Patent ID: 7132047

Claim:
A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a first particulate filter contained in the housing; an acid-neutralizing filter contained in the housing and arranged in fluidic parallel with the first particulate filter, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an outer sidewall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound and a second particulate filter, the second particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound fluidically between the acid-neutralizing compound and the outlet to prevent particles of acid-neutralizing compound from reaching the outlet; and a conduit contained in the housing for connecting the first particulate filter to the outlet, the conduit including a pressure reduction section arranged to create a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter such that a portion of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the acid-neutralizing filter, the pressure reduction section having at least one passageway formed therein in fluidic connection with the second particulate filter, the second particulate filter being disposed around the pressure reduction section of the conduit over said at least one passageway.