US3582051A

US3582051A - Smoke cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3582051A
Application number: US789828A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicholas Klein; Yeshave Levy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-01-08
Filing date: 1969-01-08
Publication date: 1971-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-01

Abstract

Apparatus for filtering and washing smoke containing solid particles passing upwardly from a furnace or incinerator to a chimney is described. One conical baffle assembly and helical baffles are interposed in a smoke cleaning stack or in the chimney. The conical baffles assembly strains the smoke. The helical baffles contain spray pipes which emit sprays of water into the smoke to entrain solid particles. The dirty water is drained out through the stack without passing through the conical baffles. The dirty water may be filtered and recirculated. A deodorant is discharged into the cleaned smoke before passing up the chimney. A blower forces the cleaned deodorized smoke up the chimney.

Description

United States Patent [72] lnventors NicholasKlein 2043 Creston Ave., Bronx, N.Y. 10053; Yeshave Levy, 127 Penn St., Brooklyn,

Primary Examiner- Frank W. Lutter AssistantExaminer--Steven H. Markowitz Attorney-Polachek & Saulsbury ABSTRACT: Apparatus for filtering and washing smoke containing solid particles passing upwardly from a furnace or incinerator to a chimney is described. One conical baffle assembly and helical baffles are interposed in a smoke cleaning stack or in the chimney. The conical baffles assembly strains the smoke. The helical baffles contain spray pipes which emit sprays of water into the smoke to entrain solid particles. The dirty water is drained out through the stack without passing through the conical baffles. The dirty water may be filtered and recirculated. A deodorant is discharged into the cleaned smoke before passing up the chimney. A blower forces the cleaned deodorized smoke up the chimney.

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SMOKE CLEANING APPARATUS The invention relates to the art of smoke-cleaning apparatus and more particularly concerns means for continuously cleaning and deodorizing smoke generated in a furnace, refuse or garbage incinerator or other combustion system where smoke containing large solid particles is generated.

I-leretofore apparatus for reducing air pollution caused by smoke discharging furnaces and incinerators has been limited to filters of various kinds, generally screens placed at outlets of chimneys. Such filters have not been found satisfactory because they quickly become clogged and ineffective. Various types of electrostatic precipitators have been proposed to clean smoke, but they are limited to extracting extremely fine particles such as dust or fly ash. They are very complex and expensive and intended for industrial uses such as power plants and blast furnaces. They are not suitable or adapted for use with furnaces or incinerators of homes, apartment houses and 'office buildings where relatively inexpensive smokecleaning apparatus is required.

According to the invention, smoke bearing large particles is first passed through a conical baffie assembly made of closely spaced overlapping rings at the bottom of a smoke stack or chimney. The conical baffie assembly holds back larger particles which fall back to the furnace for rebuming and removal via cleanout doors in the furnace. The smoke then passes through helical baffles in which an apertured spray pipe sprays water to cool the smoke and fumes and entrap further particles in the smoke. The dirty water flows down to the conical baffie and is then drained off to a sewer or to a filter tank and recirculating pump. The cleaned smoke is then deodorized by a sprayed deodorant and passes up out of the chimney to atmosphere.

The invention will be described in further detail in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view partially diagrammatic in form of an incinerator or furnace equipped with smoke-cleaning apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of part of a smoke treatment stack, shown in FIG. 1, portions being omitted.

FIG. 3 and FIGI4 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views similar to FIG. 1, showing three other smoke-cleaning systems.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 7, showing details of construction.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a combustion and smoke-cleaning system 10 including an incinerator or furnace 12 mounted on a basement floor 14. At front wall 16 of the furnace is an oil or gas burner 18 burning fuel in a combustion chamber 20 and generating fumes and smoke 22. The furnace has a flue 24 formed by part of a vertical chimney 25 but closed off at the top by a partition wall or plate 26. The flue has a lateral opening 28 communicating with lateral opening 30-at the bottom of a smoke treatment stack 32 mounted on top wall 34 of the furnace. Furnace 12 has

cleanout doors

29,31 in side and rear walls.

Stack 32 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is an axially vertical cylinder closed at the bottom by wall 34 of the furnace but provided with lateral bottom opening 30.-lnside the stack is a helical baffle 36 formed by four radial twisted plates 37 and defining four helical passages 38 through the stack from bottom to top of the baffie. A pipe 40 extends axially of the baffie 36 and is secured therein. Pipe 40 is connected by a bottom fitting 42 to a water supply pipe 44 controlled by an electrically operated valve 46. Pipe 44 extends radially outward of the stack just below the baffie 36. Pipe 40 has a multiplicity of holes 48 circumferentially and axially spaced apart to discharge water sprays 50 into passages 38 for the entire length of the baffles.

At the top of pipe 44 is a nozzle 52 provided with circumferential holes axially upward through pipe 40 is another pipe 56. This pipe terminates in a nozzle 58 just above nozzle 52 to spray a deodorant 64 axially upward in chamber 59 of stack 32. Pipe 56 has a fitting 58 at its lower end just below fitting 42. Secured to fitting 58 is a pipe 60 which extends radially outward of stack 32 and terminates at a container 62 of a suitable liquid deodorant 64. Container 62 is supported by bracket 63 on the furnace wall 16. Pipe 60 is connected to container 62 via an electrically controlled valve 66.

Just above

nozzles

52 and 58 in chamber 59 are rotary blades 68 of a blower 70. The blower includes a shaft 74 journaled in a bearing 75 supported by bracket 76 at top wall 78 of stack 32. Shaft 74 is horizontal and extends diametrally outward of the stack. Motor 80 supported by bracket 82 at stack 32 drives the rotary blades 68. The blades 68 are located at lateral opening 83 formed at the upper end of the sidewall of stack 32. Opening 83 communicates with opening 84 formed in the side of stack 25. The top wall 78 of stack 32 abuts the underside of basement ceiling 86. Near the lower end of stack 32 is a conical baffie assembly 90. This assembly as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, includes a series of tapered overlapped rings 92 of progressively smaller diameter from bottom to top. The rings are held in spaced relationship by bars 94 which extend between top circular plate 95 and lowermost ring 92'. Rivets 96 join the rings 92 to the bars to form a unitary assembly. Spaces 93 between the rings permit free passage of smoke 22 upwardly through the baffle assembly 90 to baffle 36. At the same time the conical bafile assembly 90 catches waste and dirty water flowing out the bottom of baffie 36. A drain pipe 98 is connected to bottom ring 92 and drains the waste water out of stack 32 from which the waste water is discharged into a sewer (not shown).

The system 10 is arranged so that it can be energized by a single phase power supply of l 10 volts AC. Power is applied at terminals 99. Wires 101 are connected via fuses and ganged arms 102 of switch 104 to valve 46, valve 66, motor 80 and fuel burner 18.

In operation of system 10, when switch 104 is closed, and valve 46 closes also and water under pressure will be forced through

pipes

44 and 40 and will be so be discharged a sprays 50 to cool smoke and fumes 22 passing through baffie passages 38. The water will entrap particles of the smoke and will flow out of stack 32 via baffie assembly 90 and drainpipe 98. Valve 66 closes and burner 18 and motor 80 are turned on when switch 104 is closed. The draft created by blower blades 68 maintains a suction above nozzle 58 so that deodorant 64 is drawn up into space 59 and is volatilized there. Washed, deodorized gases are drawn by the blower into chimney 25 through

openings

83 and 84 and pass up the chimney to external atmosphere.

In FIG. 5 is shown a combustion and smoke-cleaning system 10A which generally is similar to system 10 of FIGS. 1-4 and 1 corresponding parts are identically numbered. In system 10A the helical baffle 36 is mounted in an intermediate section of stack or chimney 25a. The bottom end of stack or chimney 25a communicates with furnace 12a through an opening in the top wall 34a of the fumace. Are movable cover is provided at opening 122 through which refuse can be thrown if the furnace is to be usedas a waste incinerator. Baffle assembly 90 mounted just below baffle 36 drains dirty water via pipe 98 into a tank 125. This tank is kept partially filled with water 126 by a water supply pipe 128. Removable screen filters l30-are vertically disposed in spaced positions in the tank. These filters catch solid particles and sludge entrained by water drained out of the chimney.

A water pump 132 is supported just above tank 125. This pump draws water up out of the left end of the tank via pipe 134. The water at this end of the tank is filtered through screen filters 130. Tank serves to recirculate the water so that a minimum of water is wasted. The only water consumed is that which passes up out of the chimney with the washed smoke. Pipe 128 is only used to keep the tank filled to level L and only replaces water lost in passing up the chimney.

Deodorant tank 62a is supported by suitable bracket 136. It is closed by a removably cap 138 having an air hole 140. The deodorant 64 flows through pipe 68a to pipe 56 axiallydisposed inside of pipe 40. The deodorant discharges as a volatized spray 64' from nozzle 58 to deodorize the washed smoke and fumes passing up the chimney to external atmosphere. Valve 66, pump 132 and burner 18 are connected via wires 101a to terminals 99 of the power supply. The valve closes and both the pump and burners are turned on when switch 104 is closed. The system operates continuously to wash and deodorize smoke. The spaces between rings 92 of baffle assembly 90 can be made small enough so that this assembly serves as a filter to retain large particles which will drop back into the furnace for rebuming.

In FIG. 6 is shown a combustion and smoke-cleaning system 103 in which parts corresponding to those of systems and 10A are identically numbered. System 108 employs the same water recirculation tank 125 as system 10A and is refilled by pipe 128b. Helical baffle 36 is mounted in a section 32b of a smoke treatment stack 150. Stack 150 has a vertical partition 152 dividing it into two vertical sections 32b and 32b. Deodorant supply pipe 60b opens into chamber 151 at the bottom of section 32b below an auxiliary conical baffle assembly 90b. This assembly has a drain pipe 154 draining into stack section 32b just above baffle assembly 90. Section 32b has a lateral opening 154 communicating with lateral opening 156 in the bottom of chimney 25b. Flue 240 at the bottom of chimney 25b has a top wall 26b to guide smoke into the bottom of stack section 32b from the top of furnace 12b. Blower blades 68b are located at opening 158 in the upper end of partition 152. The upper end ofpipe 40 terminates in a fitting 160 to which laterally extending pipe 162 is connected. This pipe extends into section 32b and has a spray head 164 and nozzle 165 discharging water spray 166 in stack section 32b on to baffle assembly 90b.

In operation of system 108, the smoke passes up flue 24b and through baffleassembly 90 to helical baffle 36. There water sprays 50 wash the smoke. The smoke is then drawn by rotating blower blades 68b into the top of stack section 32b where water spray 166 washes the smoke again. The washed gases then pass down through baffle assembly 90b into the bottom of chimney 25b from which they go up and are discharged to atmosphere. The dirty water in section 32b drains into stack section 32b and then out through drainpipe 98b to tank 125. There the dirty water is filtered by the screen filters 130 and is recirculated by pump 132 as in system 10A. The deodorant 64 is discharged in chamber 151 at the bottom of section 32b just before the fumes pass up the chimney 25b.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show combustion and smoke-cleaning system 10C in which parts corresponding to those of systems 10, 10A and 10B are identically numbered. In system 10C smokecleaning stack 200 is mounted at the rear end wall 202 of furnace 120. End wall 202 has an opening 204 communicating with a flue 206. The flue opens into conical baffle assembly 90c at the bottom of stack section 208. Stack 200 is divided by vertical partition 210 into two sections 209 and 212. Helical baffles 36c and 36d are mounted in

sections

208 and 212 respectively. Pipe 214 from a suitable water supply is connected via electrically operated valve 216 to fitting 218 at the bottom of stack section 208. Spray pipe 40 extends vertically through baffle 36c to emit water sprays 50 into smoke passing up the stack section 208.

At the top of pipe 40 is spray head 220 shown in FIG. 8. A laterally extending pipe 222 extends radially from head 220 through partition 210 into stack section 212. Two sets of spaced

curved baffles

224 and 226 are mounted at the top of stack 200 and extend diagonally upward to top wall 228 from the upper end of partition 210. Rods 230 support the

baffles

224 and 226. Smoke leaving the top of stack section 208 enters the top of section 212. Pipe 222 terminates in a spray head 232 to which vertical spray pipe 234 is connected. Pipe 234 extends axially of helical baffle 36d and terminates in a bottom spray head or nozzle 336 just above conical baffle 90d.

Blower 240 has rotary blades 242 located in duct 243 between the bottom of stack section 212 and bottom of chimney 25c. The chimney is closed off from direct communication with furnace 12c by a plate 244. Blades 242 are rotated by motor 246 via rotary shaft 248 which extends horizontally through walls 249 of the stack 200 and through partition 210.

Deodorant 64 is contained in a container 620 mounted outside of stack 200. Pipe 250 draws the deodorant from container 62c and passes it via valve 660 to a nozzle 252 located just forwardly of blades 242 in duct 243. Thus deodorized gases pass up the chimney 250. In system 10C the smoke 220 is washed in helical baffles 36,3611 of both stack sections. Dirty water from stack section 212 drains off via short pipe 254 into stack section 208. Pipe 256 drains dirty water out of stack section 208. Both drainpipes are located at the bottom rings 92 of the respective baffle assemblies 900 and d.

In all forms of the invention described, the smoke is effectively strained or filtered through at least one conical baffle assembly and then is washed in a helical baffle. Then it is deodorized before passing up a chimney to the atmosphere.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention and as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Smoke-cleaning apparatus for a furnace, comprising a vertical stack communicating with the furnace to receive smoke therefrom; a conical baffle means disposed in said stack to strain the smoke; a helical baffle disposed in the stack for receiving smoke from the baffle assembly; a container of a volatile deodorant in fluid communication with said stack; a perforated pipe extending vertically through the helical baffle for discharging sprays of water therewithin to wash smoke passing therethrough; and means for draining dirty water off the conical baffle means as it flows out of helical baffle.

2. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising pipe means connecting said container of volatile deodorant to a discharge point in the stack beyond said helical baffle for deodorizing fumes before they pass out of the stack to external atmosphere.

3. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 2, further comprising a tank for receiving said dirty water drained off the conical baffle means; a filter means in the tank to strain the dirty water; a pump connected to the tank to draw off strained water therefrom; other pipe means connecting said pump to said perforated pipe to supply water thereto; and water supply means connected to said tank for keeping the tank filled to a predetermined level.

4. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 2, further comprising a blower located in the stack beyond said helical baffle for forcing deodorized fumes out of the stack.

5. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 4, further comprising a tank for receiving said dirty water drained off the conical baffle means; a filter means in the tank to strain the dirty water; a pump connected to the tank to draw off strained water therefrom; other pipe means connecting said pump to said perforated pipe to supply water thereto; and water supply means connected to said tank for keeping the tank filled to a predetermined level;

6. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said blower is located beyond said point where deodorant is discharged in the stack.

7. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said blower is located between the helical baffle and the point where the deodorant is discharged in the stack.

8. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 7, further comprising another conical baffle means in the stack for straining the smoke again, said other conical baffle means being located between said blower and said point where deodorant is discharged in the stack; means for spraying water on the other conical baffle means; and mean for draining dirty water off from said other conical baffle means.

. in said tank between the two helical 9. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 7, further comprising another conical baffle means in the stack for straining the smoke again, said other conical baffle means being located between said blower and said helical baffle; another helical bafile located in the stack between said other conical baffle means and the first helical bafile; another perforated pipe in said other helical baffle for spraying water into smoke passing through the other helical baffle; means for draining dirty water passing out of both helical baffles on to the conical bafile means; and curved baffle plates interposed baffles for passing smoke from the first named helical baffle to the other helical baffle.

10. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 8, further comprising a tank for receiving dirty water drained off of both conical baffle means; filter means in the tank to strain the dirty water; a pump connected to the tank to draw off strained water therefrom; other pipe means connecting said pump to said perforated pipe to supply water thereto; and water supply means connected to said tank for keeping the tank filled to a predetermined level.

Claims

2. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising pipe means connecting said container of volatile deodorant to a discharge point in the stack beyond said helical baffle for deodorizing fumes before they pass out of the stack to external atmosphere.
3. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 2, further comprising a tank for receiving said dirty water drained off the conical baffle means; a filter means in the tank to strain the dirty water; a pump connected to the tank to draw off strained water therefrom; other pipe means connecting said pump to said perforated pipe to supply water thereto; and water supply means connected to said tank for keeping the tank filled to a predetermined level.
4. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 2, further comprising a blower located in the stack beyond said helical baffle for forcing deodorized fumes out of the stack.
5. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 4, further comprising a tank for receiving said dirty water drained off the conical baffle means; a filter means in the tank to strain the dirty water; a pump connected to the tank to draw off strained water therefrom; other pipe means connecting said pump to said perforated pipe to supply water thereto; and water supply means connected to said tank for keeping the tank filled to a predetermined level;
6. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said blower is located beyond said point where deodorant is discharged in the stack.
7. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said blower is located between the helical baffle and the point where the deodorant is discharged in the stack.
8. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 7, further comprising another conical baffle means in the stack for straining the smoke again, said other conical baffle means being located between said blower and said point where deodorant is discharged in the stack; means for spraying water on the other conical baffle means; and mean for draining dirty water off from said other conical baffle means.
9. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 7, further comprising another conical baffle means in the stack for straining the smoke again, said other conical baffle means being located between said blower and said helical baffle; another helical baffle located in the stack between said other conical baffle means and the first helical baffle; another perforated pipe in said other helical baffle for spraying water into smoke passing through the other helical baffle; means for draining dirty water passing out of both helical baffles on to the conical baffle means; and curved baffle plates interposed in said tank between the two helical baffles for passing smoke from the first named helical baffle to the other helical baffle.
10. Smoke-cleaning apparatus as defined by claim 8, further comprising a tank for receiving dirty water drained off of both conical baffle means; filter means in the tank to strain the dirty water; a pump connected to the tank to draw off strained water therefrom; other pipe means connecting said pump to said perforated pipe to supply water thereto; and water supply means connected to said tank for keeping the tank filled to a predetermined level.