Abstract: A cross flow filter apparatus and method uses an open tank having a first liquid retaining section, a second filter retaining section and a third solids collecting section in fluid communication with each other. A filter assembly is retained within the second section and includes a filter panel having a generally vertically disposed filter membrane surface, preferably with submicron pores. Filtrate is removed by applying low vacuum pressure, in the range of about 5 inches vacuum pressure (Mercury), in communication with the filter panel such that filtrate is drawn through the pores of the filter membrane surface at a flow rate Q.sub.out. Fluid to be filtered is cross flowing vertically downward across the filter membrane surface at a flow rate Q.sub.x, such that the horizontal velocity V.sub.h of fluid drawn through the filter membrane surface is less than the vertical velocity V.sub.v of the cross flowing unfiltered fluid.

Abstract: A dry cleaning solvent recovery and filtering system includes a dry cleaning solvent tank containing solvent for use in a dry cleaning machine. A filtration path from the tank includes a centrifugal separator for removing coarse debris and a filter element for removing fine debris from the solvent fluid. The filter element includes a perforated metal cylinder, having an open mouth, with a Teflon.RTM. coated screen forming the interior debris collection surface. A rinsing spray nozzle situated at the mouth of the filter element directs a fluid spray under pressure against the collection surface in the same direction that debris contaminated solvent fluid flows therethrough. The pressure of the fluid spray is sufficient to dislodge fine debris adhered to the collection surface without forcing the debris into the perforations of the filter element.

Abstract: A filter unit using a bump-type filter is disclosed. Briefly stated, a chamber has a fluid inlet conduit so that contaminated fluid, upon entering the chamber, is directed upwardly towards filter tubes and downwardly towards the bottom of the chamber. The fluid flow is diverted during startup so as to be directed only downward. A bump handle is disposed between two fluid outlet conduits such that one is opened and the other is closed and the reverse when the bump handle is in a first or second corresponding position. A plurality of microswitches are utilized so that the pump is not enabled during bumping or when a dump valve is open, but is enabled during system operation or startup.

Abstract: A system for continuously or periodically flushing collected particles from filter leaf assemblies without interrupting the filtering operation is disclosed. The filter leaf assemblies are constructed from a pair of like grid-like filter media support panels mounted in spaced parallel relationship within a rigid rectangular peripheral frame. Sheets of filter media overlie the outer surfaces of the support panels and are fixedly sealed to the frame around the entire periphery of the panel. One side of the frame is fixedly mounted to an outlet pipe whose interior communicates with the space between the support panels via mating slots in the pipe wall and frame. Two filter media attachment arrangements and two frame to pipe mounting arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: From a liquid mixture containing a liquid in a continuous phase and a liquid in the form of drops in a phase dispersed therein, the liquid in the dispersed phase is separated from the liquid in the continuous phase by passing the liquid mixture through a liquid-permeable layer (11, 12), arranged in chamber (10), with through-holes of which at least the majority has a cross section area which is greater than the cross section area of at least the main part of the drops in the dispersed phase, the liquid mixture being sheared, by means of a rotor (23) arranged in the chamber on the inlet side of the liquid-permeable layer, over the layer while maintaining a film (24) of liquid, movable along the layer, from the dispersed phase on the layer and while maintaining a higher pressure on the inlet side of the layer than on its outlet side. Drops of dispersed liquid then coalesce in the film and in the through-holes of the layer and can thus be separated from the liquid in the continuous phase.

Abstract: A multiple-disk type filter including a stack of filter disks disposed in a housing and an extensible support for external placement relative to the stack of filter disks, the extensible support including first and second base elements located externally of the stack and a multiplicity of externally located rod members joining the first and second base elements in sliding relationship, a first plurality of the rod members being fixedly attached to the first base element and being arranged for slidable supporting engagement with the second base element and a second plurality of the rod members being fixedly attached to the second base element and being arranged for slidable supporting engagement with the first base element, the rod members being disposed externally relative to the stack of filter disks.

Abstract: A filter leaf cleaning system for use in a suction-type filter apparatus having a tank to receive polluted liquids to be filtered or clarified includes a cleaning system header connected to a filtrate discharge conduit for diverting a portion of filtrate flow into the cleaning system, valve means connected to the cleaning system header for controlling filtrate flow into the cleaning system, a dispersing conduit connected to the cleaning system header adjacent a particulate-filtering surface of each filter leaf and having an opening for directing the filtrate flow across the particulate-filtering surface to flush particulates from the surface toward a solids collecting section of the tank housing the filter leaf. In addition, or in the alternative, the cleaning system may employ a membrane wiping member for sweeping movement across the particulate-filtering surface to brush residue or particulates from the surface.

Abstract: A process for treating waste material is disclosed wherein the initial steps are performed in the dry stage including the removal of dirt, metallic and glass materials, and separation of the dry materials and thereafter passing the materials through a horizontal rotary pulp separating mechanism which delivers to a pulper and to an anaerobic process chamber.

Abstract: A plate-type filter that is provided with a sealing element that is disposed in the flow path of liquid that is to be filtered and seals off the in-flow region relative to the filling space of the filter housing. The sealing element is movable into its sealing position under the pressure of in-flowing liquid. The sealing element is therefore in the sealing position only when liquid is flowing in. When the filter elements are rotated for centrifuging off the filter cake, the sealing element is no longer in its sealing position due to the absence of liquid pressure, so that the sealing element is not stressed during the centrifuging process.

Abstract: A vibrating filter apparatus comprises a housing, a filter unit in the housing and a support unit for supporting the filter unit in the housing. The support unit includes elongate elements in the housing connecting the filter unit in spaced relation to the wall of the housing, and a vibrator unit fixed to the support unit between the housing wall and filter unit and actuable for laterally vibrating the support unit and thereby the filter unit.

Abstract: The filter tubes of a swimming pool filter are cleaned by a spray nozzle connected to a high pressure water source and carried on the end of a wand adapted to be inserted slidably through the drain valve and moved back and forth to cause the spray nozzle to traverse back and forth beneath the tubes. Dirty water from the filter is discharged around the wand and through the drain valve.

Abstract: A separator having a plurality of vertically stacked cylindrical separation stages, with provision for removal of the gas from the liquids and solids at an intake separator stage and removal of the liquid from the solids in subsequent stages. Each separator stage has a filter screen for separating the liquid from the solid with progressively offset openings in each filter screen to pass the solid to the next stage. A wiper in each stage rakes the solid across the screen to facilitate solid-liquid separation. The liquid passes through the screen in the intake separation stage and onto a conical plate and out a plurality of openings in the side of the separator. The openings of each stage are interconnected to a lowermost reservoir stage having a central opening for disposal of the liquid. The opening in the screen in the last stage is above an auger which collects the solids for disposal.

Abstract: Polymer filtration apparatus comprising a body having a pair of upstream passages each terminating at a slide channel and a pair of downstream passages respectively opposing the upstream passages, and a slide member in the channel having apertures for a pair of replaceable filters each normally communicating between an upstream passage and a downstream passage. The extents of the channel surfaces between the pairs of passages and between each passage and the exterior of the body, and the extents of the filter apertures on the slide member are related so that one filter remains active when the slide member is in position for replacing the other filter. After a filter has been replaced the new filter may be prefiled without pressure loss in the polymer or excessive leakage thereof.

Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter system for a household or the like having a plurality of water usage zones requiring varying water quality.

Abstract: Particulates which are less than and greater than a predetermined size and are entrained in a fluid are separated according to their respective sizes by passing the fluid and entrained particulates through a porous, crossflow separator element while continuously vibrating the separator element to prevent buildup of particulates on the upstream side of the separator element.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a suspension consisting of a hollow cylinder in which one or more tubes of a constant outward diameter extend in axial direction, in the wall of each tube at least one filter being mounted forming the only direct connection between the interior of the tube and the interior of the cylinder. Two or more of such apparatus can be connected in series in order to form a cascade.

Abstract: A cleaning system includes a pressure vessel partially filled with a cleaning liquid which is pumped from the vessel, heated by a heat exchanger and sprayed onto a dirty surface to be cleaned. A vacuum pump creates a partial vacuum above the free surface of the cleaning liquid in the vessel. A vacuum line connects a low point at the dirty surface to the pressure vessel so that dislodged contaminants and cleaning liquid are sucked into the vessel. Liquid and solids are pumped from the pressure vessel into a solids separator to remove relatively large solids. Liquid passes from the solid separator into a centrifuge which removes very fine solid particles, which are combined with a bulk solidification medium in a blender/extruder to create disposal cake. Exhaust gases from the vacuum pump can be either recycled into a substantially sealed dirty tank or directed through a scrubber to remove condensate and other substances. The exhaust gas from the scrubber can be burned in the heat exchanger burner.

Abstract: A multiple-disk type filter including a stack of filter disks disposed in a housing and an extensible support for the stack of filter disks, the extensible support including first and second end elements and a multiplicity of rod members joining the first and second end elements in sliding relationship, the multiplicity of rod members being arranged in slidable engagement with at least one of the first and second end elements, and stop apparatus for limiting extension of the support.

Abstract: A filter candle element which is mounted in depending manner in a pressure container has a support body and a filter tissue which covers the support body and has at least one impermeable portion so as to prevent the depositing of a continuous filter cake. Through provision of a plurality of impermeable portions, the filter cake is divided into several pieces which do not obstruct their removal. The impermeable portions are obtained by spraying of synthetic material onto the filter tissue. These filter candle elements are especially suitable for alluvial filters of large dimensions.

Abstract: A rotary filter, formed by a number of annular filter discs (1), mounted substantially parallel on a driving shaft, for the uptake and dewatering of fiber suspension from a container, fiber cakes (5) being formed, adhering to the outer sides of the filter discs (1), is provided with spraying nozzles (3), arranged in a removal zone for removal of said fiber cake (5). The invention consists of supporting elements (4) provided in the removal zone for supporting the fiber cake (5) in its upper loosened part and to prevent it from folding out from the filter disc (1) during the removal process.

Abstract: A filter apparatus has a filter housing having suspended therein a filter element. The filter element includes a plurality of hollow threads made from a high molecular weight polymeric material. The threads are characterized by being porous and flexible as well as being closed at the bottom. The filter apparatus further has at least one baffle within the housing to cause turbulence in the liquid to filtered. The inside of each hollow thread is at a lower pressure than the liquid on the outside, so that the filtrate can enter through the porous membrane of the threads while leaving solid matter behind. The open tops of the threads are in communication with an opening in the filter housing through which filtrate, free of solid material, may be removed.

Abstract: The present invention is an engine oil cleaner comprising the oil cleaner body, a corrugated porous paper board (or non-corrugated porous paper board), a polar plate, a filter cartridge, an electric conduction spring plate, several insulating rubber items and a high voltage electrostatic generator, wherein its feature lies in that the high voltage electrostatic generator is used to produce a electrostatic field between the casing body of the engine oil cleaner body and the polar plate and in this electrostatic field fully fills up the engine oil cleaner body, thus making the very small metal particles inducted and hereby possess electric charges which then are absorbed on the surface of the corrugated porous paper board, and the filter cartridge is used to filter out the smaller metal particles twice and also to eliminate the moisture and the catalysts such as the extraneous matters in the engine oil, thus preventing the engine oil from becoming deteriorated as well as extending the life of the engine oil so

Abstract: In a filter pressure container provided with a plurality of vertically suspended tube-like filter elements having a filter cloth thereon the filtration of residual volumes of a liquid being filtered and the rinsing-out of the filter cakes built up during the filtration on the filter cloth are carried out by pumping out of the residual liquid or the rinsing liquid from the container by pump into an injector mounted in the container above the filter elements. The injector sprays out the residual liquid or the washing liquid over the filter elements while a pressure gas or air is simultaneously supplied into the container to force the liquid mist through the filter elements.

Abstract: A pressure filter utilizes a vibratory impactor for imparting vertically directed high frequency shock waves to a rigid manifold from which a plurality of rigid filter tubes incorporate a fine mesh sleeve held tightly by spaced elastic bands against a unitary plastic core having inner and outer tubes interconnected by integral web portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a fiber layer from a rotating disc filter consisting of a number of filter discs mounted side by side on a common shaft includes gas or liquid nozzles for said removal. The spray nozzles are rigidly connected to slide shoes, each of which is guided by a guide rail positioned about the periphery of each filter disc. The slide shoe is arranged with play relative to the guide rail and is suspended as a pendulum.

Abstract: A process for fractionating a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, of he type wherein said suspension is made to pass through a filtering screen, characterized in that said suspension is directed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of an elastically deforming, flexible, perforated sleeve forming a filtering screen, and in that a sequence of high and low pressures is continuously created within this sleeve and travels at least predominantly opposite the direction of the suspension flow. The invention also applies to equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning hard surfaces and surface coverings such as rugs and upholstery material, consisting of a tank of cleaning fluid, an outlet line running to a cleaning head, a pump in connection with the outlet line, a vacuum motor with an inlet line recovering cleaning fluid through the cleaning head, filters in the tank in connection with the inlet and outlet lines, a stream cleaning the outlet filter and centrifuging the cleaning fluid in the tank separating out contaminants leaving a body of cleaning fluid substantially free of particulate matter to recycle whereby for example, a tank of six gallons of cleaning fluid can accomplish the effective cleaning effort for which would be required on the order of sixty gallons of uncycled cleaning fluid.

Abstract: Liquid is circulated from bottom to top in a pressure tank by means of a gas pump including an upstanding pipe located within the tank and up through which gas is pumped at a pressure exceeding tank pressure to carry liquid which enters the pipe at the bottom up to the top of the tank.

Abstract: A simplified diffusion washer or the like is provided. Withdrawal screens and fluid introducing structures are mounted by support arms and a central conduit. The central conduit, with attached screens and the like, is reciprocated up and down by a single linear actuator located below the vessel. Withdrawn liquid is taken out the bottom of the vessel, while treatment liquid is introduced through the top or bottom.

Abstract: Cake control members are mounted at the peripheries of filter leaves and filter tubes to confine the build-up of filter cakes and prevent the cakes from extending over the peripheries of the elements.

Abstract: Cleaning a filter surface (16) in situ in a filer housing (10) forming part of a pressure filtering apparatus for liquids is carried out by drying the coating deposited on the filter surface by means of hot air which is caused to flow at a moderate rate through the suspension chamber (5) of the filter housing in a direction over and substantially parallel to the sludge-coated filter surface. The dried coating is detached from the filter surface and removed from the suspension chamber by means of compressed air which alternately with the hot air and at a substantially higher rate than the latter also is caused to flow in a direction over and substantially parallel to the filter surface.

Abstract: A slurry separator utilizes the power inherent in the pressurized slurry from the slurry pump through a reaction nozzle to drive a rotor, with the slurry distributed through the nozzle being distributed over the surface of a conical grid. The rotor structure also drives squeegee-like blades which scrape the solids downward inside the cone readying screen for the next discharge, and then sweeping them down into a cylindrical auger chamber where they are compacted downwardly against an inverted conical floor to further squeeze moisture through the sides of a housing cylinder. The conical floor of the compacting cylinder presses up against the particulates to be compacted with a resistance that is proportional to the speed of the rotor, achieved through the use of a centrifugal governor. This action makes it tolerant to variations in nozzle flow volume (pressure) and converts energy output into optimum separation.

Abstract: Filtering apparatus includes a shell with at least one filter leaf mounted in the shell to be rotatable about an axis. Means are provided for forcing a solid-containing liquid into the shell and into the leaf to form a cake of solids on the leaf. Means are also provided for removing filtered liquid from the leaf and the shell. A nozzle in the shell is disposed adjacent the leaf to direct a jet of sluicing liquid against the leaf as the leaf rotates. A sluicing liquid is supplied to the nozzle to wash solids from the leaf, and means are provided for moving the nozzle toward and away from the axis of leaf rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the leaf to remove solids from the leaf.

Abstract: The exhaust manifold in a pressure filter is spring mounted and vibrated along a vertical axis to dislodge filter cakes from filter tubes suspended from the manifold.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating and removing oil and particulate solids from a dispersion of oil and particulate solids in water or a water-based liquid. During separation, the dispersion is fed under pressure into the inlet end of a plurality of upright coalescer tubes made of a single-layer of flexible, water-permeable fabric and is prevented from exiting through the outlet end of the tubes. The water passes radially through the fabric walls into a stilling chamber surrounding the coalescer tubes and exits through a clean water outlet while the solid particulates are retained on the inner surface of the fabric. The oil particles coalesce on the inner surface of the tubes, forming a layer of oil which migrates through the fabric's pores due to the pressure differential between the inner and outer tube surfaces and forms an oil layer on the outer surface of the fabric.

Abstract: A collar for fitting over the upper end of the cake discharge chute of a rotatable disc filter, or the like. The collar has a plurality of downwardly and inwardly sloping walls which substantially reduce any tendency for cake to stick to the sides of the chute. For use with heavy cake, reinforcing members may be provided for the collar. The collar is configured for use with discharge chutes of diverse design.

Abstract: A filter apparatus has an elongated shaft, a plurality of filtering elements mounted on the shaft and spaced from one another in direction of elongation of the latter, and means for cleaning the filtering elements. The cleaning means includes a source of cleaning medium under elevated pressure and a plurality of nozzle elements communicating with this source. The nozzle elements face toward surfaces of filtering material provided on the filter elements and are turnable relative to these surfaces. The cleaning medium is ejected from the nozzle elements at a pressure between substantially 5 and 100 bar toward the surfaces of the filtering material of the filter elements so that the cleaning medium removes a cake deposited during a filtering process from the surfaces of the filtering material and thereupon also cleans the filtering material of the filter elements.

Abstract: A diffusion washer and/or thickener assembly is provided that is greatly simplified. A number of withdrawal screens and fluid introducing structures are provided supported by spider arms which comprise conduits for introduction of liquid into and withdrawal of liquid from an elongated upright hollow vessel in which the assembly is disposed. The conduit means, with attached screen structures, is reciprocated up and down by a single linear actuator located preferably above the vessel and within the cross-sectional area thereof so that the wall of the vessel need not be penetrated by the conduits. The screens and fluid introducing structures remain stationary with respect to each other during reciprocation. A number of wiper blades, which may be operated by a single linear actuator, are provided at the top of the vessel for moving upwardly flowing pulp into withdrawal conduits surrounding the vessel periphery.

Abstract: A filter system comprising a tank and a cage assembly releasably mounted therein. The cage assembly comprises a tube plate and a plurality of filter tubes projecting upwardly therefrom. A plurality of replaceable cartridges are telescoped over each of the tubes. Below the tubes is a plenum chamber for receiving filtered fluid. The entire cage assembly is removable from the filter tank by providing lifting trunnions on the cage assembly and by providing a yoke assembly for lifting the cage assembly out by the trunnions. The yoke assembly will automatically grasp the trunnions when it is inserted in the filter tank. A safety mechanism is provided for securing the yoke assembly on the trunnions.When the cage assembly is lifted out of the filter tank, a mechanism is provided for automatically tilting the cage assembly to dump the filter cartridges from the cage assembly. The cage assembly is then secured on a pallet which can be moved to another location for reloading clean filter cartridges on the filter tubes.

Abstract: A filter apparatus has an elongated shaft, a plurality of filtering elements mounted on the shaft and spaced from one another in direction of elongation of the latter, and means for cleaning the filtering elements. The cleaning means includes a source of cleaning medium under elevated pressure and a plurality of nozzle elements communicating with this source. The nozzle elements face toward surfaces of filtering material provided on the filter elements and are turnable relative to these surfaces. The cleaning medium is ejected from the nozzle elements at a pressure between substantially 5 and 100 bar toward the surfaces of the filtering material of the filter elements so that the cleaning medium removes a cake deposited during a filtering process from the surfaces of the filtering material and thereupon also cleans the filtering material of the filter elements.

Abstract: A boiler feedwater conditioning tank for removing mud, iron and any other settleable solids from boiler feedwater and adding soluble chemicals to the same, wherein the feedwater is mixed and heated by passing the mixture down and around and up into and through a system of concentric open-ended standpipes erected within the tank. The outlet for clean feedwater lies at the top of the tank inside the upper end of the inner standpipe, and the inlets for the same lie distributively around the outside of the outer standpipe at the bottom thereof. The input port for chemicals lies in the tank side walls and steam heating coils lie between the outer standpipe and the wall of the tank in the path of convective flow of feedwater up between the same.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus in which the filter medium is mounted at a slope with respect to the horizontal and in which there are means to vibrate the medium in a horizontal direction to assist the cleaning of the medium. A single chamber may contain many sheets of media, one version of the apparatus comprises a plurality of separate modular structures each containing at least one filter medium and in another version modular structures are so designed that they assemble into a stack and when so assembled form the necessary conduits by which each filter medium communicates with the necessary inlets and outlets for the relevant materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing residue deposits on filtration elements is disclosed which significantly reduces the time necessary for cleaning the filters. This apparatus utilizes an improved arrangement of spray nozzles so as to effectively clean the filter leaf assemblies and the housing which encloses the filter leaves. The apparatus can incorporate semiautomatic and automatic control mechanisms to reduce or eliminate human error in the cleaning of the filters. The apparatus increases production time in the filtering process and thus increases the capacity of the filters.

Abstract: A drum type disc filter device for dehydrating paper pulp slurry. The drum and the disc filters are axial drain chambers and sector type filter members. Pressurized air is fed into the drain chambers sequentially when each drain chamber and corresponding filter members are at a predetermined angle of rotation of the drum. Paper guide plates are secured between the disc filters to guide separated paper pulp cakes safely into a chute without causing interference of lumping of the paper pulp cakes.

Abstract: A magnetic separator having multiple staggered layers of porous magnetic material positioned to intercept a fluid stream carrying magnetic particles and so placed that a bypass of each layer is effected as the pores of the layer become filled with material extracted from the fluid stream.

Abstract: A rotary vacuum disc filter having a rotatable center shaft assembly mounting a plurality of filter discs each comprised of a like number of removable filter sectors aligned in horizontal rows, with each row connected to one of a plurality of longitudinally extending filtrate channels in the center shaft assembly wherein the outlet port of a selected channel at one end of the center shaft assembly may be selectively closed by a removable sealing plate to cut off flow from such channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of cakes from an open filter press is proposed which involves directing one or more jets of a pressure fluid towards the chamber to impinge on an edge of the cake and/or on the filter cloth adjacent such edge. If desired, the jet or jets are oscillatable so as to sweep across the said edge or the filter cloth adjacent such edge.

Abstract: A tubular membrane separation apparatus and process, for reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration, with an arrangement for removing undesirable deposit from semipermeable membrane surfaces. The apparatus is of the multiple-stage type wherein the number of tubular modules per stage gradually decreases in a pattern like a Christmas tree laid on its side. Elastic elements are forced through the tubular modules lined with the semipermeable membrane, the number of the elements being gradually decreased stage by stage, so that the deposit is mechanically rubbed off from the membrane surfaces with an optimum number of elastic elements for each stage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waste water treatment apparatus and process especially adapted for tertiary treatment of sewage wherein a plurality of biological media panels are positioned in a treatment tank in a manner such that the formation of a stable mat or film composed of solids is established thereon. Biological growth on the panels is enhanced while at the same time excessive solids build-up is avoided. Flow through the tank is directed in a generally horizontal fashion and sludge removal is accomplished by pump means.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a plurality of tubular classifiers connected in series to one another and into sections which are parallel connected to a manifold to form a unit of the apparatus. Each tubular classifier has pipes for tangential admission of a liquid mixture and the removal of concentrate and filtrate, and vertically extending transverse partitions are provided immediately adjacent to end plates. The partitions have through holes arranged along a spiral line. The holes receive the ends of the tubular filtering elements and said ends are secured therein and the elements are arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of a casing and to the partitions.