Patent Document

This invention relates to cyclone filter trains and more particularly to a compact filter train which can be easily moved from one place to another and positioned in areas that are cramped for space. This invention was developed pursuant to a United States Department of Energy contract. 
     HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 
     Although there are known cyclone separators using filter trains, there is presently no available equipment which can be utilized in confined areas without producing more waste in the process. Such equipment that is available, requires substantial modification thereto by way of long and complicated ducting trains leading from the area being treated. In general, the present available equipment is not compact enough to be readily positioned in sealed off areas of minimal space. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a movable filter train which includes cartridge filters and a cyclone in a single unit which can be readily transported from one place to another by a transport mechanism. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide a filter train which includes the cyclone separator and the filters mounted on a movable platform. 
     Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a compact filter system in which the cyclone and filters are mounted on a platform which has a lifting mechanism at the center of gravity to avoid tilting of the train during moving operations thereby avoiding unnecessary damage to the train during moving operations. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide a cyclone filter train which can be readily shipped in a compacted cube-like container. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a filter train which permits ready access to the cartridge filters without the necessity of having to disconnect ducting and the like from the cyclone. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a filter system which will permit processing of the filters without exposing operators to unnecessary radiation fields when the filter is replaced. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a cyclone filter train which will permit the air flow from the cyclone to be directed downwardly and subsequently through the filters to reduce the area of the space envelope of the train. 
     Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a filter train which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     In summary, the present invention discloses a novel arrangement for a cyclone filter train which is readily movable and compact. These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following: 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In FIG. 1, the centrifuge train C comprises a base support 2 of metal, plastic or the like. Mounted on the base 2 is a plenum 4 which is 7-shaped which includes a horizontal component 6 and a vertical component 8. The vertical component 8 is attached to the base support 2. A cyclone separator 10 is mounted to the horizontal plenum component 6 and comprises an air/gas inlet opening 12 into the cylinder 14 of the cyclone separator 10. The cone 16 of the cyclone separator 10 supports a removable container 18. The removable container 18 may be removably attached by any conventional means (not shown) such as clamps, threading, lugs or the like. Mounted on the horizontal component 6 is a differential pressure gauge 20. Also mounted on the horizontal component 6 is a lifting eye 22 which is suitably positioned at the center of gravity of the centrifuge train C to avoid tilting of the centrifuge train C during transport of the centrifuge train C from one position to another. Although a lifting eye 22 is disclosed in the drawings, other lifting mechanisms can be utilized and positioned at the center of gravity of the centrifical train C. Secured to the rear of the vertical component 8 of the plenum 4 is a roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 which includes a removable filter 26. The removable filter 26 is accessible for changing through an access door 28. Conventional means (not shown) is provided for opening the door 28 either remotely or by manual means as desired. Similarly, grappling means (not shown) can be provided for disengaging the removable filter 26 from the roughing filter cartridge and housing 24. 
     Above the roughing filter and housing 24 is a differential pressure gauge 30. The roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 are attached to the vertical component 8 of the plenum 4 by means (not shown) such as welding, clamping, and the like. The plenum 4 has an opening in the horizontal component at the bottom thereof leading into the cylinder 14 of the cyclone separator 10. The cyclone separator 10 is connected to the plenum 4 at the bottom thereof by welding, threading, or the like (not shown). The vertical component 8 of the plenum 4 is provided with opening means (not shown) which permits air/gas to flow from the plenum 4 into the roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 and through the removable filter 26. The roughing filter cartridge and housing 24, may be supported solely by the vertical component 8 of the plenum 4, or it may be supported directly on the base 2 and secured thereto by means (not shown) such as screws, clamps, welding, and the like. Adjacent to the roughing filter cartridge and housing is a second filter cartridge and housing 32. The second filter cartridge and housing 32 is of a high efficiency particle air/gas (HEPA) filter 34. An access door 36 is provided in the second filter cartridge and housing 32 permitting removal of the HEPA filter 34. Above the second filter cartridge and housing 32 is a differential pressure gauge 38. 
     The second filter cartridge and housing 32 is secured to the roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 by means (not shown) such as welding, clamps, or the like. The second cartridge filter and housing 32 is provided with opening means (not shown) to the roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 in series therewith to permit the air/gas exiting from the centrifuge 10 and through the plenum 4 to pass from the roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 through the filter 34. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an air/gas outlet 40 is secured to the second filter cartridge and housing 32 for exhausting the air/gas passing through the HEPA filter 34. Means for conducting the exiting air/gas from the system to the atmosphere or the like is not shown. 
     It should be noted that the roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 and the second filtered cartridge and housing 32 are positioned vertically adjacent the vertical component 8 of the plenum 4. Both the roughing filter cartridge and housing 24 and the second cartridge and housing 32 may be secured to the base 2 and supported thereby or may be suspended from the vertical component 8 of the plenum 4 by conventional means of fastening or welding or the like. 
     All of the connecting components in the centrifical train C are provided with sealing means (not shown) which prevent escape of the air/gas through the centrifuge train C when the cyclone 10 is in operation. 
     OPERATION 
     In operation, the filter train C is designed to be used primarily to decontaminate radiological and hazardous materials in confined areas where compact equipment is needed and where this equipment is remotely controlled through robotic arms or the like. It has application to various contaminated gases. 
     Under normal use in a area where air is to be cleansed from impurities, the air is directed through the inlet 12 into the cyclone separator 10. Heavier particles are drawn down into the waste container 18. The waste container 18 may be remotely replaceable as before indicated by means (not shown). 
     After passing through the cyclone separator 10, the air is conducted to the horizontal component 6 of the plenum 4 and down the vertical component 8 and through the removable filters 26 and 34. In the system designed, normal air flow rate is approximately 250 CFM (cubic feet per minute). The heavier particles removed in the container 18 are down to approximately 7 microns in size. In the roughing filter 26, the particles removed are down to about 4 microns in size, and in the HEPA filter 34, the particles are down to approximately 0.3 microns in size. The efficiency of the unit runs at 99.97%. 
     The centrifuge train C is designed to be very compact so as to be able to pass through doors without interference with the door frames and also to be positioned in minimal cubic space. The close positioning of the two filters vertically with regard to the plenum and the cyclone is very important to the basic mobility of the unit including the mounting on the platform 2 which dimensionally is kept to a minimum based on the width of the filter cartridge and housing 24 and 32 and the cyclone separator 10. 
     The pressure differential gauges 20, 30, and 38 allow the operator of the centrifuge train C to determine the efficiency of the air flow through the centrifuge train C so as to be able to determine when it is necessary to clean out the plenum 4 or replace the filters 26 and 34. 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which to invention pertains and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 4