WO2011061553A1

WO2011061553A1 - Filter for separating solid particles from liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2011061553A1
Application number: PCT/HU2010/000124
Authority: WO
Inventors: József Bereznai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-17
Filing date: 2010-11-17
Publication date: 2011-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-17
Also published as: HU0900716D0; HUP0900716A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter (1) for separating solid particles from liquids wherein the density of the solid particles is greater than the density of the liquid, which is in a tank (T) closed at the bottom and open from above. A portion of said filter (1) comprises an essentially horizontal upper plane (4) and a lower surface (5), running between said upper plane (4) and said lower surface (5) a plurality of essentially parallel tube elements (2) close to each other are arranged. Each of said tube elements (2) are provided with an upper inlet (3), said inlets collectively fill in the major part of said essentially horizontal upper plane (4). At least a portion of each of said tube elements (2) has decreased cross-section (8) and at least a portion of each of said tube elements (2) has enlarged cross-section (9).

Description

FILTER FOR SEPARATING SOLID PARTICLES FROM LIQUIDS

The invention relates to a filter for separating solid, non-soluble particles from liquids wherein the density of the solid particles is greater than the density of the liquid, the liquid is in a tank which is closed at the bottom and open from above, a portion of the filter comprises an essentially horizontal upper plane and a lower surface. Running between the upper plane and the lower surface a plurality of essentially parallel tube elements close to each other are arranged. Each of the tube elements are provided with an upper inlet which inlets collectively fill in the major part of the essentially horizontal upper plane. Solutions for separating the non-soluble small-sized particles from liquid are known. For example one of these solution uses a centrifugal separator which utilizes the difference between the density of the particles and the liquid. A further possibility is to keep the liquid in a settling tank in which in a certain time the particles settle down at the bottom of the tank and the clean liquid from above the settled particles can be drawn down.

In patent application GB 2239388 a solution is described in which a filter means is positioned in a bucket. The filter means comprises a grid dividing the inner space of the bucket into two regions so that the dirt falling through the grid is trapped in the lower region of the bucket. Patent application WO 99/18837 A1 describes a filtering, settling means which can be positioned in a bucket. The non- soluble dirt passes through the filtering means or grid and settles down. The grid as it is shown in Figure 3 may have several layers each comprising a grating of the same kind. The shortcoming of the aforementioned solutions is that the small particles may be swirled up and they may be washed back to the liquid due to the turbulent flow when the mop is dipped into the bucket. In these cases the dirt may get back to the clean region above the grid because of the essentially symmetric inner structure of the grids.

Besides these solutions there is a need to provide a means which without the need of additional appliances used for producing centrifugal force (motor) or for emptying the settling tank (pump) is suitable for separating the non-soluble dirt particles out of water in an easy and quick manner and prevents the dirt from getting back into the clean region from the dirty water.

Typically this means is used for settling the dirt getting into the water when a mop is rinsed out in a cleaning bucket. Naturally, the aimed improved separation also may be used in case of other industrial or technological applications.

For this purpose a filter according to the preamble is provided in which at least a portion of each of the tube elements has decreased cross-section and at least a portion of each of the tube elements has enlarged cross-section.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a filter according to the invention positioned at the lower part of a bucket;

Figure 2 shows the cross-section of the filter according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows the cross-section of the filter according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows the cross-section of the filter according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows the perspective view of a portion of the tubular part of the filter according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is the plan view of a portion of the tubular part of the filter according to a further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the filter of Figure 6.

In Figure 1 the cross-section of a tank T is shown in the lower part of which a filter 1 according to the invention is positioned for separating the solid tiny particles floating in the liquid present in tank T. In the Figure filter 1 is also shown in its cross-section and it can be seen that it has an essentially horizontal upper plane 4 and a lower surface 5. Running between them a plurality of essentially parallel connecting tube elements 2 are arranged. Filter 1 is preferably provided with legs 6 at its side in order to advantageously form a settling region 7 between the bottom of tank T and the lower surface 5 of filter 1. Settling region 7 is suitable for collecting the separated floating solid particles and together with filter 1 for preventing the particles from getting back into the main, upper region 10 of tank T. In an alternative embodiment it is also possible to form spacers (not shown) in tank T which project from its wall or bottom to support the lower surface 5 of filter 1 thereby ensuring settling region 7 when filter 1 is positioned in tank T.

The filter according to the invention can be used for separating the floating solid particles out of the liquid if their density is greater than that of the liquid, thereby able to settle under to gravity. Use of the filter according to the invention is particularly advantageous if there is only a slight difference in the aforementioned density, since the particles could be easily washed back to the liquid swirling in the main upper region 10.

A characteristic feature of filter 1 is a thickness H between its upper plane 4 and its lower surface 5. This thickness H is the distance which the non-soluble floating particles under gravity will take when passing through tube elements 2 into the settling region 7. The length of the tube elements 2 essentially corresponds to the thickness H of filter 1. If the shape of the tube elements is slanting or broken or bent as it can be seen in Figures 2 and 4, their length is slightly greater than thickness H. It has been realized that the upper opening or inlet 3 of tube elements 2 essentially fills in the upper plane 4 of filter 1 entirely or at least the major part of it. The floating particles whose density is greater than that of the liquid move downwards under to gravity and most of them get into tube elements 2 and proceed towards settling region 7. Further, at least a portion of each of the tube elements should have decreased cross-section 8 in order to prevent the already settled particles from getting back to the upper region 10. The main reason for this is that the turbulent or laminar flow occurring in the upper region 10 of tank T can not get through tube elements 2 having a decreased cross-section and can not reach settling region 7 or in the absence of this the lower part of tube elements 2. In this manner the settled particles are not stirred up and are not able to move upwards therefore they do not get back to the upper region 10. In addition to the decreased cross-section 8 a portion of each of the tube elements 2 should be formed with enlarged cross-section 9. The result of this is that the dirty liquid are not pumped back from settling region 7 when changes in pressure occur for example when a mop is immersed in the bucket. This is particularly true if tubular elements 2 are provided with a shoulder intensively narrowing upwards.

To sum it up, the invention is based on: a) the downward movement of the particles settling under gravity; b) the fact that the inlets 3 of filter 1 occupy the major part of the surface of upper plane 4; and c) the fact that the plurality of tube elements having a decreased cross-section 8 and at the same time an enlarged cross-section 9 ensure non-constant flow speed and unidirectional movement of the settling, deposing particles.

In Figures 2-4 tube elements 2 suitable for use in filter 1 are shown merely as examples.

In Figure 2 the cross-section of a portion of filter 1 can be seen wherein slanting tube elements 2a are arranged parallel with each other having respective inlets 3a. These inlets 3a essentially fill in the upper plane 4 of the filter. The decreased portion is at the upper part of tube elements 2. The cross-section of tube elements between enlarged cross-section 9a and decreased cross-section 8a is evenly narrowed in downward direction. At the lower part of tube elements 2a there is a further portion with enlarged cross-section 9a. In downward direction the diameter of tube elements 2a is significantly decreased so that they are wedge- shaped or funnel-shaped. In this manner settling and unidirectional movement of the particles is ensured. At the same time their flow-back is restricted by shoulder 12a.

In Figure 3 downwardly conical tube elements 2b are shown whose inlets 3b fill in the essential part of upper plane 4 of filter 1. Decreased portion 8b takes place at the lower portion of the cones while enlarged portion 9b is formed at the upper part of the cones. In this embodiment filter 1 is provided with preferably higher legs 6 which ensure a suitably measured settling region 7 after positioning filter 1 into tank T.

The outline of tube elements 2c shown in Figure 4 follow a broken line so that the decreased cross-section 8c is provided in the slanting middle portion, between the upper and lower portions having enlarged cross-sections. Flow back is further restricted by the broken track. Here again, the major part, advantageously more than 80% of the upper plane 4 of filter 1 is formed by the total surface area of inlets 3c.

In Figure 5 the perspective view of a further embodiment of filter 1 is shown. In this case tube elements of filter 1 have an upper conical portion followed by a cylindrical portion forming the decreased cross-section 8 to which another downwardly conical portion is connected. The first and the latter form the portions with enlarged cross-section. The total surface area of inlets 3 again properly forms the upper plane 4 of the filter. In this manner it is ensured that the particles falling down under gravity will enter and pass through tube elements 2 rather than settling on the substantially horizontal surfaces 11 resulting from the difference between the surface area of upper plane 4 and the total surface area of inlets 3.

The embodiment shown in Figure 6 is based on a similar principle. Here the tube elements 2 are determined by a grid formed from intersecting partition walls 13 resulting in rectangular adjacent tube elements 2. In the case of this embodiment the cross-section of the partition walls may be diamond-shaped or arrow-shaped. Figure 7 shows the cross-section of the latter taken along line A-A of Figure 6. In this example the end of the partition walls 13 have an arrow-shaped cross-section provided with a lower shoulder 12. It is to be noted that in other embodiments any tubular cross-section can also be applied.

In operation the plurality of non-soluble solid granules or small dirt particles in the liquid (for example water) in tank T (for example a bucket) will slowly travel downwards. These particles pass through the tubular part, collect at the bottom of the tank and form a deposit in settling region 7. On disturbance of the liquid in the upper region of the tank T this deposit can not be washed back from settling region 7 through the tube elements having decreased cross-section since the streaming flow is not transferred through the tapering portions and does not affect settling region 7. Rapid pressure increase acting from above is stopped at the transition between the portions having enlarged cross-section 9 and the portions having decreased cross-section 8 or at the retaining surface of shoulders 12.

The filter 1 according to the invention can be used in case of mop buckets for keeping the water in it clean for a longer time. It can be preferably provided with means for inserting and removing thus promoting hygienic use. Moreover its other embodiments can be used also in industry for separating undesired dirt, particles out of various kinds of liquids in a simple and economy manner.

Claims

1. Filter for separating solid particles from liquids wherein the density of the solid particles is greater than the density of the liquid, the liquid is in a tank (T) which is closed at the bottom and open from above, a portion of said filter (1) comprises an essentially horizontal upper plane (4) and a lower surface (5), running between said upper plane (4) and said lower surface (5) a plurality of essentially parallel tube elements (2,2a,2b,2c) close to each other are arranged, each of said tube elements (2,2a,2b,2c) are provided with an upper inlet (3,3a,3b,3c), said inlets collectively fill in the major part of said essentially horizontal upper plane (4); characterized in that at least a portion of each of said tube elements (2,2a,2b,2c) has decreased cross- section (8) and at least a portion of each of said tube elements (2,2a,2b,2c) has enlarged cross-section (9).

2. Filter according to claim 1 characterized in that the cross-section between a portion having enlarged cross-section (9) and a portion having decreased cross- section (8) is evenly decreased.

3. Filter according to claim 1 characterized in that between a portion having enlarged cross-section (9) and a portion having decreased cross-section (8) a shoulder intensively narrowing upwards is formed.

4. Filter according to claim 1 characterized in that said inlets (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) collectively fill in at least 80% of said upper plane (4).

5. Filter according to claim 1 characterized in that the group of tube elements (2) are in the form a grid comprising intersecting partition walls 13 forming adjacent tube elements 2 with rectangular or tubular cross-section.

6. Filter according to claim 5 characterized in that said partition walls (13) terminate in a shoulder (12) having a portion with a cross-section of a tip of an arrow.

7. Filter according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower part of said filter (1) is flat having projecting spacers or legs (6) which lean against the bottom part of tank (T).

8. Filter according to claim 1 characterized in that spacers projecting from the wall or bottom of said tank (T) are provided for supporting said filter (1).

9. Filter according to claim 1 characterized in that said lower surface (5) of said filter (1) positioned in a given tank (T) determines a settling region (7) which through the tubular part is in communication with said upper region (10) comprising the main part of said tank (T).

10. Filter according to any of the previous claims characterized in that said tank (T) is a bucket.