Abstract: The invention relates to a downdraft paint booth having an overspray filtering system integral with the floor grates, and to the floor grate filters themselves. The grates have a load bearing frame portion having enclosed within it an integral or removable recyclable filter. The filter is preferably metallic and of a construction that will withstand baking in a high temperature oven to reduce captured overspray particles to an inert ash. Alternatively, the combination floor grate filters may be cleaned of paint residue by immersion in a suitable solvent or chemical bath. The floor grate filters will have 95-99% efficiency at removing airborne particulates. Secondary filters may be used after the combination floor grate filters to remove any final over-spray passing the filters. Typically, the floor grate fillers will go through five to ten cleaning cycles before he secondary filters would need replacement.

Abstract: A wet scrubber including an acceleration cone for accelerating an airflow containing paint particles and having a curved inner wall on which water used for capturing paint particles flows downwardly, a mixing chamber for mixing the airflow and water and provided with an impingement pool on which the airflow impacts, a vortex chamber for creating a swirling flow of air and water that further aids the capture of paint particles, and a discharge volute communicating with the vortex chamber and provided with an enlarged discharge port for discharging the air and water. The wet scrubber is used in a paint spray booth, and provides the advantages of reduction in both energy consumption and noise and improvement in the efficiency of the capturing of paint particles.

Abstract: A means for separating excess powder oversprayed when powder coating workpieces and sucked off in a gas/powder stream, including powder discharge via a lower collector (12, 13, 14) and clean gas discharge into an upwardly disposed clean gas channel (7) via at least one immersion pipe (5) depending from the bottom (6) of the clean gas channel (7) and dipping into a cyclone pipe (4), is characterized in that the aspired gas/powder stream is passed axially into the cyclone pipe (4) and set into circulating motion via a whirl generating means (3) arranged in an annular gap (22) formed between the immersion pipe (5) and the cyclone pipe (4), and the bottom (6) of the clean gas channel is lowerable against the cyclone pipe (4) from the operative position in which it seals the clean gas channel, into a cleaning position.

Abstract: A wet scrubber including an acceleration cone for accelerating an airflow containing paint particles and having a curved inner wall on which water used for capturing paint particles flows downwardly, a mixing chamber for mixing the airflow and water and provided with an impingement pool on which the airflow impacts, a vortex chamber for creating a swirling flow of air and water that further aids the capture of paint particles, and a discharge volute communicating with the vortex chamber and provided with an enlarged discharge port for discharging the air and water. The wet scrubber is used in a paint spray booth, and provides the advantages of reduction in both energy consumption and noise and improvement in the efficiency of the capturing of paint particles.

Abstract: A reusable filter for use in a spray paint booth is advanced which includes a frame supporting a series of equally spaced horizontal vanes. Each vane is formed to have a shape which reduces clogging of the front face of the filter and forces the air stream to make successive directional changes to thereby effectively remove particulates from the air stream. Three sides of the frame are equipped with a bendable lip that provides a fluid tight seal between the wall and the frame. The fourth side of the frame is formed with access holes enabling paint particulates and liquid cleanser to be quickly removed from between the vanes. The filter is made of a polymeric material which is impervious to solids and can be cleaned by any cleaner normally used to remove paint from a surface.

Abstract: A paint spray booth with capability to separately exhaust clean powder paint overspray by a clean overspray upper exhaust system at floor level, and the additional exhaust air and paint overspray passing through a grated floor and conveyor system is exhausted by a lower exhaust system. The upper and lower exhaust systems each include a pair of channels having a first and a second sloping surface with a slot disposed at a lower portion thereof. The slot opens into an exhaust duct which extends longitudinally along the paint spray booth. The upper exhaust channels are disposed beneath a surface of a body to be painted, while the lower exhaust channels are disposed beneath a grated floor and the upper exhaust channels.

Abstract: A painting system includes a paint spray booth ventilated by process air including a combination of outside make-up air and a portion of the exiting process air which is returned to the booth, the returned air being the main component of the combination. The humidity of the air in the paint spray booth is controlled by routing a first minor portion of the process air, exiting the booth, through a desiccant dehumidifier, which removes moisture and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from this process air portion before it is sent back to the paint spray booth. The dehumidifier is designed so that at any given time the process air portion contacts only part of the desiccant bed while air heated to approximately 250.degree. F. in a paint cure oven is exhausted from the oven and directed through the remaining part of the desiccant bed in order to dry, and thus regenerate, the desiccant for continued use.

Abstract: A filter frame and media capable of withstanding repeated heating to high temperatures in an oxidizing environment, and a method of cleaning the same for indefinite use in a method of operating industrial paint booths. Progressive density, heat resistant, and preferably metal media paint booth filters are provided for replacement of existing filters in industrial paint booths. The filters are structurally resistant to cyclic heating to high temperature in an oxidizing bake-off oven where the paint residue accumulated on the filters is reduced to ash. After cooling, the ash is removed, and the filters returned to service, and the cycle is repeated. The filter comprises a frame section and a mesh media section which has a plurality of mesh portions. The mesh portions are preferably arranged in a series M.sub.1, M.sub.n-1, M.sub.n, wherein n is a positive integer of 4 or more, that are sized with the free face area A.sub.

Abstract: A spray booth includes an outer enclosure in which the temperature and humidity of a fluid (such as air) is not controlled and a fluid handling unit within this enclosure, which circulates and controls the temperature and humidity of a smaller volume of the same fluid (air) to develop an environment suitable for application of coatings to desired substrates. In use, fluid is drawn from the outer enclosure into the inner, fluid handling unit in order to clean and modify the temperature and humidity of the fluid being handled, conditioning it to be delivered to the region of limited size which is established for receiving the substrate to be coated.

Abstract: Powder coating apparatus (10) comprises an enclosure or booth (12) in which an article to be powder coated is locatable. Spray heads (24) are provided in the booth (12) to spray water over the inside of the booth (12) to remove over-spray powder coat material from the booth (12), following coating of an article, and removal thereof from the booth (12). Material washed from the booth (12) can be collected for recovery from the water.

Abstract: A workpiece spray-painting device having at least two painting booths arranged on the conveying track of the workpieces, with each booth being designed in two separate parts that may be separated from each other. A spraying device for coating the workpieces is movable on a track between the booths when the booth parts are separated from each other so that the spray device may be positioned in one or the other of the booths.

Abstract: Energy conservation structure is provided for a controlled environment room having an opening in a wall thereof through which work is passed and through which room air under pressure may be discharged from the room, thereby to prevent contamination of the room air by contaminants in outside air entering the room through such opening, the energy conservation structure including structure providing suction adjacent to the wall opening to induce the flow of room discharge air thereto, the latter structure being constructed and arranged for communication with structure and apparatus for recycling the discharge air of such induced flow to the controlled environment room.

Abstract: The invention concerns a scrubber for cleaning work area exhaust air polluted with particles, in particular exhaust air containing particles of paint from a paint spray booth. The scrubber has a flow duct (5), defined in cross section by two opposite duct walls (7). The flow duct (5) includes an inlet region (4) into which the polluted exhaust air flows and into which a fluid (16), running along the duct walls (7), is introduced. The flow duct (5) terminates downstream in an outlet nozzle (3) which runs, transversely to the general flow-in direction (18), into the inlet region (4) and is formed between an upper (8) and a lower (9) duct wall section. A guide wall (2), which has at least one curved portion, tangentially adjoins the upper duct wall section (8), downstream of the outlet nozzle (3).

Abstract: A VOC (volatile organic compounds) adsorbent material such as an alumino-silicate gel desiccant is treated with a masking agent to reduce its affinity for VOC's to a level that the material can be regenerated at a predetermined low temperature which will not desorb the masking agent. The treated adsorbent material is used to adsorb VOC's and is periodically regenerated with heated air. The treated adsorbent material may be used to adsorb VOC's from recirculated spray booth air while spraying a coating on a workpiece. Subsequent to spraying, the spray booth air is heated to above the VOC regeneration temperature to regenerate the adsorbent material and optionally to cure the applied coating. As the heated spray booth air is circulated through the adsorbent material, the previously adsorbed VOC's are desorbed. The desorbed VOC's may be destroyed by oxidizing, for example, with a catalyst.

Abstract: An integrated powder collection system for paint spray booths is provided for paint spray booths having a floor through which overspray and air are exhausted. The powder collection system includes at least two sloped surfaces disposed beneath the floor for defining at least one longitudinal slot therebetween. At least one longitudinal air slide is disposed beneath the at least one slot, and a pulsed vacuum source is connected to a filter cassette which is disposed beneath the floor and laterally to a side of a space defined vertically below the at least one longitudinal slot.

Abstract: A paint spray booth utilizes an exhaust system extending longitudinally along the path of the articles to be painted having an adjustment mechanism for varying the width of the exhaust inlets extending longitudinally for substantially the entire length of the air exhaust element and a downwardly slanting bottom surface of the exhaust elements for yielding powder overspray of uniform density to a filter media. Adjusting the width of the longitudinally extending exhaust inlet spreads an adjustable pressure drop over the slot opening. Adjusting the velocity of air flow through the exhaust elements substantially avoids powder paint build-up at the exhaust inlet. The slanted configuration of the exhaust elements, in conjunction with the adjustment mechanism, improves uniformity of filter life by providing a substantially even distribution of powder overspray to a filter media.

Abstract: A water-spray separator for purifying particle-polluted discharged air (9) from a working area, especially for purifying discharged air containing paint particles from a spray-painting booth, with a flow duct adjacent to the working area and with a cross-sectional extent set by two spaced duct walls (1, 2) into which the polluted discharged air (9) flows and into which a fluid (8) is introduced to run along the channel walls (1, 2). The duct comprises an inlet (1a, 2a), an adjacent expansion section (1c, 2c), an adjacent deflection section (4) which deflects the flow of discharged air transversely to the direction of flow in the inlet (1a, 2a), an adjacent nozzle (5), an adjacent duct outlet (6) in which there is an abrupt narrowing (7) in the duct cross-section, and a reflector section (3) formed on the duct wall opposite the nozzle (5) against the direction of flow through the nozzle (5) and reflecting the noise generated in the region of the nozzle (5) substantially back towards the nozzle (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.

Abstract: In the system of the instant invention, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) liberated in the course of solvent-based painting of a workpiece, are recovered. The atmosphere within a closed spray-booth is maintained at a fixed humidity such that vaporized water, supplied in the form of steam or nebulized water vapor, acts as a carrier for VOCs liberated in the course of spray painting or heat curing of a workpiece. The VOCs may be recovered continuously, including during the spray-painting or heat curing of the workpiece. The VOC laden, humidified air is circulated through a condenser such that VOCs dissolved in the water vapor condense and are directed to a recovery means. The water and solvent are separated, recovered and purified for re-use or placed in an appropriate container for disposal, thereby eliminating the usual practice of expelling VOC laden air into the atmosphere. The system is provided with a flame-free heat source to cure the painted workpiece and to guard against the danger of explosion.

Abstract: A combination of two frames (2) and (4), one inside the other, for positioning a filtering ceiling. The frames have indented splines (3) and (5) on their facing surfaces, and an inflatable tube (6) is anchored on the spline of one of the frames. The tube is inflated to properly position the two frames, to hold the ceiling in place and to seal it so that all air must pass through the filtering ceiling. The tube is deflated to allow the filtering ceiling to be lowered for maintenance or replacement.

Abstract: A paint spray booth with capability to separately exhaust clean powder paint overspray by a clean overspray upper exhaust system at floor level, and the additional exhaust air and paint overspray passing through a grated floor and conveyor system is exhausted by a lower exhaust system. The upper and lower exhaust systems each include a pair of channels having a first and a second sloping surface with a slot disposed at a lower portion thereof. The slot opens into an exhaust duct which extends longitudinally along the paint spray booth. The upper exhaust channels are disposed beneath a surface of a body to be painted, while the lower exhaust channels are disposed beneath a grated floor and the upper exhaust channels.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating the interior surfaces of metal containers by electrostatic deposition of specific polyolefin compositions on the separate parts of the containers prior to assembly of the containers and melting of the polyolefin compositions, which includesa first spray booth containing at least one electrostatic powder spraying device for spraying a polyolefin composition powder, the first spray booth being adapted for spraying the bottoms and lids of the containers,means for conveying the bottoms and lids of containers in the first spray booth,a second spray booth containing at least one electrostatic powder spraying device for spraying a polyolefin composition powder, the second spray booth being adapted for spraying the bodies of the containers,means for conveying the bodies of containers in the second spray booth, andat least one electrostatic generator connected to the spraying devices.

Abstract: In the method of the instant invention, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) liberated in the course of solvent-based painting of a workpiece, are recovered. The atmosphere within a closed spray-booth is maintained at a fixed humidity such that vaporized water, supplied in the form of steam or nebulized water vapor, acts as a carrier for VOCs liberated in the course of spray painting or heat curing of a workpiece. The VOCs may be recovered continuously, including during the spray-painting or heat curing of the workpiece. The VOC laden, humidified air is circulated through a condenser such that VOCs dissolved in the water vapor condense and are directed to a recovery means. The water and solvent are separated, recovered and purified for re-use or placed in an appropriate container for disposal, thereby eliminating the usual practice of expelling VOC laden air into the atmosphere. The system is provided with a flame-free heat source to cure the painted workpiece and to guard against the danger of explosion.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system and method for controlling air flow through the interior of a powder spray booth includes a powder collection system for collecting oversprayed powder from the interior of the spray booth. The powder collection system includes a powder collector with a powder collection chamber, a pulse plenum chamber, and a fan plenum chamber containing a motor driven fan for drawing the air-entrained powder into the fan plenum chamber so that the oversprayed powder is collected on the cartridge filters and filtered air is exhausted from the fan plenum chamber through one or more final filters. A control system automatically adjusts the speed of the motor driven fan in response to pressure changes in the pulse plenum chamber and the fan exhaust chamber so that a substantially constant air flow is maintained through the powder collector.

Abstract: A novel filtering apparatus particularly adapted for a transportable, modular powder spray painting booth with backflow cleaning capability by having two sets of filters each associated with a separate output chamber such that in normal use, a vacuum draws air from the paint booth through both filters and in backflow use, the same vacuum draws air through one filter in a normal filtering manner but with the air first drawn through the other filter in a backflow manner.

Abstract: A composition for reclaiming paint and volatile organic paint carrier from industrial paint spray booths without increasing VOCs has been developed. The improvement over the existing booths recirculating hydrophilic based fluids, is the inclusion of a water based solution containing about 10 to about 45 per cent by weight of one or more N-alkyl pyrrolidones, about 15 to 40 percent by weight of one or more alkyl glycol mono alkyl ethers, a surfactant present in the amount of about 0.1 to 2.0 percent by weight, and the balance water.

Abstract: A painting installation has an enclosure and a perforated floor. Air flows downwards inside the enclosure and is mixed with a liquid. Excess paint is extracted from the resulting mixture of the liquid plus excess paint particles from the air. At the same time, the inside of the enclosure and the perforated floor can be washed with water, which is collected separately from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: An air supply plenum for a paint spray booth includes a housing with separating walls positioned between the ceiling and a filter support panel of the plenum housing. The air flow supplied to the paint spray booth area is divided by the walls into three distinct flows: (1) a central flow air, through which the article to be painted travels in the paint spray booth, (2) two outer greater flow areas where the operators and/or equipment for applying paint to the article to be painted are located. Filters are positioned in the supply plenum arrangement adjacent and above the filter support panel separating the plenum and paint spray booth. The filters run longitudinally along the length of the plenum and between the separating walls. The positioning of these filters in this manner minimizes the amount of turbulence of the flow provided to the spray paint booth.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system and method for controlling air flow through the interior of a powder spray booth includes a powder collection system for collecting oversprayed powder from the interior of the spray booth. The powder collection system includes a powder collector with a powder collection chamber, a pulse plenum chamber, and a fan plenum chamber containing a motor driven fan for drawing the air-entrained powder into the fan plenum chamber so that the oversprayed powder is collected on the cartridge filters and filtered air is exhausted from the fan plenum chamber through one or more final filters. A control system automatically adjusts the speed of the motor driven fan in response to pressure changes in the pulse plenum chamber and the fan exhaust chamber so that a substantially constant air flow is maintained through the powder collector.

Abstract: A method for regenerating an activated charcoal filter for a spray paint booth exhaust which includes the following steps:a passing a first gas flow of uncontaminated inlet air through the filter;preheating the first gas flow;combining the preheated first gas flow with additional uncontaminated air to form a preheated second gas flow at a predetermined temperature for achieving substantially complete desorption of the activated charcoal filter;recirculating the preheated second gas flow through the filter for desorbing filtered contaminants into the second gas flow;conveying the second gas flow to a heat contributing heat exchanging point for further preheating;pyrolytically oxidizing the further reheated gas flow, at a preselected elevated temperature, thereby oxidizing substantially all of the suspended particles therein;passing a resulting oxidized flow, at elevated temperature, to the heat exchanging point for cooling the oxidized gas flow and contributing exchanged heat to the second gas flow to achieve

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the debris that enters the air inlet of a paint overspray scrubber includes at least an upper collection pond positioned above the air inlet. Lower collection ponds are placed beneath the upper collection pond in horizontally overlapping positions with the upper collection pond so that debris not settling in the upper collection pond will settle in the lower collection pond, providing coverage beneath an entire paint application zone. Debris settling in the collection ponds is removed by providing flush water to rinse the accumulated debris from the collection ponds for removal from the system. Such a system prevents clogging of the air inlet and accumulation of debris on flood sheets in an-air scrubber chamber.

Abstract: A paint spray booth (40) having an air supply system for processing air is improved in that a housing arrangement (16) for the air supply system is located entirely within the paint spray booth (40).

Abstract: A baffle assembly for intercepting paint particles passing through a spray booth is disclosed. The baffle assembly includes an inner plate and an outer plate adjacent each end or edge of the inner plate. The inner plate is comprised of a central planar portion, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of air flow, and having outer ends which are curved in an upstream direction and inwardly toward one another. Each outer plate includes a curved portion which terminates in a semi-circular portion. The inner plate is received and positioned within the outer plates so that each of its outer ends is substantially surrounded by and equidistant from its adjacent outer plate. In this manner, air flows between the inner plate and the outer plate in a first curved direction and then in a second opposite curved direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of reinforced plastic objects uses a body form around which a casing having a cover is placed. The cover includes two cover units which between them defines an opening having an adjustable size and position. The opening provides access into the body form so that reinforced plastic material may be applied therein. The size of the opening is minimized to reduce the amount of environmentally harmful substances escaping therefrom, such as styrene. The position and size of the opening relative to the body form is adjustable to provide a convenient access into the body form.

Abstract: A booth for the spray coating of workpieces with a powder coating material has a cleaning device for cleaning the interior of the booth. The walls, ceiling and floor constitute the interior contour of the booth and the cleaning device is dimensioned so that a working gap exists between the cleaning device carrier and the interior contour of the booth. The working gap is bridged elastically by cleaning elements that scrape the booth interior to dislodge powder material that has settled. A vacuum source connected to the cleaning device then sucks the powder material released from the interior surfaces for recycling of the powder and cleaning of the booth.

Abstract: A paint mist removing apparatus having a first liquid shooting section formed in a constricted passage of air laden with overspray paint mist. The first liquid shooting section scatters cleaning water from opening edges of a passage inlet of the constricted passage into an air flow passing through said constricted passage. The paint mist removing apparatus further includes an upwardly facing inclined surface for receiving the passing objects under the passage inlet, a downwardly facing surface continuous from a lower edge of the upwardly facing inclined surface, a curved section disposed between the upwardly facing inclined surface and the downwardly facing surface for deflecting the air flowing through the constricted passage toward the downwardly facing surface. The curved section for causing the cleaning water flowing down the upwardly facing inclined surface to scatter again toward the air in the constricted passage under the downwardly facing surface acts as a second liquid shooting section.

Abstract: The invention describes the use of molybdenum compounds in circulating waters of wet precipitators of spray coating units for detackifying and coagulating paints and/ or varnishes, waxes and other organic coating compositions, and a process for detackifying and coagulating paints and/ or varnishes, waxes and other organic coating compositions by means of molybdenum-containing coagulants.

Abstract: A cross-draft spray booth is provided with an exhaust system, an air inlet and at least one columnar filtering unit. The columnar filtering unit includes a support frame, an exhaust outlet and a filtering medium in the shape of a column. The columnar filtering unit is preferably cylindrical, and utilizes non-porous filtering material.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder spray coating system for car bodies is disclosed. Above the car bodies (14) are moved through the cabin and from which the spray organs (94) are supplied with powder. The powder container (92) is supplied with fresh powder and recycled powder from a supply container (36). Short paths between the powder container and spray organs allow precise metering and therefore a good coating quality. The spray coating is applied within an arrangement of inner and outer cabins which allows pressurizing of space between the cabins to prevent ingress of atmospheric air into and egress of powder out of the system.

Abstract: A paint mist removing apparatus comprising a constricted passage for allowing a paint mist laden gas from a spraying chamber to flow at high velocity confluently with a cleaning liquid for delivery to an exhaust chamber; a liquid shooting section for scattering the cleaning liquid, in fine droplets in the gas flowing from a passage inlet down the constricted passage, toward a cleaning region in the constricted passage below the passage inlet; an upwardly facing inclined wall surface formed in the constricted passage for receiving droplets having captured paint mist in the gas flowing through the cleaning region, and guiding downflow of a liquid formed by collection of the droplets received; a downwardly facing wall surface formed in the constricted passage to be continuous from a lower end of the upwardly facing inclined wall surface; and a curved wall surface formed in the constricted passage between the upwardly facing inclined wall surface and the downwardly facing wall surface for deflecting the gas in th

Abstract: A cabin for spray coating objects with powdered material has flat filter surfaces and a cleaning device that moves relative thereto. The rear face of the filter is divided into a plurality of individual cell shaped sections sealed with respect to one another. A nozzle directs air from the rear face of the filter toward the interior of the cabin to dislodge powdery material from the filter's inner surface. The nozzle moves across the field of cell shaped sections supplying compressed air to at least one of the sections at a time during the cleaning cycle.

Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning ventilation air coming from a paint spray booth and polluted with paint particles is provided with a liquid flow for separating part of the paint particles from the ventilation air and a wet electrostatic precipitator for separating any remaining paint particles and liquid droplets from the ventilation air. The electrostatic precipitator is located in an enclosure underneath the floor of the spray booth, with a surface of the enclosure being poured over with the liquid flow to remove part of the paint particles. The enclosure is further designed so that the ventilation air from the spray booth is caused to be deflected through an angle of 10.degree.-170.degree. in relation to the substantially vertical direction of flow through the spray booth before passing through the liquid flow and into the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for an epitaxial growth system includes an exhaust pipe, a dust filter, and a liquid nitrogen trap. The exhaust pipe performs exhaustion of a reaction furnace in which a reaction gas is supplied to grow a thin film on a semiconductor wafer. The dust filter traps reaction products which have not been used for growing the thin film on the semiconductor wafer, and the dust filter is arranged in the exhaust pipe. The liquid nitrogen trap is arranged in the exhaust pipe in series with the dust filter.

Abstract: A filter belt assembly located at the bottom of the inner cavity of a spray booth. The filter assembly has a plurality of first sprockets each spaced apart a predetermined distance along a horizontal axis and a plurality of second sprockets each spaced apart a predetermined distance along a horizontal axis. The second sprockets are spaced a predetermined distance from the first sprockets along a vertical axis, wherein each second sprocket is interposed between two adjacent first sprockets such that the sprockets guide a filter belt through the bottom of the inner cavity in a serpentine fashion. The filter assembly has a drive means to move the filter belt and a vacuum unit to remove excess paint powder that is disposed on the belt, as the belt moves from the booth to the vacuum. The filter belt may also have an air blower located under the filter belt where the belt vacuum is located.

Abstract: A device for removing the excess sprayed material in a spraying operation (e.g., the spraying of wet lacquer or the like) includes a spraying booth, a suction booth and an aspirator. A partition provided with openings separates the spraying booth and the suction booth. The openings are defined as tapering nozzles so that the air and sprayed particles are passed through the nozzles at a high rate of speed. This construction minimizes the deposition of particles on the partition. Once in the suction chamber, the air flow is slowed so that the particles will dry. The aspirator is located in an upper region of the suction booth so that the particles are drawn upward. A filter is positioned in front of the aspirator to collect the dried particles. The particles thereby form filter cakes which are easily removed from the filter.

Abstract: A paint booth facility for painting truck cabs and attachments in which electronic robots operating electrostatic paint guns apply successive coats of paint. The object to be painted is indexed through a series of spray booths, flash-off booths and finally curing ovens all of which have a contained atmosphere. The level of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the paint booth atmosphere is not permitted to exceed 25% of its lower explosive limit but is maintained at a level that is higher than permitted in paint booths that are occupied by humans. A portion of the recirculated paint booth atmosphere is directed to a thermal oxidizer where it is ignited autogeneously, and this portion is replaced by fresh air that has been conditioned.

Abstract: A powder coating system particularly adapted for coating large objects such as automotive and other vehicle bodies comprises a spray booth having a manual/robotic spraying area for the application of powder to the inner door flanges and other hard to reach areas of the vehicle body using manually or rotatably operated powder dispensers, and an automatic spraying area wherein the remainder of the vehicle body is coated using automatically manipulated powder dispensers. A powder collection and recovery system is associated with the spray booth which includes removable cartridge filters arranged in V-shaped filter banks within powder collection chambers beneath the floor of the booth, a system for the transfer of powder collected in the powder collection chambers to hoppers located exteriorly of the booth and an air exhaust system for equalizing the negative pressure within clean air chambers which receive clean air after filtering by the cartridge filters.

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 liquid to powder spray booth conversion insert compartment is provided that can be rolled up to a conventional wet paint spray booth to convert it to dry powder usage. A pleated fiber filter having a pore size of 20 microns inclined above powder collection trays is provided to allow collection and reuse of the powdered materials. A prefilter of progressive weave filter material is provided at the input side of the compartment to remove large size matter while allowing the sprayed powder particles to pass therethrough.