Abstract: The present invention is directed to a powder paint delivery method and apparatus employing a pressurized reservoir pump that supplies a controlled stream of densely fluidized or dense phase powder paint to the applicator though a powder delivery conduit. The powder flow rate is a function of the pressure in the reservoir and the flow resistance from the reservoir to the applicator, and is therefore very stable over time, and simple to control. The powder flow can be controlled by holding the resistance of the powder flow path constant and varying the pressure in the reservoir, or by holding the reservoir pressure constant and varying the resistance of the powder flow path.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process and an apparatus for treating sludge having both liquid and solid constituents. The sludge is first heated to a minimum optimum draining temperature. During heating, mechanical dewatering of the sludge occurs. In a preferred embodiment, a process is disclosed for treating waste paint sludge generated from a paint spraybooth, and heating is performed using microwave radiation. Liquid released from the paint sludge during dewatering can be recycled back to the spraybooth water, and vaporized exhaust generated during heating can either be condensed into liquid form and recycled, or incinerated and, preferably, sparged through untreated sludge to pre-heat it.

Abstract: Radiant emitting walls enclose opposite sides of a central combustion chamber in an oven where coated objects to be dried are placed or passed. The radiant emitting walls generate primarily infrared radiation and have a nonuniform temperature distribution so that the temperature of the lower portion of the oven can be selectively adjusted to be significantly higher than the temperature of the upper portion. An insulated outer housing surrounds the radiant walls and defines combustion chambers each having a linear burner which runs substantially the entire length of the radiant emitting walls. The lower portions of the radiant emitting walls receive energy primarily from radiation from the linear burners and the upper portions of the radiant emitting walls receive energy from primarily radiation from the interior radiant emitting surfaces of the insulated outer housing and convection from the linear burners.

Abstract: An process for manufacturing a admixture for concrete, mortar or asphalt out of paint sludge is discussed; The preferred embodiment utilizes the chemical drying of paint sludge through the addition of lime. The resulting powder contains a mixture of slaked lime and paint solids and can be used in the formation of concrete, mortar or asphalt.

Abstract: An improved contaminant shield and method for making the shield, including a frame constructed of interconnected frame members. A double-sided adhesive tape meeting certain temperature-induced and load-induced creep performance characteristics is attached to outside portions of the frame, and flexible sheeting affixed to the adhesive. Single-sided adhesive tape, or other connectors, are applied to seal the joints between the sheets.

Abstract: A volatile organic compound (VOC) abatement system is provided which incorporates a carbon or zeolite type concentrating adsorption device, with VOCs collected upon the adsorption surfaces. A heat source is required heat gases flowing to the adsorption device in order to remove the concentrated VOCs. Also, heat is required to oxidize the VOCs into a safe form prior to their release into the atmosphere. The present invention employs a regenerative thermal oxidizer for efficiently combusting the VOCs prior their release into the atmosphere. The present system also employs a bypass valve for introducing a portion of the VOCs directly into a combustion chamber without regenerative preheating. The resulting lowering of thermal efficiency of the regenerative thermal oxidizer allows the exhaust from the regenerative thermal oxidizer to carry more thermal energy. The thermal energy from the exhaust is then transferred to a heat exchanger to heat gasses flowing into the adsorption device.

Abstract: A radiant wall structure including a radiant emitting wall and a second wall spaced from the radiant emitting wall to define a combustion chamber therebetween. A line burner is positioned in the combustion chamber and delivers heated gases upwardly through the combustion chamber. The distance between the radiant emitting wall and the second wall is selectively varied to vary the velocity of the heated gases passing through the combustion chamber, to thereby selectively control the energy transferred to the radiant emitting wall.

Abstract: A high efficiency linear gas burner assembly having a mixture manifold assembly for delivering a combustible gas and air mixture to a burner. The mixture manifold assembly supports an elongate, channel-shaped, secondary air plenum which receives therein a burner housing. The burner housing supports two, spaced, parallel plates, each having apertures therethrough. The gas/air mixture is delivered through the mixture manifold assembly and secondary air plenum to the burner housing where the mixture passes first through the apertures of the lower plate, then between the plates, then through the apertures of the upper plate or burner surface. The size and number of apertures in the upper plate and the space between the plates ensures that the flame remains stable during a wide range of turndown, and that the flame does not retrogress through the burner apertures. Secondary air ports are provided along the interior of the secondary air plenum to provide additional air for combustion.

Abstract: A wet scrubber is provided for use in combination with a work station in which airborne particulates are generated. The wet scrubber includes a generally horizontal partition which defines a lower boundary of the work station and a discharge structure depending from the partition. A flow of liquid is supplied into the discharge structure, and a flow of air is supplied which will carry the particulate from the work station into and through the discharge structure. A scrubber chamber is also provided into which the discharge structure projects. This chamber includes a receptacle for containing a pool of liquid. The discharge structure itself is constructed to include an elongated inlet channel and a plurality of discrete discharge tubes extending down into the scrubber chamber. The inlet channel has a top, a bottom and a pair of converging sidwalls which depend from the partition at the top of the channel.

Abstract: A low velocity oven seal for use with an elongated oven complex of the type in which articles to be processed are moved longitudinally through the oven. The seal includes an air seal compartment adapted to be aligned with the entry end of the oven complex to form a prefix to the oven complex. In one form of the invention, a blower assembly is mounted on the roof of the air seal compartment adjacent the exit end of the comparment and functions to withdrawn air from the upper region of the air seal compartment adjacent the exit end thereof for delivery to a pair of plenum chambers disposed at either side of the air seal compartment. The air delivered to the plenum chamber is introduced into the lower region of the air seal compartment generally below the path of the articles being processed within the oven complex and this air in turn moves upwardly and toward the exit of the air seal compartment where it is received by the inlet to the blower assembly to complete the air cycle.

Abstract: A fume incineration system for an industrial process site such as a paint-drying oven (10) producing a combustible effluent. A first duct system (34, 38, 42) conveys effluent to the incinerator (14). A second duct system (44, 48) conveys incinerated effluent back to the site. A third duct system (52, 56) conveys part of the incinerated effluent to an atmospheric vent (57). Control dampers (50, 74) in the duct systems operate sequentially to handle temperature changes, and control damper (84) controls system air flow balance. All ducts and thermal devices except the incinerator are located in an insulated housing (12). A thermal incinerator (14) having an internal preheater comprising an annular tube bundle is disclosed.

Abstract: An oven construction in which an elongated oven assembly is provided by manufacturing a plurality of oven modules at a factory location and then shipping the modules to the usage site where they are assembled together in end-to-end fashion to form the final oven assembly. Each oven module includes an outer shell and an inner shell mounted so as to be spaced apart for insulation therebetween. The shells are interconnected at one point along the length thereof, but are allowed to expand differentially along the remainder of their lengths. The outer shell is rigidly tied to a foundation but the inner shell, through any of various approaches, is allowed to slide or move relative to the foundation everywhere except the one point where it is secured to the outer shell. Each module has a bellows-type expansion joint around the periphery of one end to allow for interconnection of the modules, one to another.

Abstract: A system and process is disclosed for eliminating paint solvents released during paint spraying operations into the circulated air including a liquid spray solvent stripper comprising a multistage absorber unit through which the exhaust air is passed, and a heating and cooling arrangement for regenerating the solvent absorber liquid. A heat exchanger recovering heat from an incinerator or oven exhaust vaporizes the solvent and the solvent is recovered by being passed over cooling coils in a condensing chamber. The exhaust air is treated with a water circulation system to remove paint solids, a proportion of the solvent vapors passing into solution with the treatment water. A solvent stripper is provided consisting of an arrangement for applying a vacuum to the water circulated from a paint solid removal unit, causing the solvent to be vaporized out of solution, with the vapors condensed by being passed over cooling coils in a condensing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing steam emissions from industrial process sites such as pretreatment plants for painting of car bodies. This includes the formation of water spray curtains extending across the entrance and exit sections of a pretreatment plant to absorb and condense the steam emissions. The collected spray water is circulated through a heat recovery system such that the heat energy of the absorbed steam is transferred out of the water and into heat utilizing processes such as in the heating of the solutions utilized in the spray treatment plant itself.

Abstract: An enclosure for phosphate, caustic and other chemical solutions in treatment tanks in automobile plants comprising a steel structure mounted on the peripheral flanges of the treatment tank and a completely non-corroding shell mounted internally of the steel structure to form the enclosure. The steel structure consists of I-beams having stainless steel anchor plates secured to the inner surfaces thereof and the enclosure structure comprises a plurality of fiberglass panels secured by clips to the anchor plates and sealed internally such as by caulking to completely shield the external steel structure from corrosive vapors and sprays.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is disclosed for adjusting air temperature and humidity to a predetermined level for the air supply to a paint spray booth. The system includes a multi-section sprayed surface heat exchanger combined with a bypass passage such that a portion of the air flow to be conditioned passes through the multi-section heat exchanger and the remainder of the flow bypasses the same, and is recombined and mixed downstream with the conditioned air to produce a mixture which is at the proper dry bulb temperature and relative humidity. Each multi-section heat exchanger may be shut off to increase the proportion of bypass flow. Modulation of the cooling and heating effect of each of the heat exchangers is achieved by modulating valving controlling the flow of heating or cooling medium. Similarly, the humidification effect is controlled by valving controlling a number of water spray nozzles.

Abstract: A fume incineration system for an industrial process site such as a paint-drying oven (10) producing a combustible effluent. A first duct system (34, 38, 42) conveys effluent to the incinerator (14). A second duct system (44, 48) conveys incinerated effluent back to the site. A third duct system (52, 56) conveys part of the incinerated effluent to an atmospheric vent (57). Control dampers (50, 74) in the duct systems operate sequentially to handle temperature changes, and control damper (84) controls system air flow balance. All ducts and thermal devices except the incinerator are located in an insulated housing (12). A thermal incinerator (14) having an internal preheater comprising an annular tube bundle is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for ensuring heat exchange between a gas flow and a heat exchanger comprises a duct through which the gas flows. The heat exchanger is mounted in the duct such that the gas flows therethrough. Constrictions for the gas flow are arranged in the duct upstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of gas flow such that jets of gas are created. In an embodiment the constrictions are provided by flow passages extending through a diaphragm mounted across the duct. In use, liquid is sprayed over the heat exchanger and the high velocity jets of gas pick up the liquid and carry it into the heat exchanger. In this way the surfaces of the heat exchanger are thoroughly wetted by the liquid and the efficiency of the heat transfer is thereby improved.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for condensing steam emissions from industrial process sites such as in pretreatment plants for painting of car bodies. This includes the formation of a water spray curtain extending across the entrance and exit sections of a pretreatment plant to absorb and condense the steam emissions. The collected spray water is circulated through a heat recovery system such that the heat energy of the absorbed steam is transferred out of the water and heat utilizing processes such as in the heating of the solutions utilized the spray treatment plant itself. The pretreatment plants also include an overhead slot through which conveyor carriers pass, and a condenser surface arrangement is employed to eliminate the escape of steam through this slot, including cooled surfaces converging above and adjacent to the slot. The surfaces are cooled by internal circulation of a cooling liquid. The water generated by the steam condensing on the surfaces is diverted by an overhead panel.

Abstract: An installation for energy recovery heat exchangers arranged to transfer heat into or out of air exhausted from an air handling system for paint spray booths. The system includes a collection chamber about which the intakes of a series of exhaust fans are arranged to draw exhaust air into an exhaust stack. Pairs of inclined wetted surface coil sets are mounted in the walls of the enclosures, each in communication with the intake of an exhaust fan so as to receive air flow of each exhaust fan. Each of the enclosures is provided with an access door to enable cleaning and other maintenance chores to be carried out on the coil sets and pivotally mounted blocking panels may be positioned to close off air flow across the coils and bypassing of the exhaust flow through the access doors in the event excessive overspray solids are present in the exhaust flow.