Abstract: A recyclable, flexible filter element comprising a tubular, outer braided jacket supported by a helical spring. The bottom of the tube of the jacket is turned inside the helical spring and is sealed by a removable fastening device which is inserted into the bottom of the helical spring to engage the spring through the thickness of the braided jacket. The top of the outer braided jacket is fastened and sealed to a flange and washer assembly which also contains the top of the internal support spring.

Abstract: A recyclable, flexible filter element comprising a tubular, outer braided jacket supported by a helical spring. The bottom of the tube of the jacket is turned inside the helical spring and is sealed by a removable fastening device which is inserted into the bottom of the helical spring to engage the spring through the thickness of the braided jacket. The top of the outer braided jacket is fastened and sealed to a flange and washer assembly which also contains the top of the internal support spring.Additionally, a method of recycling a flexible filter element comprising the steps of disassembling the sealing element and removing the internal support components of the filter element from the external jacket by disengaging a fastening means at the bottom of the tube. The external jacket can then be refurbished and used with modified internal components. Alternatively, a new external jacket can be provided and used with other existing components of the filter element when the items are reassembled.

Abstract: A filter unit using a bump-type filter is disclosed. Briefly stated, a chamber has a fluid inlet conduit so that contaminated fluid, upon entering the chamber, is directed upwardly towards filter tubes and downwardly towards the bottom of the chamber. The fluid flow is diverted during startup so as to be directed only downward. A bump handle is disposed between two fluid outlet conduits such that one is opened and the other is closed and the reverse when the bump handle is in a first or second corresponding position. A plurality of microswitches are utilized so that the pump is not enabled during bumping or when a dump valve is open, but is enabled during system operation or startup.

Abstract: A filter unit using a bump-type filter is disclosed. Briefly stated, a chamber has a split fluid inlet conduit so that contaminated fluid, upon entering the chamber, is directed upwardly towards filter tubes and downwardly towards the bottom of the chamber. The fluid flow is diverted during startup so as to be directed only downward thereby enabling precoat of the filter element. Two tube sheets are utilized with incoming fluid in the vertically upward inlet conduit forcing incoming contaminated fluid to be deposited between the two tube sheets thereby. During operation contaminated fluid flows upwardly and downwardly towards the filter tubes so as to prevent disturbance of filter tubes as a result of turbulence in the chamber.