Abstract: A method and apparatus arrangement for continuous cooking of food in hot oil with clarification, purification and recycle of oil. Particulates-laden oil from the cooker is passed through a comminutor then through a precoat filter to remove particulates. The filter bed may also contain a quantity of adsorbent to remove free fatty acid from the oil before reuse. Elevated temperatures are maintained and the operation is conducted in an oxygen-poor environment. An apparatus arrangement includes a cooker, a comminutor and an enclosed precoat filter through which all oil passes. Appropriate piping and controls are provided.

Abstract: A horizontal belt filter with incremental belt advance in which an endless belt is trained about a plurality of idler rollers to pass through an upper run which includes a filter section and a lower return run. The belt passes over only idler rollers. To index the belt for incremental advance through the filter section, a pair of idler rollers on a common shiftable frame are rapidly simultaneously shifted while the belt in the return run is braked against movement. The braking is accomplished by a pinch bar that presses against an idler roller with the belt between the bar and roller. After shifting, the belt is reset by slow retraction of the shiftable frame. All shifting of the frame is done by hydraulic rams. To assist in incremental belt advance, an air cushion may be introduced under the belt in the filter section. For feed distribution, and stage separation, inflatable dams are provided above the belt in the filtering section.

Abstract: A rotary disc vacuum filter includes detachably-mounted conduits rotating with a trunnion to provide flow communication between disc-shaped filter elements mounted on the trunnion and a valve applying suction to the filter elements. The rotary disc vacuum filter further includes ferrules for mounting the disc-shaped filter elements to the trunnion.