Apparatus for separating solids from liquids or gas

A filtration apparatus for separating solid particles from liquids or gases, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of filter elements separated from each other by side walls which define separate segments of the filter apparatus;
• each of said filter elements comprising a permeable hollow cylinder closed at both ends by end plates, at least one of said end plates having a feed orifice provided therein, and at least one layer of threads wound about said cylinder, said thread being connected at one of its ends to a take-up spool through a cleaning means;
• a first support means rotatably mounting said filter elements and side walls;
• a second fixed support means mounting feed lines and a rewinding drive whereby the relative movement of said first and second support means brings said feed lines and rewinding drive into engagement with said filter elements;
• a plurality of separate discharge channels mounted on said second fixed support means, said discharge channels being in communication with each of said filter segments by means of collar mounted about said first rotatable support means and by means of central channel mounted at the axis of rotaion thereof whereby the liquids or solids leaving each of said filter elements are separately channeled away therefrom in accordance with the particular rotational position of said filter elements and filter segments.