Process and apparatus for filtering metal working fluid containing metal fines

Abstract

Described is an apparatus 10 and process of filtering metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: providing a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein 12 wherein the fluid is generated in the working of a metallic member and wherein optionally a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter; passing 14 the fluid with fines therein to a cyclone separator 16 ; recycling 18 a portion of the fluid passing from a first exit 20 of the cyclone separator so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and collecting 36 a portion of the fines exiting from the cyclone separator.

1 . A process of filtering metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: 
 providing a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein wherein the fluid is generated in the working of a metallic member and wherein a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter;    initially passing the fluid with fines therein to a cyclone separator;    recycling a portion of the fluid passing from a first exit of the cyclone separator so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and    collecting a portion of the fines exiting from the cyclone separator.    
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein a substantial portion of the fines are less than about 10 microns in diameter.  
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein at least 30% by volume of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter.  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein a mixture of fluid and fines exiting from the separator is passed to a settling tank wherein a portion of the fines settles in the tank and recycling a portion of the fluid from the settling tank so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process.  
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein a portion of fluid containing fines exiting from the cyclone separator is passed to a magnetic separator; 
 recycling a portion of the fluid passing from a first exit of the magnetic separator so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and    collecting a portion of the fines from the magnetic separator.    
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the fines make up a majority by weight of that recovered from the magnetic separator, not including the recycled fluid from the magnetic separator.  
   
   
       7 . A process of filtering metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: 
 providing a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein wherein the fluid is generated in the working of a metallic member and wherein a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter;    passing the fluid with fines therein to a cyclone separator;    recycling a portion of the fluid passing from a first exit of the cyclone separator so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process;    passing a mixture of fluid and fines exiting from the cyclone separator to a settling tank wherein a portion of the fines settles in the tank and recycling a portion of the fluid from the settling tank so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process;    passing a portion of fluid containing fines exiting from the cyclone separator to a magnetic separator;    recycling a portion of the fluid passing from a first exit of the magnetic separator so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and    collecting a portion of the fines from the magnetic separator.    
   
   
       8 . A process of filtering metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: 
 providing a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein wherein the fluid is generated in the working of a metallic member;    passing the fluid with fines therein to a cyclone separator, thereby partially separating a portion of the fluid from the fines; then    passing a mixture of fluid and fines exiting from the cyclone separator to a settling tank wherein a portion of the fines settles in the tank;    passing a portion of fluid containing fines exiting from the settling tank to a magnetic separator;    separating a portion of the fines from the fluid in the magnetic separator; and    collecting a portion of the fines from the magnetic separator.    
   
   
       9 . A process of filtering metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: 
 providing a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein wherein the fluid is generated in the working of a metallic member and wherein a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter;    passing the fluid with fines therein to a cyclone separator;    recycling a portion of the fluid passing from a first exit of the cyclone separator so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and then    passing a mixture of fluids and fines exiting from the separator to a magnetic separator; and    collecting a portion of the fines exiting from the cyclone separator.    
   
   
       10 . A process of filtering metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: 
 providing a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein wherein the fluid is generated in the working of a metallic member and wherein a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter;    passing the fluid with fines therein to a cyclone separator;    wherein the pressure of the fluid, in pounds per square inch gauge (psig), has a numeric ratio with the flow rate of the fluid, in gallons per minute (gpm), into the separator wherein the psig number is at least 60% of the gpm flow rate number;    recycling a portion of the fluid passing from a first exit of the cyclone separator so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and    collecting a portion of the fines exiting from the cyclone separator.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for separating fines from a metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising 
 a conduit for supplying a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein initially to a cyclone separator from a source of the fluid, which separator separates a portion of the fluid from the fines, wherein a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter;    a first exit conduit from the cyclone separator for recycling a portion of the fluid passing from the first exit of the cyclone separator to a vessel so that it can be retained therein and used as a fluid in a metal working process; and    a second exit conduit from the cyclone separator for collecting a portion of the fines exiting from the cyclone separator.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus is designed to facilitate a separation wherein substantial portion of the fines are less than about 10 microns in diameter.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus is designed to facilitate a separation wherein at least 30% by volume of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus is designed to facilitate a flow of the particles plus fluid in psig in a ratio in gallons per square in gauge to the flow rate of particles plus fluid into the separator, in gallons per minute such that the numeric ratio is at least 60% of the ratio of psig to gpm.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for separating fines from a metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising 
 a conduit for supplying a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein to a cyclone separator from a source of the fluid, which separator separates a portion of the fluid from the fines, wherein a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter;    a first exit conduit from the cyclone separator for recycling a portion of the fluid passing from the first exit of the cyclone separator to a vessel so that it can be retained therein and used as a fluid in a metal working process; and    a exit conduit for flowing a portion of the fluid plus fines to a magnetic separator; and    a second exit conduit from the cyclone separator for collecting a portion of the fines exiting from the cyclone separator.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a settling tank wherein a mixture of fluid and fines exiting from the second exit of the cyclone separator is passed via a conduit from the cyclone separator to the settling tank wherein a portion of the fines settles in the tank and a settling tank conduit for recycling a portion of the fluid from the settling tank so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a magnetic separator wherein a portion of fluid containing fines exiting from the second exit of the cyclone separator is passed via a conduit to the magnetic separator; 
 a first exit conduit of the magnetic separator through which a portion of the fluid passing from the first exit of the magnetic separator is recycled so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and    a second exit of the magnetic separator through which a portion of the fines from the magnetic separator are collected.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for separating fines from a metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: 
 a conduit for supplying a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein to a cyclone separator from a source of the fluid, which separator separates a portion of the fluid from the fines, wherein a substantial portion of the fines is less than about 50 microns in diameter;    a first exit conduit from the cyclone separator for recycling a portion of the fluid passing from the first exit of the cyclone separator to a vessel so that it can be retained therein and used as a fluid in a metal working process;    a second exit conduit from the cyclone separator;    a settling tank for receiving a mixture of fluid and fines exiting from the second exit conduit of the cyclone separator wherein a portion of the fines settles in the tank and a settling tank conduit for recycling a portion of the fluid from the settling tank so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and    a magnetic separator wherein a portion of fluid containing fines exiting from the second exit of the cyclone separator is passed via a conduit to the magnetic separator;    a first exit conduit of the magnetic separator through which a portion of the fluid passing from the first exit of the magnetic separator is recycled so that it can be used as a fluid in the metal working process; and    a second exit of the magnetic separator through which a portion of the fines from the magnetic separator are collected.    
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for separating fines from a metal working fluid containing metal fines comprising: 
 a conduit for supplying a metal working fluid containing metal fines therein to a cyclone separator from a source of the fluid, which separator separates a portion of the fluid from the fines;    an exit conduit from the cyclone separator;    a settling tank for receiving a mixture of fluid and fines exiting through the exit conduit of the cyclone separator wherein a portion of the fines settles in the tank;    an exit conduit from the settling tank;    a magnetic separator wherein a portion of fluid containing fines exiting from the exit conduit of the settling tank is passed via the exit conduit of the settling tank to the magnetic separator; and    an exit of the magnetic separator through which a portion of the fines from the magnetic separator are collected.