Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D29/00—Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D27/00; Filtering elements therefor
  • B01D29/11—Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D27/00; Filtering elements therefor with bag, cage, hose, tube, sleeve or like filtering elements
  • B01D29/31—Self-supporting filtering elements
  • B01D29/33—Self-supporting filtering elements arranged for inward flow filtration
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D29/00—Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D27/00; Filtering elements therefor
  • B01D29/62—Regenerating the filter material in the filter
  • B01D29/66—Regenerating the filter material in the filter by flushing, e.g. counter-current air-bumps
  • B01D29/68—Regenerating the filter material in the filter by flushing, e.g. counter-current air-bumps with backwash arms, shoes or nozzles
  • B01D29/682—Regenerating the filter material in the filter by flushing, e.g. counter-current air-bumps with backwash arms, shoes or nozzles with a rotary movement with respect to the filtering element

Definitions

• the present invention relates to systems for separating flowing substances, including fluids and solids, by means of centrifugal separation, and more particularly to a voraxial filter system adapted with a self-cleaning filter apparatus for providing auxiliary upstream and/or downstream filtration and separation of substances.
• centrifugal separators have been used in many applications to separate one fluid from another on the basis of specific gravity, whether or not those substances are of the same or different physical states and particularly for the separation of light liquids from heavy liquids and gasses from liquids.
• centrifugal separators have been adapted to separate solids of varying densities and/or solids from fluids.
• An inventor of the present invention has contributed to advancements in the art of centrifugal separation of miscible and immiscible media, as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,904,840, issued to DiBeIIa on May 18, 1999, which disclosure is incorporated herein as part of this disclosure by reference.
• An inventor of the present invention has also contributed to determining the identity and concentration of substances in a multi- component medium by measuring the spectral response of fluid media as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,489,980, issued to Anthony on August 3, 1991, which disclosure is incorporated herein as part of this disclosure by reference.
• the combined teachings provide a voraxial separation system that includes pump means delivering a continuously flowing column of the media from a media source, a separation tube through which a column of the flowing media is continuously passed, means for spinning the column about the axis of the tube as sufficient speed that centrifugal force within the column causes the component media to separate into radial layers, extraction conduit means for selectively extracting one or more of the radial layers from the tube, bleeder means for introducing a fluid such as air into the tube to alter the diameter of the radial layers, and a probe and spectrophotometer which provides monitoring and automatic feed back means for measuring the component medium content as the media enters and exits the separation tube and for adjusting the rotational speed of the media and the rate of fluid introduction from the bleeder means.
• An alternative to the bleeder means is provided in the form of a mechanism for altering the diameter of the extraction conduit means.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self-cleaning tubular filter having a radially inner rotating spray tube that functions to clean the tubular filter by selective application of a pressurized fluid.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide a self-cleaning tubular filter having a radially inner rotating spray tube which functions to clean the tubular filter by selective application of a pressurized fluid wherein the pressurized fluid may comprise a pressurized gas or a pressurized liquid.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self-cleaning tubular filter having a radially inner rotating spray tube which functions to clean the tubular filter wherein the spray tube rotates at sufficient revolutions per minute so as to create a vortex within the tubular filter to effect finer separation of substances. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
• the present invention accomplishes the objectives set forth above, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification by one of ordinary skill in the art.
• a voraxial separation system having: (1) a pump means delivering a continuously flowing column of the media from a media source; (2) a separation tube through which a column of the flowing media is continuously passed such that the column is caused to spin about the axis of the tube at sufficient speed that centrifugal force within the column causes the component media to separate into radial layers; (3) extraction conduit means for selectively extracting one or more of the radial layers from the tube; (4) an optional bleeder means for introducing a fluid such as air into the tube to alter the diameter of the radial layers; (5) a probe and spectrophotometer which provides monitoring and automatic feed back means for measuring the component medium content as the media enters and exits the separation tube and for adjusting the rotational speed of the media and the rate of fluid introduction from the bleeder means; and (6) an auxiliary filtration apparatus having a generally cylindrical filter and a rotational inner spray tube connected to a source of pressurized fluid and an electronic control system for controlling the rate of rotation of the inner spray tube in response to the filter loading
• the auxiliary filtration apparatus includes a conduit having a primary flowable media input, a generally hollow cylindrical filter defining an apertured filtering surface disposed within the conduit wherein the exterior of the cylindrical filter comprises an upstream filter inlet and the interior of the cylindrical filter comprises a downstream filter outlet, and a primary flowable media outlet in fluid communication with the filter interior.
• An elongate spray tube is disposed within the tubular filter substantially adjacent to the radially inner surface of the filter. The spray tube is fluidly connected to a pressurized fluid source and defines a plurality of spray outlets disposed in a direction radially outward so as to direct pressurized fluid onto the cylindrical filter from the filter interior thereof to clean the filter of accumulated substances.
• the spray tube is configured with a rotational drive system for automatic and selective powered concentric rotation about the inner circumferential wall of the filter.
• the filter apparatus further preferably includes a spectrophotometer assembly that monitors the accumulation of substances on the filter and adjusts rotation speed of the spray tube in response to filter loading.
• auxiliary filtration system disclosed herein is preferably used in conjunction with a primary voraxial separation system, in upstream, intermediate, and/or downstream configurations to provide more efficient separation of flowable composite media.
• auxiliary filtration system may be used as a primary self-cleaning filtering system for a wide variety of applications.
• FIG. 1 is perspective view of a voraxial separator having an auxilary self- cleaning filter (without rotational drive) connected downstream according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the voraxial separator and self-cleaning filter depicted in Fig 1.
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the voraxial separator and self-cleaning filter depicted in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view thereof detailing the auxiliary filter
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a voraxial separator having a self-cleaning filter (with rotational drive) connected downstream according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cylindrical filter for use with an auxiliary filter according to the present invention
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate configuration of a voraxial separator having an auxiliary self-cleaning filter connected downstream;
• FTG. 8 is a perspective view of a self-cleaning filter according to the present invention.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a spectrophotometer assembly that monitors the accumulation of substances on the filter and adjusts rotation speed of the spray tube in response to filter loading
• FIG. 10 illustrates an auxiliary filter configured as a second stage filtration unit in a system having three voraxial filters
• FIG. 11 illustrates inlet and outlet flow paths for an auxiliary filter according to the present invention
• FIG. 12 is a sectional view thereof
• FIG. 13 is a detailed sectional view thereof;
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view in partial section illustrating inlet and outlet flow paths;
• FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating fluid flow
• FIG. 16 is a schematic and block diagram illustrating fluid flow and control
• FIG. 17 is a control schematic.
• Figs 1-17 depict a voraxial filter system adapted with a self-cleaning auxiliary filter, which system is adapted to separate one fluid from another on the basis of specific gravity, whether or not those substances are of the same or different physical states and particularly for the separation of light liquids from heavy liquids and gases from liquids.
• the voraxial separation system adapted with an auxiliary self-cleaning filter of the present invention is suitable for use in separating solids of varying densities and/or solids from fluids.
• FIGS. 1 - 5 depict a voraxial separation system and auxiliary filter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, generally referenced as 10.
• System 10 includes a voraxial separator 12 having an inlet 14 in fluid communication with a pressurized source of flowable media.
• Voraxial separator 12 comprises a device that relies on centrifiigal forces to separate a flowable media into its components. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,904,840, issued to DiBeIIa, which disclosure is incorporated herein by references.
• Voraxial separator 12 includes an extraction outlet 16 for selectively extracting one or more radial layers formed by centrifugal force as the flowable media is caused to spin by internal vanes in separator 12.
• Voraxial separator 12 further includes an outlet 18.
• Voraxial separator 12 may further include a bleeder means for introducing a fluid such as air into the tube to alter the diameter of the radial layers, and a probe and spectrophotometer which provides monitoring and automatic feed back means for measuring the component medium content as the media enters and exits the separation tube and for adjusting the rotational speed of the media and the rate of fluid introduction from the bleeder means.
• a bleeder means for introducing a fluid such as air into the tube to alter the diameter of the radial layers
• a probe and spectrophotometer which provides monitoring and automatic feed back means for measuring the component medium content as the media enters and exits the separation tube and for adjusting the rotational speed of the media and the rate of fluid introduction from the bleeder means.
• a significant aspect of the present invention involves use of an auxiliary filter, generally referenced as 20, to increase the efficiency of voraxial separator 12. More particularly, the present invention contemplates use of a self-cleaning filter apparatus 20 having an outer cylindrical housing 21 including an inlet 22, and first and second outlets, referenced as 24 and 26 respectively.
• Inlet 22 is in fluid communication with the outlet 18 of voraxial separator 12 by a conduit 19 as best depicted in FIG. 1.
• First outlet 24 is configured downstream of an internal filter contained within apparatus 20, and hence may be referred to as a filtered outlet.
• Second outlet 26 is configured to accept flow that bypasses the internal filter contained within apparatus 20, and hence may be referred to as a bypass outlet.
• FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of filter apparatus 20 and more clearly depicts housing 21, inlet 22, filtered outlet 24, and bypass outlet 26. As illustrated therein, a pressurized flowable media enters filter apparatus 20 via inlet 22.
• Filter apparatus 20 includes an internal cylindrical filter 30 having a wall defining a plurality of apertures.
• FIG. 6 provides a detail view of cylindrical filter 30, which generally comprises a cylindrical body having a sidewall defining a plurality of apertures for allowing substances having dimensions smaller than said apertures to pass therethrough.
• cylindrical filter 30 may comprise a mesh filter, or any other suitable filter structure referring back to FIG 4, the flowable media that enters inlet 22, or portions thereof, passes through the apertures in cylindrical filter 30 and exits filter apparatus 20 via filtered outlet 24, which is in fluid communication with the interior of cylindrical filter 30 via an elbow conduit 32.
• Bypass outlet 26 is provided to selective discharge of material captured by filter cylindrical filter 30 as described more fully herein.
• filter apparatus 20 is self-cleaning. Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, filter apparatus 20 is depicted in sectional views wherein the self-cleaning features are best illustrated.
• FIG 12 depicts a sectional view of filter housing 21 clearly revealing cylindrical filter 30 axially disposed within filter housing 21 such that the interior of cylindrical filter 30, the filtered downstream side, is in fluid communication with outlet 24 via conduit 32.
• FIG. 13 depicts a sectional view of filter housing 21 clearly revealing a sectional view of cylindrical filter 30 so as to reveal an interior spray tube, referenced as 40, which functions to automatically and periodically clean filter 30.
• Spray tube 40 comprises an elongate tubular structure having a plurality of spray apertures oriented so as to direct a spray of pressurized fluid radially outward onto filter 30 from the interior thereof.
• spray tube 40 is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, such as water, air, or any other suitable fluid, via a pressurized fluid inlet 42.
• a source of pressurized fluid such as water, air, or any other suitable fluid
• the pressure of fluid entering inlet 42 is preferably greater than the pressure of the flowable media entering inlet 22.
• spray tube 40 is connected to a rotational drive system, referenced as 44, which functions to selectively rotate spray tube 40 so as to direct a spray of pressurized fluid radially outward onto the interior surface of cylindrical filter 30 so as to dislodge substances collecting on filter 30.
• Rotational drive system 44 may comprise an electrically powered motor, such as a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motor and/or other power source.
• directing a spray of pressurized fluid onto cylindrical filter 30 from the interior thereof causes dislodged substances to become entrained in media flow exiting filter apparatus outlet 36, which dislodged substances and media flow may be either disposed of or run through an additional filtration stage.
• portions of the flowable media that flow through filter 30, i.e. filtered flow is allowed to exit filter apparatus 20 via filtered outlet 24.
• Filter apparatus 20, and rotational drive 44 further preferably include sensing apparatus and feedback control circuitry for sensing particle and/or substance concentration rate on filter 30.
• FIG 9 illustrates a sensing and control apparatus generally referenced as 50, electrically connected to filter apparatus 20 and rotational drive 44 for sensing particle and/or substance concentration rate on filter 30 and controlling rotational drive 44 in response thereto.
• a suitable system for determining concentration of substances on filter 30 may rely on measuring the spectral response of the fluid media as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,489,980, issued to Anthony on August 3, 1991, which disclosure is incorporated herein as part of this disclosure by reference.
• FIG 10 illustrates an auxiliary filter 20 configured as a second stage filtration unit in a system having three voraxial filters.
• sensing and control apparatus 50 includes a probe 52 installed in conduit 21 of filter apparatus 20 in configuration wherein probe 52 is positioned to send/receive photo-scanning signals to/from filter 30.
• Probe 52 is electrically connected to sensing and control apparatus 50 by low voltage electrical conductors 54.
• control apparatus 50 includes a spectrophotometer for monitoring data received from probe 52 and measuring the component medium content accumulated on filter 30.
• Control apparatus 50 is further adapted for activating rotational drive 44 and includes a control valve for controlling the introduction of pressurized fluid to inlet 452 in response data obtained by probe 52 regarding substance concentration on filter 30 within filter apparatus 20.
• FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an application wherein water and impurities enter filter 20 via inlet 22, and pressurized fluid (Le.
• FIG. 16 is a block diagram and control schematic wherein sensing and voraxial control apparatus 50 controls the introduction of pressurized air for the filter cleaning process via a control valve.
• auxiliary filtration system disclosed herein is preferably used in conjunction with a primary voraxial separation system, in upstream, intermediate, or downstream configurations to provide more efficient separation of flowable composite media.
• auxiliary filtration system may be used as a primary self-cleaning filtering system for a wide variety of applications.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Centrifugal Separators (AREA)

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Cited By (3)

Citations (4)

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• 2005
  • 2005-04-14 AU AU2005330723A patent/AU2005330723A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-04-14 BR BRPI0519990-5A patent/BRPI0519990A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-04-14 WO PCT/US2005/012614 patent/WO2006112820A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-04-14 EP EP05736404A patent/EP1874428A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-04-14 CN CNA2005800501574A patent/CN101203291A/zh active Pending
  • 2005-04-14 CA CA002612308A patent/CA2612308A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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