Abstract: A magnetic separator includes a chamber 11 having inlets and outlets 12, 13 which together define a flow path 14. Axially extending tubes 15 are disposed in an array around the cross-section of the chamber 11 and the perforated baffle plate 18 divides the chamber 11 into top and bottom components 16, 17. Each tube contains a magnetic shuffle 19, which can be moved up and down the tube between separator and release positions using a pneumatic control system.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetic separators and in a particular embodiment the separator includes a chamber 11 having inlets and outlets 12, 13 which together define a flow path 14. Axially extending tubes 15 are disposed in an array around the cross-section of the chamber 11 and the perforated baffle plate 18 divides the chamber 11 into top and bottom compartments 16, 17. Each tube contains a magnetic shuttle 19, which can be moved up and down the tube between separator and release positions using a pneumatic control system.

Abstract: A spring filter element having a plurality of coils. The coils are pre-tensioned with the degree of pre-tension varied progressively along the length of the filter such that any part of the filter, in one vertical orientation of the element, supports the dependent remainder of the filter to maintain a closed coil state during normal use. This allows substantially equal opening of the filter gaps between the coils when the element is extended and submerged in fluid.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes an array of filters arranged in parallel about a rotatable assembly 24 for successively backwashing each of the filter elements 19 within the array. The rotatable assembly includes a connector bachwash shoe 26 and a cage having an annular circlip 33 supporting a valve element 31 therein. During normal filtration, water flows up the inlet tube 11, through a respective opening 17 into filtration chamber 13, and then through a respective filter element. The filtrate flows upwardly into plenum 16 and out through outlet 14. In a backwashing mode, the assembly 24 is rotated by a moving means that includes shaft 22 driven by a stepper motor 34 such that the valve element is radially unseated out of the backwash outlet 30. Each filter element is then backwashed in turn as an L-shaped passage 27 of the bachwash shoe is aligned with a respective opening 17 allowing backwash fluid to flow out opening 28a to the backwash outlet.