 et l'ensemble de buses 14 est placé un circuit de gaz (non représenté), généralement fermé, qui permet de recycler le gaz récupéré au travers de la grille 34 et de le réinjecter par l'ensemble de buses 14 avec un débit contrôlé, pour tenir compte notamment des impératifs mentionnés précédemment. Ce circuit, qui peut notamment être conçu de façon comparable à celui qui est décrit dans le document EP-A-0 099 818, comprend des moyens permettant d'aspirer le rideau de gaz formé par les veines 28, 30 et 32 au travers de la grille 34, des moyens permettant de purifier ce gaz, et des moyens pour le réinjecter dans chacune des buses de l'ensemble de buses 14 avec le débit souhaité. Ce circuit, qui peut être réalisé de manière quelconque par un homme du métier en tenant compte de ces différents impératifs, ne fait pas partie de l'invention.Between this suction chamber 35 and the nozzle assembly 14 is placed a gas circuit (not shown), generally closed, which makes it possible to recycle the gas recovered through the grid 34 and to reinject it by the assembly of nozzles 14 with a controlled flow, to take account in particular of the requirements mentioned above. This circuit, which can in particular be designed in a manner comparable to that which is described in document EP-A-0 099 818, comprises means making it possible to aspirate the curtain of gas formed by the veins 28, 30 and 32 through the grid 34, means for purifying this gas, and means for reinjecting it into each of the nozzles of the set of nozzles 14 with the desired flow rate. This circuit, which can be realized so arbitrary by a person skilled in the art taking into account these different imperatives, is not part of the invention.

La description qui précède fait apparaître de façon claire que le dispositif selon l'invention permet de créer un rideau de gaz de structure symétrique formé de trois veines gazeuses juxtaposées et assurant, d'une part, une protection de la zone 10 vis-à-vis de la zone 12 et, d'autre part, une protection de la zone 12 vis-à-vis de la zone 10. La première protection est assurée vis-à-vis de tout courant de gaz tendant à faire passer dans la zone 12 l'atmosphère contenue dans la zone 10, par l'ensemble formé par le dard 30a de la veine gazeuse 30 relativement lente et par la veine gazeuse 28 relativement rapide qui stabilise la veine 30. La protection vis-à-vis de tout courant de gaz tendant à faire passer dans la zone 10 l'atmosphère contenue dans la zone 12 est assurée quant à elle par le dard 32a de la veine gazeuse 32 relativement lente, cette veine gazeuse 32 étant stabilisée par la veine gazeuse 28 relativement rapide. On réalise ainsi une protection croisée particulièrement utile dans de nombreuses applications industrielles, notamment lorsque la zone 10 contient une atmosphère qui doit à tout prix être protégée vis-à-vis de la pollution de l'atmosphère extérieure contenue dans la zone 12 et dans lequel l'atmosphère contenue dans la zone 10 pourrait se révéler dangereuse si elle parvenait jusqu'à l'atmosphère extérieure de la zone 12.The foregoing description clearly shows that the device according to the invention makes it possible to create a gas curtain of symmetrical structure formed from three juxtaposed gas streams and ensuring, on the one hand, protection of the area 10 against vis-à-vis zone 12 and, on the other hand, protection of zone 12 vis-à-vis zone 10. The first protection is ensured against any current of gas tending to pass through the zone 12 the atmosphere contained in zone 10, by the assembly formed by the dart 30a of the relatively slow gas stream 30 and by the relatively fast gas stream 28 which stabilizes the stream 30. Protection against any current gas tending to pass into zone 10 the atmosphere contained in zone 12 is provided for its part by the sting 32a of the relatively slow gas stream 32, this gas stream 32 being stabilized by the relatively fast gas stream 28. Cross-protection is particularly useful in many industrial applications, in particular when zone 10 contains an atmosphere which must at all costs be protected against pollution of the external atmosphere contained in zone 12 and in which the atmosphere in zone 10 could be dangerous if it reached the outside atmosphere of zone 12.

Lorsqu'aucun obstacle ne traverse les trois veines gazeuses émises par l'ensemble de buses 14, le rideau de gaz formé par cet ensemble assure donc une isolation complète de la zone contrôlée 10 par rapport à la zone extérieure 12 et, à l'inverse, une isolation de la zone extérieure 12 par rapport à la zone contrôlée 10.When no obstacle crosses the three gas streams emitted by the set of nozzles 14, the gas curtain formed by this set therefore ensures complete isolation of the controlled area 10 from the outside area 12 and, conversely , an insulation of the external zone 12 with respect to the controlled zone 10.

En présence d'obstacle (tel qu'un bras de manipulateur intervenant à partir de la zone 12 dans la zone 10) se déplaçant lentement, on constate également le maintien de l'isolation entre ces zones.In the presence of an obstacle (such as a manipulator arm intervening from zone 12 in zone 10) moving slowly, one also notes the maintenance of the insulation between these zones.

Comme l'illustre la figure 2, la face arrière 20c de la paroi 20 délimitant la zone contrôlée 10 comprend, dans l'exemple décrit, une double paroi délimitant intérieurement une chambre d'admission de gaz 36 qui communique avec la zone 10 par des perforations 38. La chambre 36 est reliée à une source de gaz (non représentée) de telle sorte que l'atmosphère gazeuse de la zone 10 est renouvelée à un débit contrôlé, qui est optimisé en fonction des dimensions des perforations 38, afin qu'il ne modifie pas la direction des veines gazeuses sortant de l'ensemble de buses 14.As illustrated in FIG. 2, the rear face 20c of the wall 20 delimiting the controlled zone 10 comprises, in the example described, a double wall internally delimiting a gas inlet chamber 36 which communicates with the zone 10 by perforations 38. The chamber 36 is connected to a gas source (not shown) so that the gaseous atmosphere of the zone 10 is renewed at a controlled rate, which is optimized according to the dimensions of the perforations 38, so that it does not modify the direction of the gas streams leaving the nozzle assembly 14.

Comme on l'a mentionné précédemment, l'utilisation d'un ensemble de buses 14 émettant trois veines gazeuses juxtaposées comprenant une veine intermédiaire 28 relativement rapide et deux veines latérales 30 et 32 relativement lentes permet de réduire de façon très sensible la quantité de gaz introduite dans la zone 10 par rapport aux dispositifs antérieurs dans lesquels la veine relativement rapide était directement au contact de l'atmosphère contenue dans la zone contrôlée. Ainsi, un débit de quelques m³/h est suffisant dans le cas de la figure 2, alors que les dispositifs antérieurs auraient nécessité un débit d'environ 470 m³/h.As previously mentioned, the use of a set of nozzles 14 emitting three juxtaposed gas streams comprising a relatively fast intermediate stream 28 and two relatively slow side streams 30 and 32 makes it possible to very significantly reduce the amount of gas introduced into zone 10 compared to previous devices in which the relatively rapid vein was directly in contact with the atmosphere contained in the controlled zone. Thus, a flow rate of a few m³ / h is sufficient in the case of FIG. 2, whereas the prior devices would have required a flow rate of approximately 470 m³ / h.

Sur la figure 2, on a également illustré, uniquement à titre d'exemple, l'une des multiples possibilités d'intervention offertes par le dispositif de séparation dynamique selon l'invention, à l'intérieur de la zone contrôlée 10.In FIG. 2, one of the multiple intervention possibilities offered by the dynamic separation device according to the invention is also illustrated, by way of example only, inside the controlled zone 10.

Dans cet exemple, un télémanipulateur maître/ esclave 40 traverse le rideau de gaz formé par l'ensemble de buses 14, de telle sorte que le bras maître 42 soit situé dans la zone extérieure 12 et le bras esclave 44 dans la zone confinée 10. Le bloc central 46 de ce télémanipulateur 40 est monté sur un support 48 lié à un chariot 50 apte à se déplacer sur des rails 52 fixés sur le plafond 20b et s'étendant selon une direction parallèle à l'ouverture formée sur la face avant de la paroi 20, c'est-à-dire à l'ensemble de buses 14 et aux moyens d'aspiration 18.In this example, a master / slave manipulator 40 passes through the gas curtain formed by the nozzle assembly 14, so that the master arm 42 is located in the external zone 12 and the slave arm 44 in the confined zone 10. The central block 46 of this remote manipulator 40 is mounted on a support 48 linked to a carriage 50 capable of moving on rails 52 fixed on the ceiling 20b and extending in a direction parallel to the opening formed on the front face of the wall 20, that is to say to the set of nozzles 14 and to the suction means 18.

Grâce à cet agencement, il est possible, au moyen d'un télémanipulateur unique, d'intervenir en tout point de la zone 10, quelle que soit la longueur de celle-ci.Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible, by means of a single manipulator, to intervene at any point of the zone 10, whatever the length thereof.

Le bloc central 46, qui traverse les veines gazeuses 28, 30 et 32, a pour effet de couper les dards 30a et 32a. Cependant, en raison de la lenteur des jets 30 et 32, il n'y a pas de décollement du gaz s'écoulant dans ces deux veines gazeuses par rapport à l'obstacle formé par le bloc de traversée 46. De plus, la veine gazeuse intermédiaire 28 permet, grâce à sa rapidité, d'évacuer immédiatement une grande partie des contaminants éventuellement diffusés dans les jets lents. Par conséquent, la séparation dynamique entre les zones 10 et 12 est préservée.The central block 46, which crosses the gas streams 28, 30 and 32, has the effect of cutting the darts 30a and 32a. However, due to the slowness of the jets 30 and 32, there is no separation of the gas flowing in these two gas streams from the obstacle formed by the crossing block 46. In addition, the stream intermediate gas 28 allows, thanks to its speed, to immediately evacuate a large part of the contaminants possibly diffused in the slow jets. Therefore, the dynamic separation between zones 10 and 12 is preserved.

La présence d'un courant supplémentaire de gaz dans l'enceinte amène une garantie supplémentaire de non pollution de l'atmosphère de l'enceinte par les polluants de la zone 12.The presence of an additional current of gas in the enclosure brings an additional guarantee of non-pollution of the atmosphere of the enclosure by the pollutants of zone 12.

Bien entendu, le rideau de gaz obtenu à l'aide du dispositif de séparation dynamique selon l'invention peut être traversé par tout autres outils ou organes permettant à un opérateur d'intervenir depuis l'extérieur, en un point quelconque de la zone 10. Il peut notamment s'agir d'un outil de préhension léger manoeuvré par l'opérateur depuis l'extérieur, ou même des bras de l'opérateur.Of course, the gas curtain obtained using the dynamic separation device according to the invention can be crossed by any other tools or members allowing an operator to intervene from the outside, at any point in the zone 10 It can in particular be a light gripping tool maneuvered by the operator from the outside, or even the operator's arms.

La séparation dynamique obtenue à l'aide des trois veines gazeuses juxtaposées peut servir à isoler une zone déterminée à l'intérieur d'une pièce de plus grande dimension, sans que cette zone soit délimitée par aucune barrière matérielle. Par ailleurs, l'agencement de l'ensemble de buses et des moyens d'aspiration peut être réalisé différemment, ces deux éléments n'étant pas nécessairement placés sur le bord horizontal d'une ouverture.The dynamic separation obtained using the three juxtaposed gas streams can be used to isolate a specific area inside a larger room, without this area being delimited by any material barrier. Furthermore, the arrangement of the assembly of nozzles and suction means can be produced differently, these two elements not necessarily being placed on the horizontal edge of an opening.

Claims (4)

  1. Process for the dynamic separation of two zones (10, 12), according to which, in order to protect a first (10) of the said zones with respect to the other, between the said two zones is formed a gas certain having a relatively fast stream (28) located on the side of the first zone and a relatively slow stream (32) adjacent to the relatively fast stream on the side of the other zone (12), the relatively slow stream having a tongue (32a) which completely separates the two zones and is injected at a flow rate substantially equal to that induced by the face of the relatively fast stream in contact with said relatively slow stream, characterized in that the thus formed gas curtain also has a second relatively slow stream (30) adjacent to the relatively fast stream (28) on the side of the first zone (10), said second relatively slow stream having a tongue (30a) completely separating the two zones and being injected at a flow rate substantially equal to that induced by the face of the relatively fast stream in contact with the second relatively slow stream.
  2. Apparatus for the dynamic separation of two zones having a plurality of nozzles (14) able to discharge a gas certain completely separating the two zones, and suction means (18) for the said gas certain, the plurality of nozzles having on the side of a first (10) of said zones to be protected from the other zone, a first nozzle (24) able to discharge a relatively fast gas stream (28) and on the side of the other zone (12), a second nozzle (26) adjacent to the first nozzle and able to discharge a relatively slow stream (32), the width of said second nozzle being at least equal to 1/6 of the length of the gas curtain, characterized in that the plurality of nozzles comprises, on the side of the first zone (10), a third nozzle (22) adjacent to the first nozzle and able to discharge a relatively slow stream (30), the width of said third nozzle being at least equal to 1/6 of the length of the gas curtain.
  3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction means comprise a suction grid or grating (34) positioned facing the plurality of nozzles (14) and oriented parallel to the latter.
  4. Apparatus according to either of the claims 2 and 3, characterized in that one of the zones being defined by an enclosure (20), means (38) are provided for diffusing into the latter a gas flow at a relatively low rate, which is substantially equal to the flow rate induced by the face of the relatively slow stream (30) adjacent to the zone defined by the enclosure (20).
EP91400675A 1990-03-14 1991-03-12 Process and device for dynamic separation of two areas Expired - Lifetime EP0447314B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9003255A FR2659782B1 (en) 1990-03-14 1990-03-14 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DYNAMIC SEPARATION OF TWO ZONES.
FR9003255 1990-03-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0447314A1 EP0447314A1 (en) 1991-09-18
EP0447314B1 true EP0447314B1 (en) 1993-07-07

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91400675A Expired - Lifetime EP0447314B1 (en) 1990-03-14 1991-03-12 Process and device for dynamic separation of two areas

Country Status (8)

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US (1) US5145459A (en)
EP (1) EP0447314B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2715345B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE91339T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69100151T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0447314T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2043442T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2659782B1 (en)

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FR2652520B1 (en) * 1989-10-02 1992-02-07 Sgn Soc Gen Tech Nouvelle METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING A CLEAN ATMOSPHERE WITH REGULATED TEMPERATURE ON A WORKSTATION.
US5207830A (en) * 1990-03-21 1993-05-04 Venture Innovations, Inc. Lightweight particulate cementitious materials and process for producing same
US5316794A (en) * 1992-12-11 1994-05-31 Applied Materials, Inc. Method for servicing vacuum chamber using non-reactive gas-filled maintenance enclosure
NL9301661A (en) * 1993-09-27 1995-04-18 Biddle F H Bv Multiple gas curtain.
FR2730297B1 (en) * 1995-02-02 1997-05-09 Soc Generale Pour Les Techniques Nouvelles Sgn CONTAINMENT METHOD AND DEVICE, ESPECIALLY OF A PARTICULAR ATMOSPHERE IN A CONTINUOUS PROCESSING SPACE OF THROUGHPUT PRODUCTS
FR2740205B1 (en) * 1995-10-23 1998-01-09 Unir Ultra Propre Nutrition In PROTECTION AGAINST AEROCONTAMINATION
TW353137B (en) * 1996-03-28 1999-02-21 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Manufacturing apparatus with cleaning mechanism and cleaning method
FR2756910B1 (en) 1996-12-10 1999-01-08 Commissariat Energie Atomique PROCESS FOR DYNAMIC SEPARATION OF TWO AREAS BY A CLEAN AIR CURTAIN
FR2757933B1 (en) * 1996-12-27 1999-01-22 Commissariat Energie Atomique DEVICE FOR DYNAMICALLY SEPARATING TWO ZONES BY AT LEAST ONE BUFFER ZONE AND TWO CURTAINS OF CLEAN AIR
FR2760199B1 (en) 1997-03-03 1999-05-21 Unir Ultra Propre Nutrition In DEVICE FOR SEPARATING TWO ZONES WITH DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERES
US8796589B2 (en) * 2001-07-15 2014-08-05 Applied Materials, Inc. Processing system with the dual end-effector handling
ITBO20030375A1 (en) * 2003-06-19 2004-12-20 Ima Spa STRUCTURE FOR ROOFING AND INSULATION FROM THE ENVIRONMENT
CN101828081B (en) * 2007-10-16 2013-03-27 汉德斯玛特沙皮威利戴维特有限公司 Device for generating an air wall
DE102009026949A1 (en) * 2009-06-16 2010-12-23 Lks Israel Gmbh Klimatechnisches Engineering Air bulkhead system for preventing compensation flows through connection between spaces or space areas, is provided with slot outlet nozzle that is arranged between spaces or space areas provided with induction inhibitor
FR2968384B1 (en) * 2010-12-01 2013-12-27 Robert Guetron DEVICE FOR FLUID SEPARATION FROM 2 REGIONS
WO2013128083A1 (en) 2012-02-28 2013-09-06 Robert Guetron Device for fluidically separating two regions
FR2990143B1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2015-01-30 Paul Brunon MULTI-JET BLOWING NOZZLE
US11015824B2 (en) 2016-09-02 2021-05-25 Inertechip Llc Air curtain containment system and assembly for data centers
FR3093454B1 (en) * 2019-03-07 2022-01-28 Hydro Fill HANDLING ELEMENT INCLUDING A GLOVE

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US3211078A (en) * 1963-06-06 1965-10-12 Gunnar C F Asker Air curtain
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JPS63156963A (en) * 1986-12-22 1988-06-30 Ebara Corp Air curtain system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2659782B1 (en) 1992-06-12
DE69100151D1 (en) 1993-08-12
JP2715345B2 (en) 1998-02-18
US5145459A (en) 1992-09-08
EP0447314A1 (en) 1991-09-18
DK0447314T3 (en) 1993-08-16
ATE91339T1 (en) 1993-07-15
JPH04222639A (en) 1992-08-12
DE69100151T2 (en) 1994-01-27
ES2043442T3 (en) 1993-12-16
FR2659782A1 (en) 1991-09-20

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