Abstract: A sludge filter is comprised of a mesh filter media secured to a support net. The support net includes a front surface adjacent the filter media and a rear surface opposite the filter media, the rear surface having a plurality of outwardly extending nodes to define flow channels for horizontal and vertical fluid flow intermediate the net and a container surface. The sludge filter is attached directly to the walls or floor of a container. In a preferred embodiment a border of the sludge filter comprises one part of a two-part fastener system with a second part of the two-part fastener system attached to a container along the perimeter of the filter coverage area, so that the filter medium may be removably attached to the container.

Abstract: A sludge filter is comprised of a mesh filter media secured to a support net. The support net includes a front surface adjacent the filter media and a rear surface opposite the filter media, the rear surface having a plurality of outwardly extending nodes to define flow channels for horizontal and vertical fluid flow intermediate the net and a container surface. The sludge filter is attached directly to the walls or floor of a container. In a preferred embodiment a border of the sludge filter comprises one part of a two-part fastener system with a second part of the two-part fastener system attached to a container along the perimeter of the filter coverage area, so that the filter medium may be removably attached to the container.

Abstract: A sludge filtration system generally including a container, a first filter assembly defining a first filtrate cavity, a first device for evacuating sludge filtrate from the first filtrate cavity, and a device for selectively slidably removing the first filter assembly from the container. The container can be either an open-top box or a vacuum box and is constructed to receive sludge therein. In the preferred embodiment, the system further includes a second filter assembly defining a second filtrate cavity, with the second filter assembly attached to the first filter assembly and preferably extending from the first filter assembly in a direction distal to the bottom of the container. Also preferably, the system includes a device for stabilizing the filter assemblies when they are slidably removed from the container.

Abstract: A selectively removable gravitational and vacuum sludge filtration apparatus and method that provides for retrofit into a container and separation of the sludge solids from the sludge liquids therein. A pair of spaced vertically oriented filter assemblies each define a filtrate cavity therein and are connected by separator plates. The filter assemblies permit the flow of sludge liquids into the filtrate cavity, but not sludge solids. A separator divides each filtrate cavity into two cavity sections, a first filtrate cavity and a second filtrate cavity. Filtrate drains into first and second filtrate cavities by either vacuum or gravitational drainage, depending on the level of sludge within the container. Vacuum drainage occur in first or second filtrate cavity if either cavity is situated below the level of the sludge within the container. A first and second filtrate evacuation means provide for the evacuation of filtrate from the first and second filtrate cavities by the use of a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A selectively removable sludge filtration system that provides for retrofit into a container and separation of the sludge solids from the sludge liquids therein. A pair of spaced vertically oriented filter assemblies each define a filtrate cavity therein and are connected by separator plates. The filter assemblies permit the flow of sludge liquids into the filtrate cavity, but not sludge solids. A set of fasteners hold the filter assemblies in the container and bias the filter assemblies against the container bottom. The fasteners may be released to provide for removal of the sludge filtration system from the container. A fluid communication passageway directs filtrate from the filtrate cavity to a position exterior of the container. Functionally applying this sludge filtration system provides a method of retrofitting a container with a sludge filtration system and removing filtrate from a sludge in the container.