Patent ID: 7651619
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. A method for separating particulate matter from liquid, comprising the steps of i) providing an enclosed separation environment including at least one chamber capable of being pressure regulated, wherein said enclosed separation environment is a separation area being at least partially enclosed by a roller which is a member of at least one set of rollers, and in said enclosed separation environment ii) introducing a suspension into the chamber; iii) depositing the suspension on at least a portion of a filter, such filter portion being disposed within the chamber, such that dry matter accumulates on the filter portion and forms a filter cake on the filter portion, iv) thereafter moving the filter portion and filter cake towards a set of rollers; v) passing the filter portion and filter cake through the rollers, while pressing the rollers toward one another to exert a squeezing force on the filter cake so that liquid is removed from the filter cake, thereby obtaining a substantially dry filter cake, wherein said filter portion and filter cake contact the rollers only while passing between the rollers, vi) moving the filter portion, containing the dry filter cake, out of the chamber, and vii) removing the substantially dry filter cake from the filter portion, wherein steps i) to v) are performed in the some enclosed separation environment either under vacuum or overpressure, said vacuum or overpressure providing a pressure differential over said at least one filter, and wherein the at least one filter is continuously passed through the at least one set of rollers when the enclosed separation environment is either under vacuum or overpressure.