Abstract: A device for filtering a fluid includes a fiber housing having an inlet end with at least one inlet and an outlet end with at least one outlet. The fiber housing surrounds and defines an outer bound for a plurality of fibers extending longitudinally in the fiber housing between the inlet end and the outlet end, whereby longitudinally extending interspaces is provided between the fibers, with the interspaces defining a plurality of flow passages for the fluid. At least part of the fiber housing is formed of a flexible membrane surrounding the fibers, and a compression tool is provided for creating a pressure on an outer surface of the flexible membrane thereby compressing the fibers in a radial direction at least one location along the length of the fibers.

Abstract: A radial flow cartridge, especially for use with an ion exchange resin, includes inner and outer tubular cages, and a tubular knitted liner extending the length of the cartridge between the inner and outer cages and spaced apart from the outer cage. The resin medium fills the space between the liner and the inner cage. During use, the medium absorbs fluid and expands, stretching the knit liner radially and, thereby filling the space between the liner and the outer cage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for filtering fluids with a compressible filter media within at least a portion of a housing inwardly compressible.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter system is disclosed that includes an inlet fitting that is adapted to be inserted into an existing filter body. A spray tube having a plurality of outlets that slideably engages the inlet fitting, is positioned in the ring discs of the existing filter and a compression member proximate to one end of the ring discs applies a compressive force to the ring discs. When fluid enters the spray tube from the inlet fitting compression on the ring discs is reduced to allow the ring discs to separate while fluid pressure is simultaneously imposed on the ring discs through a plurality of outlets to clean the filter component. The parts included with the system may be used to convert a manual filter into a self-cleaning filter system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particles from a fluid comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a variable size passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and means for adjusting the size of the variable size passage for filtering the particles from the fluid. An inlet fluid flow stream is introduced to a fixture with a variable size passage. The size of the variable size passage is set so that the fluid passes through the variable size passage but the particles do not pass through the variable size passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of liquid cleaners, consisting of a cleaner housing with a cleaning chamber exhibiting an inner and an outer end, and a cleaning insert arranged inside the cleaning chamber. The cleaner housing is given a conical shape such that the cleaning chamber receives a smaller lateral dimension at its inner end than at its outer end, said outer end being openable. The cleaning insert is manufactured from a fluid-permeable, compressible cleaning material with a lateral dimension that in an initial state, outside the cleaner housing, exceeds the smaller lateral dimension of the cleaning chamber. The other end of the cleaner housing is kept open, and the cleaning insert is inserted into said other end having the larger lateral dimension, and is pressed into the cleaning chamber towards the end having the smaller lateral dimension.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering flowing liquids comprises a compressible filter medium in a vessel and a device by which the filter medium can be compressed by means of an actuation handle, so that impurities can be pressed out of the filter medium. In addition, the filter device contains a multipath regulator which can be adjusted for filtering, back-rinsing and clear-rinsing by means of three flow paths. It is also possible for the filter device to be outfitted exclusively with a multipath regulator or a compressing device.

Abstract: A filter having filter openings, which openings vary in cross-section automatically in accordance with an inherent variable of the medium passing there through. The openings can vary in response to the heat of the medium passing through the openings. The openings can include a perforated plate screening the openings and having elements, which shift the plate relative to the openings. The elements can be springs and can include a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A fluid filter element (10) comprises a pleated filter media (34) having spaced apart pleats (40) and an external filter media surface (38) comprising the external peaks of the pleats (40) and a flexible foam filter media sleeve (42) in contact with and extending between the pleats of the peaks of the external filter media surface (38). The filter media sleeve (42) maintains the spacing between the external peaks of the pleats (40) of the pleated filter media (34). The pleated filter media (34) is for fluid applications and includes fragile material media layers (74, 76) between wire meshes (70, 80).

Abstract: A fluid filter is provided with a case body defining therein a holder and having pressing portions formed on the internal wall surface of the case body. The pressing portions can compress a filter medium housed in the holder. The pressing portions are pressed against the filter medium housed in the holder to compress it and form a compressed region at a desired position of the filter medium, where the rate of capturing extraneous substances is increased. Thus, even if various sizes of the extraneous substances are contained in a fluid introduced through the inlet into the holder, the filter medium can capture the extraneous substances in its entirety. The degree of compression of the compressed region in the filter medium changes depending on the height of each pressing portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press membrane (9) for a filter plate (1?) of a filter press. Said press membrane consists of a rubber-elastic material and is supported by the filter plate (1?) while supporting a parallel filter cloth (14). An intermediate chamber defined between the press membrane (9) and the filter plate (1?) can be impinged upon with a pressure medium. The aim of the invention is to prevent an overload of the membrane material in the area of the supporting cams (6) and damages of the filter cloth (14) in said areas. To this end, the press membrane (9) is provided with transmission disks (12) in the area of the supporting cams (6), said transmission disks (12) consisting of a substantially harder material than the rubber-elastic material of the remaining press membrane (9) and being vulcanized into the rubber-elastic material.

Abstract: A solid-liquid mixture is electro-dewatered by apparatus having a conveyor belt for receiving an electric charge and having the mixture deposited thereon and an element above the conveyor belt receiving an opposite electric charge with the conveyor belt an element cooperating to apply a compressive force to the mixture and characterised by the conveyor belt including discrete electrically conducted segments which are permeable to the liquid. The upper element is preferably in the form of a rotary drum or second conveyor belt but it can be in the form of a pressure plate.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention includes filter sticks housed within a pressure vessel. Each filter stick includes a plurality of filter disks stacked about a fluid-pervious tube with a hollow core and retained about the tube by a retainer at each end. The filter sticks are disposed within a first compartment having fluid to be filtered with the hollow core of the tube in fluid communication with a second compartment for filtrate. A compression regulator, which is responsive to pressure within the compartment, is linked to at least one of the retainers so as to control relative movement between the retainers, which controls compression of the disks and interstitial space for fluid to flow therebetween. In use, automated compression control of the disks compensates for the effect of particle build-up in the filter, which would otherwise decrease the rate of flow through the filter.

Abstract: A filter press for filtering suspensions includes plural parallel filter plates that can be displaced relative to one another. In a filtering position, the filter plates are compressed to a package that forms a filter chamber provided with at least one filter cloth between neighboring filter plates. In a discharge position, neighboring filter plates are moved apart by a discharge distance so that a filter cake adhering to the filter cloth can be discharged. Every filter chamber is provided with at least one filling element for feeding the suspension to the filter chamber. The filling element is disposed on a protruding part that protrudes beyond a plate body face or contour and within a sealing edge on the periphery of the filter plates. In the filtering position, the filling elements are sealingly clamped between neighboring filter plates and form a suspension supply channel that extends through the filter plate package.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for filtering fluids with a compressible filter media within at least a portion of a housing inwardly compressible.

Abstract: An index filtration method is disclosed for filtering graft polyol dispersions. The method allows for the rapid filtration of large volumes of graft polyol dispersion in an economical manner. The process can be highly automated. The resulting filtered graft polyol dispersion mainly has particles of 25 microns or smaller and is stable under a variety of conditions for at least 9 weeks.

Abstract: A self cleaning filter includes a body (15), inlet (1), outlet (14), flush inlet (12) and waste outlet (2). Elements (7) provide filtration while compressed but are cleaned decompressed. Feed from inlet port (3), impacts and swirls from an impeller (5) on moveable plunger (6) for preliminary centrifugal separation. During filtration plunger (6) is positioned to open the inlet port (3), the filtrate port (11) and compress filtration elements (7). The swirling feed permeates the filtration elements (7) and passes filtrate port (11), filtrate valve (21), filtrate plenum (16), and exits the filtrate outlet (14). Plunger (6) is moved and cleaning is provided by supplication of pressurized cleaning media to the back flush receiver plenum (13) via the back flush media inlet (12). This pressure motivates plunger(6) to close inlet port (3), filtrate port (14) and decompress filtration elements (7).

Abstract: Filtration apparatus comprising a first elongate container (1) having a first auger (5) which is rotatable about an inclined axis and a stationary trough-shaped filter screen (3) shaped to be adjacent to a lower peripheral region of the first auger. An inlet (13) for a flowable material to be filtered is provided at a level above the filter screen (3) and a first outlet (15) for filtered liquid is provided at a level below the filter screen (3). The first auger (5) is rotatable so as to urge components of the flowable material along the filter screen (3) from a lower end towards an upper end of the first auger. A second outlet for solid material filtered out of the flowable material is located in the region of the upper end of the first auger (5). The apparatus includes a second elongate container (19) having a second auger (21) closely fitting within the container, the second auger being rotatable about an inclined axis.

Abstract: A fluid filter is provided with a case body defining therein a holder and having pressing portions formed on the internal wall surface of the case body. The pressing portions can compress a filter medium housed in the holder. The pressing portions are pressed against the filter medium housed in the holder to compress it and form a compressed region at a desired position of the filter medium, where the rate of capturing extraneous substances is increased. Thus, even if various sizes of the extraneous substances are contained in a fluid introduced through the inlet into the holder, the filter medium can capture the extraneous substances in its entirety. The degree of compression of the compressed region in the filter medium changes depending on the height of each pressing portion.

Abstract: A screw press type filter which comprises an alternately superposed arrangement of annular fixed plates (10) and annular movable plates (11), a filter cylinder (2) defining a fixed cylindrical space (12) by a row of openings of the fixed plates with both end portions of a screw (5) passed through this cylindrical space extending to inlet and outlet chambers (1, 3), and mechanisms (15, 16) for turning the movable plates in accordance with the rotation of the screw also provided, wherein the volumes of the spaces between adjacent ridges of the screws in the filter cylinder are reduced gradually from an inlet toward an outlet so that such a volume decrease corresponds to a gradual decrease in the water content of an object material being processed.

Abstract: Incorporating a permeable hose within a peristaltic pump results in a unique device that can simultaneously pump, filter and self-clean suspensions, producing a concentrate and clarified liquid stream. This process, termed peristaltic filtration, has wide applicability to a variety of commercial and industrial applications, including dewatering sludge in sand and gravel operations the treatment of water or other streams in industrial plants, municipal wastewater treatment plants, and food processing. The flexing motion that accompanies peristaltic pumping enhances filtration of the suspension by locally increasing the pressure and cleaning the filter by bending the hose to release trapped solids back into the suspension. Peristaltic filtration can be applied to conventional rotary pumps, linear pumps or other configurations. Rotary peristaltic filters are also modular and can be made to be adaptable to a variety of feedstocks.

Abstract: A filter press and method for separating solids from a slurry. The filter press includes a plurality of plates which are held in a sealed and contacting relationship with one another to form a plate stack. The plate stack includes alternating diaphragm-type squeeze plates and cloth-type chamber plates whereby two adjacent plates form a filter chamber therebetween for filtering the slurry. The diaphragm-type squeeze plates include a thin liquid impermeable diaphragm or membrane having a uniform thickness for greater flexibility and heat transfer.

Abstract: The present invention is a two piece frame embodiment in which a novel diaphragm inflation assembly and method are provided. Primary pieces include a two piece frame, two diaphragm pieces and two filter cloths integral with rubber gasketing. The two piece frame defines substantial voids to reduce weight, the two pieces comprising mirror image pieces. The intent of this embodiment is to reduce the weight, and therefore material and handling effort, of the prior art filter plates.

Abstract: A tower press filtering system (1) is provided. System (1) includes a frame assembly (10) having at least one support engagement portion (14); a collapsible filter tower assembly (20) having a plurality of displaceable filter plate members (20); a press assembly (30) having a support plate member (300), a compression mechanism (320), and a press plate (326); and, a stabilization assembly (40) for automatically maintaining press plate (326) in a fixed planar orientation during displacement thereof. System (1) also includes a port assembly (50) having a substantially rigid conduit segment (52) that maintains coupling with the manifold section (210) of at least one filter plate member (200). System (1) also includes a mechanism by which the coupling of each compression mechanism (320) employed may be adjustably coupled to support plate (300).

Abstract: A membrane separation device is disclosed having a cylindrical membrane support (4), which is sealed off between a top plate (26) and a bottom plate (28), whereon the cylindrical outer surface of the membranes support a membrane (6) is located, and which is surrounded by cylindrical components (14, 8) which are sealed off in the top plate and bottom plate thereby forming a cylindrical ring area (16). Permeate collection bores (20) communicate with the membrane through the membrane support and are connected with a permeate draw off connection (60). The suction side of a circulation pump (44) is connected with an enclosed inner chamber (47) formed by the cylindrical membrane support. The outer ring area is connected to the pressure side of the circulation pump and communicates with the inner chamber through a circulation channel (54). The inner chamber is connected to a infeed connection (58). The circulation pump communicates with a draw off (64) on the pressure side for the extraction of concentrate.

Abstract: A permanent fluid filtering system includes a cylindrical body having an upper end, to which an inlet tube is connected, and a lower end, to which an outlet tube is connected, and a latitude thread filter assembly disposed within the cylindrical body. The latitude thread assembly is compressible and expandable in accordance with a fluid flowing direction, thereby varying a porous structure of the filter assembly. The permanent fluid filtering system further includes a fluid flow stabilizing plate for stabilizing the flow of dirty fluid fed inside the body through the inlet tube.

Abstract: A method of separating particulate material suspended in a liquid from that liquid is described. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one upright tubular filter unit having a top end and a lower end; introducing a flow of the suspension into the tubular filter unit at one end thereof; and allowing the suspension to pass through the tubular filter unit trapping particulate material on an inside surface thereof. Apparatus in which the method of the invention is performed is also described.

Abstract: The sludge dewatering treatment apparatus of the present invention is provided with a cylinder that has a large number of pipe members arranged in the axial direction and secured around its inner surface, that is divided axially into two halves so as to allow opening and closing, and that is vertically installed in a frame. A rotating pipe shaft that is capable of both rotating and moving up and down is provided in an axial direction at the center of this cylinder. The rotating pipe shaft can receive sludge at an opening in its upper end from the outlet of a sludge holding hopper installed on the frame, and discharges the received sludge into a filter from sludge outflow ports. A cylindrical filter is provided that surrounds the rotating pipe shaft, the upper end of the filter being attached to the rotating pipe shaft and the lower end of the filter being attached to an opening in the base plate of the frame. The cylindrical filter takes in the sludge from the outflow ports.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel filter for an automotive vehicle filters fuel entering a fuel intake. The fuel filter includes a filter element and a filter manifold integrally attached to a filter frame. The filter frame is disposed within the filter element to retain the shape of the filter element. The filter frame is subsequently detached from the filter manifold thereby creating a free-floating filter frame. This allows the filter frame to move relative to the manifold so as to allow ease of insertion of the filter into the fuel tank with limited destructive deformation of the filter.

Abstract: A neutral dischargeable effluent is developed by reaction between an acidic, spent photographic fixer liquid and an alkaline, spent photographic developer liquid; the spent fixer liquid contains iron in solution, the iron being introduced in a de-silvering pretreatment of the spent fixer liquid. The two liquids are fed into a treatment chamber and are allowed to react in the treatment chamber to form a neutral liquid and precipitated iron-containing solids; the solids settle in the treatment chamber and the neutral liquid rises upwardly through a synthetic organic polymer fiber filter pad into a discharge chamber above the filter pad; fine sticky particles suspended in the rising neutral liquid are retained by the filter pad; a neutral effluent is discharged from the discharge chamber.

Abstract: In order to avoid dead spaces which are difficult to subject to backflushing and in which particles can be deposited, a special helical filter candle, a method of manufacture of said helical filter candle as well as an end portion (11) for a helical filter candle (1) is created. The helical filter candle (1) comprises a wire (2) wound in windings (3) onto a support structure (4) of support rods (5). At one end, an end portion (11) is welded to said support rods (5). The last of the windings (3) is ground flat in such a way that a spacing of uniform width arises between the surface of the end portion (11) and the final winding (3). During manufacture of the helical filter candle (1), the wire is wound onto the support rods (5) in windings (3), wherein the spacing (7) between the individual windings in a middle area (6) of the support rods (5) is less than in an end area (8) of approximately 3 to 5 windings.

Abstract: A filter unit (10) designed to filter process streams having different components and/or different fluid flow rates. The filter unit includes an elongated filter housing (12) having an inlet port (14) at one end and an outlet port (19) at the other end. A filter element flange (32) is fitted in the housing. The filter element flange is provided with a number of bores (34) that are provided with threading. Filter elements (28) with threaded coupling heads (36) are removably secured to the filter element array by fastening the coupling head in the threaded bores. This arrangement allows the replacement of the filter elements without having to completely disassemble the filter unit. In the event the number of filter elements is less than the number of openings that are in the element flange, plugs (84) are secured into the links in which the filter elements are not seated to prevent unfiltered fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for concentrating a liquid suspension of solid particles are disclosed including providing a screening web moving in an endless path, folding the screening web into a tubular configuration at a first location along that path, unfolding the screening web from that tubular configuration at a second location along that path, introducing the liquid suspension into the tubular configuration of the screening web proximate to the first location so that liquid can pass outwardly through the tubular configuration of the screening web and a concentrate of the solid particles can be formed therein, and removing the concentrate from the screening web proximate to the second location.

Abstract: The fluid handling devices are capable of accurately handling substantially continuous fluid flow rates as low as about 0.01 cc/day. The devices are so miniaturized, corrosion-resistant and non-toxic that they are suitable for being implanted in the human body; and are capable of being mass produced at costs so low, by using micromachining techniques, such as etching, that they may be considered to be disposable. The devices are either passive devices which consume no electrical energy at all, or are active devices which consume very small amounts of electrical energy. The devices are reliable because they may have as few as only two parts, only one which is a moving part; and because they may handle fluids at very low pressures. The fluid handling devices include active piezoelectrically driven membrane pumps; and passive fluid flow regulators, on-off valves, flow switches and filters.

Abstract: An oil filter for internal combustion engines is disclosed herein. The filter includes a housing with a bottom arranged below an open top and a screw-on cover threadedly engaged within the open top. The housing includes an inlet duct, a first oil discharge duct in the bottom of the housing, and a second oil discharge duct in the bottom of the housing and coaxially surrounding the first oil discharge duct. A support part is provided within the housing having a first end which is connected to the cover in an axially force-transmitting manner and a second free end inserted into the first oil discharge duct when the cover fully threadedly engaged to the open end of said housing to sealingly close the first discharge duct, and is withdrawn from the discharge duct when the cover is removed from the open end of the housing to enable discharging of oil from the housing via the first oil discharge duct.

Abstract: An expansible, compressed foam is used a s a filter medium and captured particulates are released from the foam by expanding the foam to open its pores. Micro-organisms such as Cryptosporidium or Giardia cysts may be trapped and recovered at high eficiency in a small volume of wash liquid easing further analysis. A foam filter element comprises thirty discs (36) of retriculated foam compressed between end plates (28,30) to about one tenth of their original thickness.

Abstract: A filtering appliance for cleaning cooking oil in a food fryer is designed and dimensioned for single-handed portable use in "hand-gun" fashion. The appliance has an elongate casing means with a hand grip at one end adjacent a pump-and-motor assembly. An intake nozzle conducts oil to be cleaned to a cartridge style filter made by stacking annular elements cut from a commercially available filter material of fibrous mat forming matrix holding particulate filtering media. The filter is axially spring loaded to accommodate yielding of the filter material. The appliance discharges into the food fryer through a duct outside the casing means. Thus, the oil is recirculated to achieve cleaning.

Abstract: A filter plate which is formed in a molding operation and comprises an outer frame with integrally formed, relatively thin chamber forming walls or skins and which has an injected foam interior core. The filter plate is substantially constructed of plastic materials which are capable of being molded and thereby provides excellent heat transfer characteristics to the slurry which is being separated through the filter plate. The plate is capable of being expanded, much in the same manner as a diaphragm plate in order to improve separation characteristics, but provides excellent heat transfer characteristics and avoids the attendant disadvantages of a conventional diaphragm plate. An accessory in the nature of a filter screen having a unique construction and a method of making a unique filter screen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for thermoplastic synthetic plastics material melts comprises a housing (2) in which two filter disks (5,6) are disposed in parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. The melt to be filtered is supplied to these filter disks (5,6) via an upstream channel (19). The impurities gathering on the upstream side of the filter disks (5,6) are continuously scraped off by a scraper (8) that carries a plurality of scraper elements (10) disposed along curved lines spaced apart from each other so that they convey the impurities towards the center of the filter disks (5,6). There, the impurities reach a conveyance channel (22) in which they are conveyed off by at least one worm (23,24).

Abstract: An evertable drum centrifuge has a housing extending along an axis, a hollow filter drum rotatable in the housing about the axis and having a front end wall formed with a fill opening centered on the axis, and a nonrotatable fill tube extending along the axis and having a back end. A fill head complementarily engageable in the fill opening is fitted in a closed position in the fill opening and a suspension to be filtered is introduced through the fill tube and fill opening into the drum. A bearing rotatably supports the fill head on the fill-tube back end and a static seal is engaged between the fill head and the fill opening.

Abstract: A filter for the separation of solids and liquids from muds, and specifically those from industrial processing, includes a container and a filtering bag housed in the container for reception of the muds. The filter further includes a deformable membrane housed in the container and defining therein a closed volume of variable size. A fluid pump is provided, communicating with the volume, to vary the size of the volume by pumping fluid into the volume, thereby squeezing the filtering bag in the container.

Abstract: A filter element, for use in a plate filter press for example, includes a membrane supported from a plate and captured, about the periphery of an opening in the plate, by a clamping ring which locates a shaped edge bead on the membrane in a complementary shaped groove in the plate. The clamping ring has a bearing surface, which contacts a surface of the membrane edge bead which is oppositely disposed with respect to the portion thereof which cooperates with the groove in the plate, having an angle of inclination with respect to the plane of the plate which directs forces produced by pressure induced expansion of the membrane to the clamping ring in a generally radial direction with respect to the axis of the opening in the plate.

Abstract: The device comprises a first wide-mesh cloth or screen which bears against the calender of a basket, at least one tight supple tube connected to a source of gas under pressure which is against the first cloth or screen, a second cloth or screen identical to the first covering the tube such that the tube is sandwiched between the cloths or screens, and a fine-mesh filtering cloth covering the second cloth or screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing liquids from biological waste by the employment of centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the biological waste particulate and into a container separate from a biological waste container, permitting the dried biological waste and removed liquid to be separately and conveniently disposed of. Preferably, a rotatable drum can be rotatably supported within an outer liquid-tight drum, and a disposable porous container, such as a bag made of porous material, can be placed within the rotatable foraminous drum. Biological waste can be placed within the porous, disposable container within the rotatable drum, and the rotatable drum can be rotated at a rate of rotation sufficient to substantially transfer unabsorbed liquid from the biological waste through the disposable porous container and the openings in the foraminous inner drum to the outer liquid-tight collection drum. The collected liquids may be disposed of by pumping them into a sanitary sewer.

Abstract: A stacked membrane disk module has a number of membrane disks interleaved with seal rings and includes a biasing subassembly for maintaining a compressive force between the membrane disks and interleaved seal rings so that the module can be repeatedly pressurized/depressurized. The membrane disks preferably include a central first aperture and a pair of second apertures which are radially spaced from the central first aperture. These apertures will thus be respectively registered when a number of such membrane disks are stacked between a pair of end plates so as to establish a central fluid passageway and a pair of second fluid passageways. A rigid perforated tube is positioned within the central fluid aperture and is connected to the end plates so that at least one of the end plates is capable of being axially displaced relative to the perforated tube. A biasing member (e.g.

Abstract: A module for separating at least one component from a flowing mixture containing the same, includes a pair of end plates between which a plurality of stacked separation disks are positioned. The separation disks separate at least one component from the flowing mixture and defines a central passageway therethrough. A tensionable conduit is disposed in the fluid passageway to define a pathway for the separated component through at least one of said end plates and cause the end plates to exert a compressive force to the stacked separation disks in response to the conduit being tensioned. In preferred embodiments, the tensionable conduit includes a single or double helix spring which is machined along a major axial extent of its length. An adjustment nut may thus be threadably coupled to at least one (nonmachined) end portion of the conduit so as to adjustably tension the conduit and translate such tension into compressive force exerted to the stack of membranes by the end plates.

Abstract: A system for mechanically stabilizing a bed of particulate media which undergoes changes in volume during operation. A tubular column is provided which is closed and ported at a first end and open at a second end. A piston assembly is supported in the column for containing a bed of particulate media. The piston assembly comprises a piston having at least one opening for conveying a fluid through the piston. A fluid connection is attached to the piston in fluid communication with the opening. The fluid connection may move relative to the tubular column. A resilient seal is arranged about the piston to provide sealing engagement of the piston and the tubular column and to provide proper alignment therebetween. Porous barrier elements are positioned in the column so as to prevent the undesired escape of particulate media through the tubular column port and through the piston opening.

Abstract: A liquid filtration apparatus comprises a filter body (1) housing a filter module (3) and having an inlet port (6) for the liquid to be filtered and an outlet port (10) for the filtered liquid. The filter module (3) consists of a compact mass of substantially parallel elongate fibers (28) oriented axially in a cylindrical casing. An inflatable band surrounds the fiber mass and is located between the fiber mass and the inner wall of the cylindrical casing.

Abstract: A sanitary cartridge filter housing is formed by a bottom plate having a raised platform thereon from which a splash plate extends radially. A housing cylinder is mounted on the bottom plate and clamped thereto, with an O-ring therebetween, by a surrounding clamp. At an opposite end of the housing cylinder is located a top plate which is either held in place by a clamp or by the pressure exerted on the top plate by a tightening nut threadingly engaging a winged center post with the threads of the winged center post engaging the tightening nut externally of the formed housing. The winged center post is solid (non-perforated) and extends through the center of the housing cylinder, through the platform supporting the splash plate, and is secured at its lowermost end at the bottom of an outlet port tee located externally of the formed housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing sludge, which utilizes filter plates and flow regulating means to form condensed sludge of higher concentration, have been developed. The filter plates are disposed within a sludge tank and noncondensed sludge is added to the sludge tank to completely cover the filter plates. Filtrate is then removed from the sludge tank by the filtrate extraction means via the permeable walls of the filter plates. As the filtrate passes through the permeable walls a first condensed sludge forms on the filter plates. After first condensed sludge is formed on the filter plates, a flow regulating means is operated to form second condensed sludge, an even higher concentrations of condensed sludge.