Rotary disc filter with high pressure media cleaning system

The sectioned manifold with grouped spray bars and nozzles in rotary disc filters addresses inefficiencies and costs by automating high-pressure cleaning, ensuring thorough media cleaning with fewer valves and fittings, especially beneficial for large-scale disc filters.

JP2025533222APending Publication Date: 2025-10-03VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT SAS
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025520965
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-10-11
Filing Date
2023-09-28
Publication Date
2025-10-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing high-pressure media cleaning systems for rotary disc filters are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple flow control valves, hoses, and fittings, and struggle with precise alignment and movement of spray bars, especially in densely packed filter units.

Method used

A sectioned manifold with grouped spray bars and nozzles, connected to a pressurized water supply unit, rotates to clean multiple filter units automatically, minimizing the number of flow control valves and fittings, and ensuring thorough media cleaning.

Benefits of technology

The system effectively cleans all filter media with reduced hardware requirements, enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness, particularly for large-scale disc filters with numerous units.

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Abstract

A rotary disc filter designed to remove suspended solids from wastewater is equipped with a high-pressure media washing system. The high-pressure media washing system includes a sectioned manifold extending along the side of an array of disc-shaped filter units. The sectioned manifold includes multiple hydraulic sections, each separated from the other hydraulic sections or sections. Each hydraulic section is communicatively connected to multiple spray bars, each including a nozzle. The spray bars communicatively connected to a particular hydraulic section are configured to clean only a section of the filter units at any one time. Pressurized water is supplied to one hydraulic section at a time. The pressurized water enters a hydraulic section, flows from the hydraulic section through each communicatively connected spray bar, and exits the spray bar nozzles, washing the filter media forming part of the filter units of the particular section of the filter units.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to rotary disc filters used to filter wastewater or water, and more particularly to rotary disc filters equipped with a high-pressure media cleaning system used to restore the capacity of the filter media. [Background technology]

[0002] Rotary disc filters of the type described in this invention are designed to filter wastewater and water (collectively referred to as "wastewater"). They typically include a drum and multiple filter discs or units mounted on the drum. Each filter unit contains media that filters the wastewater passing through the filter unit. As the wastewater passes through the filter unit, suspended solids contained in the wastewater are captured by the media. To clean or remove suspended solids from the media, rotary disc filters typically include a backwash system that is used periodically to loosen and remove suspended solids from the media. In practice, backwash systems are frequently used during the operation of rotary disc filters. While traditional backwashing operations are important and perform a valuable function, over time, the filter media can become clogged and lose its ability to efficiently filter the wastewater passing through the filter unit. This is sometimes referred to as long-term media clogging. It often becomes noticeable after several months of media use. Furthermore, clogging can also occur if an upstream treatment process suddenly fails. Regardless, despite frequent and regular backwashing, media efficiency can be expected to decrease over time.

[0003] It is known to supplement conventional backwashing operations with less frequent media washing using what is referred to herein as a high-pressure media washing system, which, in comparison to conventional backwashing, is intended to restore the filtering capacity of the media and is typically used less frequently than conventional backwashing.

[0004] One approach to high-pressure media cleaning involves a carriage mounted on the disc filter and movable along one side of the filter unit. This approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,444,862, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The carriage is fitted with two spaced-apart spray bars or arms that rotate from a non-operational position outside the filter unit to an operational position in which the two spray bars extend along opposite sides of the filter unit. Once in the operational position, high-pressure cleaning water is directed from nozzles associated with the spray bars onto opposite sides of the filter unit. During this cleaning operation, the spray bars can be coupled to clean various areas of the filter unit they span. Once a filter unit is cleaned, the two spray bars are retracted to their non-operational positions, and the carriage is incremented to the next adjacent filter unit to continue the cleaning process. This has proven to be an unreliable approach to high-pressure media cleaning. The precision required to precisely align the carriage with each filter unit in increments and simultaneously control the position and movement of the spray bars and associated nozzles to efficiently clean the filter units is challenging. This is made even more difficult by the current trend to place filter units closer together for greater footprint efficiency.

[0005] Another approach requires a high-pressure cleaning system with a separate spray bar and nozzles for each filter unit. In this case, each spray bar contains two nozzles. Projecting each nozzle of the spray bar between two adjacent filter units cleans one side of the two adjacent filter units. The problem or drawback here is that a separate flow control valve and high-pressure hoses and fittings are required for each spray bar. This means that if a disc filter contains 22 filter units, the disc filter will have 23 flow control valves attached, and 23 high-pressure hoses and fittings extending from the flow control valves to each spray bar. In reality, the cost of the flow control valves, high-pressure hoses, and fittings makes this approach difficult to justify for disc filters with more than 12 filter units, for example. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks and shortcomings of such high-pressure media cleaning systems by providing a high-pressure media cleaning system for disc filters that minimizes flow control valves, hoses, conduits, and fittings, and that cleans multiple filter units, one section at a time, with each section containing multiple filter units.

[0007] To achieve this, the disc filter is provided with a sectioned manifold extending along one side of the filter unit. The sectioned manifold defines multiple hydraulic sections, each separated from the other section or sections. A spray bar containing a nozzle is communicatively connected to each hydraulic section and projects therefrom into the area between each filter unit. More specifically, the spray bars are grouped, with each group communicatively connected to a specific hydraulic section of the manifold. A pressurized water supply unit is provided and configured to supply pressurized water to one hydraulic section at a time. The pressurized water enters the hydraulic section and is delivered to the associated spray bar, where it is discharged from its nozzle onto the adjacent filter media. The manifold supporting the spray bar rotates, causing the nozzle to sweep along the side of the filter unit as the filter unit rotates. This ensures that substantially all of the filter media is cleaned.

[0008] In one embodiment, the high-pressure media cleaning system is automated. That is, the disc filter and pressurized water supply unit are configured (i.e., designed) to sequentially clean one section of the filter unit. In this example, the pressurized water supply unit includes a pump and pressurized water outlets and flow control valves for each hydraulic section formed in a manifold. The control system of the disc filter, in combination with a controller associated with the pressurized water supply unit, can operate the high-pressure media cleaning system and automatically sequentially clean one section of the filter unit at a time.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disk filter as seen from the front.

[0011] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the disc filter, with the housing and frame structure removed to clearly show the disc-shaped filter unit and the high-pressure media cleaning system.

[0012] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the disc filter with the housing and frame structure removed.

[0013] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a disc filter showing the movement of the spray bars of the high pressure media washing system during the washing operation.

[0014] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the pressurized water supply unit and disc filter, particularly showing the relationship between the pressurized water supply unit and the sectioned manifold during high pressure media cleaning operation.

[0015] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the pressurized water supply unit.

[0016] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sectioned manifold and a number of spray bars and associated nozzles extending therefrom that form part of a high pressure media cleaning system.

[0017] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of a disc filter showing the sectioned manifold and the spray bars extending therefrom between each filter unit.

[0018] [Figure 9]FIG. 9 illustrates an actuator assembly used to rotate the sectioned manifold during high pressure media cleaning operations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring further to the drawings, a rotary disc filter is shown therein and generally designated by the numeral 10. As will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rotary disc filter 10 is designed to filter suspended solids from wastewater. The disc filter 10 includes a main frame 12 that supports the various components that make up the disc filter 10. In this regard, a drum 14 is rotatably mounted to the frame structure 12. The drum 14 is generally closed except for an inlet opening near the front end of the disc filter and a series of openings 14A formed in its surface. A series of disc-shaped filter elements or units 16 are secured to the drum 14. As can be seen in the drawings (FIGS. 1-3), the filter units 16 are axially spaced along the drum 12. The number of filter units 16 can vary. Each filter unit 16 includes a filter frame 18, which can be constructed from a variety of materials. In the illustrated example, the filter frame 12 comprises a modular plastic frame. For a more detailed understanding of a typical modular plastic frame, see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 10,188,971, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Each filter unit 16 has a filter media secured to the opposite side. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter media used in each filter unit 16 is a plurality of media panels 20 that can be easily attached to and detached from the filter frame 18. The media panels 20, together with the filter frame 18, form an open area or space within the filter unit 16. This open area is fluidly connected to the interior of the drum 14 via openings 14A formed in the surface of the drum. The specific detailed design features of the disc filter are not essential to the present invention and are therefore omitted from the drawings and description herein. For a further understanding and appreciation of rotary disc filters, reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,000,791 and 11,291,935, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0020] There are two basic types of rotary disc filters used to filter wastewater: inside-out disc filters and outside-in disc filters. In an inside-out disc filter, the wastewater to be treated is directed into a drum 14 and then into an open area within each filter unit 16. Upon entering the filter unit 16, the wastewater passes through a media panel 20 and exits the filter unit, filtering the wastewater in the process. On the other hand, an outside-in disc filter operates by directing the wastewater from outside the filter unit 16 through a filter media located outside the filter unit and into an area or space within the filter unit. As the wastewater passes through the filter media 20 and enters the filter unit 16, suspended solids within the filter media 20 are trapped. A high-pressure media cleaning system, used to periodically clean the media, is described below. This high-pressure media cleaning system is applicable to both outside-in and inside-out disc filters.

[0021] As described above, during the process of filtering wastewater with an inside-out disc filter or an outside-in disc filter, suspended solids contained in the wastewater are captured by the filter media 20. Therefore, the filter media 20 must be periodically cleaned. The disc filter 10 includes two different systems for cleaning the filter media 20. As described in more detail below, the disc filter 10 also includes a high-pressure media cleaning system in addition to a conventional backwash system. Conventional backwash systems generally operate at relatively low pressures, typically around 6 to 10 bar. These systems are frequently used during the wastewater filtering process. It is not uncommon for conventional backwashing to be performed daily or even more frequently, especially when treating wastewater containing relatively high concentrations of suspended solids. However, over time, conventional backwashing processes typically become insufficient to address clogging. That is, it is not uncommon for disc filters to become clogged over an extended period of time, and the filter media loses its ability to effectively and efficiently filter wastewater. To regenerate or restore the filter media 20 to optimal or acceptable performance, more intensive cleaning (i.e., high-pressure washing) is required. Therefore, the disc filter of the present invention is equipped with a high-pressure media washing system, which will be described in more detail below. As used herein, "high pressure" means a pressure significantly higher than the 6 to 10 bar pressures typically used in conventional disc filter backwash systems. As used herein, the term "high pressure" means a pressure of 20 bar or greater. It should be noted that high-pressure media washing systems are used less frequently than conventional media backwash systems. The frequency with which a high-pressure media washing system is used may vary depending on the composition of the wastewater and the efficiency of the upstream process, but in some cases high-pressure media washing may only be used once a month.

[0022] Before describing the high-pressure media cleaning system, a brief description of the backwash system is appropriate. The backwash system includes a backwash pump (not shown), an elongated manifold 52 extending along the side of the disc filter 10, and a series of supply pipes or spray bars 54 connected to the manifold 52 and projecting inwardly therefrom between each filter unit 16. See Figures 3-4. A series of nozzle holders, generally designated 56, are secured to the distal ends of the spray bars 54. The nozzle holders 56 are designed to support removable nozzles 58. In a backwash operation, the backwash pump pumps backwash fluid from a backwash source, such as filtered water, into and through the manifold 52. The backwash fluid is pumped from the manifold 52 to each spray bar 54 and from the spray bars to and through the nozzles 56.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the manifold 52 is rotatably mounted along one side of the disc filter 10. Various drive means can be used to rotate the manifold 52. In some cases, the manifold 52 is operably connected to a drive (not shown) that can be indirectly driven from the drum motor 22 or driven by a dedicated motor for rotating the manifold. In either case, the manifold 52 typically rotates back and forth during backwash operations, causing the nozzles 58 to sweep back and forth between the filter media 20 of adjacent filter units 16, backwashing the filter media located on either side of the nozzles. For a detailed description of backwash systems used in disc filters, see the disclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,000,791 and 11,291,935.

[0024] Continuing to refer to the drawings, a high pressure media cleaning system of the present invention is shown therein and generally designated by the numeral 100. See Figures 5-6. The high pressure media cleaning system 100 is designed to perform high pressure cleaning operations on the media 20 of one section of the filter unit 16 at a time. In one embodiment, as described below, the high pressure media cleaning system is automatically controlled to sequentially clean different sections of the filter unit 16, one after the other.

[0025] Looking more specifically at the high-pressure media washing system 100, it includes a sectioned manifold 102 that is rotatably mounted along one side of the disc filter 10 opposite the manifold 52 that forms part of the backwash system. See Figures 2-3. The sectioned manifold 102 is divided into a plurality of hydraulic sections 104 (see Figure 5). Each hydraulic section 104 is separated from the other hydraulic section or sections and includes a pressurized water inlet 106. Communicatively connected to each hydraulic section 104 are a plurality of elongated spray bars 108 that are also supported on the manifold 102 and extend therefrom to where they project between adjacent filter units 16. See Figures 3-5. Most spray bars 108 terminate with a pair of nozzles 110, the pair of nozzles facing in opposite directions. The spray bars located at the extreme ends of the disc filter 10 only need to clean one side of a single filter unit 16, and therefore only include one nozzle.

[0026] A series of supply hoses or conduits 112 extend along portions of the sectioned manifold 102. Each conduit 112 is connected to the pressurized water inlet 106 of one of the hydraulic sections 104. The conduits 112 extend together along the sectioned manifold 104 to one end of the disc filter 10 (the front end in the embodiment shown), where they terminate. The ends are provided with appropriate couplings to allow each to be quickly connected to a flexible supply hose extending from a pressurized water supply unit, described below. As the sectioned manifold 102 rotates to connect each spray bar 108 during cleaning, the supply conduits 112 are fixed around the sectioned manifold, allowing the sectioned manifold and supply conduits to rotate as a unit.

[0027] In effect, each hydraulic section 104 and its fluidly connected spray bar is responsible for cleaning only one section of the filter units 16. The term "section" in reference to filter units 16 does not necessarily imply that any filter unit 16 must be entirely within one particular section. In some cases, one nozzle of a spray bar 108 may clean one side of a filter unit in one section, while another nozzle of the same spray bar may clean one side of another filter unit in an adjacent section.

[0028] During high-pressure media washing, the drum 14 and the filter units 16 mounted thereon rotate. As shown in FIG. 2, a drum motor 22 is mounted on the back of the disc filter 10 and is used to rotate the drum 14 and the filter units 16 mounted thereon. Various drive configurations can be used to rotate the drum 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the drive for driving the drum 14 includes a drive sprocket 24 connected directly or indirectly to the drum 14. A chain 26 is wrapped around a drive sprocket 28 connected to the motor 22 and the sprocket 24. Thus, operation of the motor 22 drives the sprockets 26 and 28, causing the drum 14 and the filter units 16 mounted thereon to rotate.

[0029] Because the spray bars 108 are fixed to the sectioned manifold 102, the spray bars are coupled and move back and forth along the side of the media panel 20 simply by rotating the sectioned manifold. The sectioned manifold 102 is therefore supported at several points along its length. As previously mentioned, the supply conduits 112, which extend along a portion of the length of the sectioned manifold 102, are fixed to the periphery of the sectioned manifold, causing the sectioned manifold and supply conduits to rotate as a unit. To rotate the sectioned manifold 102 and the associated supply conduits 112, an actuator assembly, generally designated 30, is provided around the front end of the disc filter 10. The actuator assembly 30 includes a linear actuator 32 fixed at one end to the frame structure of the disc filter 10. See FIGS. 1 and 9. An actuator arm 34 is connected to the other end of the linear actuator 32. The actuator arm 34 extends from the linear actuator 32 and is operatively connected to the sectioned manifold 102 and the supply conduits 112. 3 and 4, extending the linear actuator 32 rotates the sectioned manifold 102 and supply conduit 112 counterclockwise, which moves the spray bars 108 extending from the sectioned manifold 102 from an inner position adjacent the drum 14 to an outer position near the outer periphery of the filter unit 16. The spray bars 108 and their associated nozzles 110 can be returned to their home position by retracting the linear actuator 32.

[0030] A pressurized water supply unit, generally designated 140, is provided to supply pressurized water to the hydraulic sections 104 of the manifold 102. See FIGS. 5 and 6. The pressurized water supply unit 140 is provided with a water inlet 142 and includes an electric motor 144 that drives a pump 146 via a gearbox 145. A constant pressure regulator valve 148 and associated bypass line 151 are provided to maintain a substantially constant water pressure downstream of the pump 146. The pressurized water discharged by the pump 146 is split into multiple streams. Each stream is routed to a separate flow control valve 150, which in the illustrated embodiment is a solenoid valve. Outputs from the flow control valves 150 form multiple outlets 152. Multiple flexible hoses 154 can be connected between the outlets 152 and the inlets of the supply conduits 112 that supply pressurized water to each hydraulic section 104 of the sectioned manifold 102.

[0031] The pressurized water supply unit 140 includes a programmed controller 156 for controlling the various components and functions of the pressurized water supply unit. As shown in Figure 6, the controller 156 controls the motor 144, which in turn controls the pump 146 and the flow control valve 150. Power is supplied to the controller 156 via a power cable 158. The controller 156 is also operatively connected to a disc filter program controller 162 via a signal line 160.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , controllers 156 and 162 can be programmed to automatically clean sections of filter units 16 one by one until the entire array of filter units has been cleaned. In this case, flow control valves 150 can be automatically sequenced to supply pressurized water to successive hydraulic sections 104 until all sections of filter units 16 have been cleaned. However, in another embodiment, the pressurized water supply unit can be provided with only one outlet. In this case, after cleaning one section of filter units 16, the pressurized water supply unit can be disconnected and reconnected to another hydraulic section 104 to clean another section of filter units 16. In this embodiment, pressurized water supply unit 140 need not include flow control valves or any other components or controls necessary to automatically sequentially clean multiple sections of filter units 16.

[0033] The controllers 156 and 162 can be programmed in several specific ways to implement an automated high-pressure media cleaning process. In one example, the high-pressure media cleaning process is initiated by the disc filter controller 162. Initiation can be manual or programmatic. Upon initiation, the disc filter controller 162 activates the drum motor 22, rotating the drum 14 and the filter units 16 thereon. The disc filter 162 also activates the linear actuator 32, which rotates the sectioned manifold 102 back and forth and moves the spray bar 108 and its nozzles 110 up and down adjacent to the media panel 20, while the media panel and filter units 16 rotate past the nozzles. The disc filter controller 162 also signals the pressurized water supply unit controller 156 to activate the motor 144. This causes the pump 146 to pressurize the inlet water and send the pressurized water to a series of normally closed flow control valves 150. The controller 156 opens the first flow control valve, thereby initiating the high-pressure cleaning process. As a result, pressurized water passes through the flow control valve and out one of the outlets 152 to one of the hydraulic sections 104. The pressurized water in the hydraulic section 104 travels through a spray bar 108 fluidly connected thereto and out an associated nozzle 110. The pressurized water is sprayed by the nozzle 110 onto the media panel 20 to dislodge suspended matter and generally clean the media panel. As previously mentioned, while pressurized water is sprayed from the nozzle 110, the spray bar 108 moves adjacent to the filter panel 20 as the filter panel rotates past the nozzle.

[0034] The duration of the cleaning may vary. In one example, the cleaning time is programmed to last approximately 20 minutes, including pauses to account for the duty cycle of the motor 144. In any event, once the first section of the filter unit 16 has been cleaned, the controller 156 closes the first flow control valve and opens the second flow control valve, allowing pressurized water to flow through the second flow control valve to the second hydraulic section 104 for the purpose of cleaning the second section of the filter unit 16. This process continues until all sections have been subjected to the high-pressure media cleaning process.

[0035] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the pressurized water supply unit 140 is movable and not supported on the disc filter 10. This can be a significant advantage because many disc filter sites include multiple disc filters 10. In such cases, a single pressurized water supply unit 140 can be used to service all or many of the disc filters 10 in operation at the site. In other embodiments, the pressurized water supply unit need not be movable, either because it can be integrated into the disc filter 10 or because it can be a non-movable, stand-alone unit. The described high-pressure media cleaning system has many other advantages. One advantage over other approaches is the inherent reliability of the high-pressure media cleaning system design described herein, and in particular the approach of providing a manifold with multiple hydraulic sections, each section designated to clean one section of a group of filter units 16. This minimizes the number of flow control valves, conduits, and fittings required. This is particularly advantageous from a cost perspective for high-capacity rotary disc filters, which may include, for example, 40 or more filter units.

[0036] In this specification and claims, the term "comprised of" is used. As used herein, "comprised of" means "designed" and not "capable of."

[0037] Of course, the present invention may be practiced in other specific ways than those specifically described herein without departing from its scope and essential characteristics. The present embodiments disclosed herein are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A high pressure washing system for cleaning a rotary disc filter and a filter media associated with said disc filter, said disc filter configured to filter wastewater; A. Rotating drum, B. A drive for rotating the drum during a media cleaning operation; C. a plurality of disk-shaped filter units mounted on said drum; D. the filter unit including the filter media for filtering the wastewater passing through the filter unit; E. the high pressure washing system is configured to wash the filter media; i. an elongated manifold mounted on the disc filter and extending adjacent to the filter unit, the manifold including a plurality of hydraulic sections with each hydraulic section separated from another hydraulic section or sections; ii. a plurality of spray bars configured to project between the filter units, each spray bar including at least one nozzle; iii. the plurality of spray bars divided into groups with each group of spray bars communicatively connected to one hydraulic section of the manifold such that each group of spray bars and the nozzles thereof are designated to clean one section of the filter unit; iv. A pressurized water supply unit, a. Pump; b. Wash water inlet; c. a plurality of wash water outlets, each wash water outlet configured to supply wash water to one of the hydraulic sections of the manifold; d. a plurality of flow control valves configured to control the flow of flush water from the pressurized water supply unit to the plurality of hydraulic sections of the manifold; e. a pressurized water supply unit including: a respective flow control valve configured to control the flow of wash water from one wash water outlet to one of the hydraulic sections of the manifold; v. a control system configured to simultaneously operate one flow control valve so that wash water is simultaneously supplied from the pressurized water supply unit to one hydraulic section of the manifold and one group of spray bars; vi. a disc filter and high-pressure washing system, wherein the filter media in different sections of the filter unit are cleaned by operating different ones of the flow control valves, and pressurized wash water is directed from the pressurized water supply unit into and through each hydraulic section of the manifold and into the spray bar and its nozzles fluidly connected to each hydraulic section.

2. 10. The disc filter and high-pressure media cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to sequentially clean one section of the filter unit by sequentially operating one flow control valve.

3. 2. The disc filter and high-pressure media cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the pressurized water supply unit comprises a movable frame including the pump, the cleaning water outlet, and the flow control valve, the movable frame not being supported by the disc filter and being structurally independent from the disc filter.

4. 2. The disc filter and high-pressure media cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of conduits operatively connected between the pressurized water supply unit and the hydraulic section of the manifold, each conduit fluidly connected to a different one of the flow control valves of the pressurized water supply unit and to a different one of the hydraulic sections of the manifold.

5. The control system includes: A. a first controller associated with the pressurized water supply unit for controlling the pump and the flow control valve; B. The disc filter and high-pressure media washing system of claim 1 including a main controller associated with said disc filter and configured to operate said first controller associated with said pressurized water supply unit.

6. 2. The disc filter and high-pressure media cleaning system of claim 1, wherein each group of spray bars is fluidly connected to a different hydraulic section of the manifold, and each group of spray bars projects from a respective hydraulic section of the manifold to a position where each group of spray bars is effective to clean the filter media of one section of the filter unit.

7. 2. The disc filter and high-pressure media cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pressurized water supply conduits extending along a portion of the manifold, each pressurized water supply conduit configured to connect to a water inlet formed in a respective hydraulic section, the plurality of pressurized water supply conduits being fixed to the manifold such that when the manifold rotates during a cleaning operation, the plurality of water supply conduits rotate with the manifold.

8. 1. A method for filtering wastewater in a rotary disc filter and cleaning filter media of said disc filter, said filter media forming part of a plurality of disc-shaped filter units mounted on a drum, said filter units being divided into at least first and second sections, each section containing a plurality of filter units; A. filtering the wastewater with the disc filter by directing the wastewater through the filter media forming part of the filter unit; B. Washing the media in a first section of the filter unit, comprising: i. actuating a first flow control valve associated with a pressurized water supply unit to direct pressurized wash water from said pressurized water supply unit through said first flow control valve to a first hydraulic section of a manifold extending adjacent said filter unit; ii. directing the pressurized wash water from the first hydraulic section of the manifold to a first group of spray bars having a first group of nozzles associated with the first group of spray bars and projecting between each filter unit in the first section of filter units; iii. Washing the media of the first section of filter units by rotating the drum and the first section of filter units thereon and spraying the pressurized wash water from the first group of nozzles onto the filter media of the filter units of the first section; C. washing the media in the filter units of the first section after washing the media in the filter units of the second section, i) operating a second flow control valve associated with the pressurized water supply unit to direct pressurized wash water from the pressurized water supply unit through the second flow control valve to a second hydraulic section of the manifold separated from the first hydraulic section and to a second group of spray bars having a second group of nozzles associated with the second group of spray bars and projecting between respective filter units of the second section; ii. cleaning the media of the second section filter units by rotating the drum and the second section filter units mounted thereon and spraying the pressurized cleaning water from the second group of nozzles onto the filter media of the second section filter units.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the manifold is elongated and mounted on the disc filter adjacent to the filter units, the first and second hydraulic sections are aligned within the manifold, the first hydraulic section is aligned with the filter units of the first section, and the second hydraulic section is aligned with the filter units of the second section.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first group of spray bars are communicatively connected to the first hydraulic section and project therefrom into an area of ​​the first section adjacent the filter unit, and the second group of spray bars are communicatively connected to the second hydraulic section and project therefrom into an area of ​​the second section adjacent the filter unit.

11. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pressurized water supply unit is not supported by the disc filter and comprises a mobile cart carrying a pump and the first and second flow control valves.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the pressurized water supply unit comprises a first controller for controlling the pump and the first and second flow control valves, the first controller being communicatively connected to a main controller associated with a disc filter, the main controller being configured to operate the first controller to control the cleaning of the media in the first and second sections of the filter unit.

13. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein during the cleaning of the media in the first and second sections of the filter unit, the manifold rotates and the spray bar and its nozzles connected to the hydraulic section of the manifold move along the side of an adjacent filter unit to clean the media therein.

14. A rotary disc filter and a high-pressure media washing system for cleaning a filter media associated with said disc filter, said disc filter configured to filter wastewater; A. Rotating drum, B. A drive for rotating the drum during a media cleaning operation; C. a plurality of disk-shaped filter units mounted on the drum with each filter unit containing a filter medium for filtering the wastewater passing through the filter unit; D. the high pressure washing system is configured to wash the filter media; i. an elongated manifold mounted on the disc filter and extending adjacent to the filter unit; ii. A plurality of hydraulic sections formed within the manifold with each hydraulic section being isolated relative to another hydraulic section or sections; iii. each hydraulic section including an inlet through which pressurized water can be introduced into said hydraulic section; iv. a plurality of spray bars projecting from the manifold into the areas between the filter units, each spray bar including at least one nozzle; v. the plurality of spray bars divided into groups with each group of spray bars including a plurality of spray bars communicatively connected to only one hydraulic section of the manifold such that the spray bars and the nozzles thereon of each group are destined to clean only one section of the filter units, a section including a plurality of filter units and not including all of the filter units of the disc filter; vi) a pressurized water supply unit connected to one of the inlets of one of the hydraulic sections and configured to supply pressurized water to one of the hydraulic sections associated with that inlet; vii. a disc filter and high pressure media cleaning system, wherein the filter media associated with a section of the filter units is cleaned by directing pressurized water from the pressurized water supply unit into the hydraulic section, the pressurized water flowing from the hydraulic section through the associated spray bar and sprayed against the filter media for cleaning the filter media of the section of the filter units.

15. 15. The disc filter and high-pressure media washing system of claim 14, wherein each separate hydraulic section is laterally aligned with one section of the filter unit.

16. 15. The disc filter and high pressure media washing system of claim 14, wherein the spray bars are rigidly connected to the manifold, and the manifold is operable to rotate during the cleaning operation, such that the spray bars move along the sides of the filter units during the cleaning operation.

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