Patent ID: 9656197
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: B01D

Claim:
1. A method for conditioning a filter assembly which includes a permeable filter medium having an upstream side and a downstream side and pores and voids, an inlet and a vent on the upstream side of the filter medium, and an outlet on the downstream side of the filter medium, the method comprising: in a first stage, opening the inlet and the vent and closing the outlet, and passing purging liquid through the open inlet, along the upstream side of the filter medium, and through the open vent of the filter assembly, including displacing gas or prewetting liquid ahead of the purging liquid such that the gas or prewetting liquid passes from the upstream side of the filter medium and through the open vent; and in a second stage, opening the inlet and the outlet and closing the vent, decreasing the pressure at the outlet of the filter assembly, and first passing purging liquid at a first flow rate through the open inlet, through the pores and voids of the filter medium from the upstream side to the downstream side, along the downstream side of the filter medium, and through the open outlet of the filter assembly, wherein decreasing the pressure at the outlet of the filter assembly includes holding the pressure for a sufficient time to allow the purging liquid to diffuse into the pores and voids of the filter medium and displace gas or prewetting liquid ahead of the purging liquid such that the gas or prewetting liquid passes through the pores and voids of the filter medium, and then increasing the pressure at the open inlet and passing purging liquid at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate through the open inlet, through the pores and voids of the filter medium from the upstream side to the downstream side, along the downstream side of the filter medium, and through the open outlet of the filter assembly, thereby filling the filter assembly with the purging liquid, wherein passing purging liquid at the second flow rate through the pores and voids of the filter medium and through the open outlet includes flushing contaminants from the filter medium.