GB2042924A

GB2042924A - Water Spray Dust Separator

Info

Publication number: GB2042924A
Application number: GB7906116A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DENKEN MECHANICAL SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: DENKEN MECHANICAL SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 1979-02-21
Filing date: 1979-02-21
Publication date: 1980-10-01

Abstract

A dust separator for cleaning dust- laden air comprises a spray chamber (1) over a water reservoir (2) for saturating the dust-laden air with water and collecting the saturated dust as a silt in the reservoir. Silt collection is possible on a continuous basis by forming the reservoir (2) with side walls tapering inwardly and downwardly to a silt collection channel (13) that extends from a lowest point of the reservoir through an air seal to a silt discharge opening (17) above the water level. A screw auger (15) continuously removes the silt from the channel (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Water Spray Dust Separator

Description The invention relates to dust separators for removing dust particles from dust-laden air, particularly in industrial premises. The invention is concerned exclusively with wet dust separators as opposed to dry filtration systems. The latter can provide a substantial fire hazard if the dust particles are inflammable.

The wet dust separator of the invention comprises a spray chamber over a water reservoir for saturating dust-laden air with water and collecting the saturated dust as a silt in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir has side walls tapering inwardly and downwardly to a silt collection channel that extends from a lowest point of the reservoir upwardly to a silt discharge opening above the reservoir water level, a screw auger in the silt collection channel for raising the silt to the discharge opening, and an air seal between the discharge opening and the spray chamber. The reservoir water level is preferably defined by a weir overflowing to a discharge outlet, with an air seal between the discharge outlet and the spray chamber. The air seals may each comprise a plate defining an end of the spray chamber and extending below the reservoir water level.The amount by which the plates dip beneath the water level must be sufficient to maintain the air seal even when the water level fluctuates, as it will in normal use because of the difference in air pressure between the spray chamber and atmosphere.

Using the dust separator of the invention, the silt accumulating in the reservoir can be removed either continuously or intermittently while the separator is still in operation. This is a substantial advantage over separators which need to be shut down while the silt is removed by scraping.

Moreover the silt removal is fully automatic, and the silt issuing from the discharge opening can be caused to fall directly into a collection bin without any supervision.

The invention is further described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings of which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a dust separator according to this invention; and Figure 2 is an end view of the dust separator of Figure 1, taken in the direction of the arrow A.

In the drawings, the dust separator comprises a spray chamber 1, a reservoir 2 and a fan unit 3.

The fan unit is connected by ducting 4 to the spray chamber 1, and draws dust laden air into the spray chamber through an air intake 5. Clean air is delivered from an outlet 6, and the intake 5 and outlet 6 may be connected by any suitable ducting (not shown) to the dust-laden environment which is to be cleaned.

The spray chamber 1 is subdivided into a series of interconnected compartments by partitions 7, 8 and 9 arranged so as to cause the air flowing through the compartments repeatedly to change its direction and speed. Spray nozzles 10 are angled so as to direct a water spray generally transversely to the air flow through the compartments. An array of baffles 11 in a spray elimination chamber 12 at the exit end of the spray chamber 1 causes the water droplets entrained in the air to coalesce and run down into the reservoir 2.

In use, dust laden air drawn through the separator is saturated with water by the water spray in the successive compartments in the spray chamber 1. As the dust particles, enlarged and made heavier by their entrained water, are directed downwardly against the water surface the baffles 7 and 9 they pass into suspension in the reservoir water and gradually sink to the bottom to form a silt.

Extending centrally of the reservoir 2 is a silt collection channel 13 which is U-shaped in section. The side walls 14 of the reservoir 2 extend inwardly and downwardly to the channel 13, so that all the silt is collected in the channel. A screw auger 15 driven by a motor 16 raises the silt either continuously or intermittently and delivers it to a discharge opening 17 from which it falls to a collecting bin (not shown).

The end wall 18 of the spray chamber 1 extends below the water level so that it provides an air seal between the opening 17 and the chamber 1. The discharge opening and motor 16 are above the water level.

The water level in the chamber 1 is maintained constant in use by a weir 19 over which water passes to a discharge port 20. The end wall 21 of the spray chamber 1 extends below the water level so that it provides an air seal between the port 20 and the chamber 1. The overflow water may be discharged directly into the drains or, if appropriate, may be recirculated to the jets 10 preferably after passing through a filter to a storage tank.

Access doors (not shown) are preferably provided in the sides of the spray chamber 1 for maintenance purposes.

Claims 1. A dust separator comprising a spray chamber over a water reservoir for saturating dust-laden air with water and collecting the saturated dust as a siit in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir has side walls tapering inwardly and downwardly to a silt collection channel that extends from a lowest point of the reservoir upwardly to a silt discharge opening above the reservoir water level, a screw auger in the silt collection channel for raising the silt to the discharge opening, and an air seal between the discharge opening and the spray chamber.

2. A dust separator according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir water level is defined by a weir overflowing to a discharge outlet, with an air seal between the discharge outlet and the spray chamber.

3. A dust separator according to either preceding claim, wherein the air seal between the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Water Spray Dust Separator Description The invention relates to dust separators for removing dust particles from dust-laden air, particularly in industrial premises. The invention is concerned exclusively with wet dust separators as opposed to dry filtration systems. The latter can provide a substantial fire hazard if the dust particles are inflammable. The wet dust separator of the invention comprises a spray chamber over a water reservoir for saturating dust-laden air with water and collecting the saturated dust as a silt in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir has side walls tapering inwardly and downwardly to a silt collection channel that extends from a lowest point of the reservoir upwardly to a silt discharge opening above the reservoir water level, a screw auger in the silt collection channel for raising the silt to the discharge opening, and an air seal between the discharge opening and the spray chamber. The reservoir water level is preferably defined by a weir overflowing to a discharge outlet, with an air seal between the discharge outlet and the spray chamber. The air seals may each comprise a plate defining an end of the spray chamber and extending below the reservoir water level.The amount by which the plates dip beneath the water level must be sufficient to maintain the air seal even when the water level fluctuates, as it will in normal use because of the difference in air pressure between the spray chamber and atmosphere. Using the dust separator of the invention, the silt accumulating in the reservoir can be removed either continuously or intermittently while the separator is still in operation. This is a substantial advantage over separators which need to be shut down while the silt is removed by scraping. Moreover the silt removal is fully automatic, and the silt issuing from the discharge opening can be caused to fall directly into a collection bin without any supervision. The invention is further described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings of which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a dust separator according to this invention; and Figure 2 is an end view of the dust separator of Figure 1, taken in the direction of the arrow A. In the drawings, the dust separator comprises a spray chamber 1, a reservoir 2 and a fan unit 3. The fan unit is connected by ducting 4 to the spray chamber 1, and draws dust laden air into the spray chamber through an air intake 5. Clean air is delivered from an outlet 6, and the intake 5 and outlet 6 may be connected by any suitable ducting (not shown) to the dust-laden environment which is to be cleaned. The spray chamber 1 is subdivided into a series of interconnected compartments by partitions 7, 8 and 9 arranged so as to cause the air flowing through the compartments repeatedly to change its direction and speed. Spray nozzles 10 are angled so as to direct a water spray generally transversely to the air flow through the compartments. An array of baffles 11 in a spray elimination chamber 12 at the exit end of the spray chamber 1 causes the water droplets entrained in the air to coalesce and run down into the reservoir 2. In use, dust laden air drawn through the separator is saturated with water by the water spray in the successive compartments in the spray chamber 1. As the dust particles, enlarged and made heavier by their entrained water, are directed downwardly against the water surface the baffles 7 and 9 they pass into suspension in the reservoir water and gradually sink to the bottom to form a silt. Extending centrally of the reservoir 2 is a silt collection channel 13 which is U-shaped in section. The side walls 14 of the reservoir 2 extend inwardly and downwardly to the channel 13, so that all the silt is collected in the channel. A screw auger 15 driven by a motor 16 raises the silt either continuously or intermittently and delivers it to a discharge opening 17 from which it falls to a collecting bin (not shown). The end wall 18 of the spray chamber 1 extends below the water level so that it provides an air seal between the opening 17 and the chamber 1. The discharge opening and motor 16 are above the water level. The water level in the chamber 1 is maintained constant in use by a weir 19 over which water passes to a discharge port 20. The end wall 21 of the spray chamber 1 extends below the water level so that it provides an air seal between the port 20 and the chamber 1. The overflow water may be discharged directly into the drains or, if appropriate, may be recirculated to the jets 10 preferably after passing through a filter to a storage tank. Access doors (not shown) are preferably provided in the sides of the spray chamber 1 for maintenance purposes. Claims

1. A dust separator comprising a spray chamber over a water reservoir for saturating dust-laden air with water and collecting the saturated dust as a siit in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir has side walls tapering inwardly and downwardly to a silt collection channel that extends from a lowest point of the reservoir upwardly to a silt discharge opening above the reservoir water level, a screw auger in the silt collection channel for raising the silt to the discharge opening, and an air seal between the discharge opening and the spray chamber.

discharge opening and the spray chamber comprises a plate defining an end of the spray chamber and extending below the reservoir water level.

4. A dust separator according to any preceding claim, wherein the air seal between the discharge outlet and the spray chamber comprises a plate defining an end of the spray chamber and extending below the reservoir water level.

5. A dust separator according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray chamber includes a number of spray nozzles for producing a water spray to saturate the dust-laden air.

6. A dust separator according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray chamber is divided into a number of interconnected compartments by partitions which cause air flowing from one section to the next to change direction and speed.

7. A dust separator according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray chamber leads to a spray elimination chamber which contains a number of baffles for separating the spray from the air and passing it into the reservoir.

8. A dust separator substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.