Patent ID: 6177022
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A fuel oil cleaning device disposed within a continuous fuel oil flow having particulate contaminants therein, said cleaning device comprising:a porous member in fluid communication with the fuel oil flow such that the fuel oil flow enters said porous member through a first porous member surface and exits through a second porous member surface, said fuel oil flow depositing the particulate contaminants on said first porous member surface;particulate-removing means disposed to be in close proximity with said porous member for removing particulate contaminants from said first porous member surface along substantially the entirety of the length of said first porous member surface;a pair of flow confining walls disposed to be in close proximity with said first porous member surface along substantially the entirety of the length of said first porous member surface for defining a chamber;a partition dividing said chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber along the length of said chamber;a drive mechanism for displacing said porous member for continuously directing particulate contaminants deposited on said first porous surface past the particulate removing means for continuously dislodging the particulate contaminants from said first porous member surface into said first subchamber;said partition including first and second portions on opposite sides of said particulate removing means and each portion having a plurality of apertures for passing the dislodged particulate contaminants from said first subchamber into said second subchamber;a drain being in communication with said second subchamber and through which the dislodged particulate contaminants are removed when said drain is opened; andwherein said plurality of apertures are of sufficient area to generate a rapid velocity of dislodged particulates from said first subchamber into said second subchamber.