Gravity Liquid Filter with Horizontal Flow and Vertical Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gravity filters have a large footprint due to their horizontal filtration surface, which leads to compression of the filter bed and reduced filtration efficiency, and the regeneration process is inconvenient and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A filtering apparatus with a unique chamber configuration allowing horizontal liquid flow through a granular filter bed, reducing the footprint and using a separate washing system with a vertical washing liquid path to regenerate the filter bed efficiently, and the option to incorporate microorganisms for enhanced filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a horizontal filtration surface is used in conventional gravity filters, then the filtration area is increased, but the footprint becomes large and the filter bed gets compressed reducing filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal filtration (2D surface area) to vertical filtration (3D volume utilization). The filter bed is arranged vertically between a lower support and an upper wash water distribution device, allowing water to flow downward through the granular material. This dimensional change increases filtration area without expanding footprint and eliminates compression issues by maintaining proper empty/full ratio through vertical orientation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the filter bed is compressed by water pressure, then the empty/full ratio decreases, but the water speed through the filter bed increases reducing filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the filter bed vertically, the patent maintains a consistent empty/full ratio throughout the filtration process. The vertical arrangement allows water to flow downward through the granular material without lateral compression, preserving the designed porosity and flow characteristics. The lower support and upper distribution device create a stable vertical column that resists compression while maintaining optimal water flow velocity.
3Ease of operation
If backwashing is used to regenerate the sand bed, then impurities are removed, but the process is inconvenient and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional backwashing approach by implementing a vertical downward flow system during regeneration. Instead of upward backwashing through a horizontal bed, wash water is distributed from above and flows downward through the granular material, carrying impurities to the lower support where they are collected and removed. This inverted approach simplifies the washing system and makes the regeneration process more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing system is segmented into distinct functional components: an upper wash water distribution device that delivers water uniformly across the filter bed surface, a vertical flow path through the granular material, and a lower support structure that collects and removes wash water and impurities. This segmentation allows for independent optimization of each component and simplifies overall system operation and maintenance.
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 apparatus achieves low emptying speed and reduced load losses with a smaller footprint, improved filtration efficiency, and reduced washing liquid consumption and time, while maintaining effective impurity removal and contamination prevention.
Implementation Method 1
A granular filter material housed in the filtration chamber and enclosed between the first porous wall and the second porous wall, forming a filter bed
Implementation Method 2
the regeneration step of the filter bed, which usually consists in a backwashing of the sand bed
Implementation Method 3
The inlet of liquid to be filtered in the first chamber is at a first height, while the filtered liquid outlet from the second chamber is at a second height; the first height is at a higher altitude than the second height
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a filtering apparatus (1) for the filtration of liquids, in particular water. It comprises, inside a container (11), a first chamber (50) intended to receive liquid to be filtered, a second chamber (54) intended to receive filtered liquid, a first porous wall (51) and a second porous wall (53) which delimit a filtration chamber (40) between them. The first porous wall (51) divides the first chamber (50) from the filtration chamber (40) and the second porous wall (53) divides the second chamber (54) from the filtration chamber (40), so that the filtration chamber (40) is interposed between the first chamber (50) and the second chamber (54). A granular filter material (4) is housed in the filtration chamber (40) and is enclosed between the first porous wall (51) and the second porous wall (53). The first chamber (50) receives the liquid to be filtered at a first height (H1) which is at a higher altitude than the second height (H2) at which the second chamber (54) discharges the filtered liquid. The first chamber (50), the filtration chamber (40) and the second chamber (54) are flanked to each other and, in a section between the first height (H1) and the second height (H2), are all intersected by a plurality of horizontal planes (P) parallel to each other. In use, the liquid to be filtered passes from the first chamber (50) to the second chamber (54) substantially by gravity and through the filtration chamber (40) with a flow path having a horizontal component.