US1855381A - Separator system - Google Patents

Description

April 26, 1932. H. H. BUBAR SEPAHATOR SYSTEM Filed Nov. 2o, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGJ.

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April 26, 1932. H. H. BUBAR SEPARATOR SYSTEM Filed Nov. 20, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR Mw/,f 5MM Patented Apr. 26, 1932 Efran T ATE S rar E;

HUDSON'-I. 'BUBABQ OF BROOKLYN,'NEW YCFELK SEPARATOR S :STEELE My invention relates `to separator systems, and `more particularly to systems for separating solidv matter from gases.

In the field of the industrial arts,a problem of ever increasing importance lis that oi separating matter, usually in the form of dust, from `gases'einitted by chimn ys 0r released by rening or other manufacturing processes. rlhe existence yof this problem may be said to be due `to two maior reasons; inst, the pollution or contamination of the air in acoinmunity or vof the air in an agricultural district; and second, to uneconomic conditions Where valuable materials maydbe al- E. loived toescape and thereby Wasted.

It is Well'establ-ished that in theadministration ot acommunity lor district, rigid measures may be 'prescribed and yenforced as to the content or character-oit' the gases which maybe released by a plant. Such restrictive measures grov7 and become more exact-ing with the Vever :increasing size Voi' industrial plants, increase ofpopulation in communities, andrwith the growth otzacoivity in agricultural sections.

ln the art concerned, the more strict repressive measures and-greater potential values lin YWaste materials have, vinf a large measure, been responsible for establishing that the majority of the former processes are inadequate to cope with the existing conditions, and that in attempting to apply other proposals the results have been 'disappointing yor the costs have been prohibitive.

-Th-e matter which forms the dust content of laden gases may range in character from relatively heavy `particles of appreciable size to particles Vof microscopic size and inap preciafble Weight. In the art, these Iparticles are referred to in general terms as hea-vies and fines, respectively. Ordinarily, least difiiculty is-had in separating and removing the heavy particles. Heretofore, however, the Ahandling of the finer particles has been a perplxing problem, the :difficulties increa.

ing rapidly with the degree of refinement or percentage of dustV sought to be removed.

"i phenomenon frequently encountered,

particularly when dealing -ivith gases at high i" temperatures, is that the -fdust content eX- hibitslso-ca-lled live characteristics. In this condition the dust shows little tendency to settle, and..un.der but slight lmovement 'of the suspending gases may continue Ato"-loat lfor long periods. This is usually-dueto.electriiicationeti'ects. Conducting particles may become "directly charged due teau-ionized condition of the -gases,andvsonie of the ions may also attach to the non-conducting particles. In such a state the different4 particles are charged ina like polarity sense, and-due to `mutual repulsion, show substantially no tendency to coalesce` and settle, with the Iresu-lt ythat a large percentage of the -iner'particles'are carried through a separator `apparatus. The yimportance attachingto `removal Yof the -ner dustvparticles lis usually greater than thatresting WithV the removalI of the yheavier dusts, principally due to the fact that the Vformer may dritt or float to greater d-istances before settling and thus menace or 4pollute larger areas. Y

rllhe conditions and difficulties peculiar -to one `branch o'l' the separator :art to which my invention apperta-ins, have been pointed :out

more for the purpose of lgeneral illustra-tion. Therefore, when the foregoing is :taken with the description tori-tollen, it Wi-l-lbe `obvious to those sleilledin the art that'mysystem may be readily employed in other situations, as

. the recovery of dust fromthe gases-ofcement rilns, reinov al of dust from sinelting processes and other operations, recoveryof sugar vin the form .of dust fromthe air of granulators in sugar rei'ineries, and thelike.

`rllo the above end, itis the principal object of my invention to provide an improved system for more effectively', reliably, and more economically separating and recovering solid matter from. gases, including gases at high temperatures.

Prior systems and proposals have usually been based on such principles `as iiltration, centrifugation, gravity precipitation -in the still Vareas of large settling chambers, impingement, absorption by means o'f'liquid sprays, andV electrical precipitation. Knowledge of these principles coupled with an understanding of 4the diiiiculties peculiarto handling the finer dusts, led.` ine toeXperi-YM ments looking to the introduction of a new principle in the separator art. rIhis new principle is based on the phenomena of the vortex, observed in nature and commonly referred to: as the atmospheric vortex or whirlwind. These effects are usually due to unequal pressure areas, and in nature appear as vertical columns in which the spiral progression of the gyrating air is along a central axis which may have appreciable longitudinal length in transmitting' air from a high pressure area at the surface of the ground to a low pressure area at'some upper point. Rarefaction at the axis is generated by the rapidity of the vorticose movement. This results in a. strong inflowing current of air at the base which is drawn along and may ascend through the central axis of the column, until dispersed at an upper level. Visual evidence of a whirlwind is due to the fact that the incurving air currents at the base are charged with fine dust particles which ascend with the air as it is drawn upwards through the center of the vortex. When the dust content is sufriciently dense or the loading (grams olf dust per cubic foot of air) is relatively heavy an atmospheric vortex may have the appearance of a dust or sand pillar.

The phenomena of vortices differ in important ways from the phenomena of centrifugal action and ordinary eddies, when considering such principles from the standpoint of dust separation. In a vortex the higher velocities are toward the center rather than at the periphery, where the tangential effects are at a maximum under centrifugal action. Therefore, while centrifugation may tend to separate heavier particles of dust from gases, the inappreciable weight of fine dust particles renders them immune to such action and such particles may continue in suspension in the gases. Substantially similar results are had when the principles of impingement are employed, the heavier particles being susceptiblek to separation from the gases, following impact, While the lighter particles may be unaffected and continue in suspension.

On the assumption that the finer and lighter dust particles will be influenced or drawn to the center of a vortex, while heavier dust particles may be released tangentially from the outer regions of a gyrating column of dust laden gases, I provide a chamber which may be traversed by a. stream of gases in such a manner that high pressures will be established in the upper areas while lower pressures may result in the lower areas of the chamber. Receptor members are arranged so that under momentum of the gases, vortices will be set up toy connect the upper with the lower areas. After reaching the latter points diffuser members check the gyrating movement of the gases and deflect them along to pressure relief points where they may rise and again enter the main gas currents through the chamber'.

At the diffuser members the dusts continue downward into the dead or still gas spaces of the hopper or dust collecting units. In establishing the different pressure areas for setting up the vortices within the chamber different deflector members are employed in such a manner that vertically extending low pressure areas will be established at rarefaction members. The latter locations constitute the pressure relief points above mentioned. The deflector members also serve as impingement means and effect separation of an appreciable amount of the heavier dust particles. The operations just described are repeated through a series or succession of steps until the gases have been clarified to a desired degree, following which they may pass from the chamber.

in this specification the term dust will be understood as applying to any substance which may be reduced to a fine powdery form, while the term gas may embrace all matter in an aerifcrm state, including vapors and fumes.

My invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a plan View of the separator chamber with the top removed to show the arrangement of the internal equipment;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation on the line BB, of the chamber Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation on the line CC Fig. l; and

Fig. l is an elevation in an isometric projectien, on an enlarged scale, to illustrate the internal arrangement of the chamber Fig. l.

Throughout the vari-ous views o-f the drawings like characters of reference have been employed for indicating similar or like parts.

To those skilled in the art towhich my invention appertains, it is believed that a. description of a single application of its usc will be suiiicient to convey a clear understand ing of its application and use in other branches and situations of the separator art. Therefore, will now describe my system in its application to the separation and recovery of dust from the smoke gases which may result from combustion in the boilers of power generating plants, and the like.

Referring to the drawings, let it be assumed that the chamber, Fig. l, is positioned in a lateral or transverse section of a. draft or flue way at a point intermediate a battery of boilers and a chimney or smoke stack (not shown). Dust laden gases may enter at port l and after being' cleaned or freed from the dust may pass out through a second port 2.

Within the chamber a plurality of ranks or rows, 3, Il, 5, 6, 7, and 8.of variously shaped and vertically positioned members, are placed to form' a succession or series of transverse in their 'relation tothe-other parts.

mese-81 4alignments across the chamber. Asl sho-Wn, the form and arrangement fol'f: the members poi-nts in a'rank, asshown. As-spacechflthe `members 10 t.o18..aorcl^a plurality' of Vfree gap-spaces Which, for convenience, have been designated as groups 19,`20,'Q1,1and 22.

S is a diffuser plate `25 lixed immediately be low the mem-bers l0 to 18 and arranged to eX- tend vdownwardly for a limited distanceWithinthe respective hopper or dust compartments L6. Asseparated by partition members 27 the hopperor dust `compartments occupy' 4a lower extension of the separater chamber proper'. The relation vof the various parts may bemore clearly seen in the-views, Figs.

Band 4; In Athe -latteriigure the vertical inembersflO, 13, and 15 only, 0f-a rank have been shownas the .arrangement and lrelation `lation-ofthe other vertical members of a rank. `'In the latter viewthe associated me1nber 25 and partition?? arealso clearly-shown It may be pointed out vthat the distance to which the diffuser plate 25 may extend lc'luiwnwaad ly of some importance, and mayftherefore lfbe varied ina Lfixed wayforrany givensituaation.

In'the operation or thisseparatondust lad Yen gases entering 'the chamber through the portl, as indicatedby thearreavs,D successively encounter members 10 to 18 of the ranks 3f to 8. This results inthe building up rof higher vpressu'resi-n front ofthe members 10, 1l,` and'l'Q. As'theupperends of thesemembers are closed bythetopshell or vcover of the chamber, while theA lower-ends are open, downward flow of `the gases through the length Vof these members takes place due to the lower pressures vat Vtheir lower extremities. The flow of the gases )through the-separator chamber is tangential to the surfaces et the -rec-eptormembers 10, l1, and 1Q, anda vortex Willbe setup at each for the members 10 and 11,'While both a Vright hand `vortex vand a "left ihand vortex will be set up before the-member 12. vUnderthe downward pressure and travelcf the vortices the `rases arrive at'the diffuser plate Q5, Where the vortices are broken up andthe downward rush ,of the gases lis presently checked 'by pressureeiiects againstthe still or dead gases Within the hopper Q6. Such'of the gases as may then'be Aon theront -or near side of the plate 25 may :ber-deflected therealong :to

' points of least pressures Where they may pass towvard *thefrear A'ollzthe main achazm'ber.

lareufnd this plate cemtnuing their: ijuuuney VThe arrows Fig. i4 'lhave been' placedy tofishcw Aapproximatelfylthe directifena:asndsbehawioreof the gases `uuller theloperations lj ust described 'f 4Urn-der the s action l ofi these "vortices :not only are theiftinerl dusts :sep ated fffremi the `gases and precipitatedfto settle withifnrthe hopper Q6. but V:ar-portion of the :heavier :dust particles "isalso ibrougiht .down and caused ito 'settle-.fat l1thewsa'me 'point-s. The action with .thelatter `particleselfppearszto Pbe clfue ibothi` to -impingemeut andto#centrifugalactionsetup by boml bardmentlef ithesurface Qoffthe receptor members lil), 11,'and 12 landerthe-vorticosemove In association with each-ofthe ranks 3 to l mentor-the tgases. 'As aflreadymentiened,=the

finer fda-ists are drawn to fthel center the -`vertices, and irrespective ofavhether the -particles may be2-under :electrication asf above 'described,2they-are driven' dewmvard inte the 'hopper -orf re'claimingr` chamber 26.

Vlhefplate groups 1A.125, e16, V17, and l118 are `set at respective :ang-les i se -thatfthe zii-nru'shing gases on strilringfthe surfaces et these-plates,

may in pass-ing throughtherespectivegroups n 'of gap spaces 19,1207 "21, Vand 22, fbe directed tothe receptor `members 10, 1l, and, 12501:` the next anidsucceeding ranks #lite @8. rThis "fiirectveeect maylbe seen to'-be'fipregressive yrelative--toconcentration of the gases :and y'thereore 1a. lbuilding up "of' higher pressures -ivithin the control of 4these members Y-la the successive ranks.

The" inversely faced Erare'action members 13 and '14, asidelfrom affording -dettlector-efects as yalreadyl described, establish relief `or Alovvtlfnessure Ways up'rvh-ich'ithe gasesmay rush following breaking up of the vortices gases, 4Vas 'eifectedbythegplates iland .1'6 a VKmiuiirnum ofv dust'nprecijpitation will be `had in the region "at `the urear of 'the "member 13. l

Therefore,.the rising 'gases maynotbecome reloaded With .dust particles, `but-under vdecreasing pressurareiifects Athrough the chamber, may "be drawn' into-the currents of the main lgas stre'amsthroughfthe lapertures 19 andV 20. 'It Will l:be obvious `that What has ust been said with respect to the -actiorrof *the 'gases rin the left-hand `side "of v"the chamber may Yalso amaly to' the `action ofthe `gases in the right-'hand Iside, Where 'duplicateequpment is present.

'CoincidentY with the Yoperations already 5described, at the instant the inrushing gases strike Vthe members of the first rank, dust 1particles,` particularly the Ahea-vier VJones, fare 5- impingement at the successive rows of members 4 to 8 an appreciable precipitation of the heavier particles is had in the successive hopper or reclaiming chambers 26.

By reference to Fig. 4, in which arrows have been placed to approximate the flow and behavior of the gases, a clear understanding of the action of the system may be had. On sweeping into the receptor member 10 i the curvature or angular form of this member causes the gases to rotate rapidly in a descending spiral, thus forming a vortex, the longitudinal length or the axis of which may approximately correspond with the length of this member 10. The tendency to rarefaction at the center of this gyrating column of gas results in concentration of the dust content of the gases at this axial center where the strong pull of the existing down draft or suction carries the particles in the direction of gravity toward the hopper 26. The diffuser member 25 is positioned across and substantially central beneath the vertical members to break up and dissipate the vertically moving gases. The dust continues downward through the still gases of the hopper 26 to settle therein, while the dissipated gases will encounter the pressure of the still gases and may pass along the member 25 to rise at the apertures which carry the main currents of gas, and also to rise within the combined deflector and rarefaction member 13.

It will be understood that the number of ranks of vertical members may be varied in any desired way, the six ranks (3 to 8) being merely by way of illustration, while the number of members in each rank may also be varied. These variations may be conveniently carried out in a systematic way and according to definite plans, in providing separators suited to the volume and dust content condition of the gases to be handled. By substituting the member 11 forthe member 12 and dispensing with the members 14, 17, and 18, in each rank, the width of the chamber may be reduced as may be desired in handling a smaller volume of gas. In a corresponding but inverse way additionalmembers may beadded to each of the ranks 3 to 8, in increasing the gas handling capacity of the separator, the number of ranks of members, of course, being decreased or increased as may be desired.

In situations where it may be desired to handle gases at temperatures above those to which iron or steel may successfully be subjected, I contemplate making the members `and parts from heat resistant materials or metals. Usually steel may be expected to fail entirely or to have a short life at temperatures higher than 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

Therefore, in order to realize an operative separator for use in situations where the temperatures may be of the order mentioned, it is only necessary to substitute a suitable heat resistant material for ordinary metals in fabricating the separator equipment of my present invention.

While the various features of my invention are shown in what I believe to be a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various changes in form and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a system for separating dust from gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust-laden gases, means for intercepting the stream and establishing vortices in the gases having axial progression in the direction of gravity for concentrating the dust content, and diffuser means in the paths of said vortices for dissipating the vertical movements to separate the dust content.

2. In an apparatus for separating dust from gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust-laden gases, means for divergently directing said stream to establish high and low pressure areas in the gases, and members for guiding gas flow from said-high to said low pressure areas.

3. In a system for separating dust from gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust-laden gases, deflector means in said chamber for divergently directing 1 said stream to create low pressure areas on the rarefaction side of the deflector means, receptor means in the path of the divergently directed stream for intercepting the stream and establishing vortices in the gases to confr.

centrate the dust content thereof, adust receiving chamber for receiving the vertically moving gases, and diffuser means in said dust receiving chamber in the paths of said vortices for dissipating the vertical movements T T.

to separate the dust content, said dust receiving chamber communicating with said low pressure areas for flow of the dust-freed gases thereto.

4. In a system for separating dust from I' gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust laden gases, rarefaction members and receptor members within said chamber, deflector members for directing said stream away from said ra-refaction members to set up low pressure areas at the latter members while concentrating the stream at said receptor members to set up vortices in said gases, and members for dispersing said gases following their journey through said vortices and directing the gases to said low pressure areas.

5. In an apparatus for separating dust from gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust-laden gases, a hop- ISG Fn. c.

per in association therewith, vertical deflec tor members forming a plurality of ranks in said chamber, rarefaction members in each rank for establishing areas of low pressure in said stream, receptor members in each rank for establishing vortices in the gases to concentrate the dust content hereof, and delivering the vortically moving gases into said hopper, and means in said hopper below each rank for dissipating the vortical movement and separating the dust content, said hopper communicating with said areas of low pressure for fiow of the dust-freed gases thereto.

6. In an apparatus for separating dust from gases, a gas flow chamber, a dust collecting chamber, receptor means in said flow chamber communicating with said dust collecting chamber Jfor conducting a portion of the main gas flow thereto, deilector means for directing divergingly the gases into said receptor means, whereby creating high and low pressure areas in said iiow chamber, and gas return passageways leading from said dust collecting chamber are established to said low pressure areas.

7. In an apparatus for separating dust from gases, a gas ilow chamber, ranks of elements comprising spaced receptor members and spaced deflector members inclined towards the receptor members to guide gas flow thereto, whereby a portion of the gases guided towards a given receptor member by the spaced defiector members in the preceding ranks enters the said receptor members and the other portion of the gases so guided passes between the spaced deflector members and between dajacent receptor members in the same rank, said deflector members being positioned to produce a sharp bend in the gases passing therebetween.

8. In an apparatus for separating dust Jfrom gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust laden gases, spaced receptor members in the path of the stream for intercepting portions of the stream and establishing vortices in the intercepted portions having axial progression in the direction of gravity for concentrating the dust content of the intercepted portions, diffuser members for dissipating the vortical movement of said intercepted portions to separate the dust content thereof, and gas return passageways Jror return of the dust-freed gases to the remainder of the stream.

9. In a system for separating dust from gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust laden gases, defector means for divergently directing said stream to establish high and low pressure areas,

" receptor members in the high pressure areas for intercepting the high pressure portions of the stream and establishing vortices in said portions having axial progression in the direction of gravity for concentrating the dust content of the said portions, and diuser members in the paths of the vertical movements for dissipating the same.

10. In an apparatus for separating dust from gases, a chamber adapted to be traversed by a stream of dust-laden gases, means for establishing high and low pressure areas in the stream, spaced receptor members in the high pressure areas for intercepting portions of the stream and establishing vortices in the intercepted portions having axial progression in the direction of gravity for concentrating the dust content of the intercepted portions, a dust collecting chamber for receiving the vortically moving dust-laden gases, and diuser members in said dust collecting chamber for dissipating the vortical movements to separate the dust, said dust collecting chamber communicating with said low pressure areas for flow of the dust-freed gases thereto.

l1. In an apparatus for separating dust from gases, a gas flow chamber, ranks of elements comprising a receptor and spaced deflector members inclined towards the receptor to guide gas flow thereto, whereby part of the gas flow is guided towards and enters the receptor, and the remainder of the gas iow passes between the spaced deflector members, said spaced deflector members being positioned to produce a sharp bend in the gases passing therebetween.

In witnesswhereof I hereunto set my hand this 14th day of November, 1925.

HUDSON H. BUBAR.

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