Filter device for wastewater treatment system

In combination with a wastewater treatment system, a filter device useful in continuous separation of solid matter from a fluid comprising:

• a tubular filter element with a series of slots of preselected width extending through the tubular element, said element having a longitudinally extending central opening extending from a lower end to a top end, said lower end having a flow-through inlet;
• a first tubular casing having a longitudinally extending central opening with an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of said filter element, said first tubular casing receiving said filter element in a coaxial alignment defining an annular area between an outer surface of the tubular filter element and an inner surface of the casing, said first tubular casing having a discharge outlet in flow communication with said annular area;
• seal means provided between the outer surface of the tubular element and an inner surface of the first casing at a location below the slots in the tubular element;
• and
• a second tubular casing having a sidewall extending downwardly from said tubular filter element and provided with at least one flow-through opening in flow communication with said tubular filter element flow-through inlet and having horizontally disposed flow through openings of preselected size in said sidewall.