Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Apparatus – With treating fluid purifying or separating means
Patent
1988-10-14
1991-03-05
Hart, Charles
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Apparatus
With treating fluid purifying or separating means
134122R, 312 1, B08B 300
Patent
active
049969994
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for handling material and, more particularly, though not exclusively to materials of a fibrous or particulate nature and to articles including such materials.
One particular application of the present invention relates to the handling of asbestos and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to that particular application. It is to be understood, however, that this is not to be taken as a limitation on the scope of the invention.
Asbestos is a material which was used extensively as an insulator such as, for example, for insulating pipes and the like. The dangers to health and environment of asbestos have become well documented and, as such, there has been strong moves to limit the use of asbestos and also remove it from areas where it could constitute a health or environmental hazard. In the handling of asbestos, elaborate and relatively expensive work procedures have to be followed which include the wearing of special clothing and breathing apparatus as well as the expensive exhaust systems and filtering systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for handling materials which is relatively simple and cheap.
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for handling potentially dangerous materials comprising a main body portion having a work zone therein into which, in use, the material can be placed, an opening providing access to said work zone from externally thereof, spray means operatively mounted to said main body and operatively connectible to fluid source characterized in that said spray means comprising a plurality of spray heads arranged so as to form a plurality of fluid barriers or curtains which surround said work zone and means is provided for maintaining a pressure differential between said work zone and externally thereof when the apparatus is in use.
Preferably the body portion comprises a frame which includes a plurality of elongated elements the frame being adapted to support the spray means, and a catchment section for collecting fluid discharged by the spray means, the catchment section also collecting material being worked upon in the work zone. Preferably the catchment section comprises a flexible screen which is suspended from the frame of the main body.
The apparatus may further include a discharge outlet form which the fluid can be discharged from the work zone.
Preferably the spray means comprises a primary configuration which includes one or more spray heads which are adapted so that, in use, the spray pattern forms a barrier or curtain across the access opening to the work zone, and one or more additional configurations comprising one or more spray heads are provided the or each spray head in each additional configuration being adapted in use so that the spray pattern forms a barrier or curtain at selected peripheral planes about the work zone, the various configurations being arranged to completely encase the work zone.
Preferably the means for maintaining a pressure differential between the work zone externally thereof, a vacuum pump which is operatively connected to the work zone.
Preferably the apparatus further includes a holding tank operatively connected to said discharge outlet, filter means within said holding tank for filtering solid particles from the liquid and pump means for returning liquid to the spray means.
Further the preferred form of the apparatus includes an interceptor for receiving liquid/solid/dust particles drawn from the work zone by the vacuum pump. The interceptor including a prefilter zone for collecting solid particles a second filter zone for separating the liquid in the stream from solid particles and a liquid collecting zone the liquid collecting zone having pump means therein for transferring collected liquid to the holding tank.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one fo
REFERENCES:
patent: 2954968 (1960-10-01), Vedder
patent: 4304224 (1981-12-01), Fortney
patent: 4541846 (1985-09-01), Sjodin
patent: 4561903 (1985-12-01), Blaul
patent: 4567818 (1986-02-01), Napadow
patent: 4784169 (1988-11-01), Striedieck
patent: 4812700 (1989-03-01), Natale
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