FR2643294A1 - PURIFIER FOR MACHINE FOR CLEANING MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES WITH A HOT SOLVENT MEDIUM AND MACHINE BY APPLYING - Google Patents

Abstract

Hot solvent cleaning. The scrubber for a machine for cleaning various articles by a hot solvent medium is characterized in that it comprises a purifying capacity 18: provided at its base with an evaporator 19 associated with heating means 20 and extended by a bottom duct 22 for evacuating the separated impurities; - Intended to be connected to the distillation compartment 4 by a controlled transfer means 21 opening below the level of the liquid phase 5 contained in said compartment; and - intended to open, via its substantially upper part 23, into the distillation compartment, above the liquid phase contained by the latter, but inside the vapor phase. Application to the cleaning of industrial parts.

Description

PURIFIER FOR RACHINE FOR CLEANING MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES WITH ONE

  HOT SOLVENT MEDIUM AND MACHINE WHILE APPLYING

  The present invention relates to the field of cleaning parts, objects or other articles, by means of a solvent medium, generally relatively hot and comprising a liquid phase and a vapor phase with which said parts are brought into contact by relative displacement, plus generally imposed on the parts themselves according to a continuous path inside the machine, between an entry station and a control station.

exit.

  The object of the invention is, more particularly, machines of an industrial character, used for pickling, cleaning and degreasing industrial parts, of any acceptable size, adapted, for the needs of the cause, on

  a conveyor crossing the machine.

  The invention aims more particularly at machines of the above type using, as a solvent medium, chlorinated components, fluorochlorines, alcohols and other solvents, used with steam generation and condensation system.

steam.

  In machines of the above type, it is necessary to produce a strong generation of steam of the solvent medium, to enjoy two important advantages. The first is to provide a steam medium free of dirt, to perform a final rinse cleaned parts as soon as they exit the liquid bath in which they were immersed. This rinsing function is performed by the condensation of the vapor phase on the pieces coming out of the cleaning bath. The second consists of a regeneration function of the solvent medium Soiled liquid, in order to be able to supply clean condensate liquid bath in which the

parts to be cleaned are soaked.

  To this end, traditional cleaning machines comprise a compartment, called cleaning, and a compartment, called regeneration or distillation, in which the overflow of the cleaning bath is discharged. Heating means, associated with this regeneration compartment, allow the production of a

  continuous steam which has both advantages above.

  Machines of the above type must have significant storage and heating means for the distillation compartment, so as to be able to produce a total regeneration of the amount of solvent medium in a relatively short time.

  short, geeralerert.c.sin an hour. -

  When dirt and other impurities, extracted from parts, products, articles or articles passing through the bath of the cleaning compartment, accumulate in a percentage of high concentration in the distillation compartment, the boiling point in the solvent medium, the interior of the latter increases significantly. If the heating power specific to this distillation unit is not increased, the amount of steam produced decreases with this steam.

becomes less and less clean.

  In practice, it is not conceivable to allow the concentration of soiling and impurities in the distillation compartment of the solvent medium to be increased beyond a certain value. It is also practically impossible to substantially increase the heating power of such a compartment, especially if the solvent medium is composed of chlorinated solvents which contain stabilizing additives that can not be subjected to a temperature. excessive and critical, such

  120c C for trichlorethylene. Indeed, it is known that

  beyond such a critical temperature, overheating of the solvent medium produces the formation of acids which can then damage the entire machine and cause, eventually,

security issues.

  To solve this problem, it is usual to drain the distillation chamber of a machine to be cleaned when the concentration of impurities exceeds a critical threshold, for example close to 30%. This emptying operation is unpleasant, unhealthy, can not be completed in time

  short and interrupts the operation of the machine.

  In addition, the polished solvent medium must be either destroyed or transported to a recovery plant, in which a thorough distillation is carried out to regenerate the solvent medium, in order to reconstitute it later for a new use. Transport and advanced distillation

  result in a very high processing cost.

  In an attempt to minimize this cost, it is known from Aajoinare, a cleaning machine of the above type, an annex distillery which is, in a way, constituted under the frme of a distillation compartment of the same structure as that of the machine, but provided with own heating means and specific condensing means for producing, from the steam generated, a condensate which is recycled in the Drircioale machine. The distillery annex can be fed continuously and perret to overconcentrate impurities and soiling, for example

now 70%.

  It is conceivable that, when the max-mal concentration level is reached, it is advisable, once again, to proceed to the complete emptying of the auxiliary distilter which is in a

shutdown state.

  The solution of resorting to the existence of an annex distiller is not satisfactory for the different

following reasons.

  It is clear that such a distilleuse annex requires, for its operation, heating means, cooling means, water separation means, recirculation means, which come very significantly to the price

  installation, operation and maintenance.

  It is also important to note that

  recirculation of the liquid solvent medium, from the annex distillery, is carried out by transfer of condensates, that is to say from a

  liquid phase towards the main cleaning machine.

  These recycled condensates do not have the same temperature as those of the main machine and their incorporation, in the solvent medium in use, disturbs significantly

  the thermal balance of operation of the main machine.

  It is then necessary to provide for the establishment of temperature control means that significantly increase the price of the entire installation by requiring, in addition, the frequent presence of ur oersonrnel monitoring qualified to provide adjustment variations necessary, according to the modi fi cation of the conditions of the cleaning process

and the Regeneration Process.

  Since the recovery from the distillery annex is carried out by the recovered condensates, they must necessarily pass through a water separator before being recycled in the main machine. Such a separator represents a source of losses of the solvent medium and additives which enter into its composition. The recovered solvent is therefore no longer progressively capable of assuming the task properly.

which is imparted to him.

  It is also important to note that a distilleuse annex, of the type above, has, at the top, an air-vaoeur interface surmounting the condensation zone and which always generates a loss of solvent by diffusion in the air . In addition, a risk of pollution of the surrounding atmosphere exists in the case where condensation conditions are not optimal. Another disadvantage of a distilleuse annex open at the top is that it allows a staff not specially aualified pour into the annex distiller, various products do not necessarily have all the required compatibility with the solvent medium during treatment, in particular, a chlorinated solvent close to that in

  course of treatment, but not identical.

  It is also important to remember that a cleaning installation thus constituted, involves circulating, for the operation of the main machine, a quantity of solvent medium significantly higher than that ordinarily required, since it is appropriate to be able to maintain functions of condensation, distillation and recirculation in two

  separate machines, but working, so to speak, in series.

  It is also worth noting that the presence of an additional distillator implies an increased ground occupation and therefore limits the establishment of production units.

  actually generating economic gains.

  Due to the relatively large mass of solvent medium to be treated and relocation to the main machine, the annex distiller necessarily involves the provision of significant heating means which are a significant source of consumption increasing, in significant proportions, the cost of

  operation of the main machine.

  The present invention aims to propose a new cleaning machine whose general structure is of the type of conventional machines, but which has improvements capable of solving the problem of the need to proceed with a regeneration phase of the solvent medium. to extract from the latter the impurities and dirt that accumulate as the machine operates. An object of the invention is to propose improvements that can be made to existing machines

  for a clean cost price and a low installation cost.

  Another object of the invention is to propose improvements that can easily be adapted to existing machines or to an initial implementation.

  when designing new cleaning machines.

  A further object of the invention is to make possible a purification of the solvent medium, without degradation of its composition and, more particularly, that of the additives intended to give it characteristics of stability, heat resistance, solubility, vaporization, of

  condensation and non-chemical aggression.

  Another object of the invention is to propose improvements capable of solving the problem mentioned above and offering, in addition, to the user, a certain guarantee against any risk of introduction or incorporation of products, solvents or no, incompatible with

  The coolant load used for its operation.

  In accordance with the above objectives, the scrubber according to the invention is: characterized in that it comprises an empty capacity: - provided at its base with an evaporator associated with these means of heating and prolonged by a low conduit for the removal of separated impurities, intended to be connected to the distillation chamber of a machine to be cleaned by a controlled transfer means opening below the level of the phase liquid contained in said compartment, - and intended to lead, by its substantially greater part, in the distillation compartment, above the liquid phase contained by the latter, but within

The vapor phase.

  Various other features emerge from the

  description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which

  show, by way of non-limiting examples, forms of

  accomplishment of the object of the invention.

  Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a machine of

cleaning according to the invention.

  Fig. 2 is a partial cross-section illustrating

an alternative embodiment.

  Fig. 3 is a partial cross section taken

  according to FIG. III-III of FIG. 2.

  FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views highlighting the various possibilities of making one of the

  components of the machine.

  Fig. 6 is a cross-section illustrating a

  variant of the machine.

  The invention relates to improvements made to a machine 1 to clean parts, products, articles or various objects through a hot solvent medium. In a general and usual manner, a machine 1 comprises a tank 2 delimiting a first compartment 3, said cleaning, and a second compartment 4, said distillation, extending from

  oreference, parallel to the first.

  The cleaning compartment 3 serves to immerse the parts or objects to be cleaned and contains a given amount of a solvent medium in the liquid phase which is maintained by the operation of the machine at a temperature compatible with its composition. The solvent medium is chosen to promote the cleaning, degreasing and scrubbing action. Generally, it is also planned to couple the bottom of compartment 3 with

  ultrasonic generators 6 and heating means.

  The cleaning compartment 3 can communicate, by a weir overflow threshold 7, with the compartment 4 which is intended to contain; also, a quantity of solvent medium 5 in the liquid phase. The compartment 4 is associated with heating means 8 which are, for example, constituted by one or more resistors provided with control means controlled by a temperature sensor influenced by the liquid phase of the solvent medium.

  soiled in compartment 4.

  The compartments 3 and 4 open, at their upper part, inside the tank 2 and below a condensation zone 9 which is vertically defined, in particular by means of one or more cooling coils. bordering the upper peripheral wall of the tank 2. In a known manner, the condensing zone 9 is surmounted by a guard zone 10 which is established up to the level of the upper open section 12

of the tank 2.

  The condensation zone 9 comprises at least one condensate recovery gutter 13 formed on the coil 10, from the steam generated in the compartment 4. The gutter 13 is connected, by a transfer line 14, to a separator. water 15 having an evacuation 16 and a pipe 17 for recirculating the condensates in phase

  liquid in the cleaning compartment 3.

  According to the invention, the machine described above is provided with a purifying capacity 18 whose bottom part is occupied by an evaporator 19. The capacity 18 is provided with own heating means 20 and is connected to the distillation compartment 4, by a transfer means 21 consisting, in the present case, of a pipe opening on the one hand, below the level of the liquid phase of the solvent medium 5 occupying the compartment 4 and on the other hand , above the evaporator 19. The purifying capacity 18 has a low exhaust duct 22 and is connected to the compartment 4 by a superior communication

  23 Opening above the level of the liquid phase 5.

  In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the capacity 18 represents an annex module located outside the tank 2 and is connected thereto by a pipe 21 and by

high tubing 23.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the transfer means 21 is provided with means 24 for controlling the flow of the solvent medium which is established between the compartment 4 and the capacity 18. Similarly, the means 21 communicate with a generator 25 forming part of of the evaporator 19 and capable of producing a thin layer on a flow wall 26 terminating in the conduit

evacuation 22.

  The capacity according to the invention operates as follows. The overflow of polluted solvent medium, occupying the compartment 3, discharges by pouring into the distillation compartment 4 to maintain the amount of liquid phase inside the latter. The heating means 8 generate, from this liquid phase, a vapor phase which is caused to occupy the upper part of the tank 2 o it is in contact with the coil 10. The resulting condensation is recovered by the gutter 13 and the evacuated condensates are directed to the separator 15 to be devoid of the fraction of water they incorporated during the condensation phase. The condensates, from the separator 15, are recycled in the

Compartment 3.

  Either continuously, or when the pollution of the liquid phase of the solvent medium occupying the compartment 4 increases beyond an unacceptable concentration, a transfer is ensured, through the pipe 21, so as to feed the generator 25 to allow proper operation of the evaporator 19. By the heating means 20, the fluid medium, established in a thin layer on the wall 26, evaporates, leaving behind the dirt or impurities which are discharged through the conduit 22. The vapor phase, produced in the purifying capacity 18, is returned by the communication 23 to the distillation compartment 4, but in the part of the latter occupied by the vapor phase generated from the quantity of saline fluid medium occupying such a space. compartment. This additional vapor phase completes that of the distillation compartment 4

  and then follows, The same cycle of condensation-recirculation.

  The improvements according to the invention involve a low volume recycling capacity which does not involve increasing the solvent medium load required for the

operation of the machine.

  The recycling of the steam, produced inside the capacity 18, takes place in the vapor phase coming from the oistillation compartment 4 and therefore does not disturb the equilibrium

  thermal operation of the machine 1.

  Since the supply of the capacity 18 is carried out at a low rate from the liquid medium occupying the distillation compartment 4, it is not necessary to add, to the capacity 18, particularly high heating means. With regard to the same overall mass of solvent medium, the heating means 20 can be considered in power as being part of the maximum power that would normally be necessary to implement to operate the machine from the single compartment of 4. In any case, in case it is necessary, because the other elements of the machine have been calculated at the most accurate, it would be possible to reduce the power of the heating means 8 by the amount corresponding to that means 20 to find an operation of the machine identical to that which existed before the adionction of

the purifier 19.

  The thermal balance, which is particularly advantageous, also relates to the fact that the purifier 19 is preferably of the thin-film type, enabling the formation of a vapor phase by maintaining a constant temperature, regulated from a heating means 20 of relatively low power. The purifier 19 is also preferably of the steam type to avoid hot spots. Such a rinsed evaporator facilitates the evaporation of the solvent medium and increases the percentage of

  concentration of impurities, beyond 80%.

  In addition to the above advantages, it should be considered that the improvements according to the invention do not require the presence of an auxiliary machine, large volume and occupied floor area, or the connection and connection to sources

  clean power complicating the overall installation.

  It is important to note, also, the lack of requirement of a clean water separator, since the steam, generated in the capacity 18, is returned to the steam zone of the

distillation compartment 4.

  In addition to the above advantages, it is clear that the solvent medium is not subjected to any rise in temperature beyond that critical to operation and can therefore be recycled many times without risk of degradation of its composition. The presence of the completely closed capacity 18 furthermore prohibits, by clumsy, unfortunate or unintended manipulation, any product load, incompatible with the nature of the solvent medium required for

  machine, is introduced in the latter.

  Moreover, the presence of the capacitor 18 does not increase the air-vapor interface of the whole machine and does not increase the consumption of solvent by diffusion in the air, nor

  the risks of atmospheric pollution.

  To obtain a regular operation of the capacitor 18, it is important, within the meaning of the invention, to provide a controlled supply of the generator 25. For this purpose, the means 24 may consist of an adjustable flow limiter, interposed on the pipe 21. The adjustable flow restrictor could also be replaced by a variable flow pump immersed in

the compartment 4.

  Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment according to which the capacity 18, always arranged by external adaptation to the tank 2, comprises an evaporator 19 which is constituted by a body of revolution made, for example, in the form of a cylindrical tubular envelope forming the wall 26 by its inner surface, as shown in FIG. 3. The wall 26 is associated with a generator 25 which distributes the liquid to be purified along the wall. This generator may be constituted in the form of a mobile comprising, at least, a scraper 28 rotated, for example in the direction of the arrow f1, by a

appropriate motor unit.

  Fig. 4 shows that the evaporator 19 may also be constituted by a body 29 of cylindrical shape on the outer peripheral wall of which is made to scrub a scraper 30

  belonging to a mobile rotated coaxially with the cylinder 29.

  Fig. 5 shows another embodiment in which the evaporator comprises a body -31 having a surface 32 of revolution, for example in a cylindrical segment, with respect to which can be moved a scraper 33 may be driven by an alternating angular movement according to the arrow f2 by any

appropriate motor medium.

  12L Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the capacity 18 is built inside the compartment 4 of distillation. The capacity 18 can then be delimited by a simple partition 40 rising from the bottom of the compartment 4 and on a height greater than the level of

  filling the liquid phase with polluted solvent medium 5.

  The evaporator 19 may be of the type illustrated by the

Fig. 1 or, again, in FIG. 2.

  It is advantageous, in such a case, for the transfer, between the compartment 4 and the evaporator 19, to involve a control means constituted by a variable flow pump 41 immersed in the liquid phase of the compartment 4 and whose outlet

  opens above the evaporator 19 by the generator 25.

  The example according to FIG. 6 corresponds, more particularly, to a new design of a cleaning machine, while the previous examples are particularly suited to a separate manufacture and a possible adaptation to machines already built and in actual use. The invention is not limited to the examples described and represented, since various modifications can be made to it.

without leaving his frame.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:   1 - Purifier for machine for cleaning various articles by a hot solvent medium, machine of the type comprising a tank (2) having a condensing zone (9) and delimiting, on the one hand, a first compartment (3), said cleaning, opening at its upper part in the tank under the condensation zone and in Which opens a pipe (17) for recirculation of condensates from the condensation zone and, secondly, a second compartment (4) , said distillation, opening at its upper part in the tank under the condensation zone, communicating with the first compartment by an overflow weir (7), intended to contain a liquid solvent phase son (5) and provided at its base with heating means, characterized in that it comprises a purifying capacity (18): - provided at its base with an evaporator (19) associated with heating means (20) and extended by a conduit low (22) for the removal of separated impurities, to be connected to the distillation compartment (4) by a controlled transfer means (21) opening below the level of the liquid phase (5) contained in said compartment, and intended to open, by its substantially greater part (23), in the distillation compartment, above the liquid phase contained by the latter, but inside the vapor phase.   2 - A purifier according to claim 1, characterized in   the capacity (18) is external to the tank.   3 - A purifier according to claim 1, characterized in   the capacity (18) is internal to the tank.   4 - Purifier according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the controlled transfer means (21) between the distillation compartment (4) and the capacity (19) is   provided with flow control means (24).   - The purifier according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow rate reacting means (24) comprise a Adjustable flow monitor.   6 - Ecurator according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow control means (24) comprise a variable flow pump (41).   7 - purifier according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the transfer means (21) opens above the evaporator.   8 - Purifier according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the capacity (18) is provided with an evaporator (19 ') constituted by an inclined wall (26) associated with   a generator (25) for the flow of the solvent medium in a thin layer.   9 - Purifier according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the capacity (18) is provided with an evaporator (19) consisting of a revolving body associated with a shoring device (25) rotated coaxially with the body and   having at least one scraper (28) of the wall of this body.   - Machine for cleaning various articles with a hot soLvant medium, characterized in that it comprises a capacity   scrubber (18) according to one of claims 1 to 9.