Apparatus for removing contaminants from heated gases

Claim 2

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in a collection zone in said vessel and being impactable by said contaminants as they are separated from said hot gases; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will be their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; and means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel, the means for introducing gases being cleaned into said vessel being so structured as to cause said gases to move through said collection zone from one side of said zone to the other and the means for effecting the change in the direction of flow of said gases being structured to accommodate that movement of the gases through the removal zone while effecting that change in the direction of flow of the gases which results in the impingement of the contaminanats on the means which is impactable by the contaminants.

Claim 3

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for trapping contaminants comprises a drum and wherein the apparatus includes means for rotatably supporting said drum in said vessel and means for rotating said drum.

Claim 4

A hot gas clean-up system which includes impact separation type hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 1 and at least one cyclone ahead of and in line with said impact separation type hot gas clean-up apparatus for removing particles of larger size from the gases subjected to cleaning before said gases reach said impact separation type hot gas clean-up apparatus.

Claim 5

Hot gas clean-up apparatus which comprises: a containment vessel; means dividing the interior of said vessel into physically isolated collection and removal zones; a collector housed in said containment vessel; means for effecting a movement of said collector in said vessel such that the collector surface moves into and through said collection zone and then into said physically isolated removal zone; means for effecting a flow of gases to be cleaned into said vessel and through said collection zone; means in said vessel for bending the gases to be cleaned and moving through said collection zone along a path such that particulate contaminants associated therewith will impact on and adhere to the collector surface and thereby become separated from the gases being cleaned; an exit from the removal zone and containment vessel for the cleaned gases; and means for removing from the collector surface the collected contaminants adhered thereto.

Claim 6

Hot gas clean-up apparatus which comprises: a containment vessel; means dividing the interior of said vessel into physically isolated collection and removal zones; a collector housed in said containment vessel; means for effecting a movement of said collector in said vessel such that the collector surface moves into and through said collection zone and then into said physically isolated removal zone; means for effecting a flow of gases to be cleaned into said vessel and through said collection zone; means in said vessel for bending the gases to be cleaned and moving through said collection zone along a path such that particulate contaminants associated therewith will impact on and adhere to the collector surface and thereby become separated from the gases being cleaned; an exit from the removal zone and containment vessel for the cleaned gases; and means for removing from the collector surface the collected contaminants adhered thereto.

Claim 7

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 4 which includes means for applying to said collector surface before it arrives at said collection zone a material which is adhesive at operating temperatures and therefore capable of adhering to said collector surface the contaminants impacting thereagainst.

Claim 8

Hot gas clean-up apparatus which comprises: a containment vessel; means dividing the interior of said vessel into a collection zone and a removal zone; a collector housed in said containment vessel which comprises a rotatable drum; means for effecting a movement of said collector in said vessel such that the collector surface moves into and through said collection zone and then into said removal zone; means in said vessel for bending the gases to be cleaned in said collection zone through a path such that particulate contaminants associated therewith will impact on and adhere to the collector surface and thereby become separated from the gas being cleaned, said means for bending said gases comprising: perforated plates concentrically spaced from and around said drum, there being perforations through said plate oriented orthogonally with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum; means for effecting a flow of the gases to be cleaned through said containment vessel between said plates and said containment vessel; and means communicating with the spaces between said plates and said drum via which the gases from which contaminants have been separated can exit from said collection zone; an exit from the containment vessel for the cleaned gases; and means in said removal zone for removing from the collector surface the collected contaminants adhered thereto.

Claim 9

Hot gas clean-up apparatus which comprises: a containment vessel; means dividing the interior of said vessel into a collection zone and a removal zone; a collector housed in said containment vessel which comprises a rotatable drum; means for effecting a movement of said collector in said vessel such that the collector surface moves into and through said collection zone and then into said removal zone; means in said vessel for bending the gases to be cleaned in said collection zone through a path such that particulate contaminants associated therewith will impact on and adhere to the collector surface and thereby become separated from the gas being cleaned, said means for bending said gases comprising: perforated plates concentrically spaced from and around said drum, there being perforations through said plate oriented orthogonally with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum; means for effecting a flow of the gases to be cleaned through said containment vessel between said plates and said containment vessel; and means communicating with the spaces between said plates and said drum via which the gases from which contaminants have been separated can exit from said collection zone; an exit from the containment vessel for the cleaned gases; and means in said removal zone for removing from the collector surface the collected contaminants adhered thereto.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the means communicating with the spaces between said perforated plates and said drum comprises at least one collection channel disposed between adjacent ones of said perforated plates and means providing an outlet in communication with said channel.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said collection channel extends in the same direction and from end-to-end of said drum and communicates with said outlet at the downstream end of the containment apparatus, there being a closure at the upstream end of said collection channel to keep cleaned gases from escaping therefrom.

Claim 12

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said perforated plates are interchangeable and wherein said apparatus comprises means for changing the pressure drop across said plates, whereby the operation of said apparatus can be altered to meet the demands placed upon it.

Claim 13

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are seperated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto, said second means comprising means for sifting said material onto said first means; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will by their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; and means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel.

Claim 14

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are seperated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto, said second means comprising means for sifting said material onto said first means; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will by their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; and means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel.

Claim 15

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are separated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto, said second means comprising flame spraying means; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will by their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; and means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel.

Claim 16

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are separated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto, said second means comprising flame spraying means; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will by their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; and means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel.

Claim 17

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel means; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are separated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto, said second means comprising a supply hopper for said material and a nozzle type outlet from said hooper adjacent said first means for forcing said material under pressure from said hooper through said outlet and onto said first means; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will be their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; and means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel.

Claim 18

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel means; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are separated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto, said second means comprising a supply hopper for said material and a nozzle type outlet from said hooper adjacent said first means for forcing said material under pressure from said hooper through said outlet and onto said first means; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will be their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; and means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel.

Claim 19

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said second means includes heating means in said hopper to melt said material.

Claim 20

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said second means includes means for supplying said material in dry granular form to said hopper,

Claim 21

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are separated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will be their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel; and an adjustable, fluid cooled knife means for separating contaminants and spent material from said first means.

Claim 22

Hot gas clean-up apparatus of the impact separation type comprising: a vessel; means for introducing gases to be cleaned into said vessel; means for trapping contaminants separated from said gases, said contaminants trapping means being housed in said vessel and including a first means that is impactable by said contaminants as they are separated from said hot gases and a second means for applying a material that is adhesive at the operating temperature of the apparatus to said first means to promote the adherence of the contaminants thereto; means for so effecting a change in the direction of flow of the gases introduced into said vessel that contaminants mixed therewith will be their inertia impact against and adhere to the impactable means provided to trap said contaminants; means via which gases from which contaminants have been thus separated can exit from said vessel; and an adjustable, fluid cooled knife means for separating contaminants and spent material from said first means.

Claim 23

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 15 together with co-operating rotating members for removing contaminants and spent material separated from said first means by said knife means from the latter and/or for breaking up said contaminants and spent material.

Claim 24

Hot gas clean-up apparatus defined in claim 15 which includes thermal barrier means disposed in said vessel between said second means and said knife means, said barrier means extending between said vessel and said first means and from end-to-end of the latter.

Claim 25

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 15 together with a first pressure lock through which the material employed to promote adherence of the contaminants to said first means can be introduced into the vessel of the apparatus and a second pressure lock through which spent material and contaminants can be discharged therefrom.

Claim 26

Hot gas clean-up apparatus which comprises: a containment vessel; means dividing the interior of said vessel into a collection zone and a removal zone; a collector housed in said containment vessel; means for effecting a movement of said collector in said vessel such that the collector surface move into and through said collection zone and then into said removal zone; means in said vessel for bending the gases to be cleaned in said collection zone through a path such that particulate contaminants associated therewith will impact on and adhere to the collector surface and thereby become separated from the gases being cleaned; an exit from the removal zone and containment vessel for the cleaned gases; means for applying to said collector surface before it arrives at said collection zone a material which is adhesive at operating temperatures and therefore capable of adhering to said collector surface the contaminants impacting thereagainst; and means for removing from said collector surface the adhesive material and the contaminants trapped therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a fluid cooled blade.

Claim 27

Hot gas clean-up apparatus which comprises: a containment vessel; means dividing the interior of said vessel into a collection zone and a removal zone; a collector housed in said containment vessel; means for effecting a movement of said collector in said vessel such that the collector surface move into and through said collection zone and then into said removal zone; means in said vessel for bending the gases to be cleaned in said collection zone through a path such that particulate contaminants associated therewith will impact on and adhere to the collector surface and thereby become separated from the gases being cleaned; an exit from the removal zone and containment vessel for the cleaned gases; means for applying to said collector surface before it arrives at said collection zone a material which is adhesive at operating temperatures and therefore capable of adhering to said collector surface the contaminants impacting thereagainst; and means for removing from said collector surface the adhesive material and the contaminants trapped therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a fluid cooled blade.

Claim 28

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 19 which includes means for removing from said fluid cooled blade adhesive material and contaminants which are adhered thereto, said last-mentioned means comprising: scraper means and means for so rotating said scraper means relative to said fluid cooled blade as to cause said scraper means to dislodge adherent adhesive material and contaminants from said blade as the scraper means is rotated relative to that blade.

Claim 29

Hot gas clean-up apparatus as defined in claim 20 which includes drive means which is so constructed as to rotate said scraper means and, at the same time, dislodge adherent adhesive material and contaminants from the scraper means.