MODULAR FILTER ELEMENT AND COUPLING

Abstract

The invention relates to a ceramic modular filter element comprising a first elongate hollow body, a second elongate body and a sleeve for coupling the first elongate body to the second elongate body, wherein the first elongate hollow body comprises a frustoconical section, the second elongate hollow body is configured to receive the frustoconical section of the first elongate hollow body and the sleeve comprises projections for engaging with a surface of the first elongate hollow body and/or the second elongate hollow body.

Claims

1. A ceramic modular filter element comprising a first elongate hollow body, a second elongate body and a sleeve for coupling the first elongate body to the second elongate body, wherein the first elongate hollow body comprises a frustoconical section, the second elongate hollow body is configured to receive the frustoconical section of the first elongate hollow body and the sleeve comprises projections for engaging with a surface of the first elongate hollow body and/or the second elongate hollow body.

2. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the projections comprise spikes, barbs, hooks, pyramids or ridges.

3. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the projections are provided on an outer surface of the sleeve and/or on an inner surface of the sleeve.

4. (canceled)

5. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the projections are spaced circumferentially around the sleeve in one or more rows.

6. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the filter element comprises an annular body having axial webs extending therefrom.

7. A modular filter element according to claim 6, wherein one or more axial webs comprise an aperture.

8. A modular filter element according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve is arranged to overlie at least a portion of the axial webs so that the projections extend through the apertures into the first elongate hollow body.

9. A modular filter element according to claim 8, wherein the projections extend through the apertures into a contact section located downstream of the frustoconical section.

10. A modular filter element according to claim 6, wherein the annular body is adapted to receive an adjustable clamping band.

11. A modular filter element according to claim 10, wherein the annular body comprises a circumferential groove to enable the adjustable clamping band to be retained in position.

12. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the sleeve is adjustable.

13. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the filter element comprises two or more sleeves.

14. (canceled)

15. A modular filter element according to claim 12, wherein each sleeve comprises a circumferential channel to enable the respective clamping bands to be held in position.

16. A modular filter element according to claim 13, wherein adjacent sleeves are configured to form an interlocking connection.

17. A modular filter element according to claim 16, wherein one sleeve comprises a series of circumferentially spaced slots that are configured to receive corresponding circumferentially spaced hooks provided on the adjacent sleeve.

18. (canceled)

19. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is perforated.

20. A modular filter element according to claim 19, wherein an outer surface of the sleeve comprises a radial ridge or a plurality of radial ridge sections that extend circumferentially around the sleeve.

21. A modular filter element according to claim 20, wherein the radial ridge or radial ridge sections are arranged to extend helically around the sleeve.

22. A modular filter element according to claim 1, wherein the frustoconical section of the sleeve has a conical angle of between 75° and 89°.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. Use of the filter element according to claim 1 in a filter plant for filtering particulate matter from hot gas streams.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a modular filter element according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the modular filter element shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a modular filter element according to a second embodiment of the invention

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the modular filter element shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a modular filter element according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the modular filter element shown in FIG. 5

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a sleeve according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0045] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modular filter element according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a first elongate hollow body 110, a second elongate hollow body 120 and a sleeve in the form of a ring 130. The first elongate hollow body 110 comprises a frustoconical section 111 and a tubular section 112 downstream of the frustoconical section 111. The diameter of the tubular section 112 is substantially constant along its length and is greater than the diameter of the frustoconical section 111. As best shown in FIG. 1, the walls of the frustoconical section 111 taper inwardly from the tubular section 112 towards the mouth 113 of the frustoconical section 111. In this embodiment the frustoconical section 111 is 110 mm in length and the walls taper inwardly at an angle of 87°. The second elongate hollow body 120 is adapted to receive the frustoconical section 111 of the first elongate hollow body 110. In this connection the internal walls 121 of the second elongate hollow body 20 taper inwardly at an angle of 87° from its mouth 122 towards a region of the second elongate hollow body 120 distal from the mouth 122. The sleeve 130 in this embodiment is provided with projections 131 in the form of spikes or barbs. The spikes or barbs 31 are adapted to engage with an inner surface of the second elongate hollow body 120 and an outer surface of the frustoconical section 111. Accordingly, the spikes or barbs 131 are provided on both an inner surface of the sleeve 130 and an outer surface of the sleeve 130. The modular filter element 100 additionally comprises a cement based adhesive (not shown). The cement based adhesive reinforces the connection between the frustoconical section 111 and the end of the second elongate hollow body 20 adapted to receive the frustoconical section 111. It also reinforces the connection between the sleeve 130 and the frustoconical section 111. In some embodiments of the invention the modular filter element comprises two spiked or barbed sleeves 130 adapted to fit around the frustoconical section 111. Accordingly, the sleeves will have different diameters so that they can overlie different regions of the frustoconical section 111.

[0046] To assemble the modular filter element 100, the cement based adhesive is first applied over the frustoconical section 111 of the first elongate body 110. Then, and before the cement based adhesive has solidified, the sleeve 130 is slidably moved over the frustoconical section 111 until the spikes or barbs 131 located on the inner surface of the sleeve 130 frictionally engage with the outer surface of the frustoconical section 111 and the cement based adhesive provided thereon. As best shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 130 is adapted so that it can only slide along part of the frustoconical section 130 meaning that frictional engagement of the barbs or spikes 131 occurs in a substantially central region of the frustoconical section 111. The frustoconical section 111 and sleeve 130 are then inserted into the second elongate hollow body 120 causing the spikes or barbs 131 located on the outer sleeve 130 surface to frictionally engage with the inner surface of the second elongate hollow body 120. The cement based adhesive is then left to harden in order to strengthen the connection between the first and second elongate hollow bodies 110, 120 and to provide a gas tight seal.

[0047] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a modular filter element 200 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The modular filter element 200 comprises a first elongate hollow body 210, a second elongate hollow body 220 and a sleeve 230. The first elongate hollow body comprises a frustoconical section 211, a contact section 213 downstream of the frustoconical section 211 and a tubular section 212 downstream of the contact section 213. The frustoconical section 211 is 110 mm in length and has an angle of conicity of 87°. As best shown in FIG. 4, the diameter of the contact section 213 is greater than the diameter of the frustoconical section 211 and the diameter of the tubular section 212 is greater than the diameter of the contact section 213. The second elongate hollow body 220 is adapted to receive the frustoconical section 211, but not the contact section 213, of the first elongate hollow body 210. In this connection the internal walls 221 of the second elongate hollow body 220 taper inwardly at an angle of 87° from its mouth 222 towards a region of the second elongate hollow body distal from the mouth 222.

[0048] The inner surface of the sleeve 230 is provided with eight circumferential spaced spikes 231 that are adapted to engage with the contact section 213 of the first elongate hollow body 210. The diameter of the sleeve 230 is adjustable meaning that it can be positioned over the contact section 213 of the first elongate hollow body 210 and then tightened in order to retain the sleeve 230 on the contact section 213. The sleeve 213 in this embodiment is a form of an adjustable clamping band such as a hose clip. As best shown in FIG. 4, the modular filter element 200 additionally comprises a clamping band 240 (without spikes) and a crown member 250 that is adapted to cooperate with the spiked sleeve 230 to enable the first and second elongate hollow bodies 210, 220 to be joined together. The crown member 250 comprises an annular body 251 and a series of circumferentially spaced apart webs 252 that extend axially from the annular body 251. Each web 252 is provided with an aperture 253 that is adapted to receive a spike 231 from the sleeve 230. The exterior surface of the annular body 251 comprises a circumferential groove 254 for receiving the adjustable clamping band 240. The circumferential groove 254 is adapted to a have a width corresponding to the clamping band 240 so that when the clamping band 240 is tightened it is retained within the groove 254.

[0049] The modular filter element also comprises a cement based adhesive (not shown) for reinforcing the connection between the first and second elongate hollow bodies. In particular, the exterior surface of the frustoconical section 211 is coated with the cement based adhesive so that an adhesive bond can form between the frustoconical section 211 and the internal walls 221 of the second elongate body 220.

[0050] To produce the modular filter element 200 according to the second embodiment of the invention the annular body 251 of the crown member 250 is arranged over the end of the second elongate hollow body 220 adapted to receive the frustoconical section 211 of the first elongate body 210. In particular, the crown member 250 is arranged so that the axial webs 252 extend away from the second elongate hollow body 220 in the direction of the first elongate hollow body 210 (FIG. 4). The adjustable clamping band 240 is then passed over the axial webs 252 until it overlies the circumferential groove 254 formed in the annular body 211. The adjustable clamping band 240 is then tightened using a worm screw arrangement which engages with grooves or slots formed in the adjustable clamping band 240. Once the crown member 250 has been secured to the second elongate hollow body 220, the frustoconical section 211 is fed through the spiked sleeve 230 and then into the mouth 222 of the second elongate hollow body 220 which adapted to receive the frustoconical section 211. As the frustoconical section 211 is inserted, the axial webs 252 pass through the spiked sleeve 230 until the respective ends of the axial webs 252 abut a wall of the tubular section 212. This locates the apertures 253 formed in the axial webs 252 over the contact section 251 of the first elongate hollow body 210. The spiked sleeve 230 is then positioned so that the spikes 231 align with the apertures 253 in the axial webs 252, and once aligned, the spiked sleeve 230 is tightened using a worm screw arrangement which engages with grooves or slots formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 230. As the sleeve 230 is tightened and brought into contact with the axial webs 252, the spikes 231 extend through the apertures into the contact section 213 of the first elongate body 210 to connect the first elongate hollow body 210 to the second elongate hollow body 220. The connection between the first and second elongate hollow bodies 210, 220 is further reinforced by the provision of the concrete based adhesive which is applied to the outer surface of the frustoconical section 211 prior to the step of inserting the frustoconical section 211 into the mouth 222 of the second elongate hollow body 220. In addition to reinforcing the connection between the first and second elongate bodies 210, 220 the concrete based adhesive forms a gas tight seal once it has solidified.

[0051] Turning now to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the modular filter element 300 according to a third embodiment of the invention comprises a first elongate hollow body 310, a second elongate hollow body 320 and two sleeves 330 and 340.

[0052] The first elongate hollow body 310 comprises a frustoconical section 311, a contact section 313 downstream of the frustoconical section 311 and a tubular section 312 downstream of the contact section 313. The frustoconical section 311 is 110 mm in length and has an angle of conicity of 87°. The diameter of the contact section 313 is greater than the diameter of the frustoconical section 311 and the diameter of the tubular section 312 is greater than the diameter of the contact section 313. The second elongate hollow body 320 is adapted to receive the frustoconical section 311 and comprises a contact section 321 and a tubular section 322 downstream of the contact section 321. The diameter of the tubular section 322 is greater than the diameter of the contact section 321.

[0053] As best shown in FIG. 6, the exterior surface of the first sleeve 330 is provided with a first circumferential channel 332 that is adapted to have a width corresponding to a first clamping band 350. FIG. 6 also shows that the first sleeve 330 comprises two rows of circumferentially spaced spikes 331 provided on the inner surface of the first sleeve 330 for engaging the outer surface of the contact section 313 of the first elongate hollow body 310. The first sleeve 330 additionally comprises a series of circumferentially spaced slots 333 that are adapted to receive corresponding hook members located 341 on the second sleeve 340. As best shown in FIG. 6, the slots 333 comprise an axial region which extends upwards from the rim towards the first circumferential channel 332 and a region that is angled with respect to the axial region.

[0054] The second sleeve 340 comprises a second circumferential channel 342 that is adapted to have a width corresponding to a second adjustable clamping band 360. The second adjustable clamping band 360 comprises a worm screw arrangement which engages with grooves or slots formed in the adjustable clamping band 360. The second sleeve 340 comprises two rows of circumferentially spaced spikes 343 provided on the interior surface of the second sleeve 340 for engagement with the exterior surface of the contact section 321 of the second elongate hollow body 320. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hook members 341 are provided at the rim of the second sleeve 340 to permit interengagement with the slots 333 formed in the first sleeve 330. In this embodiment a cement based adhesive is provided on an outer surface of the frustoconical section 311 and on an inner surface of the contact section 321 of the second elongate hollow body 320.

[0055] To produce the modular filter element 300 in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention, a layer of cement based adhesive is first provided on the outer surface of the frustoconical section 311 and on the inner surface of the contact section 321 of the second elongate hollow body 320. The first sleeve 330 is then arranged over first elongate hollow body 310 so that the spikes 331 overlie the contact section 313 of the first elongate hollow body 310 and the slots 333 face the second elongate hollow body 320. The first sleeve 330 is subsequently secured to the contact section 313 of the first elongate hollow body 310 by tightening the adjustable clamping band 350 using the worm screw arrangement. This in turn causes the spikes 331 to contact and subsequently penetrate the concrete adhesive layer and the outer surface of the contact section 313 of the first elongate hollow body 310. A similar procedure is then undertaken to secure the second sleeve 340 to the second elongate hollow body 320. Specifically, the second sleeve 340 is arranged so that, in use, the hook members 341 face the first elongate hollow body 310 and the spikes 343 face the contact section 321 of the second elongate hollow body 320. The adjustable clamping band 360 is then tightened using the worm screw arrangement which causes the spikes 343 to penetrate the outer surface of the contact section 321 of the second elongate hollow body 320. Once the respective sleeves 330, 340 have been secured to the first and second elongate hollow bodies 310, 320, the frustoconical section 311 is inserted into the mouth of the second elongate hollow body 320 which is adapted to receive the frustoconical section 311. At the same time, and if necessary, the first and/or second elongate hollow bodies 310, 320 may be rotated to align the hook members 341 with the slots 333, so that as the frustoconical section 311 is inserted into the second elongate hollow body 320, the hook members 341 travel along the axial region of the slot 333. Then, as the hook members reach the angled region of the slot 333, the first and/or second elongate hollow bodies 310, 320 may be rotated further to enable the hook members 341 to travel along the angled slot region. With the hook members abutting the ends of the slots 333, concrete adhesive is applied in the axial region and in the angled region of the slots 333 behind the hook member 341 in order to retain the hook member 341 in the slot 333. This connection is further reinforced by the provision of the concrete based adhesive at the interface between the frustoconical section 311 and the inner surface of the contact section 321 of the second elongate hollow body 320.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a sleeve 430 in accordance with present invention for connecting adjacent filter element sub-sections together. The sleeve 430 is perforated in order to minimise the restriction of air flow through the filter element. The sleeve 430 is also substantially cone-shaped and is adapted to fit over the frustoconical section of the first elongate body. As best shown in FIG. 7, the conical sleeve 430 comprises a plurality of exterior radial ridge sections 431 that extend circumferentially around the outer surface of the sleeve 430, and in this embodiment, the exterior radial ridge sections 431 are arranged to define a substantially helical structure that is adapted to cut into the inner wall of the second elongate hollow body. Similarly, a series of internal radial ridge sections 432 extend inwardly from an inner surface of the sleeve 430 and are arranged to define a substantially helical internal structure on the inner surface of the sleeve 430 that is adapted to cut into the outer surface of the frustoconical section over which the conical sleeve is placed. As best shown in FIG. 7, the sleeve 430 comprise a longitudinal gap 433 that extends from one end of the sleeve to the other. The gap 433 is angled with respect to the horizontal and allows the sleeve to be opened and placed over the frustoconical section of an elongate hollow body.

[0057] The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.