Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for separating bodies from a liquid in which the liquid is passed through a filter and the bodies to be separated are accumulated on the filter. The filter forms an upper bounding limit of a space therebeneath which is alternately subjected to pressure and vacuum relative to the ambient region above the filter. This is achieved according to one embodiment by producing a reciprocal movement of the filter in the form of an oscillating or pendular movement. The pressurization in the space produces separation of the bodies accumulated on the upper surface of the filter to facilitate their discharge from the filter. The separated bodies can be assisted for discharge by mechanical elements and/or by producing wave motion in the liquid.

Description:
This is a continuation on application Ser. No. 274,379 filed 11/21/88, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/083,118, filed 2/4/87, now both abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating bodies (matter) from a liquid. 
     PRIOR ART 
     The term &#34;body&#34; (matter) in the preceding paragraph is, herein, employed in its very broadest interpretation to disclose &#34;occurrences&#34; (bodies/matter) in the liquid, these being characterized in that they are of a consistency which deviates from that of the liquid. Examples--which should not be considered as restrictive as regards, for example, size--of such bodies are splinters, sawdust, chips, grain, powder, plant parts, fibres, lumps (including gelatinous lumps), depositions, flocs, fish, fish spawn, fry, algae, particles, oil droplets etc. The word body (matter) will also have the above-outlined broad scope of meaning in the following description and in the appended claims. 
     A number of screening apparatuses are known in this art in which a screen grid is placed in a liquid flow in order to separate pollutants and contaminants in the liquid. Such apparatuses are provided, in certain physical applications, with vertically reciprocating devices which mechanically move the pollutants deposited on the grid upwards and out of the liquid and to a receptacle. However, such apparatuses suffer from the drawback that they are relatively tall and require mechanically stable frames in order not to jeopardize operational safety and reliability. Moreover, the filters employed in such apparatuses become readily blocked, thus often necessitating regular cleaning. Even if certain filter constructions are provided with mechanical cleaning devices which start automatically, for example at certain time intervals, it is, as a rule, necessary to supplement this mechanical cleaning with a manual cleaning operation. Apparatuses of the type mentioned in this paragraph entail high capital investment costs and, in many physical applications, also high running costs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,638,226 discloses an apparatus provided with a screening mesh which is placed in a liquid flow and is journaled such that, by rotational imbalance, it may be caused to vibrate. This apparatus is primarily intended for use as a separator which, in papermaking, separates coarser particles and allows smaller particles to pass, for example to allow water and paper fibres to pass, while separating splinters, sawdust and projections (column 4, lines 38-40). In certain applications, the apertures of the screen mesh are reduced in size in order also to separate the fibres (column 5, lines 1-11). The fibre mat which is thereby formed migrates, because of the vibrations, along the upper surface of the screen mesh and leaves the apparatus at its upper end (the discharge end). Since large areas of the screen surface remain covered by pollutants during the screening operation, a screen according to the described embodiment suffers from reduced flow capacity which results in requirements of larger screen surface operative areas with consequentially increased costs. 
     A further screening apparatus is also known in this art, comprising one fixed and one moving grid formed of rods which are placed obliquely in relation to the direction of flow of the water. The rods are provided with shoulders, whereby the shoulders of the moving grid shift the gathered pollutants upwardly along the fixed rods at the same time as the moving grid executes a substantially circular movement in order to collect and deposit matter gathered against the screen. Also in this construction, large areas of the screen surface remain covered by the separated material and, as a consequence, the through-flow area of the apparatus is reduced. In order to attain the desired capacity, relatively large installations of this type are required, with consequentially elevated costs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a technique in which in large water flow volumes, substantially the entire screen surface is cleaned of collected bodies (matter) during, as a rule, relatively short time intervals and in which the released bodies (matter) are substantially immediately thereafter moved directly towards that region of the screen surface which is located in association with the surface of the liquid. 
     The nature of the present invention and its aspects will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying drawings, and discussion relating thereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fundamental apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2a,2b are longitudinal sections through a filter apparatus placed in a bath through which a liquid flows; 
     FIGS. 3a,3b are longitudinal sections through alternative embodiments of the filter apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3c is a partial section through an alternative embodiment of the discharge section of the filter apparatus; and 
     FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line IV--IV in FIGS. 3a or 3b. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate embodiments of the present invention in which a filter 11 is placed in an apparatus 22, for example a channel, or a bath, through which liquid 10 passes from an inflow end 37 of the apparatus and to an outflow end 38. In the continuance of this disclosure, the designation, bath 22, will generally be used, without restrictive import, for this apparatus. The designations inflow end and outflow end, respectively, are also to be considered as blanket terms and, herein, relate to regions upstream of the filter, and regions downstream of the filter, respectively. The liquid which is supplied at the inflow end 37 contains bodies (matter) 16 to be removed from the liquid, while the liquid in the region of the outflow end 38 is substantially free of such bodies. 
     In the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3a, the liquid passes into the bath 22 through the intermediary of one or more inflows 23. In the figures, the bottom 32 and side walls 33a,b of the bath are specifically disclosed. In the figures, there are also illustrated one or more outlets 24 disposed in association with the outflow end 38 of the bath. 
     In the figures, the filter 11 is illustrated as being pivotally journaled about a shaft 20. In certain embodiments, use is made of a shaft 20 which is fixedly anchored at the frame 41 of the filter 11 and, in its turn, rests in journals 40. In other embodiments, the filter is movably journaled in relation to the shaft 20. Drive means (not shown) are provided for reciprocally pivoting the filter within adjustable extreme limits. In certain embodiments, the pivotal action is effected by means of the shaft 20, while in others, such action is effected by drive means which act directly on the filter and rotate the filter about the shaft 20, or alternatively about the journals of the shaft. The drive means, which may be of, for example, hydraulic or electric type, are, furthermore, adjustable for different fixed or varying pivotal speeds. In certain embodiments, the drive means are provided for intermittent pivotal motion of the filter. The terms upstream and downstream refer to the flow direction 17 (the major flow direction) along which the liquid travels in its passage through the bath. 
     The frame 41 of the filter consists of a transverse frame section 50 located upstream and a transverse frame section 51 located downstream, and longitudinal frame sections 52a,b which interconnect the transverse frame sections. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, a filter member 42, for example a filter cloth, a screen grid, a mesh, spaced rods relationship, etc. or combinations hereof, is disposed in the frame 41 of the filter. The screen apertures and/or mesh gauge of the filter members are adapted to the size of the bodies which are to be separated from the liquid. The filter member 42 has an upper bounding surface 13 and a lower bounding surface 14 which are located upstream and downstream of the filter, respectively. 
     Furthermore, the filter is, as a rule, disposed in an inclined plane such that the filter most proximal the inflow (upstream) is at a lower position (the lower portion 12 of the filter), and most proximal the outflow (downstream) is at a higher position (the upper portion 43 of the filter). The reference numeral 15 designates the discharge section of the filter. The filter constitutes an upper bounding definition of a space 35. The reference numeral 48 designates that portion of space 35 which is substantially only filled with air, or possibly also to a certain degree with liquid or liquid droplets on their way towards the liquid collected in the bath. 
     FIGS. 1-3a illustrate embodiments of the present invention in which the lower portion 12 of the filter, during the entire movement pattern of the filter, is located at least partially in the liquid and the upper portion 43 of the filter is located above the level of the liquid. 
     FIG. 3b illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which the portion of the filter located most proximal the inflow is located, at least in its uppermost position, above the level of the liquid, i.e. the mean liquid surface level 54, in the region adjacent to that part of the filter located most proximal to the outflow. The shaft 20, about which the filter pivotally reciprocates, is, as a rule, disposed in immediate conjunction with the downstream transverse frame section 51 of the filter. 
     In certain embodiments, there is provided, between the frame 41 of the filter and the bath, a bellow device 31 (FIGS. 2a,3a and 4) which substantially sealingly connects at least that part of the frame which is surrounded by liquid, to the defining surface of the bath, for example to the walls 33a,b of the bath and the bottom 32 of the bath. In order that it be possible for liquid to be displaced from the inflow portion to the outflow portion, the liquid must, thus, pass through the filter member 42 of the filter. 
     As has been previously pointed out, the lower portion 12 of the filter is, as a rule, disposed to describe a reciprocal movement which is shown, in the figures, as a substantially upward and downward movement in that the filter pivots reciprocally--or in pendular motion--about the shaft 20. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the angular amplitude of this pendular motion is of the order of magnitude of at most approx. 20° and the mean inclination of the filter in relation to the horizontal plane is at most approx. 30°. In FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3a, there are shown embodiments of the invention in which a brush 21 is provided for producing a supplementary displacement of bodies 16a gathered during the separation process to a receptacle device 25a-d. In FIGS. 2a-2b and 3a, this receptacle device is composed of a receptacle shield 25a and a receptacle conduit 25b which discharges into a container 25c. An arrow 19 designates the displacement of the particles 16b in the receptacle device. FIGS. 3b and 3c illustrate an embodiment in which the receptacle device 25d consists of a U-shaped channel 44 which merges into a receptacle shield. The channel is provided with a conveyor screw 45 for displacement of the bodies to a receptacle vessel (not shown). In the Figures, the brush 21 describes a rotational movement and further includes means (not shown) movable in a direction towards and away from the receptacle device, the brush, on movement from the receptacle device, being located above the upper bounding surface 13 of the filter member 42. In certain physical applications, the brush is substituted by a scraper, or doctor blade. 
     In FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3a, there is shown one embodiment of drive means for the pendular motion of the filter. In this instance, the drive means are connected to a rotary shaft 28 which is connected, through the intermediary of a crank lever 27 and a crank shaft 29, to a drive arm 30 which is connected to the filter 11. On rotation of the drive shaft 28, the drive arm 30--and thereby the lower portion 12 of the filter --will describe a substantially upward and downward movement which, in the Figures, is designated by the double-headed arrow 18. It will be obvious to the skilled reader of this specification that the pendular motion of the filter may be achieved in a multiplicity of different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, for example, by one or more hydraulic devices which are directly connected to the frame of the filter. 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4 illustrates how one or more defining walls 34, 36 are provided between the filter 11 and the bottom 32 of the bath in order to impede the liquid from being displaced towards the outflow end of the bath when the filter 11 moves downwardly towards the bottom of the bath. In these Figures, the defining walls form bulkheads 36 upstanding from the bottom of the container or bath, and slightly resiliently yieldable wall portions 34 depending from the filter. The purpose of the bulkheads 36 is, here, to stabilize the positions of the depending wall portions in the horizontal direction. The depending wall portions are, moreover, provided with apertures 26 of a size which is adapted for the requisite retardation of the movement of the liquid towards the outflow portion of the bath in each contemplated field of application. 
     FIG. 3b shows an embodiment in which the filter 11 is of substantially planar orientation and in which the filter is, with its portion 12 most proximal the inflow, located above the liquid surface level at least when that portion is in its uppermost position. The liquid is supplied in the form of one or more liquid jets 46 which are directed substantially in the plane of the filter and which impinge upon the upper bounding surface 13 of the filter. In one preferred embodiment, the liquid is supplied in the form of a jet column 46, the column being disposed in the transverse direction of the bath and being substantially horizontal. 
     In conjunction with the discharge portion 15 of the filter, the filter is, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3b, provided on its underside with a substantially vertical wall 47 of a length which entails that the wall always reaches down into the liquid 10a which has passed through the filter. The wall connects substantially sealingly with the side walls 33a,b of the bath, whereby the filter and the vertical wall 47 define the space 48 located beneath the filter and containing air--and to a certain degree also liquid--which has just passed the filter member 42. FIG. 3b also shows an embodiment in which a spillway overflow 49 regulates the level of liquid in the bath. 
     FIG. 3c illustrates in detail an alternative embodiment in which the wall 47 has been substituted by a sealing connection 53 between the filter 41 and the U-shaped channel 44 of the receptacle device. In this figure, this connection consists of a flexible diaphragm, for example a rubber sheet. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in this art that this substantially sealing connection may, without departing from the inventive concept as herein disclosed, also be formed, for example, by direct abutment between the filter and the U-shaped channel, the abutment surfaces being here adapted so as to permit, with fully retained sealing function, the movement of the filter in relation to the channel. The channel is, furthermore, located so as to entail that the channel, throughout its entire length, reaches down into the liquid 10a. 
     When the filter describes an upward and downward movement in the liquid, there will be obtained a passage of liquid from one side of the filter to the opposite side, and, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3b and 3c, a pressure change in the space 48 above the surface 54 of the liquid, respectively. Each time liquid flows through the filter in a direction towards the outflow section of the bath, the bodies are gathered against the filter and, in this instance, also reduce the total open through-flow area of the filter and thereby, to a certain degree, throttle the flow through the filter. When the filter switches to a downwardly directed movement, the bodies gathered against the filter member 42 are released by the liquid flow which runs from the underface 14 of the filter towards the upper face 13 of the filter and/or by the pressure increase in the space 48. However, as a rule the above-mentioned liquid flow is reduced to a minimum, and, in certain physical applications, the filter is disposed so as, at least during parts of the downwardly directed movement, to avoid allowing liquid to pass through the filter. The bodies are moved in a direction towards the discharge portion 15 of the filter, either by a liquid flow in the major flow direction 17 or by the mechanical displacement device 21 which serves for the displacement at least in that part of the filter where the liquid never reaches. 
     On movement of the filter counter to the major flow direction, that region which had received the bodies is moved up out of the liquid and is made available to the displacement device 21 by means of which the bodies 16b are further displaced to the receptacle device. As a rule, the speed of movement and mesh gauge of the filter are adapted to the viscosity of the liquid and the size of the bodies, so that, on downward movement of the filter in relation to the liquid, excess pressure arises in the filter surface 14 located downstream of the major flow direction, i.e. the lower bounding surface of the filter. Such is the case irrespective of whether the space 35 adjacent to the lower surface 14 includes the space 48 or not. As a result of the excess pressure, the uninterrupted laminate liquid flow is led in over the upper surface 13 of the filter and entrains therewith those bodies which had, on downwardly directed movement of the filter, been raised and/or released from the upper filter surface. Through the previously-disclosed selection of speed of movement, mesh gauge etc. it is possible, on each individual cycle of movement of the filter, to displace the greater part of the bodies gathered on the upper surface of the filter to that region of the filter which, during the major portion of the movement of the filter, is not passed by liquid. As a result, during each cycle, the apertures of the filter will be cleaned, and, at the same time, the situation will be avoided that the bodies once again block at least those mesh openings or apertures which are passed by the liquid during the greater part of the movement of the filter. 
     In certain applications, the speed of movement, mesh gauge etc. of the filter are selected such that the liquid flow over the upper surface of the filter generates a wave motion which assists in displacing the bodies towards the receptacle device of the filter in that the wave leaves behind bodies on that region of the filter which, during the greater part of the movement of the filter, is located above the wash of the liquid. 
     In the embodiments according to the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4, the through flow of the liquid--and where applicable, the wave formation--is amplified in that the defining walls 34, 36 partly hinder the liquid from passing towards the outflow end of the bath in conjunction with the downwardly-directed movement of the filter. The defining walls also provide the possibility, with the assistance of the space 35, of adaptably governing the through-flow area and thereby the liquid flow in a direction towards the outflow end of the bath in conjunction with the downwardly directed movement of the filter. 
     In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3b, 3c, the mesh gauge and the speed of movement of the filter are adapted to the size of the space 48 beneath the filter in order that the pressure increase which arises in the space is able to raise and/or release those bodies which have gathered on the upper surface of the filter. On movement of the brush in a direction towards the upper portion of the filter, the raised and/or released bodies accompany the brush and are displaced to the U-shaped channel 44. Efforts should generally be made to ensure that the pressure increase merely produces a minor raising of the bodies, in that the pressure increase is adapted such that liquid located in the mesh of the filter is retained in the mesh and forms an upwardly directed bubble. However, in certain applications, it has proved appropriate to make the pressure increase of such a magnitude that a gas passage is effected through the mesh of the filter. 
     In yet a further embodiment according to the present invention, the filter 42 has a substantially fixed position in the bath and there assumes a location corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3b, i.e. the entire filter is positioned above the level of the liquid surface 54. Pressure and evacuation means (not shown), for example of bellows-like arrangement, are connected to the substantially closed space 48 located beneath the filter. By governing these means in order alternatingly to create excess pressure and partial vacuum, respectively, in the space 48, an effect will be attained corresponding to that discussed in conjunction with the movement of the filter in those embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 3b and 3c. The employment of excess pressure, and possibly also of partial vacuum in a space located in conjunction with the underface of the filter and bounded by the filter is also applicable to stationary filters which have a relatively great inclination and which, at their upper portion, are supplied with the liquid and body (matter) mixture. In the event of excess pressure in the space, bodies gathered on the upper face of the filter are released in a manner corresponding to that described above and this will thereby prevent the mesh and/or apertures of the filter from being blocked. 
     It is also obvious to a person skilled in the art that the filter member 42 may, in certain fields of physical application, be formed of rods or bars disposed adjacent to one another. In such an instance, the spacing between the rods is adapted to the speed of movement of the filter, the viscosity of the liquid and/or the size of the space 48 in order to attain the above-described functions and effect. 
     It will be clearly apparent from the foregoing description that there will be obtained, by the employment of the present invention, a self-cleaning filter irrespective of whether the filter has a portion which is always located beneath the liquid level 54 or whether it is wholly and completely located above the liquid level. As a result, the filter will be of extremely high operational reliability, will have a high throughput capacity and, moreover, will be extremely compact and simple in its construction. Field trials have proved in practice that this technique is applicable within very broad limits for the size of the mesh and/or apertures of the filter. Thus, it has been experimentally demonstrated that the filter has an extremely good separation capacity in the use of filter cloths whose mesh gauge is of the order of magnitude of down to approx. 1 um. Hence, it has in practice even been possible to separate microalgae from seawater. 
     While, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the filter has been shown in applications where the filter describes a pendular motion, it will be obvious to those skilled in this art that the above-described filter action may be obtained in embodiments in which the filter member 42 is disposed for a substantially uniform reciprocal movement, for example a substantially upward and downward movement, with essentially fully retained orientation of the filter member, or is disposed for a uniform rotational movement in the vertical plane. 
     The invention has been described in the foregoing in association with a bath or channel, but it will be further obvious to those skilled in this art that a corresponding filter effect may also be achieved for certain of the embodiments as herein disclosed for water in, for example, lakes, if the filter is, for instance, mounted on the bow of a boat and the boat is propelled across the surface of the water at the same time as the filter describes an upward and downward movement in accordance with the above description. Hence, the invention provides the possibility of separating a wide variety of bodies from the water, and practical experiments have demonstrated that the filter is also suitable for directly collecting and taking up oil spill from seawater. 
     The foregoing detailed description has referred to but a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, and it will be readily perceived by the skilled reader of this specification that many modifications and embodiments of the present invention are conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.