Separation assembly, separation module and method for producing a separation assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a separation assembly (1) for dry separation of paint mist from spray booth air, comprising at least one substantially flat first separation layer (2) which forms an inflow side (3) of the separation assembly (1), and at least one substantially flat second separation layer (4) which is connected to the first separation layer (2) and which forms an outflow side (5) of the separation assembly (1), wherein the second separation layer (4) is arranged downstream of the first separation layer (2) with respect to a spray booth air flow (P) which can be passed through the separation assembly (1), and is formed at least in part from a nonwoven material. In order to optimise the dry separation of paint mist from spray booth air, the first separation layer (2) is made at least in part of natural fibres and / or natural threads.

Description

[0001] Separation arrangement, separation module and method for producing a separation arrangement

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a separation arrangement for the dry separation of paint mist from spray booth air, comprising at least one substantially flat first separation layer, which forms an inflow side of the separation arrangement, and at least one substantially flat second separation layer, which is connected to the first separation layer and forms an outflow side of the separation arrangement, wherein the second separation layer is arranged downstream of the first separation layer with respect to a spray booth air flow that can be passed through the separation arrangement and is formed at least partially from a nonwoven material. The invention also relates to a separation module for the dry separation of paint mist from spray booth air. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a separation arrangement for the dry separation of paint mist from spray booth air.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Generic separation arrangements and their applications are known, for example, from DE 102016 001 485 A1 and DE 10 2016 001 486 A1. These conventional separation arrangements have a substantially flat first separation layer, which forms an upstream side of the separation arrangement, and a substantially flat second separation layer, which is connected to the first separation layer and forms an downstream side of the separation arrangement. The second separation layer is arranged downstream of the first separation layer with respect to a spray booth air flow that can be passed through the separation arrangement. The second separation layer is formed from a nonwoven material. The first separation layer is formed from one or more paper or cardboard layers with through-openings.Spray booth air to be cleaned flows into the separation system via its inflow side, passes through the first separation layer and then the second separation layer, and finally exits the separation system via the outflow side. Any paint mist contained in the spray booth air is separated from the spray booth air by the separation layers. If desired, the appropriately cleaned spray booth air can be returned to the spray booth as air. Alternatively, the cleaned spray booth air can be released into the atmosphere directly or after further treatment.

[0006] Disclosure of the invention

[0007] One object of the invention is to optimize a dry separation of paint mist from a spray booth air.

[0008] This object is achieved by the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are recited in the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures, wherein these embodiments, each taken individually or in combination of at least two of these embodiments, may represent an advantageous and / or further developing aspect of the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the separation arrangement and the separation module may correspond to advantageous embodiments of the method, and vice versa, even if this is not explicitly referred to in detail below.

[0009] A separation arrangement according to the invention for the dry separation of paint mist from a spray booth air has at least one substantially flat first separation layer which forms an inflow side of the separation arrangement, and at least one substantially flat second separation layer which is connected to the first separation layer and forms an outflow side of the separation arrangement, wherein the second separation layer is arranged downstream of the first separation layer with respect to a spray booth air flow which can be passed through the separation arrangement and is formed at least partially from a nonwoven material and wherein the first separation layer is formed at least partially from natural fibers and / or natural threads.

[0010] According to the invention, the first separation layer is thus partially or completely formed from natural fibers and / or natural threads, for example, wood wool threads forming wood wool. The separation arrangement thus comprises at least two different separation materials, namely the natural fibers and / or natural threads on the one hand, and a nonwoven material on the other, wherein the nonwoven material may be formed from chemical fibers. The natural fibers and / or natural threads can be produced from renewable raw materials and give the separation arrangement according to the invention a positive CO2 footprint, since natural fibers and / or natural threads, when burned, are known to only release the amount of CO2 they previously absorbed. Furthermore, natural fibers and / or natural threads can also absorb hydrogen molecules and hydrocarbon molecules from the spray booth air.

[0011] The natural fibers are preferably plant fibers, for example, fibers from wood, coconut, straw, rice straw, jute, hemp, flax, or the like. Natural fibers have a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​natural threads.

[0012] The natural threads are preferably plant threads, for example, threads made of wood, coconut, straw, rice straw, jute, hemp, flax, or the like. The threads can be in the form of wool.

[0013] The fact that the first separation layer is essentially flat means that the width and length of the first separation layer are many times greater than the thickness of the first separation layer. The first separation layer is also essentially flat because, due to the natural fiber or natural thread structure, for example, wood wool structure, it does not have smooth outer surfaces. The spray booth air to be cleaned flows onto the inflow side of the separation arrangement, which is formed by a large surface area of ​​the first separation layer. From there, the spray booth air flows through the first separation layer to reach the second separation layer.

[0014] The fact that the second separation layer is essentially flat means that the width and length of the second separation layer are many times greater than the thickness of the second separation layer. The second separation layer is also essentially flat because, due to the nonwoven structure, it has no smooth outer surfaces. The cleaned spray booth air flows out of the separation arrangement via the outlet side, which is formed by a large surface area of ​​the second separation layer. The second separation layer can, for example, be bonded to the first separation layer by a material fit, in particular exclusively by a material fit.

[0015] The separation arrangement according to the invention can be used in particular for the dry separation of paint mist from spray booth air. This use thus represents a further aspect of the present invention. Paint mist is also referred to as overspray and is formed by sprayed paint that has not deposited as desired on a workpiece to be painted. The separation arrangement according to the invention can be used, for example, for the separation of paint mist from dry paints, wet paints, paints with a high solids content, or the like.

[0016] The separating arrangement according to the invention can be used to form a flat separating wall. Alternatively, using the separating arrangement according to the invention and its inherent flexibility, pocket separators and, in particular, separator shapes according to DE 10 2016 001 485 A1 and DE 10 2016 001 486 A1 can be produced.

[0017] After use, the separation arrangements according to the invention can be properly disposed of in an afterburning plant, whereby the separation arrangements have very high calorific values ​​due to their separation materials and the substances separated on them.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, natural fibers and / or natural threads are at least partially glued to one another. As a result, the natural fibers and / or natural threads are partially firmly bonded to one another, which can impart the desired robustness and durability to the first separation layer. For example, the natural fibers and / or natural threads can also be bonded to one another exclusively by bonding, without the need for mechanical connecting means such as seams or the like. Natural fibers and / or natural threads usually do not have a straight line, but rather a serpentine line, for example, so that natural fibers and / or natural threads of the first separation layer touch one another at individual points, for example at peaks and / or valleys along their respective paths, and can be glued to one another at these points of contact.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the natural fibers and / or natural threads are bonded together using a starch-based adhesive. A natural or ecological adhesive is used to bond the natural fibers and / or natural threads, which further improves the sustainability of the separation arrangement. The starch-based adhesive can be, for example, wheat starch, rice starch, horse chestnut starch, or the like.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the natural fibers and / or natural threads form a non-textile-bonded fabric composed of natural fibers and / or natural threads. This means that the natural fibers and / or natural threads do not form a knitted fabric, woven fabric, or the like. Instead, the natural fibers and / or natural threads can initially be provided as a loose fill, which can be sprayed with an adhesive to bond the natural fibers and / or natural threads together. The natural fibers and / or natural threads sprayed with the adhesive can be pressed or forced into a desired shape during curing of the adhesive.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the natural fibers and / or natural threads are at least partially coated with a natural or synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesive. This greatly improves the effectiveness and absorption capacity of the separation arrangement. A corresponding pressure-sensitive adhesive is characterized primarily by very pronounced permanent tackiness, which preferably extends over most of the use of the separation arrangement. An example of a natural pressure-sensitive adhesive is honey. Another example of a natural pressure-sensitive adhesive is natural rubber together with tackifying resins. Artificial pressure-sensitive adhesives can be, for example, synthetically produced elastomers, such as block copolymers of isoprene and styrene and of butadiene with styrene in blends with natural resins, modified natural resins, or synthetic resins.Other synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesives can be made from acrylate copolymers, for example 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and isooctyl acrylate, with the addition of acrylic acid and optionally other acrylate monomers. Tackifying resins can be added to such acrylate-based synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesives. Alternatively, the synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesives can be made from polyurethanes. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first separation layer has a substantially planar first fiber or thread layer forming the upstream side of the separation arrangement, and at least one substantially planar further fiber or thread layer arranged between the first fiber or thread layer and the second separation layer, wherein a density of the first fiber or thread layer is lower than a density of the further fiber or thread layer. Accordingly, the first separation layer is thus formed in at least two stages.The density of the first separation layer increases toward the second separation layer to gradually increase the separation efficiency. The density of the first fiber or thread layer, for example, the wood wool layer, can be in the range of 200 g / m. 3 up to 600 g / m 3 The density of the second fiber or thread layer, for example wood wool layer, can be in a range of 400 g / m 3 up to 1,100 g / m 3 The two fiber or thread layers may differ from each other in the choice of fiber or thread materials used for their respective production.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the thickness of the first fiber or thread layer is greater than the thickness of the further fiber or thread layer. The thickness of the first fiber or thread layer can, for example, be in a range from 20 mm to 50 mm. The thickness of the second fiber or thread layer can, for example, be in a range from 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first separation layer is formed at least partially from natural fibers in the form of wood fibers and / or at least partially from natural threads in the form of wood wool threads. The wood wool fibers or wood wool threads can be produced, for example, from wood blanks, wood waste, deadwood, or the like. The wood wool threads can be in the form of wood wool.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first deposition layer is partially formed from chemical fibers. This allows the deposition arrangement to be adapted to the respective paint to be deposited. For example, the first fiber or thread layer can be formed exclusively from natural fibers and / or natural threads, while the further fiber or thread layer can be formed from a mixture of natural fibers and / or natural threads on the one hand and chemical fibers on the other. The chemical fibers can be mixed with the natural fibers and / or natural threads.

[0024] For example, polypropylene fibers can be used as chemical fibers.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the separation layers are glued together. Either a natural or a synthetic adhesive can be used for this purpose. The adhesive can, for example, be the same one used to glue the wood wool threads together.

[0026] A separation module according to the invention for dry separation of paint mist from a spray booth air has at least one separation arrangement according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments or a combination of at least two of these embodiments with one another, wherein the separation arrangement is shaped into at least one pocket.

[0027] The separation module offers the advantages mentioned above with reference to the separation arrangement. The separation arrangement is shaped into at least one pocket, which can be configured, for example, according to the shapes disclosed in DE 10 2016 001 485 A1 and DE 10 2016 001 486 A1, thereby forming a pocket separator. Accordingly, the separation module according to the invention can be used in separators according to DE 10 2016 001 485 A1 and DE 10 2016 001 486 A1.

[0028] A method according to the invention for producing a separation arrangement for dry separation of paint mist from a spray booth air comprises the steps:

[0029] Producing at least one substantially planar first separation layer at least partially made of natural fibers and / or natural threads; and cohesively bonding the first separation layer to a substantially planar second separation layer formed at least partially from a nonwoven material.

[0030] The method provides the advantages mentioned above with respect to the deposition arrangement. In particular, the deposition arrangement according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments or a combination of at least two of these embodiments can be used to carry out the method. The cohesive bonding of the two deposition layers can be achieved by adhesive bonding, as described above. According to an advantageous embodiment, the production of the first deposition layer comprises the following steps:

[0031] Pouring the natural fibers and / or natural threads into a mold;

[0032] Spraying the natural fibers and / or natural threads in the mold with an adhesive;

[0033] Pressing the natural fibers and / or natural threads sprayed with the adhesive to a desired thickness of the first deposition layer; and

[0034] Curing of the adhesive by temporary heating.

[0035] The pouring of the natural fibers and / or natural threads, for example, wood wool threads, can be preceded by a production of the natural fibers and / or natural threads, wherein the natural fibers and / or natural threads can be combined with one another in a conventional manner to form a composite of natural fibers and / or natural threads, for example, wood wool. The natural threads and / or natural fibers can first be pressed into bales, wherein the bales can be opened with a bale opener in order to pour the natural fibers and / or natural threads essentially loosely into the mold.

[0036] The mold into which the natural fibers and / or natural threads are poured can define the length and width of the first deposition layer. To spray the natural fibers and / or natural threads in the mold with the adhesive, which can be configured as described above, the mold can be passed through an adhesive spraying device. This can be achieved by any type of relative movement between the mold and the adhesive spraying device. The natural fibers and / or natural threads sprayed with the adhesive can then be pressed or compressed using a press plate or the like to the desired thickness of the first deposition layer. In this state, the adhesive can be cured by temporary heating, for example with hot air. Alternatively, the adhesive can be cured only after the two deposition layers have been bonded.

[0037] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a starch-based adhesive is used as the adhesive. This embodiment provides the advantages mentioned above with reference to the corresponding embodiment of the separation arrangement. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the natural fibers and / or natural threads are at least partially sprayed with a natural or synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesive after the adhesive has cured. This embodiment provides the advantages mentioned above with reference to the corresponding embodiment of the separation arrangement.

[0038] In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to the attached figures using preferred embodiments, wherein the features explained below can represent an advantageous and / or further developing aspect of the invention both individually and in different combinations with one another.

[0039] Short description of the characters

[0040] It shows:

[0041] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a separation arrangement according to the invention; and

[0042] Fig. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0043] Detailed description of the characters

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a separation assembly 1 according to the invention for dry separation of paint overspray from spray booth air. Only a portion of the separation assembly 1 is shown, which is flat in Fig. 1, but can also be formed into any shape other than flat.

[0045] The separation arrangement 1 has a substantially flat first separation layer 2, which forms an inflow side 3 of the separation arrangement 1. In addition, the separation arrangement 1 has a substantially flat second separation layer 4, which is connected to the first separation layer 2 and forms an outflow side 5 of the separation arrangement 1. The second separation layer 4 is arranged downstream of the first separation layer 2 with respect to a spray booth air flow, indicated by the arrow P, which can be passed through the separation arrangement 1 and is formed partially or completely from a nonwoven material made of chemical fibers.

[0046] The first separation layer 2 has a substantially planar first fiber or thread layer 6 forming the inflow side 3 of the separation arrangement 1, and a substantially planar further fiber or thread layer 7 arranged between the first fiber or thread layer 6 and the second separation layer 4. A density of the first fiber or thread layer 6 is lower than a density of the further fiber or thread layer 7. A thickness D1 of the first fiber or thread layer 6 is greater than a thickness D2 of the further fiber or thread layer 7.

[0047] The first fiber or thread layer 6 is partially formed from natural fibers and / or natural wood threads. The further fiber or thread layer 7 is also partially formed from natural fibers and / or natural wood threads. The two fiber or thread layers 6 and 7 may differ from one another in the design of their natural fibers and / or natural threads (not shown) or may be identical. For example, the natural threads of at least one fiber or thread layer 6 or 7 may have a cross-sectional area of ​​0.5 mm (thickness) x 2 mm (width).

[0048] The natural fibers and / or natural threads of the respective fiber or thread layer 6 or 7 are partially bonded together. The adhesive used for this purpose forms another part of the respective wood wool layer 6 or 7. The natural fibers and / or natural threads of the respective fiber or thread layer 6 or 7 are bonded together using a starch-based adhesive. Furthermore, the natural fibers and / or natural threads of the respective fiber or thread layer 6 or 7 form a non-textile-bonded fabric of natural fibers and / or natural threads.

[0049] The two separation layers 2 and 4 are glued together. The same adhesive can be used for this purpose as is used to glue the natural fibers and / or natural threads of the respective fiber or thread layer 6 or 7 together. Furthermore, the two fiber or thread layers 6 and 7 are glued together. The same adhesive can also be used for this purpose as is used to glue the natural fibers and / or natural threads of the respective fiber or thread layer 6 or 7 together. The natural fibers and / or natural threads of the respective fiber or thread layer 6 or 7 are at least partially coated with a natural or synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a separation arrangement for dry separation of paint mist from a spray booth air.

[0051] In process step 10, a substantially flat first deposition layer is produced at least partially from natural fibers and / or natural wood threads. For this purpose, the natural fibers and / or natural wood threads are poured into a mold and then sprayed with an adhesive, using a starch-based adhesive. The natural fibers and / or natural wood threads sprayed with the adhesive are then pressed to a desired thickness of the first deposition layer.

[0052] In process step 20, the first separation layer is bonded to a substantially planar second separation layer, formed at least partially from a nonwoven material made of chemical fibers. For this purpose, one separation layer can be deposited on the other separation layer, with at least one of the separation layers previously being provided with an adhesive, in particular a starch-based adhesive, to bond the two separation layers together.

[0053] The starch-based adhesive is cured by temporary heating. This curing can be performed before or after process step 20.

[0054] After process step 20 and after the adhesive has cured, the natural fibers and / or natural threads are at least partially sprayed with a natural or synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesive in process step 30. List of reference symbols

[0055] 1 separation arrangement

[0056] 2 first separation layer

[0057] 3 Upstream side of 1

[0058] 4 second separation layer

[0059] 5 Outlet side of 1

[0060] 6 first wood wool layer

[0061] 7 second wood wool layer

[0062] 10 process steps

[0063] 20 process steps

[0064] 30 process steps

[0065] D1 thickness of 6

[0066] D2 thickness of 7

[0067] P arrow (spray booth air flow)

Claims

Patent claims 1. Separation arrangement (1) for the dry separation of paint mist from spray booth air, comprising at least one substantially flat first separation layer (2) which forms an inflow side (3) of the separation arrangement (1), and at least one substantially flat second separation layer (4) which is connected to the first separation layer (2) and forms an outflow side (5) of the separation arrangement (1), wherein the second separation layer (4) is arranged downstream of the first separation layer (2) with respect to a spray booth air flow (P) which can be passed through the separation arrangement (1) and is formed at least partially from a nonwoven material, characterized in that the first separation layer (2) is formed at least partially from natural fibers and / or natural threads.

2. Separation arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the natural fibers and / or natural threads are at least partially glued together.

3. Separation arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the natural fibers and / or natural threads are glued together by means of a starch-based adhesive.

4. Separation arrangement (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the natural fibers and / or natural threads form a fabric of natural fibers and / or natural threads that are not connected to one another by textile technology.

5. Separation arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the natural fibers and / or natural threads are at least partially coated with a natural or artificial pressure-sensitive adhesive.

6. Separation arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first separation layer (2) has a substantially planar first fiber or thread layer (6) forming the inflow side (3) of the separation arrangement (1) and at least one substantially planar further fiber or thread layer (7) arranged between the first fiber or thread layer (6) and the second separation layer (4), wherein a density of the first fiber or thread layer (6) is lower than a density of the further fiber or thread layer (7).

7. Separation arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a thickness (D1) of the first fiber or thread layer (6) is greater than a thickness (D2) of the further fiber or thread layer (7).

8. Separation arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first separation layer (2) is formed at least partially from natural fibers in the form of wood fibers and / or at least partially from natural threads in the form of wood wool threads.

9. Separation arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first separation layer (2) is partially formed from chemical fibers.

10. Separation arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the separation layers (2, 4) are glued together.

11. Separation module for the dry separation of paint mist from a spray booth air, characterized by at least one separation arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the separation arrangement (1) is shaped into at least one pocket.

12. A method for producing a separation arrangement for dry separation of paint mist from a spray booth air, characterized by the steps: Producing at least one substantially planar first separation layer (2) at least partially made of natural fibers and / or natural threads; and cohesively bonding the first separation layer (2) to a substantially planar second separation layer (4) formed at least partially from a nonwoven material.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the production of the first deposition layer (2) comprises the steps: Pouring the natural fibers and / or natural threads into a mold; Spraying the natural fibers and / or natural threads in the mold with an adhesive; Pressing the natural fibers and / or natural threads sprayed with the adhesive to a desired thickness of the first deposition layer (2); and - curing the adhesive by temporary heating.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that a starch-based adhesive is used as the adhesive.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the natural fibers and / or natural threads are at least partially sprayed with a natural or artificial pressure-sensitive adhesive after the adhesive has cured.

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