Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for eliminating the bagging of paint spray booth sludge, and instead, centrifuging the collected sludge, re-watered if need be for transport, into a high solids content sludge and water for holding the sludge in suspension upstream of the centrifuge and apparatus for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: A paint spray booth sludge recovery system, apparatus and method is provided for water washed paint spray booths. The spray booths are used with a tank or pit which can accommodate flotation for removal of spent paint. Preferably, the tank has a drop box section, a chemical treatment section, a weir box section and a booth recirculation pump section. A series of weirs are used to separate the spent paint and send a concentration thereof from the weir box to a separator or centrifuge. The water level in the system is controlled by sensing the weir box water level to keep the water crests over the weirs at the desired levels. Scavenging and agitation are provided in the tank to keep it entirely clean for prolonged periods without any accumulation, even during downtime.

Abstract: A paint spray booth sludge recovery system, apparatus and method is provided for water washed paint spray booths. The spray booths are used with a tank or pit which can accommodate flotation for removal of spent paint. Preferably, the tank has a drop box section, a chemical treatment section, a weir box section and a booth recirculation pump section. A series of weirs are used to separate the spent paint and send a concentration thereof from the weir box to a separator or centrifuge. The water level in the system is controlled by sensing the weir box water level to keep the water crests over the weirs at the desired levels. Scavenging and agitation are provided in the tank to keep it entirely clean for prolonged periods without any accumulation, even during downtime.

Abstract: A paint spray booth sludge recovery system, apparatus and method is provided for water washed paint spray booths. The spray booths are used with a tank or pit which can accommodate flotation for removal of spent paint. Preferably, the tank has a drop box section, a chemical treatment section, a weir box section and a booth recirculation pump section. A series of weirs are used to separate the spent paint and send a concentration thereof from the weir box to a separator or centrifuge. The water level in the system is controlled by sensing the weir box water level to keep the water crests over the weirs at the desired levels. Scavenging and agitation are provided in the tank to keep it entirely clean for prolonged periods without any accumulation, even during downtime.

Abstract: A paint spray booth for painting an article and separating the spent paint overspray form the air and water used in the booth to collect the spent paint material is disclosed. The booth includes a water containing pan which has a deep portion and a shallow drain portion. The water used to separate the spent paint from the air and to clean the air discharged from the booth is collected on the drain portion and sent to the deep portion of the pan in a manner to cause a flow in the drain portion and deep portion of the pan to prevent accumulation of spent paint in undesired, inaccessible locations and to encourage movement of spent paint to desired, accessible locations in the pan and/or for removal or further treatment as by settling, skimming and/or separating, or the like, to provide the present invention with low maintenance similar to or less than other such booths, such as dry filter paint spray booths.

Abstract: A paint booth structure and method having, in one form a specially shaped painting volume wherein the painting occurs is provided with an air flow system to carry away paint overspray and a decreasing cross-sectional area in the direction of air flow to cause an increasing velocity air flow where the painting occurs.

Abstract: A paint spray booth apparatus and method, particularly for automated paint applications, is illustrated and disclosed. The booth has a spray painting chamber and a plenum thereabove. Unlike prior art booths, the plenum of the present invention provides air flow only where needed to control overspray, and generally the plenum is only 60%, or less, in width or cross-section than the prior art, full ceiling width plenums. In carrying out the method of the present invention air is supplied from the plenum to the spray painting chamber only where needed to control overspray so that consequently the quantity of air utilized is substantially less than in prior art booths with air flow from their full width plenums. In certain booths where painting occurs on both sides of the booth, it is advantageous to provide the plenum in the form of two or dual plenums, each offset from the center of the booth.

Abstract: A recirculating washer for a paint spray booth is illustrated and described, and uses upward air motion and gravity to recirculate water on and along two or more recirculating baffles facing each other to form one or more curtains of water for cleaning paint laden air from the pain spray booth. The washer's baffles direct the water to form the curtains. The recirculating washer may be used in a booth by itself, or with one or more washers of another type washer, such as a slot type and/or an air nozzle-water nozzle type washer to reduce the amount of water required by the booth. The washer may use the other type washer or a trough for cource of the recirculated water. Preferably, the washer utilizes the floor water from the booth so that the water requirement for the entire booth is very low, say on the order of 40 gallons per minute per foot of booth length, or less, for a booth of a size capable of production line painint of automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A paint spray booth, which can also be utilized as a paint drying oven is disclosed and is especially suitable for use in businesses, such as automobile repair shops, to both paint and quickly bake the paint so that the number of automobiles that may be handled in a given time is increased significantly. The booth-oven comprises an enclosure which has a single air supply fan for moving air though the booth-oven. Preferably, the booth-oven has, in addition to a direct heater, a heat exchanger for more economical operation, and/or may be provided with an air recirculating system for additional savings. The booth-oven is structured so that paint laden air generated during the paint spraying operation is routed around or away from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement for a production line, downdraft type paint spray booth having a conveyor for carrying the parts to be painted, having a recessed portion for containing the conveyor and dual slots, on one or either side of the conveyor for air flow is disclosed.The improvement provides the advantage of improved air flow around the parts being painted and around the conveyor to keep it clean. Additionally, the provision of the dual slots permits the conveyor to be at least partially recessed into the booths floor to provide a lower profile and a more compact arrangement.

Abstract: A paint spray booth water washed subfloor system, including distribution piping for supplying water to only one portion thereof. The distribution piping has only one main pipe to supply water to the one portion of the subfloor. The water supplied to the one portion of the subfloor is then transferred from that portion through a trough extending across and forming part of the subfloor to provide water to the other portions of the subfloor. Preferably, at least a part of the subfloor's other portions are sloped downwardly from both sides toward a center slot or opening for generating a fall of water to mix with paint overspray laden air descending through the center opening. The distribution piping is provided with special valves for throttling the flow of water onto the subfloor, but yet permitting maximum flow, and assisting the flow of water into the trough portion, and hence, to the other portions of the subfloor.

Abstract: Improved air washer or scrubber for a center draw, down draft paint spray booth is disclosed which results in twenty percent (20%) or greater improvement in cleaning and removal of entrained matter from the exhaust air. The air washer may be adjusted to accommodate different air flow requirements, for example, for conventional or electrostatic spray painting. The adjustment may be made manually, by power devices, or automatically to accommodate the changed air flow desired.

Abstract: An air washer or scrubber, particularly for paint spray booths and especially adapted for removing paint particles from air passing downwardly through the grille floor of a paint spray booth and against a water-washed subfloor, comprises an elongated V-shaped slot in the subfloor extending along the longitudinal centerline of the booth. The inner edges of the walls forming the V-shaped slot are upturned to form ledges so that water flowed over the subfloor and the walls of the slot impinges against the ledges and is thrown upwardly and inwardly to form a curtain of water completely covering the slot. Exhaust means pulls paint-laden air from the spray chamber through the water curtain and the slot and into an expansion chamber, the bottom walls of which form a second V-shaped slot contiguous with the first mentioned slot.

Abstract: A traveling paint spray booth is movable on rails beneath a stationary exhaust duct extending longitudinally of the rails. The bottom of the stationary duct is formed by a plurality of dampers pivotable to open and closed position on a hinge having its axis extending longitudinally in the duct and protected by an air deflector. The booth is provided with damper openers which engage the body portion of successive dampers to open them as the booth passes therebeneath.