US2134203A - Baffle construction - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 25, 1938.

G. RAYMOND ET AL BAFFLE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 25, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1938.

G. RAYMOND ET AL BAFFL'E' CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV;NTOR5 ATTOR'NE-Y Filed April 25, 1936 Patented Oct. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES BAFFLE ooNsrrR omon V Gwynne Raymond and Lee E. Young, Oklahoma City, Okla, assignors to Black, 'Sivalls -&.Bryson, Inc., Oklahoma City, Okla; .a corporation of Maine Application April 25, 1936, iSferial No. 76,484 11 Claims. (01.210-47.)

and cannot be treated in metallic vessels or vessels containing metallic parts. Such fluids may be successfully treated in wooden tanks but when baflles are necessary for retarding flow of fluid under treatment, they ofier many constructional difficulties.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a tank of this character with a simple and rigidly constructed baf- 1% fie unit not afiected by the disintegrating action of the fluid under treatment.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a baffle unit that is readily assembled and retained in assembled condition without the use of nails, bolts or other metal parts; to provide for expansion of parts of the respective baffle elements composing the unit; and to provide each bafile element with a distributor whereby fluid under treatment is distributed uniformly across the width thereof. 7

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accomf panying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspectivev sectional 'view through a fluid treating tank equipped with a baflie unit embodying the features of our invention, por:-.

tions of selected baflling elements being broken away to better illustrate the construction.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through a pair of adjacent baflie elements particularly illustrating support thereof by the shoring posts and mounting of the top boards within the side boards of the respective baffle elements.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the tank and baflle unit.

Fig. 4 is a detail section through a portion of the bafile unit on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, particularly illustrating the expansion joint to permit expansion of the top or cross boards of the,

respective baflies.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 illustrating connection of the end boards with the side boards of adjacent bafile elements.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the center posts.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of one of the side posts.

Fig. 8 'is a detail perspective view of one of th side boards of a 'bafiie element. 7

Fig. "9"is a perspective view of one of the distributor bars. Fig. 10 is ajperspectiveyiew of one of the top boards of a -ba'iiie element. r Fig. llis a perspective view of one of the cross 5 tie bars.

.Fig. '12 is'a' perspective view of one of the end boards of a baffle element.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a vessel, such as a tank, having 10 a cylindrical side wall 2 preferably formed of wooden 'staves and having their'upper and lower ends rabbeted as at 3 and .4, to accommodate the peripheral edges of upper and lower heads ,or decks} and 6, the upper head being supported by suitable shoring posts '1 having their lower ends supported upon footing boards 8 and their upper ends carrying stringers "9 that engage under and support the upper head '5. The posts! are ti'ed at their upper and lower ends to the heads of fastening devices, such as bolts. I0, that are shielded within the members connected by th'eni"'from contact with fluids'contain'ed in the tank. Cooperating with the stringers 9 are outer stringers H to clamp the boards composing the upper head 5 therebetween.

Except. for the arrangement of the posts to accommodate the battle unit, as hereinafter described, the'specific construction of the tank forms nofipart of the present invention and may be oi'any, approved'construction wherein metal parts are shielded from the corrosive action of the fluid contained inthe tank.

In order to accommodate the baflle unit, the

posts 1 are preferably arranged in parallel rows,

which, in the illustrated instance, are three in number with-the center row arranged diametrically of the tank and comprising three posts [2, l3 and 14. The outer rows are spaced therefromand each consists of two posts *I5--l-6 and 40 I-Tl 8 respectively, arranged in staggered relationwith the-posts i2, '13 "and M of the center row.

Supported by theposts is a bafile unit 19 comprising-two parallel series of superimposed baffle elements, the respective baflle elements in each series being arranged sideby side atthe-respective sides er the center row of posts and designated 20 to 21 respectively. Each baflie element comprises an'inverted pan-or tray-like member pref- 5 erably formed of wood, such as cypress, cedar, white pine, redwood, or other material not subject to disintegrating influence of fluids to be treated in the tank- Thepairs of baffle elements are'therefore-constructed of dimension lumber'and conform to the positions to be occupied by the.

respective baffle elements. The notches in the posts in the respective rows are arranged at different elevations and angles so that the side boards of alternate baflies slope upwardly in-one direction and the side boards of the intermediate bafiles slope upwardly in the opposite direction,

at such angles that alternate ends of the-sideboards of one element contact the corresponding ends of side boards of adjacent bafllelelements inedge to edge relation asclearly illustrated in Fig.2 V

Formed in the facing sides, of the side boards 28 30 'and29-'3|, at pointsadjac-ent their upper edges, are rabbet grooves 35--3'|,and 36'-38. The rabbet grooves extend longitudinally in parallel relation with the upper edges of the side boards but terminate short, of their upper ends to provide stops 39. The opposite ends of the rabbet grooves terminate in recesses 46 opening from the lower end of the side boards to provide seating faces 4| offset below theseating faces 42 of the rabbet grooves.

43 designates a plurality of top boards arranged in edge to edge engagement and having their ends and 45 mountedin the rabbet grooves of 4! so that when the boards are placed in'juxtaposition the jointstherebetween are broken and the respective pairs of side boards and having bearing engagementon the seat portions 42 thereof. i The engaging edges of the boards 43 are grooved, as at 46, to provide interlappi'ng tongues the faces of the boards lie flush with eachother. There is a sufficient numberof boards 43 to cover the seating portions 42 of the' grooves andv to extend into the recesses 40 but they terminate short of the ends of the side boards toforrn ex-' pansion spaces 49, as shown in Fig. 4.

Cooperating with the lowermost board 50, and

having their en'ds supported on; the seating portions 4! of the recesses, are sealing boards5l having their'forward edgesf52 underlying thev boards 50 and the rear portions 53 closing the expansion joints 49. The boards'43 are thus free ward the expansion spaces 49. I

Inserted between selective bottom boards at the lower ends of the respective baiiles are distributors 54 having grooves 55 and rabbets 56 to expand from the direction of the stops 39 toextendng along their respeotive edg es to acc0mmodate the tongues on the adjacent boards 43. The distributors areof greater. thickness than the bottom boards to provide depending portions 5.1having a series of transverse notches 58 in their lower: edges,v as clearly shownin Figs. 4 and9. The ends ofetheldistributors are provided with tongues 59 for engaging in the grooves of the side boards to support the distributors in their respective positions;

Extending across the ends of the baflie elements in overlapping relation with the contacting ends of the side boards are end boards 60, which are illustrated in detail in Fig... 12. The boards 60 are of sufiicient length. to extend across bothseries Web-e 11? s em ntsa v tr nsv e. ro

6l-62 and 63-64 for'accommodating the ends of the side boards, and have longitudinal grooves 65 for accommodating the lower edges 53 of the seal boards as shown in Figs. 4 and 12. The end boards are retained in position by means of dowel pins 66 and 61 which are inserted through aligning bores 68 and 69 extending at angles through the end boards and ends of the side boards, as shown in Fig. 5. The end boards thus cooperate With the boards 43 to form outlet openings 10 for flow of liquid under treatment from one baflle element to the next upper bafile element as shown in Fig. 4.

Extending between selected baflie elements and I6-fl8,'are tie bars H having notches 12 and 13 in the ends thereof for engaging over the respective posts to prevent spreading of the baffle elements when in assembled condition. The tie bars are connected with the respective posts by dowels 14 extending therethrough and, into the posts as shown in'Fig. 3. The tie bars are also secured to selected side boards by dowels 15 that extend vertically therethrough and into the edges of the side bars, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Extending through the wall of the tank at a point midway of the Width of the lower bafile elements, and at a level below the ends thereof, is an inlet pipe 16 to which is connected a transversely arranged distributor pipe 11 having branched ends I8 and 19 terminating midway between the pairs of side boards of each series and provided with elbows. and 8| through which fluid admitted to the tank is discharged under the lower baflie elements. an overflow outlet pipe for discharge of oil from the upper part of the tank, and a water outlet 83 communicating with a lower portion of the tank'for discharging the surplus water. The tank may also be provided with other fittings as in conventional tank practice, such as clean-out manholes 84, gage-holes, and the like.

A tank equipped with abaffle element con-. structed as described, is assembled as follows:

When the tank bottom 6 has been laid, the

footing boards 8 are placed in the proper positionjand the shoring posts 1 are set thereon. The stringers 9 are then supported on the ends of the respective posts' shown in' Fig. 1, after which the head 5 is laid across the stringers and top stringers I I are put in place,the posts being temporarilysupported to retain them in vertical position. The' side bars 28'-29 and 303l of the lower bafil'e elements of both series are then positioned in the lowermost notches of v the posts so that the ends thereof are in alignment. The boards 43,'toge'the'r with the distributor bar 54, are slid Since the into the grooves of the side boards. grooves stop short of the upper ends of the side boards they may be shoved home against the stop 39' without measuring, the distributing bar being mated between selected boards 43 a short distance'from the lower ends of the side boards.

bled in like manner, and when all of them are in place, the cross tie bars H are inserted between selected baflie elements to rest upon the upper edges of the side boards, with the notches The tank'is also provided with' 12 and 13 thereof engaging the outer posts to prevent lateral spreading ofthe posts. The tie bars are then secured to the posts and to the underlying side boards by the dowels l4 and 15.

The end boards are then placed in position and secured by the dowels 66 and 61 that are driven intothe angular bores 68 and 69. .The shoring posts are then secured to the upper .deck, as in conventional practice, after which the .staves forming the side wall may be applied and secured by the usual hoops or bands (not shown). 'The various fittings,including the inlet pipe 16 and the outlet connection 83 are then applied .to'the tank, together with the fittings including the manholes 84, to complete the installation.

When the fluid to be treated is admitted to the tank from the pipe .16, it is distributed through the elbows 80 and 8|..under the lower baiile elements of both series so thatthe fluid rises upwardly in two streams and moves under the boards 43 in the channels formed between the respective pairs of side boards toward the outlet openings 10. The fluid streams, upon being engaged by the distributor bar atthe lower end of the baffle elements, are distributed by means of the notches uniformly across the widths thereof so. that they continue their flow upwardly under the bafiles in substantially thin films and through the liquid contained in the tank. Upon flowing through the opening 10,,the

- liquid rises upwardly to engage the seal boards of the next higher baffles and continues upwardly thereunder, passing across the next upper distributing bars 54 and flows toward the opening It to the next upper baffle elements, and soon until the sheets of fluid have passed under all the baffie elements of the respective series. The fluid thus moves in zigzag, tortuous paths over an extended area at a relatively slow rate of travel to eflect separation of certaincomponents thereof.

For example, in the case of simple oil and water emulsions, the water separates from the oil and remains in the lower portion of the tank as the oil gradually rises under the bafiles to collect in the top of the tank from where the oil is drained on through the overflow pipe, as in conventional practice, while the surplus water is drawn off through thepipe 83.

In more complex emulsions, the tank may contain a suitable chemical through which the emulsified liquid is caused to move in tortuous paths incidental to the baffle elements to break the emulsion, and if required the treating liquid may be heated by suitable steam coils or the like, that may be carried in the bottom of the tank as in standard practice.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that we have provided a simple bafiie arrangement that is adapted for the treatment of corrosive fluids or fluids having disintegrating effects on metal, and that the baflle elements may be readily constructed and assembled in a rigid unit without use of metal parts. The seal boards also provide suitable expansion joints to allow for expansion .of the bottom boards so that they remain in flat condition and do not tend to push the end boards from their connections with the side boards.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, an inverted tray-shaped baffle including end and side members, cross members arranged in edge to edge contact and spaced from the end members to form a flow outlet at one end and an expansion space at the oppositeend of the baffle', -means for. movably supporting the ends of the cross-members on the side members, a sealing member closing the expansion space and having sliding contact with the adjacent cross member, a distributor member supported by the side members nearest the end of the bafiie having the sealing member, and means for delivering a fluid for flow under the baffle toward said flow outlet. V e

2. In an apparatus of the character described, an inverted tray-shaped ba-file including end and side members, cross members arranged in edge to. edge contact and spaced from the endmembers to form a. flow :outlet at one end and an expansion space at the opposite end of the baffie, means movably supporting the ends of the cross members on the side membersfor expansive movement in. the direction of said expansion space, a sealing member :closing the. expansion space to compensate for expansion and contraction of the cross members, and means for do? livering a fluid for flow under :the bafiie at the end "opposite said flow outlet.

' members'having facing grooves extending longitudinally of the side members but terminating short of one of their ends and having ofisetseating portions at their opposite ends, end members connected with ends of the side members, cross members arranged in edge to edge contact and having their ends slidably supported in; said grooves and spaced from the end members. to form an expansion space over :said oflset seating portionand an outlet opening at the other end of the baffle, a sealing member having its rend-s supported on said offset seating portions for'closing the expansion space and having sliding contact with a cross member adjacent said expansion space, and meansfor delivering a fluid ior flow .under'the bafile, toward said outlet.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, spaced rows of vertical posts having vertically spaced notches in .their facing sides,.superimposed bafile members including spaced pairs of alternately inclinedside members mounted 'in the respective notches of the. posts-and arranged with their opposite ends inedge to. edge. contact with the ends of the next upper and lower side members respectively, end members connecting the contacting ends of the'side members, cross members arranged in edge to edge contact and having their ends slidably supported by the side members and spaced from the end members, sealing members closing the spaces at the lower ends of the side members, tie bars extending between selective side members and engaging the,

posts to retain said members in assembled position and means for delivering a liquid under the lowermost baffle member for upward flow under ranged in edge to edge contactland having their ends slidably supported by the side members :and spaced from the .end members, sealing members closing the spaces at the lower ends of the side members, tie bars extending between selective side members and having notches engaging the posts to retain said members in assembled position and for enhancing rigidity'of the posts, and means for admitting a liquid to the tank under the lowermost baflie" member forupward flow under the respective baffle members toward the top of the tank.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, spaced rows of vertical posts having vertically spaced notches in their facing sides, superimposed baffles including pairs of alternately inclined side members mounted in the respective notches of the posts, end members connecting the upper and lower ends of adjacent side members, cross members arranged in edge to edge contact and having their ends slidably supported by the side members and spaced from the end members, sealing members closing the spaces at the lower ends of the side members, tie bars extending between selective side members and engaging the posts to retain said members in assembled position, distributor bars retained between selected cross members nearest the lower ends of the side members, and means for delivering a fluid under the lowermost bafiie for flow under the respective baflles. V

7. In an apparatus of the character described, spaced rows of vertical posts having vertically spaced notches in their facing sides, alternately inclined side members mounted in the respective notches of the posts and arranged with their upper ends in edge to edge contact with the lower end of the next upper side members, end members connecting the contacting ends of the side members, cross members arranged in edge to edge contact and having their ends supported by the side members and spaced from the end members at the upper ends of the side members to form outlet openings, tie bars extending between selective side members and engaging the posts to retain said members in assembled position, and means for delivering a fluid under the lowermost cross members for upward flow under said other cross members.

8. In an apparatus of the character described,

an inverted tray-shaped baffle including side and end members, cross members arranged in edge to edge contact and spaced from one of the end members to form a flow outlet at that end of the baflie, means movably supporting the ends of the cross members to accommodate shrinking and swelling thereof incidental to contact of fluid with thebaffle, means for delivering a fluid for flow under thebaflle towardsaid outlet, and an expansion joint member cooperating with the cross members to completely close the baflie with the exception of said flow outlet whereby the fluid is caused to fiow the entire length of said baflie.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, spaced rows of posts, alternately inclined traylike bafiles invertedly supported between the rows of posts, tie bars extending between selected baffies and having notches to form hook-like ends engaged over the sides of the posts to retain the baffles in supported engagement with the posts, and means for delivering a fluid for flow under said baflies.

10. In combination with a tank, spaced rows of posts having vertically spaced ledge-like seating portions in the facing sides of said posts, a pluralityof alternately inclined baffles having sides supported in said seating portions and having flow outlets at their upper ends, tie bars extending between selected bafiles and having hooklike ends engaging over outer faces of the posts to retain the sides of the baflies in said seating portions of the posts, and. means for delivering fluid for progressive flow under the respective bafiles.

11. In combination with a tank having a roof and floor decks, spaced rows of posts carried upon the floor deck for supporting the roof deck and having vertically spaced notches in their facing sides, a plurality of alternately inclined baflles having sides supported in said notches and having flow outlets at their upper ends, tie bars extending between selected baflies and having notches forming hook-like ends for engagement with the posts to support said posts and to retain the baflies in the notches, and means for delivering a fluid' for progressive flow under the respective baflies.

GWYNNE RAYMOND. LEE E. YOUNG.

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