Abstract: A continuous flow polymer filtration apparatus for replacing dirty filters in an extruder includes a reciprocating slide member secured within a slide channel transverse to a bore. The slide channel has a sealing region adjacent to the bore. The slide member houses two filter assemblies for filtering polymer. Each filter assembly comprises at least one filter element which has a width that is less than the width of the sealing region and the distance between the filter assemblies is less than the width of the bore. The slide member is capable of positioning either filter assembly in line with the bore without interrupting the fluid flow of the polymer as well as positioning either filter assembly off-line in order to replace the off-line filter assembly.

Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a bonded subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.

Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a bonded subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including a frame in the nature of a plate having spaced apertures therein, spaced frame members on opposite sides of the apertures, a screen formed in an undulating shape having substantially parallel ridges with downwardly sloping sides, troughs formed between the downwardly sloping sides for conducting material which is being screened, undersides on the troughs, bonds for securing the undersides of the troughs to the spaced frame members which are located on opposite sides of the apertures, and channels at the sides of the plate for securing the frame to a vibratory screening machine.

Abstract: A continuous process for the separation of small particles from larger particles in a biological preparation passes a liquid stream of the preparation through a first filter or screen, which retains larger particles, passing smaller particles in the liquid. The large particles have retained on their surfaces wetting water, in which are entrained some of the small particles. The large particles are directed to a liquid having a concentration of smaller particles lower than the concentration of smaller particles in the wetting water, and mixed therein. The smaller particles separate from the larger particles in the mixed suspension, which is then directed to a second filter or screen, for further separation. The smaller particle/liquid stream may be recycled to the biological preparation stage, the liquid suspension for the large particles, or to a separator means where the smaller particles are separated off from the liquid stream.

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least one membrane filter (32) for filtering a machining liquid which has been contaminated by its use in electroerosive or electrochemical machining of workpieces. The apparatus also includes a device for cyclical cleaning of the soiled membrane filter, which device irradiates the membrane filter (32) with ultrasonic waves (33) and loosens the contaminant particles in the filter pores as well as means (20, 23, 24, 25, 35, 36, 41) for the backwashing of the membrane filter and for removal of the contaminant particles. The contaminant particles are fed by means of throughflushing intervals from the concentrate chamber (30) into the sedementation vessel (12). As a result of this combination of ultrasound and backwashing, extremely small durations of the cleaning cycles and uniform cleaning of the complete filter area are insured without concern for the nonuniform contaminants topography of the filter surface resulting from the contaminants.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering liquid effluent comprises, in sequence, inlet means, filtration means, and outlet means. Each filtration means comprises at least one disposable sack filter (2, 3, 4, 31) of defined porosity. The open end of each sack filter is attached to an outlet conduit in communication with the inlet means. The opposing closed ends of the sack filters are attached to movable supports to cause agitation of the sack filters.

Abstract: A filtration system for use in a settling tank includes a star shaped filter having equally spaced radial panels with the filter septums forming the downwardly extending sidewalls of each panel or compartment. The framework of the filter allows radial removal of the filter septums for cleaning and maintenance. A unique pressurized wet seal seals the filter to a clean liquid vacuum delivery duct and can also seal the system pump in the settling tank to the vacuum duct.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed which is applicable to the method for filtering an aqueous mineral slurry by flowing the slurry through a ceramic filter plate which is characterized by a porous support layer and an overlying porous filtration layer, the pore sizes in said filtration layer being in the range of from about 1 to 3 .mu.m, and the flow through the filter plate being from the filter layer side toward the base layer, and being effected by establishing a fluid pressure differential across the said filter plate by applying suction to the the porous support layer. The improvement facilitates effective discharge of the filter cake from the plate which accumulates upon the porous filtration layer. According to such improvement the suction is extinguished and the support layer side of the plate is subjected to one ore more positive water pressure pulses to effect a transient reverse flow through the plate.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation apparatus comprises a rotatable cylindrical member including a side perforated wall and an opened bottom and a bottom lid member including a central raised portion and a side wall inclined downwardly and outwardly. The bottom lid member is moveable between an upper position in which said bottom lid member is engaged by the lower end face of said cylindrical member and a lower position in which said bottom lid member is spaced apart from the lower end of said cylindrical member to form a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A filtration system for use in a settling tank includes a star shaped filter having equally spaced radial panels with the filter septums forming the downwardly extending sidewalls of each panel or compartment. The framework of the filter allows radial removal of the filter septums for cleaning and maintenance. A unique pressurized wet seal seals the filter to a clean liquid vacuum delivery duct and can also seal the system pump in the settling tank to the vacuum duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering slurries of minerals or other fine particles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a ceramic filter plate and a fluid flow device for drawing a partial vacuum across said filter plate and to supply a pulsed liquid to the filtrate side of said filter plate. The apparatus also includes an oscillating device that facilitates removal of cake which accumulates on the filter plate when sued simultaneously with or successively with said pulsed liquid.

Abstract: A method and systems for separating fluids of differing masses from a mixture by enhanced diffusion wherein the method and systems embody at least one cycle wherein the mixture of fluids of differing masses is fed into a first reservoir which is connected by at least one duct to a second reservoir; a carrier fluid is fed into a second reservoir; oscillatory axial movement of fluid within the at least one duct is established; a mixture of carrier fluid and a mixture of fluids of differing masses enriched in the component thereof having higher effective diffusion coefficient is withdrawn from the second reservoir; a mixture of carrier fluid and a mixture of fluids of differing masses enriched in the component thereof having the lower effective diffusion coefficient is withdrawn from the first reservoir; such that a positive flow of the carrier fluid is maintained from the second reservoir through the at least one duct into the first reservoir.

Abstract: A vibrating sieving unit for insertion into a housing to form a sieving filter. The vibrator directly vibrates the sieving cylinder reducing the buildup of filter cake for improved performance. A unique cleaning-in-place system is presented utilizing the fluid being filtered as the purging liquid. An alternate purge construction is also provided for use if the first purge route is blocked.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing the sprayed-on asbestos, the method comprising the steps of:(1) removing the asbestos-containing materials sprayed, and sucking up the asbestos-containing materials by a suction hood before they drop onto the floor or the ground;(2) conveying the absorbed asbestos-containing air by transport means to a receiver tank containing a liquid wherein the air is bubbled, and sucking up the bubbled air by a suction blower; and(3) transferring the asbestos-containing liquid in the receiver tank to a dehydrator by a discharge pump to separate the asbestos-containing solids from the liquid, and delivering the separated liquid directly to the receiver tank or to the transport means by a return pump for returning the liquid to the receiver tank, and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A unit for the dehydration of sludges, particularly for purification plants including a support structure (10) supporting a vibration causing device (24), at least a collection reservoir (11) of sludges positioned above the support structure (10) and having at least one discharge outlet (12) on the bottom, at least a bag-shaped filtering container (14) having an opening engageable to the discharge outlet (12), feeding means (25) to feed the sludges into the collection reservoir (11), collecting means (23) to collect the filtered liquids from the filtering container (14), and at least a control unit (34) to control at least the feeding means (25).

Abstract: An auger dredge for removing toxic sediments wherein turbidity is minimized by attaching to the dredge a frame which first dislodges the material and feeds it to the auger for eventual transfer to a disposal site. Because the auger does not touch the dredged material directly turbidity which would otherwise be stirred up by the auger is vastly reduced.

Abstract: A vibrating sieving unit for insertion into a housing to form a sieving filter. An air pressure operated vibrator directly vibrates the sieving cylinder to reduce the buildup of filter cake for improved performance. Tuning bars connected between the cover and the vibrator are structurally matched to the fluid being filtered and to the particular vibrating assembly to create a harmonic vibration and to thereby achieve a consistent, maximum vibration at a given, readily maintainable air pressure.

Abstract: In an atmospheric diffuser for the treatment of paper pulp (thickening, bleaching, and/or washing) the flow of backflushing liquid is controlled so as to maximize the effective treatment of the pulp. The pulp passes upwardly in a vessel. A number of annular screen assemblies are provided, with at least one screen associated with each screen assembly. The lower screen includes a barrier wall with a passage in the barrier wall adjacent the bottom end of the screen. Liquid which flows through the screen must flow to the passage in order to be withdrawn from the vessel, as the screen is slowly moved upwardly. When the screen is rapidly moved downwardly to cause backflushing, the backflushing liquid at the top end of the screen is liquid that recently passed through the screen at that point, so the pulp at that point--which is the cleanest along the length of the screen--has a minimal chance of being contaminated.

Abstract: The filter unit is of the type comprising a casing (2), filter tubes (5) associated with a filtering surface (6), shaker means (7) for the filtering surface (6), a suction pipe (10) associated with the casing and a suction pipe (11) associated with one or more turbines and characterized in that the casing (2) comprises above the filtering surface (6) at least two separate chambers (13,13') each independently connected to the suction pipe (11) associated with one or more turbines.

Abstract: A fluid filter comprising a housing having a central aperture formed in the bottom thereof, a filter element rotatably disposed in the housing and arranged to receive a flow of fluid to be filtered from an upstream side of the element to a downstream side thereof, and a fluid inlet and outlet manifold disposed at the bottom of the housing in communication with the central aperture for providing fluid inlet and outlet communication through said aperture with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The filter element is supplied with filter aid material which is periodically regenerated.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of coal particles having a maximum dimension of less than 2 mm from coal tailings including the steps of forming a slurry (101) of tailings having a pulp density of from 10 to 30% by weight; feeding the slurry into a hydrocyclone (103) to produce an underflow second stream which contains the tailing particles over a predetermined size and some of the gangue particles smaller than that size and an overflow stream containing the coal particles smaller than the predetermined size and the balance of the gangue particles, the hydrocyclone (103) being operated such that the underflow stream has a pulp density of from 40% to 60% by weight; adjusting the pulp density of the second stream, if required, to from 20 to 50% by weight; passing the repulped second stream over a rapped or vibrated sieve screen deck (105) having a wedge wire sieve screen with a radius of less than 2 m, an arc angle of from 45.degree. to 60.degree.

Abstract: A vibro separator, comprising a separator unit which is comprised of a screen assembly releasably mounted on a hopper at the top, which screen assembly has a screen releasably fastened therein; a vibrator unit which is comprised of a motor directly or indirectly attached to the hopper at the bottom for driving two eccentric weights to rotate via a revolving shaft; and a base which has springs for flexibly supporting the vibrator unit and the separator unit.

Abstract: A method for the separation of granulate and water in an after-treatment section following a granulator in which a vibrating screen receives the water and granulate mixture. In order to obtain low residual moisture without subsequent drying, the granulate-water mixture on the screen is subjected briefly to a vacuum over the entire width of the vibrating screen at longitudinally spaced locations, in alternation, from above and below the screen within the first third of the length of the screen.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treatment of flowing slurries of particulate material mixed in liquid employ a wide, elongated downwardly-slanted, metal tray with upturned edge flanges, cable-suspended for unrestrained vibratory flexing and undulation. The tray is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on its underside, and the flowing slurry is delivered to the upper tray end, flowing lengthwise down the tray in a shallow flowing sheet. Ultrasonic vibratory energy coupled through the tray to the flowing slurry has a "microscopic scrubbing" action on all particles and agglomerates, breaking the surface tension on the particle, cleaning particle surfaces, and separating different constituent particles and coatings of gels, slimes, algae, clay or mud. Mixtures of fine particles of coal or other valuable minerals with ash, clay, rock or sand particles are separated with unexpected efficiency by these techniques.

Abstract: A filter for filtration of fluids includes a filter cloth arranged in a housing with an inlet and an outlet. An acoustic field produced by an acoustic transducer, can act on the filter cloth. The invention the filter cloth is arranged substantially in a pressure node, i.e. a velocity antinode, of the acoustic field. As a result, a relatively inexpensive filter is obtained which is economical to operate due to the long durability of the filter.

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 and method for dewatering combined ash or other combustion related products. The apparatus aspects of the invention consist of a quench bath having a curved portion containing a plunger adapted to push combustion materials contained in the quench bath up an inclined trough. A vibrator is mounted below a portion of the inclined trough located above the waterline in the quench bath. As a result, material moved up the inclined portion is subject to vibration and compaction resulting in a substantial dewatering of the combustion material. The method of the present invention provides for the steps of quenching, moving and vibrating combustion by-products to obtain a dewatered material having reduced free water run-off.

Abstract: A procedure and means for filtering and homogenizing liquid substances and for automatic cleaning of the filters. In the procedure are utilized an ultrasonic generator (4) connected in conjunction with the filter unit (1; 2) and ultrasonic oscillators (1.11; 2.11) thereto connected, their power and frequency being controlled on the basis of the differential pressure present across the filter units (1; 2), the liquid pressure acting in the filter unit, the liquid flow rate, signals from liquid temperature pick-ups. In order to enhance the cleaning event of the filter elements (1.2; 2.2) taking place with ultrasonics, the filter unit (1; 2) is emptied during the cleaning phase, making use of compressed air conducted into the filter. In order to facilitate the liquid filtering event and to reduce the need of cleaning action with ultrasonics, during normal filtering an ultrasonic power is maintained which is sufficient for homogenizing the liquid.

Abstract: A device for the separation and transport of material from polluted medium, for example waste water, comprises a grate (5) mounted in a support structure (1). The grate is composed of a series of stable rods (3) and adjustable rods (4), where the stable and adjustable rods are respectively joined and form a unit. Said unit is disposed in the grate (5). The grate (5) is provided with or without three wave-shaped shelves (6, 7, 8). One shelf (6) is disposed at the bottom of the device just below the surface of the medium, and the other two shelves (7, 8) are disposed at the top of the device, with the shelf (7) being mounted at about the surface of the medium. The edges of the rods (3, 4) having the shelves are turned against the direction of flow of the medium. The adjustable rod unit (4) is disposed so as to be driven up and down by a piston (8'). The piston (8') is suspended on a rail (10) mounted in the support structure (1). The movement proper is being performed by a wheel (15).

Abstract: Filter cake is shaken off a candle or other similar filter by impact action. Sullied solution is passed in cross flow through a vertical disposed tube of a filter element, such as a tubular screen, positioned in a lower filter chamber and into a central axial exit tube which extends through an apertured horizontal partition forming the bottom of an upper filter chamber. An outlet housing surrounds and is fixed with respect to the exit tube in the upper chamber. One or more belleville or coil springs are positioned between the outlet housing and the partition. An impact force is applied against the top of the outlet housing to drive the outlet housing, exit tube, and candle filter so that the assembly impacts downwardly against and compresses the belleville or coil springs. The stored energy returns the housing, tube and filter upward to a reimpaction position.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a method of dehydrating a wet sludge. The wet sludge which is subjected to a preliminary dehydration by gravity dehydration or the like, is pelletized by a pelletizer, and obtained pellets of the sludge are subjected to compression dehydration with a pair of endless filter fabrics.

Abstract: A method for sorbing metal values from a slurry containing the same is disclosed. The slurry is advanced through a plurality of vessels arranged in series while countercurrently directing a sorbent through the vessels. Metal values are sorbed from the slurry in each of the vessels by mixing the pulp to achieve homogeneity with the pulp being maintained at a predetermined level in the vessel. A portion of the homogeneous pulp is directed into an interstage screening system disposed within the vessel and at least partially submerged beneath the predetermined pulp level, whereby the sorbent is separated from the slurry. The separated sorbent is primarily returned to the vessel while a portion of the sorbent is removed from the interstage screening system.

Abstract: A system for treating the blood of a patient, which is obtained by, for example, bleeding during an operation and thus to be autotransfused to the patient, as well as a device therefor is disclosed. The process comprises sucking the blood under a sucking pressure of 80 to 150 mmHg, filtering the sucked blood through a filter membrane of a pore size of 100 to 150 .mu.m and storing the filtered blood in a storage tank while shaking.

Abstract: A vibrating sieving unit for insertion into a housing to form a sieving filter. The sieving unit can be inserted into an installed casing of a filter unit by the use of a manifold plate. The vibrator directly vibrates the sieving cylinder reducing the buildup of filter cake for improved performance. A unique cleaning-in-place system is presented utilizing the fluid being filtered as the purging liquid.

Abstract: The filter assembly includes a filter unit disposed in a vertical tank and includes a first end plate or drain head having an opening in fluid communication with a filtrate port in the tank, a longitudinally movable second end plate or compression head spaced in generally parallel relationship to the drain head and an elongated sleeve of flexible filter material, such as a woven fabric, connected to and extending between the drain and compression heads to define a filtrate chamber. When the filter tube is in an expanded or extended condition (filtering position), a portion of the fluid, such as a wash water from a vehicle washing facility, entering the tank passes through the filter tube into the filter chamber and the thus-filtered water exits therefrom through the filtrate port. Excess wash water in the tank overflows through an overflow outlet.

Abstract: A sorption vessel including a tank for retaining a pulp of an aqueous slurry and a sorbent at a predetermined liquid pulp level therein; and an interstage screening system disposed within the tank and at least partially submerged beneath the predetermined pulp level. The interstage screening system includes a housing for isolating the system from the pulp, thereby providing a hydraulic differential between the predetermined pulp level and the screening system; a conduit for selectively introducing the pulp onto the screen member, the pulp being urged through the conduit by the hydraulic differential; and at least one screen member disposed within the housing for selectively and continuously separating the sorbent from the pulp.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treatment of flowing slurries of particulate material mixed in liquid employ a wide, elongated downwardly-slanted, metal tray with upturned edge flanges, cable-suspended for unrestrained vibratory flexing and undulation. The tray is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on its underside, and the flowing slurry is delivered to the upper tray end, flowing lengthwise down the tray in a shallow flowing sheet. Ultrasonic vibratory energy coupled through the tray to the flowing slurry has a "microscopic scrubbing" action on all particles and agglomerates, breaking the surface tension on the particle, cleaning particle surfaces, and separating different constituent particles and coatings of gels, slimes, algae, clay or mud. Mixtures of fine particles of coal or other valuable minerals with ash, clay, rock or sand particles are separated with unexpected efficiency by these techniques.

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

Abstract: Solid particles with entrained liquid are removed from a filtration tank and deposited on a chute inlet to a pair of rollers. One roller is pressed toward the opposite roller such that the solid particles pass through the nip of the rollers and the liquid is squeezed therefrom. The solid particles are scraped from the rollers on the outlet side of the deliquifier for collection. The liquid is collected on the inlet side of the rollers for reuse.

Abstract: In carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processes, especially those utilizing pure oxygen instead of normal air to increase the overall efficiency of the cyanide leaching-adsorption process in the recovery of gold and/or silver from ores, the screen within each tank which surrounds the slurry outlet is kept clean. The cleaning action is accomplished by linearly reciprocating the screen first slowly in one direction, and then quickly in another (to cause back flushing); or by rotating a cleaning rotor on the inside of a cylindrical screen. The cleaning rotor may be connected to the same shaft as an agitator disposed above a draft tube within the tank. The screen surface is tapered in its direction of movement, and during movement has a tendency to transport and concentrate the carbon (charcoal) particles at the far end of the slow stroke, and the concentrated particles can be withdrawn and recirculated to other tanks in the system.

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

Abstract: A vibratory screening device for dressing, sizing, desliming, and dewatering feed streams of fine particulate material is comprised of a vibratory sieve bend screen and a vibratory planar screen deck. The sieve bend screen is positioned at the feed end of the planar screen deck and is arranged so that linear vibratory motion acting on the sieve bend screen is substantially tangential to the arcuate midsection of the sieve bend. Advantageously, the two units can be mounted on a single frame so that only a single vibratory drive is required for imparting linear vibratory motion to both the sieve bend and the planar screen deck. The linear vibratory motion is preferably at an angle of about 40.degree. to the main planar deck and imparts a counter-current force to the fine particulate material flowing across the mid-section of the sieve bend.

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: A magnetic separator for fluids has a non-magnetic container which is divided into a trapping portion and an accumulating portion. A fluid containing magnetic particles to be removed therefrom is introduced via an inflow pipe and discharged via a discharge pipe located in the top and bottom, respectively, of the trapping portion. A pair of electrodes are mounted in opposite end walls of the container, and a plurality of magnetizable wires are strung across the container in parallel between the electrodes. The electrodes are electrically connected to a mechanism for generating alternating current whose frequency components are harmonics of the fundamental frequency of vibration of the magnetizable wires. The container is situated between a pair of magnets which produce a magnetic field whose strength increases from the trapping portion to the accumulating portion. The magnetic field strength is preferably a maximum in the accumulating portion at a position removed from the end wall of the accumulating portion.

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: To wash and dewater solid-water mixtures in the preparation of construction materials, particularly in recycling processes (processes using recycled waste materials), a sturdy washing trough structure is formed of a sheet steel washing trough to which a vibration box (also solid) is connected on the solids discharge side in order to achieve improved dewatering, and to provide at least one "washing pulsator" and at least one "conveying pulsator", in the form of hydraulic or pneumatic organs, which engage the washing box itself. In addition, with the aid of a hydraulic or pneumatic thrust organ, the entire assembly can be swung up around a swing pivot, said swinging up being toward the solids discharge location; and/or said assembly can be swung up toward the washing water overflow.

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

Abstract: The process of molding thermal insulating blocks and electrical heating units with a mold having a horizontal filter screen in which a slurry containing a mass of inorganic fibers, water, and a binder is mixed to randomly orient the fibers and thereafter poured into the mold and a first portion of the liquid component of the slurry drained through the screen, thereafter vibrating the screen and mold to drain a second portion of the liquid component of the slurry through the screen to produce a filter mat, thereafter drying the filter mat to remove the remaining liquid component of the slurry from the mat, and thereafter heating the filter mat to bond the fibers to each other. An electrical heating element may be mounted on the mold before the slurry is introduced into the mold. The products produced by the process have densities in excess of 30 pounds per cubic foot.

Abstract: In a method of filtering and condensing a suspension containing a solid suspended substance, the improvement comprising the step of vibrating a board member provided in the suspension in opposed relation with a filtration surface in a direction parallel to the filtration surface. The board member is provided at a distance of preferably 10 mm or less from the filtration surface.