METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESS WASHING

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for process washing, wherein a process device is being washed by a washing device, that moves inside the same, whereby the washing device (1) is connected moveably in connection with the process device by means of fastening means (2) and, whereby the washing medium of the washing device is being led at least partly inside the body (1a) of the washing device in order to lead the washing medium furthermore to a target by spraying or correspondingly by means of nozzles (1b) existing in the body (1a) of the washing device. The washing medium or like is being led by at least two separate supply assemblies (1c1, 1c2) existing in the same washing device (1; 1'), in order to enable use of each supply assembly (1c1, 1c2), such as spraying of the washing medium and/or moving of the supply assembly, independently in respect with each other by means of a control assembly (3). The invention relates also to an apparatus operating according to the mehtod.

Description: Method and apparatus for process washing The invention relates to a method for process washing, wherein a process device is being washed by washing device, that moves inside the same, whereby the washing device is connected moveably in connection with the process device by means of fastening means and, whereby the washing medium of the washing device is being led at least partly inside the body of the washing device in order to lead the washing medium furthermore to a target by spraying or correspondingly by means of nozzles existing in the body of the washing device. It is nowadays known to use washing devices for process washing, in which the supply assembly for the washing medium is being led totally through the washing device, such as through its body and at least partly inside the fastening means connecting the same to the process device, such as an attachment frame fastened e.g. with screws, and also e.g. partly inside a running motor and gear acting as the driving device. Furthermore depending on the process device, the washing device comprises e.g. according to figures la and lb a body, that rotates around an axis, that is essentially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, or, that rotates essentially around its longitudinal axis, which body is equipped with nozzles in order to direct the washing medium being led through the same to the surfaces to be washed of the process device. For the purpose described above it is known to use most heterogeneous washers, the operating principle of which is to act by influence of the pressure or flow of the washing liquid or, that are as described above moveable by external power. Nowadays one problem in practice is such, that in process devices having most heterogeneous internal surfaces and components in practice, the washing medium is being sprayed continuously by all of the nozzles of the washing device simultaneously. Particularly as the amount/the washing effect of the washing medium is being optimized, it is, due to the above, usually not possible to aim an adequate washing effect e.g. at certain separate points or components, because in such a case a large amount of the washing medium would be wasted or in other words aimed at so called empty points. This is why in process devices of certain type, that have e.g. a particularly complex internal structure, it is not possible by today's washing techniques to achieve a washing result good enough with proportionate maintenance costs. It is the aim of the method according to this invention to achieve a decesive improvement in the problems described above and thus to raise essentially the level of prior art. In order to achieve this aim, the method according to the invention is primarily characterized by, that the washing medium or like is being led by at least two separate supply assemblies existing in the same washing device, in order to enable use of each supply assembly, such as spraying of the washing medium and/or moving of the supply assembly, independently in respect with each other by means of a control assembly. As the most important advantages of the method accor- ding to the invention may be mentioned simplicity and efficiency of its principle and the structures applicable for the same in most heterogeneous processes. Thanks to the method according to the invention, it is thus possible to improve significantly the washing of particularly more complicated process devices by washing measures, that may be directed at each time accurately to a special target . The method according to the invention may be adapted especially profitably e.g. in that way, that the flow of the washing medium through the second supply assembly is being interrupted during situations, when there is no need for the special wash in question, whereby the first supply assembly acts correspondingly independently according to its own rutines either periodically or continuously. Thanks to the method according to the invention it is furthermore possible to vary the amount of washing medium and also change the washing media of each supply assembly as well as pressures, whereby it is possible e.g. by means of the second supply assembly to extend the washing effect even significantly further out than with traditional solutions e.g. thanks to the fact, that a higher operating pressure is available. The invention relates also to an apparatus operating according to the method, that is described in a greater detail in the preamble of the independent claim related to the same. The primary characteristics of the apparatus are represented in the characterizing part of the corresponding claim. As the most important advantages of the apparatus according to the invention may be mentioned simplicity and reliability of its construction and use. The apparatus according to the invention enables furthermore a very effective washing process, that may be easily adjusted to each process, whereby it is also possible to optimize the service and maintenance costs also for the part of the washing process. The apparatus according to the invention is designed profitably e.g. in such a way, that each supply assembly is being led totally inside the body of the washing device. In this case e.g. the auxiliary frame forming the second supply assembly and the nozzles existing therein are attached e.g. stationarily to the actual body of the actual washing device, in order to move both the body and the frame simultaneously by influence of one and the same driving device. On the other hand, when e.g. a washing device is being used, that rotates around its longitudinal axis, the apparatus according to the invention may be put together in principle on the same principle e.g. by one or several extension frames, that have been placed e.g. at the end of the body and that have nozzles for this action of the washing process . In following description, the invention is described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which Figs la and lb show some usual washing devices being used for process washing, Fig. 2 shows an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention in connection with a washing device structure and Fig. 3 shows an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention in connec- tion with a washing device, that is an alternative to the one shown in Fig. 2. The invention relates to a method for process washing, wherein a process device is being washed by a washing device, that moves inside the same, whereby the washing device 1 is connected moveably in connection with the process device by means of fastening means 2 and, whereby the washing medium of the washing device is being led at least partly inside the body la of the washing device in order to lead the washing medium furthermore to a target by spraying or correspondingly by means of nozzles lb existing in the body la of the washing device. The washing medium or like is being led by at least two separate supply assemblies lcl, lc2 existing in the same washing device 1; 1', in order to enable use of each supply assembly lcl, lc2, such as spraying of the washing medium and/or moving the supply assembly, independently in respect with each other by means of a control assembly 3. As an advantageous embodiment e.g. according to figures 2 and 3, at least one supply assembly lcl for the washing medium of a washing device, that is moveable by means of a driving device K, is being led totally through the washing device, such as through its body la and at least partly inside the fastening means 2, such as an attachment frame 2b, fastened with screws 2a, or a like, connecting the same to the process device, and inside the driving device K, such as a motor Kl and gear K2 or a like. When applying the method according to the invention, the second supply assembly lc2 for the washing medium is being led together with the first supply assembly lcl in a corresponding matter totally inside the washing device 1 ; 1 ' • Furthermore as an advantageous embodiment of the method, the flow and/or movement of the washing medium of the first and/or the second supply assembly lcl and/or lc2 is being adjusted independently in respect with each other by means of flow regulating means 3a and/or actuator means belonging to the control assem- bly 3. In the presented embodiments there has not been shown any actual actuator means for moving of the second supply assembly, because all the shown applications present totally stationary solutions in principle, in which the supply assemblies move together by influence of one and the same driving device K. Thus the nozzles lbl, lb2 being connected to the first and the second supply assemblies lcl, lc2 are arranged stationarily essentially to the same body la, whereby the independent operating in respect with each other of the said supply assemblies lcl, lc2 is being achieved by periodically interrupting the flow of the washing medium, that is being led through one or several supply assemblies, by means of flow regulating means 3a, such as a motor actuated valve or like, or correspondingly . On the principles described above, the apparatus according to the invention comprises, instead of those traditional washing devices shown in figures la and lb, at least two separate washing medium supply assemblies lcl, lc2 , in order to enable use of each supply assembly lcl, lc2, such as spraying of the washing medium and/or moving of the supply assembly, independently in respect with each other by means of a control assembly 3. Particularly in Fig. 3 there is shown an embodiment, in which the washing device comprises a body la' , that rotates z around an axis t, that is essentially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis s. In this case the second supply assembly lc2 comprises at least one auxiliary frame la'l, that is connected to the body la' and, in which the nozzles lb2 of the second supply assembly lc2 are placed. When using an alternative application according to the one shown in Fig. 2, the washing device comprises a body la", that rotates w around its longitudinal axis s, whereby the second supply assembly lc2 comprises at least one extension frame la"l, that is placed at the end of the body a" and, in which the nozzles lb2 of the second supply assembly lc2 are placed. In both of the above embodiments, the control assembly 3 comprises flow regulating means 3a and/or actuator means, in order to adjust the flow and/or movement of the washing medium of the first and/or the second supply assembly lcl, lc2 independently in respect with each other. As a particularly advantageous embodiment with reference to the solutions shown in figures 1 and 2, the nozzles lbl, lb2 being connected to the first and second supply assemblies lcl, lc2, are arranged stationarily essentially to the same body la, whereby the independent operating in respect with each other of the said supply assemblies, is arranged by periodically interrupting the flow of the washing medium, that is led through one or several supply assemblies, by means of flow regulating means 3a, such as a motor actuated valve or like. It is obvious, that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it can be modified within the basic idea of the invention to a great extent. First of all the body of the washing device may be, differing from the T-shape shown e.g. in Fig. 3, L-shaped or it may be formed of three or more horizontal bodies, that are attached to the center body radially. Correspondingly the body of the embodiment according to Fig. 2, may be free from its second end, into which the extension frame has been connected, or it may be mounted in bearings at both of its ends to the washing device. In addition to the above, the nozzles of the first and second supply assemblies may e.g. be placed in turns on the body in the longi- tudinal direction. It is furthermore naturally possible to exploit an auxiliary washer as shown e.g. in Fig. la, in order to wash the washing device itself by a flow of washing medium being led from the nozzle in question. It is on the other hand possible to apply the method and apparatus according to the invention also in that way, that the supply assembly comprises more part entireties than presented above to feed furthermore e.g. oxygen, steam or a certain chemical substance continuously or periodically to the surfaces of the washing device or to the process. It is furthermore naturally clear, that the method and apparatus according to the invention may be adapted in connection with a washing device, that is moveable in any possible way, so that the presented embodiments are intended only to show certain common ways based on traditional washing device structures to carry out the invention.

Claims: Claims : 1. Method for process washing, wherein a process device is being washed by a washing device, that moves inside the same, whereby the washing device (1) is connected moveably in connection with the process apparatus by means of fastening means (2) and, whereby the washing medium or like of the washing device is being led at least partly inside the body (la) of the washing device in order to lead the washing medium furthermore to a target by spraying or correspondingly by means of nozzles (lb) existing in the body (la) of the washing device, wherein the washing medium or like is being led by at least two separate supply assem- blies existing in the same washing device, characterized in, that a second supply assembly (lc2) for feeding the washing medium or like is being led together with a first supply assembly (lcl) inside the body (la; la', la") of the washing device (1; 1'), in order to enable use of each supply assembly (lcl, lc2), such as spraying of the washing medium and/or moving of the supply assembly, independently in respect with each other by means of a control assembly (3) . 2. Method according to claim 1 in connection with a washing device, that is moveable by means of a driving device (K) , wherein at least one supply assembly (lcl) for the washing medium is being led totally through the washing device, such as through its body (la) and at least partly inside the fastening means (2), such as an attachment frame (2b) fastened with screws (2a) or a like, connecting the same to the process device, and inside the driving device (K) , such as a motor (Kl) and gear (K2) or a like, characterized in, that the flow and/or movement of the washing medium of the first and/or the second supply assembly (lcl and/or lc2) is being adjusted indepen- dently in respect with each other by means of flow regulating means (3a) and/or actuator means belonging to the control assembly (3) . 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in, that the nozzles (lbl, lb2) being connected to the first and the second supply assemblies (lcl, lc2) are arranged stationarily essentially to the same body (la) , whereby the independent operating in respect with each other of the said supply assemblies (lcl, lc2), is being achieved by periodically interrupting the flow of the washing medium, that is being led through one or several supply assemblies, by means of flow regulating means (3a) , such as a motor actuated valve or like, or correspondingly. 4. Apparatus for process washing, by means of which a process device is washable by a washing device, that moves inside the same, whereby the washing device (1) is connected moveably in connection with the process device by means of fastening means (2) and, whereby the washing medium or like of the washing device is arranged to be led at least partly inside the body (la) of the washing device in order to lead the washing medium furthermore to a target by spraying or correspondingly by means of nozzles (lb) existing in the body (la) of the washing device, wherein there has been arranged at least two separate washing medium supply assemblies for the washing medium or like in the same washing device, characterized in, that a second supply assembly (lc2) for feeding the washing medium or like is arranged to be lead together with a first supply assembly (lcl) inside the body (la; la', la") of the washing device (1; 1') , in order to enable use of each supply assembly (lcl, lc2) , such as spraying of the washing medium and/or moving of the supply assembly, independently in respect with each other by means of a control assembly (3) . 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in connection with a washing device, that is moveable by means of a driving device (K) , wherein at least one supply assembly (lcl) for the washing medium is led totally through the washing device, such as through its body (la) and at least partly inside the fastening means (2) , such as an attachment frame (2b) fastened with screws (2a) or a like, connecting the same to the process device, and inside the driving device (K) , such as a motor (Kl) and gear (K2) or a like, characterized in, that the control assembly (3) comprises flow regulating means (3a) and/or actuator means for adjusting the flow and/or movement of the washing medium of the first and/or the second supply assembly (lcl and/or lc2) independently in respect with each other . 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 , characterized in, that the nozzles (lbl, lb2) being connected to the first and the second supply assemblies (lcl, lc2) are arranged stationarily essentially to the same body (la) , whereby the independent operating in respect with each other of the said supply assemblies (lcl, lc2) is arranged by periodically interrupting the flow of the washing medium, that is led through one or several supply assemblies, by means of flow regulating means (3a) , such as a motor actuated valve or like. 7. Apparatus according to any of the claims 4-6 above, wherein the washing device comprises a body (la 1 ), that rotates (z) around an axis (t) , that is essentially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (s) , characterized in, that the second supply assembly (lc2) comprises at least one auxiliary frame (la'l), that is connected to the body (la') and, in which the nozzles (lb2) of the second supply assembly (lc2) are placed. 8. Apparatus according to any of the claims 4-7 above, whereby the washing device comprises a body (la"), that rotates (w) essentially around its longitudinal axis (s) , characterized in, that the second supply assembly (lc2) comprises at least one extension frame (la"l), that is arranged at the end of the body (la") and, in which the nozzles (lb2) of the second supply assembly (lc2) are placed.

Inventors: HURSKAINEN AARNE, HURSKAINEN, AARNE
Applicants: HURSKAINEN AARNE, HURSKAINEN, AARNE
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B08B3
IPC codes: B05B3, B08B3, B08B9