Patent ID: 6231763
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: B01D,C02F,Y10T

Abstract:
A fluid treatment unit comprising:a housing having a chamber therein which is of a given volume;a finely divided loose fluid treatment medium in the chamber and which occupies a volume which is substantially less than the given volume of the chamber when fluid to be treated is not flowing through said medium;an inlet to the chamber for introducing the fluid to be treated to the chamber and beneath the fluid treatment medium in the chamber;an outlet to the chamber downstream of the fluid treatment medium for discharging the fluid which has been treated from the chamber; andwherein said unit is constructed and arranged to lift said loose fluid treatment medium in a controlled manner upon initiation of flow of fluid to be treated from said inlet to separate, flush and remove any contaminants from said medium which may have accumulated on the medium, to suspend said medium during continuing flow of the fluid while restraining the rate at which the fluid treatment material is lifted, and to permit said medium to settle to the bottom of the chamber when the flow of fluid has ceased.