Filter Device with Flow Divider for Backwash Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter systems face challenges in handling large quantities of backwash fluid generated by primary or automatic filters, particularly in industrial processes, as they require post-treatment and continuous operation is not feasible due to the high variability and volume of backwash fluid, leading to inefficiencies and potential system shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a primary stage using a pressureless feed tank and a flow divider formed as a screen basket, which bypasses excess backwash fluid to a tertiary stage, allowing continuous operation and efficient handling of large volumes, combined with a backwashing device to maintain cleanliness and a secondary stage for fine filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separating piston is used to transfer backwash fluid in batches, then filtration can be performed, but continuous operation is not possible and the system reaches its limits with large quantities of backwash fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a diaphragm that periodically moves between retracted and extended positions to create alternating filling and emptying phases. This periodic action allows the first chamber to receive backwash fluid during filling phases and transfer it to the second chamber during emptying phases, enabling continuous processing without system shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-chamber design with periodic diaphragm action ensures that while one chamber is being filled, the other is being emptied or is ready to receive fluid. This continuity eliminates idle time and allows the system to handle large quantities of backwash fluid continuously without interruption
2Productivity
If backwash fluid is returned to the process cycle without treatment, then the system operates efficiently, but environmental hazards from contaminated backwash fluid cannot be addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary treatment system consisting of two chambers separated by a diaphragm and equipped with filter elements. The backwash fluid passes through these filter elements during the treatment process, removing contaminants before the fluid is returned to the process cycle, thus eliminating environmental hazards while maintaining system efficiency
3Quantity of substance
If large quantities of backwash fluid are generated, then more filtration capacity is needed, but the separating piston system cannot handle continuous large-volume processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filtration process into two separate chambers (first chamber for receiving and second chamber for storing treated fluid) with the diaphragm acting as a movable separator. This segmentation allows parallel operation of filling and emptying cycles, enabling the system to process large volumes of backwash fluid continuously without bottlenecking at a single piston interface
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous and reliable treatment of large backwash fluid volumes, ensuring they are safely reprocessed and returned to the process cycle without overflow, even with varying flow rates and quantities, while maintaining system integrity and reducing equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
a flow divider is used in the primary stage which, when a predetermined fluid quantity is exceeded in the primary stage, directs the excess quantity to the tertiary stage
Implementation Method 2
the flow divider is formed from a screen basket which is arranged above a predefinable lower fill level limit in the feed tank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A filter device, in particular for processing, preferably for filtering, back-flush quantities which originate from a filter which can be arranged upstream of the filter device, having a - primary stage (10) for receiving the respective back-flush quantity, - secondary stage (12) for filtering off the back-flush quantity from the primary stage (10), and - tertiary stage (14) for returning the purified back-flush quantity into a process circuit (16), characterized in that a flow divider (20) is inserted in the primary stage (10) and, if a predeterminable fluid quantity in the primary stage (10) is exceeded, forwards the associated excess quantity into the tertiary stage (14) while bypassing the secondary stage (12).