Abstract: A paint spray booth including water wash means for removing airborne paint particles from air flowing through the booth. A holding tank at the bottom of the booth collects the water from the water wash means and a pump recirculates the water from the holding tank to the water wash means near the top of the booth. A filtering tank is connected to the holding tank and is located outside the booth. A pair of filters are disposed in series in the filtering tank and filter the water as it passes from the holding tank to the pump. The filters are individually removable from the filter tank for cleaning and/or replacement so that when one filter becomes clogged, it can be removed and cleaned while the other filter continues the filtering process so that there is no interruption in use of the spray booth.

Abstract: Sludge removal apparatus is provided for new or existing spray coating booths, degreasing tanks, phosphate tanks, plating tanks or the like to remove sludge from the surface of a liquid in the tank. Preferably, a sludge removal tank is disposed adjacent the water holding tank of the coating booth and communicated therewith through an inlet opening. Water jets in the holding tank are directed at the inlet opening creating a current which carries floating sludge to the removal tank. Preferably, air is entrained into water and aids in floating particles. The bottoms of the tanks are preferably swept by water to remove particles settling to the bottom of the tanks. A reciprocating skimmer pushes floating sludge from the sludge removal tank up an inclined beach and into a collection bin.