DE102015002001A1 - Filter element, filter device, method for filtration, method for producing a filter element and apparatus for producing a filter element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter element (1), a filter device, a method for filtration, a method for producing a filter element (1) and a device for producing a filter element (1). The filter element (1) according to the invention can be produced in a particularly simple manner, thereby enabling a very good filtration line. In this case, the filter element (1) is adaptable in its filter performance and easily reactivated.

Description

The present invention relates to a filter element according to the preamble of claim 1, a filtration device according to the preamble of claim 8, a method of filtration according to the preamble of claim 9, a method of manufacturing a filter element according to the preamble of claim 11 and an apparatus for manufacturing a filter element according to the preamble of claim 14.

In the filtration, separation or purification of substances, in particular of liquids and gases, various means and methods are used. In most cases, the substance passes through a filter, wherein this filter can consist of different materials. For example, filters made of paper, textile, ceramic and metal are known, not only integral filters, but also filters in the form of beds and the like. Are known.

When passing through the fabric through the filter, a resistance is provided to the fabric causing a pressure drop. This filter resistance is greater the longer the filter is in operation, because he can not pass as many substances as in the original state either by forming a filter cake or adding his pores.

To reactivate the filter, therefore, the filter cake must be removed, the pores cleaned and / or the filter completely replaced. A particular method for reactivation is the so-called backwashing, in which usually at periodically recurring intervals, the mass transfer is reversed to remove contaminants.

The object of the present invention is to provide a filter element which can be produced in a particularly simple manner and thereby enables a very good filtration performance. In particular, these filter elements are designed to be adaptable in their filter performance and easily reactivated.

This object is achieved with the filter element according to the invention according to claim 1, the filter device according to the invention according to claim 8, the inventive method for filtration according to claim 9, the inventive method for producing a filter element according to claim 11 and the inventive device for producing a filter element according to claim 14. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent subclaims and the description.

It has been recognized by the inventor that this object can be achieved in a surprising manner in a particularly simple manner by using flexible filter elements which can be reversibly compressed, for example, in order to thereby reduce the size of the pores. This can be done for example during filtration by the applied differential pressure. As a result, particles to be filtered are better rejected and remain less stuck in the filter element. In addition, the flexibility causes the pores to widen again in a backwash, which speeds up the cleaning of the filter element. Or the widening can be generated by a negative bias.

The filter element according to the invention therefore has a mesh structure with pores and is characterized in that the pore size is reversibly changeable under the action of an external pressure. In particular, such acting external pressure may be the differential pressure built up during filtration, thereby reducing the pore size.

This reversible variability can be achieved, for example, by using a filter fabric. For example, stainless steel wire mesh containing crescent-shaped apertures may be used, with the apertures shrinking upon application of a differential pressure due to filtration, or re-enlarging or even expanding upon backwashing.

Although there are also known conventional filter elements made of steel wires, but these are rolled into bars or welded. This rigid construction, structure and processing bring significant disadvantages in terms of function, durability and cost. They filter worse, have to be cleaned and replaced more often and cause higher costs. These filter grids are exposed to significant pressures by filtrate and cleaning fluid with opposite directions of flow. There are also temperature fluctuations and aggressive media. Due to the rigid construction, the load on the connection points is extremely high. The grids break and do not work properly anymore. In addition, it should therefore be noted that conventional filter elements, although cheaper to purchase, but much more cleaned, maintained and replaced. This reduces the reliability of the filter performance and increases the costs of cleaning, maintenance and replacement investments. These disadvantages are also overcome by the construction according to the invention.

Folded mesh filters are particularly preferably used, since in this way filter elements of any shape can be produced in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, and these filter elements also have an outstanding filter performance exhibit. Due to the folding, the mesh structure does not have to correspond directly to the particle size to be filtered, but the pore size is set in a targeted manner by the folding. It is advantageous in this regard, if not only a folding, but a compression takes place, which can be done in particular transversely and / or longitudinally to the folding. As a result of this folding, the flexibility of the filter element for changing the pore size is likewise brought about or markedly increased once more in combination with the special filter fabric.

Preferably, therefore, the mesh structure, wherein the mesh structure is provided on a surface element, which is folded at least once.

If the mesh structure is folded many times, in particular folded in a meandering shape, and / or there is at least one doubling, preferably at least one tripling, most preferably at least a quadrupling, in particular at least a fivefold increase in thickness with respect to the surface element, with respect to a filter passage direction through the fold the filter element particularly effective.

If the surface element is present as a wire or chain mesh, then the surface element can be produced particularly easily and the folding process is much easier. In this case, wire meshes are preferred because then the filter element produced is stable in its generated form and at the same time builds up with appropriate choice of material certain restoring forces against applied biases. The folding is advantageously transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of such wires. The surface element can be present as tissue.

Preferably, the mesh structure comprises a metal, in particular stainless steel, duplex and super duplex steel, Inconel, Monel, because then the filter element is largely insensitive to many substances and is particularly easy to clean. Such filter elements have a broad field of application, in addition to petroleum filtrations and filtrations in the food sector come into question.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the mesh structure is designed to be compressible, because then the function according to the invention can be implemented particularly easily.

If the underlying surface element has a two-dimensional surface or is formed as a tube, the filter element can be produced very quickly in any desired shapes. Such two-dimensional surfaces may be flat or curved in any shapes. Tubing surfaces can be peripheral surfaces of a cylinder or even peripheral surfaces of convex or concave polyhedra, for example of barrels or diabolos.

The filter element according to the invention can be produced in any desired shapes, the following forms are preferred because of their advantageous filter action and cleanability: cylindrical shape, cylinder shape open on one side, hollow cylinder shape, box shape, pot shape, cuboid shape, cube shape, spherical shape, lens shape, prism shape, pyramid shape, conical shape, truncated cone shape , Cylindrical shape, disc shape, ring shape and tube shape. Suitably, for example, for the manipulation and removal of the filter element, it is provided with at least one collar.

It is particularly advantageous if means for biasing the mesh structure are provided in at least one direction, wherein the means are preferably adapted to generate a positive bias with respect to an unstressed normal state in the filter element in order to densify the mesh structure, and / or negative To create bias to stretch the mesh structure. This bias, which is also an external applied pressure, the filter effect can be tailored to the requirements and the backwashing and reactivation is much easier. The bias voltage can be designed so that the differential pressure caused during filtration no longer leads to any further pore reduction, or no further pore enlargement takes place during the backwashing, because the pores have already been expanded far beyond the normal state.

The means for biasing may for example be present as a socket for the filter element with at least two frame jaws, between which the filter element is inserted, whose distance from each other is selectively adjustable. As a result, no targeted compression of the filter element takes place and, as the distance to the original filter element dimension increases, the prestressing can be eliminated again. If the jaws are fixedly connected to the corresponding sides of the filter element, then by selective expansion of the distance of the jaws, an elongation of the filter element, equivalent to a negative bias can be made.

Independent protection is claimed for the filter device according to the invention with at least one filter element, which thereby distinguishes the filter element according to the invention.

Also independent protection is claimed for the inventive method for filtration, in particular of liquids and Gas, with the help of at least one filter element, which is characterized in that at least one inventive filter element and / or at least one filter device according to the invention is used.

In an advantageous development, it is provided that the filter effect is adjusted by setting a specific bias in at least one direction on the filter element and / or that a backwashing is carried out for cleaning the filter element, wherein set in particular in at least one direction, a negative bias to the filter element so that the mesh structure is stretched. However, it will probably be sufficient in most cases that the back-flush reduces or eliminates the preload so that no negative bias is required.

In addition, independent protection is claimed for the inventive method for the production of filter elements, which is characterized in that a mesh structure is produced with pores whose size is reversibly changed under the action of an external pressure.

It is particularly advantageous that a surface element with a mesh structure is folded at least once, wherein the surface element is in particular pressed into a mold in order to fold the mesh structure and to form the shape of the filter element.

In addition, the filter element is preferably formed as the filter element according to the invention.

Finally, independent protection is claimed for the device according to the invention for the production of filter elements, which is characterized by means for producing a mesh structure with pores whose size is reversibly changeable under the action of an external pressure.

In a preferred development it is provided that the device is adapted to carry out the method according to the invention for the production of filter elements, wherein means are preferably provided for at least one folding of at least one surface element with a mesh structure.

• 1. Die Filterelemente sind unter anderem hervorragend einsetzbar: • bei Hochtemperatur-Anwendungen, • bei korrosiven Flüssigkeiten und Gasen, • bei hoher mechanischer Beanspruchung, • bei starken Vibrationen, • bei hydraulischen Einwirkungen, • bei Schwankungen von Durchflussrate, Druck und Verunreinigungen und • bei begrenzten Platzverhältnisse.
• 2. Dabei ermöglichen die erfindungsgemäßen Filterelemente unter anderem: • eine Filtrationsqualität von 30 μm bis 600 μm, • eine Betriebstemperatur von –60°C bis 816°C (–76°F bis 1500°F), • einen Max. Δp über dem Filterelement: bis zu 360 PSI und • einen Max. zulässiger Betriebsdruck: bis zu 29.000 PSI.
• 3. Die bevorzugten Einsatzgebiete für die erfindungsgemäßen Filterelemente sind unter anderem: • Öl-Förderung, um Kühlflüssigkeiten schnell und effizient zu filtern, • Gas-Förderung, um feste Bestandteile aus dem Gas herauszufiltern, • Fracking (Hydraulic Fractioning), um das Frack-Fluid, das aus vielen unterschiedlichen Bestandteilen besteht, zu filtern, • Automotive, • Luft- und Raumfahrt, • Schiffsbau – Ballastwasser-Filtration, • Eisenbahn und Transport, • Verteidigung und • Meerwasser-Filtration.

The particular advantages of the present invention can be illustrated as follows.

• 1. The filter elements are outstandingly suitable for: • high-temperature applications, • corrosive liquids and gases, • high mechanical loads, • strong vibrations, • hydraulic actions, • fluctuations in flow rate, pressure and impurities, and • in limited space.
• 2. The filter elements according to the invention allow, inter alia: a filtration quality of 30 μm to 600 μm, an operating temperature of -60 ° C to 816 ° C (-76 ° F to 1500 ° F), a maximum Δp above the Filter element: up to 360 PSI and • a maximum permissible operating pressure: up to 29,000 PSI.
• 3. The preferred fields of application for the filter elements according to the invention include: oil feed to filter cooling liquids quickly and efficiently, gas feed to filter out solid constituents from the gas, fracking (hydraulic fractioning) to remove the frac Fluid, which consists of many different components to filter, • Automotive, • Aerospace, • Shipbuilding - Ballast water filtration, • Railway and transport, • Defense and • Seawater filtration.

The inventively provided flexibility of the pore size can be achieved both by the special structure of the surface element, so for example with crescent-shaped openings, as well as by the folding, wherein advantageously a combination of both measures is selected.

The characteristics and further advantages of the invention will become apparent in the context of the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the figures. Here are purely schematic:

1 A first preferred embodiment of the inventive filter element in a perspective view,

2 according to the filter element 1 underlying area element in a detail view,

3 a cross-sectional view of the filter element according to 1 .

4a to 4 Cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the filter element according to the invention,

5a . 5b perspective views of various alternative embodiments of the filter element according to the invention and

6 a preferred embodiment of the filtration device according to the invention in a sectional view.

In 1 to 3 is a first preferred embodiment of the filter element according to the invention 1 shown in different views. It can be seen that this filter element 1 has the shape of a pot, namely as unilaterally open hollow cylinder with a circumferential collar 3 is formed (see. 1 and 3 ).

In 1 is further to recognize that the filter element 1 from a mesh structure 5 the pores exist 7 including the mesh structure 5 by multiple folding of a surface element 9 was created, the fragmentary in 2 is shown. There it can be seen that the surface element 9 as a network of wires 11 is formed, which extend substantially in a laying direction V and crescent-shaped openings 12 include that respond flexibly to external pressure. The fold to form the filter element 1 took place substantially transversely to this laying direction V, so that a dimensionally stable filter element 1 results, that is dimensionally stable, without requiring an adapted housing.

As material Inconel is used, whereby the filter element 1 is largely resistant to attacking substances and can be used in the food sector. The wire 11 is drawn cold and without rolling or welding to the surface element 9 so interwoven that crescent-shaped openings 12 form. In addition, with the convolution noticeably a compression, so that a certain pore size is set, whereby certain particle sizes 13 be filtered.

In connection with the choice of material and the incomplete compression results in the structure of restoring forces R of the filter element 1 relative to the entry of biases or differential pressures K in the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the filter element 1 , Ie. the entry of a positive bias or a positive differential pressure K + acts an opposite negative restoring force R + and the entry of a negative bias or a negative differential pressure K- acts an opposite positive restoring force R- constructed, respectively after completion of the action of the external pressure and corresponding compression or elongation to a normalization of the filter element 1 to lead.

This allows the filter element 1 reversibly with the involvement of suitable means (not shown) in the longitudinal direction L compressed and relaxed again or stretched and relaxed again. By compressing the pore size is reduced, so that finer particles 13 can be filtered while stretching, the pore size is increased and so finer particles 13 be let through. The latter can be used, for example, in the pressing of "naturally cloudy" juices and the like.

In addition, the filtration itself leads to the development of a differential pressure through which compresses the mesh structure and thereby the pores 7 be downsized.

For the one-time or periodically recurring reactivation by means of backwashing, it is advantageous if, during the backwashing, stretching takes place by the suitable means, so that the pores 7 be enlarged and so easier rinsed and cleaned. This results in an even better cleaning, but also the flexibility of the filter element 1 itself already leads to an enlargement of the pores in relation to the filtering, whereby the cleaning proceeds easily.

The manufacture of the filter element 1 takes place in that a tubular surface element (not shown) introduced into a cup-shaped shape with center mandrel (comparable to a cup cake shape) and meandered by means of a punch meandering in the longitudinal direction L and compressed so that the desired size of the pores 7 established. By folding the surface element completely fills the mold and it results in a mesh structure 5 , as 1 is shown.

The size of the pores can thus be adjusted via the compression during shaping but also by targeted adjustment of mesh size, wire thickness and layer thickness of the underlying surface element.

In the 4a to various alternative embodiments are shown, wherein in 4a a filter element 20 in the form of a hollow cylinder, in 4b a filter element 30 in the form of a disk, in 4c a filter element 40 in the form of a cup with opening 41 in the ground 43 , in 4d a filter element 45 in the form of a bowl, in 4e a filter element 50 in the form of a lens, in 4f a filter element 60 in the form of a ton and in 4g a filter element 70 in the form of a ring element.

In the 5a and 5b various shapes and filter elements are shown, namely differently sized and shaped hollow cylindrical or tubular filter elements 20a to 20g , various large and shaped disc-shaped filter elements 30a to 30e , differently sized and shaped cup-shaped and with perforated bottom filter elements 40a to 40d , the cup-shaped filter element 45 to 4d , two barrel-shaped filter elements 60a on a common pipe 61 are arranged, a truncated cone-shaped filter element 90 with collar 91 , a plurality of differently sized and shaped annular filter elements 93a to 93c and a plurality of differently sized and shaped disc-shaped apertured filter elements 95a to 95g , It can be seen that the most varied shapes and sizes can be produced in a dimensionally stable manner using the production method according to the invention.

The peculiarity of the cylindrical filter elements 20a to 20c is that they are double-sided facing 21 which makes them easier to store in cascades. In order to defy the compressibility high rigidity of the cylindrical filter element 20d to achieve are the two edging rings 21 via an internal stiffening element 23 rigidly connected with each other.

In 6 in a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention 100 shown in cross section. It can be seen that this in the usual way with a housing 101 , an inlet 103 and an outlet 105 is formed, wherein the outlet 105 in one with a housing base 107 screw-down housing upper part 109 is provided. In the plane 111 between housing base 107 and housing top 109 are three filter cascades 113 attached, each a bottom closed conduit 115 have with radial openings 117 to the supply line, being around these pipes 115 a series of filter elements 60 in barrel form 4f are arranged sealed.

During filtration, the substance to be filtered becomes 119 , For example, a liquid, through the inlet 103 in the filtration device 100 passed, penetrates the filter elements with the removal of filtered particles 60 the filter cascades 113 and leaves the filtration device 100 as a filtrate 121 through the outlet 105 ,

A reactivation of the filtration device 100 can be done by backwashing, with a cleaning liquid, such as water, through the outlet 105 pressed and so the particles in the cleaning fluid through the inlet 103 be dissipated. For a complete cleaning, the housing 101 opened and the filter elements 60 can be removed and individually reactivated or replaced.

From the foregoing, it has become clear that with the present invention, a filter element 1 is provided, which is particularly easy to manufacture and thereby allows a very good filtration line. Here is the filter element 1 adaptable in its filter performance and easily reactivated.

Unless otherwise indicated, all features of the present invention may be freely combined with each other. The features described in the description of the figures can, unless stated otherwise, be freely combined with the other features as features of the invention. Objective features can also be used as process features and process features as representational features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filter element

3

collar

5

mesh structure

7

pore

9

surface element

11

wires

12

crescent-shaped openings

13

particle sizes

20

Filter element in the form of a hollow cylinder

30

Filter element in the form of a disc

40

Filter element in the form of a cup

41

perforation

43

ground

45

Filter element in the form of a cup

50

Filter element in the form of a lens

60

Filter element in the form of a ring element

70

Filter element in the form of a barrel

100

A strainer

101

casing

103

inlet

105

outlet

107

Housing bottom

109

Housing top

111

Level between housing base 107 and housing top 109

113

filter cascade

115

conduits 115

117

perforations

119

to be filtered fabric

121

filtrate

K

preload

L

Longitudinal extension of the filter element 1

R

Restoring forces

V

installation direction

Claims (15)

Filter element ( 1 ) with a mesh structure ( 5 ) with pores ( 7 ), characterized in that the Pore size is reversibly changeable when exposed to an external pressure. Filter element ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mesh structure ( 5 ) on a surface element ( 9 ) is provided, which is folded at least once, wherein the surface element is present as a wire or chain mesh. Filter element ( 1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the mesh structure ( 5 ) folded in a plurality, in particular meander-shaped, and / or that with respect to a filter passage direction through the folding at least one doubling, preferably at least one tripling, most preferably at least a quadrupling, in particular at least a fivefold increase in thickness relative to the surface element ( 9 ) is present. Filter element ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mesh structure ( 5 ) comprises a metal, in particular stainless steel, duplex and super duplex steel, Inconel, Monel and / or that the mesh structure is designed to be compressible. Filter element ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims in conjunction with claim 2, characterized in that the underlying surface element ( 9 ) has a two-dimensional surface or is formed as a tube. Filter element ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element ( 1 ) has one of the following shapes: cylindrical shape, cylinder shape open on one side, hollow cylinder shape, box shape, cup shape, cuboid shape, cube shape, spherical shape, lens shape, prism shape, pyramid shape, conical shape, truncated cone shape, cylindrical shape, disc shape, ring shape or tube shape and preferably provided with at least one collar , Filter element ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for biasing the mesh structure are provided in at least one direction, wherein means are preferably adapted, with respect to an unstressed normal state in the filter element ( 1 ) to generate a positive bias to the mesh structure ( 5 ) and / or to create negative bias to increase the mesh structure ( 5 ) to stretch. Filtration device ( 100 ) with at least one filter element ( 1 ), characterized in that the filter element ( 1 ) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. Process for the filtration, in particular of liquids and gases, by means of at least one filter element ( 1 ), characterized in that at least one filter element ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or at least one filtration device ( 100 ) is used according to claim 8. Filtration method according to claim 9, characterized in that the filter effect is achieved by setting a specific bias in at least one direction on the filter element ( 1 ) and / or that for cleaning the filter element ( 1 ), wherein in particular in at least one direction, a negative bias is set to the filter element, so that the mesh structure ( 5 ) is stretched. Method for producing filter elements ( 1 ), characterized in that a mesh structure ( 5 ) with pores ( 7 ) is generated, whose size is reversibly changeable under the action of external pressure. Method for producing filter elements ( 1 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that a surface element ( 9 ) with a mesh structure ( 5 ) is folded at least once, wherein the surface element ( 9 ) is preferably pressed into a mold to the mesh structure ( 5 ) and the shape of the filter element ( 1 ) to build. Method for producing filter elements ( 1 ) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the filter element ( 1 ) is formed according to one of claims 1 to 9. Device for producing filter elements ( 1 ), characterized by means for producing a mesh structure ( 5 ) with pores ( 7 ) whose size is reversibly changeable under the influence of an external pressure. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the device is adapted, the method for the production of filter elements ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the device preferably comprises means for at least one folding of at least one surface element ( 9 ) with a mesh structure ( 5 ) having.

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