Removable Filter Units for Fluid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid separation systems face challenges in efficiently handling varied fluid flow rates, maintaining contaminant retention, and reducing filter weight, leading to increased maintenance difficulties and costs, while also struggling to remove suspended and dissolved contaminants effectively without compromising flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A fluid separation system with a treatment chamber, filter units, and a containment chamber that allows for upward and radial fluid flow, enabling sloughing off of bulk contaminants and minimizing loading on the filter unit, along with a method for easy maintenance and filter media replacement without assistive equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filtration systems are used to remove suspended and dissolved contaminants, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but filter weight increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into multiple filter units that can be independently removed and replaced. Each filter unit contains filter media contained within a cage structure, allowing the filter media to be easily separated from the support structure for maintenance without requiring special equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media is extracted from a fixed, heavy filtration system and placed into removable filter units. This extraction allows the filter media to be easily taken out, cleaned, or replaced without moving or maintaining the entire filtration system, significantly reducing maintenance difficulty.
2Reliability
If conventional filtration systems are used to remove contaminants, then contaminant retention is improved, but fluid flow rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of filter media based on flow requirements. Different filter media can be selected and installed in the removable filter units depending on the specific contaminant removal needs, optimizing the balance between retention effectiveness and flow rate without being constrained by a fixed filtration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration parameters such as media type, pore size, and thickness can be changed by replacing different filter units. This allows optimization of the balance between contaminant retention and fluid flow rate based on specific application requirements, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational conditions.
3Reliability
If filter media is continuously loaded with contaminants, then contaminant retention capacity is improved, but filter weight increases requiring assistive equipment for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into multiple removable filter units, each containing a contained cage structure with filter media. When filter media becomes loaded with contaminants, only the individual filter unit needs to be removed and replaced, not the entire heavy filtration system, making maintenance possible without assistive equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media is extracted from a continuous, heavy filtration mass and organized into discrete, removable units. This allows the spent filter media to be easily extracted and replaced in small increments, preventing the accumulation of excessive weight that would require mechanical assistance for maintenance.
4Reliability
If preliminary separation systems are installed upstream to treat contaminated water, then contaminant removal is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The removable filter units with contained cage structures serve multiple functions: they filter suspended and dissolved contaminants, can be easily removed and replaced for maintenance, and allow for flexible configuration in different upstream treatment applications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate treatment components, simplifying the overall system.
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 system effectively removes contaminants with minimal impact on fluid flow rates, extends maintenance cycles, and reduces filter weight, making it cost-effective and easier to maintain, while maximizing contaminant retention and reducing caking issues.
Implementation Method 1
forcing upward and/or radial flow of the fluid through the filter means
Implementation Method 2
forcing upward and/or radial flow of the fluid through the filter means
Implementation Method 3
The filter means may take the form of a screen, a series of screens, an absorptive media, a non-absorptive media, or a combination of absorptive and non-absorptive media
Implementation Method 4
The confinement deck includes a plurality of sockets arranged to receive the filter units, with each socket surrounded by a wall extending downwardly from the top surface of the confinement deck to a position above a bottom surface of the confinement deck
Data Source
AI summary
A system and related method for separating floating and nonfloating particulate and entrained, suspended, and/or dissolved contaminants from a fluid. The system includes a tank with a lower chamber spaced from an outlet or upper chamber by a confinement deck. The deck includes one or more sockets for receiving one or more filter units for fluid treatment. In addition, the lower chamber of the tank acts as a pretreatment sump to remove floating and nonfloating particulates, thereby reducing the load on the filter units. The filter units are configured for radial and/or upward flow of the fluid from the lower chamber. The filter units may include one or more filter media through which the fluid pass prior to exiting the tank. The filter units include a removable screening retainer for retaining the filter media and/or to screen relatively large contaminants. The filter unit may be removed for ease of tank maintenance and replacement of filter media. The system allows a method of contaminated fluid treatment under varying flow conditions by directing the fluid radially and/or upwardly through the retainer. Establishing both types of flow through the filter unit improves filtering and extends filter life without compromising desired flow through rates.