Abstract: A lime sludge press unit comprising at least two pairs of press rolls, the lime sludge web passing, supported by an endless wire, through their press nips and moisture escaping from the lime sludge therein. After the first pair of rolls is located a lime sludge treatment screw transversal to the lime sludge web and which breaks up the pressed lime sludge web and carrying helical threads starting at its ends and opposite in direction so that these both transport the lime sludge from the margin of the web towards its center.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering and classifying waste or process streams into three product streams using a polymeric net belt to drive a filter drum and hydrophobic polymeric filter element thereon. A matte of solids is doctored from the belt to provide a first product stream. A roller mounted on a fluid cylinder driven pivoted arm compresses the filter element to provide a smaller suspended solids stream for collection in a trough inside the drum. This second product stream is removed axially from the trough by means of a pump. A third clarified or effluent stream is produced and collected in the drum as the stream passes through the foam filter element. This third stream is removed axially in the direction opposite of said second stream. A shower keeps the foam in the compressed area water filled to prevent vapor lock or gas blockage in the cellular foam filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the purification of oily emulsions, solutions, industrial waste waters or the like. The apparatus includes a reaction container, at least one discharge connecting piece, an inflow trough and a band filter fitted with a fleece band, a filtrate container arranged under it and a sludge container provided at the discharge end of the band filter.

Abstract: The dewatering drum 3 for devices for dewatering aqueous suspensions of solid material, particularly for sieve belt presses, has a closed shell 8. Profiles 9 are fixed to this closed shell 8 for forming shells 13 obliquely extending relative to the generatrix of the drum shell 8. The channels 13 deviate from the direction of the generatrix and extend either obliquely relative to the generatrix or are arranged in an arrow-like or arcuate manner, noting that the arrow tip or the culminating point 14 of the arc is showing in direction 11 of rotation (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A belt filter press has a lower and an upper endless filter belt and a lower and an upper endless support belt which support the upper and lower belts in engagement against a lower and upper row of rollers along a press path, respectively, which rows of rollers define therebetween a press slot which is laterally sealed. To effect lateral sealing of the press slot, two additional rows of rollers are disposed on the two opposite sides of either the upper or lower rows of rollers at such an angle that they bend and press the edge of the corresponding upper or lower belts against the other belts.

Abstract: The apparatus herein provides a separation of suspended solids from a liquid containing such suspended solids. The apparatus comprises a base which supports a pan having a bottom wall, a spaced-apart pair of sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall and a spaced-apart pair of end walls extending upwardly and outwardly between the sidewalls and from the bottom wall to form an open top container. A perforated plate is secured within the pan to the sidewalls and end walls of the pan above the bottom wall to define a chamber between the bottom wall, an undersurface of the perforated plate, and the surrounding side and end walls. At least one outlet on the bottom wall of the pan is provided for introducing a vacuum to the chamber and for removing liquid from the chamber. A continuous liquid-absorbing medium transfer support extends around the pan and lies within the pan in contact with the perforated plate.

Abstract: A system for separating solids from a slurry containing liquids and solids including an elongated plate having spaced apart openings therethrough, a pair of superposed endless screens supported for sliding movement on the upper surface of the plate. A pond of the slurry is formed over a portion of the run of the screens. A vacuum chamber is provided on the side of the plate opposite the side supporting the screens to draw liquid from the pond through the screens. A roll nip is provided to engage the screens to apply pressure to material on the screens at the nip. Various screen constructions and operating parameters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Band filter devices for continuously dewatering a suspension, such as sewage sludge comprising an upper filter band stretched between deflection rolls, the upper strand of which forms a filter zone, and a further filter band which together with the lower part or strand of the first band forms a compressing zone. The filter band is stepped at least once in a Z-shaped manner in the filter zone by providing a further deflection roll which is positioned lower than and downstream of the first deflection roll but in a position counter to the direction of transport, and such that between two filter zones there is a zone where the sludge cake is transferred to another part of the band and rearranged. Above the upper strand or part is at least one ram or beam which lies transverse to the direction of transport and the ram can be pressed into the sludge cake to produce transverse grooves or channels in the sludge cake.

Abstract: A filter apparatus comprising a gravitional extraction section 1 and a high pressure section 3. In the high pressure section 3 there is a rotatable drum 35 around which a pair of filter bands 4,5 on carrier belts 6,7 are advanced with means for applying pressure to the belts to squeeze the bands and belts together to expel water from the sludge 13 through open-topped channels formed in the carrier belts. An intermediate section 2 for applying medium pressure to the sludge may be provided and the bands and belts are continuous. Various special features like cleaning, different pressure loading systems, and driving means and other modifications are described but the principle is to progressively increase the pressure by advancing the sludge between the belt and carrier assembly and to arrange for the water expelled to be diverted through the channels 8,9 in the carrier belts with no frictional drag between the respective bands and belts as they advance at the same speed.

Abstract: Vacuum filterbelt apparatus has a continuous belt moved by driving means along a continuous path which includes an operative portion at which filtering of material lying on the belt occurs. Apertures in the belt communicate with a slot in the top of a vacuum chamber beneath the belt, to apply suction to the material. At the operative portion, the belt is supported by plates whose upper surfaces have grooves extending in the direction of movement of the belt. Passages through the plates for the supply of lubricant open into these grooves.

Abstract: A rotary diaphragm press comprises a revolving drum on the periphery of which a tubular diaphragm is mounted, an endless belt assembly which consists of a cover cloth, a filter cloth, and a back-up belt separately extended and arranged one above the other over said revolving drum, and a series of receiving rollers disposed in parallel with a spindle for said revolving drum so as to press the endless belt assembly against the drum in a contact zone of the assembly. The rotary diaphragm press is further designed so that sludge successively fed to the filter cloth is held between the filter cloth and the cover cloth and is passed through the contact zone.

Abstract: A separation drum for suction recovery at high concentration of fine particles, such as algae, removed from dilute liquid medium by a belt filter has a thin, perforated wall rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal, cantilevered beam fixed on a base. A pair of rings or hubs engage the separation drum at opposite ends. One ring is rotatably supported on rollers mounted on the beam, and the other ring is rotatably supported on a bearing mounted on a shaft extending from the beam to a removable end pedestal on the base. A number of interior rollers, also supported from the beam, engage the interior surface of the drum. A conduction or suction box is disposed on the beam or built into the beam in juxtaposition with the upper, interior portion of the separation drum to receive and carry away material passing through the perforated drum wall. A main belt extends around the exterior of the separation drum wall and around a filtration drum within a liquid medium containing algae.

Abstract: Organic pollutant spills on aquatic bodies may be collected by a method comprising distributing a plurality of buoyant magnetically susceptible, oleophillic, hydrophobic, resilient sorbent particles on the surface of the pollutant, allowing the sorbent to attract and bind the pollutant, magnetically collecting the pollutant-bound sorbent particles, compressing the pollutant-bound sorbent particles to expel the pollutant to a pollutant sump, allowing the compressed sorbent particles to recover from compression, and redistributing the sorbent particles on the surface of the remaining pollutant.

Abstract: An improvement in the edge sealing of the filter medium supporting conveyor of a flat bed filter is disclosed. The edges of the conveyor ride along and frictionally engage internally extending shelves formed on each side wall of the filter. The conveyor is so constructed as to provide multiple longitudinal dams that cooperate with the supporting shelf to establish a labyrinthine leakage path that inhibits leakage between the conveyor edges and the supporting shelves.

Abstract: Belt filter comprising a filter belt within a frame and a discharge casing connected with a suction device situated therebelow, the discharge casing comprising elements protruding from the bottom towards the filter belt supporting at least one meshed conveyor belt likewise to be driven longitudinally, and being narrower than the filter belt, such that the edges of the filter belt sealingly adjoin the outwardly diverging side edges of the discharge casing.

Abstract: A continuous filtration/separation apparatus with a part of the casing of a vane pump constructed of a filter so that material to be treated which is introduced between the casing and the vane adjacent to the rotor can be dehydrated. The endless filter of the vane pump at one portion faces the rotor of the casing and moves successively. The vane pump also has a washing device for washing the other portion of the endless filter which does not face the rotor, to eliminate clogging of the filter. A support supports an arc portion facing the rotor of the casing, which arc portion is rotatable about a center which is eccentric relative to the center of rotation of the rotor, so that the dehydrating ratio can be adjusted. A drive rotates the arc portion about its center for adjustment of the dehydration ratio.

Abstract: A liquid filter using a sheet of filter medium on a moveable conveyor where a contaminated liquid forms a pool above the conveyor and filter medium and is filtered therethrough into a filter compartment, contaminated liquid and filter being sealed from one another by a partial vacuum within the filter compartment pulling the filter medium against the conveyor in a sealed relationship with no other structures forming part of the seal.

Abstract: A device for dewatering sludge or the like, particularly sludge from water purification plants, having a preliminary pressureless pocket dewatering stage A, one or more horizontal dewatering zones B formed by horizontally extending filter belts located below the preliminary stage A, those zones being located serially one below another, a medium pressure drum filter stage C, and thereafter a high-pressure dewatering unit D.

Abstract: Sludge like sewage sludge is fed at the beginning of a path of travel of two endless belts of filter material. The sludge, carried between the two endless belts, is compressed and dehydrated between a drum which is supported in bearings with its periphery in contact with one of the endless belts and pressure belts which are trained around a plurality of rolls and brought into contact with the other of the endless belts. The pressure belts are composed of a multiplicity of narrow belts. Pressing by individual pressure belts is applied to the endless filter material belts at a suitable number of stages into which the path of the filter material belts is divided. Preferably, pressure is exerted on the sludge by a smaller number of pressure belts at early pressing stage and by a larger number of pressure belts at later pressing stages.

Abstract: An apparatus for dewatering aqueous materials such as a suspension, e.g. a slurry, by continuous pressing of the materials under high pressure. The dewatering is carried out in transport of the suspension between two driven webs which exert a pressure against the suspension, the latter by enclosing the webs at least partly about at least one press roll being subjected to an increased pressure by the enclosure to increase the dewatering effect, and at least the outer web relative to the press roll being pervious to the pressed out water content.

Abstract: The dewatering system includes a first endless filter belt movable along its length through an upper run, then through an arc about a dewatering drum, and then through a lower return run in a sinuous path about a plurality of rollers. A flowable aqueous material or slurry, such as sludge, is deposited on the upper surface of the belt as it moves along its upper run. A subatmospheric pressure is applied to the lower surface of the upper run of the first belt to induce the liquid to drain from the sludge. A second endless filter belt is movable into sandwiched relationship with the first belt about the sludge and moves with the first belt about the dewatering drum and about the plurality of rollers in the sinuous path of the return run.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous liquid-solid separation has suction boxes which respectively have a suction hole on a rear surface and a perforated surface at a front surface and said suction boxes being connected in series to form a conveyor and said suction holes being connected to a suction trough so as to give the sucking condition of the suction boxes in the zone of the suction trough wherein a filter cloth is contacted with the perforated surfaces of the suction boxes and is held by side plates which can be closed and opened at both sides of the suction boxes and the filter cloth and the suction boxes are moved at the synchronized velocity under suction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the continuous filtration of material impregnated with liquid. This method is characterized in that pressure is exerted discontinuously on successive portions of the material to be filtered travelling continuously such that this pressure is applied to each portion of the material as it moves, over a predetermined distance, after which the pressure is no longer applied to this portion in order to be applied to the following portion of material.

Abstract: A filter apparatus wherein filter media is submerged in liquid being filtered and suction is employed under the media to increase the flow through it. The filter media in elongated strip form is supported for movement in one direction on an inclined endless pervious conveyor comprised of rigid plate members fixed to a pair of drive chains. A receiving tank for dirty liquid is above the conveyor and media with a lower tank for clean liquid below the conveyor with the sides and ends of the lower tank being constantly sealed in order to maintain reduced pressure therein to enhance flow through the media. Filtered liquid at a somewhat higher pressure is supplied at the sides of the conveyor and at end walls of the receiving tank to prevent any migration of dirty liquid into the lower tank at the periphery of the lower tank.

Abstract: A filter apparatus wherein filter media is submerged in liquid being filtered and suction is employed under the media to increase the flow through it. The filter media in elongated strip form is supported on an incline for movement in one direction by an endless pervious conveyor. A receiving tank for dirty liquid is above the conveyor and media with a lower tank for clean liquid below the conveyor with the sides and ends of the lower tank being constantly sealed in order to maintain reduced pressure therein to enhance flow through the media. Filtered liquid is supplied at the sides of the conveyor and at an end wall of the receiving tank to prevent any migration of dirty liquid into the lower tank at the periphery of the lower tank. Advancement of the filter media is controlled automatically in response to variations in the pressure differential on opposite sides of the media which varies in proportion to the dirt load of the media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastewater such as sewage are disclosed. Designed principally for complete on-site wastewater treatment and disposal, the system separates wastewater into liquid wastes and solid wastes by filtration, treats the liquid wastes with a mild oxidizing agent and disperses them into unsaturated ground. The solid wastes are periodically removed, along with used portions of the paper filter medium and delivered, in the case of sewage, to a composting area where the still-fresh solids can be aerobically composted. Preferred and particularly advantageous embodiments of a filtering system, a sewage delivery system, a vacuum generating system, and a liquid level sensor, each of which may be used with the invention, are disclosed.

Abstract: A filtration system having an intermittently moving belt on which is deposited a suspension to form a filter cake. A press is provided above the belt comprising one or more pressure cushions, and suction chambers are disposed below the belt. A control system coupled to the cushions and the chambers controls application of pressure to the former and suction to the latter to press the cushions down on the filter cake formed on the belt and to draw off moisture from the compressed cake, the action of applying pressure and suction halting movement of the belt. After filtering the cake the pressure and suction are removed allowing the belt to move forward and another filtration cycle to start on the next section of the filter cake formed on the belt.

Abstract: This relates to methods and apparatus for filtering liquids such as oil contaminated water. The apparatus includes spaced apart supply and take-up reels capable of storing an elongated compressed ribbon of flexible open cell foam thereon. In operation the ribbon of filtering medium, in the uncompressed state, extends between the supply and take-up means across a support such as a grid or screen which permits free flow of water through the filter medium. The contaminated water is supplied to the upper side of an exposed section of the filter medium through a system which evenly distributes the contaminated water over the exposed section of the filter medium. The water passing through the filter medium may be collected in a suitable tank or basin. When the exposed section of filter medium becomes so loaded with contaminants (such as oil) that the flow through the filter decreases, the ribbon is advanced to expose a fresh section.

Abstract: Apparatus for draining of muddy liquids, especially of sludges and slurries in sewage clarification plants, where first of all an ionic coagulant, eg., an anionic or cationic coagulating agent, is added to the muddy liquid in a first ionic coagulating means to obtain an aqueous sludge which is separated from the muddy liquid in a first coagulating chamber by sedimentation in a straining zone and wherein the aqueous sludge is subsequently filtered and pressed, whereafter the liquid is treated in a second coagulating or mixing chamber.The apparatus to carry out the process comprises in addition to the first coagulation chamber coagulation chamber for the muddy liquid, a revolving screening belt constituting the filtering means for the straining zone and a series connected revolving screen belt press which aids in dewatering the filtered solids.

Abstract: Continuous filtration under pressure is obtained by combination of a looped filter belt and an alveolar belt which are caused to cooperate with a rotary distributor drum. The belts are compressed against the drum through application onto the belts of an external pressure which is at least equal to the filtration pressure but which is exerted on a surface which is larger than that onto which the filtration pressure is exerted.

Abstract: A filter element for use in a filter for pressurized material in flowable form is disclosed. The filter element includes an elongated perforate web adapted to move longitudinally across the flow axis of the material being filtered and to accommodate filtered flow therethrough of the material. A plurality of seal members are fixed to the perforate web transversely to and at spaced intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof. The perforate web extends continuously and uninterruptedly across the seal members to thereby provide the sole and exclusive means of interconnection therebetween. The seal members preferably have a thickness at least as great or greater than the thickness of the perforate web, and preferably the ends of the seal members protrude laterally beyond the side edges of the perforate web.

Abstract: An apparatus for thickening and extracting the liquid from a sludge comprises a sludge-thickening assembly wherein solid matters in the sludge are coagulated to form coagulated flocs and the floc sludge is separated and thickened, and an assembly for extracting liquid from said floc sludge under pressure to obtain a dehydrated cake. The sludge-thickening assembly comprises coagulation means for the sludge, a first and a second screen rolls having a reticulate material covering the outer surface; and the assembly for extracting the liquid comprises an endless moving flocked filter belt, means for supporting the belt, a cylinder forced to closely contact with an upper portion of said endless moving flocked filter belt, and at least one press roll urging said endless moving flocked filter belt against said cylinder.

Abstract: An indexable filter web is advanced beneath a vacuum box by a perforated flexible belt and is held against the belt by two endless bands adapted to travel along opposite sides of the vacuum box when the web is advanced.

Abstract: An endless belt gravity filtration apparatus which includes a vacuum system for removing filter cake and for cleaning and keeping filter belt porous through reverse air flow on the endless belt filter. The belt filter has extensions along each of its continuous edges, these extensions having chains which mate with sprockets on the filter chamber to assist in driving the filter belt and to keep it aligned and from being stretched or wrinkled during the filtration process. The apparatus may be used for filtering fluids such as sugar cane juice.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a band filter press for separating liquid and solid matter comprising a continuous filter band adapted to receive a mixture of liquid and solid matter and convey it through successive loading, pressing and unloading zones. The filter band is in the form of a hose having a bottom center strip and two cover strips fixedly connected to the edges of the bottom strip and partially covering the same. The cover strips, which may be either integrally formed with the center strip or provided in the form of separate strips which are connected to the center strip at its lateral edges, enclose acute angles with the center strip. The lateral extremities of the connection points between the cover strips and the center strip define finite longitudinally-extending edges by means of which lateral movement of the filter band may be determined and controlled.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in or relating to vacuum belt filters. It relates further to suction boxes for such filters and to a method of operation of the filters. More particularly, the invention relates to the supporting of the belt of the filter about the suction box so as to minimize drag of the belt and to minimize friction between the belt and the suction box and still seal the suction box. This is accomplished by means of conduits that have deformable walls and are located along the edges of the suction boxes, fluid support cushions being formed in the conduits. This is also accomplished by controlling the fluid support cushion according to the drag on the suction box, the suction pressure in the suction box and the rate of flow of fluid into the conduits to form the support cushion.

Abstract: A food processing method and apparatus removes surface and absorbed fluids from individual food items during the commercial processing of continuous supplies or batches thereof. The food items are continuously and simultaneously tumbled and contacted with stream of material having an affinity for either or both of aqueous liquids and oily liquids. A vibration device is associated with an inclined run of the stream of material and accomplishes a tumbling of the individual food items to permit substantially all of their surface area to contact the stream of material. An optional heating member may be positioned in the vicinity of the inclined run to supply heat to the fluid on or within the food pieces. A fluid removal mechanism may be positioned on the apparatus for removing and collecting the fluid from the stream of material.

Abstract: A sealing port for a filtering device of the type disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,017 is described. The sealing port has two separate sections in uninterrupted communication with one another for sealing purposes but thermally isolated from one another. Both sections are provided with both heating means and coolng means which are controllable to permit the performance of a process sequence wherein a stressed barrier plug (i.e., a sealing plug formed while subject to the hydrostatic pressure of a substance being filtered) is formed in the innermost section (i.e.

Abstract: A dewatering machine comprising an integral and cooperative combination of a vacuum filter of the rotary drum type and an expression device of the type wherein a diaphragm is pressed against a drainage deck. An intermittently-indexed first endless filter medium belt carries filter cake to the expression device after the cake is formed on the vacuum filter. A second endless filter belt is trained to run beneath the diaphragm of the expression device parallel to the drainage deck and above the first filter belt so that the filter cake is sandwiched between the two filter belts. The belt indexing action is coordinated with pressurization of the expression device so that the filter drum is indexed only when the diaphragm is relaxed and the pressurization is effected only at such times as the drum is not being indexed. The second filter belt prevents the pressed material from adhering to the diaphragm of the expression device.

Abstract: A filter of the type having a movable perforate conveyor formed of a series of transverse bars and interconnecting links includes a filter medium supported on the top surface of the conveyor for movement therewith in a housing which cooperates with the conveyor and filter medium to form a pool of liquid to be filtered on the filter medium. Fixed sealing strips are located on opposite sides of the pool and bear against side edge portions of the filter medium to inhibit flow of liquid from the sides of the pool and means operatively connected to the perforate conveyor support the portions of the filter medium passing under the sealing strips. This supporting means comprises a series of clips, each of which has an upper surface substantially coplanar with the top surface of the conveyor and downwardly extending tab means for removably securing the clips to the conveyor.

Abstract: A filter system includes a path of flow for a flowable material to be filtered and a continuous filter element moveable transversely to such flow. The continuous filter element passes through a channel of predetermined and uniform cross section and carries a plurality of seal members at intervals along its length, each seal member being of the same cross sectional size and shape as the channel so as to form moving seals within the channel. The filter member is moved continuously or on demand through the channel, presenting a continuously renewed filter area to the flowable material. The new filter system is illustrated for filtering in the plastics industry.

Abstract: A rotary drum filter arrangement in which an endless flexible filter belt is trained around at least 270.degree. of the vacuum drum and leaves the vacuum drum for application of a slurry and formation of a cake remote from the drum. In one form of the invention the slurry is applied to a substantially horizontal portion of the belt prior to entry onto the vacuum drum so gravity aids in initial dewatering. In another form of the invention the cake is formed by an auxiliary vacuum drum prior to entry onto the main vacuum drum. By utilizing at least 270.degree. of the vacuum drum after formation of the cake, the invention provides a drier cake, easier adaptation of auxiliary washing and drying equipment and/or permits the use of a smaller vacuum drum.

Abstract: A filtering unit which is used in filter presses having a plurality of filter elements, which filtering unit comprises at least two filtering layers which are connected by a seam, the latter being adapted to rest on the pertaining filter element, with the remainder of the filtering unit being adapted to hang along the sides of the pertaining filter element.

Abstract: An improved system for dewatering dilute slurries is disclosed. The system includes a spring-loaded sludge feed tray incorporating an adjustable flow splitter plug, along with spring-loaded sludge side guides. The sludge-cake compression section provides for a compression roller which is adjustable between two positions as a component in the backflushing of the sludge carrier screen using cake effluent. Also, a particular screen sludge solids loading range is employed which results in a significant improvement in performance and capacity of the dewatering system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for subjecting a finely divided solid to a series of processing steps on a single horizontal vacuum belt filter wherein the processing includes a liquid-solid mass transfer function, such as ion-exchange, carried out by percolation, and this step is followed by at least one step, such as washing, in which rapid passage of a large volume of liquid through the solid takes place. The method is used to ion-exchange zeolitic microspheres in the production of a fluid cracking catalyst.

Abstract: The upper flight of an endless filter belt is supported by a backing sheet as it passes through a feeding and initial partial dewatering zone. The upper flight of the filter belt then passes through a main dewatering zone while being subjected to pressure in a direction to force liquid therethrough. Drainage slots in the upper surface of the backing sheet extend at an angle to the direction of travel of the upper flight and leave narrow strips between adjacent slots which engage the under surface of the upper flight.

Abstract: Horizontal vacuum belt filter machine comprises frame with spaced apart drums journaled to frame and endless belt structure mounted on drums. Endless belt structure has upper horizontal path of travel and comprises multiple longitudinally oriented endless belt segments arranged in side-by-side fashion with overlapping joint between adjacent edge portions of belt segments. Drums include first arrangement comprising multiple drums equal in number to multiple endless belt segments with each of multiple drums associated with separate one of belt segments. Drums further include second arrangement comprising single drum for multiple belt segments. Endless filter medium covers endless belt structure in area of upper horizontal path of belt travel, and suction device in area of upper horizontal path of belt travel cooperates with endless belt structure and filter medium for withdrawing liquid from slurry-like materials deposited upon filter medium.