EP0807228A1 - Confinement method and device, in particular for a special atmosphere in a space for continuously processing articles fed therethrough - Google Patents

Confinement method and device, in particular for a special atmosphere in a space for continuously processing articles fed therethrough

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Publication number
EP0807228A1
EP0807228A1 EP96902323A EP96902323A EP0807228A1 EP 0807228 A1 EP0807228 A1 EP 0807228A1 EP 96902323 A EP96902323 A EP 96902323A EP 96902323 A EP96902323 A EP 96902323A EP 0807228 A1 EP0807228 A1 EP 0807228A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
jet
atmosphere
gas
space
confined
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96902323A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0807228B1 (en
Inventor
Laurent Sohier
François Meline
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Societe Generale pour les Techniques Nouvelles SA SGN
Original Assignee
Societe Generale pour les Techniques Nouvelles SA SGN
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Publication of EP0807228A1 publication Critical patent/EP0807228A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0807228B1 publication Critical patent/EP0807228B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-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
    • F24F3/12—Air-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
    • F24F3/16—Air-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
    • F24F3/163—Clean air work stations, i.e. selected areas within a space which filtered air is passed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains
    • F24F2009/007—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains using more than one jet or band in the air curtain

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a device for confining an atmosphere in a space communicating with the outside through at least one opening; a gas curtain being generated at said opening.
  • the quantity of objects treated depends on the volume of the airlocks; - the successive filling and emptying of the airlocks entails a loss of material and energy, proportional to the volume of said airlocks ...
  • an improvement is more precisely proposed in the conventional technology of confining a space by a double jet gas curtain.
  • Said technology is illustrated in particular in patent applications FR-A-2530 163 (confinement of a polluted space) and FR-A-2652520 (confinement of a "clean" space).
  • FR-A-2530 163 confinement of a polluted space
  • FR-A-2652520 confinement of a "clean" space
  • Such gas curtains comprise a slow jet whose sting ensures dynamic separation of the atmospheres and a rapid jet which stabilizes and stiffens said slow jet. It is incidentally recalled here that, in general, the flow of a gas jet, in any section of the latter, is the sum of the initial flow of blown gas and of the flow rate drawn by suction in the gaseous atmosphere external to the jet. This second flow constitutes the induction flow of said jet.
  • suction mouth In contrast to the jet emission nozzles, there is generally a suction mouth which collects the blown gas as well as a fraction of the separate atmospheres which mix with said blown gas in the induction zone.
  • the gases collected by such a suction mouth are generally treated before recycling or discharge into the environment.
  • the materials and energy lost by the suction flow are considered necessary and or negligible with regard to the desired result.
  • the recovery of the double jet by a suction mouth is however not systematic ...
  • the emission nozzles of the fast jet and the slow jet are supplied with unpolluted gas.
  • the fast jet is always located on the unpolluted side.
  • the double jet gas curtain is an air curtain.
  • the air injected in the form of slow and fast jets is recirculated or rejected, after filtration of the suspended particles entrained in the suction mouth.
  • the invention therefore relates to a method for maintaining a particular atmosphere in a space communicating with the outside through at least one opening protected by a double jet gas curtain.
  • Said atmosphere is particular in that it differs from the ambient atmosphere by at least one differentiating element which, for example, can consist of a particle concentration, a gas concentration, a temperature ...
  • Said atmosphere particular or differentiated atmosphere is therefore confined in said space.
  • said particular atmosphere is a clean atmosphere or a polluted atmosphere, compared to the atmosphere room.
  • the slow jet of the gas curtain is arranged on the side of said confined atmosphere to avoid turbulent transfers due to the passage of the through.
  • the axial plane of the slow jet emission nozzle and that of the rapid jet emission nozzle are parallel. Said nozzles can be arranged on any side of the opening.
  • the method of the invention is a method of confining an atmosphere in a space communicating with the outside through at least one opening; process in which: a) a gas curtain is generated at said opening; said gas curtain comprising:
  • a first jet called slow jet located on the side of said confined atmosphere; said slow jet having a dart of range (L) and of sufficient scale to cover said opening;
  • a second jet called rapid jet located on the outside, in the same direction as said slow jet, whose axial plane is parallel to that of said slow jet; said fast jet having a flow induced by its internal face in contact with the slow jet less than or equal to the flow of said slow jet at a distance (L), equal to the range of said slow jet, from its injection; b) at least part of the gas blown in the form of said slow and fast jets as well as a fraction of the confined atmosphere are taken up, at the level of said opening, opposite the injection zone of said jets; c) an adequate supply of atmosphere to said space is advantageously provided, to at least compensate for said fraction of the confined atmosphere taken up; d) a fraction of the slow jet flow is injected into said confined atmosphere and contributes to the induction flow of said slow jet; the size of said fraction varying with the pressure within said space.
  • a double jet gas curtain there is therefore a double jet gas curtain, the slow jet of said curtain being located on the side of the particular confined atmosphere (point a) above) and, opposite from the jets injection area, a device, including a suction mouth for the recovery of the blown gas in the form of said jets and of a fraction of said confined atmosphere (point b) above). It also generally takes up, at said suction mouth, a fraction of the ambient atmosphere. Said jets and said suction mouth are arranged so as to maintain in the confined atmosphere characteristics that are constant or between precise values. Their particular arrangement allows, as will be explained below, to minimize the loss of material and / or energy by the recovery rate and therefore to minimize the continuous input necessary to maintain said particular characteristics of the confined atmosphere.
  • the confined atmosphere will lose its differentiating characteristics. This can be highly detrimental in the context of çjjnlinu treatment. of products passing through by a reagent present in said confined atmosphere ... This is much less so, for example, in a context where one simply wishes to maintain said confined atmosphere at a given temperature and where the slow jet brings gas to said temperature ... It is therefore provided, as indicated above, according to an advantageous variant of the method of the invention, an adequate atmosphere supply of the confined space. Finally, and this is the main characteristic of the process of the invention, a fraction of the flow of the slow jet is sent to said confined atmosphere (point d) above).
  • Said fraction is taken from the slow jet induction zone, on the confined space side of course. It is not directly taken up by the suction mouth. It enters said confined atmosphere, generates turbulence therein and is at least partly taken up by the slow jet for its induction.
  • the slow jet induction flow rate is typically according to the invention taken in part from itself (confined space side). On the confined space side, said slow jet self-stabilizes. In fact, part of it is "recycled" in the confined space for this purpose. On the ambient atmosphere side, it is recalled here that said slow jet is stabilized by the rapid jet. This gas injected into the confined atmosphere, taken from the slow jet, is used
  • the confinement process with a double jet gas curtain is in fact implemented according to the invention under conditions such that there is an effect of regulating the flow rate of the confined atmosphere extracted, with homogeneous conditions being maintained in said confined atmosphere. .
  • This regularization effect is particularly advantageous when the gas curtain delimits a treatment chamber in which a specific reagent must be kept in sufficient concentration in the atmosphere, for the duration of the treatment.
  • the curvature of the curtain caused by the overpressure (mainly due to the injection into the confined space of a fraction of the flow of the slow jet) only allows a fraction weakly concentrated in said specific reagent of the mixture between the gas blown by the slow jet and the treatment atmosphere (said treatment atmosphere having been diluted by the supply of "pure" gas from the slow jet) and therefore only causes negligible consumption of said reagent.
  • the turbulence generated inside the treatment chamber (by injecting a fraction of the flow of the slow jet within it) homogenizes the distribution of said reagent in the atmosphere of the chamber, reagent advantageously added continuously in said chamber to compensate for losses.
  • the gas curtain is not frozen, stabilized in a fixed position.
  • pressure variation which can be due to a variation of the supply flow in adequate atmosphere and or to the arrival of a large volume object in confined space
  • the jets move and a more or less significant fraction of the slow jet flow is sent to the confined atmosphere.
  • the technology of the double jet gas curtain has been adapted so as to minimize the losses of materials and / or energy coming from the confined atmosphere, through the suction mouth, while homogenizing the characteristics. of said confined atmosphere.
  • Those skilled in the art will already have understood that the principle of the containment method according to the invention, as set out above - with the injection of a fraction of the flow of the slow jet in the confined atmosphere, which allows regulation of the flow of said confined atmosphere sucked (whereas, according to the prior art, no regulation of said flow of extracted confined atmosphere is observed) - can be implemented in different configurations and in different contexts, in particular at the entry and / or exit of paint tunnels, sterilization tunnels, treatment ovens, drying ovens ...
  • the gas curtain will in this context be generated from the same atmosphere with at least one slow thermostatically controlled jet which will maintain the temperature in the confined space.
  • the method of the invention makes it possible, in this context, to circulate the objects continuously, limiting the energy losses and the temperature gradients at the inputs and outputs of said tunnels.
  • Such a treatment space includes a gas curtain at the entrance and a gas curtain at the exit; generally flat gas curtains which successively pass through the objects or products to be treated, transported by the conveyor system. If the spaces upstream and downstream of the treatment space are at the same pressure, the two gas curtains operate symmetrically and the same effect of regulating the suction flow of confined atmosphere is obtained on said gas two curtains.
  • the expected result is obtained with a plane of the gas curtain, inclined, relative to the plane of the opening, towards the interior of the confined space.
  • Said plane of the gas curtain makes an angle with said plane of the opening, so that the end of the dart of the slow jet is oriented towards the interior of the confined space.
  • Said angle of inclination of the median planes of the gas jets by ratio to the plane of the opening generally remains less than or equal to 30 *. It advantageously makes it possible, for certain applications, to increase the pressure in the confined space relative to the external pressure. This increase in pressure (which generally remains of the order of Pascal) is due to the transformation of the dynamic pressure of the recycled fraction of gas into static pressure. It is a function of the value of said angle of inclination and of the shape of the suction mouth.
  • the gas curtain (s) involved in the process of the invention may (may) have various geometries. They can be gas curtains generated by linear, polygonal or semicircular nozzles.
  • the plane of the gas curtain will therefore describe, with possibly the inclination mentioned above, either a plane, or a portion of polyhedron, or a portion of frustoconical surface.
  • the geometry of the gas curtain is obviously adapted to that of the opening to be covered or that of the confined space.
  • the gas curtain formed by the two jets is generated from nozzles which can be located on a horizontal or vertical side of the access opening to the confined space.
  • At least one of the jets of said gas curtain is supplied with thermostated gas.
  • the gases supplying said slow and fast jets can have the same characteristics (for example: nature of said gases, temperature thereof ...) or different characteristics.
  • the gas curtain (or gas curtains), such that it (s) intervene (s) in the process of the invention - gas curtain (s) with flow control return - consisting of) generally a curtain with double air jet.
  • the air is replaced by any other suitable gas, in particular an inert gas in one or both jets.
  • the injected gases of the same nature or of a different nature, may have different characteristics, in particular of temperature, humidity, concentration of liquid or solid particles in suspension .
  • the invention relates to a device useful for implementing the method described above.
  • Said device comprises the conventional means necessary for the generation and operation of a double jet gas curtain at an opening.
  • said means are arranged to ensure the expected effect described above, that is to say the injection of a fraction of the flow of the slow jet, for its self-induction, into the confined space.
  • said device comprises: - two nozzles arranged side by side on one side of said opening and provided with means for supplying them with gas; the length of said nozzles being at least equal to the length of said opening, the width of said nozzles being determined as a function of the speed of the jets and the range of the curtain to be obtained; the nozzle situated on the side of the confined atmosphere suitable for the emission of the slow jet and the other for the emission of the rapid jet;
  • suction mouth of at least part of the gas blown in the form of jets and a fraction of the confined atmosphere, said suction mouth being connected to a suction system and being located at said level opening, facing said two nozzles;
  • said gas suction mouth is positioned relative to said two nozzles so that and has a geometry such that a fraction of the flow of the slow jet is injected into said confined atmosphere and contributes to the induction flow of said jet slow ; the importance of said fraction varying with the pressure within said confined space.
  • the two injection nozzles are oriented so that the plane of the gas curtain is inclined, relative to the plane of the opening, towards the interior of the confined space.
  • the inclination angle as indicated above is between 0 and 30 *.
  • the position and geometry of the suction mouth must allow normal operation of the gas curtain from the start up and the creation of a slight overpressure in the confined area.
  • the gas suction mouth is disposed, facing each other, generally directly above the gas supply to the curtain. It actually includes a gas receiving cavity which communicates with a discharge pipe of these. Said cavity is advantageously secured to at least one of the material walls which delimit the opening.
  • the gas receiving cavity is advantageously secured at the base, to the floor of the confined area.
  • the nozzles are arranged in the upper part of the opening and said cavity is located below the level of the base of the confined zone (floor of said zone). It is advantageously delimited, on the side of the slow jet, by an edge with a concave curvilinear profile, connected to said base of the confined area. Said edge does not have an edge capable of causing turbulence. Its profile is concave, so that it "accompanies" the deformation of the end of the stinger under the effect of overpressure.
  • the position and geometry of said cavity must allow normal operation of the gas curtain, in the absence of substantial overpressure in the confined area.
  • the thinned end of the dart of the slow jet arrives at the limit of the curvilinear edge of the cavity. Under the effect of a substantial overpressure, said end will deform and release along said curvilinear edge a passage for the confined atmosphere (atmosphere, in fact diluted in gas taken from the slow jet).
  • the confined space is delimited by a ceiling, a floor and at least two side walls.
  • the injection nozzles of the gas curtain (s) are generally located at the level of the ceiling of the opening (openings), the gas curtain (s) is (are) substantially vertical (vertical) and the suction mouth is integrated into the floor.
  • the gas reception cavity associated with said suction mouth is located below the level of said floor and is delimited in width by the walls of the confined space.
  • the confined space is delimited by a circular ceiling, a circular floor and a curtain of cylindrical or frustoconical gas.
  • the cavity of the suction mouth, facing the circular gas injection nozzles constitutes a ditch around said base.
  • the confined space is delimited by a polygonal ceiling, a polygonal floor and a polyhedral gas curtain.
  • the cavity of the suction mouth, facing the polygonal gas injection nozzles constitutes a ditch around said base.
  • FIG. 1 The method and device of the invention are illustrated in Figure 1 attached. Is shown, in section, in said FIG. 1, the confinement according to the invention, of the atmosphere B of a chamber 4 for continuous treatment of a product P, with a reagent R injected through the tubing 8.
  • the product P is transported by the conveyor system 11.
  • the chamber 4 is delimited by a horizontal ceiling, a horizontal floor, two vertical walls not shown and two flat vertical air curtains.
  • the products P to be treated arrive from atmosphere A (ambient atmosphere, for example), successively pass through the inlet air curtain and the outlet air curtain and are found in said atmosphere A.
  • atmosphere A ambient atmosphere, for example
  • Each of said air curtains air comprises a slow jet 2, located on the side of the chamber 4, the sting 3 of which is inclined towards the interior of said chamber 4 as well as a rapid jet 1, situated on the side of the exterior (atmosphere A).
  • the system for sucking in the blown gas and a fraction of the confined atmosphere B is arranged directly above the injection nozzles 9 and 10.
  • Said suction system comprises the gas receiving cavity 6 and the conduit evacuation 7 of said aspirated gases.
  • Said cavity 6 is delimited on the side of the slow jet 2 by an edge 5 with a concave curvilinear profile which joins the floor of the chamber 4.
  • the gas reception cavity 6 has a geometry and a positioning relative to the nozzles 9 and 10 such that in steady state and in the absence of disturbance, the sting 3 of the slow jet 2 is in the equilibrium position, between atmospheres A and B, shown in solid lines in FIG. 1.
  • the gas flow entrained by the slow jet 9 in its straight section located at distance L from its origin is shared on the curvilinear edge 5 of the cavity 6 constituting the 1 + 2 double jet return mouth.
  • a chamber 4 for continuous sterilization of pharmaceutical products P is confined by means of two air curtains. Sterilization is obtained by contact of said products P with a sterilizing gas or nebulized liquid (H2O2) at an optimal temperature. To reach and maintain said optimum temperature, two slow thermostatically controlled jets are used. The two air curtains prevent any leakage of H2O2 to the adjacent areas (atmosphere A).
  • H2O2 sterilizing gas or nebulized liquid
  • the inclination of the darts 3 of the slow jets 2 towards the interior of the chamber 4 makes it possible to entrain towards the sterilizing treatment zone (atmosphere B), at the entry as at the exit, the contaminating particles which accompany the products P
  • the injection of part of the air from the slow jet 2 into the chamber 4 generates vortex movements which contribute to the homogenization (concentration, temperature) of the sterilizing medium in the center of said chamber 4.
  • the depleting effect of sterilizing reagent in the vicinity of the exhaust passage limits the losses in said reagent and maintains its concentration at the required level during the duration of the treatment by optimizing its consumption.
  • Room 4 is a 0.5 x 0.5 m section tunnel. An atmosphere of H2O2 at 15 g / m 3 is maintained there.
  • the slow jets 2 have the following characteristics:

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Food Preservation Except Freezing, Refrigeration, And Drying (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Container, Conveyance, Adherence, Positioning, Of Wafer (AREA)
  • Treatments Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR96/00170 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 1, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 1, 1997 PCT Filed Feb. 1, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/24011 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 8, 1996The present invention relates to a method for confining an atmosphere (B) in a space (4) communicating with its surroundings via at least one opening. A gas curtain (1+2) comprising a low-velocity jet (2) and a high-velocity jet (1) is generated at said opening. Characteristically, a fraction of the flow in said low-velocity jet (2) is injected into the confined atmosphere (B) and adds to the induced flowrate of said low-velocity jet (2), the size of said fraction being variable depending on the pressure within said space (4). The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Description

Procédé et dispositif de confinement, notamment d'une atmosphère particulière dans un espace de traitement en continu de produits traversants.Method and device for confinement, in particular of a particular atmosphere in a space for continuous treatment of through products.
La présente invention a pour objet un procédé et un dispositif de confinement d'une atmosphère dans un espace communiquant avec l'extérieur grâce à au moins une ouverture ; un rideau de gaz étant généré au niveau de ladite ouverture.The present invention relates to a method and a device for confining an atmosphere in a space communicating with the outside through at least one opening; a gas curtain being generated at said opening.
Ces procédé et dispositif sont avantageusement mis en oeuvre pour le confinement d'une atmosphère particulière dans un espace de traitement en continu d'objets ou produits traversants. Selon l'art antérieur, à la connaissance de la Demanderesse, notamment lorsque de tels traitements font intervenir des substances explosives, toxiques et/ou contaminantes, ils sont mis en oeuvre de façon discontinue. Ainsi, lorsque l'on souhaite traiter des objets dans une atmos¬ phère présentant des caractéristiques particulières qui doivent être maintenues entre des valeurs précises (caractéristiques de température, d'hygrométrie, de composition gazeuse, de concentrations en particules liquides ou solides en suspension...), procède-t-on généralement dans des espaces, munis à l'entrée et à la sortie, de sas à doubles portes étanches. Dans de telles conditions :These methods and device are advantageously implemented for the confinement of a particular atmosphere in a space for continuous processing of objects or products passing through. According to the prior art, to the knowledge of the Applicant, in particular when such treatments involve explosive, toxic and / or contaminating substances, they are used discontinuously. Thus, when it is desired to treat objects in an atmosphere having particular characteristics which must be maintained between precise values (characteristics of temperature, hygrometry, gaseous composition, concentrations of liquid or solid particles in suspension. ..), do we generally proceed in spaces, fitted with entry and exit, airlocks with double watertight doors. Under such conditions:
- le traitement ne peut s'effectuer que par lots successifs ;- processing can only be carried out in successive batches;
- la quantité d'objets traités dépend du volume des sas ; - le remplissage et le vidage successifs des sas entraînent une perte de matière et d'énergie, proportionnelle au volume desdits sas...- the quantity of objects treated depends on the volume of the airlocks; - the successive filling and emptying of the airlocks entails a loss of material and energy, proportional to the volume of said airlocks ...
Selon la présente invention, on propose plus précisément un perfectionnement à la technologie classique du confinement d'un espace par rideau de gaz à double jet. Ladite technologie est notamment illustrée dans les demandes de brevets FR-A-2530 163 (confinement d'un espace pollué) et FR-A-2652520 (confinement d'un espace "propre"). Selon celle-ci, on utilise les rideaux de gaz à double jet pour séparer deux espaces contenant des atmosphères de caractéristiques différentes. De tels rideaux de gaz sont destinés à arrêter toutes particules solides ou liquides en suspension dans les atmosphères des espaces séparés mais doivent toutefois permettre le passage d'objets traversants macroscopiques sans échange entre lesdites atmosphères séparées.According to the present invention, an improvement is more precisely proposed in the conventional technology of confining a space by a double jet gas curtain. Said technology is illustrated in particular in patent applications FR-A-2530 163 (confinement of a polluted space) and FR-A-2652520 (confinement of a "clean" space). According to this, we use double jet gas curtains to separate two spaces containing atmospheres of different characteristics. Such gas curtains are intended to stop any solid or liquid particles in suspension in the atmospheres of the separate spaces but must however allow the passage of macroscopic traversing objects without exchange between the said separate atmospheres.
De tels rideaux de gaz comportent un jet lent dont le dard assure la séparation dynamique des atmosphères et un jet rapide qui stabilise et rigidifie ledit jet lent. On rappelle incidemment ici que, d'une manière générale, le débit d'un jet de gaz, dans une section quelconque de ce dernier, est la somme du débit initial de gaz insufflé et du débit prélevé par aspiration dans l'ambiance gazeuse externe au jet. Ce second débit constitue le débit d'induction dudit jet.Such gas curtains comprise a slow jet whose sting ensures dynamic separation of the atmospheres and a rapid jet which stabilizes and stiffens said slow jet. It is incidentally recalled here that, in general, the flow of a gas jet, in any section of the latter, is the sum of the initial flow of blown gas and of the flow rate drawn by suction in the gaseous atmosphere external to the jet. This second flow constitutes the induction flow of said jet.
A l'opposé des buses d'émission des jets, on trouve généralement une bouche d'aspiration qui collecte le gaz soufflé ainsi qu'une fraction des atmosphères séparées qui se mélangent audit gaz soufflé dans la zone d'induction. Les gaz collectés par une telle bouche d'aspiration sont généralement traités avant recyclage ou rejet dans l'environnement. Les matières et l'énergie perdues par le débit d'aspiration sont considérées comme nécessaires et ou négligeables vis-à-vis du résultat recherché. La reprise du double jet par une bouche d'aspiration n'est toutefois pas systématique... Les buses d'émission du jet rapide et du jet lent sont alimentées en gaz non pollué. Elles présentent généralement une légère inclinaison, vers l'extérieur de l'ouverture de l'espace à confiner, telle que - dans l'hypothèse du confinement d'une zone "propre" à protéger de la pollution extérieure (contexte du document FR-A-2652520) - la face du jet rapide située côté espace à confiner soit pratiquement parallèle au plan de ladite ouverture. Ledit espace à confiner - "propre" - est alimenté par un débit de gaz non pollué dit courant de gaz propre, légèrement supérieur au débit induit par la face interne dudit jet rapide (située côté espace à confiner) ; l'excédent de débit, par rapport à ce dernier, assurant un léger débit de fuite qui empêche la pénétration du jet rapide dans ledit espace à confiner. En tout état de cause, selon l'art antérieur, les buses du rideau de gaz n'injectent jamais directement de gaz dans l'espace à confiner.In contrast to the jet emission nozzles, there is generally a suction mouth which collects the blown gas as well as a fraction of the separate atmospheres which mix with said blown gas in the induction zone. The gases collected by such a suction mouth are generally treated before recycling or discharge into the environment. The materials and energy lost by the suction flow are considered necessary and or negligible with regard to the desired result. The recovery of the double jet by a suction mouth is however not systematic ... The emission nozzles of the fast jet and the slow jet are supplied with unpolluted gas. They generally have a slight inclination towards the outside of the opening of the space to be confined, such that - assuming the confinement of a "clean" area to be protected from external pollution (context of the document FR- A-2652520) - the face of the rapid jet located on the side of the space to be confined is practically parallel to the plane of said opening. Said space to be confined - "clean" - is supplied by a flow of unpolluted gas known as a stream of clean gas, slightly greater than the flow induced by the internal face of said rapid jet (located on the side to be confined); the excess flow, with respect to the latter, ensuring a slight leakage flow which prevents the rapid jet from penetrating into said space to be confined. In any event, according to the prior art, the nozzles of the gas curtain never directly inject gas into the space to be confined.
De façon classique, lorsqu'il s'agit de protéger une ambiance d'une "pollution" (la "pollution" se localisant à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur de l'espace à confiner), le jet rapide est toujours situé du côté non "pollué". Généralement, le rideau de gaz à double jet est un rideau d'air. L'air injecté sous la forme des jets lent et rapide est remis en circulation ou rejeté, après filtration des particules en suspension entraînées dans la bouche d'aspiration.Conventionally, when it comes to protecting an environment from "pollution" ("pollution" being located inside or outside the space to be confined), the fast jet is always located on the unpolluted side. Generally, the double jet gas curtain is an air curtain. The air injected in the form of slow and fast jets is recirculated or rejected, after filtration of the suspended particles entrained in the suction mouth.
Selon son premier objet, l'invention concerne donc un procédé pour maintenir une atmosphère particulière dans un espace communiquant avec l'extérieur grâce à au moins une ouverture protégée par un rideau de gaz à double jet. Ladite atmosphère est particulière en ce qu'elle se distingue de l'atmosphère ambiante par au moins un élément de différenciation qui, par exemple, peut consister en une concentration en particules, une concentration en gaz, une tem¬ pérature... Ladite atmosphère particulière ou atmosphère différenciée est donc confinée dans ledit espace. Selon le contexte, ladite atmosphère particulière est une atmosphère propre ou une atmosphère polluée, par rapport à l'atmosphère ambiante. Le jet lent du rideau de gaz est disposé du côté de ladite atmosphère confinée pour éviter les transferts turbulents dus aux passages des traversants. Le plan axial de la buse d'émission du jet lent et celui de la buse d'émission du jet rapide sont parallèles. Lesdites buses peuvent être disposées sur l'un quelconque des côtés de l'ouverture.According to its first object, the invention therefore relates to a method for maintaining a particular atmosphere in a space communicating with the outside through at least one opening protected by a double jet gas curtain. Said atmosphere is particular in that it differs from the ambient atmosphere by at least one differentiating element which, for example, can consist of a particle concentration, a gas concentration, a temperature ... Said atmosphere particular or differentiated atmosphere is therefore confined in said space. Depending on the context, said particular atmosphere is a clean atmosphere or a polluted atmosphere, compared to the atmosphere room. The slow jet of the gas curtain is arranged on the side of said confined atmosphere to avoid turbulent transfers due to the passage of the through. The axial plane of the slow jet emission nozzle and that of the rapid jet emission nozzle are parallel. Said nozzles can be arranged on any side of the opening.
Plus précisément, le procédé de l'invention est un procédé de confine¬ ment d'une atmosphère dans un espace communiquant avec l'extérieur grâce à au moins une ouverture ; procédé dans lequel : a) un rideau de gaz est généré au niveau de ladite ouverture ; ledit rideau de gaz comportant :More specifically, the method of the invention is a method of confining an atmosphere in a space communicating with the outside through at least one opening; process in which: a) a gas curtain is generated at said opening; said gas curtain comprising:
- un premier jet dit jet lent situé du côté de ladite atmosphère confinée ; ledit jet lent présentant un dard de portée (L) et d'envergure suffisantes pour couvrir ladite ouverture ;- A first jet called slow jet located on the side of said confined atmosphere; said slow jet having a dart of range (L) and of sufficient scale to cover said opening;
- un second jet dit jet rapide, situé du côté de l'extérieur, de même sens que ledit jet lent, dont le plan axial est parallèle à celui dudit jet lent ; ledit jet rapide ayant un débit induit par sa face interne au contact du jet lent inférieur ou égal au débit dudit jet lent à une distance (L), égale à la portée dudit jet lent, de son injection ; b) au moins une partie du gaz insufflé sous forme desdits jets lent et rapide ainsi qu'une fraction de l'atmosphère confinée sont reprises, au niveau de ladite ouverture, en vis-à-vis de la zone d'injection desdits jets ; c) une alimentation en atmosphère adéquate dudit espace est avanta¬ geusement prévue, pour au moins compenser ladite fraction de l'atmosphère confinée reprise ; d) une fraction du débit du jet lent est injectée dans ladite atmosphère confinée et contribue au débit d'induction dudit jet lent ; l'importance de ladite fraction variant avec la pression au sein dudit espace.- A second jet called rapid jet, located on the outside, in the same direction as said slow jet, whose axial plane is parallel to that of said slow jet; said fast jet having a flow induced by its internal face in contact with the slow jet less than or equal to the flow of said slow jet at a distance (L), equal to the range of said slow jet, from its injection; b) at least part of the gas blown in the form of said slow and fast jets as well as a fraction of the confined atmosphere are taken up, at the level of said opening, opposite the injection zone of said jets; c) an adequate supply of atmosphere to said space is advantageously provided, to at least compensate for said fraction of the confined atmosphere taken up; d) a fraction of the slow jet flow is injected into said confined atmosphere and contributes to the induction flow of said slow jet; the size of said fraction varying with the pressure within said space.
Selon le procédé de l'invention, il intervient donc un rideau de gaz à double jet, le jet lent dudit rideau étant situé du côté de l'atmosphère particulière confinée (point a) ci-dessus) et, en vis-à-vis de la zone d'injection des jets, un dispositif, incluant une bouche d'aspiration pour la reprise du gaz insufflé sous forme desdits jets et d'une fraction de ladite atmosphère confinée (point b) ci-dessus). On reprend également, de manière générale, au niveau de ladite bouche d'aspiration, une fraction de l'atmosphère ambiante. Lesdits jets et ladite bouche d'aspiration sont disposés de façon à maintenir dans l'atmosphère confinée des caractéristiques constantes ou comprises entre des valeurs précises. Leur disposition particulière permet, comme cela va être explicité ci-après, de minimiser les pertes de matière et/ou d'énergie par le débit de reprise et par conséquent de minimiser les apports continus nécessaires au maintien desdites caractéristiques particulières de l'atmosphère confinée. En effet, dans la mesure où l'on souhaite assurer ledit maintien, on prévoit une alimentation adéquate dudit espace, pour au moins compenser la fraction de l'atmosphère confinée reprise (point c) ci-dessus) et avantageusement contribuer à maintenir l'espace confiné en légère surpression. On protège ainsi efficacement ledit espace de l'atmosphère ambiante. L'homme du métier comprendra toutefois que le procédé de l'invention peut également être mis en oeuvre sans une telle alimentation (point c) ci-dessus) dans la mesure où la reprise de l'atmosphère confinée est, selon l'invention, minimisée et est, en tout état de cause, compensée par du gaz insufflé prélevé dans la zone d'induction du jet lent. De telles conditions de mise en oeuvre (sans alimentation), qui ne sont pas exclues du cadre de la présente invention, n'assurent toutefois pas un résultat optimum. A plus ou moins long terme, dans ces conditions, l'atmosphère confinée perdra ses caractéristiques de différenciation. Ceci peut être fortement préjudiciable dans le contexte d'un traitement çjjnlinu. de produits traversants par un réactif présent dans ladite atmosphère confinée... Ceci l'est beaucoup moins, par exemple, dans un contexte où l'on souhaite simplement maintenir ladite atmosphère confinée à une température donnée et où le jet lent apporte du gaz à ladite température... On prévoit donc, comme indiqué ci-dessus, selon une variante avantageuse du procédé de l'invention, une alimentation en atmosphère adéquate de l'espace confiné. Enfin, et il s'agit là de la principale caractéristique du procédé de l'invention, une fraction du débit du jet lent est envoyée dans ladite atmosphère confinée (point d) ci-dessus). Ladite fraction est prélevée dans la zone d'induction du jet lent, côté espace confiné bien évidemment. Elle n'est pas directement reprise par la bouche d'aspiration. Elle pénètre dans ladite atmosphère confinée, y génère des turbulences et se trouve au moins en partie reprise par le jet lent pour son induction. Ainsi, le débit d'induction du jet lent est-il de façon caractéristique selon l'invention prélevé en partie sur lui-même (côté espace confiné). Côté espace confiné, ledit jet lent s'autostabilise. En fait, une partie de celui-ci est "recyclée", dans l'espace confiné, à cette fin. Côté atmosphère ambiante, on rappelle ici que ledit jet lent est stabilisé par le jet rapide. Ce gaz injecté dans l'atmosphère confinée, prélevé sur le jet lent, est utiliséAccording to the method of the invention, there is therefore a double jet gas curtain, the slow jet of said curtain being located on the side of the particular confined atmosphere (point a) above) and, opposite from the jets injection area, a device, including a suction mouth for the recovery of the blown gas in the form of said jets and of a fraction of said confined atmosphere (point b) above). It also generally takes up, at said suction mouth, a fraction of the ambient atmosphere. Said jets and said suction mouth are arranged so as to maintain in the confined atmosphere characteristics that are constant or between precise values. Their particular arrangement allows, as will be explained below, to minimize the loss of material and / or energy by the recovery rate and therefore to minimize the continuous input necessary to maintain said particular characteristics of the confined atmosphere. Indeed, insofar as it is desired to ensure said maintenance, provision is made for an adequate supply of said space, to at least compensate for the fraction of the confined atmosphere taken up (point c) above) and advantageously contribute to maintaining the confined space under slight overpressure. This effectively protects said space from the ambient atmosphere. Those skilled in the art will however understand that the method of the invention can also be implemented without such a supply (point c) above) insofar as the recovery of the confined atmosphere is, according to the invention, minimized and is, in any event, compensated by blown gas taken from the slow jet induction zone. Such operating conditions (without power), which are not excluded from the scope of the present invention, do not however provide an optimum result. In the more or less long term, under these conditions, the confined atmosphere will lose its differentiating characteristics. This can be highly detrimental in the context of çjjnlinu treatment. of products passing through by a reagent present in said confined atmosphere ... This is much less so, for example, in a context where one simply wishes to maintain said confined atmosphere at a given temperature and where the slow jet brings gas to said temperature ... It is therefore provided, as indicated above, according to an advantageous variant of the method of the invention, an adequate atmosphere supply of the confined space. Finally, and this is the main characteristic of the process of the invention, a fraction of the flow of the slow jet is sent to said confined atmosphere (point d) above). Said fraction is taken from the slow jet induction zone, on the confined space side of course. It is not directly taken up by the suction mouth. It enters said confined atmosphere, generates turbulence therein and is at least partly taken up by the slow jet for its induction. Thus, the slow jet induction flow rate is typically according to the invention taken in part from itself (confined space side). On the confined space side, said slow jet self-stabilizes. In fact, part of it is "recycled" in the confined space for this purpose. On the ambient atmosphere side, it is recalled here that said slow jet is stabilized by the rapid jet. This gas injected into the confined atmosphere, taken from the slow jet, is used
- pour homogénéiser ladite atmosphère confinée ;- to homogenize said confined atmosphere;
- pour créer une certaine surpression en son sein ; - pour régulariser la reprise dudit gaz injecté et de ladite atmosphère confinée.- to create a certain overpressure within it; - To regulate the recovery of said injected gas and said confined atmosphere.
Le procédé de confinement avec rideau de gaz double jet est en effet mis en oeuvre selon l'invention dans des conditions telles que l'on observe un effet de régularisation du débit d'atmosphère confinée extrait, avec maintien de conditions homogènes dans ladite atmosphère confinée. Cet effet de régularisation est particulièrement intéressant lorsque le rideau de gaz délimite une chambre de traitement dans laquelle un réactif spécifique doit être maintenu en concentration suffisante dans l'atmosphère, pendant la durée du traitement. En effet, l'incurvation du rideau provoquée par la surpression (due principalement à l'injection dans l'espace confiné d'une fraction du débit du jet lent) ne laisse échapper qu'une fraction faiblement concentrée en ledit réactif spécifique du mélange entre le gaz soufflé par le jet lent et l'atmosphère de traitement (ladite atmosphère de traitement ayant été diluée par l'apport de gaz "pur" du jet lent) et n'entraîne donc qu'une consommation négligeable en ledit réactif. De plus, comme indiqué ci-dessus, la turbulence générée à l'intérieur de la chambre de traitement (par l'injection d'une fraction du débit du jet lent en son sein) homogénéise la répartition dudit réactif dans l'atmosphère de la chambre, réactif avantageusement ajouté en continu dans ladite chambre pour compenser les pertes.The confinement process with a double jet gas curtain is in fact implemented according to the invention under conditions such that there is an effect of regulating the flow rate of the confined atmosphere extracted, with homogeneous conditions being maintained in said confined atmosphere. . This regularization effect is particularly advantageous when the gas curtain delimits a treatment chamber in which a specific reagent must be kept in sufficient concentration in the atmosphere, for the duration of the treatment. Indeed, the curvature of the curtain caused by the overpressure (mainly due to the injection into the confined space of a fraction of the flow of the slow jet) only allows a fraction weakly concentrated in said specific reagent of the mixture between the gas blown by the slow jet and the treatment atmosphere (said treatment atmosphere having been diluted by the supply of "pure" gas from the slow jet) and therefore only causes negligible consumption of said reagent. In addition, as indicated above, the turbulence generated inside the treatment chamber (by injecting a fraction of the flow of the slow jet within it) homogenizes the distribution of said reagent in the atmosphere of the chamber, reagent advantageously added continuously in said chamber to compensate for losses.
Par ailleurs, on insistera sur le fait que, selon le procédé de l'invention, le rideau de gaz n'est pas figé, stabilisé en une position fixe. Sous l'effet d'une variation de pression au sein de l'atmosphère confinée (variation de pression qui peut être due à une variation du débit d'alimentation en atmosphère adéquate et ou à l'arrivée d'un objet de gros volume dans l'espace confiné) les jets se déplacent et une fraction plus ou moins importante du débit du jet lent est envoyée dans l'atmosphère confinée.Furthermore, it will be emphasized that, according to the method of the invention, the gas curtain is not frozen, stabilized in a fixed position. Under the effect of a pressure variation within the confined atmosphere (pressure variation which can be due to a variation of the supply flow in adequate atmosphere and or to the arrival of a large volume object in confined space) the jets move and a more or less significant fraction of the slow jet flow is sent to the confined atmosphere.
Selon l'invention, on a adapté la technologie du rideau de gaz à double jet de façon à minimiser les pertes de matières et/ou d'énergie provenant de l'atmosphère confinée, par la bouche d'aspiration, tout en homogénéisant les caractéristiques de ladite atmosphère confinée. L'homme du métier aura déjà compris que le principe du procédé de confinement selon l'invention, tel qu'exposé ci-dessus - avec injection d'une fraction du débit du jet lent dans l'atmosphère confinée, ce qui autorise une régulation du débit de ladite atmosphère confinée aspirée (alors que, selon l'art antérieur, on n'observe pas de régulation dudit débit d'atmosphère confinée extrait) - peut être mis en oeuvre selon différentes configurations et ce dans différents contextes, notamment à l'entrée et/ou à la sortie de tunnels de peinture, de tunnels de stérilisation, de fours de traitement, de fours de séchage...According to the invention, the technology of the double jet gas curtain has been adapted so as to minimize the losses of materials and / or energy coming from the confined atmosphere, through the suction mouth, while homogenizing the characteristics. of said confined atmosphere. Those skilled in the art will already have understood that the principle of the containment method according to the invention, as set out above - with the injection of a fraction of the flow of the slow jet in the confined atmosphere, which allows regulation of the flow of said confined atmosphere sucked (whereas, according to the prior art, no regulation of said flow of extracted confined atmosphere is observed) - can be implemented in different configurations and in different contexts, in particular at the entry and / or exit of paint tunnels, sterilization tunnels, treatment ovens, drying ovens ...
On peut rechercher simplement un confinement thermique de l'espace, les autres caractéristiques des atmosphères séparées étant identiques. Le rideau de gaz sera dans ce contexte généré à partir de la même atmosphère avec au moins un jet lent thermostaté qui maintiendra la température dans l'espace confiné. A titre d'exemple, on peut citer la réalisation de tunnels froids ou chauds sur des éléments de convoyage d'objets. Le procédé de l'invention permet, dans ce contexte, de faire circuler les objets en continu, en limitant les pertes d'énergie et les gradients de température au niveau des entrées et sorties desdits tunnels. On peut également mettre en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention pour le conditionnement de produits pulvérulents, éventuellement toxiques et/ou dangereux, et pour des traitements avantageusement en continu de différents types de produits. A titre d'exemple de tels traitements, on peut citer le fumage de produits en agro-alimentaire ou la stérilisation d'objets par pulvérisation de désinfectants liquides et/ou gazeux dans les industries pharmaceutiques.One can simply seek a thermal confinement of space, the other characteristics of the separate atmospheres being identical. The gas curtain will in this context be generated from the same atmosphere with at least one slow thermostatically controlled jet which will maintain the temperature in the confined space. By way of example, mention may be made of the construction of cold or hot tunnels on elements for conveying objects. The method of the invention makes it possible, in this context, to circulate the objects continuously, limiting the energy losses and the temperature gradients at the inputs and outputs of said tunnels. It is also possible to use the process of the invention for the packaging of pulverulent products, possibly toxic and / or dangerous, and for advantageously continuous treatments of different types of products. By way of example of such treatments, mention may be made of the smoking of products in the food industry or the sterilization of objects by spraying liquid and / or gaseous disinfectants in the pharmaceutical industries.
On insistera tout particulièrement sur l'intérêt de la mise en oeuvre du procédé de l'invention pour le confinement d'un espace de traitement en continu de produits ou objets traversants, avantageusement intégré dans une ligne de convoyage desdits produits ou objets. Un tel espace de traitement comporte un rideau de gaz à l'entrée et un rideau de gaz à la sortie ; rideaux de gaz généralement plans que franchissent successivement les objets ou produits à traiter, transportés par le système de convoyage. Si les espaces en amont et en aval de l'espace de traitement sont à la même pression, les deux rideaux de gaz fonctionnent de façon symétrique et l'on obtient le même effet de régulation du débit d'aspiration d'atmosphère confinée sur lesdits deux rideaux.Particular emphasis will be placed on the advantage of implementing the method of the invention for confining a continuous processing space for products or objects passing through, advantageously integrated into a line for conveying said products or objects. Such a treatment space includes a gas curtain at the entrance and a gas curtain at the exit; generally flat gas curtains which successively pass through the objects or products to be treated, transported by the conveyor system. If the spaces upstream and downstream of the treatment space are at the same pressure, the two gas curtains operate symmetrically and the same effect of regulating the suction flow of confined atmosphere is obtained on said gas two curtains.
La mise en oeuvre du procédé de l'invention peut se faire selon différentes variantes. Avantageusement, le résultat escompté est obtenu avec un plan du rideau de gaz, incliné, par rapport au plan de l'ouverture, vers l'intérieur de l'espace confiné. Ledit plan du rideau de gaz fait un angle avec ledit plan de l'ouverture, de sorte que l'extrémité du dard du jet lent soit orientée vers l'intérieur de l'espace confiné. Ledit angle d'inclinaison des plans médians des jets de gaz par rapport au plan de l'ouverture demeure généralement inférieur ou égal à 30*. Il permet avantageusement, pour certaines applications, de majorer la pression dans l'espace confiné par rapport à la pression extérieure. Cette majoration de pression (qui reste généralement de l'ordre du Pascal) est due à la transformation de la pression dynamique de la fraction recyclée de gaz en pression statique. Elle est fonction de la valeur dudit angle d'inclinaison et de la forme de la bouche d'aspiration.The implementation of the method of the invention can be done according to different variants. Advantageously, the expected result is obtained with a plane of the gas curtain, inclined, relative to the plane of the opening, towards the interior of the confined space. Said plane of the gas curtain makes an angle with said plane of the opening, so that the end of the dart of the slow jet is oriented towards the interior of the confined space. Said angle of inclination of the median planes of the gas jets by ratio to the plane of the opening generally remains less than or equal to 30 *. It advantageously makes it possible, for certain applications, to increase the pressure in the confined space relative to the external pressure. This increase in pressure (which generally remains of the order of Pascal) is due to the transformation of the dynamic pressure of the recycled fraction of gas into static pressure. It is a function of the value of said angle of inclination and of the shape of the suction mouth.
Le (ou les) rideau(x) de gaz intervenants) dans le procédé de l'invention peut (peuvent) présenter des géométries variées. Il peut s'agir de rideaux de gaz générés par des buses linéaires, polygonales ou en arc de cercle. Le plan du rideau de gaz décrira, par conséquent, avec éventuellement l'inclinaison mentionnée ci-dessus soit un plan, soit une portion de polyèdre, soit une portion de surface tronconique. La géométrie du rideau de gaz est évidemment adaptée à celle de l'ouverture à couvrir ou à celle de l'espace confiné. D'une manière générale, le rideau de gaz constitué par les deux jets est généré à partir de buses qui peuvent être situées sur un côté horizontal ou vertical de l'ouverture d'accès à l'espace confiné.The gas curtain (s) involved in the process of the invention may (may) have various geometries. They can be gas curtains generated by linear, polygonal or semicircular nozzles. The plane of the gas curtain will therefore describe, with possibly the inclination mentioned above, either a plane, or a portion of polyhedron, or a portion of frustoconical surface. The geometry of the gas curtain is obviously adapted to that of the opening to be covered or that of the confined space. Generally, the gas curtain formed by the two jets is generated from nozzles which can be located on a horizontal or vertical side of the access opening to the confined space.
Par ailleurs, comme indiqué ci-dessus, selon une variante de l'invention, au moins un des jets dudit rideau de gaz, généralement le jet lent (et avantageusement le jet lent fit le jet rapide) est alimenté en gaz thermostaté. D'une manière générale, les gaz alimentant lesdits jets lent et rapide peuvent présenter les mêmes caractéristiques (par exemple : nature desdits gaz, température de ceux- ci...) ou des caractéristiques différentes.Furthermore, as indicated above, according to a variant of the invention, at least one of the jets of said gas curtain, generally the slow jet (and advantageously the slow jet made the fast jet) is supplied with thermostated gas. In general, the gases supplying said slow and fast jets can have the same characteristics (for example: nature of said gases, temperature thereof ...) or different characteristics.
Enfin, on précise que le rideau de gaz (ou les rideaux de gaz), tel(s) qu'il(s) intervien(nen)t dans le procédé de l'invention - rideau(x) de gaz à régulation de débit de reprise - consistant) généralement en un rideau à double jet d'air. On n'exclut toutefois nullement que, pour certaines applications, l'air soit remplacé par tout autre gaz approprié, notamment un gaz inerte dans un seul ou les deux jets. On n'exclut nullement aussi, comme indiqué ci-dessus, que les gaz injectés, de même nature ou de nature différente, puissent présenter des caracté¬ ristiques différentes notamment de température, d'hygrométrie, de concentration en particules liquides ou solides en suspension.Finally, it is specified that the gas curtain (or gas curtains), such that it (s) intervene (s) in the process of the invention - gas curtain (s) with flow control return - consisting of) generally a curtain with double air jet. However, it is in no way excluded that, for certain applications, the air is replaced by any other suitable gas, in particular an inert gas in one or both jets. It is also in no way excluded, as indicated above, that the injected gases, of the same nature or of a different nature, may have different characteristics, in particular of temperature, humidity, concentration of liquid or solid particles in suspension .
Selon son deuxième objet, l'invention concerne un dispositif utile à la mise en oeuvre du procédé décrit ci-dessus. Ledit dispositif comprend les moyens classiques nécessaires à la génération et au fonctionnement d'un rideau de gaz à double jet au niveau d'une ouverture. De façon caractéristique, au sein dudit dispositif, lesdits moyens sont agencés pour assurer l'effet escompté décrit ci-dessus, c'est-à-dire l'injection d'une fraction du débit du jet lent, pour son auto-induction, dans l'espace confiné.According to its second object, the invention relates to a device useful for implementing the method described above. Said device comprises the conventional means necessary for the generation and operation of a double jet gas curtain at an opening. Typically, within said device, said means are arranged to ensure the expected effect described above, that is to say the injection of a fraction of the flow of the slow jet, for its self-induction, into the confined space.
Plus précisément, ledit dispositif comprend : - deux buses disposées côte à côte sur un côté de ladite ouverture et munies de moyens pour leur alimentation en gaz ; la longueur desdites buses étant au moins égale à la longueur de ladite ouverture, la largeur desdites buses étant déterminée en fonction de la vitesse des jets et de la portée du rideau à obtenir ; la buse située du côté de l'atmosphère confinée convenant pour l'émission du jet lent et l'autre pour l'émission du jet rapide ;More specifically, said device comprises: - two nozzles arranged side by side on one side of said opening and provided with means for supplying them with gas; the length of said nozzles being at least equal to the length of said opening, the width of said nozzles being determined as a function of the speed of the jets and the range of the curtain to be obtained; the nozzle situated on the side of the confined atmosphere suitable for the emission of the slow jet and the other for the emission of the rapid jet;
- une bouche d'aspiration d'au moins une partie du gaz insufflé sous forme de jets et d'une fraction de l'atmosphère confinée, ladite bouche d'aspiration étant reliée à un système d'aspiration et étant située au niveau de ladite ouverture, en vis-à-vis desdites deux buses ;- a suction mouth of at least part of the gas blown in the form of jets and a fraction of the confined atmosphere, said suction mouth being connected to a suction system and being located at said level opening, facing said two nozzles;
- avantageusement un système d'alimentation en atmosphère adéquate de l'espace confiné.advantageously an adequate atmosphere supply system for the confined space.
De façon caractéristique, ladite bouche d'aspiration des gaz est positionnée par rapport auxdites deux buses de telle façon que et présente une géométrie telle que une fraction du débit du jet lent est injectée dans ladite atmosphère confinée et contribue au débit d'induction dudit jet lent ; rimportance de ladite fraction variant avec la pression au sein dudit espace confiné.Typically, said gas suction mouth is positioned relative to said two nozzles so that and has a geometry such that a fraction of the flow of the slow jet is injected into said confined atmosphere and contributes to the induction flow of said jet slow ; the importance of said fraction varying with the pressure within said confined space.
On notera que, de manière générale, au niveau de ladite bouche d'aspiration, on aspire également de l'atmosphère ambiante.It will be noted that, in general, at the level of said suction mouth, one also sucks from the ambient atmosphere.
De façon avantageuse, au sein dudit dispositif, les deux buses d'injection sont orientées de sorte que le plan du rideau de gaz est incliné, par rapport au plan de l'ouverture, vers l'intérieur de l'espace confiné. L'angle d'incli¬ naison comme indiqué ci-dessus est compris entre 0 et 30*. La position et la géométrie de la bouche d'aspiration doivent permettre un fonctionnement normal du rideau de gaz dès la mise en route et la création d'une légère surpression dans la zone confinée.Advantageously, within said device, the two injection nozzles are oriented so that the plane of the gas curtain is inclined, relative to the plane of the opening, towards the interior of the confined space. The inclination angle as indicated above is between 0 and 30 *. The position and geometry of the suction mouth must allow normal operation of the gas curtain from the start up and the creation of a slight overpressure in the confined area.
La bouche d'aspiration des gaz est disposée, en vis-à-vis, généralement à l'aplomb de l'alimentation en gaz du rideau. Elle comprend en fait une cavité de réception de gaz qui communique avec une conduite d'évacuation de ceux-ci. Ladite cavité est avantageusement solidarisée à au moins une des parois matérielles qui délimitent l'ouverture.The gas suction mouth is disposed, facing each other, generally directly above the gas supply to the curtain. It actually includes a gas receiving cavity which communicates with a discharge pipe of these. Said cavity is advantageously secured to at least one of the material walls which delimit the opening.
Dans le contexte le plus général du rideau de gaz vertical ou sensible¬ ment vertical, alimenté par du gaz soufflé du haut vers le bas, la cavité de réception de gaz est avantageusement solidarisée à la base, au plancher de la zone confinée. Dans ce contexte, les buses sont disposées en partie haute de l'ouverture et ladite cavité est située en dessous du niveau de la base de la zone confinée (plancher de ladite zone). Elle est avantageusement délimitée, du côté du jet lent, par un bord à profil curviligne concave, relié à ladite base de la zone confinée. Ledit bord ne présente pas d'arête susceptible d'engendrer des turbulences. Son profil est concave, de sorte qu'il "accompagne" la déformation de l'extrémité du dard sous l'effet de la surpression.In the most general context of the vertical or substantially vertical gas curtain, supplied with gas blown from top to bottom, the gas receiving cavity is advantageously secured at the base, to the floor of the confined area. In this context, the nozzles are arranged in the upper part of the opening and said cavity is located below the level of the base of the confined zone (floor of said zone). It is advantageously delimited, on the side of the slow jet, by an edge with a concave curvilinear profile, connected to said base of the confined area. Said edge does not have an edge capable of causing turbulence. Its profile is concave, so that it "accompanies" the deformation of the end of the stinger under the effect of overpressure.
La position et la géométrie de ladite cavité doivent permettre un fonctionnement normal du rideau de gaz, en l'absence de surpression conséquente dans la zone confinée. Dans ce contexte de fonctionnement normal, l'extrémité amincie du dard du jet lent arrive en limite du bord curviligne de la cavité. Sous l'effet d'une surpression conséquente, ladite extrémité va se déformer et libérer le long dudit bord curviligne un passage pour l'atmosphère confinée (atmosphère, en fait diluée dans du gaz prélevé sur le jet lent). Le dispositif de l'invention et son fonctionnement seront décrits plus précisément en référence à l'unique figure annexée, plus avant dans le présent texte.The position and geometry of said cavity must allow normal operation of the gas curtain, in the absence of substantial overpressure in the confined area. In this context of normal operation, the thinned end of the dart of the slow jet arrives at the limit of the curvilinear edge of the cavity. Under the effect of a substantial overpressure, said end will deform and release along said curvilinear edge a passage for the confined atmosphere (atmosphere, in fact diluted in gas taken from the slow jet). The device of the invention and its operation will be described more precisely with reference to the single appended figure, further on in the present text.
Selon une variante dudit dispositif de l'invention, l'espace confiné est délimité par un plafond, un plancher et au moins deux parois latérales. On peut avoir trois parois latérales et une seule ouverture à couvrir par un rideau de gaz ou seulement deux parois latérales parallèles et deux ouvertures à couvrir par deux rideaux de gaz parallèles. Les buses d'injection du (des) rideau(x) de gaz sont généralement situées au niveau du plafond de l'ouverture (des ouvertures), le(s) rideau(x) de gaz est (sont) sensiblement vertical (verticaux) et la bouche d'aspira- tion est intégrée au plancher. La cavité de réception des gaz associée à ladite bouche d'aspiration est située sous le niveau dudit plancher et est délimitée en largeur par les parois de l'espace confiné.According to a variant of said device of the invention, the confined space is delimited by a ceiling, a floor and at least two side walls. There may be three side walls and a single opening to be covered by a gas curtain or only two parallel side walls and two openings to be covered by two parallel gas curtains. The injection nozzles of the gas curtain (s) are generally located at the level of the ceiling of the opening (openings), the gas curtain (s) is (are) substantially vertical (vertical) and the suction mouth is integrated into the floor. The gas reception cavity associated with said suction mouth is located below the level of said floor and is delimited in width by the walls of the confined space.
Selon une autre variante du dispositif de l'invention, l'espace confiné est délimité par un plafond circulaire, un plancher circulaire et un rideau de gaz cylindrique ou tronconique. Dans cette configuration du dispositif de l'invention, la cavité de la bouche d'aspiration, en vis-à-vis des buses d'injection de gaz circu¬ laires, constitue un fossé autour de ladite base.According to another variant of the device of the invention, the confined space is delimited by a circular ceiling, a circular floor and a curtain of cylindrical or frustoconical gas. In this configuration of the device of the invention, the cavity of the suction mouth, facing the circular gas injection nozzles, constitutes a ditch around said base.
Selon une autre variante du dispositif de l'invention, l'espace confiné est délimité par un plafond polygonal, un plancher polygonal et un rideau de gaz polyédrique. Dans cette configuration du dispositif de l'invention, la cavité de la bouche d'aspiration, en vis-à-vis des buses d'injection de gaz polygonales, constitue un fossé autour de ladite base.According to another variant of the device of the invention, the confined space is delimited by a polygonal ceiling, a polygonal floor and a polyhedral gas curtain. In this configuration of the device of the invention, the cavity of the suction mouth, facing the polygonal gas injection nozzles, constitutes a ditch around said base.
Les procédé et dispositif de l'invention sont illustrés sur la figure 1 annexée. On montre, en coupe, sur ladite figure 1, le confinement selon l'invention, de l'atmosphère B d'une chambre 4 de traitement en continu d'un produit P, par un réactif R injecté par la tubulure 8. Le produit P est transporté par le système de convoyage 11. La chambre 4 est délimitée par un plafond horizontal, un plancher horizontal, deux parois verticales non représentées et deux rideaux d'air verticaux plans. Les produits P à traiter arrivent de l'atmosphère A (atmosphère ambiante, par exemple), franchissent successivement le rideau d'air d'entrée et le rideau d'air de sortie et se retrouvent dans ladite atmosphère A. Chacun desdits rideaux d'air comporte un jet lent 2, situé du côté de la chambre 4, dont le dard 3 est incliné vers l'intérieur de ladite chambre 4 ainsi qu'un jet rapide 1, situé du côté de l'extérieur (atmosphère A). Le système d'aspiration du gaz insufflé et d'une fraction de l'atmosphère confinée B est disposé à l'aplomb des buses d'injection 9 et 10. Ledit système d'aspiration comprend la cavité de réception des gaz 6 et le conduit d'évacuation 7 desdits gaz aspirés. Ladite cavité 6 est délimitée du côté du jet lent 2 par un bord 5 à profil curviligne concave qui rejoint le plancher de la chambre 4.The method and device of the invention are illustrated in Figure 1 attached. Is shown, in section, in said FIG. 1, the confinement according to the invention, of the atmosphere B of a chamber 4 for continuous treatment of a product P, with a reagent R injected through the tubing 8. The product P is transported by the conveyor system 11. The chamber 4 is delimited by a horizontal ceiling, a horizontal floor, two vertical walls not shown and two flat vertical air curtains. The products P to be treated arrive from atmosphere A (ambient atmosphere, for example), successively pass through the inlet air curtain and the outlet air curtain and are found in said atmosphere A. Each of said air curtains air comprises a slow jet 2, located on the side of the chamber 4, the sting 3 of which is inclined towards the interior of said chamber 4 as well as a rapid jet 1, situated on the side of the exterior (atmosphere A). The system for sucking in the blown gas and a fraction of the confined atmosphere B is arranged directly above the injection nozzles 9 and 10. Said suction system comprises the gas receiving cavity 6 and the conduit evacuation 7 of said aspirated gases. Said cavity 6 is delimited on the side of the slow jet 2 by an edge 5 with a concave curvilinear profile which joins the floor of the chamber 4.
La cavité de réception des gaz 6 a une géométrie et un positionnement par rapport aux buses 9 et 10 tels qu'en régime stationnaire et en l'absence de perturbation, le dard 3 du jet lent 2 est dans la position d'équilibre, entre les atmosphères A et B, représentée en traits pleins sur la figure 1. Le débit de gaz entraîné par le jet lent 9 dans sa section droite située à la distance L de son origine se partage sur le bord curviligne 5 de la cavité 6 constituant la bouche de reprise du double jet 1 + 2.The gas reception cavity 6 has a geometry and a positioning relative to the nozzles 9 and 10 such that in steady state and in the absence of disturbance, the sting 3 of the slow jet 2 is in the equilibrium position, between atmospheres A and B, shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. The gas flow entrained by the slow jet 9 in its straight section located at distance L from its origin is shared on the curvilinear edge 5 of the cavity 6 constituting the 1 + 2 double jet return mouth.
La majeure fraction du débit de gaz des jets rapide 1 et lent 2 est aspirée par la bouche de reprise 6 et évacuée par le conduit 7. Une fraction de ce débit est injectée dans l'espace confiné 4 en induisant un courant qui favorise l'homogénéisation de l'atmosphère B. Cette fraction "recyclée" s'ajoute au faible débit de réactif R introduit en 8 pour assurer le débit d'induction à l'interface entre le jet lent 2 et l'atmosphère B. Le produit de la concentration moyenne dans la fraction d'atmosphère B extraite par son débit correspond alors à l'apport de réactif R dans l'enceinte 4 par le conduit 8. Si une perturbation majore le débit de réactif R introduit en 8, l'augmentation de pression qui en résulte dans l'enceinte 4 a pour effet d'incurver l'ensemble des deux jets et de déplacer le dard 3 du jet lent 2 dans la position représentée en pointillé sur la figure 1. Ce déplacement entraîne une diminution de la fraction du débit du jet lent 2 injecté dans l'enceinte 4 associée à une majoration du débit d'atmosphère B extrait. Par ailleurs, la concentration moyenne en réactif R dudit débit d'atmosphère B extrait est d'autant plus élevée que ce débit est plus important.The major fraction of the gas flow from the fast 1 and slow jets 2 is sucked in through the return outlet 6 and evacuated through the conduit 7. A fraction of this flow is injected into the confined space 4, inducing a current which promotes the homogenization of atmosphere B. This "recycled" fraction adds to the low flow of reagent R introduced at 8 to ensure the flow of induction at the interface between the slow jet 2 and the atmosphere B. The product of the average concentration in the fraction of atmosphere B extracted by its flow then corresponds to l supply of reagent R into enclosure 4 via line 8. If a disturbance increases the flow of reagent R introduced at 8, the resulting increase in pressure in enclosure 4 has the effect of bending the assembly of the two jets and to move the dart 3 of the slow jet 2 in the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. This displacement causes a reduction in the fraction of the flow of the slow jet 2 injected into the enclosure 4 associated with an increase in the flow of atmosphere B extracted. Furthermore, the average concentration of reagent R of said flow of atmosphere B extracted is higher the higher this flow.
Symétriquement, si le débit de réactif R vient incidentellement à diminuer, le phénomène inverse se produit. Le dard 3 du jet lent 2 se déplace vers l'intérieur de l'enceinte 4. Ce déplacement entraîne une augmentation de la fraction du débit du jet lent 2 injectée dans l'enceinte 4 associée à une diminution du débit d'atmosphère B extrait. De la même façon, la concentration moyenne en réactif dudit débit d'atmosphère B extrait est d'autant plus faible que ce débit est moins important. Dans le cas où le débit de réactif R est entièrement consommé par le traitement des traversants P, le débit de la fraction du jet lent 2 injectée dans l'enceinte 4 devient égal au débit d'induction à l'interface entre le jet lent 2 et l'atmosphère B qu'il compense intégralement. Le procédé permet donc de limiter avantageusement la consommation de réactif.Symmetrically, if the flow rate of reagent R decreases incidentally, the opposite phenomenon occurs. The dart 3 of the slow jet 2 moves towards the interior of the enclosure 4. This displacement causes an increase in the fraction of the flow of the slow jet 2 injected into the enclosure 4 associated with a reduction in the flow of atmosphere B extracted . Likewise, the lower reagent concentration of said flow of atmosphere B extracted is lower the lower this flow. In the case where the flow of reagent R is entirely consumed by the treatment of the through-passages P, the flow of the fraction of the slow jet 2 injected into the enclosure 4 becomes equal to the flow of induction at the interface between the slow jet 2 and atmosphere B which it fully compensates for. The method therefore makes it possible to advantageously limit the consumption of reagent.
En référence à la figure 1, on illustre l'invention par l'exemple ci-après. On confine à l'aide de deux rideaux d'air une chambre 4 de stérilisation en continu de produits pharmaceutiques P. La stérilisation est obtenue par contact desdits produits P avec un gaz ou un liquide nέbulisé stérilisant (H2O2) à une température optimale. Pour atteindre et maintenir ladite température optimale, on utilise deux jets lents thermostatés. Les deux rideaux d'air empêchent toute fuite de H2O2 vers les zones adjacentes (atmosphère A).With reference to FIG. 1, the invention is illustrated by the example below. A chamber 4 for continuous sterilization of pharmaceutical products P is confined by means of two air curtains. Sterilization is obtained by contact of said products P with a sterilizing gas or nebulized liquid (H2O2) at an optimal temperature. To reach and maintain said optimum temperature, two slow thermostatically controlled jets are used. The two air curtains prevent any leakage of H2O2 to the adjacent areas (atmosphere A).
L'inclinaison des dards 3 des jets lents 2 vers l'intérieur de la chambre 4 permet d'entraîner vers la zone de traitement stérilisant (atmosphère B), à l'entrée comme à la sortie, les particules contaminantes qui accompagnent les produits P. L'injection d'une partie de l'air du jet lent 2 dans la chambre 4 y engendre des mouvements tourbillonnaires qui contribuent à l'homogénéisation (concentration, température) du milieu stérilisant au centre de ladite chambre 4. L'effet d'appauvrissement en réactif stérilisant au voisinage du passage d'échappement limite les pertes en ledit réactif et maintient sa concentration au niveau requis pendant la durée du traitement en optimisant sa consommation.The inclination of the darts 3 of the slow jets 2 towards the interior of the chamber 4 makes it possible to entrain towards the sterilizing treatment zone (atmosphere B), at the entry as at the exit, the contaminating particles which accompany the products P The injection of part of the air from the slow jet 2 into the chamber 4 generates vortex movements which contribute to the homogenization (concentration, temperature) of the sterilizing medium in the center of said chamber 4. The depleting effect of sterilizing reagent in the vicinity of the exhaust passage limits the losses in said reagent and maintains its concentration at the required level during the duration of the treatment by optimizing its consumption.
Ledit procédé de confinement est mis en oeuvre dans les conditions ci-après.Said confinement process is carried out under the conditions below.
La chambre 4 est un tunnel de section 0,5 x 0,5 m. On y maintient une atmosphère de H2O2 à 15 g/m3.Room 4 is a 0.5 x 0.5 m section tunnel. An atmosphere of H2O2 at 15 g / m 3 is maintained there.
Les jets lents 2 présentent les caractéristiques ci-après :The slow jets 2 have the following characteristics:
Vitesse initiale : v0 = 0,5 m/s Débit : Q0 = 0,025 m^/s us sont injectés à travers des buses 9 d'une longueur de 50 cm (longueur de l'ouverture du tunnel) et d'une largeur (de fente) de 10 cm. La portée du dard 3 desdits jets lents 2 est de 60 cm.Initial speed: v 0 = 0.5 m / s Flow rate: Q 0 = 0.025 m ^ / s us are injected through nozzles 9 with a length of 50 cm (length of the tunnel opening) and a width (of slit) of 10 cm. The range of the dart 3 of said slow jets 2 is 60 cm.
Les jets rapides 1 présentent les caractéristiques ci-après : Vitesse initiale : v0 = 8,17 m/sThe fast jets 1 have the following characteristics: Initial speed: v 0 = 8.17 m / s
Vitesse à 0,5 m : v = 2 m/sSpeed at 0.5 m: v = 2 m / s
Débit initial : Q0 = 0,020 m3/s us sont injectés à travers des buses 10 d'une longueur de 50 cm (longueur de l'ouverture du tunnel) et d'une largeur (de fente) de 5 mm. Au niveau des conduites d'évacuation 7, le débit de reprise correspond à la somme du débit du jet rapide 1, du jet lent 2, de l'alimentation en réactif stérilisant (débit variable), et éventuellement de l'atmosphère ambiante (A) aspirée (débit variable). Initial flow: Q 0 = 0.020 m 3 / s us are injected through nozzles 10 with a length of 50 cm (length of the tunnel opening) and a width (of slot) of 5 mm. At the discharge lines 7, the return flow corresponds to the sum of the speed of the fast jet 1, the slow jet 2, the supply of sterilizing reagent (variable flow), and possibly the ambient atmosphere (A ) aspirated (variable flow).

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de confinement d'une atmosphère (B) dans un espace (4) communiquant avec l'extérieur grâce à au moins une ouverture, procédé dans lequel un rideau de gaz (1+2) est généré au niveau de ladite ouverture ; procédé caractérisé en ce que : ledit rideau de gaz (1+2) comporte :1. Method for confining an atmosphere (B) in a space (4) communicating with the outside by means of at least one opening, process in which a gas curtain (1 + 2) is generated at said opening; process characterized in that: said gas curtain (1 + 2) comprises:
- un premier jet dit jet lent (2) situé du côté de ladite atmosphère confinée (B) ; ledit jet lent (2) présentant un dard (3) de portée (L) et d'envergure suffisantes pour couvrir ladite ouverture ;- A first jet called slow jet (2) located on the side of said confined atmosphere (B); said slow jet (2) having a sting (3) of range (L) and of sufficient scale to cover said opening;
- un second jet dit jet rapide (1), situé du côté de l'extérieur, de même sens que ledit jet lent (2), dont le plan axial est parallèle à celui dudit jet lent (2) ; ledit jet rapide (1) ayant un débit induit par sa face interne au contact du jet lent (2) inférieur ou égal au débit dudit jet lent (2) à une distance (L), égale à la portée dudit jet lent (2), de son injection ; au moins une partie du gaz insufflé sous forme desdits jets (1+2) ainsi qu'une fraction de l'atmosphère confinée (B) sont reprises, au niveau de ladite ouverture, en vis-à-vis de la zone d'injection desdits jets (1+2) ; une alimentation en atmosphère adéquate dudit espace (4) est avantageusement prévue, pour au moins compenser ladite fraction de l'atmosphère confinée (B) reprise ; et une fraction du débit du jet lent (2) est injectée dans ladite atmosphère confinée (B) et contribue au débit d'induction dudit jet lent (2) ; l'importance de ladite fraction variant avec la pression au sein dudit espace (4).- A second jet called rapid jet (1), located on the outside, in the same direction as said slow jet (2), whose axial plane is parallel to that of said slow jet (2); said fast jet (1) having a flow induced by its internal face in contact with the slow jet (2) less than or equal to the flow of said slow jet (2) at a distance (L), equal to the range of said slow jet (2) , from his injection; at least part of the gas blown in the form of said jets (1 + 2) and a fraction of the confined atmosphere (B) are taken up, at the level of said opening, opposite the injection zone said jets (1 + 2); an adequate supply of atmosphere to said space (4) is advantageously provided, to at least compensate for said fraction of the confined atmosphere (B) taken up; and a fraction of the flow of the slow jet (2) is injected into said confined atmosphere (B) and contributes to the induction flow of said slow jet (2); the importance of said fraction varying with the pressure within said space (4).
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'espace (4) est un espace de traitement en continu de produits (P) traversants, avantageusement intégré dans une ligne de convoyage (11).2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the space (4) is a space for continuous treatment of products (P) passing through, advantageously integrated in a conveying line (11).
3. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le plan du rideau de gaz (1+2) est incliné par rapport au plan de l'ouverture, vers l'intérieur de l'espace confiné (4).3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the plane of the gas curtain (1 + 2) is inclined relative to the plane of the opening, towards the interior of the confined space (4 ).
4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit rideau de gaz (1+2) généré à partir d'un côté de l'ouverture est de forme plane. 4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said gas curtain (1 + 2) generated from one side of the opening is of planar shape.
5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit rideau de gaz (1+2) décrit une surface cylindrique, tronconique ou polyédrique.5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said gas curtain (1 + 2) describes a cylindrical, frustoconical or polyhedral surface.
6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un des jets (1, 2) dudit rideau de gaz (1+2) est alimenté en gaz thermostaté.6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the jets (1, 2) of said gas curtain (1 + 2) is supplied with thermostated gas.
7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que les gaz alimentant les jets lent et rapide présentent les mêmes caracté¬ ristiques ou des caractéristiques différentes. 7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the gases supplying the slow and fast jets have the same characteristics or different characteristics.
8. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que ledit rideau de gaz (1+2) est un rideau d'air.8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said gas curtain (1 + 2) is an air curtain.
9. Dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :9. Device for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises:
- deux buses (9, 10), disposées côte à côte sur un côté de ladite ouverture et munies de moyens pour leur alimentation en gaz ; la longueur desdites buses (9, 10) étant au moins égale à la longueur de ladite ouverture, la largeur desdites buses (9, 10) étant déter¬ minée en fonction de la vitesse des jets (1, 2) et de la portée du rideau (1+2) à obtenir ; la buse située du côté de l'atmosphère confinée (B) convenant pour l'émission du jet lent (2) et l'autre pour l'émission du jet rapide (1) ;- two nozzles (9, 10), arranged side by side on one side of said opening and provided with means for supplying them with gas; the length of said nozzles (9, 10) being at least equal to the length of said opening, the width of said nozzles (9, 10) being determined according to the speed of the jets (1, 2) and the range of the curtain (1 + 2) to be obtained; the nozzle situated on the side of the confined atmosphere (B) suitable for the emission of the slow jet (2) and the other for the emission of the rapid jet (1);
- une bouche d'aspiration (6) d'au moins une partie du gaz insufflé sous forme de jets (1+2) et d'une fraction de l'atmosphère confinée (B), ladite bouche d'aspiration (6) étant reliée à un système d'aspi- ration et étant située au niveau de ladite ouverture, en vis-à-vis desdites deux buses (9, 10) ;- a suction mouth (6) of at least part of the gas blown in the form of jets (1 + 2) and a fraction of the confined atmosphere (B), said suction mouth (6) being connected to a suction system and being located at said opening, opposite said two nozzles (9, 10);
- avantageusement, un système d'alimentation en atmosphère adéquate de l'espace (4) ; ladite bouche d'aspiration (6) des gaz étant positionnée par rapport auxdites deux buses (9, 10) et présentant une géométrie telle qu'une fraction du débit du jet lent (2) est injectée dans ladite atmosphère confinée (B) et contribue au débit d'induction dudit jet lent (2) ; l'importance de ladite fraction variant avec la pression au sein dudit espace (4).advantageously, a system for supplying an adequate atmosphere to the space (4); said gas suction mouth (6) being positioned relative to said two nozzles (9, 10) and having a geometry such that a fraction of the flow of the slow jet (2) is injected into said confined atmosphere (B) and contributes at the induction rate of said slow jet (2); the importance of said fraction varying with the pressure within said space (4).
10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que lesdites deux buses (9, 10) sont orientées de sorte que le plan du rideau de gaz (1+2) est incliné par rapport au plan de l'ouverture, vers l'intérieur de l'espace confiné (4). 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said two nozzles (9, 10) are oriented so that the plane of the gas curtain (1 + 2) is inclined relative to the plane of the opening, towards the inside the confined space (4).
EP96902323A 1995-02-02 1996-02-01 Confinement method and device, in particular for a special atmosphere in a space for continuously processing articles fed therethrough Expired - Lifetime EP0807228B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9501211 1995-02-02
FR9501211A FR2730297B1 (en) 1995-02-02 1995-02-02 CONTAINMENT METHOD AND DEVICE, ESPECIALLY OF A PARTICULAR ATMOSPHERE IN A CONTINUOUS PROCESSING SPACE OF THROUGHPUT PRODUCTS
PCT/FR1996/000170 WO1996024011A1 (en) 1995-02-02 1996-02-01 Confinement method and device, in particular for a special atmosphere in a space for continuously processing articles fed therethrough

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0807228A1 true EP0807228A1 (en) 1997-11-19
EP0807228B1 EP0807228B1 (en) 1998-11-04

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96902323A Expired - Lifetime EP0807228B1 (en) 1995-02-02 1996-02-01 Confinement method and device, in particular for a special atmosphere in a space for continuously processing articles fed therethrough

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US (1) US5934992A (en)
EP (1) EP0807228B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE173078T1 (en)
AU (1) AU4667896A (en)
DE (1) DE69600921T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0807228T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2730297B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1996024011A1 (en)

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FR2770330B1 (en) * 1997-10-24 2000-01-14 Cogema METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTAINMENT BY THERMAL LAMINATION
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69600921D1 (en) 1998-12-10
FR2730297A1 (en) 1996-08-09
WO1996024011A1 (en) 1996-08-08
DE69600921T2 (en) 1999-05-27
US5934992A (en) 1999-08-10
EP0807228B1 (en) 1998-11-04
FR2730297B1 (en) 1997-05-09
DK0807228T3 (en) 1999-07-19
ATE173078T1 (en) 1998-11-15
AU4667896A (en) 1996-08-21

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