Hopper-Shaped Filter Media Retainer for Clog Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter systems are prone to clogging due to biological and chemical scaling, which reduces their operating efficiency and often requires replacement of components, as they cannot be adequately cleaned during backwashing, especially around the perimeter where plates are joined.
Innovation Solution
A filter media assembly with a media retainer assembly featuring upper and lower plates with hopper-shaped cavities and slots that direct fluid flow vertically and prevent media passage, along with a backwash channel around the perimeter to facilitate cleaning during backwashing, ensuring effective removal of clogs and maintaining system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat media retainer plate is used to support filter media, then the filter media is retained and does not pass into the underdrain system, but the plate becomes clogged by biological or chemical scaling that adheres to its surface, blocking water pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using hopper-shaped cavities instead of flat surfaces. The curved, sloped walls of the hopper-shaped cavities prevent biological and chemical scaling from adhering and clogging the water pathways, while still effectively retaining the filter media through the slots at the cavity openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The media retainer assembly is segmented into multiple hopper-shaped cavities rather than using a single flat plate. This segmentation creates multiple isolated chambers that prevent scaling from spreading across the entire surface and blocking all water pathways simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flat media retainer plate is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot be adequately cleaned during backwash procedures, especially around the perimeter where plates are joined
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper-shaped cavities with sloped walls allow backwash water to flow more effectively across all surfaces, including perimeter areas. The curved geometry prevents scaling buildup in hard-to-reach areas and facilitates complete cleaning during backwash procedures.
3Reliability
If gravel layers are used to support filter media, then the media is retained effectively, but the system becomes more complex and requires multiple layers of different materials
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into hopper-shaped cavities that are filled with filter media, eliminating the need for separate gravel support layers. Each cavity acts as an independent retention chamber, simplifying the overall structure to a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media is nested within the hopper-shaped cavities of the media retainer assembly, which itself is nested within the filter housing. This nested arrangement provides effective media retention while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
The solution effectively prevents clogging by the buildup of biological and chemical scaling, allows for efficient backwashing, and maintains system performance by preventing filter media passage through the slots and channels, thereby extending the lifespan of the filter system.
Implementation Method 1
a filter medium having a plurality of filter media particles disposed on the upper filter media retainer plate. The filter medium is adapted to capture the particles from the liquid with the liquid passing through the plurality of slots to the underdrain chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A filter system for filtering particles from a liquid includes an underdrain assembly having an underdrain defining at least one underdrain chamber and a media retainer assembly. The media retainer assembly includes an upper filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities and a lower filter media retainer plate defining a plurality of hopper-shaped cavities corresponding to the plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate. The plates are in a nested arrangement such that the hopper-shaped cavities on the upper plate are in alignment with the corresponding plurality of hopper-shaped cavities on the lower plate to define a plurality of passages therebetween and allow for the passage of the liquid while preventing the passage of a filter media. During a backwash operation, the upper and lower plates are relatively moveable such that the backwash fluid releases any particles lodged in the passages between the plates.