Universal/scrubber/precipitator for scrubbing smoke

A universal/scrubber/precipitator comprises at least one, or a plurality of rolls or circular cylinders concentric and rotatable in one direction about their common axis. The rolls are perforate with perforations less each in span than the span supported by the surface tension of the liquid in a liquid bath in which the drums are partially immersed. Each roll has a plurality of cups at least one each 180 degrees about the roll, extending from one axial end to the other. The rolls are sealed at their ends to prevent leakage of smoke, and also at the top of a main deceleration chamber having a plurality of deceleration chambers and a plurality of deflectors, and a condensation chamber. Smoke is propelled from the inlet deceleration chamber through the perforations, and then to the other deceleration chambers, as the roll rotates, the cups being faced to pick up liquid from the liquid bath and spill or discharge liquid as they reach the top, and ascending water curtains are formed as the liquid is splashed against buffers on each side of the roll. Therefore, the smoke and any other particles are forced to pass through the perforations of all the drums to the interior of the innermost drum and from there through the perforations of all the drums to the outermost drum and into the outlet deceleration chamber. Thus, the smoke is washed and cleaned as it passes through the wetted perforations. The perforations should have less of a span than will be supported by the surface tension of the liquid, so that the perforations are closed with liquid if they are opened by the passage of smoke.

The invention relates to so-called scrubbers that is, devices for scrubbing 
smoke, or the like to remove undesired impurities such as carcinogens. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
There is a body of scientific belief that much air pollution results from 
smoke thrown into the air as a product of burning fuels, leading to 
acidification of rain and lake water, and the suspension of particulate 
matter in the air. Therefore, many believe that it is important for 
atmospheric purification to provide scrubbers for industrial smoke stacks. 
Many efforts have been made in the past to provide scrubbers of one kind 
or another to meet these objectives. 
For example, as far back as Raymond, U.S. Pat. No. 467,264 Jan. 19, 1892, 
for "Method of Purifying Smoke" describes apparatus involving a spray of 
water and steam through which the smoke is circulated, particulate matter 
being wetted and thus dropped by gravity, and so washed from the smoke. 
Pridham, U.S. Pat. No. 554,348 Feb. 11, 1896 for "Smoke Condenser" 
describes a helical conveyor with a scoop to gather in water from an 
intake pool with which the smoke is to be commingled. After cleaning the 
wash water the smoke is discharged at an outlet pool, and the wash water 
is drawn off and fresh water is admitted to the intake pool from which the 
water is scooped. 
Pridham, U.S. Pat. No. 601,677 Apr. 5, 1898 for "Method of and Apparatus 
for Condensing Fumes or Gases" suggests an archimedes pump for pumping 
wash water through a brush arrangement to form a spray, the smoke passing 
through several chambers to be washed and condensed by the spray water. 
Theisen, U.S. Pat. No. 709,527 Sept. 23, 1902 for "Process of Treating 
Gases" proposes a drum rotating in one direction into which gases are fed 
in one sense and water in another so that they counterflow along a thin 
film in a spiral path on the inner surface of the drum or casing. Sahlin, 
U.S. Pat. No. 804,677 Nov. 14, 1905, for "Gas Purifier" suggests a drum at 
the top of which jets of water 8 "play against the drum". The gas to be 
washed flows through different sections of the drums, passing through 
dividers wet by the spray. 
Baldwin, U.S. Pat. No. 911,802 Feb. 9, 1909, for "Apparatus for Separating 
Heavy Particles from Air and Other Gases" proposes a blower forcing the 
gas to be treated through a wire mesh which is wet with water or steam to 
wash out the heavier particles. Flowwel, U.S. Pat. No. 916,647 June 29, 
1909, for "Gas Purifier" suggests using a turbine wheel against which a 
water nozzle injects water to drive the wheel and collects the smoke to be 
cleaned by the water at the outlet of the turbine wheel. In Johnson, U.S. 
Pat. No. 1,289,797 Dec. 31, 1918 for "Smoke Washer" the patentee suggests 
conveying the smoke by a pipe to the bottom of a pool of water whence it 
rises to pass through vanes to commingle the by-products with the water to 
wash the smoke. 
Schmieg, U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,752 Aug. 27, 1940, for "Method of and 
Apparatus for Removing Foreign Material from Air" describes a machine for 
washing smoke comprising a pool from which a rapidly rotating perforated 
wheel picks up liquid and throws the liquid against a curved member 68 to 
break up the liquid into a spray. The spray is thrown against a baffle 
from which it drains into the pool for re-circulation. The air to be 
cleaned is forced through the wheel perforations and through the spray for 
cleaning. 
Getzin, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,691 May 24, 1966, for "Gas Cleaning 
Apparatus" shows a continuously driven porous medium belt which travels a 
horizontal, then an upward, and then a downward path. A spray of cleaning 
liquid is directed against the belt on its horizontal path and also as its 
path is changed from horizontal to upward. The gas to be cleaned is forced 
through the liquid moistened belt for cleaning. The medium of the belt 28 
is described as of compressible-expansible elastic foam polyurethane 
material. Holler, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,248 Oct. 26, 1971, for "Smoke 
Control System" describes a smoke filter comprising cartridge filters 
carried with other filter cartridges in a rotatable drum assembly. Each 
filter is rotated to a position wherein the gas passes through it for 
cleaning by a spray of water which may contain calcium carbonates, and 
then a succeeding filter is moved to the position to intercept the gas 
flow for cleaning, while the prior used filter cartridge is being cleaned. 
Gething, U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,764 Feb. 6, 1973, for "Boiler Flue Gas 
Scrubber" describes an apparatus in which the gas to be cleaned is driven 
to flow between a revolving helical auger-like member and a simultaneously 
revolving surrounding drum having a film of pollutant absorbing liquid 
disposed on its inner surface in counter flow to the gas. The liquid is 
carried into and out of a sump by means of pump vanes carried by the drum. 
The liquid may be chemically treated to react with various pollutants. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the invention, the universal scrubber precipitator comprises 
at least one roll and could have a plurality of co-axial rolls mounted for 
rotation in one direction about the same horizontal axis, or two rolls 
side by side synchronous and in sequence. If a plurality of rolls then one 
roll is radially spaced inside the next outer one in a housing. The rolls 
have perforations for the passage of the smoke, and or gas, and are only 
partially immersed in the bath. Cups carried by or between the rolls have 
concavities facing upward as they leave the bath and downward as they 
enter the bath in the direction of rotation, thereby to spill liquid over 
the rolls during rotation. The cups extend axially the full axial length 
of the rolls and are sealed at the ends against gas flow. Preferably, the 
perforations of the rolls are less than the maximum span supported by the 
surface tension of the liquid, and preferably the rolls are cylindrical 
and co-axial with the horizontal axis of rotation, and the cups are in the 
form of hemispherical cylinders axially extending the axial length of the 
rolls. The housing is divided into a plurality of deceleration chambers 
including an inlet deceleration chamber, and an outlet deceleration 
chamber. Deflectors provide a means to segregate the gas within the 
deceleration chambers. Other deflectors extending downward from the top of 
the housing proximate the rolls complete the division with a gas seal at 
the roll axial ends with the sides of the chamber. Means are provided to 
propel the smoke from the flue through the chambers so that the smoke 
enters the broad front side through perforations on the surface of the 
outermost roll and through the wetted perforations of each successive or 
synchronous rolls inwardly to the interior of the rolls, and thence out 
again through the wetted perforations to the exterior of the rolls to the 
outlet deflection chamber, whereby the smoke is washed and the impurities 
cleaned in the passage through the wetted perforations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The invention is called a Universal Scrubber/Precipitator For Scrubbing 
Smoke Or The Like because the scrubbing action eliminates the particles 
which pollute the air, which is due to the filtering process. The 
precipitator action combines the chemical by-products into inert material 
for removal. 
Referring to the figures of the drawing at least one roll 9, or a plurality 
of rolls 10, 11, and 12 are co-axially mounted on a spider, or the like 13 
for rotation counter-clockwise about an axis 14, and indicated by the 
arrows 15. The rolls 12 and 11 carry cups 17 fastened between these rolls; 
rolls 10 and 11 carry cups 18, fastened between rolls 10 and 11. The rolls 
10, 11, and 12 are immersed only partially in a liquid bath 20, and do not 
extend to the bottom of the bath. The cups 17 and 18 have concavities 
facing up as they leave the bath 20 carried by the rolls 10, 11, and 12 in 
the direction of rotation, and down as they enter the bath 20 carried by 
the roll. The cups 17 and 18 may be hemispherical cylinders extending each 
the full axial length of the rolls. 
The rolls 10, 11, and 12 may be closed to the axial ends by being fastened 
to and sealed to end plates 21 as best seen in FIG. 4 in turn sealed by 
close fit to the sides (one side wall 22 only being partially shown in 
FIG. 4 broken away and displaced outwardly for purposes of illustration 
only) of a mounting cabinet or housing 23. The rolls 10, 11 and 12 may be 
in the form of perforated rolls, as illustrated, of circularly cylindrical 
form; there may be mounted at one side a probe 25, or the like to test the 
consistency of the liquid. Any suitable means, such as drive motor 26 
drives the rolls and they are held in suitable bearings (not illustrated). 
Suitable packings (also not shown) may be provided as a gas seal between 
the roll end plates 21 and side walls 22. 
The perforations or openings 28, 29, and 30 respectively of rolls 10, 11 
and 12 are each less in span than the maximum span supported by the 
surface tension of the liquid of the bath 20. The reason is that as the 
gas or smoke is forced through the perforations, or openings, the gas 
should come in close contact with the liquid. 
As best seen in FIG. 3 a chemical combination chamber 77 is formed inside 
the innermost roll 9. If the liquid closes the opening as it will if its 
surface tension supports a liquid film of greater maximum span than the 
span of the opening, then the gas or smoke must force its way into and 
travel through the liquid, promoting close contact with the liquid. As the 
gas and impurities travel through each perforation a bubble 70, as best 
shown in FIG. 3 is formed. As the bubble is formed with smoke and 
impurities it enlarges and when it is broken by the force of the smoke and 
and impurities it washes back into the bath 20, thereby promoting washing 
and chemical reaction. Further, the film of liquid, if broken, is reformed 
immediately because of the surface tension. 
The housing or cabinet 23 includes the bath 20, which may be fed by an 
inlet 32. The bath has an overflow outlet 33 to draw off the floating 
particles 37, and a draw-off valve 34 from which liquid may be removed 
from the bottom 35 of the bath to an overflow vat 36. With an adequate 
supply of liquid fed into the inlet 32 the level of the liquid is 
maintained as the excess liquid and floating particles 37 flow out of the 
overflow 33. 
The smoke or effluent 38 to be washed or "scrubbed" flows from a flue 40 as 
the product of burning in a furnace 41 directed downward against the 
surface 42 of the bath of liquid. The housing or cabinet 23, is totally 
closed except for the flue 40 sealed into a transverse end wall 43 of the 
cabinet 23 and except for a smoke outlet or chimney 44 sealed into the 
housing 23 at an upper wall or top 46 on the other transverse side of the 
rolls 10, 11, and 12. 
An inlet deflector 47 which is downwardly curved is attached to the side 
wall 22 and deflects the smoke 38 and any particles 37 downward towards 
the surface of the bath. 
A second deflector 49 is gently curved and also extends from the axial side 
wall 22, and from the top 46 to below the surface 42 at 53, but not to the 
bottom 48, thereby forming a first deceleration chamber 50 whereby the 
smoke 38 is forced through the surface of the water around the lower 
portion 53 of second deflector 49 and is thereby further washed. 
A main deceleration chamber 54 contains the rolls 10, 11, and 12. The main 
deceleration chamber 54 comprises a receiving or inlet deceleration 
chamber 55, a second deceleration chamber 56, a third deceleration chamber 
57, and a discharge or outlet deceleration chamber 58. The bounds of the 
inlet deceleration chamber 55 are the second deflector 49, the surface 42 
of the bath 20, the outside front surface 59 of the outside roll, and the 
axial side walls, and a third deflector 60 which depends downwardly from 
the top 46 and may touch or bear against the surface of the outside roll 
in order to offer a substantial impediment to by-pass of smoke. This inlet 
deceleration chamber 55 is sealed for the most part so that there is very 
little leakage of smoke and as a result the smoke takes the path 61 of 
less resistance and travels through the front surface 59 of the outside 
roll and the surfaces of any succeeding or synchronous rolls. 
The bounds of the second deceleration chamber 56 are the third deflector 
60, the top 46, the outside surface 59 of the outside roll and a fourth 
deflector 63 which depends downwardly from the top 46 and may touch or 
bear against the surface of the outside roll in order to offer a 
substantial impediment to by-pass of smoke. This second deceleration 
chamber 56 is also sealed and as a result of the angle of deflector 63 the 
back pressure forces the smoke and other particles to take a path 61 
through the surface 59 of the outside roll and the surface of any 
succeeding rolls. 
The bounds of the third deceleration chamber 57 are the fourth deflector 
63, the outside surface 59 of the outside roll and a fifth deflector 65 
which depends downwardly from the top 46 and may touch or bear against the 
surface of the outside roll in order to offer a substantial impediment to 
by-pass of smoke. This third deceleration chamber 57 is also sealed and as 
a result of the angle of deflector 63 and deflector 65, the smoke and any 
particles left are forced to take a path also noted as 61 through the 
surface 59 of the outside roll and the surfaces of any succeeding rolls. 
The bounds of the outlet deceleration chamber 58 are the fifth deflector, 
the top 46, a sixth deflector 68, the surface 42 of the liquid and the 
surface 59 of the outside roll. Because of the draft of the chimney 44, 
the path 69 of washed and scrubbed smoke, now clean air is under the end 
of deflector 68 and into the condensation chamber 66, and then up the 
chimney and into the atmosphere. The top 46 comprises a condensing effect 
on the vapors, which are converted into liquid eliminating the liquid loss 
in the condensation chamber 66. 
A suitable means is employed to conduct the effluent or smoke from the flue 
40 and first deceleration chamber 50 through the bath or liquid 20 into 
the receiving chambers 55, 56, 57 or 58, through the surface of the wetted 
rolls, and then up the chimney 44. The height of the chimney 44 alone may 
afford sufficient means by draft, but preferably a more positive means 
such as a blower 71 is installed in the chimney to assure adequate 
pressure differential between chambers and outlet deceleration chamber 58 
to assure the desired flow of smoke. The chimney 71 has a cover to contain 
the condensation. 
As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the invention is one 
roll or two synchronous rolls (FIG. 6) which may operate in sequence, 
wherein there is a foreshortened inlet deflector 75 and a foreshortened 
second deflector 76 which ends above the surfaces of the water having a 
buffer 81 on each side of the roll which acts as a backwash and by washing 
the faces of the buffers thereby creates backwash curtains 82 and 84. 
On the opposite side 83 of the second roll (FIG. 1) another back wash 
curtain 84 is formed which further washes the smoke as it travels through 
the deceleration chambers. 
FIG. 8 is a top view of two synchronous rolls which are operable in 
sequence when there are two complete units which operate to clean the 
smoke as it passes therethrough. 
In operation as the drive motor 26 and the blower or fan 71 is actuated the 
smoke flows from the flue 40 into the first deceleration chamber 50 and is 
directed downward onto the surface 42 of the liquid bath 20. The smoke 
penetrates the liquid bath 20 and is broken into bubbles to interact with 
the liquid bath 20 and any loose particles bounce off deflector 47 
downward into the bath. After a brief initial period when the first 
deceleration chamber 50, becomes stabilized with smoke, most of the smoke 
flows under the lower portion 53 of deflector 49 and into the inlet 
deceleration chamber 55, then the smoke penetrates the perforations 28, 
29, and 30 to the interior of the innermost roll. The smoke cannot by-pass 
any roll; for example, the space between rolls 12 and 11, because the 
complete axial length of the cups 18 between rolls 11 and 10 forces the 
smoke to pass through the perforations. Similarly, the cups 18 which 
extend the full axial length of the rolls require the smoke to pass 
through the perforations to the interior of the innermost roll, in this 
case roll 10. Similarly, the smoke is required by the pressure 
differentials created by means of blower 71 to pass from the interior of 
the innermost roll through perforations 30, 29, and 28 wherein the 
pressure of the various deceleration chambers forces the smoke through the 
perforations throughout the main chamber 54. In this connection each roll 
should have at least two cups at 180 degree intervals, and preferably at 
less than 120 degree intervals, but could have a plurality of cups. The 
cups 17, and 18 serve a dual function. First they pick up and spill the 
liquid from bath 20 onto the rolls and insure continued wetting during 
operation. Second they provide a guiding function requiring the smoke to 
travel from the chamber through the roll perforations of all the rolls to 
the interior of the innermost roll and from thence through the 
perforations of all the rolls to the outlet deceleration chamber. 
The action of the cups and the spilling of the liquid forms a liquid 
curtain within the drum further cleansing the same and scrubbing the 
smoke. Furthermore, this wetting of the rolls and perforations is 
accomplished with great efficiency, because the high velocity of rotation 
of the rolls, such as is required in Schmieg, for example, is not required 
in the present apparatus, which may be operated at a much slower speed, as 
it is not required to throw the liquid by centrifugal force, which tends 
to be wasteful of energy. 
Furthermore, as the liquid is splashed back to the bath as the cups are 
overturned, the liquid is splashed against buffers 81 thereby forming 
ascending back wash curtains 82 and 84 further cleaning the air as it 
travels therethrough. 
In order to more fully wash, clean, and neutralize the smoke, the liquid of 
the bath 20 may be chemically treated to be essentially basic. Thus, any 
chemical components of the bath, such as sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, 
or chlorine which are by products of P.V.C. may be neutralized by chemical 
reaction, for example, with alkalined by calcium hydrate or the like, 
mixed in or dissolved in the bath 20. If deemed desirable the surface 
tension of the liquid may be enhanced by adding a soap solution or other 
suitable chemical to the bath 20. Particulate matter will largely be 
washed out as the gas or effluent passes through the liquid of bath 20 
from the chamber 50 through the other deceleration chambers. Any sludge 
indicated at 64 resulting from the deposit of particulate matter by 
settlement or precipitation may be removed physically from time to time by 
opening cover 74 which has a hinge 73. Denser, but liquid, impurities may 
flow out at the draw-off 34. The overflow 33 carries off floating or 
lighter density particles 37. By controlling the addition of chemical 
neutralizing agents to the water or liquid of bath 20, the basic nature of 
the bath may be stabilized at a desired value and tested periodically by 
probe 25. The liquid of the bath 20 may be recirculated from a sump (not 
shown) if desired, and agitation means 39 may be provided to prevent the 
formation of large chunks of impurities and so that the operation may be 
substantially continuous for at least a substantial period of time. 
Thus, the smoke is treated by its passage through the bath and also by 
passage through the front surface and the perforations thereon of the 
concentric drums or rolls and thence again through the rear surfaces of 
the perforations of the drums a number of times.