Gas separation – Combined or convertible – In environmental air enclosure
Patent
1997-11-06
2000-01-25
Simmons, David A.
Gas separation
Combined or convertible
In environmental air enclosure
55502, 55506, 55510, 137812, 376314, B01D 5000, G21F 704
Patent
active
060173769
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a containment, such as a glovebox, as used in the nuclear industry. In particular, the invention relates to an air extract system for use in such a containment. Such an air extract system serves to maintain the pressure in the containment at below atmospheric and to extract and filter wastes and contaminants produced by operations in the containment.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
It is known in such air extract systems to arrange a vortex amplifier in an opening provided in the containment wall for controlling the amount of suction extracted from the containment. Included in the system is a filter assembly having a housing containing a filter element which, when used, can be posted into the containment and replaced by a fresh element. The used filter element may be posted into the containment through the opening containing the vortex amplifier or through a further opening axially spaced from the amplifier. A bag, or similar receptacle, receives the used filter element and requires subsequent removal from the containment. If the containment contains other equipment this may require the size of the containment to be increased, or if the containment is required for other operations, such operations may have to be interrupted or delayed, otherwise it may be necessary to provide a separate vortex amplifier and filter containment. In both of these arrangements the filter housing extends outwardly from the containment wall and is therefore inefficient regarding utilisation of space. Such a disposition also places a restriction on the location of the filter housing and, in addition, may not permit a compact vortex amplifier design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a containment, such as a glovebox, having an air extract system comprising an extract suction means, a vortex amplifier mounted in an opening in a wall of the containment serving to control the extent of suction by the suction means from the containment, the air extract system further including a filter assembly comprising a filter removably arranged within a filter tube which extends substantially parallel to said wall, and a transfer passage having at least an initial portion extending perpendicularly to said wall and providing a communication between an outlet side of the vortex amplifier and the filter tube.
Preferably the whole of the transfer passage extends perpendicularly to said wall.
The transfer passage may have a cross-sectional area less than that of said opening.
In a preferred embodiment the filter comprises an annular support member located at each end thereof and an annular support member located intermediate the two ends, each support member being in sliding, sealing engagement with an inner wall of the filter tube, the filter further comprising a hollow cylindrical element extending between an annular support member at one end of the filter and the intermediate annular support member, the transfer passage communicating with the filter tube at a position between the intermediate annular support member and the annular support member at the other end of the filter.
Preferably each annular support member is provided with a peripheral seal comprising a resilient sealing member which seals against the inner wall of the filter tube.
The filter tube preferably has open opposite ends, each of which is normally closed by a removable cover, whereby upon removal of said covers a clean filter can be posted through one end of the filter tube while a used filter is ejected from the opposite end.
A transfer tube containing a clean filter may be attached to an end of said filter tube upon removal of the cover from said end, the transfer tube comprising transfer means operable to move the clean filter from the transfer tube into the filter tube, whereby the clean filter serves to eject the used filter from the filter tube.
The invention as defined above provides an air extract system which substantially overcomes the afore
REFERENCES:
patent: 3888556 (1975-06-01), Strong et al.
patent: 4112977 (1978-09-01), Syred et al.
patent: 4422476 (1983-12-01), Blanchard
patent: 4704951 (1987-11-01), Pruchon
patent: 4773922 (1988-09-01), Ross et al.
patent: 4842347 (1989-06-01), Jacobson
patent: 5247547 (1993-09-01), Doig
Buckley Charles P.
Doig Raymond
British Nuclear Fuels PLC
Prince Fred
Simmons David A.
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