Filter panel, filtration device, and method for providing a filter panel

Abstract

A filter panel (12) is provided, comprising a filter element (30) including a primary filter end (38a), a secondary filter end (38b), and a filtration section (40) between the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b); and a support structure (28) including a primary end support (32a), a secondary end support (32b), and a central support (34) between the primary end support (32a) and the secondary end support (32b) that supports the filtration section (40), wherein each of the primary end support (32a) and the secondary end support (32b) comprises a sheet material (44) that is folded to secure the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), respectively. A filtration device (10) comprising the filter panel (12) and a method for providing the filter panel (12) are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

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[0003]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to filter panels. In particular, a filter panel comprising a sheet material that is folded to secure an end of a filtration element, a filtration device comprising the filter panel, and a method of providing a filter panel are provided.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there are a wide variety of filtration devices for filtering liquids, such as for filtering wastewater. Some filtration devices include one or more filtration elements that move during filtration. For example, the filtration device may be a drum filter of a type in which one or more filtration elements are provided on the circumference of a rotating drum. For this purpose, a plurality of filter panels may be attached to the drum, and each filter panel conveys the filtration element. There are also applications where one or more filter panels are permanently positioned in one place.

[0003] International Publication No. 2016 / 207143 discloses a filter panel for a drum filter. The filter panel is manufactured by molding and is made of a plastic material. A filter cloth may be adhered or welded to the filter panel.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Prior art filter panels are relatively expensive and complex to manufacture. For example, if the filtration element is fixed to the support structure of the filter panel only by adhesive, there is a risk of the filtration element and support structure separating during filtration. Removing the filter panel from the filtration device when the filtration element comes loose makes filter panel replacement difficult. To avoid separation of the filtration element from the support structure, the adhesive must be performed with greater precision. Such adhesive is very time-consuming and prone to errors. Many prior art filter panels are also over-engineered, unnecessarily complex, and expensive. Important criteria in filter panel design are stability and resistance to deformation, which allows for the use of large-area filtration elements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter panel.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filtration device.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for providing a filter panel.

[0008] These objectives are achieved by the filter panel according to attached claim 1, by the filtration device according to attached claim 11, and by the method according to attached claim 13.

[0009] The present invention is based on the recognition that a filter element can be securely fixed to a support structure in a less complex way by providing a support structure comprising a sheet material that folds to fix the filter element.

[0010] According to a first embodiment, a filter panel is provided, comprising a filtration element including a primary filter end, a secondary filter end, and a filtration section between the primary and secondary filter ends, and a support structure including a primary end support, a secondary end support, and a central support between the primary and secondary end supports that supports the filtration section, wherein each of the primary and secondary end supports comprises a sheet material that is folded to secure the primary and secondary filter ends, respectively.

[0011] The filtration element may be attached to the support structure solely by fixing it by folding the sheet material. This eliminates the need for dedicated locking elements to secure the filtration element to the support structure. The filter panel provides a fast, cost-effective, and less complex product. The filter panel can also be formed from fewer parts.

[0012] The filtration element may be substantially rectangular, or may be rectangular in shape. In this case, the first short side and the second short side on the opposite side may constitute the primary filter end and the secondary filter end, respectively. The primary and secondary filter ends may each have substantially equal or equal area. Alternatively, or in addition, the filtration section may be substantially larger than each of the primary and secondary filter ends, for example, by at least 100%. The filtration element may be provided as a single unit. By fixing the primary and secondary filter ends, the filter panel allows for the provision of a relatively large filtration area with respect to the size of the filter panel.

[0013] The primary end support, secondary end support, and central support may be formed from a single sheet material. Providing the central support as a single sheet material facilitates the manufacture and recycling of the filter panel.

[0014] As a possible alternative, only the primary and secondary end supports may be formed from sheet material. In this case, for example, the support structure may include a plurality of circular rods connected to the primary and secondary end supports.

[0015] The sheet material may be a metal sheet material. For example, the sheet material may be formed from stainless steel. Alternatively, or in addition, the sheet material may have a thickness of at least 0.1 mm and / or less than 3 mm, for example, 0.7 mm.

[0016] Each of the primary end support and the secondary end support may include a first folding portion that folds relative to the central support and a second folding portion that folds relative to the first folding portion. In this case, the first folding portion may be positioned, for example, along the support structure between the central support and the second folding portion. For example, when the primary end support, the secondary end support, and the central support are formed from a single sheet material, the first folding portion may be positioned along the sheet material between the central support and the second folding portion.

[0017] At the primary and secondary end supports, the second folding portion may be folded relative to the first folding portion by at least 160° and / or less than 200°, for example, 180°. The first and second folding portions may be folded relative to the central support by at least 70° and / or less than 110°, for example, 90°.

[0018] The primary filter end and the secondary filter end may be fixed between the first folding section and the second folding section, respectively.

[0019] The primary end support and the secondary end support may each have through holes that pass through the first and second folding sections. This allows the through holes to overlap to receive fasteners when the second folding section is folded relative to the first folding section.

[0020] The primary filter end may include a third folding portion that folds relative to a second folding portion. In this case, the second folding portion may be positioned, for example, along a support structure, between the first folding portion and the third folding portion. At both the primary end support and the secondary end support, the third folding portion may be folded relative to the second folding portion by at least 70° and / or less than 110°, for example, 90°.

[0021] The primary and secondary filter ends may each be fixed between the third folding section and the central support section. By folding the support structure twice at each of the primary and secondary end supports, the filtration element can be fixed twice, and the through-holes are lifted and adjusted for mounting.

[0022] The support structure may include side folds of sheet material that are folded relative to the central support to secure the filtration element. The support structure may have two such side folds on opposite sides of the central support. Each side fold may be folded relative to the central support by at least 70° and / or less than 110°, for example, 90°.

[0023] The central support may be curved. If the central support is curved after the primary and secondary filter ends are secured by folding the sheet material, the filtration element will be stretched by the curve.

[0024] The filtration element may consist of a wire mesh. Alternatively, or in addition, the filtration element may consist of any filter material. Alternatively, or in addition, the filtration element may consist of one or more layers.

[0025] According to a second embodiment, a filtration device is provided that includes a filter panel according to the first embodiment. The filtration device may include a drum. In this case, the filtration device may be referred to as a drum filter. The filter panel may be fixed to the drum.

[0026] The filtering device may include a plurality of filter panels. Each filter panel may have the same size and shape. This facilitates replacement as only one type of filter panel needs to be held in stock. On one circumference of the drum, for example, the filtering device may include four or five filter panels surrounding the drum. The plurality of filter panels provided on a common circumference may be referred to as a group. The filtering device may include one or several such groups distributed axially along, for example, the drum.

[0027] When each of the primary end support portion and the secondary end support portion of the filter panel has a through-hole passing through the first folding portion and the second folding portion, the filter panel may be fixed to the drum by a fastener passing through each through-hole.

[0028] According to a third aspect, a method of providing a filter panel includes providing a filtering element including a primary filter end, a secondary filter end, and a filtering portion between the primary filter end and the secondary filter end; providing a support structure including a primary end support portion comprising a sheet material, a secondary end support portion comprising a sheet material, and a central support portion between the primary end support portion and the secondary end support portion; positioning the filtering element on the support structure such that the primary filter end is supported by the primary end support portion, the secondary filter end is supported by the secondary end support portion, and the filtering portion is supported by the central support portion; and folding the sheet materials of the primary end support portion and the secondary end support portion to fix the primary filter end and the secondary filter end, respectively.

[0029] The filter panel of the method according to the third aspect may be of any type described with respect to the first aspect, and vice versa.

[0030] The support structure may include side folding portions of the sheet material. In this case, the method may further include folding the side folding portions with respect to the central support portion to fix the filtering element.

[0031] The method may further include a step of bending the filtration element and support structure to curve the central support. The bending may include, for example, rolling the filtration element and support structure in a rolling mill.

[0032] The folding may be performed after the sheet material of the primary and secondary end supports has been folded. Since the respective filter ends of the filtration element are secured by the sheet material by folding before the subsequent folding, the subsequent folding provides two functions: namely, curving the support structure into a desired shape and extending the filtration element.

[0033] The method may further include the step of folding the sheet material of the primary end support and secondary end support again after folding by folding the first and second fold sections simultaneously by at least 70° and / or less than 110°, for example, 90°, with respect to the central support section, or, if a third fold section is provided, with respect to the third fold section.

[0034] The primary end support, secondary end support, and central support may be formed from a single sheet material.

[0035] The sheet material may be a metal sheet material.

[0036] Each of the primary end support and secondary end support may include a first folding portion that folds relative to the central support and a second folding portion that folds relative to the first folding portion. The first folding portion may be positioned between the central support and the second folding portion. Each of the primary filter end and secondary filter end may be fixed between the first folding portion and the second folding portion, respectively. Each of the primary end support and secondary end support may include through holes that pass through the first folding portion and the second folding portion. The method may further include the step of fixing the filter panel to the drum of the filtration device by fasteners passing through the respective through holes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] Further details, advantages, and aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description provided in conjunction with the drawings. [Figure 1] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a filtration system equipped with multiple filter panels. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of one of the filter panels. [Figure 3] Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of the filtration element. [Figure 4a] Figure 4a schematically shows a top view of the sheet material used to form the support structure. [Figure 4b] Figure 4b schematically shows a side view of the sheet material shown in Figure 4a. [Figure 5a] Figure 5a schematically shows a top view of the sheet material and the filtration element on it. [Figure 5b] Figure 5b schematically shows a side view of the sheet material and filtration element shown in Figure 5a. [Figure 6a] Figure 6a schematically shows a top view of the filter panel when the sheet material is folded to secure the filtration elements. [Figure 6b] Figure 6b schematically shows a side view of the filter panel shown in Figure 6a. [Figure 7a] Figure 7a schematically shows a top view of the filter panel when the central support of the support structure is curved. [Figure 7b] Figure 7b schematically shows a side view of the filter panel shown in Figure 7a. [Figure 8a] Figure 8a schematically shows a top view of the filter panel when the sheet material is folded again. [Figure 8b] Figure 8b schematically shows a side view of the filter panel shown in Figure 8a. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a schematic partial perspective view of the filtration system. [Figure 10] Figure 10 schematically shows a partial side view of the filtration device. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart outlining the general steps of the method. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] The following describes a filter panel, a filtration apparatus comprising a filter panel, and a method for providing a filter panel. The same or similar reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar structural features.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically represents one of many examples of a filtration device 10. The filtration device 10 comprises a plurality of filter panels 12. In this example, all filter panels 12 are the same size and shape. The filtration device 10 further comprises a drum 14. Thus, the filtration device 10 in this example is a drum filter. The filter panels 12 are fixed to the drum 14.

[0040] This particular non-limiting example of a filtration apparatus 10 further comprises an inlet 16 for supplying the liquid 18 to be filtered into a drum 14, a tank 20 at the bottom of the drum 14, and an outlet 22 downstream of the tank 20. The liquid 18 is exemplified here as wastewater. The liquid 18 is guided into the interior of the drum 14 and exits the drum 14 by passing through a filter panel 12. During this passage, the liquid 18 is filtered.

[0041] The drum 14 rotates during filtration, as indicated by arrow 24. For this purpose, the filtration apparatus 10 in this example is equipped with a motor 26 for driving the rotation of the drum 14, either directly or indirectly via a transmission (not shown). The filter panel 12, temporarily positioned in a non-operating position (e.g., the upper vertical part of the drum 14), may undergo various processes such as removing the filter cake collected therein.

[0042] Figure 2 schematically represents a perspective view of one of the filter panels 12. The filter panel 12 comprises a support structure 28 and a filtration element 30. The filtration element 30 is held by the support structure 28. The support structure 28 comprises a primary end support 32a, a secondary end support 32b, and a central support 34 between the primary and secondary end support 32a and 32b. As shown, the central support 34 is curved in an arc to match the shape of the target drum 14. The central support 34 supports the filtration element 30. Each of the primary and secondary end support 32a and 32b comprises a sheet material that is folded to secure the filtration element 30, as described herein. Furthermore, each of the primary and secondary end support 32a and 32b comprises a through hole 36 for securing the filter panel 12 to the drum 14.

[0043] Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of an example of a filtration element 30. The filtration element 30 is exemplified here as a flexible filter cloth. The filtration element 30 comprises a primary filter end 38a, a secondary filter end 38b, and a filtration section 40 between the primary and secondary filter ends 38a and 38b. The filtration element 30 further comprises a primary filter side portion 42a and a secondary filter side portion 42b on opposite sides of the filtration section 40.

[0044] The filter element 30 in this example is rectangular. Thus, the primary and secondary filter ends 38a and 38b are provided by the respective short sides of the filter element 30, and the primary and secondary filter sides 42a and 42b are provided by the respective long sides of the filter element 30. For example, the filter element 30 may have a length of at least 700 mm and / or less than 1800 mm, for example about 1200 mm, and a width of at least 200 mm and / or less than 600 mm, for example about 400 mm.

[0045] The filtration element 30 may comprise a wire cloth, such as a metal wire cloth or alloy wire cloth, having a three-dimensional pore geometric shape. The wire cloth may comprise longitudinal wires and transverse wires that intersect each other and are woven together by a weave. The longitudinal wires may be formed in at least two different configurations to define the first and second types of longitudinal wires. The length of the first type of longitudinal wire may differ from the length of the second type of longitudinal wire with respect to a specific unit of length. Pores may be formed in the gaps between two adjacent portions of longitudinal wires and two adjacent portions of transverse wires that intersect each other.

[0046] In the filtration element 30, the weaving method and combination of materials, as well as the wire diameter, are all customizable. In special designs, the metal wire cloth may include wires formed from materials other than metal.

[0047] The filtration element 30 may consist of all the filter materials. The filter materials may be made from any material. The filtration element 30 may be designed as a single layer or multiple layers. The layers may be made from different filter materials or the same filter material.

[0048] Preferably, the filtration element 30 is formed from a metal material so as to be suitable for recycling.

[0049] Figure 4a schematically shows a top view of the sheet material 44 for forming the support structure 28, and Figure 4b schematically shows a side view of the sheet material 44 in Figure 4a. Referring to both Figures 4a and 4b, the sheet material 44 is machined, for example, by laser cutting or laser processing, to provide the shape described.

[0050] In Figures 4a and 4b, the sheet material 44 has an overall flat configuration with no folded portions. The sheet material 44 is a single material. For example, the sheet material 44 may have a thickness of 0.7 mm. For example, the sheet material 44 may be formed from a metal such as stainless steel, such as stainless steel grade 1.4401 or 1.4404 (also known as grades 316 and 316L, respectively).

[0051] In this example, the primary and secondary end support portions 32a and 32b each include a first folding portion 46, a second folding portion 48, and an optional third folding portion 50, respectively, in the order of moving away from the central support portion 34. In addition, the sheet material 44 provides two side folding portions 52 on opposite sides of the central support portion 34.

[0052] The central support section 34 has a plurality of openings 54, in this case three openings 54. A longitudinal bar 56 extending between the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b is defined between the openings 54 of the central support section 34.

[0053] Figure 4a shows that one or more through holes 36 (two in this case) are provided in each of the first folding portion 46 and the second folding portion 48 of the primary and secondary end support portions 32a and 32b, respectively.

[0054] Figure 5a schematically shows a top view of the sheet material 44 and the filtration element 30 on it, and Figure 5b schematically shows a side view of the sheet material 44 and filtration element 30 in Figure 5a. Referring to both Figures 5a and 5b, the filtration element 30 is placed on the sheet material 44. The filtration section 40 is supported by a central support section 34, the first filter end 38a is supported by the first folded portion 46 of the primary end support section 32a, and the second filter end 38b is supported by the first folded portion 46 of the secondary end support section 32b.

[0055] In the short-side direction of the sheet material 44 (vertical direction in Figure 5a), the width of the filtration element 30 substantially corresponds to the width of the central support portion 34 (e.g., within 10%). Each side fold portion 52 protrudes outward from the filtration element 30 in the short-side direction.

[0056] In the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in Figure 5a) of the sheet material 44, the length of the filtration element 30 is greater than the length of the central support portion 34 (for example, at least 3% greater). As a result, the filtration element 30 protrudes longitudinally outside the central support portion 34 and is supported by the primary and secondary end support portions 32a and 32b, in this case by the respective first folded portions 46. As shown in Figure 5a, the length of the filtration element 30 is not long enough to block the through-hole 36 of the first folded portion 46.

[0057] Optionally, a protective layer (not shown) may be provided on the sheet material 44, such as a central support section 34 including longitudinal bars 56 and parts of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b, to protect the filter element 30 from direct contact with the sheet material 44. In addition, such a protective layer may be adhesive.

[0058] Figure 6a schematically shows a top view of the filter panel 12 when the sheet material 44 is folded to secure the filtration element 30, and Figure 6b schematically shows a side view of the filter panel 12 in Figure 6a. Referring to both Figures 6a and 6b, each second fold portion 48 is folded 180° inward relative to the adjacent first fold portion 46. As a result, the sheet material 44 is folded around the filtration element 30. During this folding of each second fold portion 48, each third fold portion 50 is not folded relative to the adjacent second fold portion 48.

[0059] By folding, the filtration element 30 is compressed. Specifically, the primary filter end 38a is fixed between the first and second folding portions 46 and 48 of the primary end support 32a, and the secondary filter end 38b is fixed between the first and second folding portions 46 and 48 of the secondary end support 32b. In addition, in each of the primary and secondary end support portions 32a and 32b, the filtration element 30 is fixed between the third folding portion 50 and the central support portion 34.

[0060] Before, after, or simultaneously with the folding of the primary and secondary end support portions 32a and 32b, the two side folding portions 52 are folded 180° inward relative to the central support portion 34 in order to also secure the primary and secondary filter side portions 42a and 42b of the filtration element 30.

[0061] Figure 7a schematically shows a top view of the filter panel 12 when the central support 34 is curved, and Figure 7b schematically shows a side view of the filter panel 12 in Figure 7a. From the state shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the entire filter panel 12 is bent to form the desired curve. For this purpose, for example, the entire filter panel 12 may pass through a rolling mill.

[0062] Since the filtration element 30 is fixed, it is prevented from sliding off the primary and secondary end supports 32a and 32b during bending. Furthermore, the central support 34 is positioned radially inward of the filtration element 30 with respect to the target curvature, and since the filtration element 30 is fixed, tension is applied to the filtration element 30 in the longitudinal direction of the filter panel 12 during bending.

[0063] Figure 8a schematically shows a top view of the filter panel 12 when the sheet material 44 is further folded, and Figure 8b schematically shows a side view of the filter panel 12 in Figure 8a. Referring to both Figures 8a and 8b, at the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b, respectively, the first and second folding sections 46 and 48, in which the filtration element 30 is held, are both folded 90° inward relative to the central support section 34 and the third folding section 50. This further increases the compression between the third folding section 50 and the filtration element 30. At the same time, the through-hole 36 is lifted and thus ready to be attached to the filter panel 12. As can be inferred from Figure 8b, the folding between the second folding section 48 and the third folding section 50 is gentler at the filtration element 30 than when the sheet material 44 is at an acute angle at the second folding section 48.

[0064] Figure 9 schematically shows a partial perspective view of the filtration device 10 to which the filter panel 12 is attached, and Figure 10 schematically shows a partial side view of the filtration device 10. In Figure 10, it is shown that the filter panel 12 is fixed to the drum 14 by fasteners 58 passing through each of the through holes 36. In this example, the fasteners 58 comprise a bolt 60 and a nut 62. The bolt 60 is attached to the drum 14. The tightening of the nut 62 provides two functions in combination: fixing the filter panel 12 to the drum 14 and reinforcing the fixing of the filtration element 30 held between the first and second folding sections 46 and 48.

[0065] Figure 11 is a flowchart outlining the general steps of the method. The method comprises step S10 of providing a filtration element 30 including a primary filter end 38a, a secondary filter end 38b, and a filtration section 40 between the primary filter end 38a and the secondary filter end 38b. The method further comprises step S12 of providing a support structure 28 including a primary end support 32a made of sheet material 44, a secondary end support 32b made of sheet material 44, and a central support 34 between the primary end support 32a and the secondary end support 32b. The method further comprises the steps of: S14 positioning the filtration element 30 on the support structure 28 such that the primary filter end 38a is supported by the primary end support 32a, the secondary filter end 38b is supported by the secondary end support 32b, and the filtration section 40 is supported by the central support 34; and S16 folding the sheet material 44 of the primary end support 32a and the secondary end support 32b in order to fix the primary filter end 38a and the secondary filter end 38b, respectively.

[0066] The method in this example further includes step S18 of folding the side folding portion 52 relative to the central support portion 34 in order to fix the filtration element 30.

[0067] The method in this example further comprises step S20 of bending the filtration element 30 and the support structure 28 in order to curve the central support portion 34. The bending step S20 may be performed after step S16 of folding the sheet material 44 of the primary end support portion 32a and the secondary end support portion 32b.

[0068] The method in this example further includes a step S22 in which the sheet material 44 of the primary end support portion 32a and the secondary end support portion 32b is folded again after the bending step S20.

[0069] The method in this example further comprises step S24 of fixing the filter panel 12 to the drum 14 of the filtration device 10 by fasteners 58 passing through each of the through holes 36.

[0070] While this disclosure is described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to the foregoing. For example, the dimensions of parts may be modified as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention may be limited only by the claims appended herein.

Claims

1. A filtration element (30) including a primary filter end (38a), a secondary filter end (38b), and a filtration section (40) between the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), A support structure (28) including a primary end support (32a), a secondary end support (32b), and a central support (34) between the primary end support (32a) and the secondary end support (32b) that supports the filtration section (40), A filter panel (12) comprising, A filter panel (12) wherein each of the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b) is provided with a sheet material (44) that is folded to fix the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), respectively.

2. The filter panel (12) according to claim 1, wherein the primary end support portion (32a), the secondary end support portion (32b), and the central support portion (34) are formed from a single sheet material (44).

3. The filter panel (12) according to claim 2, wherein the sheet material (44) is a metal sheet material.

4. The filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b) comprises a first folding portion (46) that folds relative to the central support portion (34) and a second folding portion (48) that folds relative to the first folding portion (46), and the first folding portion (46) is positioned between the central support portion (34) and the second folding portion (48).

5. The filter panel (12) according to claim 4, wherein the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b) are each fixed between the first folding portion (46) and the second folding portion (48), respectively.

6. The filter panel (12) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b) is provided with a through hole (36) through which the first folding portion (46) and the second folding portion (48) pass.

7. The filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the primary filter end (38a) is provided with a third folding portion (50) that is folded relative to the second folding portion (48), and the second folding portion (48) is positioned between the first folding portion (46) and the third folding portion (50).

8. The filter panel (12) according to claim 7, wherein the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b) are each fixed between the third folding portion (50) and the central support portion (34).

9. The filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support structure (28) comprises a side folded portion (52) of a sheet material (44) that is folded relative to the central support portion (34) to fix the filtration element (30).

10. The central support portion (34) is curved, the filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the filtration element (30) is made of wire mesh.

12. The filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the filtration element (30) is made of any filter material.

13. The filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the filtration element (30) consists of one or more layers.

14. A filtration device (10) comprising a filter panel (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The filtration device (10) according to claim 14, wherein the filtration device (10) comprises a drum (14), and the filter panel (12) is fixed to the drum (14) by fasteners (58) passing through their respective through holes (36).

16. A method for providing a filter panel (12), Step (S10) of providing a filter element (30) including a primary filter end (38a), a secondary filter end (38b), and a filtration section (40) between the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), Step (S12) of providing a support structure (28) including a primary end support portion (32a) made of sheet material (44), a secondary end support portion (32b) made of sheet material (44), and a central support portion (34) between the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b), Step (S14) of positioning the filtration element (30) on the support structure (28) such that the primary filter end (38a) is supported by the primary end support (32a), the secondary filter end (38b) is supported by the secondary end support (32b), and the filtration section (40) is supported by the central support (34), In order to fix the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), respectively, the process (S16) involves folding the sheet material (44) of the primary end support (32a) and the secondary end support (32b), A method that includes [a certain feature].

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the support structure (28) comprises a side folded portion (52) of the sheet material (44), and the method further comprises the step (S18) of folding the side folded portion (52) relative to the central support portion (34) to fix the filtration element (30).

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising the step (S20) of bending the filtration element (30) and the support structure (28) in order to curve the central support portion (34).

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the bending step (S20) is performed after the folding step (S16) of the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b).

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step (S22) of folding the sheet material (44) of the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b) again after the bending step (S20).

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the primary end support portion (32a), the secondary end support portion (32b), and the central support portion (34) are formed from a single sheet material (44).

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the sheet material (44) is a metal sheet material.

23. Each of the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b) includes a first folding portion (46) that folds relative to the central support portion (34) and a second folding portion (48) that folds relative to the first folding portion (46), the first folding portion (46) being positioned between the central support portion (34) and the second folding portion (48), and each of the primary filter end portion (38a) and the secondary filter end portion (38b) is provided with the first folding portion (46) The method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b) are fixed between the first folding portion (46) and the second folding portion (48), and each of the primary end support portion (32a) and the secondary end support portion (32b) has a through hole (36) through which the first folding portion (46) and the second folding portion (48) pass, and the method further comprises the step (S24) of fixing the filter panel (12) to the drum (14) of the filtration device (10) by fasteners (58) passing through each of the through holes (36).

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