Apparatus of FLUE gas treatment and heat recovery

Abstract

The apparatus (1) of flue gas treatment and heat recovery comprises: at least one filtering chamber (2) provided with: at least one access opening (3) of the flue gas to be filtered within the filtering chamber (2), at least one outlet opening (4) of the filtered flue gas from the filtering chamber (2), and at least one pass-through duct (5) connecting the outlet opening (4) to the access opening (3), the pass-through duct (5) defining an area of forced passage (6) of the flue gas to be filtered; at least one dispensing assembly (7) arranged at least partly within the filtering chamber (2) and configured to dispense a jet of a filtering liquid (8) affecting the area of forced passage (6) to intercept the flue gas to be filtered, filtering them and wherein the filtering liquid absorbs heat from the flue gas to be filtered; heat exchange means (27) associated with the filtering chamber (2) and adapted to allow heat exchange from the spent filtering liquid to the external environment surrounding the filtering chamber (2).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS OF FLUE GAS TREATMENT AND HEAT RECOVERY

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery. Art

[0004] Heating systems provided with a combustion chamber, such as fireplaces, stoves, ovens and the like, are known to generate thermal energy through the combustion of specific fuels such as wood, pellets, wood chips, briquettes and the like. These heating systems produce waste flue gas that are highly harmful to health.

[0005] For this reason, heating systems usually comprise a flue adapted to convey the flue gas generated inside the combustion chamber to the outside of the room to be heated.

[0006] However, this waste flue gas causes a substantial increase in air pollution in the external environment, which has led several states and / or regions to introduce specific laws to limit their use, for example by prohibiting their use at certain times of the year for all municipalities below a certain altitude.

[0007] Description of the Invention

[0008] The main aim of the present invention is to devise an apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery able to drastically reduce the polluting particles present in waste flue gas and to recover the heat from the flue gas to be filtered. A further object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery which can be easily associated with a combustion chamber.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome in a simple, rational, easy and effective to use and inexpensive solution.

[0010] The above objects are achieved by the present apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0011] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 is an axonometric view of some components of the apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery according to the present invention.

[0016] Embodiments of the Invention

[0017] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates an apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery.

[0018] According to the invention, the apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery comprises at least one filtering chamber 2 provided with: at least one access opening 3 of the flue gas to be filtered within the filtering chamber 2; at least one outlet opening 4 of the filtered flue gas from the filtering chamber 2; at least one pass-through duct 5 connecting the outlet opening 4 to the access opening 3, the pass-through duct 5 defining an area of forced passage 6 of the flue gas to be filtered.

[0019] Advantageously, the filtering chamber 2 comprises at least one treatment portion 9 and at least one collecting portion 10 of the filtering liquid 8.

[0020] Usefully, the treatment portion 9 is arranged superiorly to the collecting portion 10.

[0021] Conveniently, in use, the access opening 3 is operationally connected to the exhaust of the flue gas to be treated of at least one combustion chamber C.

[0022] The combustion chamber C may be, e.g., a stove, a boiler, a fireplace and / or the like and is preferably located inside a room to be heated.

[0023] Preferably, the outlet opening 4 of the filtering chamber 2 faces directly an external environment, thus allowing the filtered flue gas to be dispersed directly into the atmosphere.

[0024] It cannot however be ruled out that the outlet opening 4 may be connected to a flue gas evacuation system, such as e.g. a flue.

[0025] Preferably, the outlet opening 4 is arranged superiorly to the access opening 3 in order to generate, by means of a draft effect, a flow of flue gas passing through the pass-through duct 5.

[0026] In this disclosure, the terms “upper” and “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “vertical” and “horizontal”, used with reference to the apparatus 1, are meant to refer to the standard conditions of use of the apparatus 1, i.e., those shown in the figures where the apparatus 1 is associated with a combustion chamber C.

[0027] In detail, the pass-through duct 5 creates a fluid-operated path that conveys the flue gas received from the access opening 3 towards the outlet opening 4, forcing them to pass through the area of forced passage 6.

[0028] According to the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one dispensing assembly 7 arranged at least partly within the filtering chamber 2 and configured to dispense a jet of a filtering liquid 8 affecting the area of forced passage 6 to intercept the flue gas to be filtered, filtering them and wherein the filtering liquid absorbs heat of the flue gas to be filtered.

[0029] Preferably, the dispensing assembly 7 dispenses a jet of filtering liquid 8 that completely occupies the area of forced passage 6 in order to substantially intercept the whole flue gas to be filtered.

[0030] Usefully, the filtering liquid 8 is adapted to interact with the flue gas to filter out polluting particles dispersed in the flue gas themselves.

[0031] For this purpose, the filtering liquid 8 is selected from a list comprising at least water and urea.

[0032] In particular, urea has characteristics allowing it to effectively filter the flue gas even at high temperatures. For this reason, urea is preferably used in apparatuses 1 located in the proximity of a device with a combustion chamber C.

[0033] It cannot, however, be ruled out that the filtering liquid 8 may comprise different liquids such as, e.g., glycol.

[0034] Advantageously, the dispensing assembly 7 comprises one or more nozzles 11 adapted to divide the dispensed filtering liquid 8 into droplets so as to disperse it in the area of forced passage 6.

[0035] Usefully, the dispensing assembly 7 is configured to generate at outlet a jet of filtering liquid 8 that is substantially transverse and / or opposite the direction of movement of the flue gas, thus increasing the effectiveness of the filtering job. For this purpose, the dispensing assembly 7, preferably where the nozzles 11 are located, is provided with at least one diffuser element I la, adapted to intercept the jet of filtering liquid 8 exiting the nozzles themselves, so as to evenly direct it in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the flue gas, thus increasing the filtering efficiency.

[0036] In detail, the diffuser element I la is fixed securely to the dispensing assembly 7 at a predetermined distance from the nozzles I la.

[0037] It goes without saying that the dispensing assembly 7 may contain a greater or lesser number of nozzles 11 and diffuser elements I la depending on operational requirements.

[0038] According to the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises heat exchange means 27 associated with the filtering chamber 2 adapted to allow the heat exchange from the spent filtering liquid 8 to the external environment surrounding the filtering chamber 2.

[0039] Advantageously, the heat exchange means 27 comprise at least one slab-shaped element 27a peripherally surrounding the filtering chamber 2.

[0040] Usefully, the slab-shaped element 27a is provided with a plurality of slots 27b adapted to increase the exchange surface of thermal energy.

[0041] In other words, the presence of the slots 27b promotes greater heat exchange efficiency of the heat transferred from the spent washing liquid 8 to the external environment surrounding the filtering chamber 2.

[0042] Preferably, the slots 27b have an elongated shape with a constant rectangular cross-section.

[0043] It cannot however be ruled out that the slots 27b may also have different shapes, e.g. with circular, triangular cross-section, etc.

[0044] Even more preferably, the slab-shaped element 27a is at least partly made of aluminum.

[0045] Conveniently, the filtering chamber 2 comprises a cover flange 23 configured to allow the passage of the outlet opening 4 and an intermediate flange 24 separating the treatment portion 9 from the collecting portion 10.

[0046] In this way, the cover flange 23 and the intermediate flange 24, operating in conjunction with the slab-shaped element 27a in a sealed maimer, allow the flue gas to exit only through the outlet opening 4, preventing them and the washing liquid 8 exiting from the dispensing assembly 7, from escaping from the treatment portion 9.

[0047] Furthermore, the filtering chamber 2 comprises a closing flange 25 arranged below the collecting portion 10 configured to allow the passage of the pass- through duct 5.

[0048] More specifically, the closing flange 25, operating in conjunction with the slabshaped element 27a in a sealed manner, allows the flue gas to be treated to pass through the pass-through duct 5, thus preventing the filtering liquid 8 from escaping from the collecting portion 10.

[0049] Conveniently, the apparatus 1 may comprise at least one pumping system 12 configured to take the filtering liquid 8 from a reservoir 13 and to feed the dispensing assembly 7 with the filtering liquid 8 taken.

[0050] More specifically, the collecting portion 10 comprises the reservoir 13 of the filtering liquid 8 defined at the bottom by the closing flange 25 which, operating in conjunction with the slab-shaped element 27a in a sealing manner, allows the same to contain the filtering liquid 8, thus preventing it from escaping from the collecting portion 10.

[0051] Preferably, the reservoir 13 is provided with control means 14 for controlling the level of the filtering liquid 8 so as to allow the apparatus 1 to maintain a constant amount of liquid, avoiding exceeding a maximum and / or minimum threshold which is pre-set with respect to the volume of the reservoir itself.

[0052] It cannot be ruled out from the scope of this description that the apparatus 1 may comprise the reservoir 13 connected to a source of the filtering liquid 8. In this way, the reservoir 13 is refilled by the source. Further embodiments of the apparatus 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the reservoir 13 is refilled by means of other methods, such as e.g. manual replacement of the filtering liquid 8, replacement of the reservoir 13 with another reservoir 13 and / or other methods of known type.

[0053] Advantageously, the pumping system 12 comprises at least one drafting duct 16 of the filtering liquid 8 in order to feed the dispensing assembly 7, the latter being arranged where the treatment portion 9 is located.

[0054] Furthermore, the pumping system 12 is provided with pumping means 15 adapted to take the filtering liquid 8 and to convey it, through the drafting duct 16, towards the dispensing assembly 7.

[0055] The pumping means 15 are conveniently mounted at least partly where the reservoir 13 and the closing flange 25 are located, below the collecting portion 10 of the filtering liquid 8.

[0056] Furthermore, the pumping means 15 are provided with one taking opening 17 for taking the filtering liquid 8, arranged below the reservoir 13 so as to move the filtering liquid 8, through the drafting duct 16, towards the dispensing assembly 7.

[0057] In detail, the drafting duct 16 is connected to the pumping means 15 in a fluid- operated maimer and passes through the intermediate flange 24.

[0058] Advantageously, the drafting duct 16 is adapted to draft the filtering liquid 8 in the proximity of the bottom of the reservoir 13, where the liquid itself is substantially free of solid residues retained as a result of the filtration of the flue gas.

[0059] In fact, the solid particles filtered by the filtering liquid 8 float and remain on the surface of the filtering liquid itself.

[0060] Preferably, the pumping means 15 are of the hydraulic pump type.

[0061] Conveniently, the apparatus 1 comprises filtering means 18 for filtering the spent filtering liquid 8.

[0062] Conveniently, the filtering means 18 are at least partly arranged where the treatment portion 9 and the intermediate flange 24 are located.

[0063] Furthermore, the filtering means 18 comprise at least one filter element 26 and at least one housing seat 28 of the filter element 26.

[0064] Advantageously, the housing seat 28 comprises at least one inlet opening 29 of the spent washing liquid 8 arranged where the treatment portion 9 is located and at least one containment body 30 adapted to contain the filter element 26, wherein the containment body 30 develops longitudinally at least partly where the collecting portion 10 and the intermediate flange 24 are located.

[0065] Conveniently, the filter element 26 is at least partly immersed in the washing liquid 8.

[0066] In detail, the containment body 30 comprises an outer surface 31 provided with a plurality of through holes 32 adapted to allow the outflow of the washing liquid 8 into the collecting portion 10.

[0067] This means that the spent washing liquid 8 is collected through the inlet opening 29, filtered by the filter element 26, and falls back into the collecting portion 10 through the through holes 32.

[0068] This expedient makes it possible to recover the dispensed filtering liquid 8 and reuse it to feed the dispensing assembly 7 again, thus creating a substantially continuous circuit.

[0069] Preferably, the cover flange 23 comprises an inspection door 33 adapted to allow the manual removal of the filter element 26 and the replacement thereof.

[0070] Advantageously, the filtering chamber 2 comprises a flue gas receiving stretch 20 running at least partly within the filtering chamber 2 starting substantially from the access opening 3.

[0071] Conveniently, the flue gas receiving stretch 20 defines, together with the filtering chamber 2, a collection compartment 19 of the filtering liquid 8.

[0072] Preferably, the collection compartment 19 is arranged at least partly below the dispensing assembly 7 to collect the dispensed filtering liquid 8.

[0073] In detail, the filtering chamber 2 surrounds the flue gas receiving stretch 20, creating a gap between them which, together with the intermediate flange, defines the collection compartment 19.

[0074] In particular, the flue gas receiving stretch 20 has a flue gas dispensing port 21 through which it introduces the flue gas into the filtering chamber 2. According to one embodiment, the flue gas receiving stretch 20 is firmly fixed to the filtering chamber 2. In this case, the flue gas receiving stretch 20 can be connected in a fluid-operated maimer to a combustion chamber C through the access opening 3.

[0075] As can be seen in Figure 3, the apparatus 1 comprises a covering element 22 placed between the dispensing assembly 7 and the access opening 3. Usefully, the covering element 22 is adapted to intercept at least one of: the filtering liquid 8 dispensed by the dispensing assembly 7 to prevent it from passing through the access opening 3, the flue gas to be filtered in order to convey them towards the area of forced passage 6, and / or the filtering liquid 8 dispensed by the dispensing assembly 7 to divert it towards the collection compartment 19.

[0076] In particular, the covering element 22 is positioned superiorly to the access opening 3 to prevent the dispensed filtering liquid 8 from entering the combustion chamber C.

[0077] More specifically, the covering element 22 is located between the dispensing assembly 7 and the dispensing port 21 of the flue gas receiving stretch 20 to prevent the passage of the dispensed filtering liquid 8 through the dispensing port 21.

[0078] In detail, the covering element 22 diverts the flue gas to be filtered towards the area of forced passage 6 where it is filtered by the filtering liquid 8. The latter falls back towards the covering element 22, which diverts it towards the collection compartment 19.

[0079] Preferably, the covering element 22 has a surface area substantially equal to or greater than that of the access opening 3 and / or of the dispensing port 21.

[0080] As shown in Figure 3, the dispensing assembly 7 is positioned between the outlet opening 4 and the access opening 3 and / or the dispensing port 21 of the flue gas receiving stretch 20.

[0081] Preferably, the covering element 22 has a substantially truncated-cone shape.

[0082] This conformation allows the covering element 22 to divert the dispensed filtering liquid 8 towards the collection compartment 19.

[0083] It has in practice been ascertained that the invention described achieves the intended objects and, in particular, the fact should be emphasized that the apparatus of flue gas treatment and heat recovery makes it possible to drastically reduce the polluting particles present in the waste flue gas generated by the devices with combustion chamber and to recover the heat from the flue gas to be filtered by means of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use and inexpensive solution.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Apparatus (1) of flue gas treatment and heat recovery comprising: at least one filtering chamber (2) provided with: at least one access opening (3) of the flue gas to be filtered within said filtering chamber (2), at least one outlet opening (4) of the filtered flue gas from said filtering chamber (2), and at least one pass-through duct (5) connecting said outlet opening (4) to said access opening (3), said pass-through duct (5) defining an area of forced passage (6) of said flue gas to be filtered; at least one dispensing assembly (7) arranged at least partly within said filtering chamber (2) and configured to dispense a jet of a filtering liquid (8) affecting said area of forced passage (6) to intercept said flue gas to be filtered, filtering them and wherein said filtering liquid absorbs heat from said flue gas to be filtered; characterized by the fact that it comprises heat exchange means (27) associated with said filtering chamber (2) and adapted to allow heat exchange from said spent filtering liquid to the external environment surrounding said filtering chamber (2).2) Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said heat exchange means (27) comprise at least one slab-shaped element (27a) peripherally surrounding said filtering chamber (2).3) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said filtering chamber (2) comprises at least one treatment portion (9) and at least one collecting portion (10) of said filtering liquid (8), said treatment portion (9) being arranged superiorly to said collecting portion (10).4) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one pumping system (12) configured to take said filtering liquid (8) from at least one reservoir (13) and to feed said dispensing assembly (7) with said taken filtering liquid (8).5) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one reservoir (13) containing said filtering liquid (8), said pumping system (12) being adapted to take said filtering liquid (8) from said reservoir (13) and to feed said dispensing assembly (7) with said taken filtering liquid (8).6) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said pumping system (12) comprises at least one drafting duct (16) of said filtering liquid (8) for the purpose of feeding said dispensing assembly (7), the latter being arranged where said treatment portion (9) is located.7) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said collecting portion (10) comprises said reservoir (13).8) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises filtering means (18) of said spent filtering liquid (8).9) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said filtering means (18) are arranged at least partly where said treatment portion (9) is located.10) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said filtering means (18) comprise at least one filter element (26) and at least one housing seat (28) of said filter element (26).11) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said housing seat (28) comprises at least one inlet opening (29) of said spent filtering liquid (8) arranged where said treatment portion (9) is located and at least one containment body (30) adapted to contain said filter element (26), said containment body (30) running longitudinally at least partly where said collecting portion (10) is located.12) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said containment body (30) comprises an outer surface (31) provided with a plurality of through holes (32) adapted to allow the outflow of said filtering liquid (8) into said collecting portion (10).13) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said filtering chamber (2) comprises at least a fluegas receiving stretch (20) running at least partly within said filtering chamber (2) starting substantially from said access opening (3), said flue gas receiving stretch (20) defining said collection compartment (19) together with said filtering chamber (2). 14) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said slab-shaped element (27a) comprises a plurality of slots (27b) from where the heat given off by said spent filtering liquid (8) flows out.15) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said slab-shaped element (27a) is made at least partly of aluminum.

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