High speed upward flow filtration apparatus

A high speed upward flow filtration apparatus, comprising:

• an inlet for introducing feed water into said apparatus;
• an outlet for discharging filtered water from said apparatus;
• a drain for discharging unfiltered water from said apparatus;
• a first perforated panel immovably mounted within said apparatus;
• a second perforated panel movably mounted within said apparatus and spaced below said first perforated panel;
• means for selectively moving said movably mounted second perforated panel toward and away from said first perforated panel, said means being located above said first perforated panel;
• a plurality of fibrous lumps disposed between said first and second perforated panels, individual fibrous lumps of said plurality of fibrous lumps being displaced in a direction opposite to an upward flow of filtrate as filtration proceeds as suspended matter is captured by said individual fibrous lumps, said displacement substantially preventing compression of said fibrous lumps so that back-pressure does not substantially increase during filtration;
• said first and second perforated panels and said fibrous lumps collectively forming a filtration means;
• said first and second perforated panels being spaced apart from one another a first predetermined distance when the apparatus is in a filtration mode of operation;
• a cleaning chamber, said cleaning chamber being formed by moving said second perforated panel away from said first perforated panel;
• said first and second perforated panels being spaced apart from one another a second predetermined distance when the apparatus is in a back wash mode, said second predetermined distance being greater than said first predetermined distance;
• means for selectively agitating said feed water when said apparatus is in said back wash mode;
• isolation plate means for closing said outlet when said apparatus is in said back wash mode;
• distribution weir means for directing feed water to said drain when said apparatus is in said back wash mode;
• whereby cleaning of said fibrous lumps is accomplished by closing said outlet, moving said movably mounted second perforated panel away from said immovably mounted first panel to create said cleaning chamber so that said fibrous lumps may become widely spaced apart from one another, maintaining said inlet open, and activating said means for agitating said feed water so that the level of the feed water within said apparatus rises upon closing of said outlet and so that said feed water at said higher level is directed by said distribution weir means to said drain, said agitation of said feed water serving to clean said spaced apart fibrous lumps within said cleaning chamber;
• and
• whereby after said fibrous lumps have been cleaned, said second perforated panel is returned to said first predetermined distance from said first perforated panel and said outlet is opened, said opening of said outlet being effective to lower the level of feed water within said apparatus and to thereby divert said feed water from said drain to said outlet.