DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a washing device mounted on a filterpress used in a clarification and dehydration plant of sludge, derivatives for example by stones processing.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a washing method of filtering plates of a filterpress.

State of the art

Are known washing devices arranged on a filterpress. The washing devices allow to wash the filtering plates, to remove muddy material residues, after a compression and dehydrating process of sludge.

A common washing device is mounted above filtering plates and it is moved, through suitable means, along all the length of the filtering plates package.

The washing device comprises a plurality of nozzles that spray a washing fluid at high pressure. The washing fluid is activated contemporaneously to the movement of the washing device which it moves along a direction where the filtering plates are arranged. This way, the washing fluid can wash the filtering plates that are arranged in an open configuration, i.e. spaced to each other. The washing device according to the prior art has however some drawbacks.

Being the washing device arranged in a position higher than the filtering plates, the action of washing acts - and is mainly effective - in the corresponding upper part of the filtering plates and is not therefore uniform on all the surface of single filtering plates. Such aspect causes that solid residues remain on the filtering plates, causing inefficient action in the following sludge injection step in the filtering plates, which are not homogeneously filled by sludge, in addition to a risk of damage of the same filtering plates during the following compression and compaction processes, since that solid residues can damage the surface of the filtering plates.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a washing device of a filterpress adapted to wash uniformly the surface of each filtering plates of the filterpress.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a washing device of a filterpress adapted to optimize the washing process and to reduce the waste of washing fluid.

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a washing device of a filterpress that is structurally easy to make.

These and other objects are achieved by a washing device of a filterpress comprising:

a support carriage,

wherein said support carriage is slidingly mounted on sliding guides above a plurality of filtering plates aligned to each other along a longitudinal extension direction,

a washing group that comprises at least one nozzle that is adapted to spray a washing fluid,

first actuating means that is adapted to move said support carriage according to said longitudinal extension direction along the series of filtering plates arranged in an open configuration, where they are spaced with respect to each other, wherein are provided second actuating means that is adapted to actuating said washing group according to a top to down direction and vice-versa such that said washing group enters in a space defined between two adjacent filtering plates to each other in said open configuration.

This way, the washing group is moved longitudinally along a series of filtering plates and in correspondence of each space defined between two adjacent filtering plates in the open configuration, descend in said space such that the jet erogated by said nozzle wash homogeneously the filtering plates. Then, the washing group rises again in the starting position.

The washing of the other filtering plates repeat the steps of: move the support carriage in order to arrange the washing group in correspondence of an subsequent space between two other adjacent filtering plates, move the washing group into the space with a descent and ascent motion.

Advantageously, said washing group comprises a plurality of nozzles that is faced - in use - towards the respective surfaces of the two consecutive filtering plates.

In particular, the first and the second moving means are operated by a control unit programmed to:

actuating said support carriage along said longitudinal direction extension, positioning said washing group at a space defined between adjacent filtering plates to each other,

actuating said washing group downhill into the filtering plates, and

contemporaneously to the handling downhill of the washing group activating the washing fluid flow,

actuating said washing group in ascent to return in the original position and stopping the washing fluid flow,

repeating said steps of actuating the support carriage, positioning the washing group and actuation downhill and ascent the washing group.

In particular, said support carriage is slidingly mounted on two side guides arranged above the filtering plates. The support carriage comprises wheels that slide along the side guides.

The actuating means is for example electric actuators mounted on the support carriage. In particular, is provided a translation gear motor adapted to actuate the support carriage along the side guides, and a descent gear motor adapted to actuate the washing group in a vertical movement. The first and the second gear motor are arranged on board of the support carriage.

In particular, said washing group comprises a rolling shutter that is adapted to carry out the descent and ascent movement according to a vertical top to down direction and vice-versa. This way, the washing group can be lower between the filtering plates and then return in the original position, to pass to another washing of subsequent filtering plates.

Advantageously, the washing device is located in a rest position above a shoulder side, or shoulder sludge, of the filterpress.

Advantageously, are provided aligning sensors, in particular laser sensors or photocell or a combination thereof. This way, it is possible to adjust the position of the support carriage and then the position of the washing group with respect to the filtering plates. The aligning sensors allows to displace precisely the support carriage in order to positioning exactly the washing group at the space or space, i.e. the empty space defined between two adjacent filtering plates which are spaced to each other in the open configuration. At washing beginning, said washing device is operated, and by the translation gear motor is guided in a position above a first opening space defined between two adjacent filtering plates. Once identified a correct position, the descent gear motor is activated in order to move down said rolling shutter. In detail, the rolling shutter drops between the two plates. During the descent motion, a high-pressure pump is activated, said high-pressure providing the jet of the washing fluid, for example water, to the washing group. The water comes out from nozzles that spray the surfaces of the filtering plates.

In particular, are provided proximity sensors arranged on the washing group that allow to adjust the descent stroke of the washing group. This way, the stroke of the washing group downhill is adjusted by said proximity sensors that act as end stop. In other words, the washing group drops until the proximity sensors detect them.

A this point the washing group stops and the washing process continuous for a time which can be selected by a controller configured by an operator.

Then the washing group, always through the descent gear motor, rises again.

During the raising motion, the water is still erogated by the nozzles, the erogation is stopped when the washing group exits completely from the filtering plates. Such succession of washing makes it possible to optimize the filtering plates washing process, obtaining a homogeneous and effective washing of all the surface of the filtering plates, and, furthermore, reducing and optimizing the washing fluid consumption.

These washing steps is repeated until filtering plates of a first stack or group are washed. The washing step can be provided for a series of filtering plates groups that are selectively moved in the open configuration.

For example, after the washing step of a first ten filtering plates, the washing device stops and wait the opening of a second stack or group of filtering plates. At this point, by the translation gear motor the carriage is moved in a subsequent position above a second group of filtering plates with the control of the aligning sensors.

The washing step continuous until that all the groups of filtering plates are washed. Ended the washing process, the washing device returns thereof in a rest position above the shoulder sludge.

Thus, start the washing step of the second group of filtering plates. ln addition, on said support carriage is provided, furthermore, a position sensor, in particular an encoder, operated by said control unit.

Preferably on said support carriage is arranged a guiding chain shaped as a channel in which it is arranged a feeding duct of washing fluid that feeds the nozzles, the guiding chain is adapted to guiding the feeding duct following the stroke that carries out the support carriage and/or the washing group.

Furthermore, is provided a wheel roller duct that allows to guide the feeding duct in the descent stroke of the washing group.

Preferably is provided a cable holder chain that allows to arrange electric cables adapted to feed the first and second actuating means.

According to another aspect of the invention is provided a washing method to wash filtering plates of a filterpress, said washing method comprising the steps of: prearranging a support carriage, wherein said support carriage is slidingly mounted above a plurality of filtering plates aligned to each other along a longitudinal extension direction and comprises a washing group that comprises at least one nozzle that is adapted to spray a washing fluid,

actuating said support carriage according to said longitudinal extension direction said ion along the series of filtering plates arranged in an open configuration, where said filtering plates are spaced to each other,

actuating said washing group according to a top to down direction and vice-versa such that said washing group enters in a space defined between two adjacent filtering plates in said open configuration,

spraying a washing fluid from said at least one nozzle contemporaneously to said actuating step of said washing group into said space.

Advantageously, by said actuating step of said support carriage along said longitudinal direction is carry out a positioning of said washing group in correspondence to the space defined between adjacent filtering plates.

In particular, by the step of actuating the washing group downhill along the filtering plates, the step provides actuating said washing group in ascent for bring it back it position original and a step of interruption of the washing fluid flow.

Advantageously, said spray step is discontinued when said washing group moved to ascent has achieved the position original outside of the filtering plates.

Preferably is provided a stop step and a contemporaneous delivery of the washing fluid when the washing group descent between the plates of washing. The stop step and delivery in position static is done for a predetermined time programmable from sheet operator.

Advantageously, said steps of actuating the support carriage, positioning the washing group and actuating downhill and ascent the washing group are previous steps for each couple of filtering plates.

Advantageously, the washing method is programmed for laving groups of filtering plates the filterpress arranged in the open configuration and distant of the filtering plates.

Description of figures of the invention

Further characteristic and advantages of the invention are better shown by the examination the following detailed description of a shape of preferred embodiment, but not exclusive, shown for example and not limitative, with the support of the attached drawings, wherein:

- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a washing device according to the present invention mounted on a filterpress ;

- Fig. 2 shows a view in a first perspective of the washing device according to the present invention;

- Fig. 3 shows a view in a second perspective of the washing device according to the present invention;

- Fig. 4 shows an elevational front view of the washing device according to the present invention;

- Fig. 5 shows an elevational side view of the washing device mounted on the filter press;

Figs from 6 to 9 show an elevational front view of the configurations that assume the washing device, according to the present invention, during a succession operative of washing.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to Fig. 1 , is shown a washing group 10 of a filterpress 100 that comprises a support carriage 1 slidingly mounted on sliding guides 6, 7 above a plurality of filtering plates 20 aligned to each other along a longitudinal extension direction X.

The support carriage 1 is arranged on two side guides 6 and 7 that extend for all the length of the filterpress 100. The side guides 6, 7 are located at a predetermined level with respect to the ground such that the support carriage 1 result arranged above the filtering plates 20, as it is described hereinafter.

The washing group 10 comprises a washing group 2, better shown in Figs. 2 and 3, having at least one nozzle 3 that is adapted to spray a washing fluid 3’. In an advantageous way, a plurality of nozzles 3 (Fig. 3) distributed along the washing group 2 is provided. The washing group 2 has a transversal extension T, orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal extension X, said nozzles 3 are advantageously, equally spaced along said transversal extension T. This way, the washing fluid 3’ is supplied uniformly on the filtering plates 20.

Are, furthermore, provided first actuating means 4 that is adapted to actuating the support carriage 1 according to the longitudinal extension direction X along the series of filtering plates 20, and second actuating means 5 that is adapted to actuating the washing group 2 according to a direction V from top to down and vice-versa. This way, the washing group 2 can penetrate in a space D defined between two adjacent to each other filtering plates 20, when the latter are in an open configuration, i.e. at a space from each other.

The washing group 2 is therefore moved longitudinally along the series of filtering plates 20, direction X, in order to be positioned selectively in correspondence of each space D defined between two adjacent filtering plates 20 in the open configuration, direction V. The washing group 2 is moved down between the plates 20 such that the jet 3’ emitted by nozzles 3 can wash homogeneously the filtering plates 20. Then, the washing group 2 is moved up again in the starting position, above the filtering plates 20.

The washing of the other filtering plates 20 repeat the same actuation steps, advantageously, with a step movement or continuous movement of the support carriage 1 , in order to: bring the washing group 2 in correspondence of each space D between two filtering plates 20, to move down the washing group 2 and to move up the same, as it is hereinafter described in detail.

The washing group 2 therefore comprises a plurality of nozzles 3 that is faced in use towards the respective surfaces of the two filtering plates 20. The spray 3’ supplied by the nozzles 3 can be monodirectional, or advantageously, bidirectional in order to wash a front portion and a back portion of the filtering plates 20. Can also be provided a side jet that allows to wash according to a substantially parallel direction to the filtering plates 20. The jet 3’ being a fan-shaped makes it possible to eliminate impurities along the boundary edges of the filtering plates, pushing the impurities outwards.

Structurally, the actuating means are, for example, electric actuators mounted on the support carriage 1. In particular, is provided a first translation gear motor 4 for actuating the support carriage 1 along the side guides 6, 7, and a second descent gear motor 5 for actuating the washing group 2.

Functionally, both the actuators 4, 5 are operated by a control unit 50 (Fig. 2) programmed to:

actuating the support carriage 1 along the longitudinal direction X,

positioning the washing group 2 at a space D (Fig.5) defined between filtering plates 20 adjacent to each other 20a and 20b. After the positioning, the same control unit 50 operates the movements of the washing group 2 along the filtering plates 20a, 20b. Contemporaneously to the top to down movement of the washing group 2, or better once achieved a same level of an upper portion of the filtering plates 20, the spray of the washing fluid 3’ is activated.

Effected the washing, which can be programmed responsive to a specific washing time, for example predetermined seconds, the control unit 50 moves up the washing group 2 in order that it return in the original position and achieve the upper end stop the washing fluid 3’ flow.

The washing starts substantially when the nozzles 3 is located at a level where they are faced toward the surface of the filtering plate 20. This way, the washing fluid 3’ is not wasted and it is not dispersed in external parts with respect to the surface of the filtering plates 20.

A this point, the control unit 50 starts to supply the washing fluid 3’ that - following the top to down and vice versa movements of the washing group - wash homogeneously the filtering plate 20, substantially in two washing stroke: a first wash during descent, and a second wash during ascent of the washing group 2. The above described steps of actuating the support carriage 1 , positioning the washing group 2 and actuating the descent and ascent movements the washing group 2, are repeated in order to complete the washing of each single filtering plate or groups of filtering plates. ln particular, the support carriage 1 is slidingly mounted on said side guides 6, 7 which are arranged at a level above the filtering plates 20. The support carriage 1 comprises wheels 4b, 4c that slide along the side guides 6, 7. In detail, the gear motor 4 transmits the motion to a couple of driving wheels 4b arranged on axes 4a. arranged on an opposite side a couple of driven wheels 4c is provided. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, all the wheels can be actuated.

In particular, the washing group 2 is moved by a shutter roller 2a (Fig. 4) that is adapted to carry out the top to down movements according to the direction V and vice-versa. This way, the washing group 2 can be moved down between the filtering plates 20 and then moved up to the position original, passing to wash a following filtering plates.

Advantageously, the washing group 10 is arranged in a rest position above a shoulder side, or shoulder sludge, of the filterpress 100, as shown in Fig. 5.

Advantageously, are provided aligning sensors, in particular, a laser sensor 35 and/or photocell 36 or a combination thereof. In particular, four laser sensors 35 arranged downstream and upstream of said roller shutter 2a and therefore with respect to the washing group 2 are provided. Each couple of the laser sensor 35 is mounted on a respective support carriage 1 edge. This way, it is possible to adjust the position of the support carriage 1 and then the position of the washing group 2 with respect to the filtering plates 20. The aligning sensors allows to arrange precisely the support carriage 1 at the end of positioning exactly the washing group 2 at the space D, i.e. the empty space defined between two adjacent filtering plates 20 to each other when is located in the open configuration.

Furthermore, they are arranged two sensors to photocell 36 at the washing group 2, also these each arranged on a with respect led, at the end of measuring and generating the actuating signal nozzles 3, when these is located frontally to the filtering plate 20.

At washing beginning, the washing group 10 is activated by the translation gear motor 3 to move the same above the first opening space between two adjacent filtering plates 20 (Fig.6). Once identified the correct position, the descent gear motor 5 is activated to move down the washing group 10 by the rolling shutter between two adjacent plates 20a, 20b (Fig.7). During descent motion, an high pressure pump 15 is activated, said pump 15 is conformed to supply the washing fluid 3’, for example water, to the washing group 2. The water comes out from the nozzles 3 that spray the washing fluid 3’ on the filtering plates 20.

In particular, proximity sensors 36 arranged on the washing group 2 are provided, that allow to control the descent motion of the washing group 2. This way, the descent motion of the washing group 2 is adjusted and controlled by the proximity sensors 36 that act as a stroke end. In other words, the washing group 2 is moved down until the proximity sensors 36 detects the presence and stop it.

For example, are provided two photocell sensors 36 arranged on the washing group 2, each arranged on a respective side, in order to detect and generate the actuating signal of the nozzles 3, when these is located frontally to the filtering plate 20.

A this point the washing group 2 stops and continuous the washing for a selected time configured by an operator interface.

Then the washing group 2, always through the descent gear motor 5, is moved up again.

During the up motion, the water is still supplied and stops when the washing group 2 arrive at a level wherein is completely out with respect to the filtering plates 20. Such washing succession steps makes it possible to optimize the washing of the filtering plates, to obtain an homogeneous and effective washing of all the surface of the filtering plates, and, furthermore, reducing and optimizing the consumption of washing fluid 3’.

This washing step is repeated until the filtering plates of a first group are washed (Fig.5). The washing step can be done by filtering plates groups of filtering plates 20 that are carried in the open configuration (Fig.9).

For example, after the washing step of the first ten filtering plates, the washing group 10 stops and wait the opening of a second group of filtering plates. At this point, by the translation gear motor 4 the carriage support is moved in position above the second group of filtering plates 20’ by said aligning sensors 35.

The washing cycle of the secondo filtering plates group is continue until all the groups of filtering plates 20 are washed.

Ended the washing step, the washing group 10 returns thereof in the rest position above the sludge shoulder.

Thus, start the washing step of a second group of filtering plates (Fig.9). In addition, on the support carriage 1 is provided, furthermore, a position sensor 27, in particular an encoder, (Fig.2 and 4) operated by the control unit 50.

Preferably on the support carriage 1 is arranged a guiding chain 60 in which it is arranged a feeding duct to supply the washing fluid 3’ by the nozzles 3. The guiding chain 60 is adapted to guide the feeding duct to follow the movements that carries out the support carriage 1 and/or the washing group 2.

It is, furthermore, provided a second guiding chain 64 that houses the electric connection cables to supply the actuators of the washing device.

Furthermore, is provided a roller wheel duct 18 that allows to guide the feeding duct in the descent or ascent movements of the washing group 2.

The description of which above at least one exemplary embodiments particular is capable of show the invention from a viewpoint conceptual so that other, using the prior art, can be changing and/or adapting in various applications an exemplary embodiments without further researches and without moving away from each other by the concept inventive, and, then is intended that such adaptation and changes will be high as equivalent of an exemplary embodiment specific. The means and the material to provide the various functions described can be changes nature without for this come out from the field of invention. Is intended that the expression or the terminology used have object purely described for this not limitative.