Abstract: There is disclosed a granular filtration system having a separator trough with an air deflection baffle of improved shape and operation, preferably combined with an airlift mechanism for cleaning or removing settled granular media particles from the upper surface of the air deflection baffle. The air deflection baffle is used in a regeneration method for the granular media filtration system in which the granular media is purged of filtered solids by backflushing with air and water. In this application, the air-deflection baffle is installed beneath and adjacent to the open throat of a solids separation vessel, typically which is in the form of a trough spanning the width of the filtration vessel and having an inclined bottom wall with an open throat. The improved configuration of the air deflection baffle is generally an inverted W-shape. A plurality of open-ended tubes are secured on the air deflection baffle, transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof.