Exhaust cleansing apparatus

Abstract

An exhaust hood includes a collection chamber with a converging inlet passageway which directs the rising fume laden air downwardly toward a reverse turning area from which a baffled cleansing chamber extends upwardly. The collection chamber has a large top air capture pocket above the inlet passageway. The cleansing chamber includes alternating baffles on the opposite walls and generally a V-shaped in cross section with a smooth apex. The baffles define a generally serpentine for a mechanical cleansing path. The air cleansing nozzles permit periodic washing of the cleansing chamber surfaces. A common wall between the inlet passageway and cleansing chamber is pivotally mounted for access to the chamber. A water bath may form the bottom wall of the turning area. The stream angularly engages the bath with bath effective agitation, atomization and turbulence for mixing and removal of foreign matter from the air which then turns and moves through the cleansing chamber. The inlet passageway coverges downwardly to a narrow discharge slot having a short length with the end of the nozzle located close to the water surface to direct the air to the water bath. The level of the water bath changes the static pressure in the cleansing chamber. A pressure sensor is preferably used to add water to the bath to control the static pressure.