U.S. patent application number 09/683756 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-06 for belt filter press with improved belt washer assembly.
Invention is credited to Dendel, Joseph W., Dietz, Benjamin W., Sebright, Brent H., Sebright, Stuart.
Application Number | 20030024869 09/683756 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23104832 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030024869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sebright, Brent H. ; et
al. |
February 6, 2003 |
Belt filter press with improved belt washer assembly
Abstract
A belt filter press for deliquifying a material comprises two
endless filter belts disposed adjacent each other so that a portion
of the belts travel together and converge towards one another and
between which a material is progressively compressed, and a belt
washer for cleaning the belt of residual material, wherein the belt
washer has at least one wiper holder and at least one belt wiper,
wherein the at least one belt wiper is disposed against a first
surface of one of the belts and removably retained thereagainst by
the at least one wiper holder.
Inventors: |
Sebright, Brent H.;
(Hopkins, MI) ; Sebright, Stuart; (Allegan,
MI) ; Dendel, Joseph W.; (Allegan, MI) ;
Dietz, Benjamin W.; (Allegan, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGARRY BAIR LLP
171 MONROE AVENUE
SUITE 600
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503
US
|
Family ID: |
23104832 |
Appl. No.: |
09/683756 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60287895 |
May 1, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 33/056 20130101;
B01D 33/463 20130101; B01D 33/042 20130101; B01D 33/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/400 |
International
Class: |
B01D 033/04 |
Claims
1] in a belt filter press for deliquifying a material, of the type
comprising two endless filter belts disposed adjacent each other so
that a portion of the belts travel together and converge towards
one another, the belts moving together in a compression zone
wherein material between the belts is compressed so that liquid in
the material is extracted from the material, and a belt washer for
cleaning at least one of the belts of residual material, the
improvement wherein: the belt washer has at least one wiper holder
and at least one belt wiper, wherein the at least one belt wiper is
disposed against a first surface of one of the belts and removably
retained thereagainst by the at least one wiper holder.
2] The belt filter press of claim 1, wherein the at least one wiper
holder is a clip.
3] The belt filter press of claim 2, wherein the at least one belt
wiper is slidably retained in the clip.
4] The belt filter press of claim 1, wherein the at least one belt
wiper is made of rubber.
5] The belt filter press of claim 1, wherein the at least one belt
wiper is made of soft polyethylene.
6] The belt filter press of claim 1, wherein at least one scraper
is disposed against a second surface of one of the belts opposite
the at least one belt wiper.
7] The belt filter press of claim 6, wherein the at least one
scraper presses the belt against the at least one belt wiper.
8] The belt filter press of claim 1, wherein the at least one belt
wiper comprises a plurality of belt wipers, and wherein each belt
wiper is disposed from the first belt wiper in the direction of
belt travel.
9] The belt filter press of claim 8, wherein the belt washer is
provided with a first pair of belt wipers and a second pair of belt
wipers, with a sprayer disposed therebetween.
10] The belt filter press of claim 8, wherein the belt washer is
provided with a plurality of scrapers equal to the number of belt
wipers.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/287,895, filed May 1, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to belt filter presses for removing
liquid from a mixture of liquid and solid material. In one aspect,
the invention relates to an improved belt washing apparatus for a
belt filter press.
[0004] 2. Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0005] Belt filter presses are utilized to remove liquid from a
mixture of liquid and solid material, leaving a relatively dry,
solid "cake" for disposal or further processing. The belt filter
press comprises a frame and an assembly of rollers that support and
drive an upper continuous belt and a lower continuous belt that are
in operable communication with each other. The belts are permeable
to allow the extrusion of the liquid therethrough. The mixture is
first placed on the lower belt, then "sandwiched" between the upper
and lower belts. The belts and the retained mixture then pass
through a wedge section where the mixture is evenly distributed
between the belts, and an initial volume of liquid is removed. The
belts then pass through a series of progressively smaller diameter
rollers where the retained mixture is compressed for further liquid
removal. The belts are then separated and the dry "cake" is removed
from the belts, generally by a scraping apparatus. The belts are
then washed to remove any remaining cake, after which the process
is repeated. The liquids from the extrusion and belt washing
processes are collected for disposal.
[0006] Belt washers are used to clean the residual cake from the
belts. These belt washers typically utilize scrapers to assist in
the removal of the residue and any wash water adhering to the
belts. The scrapers are typically fixedly mounted in the belt
washers, necessitating a shutdown of the filter press when the
scrapers must be maintained or replaced.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] The invention comprises a belt washer assembly for a belt
filter press for removing liquid from a mixture of liquid and solid
material. The belt filter press comprises two endless filter belts
disposed adjacent each other so that a portion of the belts travel
together and converge towards one another and move together in a
compression zone where material is compressed, and a belt washer
for cleaning one of the belts of residual material. The belt washer
has at least one wiper holder and at least one belt wiper, wherein
the at least one belt wiper is disposed against a first surface of
one of the belts and removably retained thereagainst by the at
least one wiper holder. The at least one wiper holder is a clip and
the at least one belt wiper is slidably retained in the clip. The
at least one belt wiper is made of rubber or soft polyethylene. At
least one scraper is disposed against a second surface of one of
the belts opposite the at least one belt wiper, and the at least
one scraper presses the belt against the at least one belt wiper.
In one embodiment, the at least one belt wiper comprises a
plurality of belt wipers, and each belt wiper is disposed from the
first belt wiper in the direction of belt travel. In another
embodiment, the belt washer is provided with a first pair of belt
wipers and a second pair of belt wipers, with a sprayer disposed
therebetween. In yet another embodiment, the belt washer is
provided with a plurality of scrapers equal to the number of belt
wipers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a schematic of a belt
filter press comprising a curved wedge section, primary and
secondary rollers, and a belt washer assembly according to the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the belt washer
assembly of the belt filter press of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the belt washer
assembly of the belt filter press of FIG. 1 taken perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the belt washer assembly.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the belt washer
assembly of the belt filter press of FIG. 1 showing a washer spray
head assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 1, a belt filter press 10 according to
the invention comprises a frame 12, an upper belt 14, a lower belt
16, a waste placement apparatus 18, liquid catch pans 20, belt
washers 22, a wedge section 24, a primary roller 26, secondary
rollers 28, upper belt guide rollers 38, and lower belt guide
rollers 32. It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art
that the belt filter press of FIG. 1 will also comprise suitable
belt tensioning devices, belt drives, and controls, which for
purposes of this disclosure will not be described herein. As with a
conventional belt filter press, the belt filter press 10 of FIG. 1
extrudes liquid from a mixture of solid and liquid material by
"sandwiching" the mixture between the two belts 14, 16, in a
compression zone, passing the belts over the wedge section 24 and
around the primary and secondary rollers 26, 28, and discharging
the dewatered solids upon separation of the belts 14, 16.
[0014] After the dewatered material has been expelled from the belt
filter press, the belts are typically washed of any residual solid
material adhering thereto. Adequate washing of the belts typically
requires relatively large volumes of water, which must then be
removed in order to avoid adding water to the mixture and reducing
the efficiency of the dewatering process. Referring to FIGS. 2 and
3, a belt washer 22 according to the invention comprises a lower
box 70, an upper box 72, and a washer assembly 76. The lower box 70
is an elongated container comprising two parallel ends 78, two
parallel sides 80, and a bottom 90. Each end 78 terminates in an
outwardly extending flange 82, provided with apertures 92 extending
therethrough. The upper box 72 is an elongated container comprising
two parallel ends 114, two parallel sides 116, and a top 150. Each
end 114 of the upper box 72 terminates in an outwardly extending
flange 118, provided with apertures 120 extending therethrough. The
length of each box 70, 72 is generally equal to the width of the
belts 14, 16.
[0015] The lower box 70 is provided with a pair of parallel outside
wiper clips 84 and a pair of parallel inside wiper clips 86
extending longitudinally along the sides 80. Each parallel outside
wiper clip 84 comprises a pair of parallel clip sides 94 and a clip
bottom 96 defining a narrow channel slot 98. In the preferred
embodiment, each clip 84 comprises a pair of narrow, elongated bars
rigidly attached to the side 80 and extending along the length of
the side 80. Each parallel inside wiper clips 86 comprises a pair
of parallel clip sides 100 and a clip bottom 102 rigidly connected
to define a narrow channel 104. In the preferred embodiment, each
inside wiper clip 86 is rigidly attached to the ends 78 parallel to
the outside wiper clips 84, preferably by welding. Channel braces
88 are regularly spaced along the clips 84, 86 and rigidly attach
the inside wiper clips 86 to the outside wiper clips 84, such as by
welding. Wipers 74 comprise flexible, elongated blades adapted to
be slidably retained in the clips 84, 86, and to extend
longitudinally from one end 78 to the other. Suitable materials for
the wipers 74 include rubber and soft polyethylene.
[0016] Each side 116 of the upper box 72 terminates in a scraper
edge 122. An inside scraper 124 comprises a rigid, narrow,
elongated blade with a scraper edge 125. A pair of scrapers 124 is
rigidly attached to the ends 114, such as by welding parallel to
the sides 116 so that the edges 122, 125 define a fixed elevation.
Scraper braces 126 are regularly spaced along the scrapers 122, 124
and rigidly attach the inside scrapers 124 to the sides 116, such
as by welding, in order to eliminate lateral deflection of the
inside scrapers 124. The lower flange apertures 92 and the upper
flange apertures 120 are adapted to be in axial alignment when the
upper box 72 and the lower box 70 are assembled into the washer 22.
The alignment of the apertures 92, 120 enables the upper box 72 and
the lower box 70 to be fixedly connected, such as by conventional
bolted connections. The sides 116, the scrapers 124, and the clips
84, 86 are adapted so that, when the upper box 72 and the lower box
70 are assembled into the washer 22, the wipers 74 retained in the
clips 84, 86 will extend toward the scrapers 122, 124,
respectively, and the belts 14, 16 will be in contact with both the
wipers 74 and the edges 122, 125.
[0017] One end 78, 114 of the lower box 70 and the upper box 72,
respectively, is provided with a washer aperture 128 therethrough.
The washer aperture 128 comprises a circular section 130 and a slot
section 132. Proximate to the slot section 132 is a washer mounting
aperture 134 adapted to receive and retain a threaded fastener,
such as a machine screw. The other end 78, 114 is provided with a
tube support 144 comprising a circular aperture therethrough.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, a washer assembly 76 comprises a washer
tube 136 and a plurality of spray heads 138. The washer tube 136
comprises a hollow tube which is sealed at a distal end and
provided with a suitable fitting 146 at a proximal end for
connection to a water supply. The tube 136 is also provided with a
mounting plate 140 adapted to extend over the slot section 132. The
mounting plate 140 is rigidly attached to the tube 136, such as by
welding, so that the plane of the plate 140 is orthogonal to the
longitudinal axis of the tube 136. The plate 140 is provided with a
mounting plate aperture 142. The spray heads 138 comprise generally
circular projections extending longitudinally along the outer
surface of the tube 136. Each spray head 138 is provided with a
center aperture 139 adapted to disperse water in a spray pattern.
The center aperture 139 is in fluid communication with the interior
of the washer tube 136. Water supplied under pressure to the washer
tube 136 will flow from the spray heads 138 in a dispersed
pattern.
[0019] Each belt washer 22 comprises two washer spray head
assemblies 76. One washer spray head assembly 76 is inserted into
the lower box 70 and the other washer spray head assembly 76 is
inserted into the upper box 72. The spray tube 136 is inserted
through the washer aperture 128 by aligning the spray heads 138
with the slot section 132. The distal end of the spray tube 136 is
inserted into the tube support 144. The mounting plate aperture 142
is aligned with the washer mounting aperture 134 and the washer
spray head assembly 76 is secured to the boxes 70, 72 by use of a
threaded fastener inserted therethrough. In the preferred
embodiment, the spray heads 138 are aligned so that the spray is
directed against the travel of the belt 14, 16. The lower box 70 is
provided with a suitable drain 148 for removing the liquid from the
washing process.
[0020] In use, the lower box 70 with installed washer spray head
assembly 76 is mounted to the frame 12 through suitable connectors
so that the belt 14, 16 is in contact with the wipers 74. The lower
box 70 is oriented so that the longitudinal axis of the box 70 is
orthogonal to the direction of travel of the belt 14, 16. The upper
box 72 with installed washer spray head assembly 76 is attached to
the lower box 70 by aligning the upper flange apertures 120 with
the lower flange apertures 92 and inserting a threaded fastener,
such as a bolt or machine screw, therethrough. The scrapers 122,
124 will be in contact with the belt 14, 16 to maintain the belt
14, 16 in contact with the wipers 74. The washer spray head
assemblies 76 are connected to a pressurized water supply (not
shown) and the drain 148 is connected to a suitable external
drainage system (not shown). Water entering the washer spray head
assemblies 76 will be sprayed from the spray heads 138 onto the
belt 14, 16, removing residual cake from the belt 14, 16. The wash
water will be removed from the belt 14, 16 by the wipers 74 and the
edges 122, 125, and will be collected in the lower box 70 to be
removed through the drain 148.
[0021] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible
within the scope of the forgoing description and drawings without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *