Filter unit with flow optimization

A filter unit for removing matter from an associated process stream, the filter unit comprising:

• a housing having a first, inlet end and a second, outlet end spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis;
• plural elongated, spaced filter elements received in the housing and extending between the inlet and outlet ends thereof and laterally spaced from one another to enhance matter removal from the associated process stream;
• and
• a single-piece flow shaping plate located at one of the inlet and outlet ends of the housing, the single-piece flow shaping plate including plural openings, one for each of the plural filter elements, for enhancing more uniform flow over the plural filter elements, the plural openings of the single-piece flow shaping plate including enlarged dimension portions adjacent a first face thereof, smaller dimension portions adjacent a second face thereof, and smoothly contoured transition regions interconnecting each enlarged dimension portion with an associated smaller dimension portion in an intermediate region of the single-piece flow shaping plate, wherein an open end of each of the plural filter elements is received in one of the plural openings, the first and second faces of the single-piece flow shaping plate are planar, and each opening in the first face is circumscribed by alternating peaks and valleys that include smooth transitions.