Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary pressure filter comprising a filter drum, a housing, and at least one separating element which divides a process chamber in a gas-tight manner into a plurality of process portions. A sensor is arranged on the side of at least one separating element that faces the housing. The sensor comprises a coil and a rod which is arranged inside the coil. The rod is designed to be displaced in the coil on the basis of a change in the distance of the separating element from the sensor. The invention further relates to a method for detecting wear of a separating element of a rotary pressure filter.

Abstract: A differential rate rotary thickener; a power detector which is disposed in a sludge receiver tank for thickened sludge thickened in the differential rate rotary thickener; a discriminator which receives an electric signal for a thickened sludge concentration (X) detected by the power detector and which calculates and discriminate the data; a first controller which receives an instruction signal being a discriminated result in the discriminator and which operates an outer cylinder driving machine and a screw driving machine; a ratio setter which receives a discriminated signal of the discriminator and which increases or decreases a chemical feed rate (?) of flocculant stepwise; and a second controller which receives an instruction signal from the ratio setter and which operates a flocculant-feeding pump are provided. Thickening of sludge is performed by controlling the chemical feed rate (?), a rotational speed (S) of a screw, and a rotational speed (C) of an outer cylinder screen.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filtration machine with rotary drum filter for filtering contaminated liquids, comprising at least one filtration device which is associated with the rotary drum, the filtration device being interposed between a contaminated liquid collection tank and a filtered liquid collection tank, the self-cleaning filtration machine comprising air suction means in order to generate a partial vacuum between the contaminated liquid collection tank and the filtered liquid collection tank.

Abstract: A molten plastic material filtration apparatus includes a shell, which has a cavity, and a feed channel, an outfeed channel and a cleaning channel respectively disposed in communication between the cavity and the space outside the shell, a filter mounted in the cavity of the shell and rotatable relative to the shell and having a filter chamber and a plurality of through holes cut through the periphery thereof in communication with the filter chamber, a guide member affixed to the shell and positioned in the filter chamber of the filter, the guide member having a feed-in guide passage, a cleaning guide passage and an outfeed guide passage corresponding to the feed channel, cleaning channel and outfeed channel of the shell, a scraper mounted in the cleaning channel of the shell, and a control valve mounted in the output end of the cleaning channel of the shell.

Abstract: A filter assembly for an aquarium has a self-cleaning filter. A fine mesh filter screen is disposed between an inlet and an outlet for filtering solid matter from the water that is pumped from the aquarium, through the filter, and back to the aquarium. When the filter screen is sufficiently loaded, or according to a set schedule, the solid matter is suctioned off the filter screen with a vacuum assembly. For that purpose, the water flow is first diverted, the filter screen is rotated, and the vacuum assembly is turned on. After the screen has been vacuumed, the vacuum assembly is once more turned off and the water flow is redirected to pass through the filter screen.

Abstract: A precoat renewal system for a filter, such as a disc filter. The renewal system includes a plurality of nozzles coupled to spray piping and valving with each nozzle being positioned for spraying an area of one side of a disc. The nozzles and at least a portion of the spray piping is movable such that the nozzles may be displaced relative to the discs. The nozzles and piping are arranged in groups or zones with each zone covering a specified percentage of the discs in the filter and each zone representing about 40% or less of the surface area of the filter media of the discs in the filter. The system may be configured such that high pressure fluid may be supplied to that particular zone for removal of a precoat layer on the disc while other zones may be concurrently washed with a lower pressure fluid.

Abstract: A liquid filter apparatus includes a filter media belt enclosed by sealably mated cover pan and floor pan defining a vacuum chamber connected to a sealed clean liquid tank, with clean liquid pumped out continuously to draw liquid to be filtered into an upper region of the filter chamber via on inlet hose connected to a source of liquid to be filtered. The cover pan is lifted after the vacuum is relieved to allow indexing of the filter media belt. A main control valve to the clean liquid tank is closed and pumping liquid continues during indexing. A vacuum control device limits the maximum vacuum developed in the clean liquid tank and a vacuum pump removes air from the tank for priming and to eliminate excess accumulated air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a centrifugal separator comprising a top lid, a rotatable basket, a drive unit for the rotatable basket and an outer case, the rotatable basket and the drive unit being mounted on the top lid, the rotatable basket and the outer case having a cake outlet at the bottoms thereof, wherein the top lid is fixedly mounted on a stand via supporting legs, the outer case being supported by and attached to the top lid, the outer case being detachable from the top lid for cleaning and movable downward when detached, whereby the rotatable basket can be exposed to the outside, the centrifugal separator having excellent operability, cleanability, visual observability and antipollution property.

Abstract: Detergent formulations are prepared by directly agglomerating a fermentation broth extract, containing a detergent-type enzyme and a nonionic detergent-type surfactant, with a suitable detergent base mixture, without need for prior isolation of the enzyme.

Abstract: In an apparatus containing rotating filter media that removes solids from a fluid stream, the invention provides devices and methods for improved cleaning of the filter media. Solids trapped on the filter media are removed by the application of a suction pressure that draws the filter media into contact with a backwash shoe. The backwash shoe has one or more orifice slots in a radially tapered or oblique angular configuration or in a combination of radially tapered and oblique angular configurations. The orifice slot configuration creates an hydraulic condition where the unit of orifice area applied per unit filter area has a generally uniform ratio across the rotating filter media. This configuration equalizes the distribution of the backwash flow over the filter area, thereby maintaining the filter media in a more uniformly clean and effective filtering condition.

Abstract: A self-regenerating filter unit having a housing which carries an ultrasonic transducer periodically energizable to dislodge caked solids from a filter element in the housing. The removed solids collect in a storage zone where they are periodically removed.

Abstract: A filter cloth comprising at least a base layer and a filtering layer, characterized in that the ratio T/L of the thickness (T) of the filtering layer to the length (L) of fibers of fiber bundles constituting the filtering layer is 0.02 to 0.7 and the sum of a projected area of the fibers onto the base layer surface is 8 to 350 times the area of the base layer surface and, a filter cloth characterized in being constituted with at least a base layer and a filtering layer mainly composed of fiber bundles of crimped fiber ratio over 5%.

Abstract: A system for filtering fluids uses the pressure differential across a filter element between an internal filter volume and an external filter volume to control the rate of fluid flow through the filter element. The internal filter volume communicates with a backwash volume contained in the external filter volume. The backwash volume may be movable relative to the filter element to clean accumulated filtrate from the filter element through backwashing. By increasing the pressure in the internal filter volume, the rate of backwashing can be increased while the rate of fluid flow into the internal filter volume is decreased. Particularly when the filter element becomes clogged, damage to a filter caused by an excessive pressure differential across the filter element may be decreased.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a detergent powder containing enzymes where the enzymes are extracted from a fermentation broth with a salt and surfactant mixture and directly agglomerated with detergent paste and dried to form the detergent powder. The process results in a two phase system where the enzyme is extracted into the surfactant rich phase and the second phase is salt rich. The process is especially useful for whole or clarified fermentation broths.

Abstract: The invention provides a cleaning method for removing dirt on an industrial belt and a cleaning belt used in the same. A cleaning belt having through-holes is provided onto an industrial belt. The cleaning belt comprises structural unit pieces in parallel to one another in a lengthwise direction. Each of the unit pieces is loosely interconnected and has a play such that the unit piece can move. The movement gives vibration onto the industrial belt when the cleaning belt is brought in contact with the surface of a running industrial belt. Then dirt on the industrial belt is removed through the through-holes.

Abstract: A detergent composition and additive comprising a protease and a reversible protease inhibitor of the peptide or protein type, wherein the ratio of the dissociation constant to the protease concentration in the range from 0.006 to 6. When the protease is subtilisin, the protease inhibitor is preferably a modified subtilisin inhibitor of Family VI.

Abstract: A vibrating screen unit for dewatering dredged material. The vibrating screen unit includes a frame and a top screen deck, a middle screen deck and a bottom screen deck. The middle screen deck includes a splitter which extends across the width of the frame and comprises alternating closed channels and screen rows which alternate across the width of the frame.

Abstract: A backwashable fluid filter formed with a filter element which is disposed so that it can be rotated about its axis inside the filter housing by a drive mechanism and through which a radial flow passes. A backwashing device is provided which includes a dirt removal channel which extends parallel to the axis of the filter element. When the filter element is backwashed, clean fluid flows back through the filter element, removes dirt particles adhering to the filter element and carries them into the dirt removal channel. In order to pre-clean the filter element, a resiliently mounted stripping device is arranged in front of the backwashing device to remove coarse dirt from the surface of the filter element before it reaches the backwashing device. The filter element is provided with slit-like openings, each of which has a substantially U-shaped configuration and defines a resilient tongue.

Abstract: A backwashable self-cleaning strainer has a vertical housing containing a rotatable strainer basket. The housing has an inlet adjacent the top thereof and an outlet adjacent the bottom wall, with a flush discharge opening in the bottom wall. Components for rotating the strainer basket are located outside the flow of water containing particulates that enters the housing. A hollow backwash conduit with a passage through the sidewall is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the strainer basket and communicates with a sealable aperture in the wall of the housing. Upon opening of the aperture, cleaned water flows through the side wall of the strainer basket, removing particulates therefrom, and out the hollow backwash conduit. An intermittently rotatable brush is also provided to brush the inner surface of the strainer basket.

Abstract: A mobile multi reservoir unit aspirates liquid with solids from septic tanks, treats immediately the liquor by a flocculent polymer and dehydrates the product by a low speed vertical centrifugal machine; the liquid is returned to the septic tank and the solid is maintained in a mud stade, easy to rake off by a rotating folding knife, followed by transfer to a storage reservoir; a pump unit enacts the material transfer from and to each reservoir in succession by aspiration and by pressure build up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fibrous suspensions in the wood processing industry and more specifically to a so-called drum cylinder, the basic construction of which comprises a vessel, into which suspension being thickened is supplied and a wire-surface cylinder rotating in the vessel. The drum filter is characterized in that the closure member of the drum filter has a channel for leading gas from the filtrate tubes through the compartments of the distribution chamber to the outside of the closing member. The method is characterized in that the operation phase of the filter cylinder is divided into five separate stages. In the first stage, when the cylinder descends on to the vessel, air and the initial filtrate are discharged from the filtrate components and the formation of the pulp web on the wire surface begins. In the second stage, filtrate is discharged with vacuum and the formation of the pulp web continues.

Abstract: A seal for a rotating center valve vacuum filter drum has a non-flat cross section with an elastomeric core and a chemical resistant sheathing. The seal is installed under tension so that, as wear occurs during operation, positive sealing contact is maintained. The non-flat cross section provides a nesting relationship with the center valve slot and stationary shoe to resist any tendency to wander out of the slot.

Abstract: A self-cleaning strainer comprises a vertically disposed housing which contains a rotatable strainer basket. The housing has an open top, closed by a closure plate, an inlet adjacent the top of the housing and an outlet adjacent a closed bottom of the housing, the closed bottom having a flush discharge opening. The components used to rotate the strainer basket are disposed outside the flow of any water containing particulates that enters the housing. Cleaning devices such as a scraper blade supported in the strainer basket, a rotatable brush supported in the strainer basket, and a water jet manifold disposed between the housing sidewall and the sidewall of the strainer basket are used to clean the rotatable strainer basket.

Abstract: A filter device includes a tube connectible to a fluid line for the fluid to be filtered, and a housing enclosing the tube and including a partition dividing its internal chamber into two compartments each including a filter body. The housing and partition are movable axially of the tube to position the partition with respect to the inlet opening at: (a) a first position to cause both filter bodies to perform a filtering function, (b) a second position to cause the first filter body to perform a filtering function, or (c) a third position to cause the second filter body to perform a filtering function.

Abstract: A separating apparatus, in particular for clarification plants, comprises a revolving strainer rake or rake sieve having a plurality of series connected rake sieve sections which each consist of adjacently disposed hook-like plates, each plate having a hook portion projecting from the front end edge, wherein the thickness of each plate decreases from the front end edge in the direction towards the rear end edge and a stationary cleaning comb adapted to engage said strainer rake sieve sections from said front edges of said hook-like plate portions.

Abstract: An improved separation system and its method of operation for the separation of solutes, colloidal particles, or suspended matter from solutions of suspensions containing the same is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, this invention relates to a simple and economic membrane filtration system that can be operated in many of the modes of operation of a membrane filtration system, especially suction backwashing, without mixing the filtrate with the feed stream.

Abstract: A device for mechanically purifying liquids in a pipeline includes a rotation-symmetrical sieve chamber forming a section of the pipeline and having an inlet with a central axis, a rotation-symmetrical sieve body having an inner surface and being disposed in the sieve chamber at an angle of substantially 30.degree. to 60.degree. relative to the central axis of the inlet, and a suction removal device for removing deposits from part of the inner surface of the sieve body, the suction removal device being coaxial with and upstream of the sieve body in flow direction of the liquid, and the sieve body and the suction removal device being rotatable relative to each other for successively sweeping all of the inner surface of the sieve body with the suction removal device.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing cellulose, wherein the cellulose is conducted through between a rotary drum and a stationary shell encircling it, in the form of a layer supported by the permeable mantle surface of the drum. The principle of operation of the apparatus is: conducting washing liquid through the shell, through compartments located under the mantle surface of the drum and serving as washing liquid collectors, and through a valve system composed of a rotary part associated with the drum and a stationary part placed thereagainst, several times through the cellulose layer so that when the apparatus is operating the washing liquid at the same time moves in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum, stepwise, through the apparatus.

Abstract: A direct-flushing fluid filter comprises a filter body disposed within a housing and defining a first plurality of parallel flow paths from the housing inlet to the filtered fluid outlet, and a second plurality of parallel flow paths from the housing inlet to a dirt-purging outlet. Each of the first flow paths includes a filter passageway for removing dirt particles, and an inlet chamber on the inlet side of the respective filter passageway for accumulating the dirt particles. Each of the second flow paths connects the inlet chambers to the dirt-purging outlet while bypassing its respective filter passageway. The filter further includes a valve between the second flow paths and the dirt-purging outlet, which valve is normally closed but is opened to effect a cleaning of the filter by directly flushing the dirt in the inlet chambers through the second flow paths to the dirt-purging outlet.

Abstract: A rotary drum filter of the pipe machine type has a stationary vacuum breaker valve-discharge elbow assembly at the discharge end of the drum which defines a streamlined, smoothly curving, and substantially unobstructed discharge flow passage with gradually changing flow cross sectional areas. The valve member includes a valve closure segment at its inlet end that is structurally connected to the annular outlet end flange and sealing rim by an extension segment which forms a continuation of the valve segment. The cross sectional shapes and areas of the flow passage at the valve outlet and discharge elbow inlet are the same, but the area gradually increases in a direction toward the outlet of the elbow, and the shape gradually changes from a segmented circle to a full circle in the same direction.

Abstract: A vacuum breaker valve-discharge elbow assembly for a rotary drum filter of the pipe machine type is adjustably mounted to the drive gear housing for the filter via a separate mounting plate. A valve flange is secured to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is in turn transversely and axially adjusted on the gear housing via adjusting bolts to accurately seat the valve within its valve housing in the drum. The discharge elbow is then secured to the mounting plate independently of the valve. The valve can be rotationally adjusted on the mounting plate without disturbing the prior axial and transverse adjustment of the plate and valve by providing slotted fastener access holes on the valve flange and close-tolerance valve flange guide shoulders on the mounting plate. Cooperative calibration plates on adjacent valve flange and mounting plate surfaces facilitate precise angular adjustment of the valve.

Abstract: A vacuum breaker valve-discharge elbow assembly for a rotary drum filter of the pipe machine type is adjustably mounted to the drive gear housing for the filter via a separate mounting plate. A valve flange comprising a separate clamping ring clamps the valve to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is in turn transversely and axially adjusted on the gear housing via adjusting bolts to accurately seat the valve within its valve housing in the drum. The discharge elbow is then secured to the mounting plate independently of the valve. The valve can be rotationally adjusted without limitation on the mounting plate without disturbing the prior axial and transverse adjustment of the plate and valve by loosening the clamping ring to enable rotation of the valve along close-tolerance guide surfaces of the mounting plate. Cooperative calibration plate and pointer on adjacent surfaces of the valve body and packing collar facilitate precise angular adjustment of the valve.

Abstract: A fuel filter is provided for internal combustion engines and particularly for diesel engines utilizing a dual filter zone arrangement fed by two separate fuel supply lines, each of these lines being valved to operate in an open mode in which fuel is pumped freely from the fuel tank into the filter zone, and a dump mode, wherein reverse-flow fuel delivered from the other filter zone backwashes the dumping filter zone to purge the filter elements of accumulated particulates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating entrained particulate matter from a fluid wherein particulate matter is collected in an overlying porous layer on an upstream side of a rotatable, fluid-permeable filter in a first chamber, and rotatably conveyed into a second chamber and used as an additional filtering medium. The filter comprises a cylindrical drum having a filter surface thereon and is rotatably mounted in an enclosed housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. Fluid pumping means operatively communicate with the housing for inducing a flow of fluid into the housing through the inlet and out of the housing through the outlet. Chamber means are disposed within the housing and sealingly cooperate therewith and with the cylindrical drum and define a first chamber fluidly communicating with the inlet and a predetermined portion of the cylindrical drum on the upstream and downstream sides thereof.

Abstract: A rotary drum filter of the center valve type has replaceable valve seats in the form of pairs of opposed arcuate valve seat segments which are threadedly connected to channel sidewall portions of the drum in the region of the annular channel which receives the relatively stationary arcuate valve member. Each valve seat segment has a corner indentation between radially and axially outer faces thereof for seating the valve member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fibrous suspensions in the wood processing industry and more specifically to a so-called drum cylinder, the basic construction of which comprises a vessel, into which suspension being thickened is supplied and a wire-surface cylinder rotating in the vessel. The drum filter is characterized in that the closure member of the drum filter has a channel for leading gas from the filtrate tubes through the compartments of the distribution chamber to the outside of the closing member. The method is characterized in that the operation phase of the filter cylinder is divided into five separate stages. In the first stage, when the cylinder descends on to the vessel, air and the initial filtrate are discharged from the filtrate components and the formation of the pulp web on the wire surface begins. In the second stage, filtrate is discharged with vacuum and the formation of the pulp web continues.