Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sprayed material from the air exhausted from a spray booth comprising an enclosure in which the material is sprayed. Air supply means are arranged to supply air to the enclosure, and outlet fans are provided for extracting air laden with the sprayed material from the enclosure. Two physically separate air outlet paths are provided for the extracted air and respective washing means for removing the sprayed material from the laden air are associated with each said path. The washing means are arranged to bring the material laden air into intimate contact with a cleaning liquid. Means are provided for controlling the volume of air flowing through each outlet path such that the volume flowing along each outlet path can be varied in dependence upon the volume of air exhausted from the spray booth. This enables the efficiency of the respective washing means to be maintained.

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: 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: 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: Apparatus for removing solvents from air, for example, from the air discharged from a paint spraybooth, includes an air duct through which solvent laden air is arranged to flow. A plurality of coalescer pads each having an extended surface area extend across the duct. A plurality of spray nozzles for spraying an absorption liquid such as oil are arranged upstream of each pad and have a spray pattern which impinges over substantially all of the upstream external surface of the respective pad. As the pressure drop experienced by the air flowing through the pads is low the apparatus enables efficient solvent removal and yet has a lower power requirement.

Abstract: A system for removing paint from the paint-laden air extracted from a paint spray booth includes an endless paint receiving member formed from a plurality of linked channel members. Each channel member has air inlet apertures in the top surface thereof and an elongate plank arranged beneath said apertures such that air flowing through said apertures is diverted by the plank and deposits its paint thereon. The paint receiving member is circumgyrated so that each portion thereof on which paint has been deposited is subsequently moved through a series of washing baths containing solvents to remove the paint and aqueous solutions to rinse off the solvents.

Abstract: The invention provides a paint spray booth of the kind having an enclosed chamber defining a working area with a perforate working floor. A sub-floor located beneath the working floor has an opening, or a series of openings, through which air from the working area is extracted together with a scrubbing liquid with which the sub-floor is continuously flooded. According to the invention, sound-deadening means for reducing noise within the working area is located beneath the working floor, and these means comprise, generally, a sound-reflecting baffle plate fitted on one surface with an acoustic material. In a particular form of the invention, the openings comprise tubular outlet structures having downwardly-depending wall members, and the baffle plate surrounds the wall members in the form of a jacket, the acoustic material being disposed within the space formed between the wall members and the jacket. The wall members are perforated to allow sound to pass through into the acoustic material.

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 over 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 vaporizes the solvent and the absorber 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: Waste paint which is contained in an aqueous medium which flows from a paint spraying booth is collected by apparatus which comprises a vessel which is located outside the booth and has at the lower portion thereof an inlet for paint laden aqueous medium or for scum from the surface of aqueous medium in a flotation tank, and an outlet at the lower portion for the passage of aqueous medium from the vessel. A paint solids outlet is associated with the upper portion of the vessel and fluid pressure is applied to a raft of paint solids accumulated in the vessel to cause the flow of paint solids from the vessel into a container.

Abstract: Paint-laden air extracted from a paint-spraying booth is scrubbed by passing the paint-laden air together with a flow of water through at least one tube which extends downwards from the floor of the booth to a position spaced from the bottom of a water-container. A perforated baffle is located between the bottom of the water-container an an air velocity control opening associated with the tube, or one with each tube, the opening being of lesser cross-section than the tube and the perforations small as compared with the opening. A first stage separation of paint from air is effected by impingement against the baffle, a second stage by impingement of paint-laden air which passes through the perforations against water on the bottom of the water-container, and a third stage by passage of air through an annular curtain of water formed between the control opening and the surface of water in the water-container.