Abstract: A filtering apparatus includes a filter vessel having an inlet and an outlet for fluid. A tube sheet is disposed within the filter vessel and separates the inlet from the outlet. A plurality of elongated filter elements extend nonvertically from the tube sheet, each filter element having a first end and a second end farther from the tube sheet than the first end and being at a different height than the first end.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing divided into a first chamber and a second chamber. A filter element is disposed in the first chamber, and a conduit is disposed in and opens to the second chamber. A weep hole introduces a backwash liquid from the second chamber into the filter element or the conduit. A differential pressure is then established between the opening in the conduit and the exterior of the filter element to force the backwash liquid through the filter element and thereby clean the filter element and/or strip a precoat layer from the filter element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter sealing device for a filter element. The filter element includes an end portion defining an opening. The sealing device includes a body having a first section attached to a second section. The first section is positionable within the opening in the filter element with the second section facing an open end portion of the filter element. The first section has a larger coefficient of thermal expansion than the end portion of the filter element so that an increase in temperature results in the first section of the body expanding at a greater rate than the end portion of the filter element. These differing rates of expansion cause a compressive force to be exerted between the first section of the body and the end portion of the filter element.

Abstract: Metal particulates and porous metal media, which have enhanced resistance to undesirable oxidation, and methods of producing the same are provided. The porous metal media comprise sintered metal particulates each typically having a core and a surface and a diameter in the range of 0.25 to 50 micrometers, the particulates comprising at least about 60 wt. % of a base metal including at least one of iron and nickel, at least about 11 wt. % chromium and no more than about 0.03 wt. % carbon. The surfaces of the particulates are enriched with at least one treatment element in an amount and depth sufficient to enhance the resistance of the particulates to undesirable oxidation. The invention also includes a fine metal filter medium formed from sintered metal fibers, which has enhanced resistance to corrosion and/or to high temperature oxidation.

Abstract: A filtration system and method. The filtration system comprises a manifold having an inlet, a plurality of filter elements mounted to the manifold, and a scheme for convectively cooling the filter elements to limit the temperature of the filter elements to a predetermined temperature. The filtration method comprises the steps of passing a fluid through a plurality of filter elements and convectively cooling the filter elements to limit the temperature of the filter elements to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An element for treating a fluid flowing through the element which comprises at least two filter medium layers helically wrapped around a pervious, hollow tube, with the filter medium layers forming an overall graded pore structure for the fluid treatment element and/or at least one diffusion layer positioned between the filter medium layers.

Abstract: Metal filter sheet is made by a method in which metal particulates are suspended in a fluid medium containing a stabilizing agent. The stable suspension is then filtered to leave a wet cake of the metal particulate which is then dried, compressed, and sintered to produce the metal filter sheet.

Abstract: A composite structure, particularly a filter structure, is provided comprising a support having a surface and a porous membrane formed integrally to the surface of the support. The support preferably includes means for directing a fluid away from the surface of the support. The support surface is at least slightly soluble in a solvent. The porous membrane comprises a resin soluble in the solvent and precipitated while the casting solution is in contact with a porous substrate and the surface of the support. The membrane is formed and integrally secured to the surface of the support contemporaneously.