Abstract: A system for clarifying liquids, having particular utility in dry cleaning operations. The system includes a filter apparatus which includes a plurality of axially spaced filter elements each having a high pressure side through which unclarified liquid is directed and upon which solids in the unclarified liquid accumulate and a low pressure side in communication with a liquid outlet of the filter apparatus. A liquid agitating impeller is disposed between respective adjacent pairs of the filter elements for defining a predetermined spacing between the filter elements and for creating liquid turbulence and agitation between the filter elements in response to rotation of a common shaft upon which the filter elements and impellers are mounted for effecting substantially complete removal of accumulated solids on the high pressure sides of the filter elements without movement between the impellers and filter elements.

Abstract: A system for clarifying liquids, having particular utility in dry cleaning operations. The system includes a filter apparatus which includes a plurality of axially spaced filter elements each having a high pressure side through which unclarified liquid is directed and upon which solids in the unclarified liquid accumulate and a low pressure side in communication with a liquid outlet of the filter apparatus. A liquid agitating impeller is disposed between respective adjacent pairs of the filter elements for defining a predetermined spacing between the filter elements and for creating liquid turbulence and agitation between the filter elements in response to rotation of a common shaft upon which the filter elements and impellers are mounted for effecting substantially complete removal of accumulated solids on the high pressure sides of the filter elements without movement between the impellers and filter elements.

Abstract: There is provided a filter brush for applying a substantially constant biasing force between adjacent filter elements and including a spring biasing system positioned between adjacent filter brush portions to exert an outward force on the brush bristles in a direction perpendicular to the face of the filter elements to maintain a substantially constant biasing force between the filter brush and an adjacent filter element.

Abstract: A filtration system utilizing a plurality coaxial, vertically disposed, filter elements for clarifying a liquid passed therethrough. Upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of materials on or in the filter cake, the filter chamber is sealed and the contents drained creating a pressure differential across the filter elements to maintain the integrity of the filter cake on the filter septum. After the contents of the filter chamber have been drained the chamber is positively pressurized to remove any filtrate remaining in the filter cake and to dry the filter cake on the filter septum prior to removal. The expended filter cake and accumulants are removed from the filter septum and conveyed from the filter chamber by a discharge system. The filter chamber is filled with liquid and the filter septum mechanically scrubbed to remove any residual materials therefrom.

Abstract: A liquid clarification system for separating solid and/or chemical contaminants from an unclarified liquid wherein a variable influent is passed through a settling clarifier to separate a portion of the contaminants from the liquid forming a semi-solid sludge. The sludge is passed into a reservoir and delivered to a filtration system at a controlled predetermined percentage of solids material. The solids material is circulated through the filtration system to form a filter cake on the septum of filters carried in a filtration chamber and the liquid is clarified by passing through the filter cake formed thereon. Periodically when the filter cake must be reformed, the expended cake is removed from the septum and conveyed from the filtration chamber through a sludge drying system to be discharged as dry solids waste material.

Abstract: A system for gravitationally separating suspended solids material from contaminated liquid through a plurality of concentric upwardly diverging frusto-conical sections, collecting the contaminants removed from the liquid and conveying them from the system in a semi-dry state for reuse or disposal.