Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a container (24) that surrounds at least one rapidly rotating membrane pack (32, FIG. 2) and stationary turbulators (36A, 36B ) slightly spaced from the membrane pack surfaces to leave thin gaps (40A, 40B ) between them, which obtains the advantages of both series-connected and parallel-connected systems. A feed conduit (82) connects the radially outer ends (110) of the gaps, to carry feed fluid into and out of each gap, with radially outward flow (94) near the pack surfaces, causing radially inward flow (102) near the surfaces of the turbulators. The turbulators have recesses that leave projections to promote fluid shear at the membrane surfaces. A motor shaft (314) supported on motor bearings, has a motor housing fixed to the container. The motor shaft extends into the container and holds the membrane pack to spin it, so only the motor bearings (316, 318) support all rotating parts.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus is provided, of the type that includes a stack of rapidly rotating membrane packs (32, FIG. 2) and a stack of stationary separator elements (36A, 36B) interleaved with the membrane packs to leave thin gaps (40A, 40B) between them, which obtains the advantages of both series-connected and parallel-connected systems. A feed conduit (82) connects the radially outer ends (110) of the gaps, to carry feed fluid into and out of each gap. The rapidly rotating membrane packs cause radially outward flow (94, FIG. 5) near their surfaces, which causes radially inward flow (102) near the surfaces of the stationary elements, to cause fluid flow radially inwardly and then outwardly through each gap. The system is operated so particles (111, FIG. 6) of the feed fluid can build up on the rotating pack surfaces (92) only to a thickness that is much less than one-half the thickness (116) of the gap, before commencing any procedure to clean the membrane pack surfaces.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cutting and handling filaments which controls the vertical, lateral and axial movement of the filament during and after cutting to maintain filament in alignment while removing cut filament from the path of incoming filament. In accordance with the present invention filament is fed into an annular chamber formed by a rotary drum and an annular shroud in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and cut into lengths with a knife mounted on the forward end of the rotary drum as the knife is rotated through the incoming filament. During and after cutting, erratic vertical, axial and lateral movement of cut filament is confined by the walls of the chamber, by an adjustable stop within the chamber downstream of the knife positioned at the desired filament length, and by picking means mounted on the length of the drum within the chamber which closely follow the knife and contact the filament immediately after it has been cut.