Rehabilitating Or Regenerating Filter Medium Patents (Class 210/791)
  • Patent number: 5690836
    Abstract: A method of removing a catalyst, particularly Raney nickel, from a catalytic reaction product, particularly a hydrogenation reaction product, by passing the catalytic reaction product containing the solid catalyst through a hollow tubular filter medium which comprises a nonwoven web of fibers, has a tapered pore distribution such that the pore size of the filter medium decreases in the direction of normal fluid flow, and is backwashable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Raskin, James R. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 5676848
    Abstract: Materials including suspended particles are brought together and then separated into two streams one of which only contains the particles, the output streams having different composition from inlet streams. Separation is effected in filtration modules which include a moving runner with wall conditioning elements which dislodge accumulated particles from porous walls of filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Robert A. Benson
  • Patent number: 5674403
    Abstract: Means and method of straining process streams of liquid-suspended solid particulates includes a primary industrial strainer having means periodically to remove deposited solids by generating a backwash stream. A backwash retention device (BRD) is provided for straining the backwash stream from the primary strainer. Periodically, after a predetermined number of backwash cycles, solids deposited in the BRD are removed by blowing down the BRD, producing a by-product stream more concentrated in suspended solids than the backwash stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: S. P. Kinney Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Kinney
  • Patent number: 5672281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating an effluent into a filtered liquid component and a concentrated sludge component are described. A screen for filtering the effluent is positioned to divide a chamber into two compartments, one for concentrating sludge and one for receiving filtered liquid. The screen is curved in an arc that extends away from the liquid outlet, and a spray arm is mounted for arcuate motion to conform to the curvature of the screen to dispense a fluid against the screen to dislodge attached sludge, to unclog the screen apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Walt Disney World Co.
    Inventors: Ivey Lee Burns, William Glenn Ham, Rory Dean Harvick, Charles Leroy Holzman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5653889
    Abstract: A filter element surface is coated with particulate polyamide which serves as a filter aid to trap polyamide oligomers suspended in water. The particulate polyamide is preferably coated onto a surface of a bag filter so that polyamide oligomers flowing through the coated bag filter surface will adhere to the polyamide particles forming an oligomer cake thereon which encapsulates the polyamide particles. Momentarily equalling the pressure differential across, or reversing flow through, the coated bag filter surface (i.e., back-pulsing) will cause the oligomer cake and polyamide particles encapsulated thereby to break into relatively large-sized solid aggregate particles which may be easily recovered. Since the polyamide particles which are encapsulated by the oligomer cake are chemically compatible with one another, the entire particulate aggregate may be subjected to depolymerization processing so as to recover monomers from which the polyamide is formed (e.g., caprolactam).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Karl H. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 5647988
    Abstract: A method for back-washing a submerged-type ceramic membrane separation apparatus is provided in which filtrate once removed from the apparatus and a chemical agent are forcibly supplied to filtrate passages in ceramic membrane filters to wash the ceramic membrane filters with the filtrate and with the chemical agent, wherein the water washing and chemical washing are carried out at a predetermined frequency ratio and for a predetermined time period, or wherein the frequency and time period of the chemical washing are determined on the basis of a transmembrane pressure difference, suction pressure or filtrate flux observed during a filtering operation performed by the membrane separation apparatus. This method makes it possible to avoid an excessive chemical washing, and to reduce the amounts of water and chemical agent and the time required for the chemical washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kawanishi, Shigeki Yokoyama, Katsuro Ishihara, Yoshihisa Narukami, Masahiko Shioyama, Mikiharu Tokushima, Toshiya Ozaki
  • Patent number: 5643455
    Abstract: A method of concentrating solids in a liquid suspension using a microporous filter assembly having a plurality of hollow microporous, elastic membranes within a vessel, the method including the steps of applying the suspension to an outer surface of the hollow fibers whereby a portion of the suspension passes through the fibers walls and at least a portion of the solids is retained on or in the hollow fibers or within the vessel as suspended solids; dislodging the retained solids from the fibers by applying a gas under pressure after opening the vessel to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Memtel Limited
    Inventors: Clinton Virgil Kopp, Ian Dracup Doig, Robert John William Streeton, Jalel Michel Darzi
  • Patent number: 5632907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering a liquid from a liquid/solid mixture using a centrifuge. The centrifuge has a conveyor having a hub and a flight for imparting a centrifugal motion to the liquid/solid mixture. The conveyor is rotated for imparting the centrifugal motion. A filter is carried in the tank which holds the conveyor. The filter encircles the conveyor for filtering the liquid from the liquid/solid mixture. A backwash system has a tube having a series of nozzles positioned for spraying a fluid at the filter in a narrow band which circumscribes the filter. The tubing is connected to a header which projects out of the casing through an opening. The fluid sprayed through the nozzles is pumped through the header to the tubing having the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Fritz Norbury
  • Patent number: 5618443
    Abstract: A filtering method and apparatus pass the suspension (e.g. green liquor) to be filtered in a falling film down a first side of a filtering surface of a filter element at a different (higher) pressure than a second side, so that due to the pressure difference prevailing across the filtering surface the filtrate flows through the filtering surface and separated solids substantially remain in the suspension, without forming an undesirable solids layer on the filtering surface. A uniform liquid film falling on the filtering surface is generated by recirculating suspension from the bottom of the filter housing to an upper portion of the filter element. Nozzles may direct flow toward the filtering surface in localized areas. The method may be practiced continuously or in batches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Machinery Oy
    Inventors: Holger Engdahl, Pekka Tormikoski
  • Patent number: 5603846
    Abstract: A fractional filtration apparatus, used for obtaining cutting oils fractionally cleaned by using one filtration apparatus so as to reuse the separated cutting oils in accordance with the types of machining operations, includes a plurality of liquid tanks for fractionally storing the cleaned cutting oils, a filtration target cutting oil storage tank for temporarily storing a filtration target cutting oil charged through a charge port, rotatably driven filtration drums, dividing the liquid level of the cutting oil and being pivotal in the filtration target cutting oil storage tank, each drum having a side-surface opening in at least one surface thereof in order to let a filtered cleaned cutting oil flow into the cutting oil tanks, and each drum being provided with filters of different mesh sizes, injection nozzles for reversely washing the filters provided on the outer circumferential surfaces of the filtration drums, and dip-up members, disposed at a predetermined intervals, for continuously conveying the cutt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SYST
    Inventors: Tadao Uchiyama, Koji Tomizama
  • Patent number: 5599462
    Abstract: A vacuum or gas pressure clamp prevents movement of an elongate filter cloth used in a horizontal vacuum filter. The clamp includes a support frame and a planar supporting device having a perforated support surface for supporting the filter cloth. The vacuum clamp is mounted on the frame and is adapted for connection to a vacuum source so that vacuum can be applied to numerous holes in the support surface. An imperforate sealing sheet extends over the support surface and in close proximity thereto. The filter cloth can be drawn between the supporting device and the sealing sheet. A vacuum can be applied to the filter cloth in order to prevent its movement in the longitudinal direction. Preferably the support surface forms a rectangular grid comprising rows of closely spaced holes. This grid is surrounded by a sealing surface. In the gas pressure clamp, an enclosure extends around the supporting device and the sealing sheet and a positive air pressure can be provided in this enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Komline-Sanderson Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey D. Kemp
  • Patent number: 5597601
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and process for filtering cooking oil of the type used in deep fat fryers such as are used in restaurants and bakeries. Full cooking temperature oil from the fryer vat is forcefully moved by a motorized pump through a canister holding a sintered metal filter which is preferably made of fused Stainless steel granules and which will filter-out solid particles down to about 0.5 microns in dimension from the oil. The hot oil passes through the filter before the filtered hot oil is returned to the fryer vat through a hand held flexible dispensing hose. The canister includes an openable lid to allow repeated removal, washing and re-installation of the highly durable and reuseable sintered stainless steel filter. One preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention is a portable unit mounted on wheels so it can be rolled from one fryer to another fryer and then to an out of the way storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Purifry, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry A. Griffin
  • Patent number: 5593597
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removing solid components from a fluid in a trough (1) having a transport device (3) in the form of a transport trough (4) and a rotationally driven transport helix (6), the transport device (3) having at one end a solids outlet (9) and at the opposite end a sieving surface (15) at least in portions of the surface, in which the solid components are able to be sieved out of the fluid and are able to be transported to the solids outlet (9) via the transport helix (6) in the axial direction of the transport device (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Rudolf Bischof GmbH
    Inventor: R udolf Bischof
  • Patent number: 5589080
    Abstract: A liquid recycling and filtering system is well suited for use in continuous flow recycling surface cleaning devices. The system employs a canister containing a liquid cleaning solution, and a cylindrical filter submerged in the liquid and defining a chamber containing a portion of the liquid. A liquid supply conduit withdraws liquid from the chamber and supplies the liquid to a cleaning tool head, where the liquid is sprayed upon a floor or other surface being cleaned. A counterflow conduit is coupled to the liquid supply conduit and to the chamber, for transporting liquid under pressure to a spraying assembly within the chamber. The spraying assembly includes a rotatable manifold and nozzles at opposite ends of the manifold. The nozzles spray the liquid in planar, fan-shaped patterns that impinge upon the filter over limited surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: CFR Corporation
    Inventors: Sung K. Cho, Lowell H. Schiebe
  • Patent number: 5589079
    Abstract: An assembly for recovering crystals from a slurry comprises a filtration unit including a rotatably mounted cylindrical filter, a slurry input for receiving slurry pressurized by a pump. The filtration unit has an outlet for discharging crystalline material separated from the slurry by the filtration unit. A first hopper connected to the filtration unit at the discharge outlet thereof is provided at a downstream side with a first valve unit which is in turn connected to a second hopper on a downstream side. A second valve unit is coupled to the second hopper at a downstream side thereof. Each of the valve units includes a rotatably mounted dome shaped valve member. The second hopper is provided with a vent extending to a gas storage tank. A conduit links the hoppers to one another for substantially equalizing pressure in the hoppers prior to an opening of the upstream valve during a discharge procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David B. Park, Michael F. Crawley
  • Patent number: 5575913
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus and method having a housing, a filter element, an inlet, a first discharge outlet and a second discharge outlet. The housing includes a bottom and an upwardly extending surrounding wall. The filter element is disposed in the housing and spans the surrounding wall with the filter element spaced above the bottom of the housing to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and the filter element being angled, preferably 45 degrees from the horizontal, so that one end of the filter element is lower relative to the other end. The inlet is in fluid communication with the upper chamber for receiving waste water containing particulate contaminants. A first discharge outlet is in fluid communication with the lower chamber for discharging filtered waste water. The second discharge outlet is in fluid communication with the upper chamber adjacent the lower end of the filter element for discharging filtered particulate contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: James P. Sharkey
  • Patent number: 5569387
    Abstract: A system for treating wastewater and improving the quality of wastewater effluent by preventing solids from being discharged in the effluent is disclosed. Wastewater having a concentration of waste solids flows into a wastewater collection container through a waste-water inlet and solids are allowed to distribute into a lower horizontal sludge layer and an upper horizontal scum layer with a horizontal layer of liquid therebetween. A substantially upstanding elongate tube is immersed in the wastewater within the container and the interior of the tube is exposed to the horizontal layer of liquid through a plurality of inclined slots in the tube. Liquid flows from the horizontal liquid layer through the slots into the interior of the tube and thereafter through a liquid effluent outlet of the container. Preferably, the slots extend vertically along a majority of the depth of the wastewater in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventors: William C. Bowne, Gary L. Thorsby
  • Patent number: 5567327
    Abstract: A filter press plate shifter assembly (21) provided with a shifter housing (22) having a tunnel-like center part which passes over the filter plates and housing parts positioned adjacent opposite side rails (14). Each side housing part mounts a pneumatic plate shifter (41) for permitting the endmost plate in the closed stack to be individually and sequentially shifted away from the stack into an open position when discharge of filtrate is desired. The shifter housing mounts a bumping device (61) which cooperates with the endmost plate in the stack to effect vertical bumping thereof relative to the support rails to assist in loosening sticky cake which adheres to the plate. The shifter housing also mounts an air-assist discharge mechanism (62) which includes a nozzle-bearing head assembly (80, 80') which moves vertically downwardly between the opposed faces of an open pair of adjacent plates for discharging airstreams downwardly against the plates to assist in removing the sticky cake from the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: JWI, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel D. De Haan, Daniel De Haan, Gregory De Haan, David J. Spyker, David P. McLeod, Wesley G. Koops, Leonid B. Gelfand
  • Patent number: 5565112
    Abstract: An arrangement and method of retrofitting a filter using a disposable media to use a permanent media belt passed through a filter tank, in which movable carts are positioned at the entrance and discharge ends of the filter tank, and a roll of permanent filter media belt segment is unwound and passed through the filter tank and rewound into a roll on the other cart at the discharge end of the filter tank with the permanent filter media belt segment being cleaned and dried prior to being rewound. Upon complete rewinding of the segment, the movable carts are switched in their positions and the permanent filter media belt segment again unwound to be again passed through the filter tank with the process repeated. A second removable cart can also be positioned at the entrance side of the filter tank with the leading end connected to the trailing end of the previous belt segment automatically to be carried through the filter tank to ensure uninterrupted filter operation by successive feed of the two belt segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Filtra-Systems Company
    Inventor: Jack R. Bratten
  • Patent number: 5560834
    Abstract: A machine for conditioning a flocculated mixture formed by adding high molecular weight polymer to a slurry of ultrafine particles such as are found in mining silts, clays, sludges and the like. With this machine, such mixtures, which have already been partially dewatered, can then be substantially further dewatered. Reductions to between about 27% and 30% moisture content have been obtained. The machine includes a perforate endless conveyor belt onto which a continuous flow of the mixture is deposited and an array of stationary inverter plates and rollers in which pairs of rows of plates alternate with the rollers, both the plates and the rollers extending downwardly into the mixture as it is being moved on the belt. The rollers in the array squeeze water out of the mixture without disrupting bonds between the polymers and ultrafine particles and, in the process of applying pressure, contribute to the formation of new bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis D. Gold
  • Patent number: 5560835
    Abstract: A self-cleaning filter apparatus for use in removing particulate matter from a transport fluid, such as air, which includes a housing having a pair of spaced pulleys over which an endless filter belt is positioned to present two generally straight filter reaches and two generally curved filter reaches. The endless filter belt includes a permeable substrate formed as an endless belt and a plurality of pleats of filter media extending outwardly from the surface of the substrate so that the transport fluid can pass inwardly therethrough an deposit the particulate material on the exterior surface of the pleats. A suction nozzle is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the endless filter at one of the curved reaches thereof for removing particulate matter deposited on the pleats as they pass along such curved reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Pneumafil Corporation
    Inventor: Roger D. Williams
  • Patent number: 5554293
    Abstract: A blood processor for separating blood into cellular blood components and blood fluids including means for receiving a source of blood whose components are to be separated; means, operatively associated with the means for receiving, for separating cellular blood components from blood fluids, the means for separating including means for permitting passage therethrough of blood fluids but inhibiting the passage of blood components therethrough; a pulsating pump for pumping blood from the means for receiving into the means for separating and for agitating the blood within the means for separating; and, wherein the cellular components in the blood are inhibited from blocking the means for permitting passage, thereby facilitating the movement of blood fluids through the means for permitting passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: John Uhoch
  • Patent number: 5554302
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the removal of slurry, remaining in the feed core of a filter press having central feed filter plates, is disclosed. The apparatus is utilized during the core blow process of directing pressurized air into the feed core, in the opposite direction of the slurry feed, after the filtration cycle is completed. During the core blow process, the apparatus, which is attachable to the follower liner plate, facilitates the removal of remnant slurry by diverting the pressurized air within the feed core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Alan M. Carabine
  • Patent number: 5545338
    Abstract: A method for filtering an aqueous mineral slurry and collection of the mineral as product. The slurry is flowed through a filter plate of the type characterized by a porous support layer and an overlying microporous metal filtration layer, with flow through the filter plate during filtration being from the filtration layer side toward the base layer and being effected by establishing a fluid pressure differential across the filter plate. The filtration layer preferably comprises a sintered metal, with a relatively narrow pore size distribution, i.e. one wherein substantially all of the pores are less than 5 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: ECC International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Ginn, Gary L. Cobb, Lawrence E. Broxton, Kelly R. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5540849
    Abstract: A filter for filtering particulates from a particulate-containing fluid stream passing through the filter, contains one or more flow plates, each of the flow plates having (a) one or more primary fluid flow passages; and (b) one or more particulates-collecting, eddy current-forming accumulation chambers communicating with the primary fluid flow passages; wherein the accumulation chambers are not situated in the primary fluid flow passages and, when the accumulation chambers contain particulates, the particulate-containing accumulation chambers do not impede fluid flow through the primary fluid flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Dugan
  • Patent number: 5534152
    Abstract: An improved liquid filtering assembly used in applications such as filtering solvents for use in a liquid chromatography system. The filter assembly uses a filter cup having a large surface area which can be quickly removed and changed. The filter assembly also allows for the liquid to be drawn close to the bottom of the liquid reservoir. The filter assembly includes a coupling nut into which the tubing is secured on one side and an expansion member is secured on the other side. A seal ring is located around a portion of the expansion member. The expansion member urges the seal ring against the interior surface of the filter cup to secure the filter cup to the filter assembly. When the filter cup becomes clogged, the expansion member can be loosened to allow an operator to remove the clogged filter cup, replace it with a new filter cup, and then tighten the expansion member. Thus, the filter assembly can be reused simply by replacing the filter cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Upchurch Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans G. Schick
  • Patent number: 5516431
    Abstract: In a plasma filtration process including a treatment with a primary filter for separating blood into blood cells and plasma and a treatment with a secondary filter for removing harmful macromolecules from the separated plasma for purification, the secondary filter is washed by passing a washing liquid through an inner chamber of the filter, an outer chamber thereof or both the chambers in an amount corresponding to 5 to 50% of the priming volume of the filter every time the filtration pressure has reached 70 to 100% of the withstanding pressure of the secondary filter. This washing procedure reduces the time required for the filtration of plasma to about 60 to 70% of the time conventionally needed, shortens the patient restraining time, and decreases the amount of washing liquid to be used to consequently diminish the disposal loss of plasma from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Kawamura, Motoki Yonekawa, Osamu Kaneko, Hiroshi Kamogawa
  • Patent number: 5499693
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for lubricating the bearings of a turbocharger, the coarsely filtered oil flow (2) for the turbocharger (7) is first of all passed through one of two fine filters (12, 15) connected alternately and in the process is filtered to the consistency required by the turbocharger (7). A portion of the finely filtered oil flow (20) is fed as lubricating oil (21) into the bearings (22) of the turbocharger (7), and the other portion is fed as flushing oil (23) into the clean side (14) of the second fine filter (15). Both the lubricating oil (21) and the flushing oil (23) are then drained off into the oil sump (1). If the first fine filter (12) is contaminated, the second fine filter (15) flushed beforehand by means of the finely filtered oil flow (20) is switched to the oil line (10) of the turbocharger (7) and thus takes over the cleaning function of the first fine filter (12). The clogged first fine filter (12) is then cleaned with the flushing oil (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventor: Markus Widenhorn
  • Patent number: 5494591
    Abstract: In order to clean a deposit filter having filter elements (4) installed in a suspended manner, first, with the plenum (3) filled with flushing medium, the liquid is discharged completely or partially from the filter chamber by way of an emptying line (7) by opening a ventilating line (6) arranged in the uppermost region of the filter chamber (2), then, by means of a pressure-generating line (8) which is arranged on the plenum and by way of which propellent gas or flushing medium under pressure is conveyed into the plenum, a pressure surge is generated in the plenum and drives the flushing medium through the filter elements, and finally the impurities, together with the liquid, are discharged. Before the pressure surge is exerted, an underpressure can be generated in the filter chamber, in order further to increase the effect. If desired, the filter elements (4) can have an upper gas-impermeable region (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Christ AG
    Inventors: Hans P. Stamm, Kurt Meuli
  • Patent number: 5487836
    Abstract: A method of cleaning polymer residue from a polymer melt filter formed of a sintered powdered metal includes pyrolyzing the polymer residue-contaminated filter within a heated chamber at a temperature within the range from about 400.degree. to about 600.degree. C. and for a time sufficient to pyrolyze substantially all of the polymer residue. Simultaneously with such treatment, the heated chamber is flushed with steam to prevent combustion of the polymer residue. The pyrolyzed filter is then treated with a solvent and back-flushed with a pressurized fluid stream by passing the fluid steam through the filter in a direction opposite to the polymer melt flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Mason, Ted L. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5484536
    Abstract: A filter medium is backwashed to cleanse it of cake when a fluid pressure difference across the filter medium rises to a predetermined degree. Since the pressure difference is subject to change not only with the amount of the cake but also with the temperature and flow rate of the fluid being filtered, not only the pressure difference but also at least either of the fluid temperature and flow rate is constantly monitored. A correction coefficient circuit is provided which has stored thereon pressure difference characteristics at various temperatures and/or flow rates of the fluid including a pressure difference at a rated temperature and/or rated flow rate. The correction coefficient circuit computes a correction coefficient by comparing the pressure difference characteristic at the monitored temperature and/or monitored flow rate of the fluid with the pressure difference characteristic at the rated temperature and/or rated flow rate of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinichi Yamaguchi, Sachio Doi
  • Patent number: 5480553
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module comprising (a) hollow fibers, (b) a fastening member for fixing the ends of the hollow fibers while leaving them open, and (c) a structural member for enclosing and supporting the fastening member, the hollow fiber membrane module being useful in the filtration of water by suction from the surface to the inside of the hollow fibers with intermittent or continuous cleaning of the membrane surfaces of the hollow fibers, characterized in that the hollow fibers comprise a textile fabric containing hollow fibers as the weft and the cross-section of the fastening member perpendicular to the hollow fibers is shaped like an elongated rectangle. In this module, the hollow fibers rarely cohere together into a mass, and the membrane surfaces of the hollow fibers can be efficiently cleaned concurrently with the filtration, so that the loss of the filtering function is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Yamamori, Akira Hoshide, Masumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5476584
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a filtration tank having a plurality of side-by-side gravity flow filter cells, each having an outlet port in communication with a filtrate channel common to all of the cells in an automatic backwash/rewash system, by subjecting each compartment, sequentially, to a backwashing operation and then a rewashing operation wherein, during backwashing, backwash liquid is pumped through a first of the filter chamber ports to flow upwardly through a first of the compartments in a direction opposite to a normal filtration flow direction, and during rewashing, rewash liquid is drawn downwardly through the first cell in the normal filtration flow direction. For any given cell after a first of the plurality of cells, utilizing at least a portion of the rewash liquid from a rearwardly adjacent filter cell is used as backwash liquid in the given cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mack McDougald
  • Patent number: 5464542
    Abstract: A method for filtering and backwashing solid particles out of liquids is illustrated, with a filter drum (5) positioned completely below the liquid level (6) having a cylindrical surface (7) coated with a filter medium (8), the liquid flown through the outside of the filter drum to the inside. A backwashing device for removal of the filter cake from the filter medium is provided. At the beginning of each cycle of backwashing an air cushion (15) is introduced in the filter drum (5) and liquid in the filter drum (5) is displaced in such a manner so that liquid jets from an ejetion apparatus (19) containing a spraying head (17) and being arranged in the interior of the filter drum without being sealed on the filter drum penetrate through the air cushion (15) to the backside of the cylindrical surface (7) of the filter drum (5). The filter cake so removed from the filter drum is withrawn at the outside of filter drum (5) in a stream of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Hans Huber GmbH Maschinen-und Anlagenbau
    Inventors: Johann Grienberger, Rudolf Bogner, Christian Frommann
  • Patent number: 5462673
    Abstract: A vibratory screen apparatus (10) for the separation of solids has a cleaning system to clean the screen bed (15) of adhering solids, such as matted fibrous materials. A water discharge assembly (52) includes a water dispensing tubular member (60) in which elongate slots (76, 78) are provided to discharge pressurized water in a continuous stream or curtain across the entire width of the screen bed (15). The water dispensing tubular member (60) is mounted on a movable slide (54) for back and forth movement along the length of the screen bed (15) by a sprocket chain (72). An endless belt conveyor (104) has an upper run (108) on which the solid materials are deposited enclosed within a tubular conduit (114) for protection of the solid materials being transported by the conveyer (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Triton Engineering Services Company
    Inventor: George E. Piers
  • Patent number: 5462677
    Abstract: A filter belt movement control and belt treatment means for a pressure filter apparatus. The movement control includes a marking means in or on the filter belt medium and a sensing means on the filter apparatus. The sensing means detecting the position of the marking means in or on the belt filter medium and adapted to signal a controller for control of the position of the belt filter medium within the apparatus. The treatment means including cleaning, bathing and coating means for treating the belt filter medium and vibratory means for operation with the treating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Steve C. Benesi
  • Patent number: 5462674
    Abstract: A method and system for purifying a contaminated fluid in a continuous manner is herein disclosed. The present invention provides for the irradiation of a slurry between a defined surface(s) such that substantially all of the contaminants are removed from the slurry, and a turbulent flow of the slurry is achieved. The present invention further provides for the separation of decontaminated effluent from the slurry by employing ceramic membrane filters. Air is applied to the ceramic membrane filters at relatively high pressures in order to remove any photoreactive catalyst particles that have collected in the ceramic membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Purific Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Butters, Anthony L. Powell
  • Patent number: 5460733
    Abstract: A method for controlling a filtration assembly wherein the amount of medium introduced into the filtration assembly is constant, even though the filterability of the medium or the condition of the filters has changed. The working cycle of the filtration assembly changes when the pressure difference across the filter mesh increases over a certain period of time. The control system is capable of distinguishing between the filterability of the medium introduced and the condition of the filter mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Caustec AB
    Inventors: Sigmund Rasmussen, Lars Horlyk, Rolf Oswaldsson, Kent Strid
  • Patent number: 5449465
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of filtering a fluid comprising (a) passing a first portion of a contaminated fluid through a filtration system comprising a first filtration medium of a preselected surface area which removes contaminants from the first portion of the fluid, (b) simultaneously passing a second portion of the contaminated fluid through a monitoring system comprising a second filtration medium of a preselected surface area which removes contaminants from the second portion of the fluid, wherein the first and second filtration media are the same except that the surface area of the first filtration medium is greater than the surface area of the second filtration medium, and wherein the rate at which the second portion of the contaminated fluid passes through the second filtration medium per unit of surface area of the filtration medium is greater than the rate at which the first portion of the contaminated fluid passes through the first filtration medium per unit of surface area of the fil
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. Degen
  • Patent number: 5431823
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for supporting and cleaning a mesh anode bag of the type having one open end, one closed end, and being sealed along its lateral sides, the bag containing particles of discharged active zinc therein along its inner surfaces after the separation thereof from a discharged zinc anode, the process comprising placing the bag over a device comprising a hollow body having a liquid inlet at a first end and a plurality of liquid outlets at a second opposite end, the device being contoured and sized to be overridden by the bag, with the inner surfaces of the bag being in proximity to the outer surfaces of the body, and the plurality of outlets adjacent to the closed end of the bag, causing a flow of liquid via the inlet and through the body to the outlets, whereby liquid passing through the outlets flows around the outer surface of the body and along the inner surfaces of the bag, to entrain and remove therefrom the particles of zinc, and separating the bag from the device, as well as p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Electric Fuel(E.F.L.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Gofer
  • Patent number: 5431829
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration medium comprising a fibrous mass of nonwoven polymethylpentene fibers. Moreover, a filter element comprising the aforesaid fibrous mass of nonwoven polymethylpentene fibers surrounding a perforated, hollow, cylindrical tube is also provided. The present invention further provides a filter cartridge which comprises a housing and the aforesaid filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Pall, Colin F. Harwood, Isaak Vasserman
  • Patent number: 5419838
    Abstract: A system for filtering, storing, and distributing groundwater, which includes a gallery having an elongated main body portion with an arch-shaped configuration with an enlarged inner chamber, having end walls covering each end thereof with an inlet opening for receiving the liquid to the enlarged inner enclosure, having side walls with laterally extending outer ribs and inner corrugations within the elongated body portion. The system also includes a collapsible filter having a hinged frame with a filtering material and a side portion for sliding into the inner corrugations of the gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Cultec, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. DiTullio
  • Patent number: 5417866
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Extek, Inc.
    Inventor: Delano B. Trott
  • Patent number: 5413721
    Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering particulate matter from well fluids to be pumped by a downhole pump in an oil well including a filter and apparatus to reverse the flow through the filter in response to a pre-selected level of differential pressure across the filter, the apparatus including a check valve which opens to allow fluid to flow through to operate a piston to open a pump valve and allow fluid flow out of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Stren Company
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5393433
    Abstract: A method of treating a fluid containing matter in suspension and/or in solution by using separation membranes, in which method a "feed" additive for adsorption and/or filtration purposes is added to the fluid to be treated, and a "backwash" additive for the purpose of improving backwashing is added to the membrane backwash fluid, wherein a backwash additive is chosen that is capable of being neutralized by the feed additive, the backwash fluid which contains the backwash additive and which has washed away unused feed additive is collected as a backwash discharge, the backwash discharge is allowed sufficient contact time to enable neutralization to take place in said discharge, and the resulting product is separated into a residual product that is concentrated in solid matter and a fluid that is recycled to the inlet of the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: AQUASOURCE, societe en nom collectif
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Espenan, Franck Saux
  • Patent number: 5383941
    Abstract: A scroll liner for use in the discharge housing of a centrifugal separator device. The scroll liner comprises a plurality of segments which are replaceable in the event of excessive wear. The segments are of a length which is less than the space between adjacent blades having blade portions located in the discharge housing such that a segment can be removed from the separator device in the space formed by adjacent blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Inter-Source Recovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Nemedi
  • Patent number: 5374360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a filter apparatus of the type having an atmospherically vented tank, a rotatable filter frame in the tank having filter material thereon providing one or more filter effluent compartments on the filter frame. An influent line supplies liquid containing suspended solids to the tank and a filtered effluent outlet communicates with the filter effluent compartment, and a spray wash device including spray nozzles is operable during a wash cycle to direct high pressure liquid spray at a side of the filter material on the filter frame in a spray zone. An air tight hood is mounted inside the tank and extends above the upper periphery of the filter frame to an open lower end below the spray zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Weis
  • Patent number: 5372653
    Abstract: A method of cleaning metal filters of a solvent spun fibre production plant. The method comprises the step of (a) dissolving dope from the filters using a hot solvent for the dope, (b) washing the solvent from the filters using hot water, (c) pyrolysing remnants of dope or solvent in the filters, (d) ultrasonically washing the pyrolysed particles from the filters, (e) reheating the filters to dislodge pyrolysed particles, (f) ultrasonically rewashing the filters and (g) drying the filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Courtaulds Fibres (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Gary E. G. Gray
  • Patent number: 5372730
    Abstract: A filtering system for a pump shaft seal includes a filter for preventing abrasive, fibrous, or other solid materials from entering the region of the stuffing box of the pump in the proximity of the seal. The filter is mounted on the pump shaft between the pump impeller and the seal, adjacent a recirculation flush port of the pump. A venturi draw is used to continuously draw fluid from between the filter and the seal and webs arranged on the rotating filter cause a localized back flushing of the filter to remove accumulated solid material from a front face of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: A. W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Dale J. Warner, Dale J. Warner
  • Patent number: RE35560
    Abstract: An improved fluid-strainer is provided which makes provision for improved methods of converting the same between motorized and manual modes. Included in the fluid strainer is a gear motor housing for facilitating the conversion as well as inspection and removal means. Also provision is made for flushing of the fluid strainer so as to avoid cycle restart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Vesper Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Simonelli, Alan J. Kuntz