Patent ID: 7713411

Claim:
A filter-dryer apparatus employing a single product container for both filtering and drying operations, comprising: a container having an upper end including an inlet to receive a liquid containing particulate material, the container having an opposing lower end being detachably attached to a filter assembly through which the liquid is filtered resulting in a filtration cake, the container upper end being detachably attached to a gas distribution plate, means for inverting the container, resulting in the filter cake falling upon the gas distribution plate, and a fluid bed assembly having means for supplying an upward flow of air and further having an upper plenum and a lower plenum, the upper plenum having means for detachable attachment to the lower end of the container upon inversion, and the lower plenum having means for detachable attachment to the upper end of the container, by which the filter cake is fluidized by upward flowing air of the fluid bed assembly and dried.