GB2154893A

GB2154893A - Separating solids from condensate

Info

Publication number: GB2154893A
Application number: GB08505048A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Friedrich Hudecek
Original assignee: Waagner Biro AG
Current assignee: Waagner Biro AG
Priority date: 1984-03-02
Filing date: 1985-02-27
Publication date: 1985-09-18
Also published as: AT379519B; DE3503478A1; DE8502800U1; DE3503478C2; GB2154893B; ATA71084A; GB8505048D0

Abstract

Condensate discharged from an autoclave 11, which may be a roasting pan of a stoneware- producing plant, is constrained to flow first downwards between the wall of vessel 1 and annular baffle 4, then upwards inside the baffle to overflow 13, thus causing entrained solids to separate therefrom and sink to the bottom of the vessel. Periodically valve 7 is opened, and the autoclave pressure empties the vessel of solids with a turbulent flow of liquid. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Separation of condensates The invention relates to a method of mechanically separating condensates, charged with solids, at the outlet of a high-pressure compartment, for example a roasting pan of a stoneware-producing plant, and to apparatus for carrying out the method.

During the operation of an autoclave for approximately eight hours in the preparation of calcareous sandstone, the main quantity of condensate occurs within 30 to 40 minutes and, depending upon the size of the autoclave, this quantity amounts to 8000 litres per hour. To avoid severe damage to the autoclave, this quantity has to be completely and safety discharged at all times. For this purpose drainage installations have been designed which, however, have tended to suffer damage on account of entrained sand-like solid bodies in the condensate. This has resulted in blockages or the increase in size of the condensate lines in the zone of the automatic condensate-deflecting system, so that the plants were prone to breakdown, and considerable repair work has been necessary when damage to the autoclave occurred.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus by which all the solid impurities are removed from the condensate prior to its passage through the automatic condensate-deflecting systems, so that this system continues to function reliably.

A considerable advantage resulting from the invention is that the apparatus can be incorporated in existing installations at no great cost.

The present invention provides a method of mechanically separating condensates, charged with solids, at the outlet of a high-pressure compartment which comprises guiding the condensate charged with solids first downwadly and then in an ascending stream, the solids sinking, due to inertia and the force of gravity, into a flowless compartment from which, after settling they are periodically washed out.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention for carrying out the above method comprises a condensate-collecting vessel including a condensate-overflow pipe having an inlet in the vessel, a washing container below the condensate-discharge pipe, and means within said vessel for guiding the condensate charged with solids first downwardly and then in an ascending stream to the inlet of the overflow pipe whereby the solids are separated by inertia and gravity and sink into the washing container.

An embodiment of the method and apparatus of the invention is illustrated diagrammatically and by way of example in the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing, the pressure compartment of an autoclave 11, which may be the roasting pan in a stoneware factory, is indicated by a wall part which comprises at its bottom a connection for a condensate-collecting vessel 1 below which is directly connected a washing container 2. The condensate-collecting vessel 1 is provided with a cover 3 having marginal openings 12 through which the condensate can flow into the vessel, coarser impurities such as broken stones being retained.

The cover 3 includes a depending guide pipe 4 which is arranged coaxially with the condensate-collecting vessel 1 and is completely closed off within the autoclave 11 by the cover so that the condensate can flow into the guide pipe only from below in order to pass through a condensate-discharge pipe 5 which is bent upwardly in the manner of a hook. The condensate thus flows into the condensate-collecting vessel 1 and, after first having passed through a syphon-like construction, reaches the condensate-discharge pipe 5 and thence a condensate-deflecting unit 6.

The use of different flow cross-sections within the labyrinth of the syphon-like construction enables solids to be effectively separated from the condensate as a result of the effect of inertia. The condensate-collecting vessel 1, the guide pipe 4 and the inflow part 13 of the condensate-discharge pipe 5 thus form a flow labyrinth in which the condensate must first flow downwards, then upwards and then downwards again, deposition of solid materials such as sand taking place at the first change in direction.The multiple deflection of the stream of condensate and the appropriate choice of flow rate in the various portions of the labyrinth, wherein in particular the crosssection between the guide pipe 4 and the inflow part 13 must be as large as possible so that the rate of upward flow in this duct portion is as low as possible, enables the relatively heavy solids to be deposited almost completely.

The heavier particles of solid material entrained by the condensate sink into the washing container 2 arranged below the condensate-collecting vessel 1 and there undergo preliminary separation. Above the floor 8 of the washing container, a washing pipe 10 is arranged in, and preferably tangentially to, the cylindrical wall 9 in which washing valves 7 are arranged; periodical opening of the washing valves enables the flow-less washing container 2 to be emptied under autoclave pressure, (approximately 16 atmos.), the deposited solid particles being flushed out preferably by a turbulent flow.

The condensate-discharge pipe 5 incorporates a commercially available automatic condensate-deflecting unit 6. The removal of mechanical impurities frm the condensate, as proposed by the invention, does not result in any deposition of material in the automatic system of the condensate-deflecting unit, so that the operational safety of the installation is considerably increased.

Claims

1. A method of mechanically separating condensates, charged with solids, at the outlet of a high-pressure compartment which comprises guiding the condensate charged with solids first downwardly and then in an ascending stream, the solids sinking, due to inertia and the force of gravity, into a flowless compartment from which, after settling they are periodically washed out.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the washing out is performed by turbulent flow.

3. Apparatus carrying out the method of Claim 1, comprising a condensate-collecting vessel including a condensate-overflow pipe having an inlet in the vessel, a washing container below the condensate-discharge pipe, and means within said vessel for guiding the condensate charged with solids first downwardly and then in an ascending stream to the inlet of the overflow pipe whereby the solids are separated by inertia and gravity and sink into the washing container.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, including means for washing out the container comprising a washing pipe connected to the wall of the washing container.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the condensate-collecting vessel comprises a cover having a depending cylindrical guide pipe coaxial with the condensate-discharge pipe and the inlet to the condensate-discharge pipe is bent upwardly and is arranged with the guide pipe.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the washing pipe is connected tangentially to the washing container.

7. A method of mechanically separating condensates, charged with solids, at the outlet of a high-pressure compartment, according to Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described.

8. A drainage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawing.