System and method for servicing filter plates and apparatus thereof
11130078 · 2021-09-28
Assignee
Inventors
- Randall Aric Fox (Stansbury Park, UT, US)
- Sam Cartwright (Salt Lake City, UT, US)
- James Chaponnel (Cottonwood Heights, UT, US)
Cpc classification
B01D25/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01D2201/56
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B01D25/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A filter plate (1) comprises an opening (18) configured to receive at least one grid (2) provided within the opening (18). The at least one grid (2) comprises a body (2A) and one or more passages (2B) extending through the body (2A) for filtrate to flow through. The passages (2B) are preferably configured to allow filtrate to pass through the body (2A). The filter plate (1) may further comprise a wear detection device comprising at least one filament wire (2L) surrounding one or more passages (2B).
Claims
1. A filter plate (1) or a filter press comprising: a slurry port (19); a filtrate port (20); and, a filtrate drain channel (21) intersecting the filtrate port (20); an opening (18) configured to receive at least one grid (2); and the at least one grid (2) provided within the opening (18); wherein the at least one grid (2) comprises a body (2A) and one or more passages (2B) extending through the body (2A) for filtrate to flow through; wherein the one or more passages (2B) are configured to allow filtrate to pass through the body (2A) and to the filtrate drain channel (21) and/or the filtrate port (20); wherein when the one or more passages (2B) in the at least one grid (2) grow as they wear from abrasion during operation; the at least one grid (2) is configured to be replaced with another grid (2) having smaller passages (2B)—thereby eliminating the need to completely replace the filter plate (1); wherein the at least one grid (2) further comprises a wear detection device, the wear detection device comprising at least one filament wire (2L) surrounding the one or more passages (2B) and forming a portion of a battery-powered onboard circuit (2M).
2. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one grid (2) provided within the opening comprises two grids (2).
3. The filter plate (1) according to claim 2, wherein the two grids (2) are connected to each other via at least one fastener (7) extending through at least one respective aperture (2F).
4. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one grid (2) comprises at least one support (2D) in the form of an inward facing protuberance.
5. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one grid (2) comprises a plurality of pips (2C) each in the form of an outward facing protuberance; wherein at least one outward facing channel (21) is defined between multiple pips (2C).
6. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one grid (2) comprises at least one inward facing channel (2J) defined between multiple supports (2D); the at least one inward facing channel (2J) operatively communicating with the filtrate drain channel (21).
7. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one grid (2) comprises at least one standoff (2E) in the form of an inward facing protuberance.
8. The filter plate (1) according to claim 7, wherein at least one aperture (2F) extends through said at least one standoff (2E).
9. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the opening (18) comprises a flange (24) which defines a shelf surface (23); wherein the body (2A) of the at least one grid (2) is configured to rest on the shelf surface (23).
10. The filter plate (1) according to claim 9, wherein the flange (24) defines two shelf surfaces (23); wherein the body (2A) of a first grid (2) rests on one of the two shelf surfaces (23); and, wherein the body (2A) of a second grid (2) rests on the other of said two shelf surfaces (23).
11. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one grid (2) comprises at least one countersink (2H) in the body (2A), the countersink (2H) defining a shelf surface (2G) which is configured to support a fastener (7), a head of a screw or bolt, a washer (9), or a nut (11).
12. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the onboard circuit (2M) comprises an RFID tag (2N) which is configured to wirelessly communicate a signal (2P) relaying or indicating a physical and/or operational status of the at least one filament wire (2L).
13. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the onboard circuit (2M) comprises a diode which is configured to wirelessly communicate a sound or light signal (2P) for relaying or indicating a physical and/or operational status of the at least one filament wire (2L).
14. The filter plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the onboard circuit (2M) comprises an RFID tag (2N) which is configured to wirelessly communicate a signal (2P) for relaying or indicating a physical and/or operational status of the at least one filament wire (2L).
Description
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) To complement the description which is being made, and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings illustrating new and novel methods and apparatus for improving industrial filtration processes is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character. It should be understood that like reference numbers used in the drawings (if any are used) may identify like components.
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(14) In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to drawings in conjunction with exemplary embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(15) While the present invention has been described herein using exemplary embodiments of a replaceable filtration device for a filter plate and a method of installing the same, it should be understood that numerous variations and adaptations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the field from the teachings provided herein.
(16) The detailed embodiments shown and described in the text and figures should not be construed as limiting in scope; rather, all provided embodiments should be considered to be exemplary in nature. Accordingly, this invention is only limited by the appended claims.
(17) The disclosure of every patent, patent application, and publication cited, listed, named, or mentioned herein is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, for any and all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.
(18) While this subject matter has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations can be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. The appended claims may include some, but not all of such embodiments and equivalent variations.
(19) The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and governed only by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All embodiments which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
(20) The inventors have recognized a novel and heretofore unappreciated method of servicing filter plates 1—in particular, those used in filter presses (e.g., those used in a horizontal automatic filter press, without limitation).
(21) Turning now to
(22) The filter plate 1 described herein may be configured for any type of pressure-based filter press which utilizes a chamber, without limitation. Grids 2 described herein may serve as means for easily removing and replacing portions of the filter plate 1 which are prone to premature wear which can cause filtration media (e.g., filter cloth) damage, without limitation. These portions which are prone to wear typically include sections of a filter plate 1 comprising passages which connect to a filtrate drain channel 21 and channel filtrate to a filtrate port 20.
(23) Filter plate 1 may comprise a slurry port 19 (i.e., feed eye opening) for slurry transport, one or more filtrate ports 20, and one or more stay bosses 22 protruding from a face of the filter plate 1. The filter plate may further comprise a pipe (e.g., 2″ NPT on both ends) having a cap 13. The filter plate may be supported by one or more handles which may be guided 15 and/or non-guided 16, without limitation. Mounting brackets 17 provided to the filter plate 1 may extend therefrom and support a cloth attachment bar 14. Corners of the filter plate 1 may comprise a filtrate port 20 operatively communicating with filtrate drain channels 21.
(24) Each grid 2 may be comprised of a body 2A, which is configured to be received in an opening 18 of a filter plate 1. As shown, the opening 18 in the filter plate 1 may comprise a flange 24 comprising opposing shelf surfaces 23, without limitation. The flange 24 may be a continuous annular flange or inner ridge provided halfway through the opening 18 as shown. However, various flange 24 configurations are anticipated—including those which may be offset, asymmetrical, or provided by a series of radially-inwardly extending protuberances forming an interrupted/discontinuous annulus, without limitation.
(25) In some embodiments, grids 2 described herein may comprise or may be formed of polymeric (e.g., rubber, plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene), metallic, ceramic, or composite (e.g., cermet, carbon fiber, fiberglass), without limitation. Grids 2 may be formed of substantially the same material as the rest of filter plate 1, or, may be formed of different materials. For example, in some embodiments, grids 2 may be formed of a more robust wear-resistant material than other portions of the filter plate 1, without limitation.
(26) Each grid 2 may comprise a number of passages 2B for filtrate to pass from a media-facing side of the body 2A to a filtrate drain channel 21-facing side of the body 2A. Preferably, a plurality of passages 2B are provided through body 2A.
(27) The body 2A may comprise, on a media-facing side of the body 2A, a number of pips 2C provided as outward facing protuberances. On the opposite filtrate drain channel-facing side of the body 2A, a number of supports 2D provided as inward-facing protuberances may extend from other portions of the body 2A. A number of standoffs 2E also provided as inward facing protuberances may extend from other portions of the body 2A.
(28) A number of special apertures 2F may be provided to each grid 2 for purposes of mounting a fastener 7 therein. However, it should be known that passages 2B may serve the dual function of accommodating filtrate passage and also for accepting fasteners 7), without limitation.
(29) A shelf surface 2G may be provided to an aperture 2F by virtue of a countersink 2H, without limitation. The shelf surface 2G may allow a head or flange of a fastener 7 to bottom out thereon, and provide support to a fastener 7, 9, 11. The countersink 2H may provide clearance for a fastener 7, 9, 11—such as a flange, head, or body portion without limitation.
(30) A number of outward-facing channels 21 may be provided on the media-facing side of the body 2A, and may extend between the pips 2C. A number of inward-facing channels 2J may be provided on the non-media-facing/filtrate drain channel 21 side, and they may extend between the supports 2D, without limitation.
(31) A grid 2 may take the form of any practical shape. As shown, a grid 2 may be provided in rectangular form, and may comprise one or more radius transitions 2K (e.g., edge shape, tapering, smooth fillet, chamfer, radius, or the like), without limitation.
(32) As demonstrated in exemplary, non-limiting embodiment shown in
(33) Onboard circuit 2M may be configured to emit a wireless signal 2P, such as an alarm signal or True/False “worn” flag. The wireless signal 2P may comprise grid identification information, cycle count information, grid location information (e.g., plate number, plate side, type of plate, plate quadrant, filter number, or the like), and/or operational status information (e.g., “okay” or “worn”), without limitation.
(34) According to some embodiments, a lower replaceable sealing edge 3 may be provided to a filter plate 1 as suggested in
(35) The sealing edge 3 may be attached to a filter plate 1 via one or more fasteners 8, without limitation. A fastener 8 may comprise, for example, a screw, a bolt, a cap head, a hexagonal socket head machine screw, a quarter turn fastener, a rivet, a ferrule-based snap fit fastener, a weld stud, or the like, without limitation. If the fastener 8 has a head, a washer 10 (e.g., a flat washer, spring washer, or anti-rotation washer) may be provided thereunder, without limitation.
(36) Two sealing edges 3 may be provided to a lower portion of a filter plate 1 (e.g., above a counter weight 5), without limitation. As shown in
(37) As suggested in
(38) As suggested in
(39) According to some embodiments, wear detection means may be provided to a grid 2 as suggested in
(40) Embodiments of wear detection means may utilize an RFID chip, tag, or other passive or active electronic communication device 2N that comprises an antenna capable of at least delivering a wireless signal 2P, without limitation. The electronic communication device 2N may be part of a larger electronic circuit 2M having a battery, logic board/processor, and/or memory, without limitation. One or more filament wires 2L may be provided around passages 2B in the body 2A of a grid 2, and the filament wire(s) 2L may form a portion of the electronic circuit 2M or electronic communication device 2N.
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(42) With embodiments using a single filament wire 2L, current from a small onboard battery associated with the circuit 2M can be passed through the filament wire 2L. When the single filament wire 2L fails due to wearing of passages 2B (i.e., “opening” or “widening” of passages 2B), the current may stop flowing due to one or more interruption or disjoint in the filament wire 2L. With embodiments using a plurality of filament wires 2L, current from a small onboard battery associated with the circuit 2M can be passed through each of the filament wires 2L. When a single filament wire 2L fails due to wearing of passages 2B (i.e., “opening” or “widening” of passages 2B), the current may stop flowing in that particular filament wire 2L, due to one or more interruption or disjoint in the respective filament wire 2L. Changes in current, voltage, or resistance within both parallel and series circuit embodiments may be measured and interpreted by a processor/logic board of the electronic circuit 2M to determine a wear status of one or more passages 2B.
(43) In some embodiments, the one or more filament wires 2L may comprise portions of the electronic communication device 2M, such as one or more portions of an RFID antennae which is configured to emit or reflect signals 2P. This antennae may be provided in the form of one or more filament wires 2L running around the perimeter of the passages 2B, thereby forming one or more circuits 2M. As the passages 2B begin to erode, the filament wire 2L will also be eroded as the diameter of the passages increase. Once the filament wire 2L antenna is eroded to a point in which the circuit 2M is broken, it may cease to operate, sending a signal to the plant operating system advising that the removable grid or filter plate associated therewith is in need of being removed from the filter plate and/or needs replacing or repair. The signal may include an advisement that a worn filter plate be replaced and/or that one or more grids 2 associated with a worn filter plate should be re-ordered, without limitation.
(44) Filter plate wear detection means can be used with filter plates in filter presses (e.g. vertical filter presses, horizontal filter presses, automatic filter presses, plate and frame filter presses, FLSmidth® AFP-IV automatic filter press), or other filtration apparatus (e.g., a Pneumapress® filter which comprises plates having a grid below the cloth that could be fitted with wear detection), without limitation. The wear detection devices can detect wear in areas in which filter plates are prone to suffer from erosion and may alert the plant operator of the problem.
(45) By employing the novel apparatus and practicing the inventive methods, it may be possible to gather data that identifies “trends” within a filter press or “trends” of a particular filter plate or filter plate design operating within a filter press. Failures and successes may be carefully monitored, and certain zones within the filter that are more susceptible to wear from erosion can be identified, thereby guiding smart modifications such as altering porting designs to be more effective and wear resistant and/or changing layout configurations or locations for passages 2B which may help improve filter plate 1 performance. Such data may lead to efforts to find better solutions to existing problems.
(46) The novel apparatus and methods, when practiced, may also reduce the amount of filter downtime because an operator or controller can be alerted when the passages 2B on any given filter plate are outside of an acceptable/tolerable range. This means that the passages 2B can be replaced or repaired before more service time is lost through premature media failure (if the problem isn't quickly identified and fixed in a timely fashion).
(47) The grid 2 devices shown herein may also be configured to be trackable or traceable by QR code, serial number, or RFID, without limitation. In this regard, a grid 2 may be able to be checked into a client user's inventory system so that the client user is able to confirm how many grid 2 devices are currently installed, in which filter presses they are currently installed, when a grid device 2 was last replaced, how many cycles a grid 2 device has completed, and how many replaceable grids 2 are in warehouse storage and ready to be used as spares, without limitation. If necessary, trending data will be able to be used to predict the failures of the ports, allowing the plant operators to order new inserts in a timely manner. Emission of a wireless signal 2P by the circuit 2M may initiate an automatic increase in quantity of an electronic checkout cart, or may immediately order a replacement grid 2 for the client user, without limitation.
(48) As suggested in
(49) As suggested in
(50) A contractor or other entity may provide a filter plate 1 having grids 2, wear monitoring devices, or as substantially described herein, or may practice any one of the methods or method steps described herein, without limitation. Moreover, a contractor or other entity may provide portions or components of a filter plate 1 or of a grid 2 for a filter plate 1 as substantially described herein, or may practice one or more of the method steps described herein, without limitation.
(51) A contractor or other entity may provide a filter press (e.g., a horizontal automatic filter press such as the FLSmdith® AFP-IV automatic filter press, without limitation), a filter plate 1, one or more grids 2 configured to be installed in a respective number of openings 18 in the filter plate 1, or a combination or component thereof. Or, a contractor or other entity may operate the same in whole, or in part.
(52) A contractor or other entity may fabricate a filter plate 1 and/or grid 2 as substantially shown and described herein, or convert an existing filter plate 1 by adding (e.g., by way of machining, milling, or router) one or more openings 18 and a respective number of grids 2 as described and/or shown, in order to arrive at the filter plate 1 described. A contractor or other entity may receive a bid request for a project related to designing, fabricating, delivering, installing, operating, or performing maintenance on the same, without limitation. A contractor or other entity may offer to design a similar system, device, or apparatus, or provide a process or service pertaining thereto, for a client. A contractor or other entity may offer to retrofit or may retrofit an existing filter plate 1 with any one or more of the components described herein (e.g., openings 18, flanges 24, replaceable grids 2, or the like, without limitation), to make an improved filter plate 1 configured for reuse and easy repair of damaged filtrate port areas which may be prone to wear. It is further anticipated that a contractor or other entity may, in accordance with the inventive concepts and teachings described herein, offer for sale, sell to, deliver to, and/or install one or more of the grids 2 for an end user, client, or customer, without limitation.
(53) Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, it should be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention.
REFERENCE NUMERAL IDENTIFIERS
(54) 1. Filter Plate (E.G., chamber)
(55) 2. Grid (E.G., means for removable/replaceable filtrate ports)
(56) 2A. Body (E.G., wearable)
(57) 2B. Passage (E.G., for filtrate)
(58) 2C. Pip (E.G., outward facing protuberance)
(59) 2D. Support (E.G., inward facing protuberance)
(60) 2E. Standoff (E.G., inward facing protuberance)
(61) 2F. Aperture (E.G., mount for fastener)
(62) 2G. Shelf surface (E.G., bottom out for fastener flange or head)
(63) 2H. Countersink (E.G., clearance for fastener flange or head)
(64) 2I. Channels (E.G., outward facing)
(65) 2J. Channels (E.G., inward facing)
(66) 2K. Transition (E.G., smooth fillet, chamfer, radius)
(67) 2L. Filament Wire (E.G., breaks when filtrate ports grow/wear out)
(68) 2M. Onboard circuit (E.G., with battery and processor)
(69) 2N. RFID Tag (E.G., for alerting or reporting status of filament wire)
(70) 2P. Wireless Signal (E.G., alarm signal, True/False flag)
(71) 3. Sealing Edge (E.G., lower)
(72) 3A. Body
(73) 3B. Substrate
(74) 3C. Passage
(75) 5. Counter weight (E.G., plate)
(76) 6. Pin (E.G., weld)
(77) 7. Fastener (E.G., screw, bolt, cap head, hexagon socket head, quarter turn, snap fit)
(78) 8. Fastener (E.G., screw, bolt, cap head, hexagon socket head, quarter turn, snap fit)
(79) 9. Washer (E.G., spring lock)
(80) 10. Washer (E.G., spring lock)
(81) 11. Nut (E.G., hexagon)
(82) 12. Pipe (E.G., 2″, NPT both ends)
(83) 13. Cap (E.G., FPT)
(84) 14. Bar (E.G., shaker)
(85) 15. Handle (E.G., guided)
(86) 16. Handle (E.G., non-guided)
(87) 17. Bracket (E.G., mounting)
(88) 18. Openings (E.G., through hole)
(89) 19. Slurry port (E.G., feed eye opening)
(90) 20. Filtrate port
(91) 21. Filtrate drain channel
(92) 22. Stay bosses
(93) 23. Shelf surface
(94) 24. Flange (E.G., inner ridge)
(95) 26. Recess