Abstract:
A filtration apparatus whose interior is divided into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone. The filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, and the filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of said stream of raw-water via the filtering grains and a perforated member. The apparatus further includes a pressure reducing device in fluid communication with the lower portion of the filtering zone and with an upper portion thereof. The pressure reducing device is adapted to receive a stream of water and responsively to continuously remove filtering grains from said filtering zone and separate filtration residues therefrom by the reduction of pressure conditions thereinside, and direct a stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues to the upper portion of said filtering zone.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/IL2010/000160 filed 25 Feb. 2010 which designated the U.S. and which claims priority to IL Patent Application No. 197322 filed 26 Feb. 2009, and claims the benefit of priority to IL Patent Application No. 206841, filed 6 Jul. 2010, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a filtration apparatus and to a method and means for treating/refreshing granular filtration medium. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering raw liquid through filtering grains and effectively and rapidly treating clogged filtering grains and removing filtration residues therefrom. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Granular filtration medium is occasionally used in the treatment of raw water (e.g., sewage, industrial effluents) for removing oily matter and insoluble solids suspended in the raw water. During the filtration process residual suspended material is filtered out and retained in the filter bed, and after a period of use the granulated medium becomes clogged due to formation of mud balls and solidifications caused by the filtration residuals. 
     For example in the sand and rubble stone depth filtration apparatus of AMIAD Filtration SYSTEMS (www.amiad.co.il/filters/sandMediaFilters_3.asp) the filtrate is passed from the filtration medium via an array of nozzles provided in the base of the vessel comprising the filtration medium. In this apparatus the filtration medium is typically comprised of two layers; a first layer of rubble stone which covers the array of nozzles, and a second layer of sand which covers the rubble stone layer, wherein the main purpose of the rubble stone layer is to prevent the fouling of the nozzles by sand particles. This array of nozzles is susceptible to fouling and thus requires frequent treatment or replacement. 
     Typically, a backwash or pressure wash process is applied in order to recover the clogged filtration medium and release the fouling of the nozzles. In order to effectively clean the granular filtration medium from the retained filtration residuals continuous backwash treatments are required, which consumes great amounts of fresh water. Furthermore, due to the frequent backwashes typically needed to open the clogged nozzles channels are formed over time in the filtration medium which significantly reduce the efficiency of the filtration apparatus due to the tendency of the raw water introduced into the device to pass through the formed channels directly to the nozzles i.e., without passing through the sand grains of the filtration medium. 
     A washer apparatus is described in JP 8215509 for washing and regenerating a clogged filter medium in a moving filter bed type filter using a granular filter medium such as sand, wherein contaminated filter medium is washed while rising in a screw conveyor vertically installed in the filter medium bed, in which the filter medium is crushed and then washed by an agitator. 
     JP 8266815 describes a device in which a filter medium is washed and circulated by means of a lift pipe vertically installed in the central part of the filter tank for conveying the filter medium. 
     In the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,786 clogged filter medium is treated by introducing upward current of water from the lower side of the filter bed and circulating filtering grains via a circulation line back into the device via the lower side of the filter bed, thereafter a current of rinsing water is introduced from the lower side of the bed to wash out filtration residuals. 
     The methods described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions for rapidly and efficiently refreshing and restoring a clogged granular filtration medium with a relatively small amount of water. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a filtration apparatus and method and apparatus for efficiently operating a granular medium filtration apparatus and for refreshing and regenerating clogged filter medium. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for granulating a clogged filter medium, separating mud balls and other solidifications, and for washing out filtration residuals therefrom. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a filtration apparatus employing a granular filtration medium which is less susceptible to blockage and which is easy and simple for maintenance. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor of the present invention developed a device for refreshing (regenerating) clogged filtering grains maintained in a filtering column by generating reduced pressure conditions in a portion of a circulating line connected to the filtering column, such that portions of the filtering medium are discharged into the circulating line causing friction and high speed turbulences which separates formations of filtering granules and filtration residues. The reduced pressure conditions may be achieved by any suitable configuration (also referred herein as a pressure reducing device) capable of receiving a stream of water and substantially increasing its velocity in the portion of a circulating line such that portions of the filtering medium are sucked into it and streamed therefrom in said circulating line. The stream having increased fluid velocity preferably causes the low pressure conditions required for sucking portions of the filtering medium granules, applies a momentum over the sucked filtering medium granules for separating the filtration residues therefrom, and streams the same back into the filtering column. 
     The terms filtering granules and granular filtration medium used herein refer to any filtration medium comprised of particles having any geometrical shape in three dimensional space and made from any material suitable for filtration purposes. The terms refreshing and regenerating are used herein interchangeably to relate to the treatment process carried out for separating and removing filtration residues from the filtering medium granules. 
     Preferably, the reduced pressure conditions are caused due to a Venturi effect obtained in the said portion of circulating line. Most preferably, a type of Venturi device is used, said Venturi device is adapted to receive a stream of water (e.g., city tap water) and produce a pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity thereby producing a Venturi effect thereinside capable of streaming portions of clogged filtering grains from a filtration apparatus, separating filtration residues therefrom, and directing a stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues back into the filtration apparatus. 
     The term Venturi effect used herein refers to the pressure reduction occurring when streaming a fluid through a slender passage (constriction) thereby causing increased fluid velocity therethrough. 
     In one aspect the present invention is directed to a filtration apparatus comprising: a filtering column which interior is divided by a perforated partition into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone, wherein said filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, and wherein said filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of said stream of raw-water via said filtering grains and said perforated partition; and a pressure reducing device (e.g., Venturi device) in fluid communication with said lower portion of said filtering zone and with an upper portion thereof, wherein said pressure reducing device is adapted to receive a stream of water and responsively to continuously remove filtering grains from said filtering zone, separate filtration residues from said filtering grains by the reduction of pressure conditions evolving thereinside, and to direct a stream comprising said stream of water and said separated filtering grains and filtration residues to said upper portion of said filtering zone. 
     Advantageously, the pressure reducing device is adapted to increase the momentum of the stream of water such that separation of filtering grains and filtration residues is caused. The pressure reducing device preferably also generates a high speed turbulent flow in the stream comprising the filtering grains. 
     Preferably, the pressure reducing device is a type of Venturi device adapted to receive a stream of water and continuously remove filtering grains from the filtering zone and separate filtration residues therefrom by means of a Venturi effect. The Venturi device preferably comprises a pressure chamber having an inlet adapted to receive the stream of water and a tapering outlet adapted to produce a pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity, thereby causing the Venturi effect. The Venturi device may further comprise a constriction placed upstream near the tapering outlet for increasing turbulence flow and thus promoting separation of filtration residues. 
     The stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues is introduced into the upper portion of the filtering zone, preferably through a nozzle, in a direction substantially tangential to the wall of the filtering column, such that the motion of the filtration residues having smaller masses progressively converge towards the center of the column. In this way a stream comprising filtration residues can be flown from said filtering zone to drainage via a drain port centrally located in the upper portion of the filtering zone. 
     One specific preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a filtration apparatus comprising a filtering column which interior is divided by a perforated partition into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone, wherein said filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, and wherein said filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of said stream of raw-water via said filtering grains and said perforated partition, wherein said perforated partition has a tapering shape (e.g., conical, funnel-shape) which tapers downwardly towards the base of said filtering column. 
     Advantageously, the perforated partition may comprise one or more nets placed thereon. Preferably said one or more nets comprises a fine net placed on said perforated partition and having holes of about half the size of the granules of the filtration medium, and a spatially curvatured net placed on said fine net and having holes size slightly smaller than the size of the granules. 
     According to another aspect the present invention is directed to a Venturi device for regenerating (refreshing) clogged filtering grains comprising a pressure chamber and a suction zone in fluid communication with a vessel comprising the filtering grains and in fluid communication with a fluid pipe, wherein the pressure chamber is adapted to receive a stream of water and produce a pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity into the suction zone thereby causing a Venturi effect capable of streaming portions of the filtering grains from the vessel into the suction zone, separate filtration residues therefrom, and direct a stream comprising the stream of water and separated filtrating grains and the filtration residues into the fluid pipe. 
     According to yet another aspect the present invention is directed to a method for regenerating a clogged filtering medium maintained in a filtering column which interior is divided by a perforated partition into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone, wherein said filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, the method comprising:
         providing a Venturi device in fluid communication with the lower portion of the filtering zone and in fluid communication with an upper portion of the filtering zone, said Venturi device is adapted to received a stream of water and produce a Venturi effect thereinside;   directing a stream of water into said Venturi device thereby removing portion of the filtering grains and separating filtration residues therefrom by means of the Venturi effect occurring therein;   directing a stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues and introducing it into the upper portion of the filtering zone in a direction substantially tangential to the wall of the filtering column thereby causing a circular centrally converging flow of said filtration residues inside said column; and   directing a stream comprising filtration residues from the filtering zone to drainage via a drain port centrally located in the upper portion of the filtering zone.       

     The inventor of the present invention developed a filtration apparatus and a device for refreshing (regenerating) clogged filtering grains maintained in a filtering column (also referred to herein as a filtration column) by means of a suction chamber capable of pumping portions of the filtering medium into said suction chamber, and causing and separates formations of filtering granules and filtration residues. A preferred approach for implementing the suction chamber is by generating reduced pressure conditions in the suction chamber connected to the filtering column by a first inlet, such that portions of the filtering medium are discharged into the suction chamber. A second inlet opening of the suction chamber is connected to a source of a pressurized stream causing friction and high speed turbulences of the filtration medium which separates formations of filtering granules and filtration residues. 
     The reduced pressure conditions may be achieved by any suitable configuration (also referred to herein as a pressure reducing device) capable of receiving the pressurized stream (e.g. stream of water) and substantially increasing its velocity in the portion of the suction chamber such that portions of the filtering medium are sucked into it and streamed therefrom and discharged into a circulation line which is in fluid communication with the upper portion of the filtration column. The stream having increased fluid velocity preferably causes the low pressure conditions required for sucking portions of the filtering medium granules, applies a momentum over the sucked filtering medium granules for separating the filtration residues therefrom, and streams the same back into the filtering column. 
     The terms filtering granules and granular filtration medium used herein refer to any filtration medium comprised of particles having any geometrical shape in three dimensional space and made from any material suitable for filtration purposes. The terms refreshing and regenerating are used herein interchangeably to relate to the treatment process carried out for separating and removing filtration residues from the filtering medium granules. 
     Preferably, the suction chamber is adapted to produce reduced pressure conditions by means of a Venturi effect obtained in the suction chamber. For example, a type of Venturi device may be used, said Venturi device is adapted to receive a stream of water (e.g., city tap water) and produce a pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity thereby producing a Venturi effect thereinside capable of streaming portions of clogged filtering grains from a filtration apparatus, separating filtration residues therefrom, and directing a stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues back into the filtration apparatus. 
     The term Venturi effect used herein refers to the pressure reduction occurring when streaming a fluid through a slender passage (constriction) thereby causing increased fluid velocity therethrough. 
     In one aspect the present invention is directed to a filtration apparatus comprising: a filtering column which interior is divided by a perforated partition into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone, wherein said filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, and wherein said filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of said stream of raw-water via said filtering grains and said perforated partition; and a suction chamber in fluid communication with said lower portion of said filtering zone and with an upper portion thereof, wherein said suction chamber is adapted to continuously remove filtering grains from said filtering zone, separate filtration residues from said filtering grains, and to direct a stream comprising said separated filtering grains and filtration residues to said upper portion of said filtering zone. 
     Most preferably, the suction chamber is adapted to receive a stream of water and responsively to continuously remove filtering grains from said filtering zone, separate filtration residues from said filtering grains by the reduction of pressure conditions evolving thereinside, and to direct a stream comprising said stream of water and said separated filtering grains and filtration residues to said upper portion of said filtering zone. 
     Advantageously, the suction chamber is adapted to increase the momentum of the stream of water such that separation of filtering grains and filtration residues is caused. The pressure reducing device preferably also generates a high speed turbulent flow in the stream comprising the filtering grains. 
     Advantageously, the suction chamber may be implemented by a type of Venturi device adapted to receive a stream of water and continuously remove filtering grains from the filtering zone and separate filtration residues therefrom by means of a Venturi effect. The suction chamber may comprise a pressure chamber having an inlet adapted to receive the stream of water and a tapering outlet adapted to produce a pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity, thereby causing a Venturi effect. The suction chamber may further comprise a constriction placed upstream near the tapering outlet for increasing turbulence flow and thus promoting separation of filtration residues. Alternatively, the suction chamber may comprise a tongue element fixedly attached thereinside configured to produce the pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity for pumping portions of the filtering grains from the filtering zone into the suction chamber and separate filtration residues therefrom. 
     The stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues is introduced into the upper portion of the filtering zone, preferably through a nozzle, in a direction substantially tangential to the wall of the filtering column, such that the motion of the filtration residues having smaller masses progressively converge towards the center of the column. In this way a stream comprising filtration residues can be flown from said filtering zone to drainage via a drain port centrally located in the upper portion of the filtering zone. 
     One specific preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a filtration apparatus comprising a filtering column which interior is divided by a perforated partition into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone, wherein said filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, and wherein said filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of said stream of raw-water via said filtering grains and said perforated partition, wherein said perforated partition has a tapering shape (e.g., conical, funnel-shape) which tapers downwardly towards the base of said filtering column. 
     Advantageously, the perforated partition may comprise one or more nets placed thereon. Preferably said one or more nets comprises a fine net placed on said perforated partition and having holes of about half the size of the granules of the filtration medium, and a spatially curvatured net placed on said fine net and having holes size slightly smaller than the size of the granules. 
     Optionally, the stream of raw water may be introduced into the filtering column via the circulation line used in the process of treatment of the filtration medium. A valve may be mounted in the line through which the filtration medium is introduced into the suction chamber, and by setting this valve into a closed state in the filtration process the stream of raw water may be passed through the pressure reducing device into the circulation line connected to it, and therethrough into the upper portion of the filtration column. 
     According to another aspect the present invention is directed to a suction chamber for regenerating (refreshing) clogged filtering grains comprising a pressure chamber and a suction zone in fluid communication with a vessel comprising the filtering grains and in fluid communication with a fluid pipe, wherein the pressure chamber is adapted to receive a stream of water and produce a pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity into the suction zone thereby causing a reduced pressure conditions in the pressure chamber capable of discharging portions of the filtering grains from the vessel into the suction zone, separate filtration residues therefrom, and direct a stream comprising the stream of water and separated filtrating grains and the filtration residues into the fluid pipe. 
     According to another aspect the present invention is directed to a filtration apparatus comprising: a filtering column having a perforated hollow member mounted thereinside, thereby defining a filtrate zone inside the hollow perforated member and a filtering zone in the volume of the filtrating column external to the hollow perforated member (in which the filtration medium is maintained), wherein a portion of the filtering zone is filled with filtering grains up to a level sufficient for entirely covering the hollow perforated member, and wherein said filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of a stream of raw-water into the filtration column and passed through the filtering grains and the pores of the hollow perforated member. 
     The perforated hollow member preferably comprises at least one outlet suitable for streaming filtrate obtained in the filtrate zone to a filtrate reservoir. Optionally, the perforated hollow member may further comprise an inlet suitable for streaming fresh water into the filtrate zone for carrying out backwash operations. 
     Advantageously, the filtration apparatus may further comprise a suction chamber in fluid communication with the lower portion of the filtering zone and with an upper portion thereof, wherein the suction chamber is adapted to receive a stream of water and responsively to continuously remove filtering grains from said filtering zone, separate filtration residues from said filtering grains by the reduction of pressure conditions evolving thereinside, and to direct a stream comprising said stream of water and said separated filtering grains and filtration residues to said upper portion of said filtering zone. Alternatively, the suction chamber may comprise a tongue element fixedly attached thereinside configured to produce the pressurized stream having an increased fluid velocity for pumping portions of the filtering grains from the filtering zone into the suction chamber and separate filtration residues therefrom. 
     Advantageously, the perforated hollow member is a cylindrical hollow perforated element which external surface may be covered by one or more nets. The perforated hollow member is preferably adapted to prevent passage of filtration grains from the filtering zone into the filtrate zone. Preferably, the external surface of the perforated hollow member is covered by one or more fine net(s) and/or one or more spatially curvatured net(s). Most preferably, at least one fine net is attached over the external surface of the hollow perforated member and at least one spatially curvatured net is attached over the fine net. For example, the spatially curvatured net may be a type of interwoven net which is significantly less susceptible to fouling by filtration grains due to its interwoven structure. 
     Optionally, the lower portion of the filtration column may taper downwardly to define a tapering passage leading towards an opening provided in the base of the filtration column through which portions of filtration medium may be passed to the pressure reducing device. Alternatively, slanted surfaces may be mounted in the lower portion of the filtration column to form a tapering passage for the filtration medium to the opening in the base of the filtration column. Advantageously, the perforated hollow member is mounted above, or within the tapering passage. 
     Advantageously, the filtration apparatus may be operated carrying out filtration and filtration medium treatment operations concurrently. 
     According to still yet another aspect the present invention is directed to a method for regenerating a clogged filtering medium maintained in a filtering column which interior is divided by a perforated partition into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone, wherein said filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, the method comprising:
         providing a suction chamber in fluid communication with the lower portion of the filtering zone and in fluid communication with an upper portion of the filtering zone, said suction chamber is adapted to received a stream of water and produce a low pressure conditions thereinside;   directing a stream of water into said suction chamber thereby removing portions of the filtering grains and separating filtration residues therefrom by means of the reduced pressure conditions and increased fluid velocity obtained therein;   directing a stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues and introducing it into the upper portion of the filtering zone in a direction substantially tangential to the wall of the filtering column thereby causing a circular centrally converging flow of said filtration residues inside said column; and   directing a stream comprising filtration residues from the filtering zone to drainage via a drain port centrally located in the upper portion of the filtering zone.       

     According to one specific preferred embodiment of the invention the interior of the filtering column is divided by a perforated hollow member into a filtering zone external to the perforated hollow member, in which filtering granules are placed to at least cover said perforated hollow member, and a filtrate zone residing inside the perforated hollow member. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to a filtration apparatus comprising: a filtration column having a perforated hollow member mounted inside it to define a filtrate zone therein and a filtering zone in the volume of said filtration column external to said hollow perforated member, wherein a portion of said filtering zone is filled with filtering grains up to a level sufficient for entirely covering said hollow perforated member, and wherein said filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of a stream of raw-water introduced via the upper portion of the filtration column and passed through the filtering grains and the perforations of the hollow perforated member. 
     Preferably, the perforated hollow member comprises at least one outlet for streaming filtrate obtained in the filtrate zone to a filtrate reservoir. 
     Preferably, the perforated hollow member comprises an inlet suitable for streaming fresh water into the filtrate zone for carrying out backwash. 
     According to a very preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a suction chamber having a first inlet opening connected to the lower section of the filtration column; a second inlet opening connected to a source of a pressurized stream; and an outlet opening connected to a circulation line which is in fluid communication with the upper portion of the filtration column. 
     Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a constriction situated near to the suction chamber outlet. 
     Preferably, the circulation line enters the upper portion of the filtering zone in an orientation substantially tangential to the wall of the filtering column. 
     Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a drain port centrally located in the upper portion of the filtering zone. 
     Preferably, the perforated hollow member is a cylindrical hollow perforated element which is situated in the filtration column such that the longitudinal axes of said column and said cylindrical element are substantially perpendicular. 
     The present invention preferably relates to a method for cleaning a clogged filtering medium held in a filtering column, the interior of which is divided by a hollow perforated member into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone, said method comprising the steps of:
         discharging at least a portion of said clogged filtering medium into a chamber;   directing a pressurized stream of water into said chamber thereby removing filtration residues from said filtration medium by means of turbulent flow inside said chamber to form a high velocity stream comprising water, filtration medium and the removed filtration residues;   directing said stream from an outlet of chamber through a circulation line into the upper portion of said filtering zone in a direction substantially tangential to the wall of said filtering column thereby causing a circular centrally converging flow of filtration residues inside said column; and   removing said filtration residues from said filtering zone via a drain port located in the center of the upper section of said filtration column.       

     Preferably, the method is carried out concurrently with a filtration of raw water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which similar references consistently indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  schematically illustrate the apparatus of the invention operated during the filtering of raw water, wherein  FIG. 1A  shows a sectional view of the apparatus and  FIG. 1B  shows a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the filtering column; 
         FIGS. 2A to 2E  schematically illustrate the apparatus of the invention during restoration of the granular filtration medium and removal of the filtration residuals, wherein  FIG. 2A  shows a sectional view of the apparatus,  FIG. 2B  shows a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the filtering column,  FIG. 2C  is an enlarged view of bottom part of the filtration column designated in  FIG. 2A  by reference Vv comprising a suction chamber,  FIG. 2D  schematically illustrates one preferred multilayered implementation of the perforated funnel, and  FIG. 2E  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a suction port comprising lateral and bottom apertures; 
         FIG. 3  schematically illustrates the apparatus of the invention during backwash phase; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  schematically illustrate the apparatus of the invention during raw water filtration after regenerating/refreshing the filtration medium, wherein  FIG. 4A  shows a sectional view of the apparatus and  FIG. 4B  shows a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the filtering column; 
         FIG. 5  schematically illustrates another preferred embodiment of the filtration apparatus of the invention wherein the filtrate zone is defined by a hollow perforated member located inside the filtration zone; 
         FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a filtration system based on the embodiment of the filtration apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 5  further comprising a pressure reducing device and circulation line for treating the filtration medium; 
         FIGS. 7A to 7D  schematically illustrate few sectional views of the filtration column shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , wherein  FIG. 7A  illustrates a sectional side-view of the apparatus,  FIG. 7B  illustrates a sectional side view of the filtration column (90° rotated side view) of the filtration apparatus,  FIG. 7C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the filtering column; and  FIG. 7D  shows a perspective and sectional views of the bottom part of the filtration column; and 
         FIG. 8  schematically illustrates an embodiment of the suction chamber comprising a tongue element. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the embodiments exemplified in the Figs. are not intended to be in scale and are in diagram form to facilitate ease of understanding and description. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Treatment of clogged granular filtration medium in prior art systems is typically carried out by means of a circulation process used for separating the filtration residues from the filtering medium by friction or other mechanical means and then washing out the filtration residues by a stream of water. The present invention provides a new filtration apparatus and a new technique employed therein for refreshing and restoring a clogged filtration medium by streaming clogged filtration medium from a filtration column through a suction chamber used for breaking solidifications of filtration residues and filtering grains, and thereafter separating the filtration residues from the filtering grains by introducing the stream received from the suction chamber back into the filtering column in a circular motion such that centripetal forces cause a circular centrally converging flow of said filtration residues inside said column which draw the filtration residuals towards the column center wherefrom said residues are drained out. 
       FIG. 1A  schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention for a water filtration apparatus  10  employing a granular filtration medium  11   s  (e.g., sand). Filtration apparatus  10  comprises a filtration column  11  connected by pipes to raw-water tank  7   c  and filtered-water tank  6   c . As will be described hereinafter, during filtration raw water  7   r  from raw-water tank  7   c  is passed through the granular filtration medium  11   s  in filtration column  11 , and the filtrate  6   w  is then streamed into filtered-water tank  6   c.    
     During the filtration process schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1A  suspended matter  7   q  (also referred to herein as filtration residues) e.g., oily matter, organic materials, and/or insoluble solids, contained in raw water  7   r  is captured in filtration medium  11   s , which during continuous use cause formations with filtration medium grains  11   s  and eventually clogs the filtration medium grains. 
     Filtration column  11  is generally a cylindrical vessel having a closed bottom and upper opening sealably closed by lid  11   c . The upper portion of column  11  comprises two inlets: i) raw-water inlet accessed via valve  14   v ; and ii) circulation inlet ( 18   w ,  FIG. 1B ) through which circulation line  18  is introduced into column  11 , and one outlet connected to drain line  19  passing through lid  11   c.    
     At the bottom portion of column  11  there is mounted a perforated funnel  11   a , which tapers towards the bottom of column  11 , and which tapering end is connected to conduit  11   d  passing through the bottom wall of column  11 . Perforated funnel  11   a  separates column  11  into two zones: filtration zone  11   u , which is partially filled with filtration grains  11   s ; and filtrate zone  11   b  having an outlet that can be accessed via valve  15   v , and an inlet that can be accessed via valve  16   v . Conduit  11   d  sealably passes through the base of column  11  and connects to suction chamber  5   b  (thus communicating between it and filtration zone  11   u ), comprising a tapered nozzle  5  and a slender passage  4  in a section of circulation pipe  18 . 
     It is noted that perforated funnel  11   a  may be implemented by employing perforated means having other geometrical shapes and capable of partitioning the interior of column  11  as described above. For example, a perforated partition  11   a  may be implemented by means of a flat circular perforated piece of material (not shown) having a central opening to which conduit  11   d  may be connected. Of course, in such exemplary embodiment conduit  11   d  passing inside filtrate zone  11   b  should be lengthened in order to reach the perforated partition. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1B , showing a cross-sectional view of column  11 , circulation line  18  comprises a tapered nozzle  18   p  adapted to tangentially direct a stream into the upper portion of column  11 . 
     When filtration is performed in apparatus  10 , raw-water  7   r  is streamed from raw-water tank  7   c  through pipes  7   n  and  14  and pressurized into filtration column  11 , by operating pump  12  and setting valves  7   v  and  14   v  into an open state and valve  2   v  in tap-water line  2  into a closed state. Since valve  19   v  in drain line  19  is in a closed state the pressurized raw-water  7   r  is forced to pass through the grains of filtration medium  11   s  and through the pores of perforated funnel  11   a  into filtrate zone  11   b . The filtrate is then streamed into filtered-water tank  6   c  through filtrate line  15 . Since valves  13   v  and  16   v  are in a closed state, water passing through the filtering grains  11   s  will pass into filtrate zone  11   b , through the pores of perforated funnel  11   a , and then into filtrate line  15 . 
     As explained hereinabove, along continued use the amount of residual suspended material  7   q  retained in filtering grains  11   s  is increased which thus becomes clogged, resulting in increased pressure losses in the filtering bed and reduction in the filtering efficiency of apparatus  10 , which requires refreshing and restoring filtering bed  11   s.    
       FIG. 2A  schematically illustrates apparatus  10  when regenerating filtration medium grains  11   s . In this state filtrate outlet valve  15   v  and inlet valve  16   v  communicating with filtrate zone  11   b , raw-water inlet valve  14   v  communicating with filtration zone  11   u , and valve  7   v  communicating with raw-water tank  7   c , are all in a closed state. Tap-water valve  2   v  and suction chamber valve  13   v  are in an opened stated for streaming tap water into suction chamber  5   b  by means of pump  12 . Valve  19   v  in drain line  19  is also opened. In this preferred embodiment of the invention suction chamber  5   b  is implemented in an inverted “T” shape style formed by connection of conduit  11   d  at the center of suction chamber  5   b , having pressure vessel  3  at one side of the “T” junction and constriction  4  at its other side. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2C , showing an enlarged view of the bottom section of column  11  comprising suction chamber  5   b , wherein tap water stream is pressurized by pump  12  through pipe  13  into pressure chamber  3  in suction chamber  5   b  from which it is discharged via tapered nozzle  5 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , the opening of nozzle  5  is placed more or less at the “T” shape junction, preferably towards the end of the junction. 
     The velocity of the stream of tap water discharged via tapered nozzle  5  is substantially increased and thus causing reduced pressure condition (as obtained by a Venturi effect) which applies suction forces through conduit  11   d . Due to the suction applied by suction chamber  5   b  filtering medium  11   s  is streamed through conduit  11   d  into suction chamber  5   b . The substantially high velocity stream discharged via tapered nozzle  5  generates a high speed turbulent flow in the section between nozzle  5  and constriction  4 . The high speed turbulence and frictional forces applied in said section of suction chamber  5   b  due to the momentum of the streamed water, breaks formations of filtering grains and filtration residuals, such that in the stream of tap water and filter bed  11   s  passing through constriction  4  the binds between filtering grains ( 7   s ) and sustained residuals ( 7   q ) are broken. 
     Reverting to  FIG. 2A , the stream discharged from suction chamber  5   b  is circulated through circulation line  18  back into column  11 . With reference to  FIG. 2B , the circulated stream is discharged from line  18  via tapered nozzle  18   p  in a tangential direction such that a circular motion of the discharged stream is obtained in the upper portion of column  11 . Since the specific weight of the filtering grains  7   s  is greater than the specific weight of the sustained residuals  7   q  their motion is more or less adjacent to the wall of column  11 , while the motion of sustained residuals  7   q  is progressively converging towards the center of column  11 . Due to the positive pressure inside column  11  material from the central area of column  11  adjacent suction port  19   k  is sucked to drain  10   d  via drain line  19 , thereby discarding sustained residuals  7   q.    
     In one specific preferred embodiment of the invention a valve is provided in conduit  11   d  (not shown), said valve is used for closing the passage of filtering grains through conduit  11   d  once the regeneration (grains refreshing) stage is finished and during the filtration stage. Such valve in conduit  11   d  may be further utilized for streaming the raw water into the filtering column via the circulation line  18 . More particularly, by closing the valve in conduit lid raw water  7   r  may be streamed via suction chamber  5   b  into circulation line  18 , and through it into the upper portion  11   u  of the filtering column  11 . Accordingly, raw water  7   r  may be streamed into the filtration zone  11   u  via circulation line  18  and/or via pipe  14 . 
       FIG. 2D  schematically illustrates a possible multilayered embodiment of perforated funnel  11   a . In this preferred embodiment perforated funnel  11   a  comprises a pierced layer  25  made from a suitable metallic (e.g., tin) or plastic material and having apertures  25   p  of about 6 mm in diameter, a fine net  24  placed on pierced layer  25  and having thickness of about 0.2 to 0.5 mm and holes size about half the size of the granules of filtration medium  11   s , and a spatially curvatured net  22  placed on fine net  24  and having thickness of about 2 to 3 mm and holes size slightly smaller than the size of the granules of the used filtration medium  11   s . For example, if the size of the filtering granules is of about 1 mm, then the hole size of fine net  24  may be of about 0.4 mm, and the hole size of spatially curved net  24  may be of about 0.75 mm. Spatially curved net  22  may be implemented by means of an interwoven net having a wavy configuration in three-dimensional space, such that it enables fluid flow through it even if it becomes partially blocked by the filtration granules  11   q  contacting it, as demonstrated in  FIG. 2D . 
     This multilayered construction of perforated funnel  11   a  advantageously permits passage of the liquid obtained from the passage of raw water  7   r  through the filtration medium  11   s  through the fine net  24 , substantially without meeting obstructions caused along its path by granules of the filtration medium  11   s . In particular, the three-dimensional curving of spatially curvatured net  22  provides that there will always be an open passage through it for the liquid passing through the filtering grains  11   s , even if portions of it holes become covered by filtration granules over time. Several trials showed that this multilayered structure substantially reduced fouling of perforated funnel  11   a.    
       FIG. 2E  illustrates a preferred embodiment of suction port  19   k  having a cup shape comprising a plurality of holes, and which is sealably closed by a cover  9   c  having an opening suitable for fitting it over the inlet of drain line  19 . As seen, in this embodiment suction port  19   k  comprises a plurality of bottom holes  9   b  and lateral holes  9   r  having a diameter of about 20 to 30 mm. Suction port may be made from plastic or metal (e.g., tin). 
       FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a backwash step which may be carried out periodically to removes blockages from the perforated funnel  11   a , after numerous regeneration steps are performed (e.g., five). In this backwash step water is streamed into filtrate zone  11   b  through pipeline  16  and drained via drain line  19 , such that tap-water valve  2   v , inlet valve  16   v  and drain valve  19   v , are in an open state, and all other valves ( 13   v ,  15   v ,  7   v  and  14   v ) are in a closed state in this step. In this optional backwash step the water stream introduced into filtrate zone  11   b  passes via the pores of perforated funnel  11   a  and wash out residuals therefrom. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  schematically illustrate apparatus  10  operated again in a filtration mode after the filtration medium  11   s  is refreshed and after optional backwash step(s) employed for removing blockages from perforated funnel  11   a  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). As explained hereinabove, in this mode of operation the valves  2   v ,  16   v ,  13   v , and  19   v , are in a closed state, and valves  7   v ,  14   v  and  15   v , are in an opened state such that a stream of raw water produced by pump  12  is continuously introduced into the filtration zone  11   u  of column  11 , and filtrate is steamed out from the filtrate zone  11   b  into filtrate tank  6   c.    
     Filtration column  11  may be made from any material suitable for holding pressures of up to 10 atmospheres, or in some specific embodiments up to 20 atmospheres, if so required, such as for example plastic material and steel, preferably from epoxy coated steel. In a specific preferred embodiment of the invention filtration column is made from a cylindrical container having a diameter of about 0.5 to 3 meters and height of about 1 to 3 meters. The pores in perforated funnel are generally about 200 micron. Filtering grains are preferably sand grains having a diameter of about 0.5 to 5 mm. 
     The suction chamber  5   b  may be made from stainless steel. The inner diameter of pressure chamber  3  may be of about 50 mm. The diameter of the opening of tapered nozzle  5  is generally about 10 mm, and the fluid velocity discharged through it during the treatment of the filtering grains in the regeneration stage is generally about 30 m/sec. The diameter of slender passage  4  is generally about 10 mm. 
     The diameter of the opening of tapered nozzle  18   p  is generally about 15 mm, and the fluid velocity discharged from it during the regeneration stage is generally about 20 m/sec. 
     EXAMPLE 
     The filtering apparatus of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 4  was tested in a laboratory setup utilizing a filtering column (0.5 m in diameter and 1.5 in height) as described hereinabove filled with about 100 liter of sand used as a filtering medium. Raw water continuously streamed through sand eventually clogged the filtering medium such that a pressure gradient of about 0.5 bar evolved in the filtering column. The filtering medium was then refreshed by means of a suction chamber as described hereinabove fed by a stream of water having flow velocity of about 10 msec, which provided flow velocity of a about 30 msec through the tapered nozzle of the suction chamber. The filtering medium was satisfactorily cleaned within a single cycle of the filtering medium through the circulation line by streaming 700 liters of water which is almost 10% of the quantity of water required for regenerating such filtering medium in conventional washing methods. 
       FIG. 5  schematically illustrate a filtration apparatus  20  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the filtrate zone  28   z  is defined by a perforated hollow member  28  mounted inside filtration column  21 ′ and designed to prevent passage of filtration grains  21   s  from the filtering zone  21   u  into the filtrate zone  28   z . Perforated hollow member  28  is preferably fixated inside filtration column  21 ′ by means of lateral mounting ports  21   y  provided over two lateral openings  21   n  formed in opposing sides of filtration column  21 ′, and configured to allow easy and fast removal and replacement of hollow perforated member  28  therethrough, and for monitoring replacing the filtration medium, whenever required. Filtering media grains  21   s  should fill a substantial portion of the volume of the filtering zone  21   u , at least sufficient for covering perforated hollow member  28 , preferably filling about ⅔ of the volume of the filtering zone  21   u.    
     Mounting port  21   y  at one side of filtration column  21 ′ comprises a fluid outlet  15   t  employed for streaming the filtrate to filtered-water tank  6   c  through pipeline  15  attached to it. The mounting port  21   y  at the other side of filtration column  21 ′ comprises a fluid inlet  26   t  configured for carrying out backwashes, if needed, by streaming fresh water through backwash pipe  26  into filtrate zone  28   z , by opening backwash valve  26   v  provided thereon and closing valve  15   v  provided on pipeline  15 . This specific preferred embodiment of the invention does not include means for treating clogged filtering grain media, and accordingly the base of filtration volume  21 ′ is sealed. 
       FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a filtration apparatus  29  utilizing a filtration column  21  in which the filtrate zone  28   z  is defined by a hollow perforated member  28  mounted inside filtration column  21 , and further comprising a suction chamber  5   b  for treating the filtration medium  21   s . In this example filtration column  21  is also filled with filtration medium  21   s  up to about ⅔ of its height in order to substantially cover hollow perforated member  28 . 
     Perforated hollow member  28  is preferably located in a tapering portion  21   t  located at the bottom section of filtration column  21  inside the filtering zone  21   u . In this example the tapering is constructed by means of slanted surfaces  21   r  (and  21   q  in  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7D ), thereby defining an empty space  21   e  i.e., not participating in the operation of the apparatus. It is however understood that filtration column may be constructed to include such tapering portion integrally (i.e., without the empty space  21   e ). Tapering portion  21   t  is designed to direct filtration medium  21   s  towards the base of filtration column  21  and into the opening of conduit  21   d  sealably attached to the base of filtration column  21 . As will be now explained, while the structure of filtration column  21  is different than that of filtration column  11  discussed hereinabove with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , other elements of apparatus  29  referenced by the same numerals are of the same structure and functionality as those of apparatus  10  and thus they will not be discussed in details hereinbelow for the sake of brevity. 
     In this preferred embodiment the passage of filtration medium  21   s  into suction chamber  5   b  is further controlled by means of valve  21   v  provided in conduit  21   d . Accordingly, when treatment of the filtration medium  21   s  is performed, tap-water valve  2   v , suction chamber valve  13   v  and valve  21   v  are in an opened stated for streaming tap water into suction chamber  5   b  by means of pump  12 , and the filtration process of raw water  7   r  in this preferred embodiment is carried out in a substantially similar fashion to that described hereinabove with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . The main differences are that the raw water  7   r  may be introduced through pipeline  14 ′, and that the filtrate is streamed from perforated hollow member  28  into filtered-water tank  6   c  through pipeline  15 . 
       FIGS. 7A to 7D  provide further views of the filtration column  21  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIG. 7A  shows a sectional side view of the filtration column  21  without the filtration medium.  FIG. 7B  shows another sectional side view of filtration column  21  of the apparatus  29  rotated by 90°, showing filtration zone  28   z  implemented by means of a perforated hollow member  28  fixedly attached in opposing sides of tapering portion  21   t  substantially in perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of filtration column  21 . The external surface of perforated hollow member  28  may be covered by one or more spatially curvatured net(s) ( 22  in  FIG. 2D , e.g., using an interwoven net) and/or one or more fine net(s)  24 , designed to allow fluid flow through it, and through perforated hollow member  28  into filtrate zone  28   z , even if the spatially curvatured net(s) becomes covered by the filtration granules, as discussed hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 2D . 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the upper section of filtering column  21  comprising drain line  19 , suction port  19   k , circulation inlet  18   w , and inlet pipe  14 ′, as in apparatus  10  described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , pipe line  14 ′ is not connected by means of pump  12  to the raw water tank  7   c , pipe line  14 ′ preferably supplies a stream of raw water  7   r  provided by other means (not shown). 
       FIG. 7D  shows perspective and sectional views of the bottom part  21   w  of the filtration column  21 . As seen, in this preferred embodiment tapering portion  21   t  is constructed from two pairs of slanted surfaces; slanted surfaces  21   q  mounted in opposing relationship in bottom part  21   w  beneath and along the length of perforated hollow member  28 , and slanted surfaces  21   r  mounted in opposing relationship in bottom part  21   w  in parallel to the longitudinal axis of perforated hollow member  28 . In this configuration the upper portions of slanted surfaces  21   r  extend above hollow member  28  such that the tapering portion  21   t  defined accommodates perforated hollow member  28  while maximizing the contact of its external surface with the filtration medium. 
     The dimensions of filtration column  21  may be more or less the same as those of filtration column  11  discussed hereinabove with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention perforated hollow member  28  is made of a perforated cylindrical element made from a plastic or metallic material, preferably from stainless steel  316 , or specific materials suitable for treating certain types of fluids to be filtered. The length of perforated hollow member  28  is adjusted according to the diameter of filtration column  21 , its diameter may generally be in the range of 100 to 300 mm, and pores provides in its walls may generally be in the range of 3 to 6 mm. 
     The operation of filtration apparatus  29  is substantially similar to the operation of filtration apparatus  10  described hereinabove, which will be only briefly explained now. Raw water  7   r  from raw-water tank  7   c  streamed into filtration column  21  through pipeline  14 ′ (or through circulation line  18 ) pass through filtration medium  21   s  and the pores of perforated hollow member  28  into the filtrate zone  28   z  inside perforated hollow member  28 . Since valve  26   v  is in a closed state during the filtration process the filtrate obtained in the filtrate zone  28   z  is streamed through pipe  15  into filtered-water tank  6   c  by having valve  15   v  in an open state. It was found that this configuration of the filtrate zone is more reliable and easier to maintain due to the firmness obtained when employing the hollow perforated body  28 , in particular when it is embodied in a form of a cylindrical hollow perforated element, which showed improved tolerance and longevity of the hollow perforated element in moderate to high operational pressure differences (e.g., pressure drops of about 0.5 to 3 Bar). 
     It is noted that carrying out backwash operations with the apparatus of the present invention via perforated funnel  11   a , or via the pores of perforated hollow member  28  is substantially beneficial in comparison to the backwashes performed in the prior art apparatuses via nozzles, since the use of perforated elements (e.g.,  11   a  or  28 ) prevents formation of channels in the filtration medium, and thus maintain efficient filtration conditions and prolonged filtration cycles. 
     The flow rate of raw water stream introduced into filtration apparatus  21  may generally be in the range of 3 to 50 m 3 /Hr. 
     One of the major advantages of the filtration apparatus  29  of the invention is in its ability to carry out filtration during the filtration medium treatment. More particularly, the water filtration and filtration medium treatment operations may be carried out concurrently, for example, by streaming raw water  7   r  into filtration column  21  through pipeline  14 ′ and concurrently streaming tap city water into suction chamber  5   b  through pipeline  13  i.e., having valves  2   v ,  13   v ,  14   v ,  15   v ,  21   v  and  19   v  in an opened state, and valve  7   v  in a closed state. 
     Optionally, in certain applications raw water  7   r  may be used for refreshing the filtration medium, instead of using fresh city tap water. Advantageously, in such applications filtration apparatus  29  may be also operated concurrently in the filtering mode and in the filtration medium treatment mode i.e., by setting valves  7   v ,  13   v ,  14   v ,  15   v ,  21   v  and  19   v  in an opened state, and valve  2   v  in a closed state. It is noted that the use of valve  13   v  in filtration apparatus  29  is optional, or alternatively, valve  13   v  may be a one way valve configured to prevent back flows in pipeline  13  in the direction of pump  12 , or yet alternatively, valve  13   v  may entirely removed. 
     Furthermore, it was noticed that only the upper layer of the filtration medium containing about 20% of filtration medium actively participate in the filtration process. Accordingly, a typical filtration medium treatment cycle in accordance with the present invention may be operated for treating only about 20% of the filtration medium. In this way only 20% of the filtering granules in the lower portion of the filtration medium are treated in each cycle thereby providing a refreshed upper layer of filtering granules, while substantially saving in the amounts of tap water required in each the filtration medium treatments. Accordingly, while a filtration medium treatment cycle in the filtration apparatus of the present invention in which the entire amount of filtration medium is treated requires about 5% of the tap water required in conventional sand filtration apparatuses, when operating the filtration apparatus in a filtration medium treatment mode in which about 20% of the filtration medium is treated requires about 1% of the amount of water required in conventional sand filtration apparatuses. 
       FIG. 8  schematically illustrates an embodiment of a suction chamber  5   q  comprising a tongue element  9 . In this preferred embodiment of the invention reduced pressure conditions are produced in pressure chamber  3   q  by the slender passage  9   p  obtained by means of tongue element  9 . The slender passage  9   p  increases the velocity of the water streamed into pressure chamber  3   q , which cause suction of filtration granules from via conduit  21   d . The increased velocity and turbulent flow produced in the pressure chamber  3   q  causes separation of filtration residuals in a similar way, as discussed in details hereinabove. 
     Pressure chamber  3   q  may further comprise a construction  1  placed upstream thereinside and adapted to increase the velocity of the fluid and filtration media and residues streamed out of pressure chamber  3   q  into circulation line  18 , for further separating the filtration residues from the filtration media. In this example, constriction  1  is provided on one side only of the pressure chamber, which may have a circular or rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     All of the abovementioned parameters are given by way of example only, and may be changed in accordance with the differing requirements of the various embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the abovementioned parameters should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way. In addition, it is to be appreciated that the different tanks, columns, pipes, and other members, described hereinabove may be constructed in different shapes (e.g. having oval, square etc. form in plan view) and sizes differing from those exemplified in the preceding description. 
     The above examples and description have of course been provided only for the purpose of illustration, and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the invention can be carried out in a great variety of ways, employing more than one technique from those described above, all without exceeding the scope of the invention.