Grease extraction system, particulate extractor, and method

Abstract

A grease extractor is provided with a frame, a first array of convex baffle plates, a second array of concave baffle plates, and a steam ejector. The first array of convex baffle plates is carried by the frame in spaced-apart relation, so as to provide a first ventilation slot between adjacent, convex baffle plates. The second array of concave baffle plates is carried by the frame in spaced-apart relation, so as to provide a second ventilation slot between adjacent, concave baffle plates. A selected one of the concave baffle plates is offset from a respective, downstream convex baffle plate such that the first ventilation slot opens into a base portion of the concave baffle plate. The steam ejector is supported proximate each ventilation slot for delivering steam into the first ventilation slot and toward a respective one of the concave baffle plates. A method is also provided.

1 . A grease extractor, comprising: 
 a frame;    a first array of convex baffle plates carried by the frame in spaced-apart relation providing a first ventilation slot between adjacent, convex baffle plates;    a second array of concave baffle plates carried by the frame in spaced-apart relation defining a second ventilation slot between adjacent, concave baffle plates, a selected concave baffle plate offset from a respective, downstream convex baffle plate such that the first ventilation slot opens into a base portion of the concave baffle plate; and    a steam ejector supported proximate each ventilation slot for delivering steam into the first ventilation slot and toward a respective one of the concave baffle plates.    
   
   
       2 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein a selected concave baffle plate is offset a half-mode from a respective convex baffle plate.  
   
   
       3 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  further comprising a third array of baffle plates in spaced-apart relation and defining a third ventilation slot therebetween and downstream of the second array of baffle plates.  
   
   
       4 . The grease extractor of  claim 3  wherein each baffle plate in the third array of baffle plates is supported offset a half-mode from a respective one of the concave baffle plates in the second array such that the third ventilation slot aligns substantially with the base of the concave baffle plate and the first ventilation slot.  
   
   
       5 . The grease extractor of  claim 4  wherein the first array, the second array and the third array of baffles plates are each in substantially parallel relation with one another.  
   
   
       6 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein the first array of convex baffle plates and the second array of concave baffle plates are provided in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation.  
   
   
       7 . The grease extractor of  claim 3  wherein the baffle plates in the third array are convex baffle plates.  
   
   
       8 . The grease extractor of  claim 7  wherein the convex baffle plates in the third array are u-shaped plates having a base and a pair of substantially parallel, right-angle legs.  
   
   
       9 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein the convex baffle plates each comprise a central, convex portion and a pair of concave, turned-back outer portions, wherein the first ventilation slot is provided between adjacent turned-back portions of respective, adjacent convex portions.  
   
   
       10 . The grease extractor of  claim 6  wherein the turned-back outer portions are parallel and provide the first ventilation slot between adjacent turned-back portions of adjacent, respective convex baffle plates.  
   
   
       11 . The grease extractor of  claim 6  wherein the turned-back outer portions are parallel to a flow direction through the grease extractor and perpendicular to the first, second, and third arrays of baffle plates.  
   
   
       12 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein the concave baffle plates are more thermally conductive than the convex baffle plates.  
   
   
       13 . The grease extractor of  claim 3  wherein the third array of baffle plates are more thermally conductive than the convex baffle plates.  
   
   
       14 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  further comprising a third array of baffle plates in substantially spaced-apart relation and defining a third ventilation slot therebetween and downstream of the second array of baffle plates  
   
   
       15 . The grease extractor of  claim 13  wherein the concave baffle plates and the third array of baffle plates are each more thermally conductive than the convex baffle plates.  
   
   
       16 . The grease extractor of  claim 12  wherein the concave baffle plates are made from aluminum.  
   
   
       17 . The grease extractor of  claim 13  wherein the baffle plates in the third array are made from aluminum.  
   
   
       18 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein the steam ejector comprises a steam supply rod provided upstream of the first ventilation slot, the steam supply rod including a plurality of spaced-apart ejection nozzles on a downstream side of the rod configured to eject steam into the first ventilation slot.  
   
   
       19 . The grease extractor of  claim 18  wherein the steam supply rod is substantially parallel to the first ventilation slot.  
   
   
       20 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein the frame is configured to support the first array and the second array and encircle an outer periphery of the first array and the second array.  
   
   
       21 . The grease extractor of  claim 20  wherein a top edge of the frame includes a steam manifold communicating with the steam ejector to deliver a supply of steam to the steam ejector.  
   
   
       22 . The grease extractor of  claim 21  wherein the steam ejector comprises a steam supply rod provided upstream of and parallel to the first ventilation slot, the steam supply rod including a plurality of spaced-apart ejection nozzles on a downstream side of the rod configured to eject steam into the first ventilation slot.  
   
   
       23 . The grease extractor of  claim 20  further comprising a plurality of drainage apertures provided along a bottom edge of the frame for draining grease that accumulates along the bottom edge from the concave and convex baffle plates.  
   
   
       24 . The grease extractor of  claim 23  wherein the drainage apertures are provided upstream of the first ventilation slots.  
   
   
       25 . The grease extractor of  claim 23  wherein the drainage apertures are provided downstream of the first ventilation slots and upstream of the second ventilation slots.  
   
   
       26 . The grease extractor of  claim 23  wherein the drainage apertures are provided upstream of the first ventilation slots.  
   
   
       27 . The grease extractor of  claim 23  wherein the frame includes a drainage manifold along a bottom edge of the frame communicating with the drainage apertures to accumulate grease from the drainage apertures for collection and transfer to a collection device.  
   
   
       28 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein the convex baffle plates of the first array have a u-shaped, convex cross-sectional configuration relative to an upstream side of the grease extractor.  
   
   
       29 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein the concave baffle plates of the second array have a u-shaped concave cross-sectional configuration relative to an upstream side of the grease extractor.  
   
   
       30 . The grease extractor of  claim 29  wherein the u-shaped concave baffle plates have square corners between a central base and a pair of opposed edges.  
   
   
       31 . The grease extractor of  claim 30  wherein the square corners have a bend radius.  
   
   
       32 . The grease extractor of  claim 30  further comprising a third array of baffle plates in substantially spaced-apart relation and defining a third ventilation slot therebetween and downstream of the second array of baffle plates, and wherein the central base includes an angled channel provided on a back face of the central base configured to divert flow into a respective third ventilation slot.  
   
   
       33 . The grease extractor of  claim 1  wherein each of the concave baffle plates includes a pair of lateral edges each folded back to provide an inverted cuff-portion.  
   
   
       34 . A ventilation filter for a cooking device, comprising: 
 an array of parallel, spaced-apart convex channels;    an array of parallel, spaced-apart concave channels offset a half-mode and internested with the convex channels to provide circuitous flow paths therebetween;    an array of parallel, spaced-apart plates offset a half-mode from the concave channels; and    a steam pipe provided between adjacent ones of the concave channels and configured to direct steam into a slot between the adjacent convex channels.    
   
   
       35 . The ventilation filter of  claim 34  wherein slots are provided between adjacent convex channels.  
   
   
       36 . The ventilation filter of  claim 34  wherein slots are provided between adjacent concave channels.  
   
   
       37 . The ventilation filter of  claim 34  wherein slots are provided between adjacent plates.  
   
   
       38 . The ventilation filter of  claim 34  wherein each plate includes an edge flange extending in a forward direction.  
   
   
       39 . The ventilation filter of  claim 38  wherein a pair of the edge flanges on one of the plates provides a concave plate.  
   
   
       40 . The ventilation filter of  claim 34  further comprising a steam plenum configured to deliver steam to the steam pipe.  
   
   
       41 . A method for extracting grease from cooking exhaust fumes, comprising: 
 providing a grease extractor with convex baffle plates, adjacent axial slots, and concave baffle plates offset a half-mode from the convex baffle plates;    directing flow over the convex baffle plates and into the adjacent axial slots;    delivering steam into the axial slots in a same direction as flowing exhaust fumes;    splitting flow of exhaust fumes and steam exiting the axial slots into the concave baffle plates into lateral, opposing directions, and directing the flow into a direction reversing the direction of flow in the axial slots, and into the concave side of the convex baffle plates; and    diverting flow from the concave side of the convex baffle plates into the second axial slots provided between adjacent concave baffle plates.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising directing flow from the second axial slots along the concave side of the convex baffle plates and through a third longitudinal slot in a third array of baffle plates.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising providing a base ridge on a bottom, outside portion of the concave baffle plates and directing flow along the bottom of the concave baffle plates into the third longitudinal slot.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising providing a second array of baffle plates having a higher thermal conductivity than the first array of baffle plates, and collecting grease on the second baffle plates at least in part from thermal cooling of the second baffle plates relative to the first baffle plates.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the first baffle plates have an m-shaped cross-sectional configuration viewed from an upstream side of the grease extractor.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the m-shaped baffle plates have a pair of vertical, outer legs.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the second baffle plates have a u-shaped cross-sectional configuration viewed from a downstream side of the grease extractor.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the u-shaped baffle plates have right angle corners.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising providing drainage apertures along a bottom edge of the grease extractor, and draining accumulated grease through the apertures.