Onstream backflush filter

A device capable of removing undesirable contaminates from a contaminant laden fluid comprising:

• a. a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
• b. a post mounted within the housing with the interior sealably connected to the inlet, the post having a plurality of longitudinal rows of radially spaced holes connecting the interior with the exterior of the post;
• c. a plurality of filter elements, each having an inlet and an outlet, with a filter material placed therebetween, the elements mounted on the post with the inlet operatively aligned with the post holes, the material functioning to remove the contaminants as the fluid passes therethrough;
• d. at least two pistons secured to a hollow connecting rod and slidably mounted in the interior of the post, each piston having longitudinal by-pass passages and radially spaced post connecting holes arranged to provide a fluid passage from the filtering element inlets to the connecting rod core;
• e. a fluid plenum surrounding the elements within the housing for channeling clean fluid to the outlet;
• f. means for positioning the pistons adjacent to spaced filter elements and means for providing a pressure in the connecting rod less than the pressure in the plenum to permit the cleaned fluid to backflush the spaced element;
• g. a backflush assembly secured to the housing and partially surrounding said means for positioning;
• h. means associated with the positioning means for removing the contaminated backflushing fluid through the connecting rod into the backflush assembly without contaminating the cleaned fluid;
• and
• i. means capable of introducing solvent into the backflush outlet assembly without interrupting the filtering.