Fluid filtration apparatus using variable voids amid pressurized synthetic fibrous balls

Abstract

A fluid filtration apparatus comprises a filter shell (1) defining a filtration chamber enclosed by a top dish-end (2) and a bottom dish-end (3). A support frame (4) is fixed to the bottom dish-end (3) for structural stability. A filtration media comprising synthetic fibrous balls is disposed within the filtration chamber (1) between a support plate (16) and a compression plate (22). The support plate (16) is affixed internally to the filter shell (1) to retain the filtration media while permitting fluid flow. A compression assembly (17) positioned above the filtration media includes a drive motor (7) mounted on a compression housing (5), a gearbox (7a), a leadscrew (19), and a compression shaft (20) passing through a stuffing box assembly (18). The compression plate (22) connected to the compression shaft (20) is movable to adjust interstitial void size of the filtration media, enabling real-time optimization for varying particulate loads.

Description

[0001] FLUID FILTRATION APPARATUS USING VARIABLE VOIDS AMID

[0002] PRESSURIZED SYNTHETIC FIBROUS BALLS

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

[0004] This invention relates to the field of mechanical engineering and water engineering.

[0005] Particularly, this invention relates to filtration systems, including primary treatment systems of freshwater and tertiary treatment systems of wastewater for removal of suspended solids.

[0006] Specifically, this invention relates to fluid filtration apparatus using variable voids amid pressurized synthetic fibrous balls.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

[0008] Water is essential to life and all industrial practices.

[0009] Fluid filtration plays a crucial role in numerous industries and environmental processes, ensuring the removal of impurities and contaminants from liquids for various purposes. In many applications, including water treatment, chemical processing, and wastewater management, the quality of the filtered fluid is paramount for maintaining operational efficiency, product quality, and environmental sustainability.

[0010] Traditional filtration methods often involve the use of porous membranes, granular media, or mesh screens to separate suspended solids, microorganisms, and other particulate matter from the fluid stream. While effective to a certain extent, these methods may have limitations in terms of filtration efficiency, maintenance requirements, and overall performance, particularly when dealing with fine particles or organic contaminants.

[0011] Tertiary filtration systems represent an advanced stage of the filtration process, typically employed in water treatment facilities to achieve a high level of purity in the treated water. Unlike primary and secondary treatment methods that primarily focus on the removal of solids and biological agents, tertiary filtration targets the reduction of residual impurities, including dissolved solids, organic matter, and trace contaminants, to meet stringent quality standards for potable water or environmental discharge.

[0012] Organic matter reduction in treated water is a critical aspect of tertiary filtration, as organic compounds can impart undesirable taste, odour, and colour to the water. Moreover, organic matter can provide a nutrient source for microbial growth, leading to microbiological issues and biofouling in distribution systems.

[0013] In recent years, there has been growing interest in innovative filtration approaches that combine the advantages of different media types to enhance filtration performance, reduce operational costs, and improve sustainability. The use of synthetic fibre compressible balls as a filtration medium represents one such innovation, offering a versatile and efficient solution for fluid filtration in tertiary treatment applications.

[0014] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

[0015] An object of the invention is to filter fluids.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to reduce TSS loads in filtrate. Yet another object of the invention is to improve taste characteristics of filtrate water.

[0017] Still another object of the invention is to reduce odour in filtrate water.

[0018] An additional object of the invention is to provide tertiary filtration of waste water.

[0019] Yet an additional object of the invention is to have low footprint with high filtration rate.

[0020] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0021] According to this invention, there is provided a fluid filtration apparatus using variable voids amid pressurized synthetic fibrous balls.

[0022] The present invention discloses a variable void media filter comprising a housing defining a filtration chamber, an inlet for introducing fluid to be filtered into the chamber, an outlet for discharging filtered fluid from the chamber, and a plurality of synthetic fibrous balls disposed within the chamber. The balls are made of resilient synthetic fibres and are arranged to form a porous bed within the filtration chamber. The filter operates by passing fluid through the porous bed of filtration media, wherein contaminants are trapped within the interstices between the media, and clean fluid exits through the outlet.

[0023] The interstices amid the filtration media bed are modified to achieve filtration of various sizes of suspended undesirable particles. The porous filtration media bed is compressed and decompressed using a compression mechanism to achieve this result. According to this invention, there is provided a compression mechanism comprising: a compression plate to apply force on filter media via linear movement; an actuation device to achieve stated motion; and a force transfer and fluid sealing arrangement between the two.

[0024] In at least an embodiment, there is provided a backwashing functionality to remove filtrides accumulated in the apparatus after prolonged operation.

[0025] In at least an embodiment, there are provided a multitude of valves and connection points to facilitate quick and simple interchange between filter cycles and washing cycles.

[0026] According to this invention, there is provided a fluid filtration apparatus comprising:

[0027] - a filter shell defining a filtration chamber;

[0028] - a top dish-end coupled to an upper portion of the filter shell, and a bottom dish-end coupled to a lower portion of the filter shell, thereby enclosing the filtration chamber;

[0029] - a support frame fixed to the bottom dish-end to provide structural stability;

[0030] - a filtration media, comprising synthetic fibrous balls, disposed within the filtration chamber between a support plate and a compression plate; o the support plate being affixed internally to the filter shell and configured to retain the filtration media while allowing fluid flow therethrough;

[0031] - a compression assembly positioned above the filtration media, comprising: (i) a drive motor mounted on a compression housing secured to the top dish-end,

[0032] (ii) a gearbox operatively connected to the drive motor,

[0033] (iii) a leadscrew coupled to the gearbox and arranged to transmit rotational motion,

[0034] (iv) a compression shaft operatively connected to the leadscrew and extending downward through a stuffing box assembly mounted to the top dish-end, the compression shaft passing through the stuffing box assembly and oscillating between dry and wet parts of the apparatus, wherein anything outside a volume contained by the filtration chamber being dry parts and everything inside the filtration chamber being wet parts.

[0035] (v) the compression plate connected to the compression shaft and disposed within the filtration chamber in a coaxial and concentric arrangement relative to the support plate, wherein, the interstitial void size of the filtration media is adjustable in real time via controlled linear displacement of the compression plate by the compression assembly, allowing filtration performance to be adapted for various particulate loads; and wherein the compression assembly is configured to adjust a vertical position of the compression plate relative to the support plate, thereby modifying compression level of the filtration media and altering the interstitial void space therein.

[0036] In at least an embodiment, said apparatus consisting of:

[0037] • an inlet pipe coupled to an inlet conduit, the inlet conduit being connected to the top dish-end for delivering raw water into the filtration chamber from above the filtration media; • an outlet pipe coupled to a bottom fluid conduit, the bottom fluid conduit being connected to the bottom dish-end for extracting filtrate from below the filtration media, wherein the apparatus operates in a downflow filtration mode.

[0038] In at least an embodiment, the bottom fluid conduit is further configured to receive wash water during a backwashing operation, and the top dish-end is provided with a drain conduit for discharging spent wash water.

[0039] In at least an embodiment, the compression assembly adjusts the compression plate during backwashing to enable loosening and agitation of the filtration media, thereby facilitating dislodgement and removal of trapped particulate matter.

[0040] In at least an embodiment, the stuffing box assembly is configured to seal the compression shaft and prevent fluid leakage from the filtration chamber to the dry compartment of the apparatus.

[0041] In at least an embodiment, said apparatus consisting of: a sight glass mounted on the filter shell for visual inspection of the filtration media during filtration and backwashing operations.

[0042] In at least an embodiment, said compression plate, said support plate, and said filtration media are arranged coaxially and concentrically within the filter shell, allowing uniform compression across the media bed.

[0043] In at least an embodiment, the apparatus is switchable between downflow and upflow filtration configurations, based on the direction of water introduction and filtrate extraction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

[0044] The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0045] Figure (1): Illustrates the present invention in isometric view;

[0046] Figure (2): Illustrates the present invention in front view;

[0047] Figure (3): Illustrates the present invention in top view;

[0048] Figure (4): Illustrates the present invention in exploded view;

[0049] Figure (5): Illustrates the compression assembly of present invention;

[0050] Figure (6): Illustrates the present invention in isometric view;

[0051] Figure (7): Illustrates the present invention in side view;

[0052] Figure (8): Illustrates the present invention in cut-open view;

[0053] Figure (9): Illustrates the present invention in right-hand- side view; and Figure (10): Illustrates the present invention in sectional view.

[0054] DETAILE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

[0055] According to this invention, there is provided a fluid filtration apparatus using variable voids amid pressurized synthetic fibrous balls.

[0056] In the present disclosure, figure 1 depicts the apparatus in isometric view.

[0057] In at least an embodiment, a filter shell (1) is coupled with a top dish-end (2) and a bottom dish-end (3) as seen in figures 1 and 2. This forms a main housing of the invention and acts as a filtration chamber in service. Its materials and manufacturing methods used are such that they prevent and minimise wear and tear of device caused by long term contact with water.

[0058] In at least an embodiment, the filter shell (1) is configured with a support frame (4) that is attached to the bottom dish-end (3) and acts as a foundation of the apparatus and provides structural support. It may or may not be bolted to the ground.

[0059] In at least an embodiment, at least one sight glass (8) / window (8) is provided that is connected to the filter shell (1) in order to facilitate visual inspection of the interior of filter and filtration media of the filter shell (1).

[0060] In at least an embodiment, raw water or wastewater to be filtered enters the filtration system via an inlet pipe (9) and its flow may be controlled using an inlet valve (9a) and using the same valve (9a), it is shut off during backwash operations. A butterfly valve is, typically but not necessarily, used as the inlet valve (9a) and it may be controlled manually or electronically for automation. The inlet pipe (9) is coupled to an inlet conduit (10) which connects to the top dish-end (2) and deposits raw water into the filter, inside the filter shell (1), from the operative top position to utilize added gravitational pressure in the filtration process. In this configuration, a downflow filtration process is enforced wherein raw water is deposited from a higher point and filtrate is extracted from a lower point. With only slight changes and based on operational requirements, the versatility of the apparatus and filtration media also allow it to be used in an upflow filtration configuration with no discernible downgrades in performance. To the bottom dish-end (3) is attached a bottom fluid conduit (11) which serves as filtrate extraction point via an outlet valve (12)a connected to an outlet pipe (12).

[0061] In case of backwashing operation, the bottom fluid conduit (11) acts as inlet for wash water via a wash valve (13a) that is connected to a wash pipe (13). The wash water with accumulated filtrides is discharged through a drain conduit (14), connected to the top dish-end (2), connected to a drain valve (15a). A drain pipe (15) may further be connected, to the drain conduit (14), appropriately, to discharge the wash water.

[0062] In at least an embodiment, at the top dish-end (2) is mounted a compression housing (5) that supports and houses a compression assembly (17). A drive motor (7) is connected to and mounted on the compression housing (5) using a mounting plate (6) that serves as a support plate and is affixed to a drive gearbox (7a).

[0063] Figure 2 depicts a frontal view of the apparatus wherein a slot is visible in the compression housing (5) that serves as a visual aid in determining the arrangement of the compression assembly (17).

[0064] Figure 3 depicts an overhead view of the apparatus to emphasize the low footprint and exhibit the arrangement of the inlet conduit (10) and the drain conduit (14) with respect to the top dish-end (2). The compact nature of the apparatus is illuminated with the help of figure 3.

[0065] An exploded sectional view of the apparatus is presented in figure 4 to highlight the internal construction of the apparatus. Inside the filter shell (1) is affixed a support plate (16) that serves to hold the filtration media in place while allowing the filtrate and wash water to pass through. This support plate (16) may be coaxial and concentric to the filter shell (1). The filtration media is bookended, on the upper part, by the compression assembly (17), which is also coaxial and concentric to the filter shell (1) and is coaxial and spaced apart with respect to the support plate (16), using a compression plate (22). Between these two plates, i.e. the support plate (16) and the compression plate (22), is housed the filtration media and this acts as the main filtration chamber of the apparatus. To prevent fluid leakage, and to separate the drive components of the compression assembly (17) from the driven components, a stuffing box assembly (18) affixed to top dish-end (2) is used.

[0066] In figure 5, the compression assembly (17) is depicted in an isolated view. It consists of a drive motor (7) acting as an actuator for a leadscrew (19) through the drive gearbox (7a). The leadscrew (19), which is coaxial to the compression plate (22) and extends therefrom, is used to manipulate a compression shaft (20) that imparts linear motion to the compression plate (22). The leadscrew (19) is coaxial to the compression shaft (20) with the stuffing box assembly (18) therebetween. Typically, a fixture (21) is used to connect the compression shaft (20) and the compression plate (22) to allow for sufficient structural stability while not compromising on fluid flow area and pressure drop characteristics. The compression shaft (20) passes through the stuffing box assembly (18) and is the only component oscillating between dry and wet parts of the apparatus. Using the compression assembly (17), various functionalities are achieved by modifying position of the compression plate (22) with respect to the support plate (16). Interstitial voids within the filtration media may be changed and controlled using this mechanism to adapt to filtration requirements ad size of particulate filtrides. By nature of the device, variable void sizes are obtained through the depth of the filtration media bed allowing for a wider range of particulate matter and pollutants to be trapped in the filter ensuring higher quality of filtrate. When there is need to wash the filtration media due to accumulation of filtrides, the arrangement of the compression plate (22) is done in such a way to allow churning movement in filtration media resulting in effective washing and filtride removal to achieve optimum filtration efficiency and long operation cycles between subsequent wash cycles. Backwashing effectiveness may also be confirmed visually by inspecting filtration media through sight glass (8) before and after each wash cycle. Figure 6 illustrates the present invention in isometric view.

[0067] Figure 7 illustrates the present invention in side view.

[0068] Figure 8 illustrates the present invention in cut-open view.

[0069] Figure 9 illustrates the present invention in right-hand- side view.

[0070] Figure 10 illustrates the present invention in sectional view.

[0071] The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT, of this invention, lies in providing a system which is a single integrated unit, working cohesively, synchronously, and synergistically, in order to achieve:

[0072] - Efficient fluid filtration;

[0073] - Removal of suspended solids;

[0074] - Low footprint;

[0075] The INVENTIVE STEP, of this invention, lies in providing a mechanically adjustable compression of the filtration media (synthetic fibrous balls) — while still allowing in- situ operation during both filtration and backwashing — in a single integrated system.

[0076] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS,1. A fluid filtration apparatus comprising:- a filter shell (1) defining a filtration chamber;- a top dish-end (2) coupled to an upper portion of the filter shell (1), and a bottom dish-end (3) coupled to a lower portion of the filter shell (1), thereby enclosing the filtration chamber;- a support frame (4) fixed to the bottom dish-end (3) to provide structural stability;- a filtration media, comprising synthetic fibrous balls, disposed within the filtration chamber (1) between a support plate (16) and a compression plate (22); o the support plate (16) being affixed internally to the filter shell (1) and configured to retain the filtration media while allowing fluid flow therethrough;- a compression assembly (17) positioned above the filtration media, comprising:(i) a drive motor (7) mounted on a compression housing (5) secured to the top dish-end (2),(ii) a gearbox (7a) operatively connected to the drive motor (7),(iii) a leadscrew (19) coupled to the gearbox (7a) and arranged to transmit rotational motion,(iv) a compression shaft (20) operatively connected to the leadscrew (19) and extending downward through a stuffing box assembly (18) mounted to the top dish-end (2), the compression shaft (20) passing through the stuffing box assembly (18) and oscillating between dry and wet parts of the apparatus, wherein anything outside a volume contained by the filtration chamber (1) being dry parts and everything inside the filtration chamber (1) beingwet parts.(v) the compression plate (22) connected to the compression shaft (20) and disposed within the filtration chamber (1) in a coaxial and concentric arrangement relative to the support plate (16), wherein, the interstitial void size of the filtration media is adjustable in real time via controlled linear displacement of the compression plate (22) by the compression assembly (17), allowing filtration performance to be adapted for various particulate loads; and wherein the compression assembly (17) is configured to adjust a vertical position of the compression plate (22) relative to the support plate (16), thereby modifying compression level of the filtration media and altering the interstitial void space therein.The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus consisting of:• an inlet pipe (9) coupled to an inlet conduit (10), the inlet conduit (10) being connected to the top dish-end (2) for delivering raw water into the filtration chamber (1) from above the filtration media;• an outlet pipe (12) coupled to a bottom fluid conduit (11), the bottom fluid conduit (11) being connected to the bottom dish-end (3) for extracting filtrate from below the filtration media, wherein the apparatus operates in a downflow filtration mode.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom fluid conduit (11) is further configured to receive wash water during a backwashing operation, and the top dish-end (2) is provided with a drain conduit (14) for discharging spent wash water.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compression assembly(17) adjusts the compression plate (22) during backwashing to enableloosening and agitation of the filtration media, thereby facilitating dislodgement and removal of trapped particulate matter.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stuffing box assembly (18) is configured to seal the compression shaft (20) and prevent fluid leakage from the filtration chamber (1) to the dry compartment of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus consisting of: a sight glass (8) mounted on the filter shell (1) for visual inspection of the filtration media during filtration and backwashing operations.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compression plate (22), said support plate (16), and said filtration media are arranged coaxially and concentrically within the filter shell (1), allowing uniform compression across the media bed.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is switchable between downflow and upflow filtration configurations, based on the direction of water introduction and filtrate extraction.

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