US1810789A

US1810789A - Liquid purification system

Info

Publication number: US1810789A
Application number: US428188A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl C Reynolds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1930-02-13
Filing date: 1930-02-13
Publication date: 1931-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 1948-06-16

Description

June 16,1931. v c. c. REYNOLDS 1,810,789

LIQUID PURIFICATION SYSTEM Filed Feb. 15, 1930 2 Sheets-Shee 1 gwue'ntov Patented June 16,v 1931 UNITED" stares;v

isiavsa CARL o. nnmvonns, or snnrn FE, nnw MEXICO LIQUID PURIFICATION SYSTEM Application filed February 13, 1930. Serial No. 428,188.

The present invention relates to purifying systems and more particularly to a purify ng system adapted for use in the clarification and purification of gasoline used in drycleanmg processes.

An object of this invention is to provide a purification system by which the liquid used in the cleaningprocess is in continuous motion throughout the system during the process of cleaning.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a cleaning system, means by which the fluid may be kept in .constant motion throughout the system and at the same time, the liquid returning to the washer is not only clarified but reheated, the heating means being interposed in the return line so that a constant stream of warm fluid is forced into the washer. i

A further object of this invention is to provide in a system of this character, means by which large particles of material removed in the cleaning of clothes or the like may be initially removed from the fluid before the fluid passes into the process of purification.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in combination with a purification system, means by which the cleaned fluid may be properly stored in a reservolr or container so positioned as to meet any of the local requirements as to the inflammable liquids.

A further object of this invention is to pro vide visible means by which the quality of the storage of fluid may be determined as it is passing through the system.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a system of this character, means'by which the entire system may be thoroughly and adequately drained, the draining means being connected to a sewer or the like and also means by which the inflammable or cleaning fluid may be withdrawn from the component parts of the system and placed in a reservoir or storage tank where it will be ready for use when desired.

- the following detailed description of ,the

present preferred embodiment, thesame being illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein V p Figure 1 is a fragmentary detailed side elevation partly in section of a device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sideelevation partly in section ofthe device; and

Figure 3 is .a longitudinal section taken through the prefiltering member.

, Referring to thedrawings wherein like numerals of reference designate correspond-. ing parts throughout the several views the numeral 10 designates a washer of conven- 6 tional type Which is used in, the cleaning of cloth or the like and preferably a Washer which is adapted for use in holding gasoline for cleaning clothes by what is commonly called the dry cleaning process. The Q washer 10 is provided with an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 by which the cleaning fluid may be placed into the washer and. drained there from. The outlet 12 is connected by meansof a pipe 13 to a storage tank 14: which is positioned remote from the washer and preferably positioned underground so as to comply with the usual regulations as to storage of inflammable liquidsin an underground storage or reservoir. 7 so A pump or pressure means 15 is interposed in the pipe line 13 between the washer and the storage tank 14 and a valve member 16 is positioned in the-line 13 lIliSGIlYlQCHi ate-the washer 10 and the pump 15. Asec- 0nd valve member 17 is mounted in the pipe line 13 between the pump and the storage tank it so that when the pump 15 isop crating, the fluid may be either withdrawn from the storage tank or from the washer.

A pipe line 18.is connected to the pump 15 at one end and at the opposite end is connected to the storage tank 14 being adapted for use in returning the fluid to the tank; 14 when it is withdrawn from the cleaning system.

A clarifying or initial cleaning member 19 is connected by means of pipe 20 to the pipe line 18 and a valve member 21 is mount; m ed in the pipe line 18 in a position Where he storage tank or reservoir 14 may be cut 013? from the pipe line 18, and. the fluid movis positioned in the bottom of thecleaning member 19. If desired, the bottom portion of the cleaning member '19 may be con structedin the shape of a cone or thelike'and the quantity of cleaning fluid withiii themember 19 may be varied according to the needs o'f the' system. .The cleaning member 19 is provided with an outlet 23 at the top thereof and a pipe line 24 leads from the outlet" 23th a rinsingor second cleaning tank or'mernber I 25, the ipe line'2a'entering'the secondcleaning tank in the bottom thereof as at 26. The

first cleaning-tank or initial clarifying merii ber 19 is'preferablymotmte'd in an'elev'at'ed position on suitable support members 27 and is preferably considerably larger in diamet'er than the rinsing tank but of substaritially less height, being from one-third to one-half as high as tank 25. The top or outlet 23 of the clarifying member 19'is preferahly positioned somewhat higher than the top of the rinsing tank 25 so that when the clarifying tank 19 is filled, the fluid therein will flow by gravity into the rinsing tank 25' where it is desired to use pressure to force the liquid through the syst:em;'the various tanks embodied in this system may be positioned with their bottom portions substantially in alignn'ient with each other.

A valve member 28 may be interposed in' the pipe line 24 adjacent the intake portion of the rinsing tank 25 so'that, when desired, the pipe line 2% may be closed.

The rinsing tank 25 is adapted to contain water or any other desired cleaning com pound and is preferably of .a configuration somewhat similar to the first clarifying member 19 having the bottom thereof in cone shape construction with the apex extending downwardly and the quantity of cleaning compound 29 in the rinsing tank 25 may be" variedto suit the needs of the system. Preferably the rinsing tank 25 is of greater height than the tank 19 and of less diameter.

The cleaning member 29 in the rinsing tank 7 is adapted to further clean. the gasoline coming' from the clarifying member 19 and is particularly adapted to remove any of the cleaning compound or dirt particles which may pass outwardly from the clarifying member 19. The compounds 22 and 29 are preferably of a heavier composition than enter the tank and facilitate removal of the fluids therein by gravity and conversely, when it is desired to fill the tanks the valves may be'opened so as to remove the air from the system.

Therin'sing tank 25 is provided with an outlet 31 in the top portion thereof and a pipe line 32 'le'adsfrom the outlet 31 to affilt'ering member-33, the pipe li1ie"32 he'i1ig connected to the filteriiigmember 33 at the intake pee t'ion 3 1th'ereof. The filtering member- 33"may be of any desired construction which is adapted to filter the gasoline after it has passed outwardly from the rinsing tank and is preferably constructed with mannerisms sage 35'throngh W'hichthe gasoline must pass before entering the outlet 36. The outlet 36 is connected by a pipe line 37' 'to'the inlet pipe 11 'of the washer member 10 thereby"com-- pletin'g the circuit from'theoutlet 12 of the f washer'through the clarifying system and back intothe inlet 11 ofthewa'sher'. The

rinsing tank 25flmay be provided with an air' vent valve member 3Q'whichmay Be similar to the construction of tlie'air vent' valve '30 on the clarifying tank andis adaptedt'obeused for "the same purpose, namely, to permit proper draining of tlietank 25 and conversely to'f'acilitate filling of the tank soas to re move all of the airtherefrom.

The filtering member ispreferably of somewhat smaller constriiction than the rinsing tank 25 andthet'op oro'utlet portion seat the filteringmemb'er33is preferably positioned in a lower plane than the' out-let 3 1 ofthe rinsing tank'soth'at the fl'uid'in the line 32 will flow'by'gravity intothe inlet 34 andoutof the filtering meinber du'tlet' 36 into theintake pipe line 11-. v I

V The dirty fluid which is "withdrawn from tlie'iwasher- 10 throngh theoutlet 1521freque'n't.- l'y contains a nun'iberof solid articles suclias' buttons,pieces of cloth or thelike and'iiio'r der to prevent clogging or the free passage of the fluid in the clarifying] system, a trap 38 is inter posed'in the pipe line'l?) marine diate the outlet 12 and the pump meinb'er'lhg The trap member 38",i'na'y be of anyrdesir'ed construction but is preferably pro'i' id cd'with a tortuous passageway in which may be mounted screen members 39" and, if desired, the initial or pre-cleaning of thefiuid maybe" facilitated by placing cotton seedhull's 4:001" any other desired cleaning members orcoinpound within the trap 38. y s

The fliiid whiclris used in' the washing of cleaning process is preferably heated and in order to obtain the proper temperature of the fluid, a heating member 41 is interposed in the return line 32- lntermediate the rinsi tank and the filtering member 33. The li ating member 41 is preferably constructed in the form of a conventional jacket or pipe en circling member which is provided with an intake 42-and an outlet 43 connected to a suit able source of steam or other heating member. While I have disclosed a heating member receiving heat from a steam line, I do not Wish to be understood as being limited to the use of steam for heating the fluid passing through the return line 32 as any other form of a heating member may be used such asexceedingly large number of washing machines are used, the capacity of the cleaning system may be increased by adding another clarifying tank 44 which is connected by an intake line 45 to the pipe line 18 and is of similar construction to the clarifying tank 19. The intake line 45, as in the clarifying tank 19, terminates adjacent the bottom of the tank 44, andthe tank 44 is provided with a cleaning compound 46 which may be similar to the cleanin com ound 22 or if desired a separate and entirely distinct cleaning compound may be used.

A valve member 47 is positioned in the 'f pipe line 18 intermediate the pipe line 45 and the pipe line 20 so that the fluid moving forwardly in the pipe line 18 be forced downwardly into the clarifying tank 44. The tank 44 is provided at the top portion thereof with an outlet 48, and the pipe line 20 is ex.-

' tended downwardly from the pipe line 18 and connects with the outlet 48 of the initial clarifying tank 44; g g V A valve member 49 may be interposed in the pipe line 20 intermediate the pipe line 18' 5 cutting off the first cleaning tank 44 and permitting the fluid to pass upwardly into the clarifying tank 19. I

In-the operation of this cleaning or purification system, the pumping member 15 may be operated'in any conventional manner as by a motor orthe like, and Where it is desired tofill the

tanks

19 and 44 with the desired cleaning fluid, the desired compounds in the proportions required may be placed into a at the top or provided with a suitable inlet portion 52 and provided with an outlet 53 at the bottom thereof. The mixing tank 51 may be relatively small in View of the fact that a relatively small quantity of cleaning fluid is normally placed into the-clarifying

tanks

19 and 44 but will, of course, be of sufficient capacity to contain fluid for at least one filling of the

tanks

19 and 44 but may be of larger capacityso that a reserve quantity of cleaning fluid may be maintained on hand. 7

The mixing tank 51 is connected by a'pipe line 54 to the pipe line 13, and a valve member 55 is interposed in the pipe line 54 intermediate the mixing tank and the pipe line 7 13 so that the pipe line 54 may be opened or closed as desired.

When it is desired to place the cleaning fluid into the clarifying tanks '19 and 44 the valve member 16 may be closed and the valve 1'? opened, thereby permitting the suction pump line 13. I

A valve 56 is mounted in the line 13 intermediate the mixing tank 51 and the storage tank 14 and is adapted to close the line 13 leading to the storage tank so that When thevalve 55 is opened, the pump 15 Will'withdraw the cleaning fluid from the mixing tank 51 and force it through the pipe line 18.

The valve 47 in the pipe line 18 may be closed and the valve opened, thereby permitting the fluid to pass downwardlyint o the tank 44 and when the desired quantity of cleaning fluid has entered the tank 44 the valve 49 may be closed and the valve 50-may be closed and the valve 47 opened, it, of course, being understood that during this process the valve 21 is maintained closed.

When the valve 47 is opened, the fluid will pass upwardly through the pipe line 20 and downwardly into the fluid cleaning member 15 towithdraw the fluid from the 19. In order to determine the quantity of cleanin fluid being placed into the cleaning tan is 44 and 19, a vision glass 57 may be mounted in a pair 'of parallel spaced. pipe members 58 which are connected to the tank members 19 and '44 adjacent the bottom thereof, the vision glass or member 57'being of conventional tubular construction.

In'order to place the desired quantityof rinsing compound 29 in the rinsing tank 25, the valve member may be closed thereby shutting off the mixing tank 51, and the valve '17 may be closed. A pipe line 59 may be connected to the pipe line 13 intermediate the valve members 16and 17 and connected to a source of water supply or the like. -A valve 60 is preferably positioned in thewater pipe 59 and when it is desired to fill the rinsing tank 25 with the desired: quantity of water, the valve 60 may be opened permitting the water to pass through the pump 15 and into the pipe line 18.

A valve 61 is mounted in the pipe line 18'. adjacent the'rinsingtank and intermediate the valve 47-: and the pump 15. A- pipe line 62 is connected at one end to'the pipe line 18 in termediate the valve 61 andth'e-pump and at: the opposite endis connected to the outlet pipe line 32-; ,A valve 63'ispositioned in the pipe line 32inter'mediate the pipe 62 and the heater 411 The valve 61 may be closed thereby forcing the water upwardly through the pipe line 62 and into the outlet 31 of the rinsing tank 25, the vent valve being of course closed and the valve 63 is closed so as to prevent escape of the water through'thevalve;

If desired, a vision glass 64.--may be con nected'by pipe linestothe rinsing tank 25 adjacent the bottom thereof so that the quan= tity of water placed in the tank may be readily visible.

When the been'placedin the rinsing tank25,the valve 60 may be closed and the valve 61 opened, likewise the valves 17 and 56 may be'opened, permitting the pump 15 to withdraw the gasoline from the storage tank 14. The gasoline from the storage tank will passthrough the pump andinto the pipe line 18,

and in the smaller system the gasoline will enterthe pipe line 20 and pass'downwardly into the first clarifying member 1-9, it of course being understood that the valve 21 is maintained closed during this process.

The gasoline passing downwardly into the clarifying tank 19 will bubble upwardly;

; through the cleaning fluid 22 and when'the tank 19 has been filled the gasoline will pass outwardly through the outlet 23 and the pipe 24' into the tank 25, the valve 23 being of course opened. The gasoline Will bubble up or pass upwardly through: the rinsing compound 29, and when the tank 25'has been filled the fluid will pass'outwardly through the outlet-31' andi'ntothe return line 32.

'A valve 66 i'smounted in the pipe line 62 intermediate the'lines 32' and Iss0 that the through the pipe 32'pas' the heating member 41 and into the filtering member 33. The:

filtering-member 33 will then be filledand-the gasoline will pass outwardly through the out:

let- 36"and the pipe 37 into the return or intake line 11-. If desired, a visibleglass member 67- may be interposed in the return line 37 so that the quality of the gasoline may be;

readilyvisible. When the entire system has been filled with gasoline, the valve 17- may be closedv thereby stopping the pumping of' gasoline from the storage tank 14:, and the valve 16 opened thereby forming a continuous and endless'passageway from the'washer through the-pump and into the clarifying or cleaning members.

desired-quantity of water 2-9 'has' After the system has been in use fora period of time, it will be desirable thatit be cleaned out, and in order to accomplish.

cleaning fluid 22 so thatthe gasoline maybe withdrawn therefrom. Through the use of and 25 may be drained out therefrom withoutremoving the cleaning compound22 and" .29, the drained fluid flowing by. gravity into the pipe 18 and the reservoir let so that where local conditions require the draining of inflammable fluid from tanks of this kind;-the

fluid may be readily drained and stored in; the reservoir which is preferably positioned.

under ground. g I

A valve 69 may be interposed in'the connection 68 intermediatethe tank .19 and: the line 20 so. as to control the draining of the fluid. The rinsing tank 25 may'be provided with a draining connection. 70 which is connected at one end to the rinsing tank spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof and at the other end to the pipe 62 intermediate'the valve 66 and the pipe 18. A valve 71 is interposedintermediate the opposite ends there" of so that when desired, the gasoline may be drained, it of course being; understood thatthe connection 70 is mounted in the tank at a;

point approximately level with the water'or cleaning'member 29.

The clarifying member 19 andjhe rinsing tank may also be provided with a second *draimng connect1on'72 which is connected to a suitable source of' draining such: as a sewer or the like A valve 73may: be interposed in the connection 72 so as to control the dra ning of the tank. The filtering member 33 may also be provided with a draining connection 74 which is connected at one end. to. the bottom of the filtering tank 33 and, at the. opposite end-to the pipe line 13, it of course being understood that thefiltering; member 33 will contain only gasoline and this gasoline maybe returned'to'the storage tank 14. e v

Avalve 75 is interposed in the connection 74 intermediate the filtering tank 33 and the pipeline .13 so as to permit the gasoline to:

be'drained when desired. A valve member, 76 may be positioned inthe pipeline'137 intermediate the intake 11 and the outlet 36 of the filtering member 33=so as to: stop the flow of-gasoline to the'washer when desired. V V i i In the modification of this device, where a clarifying tank 44 is interposed inthesystem, a connection'77 is connected-at one; end to the pipeline 13 and at the opposite end to the.

intake pipe 45 intermediate the-valveO and thetop ofthe-tank; A-valve-member 7 8 may the draining connections 68 and 70 the liquid in the tanks 19 be positioned in the connection 77 so as to control the passage of fluid through the connection. A valve member 7 9 may also be in terposed in the pipe 13 intermediate the tank 14 and the connection 77 so that when it is desired to withdraw the fluid from the clarifying tank44, the valve 79 may be closed thereby shutting off the suction from the storage tank and permitting the pump 15 to withdraw the fluid from the tank 44.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention and that various changes and modifications in the component parts of the system may be made, and that the'component parts thereof may be made in various sizes and configurations depending only upon the capacity of the cleaning plant wherein the system is adapted to be installed, such changes and modifications being limited only by the scope of the following claims What isclaimed is 1. A purifying system of the character clescribed comprising in combination with washing means, a reservoir, a relatively large cleaning tank, a rinsing tank substantially smaller but of greater height than said cleaning tank and positioned in a plane below said cleaning tank, a filter member substantially smaller than said rinsing tank and mounted in a plane below said rinsing tank, connecting means adapted to connect said cleaning tank with said rinsing tank, connecting means adapted to connect said reservoir, cleaning tank, rinsing tank and filtering member with said washer whereby to provide a passage permitting the liquid to gravitate toward said washer, draining means secured to each of said tanks whereby to permit the draining thereof to the reservoir, heating means engaging said connecting means and adapted to raise the temperature of the liquid within said connecting means, normally closed vents for each of said tanks and a second connecting means connecting said washer and said cleaning tank whereby to provide a passageway for oppositely directed liquid, and a pump interposed in said latter connecting means, said pump being adapted to withdraw the liquid from said 'washer and coactively force the liquid into said cleaning tank.

2. A liquid purifying system of the character described comprising in combination with washing means, a plurality of tank mem bers mounted in spaced relation to each other,

connecting means for said tank members and cured to each of-said tank members and said connecting means for returning the liquid to said storage means, liquid purifying means mounted in said tanks, filtering means interposed between said tanks and said washing means, heating means whereby to heat the liquid gravitating from said tanks, cleaning fluid mixing meansv connected to said tanks, normally closed vents for each of said tank members and pump means connected to said tanks and said washing means whereby to provide a continuous flow of liquid to said tanks.

3. A liquid purifying system of the character described comprising in combination with washing means having an inletand an outlet, a plurality of liquid cleaning members arranged in stepped relation to each other, pipe means connecting said cleaning members together and with said inlet of said washing means, transparent means interposed in said connecting means, heating means en and normally closed vents for each of said cleaning members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

CARL C. REYNOLDS.

said washing means, said tank members being mounted in stepped relation to each other whereby to permit the liquid to gravitate from one tank to another and to said washing means, storage means, means for connecting said storage means to said tanks, drains se-