Abstract: A filter coalescer cartridge for removing contaminants from a liquid comprises:(a) a first support at one end of the cartridge,(b) a second end support tending towards the other end of the cartridge,(c) a filter coalescer element comprising a plurality of aligned fibers or bundles of fibers, each fiber or bundle being secured at one end to one end support and at the other end to the other end support, and(d) a drive mechanism for relatively rotating and moving the end supports towards and away from each other to twist and compress and straighten and extend respectively the filter coalescer element.The cartridge gives good performance and is easily regenerated.

Abstract: A sleeve filter centrifuge comprises between the closed end wall of a centrifugal drum and a base portion movable relative to this end wall a flexible, extendible dividing wall, for example in the form of a bellows or a folded membrane. This dividing wall provides a seal between a displacing shaft bearing the base portion and the inner chamber of the centrifugal drum accommodating the suspension and prevents any exchange of substances, which, for example, impairs sterilization, between the process area of the centrifugal drum and the machine frame side of the sleeve filter centrifuge.

Abstract: A mud dehydrating system is provided. The system includes a table, a centrifugal dehydrating cylinder, endless upper and lower filter cloths, compressing rollers, and a cleaning and washing unit in combination. The cleaning and washing unit has swingable nozzles to spray a strong stream of water on the filter cloths. The cloths are pulled tight by tensioning rollers. Two front compressing rollers have long annular recesses formed therein, into which the filter cloths fit for increasing the mud mass to be compressed for dehydrating and preventing the mud mass from leaking out from the sides of the cloths. The tensioning rollers are moved by a pressure augmenting unit for maintaining a stable pulling force on the tensioning rollers to pull the filter cloths stably for a long period of time.

Abstract: In horizontal belt filter apparatus wherein the belt is progressed by alternate incremental motion of the upper run and the lower run, wash liquor used for washing the belt in the lower run, e.g. by spraying into a wash box, is recycled and used for washing filter cake on the upper run at several spaced apart locations. Also, in the upper run, a respective compression device is arranged subsequent to each supply of wash liquor in the direction of travel of the upper run, and during compression gas is blown into the filter cake through the pressure plate of each device so as to maximise extraction of liquid. Trays mounted below the belt are connected to vacuum during stationary periods of the upper run and are arranged to ensure separate collection of liquid for successive sections of the upper run, which liquid may optionally be recycled to upstream locations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a fluid stream wherein the fluid stream is passed through a first filtering zone to remove particulate materials therefrom above a first preselected micron level, then through a desiccant media bed zone including a multiplicity of desiccant beads to dry the fluid stream and then through a second filtering zone to remove particulate materials therefrom above a second preselected micron level below said first micron level so as to remove smaller particulate materials including particulates from said first filtering zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating contaminating substances from a liquid containing contaminating substances in which the liquid is passed through a filter of resilient, porous filter material. The contaminating substances are separated from the liquid in the filter whereafter the filter is displaced to a position out of the liquid flow. In this displaced position, the filter material is compressed to squeeze out liquid retained in the filter together with separated substances retained in the filter by opposed frustoconical rollers. After the compression has ceased, the filter is moved to a position where the liquid once again passes through the filter material for renewed separation and accumulation of contaminating substances in the liquid.

Abstract: A pressure filter for suspensions comprises a boiler shaped outer shell (1) the front side of which is closed by a detachable lid (11), a tubular filter element (15) which projects from the lid, a membrane (5) which can be inverted arranged coaxially between the outer shell and the filter element, and a suction and pressure joint (6) arranged on the outer shell. A device for operating the filter comprises a container (25) for a hydraulic fluid (26) which fills the lower part of the container, a gas space (27) to being located above the level of the hydraulic fluid. A first line (21) with a force pump (24) conveys the hydraulic fluid from the lower part of the container to the space between the outer shell and the membrane. A second line (28) connects the space between the outer shell and the membrane with the gas space in the container and communicates with a suction pump (33).

Abstract: A composition that expands against an exerted pressure, which comprises a polymeric material having an inverse temperature transition in the range of liquid water, wherein at least a fraction of the monomers in the polymer contain a hydrophobic group that is present in an amount sufficient to provide PdV/dS for the polymer of at least 0.2.degree. K. The composition can be used in a variety of different application to produce mechanical work or cause chemical changes in a sealed environment by varying the pressure on the composition, with the degree of mechanical or chemical change being controlled by selection of the number, hydrophobicity, and size of the hydrophobic group and the presence or absence of reactive functional groups in the polymer.

Abstract: A filter drier (10) for an air conditioning or refrigeration system, has a body (12) with an interior area (20). The unit has an inlet opening (24) and an outlet opening (30). The outlet opening is in connection with an outlet tube (34) that extends substantially the length of the interior of the body. Donut shaped housings (54, 56) holding particles of desiccant material, are sandwiched between a first baffle (36) and a second baffle (72). The housings have an upper filter pad (58) of rigid, coarse fiber material, and a filter bag (62) of fine, flexible fiber material. In each housing, the filter bag is attached to the filter pad about its outer periphery at a seam (66), and at a seam (68) which is adjacent an opening (60) in the pad, through which the outlet tube extends. The filter bags of the donut shaped housings are deformed upon assembly to insure contact with the inner wall of the housing and the exterior surface of the outlet tube.

Abstract: Compressible material is compacted into a plug by a device including a housing, solid outer wall, and restricting adjustable portion at an outlet. A root wall is rotated about an axis and conveys the material to be compressed in a channel having solid sidewalls. Without significant extraction of liquid from the material, the material is compressed until discharged in a compacted plug form from the housing outlet. A pneumatic cylinder provides an adjustable force for effecting the compaction adjacent the housing outlet. Examples of compressible materials that may be acted upon in the practice of various industrial processes include wood chips, high consistency paper pulp (cellulose pulp), wax and fibrous waste (for making artificial fireplace logs), and mud and straw (for producing building blocks or bricks).

Abstract: A filtration system utilizing a helical cartridge wherein the differential in pressure between the pressure inside and the pressure outside of the helix is effective in controlling the spacing between the coils of the helix. Each coil of the helix is provided with radial grooves of predetermined size corresponding to the smallest particle size to be trapped by the cartridge and prevented from entering the interior of the helix. The coils are maintained closed during the filtering cycle and are opened during the backwash cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for removing contaminants from a liquid. The contaminants may be solid particles and/or a second liquid immiscible with but finely dispersed in the first liquid.More particularly, the invention relates to a filter coalescer cartridge for removing contaminants from a liquid which comprises:(a) a first support at one end of the cartridge,(b) a second end support tending towards the other end of the cartridge,(c) a filter coalescer element comprising a plurality of aligned fibers or bundles of fibers, each fiber or bundle being secured at one end to one end support and at the other end to the other end support, and(d) a drive mechanism for relatively rotating and moving the end supports towards and away from each other to twist and compress and straighten and extend respectively the filter coalescer element.The cartridge gives good performance and is easily regenerated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter press comprising a substantially cylindrical vessel, a plurality of filter elements disposed in the vessel parallel to one another, and a rotor having a rotor shaft rotatably mounted in the vessel and a plurality of rotor elements fixedly connected to the rotor shaft and extending each between two adjacent filter elements, the surface of the rotor elements being adapted to be forced towards the filter elements for mechanically compressing filter cakes accumulated thereon, wherein the axis of the vessel is disposed in an upright position, the filter elements and rotor elements being formed as cylindrical wall members disposed in concentric relationship to one another with the rotor elements extending into the spaces between adjacent filter elements and being secured to a mounting structure connected to the rotor shaft, while the filter elements are supported on a carrier grid in the vessel.

Abstract: A water filter with improved filtration efficiency and extended operational period. The filter includes a cassette member filled with filtration and activation agents, where a water path connecting a water inlet pipe and an open upper end of the cassette member is formed between an outer housing member and the cassette member, while an open lower end is directly connected with the water inlet pipe; a center pipe located inside the cassette member for connecting an inside of the cassette member with a water outlet pipe; and a damper member placed inside the cassette member which is vertically slidable along the center pipe, which divides the inside of the cassette member into an upper filtration chamber connected with the upper end and a lower filtration chamber connected with the lower end, where the water flows through the upper filtration chamber from the upper end and the lower filtration chamber from the lower end alternatively.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dewatering radioactive waste slurry solids. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump for applying a vacuum to a suitable flexible filter and collapsible membrane combination in which the slurry solids are contained so that the slurry solids are compressively dewatered when the vacuum is applied. The apparatus further includes a container for suitably storing the resulting dewatered slurry solids.

Abstract: A device for separating solids from suspension comprises two filtering belts pervious to water travelling in the same direction and arranged to be supported and guided each by their respective liquid withdrawing surfaces provided with holes which form therebetween a prefiltering chamber converging in the direction of travel. The prefiltering chamber comprises in the beginning a supply inlet for supplying suspension to be treated into the chamber, as well as sealing elements defining the chamber at its sides in directions perpendicular to the direction of travel of the belts. The sealing elements are formed by rigid walls rigidly joined to the liquid withdrawing surfaces, such that the prefiltering chamber has a substantially closed housing-like construction.

Abstract: A filter adapted to be connected to a suction hole of an intank pump provided in a tank for storing a liquid and adapted to pump the liquid out of the tank. The filter includes a mesh bag and an elastic frame surrounded by the mesh bag for elastically pressing a lower portion of the mesh bag against a bottom inner surface of the tank. The elastic frame is formed with a flat plate adapted to uniformly press the lower portion of the mesh bag against the bottom inner surface of the tank. Accordingly, local wearing of the mesh bag due to the pressure applied thereto by the frame can be prevented.

Abstract: To simplify the assembly of filter modules 10, the supporting tube 1 which carries the filter cells 9 is constituted in two pieces. Both the upper tube piece 4 and the lower tube piece 5 contain locking elements 7 which are received in correspondingly large recesses 8, thereby making possible a safe interlock as well as a relative axial movability of the tube pieces 4 and 5.

Abstract: A vibrating filter has a housing, top and bottom plates spaced vertically in an upper portion of the housing and defining an outlet chamber therebetween, at least one filter element dependent from the bottom plate into a filter chamber defined in the housing below the outlet chamber and a process liquid inlet into the filter chamber and a filtered liquid outlet from the outlet chamber. A vibrator containing an eccentrically movable mass, abuts and is energizable directly through the top plate, without need for energizing hoses or conduits within the outlet chamber. The vibrator connects by a slim depending member to the bottom plate carrying the filter elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fluid mixtures by membrane elements, which are spaced and arranged into a membrane element stack via a supporting frame that comprises outer and inner rings, whereby the membrane elements have a boring for draining a permeating substance. The boring has an inlet port for introducing the mixture into the apparatus and an outer port for the retained substance as well as the permeating substance. In mixture compartments, formed by the membrane elements between said inner and outer rings, the mixture to be separated flows past areas of the membrane elements, having a constant effectiveness, whereby the flow cross-sections of the mixture compartments vary from the introduction port to the exit port of the membrane stack. All inner and outer rings of the membrane element stack have identical dimensions, and the differing cross-sections in the mixture compartments are adjustable at least by varying the width of the membrane elements.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for treating drinking water to remove a broad range of microorganisms includes a microbiocidal resin layer, a porous activated carbon filter element and a flow controller to assure a minimum effective residence time of water in the filter under varying pressure conditions. The microbiocidal resin preferably comprises a halogenated resin bed which is effective to kill a broad range of bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts. The five micron carbon filter element removes any particularly resistant cysts which may have survived passage through the resin bed. The filter may also be provided with a scavenger resin downstream of the haogenated resin bed to remove any free halogens from the final effluent. A buffering resin may also be included upstream of the halogenated resin bed to precondition high pH supply water.

Abstract: A filter cartridge has a support structure consisting of at least one tube provided with openings over its entire length and having at least one axially yieldable annular zone to permit axial movement to compensate for axial stresses and prevent damage to the filter material supported by the structure.

Abstract: A mechanochemical engine cpaable of desalinating sea water or brackish water by the conversion of mechanical work to chemical work, which comprises: a) a housing containing an elastomeric material capable of being stretched, to thereby allow salt-diminished water to move into the elastomeric material, while substantially repelling solvated salt ions from entry thereto, b) means for stretching and relaxing said elastomeric material in said housing, in connection with said elastomeric material; and c) means for uptake of said sea water or brackish water into said housing, means for draining concentrated salt water from said housing, and means for draining desalinated water from said housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dewatering radioactive waste slurry solids. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump for applying a vacuum to a suitable flexible filter and collapsible membrane combination in which the slurry solids are contained so that the slurry solids are compressively dewatered when the vacuum is applied. The apparatus further includes a container for suitably storing the resulting dewatered slurry solids.

Abstract: A valve assembly (B) cycles compressed gas from a compressor (A) to a pair of molecular sieve beds (C) to perform a pressure swing adsorption gas separation cycle. Each bed includes a peripheral outer wall (20) and has a tubular member (30) extending down a central axis thereof. An extensible sleeve (26) surrounds the central tube and is in fluid communication therewith by way of an aperture (32). A fluid amplifier (F) amplifies fluid pressure from system gases, particularly the gases from the compressor, and uses the amplified pressure to expand the extensible sleeve. Particles (22) of zeolite material are inhibited from becoming fluidized and moving with fluid flows by the clamping pressure between the extensible sleeve and the peripheral wall of the bed.

Abstract: In a method and a device for preventing or breaking down a filter covering layer during the filtration of liquids with finely distributed constitutents therein in a cross-flow operation in which the liquid to be treated is conducted in a narrow overflow slot (SP) between a filter surface (PM) and a slot limiter surface (FM), the slot limiter surface (FM) is brought adhesively into areal contact with the developing filter covering layer (DS) in a periodic manner by means of relative motion relative to the filter surface (PM) and the filter covering layer (DS) is removed in a rinsing fashion from the filter surface (PM) by reactivating the overflow slot (SP) and overflowing the filter surface (PM) and the slot limiter surface (FM). The movable wall is formed by a foil membrane consisting of plastic which is clamped on the edge in a sealing manner in a surrounding housing.

Abstract: The apparatus relates to separation apparatus (1) for separating at least two elements contained in a liquid or gaseous fluid, the apparatus including a separation chamber (60) of adjustable height delimited by a piston (30) slidably mounted in a piston cylinder (2). A variable pressure may be applied to the face (34) of the piston (30) situated outside the chamber (60). The piston cylinder (2) is mounted in a protection cylinder (6) in which a fluid may flow for maintaining a given temperature inside the separation chamber (60).

Abstract: There is provided a filter element for filtering fluids. The element consists of a body member having at least two openings provided, respectively, access and egress for the fluid and a plurality of fibers of a substantially uniform orientation over at least a portion of their active lengths along which portion at least each of the fibers is disposed in close proximity to its adjacent fibers. The invention also provides a flushable filter device incorporating the above described element.

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 pressurized filter is disclosed of the type including a filter media layer disposed in a filter chamber which is pressurized with a feed layer to cause filtering flow therethrough, and a diaphragm in the chamber operated to dewater the chamber after each cycle of operation, featuring a total volume totalizer measuring the volume of liquid inflow required to operate the diaphragm during each dewatering cycle, the duration of the next filtering cycle adjusted in a direction to increase or decrease the cycle duration so as to increase or decrease the accumulation of filtered solids to achieve on optimal accumulation. A plurality of filter units are stacked and organized into independently operated sets, enabling continuous filter operation by alternate cycling of each set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for filtering a medium. The apparatus has a filter housing and a supporting means located within the filter housing. A plurality of fiber bundles are attached to the supporting means and extend within the filter housing in direction between an inlet and an outlet. A flexible waterproof membrane is provided within the filter housing to constitute a pressure chamber. When pressurized during the filtration process, the membrane presses the plurality of fiber bundles to form a frustrum-like filter chamber. The medium becomes filtered as it passes through the frustum-like filter chamber.

Abstract: A filtering case (1,30) is comprised of two superimposed parts, respectively an upper one (2,31) and a lower one (43, 32), which slide telescopically the one within the other. The upper part (2,31) bounds a slurry receiver chamber (2a,51) and has an apertured (4,51) bottom wall (8,40a); the lower part (3,32) is guided through the aperture (4,61) between a first position outside the slurry receiver chamber (2a,51) and a second position at least partway inserted thereinto. The lower part (3,32) has fiter-forming side walls whereby the overall filtering area of the case (1,30) increases with the depth of penetration of the lower part (3,32) into the slurry receiver chamber (2a, 51).

Abstract: Filter apparatus for purifying oil contaminated water, comprising a pressure resistant container (1) having a cylindrical outer shell (2) and pressure resistant end walls (3A, 3B). Disposed within the container (1) are first (5) and second (15) cylindrical inner shells, arranged concentrically and extending between the end walls (3A, 3B) and defining an intermediate, annular filter chamber (23) enclosing a particulate, elastic, oil absorbing, regeneratable filter material (24). The end portions (13A, 21A; 13B, 21B) of said first and second inner shells are fluid impervious whereas the intermediate portions thereof (14, 22) are designed as screen tubes. An axially movable, annular transverse wall (26A, 26B) is disposed in each fluid impervious portion (27A, 27B) of said filter chamber (23), said transverse walls being movable towards each other for compressing the filter material under the influence of a pressure medium supplied to the annular chambers (27A, 27B).

Abstract: In order to remove liquid from a slurry of water and powdered material, and particularly from a slurry containing spent powdered ion exchange resins and other media used to decontaminate water in nuclear power plants, a vessel is filled with the slurry. The vessel contains filters, particularly panels which are arrayed in the upper portion of the vessel and through which water is filtered leaving a body ("cake") of the powdered material in the vessel. The filters are surrounded on at least their sides and top by a bag of pliant material. This bag defines a variable volume region and may be evacuated to compress the cake against the filters, prevent breaking suction at the filters and enabling them to continue to remove the water remaining in the cake so that additional water may be removed from the cake and discharged from the vessel, leaving a compact mass which efficiently utilizes the volume of the vessel, thereby preparing the vessel and the dewatered slurry for disposal.

Abstract: A filtration device provided with two rigid surfaces and two or more pneumatic supports disposed therebetween; one pneumatic support is mounted on each of the rigid surfaces. Two or more flexible tubular filtration elements are disposed in one or more rows between the pneumatic supports; in each row, the flexible tubular filtration elements are in parallel alignment.

Abstract: In the filter according to the invention (precoated filter), gap-type filter elements (11) designed in the manner of filter cartridges and consisting of a profile wire wound into a helical spring are used. In order to detach the adhering filter cake, the gap-type filter element (11) is stretched in its axial direction, with the filter gaps being opened at the same time, this appropriately being carried out be means of a stretching drive which at the same time can be designed as a vibratory drive. The gap-type filter elements are at the same time made to vibrate, and this can be obtained by means of periodic stretching and shortening or by making the stretched gap-type filter elements vibrate. The vibratory movement is appropriately executed at a frequency matching the natural frequency of the gap-type filter elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing liquid from a liquid-solid mixture by forcing the liquid-solid mixture under low pressure through a filter means attached to filter support doors to form a filter cake, supplying compressed air into an expandable space to deform an elastomeric bladder which squeezes additional liquid out of the cake, and opening the filter support doors to cause discharge of the filter cake from the filter means.

Abstract: A fluid filter having a deformable filter body containing a myriad of filter passageways which may be enlarged to clean the filter by deforming the body. The presently preferred filter embodiment has a fluid permeable filter mass comprising a compact mass of pliant filter elements, such as pliant strands or strips, extending radially outward from the turns of an elastically deformable helix which has a normal axially contracted configuration wherein the helix forms an outlet passage extending longitudinally through the helix and communicating with a myriad of filter passageways extending through the filter mass and which helix is axially stretchable to enlarge the filter passageways for cleaning. A filter assembly including a filter tank containing the deformable fluid filter and having a removable cover for accessing the filter for cleaning.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for purification of liquids, particularly hydrophobic oil-water emulsions which includes heating the emulsified liquid to a process temperature where accelerated stratification occurs and passing the fluid through a fiberous media which is maintained at a selected compressed condition which allows flow through the media to separate the oil and water phases. Additionally, within the scope of the present invention organic fluids containing significant amounts of water can be heated utilizing a vacuum in order to reduce the water content to the range of 0 to as much as 8% prior to passage through the media at the process temperature.

Abstract: An oil reconditioning device includes a housing with a tightenable lid, a smooth walled chamber in the housing containing a compressible filter, a hollow, convex frustoconical element in the upper portion of the chamber having a plurality of upstanding columns for engagement by the lid when it is being tightened and firmly secured to the housing to cause increasingly a compressive force to uniformly compact the filter. The compacted filter rests on a horizontal conduit having a centrally located termination in the form of a vertical nozzle with laterally directed passages to direct oil laterally into a cavity formed in the lower surface of the filter. A small space below the filter and the bottom of the housing is connected to an outlet from which water may be drained.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved hollow fiber membrane device in which an adjustable, gas permeable, non-elastic outerwrap applies a compressive force to the bundle in a direction perpendicular to the bundle's longitudinal axis only during operation of the device. During storage or non-use of the membrane device, the outerwrap applies minimal compressive force to the bundle.

Abstract: A filtering case (1,30) is comprised of two superimposed parts, respectively an upper one (2,31) and a lower one (43,32), which slide telescopically the one within the other. The upper part (2,31) bounds a slurry receiver chamber (2a,51) and has a an apertured (4,61) bottom wall (8,40a); the lower part (3,32) is guided through the aperture (4,61) between a first position outside the slurry receiver chamber (2a,51) and a second position at least partway inserted thereinto. The lower part (3,32) has filter-forming side walls whereby the overall filtering area of the case (1,30) increases with the depth of penetration of the lower part (3,32) into the slurry receiver chamber (2a, 51).

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment, in particular softening and/or completed desalination of throughflowing water, consisting of a wall bracket (10) and a cartridge (12) which can be held by this bracket in an upright position, being filled with a treatment compound. The cartridge has a bottom connection aperture for supplying the water to be treated and a top connection aperture for an open-ended drainage line, which in accordance with the invention is formed at least partially by a channel (52, 56, 60, 80) within the wall bracket (10). The wall bracket (10) has in addition a mechanical fixture and a sealing assembly (44, 76) for suspended fixture of the cartridge (12) by its upper end and for the seal-tight connection of the upper connection aperture with the channel (52, 56, 60, 80) in the wall bracket (10). Cartridge replacement is considerably simplified thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of the liquid phase of a solid-liquid suspension, in which the suspension previously thickened is disposed between two endless filtration bands and is subjected to pressure by a presser module to which is imparted a reciprocating motion, includes at least two tight enclosures, juxtaposed and disposed parallel with respect to each other. Each enclosure is provided with an inflatable membrane providing filtration pressure.

Abstract: A yarn-threading method and device wherein a suction gun being fed with a pressurized liquid jet of not less than 80 kg/cm.sup.2 G is placed next to a running yarn; the yarn is attracted and taken into a yarn-guide hole of said suction gun, producing a state of attracting the yarn running at a speed of not less than 4,500 m/min.; and with this state of the yarn being maintained, the suction gun is moved to thread the attracted yarn on a winder means rotating at a speed of not less than 4,500 m/min.

Abstract: A filter assembly is formed by arranging a large number of substantially annular, thin filter elements disposed around a radially pervious and hollow core so that a major portion of the core is surrounded by the filter elements. Slots between the filter elements allow passage of the liquid to be filtered. The filter assembly is enclosed in a closed vessel with the interior of the core being in communication with an outlet line. An initial axial pressure is established on the filter elements by a spring which acts on an end support engaging the end one of the filter elements. The axial pressure on the filter elements is controlled by controlling pressure in the closed vessel and thus the size of the slots is controlled to establish the desired filtering degree of the filter assembly.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus, comprising two endless filter belts (1, 5) parallel to each other over one strand from a point where they come together, then moving away from each other over the remaining strand, a pair of facing plates (P1 to P10) between which the parallel strand passes, a mechanism (27) for temporarily moving the plates (P1 to P10) towards each other until the belts (1, 5) are clamped together for temporarily immobilizing the belts, a first means (2) for increasing the path of travel of the belts (1, 5) between the point where they come together and the pair of plates at the moment when the mechanism (27) immobilizes the belts by clamping them, and a second means (18, 23) for reducing the path of travel of the belts, at this same moment, between the point where they move away and the point where they come together.

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, second, third and fourth base elements and a multiplicity of 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.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of suspended solids from a fluid under pressure, by means of a granulate-bed, consisting of granulates of at least two sizes of grain of a material which does not swell during the filtration operation. During the filtration operation, the fluid flows through the granular medium filterbed in one direction and filtrate used for backwashing the separated solids flows in the opposite direction. The granulate-bed is held firmly together during the filtration operation and during the purification by a compression source, that generates such a compression on the granulate-bed, that it keeps the relative position of the granulate-particles with respect to each other in the granulate-bed, both under the action of flow during filtration process as well as during the purification process, in essence permanently in place.

Abstract: Filter cake formed from a slurry is dried in a filter press comprising a plurality of filtration units each having a chamber bounded by a pair of opposed flexible walls with at least one of said walls being constituted by a filter medium. The flexible walls are sandwiched between flexible membranes. The filter cake is formed and compressed in the chambers by hydraulic fluid pressure acting on the flexible membranes. By means of pressure oscillations set up in the hydraulic fluid, the filter cake in the chambers is deformed by bowing from side to side of an initial central plane, whereby drying is improved.