Abstract: A filter module for use in filtering particulates from a high temperature gas has a central gas duct and at least one horizontally extending support mount affixed to the duct. The support mount supports a filter element thereon and has a chamber therein, which communicates with an inner space of the duct through an opening in the wall of the duct, and which communicates with the clean gas face of the filter element. The filter element is secured to the support mount over an opening in the top wall of the support mount, with releasable securement provided to enable replacement of the filter element when desired. Ceramic springs may be used in connection with the filter module either to secure a filter element to a support mount or to prevent delamination of the filter element during blowback.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed which consists of a stack of discs which are formed form an air laid, nonwoven batt of randomly arrayed fibers. The batt includes a thermoplastic component to give the disc a self-supporting stiffness when molded. Each of the discs have radially extending contaminant collecting surfaces on the opposite sides thereof, and each have axially offset portions circumscribing the inner and outer diameters of the disc. Alternate disc in the stack are inverted, so that the axially offset portions on the inner and outer circumferences of the disc are brought into registration with one another. Accordingly, radially extending flow paths are defined between the disc to communicate fluid toward and away from the contaminant collecting surfaces. Ribs are provided on the contaminant collecting surfaces to maintain separation of the disc under dynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: For the separation of a slurry into cake and water, a set of rotary filter discs are mounted on a hollow shaft at constant longitudinal spacings and in positions of registry with one or more rows of bores in the hollow shaft. Each filter disc has a filter cloth or like filter element enveloping a carrier disc, so that the water that has passed the filter cloth flow into the bores in the hollow shaft through a gap between the carrier disc and the hollow shaft. Arranged alternately with the filter discs are baffle plates which also are each enveloped by a filter cloth for the separation of water from the slurry. Each filter disc has one or more flow accelerating members mounted astride the peripheral edge thereof. The flow accelerating members create cavities in the slurry with the rotation of the filter discs, thus facilitating the flow of the slurry between filter discs and baffle plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating multiple phases of solids or fluids includes an exterior housing having an interior chamber. A plurality of porous filter disks is positioned within the interior chamber and have a common central passage. The disks are capable of rotating around the central passage. An inlet introduces at least one fluid phase with or without a solid phase into the interior chamber near the central passage of the disks. A centrifugal force is created within the interior chamber to form a pressure differential across the disks to draw the fluid through the disks away from the central passage, while propelling any solids present in the interior from the central passage toward the exterior housing. The fluid drawn through the disks is collected at the periphery of the disks.

Abstract: A rotary disk filter element for a beverage filter for biological filtration. The filter element includes a closed base plate that is in the form of a ring-like member and on which is supported a filter fabric, with a support fabric being interposed between the base plate and the filter fabric. The filter fabric is secured to the base plate between an outwardly disposed retaining member and an inwardly disposed collar member. The collar member is provided with a supply opening for a wash fluid, especially a water/air mixture that is flushed through the filter fabric, counter to the direction of filtration, for removing filter residue for the general cleaning of the filter fabric. The filter fabric is secured to the base plate and to the support fabric at a plurality of point locations. This divides the free support or clamping lengths of the filter fabric into a number of relatively short regions that prevent the filter fabric from being overstretched and bulged during flushing.

Abstract: A depth-type filter cartridge comprises an elongated fluid-conducting core, and a plurality of filter cells mounted generally parallel to one another along the length of the core. Fluid to be filtered passes from the exterior into the interior of the cells through a filter medium, and then from the interior of the cells into the core. Support for the filter cells to prevent distortion or damage when used under extreme conditions is provided by external filter cell separators which coact with the cells and are mounted radially about the core between each pair of adjacent cells.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is disclosed having a multi-stage filter tower and a plurality of liquid reservoirs, each reservoir having an approximately horizontal filter surface at its lower surface. The reservoirs are connected to each other centrally and in a vertical direction, with such communication causing an inflow clearance between the upper surface of each reservoir and the filter surface. The multi-stage tower is provided within a tank having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a drain spout, which are controlled by valves. The interior of the filter tower is connected with the liquid outlet of the tank and the filter tower has a head connected with a source of pressurized air via a valve arrangement. The apparatus according to the invention provides for the advantageous, economical and efficient washing of filter surfaces that become clogged during the filtration and purification process.

Abstract: A fluid treating apparatus has a plurality of chambers arranged in a stack along the apparatus axis; inlet and outlet ports in end plates as well as a central channel for introducing fluid into and removing fluid from the apparatus; and a plurality of fluid-impervious diaphragms situated in a spaced relationship in the chambers in an orientation generally perpendicular to the axis. The fluid is guided along the diaphragms generally radially inwardly. The apparatus further has a plurality of support frames arranged in a stack along the axis. Each support frame includes an inner ring spacedly surrounded by an outer ring. The radially inner face of the outer ring and the radially outer face of the inner ring of each support frame together define radially outer and radially inner boundaries, respectively, of the chambers. The radially outer faces of the outer rings together form an outer wall face of the apparatus, and the radially inner faces of the inner rings surround the central channel.

Abstract: A particulate filter medium is formed of a sintered composite of 0.5 micron diameter quartz fibers and 2 micron diameter stainless steel fibers. A preferred composition is about 40 vol. % quartz and about 60 vol. % stainless steel fibers. The media is sintered at about 1100.degree. C. to bond the stainless steel fibers into a cage network which holds the quartz fibers. High filter efficiency and low flow resistance are provided by the smaller quartz fibers. High strength is provided by the stainless steel fibers. The resulting media has a high efficiency and low pressure drop similar to the standard HEPA media, with tensile strength at least four times greater, and a maximum operating temperature of about 550.degree. C. The invention also includes methods to form the composite media and a HEPA filter utilizing the composite media. The filter media can be used to filter particles in both liquids and gases.

Abstract: A rotating disc filter consists of disc sectors of preferably rustfree or acidproof steel about a filter shaft (9). Saddles (12) of a folded plate (1) form sector deck and support for filter cloth (4), and the troughs (13) of the folded plate together with the filter cloth abutting the saddles (12) form internal filtrate channels (11) extending from the outer periphery of the sector towards the filter shaft (9). Such a construction renders it possible to obtain sectors combining the requirements of large open filter cloth area, small internal volume affording for the filter operation an advantageously great ratio between filter surface and internal filtrate volume, high stability against lateral forces, and simple manufacture.

Abstract: A disc-shaped stainless steel filter element including filter media formed from air-laid randomly disposed sintered fibers secured to a hub. The filter media includes opposed sheets of the fibers having perforated plate means therebetween to allow flow from the outside in. The plate means and the fiber sheets are welded together at the outer periphery thereof and the fiber sheets are welded at their inner periphery to the hub.

Abstract: A body fluid filter device is formed by enclosing liquid-tightly and slidably with a filter device case a body fluid filter membrane, an elastic body fluid flow path regulation plate disposed on one surface of the filter membrane and provided with a plurality of protuberances distributed at fixed intervals, and a filtrate flow path forming plate disposed on the other surface of the filter membrane and then setting the filter device case in position in pressure means adapted to apply pressure freely adjustably to the case in a vertical direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter comprising main and secondary filtering stacks and a distribution valve provided with main and secondary enclosures adapted to isolate the filtering elements of the two stacks section by section with a view to deblinding them. According to the invention, a port, with which the distribution valve is provided, connects the main and secondary enclosures. One application of the invention is the production of a filter with high yield of filtration.

Abstract: A filter, comprising in combination with a cartridge type filter element incorporating at least one cylindrical porous ceramic unit having a controlled pore diameter and a fixed wall thickness, opening at both ends and obtained by the steps of blending an aggregate of uniform, finely divided polyhedral particles of at least one kind of artificial raw material with an inorganic binder and an organic plasticizer, extrusion molding the resultant blend into a tube, and calcining the molded tube, which cylindrical porous ceramic unit is watertightly closed at one-end part thereof with an end plate and watertightly supported in place at the other-end part thereof with a bundling ring while the filtrate discharge duct defined by said cylindrical porous ceramic unit is allowed to form a filtrate discharge path; a case encircling said filter element; and a cover provided with a filtrate discharge path communicating with the empty space intervening between said case and said filter element, and adapted to seal tightly

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter comprising main and secondary filtering stacks and a distribution valve provided with main and secondary enclosures adapted to isolate the filtering elements of the two stacks section by section with a view to deblinding them, the fluid issuing from deblinding being directed towards a discharge chamber. This chamber communicates with an enclosure without pressure via a duct and a complementary duct provided with a valve. One application of the invention is the production of a filter with high yield of filtration.

Abstract: A membrane pack is constructed, which includes a highly porous carrier sandwiched between a pair of membrane structures that must be kept continuously wet, the pack having a hole and being sealed around the hole to prevent the passage of polluting liquid lying in the hole, into the porous carrier of the pack. The membrane pack is constructed by impregnating the carrier with a flowable polymer which can solidify, to leave a thin layer of the polymer on either surface of the carrier, and by then welding the polymer layers to membranes at either face of the carrier. Ultrasonic welding of the membrane structures to the carrier is performed while the membrane structures are wet, the ultrasonic welding dissipating moisture lying at the interface between the carrier and membrane structures to permit even hydrophilic polymers to be utilized.

Abstract: For filtering and separating liquid and gaseous media, particularly for water desalinization by reverse osmosis, modules filled with membrane cushions are employed that are open at two opposite sides and are inundated within an outer housing by an entering medium. The medium which enters into the interior of the membrane cushion is led away by means of aligned cushion holes and a conduit located in these holes. According to the invention, it is proposed that where there is a tandem series of several membrane cushion modules in a common housing, the stacked modules not be connected securely to one another and that a turbulence producing gap between them be permitted so that undesirable operational behavior does not occur in the form of pressure waves, pressure surges and blockage action with changes in the rate of flow and particularly upon starting the system for the first time.

Abstract: A filter, especially suitable for liquids which are difficult to filter and comprising a closed cylindrical filter container (1) having an inlet (5) for the liquid to be filtered and an outlet (7) for the filtrate and enclosing a filter unit (3) comprising one or more filter elements (13-15) which are mounted substantially concentrically inside the filter container (1). At one end, preferably the bottom end in case of vertically standing containers, the filter container has a bottom cover (2) which can be opened, and the filter element or elements (13-15) are mounted so that they can be extracted from and be retracted to the filter container (1) through said cover (2). The filter unit may comprise several filter elements (13-15) formed as separate units and mounted concentrically inside each other. The filter elements are designed so that an inner filter element over a collar (16-18) carries and is sealed against the adjacent outer filter element.

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: Novel membrane filter units are disclosed which are adapted for stacking and bonding into integral, disposable cartridges, optionally including an integral disposable housing. The units comprise a thin plastic support having flat membranes permanently bonded to their upper and lower surfaces. The support has a central opening, a sealing rim, and on each surface, inner and outer circumferential lands and intervening ribs or similar projections, the membranes being bonded and sealed to the lands and ribs. Each support surface adjacent the central opening has circumferential coupling and spacing means for bonding stacked units together in spaced relation. A novel method for bonding a membrane to a support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular block for osmotic methods of separation under pressure can be folded open and the filtration unit can easily be removed and introduced in the process. The filtration unit consists of a base plate with a membrane filter candle, and the filter candle consists of a stack of membrane filter plates. Spacers are placed between the filter plates and deflecting plates are provided to ensure zigzag penetration. The permeate transportation is displaced to the edge of the plates. The permeate issues laterally at the flange.

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 rotary disc filter apparatus including selectively removable filtrate flow conducting means and improved securing means therefor.

Abstract: Apparatus for the cross-flow filtration of liquids or gases, such apparatus having disc-shaped filter elements which are located concentrically around a filtrate collecting pipe and within a tubular jacket, and an inlet and outlet pipe extending parallel to the filtrate collecting pipe, each inlet and outlet pipe having an aperture between each filter element to ensure that the liquid to be filtered is supplied tangentially thereby assuming a helical flow across the filter elements. The filter elements are provided on both sides with a microporous membrane and are provided with a supporting layer having sealed passages in order to supply the filtrate to the central collecting pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for the desalination and purification of water by reverse osis and ultrafiltration. The apparatus includes dish-like carrier plates and water guide plates held between two end plates and alternately stacked one above the other. The apparatus also includes annular diaphragms which lie between respective carrier plates and guide plates and are each backed by a filter layer, so that in use untreated water flows over the diaphragms in the radial direction on the side opposite the filter layer, and permeate or water suitable for industrial use is drawn off at the side backed by the filter layer. The stack of end plates, carrier plates, and guide plates is clamped or held together at the periphery and has a continuous central aperture for the introduction of the untreated water. The carrier plates sealingly engage one another by means of thickened marginal portions lying radially beyond the edges of the guide plates.

Abstract: A multiple-plate filter apparatus characterized by a plurality of individual filter units, each having dual filtering surfaces. The filtering surfaces are defined in part by bags made of plastic cloth. During the cleaning cycle, a flotation collar raises the filter unit assembly to the top of the tank so that the individual units can be retrieved without reaching into the solution.

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: 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: A vertically disposed centrifugal pressure filter for suspensions has a closed casing containing a sectional hollow rotary shaft, the long section of which is equipped with filter disks within the casing. A relatively short shaft section has a plug-in connection with the lower end of the long shaft section and has bearing in an outside bearing casing detachably connected to the filter casing. Dynamic sealing means is provided between the short shaft section and the bearing casing, so that when the bearing casing and short shaft section are disconnected from the filter casing and long shaft section, the seal for the short shaft section is not disturbed. The filtrate passes through the shaft sections and to the outside through the bearing casing.

Abstract: An assembly for treating pulp and the like in a vessel by directing an axial flow of bleaching or washing liquid or the like through the pulp, and immediately thereafter removing the spent liquid from the pulp by a straining assembly. The straining assembly includes a plurality of concentric ring-like screens having radially spaced perforated or slotted side plates, a plurality of concentric ring-like headers corresponding in number to the screens and connected to the screens in end-to-end fluid communicating relationship, and a plurality of radially extending axially reciprocal arms. Liquid passing through the screens flows through the headers and through the arms out of the vessel under the influence of pressure differential.

Abstract: A rotary filtering apparatus having improved filtrate flow conducting means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vacuum filter segment including a segment frame made up of a sector-shaped frame partially defining a generally sector-shaped central open area and a throat adapted for sealing engagement with a vacuum manifold and for communicating with the central open area. A pair of sector plates are removably secured in a spaced apart mounted position in engagement with the frame and further define the central open area. The sector plates are adapted for supporting a filter medium and include apertures for affording communication between the central open area and the filter medium. The filter segment includes fasteners for removably securing the sector plates without requiring integral bonding or welding of the fasteners to the frame in the mounted position. The frame and sector plates are preferably composed of steel having a urethane coating so as to resist abrasion and corrosion.

Abstract: A filter sector about which a bag-type filter is secured is disclosed for use in a rotary disc filter structure. The filter sector is a generally wedge-shaped panel having oppositely disposed planar surfaces. A plurality of substantially cylindrical projections are affixed to the planar surfaces and have contact surfaces which support the bag filter spaced apart from the planar surfaces. A plurality of elongated ribs extend between an apex end portion and an arcuate end portion of the panel and are spaced apart to define a plurality of independent flow channels for filtrate drawn through the bag filter. A collar assembly is provided for connecting the filter sector to a filtrate discharge conduit.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for thickening suspensions of fibrous material is shown as having rotating filter elements encased in a filter trough with such filter elements being pairs of filter disks fixed at right angles to a rotary hollow shaft and further defining a chamber as between such filter disks; the chambers are connected through the hollow shaft to a suction head to which down-pipes are linked and in which material outlet shafts are disposed between the pairs of filter disks; turbulence generating means are provided in the filter trough and the filter disks are provided with at least one ejector vane.

Abstract: The filtered liquid present in the rotating compartments of the core of a disc filter is suctioned out of the filter through two separate zones. Muddy or turbid filtrate is drawn out as the compartments pass through a first zone lying near the bottom point in the rotation of the compartments. Thereafter, the compartments pass through a second zone located in the region of the first 60.degree. of the upward movement of the compartments, in which zone the clear filtrate is drawn out. The compartments have a slight axial pitch and their surfaces are concave so that, as the compartment moves in the upward direction, the filtrate flows towards the discharge ports of the filter.

Abstract: A fluid purification apparatus of the type which includes a stack of membrane packs and a stack of gaskets located at the peripheral portions of the membrane packs to keep them separated from one another, wherein the gaskets have outer lands bearing on one another and surrounding the membrane packs, inner lands pressing against the faces of the packs to seal against them, and elongated bendable middle gasket portions connecting the inner and outer lands to allow the inner lands to adjust position so as to compensate for variations in thickness of the membrane packs.

Abstract: Disk filter comprising a tank for the liquid to be filtered, a tubular shaft carrying, spaced in its longitudinal direction, filtering disks which consist of functionally independent, hollow filtering sectors communicating through holes made in the mantle of the tubular shaft and located at the tips of the sectors with the interior space of the tubular shaft, the different filtrates coming from the filtering sectors being removed from the different chambers with the aid of vacuum introduced into said interior space. The chambers are established when within the tubular shaft there is placed a slide member which is stationary as the shaft rotates and which divides the interior of the shaft in the transversal direction into sectors and which is confined by ends at either of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a filter sector for a vacuum disc slurry filter which is molded from an elastomer such as rubber and which is provided with a grid of reinforcing bands and a grid of ribs superimposed on the supporting bands to provide a supporting surface for the filter bag. The bands and ribs form slots and channels with a minimum surface area contacting the filter bag to provide increased vacuum communication with the filter bag and thus enhance cake build-up for more efficient separation of the liquids and solids. The use of rubber results in a lighter disc sector and minimizes abrasion on the filter bag and increases bag life.

Abstract: A disc filter assembly in which a plurality of filter discs are attached to a common shaft. The common shaft is a fabrication which has a central common mandrel. Saddles are rigidly attached to the common mandrel. Pipe segments are removably attached to the saddles. The pipe segments have at least one aperture which allows passage of filtrate from the filter to the pipe segments. The pipe segments are aligned and connected to form a continuous passage with an end piece which is mounted for rotation above a slurry container. The end piece has apertures therethrough aligned with the pipe segments. The end piece is operably connected to the pipe segments to form a continuous passage therethrough. The filter assembly is used to filter liquids from a taconite or other particulate slurry.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus comprising at least one microporous member having at least a pair of opposed surfaces and a predetermined thickness, a tubular member positioned with respect to at least one of said opposed surfaces whereby fluid passing through said microporous member is filtered and the filtrate is received by said tubular member for distribution and/or collection.

Abstract: Disc filter assembly in which a plurality of filter discs are mounted on common shaft for rotation to selectively dispose disc surfaces under vacuum in a confined body of slurry through a portion of said rotation and to discharge formed cake from said surfaces by "blow" action through another portion of rotation. Each disc has plurality of sectors in sequential arrangement circumferentially of shaft mounted on a hollow center shaft and communicating with passage-defining means controlled by a valve at the end of the shaft. A connector having a curved passage establishes communication between a disc sector and the passage-defining means which it connects by externally applied welding.

Abstract: A disc filter is provided with undulating filter material formed by ridges and grooves extending radially and alternating circumferentially to increase the effective area of the filter.

Abstract: A filter characterized in that a plurality of screen plates each having a penetration hole at its central portion are disposed inside of a filter box in a stacked form with a distance between each other in such a manner that the penetration holes are aligned up-and down-wards. The raw liquid to be filtered is fed through said penetration holes and the filtrate is collected at plurality of portions disposed at a nearly equal intervals in the peripheral part of said screen plates.