GB173023A - Improvements in metal-scouring and ungreasing devices - Google Patents

Abstract

173,023. Heller, M. Sept. 9, 1920. Vessels, cleaning. - Metal articles are scoured and degreased by treatment with hot scouring- liquid, such as trichlorethylene, benzene, benzol, carbon tetrachloride &c., in a closed scouring tank provided with a cooling device by means of which, after the hot scouring liquid has been drawn off, the scouring tank or a part thereof may be cooled. Any vapours that may be present in the tank are thereby condensed and any securing liquid remaining on the articles is vaporized by the heat of these articles and condensed in turn, so that the articles are dried in the scouring tank. The apparatus in one form comprises a collector 1, Fig. 1, in which the scouring liquid is heated by a burner 3 and forced thence by a pump 4 and pipe 7 into the scouring tank 8, returning to the collector by pipe 9, a pipe 21 enabling the tank to be emptied after the scouring operation. The tank is preferably provided with a perforated false bottom 20 for supporting the articles and the scouring liquid is introduced tangentially below the false bottom so that the liquid has a circulating motion before reaching the articles. The cooling-chamber 17 is situated below the false bottom and is provided with inlet and outlet pipes 18 for the cooling-medium. To remove grease and impurities which gradually collect in the scouring liquid, the latter may be forced by the pump 4 into a still 16, the vaporized scouring liquid passing into a condenser 11 and the condensed vapour running back into the collector 1. In a modification, Fig. 3, the articles are placed in trays 27 provided with handles 28 which support superposed trays which are placed in a perforated cage 26 provided with a handle or crank 33 by which the cage may be rotated by hand or power. Instead of a rotary motion a vertical or a helical motion may be employed. In another modification, Fig. 4, for scouring hollow articles such as tea or coffee pots, bread baskets &c., the articles are inverted and placed on the upper ends of upstanding pipes 43 connected by pipes 34 to a pipe 38 through which air enclosed in the articles may be passed or may be drawn out as the level of the scouring liquid rises in the tank so that the articles become filled with the liquid. Instead of rigid pipes 43, rigid standards 47 to which are secured flexible pipes 46 may be employed, and instead of a system of pipes 43 connected to an exit pipe, separate air pipes 50, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, may be employed, the article being inverted over the shorter end and the longer end extending above the level of the scouring liquid. In another modification the hollow articles are laid with their open ends downwards on inclined pivoted shelves 53, Fig. 8. At the lower end of each shelf is arranged a float 56 which, as the scouring liquid rises in the tank, tilts the shelves so that the open ends of the articles are directed upwardly and the liquid can fill them. When the scouring tank is emptied, the shelves return to their normal position and the liquid runs out of the articles. In the case of hollow vessels which are not liable to be injured by scratching &c., the scouring tank may take the form of a perforated drum 60, Fig. 9, the spindle 65 of which is fitted with means for rotating the drum. In the case of small installations, the circulation of the scouring liquid between the collector 11, Fig. 11, and the scouring tank 67 is effected by raising and lowering the collector, which may be suspended from a cable 72 fitted with a counterweight 80 or mounted at one end of a lever, the other end of which is fitted with a handle and an adjustable counterweight. The collector may be stationary and the tank movable. The purification of the scouring liquid is carried out by boiling the liquid in the collector 71 and introducing the vapour into the scouring tank by the aid of a detachable distributing pipe 83. Impurities left behind are discharged from the collector by a cock 81. In an alternative arrangement the collector 71, Fig. 13, and the tank 67 are carried by an arrangement of parallel levers 89 mounted on pivots 91 so that the collector and tank may be raised and lowered relatively to one another.