Abstract: A motor-vehicle air cleaner provided with a check valve mechanism on the lower cap of the air cleaner for drainage and ventilation, and a protection disposed on the outer edge; the check valve being closed as the engine runs to prevent from taking in water vapor and dust; and check valve being opened to dismiss water logging and excessively dense air and fuel admixture; the protection is related to a protection cap to prevent the check valve mechanism from direct contact with the ambient air for keeping off water and dust.

Abstract: A high debris content strainer that utilizes a cylindrically-shaped screen having four removal assemblies positioned evenly around the screen periphery. Each removal assembly includes a backwash spray bar on the downstream side of the screen and a scraper/brush and discharge tube on the upstream side of the screen where the debris lodges during filtering. The screen is rotatably-mounted inside a strainer housing. A shroud surrounds ¾ of the screen periphery and includes an opening directly adjacent an input fluid flow line, as well as scoops on opposing sides of the shroud. The shroud evenly distributes the contaminated fluid flow around the screen. When cleaning the screen is desired, the screen is rotated while the backwash spray bars are activated and, in combination with the scraper/brushes, the debris is dislodged from the upstream surface of the screen and directed into the discharge tubes which divert the contaminants to a discharge pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter element (9) located in a filtering chamber (10, 11) and to a filter implementing the method. The filter includes an inlet (4) leading to the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber, an outlet (6) starting from the outlet side (11) of the chamber, and a flow passage (13), which connects the chamber inlet side preferably to atmospheric pressure and by means of which a pressure difference can be generated between the different sides of the filter element in order to produce a flow impulse detaching solid matter accumulated on the element. In accordance with the invention, the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber is connected in a first step to a confined buffer chamber (14) under lower pressure, the pressure equalisation between the chambers producing a flow impulse cleaning the filter element (9), after which the buffer chamber can be connected to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Using the filter auxiliary agent separated by backwashing from a filter element repeatedly and effectively, the consumption amount of a filter auxiliary agent and the generation of industrial waste can be suppressed. In a filter auxiliary agent pre-coat circuit, a filter auxiliary agent in a pre-coat tank is attached and stacked on a filter element in a filter case, and a filter auxiliary agent layer is formed. In a filter circuit, the filter auxiliary agent layer of the filter element removes sludge in the filter treatment liquid in a main tank. A backwashing circuit breaks down the filter auxiliary agent layer and a sludge layer, separates the filter auxiliary agent layer and the sludge layer by backwashing from the filter element, and circulates to the pre-coat tank. After repeating these steps a plurality of times, the filter auxiliary agent and sludge separated by backwashing are taken out to the exterior.

Abstract: A filter assembly for ultra-filtration of fluids such as waste water comprises a porous tube which is incrementally advanced into the fluid so as to expose a fresh portion periodically and maintain a flow rate over a period of time.

Abstract: A filtering method including the steps of preparing a water purifying apparatus 1 with a cell structure 2 having units for constituting cell structure 4, and a cap portion 3, and making raw water flow into cells 10 from one end, and filtered by a partition walls 9 to take out filtrate water from the side of an outer peripheral surface 8. The cell structure 2 is so constructed that the ratio of maximum value to minimum value in water permeability among the partition walls 9 provided therein is within a range from of 110 to 300% in terms of percentage, and the cells 10 located on the side of an outer periphery 7 of the cell structure 2 have a greater water permeability.

Abstract: A coal bed methane wastewater treatment system for efficiently and cost effectively treating wastewater generated from coal bed methane production. The coal bed methane wastewater treatment system includes collecting wastewater into an ozone diffusion tank where ozone is injected into the wastewater, passing the wastewater through a prefilter tank and then through a primary membrane. The treated water is separated to a permeate tank and the concentrated water is passed through a secondary membrane for further separation. The concentrated water is then placed within a holding pond for evaporation thereof. The treated water may be utilized to clean the prefilter tank and the membranes. The treated water is then dispensed into a sodium adsorption ratio tank prior to being released to a natural waterway.

Abstract: A filtration and backwash system for a water source such as a swimming pool is provided including a fluid source, a pump, a filter and a specially designed five-port valve which is easily adaptable for automatic use in the filtration mode and in the backwash mode. The valve uses a rotatable deflector plate which is positioned to divert the fluid in one direction in the valve for the filtration process and is positioned to divert the fluid in the other direction in the valve for the backwash process. An automatic timing device is also provided and is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with the valve whereby no manual intervention or electronic means is needed to change the valve from the filtering mode to the backwash mode or vice versa. The timing device automatically senses the pressure buildup in the filtration system due to accumulation of debris in the filter and automatically changes the valve from the filtration mode to backwash mode when a predetermined system pressure is exceeded.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element allowing back wash reverse filtration at 0.05 MPa to 0.3 MPa is employed for a spiral wound membrane module. Air injection of injecting air of not more than 0.3 MPa into a permeate outlet of the spiral wound membrane module from a pressurized air feeder through a pipe, back wash reverse filtration with permeate and flushing with raw water are performed as recovery of a filtration velocity. Another spiral wound membrane module comprises a spiral wound membrane element including a separation membrane having high back pressure strength. Raw water into which bubbles are diffused by an air diffuser is fed to the spiral wound membrane element stored in a pressure vessel. Part of the raw water is axially fed through the spiral wound membrane element, discharged from a raw water outlet of the pressure vessel and thereafter returned to a raw water tank through a pipe.

Abstract: A self-cleaning, back-washable filter apparatus and method for use with a pumping apparatus which is lowered into a well casing. The filter apparatus includes a filter basket having a manifold with several tubes extending therefrom. A filter sock encases at least a portion of the filter basket to block sand or other solid particles from entry into the pump intake. Pressurized gas or fluid is directed to the manifold and then through perforations or jets distributed along the length of the tubes. Bursts of the pressurized gas are directed from the perforations or jets to the interior of the filter apparatus and then sprayed from the perforations or jets in an outwardly direction against interior surfaces of the filter sock. Air or fluid bursts from the perforations impinge upon the interior surfaces of the filter sock and dislodge or expel entrapped particulate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter element (9) located in a filtering chamber (10, 11) and to a filter implementing the method. The filter includes an inlet (4) leading to the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber, an outlet (6) starting from the outlet side (11) of the chamber, and a flow passage (13), which connects the chamber inlet side preferably to atmospheric pressure and by means of which a pressure difference can be generated between the different sides of the filter element in order to produce a flow impulse detaching solid matter accumulated on the element. In accordance with the invention, the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber is connected in a first step to a confined buffer chamber (14) under lower pressure, the pressure equalisation between the chambers producing a flow impulse cleaning the filter element (9), after which the buffer chamber can be connected to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for capturing very fine particles present in a fluid flux in liquid, gaseous or supercritical state and a device therefor. The method is characterized in that it comprises steps which consist in: causing said flux to pass through a filtering element (13); stopping the emission of said flux; countercurrent clearing of the filtering material (31) with a carbon dioxide flow under pressure, so as to drive the particles deposited on the filtering material (31); countercurrent expanding of the flux, so as to trap the particles within a solid carbon dioxide snow-type mixture formed during its expansion.

Abstract: A system capable of cleaning and disinfecting a filter. A filter element is flushed with a disinfectant solution in a direction opposite to fluid filtration. A filter integrity test checks the integrity of the filter by pressurizing the filter.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane filtration module (6), the module (6) including at least one membrane (8) located in a feed-containing vessel (7), the membrane (8) having a permeable wall which is subjected to a filtration operation wherein feed containing contaminant matter is applied to one side of the membrane wall and filtrate is withdrawn from the other side of the membrane wall. The method comprising the steps of: suspending the filtration operation; performing a cleaning process on the membrane wall to dislodge contaminant matter therefrom into liquid surrounding the membrane (8); performing a high velocity sweep of the feed-containing vessel (7) to remove the liquid containing the dislodged contaminant matter; and recommencing the filtration operation. An improved gas scouring method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A piping apparatus for use with a filtration device, the piping apparatus easily allowing a plurality of fluid sources interchangeably used for backwashing the filtration device. The piping apparatus consists of an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a process conduit, and at least one additional conduit. In normal operation, process fluid flows into from the process conduit to the inlet conduit, into the filtration device, and out the outlet conduit for reuse in the attached process. Backwashing is accomplished by forcing fluid from either the process conduit or the additional conduit through the outlet conduit into the filtration device and then out of the inlet conduit. A plurality of backwash sources are provided such that an operator can selectably choose between the plurality of backwash fluids. A system of valves and actuators are provided to direct flow into the selected conduits, and to prevent cross-contamination of the backwash sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fouling materials from the surface of a plurality of porous membranes (9) arranged in a membrane module (4) by providing, from within the module, by means (10) other than gas passing through the pores of said membranes, gas bubbles in a uniform distribution relative to the porous membrane array such that the bubbles move past the surfaces of the membranes (9) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. The membranes (9) are arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween. The bubbles also produce vibration and rubbing together of the membranes to further assist removal of fouling materials.

Abstract: A system for limiting the size of particulate matter entering a septic tank pump contains a strainer that has a straining screen through which the pump draws liquid from the septic tank. A nozzle receives some of the effluent being pumped by the pump and is aimed toward the screen for directing effluent toward the screen to dislodge particulate matter from an area of the screen while the pump draws liquid through the screen. The screen and nozzle are arranged for relative movement so that the area of the screen being acted on by the effluent from the nozzle changes as the pump operates. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A drilling water filter (1) with a self-cleaning system including a filter container (2), a cover (3) and a filter element (6) that can be inserted in the flow arm between an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for separation of solid material from the fluid. The cover (3) has a displaceable carrying handle (7) for transporting the drilling water filter. The carrying handle (7) is connected with at least one self-cleaning means, in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A metal fiber filter element comprises a metal fiber fleece and a reinforcing structure being a metal sheet. This metal sheet has open areas and is sintered to the metal fiber fleece which covens the open areas.

Abstract: A filter unit for filtering particulates and other foreign matter from a fluid supply, comprising a filtering chamber. At least a portion of an exterior of the filtering chamber being provided with a mesh through which fluid may enter the filtering chamber in use. The mesh being sized to filter particulates and other foreign matter from the fluid. The filter unit further comprising an outlet through which filtered fluid exits the filter unit, and a rotatable member located within the filtering chamber, the rotatable member having at least one outlet spaced from an internal face of a mesh. The axis of rotation of the rotatable member being such that the at least one outlet traverses at least a substantial portion of the internal face of a mesh.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a filter clogged with flocculating materials is provided. The method comprises determining the flocculated materials clogged on the filter and adding a dispersing agent to break up said flocculated materials to form dispersed precipitates. Then the dispersed precipitates are removed from the filter in a regular cleaning such as backflushing.

Abstract: A twist-on renewable filter comprising a one-piece hollow housing, made of polymeric material having a threaded adapter for attachment to a distribution head assembly. The filter housing is fabricated from components that are made of a polymeric material that are fused together to form the one-piece hollow housing. A filter media assembly is rigidly bonded at both ends within the housing. The renewable filter has an infinite life and can be removed and cleaned, for example, by reverse flushing the filter with a cleaning solution. A bypass valve 250 is provided within the filter that is designed to provide full closure for an infinite life. The bypass valve 250 is fully located within the one-piece hollow housing such that it cannot be disabled or tampered with. The bypass valve 250 functions to allow sufficient fluid to bypass the filter media when the filter media has become contaminated and will not permit the full volume of the normal oil stream to be filtered.

Abstract: A method and device for dewatering most liquid/solid solutions and slurries is described. A dewatering device having a dewatering pump in fluid communication with a filter rack with vertically arrayed filter elements that is carried by a container. To begin the dewatering process, the filter rack is lowered to the bottom of the container and the liquid/solid slurry is introduced. Next, the dewatering pump draws the liquid from the slurry into the filter rack and then to the pump. When dewatering efficiency decreases, the dewatering operation is momentarily stopped and the filter elements of the filter rack are backpulsed with air and raised to dislodge the filter cakes that have formed. The filter rack is then relowered and the dewatering operation continues. These steps of dewatering, backpulsing, raising the filter rack, and lowering filter rack are continued until the container is full of dewatered solids.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a laundry waste sump, a primary 50 micron static screen filter, a 9,000 gallon equalization tank, at least one secondary media/carbon filter, a sludge holding tank with a pump to return excess water to the equalization tank, a backwash pump, an air blower, and a clear well tank water source for backwash. An exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a surge tank between the primary and secondary filters and a surge tank between the secondary filter and the clear well tank.

Abstract: A liquid filtering apparatus is placed in a vessel having a bed of filtration material and an intake for introducing unfiltered liquid, that includes a washbox, an airlifting tube extending from the washbox and including an intake end and means for introducing a primary gas to the airlifting tube, the airlifting tube passing through a central pipe, which extends from just below the washbox to a position just above the intake end. At least one screen cartridge is oriented in a generally angular downward direction in the bed and is in communication with an effluent chamber defined in part by the outer surface of the central pipe. A reject line extends from the washbox, and an effluent collector extends from the effluent chamber. A method of filtering and cleaning the filtration material is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cleaning filters, the cleaning is efficiently performed by selecting cleaning steps according to the degree of contamination of the filter media. The degree of contamination of the filter media is analyzed before the filter is carried into the cleaning apparatus. Filters with heavily contaminated filter media are subjected to pretreatment before the cleaning process is performed, and the filters with less contaminated filter media are directly subjected to the cleaning process. The cleaned filter is subjected to a restoration process before reuse.

Abstract: A filter device has a filter housing, which is intended to contain a liquid to be filtered and in which at least one filter rod is arranged. The filter rod is composed of annular washers, which are arranged in a stack on a core formed with openings and which are so closely packed that particles in the liquid adhere to the periphery of the washers when the liquid is caused, from the outside, to pass between the washers into the core for filtration. The filter device has a gas supply member, which is intended to inject a gas flow into the liquid in the filter housing.

Abstract: A method and device for dewatering most liquid/solid solutions and slurries is described. A dewatering device having a dewatering pump in fluid communication with a filter rack with vertically arrayed filter elements that is carried by a container. To begin the dewatering process, the filter rack is lowered to the bottom of the container and the liquid/solid slurry is introduced. Next, the dewatering pump draws the liquid from the slurry into the filter rack and then to the pump. When dewatering efficiency decreases, the dewatering operation is momentarily stopped and the filter elements of the filter rack are backpulsed with air and raised to dislodge the filter cakes that have formed. The filter rack is then relowered and the dewatering operation continues. These steps of dewatering, backpulsing, raising the filter rack, and lowering filter rack are continued until the container is full of dewatered solids.

Abstract: A self-cleaning, back-washable filter apparatus and method for use with a pumping apparatus which is lowered into a well casing. The filter apparatus includes a filter basket having a manifold with several tubes extending therefrom. A filter sock encases at least a portion of the filter basket to block sand or other solid particles from entry into the pump intake. Pressurized gas or fluid is directed to the manifold and then through perforations or jets distributed along the length of the tubes. Bursts of the pressurized gas are directed from the perforations or jets to the interior of the filter apparatus and then sprayed from the perforations or jets in an outwardly direction against interior surfaces of the filter sock. Air or fluid bursts from the perforations impinge upon the interior surfaces of the filter sock and dislodge or expel entrapped particulate material.

Abstract: A self-cleaning, back-washable filter apparatus and method for use with a pumping apparatus which is lowered into a well casing. The filter apparatus includes a filter basket having a manifold with several tubes extending therefrom. A filter sock encases at least a portion of the filter basket to block sand or other solid particles from entry into the pump intake. Pressurized gas or fluid is directed to the manifold and then through perforations or jets distributed along the length of the tubes. Bursts of the pressurized gas are directed from the perforations or jets to the interior of the filter apparatus and then sprayed from the perforations or jets in an outwardly direction against interior surfaces of the filter sock. Air or fluid bursts from the perforations impinge upon the interior surfaces of the filter sock and dislodge or expel entrapped particulate material.

Abstract: A process for removing heavy metals from water is provided. The process includes the steps of introducing magnetite to a quantity of water containing heavy metal. The magnetite is mixed with the water such that at least a portion of, and preferably the majority of, the heavy metal in the water is bound to the magnetite. Once this occurs the magnetite and absorbed metal is removed from the water by application of a magnetic field. In most applications the process is achieved by flowing the water through a solid magnetized matrix, such as steel wool, such that the magnetite magnetically binds to the solid matrix. The magnetized matrix preferably has remnant magnetism, but may also be subject to an externally applied magnetic field. Once the magnetite and associated heavy metal is bound to the matrix, it can be removed and disposed of, such as by reverse water or air and water flow through the matrix.

Abstract: A twist-on renewable filter comprising a one-piece hollow housing, made of polymeric material having a threaded adapter for attachment to a distribution head assembly. The filter housing is fabricated from components that are made of a polymeric material that are fused together to form the one-piece hollow housing. A filter media assembly is rigidly bonded at both ends within the housing. The renewable filter has an infinite life and can be removed and cleaned, for example, by reverse flushing the filter with a cleaning solution. A bypass valve 250 is provided within the filter that is designed to provide full closure for an infinite life. The bypass valve 250 is fully located within the one-piece hollow housing such that it cannot be disabled or tampered with. The bypass valve 250 functions to allow sufficient fluid to bypass the filter media when the filter media has become contaminated and will not permit the full volume of the normal oil stream to be filtered.

Abstract: A diffuser rod for use in a filter stalk having deflector disks rigidly mounted thereon to deflect liquid radially during the backwash process is disclosed. A backwashable filter element containing a diffuser plate that is located within the filter member at the end where the backwash fluid enters the filter member and a number of filter stalks with each filter stalk including a diffuser rod is disclosed. Finally, a method of backwashing a filter member that includes the step of introducing a diffuser rod and a diffuser plate to the filter assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of purifying feedwater to remove impurities including suspended solids therefrom, the method suitable for using in-line water pressure to permeate water through hollow fiber membranes and to backflush the membranes to remove solids collected or deposited thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separating system with hollow fiber membranes and an operating method. A dual backwash loop which is a pipeline connecting a top port of the said membrane assembly to a cleaning pump through a first branch and a second branch. The first branch is designed to fill a small amount of cleaning liquid into the said membrane assembly; and the second branch is designed to fill a relatively large amount of cleaning liquid in order to clean the membrane adequately. The said system operates in the following procedures: operation status, cleaning status 1, cleaning status 2, drain status, returning to the operation status. The technology of the present invention may be used to enhance the cleaning effect to the membrane system, further save water for the cleaning process, shorten the cleaning time, thus benefiting the continuous large scale industrial production and having higher efficiency.

Abstract: A solid-liquid filtering method and system which comprises a thick band (7) of assembled filaments prepared by closely arranging paralleled monofilaments of predetermined length, a means for fixing (11) one end portion of said band and a network support (4) for keeping said band in a plane situation at proper location when said band is forced to turn in a regular direction, one end portion of said monofilaments being fixed and the other end portion being floated.

Abstract: A filter assembly for ultra-filtration of fluids such as waste water comprises a porous tube which is incrementally advanced into the fluid so as to expose a fresh portion periodically and maintain a flow rate over a period of time.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide, liberated by introducing fouling inhibiting bubbles into a tank containing an immersed membrane module, is captured and returned to the tank by way of the bubbles to minimize increases in pH in the tank water caused by carbon dioxide stripping. Minimizing the pH increase reduces the amount of acid required to produce a desired pH in the tank water or, with scaling feed water, reduces the rate of membrane fouling.

Abstract: A method for removal of solids in a water treatment system having multiple filters, each filter comprising an air backwash system and a water backwash system, comprising a series of steps to enable two filters to be in some stage of the backwash process at the same time thereby reducing the time the filter is out of service. The continuous cycling of the backwash method is characterized by a continuous cycle of backwashing that backwashes two filters simultaneously. The backwashing method requires three steps, an air-only backwash, an air/water bashwash and a water-only or rinse backwash. In this method, as one filter is at the water-only backwash stage, the backwash cycle of a second filter is started so that the second filter is air/water backwashed while the first filter is at the water-only backwashed stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning candles in a candle filter using a cleaning fluid that flows inside the candle from the side of the filtrate, whereby said fluid is pressed in an opposite direction to the direction of the filtrate from the inside to the outside, through said candles, by a gaseous medium subjected to an overpressure. Water is or can be used as an appropriate cleaning fluid and air is used as a gaseous medium. The prior art teaches nozzle-shaped contractions that are respectively disposed on the outlet end of the candles or deflectors arranged inside the candle at a distance from said contractions, whereby the in-flowing cleaning fluid is deflected towards all sides in the direction of the inner walls of the candles, are provided for distribution of said cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A process for removing BOD and suspended solids from wastewater without passing through a primary clarifier or secondary aeration tank, the process. During the process, raw sewage wastewater, comprising soluble BOD, insoluble BOD and suspended solids, is piped directly to a deep bed granular filter. The bed depths of deep bed filter are within a range of approximately 2.0 ft to approximately 10.0 ft. The raw sewage wastewater is filtered by filtration through the deep bed filter in which the filter media is a granular media with a size range between approximately 2.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Backwashing the deep bed filter occurs at least once every 48 hours.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element allowing back wash reverse filtration at 0.05 MPa to 0.3 MPa is employed for a spiral wound membrane module. Air injection of injecting air of not more than 0.3 MPa into a permeate outlet of the spiral wound membrane module from a pressurized air feeder through a pipe, back wash reverse filtration with permeate and flushing with raw water are performed as recovery of a filtration velocity. Another spiral wound membrane module comprises a spiral wound membrane element including a separation membrane having high back pressure strength. Raw water into which bubbles are diffused by an air diffuser is fed to the spiral wound membrane element stored in a pressure vessel. Part of the raw water is axially fed through the spiral wound membrane element, discharged from a raw water outlet of the pressure vessel and thereafter returned to a raw water tank through a pipe.

Abstract: A method for removing iron-containing contaminants from condensate from a power generating plant includes passing the condensate through a plurality of pleated filter elements contained within a housing, including direct the condensate through a pleated hydrophilic film comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The invention is capable of removing fine particulate matter and provides long filtration cycles between backwashing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of recovering filtration residues of blood which comprises filtering blood by a blood filtering device comprising a blood filtering material which is a depth filtering material and a holder which contains the blood filtering material and has a blood inlet and filtrate outlet, after finishing the filtering blood, feeding aqueous liquid to the filtrate outlet to recover the filtration residues accumulated in the blood filtering material.

Abstract: An assembly for automatically and continuously purifying a polluted fluid P includes a main separator 1, a secondary separator 2 having a centrifuge 21 and filter 22 therein, and a backwashing device 11. In operation, the backwashing device returns a fraction of purified fluid E1 to backwash the main separator. The resulting backwashing fluid F is then delivered to the secondary separator via a multi-port valve V where the backwashing fluid is centrifuged and/or filtered to remove impurities therefrom.

Abstract: A method of operating a plant for filling containers by moving a liquid such as water through an apparatus with at least one portion for receiving the liquid before it is filtered and at least one portion for receiving the liquid after it is filtered, so that the liquid moves from at least an upper area of apparatus to lower area of the apparatus to be transferred to bottles or other containers.

Abstract: A method for removal of solids in a water treatment system having multiple filters, each filter comprising an air backwash system and a water backwash system, comprising a series of steps to enable two filters to be in some stage of the backwash process at the same time thereby reducing the time the filter is out of service. The continuous cycling of the backwash method is characterized by a continuous cycle of backwashing that backwashes two filters simultaneously. The backwashing method requires three steps, an air-only backwash, an air/water bashwash and a water-only or rinse backwash. In this method, as one filter is at the water-only backwash stage, the backwash cycle of a second filter is started so that the second filter is air/water backwashed while the first filter is at the water-only backwashed stage.

Abstract: A solid-liquid filtering method and system which comprises a thick band (7) of assembled filaments prepared by closely arranging paralleled monofilaments of predetermined length, a means for fixing (11) one end portion of said band and a network support (4) for keeping said band in a plane situation at proper location when said band is forced to turn in a regular direction, one end portion of said monofilaments being fixed and the other end portion being floated.

Abstract: Oils, extracted from vegetables and animal tissues contain impurities such as waxes that can be removed in a refining process, including dewaxing of the oils that include removal of oils by filtration through membranes. During filtration, the impurities stick to the membranes, which causes a reduction in flux through the membranes. The initial top flux can be approached again by regularly cleaning the membranes including steps of: backblowing with gas, backflushing with edible oil, and treating the membranes with alkaline material. The cleaning method is particularly suitable for cleaning membranes in the form of microfilters having an average pore diameter of 0.5-5 &mgr;m, which are used in the refining process.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane module comprises a spiral wound membrane element including a separation membrane having high back pressure strength. In filtration running, raw water introduced from a raw water inlet of a pressure vessel is subjected to dead end filtration, and permeate is taken out from a permeate outlet. In washing, wash water containing a chemical having a contaminant separating function is introduced from an end of a water collection pipe through the permeate outlet for performing back wash reverse filtration with a back pressure of 0.05 to 0.3 MPa. The filtration running is temporarily stopped for maintaining the pressure vessel in a state sealed with the raw water and the permeate for a prescribed time. Thus, contaminants adhering to the membrane surface of the spiral wound membrane element are separated. A treatment system is formed by connecting units comprising spiral wound membrane modules in parallel with each other.