Distributor valve for multiple cell filter

A distribution system for use with a filtering cell comprising an inlet manifold rotatably mounted concentrically above a stationary separator, at least one separation chamber inside the separator connected to a vacuum source, a downwardly extending first baffle located in the separation chamber and a second baffle located outwardly from the first baffle and extending upwardly to a point above the lowest portion of the first baffle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to separation systems using vacuum filtering cells. 
More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in the 
distributor valve which is downstream of the vacuum filtering cells. 
Vacuum filtering cells are used to filter industrial feed slurry and in the 
manufacture of phosphoric acid by the wet method. The distributor valve 
separates gases from liquids and distributes the filtrates to collecting 
tanks. 
Continuous vacuum filtering cells comprise horizontal filtering cells 
mounted on a carousel or turntable for periodic charging, draining and 
washing. Feed slurry is fed into the upper surface of the horizontal cell 
which includes a filtering element to remove solids from the feed slurry. 
A liquid/gas filtrate passes through the filter element to the bottom of 
the filtering cell and thereafter, drains out of the filtering cell 
through a flexible hose into a central distributor valve. In addition, a 
vacuum, originating in the distributor valve and applied to the bottom of 
the cell through the flexible hoses, assists in drawing the liquid/gas 
filtrate through the filtering element toward the central distributor 
valve. The remaining solids in the filtering cell are vacuum dried and 
then removed by inverting the filtering cell. 
The distributor valve is divided into chambers and compartments which are 
connected to vacuum and pressurizing sources, respectively. During 
operation, the filtering cells are cyclically connected to a primary 
vacuum source to draw the liquid/gas filtrate through the filtering 
element toward the distributor valve. Next, the filtering cells are 
cyclically connected to a secondary vacuum source to dry solids remaining 
in the filtering cells. The filtering cells are then inverted and 
cyclically connected to the pressuring source to aid removal of the solid 
filtration cake from the filtering cells. Finally, the cells are washed 
and prepared for recharging. 
The distributor valve achieves separation of the liquid/gas filtrate by 
drawing the gas component of the filtrate horizontally toward the vacuum 
source. The liquid component of the filtrate, which is too heavy to be 
drawn horizontally, falls vertically into downlegs which are connected to 
seal tanks for collection of the separated liquid. In the conventional 
design, as shown in FIG. 1, separation chamber 70 is divided into an inner 
section 72 and an outer section 74 by a vertical arcuate wall 76 extending 
the full height of the separation chamber 70. The vertical wall 76 
typically has small passageways 78 at the top to permit the gas component 
of the liquid/gas filtrate to enter the outer section 74. The gas 
component typically follows a path as shown by the arrow. In addition to 
the gas flowing between the inner section 72 and the outer section 74, 
however, a certain amount of vapor containing suspended liquid 
particulates also flows through the dividing wall 76 into the outer 
section 74. 
During the separation process, scaling forms on the inside surfaces of the 
distributor, thereby reducing its efficiency and requiring frequent 
stoppages for cleaning. Scaling often occurs in the distributor as a 
result of the high velocity of the gas and vapor travelling through the 
small passageways 78 in the dividing wall 76. The high gas and vapor 
velocity is a result of the narrow dimensions of the separation chamber 70 
and passageways 78. The dissolved particulates in the vapor, which are 
carried into the outer section 74 as a result of the high gas and vapor 
velocities also contribute to scaling. 
Conventional distributor valves also give rise to a large pressure drop 
reducing their efficiency. Because the vertical wall 76 introduces a 
blocking effect, the amount of vacuum reaching the filtering cells is 
significantly less than the amount of vacuum in the outer section 74 of 
the separation chamber 70. More specifically, if a vacuum source providing 
a vacuum of twenty (20) inches of mercury is employed at the distributor 
valve, the resultant vacuum at the filtering cell may be only fifteen (15) 
inches of mercury. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The distributor valve of the present invention reduces scaling and lowers 
the pressure drop by replacing the single dividing wall with two vertical 
baffles. The present invention also decreases the vapor velocities in the 
distributor valve. The distributor valve, according to the present 
invention, includes a rotating manifold which is connected by flexible 
hoses to the filtering cells, a stationary distributor valve located 
concentrically below the manifold, the distributor valve having an inner 
wall and an outer wall and being divided into chambers and compartments, a 
downwardly extending first baffle located in the separation chambers, and 
a second baffle located in the separation chambers between the first 
baffle and the outer wall and extending upwardly to a point just above the 
lowest portion of the first baffle. 
In operation, the filtering cells are charged with a feed slurry to be 
separated. The solids portion of the feed slurry is separated by the 
filtering cell. The liquid/gas filtrate drains into the distributor valve, 
assisted by the vacuum source. The baffles cause the vapor to undergo a 
substantial change in direction before entering the outer section of the 
separation chamber. Consequently, the amount of vapor entering the outer 
section is reduced, thereby reducing scaling. The liquid component of the 
liquid/gas filtrate, which is too heavy to be drawn into the outer section 
by the force of the vacuum, falls under the influence of gravity through 
liquid downlegs into seal tanks. The distributor valve of the present 
invention also reduces the pressure drop by effectively enlarging the 
passageways through which the gas must travel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As shown in FIG. 2, the filtering cell system 2 of the present invention 
includes horizontal filtering cells 4, flexible hoses 18 connecting the 
cells 4 to a distributor valve 10. The distributor valve 10 according to 
the invention comprises a rotating inlet manifold 12 mounted 
concentrically above a stationary separator 14. The inlet manifold 12 
rotates about an axis A--A. The ring-shaped inlet manifold 12 has as many 
inlets 16 as there are filtering cells 4. The inlet manifold 12 includes a 
manifold base plate 20. Attached to and in communication with separator 14 
are truncated cone shaped ducts 62 and liquid down legs 66. Down legs 66 
are connected to seal tanks (not shown). 
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stationary separator 14 is divided into 
primary vacuum chambers 21 to 25, a secondary vacuum chamber 26 and 
compartments 27 and 28. The primary vacuum chambers 21 to 25 are connected 
to a primary vacuum source (not shown) through vacuum ports 38 and 39. The 
secondary vacuum chamber 26 is connected to a secondary vacuum source (not 
shown) through vacuum port 41. Compartment 27 is connected to a pressure 
source (not shown) through pressure port 51. Compartment 28 has a drain 61 
at the bottom thereof. The separator 14 includes an upper plate 30, a 
lower plate 32, an inner wall 34 and an outer wall 36. Inner wall 34 
extends vertically from the lower plate 32 to the upper plate 30. Outer 
wall 36 extends vertically from lower plate 32 to a sloping cover 37. 
The chambers 21 to 26 are separated from the compartments 27 and 28 by 
radial panels 53 and 42 which extend radially from the inner wall 34 to 
the outer wall 36. The primary vacuum chambers 21 to 25 are divided by 
moveable radial partitions 43 to 46. Radial partitions 43 to 46 are 
moveable such that the circumferential location of radial partitions 43 to 
46 within separator 14 can be changed in order to vary the size of primary 
vacuum chambers 21 to 25. Primary vacuum chamber 25 is separated from 
secondary vacuum chamber 26 typically by a fixed radial panel 40 which 
extends radially from inner wall 34 to outer wall 36. It is also 
understood that radial panel 40 may be moveable such that the size of 
secondary chamber 26 may be changed. 
The separator 14 also includes an inner baffle 48 and an outer baffle 50. 
Inner baffle 48 is located at a generally constant radial distance between 
the inner wall 34 and outer wall 36. Outer baffle 50 is located at a 
generally constant radial distance between the inner baffle 48 and outer 
wall 36. Inner baffle 48 and outer baffle 50 extend circumferentially from 
radial panel 53 to radial panel 42. The inner baffle 48 is attached to 
upper plate 30 and extends downwardly. The outer baffle 50 is attached to 
lower plate 32 and extends upwardly to a height just above the lowest 
portion 49 of the inner baffle 48. It is understood that the vertical 
dimensions of baffles 48 and 50 may be varied, provided that outer baffle 
50 extends upwardly to a height above the lowest portion 49 of inner 
baffle 48. For example, the inner baffle 48 may extend downwardly just 
over half the width of the separator 14 creating a lower passageway 52, 
while the outer baffle 50 extends just over half the width of the 
separator 14 creating an upper passageway 54. In addition, inner baffle 48 
may be attached to lower plate 32, extending upwardly, while outer baffle 
50 is attached to sloping cover 37, extending downwardly. 
The radial partitions 43 to 46 extend radially from the inner wall 34 to 
the outer baffle 50. Between inner wall 34 and inner baffle 48, the radial 
partitions 43 to 46 extend vertically from the lower plate 32 to the upper 
plate 30. Between inner baffle 48 and outer baffle 50, the radial 
partitions 43 to 46 extend vertically from the lower plate 32 to the 
lowest portion 49 of inner baffle 48. 
It is further understood that radial partitions 43 to 46 may have other 
planform dimensions beyond that described above. For example, radial 
partitions 43 to 46 may have a rectangular planform, extending radially 
from inner wall 34 to outer baffle 50 and vertically from lower plate 32 
to upper plate 30 and sloping cover 37. 
Primary vacuum chamber 21 has, at the bottom thereof, a round discharge 
outlet 47. All or part of the primary vacuum chambers 22 to 25 have, at 
the bottom thereof, oval discharge outlets 56 to 59. Discharge outlets 56 
to 59 extend radially toward outer baffle 50. Attached to and 
communicating with discharge outlets 56 to 59 are truncated cone-shaped 
ducts 62. Cone-shaped ducts 62 are attached at their lower ends 64 to and 
communicate with liquid down legs 66 which are in turn connected to liquid 
collecting devices (not shown). The oval shape of discharge outlets 56 to 
59 reduces vortexing of the liquid filtrate as it travels down ducts 62 
and down legs 66. The existence of vortexing fosters scaling by allowing 
the filtrate to cool and prevents the liquid from freely exiting the 
separator 14, thereby lowering the hydraulic capacity of the distributor 
valve 10. A round discharge outlet 55 is located at the bottom of chamber 
26. Round discharge outlets 47 and 55 of chambers 21 and 26, respectively, 
are used because of the generally low volume of liquid produced, as 
compared with primary compartments 22 to 25. 
The inlet manifold 12 rotates about the stationary separator 14 such that 
the inlets 16 cyclically communicate in sequence with the chambers 21 to 
26 and compartments 27 and 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet manifold 12 
rotates in a clockwise direction. It is further understood, however, that 
distributor valve 10 may be arranged such that inlet manifold 12 rotates 
in a counter-clockwise direction. The manifold base plate 20 and the 
separator upper plate 30 have passageways (not shown) in order for the 
inlets 16 to communicate with the separator 14. A first annular-shaped 
seal face 68 is located upon the separator upper plate 30. An 
annular-shaped wear resistant seal face 70 is located between the manifold 
base plate 20 and the first seal face 68. 
The distributor valve 10 of the invention operates as follows. Feed slurry 
is fed into the cells 4 when the cells 4 are connected to the primary 
vacuum source (not shown) through the distributor valve 10 and the 
flexible hoses 18 connecting the distributor valve 10 and the cells 4. A 
liquid/gas filtrate is drawn into the manifold 12 under the influence of 
the vacuum. Depending on the cyclic position of the specific cell 4, the 
liquid/gas filtrate is directed into a primary vacuum chamber 21 to 25. 
The liquid portion falls by inertia and gravity into the ducts 62, while 
the gases, subjected to the vacuum, are exhausted horizontally. As shown 
by the arrow in FIG. 4, the gases must first travel under the inner baffle 
48 and then over the outer baffle 50, causing a substantial change of 
direction. This change in direction aids the separation of liquid from the 
gases. The separated liquid falls under the force of gravity into the 
discharge ducts 62. The separated gases continue to be drawn horizontally 
toward the vacuum source (not shown) through vacuum ports 38, 39 and 41. 
The liquid collected in the ducts 62 flows into the liquid downlegs 66.