WO2018217592A2

WO2018217592A2 - Inertial separator for modular cleaning system for airborne dust

Info

Publication number: WO2018217592A2
Application number: PCT/US2018/033585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael W. Seitz
Original assignee: Seitz Michael W
Priority date: 2017-05-22
Filing date: 2018-05-21
Publication date: 2018-11-29
Also published as: WO2018217592A3

Abstract

An inertial dust separator comprises a plate, a pair of walls depending from the plate, and a curved wall connecting pair of walls. The plate is generally planar. The pair of walls are generally planar parallel walls depending generally normally from the generally planar plate. The curved wall has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge and connects the pair of generally planar parallel walls. The curved wall is generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end. The first side edge and the second side edge connect generally normally to the pair of parallel generally planar walls. A portion of the curved wall adjacent the first end is generally parallel to the generally planar plate, and a portion of the curved wall adjacent to the second end is positioned at an angle in the range of about 100 to about 150 degrees with respect to the generally planar plate. The curved wall follows part of a generally circular path along the pair of generally planar walls.

Description

DESCRIPTION

INERTIAL SEPARATOR FOR MODULAR CLEANING SYSTEM FOR AIRBORNE DUST

Technical Field

In one aspect this invention relates to a collector for airborne dust that is assembled from modular components and utilizes an inertial dust separator. In other aspects, this invention relates to collecting airborne dust on an industrial scale with a detachable, removable and exchangeable collected-dust bin.

Background Art

The disclosure of my PCT patent application, PCT/US 16/34138, filed 25 May 2016, published as WO 2016/191484 on 1 December 2016 is incorporated herein by reference.

There is a growing need for removing dusty air from industrial, work, maintenance or production facilities and cleansing it of entrained dust prior to discharge.

Traditionally, for dust producing facilities operating airborne dust collection systems, fixed dust collection equipment is permanently installed with dedicated collected-dust removal techniques. For any dust collecting system, whether fixed or portable, if the collected dust is considered hazardous, the removal and handling of the collected dust from standard dusty air cleaners can be a challenge requiring special precautions. Difficulties in the handling and decanting of collected dust waste included the risk of spillage, special handling of dust collection bags if used, and special transportation procedures once the collected dust is removed from the original dust collecting system.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cleaning device for airborne dust that is large in air volume cleaning capacity and is inexpensive to manufacture and service because of its modular construction. My PCT application referenced above incorporates filters and a pulse-jet system for cleaning them, dropping the collected dust into a dumpster. It is an object of this invention to provide a cleaning device for airborne dust that is large in air volume cleaning capacity and is inexpensive to manufacture and service because of its modular construction and because it avoids or reduces the need for filters and the associated devices for cleaning them.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a bin, a plurality of drop-in magazine units, at least one of the magazine units carrying a blower, at least one of the magazine units including a manifold for air distribution and carrying an inertial separator, and a roof cover. The bin has a generally flat upper end and is preferably rectilinearly box-shaped. The magazine units are preferably drop-in and are positioned sealingly on the flat upper end of the bin. The unit carrying the blower has an outlet for exhaust of air from the blower unit. The manifold units have an inlet for dusty air. The roof cover is positioned sealingly on the plurality of drop-in magazine units and forms an attic over the plurality of drop-in magazine units. The blower unit draws air through the inlet and the attic and the inertial separator unit deposits dust into the bin. When the bin is full, it can be emptied via a cleaning nozzle at one end of the bin, for example.

In another embodiment, an inertial dust separator suitable for use in the above described unit comprises a plate, a pair of walls depending from the plate, and a curved wall connecting pair of walls. The plate is generally planar. The pair of walls are generally planar parallel walls depending generally normally from the generally planar plate. The curved wall has a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge and connects the pair of generally planar parallel walls. The curved wall is generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end. The first side edge and the second side edge connect generally normal to the pair of parallel generally planar walls. A portion of the curved wall adjacent the first end is generally parallel to the generally planar plate, and a portion of the curved wall adjacent to the second end is positioned at an angle in the range of from about 100 to about 150 degrees with respect to the generally planar plate. The curved wall follows part of a generally circular path along the pair of generally planar walls. A further embodiment of the invention provides a method for inertial separation of dust from air. The method comprises flowing a dust- laden air stream into a closure. The dust-laden air stream is flowed along a downwardly curving wall bounded by a pair of side walls at a velocity sufficient to concentrate the dust along the downwardly curving wall. The air stream is then decelerated to settle the concentrated dust into a bin positioned beneath the downwardly curving wall. A first cleansed air stream is withdrawn from the bin, spit, and flowed upwardly outwardly of the pair of side walls. The cleansed air split streams are then split again into a plurality of air streams and the plurality of air streams is split into a multiplicity of air streams. The multiplicity of air streams are then combined into a single air stream, and discharged from the closure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a pictorial illustration of an inertial cyclone adapter according an embodiment of the present invention. Some of the concealed edges are indicated by dashed lines. The cyclone adapter replaces the aperture plate/depending filter cartridge assembly of my earlier referenced patent application for certain applications.

Figure 2 is a pictorial illustration of a manifold according to an embodiment of the present invention. Some concealed parts are indicated by dashed lines. The manifold is a version of the donut gas distributor of my earlier referenced patent application that has been modified for use with the cyclone adapter.

Figure 3 is an exploded assembly view in sectional of an improved cyclone adapter with intermediate clean air take-off being lowered into the manifold. Some concealed parts are indicated by dashed lines.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a cyclone adapter/manifold assembly that can be lowered as a unit onto a bin.

Figure 5 is an elevation view in schematic of a dust bin carrying three cyclone adapter/manifold assemblies and an exhaust fan assembly.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a cyclone adapter.

Figure 7 is a cut view of a cyclone adapter/manifold assembly illustrating dusty air flow to the bin.

Figure 8 is a cut view of a cyclone adapter/manifold assembly illustrating clean air flow from the bin to the attic.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the assembly schematically shown in Figure 11 taken along cut line 9. Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the assembly schematically shown in Figure 12 taken along cut line 10.

Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a unit employing three stage dust filtering.

Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of a unit employing two stage dust filtering.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

With reference to Figure 5, one embodiment of the invention comprises a bin 2, a plurality of drop-in magazine units 4, at least one of the magazine units 4' carrying a blower 6, at least one of the magazine units including a manifold 9 for air distribution and carrying an inertial separator 10 (see Figure 1) and a roof cover 12. The bin has a generally flat upper end and is preferably rectilinearly box-shaped. The magazine units are preferably drop-in and are positioned sealingly on the flat upper end of the bin. The unit 4' carrying the blower has an outlet 14 for exhaust of air from the blower unit. The manifold units have an inlet 18 for dusty air 16 carried by ducting not shown. The roof cover is positioned sealingly on the plurality of drop-in magazine units and forms an attic 19 over the plurality of drop-in magazine units, the attic serving as a clean air plenum for the blower. The blower unit draws cleansed air 20 from the attic and the inertial separator unit deposits dust into the bin. When the bin is full, it can be emptied, for example, via cleaning nozzle 22 at one end of the bin.

With reference to Figure 2, each at least one manifold unit comprises a pair of generally parallel tunnels 24 (see also Figure 8). The pair of generally parallel tunnels have side ports 26 facing each other, as well as top ports 28. The tunnels have a first end and a second end. A first end cap 30 connects the tunnel first ends. A second end cap 32 connects the tunnel second ends. A nozzle 36 through the first end cap oriented is parallel to the pair of generally parallel tunnels. See Figure 7. A nozzle 34 preferably opens through the second end cap. See Figure 7. The nozzles 34 and 36 are preferably defined by nozzle inserts 35 and 37 which block off tunnels connecting the parallel tunnels as were used in the earlier referenced patent application. A flange adapter not shown can be bolted to the underlying port defined by the nozzle insert to attach ducting carrying the dusty gas from the remediation volume.

With reference to Figure 1, each at least one inertial separator unit comprises a generally planar plate 38, parallel depending walls 40, 40', a curved wall 42 (dotted lines in Figure 1, see Figures 6 and 7 also). In preferred embodiments, the pair of generally planar parallel walls depend generally normally from the generally planar plate. The curved wall has a first end, a second end, and a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the pair of generally planar parallel walls. The curved wall is generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end. The first side edge and the second side edge connect generally normally to the pair of parallel generally planar walls. A portion 44 (Figure 7) of the curved wall adjacent the first end is generally parallel to the generally planar plate 38, and a portion 46 of the curved wall adjacent to the second end is positioned at an angle in the range of about 100 to about 150 degrees with respect to the generally planar plate. The curved wall follows part of a generally circular path along the pair of generally planar walls.

With reference to Figure 8, more preferably, the pair of generally parallel tunnels is positioned beneath the generally planar plate at positions spaced apart from the pair of generally planar parallel walls to define a pair of slots 48, 48' between the tunnels and the generally parallel walls. The side ports 26 of the tunnels face the generally planar parallel walls across the slots. The generally planar plate has covers carrying rows of apertures 50 (see also Figure 1) located above the top ports 28 of the pair of generally parallel tunnels, so that a multiplicity of gas flow paths are formed by the slots, the side ports, the tunnels, the top ports and the rows of apertures.

More preferably, with reference to Figure 7, each separator unit further comprises a second curved wall 52 having a first end and a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the pair of generally planar parallel walls. The second curved wall is generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end. The first side edge and the second side edge connect generally normal to the pair of parallel generally planar walls. A first portion 54 of the second curved wall adjacent the first end is generally parallel to the generally planar plate and a second portion 56 of the second curved wall adjacent to the second end is generally normal to the generally planar plate. A third portion 58 of the second curved wall joins the first portion of the second curved wall at an acute angle 60 and to the second portion of the second curved wall at a generally obtuse angle 62. The second portion of the second curved wall extends generally side by side with a portion of the first curved wall to form a flow passage of generally rectangular cross section that is oriented generally downwardly.

With reference to Figure 3, in a further preferred embodiment, the third portion of the second curved wall defines a window port 64 leading to a chamber 66 behind the second curved wall and the pair of generally planar parallel walls define a pair of windows 70 (See Figure 1) establishing communication directly between the chamber and the pair of slots.

With reference to Figure 3, the first end cap forms a third tunnel connecting the pair of tunnels and the second end cap forms a fourth tunnel connecting the pair of tunnels. All tunnels have flat tops and the generally planar plate rests on the flat tops of the four tunnels. One of the features of the invention is that the distributor of the invention can be adapted for use with tube sheets and filters as in my earlier referenced patent by the simple removal or addition of plates and nozzle inserts.

As in my earlier patent, all tunnels have flat bottoms and a skirt depends from an inside edge of the flat bottoms. The slots which can be used to remove cleansed gas from the bin are partially defined between the skirt and the pair of generally planar parallel walls.

Although the invention can be used with different types of dust collecting devices, in a preferred embodiment the device further comprises a bin 2, 2', 2" having a flat upper end supporting the flat bottoms of at least two of the tunnels. The bin forms a closure to permit dirty gases to be drawn into the unit by the blower(s).

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a closure 12 is positioned in covering relationship with the generally planar plate(s) and the blower 6 is flow-connected to the closure to draw gas sequentially through the nozzle(s) 18, through the flow passage of generally rectangular cross section, through the bin, through the pair of slots being formed between the tunnels and the generally parallel walls, through the tunnels having side ports facing the generally planar parallel walls across the slots, through the top ports of the tunnels, through the rows of apertures in the generally planar plate, and through the clean air plenum (attic) formed between generally planar plate 38 and closure 12 positioned in covering relationship with the generally planar plate. A further embodiment of the invention provides a method for inertial separation of dust from air. The method comprises flowing a dust- laden air stream into a closure. The dust-laden air stream is flowed along a downwardly curving wall bounded by a pair of side walls at a velocity sufficient to concentrate the dust along the downwardly curving wall. The air stream is then decelerated to settle the concentrated dust into a bin positioned beneath the downwardly curving wall. A first cleansed air stream is withdrawn from the bin, spit, and flowed upwardly outwardly of the pair of side walls. The cleansed air split streams are then split again into a plurality of air streams and the plurality of air streams is split into a multiplicity of air streams. The multiplicity of air streams are then combined into a single air stream, and discharged from the closure.

In a further embodiment, between the steps of flowing a dust-laden air stream into a closure and flowing the dust-laden air stream along a downwardly curving wall, the dust-laden air stream is flowed over a ledge. In a still further embodiment, a second cleansed air stream is withdrawn from beneath the ledge and the second cleansed air stream is combined with the cleansed air split streams.

In further aspects the apertures 50 can be covered above or

underneath with metal screen or wire mesh to function as spark arresters. Each inertial separator unit can employ a pair of separators as illustrated in the drawings.

In Figure 5, one or more of the ports 18 can draw from atmosphere, to dilute the gas portion of the dust laden streams with air. This method can be useful to reduce the temperature of the gas portion of the dust laden stream to levels that are not damaging to equipment further downstream. Also, the blow-out caps covering unused ports can provide pressure relief to vent the unit laterally and directionally in the event of explosion.

The inertial separators of the present invention can be used together with the filter separators of my earlier referenced PCT patent application if desired. By closing off ports 50 in at least one inertial separator unit, partly cleaned air can be made to flow through the bin. It can then flow upwardly through a filter plate-cartridge filter unit 102 that is cleaned by a pulse-jet system 110. See Figures 10 and 12 herein. The twice de-dusted gases would then be routed to the attic 104, and then into the blower unit 106. Where the unit contains a pulse-jet system, a swinging door 45 is preferably positioned in the inertial separator inlets to block back-flow of gases when the pulse-jet system is actuated. See Figure 6.

Alternatively, with reference to Figure 11, ports 50 can be covered with plates to cause partly cleaned gases to flow from the inertial separator 104", through the bin 2', and then upwardly through a filter plate cartridge unit 102' and into the attic 104'. The gases can then flow through a downflow aperture plate cartridge filter unit 100 and into a clean air plenum 120. See also Figure 9. The blower 2' draws triple-filtered gases from the clean air plenum 120 for discharge.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the invention is not to be construed as being so limited, except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a generally planar plate,

a pair of generally planar parallel walls depending generally normally from the generally planar plate,

a curved wall having a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the pair of generally planar parallel walls, said curved wall being generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end, said first side edge and the second side edge connecting generally normal to the pair of parallel generally planar walls, a portion of the curved wall adjacent the first end being generally parallel to the generally planar plate, and a portion of the curved wall adjacent to the second end being positioned at an angle in the range of 100 to 150 degrees with respect to the generally planar plate, the curved wall following part of a generally circular path along the pair of generally planar walls.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising

a pair of generally parallel tunnels positioned beneath the generally planar plate at positions spaced apart from the pair of generally planar parallel walls, a pair of slots being formed between the tunnels and the generally parallel walls, said tunnels having side ports facing the generally planar parallel walls across the slots.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein

the generally planar plate has rows of apertures located above the pair of generally parallel tunnels, and the tunnels have top ports facing the apertures, a multiplicity of gas flow paths being formed by the slots, the side ports, the tunnels, the top ports and the rows of apertures.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein each of the pair of tunnels has a first end and a second end, said apparatus further comprising a first end cap connecting the tunnel first ends,

a second end cap connecting the tunnel second ends,

wherein the first end cap defines a nozzle directed generally centrally between the pair of generally planar parallel walls and parallel to the portion of the curved wall adjacent to the first end.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 further comprising

a second curved wall having a first end and a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the pair of generally planar parallel walls, said second curved wall being generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end, the first side edge and the second side edge connecting generally normal to the pair of parallel generally planar walls, a first portion of the second curved wall adjacent the first end being generally parallel to the generally planar plate and a second portion of the second curved wall adjacent to the second end being generally normal to the generally planar plate, and a third portion of the second curved wall joining to the first portion of the second curved wall at an acute angle and to the second portion of the second curved wall at an obtuse angle.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the second portion of the second curved wall extends generally side by side with a portion of the first curved wall to form a flow passage of generally rectangular cross section that is oriented generally downwardly.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the third portion of the second curved wall defines a window port leading to a chamber behind the second curved wall and the pair of pair of generally planar parallel walls define a pair of windows establishing communication directly between the chamber and the pair of slots.

8. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the first end cap forms a third tunnel connecting the pair of tunnels and the second end cap forms a fourth tunnel connecting the pair of tunnels, wherein all tunnels have flat tops and the generally planar plate rests on the flat tops of the four tunnels, and a nozzle insert traverses the third tunnel and defines the nozzle.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein all tunnels have flat bottoms and a skirt depends from an inside edge of the flat bottoms, the slot being partially defined between the skirt and the pair of generally planar parallel walls.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising a bin having a flat upper end supporting the flat bottoms of at least two of the tunnels, said bin forming a closure.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising a roof closure positioned in covering relationship with the generally planar plate and forming an attic and a blower connected to the attic to draw gas sequentially through the nozzle, through the flow passage of generally rectangular cross section, through the bin, through the pair of slots formed between the tunnels and the generally parallel walls, through the tunnels having side ports facing the generally planar parallel walls across the slots, through the top ports of the tunnels, through the rows of apertures in the generally planar plate, and through the attic defined between the roof closure and the generally planar plate.

12. Apparatus comprising

a bin having a generally flat upper end,

a plurality of drop-in magazine units positioned sealingly on the flat upper end of the bin,

at least one of the plurality of drop-in magazine units carrying a blower unit and having an outlet for exhaust of air from the blower unit,

at least one of the plurality of drop-in magazine units including a manifold having an inlet for dusty air and carrying an inertial separator unit, and a roof cover positioned sealingly on the plurality of drop-in magazine units and forming an attic over the plurality of drop-in magazine units,

wherein the blower unit draws air through the inlet and the attic and the inertial separator unit deposits dust into the bin.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein

at least one of the plurality of drop-in magazine units carries an aperture plate with a plurality of depending tubular cartridge filters, and

the blower unit draws air through the inertial separator unit and then through the tubular cartridge filters and exhausts clean air.

14. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the blower unit draws air through the inertial separator, then through a portion of the bin, then upwardly through the depending tubular filter cartridges, then through a portion of the attic, and into the blower unit.

15. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the blower unit draws air through the inertial separator, then through a portion of the attic, then downwardly through the depending filter cartridges, then through a clean air plenum and into the blower unit.

16. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein at least two of the drop-in magazine units carry an aperture plate with a plurality of depending tubular cartridge filters and the blower unit draws air through the inertial separator, then through a portion of the bin, then upwardly through the depending tubular filter cartridges, then through a portion of the attic, then downwardly through the depending filter cartridges, then through a clean air plenum and into the blower unit.

17. Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein

each at least one manifold unit comprises a pair of generally parallel tunnels, said pair of generally parallel tunnels having side ports facing each other, each tunnel of the pair having top ports, a first end, and a second end,

a first end cap connecting the tunnel first ends,

a second end cap connecting the tunnel second ends,

and a nozzle through the first end cap oriented parallel to the pair of generally parallel tunnels.

18. Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein each at least one inertial separator unit comprises

a generally planar plate,

a curved wall having a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the pair of generally planar parallel walls, said curved wall being generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end, said first side edge and the second side edge connecting generally normal to the pair of parallel generally planar walls, a portion of the curved wall adjacent the first end being generally parallel to the generally planar plate, and a portion of the curved wall adjacent to the second end being positioned at an angle in the range of about 100 to about 150 degrees with respect to the generally planar plate, the curved wall following part of a generally circular path along the pair of generally planar walls.

19. Apparatus as in claim 18 wherein the pair of generally parallel tunnels is positioned beneath the generally planar plate at positions spaced apart from the pair of generally planar parallel walls to define a pair of slots between the tunnels and the generally parallel walls, wherein the side ports of the tunnels face the generally planar parallel walls across the slots, and

wherein

the generally planar plate has rows of apertures located above the top ports of the pair of generally parallel tunnels, so that a multiplicity of gas flow paths are formed by the slots, the side ports, the tunnels, the top ports and the rows of apertures.

20. Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein each at least one inertial separator unit further comprises

a second curved wall having a first end and a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the pair of generally planar parallel walls, said second curved wall being generally flat from side edge to side edge and curved from first end to second end, the first side edge and the second side edge connecting generally normal to the pair of parallel generally planar walls, a first portion of the second curved wall adjacent the first end being generally parallel to the generally planar plate and a second portion of the second curved wall adjacent to the second end being generally normal to the generally planar plate, and a third portion of the second curved wall joining to the first portion of the second curved wall at an acute and to the second portion of the second curved wall at an obtuse angle, wherein the second portion of the second curved wall extends generally side by side with a portion of the first curved wall to form a flow passage of generally rectangular cross section that is oriented generally downwardly.

21. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein the third portion of the second curved wall defines a window port leading to a chamber behind the second curved wall and the pair of pair of generally planar parallel walls define a pair of windows establishing communication directly between the chamber and the pair of slots.

22. A method for inertial separation of dust from air, said method comprising

flowing a dust-laden air stream into a closure,

flowing the dust-laden air stream along a downwardly curving wall bounded by a pair of side walls at a velocity sufficient to concentrate the dust along the downwardly curving wall,

decelerating the air stream to settle the concentrated dust into a bin positioned beneath the downwardly curving wall, separating a first cleansed air stream,

splitting the cleansed air stream,

flowing the cleansed air split streams upwardly outwardly of the pair of side walls,

splitting the cleansed air split streams into a plurality of air streams, splitting the plurality of air streams into a multiplicity of air streams, combining the multiplicity of streams into a single air stream, and discharging the single cleansed air stream from the closure.

23. A method as in claim 22 further comprising, between the steps of flowing a dust-laden air stream into a closure and flowing the dust- laden air stream along a downwardly curving wall,

the step of flowing the dust-laden air stream over a ledge.

24. A method as in claim 23 further comprising the step of withdrawing a second cleansed air stream from beneath the ledge, and combining the second cleansed air stream with the cleansed air split streams.