Self-cleaning device and method for continuous filtration of high-viscosity fluids

Abstract

A method for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid containing foreign matter includes feeding the viscous fluid containing foreign matter between a non-perforated surface of a first cylinder and a perforated surface of a second cylinder, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined first gap, and moving the non-perforated surface and the perforated surface relative to each other at a predetermined relative velocity, the second cylinder having one or more longitudinal fins that protrude into the first gap toward the perforated surface of the first cylinder, thereby forming a first gap between the protruding ends of the fins and the perforated surface, causing the viscous fluid containing foreign matter to move in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity and generating a shear velocity in the viscous fluid containing foreign matter near the perforated surface in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of continuous filtration devices for removing foreign substances from viscous fluids, and more specifically to such self-cleaning devices for continuous filtration.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional devices for filtering foreign substances from viscous fluids such as melts of polymer materials containing foreign substances usually comprise a filtering member having a plurality of holes. The holes usually permit the passage of the viscous fluid and block the passage of foreign substances. During the filtration process, foreign substances accumulate on the surface of the filtering member and block the holes of the filtering member.

[0003] Some conventional devices are equipped with a metal blade that scrapes the filtering member to drop the foreign substances deposited from the holes. However, scraping the filtering member with the metal blade may damage the filtering member, and as a result, it is necessary to frequently replace the metal blade and / or the filtering member. Among other conventional devices, there are those that clean the filtering member by reversing the flow of the filtered viscous fluid to remove the foreign substances blocking the holes. However, this is a waste of the already filtered viscous fluid and / or it is necessary to interrupt the filtration process.

[0004] Therefore, a self-cleaning device for continuous filtration of viscous fluids has been desired for many years.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid containing foreign matter. This filtering method includes feeding the viscous fluid containing foreign matter between a non-porous surface and a porous surface provided with a predetermined first gap substantially parallel to each other, thereby moving the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in the length direction along the first gap, and moving the non-porous surface and the porous surface relative to each other at a predetermined relative speed, thereby moving the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in a direction substantially parallel to the relative speed, and generating a shear rate in the vicinity of the porous surface of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in a direction substantially parallel to the relative speed. In the method for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid containing foreign matter, the porous surface is configured as a first cylindrical body having a first longitudinal central axis, the non-porous surface is configured as a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis coinciding with the first longitudinal central axis, the first and second cylindrical bodies overlap, the relative speed is a rotational speed, the first gap is an annular gap, and the second cylindrical body is provided with one or more longitudinal fins protruding into the first gap toward the porous surface of the first cylindrical body, thereby forming a second gap between the protruding end of the fin and the porous surface, and the second gap may be smaller than the first gap. This method further controls the relative speed, the pressure, and the average shear rate in the second gap so that the layer of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter near the porous surface flows through the through-holes of the porous surface to the opposite side of the porous surface, and foreign matter having a size larger than the size of the through-holes flows in a direction substantially parallel to the relative speed. The relative speed may be directed tangentially to the surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies and perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis of the second cylindrical body and the first longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical body.

[0006] In some embodiments, this filtration method further maintains the flow of the viscous fluid near the perforated surface substantially in a laminar state, while the average velocity of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter in the second gap in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity is more than 50 times faster than the average velocity of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter toward the perforated surface, and further, the average shear rate in the second gap is 50 (1 / s) or more. The relative velocity, the pressure, and the average shear rate in the second gap may be controlled accordingly.

[0007] In some embodiments, the through holes are slots each having a longitudinal dimension and a short dimension, and the longitudinal dimension of the slot is substantially perpendicular to the relative velocity and substantially along the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the first cylindrical body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the rotational speed of the second cylindrical body may be increased in a first period at a predetermined rotational speed acceleration and then decelerated to a desired rotational speed at a lower rate, so as to instantaneously increase the cleaning effect of the foreign matter from the perforated surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, during the filtration of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter, this filtration method injects the filtered viscous fluid by pressure toward the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter, so as to increase the pressure of the filtered viscous fluid on the opposite side of the perforated surface to substantially the same level as the pressure of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter on the side of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter during the filtration of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter, while maintaining the shear rate in the second gap.

[0010] In some embodiments, the perforated surface is provided with a plurality of grooves, the depth of the grooves is shorter than the short dimension of the slots, and at least one of the grooves is formed across at least one of the slots.

[0011] In some embodiments, the through holes are provided along at least one longitudinal filtration portion along the circumference and the entire length of the first cylindrical body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body is provided within the second cylindrical body.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body is provided within the first cylindrical body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the annular gap tapers along a common axis of rotation such that the annular gap decreases along the first longitudinal central axis, either by the first cylindrical body tapering along the first longitudinal central axis or by the second cylindrical body tapering along the second longitudinal central axis.

[0015] In some embodiments, one of the first cylindrical body or the second cylindrical body includes at least one helical fin provided downstream of the at least one longitudinal filter portion along the longitudinal central axis, and the helical fin projects into the annular gap.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid, the filtering apparatus being a first cylindrical body having a first longitudinal central axis and including at least one filtering portion, the at least one filtering portion including a first cylindrical body having a plurality of holes along a circumferential surface, and a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis that coincides with the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body. In the apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid, the first cylindrical body is overlapped with the second cylindrical body so that an annular gap is formed between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body and is rotatable relative to the second cylindrical body, the annular gap being capable of accommodating the viscous fluid, and the second cylindrical body includes one or more longitudinal fins that project from the second cylindrical body into the annular gap toward the perforated surface of the first cylindrical body, thereby forming a second gap between a protruding end of the fin and the perforated surface, and the second gap is smaller than the annular gap.

[0017] In some embodiments, the filtration device further comprises at least one rotating motor connected to one of the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body and configured to rotate the one of the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body at a controlled speed, and control means cooperating with the rotating means and configured to control, by the rotating means, the relative rotation between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body according to the controlled speed.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body is provided within the second cylindrical body.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body is provided within the first cylindrical body.

[0020] In some embodiments, the holes are slots each having a longitudinal dimension and a short dimension, and the longitudinal dimension of the slot substantially follows the central axis in the first length direction of the first cylindrical body.

[0021] In some embodiments, the filtration device comprises at least one nozzle provided on the side opposite to the perforated surface and configured to provide a pressure jet of the filtered viscous fluid from the side opposite to the perforated surface towards the filtered fluid side during filtration of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body further comprises a plurality of grooves on the circumferential surface of the first cylindrical body, and the depth of the grooves is smaller than the short dimension of the slots.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one of the grooves is formed across at least one of the slots.

[0024] In some embodiments, the at least one longitudinal filtration portion is provided at a predetermined distance downstream from the first end of the first cylindrical body.

[0025] The annular gap tapers along a common axis of rotation by at least one of the first cylindrical body tapering along the first longitudinal central axis or the second cylindrical body tapering along the second longitudinal central axis, such that the annular gap decreases along the first longitudinal central axis.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body includes at least one helical blade provided along the first longitudinal central axis, and the helical blade protrudes into the annular gap.

[0027] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device further includes cleaning means, the cleaning means including at least one cleaning injector having a plurality of injection holes and / or slots, and a cleaning pipe fluidly connected to the at least one cleaning injector, the cleaning pipe being configured to send a filtered viscous fluid to the at least one cleaning injector. The at least one cleaning injector is provided with a dimension extending along at least a part of the at least one longitudinal filtering part of the first cylindrical body, and is configured to inject the filtered viscous fluid facing the rotating first cylindrical body through the holes towards the side opposite to the rotating first cylindrical body.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid. The filtering apparatus may have a first longitudinal central axis and may be a first cylindrical body having at least one filtering portion. The at least one filtering portion may include a first cylindrical body having a plurality of holes along its circumferential surface and a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis that coincides with the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body. In the apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid, the first cylindrical body may overlap and be rotatable with respect to the second cylindrical body such that an annular gap is formed between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body. The annular gap may be capable of accommodating the viscous fluid. The at least one longitudinal fin may be provided on the second cylindrical body at a position corresponding to the position of at least one longitudinal filtering portion provided on the first cylindrical body. The at least one longitudinal fin may be at least one longitudinal fin that protrudes from the second cylindrical body into the annular gap toward the first cylindrical body. The at least one longitudinal fin may coincide with the second longitudinal central axis and may be a longitudinal fin that extends along at least a part of the entire length of the at least one longitudinal filtering portion. The apparatus may further include at least one helical blade provided along the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body and protruding into the annular gap.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid. The filtering apparatus may have a first longitudinal central axis and may be a first cylindrical body having at least one filtering portion. The at least one filtering portion may include a first cylindrical body having a plurality of holes along its circumferential surface and a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis that coincides with the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body. In the apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid, the second cylindrical body may be overlapping and rotatable with respect to the first cylindrical body such that an annular gap is formed between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body. The annular gap may be capable of accommodating the viscous fluid.

[0030] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device includes rotating means having at least one rotating motor, wherein the rotating motor is connected to the second cylindrical body and configured to rotate the second cylindrical body at a predetermined rotational speed, and control means for controlling the rotating means, the control means being configured to control the rotation of the second cylindrical body by the rotating means according to the predetermined rotational speed.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body is provided within the second cylindrical body.

[0032] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body is provided within the first cylindrical body.

[0033] In some embodiments, each of the holes is a slot having a longitudinal dimension and a short dimension.

[0034] In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the slot is along the first central axis of the first cylindrical body.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body further includes a plurality of grooves along the circumferential surface of the first cylindrical body, and the depth of the grooves is smaller than the short dimension of the slots.

[0036] In some embodiments, at least one of the grooves is formed across at least one of the slots.

[0037] In some embodiments, the at least one longitudinal filtration portion is provided at a predetermined distance downstream from the first end of the first cylindrical body.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body tapers along the first longitudinal central axis such that the annular gap decreases along the first longitudinal center.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body tapers along the second longitudinal center such that the annular gap decreases along the second longitudinal center.

[0040] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body includes at least one longitudinal fin that protrudes from the second cylindrical body into the annular gap toward the first cylindrical body, and the at least one longitudinal fin extends along the second longitudinal central axis and at least partially along the entire length of the at least one longitudinal filtering portion.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body includes at least one helical blade portion provided along the first longitudinal central axis.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid. The filtering apparatus may have a first longitudinal central axis and may include a first cylindrical body having at least one filtering portion. The at least one filtering portion may include a first cylindrical body having a plurality of holes along its circumferential surface and a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis that coincides with the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body. In the apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid, the second cylindrical body may overlap with the first cylindrical body and be rotatable relative to the first cylindrical body such that an annular gap is formed between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body. The annular gap may be capable of accommodating the viscous fluid. At least one set of longitudinal fins may be provided on the second cylindrical body at a position corresponding to the position of at least one longitudinal filtering portion provided on the first cylindrical body. The at least one longitudinal fin may be at least one longitudinal fin that protrudes from the second cylindrical body into the annular gap toward the first cylindrical body. The at least one longitudinal fin may coincide with the second longitudinal central axis and may extend at least partially along the entire length of the at least one longitudinal filtering portion. At least one helical blade portion may protrude into the annular gap along the second longitudinal central axis of the second cylindrical body.

[0043] These additional and / or other structural features and / or specific effects of the present invention are described in the detailed description below, but may also be inferred from the following detailed description and / or obtained through the implementation of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044] To better understand the embodiments of the present invention and to be able to implement the embodiments of the present invention, as an example only, please refer to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, corresponding members or parts are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the figures. In the accompanying drawings,

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[0054] It should be noted that for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the illustration, the members shown in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, some of the members shown may be exaggerated compared to other members for clarity. Further, when considered appropriate, reference numerals may be reused in the accompanying drawings to indicate corresponding ones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] In the following description, some features of the present invention will be explained. For the purpose of explanation, specific structures and details are described to enable a full understanding of the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented even if it is not as specifically described below. Furthermore, well-known matters may be omitted or simplified so as not to impede the present invention. Regarding specific references to the accompanying drawings, the specific matters shown in the drawings are merely illustrative and are provided only for the purpose of exemplarily explaining the present invention, emphasizing that they provide the matters that are considered to be most effective for an explanation that can easily understand the principles and conceptual features of the present invention. In this regard, there is no intention to show the structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for a basic understanding of the present invention. Through the explanation with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art how some forms of the present invention can be actually implemented.

[0056] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the structures and configurations of the components described below or illustrated in the accompanying drawings in its application. The present invention is applicable not only to the combination of the embodiments disclosed herein but also to other embodiments that can be implemented or carried out in various ways. It should also be understood that the expressions and terms described herein are for the purpose of explanation and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E, schematic views of an apparatus 100 for continuously filtering foreign substances from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively.

[0058] Each of FIGS. 1A and 1C shows a perspective view of a continuous filtration apparatus 100 and a continuous filtration apparatus 100'. FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the continuous filtration apparatus 100, and the portion of the first cylindrical body 110 hidden by the second cylindrical body 120 is shown by a dotted line. Each of FIGS. 1D and 1E shows a longitudinal section A-A' and a transverse section B-B' of the continuous filtration apparatus 100, and the longitudinal section A-A' and the transverse section B-B' are defined in FIG. 1A.

[0059] The continuous filtration device 100 may include a first cylindrical body 110 having a first longitudinal central axis 112 and a second cylindrical body 120 having a second longitudinal central axis 122. The first cylindrical body 110 and the second cylindrical body 120 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis 112 coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 122 and an annular gap 130 is formed between the first cylindrical body 110 and the second cylindrical body 120 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E).

[0060] In various embodiments, the first cylindrical body 110 may be provided within the second cylindrical body 120 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1E), or the second cylindrical body 120 may be provided within the first cylindrical body 110 (for example, as shown in FIG. 1C).

[0061] The annular gap 130 between the first cylindrical body 110 and the second cylindrical body 120 may be configured to receive a viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be, for example, a melt of a polymer material. The melt of the polymer material may include, for example, a plurality of foreign substances. The foreign substances may be, for example, hard solid particles such as minerals, metals, or fibers. In other embodiments, the foreign substances are soft semi-solid particles such as elastomers or foreign polymers having a melting point higher than that of the viscous fluid.

[0062] The first cylindrical body 110 may be rotatably supported so as to be rotatable about the first longitudinal central axis 112 with respect to the second cylindrical body 120 (for example, as indicated by arrow 112a in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1E).

[0063] A plurality of holes 116 may be provided in at least a part of the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 110. These holes 116 may be provided along at least one longitudinal filtration portion 113 of the first cylindrical body 110 (for example, in a direction along the first longitudinal central axis 112). For example, FIGS. 1B and 1C each show enlarged views 110a, 110b of the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 110 in which the holes 116 are formed.

[0064] In various embodiments, the shape and / or dimensions of the holes 116 in the first cylindrical body 110, the distance between the holes, and / or the arrangement pattern of the holes 116 may be determined so as to obtain a viscous fluid at a desired flow rate while preventing foreign matter from passing through the holes.

[0065] In some embodiments, the holes 116 may gradually narrow in the radial direction such that the opening 116a of the holes 116 on the inner surface 111a of the first cylindrical body 110 is larger than the opening 116b of the holes 116 on the outer surface 111b of the first cylindrical body 110.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 1F and 1G, these figures illustrate in more detail the configuration of the apparatus 100 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid and the operation process of the continuous filtering apparatus 100 in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0067] FIGS. 1F and 1G respectively show the longitudinal section A - A' and the cross section B - B' of the continuous filtering apparatus 100, and the longitudinal section A - A' and the cross section B - B' are defined in FIG. 1A.

[0068] Referring also to FIG. 1H, a partial schematic view of the velocity components of the viscous fluid in one of the holes 116 formed in the first cylindrical body 110 of the apparatus 100 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0069] In some embodiments, the continuous filtering apparatus 100 may include a housing 140, a rotating means 150, and a control means 160.

[0070] The housing 140 may be adapted to accommodate a first cylindrical body 110 and a second cylindrical body 120 that are adapted to be mounted within the housing 140. The rotating means 150 may at least include a rotating motor connected to the first cylindrical body 110 and be adapted to rotate the first cylindrical body 110. The control means 160 may be interlocked with the rotating means 150 and may further be configured to control the rotation of the first cylindrical body 110 by the rotating means 150.

[0071] In some embodiments, the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter (e.g., a molten polymer material containing foreign matter) may be supplied to the annular gap 130 between the first cylindrical body 110 and the second cylindrical body 120. For example, the second cylindrical body 120 may be provided with one or more supply openings 124 at the first end 120a of the second cylindrical body, and at least one supply opening 124 may be in fluid connection with the tubular gap 130 so as to be able to supply the viscous fluid containing foreign matter 80 to the annular gap 130 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1F).

[0072] By continuously supplying the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter to the annular gap 130, the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter is moved along the annular gap 130 in the longitudinal direction 132 between the first end 130a and the second end 130b of the annular gap 130, thereby generating a longitudinal flow 132a of the viscous fluid.

[0073] The viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter near the perforated surface maintains a substantially laminar tangential flow, thereby generating a radial flow 134a of the viscous fluid (e.g., together with the longitudinal flow 132a of the viscous fluid), and due to the pressure generated in the annular gap 130, the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter is moved (e.g., at least by the suction pressure and the continuous suction of the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter at a desired flow rate) so as to flow in the radial direction 134 toward the perforated surface. Thus, due to the pressure in the annular gap 130, the viscous fluid passes through the holes 116 formed in the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 110. Since the foreign matter is blocked from passing through the holes 116, the foreign matter is filtered out of the viscous fluid, and the foreign matter is retained in the annular gap 130. The filtered viscous fluid 92 is controllably taken out, for example, from the second end 110b of the first cylindrical body 110, using the filtered viscous fluid extraction means 170 (e.g., while remaining free of foreign matter or substantially free of foreign matter).

[0074] The first cylindrical body 110 may be continuously rotated about the first longitudinal direction central axis 112 by the rotating means 150 to generate a laminar tangential entrainment flow 136a of the viscous fluid (e.g., in addition to the longitudinal flow and the radial flow of the viscous fluid) in the tangential direction 136 of the annular gap within the annular gap 130. A tangential velocity gradient occurs between the rotating first cylindrical body 110 and the stationary second cylindrical body 120. Foreign particles that are separated from the surface of the rotating first cylindrical body 110 in a layer are dragged at successively lower tangential velocities than the surface of the rotating first cylindrical body 110, thereby generating a self-sweeping tangential relative motion 136b centered on the rotating first cylindrical body 110. The foreign particles move in a circular motion in the tangential direction (e.g., in the tangential direction 136), descend in the longitudinal direction (e.g., in the longitudinal direction 132) toward the outlet 120b, and move toward the surface of the first cylindrical body 110 (e.g., in the radial direction 134). Even if foreign particles on the surface of the first cylindrical body 110 that are larger in size than the holes 116 come into contact with the surface of the rotating first cylindrical body 110, as long as the rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 110 is maintained and / or the desired shear rate near the surface of the rotating first cylindrical body 110 is maintained (e.g., as will be described later), the rotational motion continues. In various embodiments of the present invention, the radial flow of the viscous fluid maintains a substantial laminar flow, such as the arrow 136a in FIGS. 1G and 1H, while maintaining the movement toward the perforated surface and the passage through the perforated surface, and the remaining fluid that does not pass through the perforated surface is as described above.

[0075] The typical viscosity of the synthetic resin melt is, at the melt treatment temperature, with a shear rate of 100 (1 / s), the minimum value being 0.1 Pa / s, and the second and third digits being large (up to 10,000 Pa / s). When the viscosity is high, it is known in the art that the viscous force becomes dominant while the inertial force (gravity or centrifugal force) can be relatively ignored. The ratio of the inertial force to the viscous force is known as the Reynolds number (Re). When Re is low, the flow pattern becomes a laminar flow similar to a smooth layer, while when Re is about 2900 or more, the flow becomes a turbulent flow. In the field of processing polymer melts, when the viscosity is high, the flow becomes a smooth, vortex-free laminar flow. In various embodiments of the present invention, for example, the Reynolds number is Re < 1, that is, it is well maintained within the stable laminar flow range.

[0076] Foreign particles larger in size than the holes 116 on the surface of the first cylindrical body 110, even when contacting the surface of the rotating first cylindrical body 110, continue to rotate as long as the rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 110 is maintained and / or the desired shear rate near the surface of the rotating first cylindrical body 110 is maintained (for example, as will be described later).

[0077] The rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 110, and thus the tangential entrainment flow 136a and / or the self-sweeping tangential relative motion 136b generated thereby, significantly reduce the adhesion of foreign matter to the first cylindrical body 110 and remarkably reduce the clogging of the holes 116 by foreign matter (for example, at least by the self-sweeping tangential relative motion 136b), so that a self-cleaning or self-sweeping action may be provided. In some embodiments, the self-sweeping tangential relative motion 136b may be generated along the entire filtering portion 113 of the first cylindrical body 110 where the holes 116 are formed. In this way, the self-cleaning or self-sweeping action of the first cylindrical body 110 acts simultaneously on the entire filtering portion 113.

[0078] The self-cleaning or self-sweeping action may be caused by the shear rate of the viscous fluid near the surface of the first cylindrical body 110. In some embodiments, near the surface of the first cylindrical body 110, the shear rate may be at least affected by the rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 110 and the dimension of the annular gap 130. When the average shear rate in the annular gap 130 is, for example, 50 (1 / s) or more, for example, 100 to 500 (1 / s), the self-cleaning or self-sweeping action may occur.

[0079] Generally, the rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 110 may be controlled such that the tangential speed of the viscous fluid (for example, caused by the tangential entrainment flow 136a) near the surface of the first cylindrical body 110 is significantly higher than the radial average speed of the viscous fluid (for example, caused by the radial flow 134a). In some embodiments, the rotational speed may be such that the tangential maximum speed with respect to the radial average speed is 50 or more, for example, 100 to 3000 or more.

[0080] The viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter flowing in the annular gap 130 (for example, by continuous supply of the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter to the annular gap 130) may flow in the annular gap 130 toward the outlet at the second end 130b of the annular gap. By controlling and extracting the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter at the second end 130b of the annular gap 130, pressure may be generated in the annular gap 130, contributing to the radial flow of the viscous fluid passing through the holes 116 (for example, the flow in the direction indicated by reference numeral 134), and the filtration of the viscous fluid by the holes. The viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter accumulated at the second end 130b in the annular gap 130 may be controllably extracted from the annular gap 130 (for example, preferably continuously, periodically, or at predetermined time intervals) using the extraction means 172 for the unfiltered viscous fluid connected to the second end 120b of the second cylindrical body 120.

[0081] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 100 may include cooling means 180 (for example, as shown in FIG. 1F). The cooling means 180 may be configured to cool the continuous filtration device 100.

[0082] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device disclosed herein (e.g., the continuous filtration device 100 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H) may be capable of continuously filtering a viscous fluid (e.g., a highly viscous fluid similar to the melt of a polymeric material) while performing continuous self-cleaning of the continuous filtration device. The continuous self-cleaning of the continuous filtration device may be performed by rotating a filtration member (e.g., the first cylindrical body 110) at a controlled rotational speed to generate a tangential entrainment flow (e.g., tangential entrainment flow 136a) of the viscous fluid within an annular gap that contains the viscous fluid between the filtration member and a stationary element (e.g., the annular gap 130 between the first cylindrical body 110 and the second cylindrical body 120), and / or a self-scrubbing tangential relative motion (e.g., self-scrubbing tangential relative motion 130b) of the viscous fluid within the annular gap immediately adjacent to the filtration member. The rotational speed of the filtration member and the size of the annular gap are determined such that the speed of the tangential entrainment flow (e.g., generated by the rotation of the filtration member) is at least 50 times faster (e.g., 100 to 3000 times or more) than the average speed of the radial flow of the viscous fluid within the annular gap (e.g., generated by the pressure within the annular gap), and the average shear rate within the annular gap is at least 50 (1 / s). In this way, the generated tangential entrainment flow and / or the self-scrubbing tangential relative motion generated near the filtration member significantly reduce the adhesion of foreign matter to the filtration member, significantly reduce the clogging of the pores (e.g., pores 116) of the filtration member, and may exert a self-cleaning or self-scrubbing action on the filtration member or the continuous filtration device. Therefore, the continuous filtration device disclosed herein does not require or can significantly reduce the need for cleaning the filtration member (e.g., due to the self-cleaning or self-scrubbing action of the filtration member), thus eliminating the drawbacks of current continuous filtration devices that typically use metal blades on the filtration member or reverse the filtered viscous fluid through the filtration member in a state where the cleaned filter medium is not in the filtration mode.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, schematic views of a first cylindrical body 210 having a plurality of slots 216 are shown, which are devices for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0084] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the continuous filtration device 200. FIGS. 2B and 2C show a longitudinal cross-section along line A-A' and a transverse cross-section along line B-B' of the continuous filtration device 200, respectively, and the longitudinal cross-section along line A-A' and the transverse cross-section along line B-B' are defined in FIG. 2A.

[0085] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 200 may include a first cylindrical body 210 having a first longitudinal central axis 212 and a second cylindrical body 220 having a second longitudinal central axis 222. The first cylindrical body 210 and the second cylindrical body 220 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis 212 coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 222 and an annular gap 230 is formed between the first cylindrical body 210 and the second cylindrical body 220.

[0086] The first cylindrical body 210 may be rotatably supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the second cylindrical body 220 about the first longitudinal central axis 212 (e.g., as shown by arrow 212a in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C). For example, each of the continuous filtration device 200, the first cylindrical body 210, and the second cylindrical body 220 may be configured like the continuous filtration device 100, the first cylindrical body 110, and the second cylindrical body 120 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1F.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 210 may include a plurality of slots 216 along the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 210. The slots may be similar to the holes 116 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1F. The slots 216 may be provided along at least one longitudinal filtration portion 218 of the first cylindrical body 210 (e.g., in a direction along the first longitudinal central axis 21 2) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B). Each of the slots 216 has a long dimension 216a and a short dimension 216b (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2A). In some embodiments, the long dimension 216a of the slot 216 is parallel (or substantially parallel) to the first longitudinal central axis 212 of the first cylindrical body 210 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2A).

[0088] The annular gap 230 may be adapted to accommodate the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter. At least a part of the foreign matter may have an elongated shape (for example, the elongated foreign matter 94 shown in FIG. 2C). The first cylindrical body 210 may continuously rotate at a controlled rotational speed about the first longitudinal central axis 212. The rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 210 may be controlled such that the tangential entrainment flow of the viscous fluid near the surface of the first cylindrical body 210 (for example, due to the rotation of the first cylindrical body 210) is at least three times the longitudinal average speed of the longitudinal flow of the viscous fluid (for example, the one along the longitudinal direction 232 of the annular gap 232). For example, each of the tangential entrainment flow and the longitudinal flow may be similar to the tangential entrainment flow 136a and the longitudinal flow 132a already described with respect to FIGS. 1F, 1G, and 1H. At least the rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 210 and the dimensions of the annular gap may be such that, in some embodiments, the shear rate of the viscous fluid near the surface of the first cylindrical body 210 is increased (for example, the average shear rate in the annular gap 130 is 50 (1 / s) or more, for example, 100 to 500 (1 / s)).

[0089] Due to the dominant tangential entrainment flow near the surface of the first cylindrical body 210 and / or the high shear rate, the elongated foreign matter 94 may be aligned substantially along the tangential direction within the annular gap 230 and substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal central axis 212 of the first cylindrical body 210 and the slot 216 (for example, as shown in FIG. 2C). In this way, the passage of the slot by the elongated foreign matter (and / or the passage of the soft elastomeric foreign matter stretched or elongated by the high shear rate generated by the rotation of the first cylindrical body 210) may be significantly suppressed, and the self-cleaning effect of the continuous filtration device 200 may be enhanced. Further, due to the dominant tangential entrainment flow, the path of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter within the annular gap 230 may be lengthened, and the viscous fluid containing foreign matter raro filtered viscous fluid more effective obtain may also be.

[0090] In some embodiments, the longitudinal filter section 218 having a plurality of slots 216 may be provided at a location a predetermined distance 218a downstream of the first end 210a of the first cylindrical body 210 to which the viscous fluid 90 is supplied to the annular gap 230 (for example, as shown in FIG. 2B). The distance 218a may be determined based on parameters of the viscous fluid 90 (e.g., viscosity) and the rotational speed of the first cylindrical body 210, so as to provide a sufficient distance to the elongated foreign matter 94 and cause it to be oriented in the direction of the tangential entrainment flow before reaching the longitudinal filter section 218.

[0091] In some embodiments, the plurality of slots 216 may have a longitudinal dimension 216a that is aligned (substantially aligned) with the direction of the actual velocity vector of the viscous fluid flow. The velocity vector may be determined based on the maximum tangential velocity of the tangential entrainment flow, the maximum longitudinal velocity of the longitudinal flow, and the maximum radial velocity of the radial flow of the viscous fluid.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 2D, there is shown a schematic view of a continuous filtration device 200 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid in some embodiments of the present invention, which has a first cylindrical body 210 with a plurality of grooves 291.

[0093] FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of the continuous filtration device 200 and an enlarged portion 210a of the first cylindrical body 210 with slots 216 and grooves 219.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 210 may include a plurality of grooves 219. The grooves 219 may be provided on the surface of the first cylindrical body 210 on the annular gap 230 side. In some embodiments, the depth of the grooves 219 may be shorter than the short dimension 126b of the slots 216. In some embodiments, the grooves 219 may be perpendicular (substantially perpendicular) to the slots 216. In some embodiments, at least one of the grooves 219 may be formed across at least one of the slots 216.

[0095] Generally, the number, shape, position, and / or amount of indentation of the groove 219 may be determined so as to provide a roughness of a desired magnitude on the surface of the first cylindrical body 210 on the annular gap side. The roughness of the desired magnitude may be selected so as to further suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the first cylindrical body 210, reduce the clogging of the slot 216 by foreign matter, and enhance the self-cleaning effect of the continuous filtration device 200.

[0096] It should be noted that the groove may be provided on the surface of the first cylindrical body 210 on the annular gap side with holes of any shape instead of the slot 216. For example, the first cylindrical body 110 of the continuous filtration device 100 (for example, those already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H) may also be provided with a groove similar to the groove 219.

[0097] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is shown a schematic view of different shapes of a continuous filtration device 300 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid in some embodiments of the present invention, which includes at least one tapered cylindrical body.

[0098] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a longitudinal cross-section A - A' of the continuous filtration device 300 (similar to the longitudinal cross-section A - A' defined in FIG. 1A, for example).

[0099] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 300 may include a first cylindrical body 310 having a first longitudinal central axis 312 and a second cylindrical body 320 having a second longitudinal central axis 322. The first cylindrical body 310 and the second cylindrical body 32 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis 312 coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 322 and an annular gap 330 is formed between the first cylindrical body 310 and the second cylindrical body 320. For example, the continuous filtration device 300, the first cylindrical body 310, the second cylindrical body 320, and the annular gap 330 may be the same as each of the filtration device 100, the first cylindrical body 110, the second cylindrical body 120, and the annular gap 130 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H.

[0100] The first cylindrical body 310 may be provided with a plurality of holes 316. For example, the holes 316 may be similar to each of the holes 116 and / or slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G and 1H, and FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D.

[0101] The first cylindrical body 310 may be rotatably supported so as to be rotatable about the first longitudinal central axis 312 with respect to the second cylindrical body 320 (for example, as indicated by the arrow 312a in FIGS. 3A and 3B). The annular gap 330 between the first cylindrical body 310 and the second cylindrical body 320 may be adapted to accommodate a viscous fluid (for example, a molten polymer material containing foreign matter).

[0102] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 310 may be tapered along its first longitudinal central axis 312. For example, the dimension at the first end 310a of the first cylindrical body 310 may be smaller than the dimension at the second end 310b, and the annular gap 330 may decrease along the first longitudinal central axis 312 (for example, as shown in FIG. 3A).

[0103] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 320 may be tapered along its second longitudinal central axis 322. For example, the dimension at the first end 320a of the second cylindrical body 320 may be big smaller than the dimension at the second end 320b, and the annular gap 330 may decrease along the second longitudinal central axis 322 (for example, as shown in FIG. 3B).

[0104] In some embodiments, both the first cylindrical body 310 and the second cylindrical body 320 may be tapered along their respective longitudinal axes, and the annular gap 330 may decrease along their respective longitudinal central axes.

[0105] The taper degree of the first cylindrical body 310 and / or the second cylindrical body 320 is determined such that a tapered annular gap 330 is provided. By making the annular gap 330 tapered, it may be determined so as to compensate for the pressure loss of the viscous fluid in the annular gap 330 due to the outflow of the viscous fluid 90 through the hole 316 formed in the first cylindrical body 310.

[0106] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B and FIGS. 4C and 4D, there are shown schematic views of each of the continuous filtration devices 400 and 400' for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid in some embodiments of the present invention, each of which includes one or more longitudinal fins 440.

[0107] FIGS. 4A and 4B show each of the longitudinal cross-section A-A' and the transverse cross-section B-B' (for example, the same as the longitudinal cross-section A-A' and the transverse cross-section B-B' defined in FIG. 1A) of the continuous filtration device 400. FIGS. 4C and 4D show each of the longitudinal cross-section A-A' and the transverse cross-section B-B' (for example, the same as the longitudinal cross-section A-A' and the transverse cross-section B-B' defined in FIG. 1A) of the continuous filtration device 400'.

[0108] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 400 may include a first cylindrical body 410 having a first longitudinal central axis 412 and a second cylindrical body 420 having a second longitudinal central axis 422. The first cylindrical body 410 and the second cylindrical body 420 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis 412 coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 422 and an annular gap 430 is formed between the first cylindrical body 410 and the second cylindrical body 420. For example, the continuous filtration device 400, the first cylindrical body 410, the second cylindrical body 420, and the annular gap 430 may be the same as each of the continuous filtration device 100, the first cylindrical body 110, the second cylindrical body 120, and the annular gap 130 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H.

[0109] The first cylindrical body 410 is rotatably supported and can rotate about the first longitudinal central axis 412 with respect to the second cylindrical body 420 (for example, as indicated by arrow 412a in FIGS. 4A and 4B). The annular gap 430 between the first cylindrical body 410 and the second cylindrical body 420 may be capable of accommodating a viscous fluid (for example, a molten polymer material containing foreign matter). In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 410 is provided within the second cylindrical body 420 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B), or the second cylindrical body 420 is provided within the first cylindrical body 410 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D).

[0110] A plurality of holes 416 may be provided along at least a part of the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 410. The holes 416 may be provided along at least one longitudinal filtering portion 413 of the first cylindrical body 410. For example, each of the holes 416 may be similar to the holes 116 and / or slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, and FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0111] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 420 may include one or more longitudinal fins 440. The longitudinal fins may project from the second cylindrical body 420 into the annular gap 430 toward (or substantially toward) the first cylindrical body 410. The longitudinal fins may be parallel to the second longitudinal central axis 422 of the second cylindrical body 420 and / or project along at least a part of the entire length of the second cylindrical body 420 in the longitudinal direction.

[0112] The longitudinal fins 440 project from the second cylindrical body 420 so as to form a space 448 in which the shear rate increases between the protruding ends of the longitudinal fins 440 and the first cylindrical body 410. Thus, the shear rate of the viscous fluid within the space 448 where the shear rate increases between the protruding ends of the longitudinal fins 440 and the first cylindrical body 410 increases (for example, compared to an embodiment without the longitudinal fins 440), further improving the self-cleaning or self-sweeping action of the first cylindrical body 410. 4 compared to embodiments without 440), further improving the self-cleaning or self-sweeping action of the first cylindrical body 410.

[0113] Generally, the number of the lengthwise fins 440 and the space 448 where the shear rate increases are determined such that, without causing (or suppressing) a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the axial flow of the viscous fluid passing through the continuous filtration device 400, the shear rate increases between the protruding ends of one or more lengthwise fins 440 and the first cylindrical body 410 (for example, as compared with an embodiment without the lengthwise fins 440). By increasing the shear rate within the space 448 where the shear rate increases, the self-cleaning effect of the first cylindrical body 410 is improved.

[0114] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 400 may include a housing 402. The housing 402 may be configured to accommodate the first cylindrical body 410 and the second cylindrical body 420.

[0115] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 400 may include at least one supply port 404 through which the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter is fed into the annular gap 430. In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 400 may include means 406 for taking out the viscous fluid containing foreign matter (for example, those including one or more pipe bodies and one or more pumps, etc.) to controllably take out the viscous fluid containing foreign matter from the annular gap 430. In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 400 may include means 408 for taking out the filtered viscous fluid (for example, those including one or more pipe bodies and one or more pumps, etc.) to controllably take out the filtered viscous fluid 92 from the continuous filtration device 400.

[0116] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 400 may include rotating means 450 for rotating the first cylindrical body 410. In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 400 may include control means 460 to control at least one of the rotation of the first cylindrical body by the rotating means 450, the taking out of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter by the means 406 for taking out the viscous fluid containing foreign matter, and the taking out of the filtered viscous fluid by the means 408 for taking out the filtered viscous fluid.

[0117] The following description regarding FIGS. 4C and 4D is an exemplification of each of the dimensions of the continuous filtration device 400’, the operating conditions of the continuous filtration device 400’, and the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter. Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplification merely explains embodiments within the scope of the present invention, and that other operating conditions, different viscous fluids, and dimensions of the continuous filtration device 400’ within various ranges will operate within the scope of the present invention as intended.

[0118] For example, the second cylindrical body 420 may desirably have a diameter of 220 mm. The second cylindrical body 420 may be provided within a rotatable first cylindrical body. The diameter of the first cylindrical body 410 is, for example, 250 mm. The filtration section 413 of the first cylindrical body 410 desirably has a length of, for example, 400 mm.

[0119] The lengthwise fin 440 may desirably protrude from the second cylindrical body 420 such that the shear speed increase space 448 between the protruding end of the lengthwise fin 440 and the first cylindrical body 410 is, for example, 2 mm.

[0120] The holes 416 formed in the first cylindrical body 410 may be, for example, slots (e.g., similar to the slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D), the slots having dimensions of 60×400 μm and being parallel in the lengthwise dimension to the first lengthwise central axis 412 of the first cylindrical body 410. The number of holes or slots 416 formed in the first cylindrical body 410 may be, for example, about 1,240,000. The holes or slots 416 may desirably taper in the radial direction (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4C). The width of the opening 416a of the holes or slots 416 on the outer surface 410a of the first cylindrical body 410 is, for example, 120 μm, and the width of the opening 416b of the holes or slots 416 on the inner surface 410b of the first cylindrical body 410 is, for example, 60 μm.

[0121] The viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter may be, for example, a mixture of polyethylene grades made from recycled products, with solid particles as foreign matter having a size smaller than, for example, 500 mμ and a content of 2%. The viscous fluid containing foreign matter may have a viscosity of 200 Pa·s at, for example, 170°C and a shear rate of 150 (1 / s). In some embodiments, the viscosity of the fluid containing foreign matter is 40 Pa·s or more.

[0122] The viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter may be fed, for example, into the annular gap 430 at a temperature of 170°C. The first cylindrical body 410 may be rotated, for example, at 50 RPM. The viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter may be controllably fed into the annular gap 430 at a flow rate of, for example, 1200 Kg / hr. Thereby, the pressure in the annular gap may be, for example, 80 to 120 Bar.

[0123] When passing through the continuous filtration device 400’, the temperature of the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter may be increased by, for example, 6 to 14°C due to, for example, the amount of heat consumed in shearing the viscous material.

[0124] The dimensions and operating conditions of the continuous filtration device 400’ and the viscous fluid 90 containing foreign matter can also be used other than the above.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic view of a continuous filtration device 500 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention, which includes one or more spiral vanes 540.

[0126] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section A-A’ of the continuous filtration device 500 (for example, similar to the longitudinal cross-section A-A’ defined in FIG. 1A).

[0127] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 500 may include a first cylindrical body 510 having a first longitudinal central axis 512 and a second cylindrical body 520 having a second longitudinal central axis 522. The first cylindrical body 510 and the second cylindrical body 520 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 522 and an annular gap 530 is formed between the first cylindrical body 510 and the second cylindrical body 520. For example, the continuous filtration device 500, the first cylindrical body 510, the second cylindrical body 520, and the annular gap 530 may be the same as the continuous filtration device 100, the first cylindrical body 110, the second cylindrical body 120, and the annular gap 130, respectively, as already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H.

[0128] The first cylindrical body 510 may be rotatably supported so as to be rotatable about the first longitudinal central axis 512 with respect to the second cylindrical body 520 (e.g., as indicated by arrow 512a in FIG. 5). The annular gap 530 between the first cylindrical body 510 and the second cylindrical body 520 may be configured to accommodate a viscous fluid (e.g., a polymer material melt containing foreign matter).

[0129] A plurality of holes 516 may be provided along at least a part of the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 510. The holes 516 may be provided along at least one longitudinal filtration portion 513 of the first cylindrical body 510. For example, each of the holes 516 may be similar to the holes 116 and / or slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, and FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 510 may be provided with at least one helical blade portion 540. The helical blade portion 540 may be provided along the first longitudinal central axis 512 of the first cylindrical body 510 and project into the annular gap 530. One or more helical blade portions 540 may be provided downstream of at least one longitudinal filtration portion 513 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5).

[0131] The helical fin root 540 may generate an additional suction force for the viscous fluid supplied to the annular gap 530 (e.g., increasing the pumping action). Thus, the helical fin root 540 may result in a lower range of operating pressure within the continuous filtration device 500 (e.g., compared to an embodiment without the helical fin root 540), and / or enable the continuous filtration device 500 to be adapted to an existing extruder that can normally operate under a predetermined pressure condition.

[0132] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is shown a schematic view of a continuous filtration device 600 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention, the continuous filtration device comprising one or more longitudinal fin portions 642 and one or more helical fin roots 650.

[0133] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a longitudinal cross-section A - A' of the continuous filtration device 600 (e.g., similar to the longitudinal cross-section A - A' defined in FIG. 1A) and a cross-sectional view C - C' (defined in FIG. 6A).

[0134] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 600 may comprise a first cylindrical body 610 having a first longitudinal central axis 612 and a second cylindrical body 620 having a second longitudinal central axis 622. The first cylindrical body 610 and the second cylindrical body 620 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 622 and an annular gap 630 is formed between the first cylindrical body 610 and the second cylindrical body 620. For example, the continuous filtration device 600, the first cylindrical body 610, the second cylindrical body 620, and the annular gap 630 may be similar to each of the continuous filtration device 100, the first cylindrical body 110, and the second cylindrical body 120 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H.

[0135] The first cylindrical body 610 is rotatably supported and rotates relative to the second cylindrical body 620 about the first longitudinal central axis 612 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6BIt is preferably configured to be rotatable as indicated by the arrow 612a in [reference numeral]. The annular gap 630 between the first cylindrical body 610 and the second cylindrical body 620 is preferably configured to accommodate a viscous fluid (e.g., a molten polymer material containing foreign matter).

[0136] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 610 preferably includes one or more filtering portions 613 along its longitudinal central axis 612. For example, FIG. 6A shows a continuous filtering device 600 including two filtering portions 613, namely a first filtering portion 613a and a second filtering portion 613b. In one or more filtering portions 613, a plurality of holes 616 are preferably provided in the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 610 at the filtering portion. For example, each of the holes 616 may be similar to the holes 116 and / or slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, and FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0137] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 620 preferably includes one or more sets 640 of longitudinal fins 642. Each set 640 may include one or more longitudinal fins 642. Each of the longitudinal fins 642 may be similar to the longitudinal fins 440 already described with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0138] In some embodiments, each set 640 is preferably provided on the second cylindrical body 620 at a position corresponding to a position of one of the filtering portions 613 formed on the first cylindrical body 610. One or more longitudinal fins 642 of each set 640 preferably protrude from the second cylindrical body 620 into the annular gap 630 toward (substantially toward) each filtering portion 613 provided on the first cylindrical body 610. One or more longitudinal fins 642 of each set 640 are preferably aligned with the second longitudinal central axis 622 of the second cylindrical body 620 and / or protrude along at least a part of the entire length of each filtering portion 613.

[0139] For example, FIG. 6A shows a continuous filtration device 600 in which a second cylindrical body 620 includes two sets of lengthwise fins 642, namely a first set 640a and a second set 640b. Further, in the illustrated example, the first set 640a is provided at a position along the second cylindrical body 620 corresponding to the position of the first filtration section 613a provided on the first cylindrical body 610, and the second set 640b is provided at a position along the second cylindrical body 620 corresponding to the position of the second filtration section 613b provided on the first cylindrical body 610. Further, in this illustrated example, each of the first set 620a and the second set 620b includes four lengthwise fins 642, namely a first lengthwise fin 642a, a second lengthwise fin 642b, a third lengthwise fin 642c, and a fourth lengthwise fin 642d (for example, as shown in FIG. 6B).

[0140] In some embodiments, the lengthwise fins 642 of each set 640 may be configured to project from the second cylindrical body 620 to form a space 648 in which the shear rate increases between the protruding end of the lengthwise fin 642 and the first cylindrical body 610. In this way, the shear rate of the viscous fluid within the space 648 where the shear rate increases between the protruding end of the lengthwise fin 642 and the filtration section 613 formed on the first cylindrical body 610 increases (for example, as compared to an embodiment without the lengthwise fins 642), further improving the self-cleaning action of the continuous filtration device 600 (for example, as already described with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0141] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 610 may include spiral vanes 650 at at least one location. The spiral vanes 650 may be provided along the first longitudinal central axis 612 of the first cylindrical body 610 and may project into the annular gap 630. The spiral vanes 650 may be similar to the spiral vanes 540 already described with respect to FIG. 5, for example.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 610 may be provided with at least one helical blade portion 650 at one or more locations downstream of at least one filtering portion 613 provided in the first cylindrical body 610. For example, FIG. 6A shows a continuous filtration device 600 including a first helical blade portion 650a at a first location, a second helical blade portion 650b at a second location, and a third set of helical blade portions 650c. Further, in the illustrated example, the first helical blade portion 650a is provided downstream of the first filtering portion 613a, and the second helical blade portion 650b is provided downstream of the second filtering portion 613b.

[0143] The helical blade portion 650 may generate an additional suction force for the viscous fluid supplied to the annular gap 630 (for example, increasing the pumping action). In this way, the helical blade portion 640 provides a lower range of operating pressure within the continuous filtration device 600 (for example, compared to embodiments without the helical blade portion 650), and / or enables the continuous filtration device 600 to be adapted to an existing extruder that can normally operate under a predetermined pressure condition.

[0144] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is shown a schematic view of a continuous filtration device 700 for continuously filtering foreign substances from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention, the continuous filtration device including cleaning means 740.

[0145] FIG. 7A shows a longitudinal cross-section A-A' of the continuous filtration device 700 (for example, similar to the longitudinal cross-section A-A' defined in FIG. 1A). FIG. 7B shows a cross-section D-D' (defined in FIG. 7A) of the continuous filtration device 700. horizontal A cross-sectional view D-D' (defined in FIG. 7A) is shown.

[0146] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 700 may include a first cylindrical body 710 having a first longitudinal central axis 712 and a second cylindrical body 720 having a second longitudinal central axis 722. The first cylindrical body 710 and the second cylindrical body 720 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 722 and an annular gap 730 is formed between the first cylindrical body 710 and the second cylindrical body 720. For example, the continuous filtration device 700, the first cylindrical body 710, the second cylindrical body 720, and the annular gap 730 may be similar to each of the continuous filtration device 100, the first cylindrical body 110, and the second cylindrical body 120 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H.

[0147] The first cylindrical body 710 may be rotatably supported so as to be rotatable about the first longitudinal central axis 712 with respect to the second cylindrical body 720 (e.g., as indicated by arrow 712a in FIGS. 7A and 7B). The annular gap 730 between the first cylindrical body 710 and the second cylindrical body 720 may be adapted to accommodate a viscous fluid (e.g., a molten polymer material containing foreign matter).

[0148] A plurality of holes 716 may be provided in at least a part of the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 710. These holes 71 6 may be provided along at least one longitudinal filtration portion 713 of the first cylindrical body 710. For example hole 716 may be similar to each of the holes 116 and / or slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H, and FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0149] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 700 includes cleaning means 740. The cleaning means 740 may include at least one cleaning injector 742. The cleaning injector 742 may include a plurality of injection holes or slots 744.

[0150] In some embodiments, when the first cylindrical body 710 is provided within the second cylindrical body 720, the cleaning injector 742 may be provided within the interior 714 of the first cylindrical body 710 such that the injection holes or slots 744 face the first cylindrical body 710 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B). In some embodiments, when the second cylindrical body 720 is provided within the first cylindrical body 710, the cleaning injector 742 may be provided adjacent (substantially adjacent) to the outside of the first cylindrical body 710 within the housing of the continuous filtration device (e.g., such as the housing 140 already described with respect to FIGS. 1F and 1G). The cleaning injector 742 may be dimensioned to extend along at least a portion of the longitudinal filter section 713 in which the holes 716 are formed and / or along at least a portion of the first cylindrical body.

[0151] The cleaning means 740 may comprise at least one cleaning tube 746 that is in fluid communication with at least one cleaning injector 742 and is adapted to send the filtered viscous fluid to the at least one cleaning injector 742. In some embodiments, the filtered viscous fluid may be the viscous fluid filtered by the first cylindrical body 710. The filtered viscous fluid may be injected through the plurality of injection holes or slots 744 of the cleaning injector 742 towards the rotating first cylindrical body 710 so as to cover a part of the holes 716 at time intervals and cause backflow (e.g., at each location of the plurality of holes, in the radial direction of the filtered fluid) ) . Due to the backflow of the filtered fluid occurring in a part of the plurality of holes, foreign matter within the viscous fluid contained in the annular gap 730 may be pushed out from the first cylindrical body 710.

[0152] In some embodiments, the cleaning of the perforated surface can be achieved without causing backflow within the holes. The pressure of the viscous fluid on the filtered side of the perforated surface may be increased for a predetermined short period, for example, such that the pressures on both sides of the perforated surface become substantially the same. For example, the filtered fluid is injected through the injection holes or slots 744 provided in the cleaning injector 742 until the pressures on both sides of the perforated surface become substantially the same and this state is controlled so that the flow of the filtered fluid is maintained for a desired time. During this time, the radial flow of the viscous fluid passing through the perforated surface completely stops, but the tangential flow continues on the fluid side containing foreign matter on the perforated surface. The shear force generated adjacent to the perforated surface may grip the foreign matter adhering to the perforated surface and drift it by the flow, thereby cleaning the perforated surface without causing backflow. In some embodiments, the self-cleaning effect of the perforated surface may be enhanced by reducing the pressure drop between the high-pressure side (the fluid side containing foreign matter) and the low-pressure side (the filtered fluid side) of the perforated surface to suppress the pressure drop. In some embodiments, to instantaneously increase the effect of sweeping out the clogged foreign matter from the holes by the accelerated rotational speed, the rotational speed of the second cylindrical body may be increased at a predetermined rotational speed acceleration for a short time and then decreased to the desired rotational speed at a lower rate.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 710 may be provided with a filtered fluid outlet 770 for controllably extracting the filtered fluid from the interior of the first cylindrical body 710. For example, the filtered fluid outlet 770 may be similar to the filtered fluid extraction means 170 already described with respect to FIG. 1F.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 720 may be provided with an unfiltered fluid outlet 772 for controllably extracting the unfiltered fluid containing foreign matter accumulated in the annular gap 730. For example, the unfiltered fluid outlet 772 may be similar to the unfiltered fluid extraction means 172 already described with respect to FIG. 1F.

[0155] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, there is shown a schematic view of a continuous filtration device 800 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention, the continuous filtration device comprising a stationary filtration member.

[0156] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a longitudinal cross-section A-A' and a transverse cross-section B-B' of the continuous filtration device 800 (e.g., similar to the longitudinal cross-section A-A' and the transverse cross-section B-B' defined in FIG. 1A).

[0157] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 800 may comprise a first cylindrical body 810 having a first longitudinal central axis 812 and a second cylindrical body 820 having a second longitudinal central axis 822. The first cylindrical body 810 and the second cylindrical body 820 may overlap such that the first longitudinal central axis 812 coincides with the second longitudinal central axis 822 and an annular gap 830 is formed between the first cylindrical body 810 and the second cylindrical body 820. For example, the continuous filtration device 800, the first cylindrical body 810, the second cylindrical body 820, and the annular gap 830 may be similar to the continuous filtration device 100, the first cylindrical body 110, and the second cylindrical body 120, respectively, already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H.

[0158] A plurality of holes 816 may be provided in at least a part of the circumferential portion of the first cylindrical body 810. The holes 816 may be provided along at least one longitudinal filtration portion 813 of the first cylindrical body 810. For example, the holes 816 may be similar to each of the holes 116 and / or slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H, and FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0159] The second cylindrical body 820 is rotatably supported and can rotate about the second longitudinal central axis 822 with respect to the first cylindrical body 810 (e.g., as indicated by the arrow 822a in FIGS. 8A and 8B). The annular gap 830 between the first cylindrical body 810 and the second cylindrical body 820 may be adapted to accommodate a viscous fluid (e.g., a polymer material melt containing foreign matter).

[0160] The second cylindrical body 820 may generate a tangential entrainment flow of the viscous fluid in the tangential direction within the annular gap 830 by continuously rotating about its second longitudinal central axis 822. Thereby, a tangential velocity gradient may be generated between the rotating second cylindrical body 820 and the stationary first cylindrical body 810. Foreign particles that leave the surface of the stationary first cylindrical body 810 in layers are dragged at a certain tangential velocity while the velocity of the stationary first cylindrical body 810 remains zero, so that a self-sweeping tangential relative motion is generated around the surface of the stationary first cylindrical body 810. The foreign particles move in a circular motion in the tangential direction (for example, in the tangential direction), descend in the longitudinal direction (for example, in the longitudinal direction) toward the outlet, and move toward the surface of the first cylindrical body 810 (for example, in the radial direction), as already described with respect to FIGS. 1F and 1G. Foreign particles on the surface of the first cylindrical body 110 that are larger in size than the holes 816 continue to rotate as long as the rotational speed of the second cylindrical body 820 and the shear velocity near the surface of the first cylindrical body 810 are maintained, even if they come into contact with the surface of the stationary first cylindrical body 810.

[0161] The rotational speed of the second cylindrical body 820, and thereby the tangential entrainment flow within the annular gap 830 and / or the self-sweeping tangential relative motion near the first cylindrical body 810 (for example, similar to the tangential entrainment flow 136a and the self-sweeping tangential relative motion 136b described with respect to FIGS. 1F, 1G, and 1H respectively) significantly suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the first cylindrical body 810, greatly reducing the clogging of the holes 816 by foreign matter (for example, at least by the self-sweeping tangential relative motion), resulting in a self-cleaning or self-sweeping effect.

[0162] The self-cleaning or self-sweeping action may be generated by the shear velocity of the viscous fluid near the surface of the first cylindrical body 810. In some embodiments, the shear velocity may be at least affected by the rotational speed of the second cylindrical body 820 and the dimensions of the annular gap 830.

[0163] Normally, the rotational speed of the second cylindrical body 820 is controlled so that the second cylindrical body 82 Near the surface of 0 with The tangential velocity of the viscous fluid (e.g., due to the tangential swirling flow in the annular gap 830) is preferably made significantly higher than the radial average velocity of the viscous fluid due to the radial flow in the annular gap 830 (e.g., similar to the radial flow 134a already described with respect to FIGS. 1F, 1G, and 1H).

[0164] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 810 is provided within the second cylindrical body 820 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B), or the second cylindrical body 820 is provided within the first cylindrical body 810 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1C).

[0165] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration device 800 preferably comprises rotating means having at least one rotating motor. The rotating motor is preferably connected to the second cylindrical body 820 to enable the second cylindrical body 820 to rotate at a controlled rotational speed. The continuous filtration device 800 preferably also comprises control means that cooperate with the rotating means. The control means is preferably configured to control the rotation of the second cylindrical body 820 by the rotating means according to the controlled rotational speed. For example, the rotating means and the control means may be similar to the rotating means 150 and the control means 160 already described with respect to FIG. 1F, respectively.

[0166] Referring to FIGS. 8C and 8D, there is shown a schematic view of a continuous filtration device 800 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention, the continuous filtration device comprising one or more longitudinal fins 840 in addition to a stationary filtration member.

[0167] FIGS. 8C and 8D show a longitudinal cross-section A - A' and a transverse cross-section B - B' of the continuous filtration device 800 (e.g., similar to the longitudinal cross-section A - A' and the transverse cross-section B - B' defined in FIG. 1A).

[0168] The second cylindrical body 820 preferably comprises one or more longitudinal fins 840. For example, the longitudinal fins 840 may be similar to the longitudinal fins already described with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0169] The lengthwise fins 840 may project from the second cylindrical body 820 toward (or substantially toward) the first cylindrical body 810 into the annular gap 830. The lengthwise fins 840 may be aligned with the second longitudinal central axis 822 of the second cylindrical body 820 and / or may extend longitudinally along at least a part of the entire length of the second cylindrical body 820.

[0170] The lengthwise fins 840 may project from the second cylindrical body 820 so as to form a space 848 where the shear rate increases between the protruding ends of the lengthwise fins 840 and the first cylindrical body 810. In this way, the shear rate of the viscous fluid within the space 848 where the shear rate increases between the protruding ends of the lengthwise fins 840 and the first cylindrical body 810 increases (for example, as compared with an embodiment not provided with the lengthwise fins 840), and may further improve the self-cleaning or self-sweeping action of the first cylindrical body 810.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 8E, there is shown a schematic view of a continuous filtration device 800 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid, according to some embodiments of the present invention, which includes one or more spiral vanes 850 in addition to a stationary filter member.

[0172] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 820 may be provided with at least one spiral vane 850. The spiral vane 850 may be provided along the second longitudinal central axis 822 of the second cylindrical body 820 and may project into the annular gap 830. The spiral vane 850 may be provided downstream of the longitudinal filtration section 813. The spiral vane 850 may be, for example, the same as the spiral vane described with respect to FIG. 5 54 0.

[0173] The spiral vane 850 may generate an additional suction force for the viscous fluid supplied to the annular gap 830. Thus, the spiral vane 850 provides a lower range of operating pressures within the continuous filtration device 800 (for example, as compared with an embodiment without the spiral vane 850) and / or enables the continuous filtration device 800 to be adapted to an existing extruder that can normally operate under a given pressure condition.

[0174] Referring to FIGS. 8F and 8G, there is shown a continuous filtration device 800 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention, which includes, in addition to a stationary filter member, one or more sets 842 of longitudinal fins 840 and one or more helical vanes 850.

[0175] FIGS. 8F and 8G show a longitudinal cross-section A-A' (e.g., similar to the longitudinal cross-section A-A' defined in FIG. 1A) and a transverse cross-section C-C' (defined in FIG. 8A) of the continuous filtration device 800.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first cylindrical body 810 may include one or more filtration portions 813. For example, the first cylindrical body 810 may include a first filtration portion 813a and a second filtration portion 813b (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8F).

[0177] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 820 may include one or more sets 842 of longitudinal fins 840. In some embodiments, each set 84 2 may be provided on the second cylindrical body 820 at a position corresponding to a position of one of the filtration portions of the first cylindrical body 810. Each set 842 of longitudinal fins 840 projects from the second cylindrical body 820 into the annular gap 830 and towards (substantially towards) each filtration portion 813 provided on the first cylindrical body 810. Each set 842 of longitudinal fins 840 is aligned with the second longitudinal central axis 822 of the second cylindrical body 82 0 and / or extends along at least a part of the entire length of each filtration portion 813.

[0178] For example figure FIG. 8F shows a continuous filtration device 800 in which the second cylindrical body 820 includes two sets 842 of longitudinal fins 840, namely a first location 84 0 a and a second location 84 0 b. Further, in the illustrated example, the first location 84 0a is provided at a position along the second cylindrical body 820 corresponding to the position of the first filtering portion 813a provided on the first cylindrical body 810, and the second location 84 0 b is provided at a position along the second cylindrical body 820 corresponding to the position of the second filtering portion 813b provided on the first cylindrical body 810. Further, in this illustrated example, the first location 84 0 a and the second location 84 0 each of b includes four longitudinal fins 840, namely, a first longitudinal fin 840a, a second longitudinal fin 840b, a third longitudinal fin 840c, and a fourth longitudinal fin 840d (for example, as shown in FIG. 8G).

[0179] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 820 may include at least one helical blade portion 850 along the second longitudinal central axis 822 of the second cylindrical body 820.

[0180] In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 8 2 0 may include one or more helical blade portions 850 downstream of one or more filtering portions 813 provided on the first cylindrical body 810. For example, FIG. 8F shows a continuous filtering device 800 including a first helical blade portion 850a and a second helical blade portion 850b. Further, in this illustrated example, the first helical blade portion 850a is provided downstream of the first filtering portion 813a, and the second helical blade portion 850b is provided downstream of the second filtering portion 813a.

[0181] Referring to FIG. 8H, this figure is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 8G, emphasizing the flow characteristics of a viscous fluid containing foreign matter in the annular gap formed between the fin and the perforated surface according to some embodiments of the present invention. The second cylindrical body 820 may be rotatably supported so as to be rotatable about the second longitudinal central axis with respect to the first cylindrical body 810 (for example, as indicated by arrow 822a in FIGS. 8A and 8B). The annular gap 830 between the first cylindrical body 810 and the second cylindrical body 820 may be adapted to accommodate a viscous fluid (for example, a melt of a polymer material containing foreign matter). The second cylindrical body 820 may rotate continuously about its second longitudinal central axis to cause a tangential entrainment flow of the viscous fluid in the annular gap 830, particularly in the tangential direction, especially in the high shear region, in the same manner as described with respect to FIGS. 8A through 8G. Thus, a tangential velocity gradient may occur between the protruding tip of the rotating fin of the second cylindrical body 820 and the stationary first cylindrical body 810. In some embodiments, the second cylindrical body 820 includes one or more fins 840 protruding from the second cylindrical body 820 toward the first cylindrical body 810, so that the protruding end near the perforated surface of the first cylindrical body 810 forms the annular gap 830 while the second cylindrical body 820 rotates with respect to the first cylindrical body 810. Operational and structural parameters, such as the viscosity of the molten fluid containing foreign matter, the relative rotational speed of the second cylindrical body 820 with respect to the first cylindrical body 810, and the dimensions of the annular gap 830, etc., are controlled and / or set so that the flow state of the fluid containing foreign matter in the annular gap 830 is maintained substantially in a laminar flow state. The tangential, radial, and longitudinal components of the flow of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in the continuous filtration device 800 are substantially the same as the radial flow 134a, tangential flow 136a, and longitudinal flow 132a shown in FIGS. 1G and 1H, particularly in the high shear region formed by the protruding end of the fin 840.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a schematic view of a method 900 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid according to some embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a preferred operating state of the embodiments of the present invention is to maintain a laminar flow (substantially laminar flow) of the molten fluid containing foreign matter within a gap between the fins and the first cylindrical body, for example, within the annular gap 830 described above.

[0183] The continuous filtration method 900 may be implemented by an apparatus configured to perform the continuous filtration method 900 for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid. For example, the continuous filtration method may be a continuous filtration apparatus 100 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H), a continuous filtration apparatus 200 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D), a continuous filtration apparatus 300 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B), a continuous filtration apparatus 400 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B), a continuous filtration apparatus 500 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIG. 5), a continuous filtration apparatus 600 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B), a continuous filtration apparatus 700 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B), and / or a continuous filtration apparatus 800 (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, and 8G). It should be noted that the implementation of the continuous filtration method 900 is not limited to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and the description related to the flowchart. For example, in various embodiments, the continuous filtration method 900 does not need to pass through each box shown, that is, each step, and does not need to follow exactly the same order as shown and described.

[0184] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration method 900 may include a step of feeding a viscous fluid containing foreign matter between a non-perforated surface and a perforated surface provided substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, so as to move the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in the longitudinal direction along the gap (step 902).

[0185] For example, as already described with respect to FIGS. 1A to 1I, FIGS. 2A to 2D, FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 5, FIGS. 6A and 6B, FIGS. 7A and 7B, and FIGS. 8A to 8G, the perforated surface may be formed as a first cylindrical body having a first longitudinal central axis, while the non-perforated surface may be formed as a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis. Further, in the illustrated example, the second longitudinal central axis of the second cylindrical body may coincide with the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body, creating an annular gap between the second cylindrical body and the first cylindrical body. Further, in the illustrated example, the relative velocity may be tangential to both surfaces and perpendicular to both the second longitudinal central axis of the second cylindrical body and the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body.

[0186] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration method 900 may move a viscous fluid containing foreign matter in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity by moving the non-perforated surface and the perforated surface relative to each other at a predetermined relative velocity, generating a shear rate in the viscous fluid containing foreign matter near the perforated surface in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity (step 904).

[0187] For example, the first cylindrical body may rotate relative to the second cylindrical body (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 1A to 1I, FIGS. 2A to 2D, FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 5, FIGS. 6A and 6B, and FIGS. 7A and 7B), or the second cylindrical body may rotate relative to the first cylindrical body (e.g., as already described with respect to FIGS. 8A to 8G).

[0188] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration method 900 may move a viscous fluid containing foreign matter in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the relative velocity by applying pressure to the viscous fluid containing foreign matter (step 906). For example, as already described with respect to FIGS. 1F to 1H.

[0189] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration method 900 may control the relative velocity, pressure, and average shear velocity within the gap such that a viscous fluid layer containing foreign matter near the perforated surface flows through the through-holes of the perforated surface to the opposite surface while foreign matter larger in size than the through-holes is flowed in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity (step 908). For example, as already described with respect to FIGS. 1F to 1H. The through-holes may be, for example, the elongated slots 216 already described with respect to FIGS. 2A to 2D.

[0190] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration method 900 may set the relative velocity, pressure, and average shear velocity within the annular gap such that the average velocity of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity is at least 50 times faster (e.g., 100 to 3000 times) than the average velocity of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter directed towards the perforated surface (i.e., radially), and further such that the average shear velocity within the annular gap is at least 50 (1 / s) (e.g., 100 to 500 (1 / s)) (step 910). For example, as already described with respect to FIGS. 1F to 1H.

[0191] In some embodiments, the continuous filtration method 900 may remove foreign particles accumulated on the perforated surface by pressure-injecting the filtered viscous fluid from the opposite surface of the perforated surface through the holes towards the viscous fluid side containing foreign matter while the filtering member is in the filtering mode, or by keeping the pressure drop between both sides of the perforated surface extremely low and sweeping the captured foreign particles by the drift force (step 912). For example, as already described with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0192] In the above description, each embodiment is an example or an implementation mode of the present invention. "One embodiment", "a certain embodiment", "various embodiments" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Although various structural features of the present invention may be described for one embodiment, the various structural features of the present invention may be implemented separately or appropriately combined. Conversely, although various structural features of the present invention may be described for separate embodiments for the sake of simplicity, the various structural features of the present invention may be implemented in one embodiment. The various embodiments of the present invention may include the structural features of the above-described different embodiments, and the various embodiments may incorporate the components of the above-described different embodiments. The disclosure of the components of the present invention in a specific embodiment should not be understood as being limited only to that embodiment. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented or carried out in various ways, and the present invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the above-described embodiments.

[0193] The present invention is not limited to the accompanying drawings or the corresponding description. For example, the flow does not have to go through each box shown, i.e., each step, and does not have to follow exactly the same order as shown and described. The meanings of the technical and scientific terms used in the specification are the meanings usually interpreted by those skilled in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, unless otherwise specified in the description. Although the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, the embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but should be construed as examples of various preferred embodiments. Various other variations, modifications and uses are also within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above, but is limited to the appended claims and those equivalent to the descriptions in the claims.

Claims

1. By feeding a viscous fluid containing foreign matter between a non-porous surface and a porous surface provided with a predetermined gap substantially parallel to each other, the viscous fluid containing foreign matter is moved in the length direction along the gap, By moving the non-porous surface and the porous surface relative to each other at a predetermined relative velocity, the viscous fluid containing foreign matter is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity in a smooth, vortex-free laminar flow with a Reynolds number (Re) < 1, and the shear velocity in the vicinity of the porous surface of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter is generated in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity. In a method for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid containing foreign matter, The porous surface is configured as a first cylindrical body having a first longitudinal central axis, the non-porous surface is configured as a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis that coincides with the first longitudinal central axis, the first and second cylindrical bodies overlap, the relative velocity is a rotational velocity, and the gap is an annular gap, By applying pressure to the viscous fluid containing foreign matter, the viscous fluid containing foreign matter is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the relative velocity, The layer of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in the vicinity of the porous surface flows to the opposite side of the porous surface through the through holes of the porous surface, and foreign matter having a size larger than the size of the through holes flows in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity. The relative velocity, the pressure, and the average shear velocity in the gap are controlled so that the average shear velocity in the gap is 50 (1 / s) or more, The relative velocity is in a tangential direction with respect to the surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies and perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis of the second cylindrical body and the first longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical body. A method for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid containing foreign matter.

2. Furthermore, the relative velocity and the pressure in the gap are controlled such that the average velocity of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter in the gap in a direction substantially parallel to the relative velocity is 50 times or more faster than the average velocity of the viscous fluid containing foreign matter toward the porous surface. The method according to claim 1.

3. The through holes are slots each having a longitudinal dimension and a short dimension, and the longitudinal dimension of the slot is substantially perpendicular to the relative velocity and substantially along and parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the rotational speed of the second cylindrical body is increased in a first period at a predetermined rotational speed acceleration and then decelerated to a desired rotational speed at a lower rate, thereby instantaneously increasing the effect of removing foreign matter from the perforated surface.

5. Furthermore, during the filtration of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter, by pressure-injecting the filtered viscous fluid toward the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter, while maintaining the shear rate in the gap, the pressure of the filtered viscous fluid on the opposite side of the perforated surface is preferably increased to substantially the same degree as the pressure of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter on the side of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter during the filtration of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The perforated surface has a plurality of grooves, the depth of the grooves is shorter than the short dimension of the slots, and at least one of the grooves is formed across at least one of the slots. The method according to claim 3.

7. The through holes are provided along at least one longitudinal filtration portion along the circumference and the entire length of the first cylindrical body. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The second cylindrical body includes one or more longitudinal fins protruding from the second cylindrical body into the first gap toward the perforated surface of the first cylindrical body, thereby forming a second gap between the protruding ends of the fins and the perforated surface. The second gap is smaller than the first gap. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A first cylindrical body having a first longitudinal central axis and including at least one filtration portion, wherein the at least one filtration portion is a perforated surface having a plurality of through holes along the circumferential surface. In an apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid, comprising a second cylindrical body having a second longitudinal central axis that coincides with the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body and a non-perforated surface. The first cylindrical body is configured to overlap the second cylindrical body and be rotatable with respect to the second cylindrical body such that an annular gap is formed between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body. The annular gap is configured to accommodate the viscous fluid. The apparatus for continuously filtering foreign matter from the viscous fluid is By feeding a viscous fluid containing the foreign matter between the non-perforated surface and the perforated surface, the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter is moved in the longitudinal direction along the gap. By moving the non-perforated surface and the perforated surface relative to each other at a predetermined relative speed, the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the relative speed in a smooth, vortex-free laminar flow with a Reynolds number (Re) < 1, and a shear rate of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter in the vicinity of the perforated surface is generated in a direction substantially parallel to the relative speed. By applying pressure to the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter, the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the relative speed. The layer of the viscous fluid containing the foreign matter in the vicinity of the perforated surface flows through the through holes of the perforated surface to the opposite side of the perforated surface, and foreign matter having a size larger than the size of the through holes flows in a direction substantially parallel to the relative speed. The relative speed, the pressure, and the average shear rate in the gap are controlled so that the average shear rate in the gap is 50 (1 / s) or more. The relative speed is configured to be tangential to the surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies and perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis of the second cylindrical body and the first longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical body, and is a device for continuously filtering foreign matter from a viscous fluid.

10. Furthermore, at least one rotating motor, which is connected to one of the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body and is configured to rotate the one of the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body at a controlled speed, and a rotating means including the rotating motor. A control means cooperating with the rotating means, the control means being configured to control the relative rotation between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body by the rotating means according to the controlled rotational speed. The device according to claim 9.

11. The first cylindrical body is provided in the second cylindrical body. The device according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The second cylindrical body is provided in the first cylindrical body. The device according to claim 9 or 10.

13. The holes are slots each having a longitudinal dimension and a short dimension, and the longitudinal dimension of the slot substantially follows the first longitudinal central axis of the first cylindrical body. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the annular gap tapers along a common axis of rotation such that the annular gap decreases along the first longitudinal central axis, either by the first cylindrical body tapering along the first longitudinal central axis or by the second cylindrical body tapering along the second longitudinal central axis.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second cylindrical body includes at least one longitudinal fin protruding into the annular gap from the second cylindrical body toward the perforated surface of the first cylindrical body, thereby forming a second gap between the protruding end of the fin and the perforated surface, and the second gap is smaller than the annular gap.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the first cylindrical body includes at least one helical blade provided along the first longitudinal central axis, and the helical blade protrudes into the annular gap.

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