U.S. patent application number 13/204367 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for fluidizing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to DPS Bristol (Holdings) Ltd. Invention is credited to David J. Parkinson.
Application Number | 20110284429 13/204367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34983990 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110284429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parkinson; David J. |
November 24, 2011 |
Fluidizing Apparatus
Abstract
A fluidizing apparatus comprises a vessel having an inlet, a
plurality of outlets and a nozzle, through which a pressurized
fluid can be fed into the vessel. The outlets are spaced at
different heights from a base of the vessel and are controlled by
valves enabling fluidized solids to be removed in layers from the
vessel. In a further embodiment, a single outlet is raised or
lowered to a desired position in the vessel.
Inventors: |
Parkinson; David J.;
(Clevedon, GB) |
Assignee: |
DPS Bristol (Holdings) Ltd
Bristol
GB
|
Family ID: |
34983990 |
Appl. No.: |
13/204367 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11997533 |
Jan 31, 2008 |
7997419 |
|
|
PCT/GB2006/002879 |
Aug 2, 2006 |
|
|
|
13204367 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
209/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 53/30 20130101;
B65G 53/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
209/155 |
International
Class: |
B03B 5/00 20060101
B03B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 2, 2005 |
GB |
0515939.7 |
Claims
1-27. (canceled)
28. A method, comprising the steps of: obtaining a vessel
containing a workpiece including a first workpiece portion and a
second workpiece portion; utilizing a fluidizing apparatus for
separating the first workpiece portion from the second workpiece
portion by injecting a pressurized fluid through a fluidizing
nozzle into the vessel, and removing the first workpiece portion
from the vessel through an outlet positioned at a height relative
to the base of the vessel, wherein the workpiece includes one of a
settled bed of solids and a dual filtration media, wherein the
first workpiece portion includes one of a first group of solids of
the settled bed of solids and an upper section of the dual
filtration media, wherein the second workpiece portion includes one
of a second group of solids of the settled bed of solids and a
lower section of the dual filtration media.
29. A method, comprising the steps of: obtaining a vessel
containing a settled bed of solids, wherein the settled bed of
solids includes a first group of solids and a second group of
solids; utilizing a fluidizing apparatus for separating the first
group of solids from the second group of solids by injecting a
pressurized fluid through a fluidizing nozzle into the vessel, and
removing the first group of solids from the vessel through an
outlet positioned at a height relative to the base of the
vessel.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein prior to the removing
step, further comprising the step of: determining that the first
group of solids include a first particle size that is different
from a second particle size associated with the second group of
solids, wherein the removing step includes removing the first group
of solids including the first particle size and not removing any of
the second group of solids including the second particle size.
31. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step
of: arranging the outlet at an upper end of the vessel.
32. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step
of: fixing an orientation of the outlet relative to the vessel.
33. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step
of: adjustably-arranging the outlet relative to the vessel in an
upwardly or downwardly orientation such that the outlet is
arrangeable at a selected orientation of a plurality of selectable
orientations.
34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising the step
of: actuating a rack and opinion assembly for conducting the
adjustably-arranging the outlet relative to the vessel step.
35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the selected
orientation is dependent upon a determined particle size of the
settled bed of solids to be removed from the vessel.
36. The method according to claim 29, wherein the selected
orientation is further dependent upon a velocity of the injected
pressurized fluid.
37. A method, comprising the steps of: obtaining a vessel including
a dual filtration media element, wherein the dual filtration
element includes an upper section and a lower section; utilizing a
fluidizing apparatus for separating the upper section from the
lower section by injecting a pressurized fluid through a fluidizing
nozzle into the vessel, and removing the upper section from an
upper end of the vessel through an outlet positioned at a height
relative to a base of the vessel.
38. The method according to claim 37, wherein, after the removing
step, further comprising the step of: washing the upper section in
order to remove contaminates from the upper section.
39. The method according to claim 38, wherein, after the washing
step, further comprising the step of: replacing the upper section
within the upper end of the vessel.
40. The method according to claim 37, wherein the vessel is a
filter apparatus, wherein the method further comprises the step of:
conducting the removing step during an in-use, online, operational
situation of the filter apparatus such that the filter apparatus is
not taken offline during the removing step.
41. The method according to claim 37, wherein the upper section is
characterized to be lighter in weight than the lower section.
42. The method according to claim 37, wherein the upper section is
characterized to be larger in size than the lower section.
43. The method according to claim 37, wherein the upper section
includes a greater contaminate holding capacity than that of the
lower section.
44. The method according to claim 43, wherein the upper section
includes: anthracite or activated carbon, wherein the lower section
includes sand or garnet.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser.
No. 11/997,533 filed on Jan. 31, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,419
issued on Aug. 16, 2011.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to fluidizing apparatus and
particularly, although not exclusively, to a fluidizing apparatus
for transporting solids from a vessel to a discharge pipeline or
other system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The current state of art with regard to slurry
hydro-transportation and vortex nozzles used to generate a
fluidizing effect within a vessel or tank is described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,978,251, 4,952,099 4,992,006, 5,853,266 and in International
patent application PCT/GB 03/02370. All of these documents disclose
an inlet section that creates a swirling flow and an outlet section
positioned either within the inlet section or in close proximity to
the same for the discharge of the material to the outlet of the
container.
[0004] A particular disadvantage of the fluidizing units described
in the above mentioned documents, is that the discharge duct has to
be within the nozzle or at a close proximity to the nozzle. In
practice, it has been discovered that a discharge duct is subjected
to considerably more erosion than an inlet duct because the slurry
discharge is more abrasive than the driving fluid of the fluidizing
apparatus. Therefore, it would be advantageous to be able to
operate a system in which the discharge duct is positioned some
distance from the fluidizing nozzle and which reduces the wear on
the discharge duct.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] According to the first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a fluidizing apparatus comprising a vessel having an
inlet, a plurality of outlets, and a nozzle through which a
pressurized fluid can be fed into the vessel, the outlets each
being spaced at a different height from a base of the vessel.
[0006] It is an advantage of the invention that the outlets can be
utilized to remove solids of different densities and/or particle
sizes that may have stratified within the containment vessel.
[0007] Preferably each outlet is controlled by a valve, which
enables each outlet to be selectively opened or closed.
[0008] Preferably a replaceable wear insert is provided in each
outlet.
[0009] Preferably an internal end of each insert is either
substantially flush with an internal wall of the vessel or offset
externally of the internal wall.
[0010] Preferably in the case of very large vessels or tanks, the
outlets are a series of dip tubes of varying length, which enter
the vessel from the top of the vessel.
[0011] Preferably each insert is made from a ceramic, metal, metal
alloy, plastic or composite material.
[0012] It is an advantage of the invention that the or each insert
can be removed and replaced when worn, thus preventing or
substantially reducing wear to the or each outlet duct.
Furthermore, because neither the insert nor the outlet duct
protrude inside the vessel, the outlet does not interfere with flow
regimes inside the vessel.
[0013] The nozzle may be adapted to create swirling flow of a fluid
passing through the nozzle.
[0014] Alternatively the nozzle may be a jetting nozzle.
[0015] A deflector may be mounted in front of the nozzle, which is
adapted to deflect and direct the flow path of a fluid passing
through the nozzle.
[0016] Preferably one or more ultrasonic transducers or pulse
inducers are incorporated in the deflector.
[0017] Preferably the inlet is in communication with a hopper from
which media can be fed to the vessel.
[0018] Preferably a pressure relief line including a pressure
relief valve extends from the vessel to the hopper.
[0019] Preferably the vessel has a vertical axis, the inlet is
positioned at an upper end of the vessel, the plurality of outlets
are longitudinally spaced vertically along the vessel, and the
nozzle is positioned proximate the base of the vessel.
[0020] According to the second aspect of the present invention
there is provided a fluidizing apparatus comprising a vessel having
an inlet, at least one outlet, and a nozzle through which a
pressurized fluid can be fed into the vessel, the at least one
outlet being movable substantially vertically relative to the
bottom of the vessel.
[0021] Preferably the vertical position of the outlet in the vessel
is raised and lowered by means of a mechanical arrangement, the
outlet being sealed to the vessel.
[0022] The mechanical arrangement may be a rack and pinion.
[0023] Preferably a replaceable wear insert is provided in the
outlet.
[0024] Preferably the insert is made from a ceramic, metal, metal
alloy, plastic or composite material.
[0025] Preferably the nozzle is adapted to create swirling flow of
a fluid passing through the nozzle.
[0026] Preferably the nozzle is a jetting nozzle and a deflector is
mounted in front of the nozzle, which is adapted to direct the flow
path of a fluid passing through the nozzle.
[0027] Preferably one or more ultrasonic transducers are
incorporated in the deflector.
[0028] Preferably the inlet is in communication with a hopper from
which media can be fed to the vessel.
[0029] Preferably a pressure relief line including a pressure
relief valve extends from the vessel to the hopper.
[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of fluidizing and partially separating media from
a settled bed of solids contained in a vessel of a fluidizing
apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, in which
pressurized fluid, for example, water, is injected into the vessel
through the nozzle causing the settled solids within the vessel to
be fluidized, and selectively allowing flow from the vessel through
one or more of the outlets.
[0031] The outlets may be sequentially selected beginning with the
uppermost outlet and ending with the lowermost outlet or vice
versa.
[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of fluidizing and partially separating media from
a settled bed of solids contained in a vessel of a fluidizing
apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, in which
a pressurized fluid is injected into the vessel through the nozzle
causing the settled solids within the vessel to be fluidized, and
allowing flow from the vessel through the outlet, the position of
the outlet being moved relative to the base of the vessel in order
to remove solids from the vessel of a desired particle size.
[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a use of a fluidizing apparatus in separation of solids
of varying particle size by injecting a pressurized fluid through a
fluidizing nozzle into a vessel containing a settled bed of the
solids, and removing fluidized solids of a predetermined particle
size from the vessel through an outlet positioned at a height
relative to the base of the vessel determined by the position in
the vessel of the solids being removed.
[0034] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a use of a fluidizing apparatus in removing filter
media, for washing, from the upper end of a media down-flow filter
by injecting a pressurized fluid through a fluidizing nozzle into
the filter and removing contaminated filter media from a desired
position in the filter through an outlet positioned at a height
relative to the base of the vessel determined by the position of
the contaminated filter media to be removed.
[0035] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a use of a fluidizing apparatus in removing
filter media, for washing, from the upper end of an online media
down-flow filter by injecting a pressurized fluid through a
fluidizing nozzle into the filter and removing contaminated filter
media from a desired position in the filter through an outlet
positioned at a height relative to the base of the vessel
determined by the position of the contaminated filter media to be
removed.
[0036] It is an advantage of the invention that the flow from the
nozzle generates a mixture of solids and liquid within the vessel,
which is transported from the vessel at a controlled concentration,
pressure and velocity. The particle size of media removed from the
vessel is determined by the position of the outlet, but can also be
controlled to some extent by the velocity of the pressurized feed
water to the fluidizer nozzle.
[0037] A further benefit of the invention is that material can be
removed from the upper portion of a settled bed of solids contained
in a containment vessel without removing the lower portion of the
bed. This is useful, for example, in the case of a dual media
filter for the treatment of contaminated water. The lighter and
sometimes larger media in the upper section of the filter,
typically anthracite or activated carbon, which has the greatest
solids holding capacity can be removed independent of its support
media, typically sand or garnet, to a position outside the vessel
for cleansing. Thereafter the media can be returned to the filter
vessel. This operation substantially reduces the amount of water
required to wash a filter of this type. Furthermore, the
contaminated media can be removed, washed and replaced without the
need for the filter to be taken offline. In other words, the filter
can continue operating, whilst being cleaned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will
now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in
which:--
[0039] FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a fluidizing nozzle of the
invention;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a cross-section through an alternative fluidizing
nozzle of the invention, which may be inserted through an inlet at
the base of a containment vessel;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a containment vessel
showing a fluidizing nozzle and selectable slurry outlets;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a sacrificial wear
insert, which may be situated within each of the slurry outlets to
inhibit erosion/wear of the vessel outlet ducts or nozzles;
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through a nozzle and a
deflector plate arrangement of the invention; and
[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a further
fluidizing nozzle, similar in design to that shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a fluidizing nozzle is
indicated generally at 10, and comprises of a flow chamber 12
having a fluid inlet 14 and a fluid outlet 16. The flow chamber 12
is disposed in a substantially tubular housing 15 and is
substantially defined by a side wall 18 of the housing and a solid
circular central portion or stem 20, which lies on a central axis
of the tubular housing 15. The cross section of the flow chamber 12
is therefore shaped as an annulus 22. The flow chamber outlet 16 is
of reduced cross-sectional area, caused by inward necking of the
side wall 18. This reduces the exit flow area, which, in use, has
the effect of generating back pressure in the nozzle.
[0046] Referring also to FIG. 2, an alternative fluidizing nozzle
is indicated at 24 and common reference numerals have been used to
designate parts in common with the nozzle 10 of FIG. 1. Nozzle 24
also includes a flow chamber 12 having a fluid inlet 14 and a fluid
outlet 16. However, the central portion 20 extends beyond the mouth
of the fluid outlet 16 and terminates in a substantially flat disc
26, of similar diameter to that of the outside of the housing 15.
The disc 26 inhibits the ingress of solids to the flow chamber 12,
when the nozzle is immersed in solids in the vessel.
[0047] In the use of both nozzles 10,24, fluid is fed under
pressure in to inlet 14, which can be tangentially orientated or
may have other means such as an auger situated within the flow
chamber 12 in order to create a swirling flow, and hence a vortex.
The swirling flow exiting the fluidizing nozzle 10,24 at outlet 16
is capable of imparting the required motion for fluidizing settled
solids inside a tank or vessel 28, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0048] An alternative nozzle 70 is also shown in FIG. 6. Again,
common reference numerals have been used to designate parts in
common with the nozzle 10 of FIG. 1. The nozzle 70 has a tangential
inlet 14, an outlet 16 and a tubular housing 15. However, as with
the nozzle 24 shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 70 includes a disc 72,
which inhibits the ingress of solids to the flow chamber. The disc
72 is supported by a central portion or stem (not shown) similar to
that of nozzle 24.
[0049] The vessel 28 is a pressure vessel and is fed from a solids
hopper 30 through an input line 32. A valve 34 in the line 32
controls the flow of solids into the pressure vessel 28. A pressure
relief line 36 incorporating a pressure relief valve 38 extends
from the pressure vessel 28 back to the hopper 30. The pressure
relief line 36 allows any fluids present in vessel 28 to be
displaced or vented back to hopper 30, during filling of the vessel
with solids from the hopper.
[0050] An inlet 40 is provided at the base of the vessel 28, which
is connected to one of the fluidizing nozzle arrangements shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. A plurality of outlets, four of which are shown,
42,44,46,48 are provided spaced out vertically along the side of
the pressure vessel 28. There may be further outlets, as desired.
Each outlet 42,44,46,48 reports to a single outlet line 50, a
slurry pipe line, and each outlet is controlled by a separate valve
52,54,56,58.
[0051] Referring also to FIG. 4, a slurry outlet nozzle 60 is shown
with a removable sacrificial insert 62 disposed inside the wall of
the nozzle. The slurry outlets 42,44,46,48 of the pressure vessel
each comprise a nozzle 60. An internal end of each insert is either
substantially flush with an internal wall of the vessel 28, as
shown, or offset externally of the internal wall. Each removable
insert is made from a ceramic, metal, metal alloy, plastic or
composite material. The insert 62 protects each nozzle 60 of the
pressure vessel 28 from excessive wear and also ensures that the
internal diameter of the nozzle, ie that of the insert, is equal to
the diameter of the bore of the valves 52,54,56,58 and the internal
diameter of the slurry discharge pipe line 50. The fitting of the
inserts 62 enables retro-fitting of existing nozzles and/or
conversion of existing filters and process equipment. The outlet
shown is constructed in such a way that the wear insert 62 is
incorporated into each discharge nozzle 60 of the vessel 28 so the
discharge duct does not need to protrude inside the vessel and does
not interfere with flow regimes inside the vessel 28.
[0052] An alternative fluidizing nozzle arrangement is shown in
FIG. 5. In this arrangement a straightforward jetting nozzle 64
impinges on a sacrificial plate 66, which is positioned in the base
of the vessel 28. One or more ultrasonic transducers can be
incorporated into the impingement plate 66 to break up compacted
material prior to transportation from the vessel. The sacrificial
plate 66 both protects the vessel wall and imparts some rotational
momentum to the flow. This arrangement, is operated more
effectively at a higher pressures than the nozzle arrangements
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
[0053] In use, once solids material in the vessel 28 has settled, a
fluid is fed under pressure to the fluidizing nozzle 10,24,64,70
through the inlet line 40. The fluid is typically water, and may
include a surfactant. The valve 52 in the upper outlet 42 is open,
and allows a flow of slurry to report out of the vessel to the
outlet line 50. The other valves 54, 56, 58 are closed. Once the
solids level inside the pressure vessel 28 has moved below the
vertical level of the outlet 42, no further solids are transported
from the vessel. At this time slurry outlet valve 52 can be closed
and slurry outlet valve 54 opened, allowing slurry to leave the
vessel until the solids are level with the position of the outlet
nozzle 44. As before, the valve 54 can then be closed and the valve
56 opened, as desired. This procedure can be repeated for the
slurry outlet 48, and for any further outlets provided. By this
method, it is possible to remove stratified layers of solids of
dissimilar density or specific gravity, which may have settled into
layers in the pressure vessel under the influences of Stokes Law,
from the vessel.
[0054] In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the outlets
42,44,46,48 are replaced by a single outlet, which is positioned in
the upper end of the vessel. The outlet is sealed to the vessel,
but can be raised or lowered in the vessel to a desired position.
This position is dependent on the particle size of settled, and
subsequently fluidized solids, to be removed from the vessel. The
velocity of pressurized flow entering the fluidizing nozzle
10,24,64,70 also affects the vertical height in the vessel at which
the solids are removed through the outlet. The outlet is raised and
lowered mechanically, typically by a rack and pinion arrangement,
but any other suitable arrangement may be utilized.
[0055] It has also been found that the position and orientation of
the fluidizing nozzle 10,24,70 within the vessel is not critical,
and need not be positioned in a fixed spaced relationship from the
outlet. This is important, because the fluidizing nozzle can remain
in a fixed position, even though the outlet position can be
changed.
[0056] The apparatus described is particularly suitable for use in
a water filtration system and particularly in a system for
cleansing a mixture of oil and water where a simple backflush for
the whole bed is not be sufficient to recover the pressure drop
from the bed and hence maintain its throughput. Advantages provided
by the invention are the breaking up agglomerated solids in the
vessel, fluidizing the bed of settled solids, creating a much
larger zone of influence from a single fluidizing nozzle without
the need for an array of fluidizing nozzles as typically used in
larger tanks and vessels, being able to selectively remove layers
of solids from the vessel 28 as required and being able to
transport much heavier material than in conventional fluidizing
arrangements, for example, particulate matter larger than 100 mm
through large pipelines.
* * * * *