Patent ID: 8647516

Claim:
A method of filtering a fluid containing particulates to produce a filtrate, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a filter assembly comprising a housing, a hollow core filter element having an exterior surface and an interior surface, means to mount the filter element inside the housing whereby the filter element can be rotated relative to the housing, a motor for rotating the filter element relative to the housing, and means for delivering a rinsing liquid to the interior surface of the filter element while the filter element is rotating; (b) introducing the fluid into the housing and outside the exterior surface of the filter element and creating a pressure differential across the filter element, which causes the particulates to accumulate on the filter element and the filtrate to pass through the filter element and out of the housing; (c) stopping the flow of the fluid into the housing; (d) providing a cleaning liquid inside the housing at a level sufficient to at least partially submerge the filter element; (e) agitating the filter element in the cleaning liquid, to dislodge accumulated particulates on the exterior surface of the filter element; (f) draining the cleaning liquid and particulates dislodged from the filter element from the housing; and (g) rotating the filter element while delivering a rinsing liquid to the interior surface of the filter element, whereby the rinsing liquid is driven from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the filter element by centrifugal force.