Abstract: Method of and apparatus for washing and cleaning membranes of a plurality of membrane filtration units aligned in series, each unit being part of a circuit provided with a recirculation pump, each circuit being provided with an inlet and an outlet. Washing liquid is supplied to the circuits in an amount exceeding the predetermined capacity of the recirculation pump.

Abstract: Cleaning a filter surface (16) in situ in a filer housing (10) forming part of a pressure filtering apparatus for liquids is carried out by drying the coating deposited on the filter surface by means of hot air which is caused to flow at a moderate rate through the suspension chamber (5) of the filter housing in a direction over and substantially parallel to the sludge-coated filter surface. The dried coating is detached from the filter surface and removed from the suspension chamber by means of compressed air which alternately with the hot air and at a substantially higher rate than the latter also is caused to flow in a direction over and substantially parallel to the filter surface.

Abstract: A stream of water is filtered in a self-flushing type filter having filtering surfaces of different filtering fineness which provide a progressive filtering, firstly by fine filtering surfaces then by coarser filtering surfaces as the finer filtering surfaces become clogged.

Abstract: A filtering arrangement of thermoplastics extruding apparatus has a rotatable cylindrical screen unit through which material flows radially inwards and is discharged axially and an outlet aperture for impurities which are washed from the screening unit by reverse flow, i.e. radially outward flow, of part of the filtered material. The outlet aperture for the impurities is variable in cross-section by moving an arcuate segment about the axis of the cylinder to control the extent of reverse flow washing.

Abstract: A device and process for removing water from a river, pond, or the like. The device comprises a means for removing water through the device; a water intake chamber having a roof with a base periphery defining a water intake opening, and water exit aperture; a base plate; a hose exit means interconnecting the means for removing and the water exit aperture; a means for filtering the water being removed through the device; and an air chamber circumscribing the roof of said water intake chamber. The process comprises suspending by air means in the water the device; intaking water through the device; and filtering simultaneously to the intaking step the intaking water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter with automatic cleaning using a hydraulically actuated sprinkling device. According to the invention, a carriage carrying tubes is driven by a hydraulic double-acting actuator. The working chambers of the hydraulic actuator are connected by off-take pipes to the cleaning liquid distributing circuit. Switching members control through the medium of electrically controlled valves the selective entry of the cleaning liquid into the off-take pipes. The device according to the invention can be used in an installation where air filtering is necessary, such as for example an air conditioning installation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating and removing oil and particulate solids from a dispersion of oil and particulate solids in water or a water-based liquid. During separation, the dispersion is fed under pressure into the inlet end of a plurality of upright coalescer tubes made of a single-layer of flexible, water-permeable fabric and is prevented from exiting through the outlet end of the tubes. The water passes radially through the fabric walls into a stilling chamber surrounding the coalescer tubes and exits through a clean water outlet while the solid particulates are retained on the inner surface of the fabric. The oil particles coalesce on the inner surface of the tubes, forming a layer of oil which migrates through the fabric's pores due to the pressure differential between the inner and outer tube surfaces and forms an oil layer on the outer surface of the fabric.

Abstract: A filtering and washing device has a filter body mounted in a housing for rotation about a horizontal axis and comprising a first portion in the form of a truncated cone or pyramid having a base plate with an eccentrically positioned polygonal orifice and a second portion in the form of a sawtooth-shaped tube rigidly connected at one end to the orifice and at an opposite end to a cylindrical drive shaft rotatably journaled in the housing and operationally connected to a motor, the tube in turn being formed from a multiplicity of hollow prisms or truncated pyramids. The first and second portions have surfaces provided with respective filter means. A pipe fixed to the housing traverses an end plate of the first portion opposite the base plate for rotatably supporting the filter body at one end and for feeding to the first portion material to be filtered or cleaned, while the tube is provided with an opening spaced from the base plate of the first portion for dispensing treated material.

Abstract: A sieve chain having upper and lower ends is disposed in a housing and comprises a plurality of sieve sections and hinge means connecting adjacent ones of said sieve sections in series from one of said ends to the other. Each of said sieve sections has an inclination in the general direction from said upper to said lower end. A hinge connects one of said ends of said chain to said housing. An adjusting device is hingedly connected to the other end of said chain. The suspension flows over said sieve chain in the general direction from said upper to said lower end.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a drum type vacuum filter having a rotating drum and a porous belt wrapped around and rotating with the drum. Liquid in a slurry carried by the belt is withdrawn through the belt and through grids carried on the drum and openings in the drum surface by a vacuum within the drum. Small particles of solids in the slurry are also drawn through the belt and lodge in and clog the grids and drum surface openings. The cleaning apparatus is positioned in a space formed between the belt and the drum by the travel of the belt from the drum and the return of the belt to the drum. The cleaning apparatus has a spray header movable along the length of the drum and carrying a plurality of nozzles facing the drum surface and grids mounted thereon and is connected to a source of high pressure liquid which is sprayed by the nozzles on the drum openings and grids to clean the solids from them.

Abstract: A rotatable self-cleaning drum shaped filter is partially submerged in a source of water and encloses the inlet of a conduit connected to a ditch pump. A part of the flow of water drawn through the conduit by the ditch pump rotates a water turbine, which turbine is mechanically connected to the drum shaped filter to rotate the drum shaped filter about its longitudinal axis. Simultaneously, a plurality of stationary nozzles forcibly spray a filtering element of the drum shaped filter as the filtering element rotates therepast to remove debris from the filtering element and prevent clogging of the drum shaped filter and water starvation at the inlet to the conduit.

Abstract: A sieve or screen of the type supported in an inclined position so that a slurry can cascade downwardly over a working surface of the screen is formed with spaced apart, generally parallel rods or wires which extend transversely to the direction of slurry flow; and is characterized in that the means or hardware which secure the rods in spaced apart and parallel relationship are located at the working surface of the screen, as opposed to the traditional practice of locating such hardware at the opposite or underlying surface of the screen.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system comprises a plurality of screens presenting descending flow surfaces and means defining a flow conduit for waste water or sewage arranged below the upper limits of said flow surfaces. The construction of the flow conduit is such to induce an upflow of the waste water by way of openings therein which are constantly open to means which direct the waste water to the upper ends of said screens in a manner to provide a substantially equal volumetric flow to and over each of said screens.

Abstract: A filter press provided with a spray cleansing device of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,042 granted Aug. 15, 1978 to wash filter plates of the press disposed in a stack on horizontal guides in which the spray device comprises a support frame which moves along the stack of plates on the horizontal guides. Two branch conduits of the device are fitted with nozzles and surround a plate being washed to spray wash the plate simultaneously from both sides. The specific improvement in the present invention comprises a novel spray water catch basin which has a width more than twice the spacing between the branch conduits. Movable segments on both sides of the catch basin are provided which may be pivoted about a perpendicular axis to adapt the catch basin to many locations along the filter press.

Abstract: A method and device for separating liquid mixtures by ultrafiltration wherein prior to introducing the mixture into the ultrafilter a gas is added to the said mixture. The addition occurs at a pressure higher than the ultrafiltration pressure and the mixture of liquid and gas is allowed to expand down to the said ultrafiltration pressure prior to be introduced into the ultrafilter.

Abstract: A balanced pressure tubular molecular filtration (Reverse Osmosis or Ultra Filtration) system in which semipermeable membranes are cast on or inserted into internal passages of a semiporous tubular substrate, and may also be cast on or affixed to the external surface of said semiporous tubular substrate, said tubular substrate also having one or more low pressure passages for collecting permeate water passing through said semiporous membranes, said tubular substrate being installed in a pressure vessel and operated in such a way that its external surface and all of its internal membrane coated passages are exposed to operating pressure, so that mechanical forces are in balance, thereby overcoming hoop stress and burst strength problems common to internal pressure tubular molecular filtration designs.

Abstract: Filters self-cleaning by hydrocyclonic action are described, in which one end of the filter housing is mounted at a higher elevation than its opposite end, the filter housing having at its lower end a chamber for accumulating dirt particles washed from the outer surface of the filter body and a discharge port for purging the chamber. Several described embodiments include an auxiliary dirt-sensing filter within the latter chamber to receive on one side dirt particles accumulated in the chamber, its opposite side being connected to a source of lower pressure to produce a fluid flow through the auxiliary filter which flow is sensed to automatically open a valve to discharge the dirt particles accumulated in the chamber. Also described is an embodiment including a pump having a rotor disposed in the filter housing such that the hydrocyclonicly flowing water also drives the pump.

Abstract: A method for preventing fouling in apparatus used to separate a solvent from a solute which includes a semi-permeable membrane barrier is disclosed. The method comprises providing a quantity of nucleation crystals in the fluid stream passing through the separation apparatus which causes preferential precipitation of the solute thereby eliminating the formation of deposits on the membrane barrier. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of cakes from an open filter press is proposed which involves directing one or more jets of a pressure fluid towards the chamber to impinge on an edge of the cake and/or on the filter cloth adjacent such edge. If desired, the jet or jets are oscillatable so as to sweep across the said edge or the filter cloth adjacent such edge.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system for home usage is flushed periodically automatically by actuation of a non-related apparatus. In one embodiment, the reverse osmosis cartridge is mounted directly in the cold water line to a sink, such that water passes through the cold water inlet through the contaminated water outlet to the cold water faucet to the sink, flushing contaminants out of the cartridge through the faucet when the faucet is opened. In another embodiment, flushing is actuated by a solenoid-operated valve electrically connected to a garbage disposal switch.

Abstract: A microporous filter having pleated filter cartridge is provided with inlet and bypass ports for establishing tangential flow across outside boundary of cartridge inlet side resulting in slow clogging operation.

Abstract: In a tubular filter bodies with at least one tubular filter structure with a porous wall, through which a liquid passes substantially radially, particles above a given size being held back at the entrance surface, made of porous plastic, ceramic material, metal, graphite, etc, continuous operation at constant pressures is made possible by providing at least one groove (or slot) which is closed toward the outside and forms a forced flow path leading from an inlet to an outlet in the circumferential entrance surface of the tubular filter body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for concentrating liquid-containing substances are disclosed. The disclosed method includes contacting liquid-containing substances such as fiber suspensions with separating means as the substance flows in a first direction so that a portion of the liquid is separated from the liquid-containing substance, withdrawing the liquid through the separating means in a second direction, intermittently interrupting the flow of the liquid downstream from that point of withdrawal to terminate the flow of the liquid through the separating means and preventing return flow of the separated liquid through the separating means.

Abstract: An influent stream is passed through a filter bed separating contained particulate material from the mother liquor; the process being carried out until such time as the filter bed can no longer practically sustain further separation operation. A wash step is then commenced in which a wash liquor is passed through the filter bed, washing soluble components sorbed or deposited on the filter bed or in the filter cake. The concentration of soluble salts in the wash liquor is sensed and when the concentration reaches a predetermined minimum level, the wash liquid flow is stopped for a predetermined period of time. The flow is then resumed for a predetermined minimum time period and if the concentration of soluble salts in the wash liquid is, at the end of said minimum time period, not above a predetermined minimum level, the wash step is terminated. Otherwise, the wash step is intermittantly repeated until such time as the aforenoted termination occurs.

Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus, such as a viscometer of the falling piston type, wherein at least a portion of the fluid in a main conduit is diverted into a secondary conduit system which includes a measurement channel having a filter at the entrance to prevent entry of undesired material. When the flow of fluid into the measurement channel is stopped, the fluid flows past the filter, removes the undesired material which has been retained thereat, and carries it back into the main stream. The viscometer can further provide means for producing an external visual indication of the piston movement within the channel. Further, the fluid can be permitted to flow continuously in a second channel, thermally coupled to the measurement channel, so as to maintain the temperature of the measurement channel at or substantially near that of the main stream. Further means can be provided in the second channel to permit adjustment of the fluid flow in the measurement channel to assure adequate operation of the device.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing water from mud and the like has a flexible container having an inlet and an outlet opening. A flexible tubular member is located outside and adjacent the outlet opening of the container. Means are provided for deforming the flexible tubular member so that the latter closes the outlet opening of the container during dewatering of the mud. The flexible tubular member may be formed either of a one piece with the container or as a separate part connected to a front end portion of the same. At least two ring-shaped elements are provided, one of which elements is connected to the front portion of the container, and the other element is connected to the flexible tubular member and rotatable relative to the first ring-shaped element. By means of rotation of the other ring-shaped element the flexible tubular member is deformed so as to close the outlet opening.

Abstract: In a large scale filtration apparatus filtration is performed in a vertical cylindrical vessel, in which a number of spaced filter leaves are suspended. The liquor to be filtered is introduced into the shell and the filtrate is led out from the interior of the individual leaves. The filter residues are removed from the leaves at intervals by means of a spray device located in the top of the shell above the leaves. A spray bar, having a downwardly facing elongated slit orifice and rotating slowly about the axis of the shell, is preferably employed for this purpose.

Abstract: A filter for liquids and particularly coffee comprises a container having a planar horizontal base formed with at least one filtrate drainage opening, and on its inner face formed with a plurality of radial ribs and a central support member which together support a generally planar filter element of thin sheet material in spaced parallel relationship to the base. In use the arrangement produces a toroidal circulation of liquid which prevents compaction of the filter cake and reduces clogging of the filter element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dewatering rubber crumb in which a slurry of rubber crumb and fines overflowed from a feed tank onto a curved screen for dewatering is subjected to a change in direction away from the screen by a fixed baffle in the feed path upstream of the screen and is then redirected by a second, adjustable baffle onto the screen with the second, adjustable baffle also determining the spacing between the screen and the second baffle and thereby restricting flow from the curved screen onto a coated chute which delivers partially dewatered rubber crumb from the apparatus.

Abstract: Screening apparatus provides improved dewatering of liquid slurries by flowing the slurry across a generally parabolically shaped perforate screening surface inclined at an angle to the horizontal. The angularity of the generally parabolically shaped screening surface is adjustable at any time or at any point in the screening process. The preferred embodiment of screen assembly, which incorporates multiple bars extending generally transversely of the flow direction of the slurry, is fabricated by a method which facilitates the provision of screening slots of different widths in different areas of the screening surface.

Abstract: An industrial filtering apparatus in which the filter cake can be removed automatically by scraping layers of solid from the cake with paring devices which are associated with screw conveyors for transporting the solid to the center of the housing and depositing it in a removal pipe. The mouth of the removal pipe through which the cake falls is completely unobstructed by structural members. The paring devices can also be used in a different mode to smooth out cracks and compact the cake. There is also an independent revolving device for breaking up the cake which can be used in conjunction with a sprinkler head to ensure particularly intensive and intimate washing and slurrying of the cake. The paring device, its associated screw conveyors and the removal pipe can be raised and lowered, as can the device for breaking up the cake, thus making adjustment to any filter cake thickness possible.

Abstract: A rotating centrifugal impeller spins contaminated fluid at high speed around the outside of a stationary cylindrical particle barrier filter screen and by centrifugal action separates the solid contaminants for removal to a dirt accumulator. Simultaneously, the impeller pumps or propels the remaining clean fluid radially inward, causing it to turn abruptly from its tangential path and to flow through the screen openings to a central chamber from which the fluid is discharged. Even though some of the solid particles may be smaller than the screen openings, they cannot turn radially inward from their trajectories sharply enough to pass through the openings and instead will be contained in their tangential path until centrifuged outward. The barrier screen has a smooth external surface so that it may be washed clean by the high velocity tangential flow of the spinning fluid across the screen, thus preventing any particle build-up on the screen and clogging thereof during start-up and shut-down.

Abstract: An arrangement for filtering fluid flow includes a T connection having a hollow body connected with two aligned hollow lateral extensions. A plate is secured within and intersects the lateral extensions and has an opening therein to accommodate flow through the lateral projections. A filter member including a hollow core is positioned adjacent the plate and surrounds the opening in the plate for filtering flow through the lateral extensions. The filter member extends from the extensions into the body and is closed off at one end by a flange secured to the body.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed comprising a reusable filter insertable in an enclosure having openings therein for the passage of a cleaning fluid through the filter and out of the enclosure. The enclosure may comprise a cylinder into which the filter is inserted.The filter element in one embodiment comprises a resilient filter windable on itself for insertion in the enclosure which may comprise a cylindrical enclosure.

Abstract: An irrigation system for use in a citrus grove. Water is pumped from a well into a chamber of an elongated filter which has an outer casing and an inner treating unit defining the chamber. The filter also has a spiggot and valve for flushing the filter. Irrigation water goes in one end, through the filter, passing from the chamber into the treating unit and out the other end to a main line. The main line supplies sub-main and branch lines to T-shaped pipes which terminate in posts. Each post has a vertical pipe which emerges from the post and has a spraying head designed to be just above the post. The T-shaped pipes are disposed so that the posts will emerge on both sides of a tree trunk and spray water from both sides onto the tree trunk to feed the roots.