Filtration elements, cartridges, and filtration systems

Abstract

To further develop a filtration element adapted to separate a dispersed fluid phase from a continuous phase of a gas mixture, the filtration element has a horizontal axis (X), a vertical axis (Y), and a depth axis (Z) perpendicular to each other; A filtration element (100), comprising a wavy or zigzag folded coalescing filter medium (40) forming at least one fold having a length (70) and a depth (72), and at least one corrugated separator (42) having wavy or zigzag waves (46) located between adjacent longitudinal surfaces (74, 76) of the fold, the height of the waves extending perpendicular to the length (70) of the fold, each wave (46) having a wave depth axis (L) extending across the depth (72) of the fold, wherein the wave depth axis (L) is disposed at an offset angle relative to the horizontal axis (X), the vertical axis (Y), and the depth axis (Z) in a manner required for reduced size, weight, and manufacturing costs; It is proposed that the longitudinal faces (74, 76) of the folds extend along a horizontal axis (X) of the filtration element (100) from the inlet side (102) of the filtration element (100) to the outlet side (104) of the filtration element (100).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filtering element according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cartridge according to the preamble of claim 9 and to a filtering system according to the preamble of claim 13.

[0002] The invention particularly relates to a coalescing filter element for use in an industrial filtration system, for example in at least one extraction chamber or exhaust chamber of at least one machine tool, said machine tool being designed for machining processes such as cutting, forming, rolling or pressing, grinding or machining, etc.

[0003] The filter element of the invention is designed for separating a dispersed fluid phase, in particular an oil aerosol, from a continuous phase of a gas mixture, in particular for separating an oil aerosol from raw gases, for example the exhaust gases of machine tools. [Background technology]

[0004] In the case of machine tools, such as cutting machines, a cooling lubricant is applied to the tool tip, such as the cutting edge, during machining, such as material removal, which either evaporates at the tool tip or is atomized by the rotational movement of the tool tip, generating a dispersed fluid phase, in particular an oil aerosol.

[0005] To prevent the dispersed fluid phase from flowing uncontrollably out of the extraction or exhaust chamber of the machine tool, a filtering element is used to suction the extraction or exhaust chamber and separate the dispersed fluid phase from the extracted exhaust air, which may be associated with one machine tool or with multiple machine tools.

[0006] Prior art document WO 2021 / 185477 describes a filtering element according to the preamble of claim 1. The filtering element comprises a folded coalescing filter medium and separators arranged in the folds. These separators have wavy or zigzag corrugations and are arranged between adjacent folds in such a way that they are spaced apart from one another to prevent the folds from collapsing when a pressure difference occurs. According to the teaching of WO 2021 / 185477, the gas mixture flows vertically through the filtering element and the corrugations of the separator are aligned vertically. This means that the hollow channels formed by the corrugated separators are arranged vertically, i.e. perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the filtering element, and the gas mixture flowing through the filtering element passes through these vertical channels. In the filtering system described in WO 2021 / 185477, a number of filtering elements are stacked together, as shown in FIG. 10 of WO 2021 / 185477. However, there may not be enough space to place such a vertical flow-through filtration system relative to the extraction or exhaust chamber of the machine tool. Therefore, there is a need for a coalescing filtration element that allows the gas mixture to flow horizontally.

[0007] Filter elements designed for horizontal gas flows are described in the prior art document “AFS-starke Leistung, reine Luft; Luftreinigungsgerate und -Anlagen zur Absaugung von Ol- und Emulsionsnebel, lufttechnischer The information is contained in the "Certified Handrail, Raumlufttechnische Handrail, Betrieblicher Umweltschutz" and can be downloaded from the link below. https: / / www.afs-airfilter.de / fileadmin / Download / Prospekt / AFS-Prospekt_2018.pdf

[0008] A filtration system designed for horizontal flow is also disclosed in the prior art document "IFMC500" by ifs Industriefilter Service GmbH, D-53604 Bad Honnef, Vogelsbitze 12, which can be downloaded from the following link: https: / / www.ifs-industriefilter.de / fileadmin / upload / Produktdatenblaetter_DE_ENG / Industriefilter_mechanisch / Produktblatt_IFMC_500_01.pdf

[0009] The main stage of these filtration systems for horizontal flow of gas mixtures consists of several filtration elements in the form of filter mats arranged in parallel in a filter cassette (see Figs. 18 and 19). Such filter mats are, for example, at least one metal mash mat, at least one coalescing filter medium mat and at least one further filter tissue mat. Downstream of these filter mats are arranged fine filtration elements, for example high efficiency particulate air / capture efficiency (HEPA) filters. In order to obtain a sufficient purity of the gas mixture to be able to feed it to the fine filter, these filtration systems require several filter mats for pre-purifying the gas mixture. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention, starting from the above-mentioned drawbacks and shortcomings and taking into account the above-mentioned prior art, aims to further develop a filtering element of the type described in the technical field, a cartridge of the type described in the technical field and a filtering system of the type described in the technical field in a manner that requires miniaturization, light weight and reduced manufacturing costs.

[0011] The object of the invention is achieved by a filtering element having the features of claim 1, a cartridge having the features of claim 9 and a filtering system having the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments and useful refinements of the invention are disclosed in the respective dependent claims.

[0012] The present invention is primarily based on the idea of ​​providing a filtering element of the type described in the art with a horizontal flow, i.e. with a gas mixture flowing along the horizontal axis of the filtering element, which allows the filtering element to be compact, lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0013] To maximize the surface area of ​​the filter element through which the air flows horizontally and achieve high separation efficiency, the longitudinal plane of the folds or pleats extends along the horizontal axis of the filter element.

[0014] The filter element of the present invention is significantly more efficient at separating fluids than the filter elements for horizontal flow known from the prior art, since the flow rate of the gas mixture through the folded or pleated coalescing medium is much lower than the flow rate through the filter mat.

[0015] To optimize the flow of the gas mixture and ensure the evacuation of the fluids separated by the filtration element, the wave depth axis is disposed at an offset angle relative to the vertical axis of the filtration element, the depth axis of the filtration element, and the horizontal axis of the filtration element, in other words, the wave depth axis is disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the folds to prevent overloading of the filtration element.

[0016] To facilitate the drainage by gravity of the fluid separated from the gas mixture and to facilitate distribution of the gas mixture over the entire surface of the coalescing medium, each corrugation preferably extends across the depth of the folds such that at least one hollow passage is provided in the depth direction of the folds. In this connection, the corrugated separator advantageously extends planarly between the longitudinal faces of the folds of the coalescing medium such that at least one hollow passage is formed between the fold crests and fold troughs of the coalescing medium. This hollow passage is designed to guide the gas mixture and to drain the fluid separated by the filtering element.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wave depth axis is disposed at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees, in particular about 25 degrees to about 55 degrees, for example about 30 degrees, relative to the vertical axis of the filtering element. The 30 degree angle is optimal in terms of stability of the corrugated separator and its resistance to horizontal and vertical forces exerted on the corrugated separator during use of the filtering element.

[0018] The corrugated separator located between adjacent longitudinal faces of the folds of the coalescing medium may be located on the untreated side of the coalescing medium. The corrugated separator located between adjacent longitudinal faces of the next fold of the coalescing medium may be located on the clean side of the coalescing medium. The corrugated separator may have a wave depth axis in which the hollow passages are angled to optimize the discharge of the fluid separated by the corrugated separator. The hollow passages of the corrugated separator on the untreated side may be angled to optimize the discharge of the separated fluid to a frame outlet provided in the frame. The hollow passages of the corrugated separator on the clean side may be angled to optimize the flow of clean gas substantially free of a dispersed fluid phase to a filtration system outlet.

[0019] In order that the gas mixture flows through the corrugated separator and that the gas mixture can enter the entire area of ​​the filtering element, the corrugations preferably have at least one corrugated separator opening, in particular at least one perforation or at least one vent, on the corrugation surfaces facing each other. Preferably, the corrugations have a plurality of corrugated separator openings distributed on the corrugation surfaces. The corrugated separator openings can be arranged on both opposing corrugation sides, in such a way that the gas mixture flows along the horizontal axis of the filtering element through the corrugated separator openings facing each other. In other words, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the corrugations have at least one corrugated separator opening on the corrugation sides facing each other, in order to ensure flow optimization and evacuation. The corrugated separator openings preferably act on both sides of the corrugations.

[0020] The corrugated separator may be glued to the folds to provide stability to the coalescing media.

[0021] Alternatively, the coalescing media may be placed in at least one frame to stabilize the corrugated separator to the coalescing media. The frame may include: Assigned to cartridges, The corrugated separator is designed to accommodate the coalescing media placed in the folds; The corrugated separator has dimensions slightly smaller than the coalescing media placed in the folds so that the filtration elements are held within the frame by a press fit. For example, a coalescing media with dimensions slightly greater than 600mm is compressed into a frame with dimensions of 600mm x 600mm. This causes the corrugated separator to also be compressed within this configuration, so no adhesive is necessary and is not used in this embodiment.

[0022] The corrugated separator may consist essentially of at least one metallic material, in particular at least one material including aluminum, for example steel, such as unalloyed structural steel of grade S235.

[0023] Alternatively, to enable the corrugated separator to be disposed of in an environmentally and cost-saving manner, it may consist essentially of at least one combustible material, in particular a combustible synthetic material and / or a combustible vegetable fiber material, such as a cellulose fiber material.

[0024] The coalescing filter medium may consist essentially of at least one fibrous material, such as a synthetic fibrous material and / or at least one glass fibrous material and / or at least one vegetable fibrous material.

[0025] In conjunction therewith, or independently therewith, the cartridge of the present invention may comprise one or more filtration elements mounted on or within a frame. The sides of the filtration elements may be supported by the frame so that the gas mixture is exposed to as much of the surface area of ​​the filtration elements as possible. The folds of the filtration elements are supported by the frame.

[0026] To introduce the gas mixture, especially the raw gas, into the cartridge, the frame comprises at least one fluid inlet or fluid inlet area. When at least one fluid inlet is present, the fluid inlet leads to the fluid inlet area on the inlet or raw side of the filtration element. To discharge the fluid separated by the filtration element, the frame comprises at least one frame outlet. The total area of ​​the frame outlets is preferably smaller than the total area of ​​the fluid inlets or the total area of ​​the fluid inlet, to prevent the gas mixture from flowing out of the frame outlet instead of through the cartridge downstream stage, the separator downstream stage, or the filtration system outlet.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each fold has two longitudinal faces connected by a fold crest and an open fold valley opposite the fold crest. The area between the two longitudinal faces connected by the fold crest facing the inlet side of the gas mixture forms the clean side of the coalescing medium, and the area between the two longitudinal faces connected by the fold crest facing the outlet side of the gas mixture forms the raw side of the coalescing medium. To prevent backflow of the discharged fluid into the filter element, the frame outlet is preferably located only in the area of ​​the raw side of the coalescing medium.

[0028] Also, to prevent backflow of the discharged fluid into the filter element, the frame outlets are preferably located only in the first 2 / 3 of the area of ​​the horizontal bottom region in the flow direction of the gas mixture.

[0029] A fluid reservoir formed by the filtration system housing may be in fluid communication with the bottom region to collect the fluid discharged from the frame outlet. The fluid reservoir may be in fluid communication with the fluid inlet or fluid inlet region. If the aerator is located downstream of the cartridge or separator, the aerator may generate a negative pressure to create a horizontal flow to draw untreated gas through the cartridge and then clean gas through any downstream cartridge stages to the filtration system outlet. Alternatively, if the aerator is located upstream of the cartridge, the aerator may generate a positive pressure to create a horizontal flow to push untreated gas through the cartridge and then clean gas through any downstream cartridge stages to the filtration system outlet. Thus, the fluid reservoir is under pressure at the fluid inlet or fluid inlet region.

[0030] As mentioned above, the fluid separated by passing through the corrugated separator on the raw side of the coalescing filter medium can be discharged from the frame outlet located in the first 2 / 3 of the area of ​​the raw side or horizontal bottom area. The fluid still present in the continuous gas phase is further separated by the coalescing filter medium, so that a continuous gas phase or a clean gas phase without a substantially dispersed fluid phase can be obtained on the outlet side of the filter element. By not locating an outlet in the area of ​​the clean side or the last third of the horizontal bottom area of ​​the coalescing filter medium, it is possible to prevent the discharged fluid, for example, collected in the fluid reservoir, from flowing back to the clean side through such an opening. Also, by not locating an outlet in the area of ​​the clean side or the last third of the horizontal bottom area of ​​the coalescing filter medium, it is possible to prevent the pressure generated by the ventilation device from causing the return flow of the collected fluid, for example, in the fluid reservoir, on the clean side.

[0031] The fluid reservoir may be sealed or physically separated from the downstream cartridge stage to prevent backflow of the discharged fluid into the downstream cartridge stage, which may be elevated slightly above the cartridge stage to direct residual dispersed fluid phase and moisture away from the downstream cartridge stage. The fluid reservoir may include at least one fluid outlet for removing recovered fluid from the filtration system housing.

[0032] The present invention further relates to the use of a filtering element as defined above in a cartridge as defined above or in a filtering system as defined above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] As already mentioned above, there are several options for advantageously implementing and improving the teaching of the invention. For this purpose, reference is made to the claims which are respectively dependent on claims 1 and 9. By way of example, further refinements, features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to two preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0034] [Figure 1]1 illustrates an embodiment of a filtration system according to the present invention, comprising a cartridge according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge comprising a filtration element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4 is a side view of the filtration system of FIG. 1 taken along section AA of FIG. 3. [Diagram 3] 3 is a top view of the filtration system of FIG. 1 taken along section BB of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of region 84 shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of area 80 shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a detailed view of the area 82 illustrated in FIG. 3, with the outlet 53 shown through a perspective view of the coalescing media 40. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of region 84 shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of area 86 shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the filtration element of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the cartridge of FIG. 1, with the outlet 53 shown through a perspective view of the coalescing media 40. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the corrugated separator of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the bottom area of ​​the frame of the cartridge of FIG. 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the corrugated separator of FIG. 1. [Figure 14] 1 shows a cartridge according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 15 shows the flow of the gas mixture through the cartridge of FIG. 14 and the corrugated separator of the cartridge of FIG. 14 in detail. [Figure 16] 15 shows in detail a filtration element of the cartridge of FIG. 14 or the cartridge of FIG. [Figure 17] 15 shows in detail how separated liquid is discharged from the cartridge of FIG. 14. [Figure 18]1 shows a first embodiment of a prior art filtration system designed for horizontal gas flow. [Figure 19] 1 shows a second embodiment of a prior art filtration system designed for horizontal gas flow.

[0035] 1 to 19, the same reference numbers are used for corresponding components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] To avoid unnecessary repetition, the following description of embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention is provided in a simplified form (unless otherwise stated). a first embodiment of a cartridge 120 according to the invention (see FIG. 1 ), and It relates to a second embodiment of a cartridge 122 according to the invention (see FIG. 14).

[0037] 1 shows an embodiment of a horizontal flow coalescing filtration system 200 comprising an upstream separator stage 5, a first embodiment of a cartridge 120 according to the present invention, and a housing 230 that contains the upstream separator stage 5 and the cartridge 120. The filtration system 200 comprises a number of housing parts 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, e.g. a first housing part 20 including a filtration system inlet 210; A second housing part 21 and a third housing part 22 arranged in the upstream stage of the separator; A fourth housing part 23, a fifth housing part 24, and a sixth housing part 25 arranged in a main separator stage; A seventh housing part 26 arranged downstream of the separator, and A housing may be provided having an eighth housing portion 27 that includes a filtration system outlet 220 (see FIG. 1).

[0038] The filtration element 100 shown in Figures 1-17 is designed for flow of a gas mixture along a horizontal axis X of the filtration element 100 to separate a dispersed fluid phase from a continuous phase of the gas mixture. - a vertical axis Y, a horizontal axis X, and a depth axis Z that are perpendicular to each other; a coalescing filter medium 40 folded in a wavy or zigzag pattern to form a plurality of folds each having a length 70 and a depth 72; A corrugated separator 42 is provided. At least one of the corrugated separators 42 is assigned to each fold, Each corrugated separator 42 has a wavy or zigzag wave 46 located between adjacent longitudinal faces 74, 76 of the folds assigned to the corrugated separator 42. In other words, each wave has a crest that is in contact with a first longitudinal face of the adjacent layer of the folds and a wave base that is in contact with a second longitudinal face of the adjacent layer of the folds. The height of the wave extends perpendicular to the longitudinal faces 74, 76 of the folds. The longitudinal faces 74, 76 of the folds extend along the horizontal axis X of the filtration element 100.

[0039] The second embodiment of the cartridge 122 shown in Figure 14 differs from the first embodiment of the cartridge 120 shown in Figure 1 only in the orientation of the folds of the coalescing medium 40. As shown in Figures 1 and 16, the folds of the coalescing medium 40 may be arranged horizontally in the cartridge 120, i.e., the longitudinal surfaces 74, 76 of the folds may extend between the horizontal axis X and the depth axis Z of the filtration element 100. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 14, the folds of the coalescing medium 40 may be arranged horizontally in the cartridge, i.e., the longitudinal surfaces 74, 76 of the folds may extend between the vertical axis Y and the horizontal axis X of the filtration element 100.

[0040] Each corrugation 46 of corrugated separator 42 has a corrugation depth axis L that extends across fold depth 72. Corrugation depth axis L is disposed at an offset angle relative to vertical axis Y of filtration element 100, depth axis Z of filtration element 100, and horizontal axis X of filtration element 100.

[0041] In other words, each wave separator 42 is positioned across the depth of the fold assigned to it, such that its wave crest forms a wave crest line extending in the depth direction of the fold and its wave base forms a wave base line extending in the depth direction of the fold, the wave crest line and the wave base line being offset at an inclination angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the fold assigned to it.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5, 6, 9, 10 and 16, the coalescing filter medium 40 snakes horizontally around a corrugated separator 42 leading to an inlet side 102 of the gas mixture, referred to as the raw side, and an outlet side, referred to as the clean side. Figures 15-17 show in detail the filter element 100 within the cartridge 120, 122, the fluid flow paths of the raw and clean sides, represented diagrammatically, and the discharged liquid. With reference to the circled inset in Figure 15, the flow of the dispersed fluid phase in the gas mixture is represented by the hatched arrows 90, and the flow of the continuous phase of the gas mixture is represented by the open arrows 90.

[0043] A gas mixture, e.g., an aerosol / air mixture, is directed along the fluid flow path 90 from the inlet side 102 to the corrugated separator 42, passing through hollow passages formed by the corrugations and flowing through openings 44, e.g., vent openings 44, in the corrugated separator 42. By passing through the hollow passages and flowing through the vent openings 44, the gas mixture has an initial opportunity to sediment or separate dispersed fluid phases.

[0044] The angle or oblique orientation of the wave depth axis L of the corrugated separator 42 ensures that the residual gas mixture is distributed over the entire surface of the coalescing filter medium 40 and effects fine separation of the residual gas mixture, thereby providing a continuous or clean gas phase having essentially no dispersed fluid phase.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 16, the gas mixture flows through the entire longitudinal section of the coalescing filter medium 40, which extends along the horizontal axis X of the filter element 100. In particular, the continuous gas phase is guided by the corrugated separator 42 on the raw side, in particular by the corrugations as described above, and then flows through the longitudinal faces 74, 76 of the folds of the coalescing filter medium 40 into the corrugated separator 42 on the clean side and into the outlet side 104 of the filter element 100. After leaving the coalescing filter element 100, the continuous gas phase is optionally further separated by at least one cartridge downstream element 7 for separating suspended particles, and then flows into the separator downstream stage and leaves the filter system 200 via the filter system outlet 220. The cartridge downstream element 7 can be assigned to a further housing part, for example the fifth housing part 24 or the sixth housing part 25, as shown in FIG. 1. The cartridge downstream element 7 can be a high-efficiency particulate air / capture efficiency filter, a so-called HEPA filter. Both the filtration element 100 and the cartridge downstream element 7 may be assigned to a main separator stage 3, for example a multi-stage main separator stage consisting of a first main separator stage 3-1, a second main separator stage 3-2 and a third main separator stage 3-3 as shown in FIG. 1 or prior art FIG. 19. Advantageously, the filtration system 200 does not require multiple coalescing filter media 40 or filtration elements 100 as required in the prior art filtration system 200' of FIG. 19. The filtration system 200 may comprise a multi-stage main separator stage 3 including the filtration element 100, i.e. the main separator stage 3-1, and the cartridge downstream element 7, i.e. the main separator stage 3-3.

[0046] The filtration element 100 may be housed in the fourth housing section 23 or frame 50. The filtration element 100 may be nested in or compressed within the housing section 23 or frame 50 such that movement of the filtration element 100 is minimized when a continuous gas phase is conducted therethrough. In particular, the coalescing medium 40 is compressed by the housing section 23 or frame 50, which in turn compresses the corrugated separator 42 between the longitudinal sides 74, 76 of the coalescing medium 40. Advantageously, compression of the filtration element 100 by the housing section 23 or frame 50 eliminates the need to glue the corrugated separator to the folds or glue the coalescing medium 40 to the housing section 23 or frame 50.

[0047] A primary advantage of the present invention is that it allows many more coalescing media 40 to be simultaneously circulating in the horizontal flow than the filter mats 40' used in the prior art, such as those shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[0048] The aerosol mixture thus separated forms droplets 64 (see Figs. 8, 15 and 17) according to the flow rate and the separation surface of the coalescing filter medium 40. The droplets 64 move downwards according to gravity while the gas mixture flows through the coalescing filter medium 40. In the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 16, i.e. the first embodiment of the cartridge 120, the droplets 64 move according to gravity along the angled corrugated separator 42 arranged on the untreated side towards the outlet 53. Some of the droplets 64 are entrained in the separation surfaces 74, 76 of the coalescing filter medium 40, and the clean air leaves the lower separation surfaces 74, 76 on the clean side. The droplets 64 entrained in the separation surfaces 74, 76 finally fall according to gravity onto the separation surfaces 74, 76 of the coalescing filter medium 40 adjacent to the bottom 52 of the frame 50 towards the outlet 53. The separated droplets 64 are collected, passed through, or drained into a fluid reservoir 62 at the bottom or bottom region 52 of the frame 50 of the cartridge 120 , 122 .

[0049] Advantageously, the separated droplets are conducted from the coalescing filter element 100 to the outside of the filter frame at the bottom 52 via outlets 53 provided in the bottom 52 of the frame 50 of the cartridge 120, 122. These outlets 53 are formed to pass through or penetrate the bottom 52 of the frame 50 of the cartridge 120, 122. After passing through the outlets 53, the separated droplets 64 may be collected in the fluid reservoir 62 of the housing 230 of the filtration system and / or discharged from a fluid outlet 232 of the housing 230 of the filtration system.

[0050] As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the outlets 53 are advantageously located only on the untreated side of the coalescing media 40. This prevents undesirable bypass.

[0051] The coalescing media 40 and corrugated separator 42 are connected to a bottom 52 of a cartridge frame 50, for example a perforated bottom, at an outlet 53, as follows.

[0052] The horizontal coalescing medium 40 wrapped around the corrugated separator 42 is stacked in the receiving frame 50 with a predetermined contact pressure until the cartridge frame 50 is completely filled. Starting with a layer of coalescing medium 40, followed by the corrugated separator 42, the corrugated separator 42 is preferably placed in the center of the coalescing medium 40 and another layer of coalescing medium 40 is again placed on the corrugated separator 42, followed by another corrugated separator 42. The coalescing medium 40 or a portion of the coalescing medium 40, such as the starting layer of the coalescing medium 40, may be glued to the frame 50.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10, such meandering creates an open side and a closed side of the fold, and advantageously, the discharge outlet 53 is located in the frame bottom 52 in the area of ​​the open side in the horizontal flow 90 direction, i.e., the untreated side.

[0054] The exhaust ports 53 may be positioned essentially evenly across the frame bottom 52, as shown in FIG.

[0055] 12, the outlets 53 are advantageously located only in front of the last third of the horizontal length of the coalescing medium in the direction of the gas flow 90 or on the outlet side 104 or clean side of the filtration element 100. Thus, in the horizontal flow direction, preferably more than a third of the bottom 52 of the cartridge frame is designed to be free of outlets 53. This location of the outlets 53 is preferably adjusted depending on the selected angle of the wave depth axis L of the corrugated separator 42.

[0056] The exhaust port 53 itself is preferably small, such as a perforation, while the size of the exhaust port is preferably large enough to prevent dust from entering.

[0057] Independently or in conjunction therewith, it is preferred that the total area of ​​outlets 53 is less than the total area of ​​the open sides of the folds on inlet side 102 of filtration element 100 .

[0058] The filtration system 200 or filtration element shown in Figures 1-17 is designed to pass a gas mixture at a flow rate of up to 2000 cubic meters / hour. By way of example, the flow rate of the gas mixture may range from about 400 cubic meters / hour to 2000 cubic meters / hour.

[0059] Filtration system 200 may include a differential pressure gauge 60 to indicate the pressure difference, a controller 66 to control filtration system 200, and a ventilator 68 to provide horizontal gas flow 90. Differential pressure gauge 60 may determine the pressure loss between raw gas entering filtration system 200, e.g., raw gas upstream of upstream separator stage 5, and clean gas exiting filtration system 200, e.g., clean gas downstream of main separator stage 3. Differential pressure gauge 60 may transmit its data to controller 66. Controller 66 may control the strength of ventilator 68 based on data received from differential pressure gauge 60, etc., to maintain horizontal gas flow 90 at a desired flow rate of the gas mixture.

[0060] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the surface area of ​​the coalescing filter media 40' of the prior art filtration system 200' is approximately 0.75 square meters.

[0061] The coalescing filter medium 40 shown in Figures 1-17 folds down to 6.5 square meters in the same space.

[0062] In summary, the coalescing filter medium 40 shown in Figures 1-17 is a horizontal flow coalescing aerosol filtration element designed primarily for separating oil / emulsion aerosols, and the coalescing filter medium 40 allows for reduced size, weight, and manufacturing costs compared to prior art coalescing filter medium 40'. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 3 Main separator stage 3-1 First main separator stage 3-2 Further main separator stages, in particular the second main separator stage 3-3 Further main separator stages, in particular the third main separator stage 5 Separator upstream stage, separator upstream element for separating particularly coarse dirt particles, e.g. metal mash 7. A cartridge downstream stage, in particular a cartridge downstream element for separating suspended particles, such as a High Efficiency Particulate Air / Pipe Efficiency (HEPA) filter, preferably assigned to a main separator stage, such as the second or third main separator stage. 20 First housing part 21 Second housing part 22 Third housing section 23 Fourth housing section 24 Fifth housing section 25 6th housing section 26 7th housing section 27 8th housing section 28 9th Housing Section 40 Coalescing or coalescence filter media, e.g. folded multi-layer glass fiber media, for separating a dispersed fluid phase from a continuous phase of a gas mixture, in particular for separating oil aerosol particles from raw gas, e.g. for separating cooling lubricant aerosol particles and / or release agent aerosol particles from the exhaust air of at least one production machine. 40' Prior art coalescing or coalescence filter medium for use in horizontal flow direction, in particular coalescence filter mat 42 Corrugated separators, especially rectangular corrugated separators, e.g. spacers, supporting the longitudinal faces 74, 76 of the folded portion 44 Corrugated separator openings, particularly vents or perforations, of the corrugated separator 42 46 Wave portion of wave separator 21 50 Frame of the cartridge 120 housing the coalescing filter medium 40 and the corrugated separator 42, in particular the cubic frame of the cartridge 120 52 bottom area or bottom of the frame of the cartridge 120, in particular the perforated bottom 53: an outlet of the frame 50 for discharging fluid from the cartridge 120, in particular a fluid discharge portion 60 Filtration System 200 Differential Pressure Gauge 62 Fluid reservoir of the filtration system 200, specifically a collection volume for receiving separated fluids or liquids. 64 Droplets 66 Filtration system 200 control device 68 Ventilation devices or fans 70 Fold length 72 Depth of fold 74 Longitudinal surface of folded part 76 Further longitudinal surface of the fold 80: Region adjacent to the bottom region of frame 52 of cartridge 120 of FIG. 3 (region 80 is shown in detail in FIG. 5) 82: Region adjacent to the bottom region of frame 52 of cartridge 120 of FIG. 3 (region 82 is shown in detail in FIG. 6 ). 84: Region adjacent to the bottom region of frame 52 of cartridge 120 of FIG. 2 (region 84 is shown in detail in FIG. 4) 86: Region adjacent to the bottom region of frame 52 of cartridge 120 of FIG. 2 (region 86 is shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 10 ). 90 Flow of gas mixtures or fluid flow paths 100 Filtration elements, especially coalescing filtration elements 102 Inlet side of the filter element 100 104 Outlet side of the filter element 100 106 Crease Mountain 120 Cartridge, in particular filter cassette, first embodiment (see FIG. 1) 122 Cartridge, in particular filter cassette, second embodiment (see FIG. 14) 200 A filtration system, in particular a separator, for separating a dispersed fluid phase from a continuous phase of a gas mixture, in particular for separating oil aerosol particles from raw gas, in particular for separating oil aerosol particles from the exhaust air of at least one production machine, in particular a cutting production machine, such as a coalescing aerosol filtration system 200' Prior Art Horizontal Flow Coalescing Filtration System (See Figures 18 and 19) 210 Filtration system inlet, especially raw gas inlet 220 Filtration system outlets, especially clean gas outlets 230 Housing of filtration system 200 232 a fluid outlet of the filtration system housing 230, particularly in the bottom region of the filtration system housing 230 L wave depth axis, in particular the crest line of a wave or zigzag-shaped waveform, e.g. the crest line of a hollow passage formed by a wave portion X is the horizontal axis of the filter element 100 Y is the vertical axis of the filter element 100 Z - depth or sagittal axis of the filtration element 100

Claims

1. A filtration element (100) adapted to separate a dispersed fluid phase from a continuous phase of a gas mixture, comprising: a horizontal axis (X), a vertical axis (Y), and a depth axis (Z) that are perpendicular to each other; a wavy or zigzag folded coalescing filter medium (40) forming at least one fold having a length (70) and a depth (72); and at least one corrugated separator (42) having wavy or zigzag corrugations (46) located between adjacent longitudinal faces (74, 76) of the folded portion; the height of the waves extends perpendicular to the length (70) of the fold, and each wave (46) has a wave depth axis (L) extending across the depth (72) of the fold; the wave depth axis (L) is disposed at an offset angle relative to the horizontal axis (X), the vertical axis (Y), and the depth axis (Z); A filtration element wherein the longitudinal faces (74, 76) of the folds extend along a horizontal axis (X) of the filtration element (100) from an inlet side (102) of the filtration element (100) to an outlet side (104) of the filtration element (100).

2. 2. The filtering element of claim 1, wherein the wave depth axis (L) is arranged at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees, in particular about 25 degrees to about 55 degrees, for example about 30 degrees, relative to the vertical axis (Y) of the filtering element (100).

3. 2. A filtration element according to claim 1, wherein the corrugations (46) have at least one corrugated separator opening (44), in particular at least one perforation, designed to allow passage of the gas mixture flowing along the horizontal axis (X) of the filtration element (100).

4. 2. The filtration element of claim 1, wherein each wave (46) extends across the depth (72) of the folds such that at least one hollow passage is provided in the depth (72) direction of the folds, and wherein a wave depth axis (L) of the wave (46) is disposed at an angle that promotes gravity drainage of fluid separated from the gas mixture.

5. The longitudinal surfaces (74, 76) of the folds are Between the horizontal axis (X) of the filtration element and the depth axis (Z) of the filtration element; or 2. The filtration element of claim 1, extending between a horizontal axis (X) of the filtration element and a vertical axis (Y) of the filtration element.

6. 2. The filtration element of claim 1, wherein the filtration element (100) is designed to receive the gas mixture at a flow rate of 2000 cubic meters per hour or less, for example, at a flow rate of about 400 cubic meters per hour to 2000 cubic meters per hour.

7. the corrugated separator (42) comprises, in particular essentially consists of, at least one metal material, in particular at least one material comprising aluminum, for example steel, such as unalloyed structural steel of grade S235, and / or at least one combustible material, in particular a combustible synthetic material and / or a combustible vegetable fibrous material, for example a cellulose fibrous material; and / or 2. The filtration element of claim 1, wherein the coalescing filter medium (40) comprises, in particular essentially consists of, at least one fibrous material, such as at least one synthetic fibrous material and / or at least one glass fibrous material and / or at least one plant fibrous material.

8. A cartridge (120; 122) comprising at least one frame (50) and at least one filtering element housed in said at least one frame (50), The filtration element includes at least one coalescing filter medium (40) having at least one corrugated separator (42) incorporated into at least one fold of the coalescing filter medium (40); The filtering element is a filtering element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The frame (50) includes an essentially horizontal bottom region (52) having at least one frame outlet (53) for discharging fluid separated by the filtration element (100).

9. 9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the at least one filtration element (100) is held within the frame (50) by a press fit such that the at least one corrugated separator (42) is compressed between folds of the coalescing filter medium (40).

10. 9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the coalescing filter medium (40) has at least one gas mixture inlet region on the inlet side (102) of the filter element (100), and the total area of ​​the at least one frame outlet (53) is less than the total area of ​​the at least one gas mixture inlet region.

11. the folds have longitudinal surfaces (74, 76) connected by fold peaks (106), the area between the two longitudinal surfaces (74, 76) connected by the fold peaks (106) facing the inlet side (102) of the filtration element (100) forming the clean side of the coalescing filter medium (40), and the area between the two longitudinal surfaces (74, 76) connected by the fold peaks (106) facing the outlet side (104) of the filtration element (100) forming the untreated side of the coalescing filter medium (40); 9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the frame outlet (53) is located only in the untreated side area of ​​the coalescing filter medium (40).

12. 9. A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the frame outlets (53) are arranged only in the first two-thirds of the area of ​​the horizontal bottom region (52) in the flow direction of the gas mixture.

13. A filtration system (200) comprising a separator upstream stage (5), a cartridge (120; 122), and a housing (230) that accommodates the separator upstream stage (5) and the cartridge (120; 122), The cartridge (120; 122) is a cartridge according to any one of claims 8 to 11, The continuous phase of the gas mixture having a dispersed fluid phase that has entered the filtration system inlet (210) of the housing (230) flows through the separator upstream stage (5) and the cartridge (120; 122) by a horizontal flow provided by an aeration device (68), and the continuous gas phase essentially free of dispersed fluid phase exits the filtration system (200) through the filtration system outlet (220) of the housing (230).

14. 14. The filtration system according to claim 13, comprising a downstream stage (7) of a cartridge of filter class 10 or higher according to European standard EN 1822.

15. Use of a filtration element according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in a cartridge (120; 122) according to any one of claims 8 to 12 or in a filtration system (200) according to claims 13 or 14.

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