WO2020230036A1

WO2020230036A1 - Galvanic tank with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids and galvanization and suction industrial plant comprising said tank

Info

Publication number: WO2020230036A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/054506
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea DEL MAZZA
Original assignee: D.M.C. Srl
Priority date: 2019-05-15
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2020-11-19
Also published as: IT201900006847A1

Abstract

Galvanic tank (100) with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids, comprising: - external casing (20) with suction hole (22), connected to a suction duct (45) which, by means of a common suction pump (44), suctions air from the upper portion of an interspace (15); - internal tank (10), adapted to contain a predetermined quantity of galvanic solution, provided with suction mouths (12); - interspace (15) between external casing (20) and internal tank (10); - upper closure (17) adapted to seal said interspace (15) on the upper part; - introduction hood (40), adapted to expel air from the top in the direction of the upper edge (11); - base (30) adapted to allow the controlled flow of possible liquids exiting from the internal tank (10), conveying them into a discharge channel (34).

Description

“Galvanic tank with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids and galvanization and suction industrial plant comprising said tank”

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention operates in the context of industrial machines in the field of surface treatments of metallic objects. More in detail, this is a new and innovative tank for galvanic treatments which allows containing, if not actually eliminating, the leaks of liquids and gases that are toxic for the environment and for man.

Prior art

Galvanization is an industrial technique that has been known for years. It consists of coating/covering a metallic manufactured item with a thin and strongly adherent layer of another metal, both for esthetic purposes and in order to protect it from corrosion. The most diffused type of galvanization is that which is carried out via immersion of the manufactured item in a tank containing a solution of chemical substances, also comprising the metal with which it is desired to coat/cover the object. Due to the chemical substances and to the high temperature of the solution, different layers of metallic alloys and interm etallic compounds with varied composition are formed on the surface of the manufactured item.

Given the heavy use of chemical substances, the liquids and the fumes which exit from galvanic tanks are very corrosive and toxic both for the environment and for man.

The problems tied to leaks from galvanic tanks are therefore of two types:

- liquid leaks, i.e. of galvanic solution, which could occur due to the movements of the frames within the tanks, leaving residues on the floor and

- gaseous emissions, toxic for all the operators who work near the tanks.

Up to now, these two problems have been resolved in unsatisfactory manner. The floors of many galvanization rooms are often worn due to the drops of galvanic solution that remain there for hours.

The same galvanization rooms require considerable air change systems for expelling all the toxic fumes and introducing clean air. It follows that, given the enormous volumes of air to be treated, the plants are very costly both at the energy level and at the economic level. During winter, in particular, the extraction of air from the galvanization room would provide for the introduction of the same climate-controlled air amount in order to allow the operators to work in a livable and not too cold environment. Such perspective is realistically impossible if not with a very high energy expenditure.

Several international patents have, as object, tanks for galvanization which however do not solve the aforesaid problems. One example thereof is the patent RU2653169 which claims an automated device for cleaning the fluids coming from industrial waste of galvanization. With regard to the emissions, however, nothing seems to have ever been claimed regarding the galvanic tanks themselves.

Object of the present patent is therefore to describe a new galvanic tank provided with expedients adapted to allow a correct disposal of liquids as well as fumes.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention, a galvanic tank with double casing is attained, which is adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids and which effectively resolves the abovementioned problems. Technical expedients to be made to the galvanization industrial plant are also claimed, which will thus increase the advantages thereof deriving from the use of the aforesaid tanks.

Each tank is advantageously provided with a double layer, i.e. an external casing and an internal tank which define an interspace therebetween.

The upper portion of the interspace has the function of conveying the toxic fumes into a removal and discharge plant, while the lower portion serves to carry the possible liquids into a suitable disposal plant, installed below the floor of the industrial plant. In this manner, all the toxic waste of the galvanization treatments will be moved away from the galvanization room and from the operators who work here in a timely manner, moving the frames on which the metallic objects to be treated are hung.

More in detail, the internal tank is that which will contain the galvanic solution. This is delimited on the lower part by a lower projecting surface, which also has the function of support for the external casing. Said tank is open on the upper part and, at its upper edge, is provided with a plurality of suction mouths by which the air will be suctioned, containing the toxic fumes, to be disposed of according to modes described hereinbelow. Still at the upper edge, the internal tank is externally provided with a horizontal septum, which - by externally projecting - divides the interspace into an upper portion and a lower portion.

The external casing is open both on the lower part and on the lower part and is housed so as to laterally surround the internal tank. When installed, the external casing will on the lower part be set on the lower projecting surface of the internal tank. On the upper part, the upper edge of the external casing will be found at a height equal to or slightly higher than the upper edge of the internal tank.

Advantageously, an upper closure will seal the top the interspace between the two components described above. On the surface of the external casing, at least one suction hole will be present, connected to a suction duct which, by means of a common suction pump, is adapted to suction air from the upper portion of said interspace.

In order to overcome the previously encountered problems, the technical expedients of the present invention are aimed for optimizing the efficiency of the air recirculation plant. The operating principle states that the same quantity of air that was suctioned is re-introduced into circulation. In order to prevent waste, by suctioning the air in proximity to the galvanic liquid, it is necessary to re-introduce the same quantity of air in the same area. In such a manner, the air introduced and then immediately suctioned not only will remove the toxic fumes, but it will also avoid the useless suction of the air surrounding the tanks which does not contain harmful emissions and which is climate-controlled, ensuring the health and comfort for the operators.

For the attainment of the aforesaid objects, the tanks of the present invention are advantageously provided with an introduction hood, placed above said internal tank. The introduction hood advantageously comprises at least one motor and at least one introduction mouth and is adapted to blow air from the top in the direction of the upper edge of the internal tank, in proximity to said suction mouths.

In a preferred embodiment, the interspace portion above said horizontal septum is divided into at least two sub-portions by means of at least one pair of separation septa. These have the function of dividing the volume of air which the suction duct must suction. In this case the external casing will be provided with at least one pair of suction holes, at least one for each section of the upper interspace, optimizing the air suction.

In another embodiment, said tank also comprises at least one cover adapted to be reversibly closed on the upper opening of said tank, when not used, in order to prevent leaks of liquids and fumes.

With regard to the disposal of the liquids, i.e. of the galvanic solution contained within the internal tank.

A first technical expedient provides for making the tank with a base suitably configured for allowing the controlled flow of possible exiting liquids, conveying them into a discharge channel. More in detail, said base comprises:

- a tilted support, installed below said lower projecting surface of said internal tank;

- a discharge surface installed below said tilted support and in turn tilted towards the discharge channel, adapted to project with respect to the perimeter of all the upper components in order to collect the possible liquids and convey them towards said discharge channel;

- a counter-tilted pedestal, installed below said discharge surface, adapted to allow a flat support for the entire tank.

In conclusion, due to the abovementioned components, it will be possible to set the tank on a flat surface, simultaneously obtaining a tilted surface which conveys the toxic liquids into suitable disposal wells. The floor of the industrial plant which uses the tanks described herein will be advantageously installed at the lower projecting surface of the tanks, which is in horizontal position and hence arranging all the tilted components below the walking surface.

Even more improved embodiments of the present tank, still with reference to liquid disposal, provide for arranging at least one overflow hole at the internal tank, in proximity to the upper edge. More specifically, the position of the overflow hole will be a little bit lower than the horizontal septum, preventing any possibility of liquid introduction in the air suction duct.

Possibly and preferably, within said interspace, at the overflow hole, hence in the lower portion of the interspace, there is at least one pair of vertical septa adapted to define a discharge channel for conveying the galvanic solution, exiting from the overflow hole, directly downward to the base.

Let us examine the advantages that a galvanization plant could obtain by installing the tanks of the present invention. In addition to the immediate channeling of the toxic and corrosive liquids of the galvanization, as seen, the plant will also have lower energy requirements for the air recirculation, simultaneously ensuring the health of the work environment for the operators. Also the climate-control will have enormous advantages.

In addition, in order to maximize the advantages, the terminal portion of the air suction duct can be provided with an electrical heating element, adapted to increase the temperature thereof, causing the start of a natural ventilation within the plant. Advantageously, such heating element can be powered supplied by means of photovoltaic panels.

Among the other advantages, according to the present invention, also a control system can be arranged for controlling the operation of the fumes disposal plant, always ensuring the health of the air for the operators. Such system is constituted by common thermographic cameras adapted to frame the galvanic tanks, sending the images to at least one dedicated server which is configured for emitting an alarm signal if the hot fumes, coming from a tank, are diffused into the room. Such control system could also provide at least one acoustic signal adapted to operate in case of detected malfunctioning of the ventilation system.

Finally, if the galvanization industrial plant had tanks in the previously-described version with the cover, this could advantageously arrange a system of actuators adapted to close the covers of said tanks, in an automatic manner, at the end of the work day or upon detecting a malfunctioning in the ventilation system.

The advantages offered by the present invention are clear in light of the description set forth up to now and will be even clearer due to the enclosed figures and to the relative detailed description.

Description of the figures

The invention will be described hereinbelow in at least one preferred embodiment as a nonlimiting example with the aid of the enclosed figures, in which:

- FIGURE 1 shows an axonometric exploded view of the tank 100, object of the present invention.

- FIGURE 2 illustrates, more in detail, the longitudinal section of a tank 100 in which the discharge system for the galvanic liquids is depicted.

- FIGURE 3 shows a top view of the tank 100 in which the configuration is shown of the interspace 15 between the external casing 20 and the internal tank 10.

- FIGURE 4 shows another axonometric exploded view in which the structure of the internal tank 10 is better shown.

- FIGURE 5 schematically illustrates the system for controlling leaks by means of thermographic cameras 60.

- FIGURE 6 schematically shows the configuration of the air recirculation plant in one embodiment thereof, adapted to allow a natural ventilation. Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will now be illustrated as a merely exemplifying but non-limiting or non-binding example, with reference to the figures which illustrate several embodiments relative to the present inventive concept.

With reference to FIG. 1, an axonometric exploded view is shown of a tank 100 according to the present invention, with particular attention to the representation of the components of the base 30.

This part of the tank 100 has been the object of modifications, which have been made to a part of the present invention, so as to allow an immediate disposal of possible drops of galvanic solution which otherwise would have remained on the floor, corroding it and emitting fumes that are toxic for man.

According to the present invention, therefore, the base 30 of the galvanic tank 100 is constituted by a tilted support 31 installed below the actual tank, i.e. the part that contains the galvanic liquid. The lower portion of the tilted support 31 has a tilt which is followed also by the discharge surface 32 installed below the tilted support 31. Such discharge surface 32 projects externally with respect to the perimeter of all the upper components in order to collect the possible liquids and convey them to the discharge channel 34. Still on the lower part, a counter-tilted pedestal 33 is present, adapted to make the support surface of the entire tank 100 horizontal.

With the aid of Fig. 2, one can see the installation of the walking surface 36 above all the abovementioned components of the base 30, so as to make the walking surface horizontal and convey all the liquids below the surface on which the operators move.

Thanks to Fig. 3, however, we can better comprehend the elements constituting the two casings of the tank 100 which are extended above the just-described base 30.

The internal tank 10 is that which contains the galvanic solution; the external casing 20 laterally encloses it, defining an interspace 15 between the two.

Said external casing 20 is open on the lower as well as upper part and, in proximity to its upper edge 21, is provided with a pair of suction holes 22, connected to a suction duct 45 which, by means of a common suction pump 44, suctions air from the upper portion of said interspace 15. At the aforesaid upper portion of the interspace 15, the internal tank 10 is provided with a plurality of suction mouths 12. The level of the galvanic liquid is held lower than said mouths 12 in a manner so as to prevent the introduction of liquid into the air suction duct 45. This is obtained by means of a common overflow hole 13 placed at a lower height than said mouths 12.

The external surface of the internal tank 10, at said overflow hole 13, has a pair of vertical septa adapted to define a discharge channel 14 which conveys the exiting galvanic solution, downward to said base 30.

In order to optimize the air suction, a horizontal septum 18 is interposed between the two casings 10-20 in the interspace 15; such horizontal septum 18 is extended from the external surface of the internal tank 10 up to touching the internal walls of the external casing 20. Due to this expedient and to an upper closure cap 17, the portion of the interspace 15 from which air is suctioned, corresponding to the internal tank 10 portion that lacks galvanic solution, is clearly delimited, avoiding the suction of excess air or liquids.

In the preferred solution, moreover, the interspace portion 15 above said horizontal septum 18 is in turn divided into two sub-portions by means of a pair of separation septa 16. Each sub-portion corresponds to a suction hole 22 in the external casing 20.

Above the tank, an introduction hood 40 is arranged which, by emitting air, ensures that the suction plant can always draw air that is suitably emitted before then being suctioned, hence avoiding the suctioning of climate-controlled air, lacking emissions deriving from the galvanic solution.

Said introduction hood 40 is then provided with a motor 42 and with two introduction mouths 41 which direct the emitted air downward, hence towards the tank 10. In this manner, a laminar air flow is created that clearly delimits the air breathed by the operators from that in proximity to the tanks 100, which is rich in chemical substances and which is situated at a higher temperature.

The final two figures enclosed with the present description regard the galvanization plant that uses tanks 100 like those described or variations thereof which are obvious for the man skilled in the art.

Said tanks 100 are framed by a system of thermographic cameras 60 which send the images to a dedicated server 61, which is configured for emitting an alarm signal, by means of an acoustic signal 62, if the hot fumes coming from said tank 100 are diffused beyond a pre- established range, indicating a malfunctioning in the ventilation system.

Finally, it clear that modifications, additions or variations that are obvious for a man skilled in the art can be made to the invention described up to now, without departing from the protective scope that is provided by the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Galvanic tank (100) with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids, characterized in that it comprises at least one internal tank (10) and an external casing (20) configured for defining an interspace (15) therebetween:

- said external casing (20) being open on the lower as well as upper part and having greater height than said internal tank (10) in a manner such that the height of the upper edge (21) of said external casing (20) exceeds the height of the upper edge (11) of said internal tank (10); said external casing (20), in proximity to said upper edge (21), being provided with at least one suction hole (22), connected to a suction duct (45) which, by means of a common suction pump (44), is adapted to suction air from the upper portion of said interspace (15);

- said internal tank (10), adapted to contain a predetermined quantity of galvanic solution, provided with a lower projecting surface (35) adapted to act as a bottom of the internal tank (10) itself and as lower support for said external casing (20); said internal tank (10) being provided with an upper edge (11) delimited on the lower part by an externally projecting horizontal septum (18), adapted to define the limit of the upper portion of said interspace (15); above said horizontal septum (18), said internal tank (10) being provided with a plurality of suction mouths (12) adapted to allow the suction of the air by said pump (44) to have effect at said upper edge (11) of said internal tank (10);

- said interspace (15) between said external casing (20) and said internal tank (10) being provided with width equal to the projection of said horizontal septum (18);

- an upper closure (17) adapted to seal said interspace (15) at the upper part in order to allow the suction of the air to be directed to the area at the upper edge (11) of said internal tank (10);

- an introduction hood (40), placed above said internal tank (10); said introduction hood (40) comprising at least one motor (42) and at least one introduction mouth (41) and being adapted to expel air from the top in the direction of said upper edge (11);

- a base (30) adapted to allow the controlled flow of possible liquids exiting from said internal tank (10), conveying them into a discharge channel (34); said base (30) comprising: a tilted support (31) installed below said lower projecting surface (35) of said internal tank (10); a discharge surface (32) installed below said tilted support (31), adapted to project with respect to the perimeter of all of the upper components in order to receive the possible liquids and convey them to said discharge channel (34), said discharge surface (32) being tilted in the direction of the latter; a counter-tilted pedestal (33), installed below said discharge surface (32), adapted to allow a flat support of the entire tank (100).

2. Galvanic tank (100) with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids, according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that the interspace portion (15) above said horizontal septum (18) is divided into at least two sub-portions by means of at least one pair of separation septa (16) adapted to divide the volume of air that the suction duct must suction; said external casing (20) being provided with at least one pair of suction holes (22) from which air is suctioned.

3. Galvanic tank (100) with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said internal tank (10) comprises at least one overflow hole (13) placed in proximity to the upper edge (11), below said horizontal septum (18); said overflow hole (13) being adapted to allow the exit of possible excess galvanic solution, preventing this from reaching the level of the suction holes (12).

4. Galvanic tank (100) with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids, according to the preceding claim 3, characterized in that, within said interspace (15), at said overflow hole (13), at least one pair of vertical septa are present that are adapted to define a discharge channel (14) adapted to convey the galvanic solution exiting from said overflow hole (13) directly downward to said base (30).

5. Galvanic tank (100) with double casing adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one cover adapted to be reversibly closed on the upper opening of said tank (100), when not used, in order to prevent leaks of liquids and fumes.

6. Galvanization and suction plant adapted to contain leaks of toxic fluids from at least one galvanization tank; said plant being characterized in that it comprises at least one galvanic tank (100), according to any one of the preceding claims and in that it also comprises an electrical heating element (46), placed at the terminal portion of the air suction duct (45), i.e. the portion in contact with the external air, adapted to increase the temperature of said terminal portion of said suction duct (45), causing the start of a natural ventilation within said plant.

7. Galvanization and suction plant, according to the preceding claim 6, characterized in that it comprises photovoltaic panels adapted to power supply said electrical heating element (46).

8. Galvanization and suction plant, according to any one of the preceding claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one thermographic camera (60) adapted to frame at least one galvanic tank (100), sending the images to at least one dedicated server (61) which is configured for emitting an alarm signal if the hot fumes coming from said tank (100) are diffused beyond a pre-established range around said tank (100), indicating a malfunctioning in the ventilation system.

9. Galvanization and suction plant, according to the preceding claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one acoustic signal (62) adapted to operate in the case of detected malfunctioning of the ventilation system.

10. Galvanization and suction plant, according to any one of the preceding claims 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises actuators adapted to close an upper cover of said tanks (100) in an automatic manner at the end of the work day or upon detecting a malfunctioning in the ventilation system.