Abstract:
A method of producing a deodorizing or odor neutralizing fog includes a tank with an input port and an exit port, and a fogging portion located within the tank. A deodorizing or odor neutralizing liquid is added to the tank upon which the fogging portion is configured to float. Compressed air is input through said input port and is expelled on the deodorizing or odor neutralizing liquid through at least one nozzle located on the fogging portion, thereby vaporizing the deodorizing or odor neutralizing liquid. The vapor combines with the compressed air within the tank to form the deodorizing or odor neutralizing fog.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/293,697, filed Nov. 10, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,914) and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/412,186, filed Nov. 10, 2010; the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     By their very nature, landfills, sewer systems, and certain other industrial and agricultural sites generate offensive odors. Accordingly, when proximate to residential and/or commercial areas, the odor is at the very least a nuisance and sometimes can be unbearable to occupants of the residential and/or commercial areas. As such, deodorizing systems have been employed to mask or neutralize the offensive odors from such sites. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Deodorizing systems typically release deodorizing or neutralizing liquid suspended in air or mixed with water and sprayed into the air to combat the offensive odors. These systems, however, typically release heavy droplets of the deodorizing or neutralizing liquid relative to the amount necessary to perform the desired function. Heavy droplets by their nature will readily fall to the ground in comparison to lighter droplets of the liquid. Quality deodorizing or neutralizing liquid can cost as much as $100 per gallon and typical deodorizing systems available on the market can use 12 gallons per system per 8 hour shift. Many landfills will have multiple systems operating at various locations around the landfill 24 hours a day. Therefore, there is a need for a deodorizing system which minimizes the deodorizing or neutralizing liquid utilized while still providing an acceptable masking or neutralizing of the odors. In particular, such a system for minimizing the liquid used preferably utilizes a fog containing the deodorizing or neutralizing liquid finely suspended in air. As such, the fog formed from the deodorizing or neutralizing liquid preferably contains smaller droplets of liquid suspended in the air delivered to the surrounding area relative to currently available systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention in one preferred embodiment is drawn to a deodorizing system configured to produce a deodorizing or neutralizing fog to be distributed to mask or neutralize an offensive odor and a method for use thereof. The deodorizing system is configured to vaporize a deodorizing or neutralizing liquid by expelling high pressure air on or under the surface thereof. The vaporized liquid is mixed with compressed air in a tank to generate a deodorizing or neutralizing fog. The fog is then released from the tank through a series of tubes and nozzles to distribute the fog over the area from which the offensive odor is emanating. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and exemplary only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. Together with the description, they serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a deodorizing system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the deodorizing system depicted in  FIG. 1  with a portion of the tank removed to expose the interior thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a fogging portion of the deodorizing system; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the fogging portion depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a top portion of the tank of the deodorizing system depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view of a bottom portion of the tank of the deodorizing system depicted in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a left side elevation view of a middle portion of the tank of the deodorizing system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A deodorizing system according to the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. System  10  includes a tank  12  and a fogging portion  14  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) included in an interior  16  of tank  12 . Tank  12  is configured to contain a certain level of deodorizing or neutralizing liquid as indicated by liquid  18  visible in a sight glass of a fill gauge  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . As discussed below, liquid  18  is ultimately suspended in a deodorizing fog released by system  10 . 
     Fogging portion  14  of system  10  includes a tube  15  extending upwardly through interior  16  of tank  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , tube  15  extends from the bottom center of tank  12  to just below a fill cap  22  used to pour liquid  18  into system  10 . Furthermore, a float  24  rides upwardly and downwardly with respect to tube  15 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , float  24  has a generally spherical shape with an opening  26  therethrough. Alternatively, float  24  may have a toroidal shape. When tube  15  is received through opening  26 , float  24  and fogging portion  14  are configured to float on top of liquid  18  contained in tank  12 . As the level of liquid  18  changes, float  24  and fogging portion  14  move upwardly or downwardly with respect to the tube. 
     The float  24  includes an upper surface  28  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and a lower surface  30  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). As depicted in  FIG. 4 , various nozzles  32  are provided surrounding float  24  and oriented in the same general direction as lower surface  30 . Nozzles  32  are configured to expel compressed air on (or under) the surface of liquid  18 , and can be arranged to maximize impact of the compressed air on liquid  18 . In one preferred embodiment, nozzles  32  are arranged to float approximately 1 to 1½ inches above liquid  18  to produce the fog. In another embodiment, nozzles  32  are submerged below the surface of liquid  18 . The optimum nozzle orientation relative to the surface of liquid  18  will depend on the specific liquid being employed, the tendency of the specific liquid to foam, and the fogging capabilities of the specific liquid when high pressure air is directed at the surface or just below the surface thereof. In one preferred embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , nozzles  32  can be arranged in two concentric rings. Nozzles  32  are connected by tubing  34  to a compressed air source (not shown). 
     The impact of the compressed air on liquid  18  creates the fog. That is, the impact of the compressed air vaporizes liquid  18  by creating tiny droplets thereof, and mixing the tiny droplets of liquid  18  with the compressed air creates the deodorizing fog. Tank  12  has a lid  36  to contain the fog and pressurize tank  12  to facilitate the movement of the fog out of tank  12  via exit port  42  and along hoses to nozzles (not shown) for distribution over a wide area. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , input port  38  is adapted to receive a source of compressed air. The air moves through input port  38  and follows arrows A into gauges  39  and  40 . Gauge  39  indicates the air pressure leading into tank  12  along arrow B through tubing  34  and nozzles  32 . Gauge  40  indicates the air pressure leading down to the bottom of tank  12  along arrows C and into the lower portion of upwardly extending tube  15  upon which float  24  slides. The air traverses tube  15  (indicated by vertical arrows VA) and preferably exits tube  15  via holes  17  on the side of tube  15  (indicated by arrows D) at a level which is preferably below an exit port  42 . One advantage to having side holes  17  in tube  15  below the height of exit port  42  is to aid in keeping foam from exiting exit port  42  under situations were the interaction of the high pressure air against liquid  18  causes foam in addition to fog. The air flowing from side holes  17  of tube  15  acts to deter the foam from rising above holes  17  in tube  15 . In alternative embodiments, air can exit from tube  15  at multiple locations along the length of tube  15  above the surface of liquid  18 . 
     One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an 80 gallon tank  12  and approximately 20 PSI greater air pressure flowing to nozzles  32  of fogging portion  14  than through tube  15 . Interior  16  of tank  12  is preferably stainless steal or aluminum or otherwise consists of corrosion resistant material due to the corrosive properties of many deodorizing and neutralizing liquids. In a preferred embodiment, the air pressure to nozzles  32  of fogging portion  14  is 100 PSI and to tube  15  upon which fogging portion  14  slides is 80 PSI. In this embodiment, side holes  17  in tube  15  are ⅛ inch in diameter and 8 in number circling tube  15 . A preferred nozzle  32  includes a fan-shaped configuration. 
     Exit lines (not shown) attached to valves  52 , which are attached to opposite sides of exit port  42 , can be provided adjacent the perimeter of, for example, a landfill to disperse the deodorizing fog. The exit lines, by way of example, may each be 250 feet long and have nozzles spaced every 10 feet along the exit lines to disperse the fog under pressure. The tiny drops mixed with the air to form the deodorizing fog can be dispersed over a large swath of area to counteract the odor emanating from the landfill. 
     While system  10  and the method for use thereof described above has focused on using a fog of liquid  18  generated under high pressure within tank  12  with additional pressure striking liquid  18 , under certain circumstances additional deodorizing or neutralizing liquid may be desired beyond that created by fogging portion  14  of system  10 . When odor is particularly strong, present system  10  permits the introduction of liquid  18  directly into the pressurized lines containing the fog proximate exit port  42 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , an auxiliary product injection line  44  leads from the bottom of tank  12  and liquid  18  is permitted to flow through injection line  44  upon opening of valves  46 . Injection line  44  divides into lines  48  to allow liquid  18  to be introduced to each side of exit port  42 , as best shown in  FIG. 7 . Gauge  50  indicates the air pressure exiting tank  12 . 
     For purposes of transporting system  10  to a desired location for operation, a preferred embodiment includes a skid configuration beneath tank  12  to receive forks from a fork lift and a heavy D-ring of lid  36  to receive a chain for lifting system  10  via a dozer or other heavy equipment.