Patent GB-915532-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for filtering liquid
Inventor: LIDDELL ROBERT EMOND
IPC: B01D35/12
Filed: 1959-11-04
Abstract: 915,532. Filters in parallel; backwashing. YARROW & CO. Ltd. Nov. 1, 1960 [Nov. 4, 1959], No. 37474/59. Class 46. Filter construction. Two detachably-mounted cylindrical filter elements 2, Fig. 2, each having within it a hollow baffle 3, are used alternately. Rotary valves, 5, 6, Fig. 3, are operated by a lever 10 and gears 7 to 9 to provide, as shown, flow through unit A and no flow through unit B. Drain valves 19 (for unit A) and 20 (for unit B) are provided, Fig. 4 (see also Fig. 2). They may be opened by levers 25, 24 respectively, against the pressure of springs 196, 20b, Fig. 2, but only 20 may be opened in the Fig. 4 position, a pawl 28 being receivable in a recess 31 in a disc 30 mounted with gear 9, while lever 25 is prevented from movement by engagement of its pawl 29 with the disc 30. Reflux flow. By rotation of lever 10 through a further 90 degrees counterclockwise from the Fig. 4 position, (after lifting a detent u from engagement with a stop, not shown), valves, 5, 6 are rotated clockwise to the Fig. 6a, position, where filtering flow through unit A is maintained, but some filtrate therefrom is diverted through a port 17 in valve 6 to the outlet of unit B for reflux flow through its element. The further rotation of lever 10 referred to has already effected opening of drain valve 20 by an arm 21, Fig. 4, on the shaft 9b of the lever, flow from unit B to the drain valve being along flow line e, Fig. 6a. The arrows and drain-valve positions in Fig. 2 show the filter in this conition. Separate reflux valve. In Fig. 7, reflux ports 17 and 18 are omitted from valve 6. Instead, a separate reflux valve 32 is in permanent communication by flow line f with a branch 14a of the filtrate conduit 14, and is rotatable by lever 10 through gear 9 and a further gear 33, to the shaft of which latter the valve 32 is secured. The valve 32 has a single outlet port 32a. Here, 20x is the drain valve for unit A and 19x the drain valve for unit B. Separate levers. In Fig. 8 (not shown) two separate levers, similar to those shown in Fig. 9, are provided; one for the main flow valve assembly and the other for the reflux valve and the drain valves. In Fig. 9 the reflux valve and the drain valves are combined in a single valve 38 having a partition 39. Port 40 on the far side of the partition may communicate with the filtrate outlet of either unit, port 41 on the near side of the partition may communicate with the drain outlet of either unit, and ports 42 and 43 with a drain tank. In both these embodiments interlocking arrangements for the levers are provided. Controlled reflux duration. A self-draining tank 48, Fig. 11, may be secured to the base of the body 4, Fig. 2, so that rapid entry of reflux liquid from the region outside the relevant filter element will instantly fill the tank and trap air in the upper end of it, the resulting pressure retaining a floatable ball 53 on its seat. The trapped air will vent through a small-bore pipe 54 to an outlet 50, and thereafter the flow of further reflux liquid will be restricted by the same pipe until the reflux valve is closed, after which pressures in the tank and the outlet become equalized, the ball floats upwards and the liquid drains through outlet 50. Gas-driven reflux flow. In Fig. 13 the inside of each filter communicates with a chamber 56 containing a flexible bag 57 filled with air or the like which is compressed during filtration. Reflux is effected by expansion of the bag (above element B, as shown) upon opening of the relevant drain valve. If a filter element is badly choked the pressure in its interior may be raised by momentarily connecting its interior with the interior of the one in service by means of a valve 70. The bags may be dispensed with, entrapped air performing their function instead. Alternatively a single bag in a single compartment may be provided for connection with either unit. Further, the bag or bags may be unsealed and inflated as necessary from a source of compressed fluid. Contaminated-liquid tank. In Fig. 18, (not shown), reflux liquid is discharged through a flexible pipe and through the hinged lid (into which the flexible pipe is connected) of a tank having a removable fine-mesh gauze. The gauze is disposed in an open-topped can resting on an inwardly-directed flange just below the lid. Reflux operations may be repeated until the gauze is not further contaminated, demonstrating that the filter element undergoing cleaning is now clean. A spring- loaded automatic by-pass valve (not shown) may be provided across the inlet and outlet of the apparatus.