Abstract: A procedure and means for filtering and homogenizing liquid substances and for automatic cleaning of the filters. In the procedure are utilized an ultrasonic generator (4) connected in conjunction with the filter unit (1; 2) and ultrasonic oscillators (1.11; 2.11) thereto connected, their power and frequency being controlled on the basis of the differential pressure present across the filter units (1; 2), the liquid pressure acting in the filter unit, the liquid flow rate, signals from liquid temperature pick-ups. In order to enhance the cleaning event of the filter elements (1.2; 2.2) taking place with ultrasonics, the filter unit (1; 2) is emptied during the cleaning phase, making use of compressed air conducted into the filter. In order to facilitate the liquid filtering event and to reduce the need of cleaning action with ultrasonics, during normal filtering an ultrasonic power is maintained which is sufficient for homogenizing the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning the filter plates of a suction drier, which suction drier (20) comprises a tank (13) for the slurry to be suction dried, in connection to which tank there rotates one or several filter disks formed of the said filter plates (14), on the surface or surfaces of which filter plates (14) there is collected and dried, owing to the suction flow passing through the filter plates (14), a filter cake, which is scraped or otherwise removed from the surface or surfaces of the filter plates. For the cleaning of the porous structure and surfaces of the said filter plates (14), there is arranged, in the tank (13) of the slurry to be filtered, under the liquid surface (11), mainly in the surface water area, an ultrasonic vibrator or vibrators (10), whereto ultrasonic electric power is fed from an ultrasonic generator (22). The cleaning with the ultrasonic vibrator or vibrators (10) is carried out esentially immediately after scraping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the continuous discharge of water from suspension, especially from fibrous pulp, whereby pulp is caused to thicken without having the water to be removed through a thick uncontrollably gathered fiber mat.In accordance with the invention the suspension to be thickened is fed into a filtering chamber, the suspension is formed as a layer that is continuously being mixed for equalizing the consistency differences, the liquid is continuously removed from the suspension and the thickness of the fiber mat being formed on the filter surface is controlled by subjecting said mat to shear stresses.The above described method is realized by an apparatus, in which at least one of the co-operating surfaces, the filtering surface (8) and its counter surface (10), is provided with means (12) for non-mechanically limiting the thickness of a fiber mat on the filtering surface, whereby a uncontrolled formation of a fiber mat on the filtering surface (8) is prevented.

Abstract: A vibrating sieving unit for insertion into a housing to form a sieving filter. The sieving unit can be inserted into an installed casing of a filter unit by the use of a manifold plate. The vibrator directly vibrates the sieving cylinder reducing the buildup of filter cake for improved performance. A unique cleaning-in-place system is presented utilizing the fluid being filtered as the purging liquid.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating bodies from a liquid in which the liquid is passed through a filter and the bodies to be separated are accumulated on the filter. The filter forms an upper bounding limit of a space therebeneath which is alternately subjected to pressure and vacuum relative to the ambient region above the filter. This is achieved according to one embodiment by producing a reciprocal movement of the filter in the form of an oscillating or pendular movement. The pressurization in the space produces separation of the bodies accumulated on the upper surface of the filter to facilitate their discharge from the filter. The separated bodies can be assisted for discharge by mechanical elements and/or by producing wave motion in the liquid.

Abstract: Method in a suction dryer (10), which comprises a basin (12) for a suspension to be suction-dried, in connection with which basin one or several filter-plate discs (14a) revolve, onto whose faces a filtrate cake is gathered and dewatered by the effect of a suction flow passing through the filter plates (14a), the said filtrate cake/cakes being scraped or otherwise detached from the faces of the filter plates (14a). For the purpose of cleaning the porous structure and faces of the filter plates (14a), an ultrasonic detector or detectors (30) are provided in connection with the basin (12) for the suspension to be filtered, to which detectors an electric power of ultrasonic frequency is fed from an ultrasonic generator (32). For the time of the cleaning intensified by ultrasound, the suspension basin (12) is filled with a connecting and cleaning liquid, e.g. water.

Abstract: The filter assembly includes a filter unit disposed in a vertical tank and includes a first end plate or drain head having an opening in fluid communication with a filtrate port in the tank, a longitudinally movable second end plate or compression head spaced in generally parallel relationship to the drain head and an elongated sleeve of flexible filter material, such as a woven fabric, connected to and extending between the drain and compression heads to define a filtrate chamber. When the filter tube is in an expanded or extended condition (filtering position), a portion of the fluid, such as a wash water from a vehicle washing facility, entering the tank passes through the filter tube into the filter chamber and the thus-filtered water exits therefrom through the filtrate port. Excess wash water in the tank overflows through an overflow outlet.

Abstract: Preheated diluent and steam are introduced into a container containing waste material typically comprised of a sludge mixture of liquid and solid material including hydrocarbons. The material is thereby heated and its viscosity reduced to form a pumpable slurry. The slurry is pumped out of the container and its viscosity is adjusted to the optimum for separating the solids and liquids. The solids are then separated from the liquid, any valuable material in either the solids and the liquid are recovered and the rest disposed of.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquids and solids from a mixture thereof comprises a trough structure (12) in which is suspended a filter means (14) on which the mixture can be placed. A vacuum mechanism (16) draws a vacuum beneath the filter means to draw the liquids downwardly from the solids, and a oscillating mechanism (20) causes the remaining solids on the filter to move in a conveying direction. A flexible perforated sheet (60) is provided beneath and in generally continuous contact with the filter means (14) and which can be intermittently flexed to maintain the filter means unobstructed by solids.

Abstract: Particulates are separated from colloidal suspensions by filtration where the filter is oscillated relative to the suspension in order to inhibit plugging of the filter. Plugging is substantially eliminated and filtration rates greatly enhanced by oscillating the membrane at a sufficiently high frequency and with a sufficiently large displacement so that the Reynold's number of the relative flow is greater than about 1.

Abstract: A vibrating filter apparatus comprises a housing, a filter unit in the housing and a support unit for supporting the filter unit in the housing. The support unit includes elongate elements in the housing connecting the filter unit in spaced relation to the wall of the housing, and a vibrator unit fixed to the support unit between the housing wall and filter unit and actuable for laterally vibrating the support unit and thereby the filter unit.

Abstract: A portable, manned method and apparatus for cleaning cooling towers having a water collection basin at the base while permitting the tower to continue in operation comprises removing water and particulate contaminants from the bottom of the tower basin by venturi suction or aspiration through a tubular wand having an elongated wide opening to draw in water and particulate matter from a defined area of contact. The suction wand is moved around the bottom of the cooling tower basin to remove water and particulate matter therefrom. The removed water is filtered to separate coarse contaminant particles therefrom. The filtration is by a plurality of screens positioned one above another of successively finer mesh from top to bottom and having a motor for vibrating the screens to remove collected particulate matter therefrom. A collector is positioned adjacent to the ends of the screens to receive the particulate matter discharged by vibration of the screens by the motor.

Abstract: In a method and a device for extracting liquid or gas from a liquid or gaseous mixture containing dispersed solid particles, a cylindrical filter disposed in a container receiving a mixture to be filtered is subjected to oscillations in the axial direction of the filter while the mesh of the filter is of the size greater than that of particles to be retained on the filter.

Abstract: The process for separating the solid particles in the column is based on the intermittent supply of pressurized suspension to the apparatus which pressure supplies the energy required for feeding the suspension near one end into the column, the squeezing of the suspension liquid out of the suspension under withdrawal of the suspension liquid from the column near that same end of the column, the compaction of the solid particles, the transport of the compacted bed of particles towards the opposite end of the column and the washing of the compacted bed with wash liquid, the bed is mechanically disintegrated, the product of this disintegration is removed in suspended form while maintaining a wash front separating the non washed and washed parts in the compacted bed.

Abstract: Particulates which are less than and greater than a predetermined size and are entrained in a fluid are separated according to their respective sizes by passing the fluid and entrained particulates through a porous, crossflow separator element while continuously vibrating the separator element to prevent buildup of particulates on the upstream side of the separator element.

Abstract: With the extraction method, a material exchange column with an ordered packing 2a or 2b on the basis of a plurality of layers 3 stacked parallel to the column axis and making point contact with one another is used. The packing 2a, 2b is perfused by a continuous and a dispersed phase in a counter current. The packing has a very large specific surface area of at least 300 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 of packing volume. At the periphery of the packing 2a, 2b, the two phase streams are re-circulated into the packing at regular intervals through a rim seal composed of an elastic material not wettable by the dispersed phase. The rim seal is placed round the packing in the form of an elastic tube or pipe and seals the intermediate space between the internal column wall and the packing. A further improvement in the separating capacity can be achieved if pulsating operation is adopted.

Abstract: In a method of filtering and condensing a suspension containing a solid suspended substance, the improvement comprising the step of vibrating a board member provided in the suspension in opposed relation with a filtration surface in a direction parallel to the filtration surface. The board member is provided at a distance of preferably 10 mm or less from the filtration surface.

Abstract: A method for controlling the pulsing of a granular medium filter, based on determination of the rise rate of liquid level above the filtration medium. A pulse system is activated whereby sub-fluidizing pulses of a fluid are directed upwardly through the filter medium from an array of orifices, and each pulse is initiated whenever the determined rise rate attains a predetermined value. The pulses dislodge solids from the upper surface of the bed and store a portion of the solids within the bed itself at particular loci, for decreasing the resistance of the bed and reducing the rise rate. The frequency of backwash is optimized over a wider range of solids load, liquid load and other factors affecting the filtration.

Abstract: A process for purifying carbon black which contains solid impurities by removing the solid impurities thererom, which process comprises suspending said carbon black uniformly in water to obtain a carbon black aqueous slurry and subjecting the slurry to sieving treatment by an ultrasonic vibration sieving apparatus.

Abstract: A method for diffusion washing and/or thickening paper pulp having a consistency of 6 to 15%. A number of withdrawal screens and fluid introducing structures are provided supported by spider arms which comprise conduits for introduction of liquid into and withdrawal of liquid from an elongated upright hollow vessel in which the assembly is disposed. The conduit means, with attached screen structures, is reciprocated up and down by a single linear actuator located preferably above the vessel and within the cross-sectional area thereof so that the wall of the vessel need not be penetrated by the conduits. The screens and fluid introducing structures remain stationary with respect to each other during reciprocation. A number of wiper blades, which may be operated by a single linear actuator, are provided at the top of the vessel for moving upwardly flowing pulp into withdrawal conduits surrounding the vessel periphery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the compressive regeneration of flexible, porous materials used as filter particles, oil-separating particles or carrier particles in a reactor. These materials are loaded in a reactor with a liquid containing substances to be removed. The liquid is, for example, water, and the substances are, for example, deposited solids, oil droplets or bacteria. After the flexible, porous materials become loaded with the substances, they are conducted to a press chamber equipped with a press means. The transporting, squeezing out, and separation of the water and substances from the flexible porous materials, as well as the recycling of the regenerated material into the reactor are achieved by either a one-time, or a repetitive to and fro movement, of the press means. This regeneration is accomplished with a single device which operates simultaneously as both a regenerating press and as a conveying installation.

Abstract: A process for fractionating a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, of he type wherein said suspension is made to pass through a filtering screen, characterized in that said suspension is directed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of an elastically deforming, flexible, perforated sleeve forming a filtering screen, and in that a sequence of high and low pressure is continuously created within this sleeve and travels at least predominantly opposite the direction of the suspension flow. The invention also applies to equipment.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning filter elements a removal of filter cakes formed on the filter cloth of the filter elements is accomplished by the application pressure and vacuum in the alternating fashion to the filter elements after the filtration process has been completed. The cleaning effect is improved due to the pressure fluctuations because the filter cloth expands upon those fluctuations and filter cake formed thereon is peeled off that filter cloth.

Abstract: An emobodiment of a process for filtration of a slurry containing fine particles is a process comprising:(a) filtering phosphoric acid containing sludge-forming particulate impurities through a fabric filter whereby particulate impurities are separated from the phosphoric acid and retained on the surface of the fabric filter to form a filter cake comprising particulate impurities and entrained phosphoric acid;(b) contacting the filter cake with a wash fluid (e.g., water) to remove a major portion of the entrained phosphoric acid from the filter cake, thereby forming a washed filter cake; and,(c) removing the washed filter cake to expose a fresh surface of the fabric filter, for contacting with additional phosphoric acid containing particulate impurities.Preferably, the washed filter cake is removed by the introduction of pressurized air to the side of the fabric filter opposite the washed filter cake.

Abstract: A fluid lading clarifying apparatus and process is provided which utilizes an upright-positioned, fine mesh screen that separates an outer influent fluid lading containing chamber from an inner clarified effluent fluid receiving chamber, and which cooperates with an inside positioned transducer means to induce a continuous particulate removing action on the influent fluid lading and provide a clarified fluid that is continuously moved under capillary action and a slight gradient through the interstices of the screen into the effluent receiving chamber. Ultrasonic energy is used to agglomerate the particulate material, to maintain the screen in a clean condition and its interstices free from flow-blocking air bubbles and thereby assure a continuous flow of influent fluid into the effluent chamber.

Abstract: Liquid having solid particles therein to be filtered out, such as a water slurry, is fed to the outer surface of a filtering device, such as a filter screen, and fed therethrough to the opposite side thereof. A cyclic wave generating device, which may comprise a curved blade, operates in the nature of a hydrofoil to deliver pressure pulses against the last-mentioned surface of the screen to provide shock waves in the liquid in a radial direction opposite to the liquid flow through the screen, such shock waves loosening the particles that may become lodged on the intake part of the screen thereof preventing clogging of such screen. Resonant vibratory energy may also be applied to the liquid on the output side of the screen to effect clearing of the input side of such screen.

Abstract: The exhaust manifold in a pressure filter is spring mounted and vibrated along a vertical axis to dislodge filter cakes from filter tubes suspended from the manifold.

Abstract: A hydraulic system including a working-liquid pressure line and drain line communicated accordingly with an inlet and outlet of a housing into which a porous piezoelectric ceramic filtering element, such as barium titanate, is placed, connected to a generator of electric oscillations and separates said inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A device and method for separating particulate material from earth drilling fluids is disclosed, wherein the earth drilling fluids containing such particulate material is introduced into a container. A major portion of the particulate material separates out of the earth drilling fluid, and the fluid then passes over a baffle and through a screen, with the movement past the screen being such, combined with the screen orientation, to provide a screen which is somewhat self-cleaning in nature. The screen is periodically scraped by carrying members, and is urged against the carrying members so that the initial contact of the carrying members with the screen causes vibrations which improve the self-cleaning characteristics of the screen.The particulate material which settles out of the drilling fluid, and the particulate material which is screened out of the drilling fluid, is collected in the bottom of the container and is removed therefrom by the carrying members up an inclined wall to a discharge point.