DE102012107039A1 - Device for treating fluid e.g. water in industrial application, has filter arrangement that is provided with two hanging filter elements, such that filter elements are respectively pivoted around horizontally aligned pivotal axis - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a filter arrangement (16) that is provided with two hanging filter elements (17a-17e), such that the hanging filter element are respectively pivoted around a horizontally aligned pivotal axis. The hanging filter elements are pivotally connected in an end region (18) on own pivotal axis. A fluid passage is opened for partial bypassing the fluid in respective filter element. The hanging filter elements are provided with a filter brush. An independent claim is included for a method for treating fluid.

Description

The invention relates to a device for treating a fluid with a filter assembly according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method for treating a fluid.

For a treatment of fluids, such as the treatment of water, a variety of different techniques and architectures of filters is known.

For example, filters are used which filter out impurities present in the fluid and are often visible to the naked eye from the fluid by taking them up through a filter medium of the filter and thus removing them from the fluid. In addition, filters are known, by means of which located in the fluid, but not visible chemical compounds can be removed using filter substrates from the fluid by chemical or biological transformation or degradation processes.

As an example, water filters for aquariums may be mentioned, by means of which it is possible to remove nitrogen compounds, in particular ammonium and nitrite, from the fluid by biological means in the context of a so-called nitrification by conversion or degradation. For this purpose, the filters have special filter substrates which are populated with bacteria in order to process the chemical compounds contained in the fluid accordingly.

Both filter systems are offered both as self-cleaning systems and also as systems to be cleaned manually by the operator at regular time intervals.

Due to the required drive and control devices, the self-cleaning filters are usually expensive to purchase and subject to a high susceptibility to interference in their operation. In addition, usually incurred due to consumables required further costs.

In contrast, the systems to be manually cleaned are usually more cost-effective, but have the disadvantage that the operator must adjust the cleaning intervals accordingly, especially at high levels of contamination, to prevent clogging.

Known filter systems are designed, for example, as drum filters, multi-chamber filters, slotted screens or slit filters. Depending on the filter material used, paper filters or fleece filters are used, for example. The filters are generally used in industrial plants in the processing or handling of fluids of all kinds for the filtration of suspended solids from the fluid, but also for water treatment for garden ponds, swimming ponds, fish ponds or Wasserbasseins and aquariums or similar plants that are contaminated or a siltation must be protected.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a filter for fluid treatment, which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular provides an improved and more reliable filter function and yet is inexpensive to produce.

This object is achieved by means of a device for treating a fluid having the features of patent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

Accordingly, an apparatus for treating a fluid with a filter arrangement is proposed, wherein the filter arrangement comprises at least two hanging filter elements, and the at least two hanging filter elements are each arranged pivotable about a substantially horizontally oriented pivot axis.

The information on the spatial arrangement of said components relate to a state of use of the device. Here, the pivot axis is aligned horizontally and the filter elements hanging, so aligned at least in a non-deflected state substantially vertically. The connection of the filter elements with the respective pivot axis can either be configured pivotally for a relative pivoting movement of the filter element with respect to the pivot axis, or as a rotationally fixed connection, in which case the unit formed of filter element and pivot axis relative to a rigid or stationary support is pivotable.

In this case, each of the at least two hanging filter elements is preferably arranged so as to be pivotally suspended in the region of a first end, in each case at its own pivot axis.

This means that each filter element comprises at least one first end and is connected to the pivot axis in the area of this first end. Alternatively, however, the filter element may also be connected to another section of the filter element with the pivot axis, in particular with a region arranged between a center of gravity of the filter element and the first end.

Furthermore, the at least two hanging filter elements can be designed to be pivotable in such a way that a pressure difference of the fluid forming in a filter operation between a region in front of and an area behind the respective hanging filter element causes the respective hanging filter element to pivot or deflect.

For this purpose, the filter arrangement is arranged in a main flow direction of the fluid between an inlet and an outlet of the device arranged opposite thereto, so that the filter elements are immersed in the fluid flow formed by the fluid flowing through the device. Since the filter elements filter out suspended solids from the fluid during filter operation of the device, the filter elements are thereby "added", so that the fluid flow through the respective filter element is increasingly impeded.

With increasing "clogging" or contamination of the filter elements thus increases a flow resistance, so that the fluid flow is dammed figuratively speaking in the flow direction in front of the respective filter element. On the opposite side of the filter element, ie viewed in the flow direction: behind the filter element, on the other hand, the fluid level drops, so that said pressure difference is formed and this deflects the respective filter element in a pivoting manner.

According to a further embodiment, the device is designed such that the pivoting of a respective filter element causes opening of a passage for the fluid for at least partially bypassing the respective filter element.

If the respective filter element is thus deflected as described, a bypass is created by the passage opening in this embodiment, so that the fluid can flow past the filter element at least with a first partial flow without having to flow completely through it. It is understood that depending on the design and dimensioning and operating parameters of the device as well as deflection of the filter element either complete flow around the filter element is possible, so that no more fluid passes the filter element, or only the first partial flow bypasses the filter element through the open passage and a another second partial flow continues to flow through the filter element.

It is also understood that a respective flow direction of the partial flows may differ from the main flow direction mentioned above depending on the local conditions.

The at least partial flow around the filter element prevents a complete clogging of the entire filter arrangement due to the clogging of the individual filter element. Rather, only the added filter element is pivoted out of the fluid flow, so that the fluid can flow past this and thus act on the subsequent further filter element. This is still in a non-deflected state and thus assumes the function of the meantime pivoted filter element.

In this way, the subsequent filter element can also be used, so that overall, in contrast to known filters comparable size and improved in the best case complete use or exploitation of all filter elements. However, once the last filter element is added, the device should be subjected to cleaning to prevent clogging or malfunction of the filter assembly, depending on whether the last filter element is a non-bypass pivoting or immovable filter element.

In any case, with the proposed device, however, a filter arrangement with significantly increased service life, ie with a significantly increased time between two necessary cleaning phases, can be provided, since the filter arrangement is used comparatively evenly.

Preferably, the at least two hanging filter elements are arranged in series in the main flow direction of the fluid to be treated in series. This is to be understood such that each filter element forms its own filter stage, which must flow through the fluid. As soon as a filter element is added and is pivoted out of the fluid flow, its subsequently arranged filter element assumes its function. As long as the respective filter element is in non-deflected state, however, a bypass is not provided.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a housing bottom of the device has a gradient sloping counter to the main flow direction of the fluid. This means that the housing bottom of the housing of the device from an input to an output of the housing has a rising bottom designed. This has the effect that a dirt located in the housing and possibly already deposited can flow off more easily if, during a cleaning operation, the device is counter to the main flow direction of the fluid (in filter operation). is rinsed. Preferably, a dirt spout is additionally provided in the housing in the region of its lowest point of the soil.

According to another embodiment, at least one of the hanging filter elements each comprise at least one filter brush. In particular, each filter element may comprise a plurality of filter brushes, which are arranged next to each other and thus form a substantially flat filter element. This is also preferably arranged with a side edge of the surface formed in the direction of the pivot axis and (in non-deflected state) with a second side edge substantially perpendicular to the main flow direction of the fluid.

Furthermore, at least one of the suspended filter elements can be assigned at least one baffle plates for deflecting the fluid in the direction of the respective filter element. The baffle plate thus acts as a supply of the fluid flow to the filter element and prevents the flow of fluid past the side of or under the filter element.

Furthermore, the at least two hanging filter elements can rest against the respectively associated baffle plate at least in a non-deflected position. This means that the filter element is only loosely in contact with the baffle plate, but can be easily solved by pivoting about the pivot axis of the baffle plate for providing the described passage. In this way, a flow around the filter element between the filter element and baffle plate is prevented in its adjacent state.

In the context of this description, it is always assumed that the fluid flow has to be completely filtered. However, it is understood that a partial flow around the individual filter elements can also be provided, for example by appropriately dimensioned fluid guides, if this should appear necessary.

Furthermore, the device may comprise stops for defining a respective maximum pivoting deflection of the at least two hanging filter elements. It can thus be defined how far the respective filter element can be deflected maximum. In this way it is possible, despite a high pressure difference between the area in front of and behind the filter element, to prevent complete pivoting of the filter element out of the fluid flow (if desired) to provide at least partial retention in the fluid flow. Because despite clogging of the filter element remains a residual capacity of the filter material is obtained, which can be used in this way. In addition, a filter element located in a partially pivoted state is flowed through much more slowly, so that due to the decreasing flow velocity, particularly fine suspended particles or impurities can deposit to a greater extent. It is possible in this way to increase the filter function of the filter arrangement again.

According to a further embodiment, the device comprises cleaning flaps for discharging contaminated fluid. For example, these cleaning flaps can be automatically operated cleaning flaps. In addition, these can be arranged in the baffles. Preferably, in conjunction with the above-described inclined housing bottom in the cleaning operation polluted fluid flow through the cleaning flaps, as soon as they are automatically actuated and opened.

As already indicated, the device may comprise a dirt drain for discharging the contaminated fluid from the device.

The device may also be designed, in particular, for processing a substantially water-comprising fluid. For example, this may be water, which comprises water with suspended contaminants and / or chemical and / or biological impurities. Of course, as fluid but other fluids can be used with suspended particulate matter.

Instead of or in addition to the filter brushes, at least one of the two hanging filter elements may comprise filter material for the mechanical and / or chemical and / or biological treatment of the fluid. In particular, filter material with a settlement of certain bacteria can be used, which allow a bacterial removal and / or conversion of certain chemical compounds. Thus, for example, nitrifying bacteria can be provided, which deal with the dismantling or conversion of chemical compounds, such as fish toxic nitrogen compounds. This allows to combine several filter functions on one and the same filter material, without having to provide several separate filter arrangements.

In summary, it can thus be stated that the device described for the treatment of a fluid can thus be used wherever a filtration of suspended matter from a fluid is to be carried out. Thus, any type of industrial applications is possible, especially for water treatment in ponds, Wasserbasseins, aquariums or similar plants. Another advantage of the device described loves also in a large area of the filter material used in the filter elements.

• – Anordnen mindestens zweier hängender Filterelemente in einer Fluidströmung, wobei die mindestens zwei hängenden Filterelemente um jeweils eine horizontal ausgerichtete Schwenkachse schwenkbar angeordnet sind,
• – Automatisches Verschwenken eines der hängenden Filterelemente mittels einer zwischen einem Bereich vor und einem Bereich hinter dem hängenden Filterelement entstehenden Druckdifferenz des Fluids,
• – Erzeugen eines Durchgangs für das Fluid mittels des automatischen Verschwenkens, zum mindestens teilweisen Umgehen des jeweiligen Filterelements.

Furthermore, a method for treating a fluid with the following steps is proposed:

• Arranging at least two hanging filter elements in a fluid flow, wherein the at least two hanging filter elements are arranged pivotable about a respective horizontally oriented pivot axis,
• Automatic pivoting of one of the suspended filter elements by means of a pressure difference of the fluid arising between an area in front of and an area behind the suspended filter element,
• - Generating a passage for the fluid by means of the automatic pivoting, for at least partially bypassing the respective filter element.

Subsequently, another analogous step of the automatic pivoting of a further filter element and an analogous step of generating a passage for one or more filter elements may follow.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment with reference to the figures. Show:

1 1 is a schematic view of a device for treating a fluid according to the description in an idle state,

2 the device according to 1 in a first use phase of a filter operation,

3 the device according to 1 in a later second use phase of the filter operation,

4 the device according to 1 in a subsequent third use phase of the filter operation,

5 the device according to 1 in a subsequent standstill phase,

6 the device according to 1 in a first phase of a cleaning operation,

7 the device according to 1 in a second phase of the cleaning operation,

8th the device according to 1 in a purified state,

9 the device according to 1 in a new filter operation analogous to 2 .

10 the device according to 1 in a top view.

For the sake of clarity, unless otherwise described, only one of a plurality of similar components is identified in the drawings by the associated reference symbols.

In 1 is a schematic view of a device 10 for treating a fluid F as described in a rest condition. The device 10 includes a housing 11 with a housing interior 12 in which a housing entrance 13 the fluid F, such as water to be filtered, is introduced and at an opposite side by means of an optionally providable pump 14 through a housing outlet 15 is removed, so that one from the housing input 13 to the housing exit 15 (or to the optional pump 14 ) oriented main flow direction (see. 2 ) for the fluid.

In the housing interior 12 is between housing input 13 and housing output 15 , ie in the main flow direction, a filter arrangement 16 with five hanging filter elements 17a -E arranged. The hanging filter elements 17a -E are each in the range of their first end 19 around its own substantially horizontally oriented pivot axis 18 arranged pivotally.

Each of the filter elements 17 each includes several filter brushes 20 as filter material, which is described below in 10 be explained in more detail.

Furthermore, each of the hanging filter elements 17a -E a baffle 21 for deflecting the fluid in the direction of the respective filter element 17a -E assigned. Since no fluid flows in the illustrated idle state, there is a fluid level 22 in all areas of the housing interior 12 the same height, leaving the hanging filter elements 17a -E at least in the illustrated, non-deflected position on the respectively associated baffle plate 21 issue.

By way of example only, the illustrated apparatus includes 10 a dirt drain 23 for discharging the contaminated fluid from the device 10 ,

A caseback 24 The device has a counter to the main flow direction of the fluid sloping course for a lighter and more independent flow of contaminated fluid in a cleaning of the device.

Only optionally, the device has stops 25 for defining a respective maximum pivoting deflection of the hanging filter elements 17 on.

In addition, the device can 10 Also only optional cleaning flaps 26 for discharging contaminated fluid, in particular automatically operable cleaning flaps, which in the illustrated embodiment in the baffle plates 21 are arranged. For automatic actuation, these are pivotable counter to the main flow direction, so that they open themselves in a cleaning operation with opposite flow direction.

2 shows the device 10 according to 1 in a first use phase of a filter operation. In this case, the fluid F flows from the housing inlet 13 through the filter assembly 16 in the housing interior 12 to the pump 14 , From there, the fluid is after flowing through the last filter element 17e back out of the device 10 pumped out. The fluid flow passes through the individual filter elements 17a -E evenly as long as they are not yet or not too polluted. This is illustrated by means of uniformly illustrated flow arrows. The flow resistance is correspondingly low, so that a fluid level decreases over the length of the device in the flow direction, although in an area in front of and behind the respective filter element 17a -E, however, is almost the same. This is, for example, for the first filter element in the flow direction 17a with the levels 22a respectively. 22b illustrated. Consequently, the filter elements remain 17a -E in her non-pivoted starting position. The dirt drain 23 and the cleaning flaps 26 are closed in this state.

3 shows the device 10 according to 1 in a later second use phase of the filter operation. That the housing entrance 13 in the flow direction nearest first filter element 17a is directly exposed to the unfiltered fluid and has in contrast to the subsequent filter elements 17b -E already added a corresponding amount of impurities. The named filter element is corresponding 17a marked dark. The clogging of the filter element 17a causes an increase in the flow resistance through the filter element 17a flowing fluid. As a result, there is a difference in the fluid level between the area 22a and the area behind 22b the filter element 17a builds. This level difference causes a compressive force on the filter element 17a which the filter element 17a pivoted in the flow direction.

The pivoting of the filter element 17a causes between filter element 17a and baffle plate 21 a passage 27 opens, through which the fluid now as a partial flow directly and unfiltered to the subsequent second filter element 17b can flow.

In this way, clogging of the entire filter assembly 16 or the entire device 10 due to the addition of the first filter element 17a be prevented.

As the clogging of the first filter element 17a is a slow or creeping process, the fluid flow through the filter element takes 17a Accordingly slowly, while the fluid flow through the ever-increasing passage 27 is also steadily getting bigger. The slow decrease of fluid flow through the filter element 17a As a result, even very fine suspended matter can settle out of the fluid.

The process described is repeated for the following filter elements 17b -E in the same way.

4 shows the device 10 according to 1 in a subsequent third use phase of the filter operation. Here are all five filter elements 17a -E added and deflected due to the respective increased flow resistance from its initial position in an individually pivoted position. The fluid can now almost unhindered the filter elements at least in a respective partial flow 17a -E work around. Only a small partial flow continues to flow through the individual filter elements 17a e. This is the state of maximum contamination of the device 10 in which the fluid unhindered the device 10 can happen.

As can be seen, this is the first filter element 17a so far deflected that this with a lower, the first end 19 opposite second end 28 at the stop 25 is present and can not be deflected further.

5 shows the device 10 according to 1 in a subsequent standstill phase with maximum contaminated filter elements 17a e. Before cleaning the filter assembly 16 can start, the pump will 14 switched off and the housing inputs 13 and the housing outputs 15 closed. Thus, the fluid level can 22 in the entire housing interior 12 compensate.

6 shows the device 10 according to 1 in a first phase of a cleaning operation. Now in the filter elements 17a -E pick up any ingested impurities and the device 10 to make it operational again, the filter elements must 17a -E be cleaned. For example, this can be done by mechanical abrasion to remove the contaminants from the filter elements 17a -E, so that they are floating again in the fluid. Of course, other cleaning methods are possible as well.

7 shows the device 10 according to 1 in a second phase of the cleaning operation. After the contaminants from the filter elements 17a -E have been dissolved, the dirt will drain 23 open. To a quick and unhindered possible outflow of the contaminated fluid from the device 10 to ensure the housing faces 11 a caseback 24 up in the direction of the dirt drain 23 is inclined to create a gradient for the fluid, that opposite to the described level difference of the fluid in the filter operation of the 1 to 5 is. This opens in the baffles 21 provided cleaning flaps 26 independently, to completely empty the interior of the housing 12 to enable.

Since the fluid seeks the path of least resistance, at least a majority of the effluent polluted fluid will make its way through the cleaning flaps 26 choose and not through the filter elements 17a -E, so that they remain essentially cleaned.

8th shows the device 10 according to 1 in a purified state. After the complete polluted fluid has flowed off, the filter elements can optionally be rinsed 17a -E to clean them additionally. Furthermore, the dirt drain 23 close and the housing entrance 13 as well as the housing output 15 to open again.

As in 9 now shown, the filter operation with a cleaned device 10 analogous to the initial situation 2 be resumed.

10 shows the device 10 according to 1 in a top view. By way of example only, each of the five filter elements comprises 17a -E a number of 11 filter brushes 20 extending from the upper first end 19 each filter element 17a -E to the second end 28 extend and together each a flat filter element 17a -E form, through which the fluid can flow. For clarity, only the bottom three filter brushes 20 of the first filter element 17a designated and therefore corresponding to the other filter brushes 20 and filter elements 17a -E analog to understand. Of course, this can also be any number of filter brushes 20 to get voted.

Also to be provided by way of example only is the embodiment with three housing inputs 13 , Of course, just one or any other number of housing inputs may also be used 13 but also from housing outputs 15 or dirt drains 23 be provided.

Claims (15)

Device for treating a fluid with a filter arrangement ( 16 ), which at least two hanging filter elements ( 17a E), characterized in that the at least two hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) are each arranged pivotably about a substantially horizontally oriented pivot axis. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the at least two hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) in the area of a first end ( 19 ) is arranged pivotally suspended on each of its own pivot axis. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the at least two hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) are designed to be pivotable in such a way that, in a filter operation, an area between ( 22a ) and an area behind ( 22b ) the respective hanging filter element ( 17a -E) forming pressure difference of the fluid pivoting the respective hanging filter element ( 17a -E) causes. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pivoting of a respective hanging filter element ( 17a -E) opening a passage ( 27 ) for the fluid to at least partially bypass the respective filter element ( 17a -E) causes. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least two hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) are arranged in series in a main flow direction of the fluid to be treated in series. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a housing bottom ( 24 ) of the device ( 10 ) has a counter to the main flow direction of the fluid sloping course. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) at least one filter brush ( 20 ). Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) at least one baffle plate ( 21 ) for deflecting the fluid in the direction of the respective filter element ( 17a -E) is assigned. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least two hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) at least in a non- deflected position on the respectively associated baffle plate ( 21 ) issue. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device ( 10 ) Attacks ( 25 ) for defining a respective maximum pivoting deflection of the at least two hanging filter elements ( 17a -E). Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the device ( 10 ) Cleaning flaps ( 26 ) for discharging contaminated fluid, in particular automatically operable cleaning flaps comprises. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the device ( 10 ) a dirt drain for discharging the dirty fluid from the device ( 10 ). Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the device ( 10 ) is designed for the treatment of a substantially water-comprising fluid, in particular water with Schwebstoffverunreinigungen and / or chemical and / or biological contaminants comprehensive water. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the two hanging filter elements ( 17a -E) comprises filter material for the mechanical and / or chemical and / or biological treatment of the fluid. Process for preparing a fluid with the following steps: Arranging at least two hanging filter elements in a fluid flow, wherein the at least two hanging filter elements are arranged pivotable about a respective horizontally oriented pivot axis, Automatic pivoting of one of the suspended filter elements by means of a pressure difference of the fluid arising between an area in front of and an area behind the suspended filter element, - Generating a passage for the fluid by means of the automatic pivoting, for at least partially bypassing the respective filter element.

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