Abstract: THIS invention relates to a method of disposing of residues from the comminution and processing of ores. The method includes the steps of classifying the processing residues into a water permeable sand fraction and a tailings fraction and depositing the tailings fraction and the sand fraction to form a multilayer structure contained by at least one containment wall (14) with the sand fraction forming continuous channels (12) through the tailings fraction (10) to allow water contained in the tailings and sand to flow by gravity, through the sand channels, to water discharge points (16), and recovering the water (18) from the water discharge points.

Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus comprised of a housing comprising a bottom wall, a side wall, and a central wall dividing a volume enclosed by the bottom wall and side wall into a treatment chamber and a discharge chamber; and a cartridge disposed in the treatment chamber. The cartridge may be comprised of a base wall and a lateral wall forming a media chamber, and a plurality of passageways through at least one of the base wall and side wall rendering the media chamber in communication with the treatment chamber. A treatment medium is contained in the media chamber. The cartridge may be comprised of a plurality of divider walls partitioning the media chamber into media compartments. The housing may be further comprised of a plurality of locating walls extending vertically upward from the bottom wall of the housing and between the divider walls of the cartridge.

Abstract: A furnace with a condensing heat exchanger and a pH sensor, and a method of monitoring the furnace are provided. The furnace may include a condensate collector box and/or a condensate trap. At least one of the condensate collector box and/or the condensate trap may include pH sensor (e.g., disposed within the respective component). The pH sensor is configured to measure a pH level of the condensate from the condensing heat exchanger. The furnace may include a control board configured to receive the pH level from the pH sensor. The control board may be configured to trigger a notification and/or change the operation of the furnace (e.g., to dilute the condensate) based on the received pH level. The notification may include at least one of: an illumination of an indicator disposed on the furnace, and a transmission of a signal to a communicating device such as a thermostat.

Abstract: A modular underdrain system is disclosed. The modular underdrain system may comprise an intermediate modular component having a first peripheral side including a first mating portion and a second peripheral side including a second mating portion. The first peripheral side may comprise at least one transfer orifice. An intermediate plate member is disposed intermediate the first peripheral side and the second peripheral side along a width dimension. The intermediate plate member may comprise a metering pipe opening. A metering pipe may be sized to be positioned within the metering pipe opening.

Abstract: A sand control tool including a base pipe having a radial port through a wall thereof, a plurality of volume increasing members disposed upon the base pipe, a filtration segment disposed upon the base pipe and disposed between and in physical contact with ones of the plurality of members, and a cover disposed radially outwardly upon the plurality of members and plurality of segments. An embodiment of a sand control tool including a base pipe having a radial port through a wall thereof, a volume increasing member helically disposed upon the base pipe, a filtration segment helically disposed upon the base pipe adjacent the member, and a cover disposed radially outwardly upon the member and segment.

Abstract: A filter device comprises a frame with interrupted perimeter having a top surface and a bottom surface and a screen having a plurality of pores is attached to the frame. The filter device designed to fit into an interior of a container. The container is configured to contain a mixture of Demineralised Bone Matrix (DBM) containing bone graft material and liquid. The liquid mixture can be poured out of the container through the pores in the screen on the filter device and separated from the bone graft material while the DBM containing the bone graft material remains in the container. The pores are sized smaller than DBM particles to prevent the DBM particles from separated from the bone graft material with the liquid.

Abstract: A saturated layer stormwater filtering system with down-flow layered multimedia filters is disclosed. The filtering system may include an upflow pretreatment chamber and a subsequent filtration chamber. It also includes a snorkel pipe as an adjustable head control or internal baffles. The system incorporates gravity powered partially saturated stormwater media filters to harness the potential energy of stormwater from downspouts and pumped flows from stormwater catchments to drive the polluted stormwater in a hydraulically controlled fashion by gravity through a series of filter media layers.

Abstract: A control valve assembly is provided for a fluid treatment system, including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion secured to the top portion, the housing including an inlet and an outlet. At least two modular chambers are secured in the housing. A first chamber is configured to receive fluid from the inlet and a second chamber is configured to provide fluid to the outlet. A piston is also provided which includes a shaft with a plurality of sealing rings. The piston extends through the housing and through the first chamber and the second chamber. The piston is configured to reciprocate in an axial direction to control the flow of fluid in the control valve assembly.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises an integrated membrane for separation and preservation of biomolecules. Biomolecules, such as those in blood, can be separated and preserved. The apparatus includes a housing having a matrix portion, and a fluid collection portion disposed within an inner cavity. The housing further includes an aperture permitting access to the inner cavity. The apparatus also includes a matrix disposed within the matrix portion. The matrix includes a first layer for collecting cells from the fluid, a second layer for protein adsorption, and a third layer for nucleic acid adsorption. Fluid enters the housing through the aperture, passes through the matrix, and into the fluid collection portion. Cells from the fluid in a layer of the matrix are collected; adsorbing protein from the fluid in a layer of the matrix; and adsorbing nucleic acid from the fluid in a layer of the matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure could generally provide a relatively easily squeezable beverage bottle that allows control of the flow rate of the liquid being dispensed to the user. The bottle could provide sufficient radial rigidity—or resistance to squeezing—to return to its original shape (or “bounce back”) at a suitable rate without experiencing permanent deformation or denting and to withstand the rigors of filling, shipping, transporting, dispensing, etc. The present disclosure generally provides a beverage bottle filtering system that provides adequate filtering of water taken from the bottle at a suitable rate. In one embodiment, the present disclosure could include a support system to adequately secure the filter media within a filter housing while ensuring a sufficient compression fit and seal of filter media within filter system to eliminate “bypass flow” (i.e., water that might leak past filter system) and prevent consumption of unfiltered water.

Abstract: A method of accelerated testing of a membrane module for resistance to cyclic stress during operation of an industrial membrane separation process comprising loading at least one membrane module into a test cell of a test plant; conducting said industrial membrane separation process while subjecting said membrane module to cyclic stresses during a plurality of membrane operating cycles, each cycle being of significantly lesser duration than used for operation of said industrial membrane separation process in an operating plant; and testing said membrane module for component failure caused by said cyclic stresses.

Abstract: The device and process is designed to treat sewage, food processing and other biologically contaminated wastewater without the addition of any chemical or physical agitation. It consists of a series of chambers in specific arrangement to achieve the required nutrient removal and disinfection which kills any bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The treated water can be safely discharged, injected into the groundwater or used for irrigation.

Abstract: A filtration operator for filtering raw water, comprising a plurality of filtration units, a raw water reservoir, a conduit for conveying raw water from the raw water reservoir to individual ones of the filtration units, filter medium provided in each of the filtration units for filtering raw water, a respective raw water chamber configured to be in water communication with the raw water reservoir, the filtration units, and a pump chamber, a sludge filtering and recycling chamber for receiving sludge from the filtration units during a backwash cycle, and at least one positively charged bar disposed in each of the raw water chambers, as well as in a sludge receiving chamber associated with the sludge filtering and recycling chamber.

Abstract: The present invention aims at limiting the pressure loss and smoothly discharging water treated by ion exchangers to the outside of the apparatus. Ion exchanging apparatus 1 has outer vessel 3 that has inner space 2; and ion exchanger support 4 that separates at least a part of inner space 2 into upper space 2a and lower space 2b and that can support ion exchangers to be loaded in upper space 2a. At least a part of an upper surface of the ion exchanger support is made from at least one screen which supports the ion exchangers and which has a flow path allowing water treated by the ion exchangers to flow into the lower space 2b.

Abstract: The cleansing apparatus is equipped with: an upright outer cylinder and a screw conveyor is rotatably provided within the outer cylinder. The screw conveyor conveys filtration media introduced through an inlet at the lower end of the outer cylinder upward to an outlet at the upper end of the outer cylinder. A drive section rotationally drives the screw conveyor. A control section controls the rotation of the drive section. A regulating blade regulates the upward movement of the filtration media is above the outlet and is coaxially with the screw conveyor. A cleansing liquid is introduced through an aperture above the regulating blade within the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A filter system having a filter bed for filtering water or wastewater, where the filter bed is periodically washed between service runs by directing washing liquid and washing gas upwardly through the filter bed. The filter system includes a filter bed and at least one flume. The flume is in fluid communication with the filter bed. Preferably, the flume is configured such that no washing liquid and washing gas interface is present in the flume. The flume may be configured such that during washing of the filter bed between service runs the flume receives a washing gas and directs the washing gas upwardly through the filter bed to assist in cleaning the filter bed between service runs. The flume may further be configured such that during washing the only liquid directed from the flume to the filter bed is residual liquid that may be present in the flume from a prior service run.

Abstract: A method and system for fluid treatment that provides fluid release cycles within the regeneration sequence of a fluid treatment device. The fluid release or backwash air cycle permits the slow, controlled and metered release of air or gases from a treatment tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for washing a filter (F) having at least two layers of filtering media (4, 5) for raw water containing components having a tendency to form cakes (M), in particular for seawater, the layers of filtering media being supported by a base (6) comprising pass-through openings and provided with nozzles (6a) enabling air and/or wash water to be injected, the raw water flowing through the layers from top to bottom and the treated water being recovered at the lower portion of the filter, and which comprises at least one spillway (D) at the upper portion thereof for collecting the wash water.

Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, and a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber having a plurality of openings defined by at least one of the bottom wall and the pair of side walls.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, products, and the like, for a filtration system that incorporates a plurality of back-washable filter cells into a cell manifold for filtering contaminants from a fluid. Each of the filter cells of the filter system are a small fluid filtration unit that includes a contained granular filtration media that can independently perform regenerative filtration functions of filtration and backwash. In one particular embodiment, the cell manifold is a cylindrical-shaped manifold into which the plurality of filter cells are housed. During operation, the filter system passes fluid through one or more of the filter cells of the cell manifold during a filter cycle, and distributes fluid for backwashing the cells in a backwash cycle. The filter cells of the filtration system utilize a counter-point compaction of the granular media that radially displaces outwardly the granular media.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering a liquid containing particles including a single media retainer plate having a top and bottom surface, and defining at least one hopper-shaped compartment having a sloped wall defining a slot spanning the top and bottom surfaces is disclosed. The plate also includes at least one baffle extending from the bottom surface and filter media disposed on the top surface. During a filtering operation of the filter system, the filter media captures the particles, such as dirt, from the liquid as the liquid passes through the filter media to an underdrain system. During a backwash operation of the filter system, the baffle is adapted to direct a backwash fluid in a vertical direction through the slot so that the backwash fluid actuates the filter media to scour the top surface of the plate and prevent the build-up of biological scaling on the plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an upstream ozone contact tank for removing residual ozone. The upstream ozone contact tank includes an inlet through which purified raw water flows, at least one contact chamber, at least one reaction chamber, an upstream contact chamber, and an outlet that discharges ozone-treated raw water. Especially, the invention provides an upstream contact chamber between the reaction chamber and outlet, wherein the upstream contact chamber includes carbonaceous filter media mounted on a porous plate. An openable gate unit is installed at the lower part of a panel partitioning a final reaction chamber and the upstream contact chamber and controls flow rate. Additionally, the invention enables upstream flow of the raw water flowing into the upstream contact chamber from the final reaction chamber so that the raw water may pass through the carbonaceous filter media upwardly.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for treating wastewater in a filter media apparatus having a draft tube system. The filter media may be walnut shell media.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for treating wastewater in a filter media apparatus having a draft tube system. The filter media may be walnut shell media.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a liquid containing impurities may comprise: a filtering chamber for receiving liquid containing impurities, the filtering chamber containing granular media and configured to permit the granular media to interact with the liquid containing impurities, thereby removing impurities from the liquid to produce filtrate; a filtrate section in communication with the filtering chamber for receiving the filtrate, the filtrate section being in communication with a first outlet for outflow of the filtrate; a gas supplying system for delivering gas to the granular media in the filtering chamber for transport of a portion of the granular media to a granular media washer; and a reject section in communication with the granular media washer for receiving a reject mixture comprising liquid and impurities from the granular media washer. The reject section may be in communication with a second outlet for outflow of a portion of the reject mixture.

Abstract: An external device for cleaning a filtration material and adapted for application to a filtration device, in which the filtration material can be automatically cleaned easily and at low cost without requiring replacement of an existing filtration device with a newly purchased device. An external device for cleaning a filtration material is applied to a filtration device for filtering a supplied unfiltered liquid by layers of a filtration material to remove muddiness in the liquid and discharging the cleaned liquid to the outside.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for purifying produced water, comprising a closed loop cation exchange unit, a closed loop anion exchange unit, and an intermediate degasifier.

Abstract: A filtration and demineralization apparatus 10 including a vessel 20 in a form of a body of revolution; a hollow columnar body 40 that is located in an internal space of the vessel 20, one end 40a of the columnar body being connected to an inner surface of the vessel 20 along an entire circumference of the end, and the other end 40b of the columnar body forming an opening; and a partition plate 44 that is connected to the other end 40b of the hollow columnar body along an entire circumference of the other end 40b, the partition plate being configured to separate an inside space or an outside space of the hollow columnar body 40 as an independent space in the vessel. The partition plate 44 has a circulation port 43 that allows water that is to be treated to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering particles from a liquid includes an underdrain assembly having an underdrain defining at least one underdrain chamber and a media retainer assembly. The media retainer assembly includes an upper filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities and a lower filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities corresponding to the plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate. The plates are in a nested arrangement such that the hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate are in alignment with the corresponding plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the lower plate to define a plurality of passages therebetween and allow for the passage of the liquid while preventing the passage of a filter media. During a backwash operation, the upper and lower plates are relatively moveable such that the backwash fluid releases any particles lodged in the passages between the plates.

Abstract: A single, mixed-bed column of Birm® over Filox® to remove iron and manganese, thereby protecting Filox®, the oxidizing media, from fouling by iron and manganese. This helps to remove iron and manganese to low levels so that As(III) may be oxidized to As(V) more efficiently before it is treated with adsorptive media.

Abstract: A fluid filter, with a media body that comprises granular filter media and is capable of transitioning from a compacted state to an expanded state, may allow for multiple filtration cycles with regeneration of the granular filter media via backwashing cycles. Two or more of such filters may also be used in filtration apparatuses that is configured for continuous filtration including during backwashing of one of the filters.

Abstract: Compacted filter beds comprising a non-sintered, buoyant filter medium may be useful in fluid filtration apparatuses and methods. For example, a method may include filtering a first fluid through a filter bed that is compacted, the filter bed comprising a non-sintered, buoyant filter medium that is mechanically compacted; and backflushing a second fluid through the filter bed so as to fluidize the non-sintered, buoyant filter medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in order to eliminate impurities, and the like, water to be treated is passed through each of reactor vessels, phosphorus contained in the water to be treated is removed by using an adsorbent, and thereafter the liquid held in each of the reactor vessels is discharged through each of first to third treated water discharge paths, thereby eliminating the impurities, and the like derived from the water to be treated. It is possible to eliminate the influence of the impurities in the water to be treated on the discharged desorption agent liquid containing phosphorus from the phosphorus adsorbent can be eliminated, and hence it is possible to obtain a phosphorus-containing liquid containing no substance other than the recovered phosphoric matter material.

Abstract: A filter system having a filter bed for filtering water or wastewater, where the filter bed is periodically washed between service runs by directing washing liquid and washing gas upwardly through the filter bed. The filter system includes a filter bed and at least one flume. The flume is in fluid communication with the filter bed. Preferably, the flume is configured such that no washing liquid and washing gas interface is present in the flume. The flume may be configured such that during washing of the filter bed between service runs the flume receives a washing gas and directs the washing gas upwardly through the filter bed to assist in cleaning the filter bed between service runs. The flume may further be configured such that during washing the only liquid directed from the flume to the filter bed is residual liquid that may be present in the flume from a prior service run.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a first treatment tank forming thereon a first, fixed bed includes a powdery phosphorus adsorbent includes an inorganic layered compound, wherein the first bed separates phosphorus and solid matter from the water, and recovers the phosphorus in a state adsorbed on the phosphorus adsorbent in the first bed, a second treatment tank forming a second, fluidized or fixed bed includes the phosphorus adsorbent, wherein the second bed separates phosphorus from the water received from the first treatment tank, and recovers the phosphorus in a state adsorbed on the phosphorus adsorbent in the second bed, and a transferring line configured to transfer the phosphorus adsorbent, having phosphorus adsorbed thereon in the second treatment tank, from the second treatment tank to the first treatment tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous media-mediated high speed filtration device for easy backwash, wherein the inflow water to be filtered is guided to an upper portion of the high speed filtration device and is filtered by downflow and porous media are backwashed for maintaining optimum filter efficiency by blocking the flow of inflow water and water to be treated after sensing the level of the inflow water or the change in the flux of the water to be treated, supplying backwash water and/or air by upflow through a backwash equipment to separate pollutants in the porous media by the collision and friction between the porous media by flowing of the porous media through the stream of the backwash water, placing the porous media in a stationary location, and discharging the pollutants through a discharge pipe of the high speed filtration device before the pollutants settle. In addition, the present invention comprises a backwash method of the high speed filtration device using porous media.

Abstract: A syphon filtration system is a low head, small foot print, long operating cycle, gravity filtration system for treatment of water and wastewater, with one-stage or two-stage filtration in one vessel with different filtration media of sand, anthracite, granular activated carbon or other proprietary filtration media. The one-stage filtration system removes suspended solids or dissolved impurities and the two-stage filtration system removes suspended solids and dissolved impurities. In the two-stage filtration system, each filtration stage can be backwashed independently or both stages can be backwashed simultaneously. Novel syphon piping and controls design extend the filtration operating cycle and reduce the filter apparatus headroom, and the filter backwash water volume requirements.

Abstract: A water filtration system having a tank, a fluid flow interface into the interior of the tank, and a control valve. The control valve is in fluid communication with the fluid flow interface. The control valve includes a source water inlet for receiving a flow of source water, a drain outlet, a treated water outlet and an air inlet, the control valve being operable to control a passage of fluids between the inlets and the outlets and the fluid flow interface. A filtration media is contained within the tank which includes a media mixture of manganese dioxide coated silica core filtration media and iron hydroxide filtration media. The control valve may be programmed to perform a filtering service process, a backwashing process and an air downflow process.

Abstract: A backwash distribution apparatus for a filter having a filter tank and a plurality of underdrain laterals includes a first and second separator device positioned in a common main conduit to define first and second auxiliary flumes. The first and second auxiliary flumes are in fluid communication with the common main conduit and the underdrain laterals. The first separator device has at least one flume liquid metering orifice preferably located near the bottom of the first separator device so that it may be below a gas liquid interface in the first auxiliary flume. The second separator device has either a weir edge or a plurality of metering orifices (or both) for passing backwash liquid from the common main conduit into the second auxiliary flume.

Abstract: A water filtration apparatus has at least one tank in fluid communication with a conduit through at least one aperture in a wall. Each tank uses filter blocks to support the filter medium and to direct the filtered water to the conduit via the aperture. An end plate for the filter block is provided, the end plate being adapted to seal against a free end of the filter block. The end plate also provides apertures for fluid flow into and out of the filter block, and a device for receiving a sealant to provide a seal between the end plate and the wall. The end plate improves the installation of the apparatus, and the sealant improves the reliability of the seal round the apertures, which in turn improves the efficiency of a backwash operation used to clean the filter medium.

Abstract: An improved filter capable of operating in a backwash mode that creates an upward swirling flow in the hollow interior of the pool filter container. During the backwash cycle, water or air and water are injected into the pool filter container at an angle. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of water and air are injected into the filter container through exit jets located within the hollow interior of the filter container proximate to the bottom of the filter container. This causes the filter media to swirl upward mixing thoroughly with the backwash water promoting the separation of the mineral deposits from the filter media.

Abstract: Apparatuses and related methods for filtration of raw water including a filtration column having a filtrate zone and a filtration zone.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a raw water supply tube, mixed raw water stream jet nozzles each communicating at one end thereof with the raw water supply tube and having at the other end thereof a raw water outlet from which mixed stream of raw water and air is jetted out, a filtering tank housing a filter layer disposed below the mixed raw water stream jet nozzles with a predetermined distance between the surface of the filter layer and the raw water outlet of the mixed raw water stream jet nozzles, a filtered water takeout tube provided in the filtering tank for taking out water filtered through the filter layer, a reverse stream cleaning water supply tube provided in the filtering tank for supplying reverse stream cleaning water to the filter layer, filter layer cleaning jet nozzles each communicating at one end thereof with a filter layer cleaning water supply tube and having at the other end thereof a cleaning water outlet from which cleaning water is jetted out, and an overflow outlet provided in

Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting fines carryover in the form of a settlement tank comprising: a filter which divides the tank into upper and lower portions; a fluid inlet in the lower portion for admitting into the tank a fluid with entrained solids; and a fluid outlet in the upper portion through which filtered fluid can leave the tank. The filter comprises filter media supported on a permeable wall, the wall including a filter media outlet which is normally closed, and opening means for opening the filter media outlet to allow the filter media to discharge into the lower portion of the tank. The invention also relates to a method of refilling the filter with filter media.

Abstract: A radial or crossflow media filter comprising a housing such as a vessel or tank (1), the housing containing filter media (9), a contaminated flow inlet (2) and a discharge outlet (8), the inlet comprising a manifold (5) situated within the housing, the manifold (5) having flow outlets (6) which are directed laterally, away from the discharge outlet (8). The flow inlet may comprise a substantially vertically aligned elongate tubular manifold (5) with a plurality of flow distribution holes or slots disposed along its length. Furthermore, the discharge outlet (8) may be accessed through a chamber within the housing which contains a second filter media (11) which is of larger average particle size than the first filter media (9).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering a fluid is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus converts contaminated water into water having a lower turbidity and bacterial contamination level than the contaminated water. The apparatus includes a settling unit for at least partially settling a portion of the water; a filter unit having a filtration media; wherein the filtration media comprises sand, anthracite coal, burnt rice husks, diatomaceous earth, gravel, pumice gravel, or combinations thereof; a sanitation unit; wherein the sanitation unit is an ultraviolet disinfection unit; a backwash unit; wherein the settling unit is in fluid communications with the filter unit and the backwash unit, the backwash unit is in fluid communications with the filter unit, and the filter unit is in fluid communications with the sanitation unit; and wherein at least a portion of the settling unit is elevated above the filter unit.

Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, and a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber having a plurality of openings defined by at least one of the bottom wall and the pair of side walls.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods relating to washboxes are described.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters.