Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module comprising (a) hollow fibers, (b) a fastening member for fixing the ends of the hollow fibers while leaving them open, and (c) a structural member for enclosing and supporting the fastening member, the hollow fiber membrane module being useful in the filtration of water by suction from the surface to the inside of the hollow fibers with intermittent or continuous cleaning of the membrane surfaces of the hollow fibers, characterized in that the hollow fibers comprise a textile fabric containing hollow fibers as the weft and the cross-section of the fastening member perpendicular to the hollow fibers is shaped like an elongated rectangle. In this module, the hollow fibers rarely cohere together into a mass, and the membrane surfaces of the hollow fibers can be efficiently cleaned concurrently with the filtration, so that the loss of the filtering function is minimized.

Abstract: A rapid gravity downflow filtration system applicable to a bank of several filters in which filtered water for backwashing is stored at a relatively high level in a common washwater storage compartment serving all filters and in which the filtered water for backwashing is delivered to it's storage by gravity using the surplus operating head available at the beginning of the filter operating cycle for the purpose thereby entirely eliminating the necessity for powered motivation of backwash water flow during backwashing, or, in alternative filter systems in which the backwash water flow is motivated by displacement with compressed air, reducing the power requirement.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for supporting and cleaning a mesh anode bag of the type having one open end, one closed end, and being sealed along its lateral sides, the bag containing particles of discharged active zinc therein along its inner surfaces after the separation thereof from a discharged zinc anode, the process comprising placing the bag over a device comprising a hollow body having a liquid inlet at a first end and a plurality of liquid outlets at a second opposite end, the device being contoured and sized to be overridden by the bag, with the inner surfaces of the bag being in proximity to the outer surfaces of the body, and the plurality of outlets adjacent to the closed end of the bag, causing a flow of liquid via the inlet and through the body to the outlets, whereby liquid passing through the outlets flows around the outer surface of the body and along the inner surfaces of the bag, to entrain and remove therefrom the particles of zinc, and separating the bag from the device, as well as p

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solids from the porous surface of a rotating vacuum drum. Such drums are used to separate the solid and liquid phases of a slurry, such as a calcium carbonate containing mud slurry. Doctor blades are often used to scrape the drum exterior surface of excess mud to minimize the build up of solids thereon. Nonetheless a cake eventually forms on the drum and clogs the porous surface and stops the vacuum action. The drum is stopped and the drum backwashed by water to dislodge the cake. According to this invention, a jet of water from a nozzle is substantially tangentially directed against the drum surface to thereby eliminate stopping the drum for cake dislodgement. The nozzle is located beneath and moves with a reciprocating secondary doctor blade, the secondary doctor blade being of a length less than the width of the drum. A stationary, main doctor blade spans the entire width of the drum.

Abstract: An energy efficient water purification system which maintains critical operating temperatures for effective reverse osmosis. The system includes hot and cold water inlets providing a flow of heated feed water, a regeneratable pre-treatment system for treating the heated feed water, a reverse osmosis machine for receiving the flow of pre-treated feed water heated to a given temperature to purify the feed water and discharge impurities in a discharge stream and feed the purified feed water to an outlet for end use, and a valve to control the temperature of the heated feed water entering the pre-treatment system, and an energy conserving apparatus comprising a valve arrangement which interrupts the heated water flow into the pre-treatment system and substitutes fresh unheated feed water during regeneration.

Abstract: A process for continuously separating relatively coarse particles from a suspension of a mixture of particles in a liquid wherein the suspension is caused to pass through a screening medium which is rotating in its own plane so that the coarse particles are retained on the surface of the screening medium; characterized in that atmospheric pressure above the screening medium is caused to be in excess of the pressure below that medium.

Abstract: The separation of oil from filter cake, such as a transformer filter cake, is achieved by contact mixing filter cake with protein additives in water for a sufficient time for substantially all the oil to be displaced from the filter cake, flushing displaced oil and filter medium with water in a separating device and collecting the oil and the filter medium separately. The separation occurs with little or no remediation of the oil taking place so that both the oil and the filter medium can be reused.

Abstract: A process for removing residual oil from used oil filters. The process includes washing the oil filters with a wash water while simultaneously crushing the oil filters. The wash water has a carefully selected and limited surfactant to effectively remove the residual oil while reducing emulsification of the removed residual oil into the wash water. The oil is recovered and the wash water is recirculated after having been amended with surfactant and/or water to assure that the surfactant remains within the desired limits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fibrous suspensions in the wood processing industry and more specifically to a so-called drum cylinder, the basic construction of which comprises a vessel, into which suspension being thickened is supplied and a wire-surface cylinder rotating in the vessel. The drum filter is characterized in that the closure member of the drum filter has a channel for leading gas from the filtrate tubes through the compartments of the distribution chamber to the outside of the closing member. The method is characterized in that the operation phase of the filter cylinder is divided into five separate stages. In the first stage, when the cylinder descends on to the vessel, air and the initial filtrate are discharged from the filtrate components and the formation of the pulp web on the wire surface begins. In the second stage, filtrate is discharged with vacuum and the formation of the pulp web continues.

Abstract: A strainer device is disclosed for continuously separating liquids from a solid/liquid mixture, the strainer including a screen receiving said solid/liquid mixture and a container under reduced pressure disposed under the screen to collect the strained liquid. High pressure fluid is used to roll the solids off the screen to insure that the solids do not plug the screen. If recycled water is used, a spring-loaded nozzle is also provided which may be purged. The device may also be used for thickening a solid liquid mixture. Preferably an angled or conical screen is used.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water using a granular bed (3) of granular support materials of a volumic mass less than that of the water to be treated. According to this process, each washing cycle comprises interrupting the withdrawal of treated water and stopping the feed of water to be treated in such a manner that the granular bed (3) floats in a given volume VL of water, admitting cleansing air into the reactor for assuring agitation of the floating bed, interrupting the admission of air in order to permit a separation of the granular materials and sediment by their difference in volumic mass, with decantation of said sediment and flotation of said materials, and evacuating the sediments at the base of the reactor as well as the water contained therein for evacuating the granular bed (3).

Abstract: A process is used to clean a filtering centrifuge. A base layer of filtered matter remains on the filtering medium of the centrifuge after the removal or repeated removal of a portion of a solid cake of filtered matter by a peeling blade and discharge apparatus. The process removes the base layer of solid filtered matter by initially penetrating and flooding the base layer with a liquid and then strongly braking or rapidly accelerating the drum of the filtering centrifuge to rapidly reduce or increase the rotational speed of the drum, respectively.

Abstract: An improved method for separating solid particles from liquids, such as dewatering and thickening of sludge collected in a container (1), involves the use of at least one drainage unit (9) having doubled screened jacket walls (25, 26) defining a dewatering chamber (10). The liquid relieved of solids within the chamber is subjected to a turbulent motion acting against said screened jacket walls for obstruction of the solids deposition at the wall surfaces of the chamber facing the sludge in the container. The turbulent motion is obtained by a forced fluid F introduced in the chamber through one or more tubes (30, 31). The fluid may favorably be in form of compressed air or water returned from the reject system (14, 16).

Abstract: An improved method for separating solid particles from liquids, such as dewatering and thickening of sludge collected in a container (1), involves the use of at least one drainage unit (9) having doubled screened jacket walls (25, 26) defining a dewatering chamber (10). The liquid relieved of solids within the chamber is subjected to a turbulent motion acting against said screened jacket walls for obstruction of the solids deposition at the wall surfaces of the chamber facing the sludge in the container. The turbulent motion is obtained by a forced fluid F introduced in the chamber through one or more tubes (30, 31). The fluid may favourably be in form of compressed air or water returned from the reject system (14, 16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a procedure for cleaning a sinter used for filtering a metal catalyst suspension. As taught by the invention, the sinter is treated with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide for displacing the metal catalyst left in the pores of the sinter with the aid of the gas produced by the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide, caused by the metal catalyst, until gas formation ceases, indicating that no significant quantities of metal catalysts are left in the sinter. Such hydrogen peroxide decomposition is produced by the so-called anthraquinone process, in which an anthraquinone derivative is dissolved in an organic solvent then reduced with the aid of hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst to the corresponding anthraquinone derivative; the catalyst is then separated from such solution by filtering. Then, such corresponding anthraquinone derivative is oxidized with air or oxygen, whereby it reverses to the state preceding hydrogenation, i.e.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automated system for testing the sterility of products intended for human health administration or for human consumption. The system permits a plurality of samples of a product to be concurrently tested and is arranged so that multiple samples of a product to be tested can be mixed and then conveyed to test canisters along with appropriate growth media prior to determining that the product is sterile or is free from microbial contamination.

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic filter cleaning system which includes a solvent dewaxing filter which removes wax from a wax mix slurry and provides a filtrate. Status control apparatus is connected to the filter for affecting the operational status of the filter. Drain apparatus responsive to a control signal controls draining of the filter. Cleaning apparatus is also connected to the filter. A control network connected to the status apparatus, the draining apparatus and the cleaning apparatus controls those apparatus in a manner so as to allow selective changing of the status of the filter from an operational state to a down state to automatically drain the filter and clean the filter while the filter is in the down state.

Abstract: An improved solvent dewaxing process in which a method and apparatus for continuous hot wash of a dewaxing filter is disclosed. A hot wash solvent is continuously sprayed below the doctor blade followed by a cold solvent spray below the hot solvent spray. Additionally, a solvent management process for changing the proportions of the solvent in response to different viscosity feedstocks thereby increasing filtration efficiency is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing a filter cake from a liquid-saturated suction surface, when the liquid in the creation of the filter cake is sucked through the filter surface of the filter element. According to the invention, on the filter surface of the filter element (1) there is formed a liquid film (3) by means of reversed pressure effected through the filter element (1). Essentially immediately after the creation of the liquid film, at least one gas blowing is directed to the filter surface of the filter element (1) in order to detach the filter cake (2) located on the filter surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for treating and removing particulate matter from fluid circulatable into, through and out of an industrial operation, and for cleaning a disposable cartridge filter used therein. In treatment of fluid, the fluid is circulated in a flow path and is introduced into a filter vessel having a disposable cartridge filter. The fluid flows through the cartridge filter at a rate of flow insufficient to produce a buildup of a substantially non-porous solids filter cake around the exterior of the cartridge filter. The clean fluid is circulated to the industrial operation. The cleaning method and apparatus includes a storage vessel in selective fluid communication with the interior of the first vessel such that clean fluid may be flowed from the storage vessel into the interior of the cartridge filter then through and thereafter exterior of the cartridge filter to effectively remove the particulate matter deposited on or around the exterior of the cartridge filter.

Abstract: A drum filter for thickening lime sludge in which the lime sludge is thickened on a filter layer (precoat) formed by the lime sludge on the filter periphery. The filter is provided with high pressure liquid nozzles continuously reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the drum in such a way that, during each rotation of the drum, part of the filtering layer is continuously detached and drops into a vat containing the lime sludge.

Abstract: In a method for filtering a suspension through a stationary filter having a vertical filter element arranged in a pressure vessel and for re-conditioning the filter after filtering, the filtrate is discharged from the bottom of the filter element during the main part of the filtering. After filtering, unfiltered suspension is discharged in a known manner from the pressure vessel later to be returned to the suspension inlet. Thereafter, back-wash is performed with another medium other than filtrate, an outlet for material deposited on the filter element being opened for removal of said material together with the back-washing medium. Preferably, before back-wash, drying of the material deposited on the filter element takes place by means of a gas medium circulating within the filtering plant.

Abstract: A solid-liquid separator and a process for washing the same wherein SS (sended solids) caught in space portions of a filter medium in a tank are caused to flow out from the space portions and be suspended while at least part of the filter medium is maintained in a fluidized state by air washing, and rapid drainage through a lower portion of the tank causes the SS in the suspended state to be rapidly removed without being again caught into the space portions of the filter medium.

Abstract: A dialyzer reprocessing device and method are disclosed. The device and method are of the type which include a dialyzer and means for cleaning the dialyzer by treatment with fluids. Included is a treating device for modifying the fluids prior to introduction into the dialyzer. The treating device includes means for directly injecting into the fluids electromagnetic radiation having a preselected frequency through a nonelectrically insulated conductor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtration process for the removal of undesired substances from dry cleaning fluids. Illustratively, a cylindrically-shaped batt of a long-fiber synthetic washable fabric filter is attached to a spoke-like rigid frame and the fabric-frame assembly is placed into a filter housing having a fluid collecting center rod. Contaminated dry cleaning fluid is introduced to the housing, passed inwardly through the fabric, and a contaminant free permeate is collected by the fluid collecting center rod.

Abstract: A device for fractionating pulp suspensions has a series of vertical filter sheets attached to a horizontal shaft. Suspension is sprayed against the sheets to effect a separation of coarse and fine solids. Cleansing liquid is also sprayed against the sheets to keep the filter holes open and the fabric sheets are movable with respect to the sprays.

Abstract: In a method of the separation of yeasts from a fermentation liquor contained in a fermentation tank the fermentation liquor is forced by a pump through a conduit system into a filter container in which the fermentation liquor is forced through a number of vertically suspended candle-like filters so that yeast filter cakes are formed on the filter cloth with water of the filters. The cakes are then washed with water, blown off with pressurized air for dewatering, loosened with a counterflow of a pressurized gas and discharged from the filter container. The filter container is immediately connected to the fermentation tank.

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: A device which employs high pressure air to remove oil from a used oil filter of a motor vehicle. High pressure air directed into a central core of an oil filter forces out oil in the filter, thereby permitting the filter to be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner, without the concern that oil may leak from the filter and cause contamination.

Abstract: A nonclogging rotary disk filter is disclosed. The invention has relief holes provided in rotatable disks such that oil, other liquids, and gases may be separated from a liquid while the discs are rotated at high speeds. The relief holes are located close to the rotatable shaft supporting the disks. When the disks are rotated at high speeds, ligher liquids, oil, and gas bubbles tend to migrate to the area near the shaft which has relatively low centrifugal forces. In a gravitational field, the relief holes allow the lighter liquids, oil, and gas bubbles to migrate upwardly through the disks for removal. The disks are rotated fast enough to establish a barrier layer in a liquid over a working area of the disk surface having a surface velocity greater than 15 feet per second.

Abstract: Techniques are described for extracting lead from a sample of potable water and analyzing for the amount of lead so extracted. A complexing agent is added to the water to form a complex with the lead. The water is then contacted with unmodified cellulosic or siliceous material on which the lead complex is retained. The complexed lead can be removed from the cellulosic or siliceous material with a weak acid. The amount of lead in the sample can be readily determined colorimetrically.

Abstract: A method of removing magnetically-separated magnetic particles adhering to a magnetic filter. Sets of radially-arranged magnets are provided above and below, with adjacent magnets having unlike poles. The filter is located in an alternating magnetic field formed by the magnets. The filter is washed by directing a jet of fluid at it while magnets, or filter, is being rotated.

Abstract: A sand filter is provided where dirtied filter media, generally sand, is continuously withdrawn from the filter container and lifted to the top of a juxtaposed separate wash vessel outside the container. The dirty media cascades in zig-zag fashion across and down a series of vertically spaced inclined baffles in the wash vessel extending alternately from opposite sides of the vessel so that a thin, relatively wide media stream falls from one baffle down to the next. A wash liquid, normally clean filtrate from the sand filter container, enters an inlet port adjacent to the bottom of the wash vessel and due to the coaction of the spaced baffles forms vertically-oriented circular flow patterns or vortices in alternative clockwise and counter clockwise directions so that portions of the wash liquid flow are directed to flow along with and in the same direction i.e. co-current flow, as the downwardly progressing and cascading media stream falling from one baffle member to the next baffle member.

Abstract: The invention is a filter apparatus and method for separating suspended solids from fluids, particularly liquids. A filter chamber is defined inside a filter housing. Inside the chamber is a filter bundle, consisting of two or more filter screens, of a non-woven construction. Spaces between the filter screen strands provide channels for fluid to flow through the filter bundle along a tortuous path that is parallel to each screen. These spaces also define openings for directing a flushing fluid, such as air, in a crosswise direction through the filter screens. The crossflow path of the flushing fluid removes solid particles trapped in the channels of the filter screens.

Abstract: A disc filter and method of operating same is provided in which a liquid jet is intermittently used to detach pulp cake from the disc filter. In operation, mechanical or electrical means actuate a nozzle to spray pressurized fluid at a portion of the boundary between the surface of each disc filter segment and its associated pulp cake. The nozzle is actuated to begin spraying as respective segments move into register with the nozzle and are cause to discontinue spraying prior to moving out of register when the loosened pulp cake falls from the segments by gravity. the improved control of pulp cake removal reduces use of washing fluid and results in improved pulp cake consistency.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the separation and purification of cellulose ethers and other cellulose derivatives in a filter unit at relatively high temperatures and with narrow-mesh filters, employing a pressure vessel having candle filters to which pressure is introduced for separation of the suspension liquid, for the removal of residual liquid from the filter cake formed, and also for washing the filter cake.

Abstract: Cylindrical textile filters of the radially outward filtration flow type such as utilized in textile wet processing systems are cleaned of filtered accumulation in an inclined filter housing wherein the filter is continuously rotated while a spray nozzle travels axially along the length of the filter applying a high velocity spray of cleaning water radially inwardly with respect to the filter. Simultaneously, a shower-like water spray is applied axially through the filter interior to flush the filtered accumulation as it is dislodged by the high-pressure spray nozzle.

Abstract: Filter pads, which are made inherently stable by binders and by removal of the binders can be converted in packings to be maintained under substantially constant surface pressure between rigid filter brackets, are produced first as molded bodies from a suspension of filter aids in liquid by depositing granular, fibrous, or fiber-containing filter aids or mixtures of those filter aids in a casting mold, there being used high rates of flow while avoiding turbulences, and adding binders to the suspension so that the molded body can be stabilized by activation of the binder while drying. It is possible in this process also to manufacture multi-layered filter pads, it having been surprisingly found in those multi-layered filter pads that the layer assembly is kept intact during the filtration even in the filter packing that no longer contains binders.

Abstract: Encrusted filter surfaces that have been used for filtering wet process phosphoric acid slurries are effectively cleaned, e.g., of crystalline deposits, by washing same with a solution of fluosilic acid.

Abstract: A body fluid treating circuit comprising a block for collecting a body fluid from a human body, a body fluid treating block and a block for returning the treated body fluid to the human body, said body fluid treating block comprising a plurality of treating units for treating the body fluid by passing therethrough, the units being arranged in parallel flow relationship, body fluid feed and return lines connected to each of the treating units so as to selectively feed to and return from the units through line switching means.

Abstract: In apparatus for removing water and impurity components from sand, there are provided a rotary member having an opening at one end for charging and discharging sand and a filter for passing water. The rotary member is supported by a support and driven by a variable speed motor. Piston-cylinders or the like are provided for tilting the support. In a modified embodiment, two of the rotary bodies are juxtaposed with their openings faced each other. A peripheral wall of the rotary member is provided with a member of perforations for discharging water separated from sand.

Abstract: Process for separation and purifying pigment suspensions and suspensions of pigment intermediates in a liquid by means of a membrane separation process, whereby the suspension to be treated is uniformly fed to and circulated through a microfiltration unit containing at least one semi-permeable membrane and the separated liquid flows off through the membrane as permeate which process comprises replacing the permeate gradually by a washing liquid that differs from the first liquid such that the total amount of washing liquid fed into the system is 1 to 15 times the total volume of the initial suspension, and separating the resultant suspension from the liquid by means of conventional filtration or drying apparatus. The process is particularly suitable for processing fine pigment suspensions often obtained in pigment synthesis.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for the magnetic separation of material from a fluid containing magnetic and non-magnetic material, passing the fluid through matrix containing canisters wherein the canisters are carried on a turret which moves axially and rotatably. In four quadrilaterally arranged locations, two canisters are supported in a separation position within coils until they are filled and then are moved axially and rotationally to cleansing stations while cleansed canisters are rotated and moved axially up into the separation stations. A distribution head connects to the turret for delivery of magnetic material containing fluid and cleansing fluid.

Abstract: Liquid which has been partially clarified in the settling zone of a clarifier tank is channelled through a filtration compartment containing a buoyant particulate filtration media. The media particles are periodically agitated so that trapped solids are separated from the media and retained in the clarifier tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix ring magnetic separator the induction bodies of which are formed by sieve nettings which are arranged vertically and stacked behind one another in the direction of the magnetic field in such a way that the intersections of the wires of one sieve netting are located on the free field of the adjacent sieve netting resulting in the formation of sieve netting assemblies which are springy in themselves in the direction of the magnetic field. Even at very high field strength gradients such a magnetic separator is distinguished by good possibilities for cleaning and can also be produced economically.

Abstract: A process for removing sorbed lubricating oil additives from siliceous filter material is provided. The process comprises forming a slurry of the additive-laden siliceous filter material and an aromatic solvent. Water is added to the slurry prior to separating the siliceous filter material from the slurry. The recovered filter material is substantially additive-free. The lubricating oil additives may be optionally recovered from the aromatic solvent by appropriate means such as distillation.

Abstract: An in-line, inclined strainer device in which the strainer proper is removably mounted within a casing, which casing is mounted in-line in a piping system, such that the strainer may be removed in an easy manner for subsequent replacement and/or cleaning. The strainer is mounted by a removable tubular element having an elliptically-cut end for mounting directly to it an elliptically-shaped screen mesh forming the strainer proper. The end of the tubular element is mounted in a linear portion of a casing through which flows the liquid of the piping system, so that the screen mesh may entrap solids. Diametrically opposite to the tubular element is a drainage duct which, when opened, allows the flow of the liquid to pass through, carrying away with it the effluent sedimented and debris in the drainage duct. The strainer proper includes a plurality of rods that are welded to the lower end of the tubular element, which rods directly mount the screen mesh.

Abstract: A washing unit has a receptacle for receiving at least one half of the length of a cylindrical cartridge filter for swimming pool filtration systems. An orifice, disposed in the side of the receptacle, directs water against at least the lower half of the external cylindrical surface of the filter to wash off and entrain foreign matter collected thereon upon flow of the water intermediate the filter and the receptacle. A discharge outlet downstream of the filter discharges the water and entrained foreign matter. An upwardly extending mouth at the inlet of the receptacle accommodates manual insertion, withdrawal and manipulation of the filter during washing while containing water splash. A pair of legs extending from proximate the inlet maintain the receptacle inclined to encourage downward water flow along the filter from the orifice to the discharge outlet.

Abstract: Filter cake waste media from a phosphoric acid purification process containing contaminating amounts of arsenic is treated in the process of this invention to remove the arsenic therefrom and to render the filter media suitable for reuse. The process of the invention comprises separating the arsenic contaminant from the filter material by treating the material with sufficient amount of a base, such as soda ash, to dissolve the contaminating arsenic compounds into solution and separating and recovering the filter media from the arsenic-containing solution. The separated arsenic can be recovered by reprecipitation utilizing an acid and a source of soluble sulfide ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a product fluid from a filter, wherein a wash fluid is passed through the filter so as to yield a mixture of product fluid and wash fluid. The mixture is then phase separated in a phase separator into a first phase substantially comprising product fluid, and a second phase substantially comprising wash fluid.