Displacement filter method
OwnerSean R. Dubyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for filtering a slurry utilizing a displacement filtering principle. The filter apparatus desirably includes an inner filter and an outer filter. Both the inner and outer filters are preferably substantially annular in shape and positioned concentrically with respect to each other. A particulate collection volume is at least partially defined between the inner and outer filter. The method includes directing a flow of slurry into the particulate collection volume under sufficient pressure to force fluid within the particulate collection volume through one of the inner and outer filters and any particulate matter blocking a filtering surface of the inner and outer filters.
Claims13
A method of separating particulate matter from a slurry, comprising;
- providing a filter apparatus comprising a pressure vessel having a first end, a second end, and a substantially cylindrical wall portion defining a longitudinal axis of said filter apparatus, said pressure vessel defining an internal space;
- providing a first annular filter and a second annular filter within said internal space, said second annular filter surrounding said first annular filter, said first annular filter and said second annular filter defining an annular particulate collection volume therebetween,
- directing a flow of said slurry into said particulate collection volume under sufficient pressure to force fluid to flow in a substantially radial direction through said first annular filter and through said second annular filter and any of said particulate matter blocking a filtering surface of said first annular filter and said second annular filter to substantially fill said particulate collection volume with particulate;
- moving said first annular filter with respect to said second annular filter in a direction of said longitudinal axis upon completion of a filter cycle to allow said particulate to be emptied from said particulate collection volume.
A method of separating particulate matter from a slurry, comprising:
- providing a filter apparatus comprising an annular inner filter, an outer filter surrounding said inner filter, said inner filter and said outer filter defining an annular particulate collection volume between them, said filter apparatus further comprising an outlet located downstream from said particulate collection volume and an inlet directing fluid into said particulate collection volume before said fluid passes through either of said inner filter and said outer filter;
- initiating a filtering cycle comprising directing a flow of said slurry into said particulate collection volume under sufficient pressure to force fluid through said inner and outer filters and any of said particulate matter blocking a filtering surface of said inner and outer filters to substantially fill said particulate collection volume;
- initiating a drive to move said inner filter and said outer filter axially with respect to one another upon completion of said filtering cycle to empty particulate from said particulate collection volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.