BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a system and method for separating particles from a gaseous stream, and more particularly a system and method utilizing a sinuous path through a baffle array for inertial particle separation and collection.

Description of Related Art

Conventional systems for separation of particles from gaseous streams typically utilize large cyclone assemblies, cartridge and/or bag filter arrays.

Cyclone assemblies and their associated ductwork for routing the gaseous stream to and from the cyclone may require significant capital investment and floorspace. Further, where the particles within the gaseous stream vary depending upon production mode/color applied and it is desired to separately collect each particle type, a cyclone assembly may have far too large a surface area to make cleaning between production runs to eliminate recovered particle cross-contamination cost and/or time efficient.

Filter arrays, such as a plurality of filter bags in a baghouse, may filter gaseous streams with a high degree of particle capture but require a significant ongoing operating cost as each filter bag/cartridge is replaced when eventually fouled by the particulates. Further, exchanging between filtering of different gaseous streams for particulate recovery is also labor-intensive and time-consuming. Finally, where the gaseous stream is hot and/or includes burning embers or cinders, prohibitively expensive fireproof filter media may be required.

Competition in the gaseous stream particle recovery industry has focused attention on process flexibility, quality control, labor requirements and overall reductions in manufacturing and installation costs.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a system and methods that overcome deficiencies in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, where like reference numbers in the drawing figures refer to the same feature or element and may not be described in detail for every drawing figure in which they appear and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of an exemplary inertial separation system. Figure 2 is a schematic top view of an exemplary baffle.

Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of a top section of the baffle of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic top view of a passage with baffle array, demonstrating particle capture within the cavity areas as a gaseous particle stream passes the baffle array.

Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of an exemplary sinuous path inertial separation system, with baffle array retracted and shroud removed.

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the SPIS of Figure 5, with the baffle array inserted into the passageway.

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the SPIS of Figure 5, with the baffle array retracted from the passageway.

Figure 8 is a schematic isometric top view of a baffle plate with baffle array attached.

Figure 9 is a close-up view of area B of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a schematic isometric bottom view of the baffle plate and baffle array of Figure 8.

Figure 1 1 is a schematic isometric view of a SPIS, with the shroud in place.

Figure 12 is a schematic top view of a top plate.

Figure 13 is a schematic top view of a hopper cover.

Figure 14 is a schematic side view of a hopper.

Figure 15 is a schematic isometric top view of the hopper of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a schematic top view of a SPIS, top assemblies removed for clarity.

Figure 17 is a schematic side cutaway view of the SPIS of Figure 16, taken along line CC.

Figure 18 is a close-up view of area D of Figure 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has recognized that the prior particulate recovery systems are unnecessarily complex, inefficient and inflexible. As shown for example in Figure 1 , a sinuous path inertial separation system (SPIS) 5 is positioned between a gaseous particle stream source 9 and a final filtration/fan module 13. Drawn through the SPIS 5 by, for example, a fan of the final filtration/fan module 13, the gaseous particle stream passes through a baffle array 17 of the SPIS 5 formed by a plurality of baffles 20 arranged in generally vertical staggered rows.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the baffles 20 have a flattened teardrop cross-section provided with a cavity area 24 open to a front face 27. The cavity area 24 extends longitudinally and includes rounded side pockets 30 positioned at opposing sides proximate the front face 27. The back face 33 tapers to form a tail 37. Sidewalls of each baffle 20, between the front face 27 and the back face 33 may have an exterior side surface 28 that is concave. The baffle 20 cross-section may be adjusted wider or narrower and the cavity area 24 (and side pockets 30) shortened or extended according to the volume and characteristics of the particles to be collected. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the baffles 20 may be cost efficiently fabricated with a high degree of dimensional precision by extrusion in either polymer or metal alloy materials according to, for example, a temperature and/or abrasive characteristic of the particles. Alternatively, the baffles 20 may be formed via sheet-metal bending. As shown in Figure 4, during operation the gaseous particle stream passes along the passage 42 from an inlet side 41 to an outlet side 43 through the baffle array 17. The gaseous particle stream is forced by the presence of the staggered rows of baffles 20 to move along a sinuous path. As the particles are each significantly heavier than the gaseous stream carrying them along, with each direction change around the individual baffles 20, inertia will have a greater effect upon the individual particles, inducing them to travel linearly rather than turning, resulting in capture of the particles within the cavity area 24 of the individual baffles 20 the gaseous stream is passing around. Once captured within a cavity area 24, a particle is inhibited from exiting the cavity area 24 by swirling turbulence there within aided by the rounded side pockets 30. Contained within the cavity area 24 the particles will travel downward under the influence of gravity.

As best shown in Figures 5-7, the gaseous particle stream is guided across the baffle array 17 by a passage 42 formed by side panels 44, a top plate 48 and a bottom surface 52 here demonstrated comprising a horseshoe plate 56 and a hopper cover 60.

The individual baffles 20 may each be mounted to a baffle plate 64 (see figures 8-10), for example via screws, configured so that the baffle array 17 may be raised and lowered through corresponding cutouts provided in the top plate 48 into and out of the passage 42. When seated within the passage 42 the distal ends of the individual baffles 20 extend through collection holes 68 provided in the hopper cover 60. A longitudinal axis of each of the baffles 20 may be perpendicular to a plane of the bottom surface 52. Thus, each of the collection holes 68 enables the particles falling along the cavity area 24 of the

corresponding baffle 20 under the influence of gravity to exit the passage 42 and collect within the hopper 72.

The movable baffle plate 64, driven for example by rotatable threaded rods 73 suspended from a drive plate 76, facilitates cleaning of the baffle array 17 and passage 42 after extended run time and/or upon gaseous stream changeover to enable collection of different particle types without cross-contamination such as color changes, for example when the gaseous particle stream source 9 is a collection area for overspray from a spray booth for a powder coating line.

As best shown in figure 1 1 , the displacement area 74 (see Figures 5-7) between the top plate 48 and drive plate 76 through which the baffle plate 64 reciprocates up and down is enclosed by a shroud 80 provided with an air inlet 84. Thereby the displacement area 74 may be pressurized to a higher level than that of the passageway 42 to provide an air curtain between the displacement area 74 and the passageway 42 during operation to inhibit passage of particles into the displacement area 74.

During changeover and/or cleaning operations, the displacement area 74 may be significantly over pressurized such that an airstream escaping from the displacement area 74 between the baffles 17 and top plate 48 washes the exterior surfaces of each baffle 20 as the baffle array 17 is retracted through the top plate 48. As best shown in Figure 12, additional wash holes 88 may be applied to the top plate 48 areas corresponding to the cavity area 24 and/or periphery of each baffle 17 to provide additional airflow at areas of the baffle array 17 with expected particle buildup.

The hopper plate 60 and collection holes 68 may be withdrawn from the passage 42 with the hopper 72 (see Figures 13-15), enabling quick exchange of these surfaces for cleaning separate from the downtime of the SPIS 5 or dedication of a separate hopper 72 for each particle type/color.

As best shown in Figures 16-18, the hopper 72 may be configured to seal against the horseshoe plate 56 first roughly via a wedge shape of the hopper 72 into the horseshoe plate 56 and then with precision against tapered guide pins 92 as the hopper 72 is lifted into operating position such that the hopper 72 seats against a shoulder 96 of the horseshoe plate 56.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that SPIS 5 enables particle recovery from gaseous streams with both extended run times and quick changeover for different particle recovery with a low chance for cross particle contamination in a compact and cost-efficient system. Further, the SPIS 5 is usable with high temperature gaseous streams as the surfaces in contact with the gaseous stream may be entirely metallic.

Table of Parts

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to ratios, integers, components or modules having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,

representative apparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant’s general inventive concept. Further, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims.