Dust filter apparatus

Claim 1

Dust filter apparatus for use in underground mines comprising a generally horizontal duct having flanges at opposite ends thereof for connecting to ducting sections, a filter panel vertically mounted across a full width of the duct, the filter panel comprising a filter means for promoting air flow and liquid flow through the filter and downward along the filter, a vertical bank of liquid spraying means for spraying liquid onto an upstream face of the filter panel, liquid eliminator means vertically arranged in the duct downstream of the filter panel for reducing liquid carried beyond the filter panel, baffle plate means disposed below the filter panel and liquid eliminator means for preventing short-circuit of gaseous flow and allowing liquid to drain without re-entrainment by an air stream in the duct, a liquid collection tank mounted beneath the duct and beneath the filter panel and liquid eliminator means for receiving liquid from the liquid eliminator means and filter panel, plural swirl chamber means arranged in parallel across the duct for removing relatively heavy dust particles carried by air flowing through the duct, each swirl chamber means comprising a cylindrical casing, a swirl inducing means mounted across the casing and a spray means mounted upstream of the swirl inducing means for spraying liquid into air flowing through the casing and past the swirl inducing means for washing relatively heavy dust particles along the casing and an aperture around a downstream end of the casing for receiving coarse heavy dust particles and liquid from the casing and means for communicating the aperture with the tank for directing the coarse heavy dust particles and liquid from the swirl chamber casing to the tank, a pump connected to the tank for drawing liquid from the tank, a hydrocyclone separator connected to the pump for separating dust particles from liquid and connected to the tank for returning dirty water with dust particles to the tank and means connecting the hydrocyclone to the bank of liquid spraying means and to the spraying means in the swirl chamber means.