Abstract: An apparatus for effecting filtration, clarification and purification of liquid which comprises a housing containing a filter element made up of a plurality of layers of adsorbent material, comprising a porous, non-woven fibrous matrix in which is included an adsorbing agent for removing dissolved or suspended matter from the liquid, and a plurality of layers of liquid-permeable material. The layers of adsorbent material and liquid-permeable material are interdigitated in a stack between liquid impervious walls, and the flow of liquid through the filter element is along path generally parallel to the confronting surfaces of the layers of adsorbent material and liquid-permeable material. A process for removing dissolved, suspended or particulate matter from a liquid containing same, utilizing the filter apparatus, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective mask formed from a porous non-woven sheet material which is made of glass fibers and a suitable binding agent, and which may optionally include a gas adsorbent substance. The mask protects the respiratory system of the wearer from the effects of toxic gases and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are filter mats composed of a wet laid, porous, non-woven matrix having randomly arranged, irregularly intersecting and overlapping cellulose fibers intermixed as a cobeat (i.e. beaten together) with micro-bits of an expanded, thermoplastic styrene-polymer or lower polyolefin or of a flexible foamed polyurethane, and which mix also can include any one or more additional such micro-bits and of fiber-forming polyethylene terephthalate polyester fibers, finely divided activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, and colloidal alumina monohydrate. These mats are effective, for example, to remove insoluble particles and/or soluble substances present in liquid, presently primarily aqueous, media particularly in minute amounts, such as undesirable substances in industrial plant waste waters.

Abstract: Undesired substances are removed from a gas or vapor stream containing same by a gas-vapor treating mat composed of glass fibers intermixed with micro-bits of any of an expanded thermoplastic styrene-polymer or expanded thermoplastic lower polyolefin or flexible foam polyurethane and a compatible organic bonding agent, which mat may contain one or more additives from the group of fibers of a fiber-forming terephthalate polyester, activated carbon particles, gas-vapor adsorbent zeolite particles or crystalline molecular sieve particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is (a) a filtration method using (i) micro-bits produced from an expanded thermoplastic polymer non-brittle in expanded form and selected from a styrene-polymer and a polyolefin from polyethylene to poly-methylpentene or (ii) mixtures of these micro-bits and inorganic filter aids as diatomaceous earth and perlite, and (b) these filter aid mixtures. These micro-bits and mixtures are useful filter aids in several different ways. One is to prepare a slurry of them in a liquid medium and feed this slurry to a filter element (as fabric filter cloth or wire filter cloth or ceramic filter) to provide on that element's feed side a precoat of the filter aid and liquid leaves as filtrate from its filtrate side.In another way these micro-bits and mixtures are used by being admixed into the liquid (inert to them) containing finely divided material suspended or dispersed in the liquid and to be removed.