US596994A - Apparatus for filtration under pressure - Google Patents

Description

(N0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. R. GRAY, Jr.

APPARATUS FOR FILTRATION UNDER PRESSURE. I No. 596,994. Patented Jan. 11,1898.

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P.R. GRAY, Jr. APPARATUS FOR FILTRATION UNDER PRESSURE. No. 596,994. Patented Jan.l1,1898.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

$61M, a/dm (No Model.) 4 Shee'tsSheet 3. P. R. GRAY, Jr. APPARATUS FOR FILTRATION UNDER PRESSURE.

No. 596,994. I Patented Jamil, 1898.

WITNESSES: 06 P VENT R:

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

P. R. GRAY, Jr. APPARATUS FOR FILTRATION UNDER PRESSURE.

' No. 596,994. Patented Jan. 11,1898.

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

PIIILANDER R. GRAY, JR., OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR FILTRATION UNDER PRESSURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,994, dated January 1 1, 1898.

Application filed November 13, 1896. Serial No. 611,947. (No model.)

To oaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILANDER R. GRAY, J12, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Filter-Presses, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention comprises certain improve ments in the construction of what are known as filter-presses such as are used, for instance, for the separation of oils and animal fats into constituent parts. In treating materials in filter-presses as they have hereto fore been constructed and operated the material is subjected to pressure filtration at substantially the same temperature throughout the entire operation. For instance, in treatin g animal fats in such presses to separate the stearic acid from the oleic acid at a suitable temperature to cause the expulsion from the press of the oleic acid and the retention in the press of the stearic acid the practical limitat-ion as regards the result is that from ten to twelve per cent. of the oleic acid will remain in the cake of stearic acid retained in the press. As a commercial quality of stearic acid musthave a lower percentage of oleic acid present, it has been necessary to remove the stearic-acid cake from the press and treat it by another process to eliminate a part of the remaining oleic acid until the quantity of such acid in the stearic-acid cake is reduced to from one to two per cent. or thereabout. It is not feasible when proceeding according to the old method to work the material at such a high temperature as to eliminate the oleic acid to such extent that commercially-pure stearic-acid cake will be retained in the press, for the reason that when such temperature is employed in the first part of the operation a considerable percentage of the stearic acid will be expelled from the press along with the oleic acid. Vhile therefore the cake remainingin the press would be for commercial purposes sufficiently low in oleic acid, the product expelled from the press would not be commercially-pure oleic acid because of the presence of too high a percen tage of stearic acid. For this reason the mode of operation has been that which I have above suggested.

In operating my improved press the material may be worked at the ordinary temperature to efiect such proper separation as to eX- pel from the press a commercially-pure oleic acid, which is run off into a suitable receiver. The temperature of the press and the contained material may then be raised, continuing the operation, preferably without interruption in the usual way, the product expelled from the press being then oleic acid containing an undesirable percentage of stearic acid. This product of the press is returned to the material that is being prepared to be fed to the press, while the percentage of oleic acid ,in the steario-acid cake retained within the press has by the operation mentioned been reduced so low that the stearic-acid cake is commercially pure and does not require further treatment. Thus by the first part of the run of the press a quantity of commerciallypure oleic acid is expelled, while the cake remainingin the press is not commercially-pure stearic acid. Then by raising the temperature and continuing the operation a product expelled from the press of oleic and stearic acid combined, and this product is chilled and mixed with the material that subsequently is fed to the press; but the cake now retained in the press is commercially-pu re stearic acid and may be removed from between the plates of the filter-press when the operation has been carried to the proper point.

To this end my invention comprises an improvement in the construction of a filter-press, which consists in means whereby the press and its contents may at a suitable time be heated tothe desired temperature to cifect the operation above stated. My invention also consists in an improved construction of the filter plates and of a trough or receptacle for receiving products expelled from the press and in certain details of construction, all as hereinafter specifically set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is face of the rear head of the press, as indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, looking in the usual in presses of this class, the feedingdirection of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a detail View showing one of the separating-rings that are placed between the filter-plates. Fig. 5 is a detail View, partly in section and partly broken away, of the front or left-hand end of the trough arranged below the press. Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the opposite end on the line 6 6 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but of the opposite end of the trough. Fig. 8 is an edge view, partly in section, on the line 8 8 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, of one of my improved filter-plates. Fig. 9 is an elevation of the face thereof, partly broken away to show the construction more clearly. Fig. 10 is a view of a segment of one of my improved filterplates, partly broken away and partly in section, on the line 10 10 of Fig. 11. Fig.'11 is a transverse section on the line 11 11 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is another view of a segment of a plate somewhat different in construction, partly broken away and partly in section, on the line 12 12 of Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a transverse section on the line 13 13 of Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 is a transverse section showing another construction of filter-plate.

A A represent the end frames of the press, having cross-bars B, and 0 represents the fixed head of the press, carried by the rear frame A.

C is the sliding or movable head and is mounted and slides upon the rods, tie-bars, or rails D, all as usual.

D indicates the ordinary hydraulic cylinder, and D its piston for setting up the head 0 against the plates and withdrawing it when the nuts on the holding-bolts F are loosened,

all as usual in this class of presses.

F indicates the holding or clamping bolts, extending through the two heads and provided with clamping-nuts. The construction and arrangement of these parts are as usual, except that the clamping-bolts are formed with ends f, extending beyond the screwthreadf, on which the clamping-nuts work. These ends are of less diameter than the threaded parts of the rods, the purpose being that when the clamping-n utsf are unscrewed to open the press the nuts can he slipped back on the reduced partfof the bolts and are prevented from slipping off of the bolts by pins or keys f in the ends thereof, and the movable head when drawn back does not become disengaged from the bolts. Heretofore in opening presses of this character the head when run back passes clear of the ends of the bolts, necessitating some means of support for the bolts, in order that they will enter their respective openings in the head when it is again set up. Also,the clam ping-nuts when run back on the bolts have been disengaged from the bolts, usually being dropped upon the floor, a plan that is both inconvenient and liable to cause the fouling of the nuts with dirt and grit. As is tube opens through the central aperture C in the fixed head 0 into the bore formed by the central openings in the assemblage of filter-plates, which bore is, however, closed by the solid movable head 0.

As regards the filter-plates they are of course each provided with the usual lateral lugs, by which they are supported and slide upon the tie-bars or rails D. I have shown in the accompanying drawings several different styles of filter-plates, all having, however, a common characteristic feature of construction.

In Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 I have shown a filterplate constructed as follows: G indicates an annular ring provided with the ordinary side lugs g, that support the ring upon the rods D, and with an internally-projecting annular flange G. The ring G may be of cast-iron and the inwardly-projecting annular flange G may be a wrought-iron ring, around which the cast-iron ring G is cast. Two perforated plates II and I, fitted within the ring G, embrace the fiange G and are bolted thereto by bolts g. The plate 11 may be, as shown, a flat plate with apertures or perforations 7L punched therein. The plate I is formed with coincident apertures v; and with laterallyprojecting lugs i, each extending from an edge of an aperture and against which the fiat plate H bears. As shown, the apertures and laterally-projecting lugs of the plate I are formed by cutting or punching out the metal to form three sides of an aperture, the tongue or piece of metal left attached to the remaining side of the aperture being forced or turned outwardly at right angles to the plane of the plate.

In the figures to which I have referred the lugs 1" are all turned in the same direction. Obviously, however, some might be thrown out on one side of the plate and some on the other, in which event a flat perforated plate I-I would be placed on each side of the plate I, and in that case the plate I would fit within the flange G, while the fiat side plates would embrace this flange and be secured by the bolts 9. This modification of the construction shown in figures referred to will be plain when the construction of the plate indicated in Figs. 12 and 18 is described. The cloth enveloping the plate is indicated by K and is applied in the usual way, leaving a central opening K in the plate, as usual. The exterior edges of the cloth maybe secured at intervals around the periphery of the plate by bolts 70, passing through eyelets in the cloth and through projections formed at intervals on the ring G. The ordinary bun gs or blocks M may be attached to the plates by rivets passing through the plates, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, or may be secured to the cloths only or in any other suitable way, the two ways mentioned being common and well understood. There spacin g-rin gs N are placed between the plates, the bungs- M pro- IIO ject to such'extent that those on the adjacent faces of the plates will meet in the central plane of the spacing-ring, as is the common practice; but where spacing-rings are not employed the bungs on the plates will not project beyond the planes of the faces of the rings G, an arrangement that is also common.

So far as I am aware the manner described of forming perforated members of a filterpress plate is new. At the under side or lowest of these filter-plates the flange G is cut away, as indicated at G Fig. 9, and the recess thus formed in the flange G constitutes an opening that communicates with an aperture G extending through the ring and forming a discharge-outlet for the plate through which the expressed product may be delivered into the trough X, Fig. 1.

In Figs. 12 and 13 I have shown a filterplate difiering in the following particulars from the plate thus far describedthat is to say, the plate is composed of a central memher I, fitting within the annular flange G and having relatively large apertures t, the metal, which is attached at one edge of each aperture, being thrown out, as already described, to form the laterally-projecting lugs 13. In these two figures, however,Ihave embodied the suggestion made in connection with Figs. 10 and 11. The lugs t" are thrown out from both faces of the plate and the flat perforated plates H, having apertures h, in this case shown as circular, embrace the flange G and are securedthereto by the clampingbolts g.

In order to provide means for carrying out the method of operation hereinbefore described-via, to provide a means for raising the temperature of the press and the contained material at the desired point in the operationl have shown in the drawings the following construction: The upper edge of each filter-plate ring G is formed with an enlargement 0, having therein an aperture 0, which opens by a radial passage 0, through the cast part G of the ring and through the flange G into the interior of the plate-'i. 6., into the open space between the perforated plates. The spacing-rings N when employed should be formed with similar enlargements N and apertures n corresponding with and registering with the apertures 0 in the filter-plate rings. The apertures n or 0 in a spacing-ring or filter-plate ring is, at one end of the press, closed by the movable head 0 of the press, while the fixed head C is formed with an aperture or passage 0 that communicates with the aperture n or o in the spacingring or filtenplat-e ring at that end of the press. The purpose of this arrangement is, as stated, to afford a means for raising the temperature of the press and its contents at the desired time, and for this purpose I mayintroduce through the opening C hot air or steam of a temperature suitable to effect the desired result, accordingto the material that is under treatment.

It is obvious that if hot air or steam be introduced at the aperture 0 it will pass along the longitudinal bore formed by the apertures n 0 into the interior of the respective plates and out through the discharge-openings G therein. In the practice of my invention I continue the ordinary operation of the press until the spaces between the filter-plates are approximately well filled with the retained material or cake. I then raise the temperature by the means stated, or any other suitable means, and continue the operation in the ordinary way. Thus in treating animal fats the ordinary operation is continued until the spaces between the plates are Well filled with stearic-acid cake, a commercial product of oleic acid having been expelled from the press. I then either suspend the feeding of the press or during the continuation of such feeding introduce the heating medium, and as the temperature increases most of the oleic acid retained in the cake, together with a part of the stearic acid, will be eliminated. The mixed product thus eX- pelled from the press is mixed with the material being prepared for the press, while a commercially-pure stearic acid is retained in the press. \Vhen the operation is completed, the press is opened in the ordinary way and the stearic-acid cake discharged. The parts of the press are then reassembled and a further similar operation started.

I have referred particularly to the treatment of animal fats, as that is a fruitful field of usefulness for my invention; but I do not, however, limit the use of the press to the treatment of such material, as obviously it is applicable for other purposes.

As an illustration of the temperatures that may be employed in the use of my press for producing stearic and oleic acid from animal fat, I may state that during the first part of the operation the material may be worked at a temperature of about Fahrenheit, and the temperature increased for the latter part of the operation to about 180 Fahrenheit. The proper temperatures at which to operate upon any material will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art of working such material.

The construction of the perforated members of the filter-plates which I have described is of course applicable to that class of plates in which the perforated plates or members are merely bolted to an annular ring located between the plates near their edges. In such case the supporting-lugs 9 may be formed either on the interposed ring or on the perforated members of the plate. Such a plate is indicated in Fig. 14, which shows perforated members II I, such as indicated in Figs. 10 and 11, with a ring V bolted between them. K indicates the ordinary cloth. The peculiar construction of the perforated members being new with me, I do not limit its use to any partic ular style of filter-plates. The dotted lines K at the bottom indicate how the edges of the cloth are brought together, except at the point of discharge, where they are preferably left, as shown by the full lines at this point.

Ihave shownin Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 a novel organization relating to the trough for receiv' ing the products expelled from the press. This part of my invention comprises a trough to receive the products expelled from the press and from which different grades of such product may, as desired, be delivered into diflerent receptacles, and which when the cake is to be discharged from the press may be moved to one side out of the way and inverted, so as to avoid liability of parts of the cake being delivered into the trough, where they might become mixed as an impurity with the expelled product of the press in the next operation. For this purpose I have shownthe following organization: The trough X is c0mposed of a length of pipe of suitable diameter, which is cut away throughout its central portion to form an open trough, but is left solid at each end, where it is closed by ascrew cap X. The outlet-pipe X is connected-with the discharge end of the trough and may receive a flexible pipe to convey the product to any desired receptacle. At the front end the end of the pipe forming the trough is fitted in a ring P, having a flat base P, which rests upon the cross-bar B of the front frame, and has a bolt passing through a slot B in this bar and having a clamp-nut P on its end below the bar. Pins 10 in the annular outer side of the trough embrace the ring P. Byloosening the nut P the end of the trough may be shifted laterally and it may also be turned over or inverted, the annular end turning in the ring P and being held against endwise movement by the pins 19. At the opposite end there is a similar ring Q, having a similar base Q and bolt and clamp-nut Q the cross-bar of the rear frame being also slotted, as at B The ring Q, however, is provided with two projections R R, extending in the direction of the length of the trough and adapted to be engaged by a stop-pin q in the side of the pipe. Thus when the trough is turned over or inverted the stop-pin q leaves the projection R and comes against the projection R, and the trough is held in either position by a weight S on the end of an arm 8, secured to the end cap of the trough and projecting laterally therefrom at right angles. By means of this organization the trough may be placed under the outlets G3 of the filter-plates to receive the expelled product, which may be delivered through the pipe X to a suitable receptacle,

and then when the press is to be discharged of the cake in the usual way the trough may be shifted to one side out of the way, as indicated in Fig. 2, and also inverted to prevent any of the product then discharged from entering it. This feature of my invention may be modified in detail of organization, and so far as I am aware it is new to employ in a press of this character a laterally-movable invertible trough.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a filter-press, the combination of a series of filter-plates each having an opening to form the bore through which the material being treated is delivered to the compartments between the plates, and also each having perforated members enveloped in filter-cloth and and an open-work or skeleton member placed loosely within said flange and between the perforated plates, substantially as set forth.

3. In a filter-plate, the combination of an annular ring or frame having an inwardlyprojecting flange, perforated plates secured respectively to the opposite faces of the flange, and an open-work or skeleton member placed loosely within said flange and between the perforated plates, the ring or frame having a discharge-opening formed in it leading from the space between the perforated plates, substantially as set forth.

4. In a filter-press, the combination of a series of filter-plates each composed of a ring or frame having an inwardly-projecting flange, perforated plates secured respectively to the opposite faces of the flange, an open-work or skeleton member placed loosely within said flange and between the perforated plates, and filter-cloth enveloping each plate, each ring being formed with an outlet leading from the interior space between the perforated plates, and an aperture in line with the axis of the plate connected by a passage with said interior space of the plate, said apertures being in alinement and forming a passage-way for the introduction of a heating medium to the interior spaces of the plates, substantially as set forth.

5. In a filter-plate, the combination of two perforated members, one of which is a flat perforated plate and the other of which has the metal cut out to form the perforations attached to an edge of the perforation and turned out laterally to form projecting sup ports for the flat plate.

6. In a filter-plate, the combination of three perforate members which are respectively a central member having the metal cut away to form the perforations attached to one side of the perforation and turned out laterally from the plate to form the projecting lugs, some of such projections being on one side of the plate and some on the other, and a flat perforated plate applied on each side of the central plate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 1

7. In a filter pla'te, the combination of an annular ring or frame having an interior-lyprojecting flange, a perforated plate fitting within such flange and having the metal cut away to form the perforations attached to one edge of the perforations and turned outwardly to form laterally-projecting lugs,some of such lugs being turned out on one side of the plate and some upon the other, two flat perforated plates arranged respectively on opposite sides of the central plate and embracing at their edges said inwardly-projecting flange to which they are attached, and the filteringcloth enveloping the plate.

8. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the frames A A, the fixed head 0, a movable head G, the bars D, filter-plates and the clamping-bolts F having clamping-nuts and ends f of reduced diameter extending beyond the threads to receive the nuts when run off of the threads and to support the ends of the bolts in the movable head.

9. The combination with a filter-press, of a laterally invertible receiving trough provided with a stop and Weight by which it is held in either position as regards its inversion.

10. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the end frames having the slotted cross-bars, the trough having annular ends, and rings embracing the annular ends and having bases resting upon the cross-bars and clamping-bolts extending through the slots therein.

11. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the end frames having cross-bars, the trough having annular ends, a ring at one end of the trough embracing the annular end thereof and movable laterally upon the crossbar, a similar ring at the opposite end of the trough embracing its annular end and having stops R B, and a stop-pin on the annular end of the trough.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

PHILANDER R. GRAY, JR.

\Vitnesses:

EDVVABD O. DAVIDSON, CHARLES L. MALCOLM.

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