Patent ID: 8236183

Claim:
A method of filtration comprising: filtering a feed mixture including at least one liquid component and at least one solid component, wherein filtering the feed mixture includes directing the feed mixture to a feed side of a filter medium and passing filtrate from the feed side through the filter medium to a filtrate side of the filter medium; while filtering the feed mixture, introducing a gas into the feed mixture, directing a flow of the gas along the feed fluid side of the filter medium, and passing at least a portion of the gas with the filtrate through the filter medium from the feed side to the filtrate side, wherein directing a flow of gas along the feed side of the filter medium includes sweeping the gas along at least 50% of the upstream surface of the feed side loosen accumulated solids on the feed side and form a loose, porous filter cake on the feed side, thereby extending the period of time before fouling, and wherein passing at least a portion of the gas through the filter medium includes passing at least 50% of the gas introduced into the feed mixture through the filter medium; and separating the gas and the filtrate.