EP1761320A1 - Filtre pour fluide - Google Patents

Filtre pour fluide

Info

Publication number
EP1761320A1
EP1761320A1 EP05746516A EP05746516A EP1761320A1 EP 1761320 A1 EP1761320 A1 EP 1761320A1 EP 05746516 A EP05746516 A EP 05746516A EP 05746516 A EP05746516 A EP 05746516A EP 1761320 A1 EP1761320 A1 EP 1761320A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filter
fibres
charge
fluid
particles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05746516A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Michael John Ernest Frye
Soren Ingemann Jensen
Philip Mcintyre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Water Maiden Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Water Maiden Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB0411290.0A external-priority patent/GB0411290D0/en
Application filed by Water Maiden Ltd filed Critical Water Maiden Ltd
Publication of EP1761320A1 publication Critical patent/EP1761320A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D21/0009—Settling tanks making use of electricity or magnetism

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid filter, and particularly although not exclusively to a high pressure and throughput filter for removing solid material from a liquid such as water.
  • a filter which makes use of fibres to trap material entrained within the medium is disclosed in US patents US-A-5470470 and US-A-4617120.
  • a similar device is disclosed in EP-A-0280052.
  • the filter 100 comprises a filter housing 101 with an inlet end 102 and an outlet end 103. Extending longitudinally of the housing is a plurality of parallel fibres, held in place by a support 106. Surrounding the fibres is a flexible waterproof membrane 104.
  • the membrane 104 is pressurised as shown at 107 in Figure la, thereby compressing the fibres towards an internal pinch point 108.
  • the material to be filtered is forced through the filter in the direction shown by the arrow.
  • the filter may be flushed and cleaned by releasing the pressure within the membrane and back- flushing in the opposite direction to the normal flow of filtration.
  • EP-A-0280052 discloses a distensible balloon with fibres surrounding it, so that as the balloon is distended the fibres get pushed out against the internal circumference of the filter housing.
  • this form of filtration by compression of fibres may be effective at filtering out particles of a certain size or above, it cannot distinguish between particles of different material but of the same size.
  • the filter cannot be used to separate out different materials unless there is a definite difference in the particle size of each material. For example, it may be desirable to remove salt from a fluid but to leave certain other minerals in the fluid. Alternatively, one may wish to filter out viruses but to leave in bacteria. Bacteria are larger than viruses, so a filter based on size only cannot achieve this aim.
  • a filter for a fluid comprising a filter housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a plurality of fibres extending longitudinally of the housing and being secured at the inlet end, wherein the fibres are charged to selectively block or allow the passage of particles of a known charge present in the fluid through to the outlet end
  • a method of operating a filter for a fluid having a filter housing with a first end and a second end, and a plurality of fibres extending longitudinally of the housing and being secured at the first end; the method comprising selecting a direction of charge to be applied to the fibres to block the passage of particles of a pre-determined charge from the first end to the second end, imparting the charge to the fibres and passing a fluid to be filtered from the first end to the second end.
  • the filter it is further desired to utilise the filter to charge particles in a fluid as they pass through the filter, for capture or control later.
  • the drinking water in certain countries is a brown colour, albeit perfectly safe to drink. Its aesthetic characteristics are off-putting to the consumer, and it is therefore desirable to be able to alter these characteristics such that the water is clear and appealing to the consumer. It is therefore a further aim of the present invention to alleviate this problem in a simple yet effective manner.
  • a altering the a method of altering the settling characteristics of particles in a fluid using a filter the filter having a filter housing with a first end and a second end, and a plurality of fibres extending longitudinally of the housing and being secured at the first end; the method comprising imparting a pre-determined charge to the fibres, the charge being selected based upon the charge of certain particles in the fluid, passing a fluid whose settling characteristics are to be altered from the first end to the second end, and allowing the particles to settle in the fluid.
  • Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a prior art filter
  • Figure la is a longitudinal section through the filter of Figure 1 in filtration mode
  • Figure 2a is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2b is a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2c is a longitudinal section through a third embodiment of the invention:
  • Figure 3 is a detailed plan view of the head matrix of each of the embodiments;
  • Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through a fourth embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the filter of Figure 4 in filtration mode
  • Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the blocking and passing capability of the filter of Figures 2a and 2b;
  • Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a fibre anchoring system according to the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a longitudinal section through a fifth embodiment of the invention.
  • a filter 200 of a first embodiment of the invention is contained within a cylindrical filter housing 201 the size of which may be selected according to the particular fluid pressures, flow rates or volumes required. Alternatively, the housing could be shaped so that its width tapers towards its distal ends. For example, in a specific application the housing has an external diameter of 315mm and an internal diameter of 290mm.
  • the filter housing can be made of any suitable rigid material such as metal or an appropriate plastics material.
  • the housing has an inlet end 202 and an outlet end 203, respectively allowing the filtered medium to ingress to and to egress from the filter.
  • the inlet end is capped by means of an inlet cap 204 having a plurality of inlet apertures 205. Each of these is supplied by an individual inlet pipe 206, thereby allowing if required for a variety of liquids and/or gases to be supplied in parallel to the filter.
  • Suitable connecting means 207 are provided to couple the inlet pipes to further piping systems (not shown) which furnish the liquids and/or gases to the filter at the required pressure and flow rates.
  • the volume of the filter housing between the inlet cap 204 and the head matrix 209 defines an inlet chamber 210, within which the incoming liquids and/or gases may mix.
  • the outlet end 203 of the housing may be left open, or alternatively an exit cap and exit pipes may be provided to direct the outgoing fluid after it has passed through the filter.
  • the head matrix 209 consists of a removable plate 300, made from any suitable rigid materials (such as metal or a plastics material) having a plurality of apertures spaced around the circumference for the receipt of fibre bundles, one of which is shown at 303.
  • the fibres are secured within a metal anchoring collar 710 as shown in Figure 7.
  • the collar 710 is placed around the fibre bundle and then crimped as shown in Figure 7 to secure the fibres together.
  • the ends of the fibres 720 are then melted or fused together to form a solid mass.
  • the anchoring collar can then be placed within the aperture 301 of the head matrix, such that part of the collar abuts a shoulder of the aperture (not shown).
  • the fibres may be secured in any convenient way within the head matrix, for example by melting together approximately 30mm of the fibre ends to form a solid mass and then securing that mass by means of cross-struts (not shown) within the aperture 301.
  • Between and surrounding the fibre bundle apertures 301 are a plurality of smaller apertures 302, the purpose of which is to allow for the ingress of fluid through the head matrix.
  • Both types of aperture are preferably spaced at equidistant points around the circumference of the head matrix, so as to provide a generally uniform distribution of fibres and also a generally uniform fluid flow between and through the fibre bundles.
  • the individual fibres 211 of the bundles 301 spread out to form a fairly uniform fibre curtain throughout the housing 201.
  • the fibres extend substantially axially along the length of the filtration chamber 213, and are oriented substantially parallel to the direction of flow through the chamber.
  • the fibres 211 may be secured at the outlet end 203, rather than being left loose. In this manner, electric current passed through the fibres can flow from one end of the filter to the other.
  • the lower fibre ends 215 are secured to an outlet matrix head 216 having apertures (not shown) for securing the fibre bundles and further apertures (also not shown) for egress of the filtrate.
  • the outlet matrix head 216 is secured in position in some suitable way, for example by means of a further ring cast on the inside of the filter housing 201. Alternatively, the outlet matrix head 216 could be left loose. In this arrangement the filter could be back flushed.
  • the ends of the fibres are not secured in any way, and they simply hang loose.
  • This embodiment can be used where the fluid to be filtered is conductive, as the charge can then flow through the fibres and into the liquid. However, if possible it is desired to avoid this embodiment as a coating can build up on the fibres that can affect current flow.
  • the fibres 211 may be of any suitable dimension and conductive material, but preferably they are made of metal or carbon fibre. In one example, the fibres may have a diameter of between 0.15mm and 0.5mm.
  • the fibres may be solid or hollow, and may be of circular, rectangular or any other cross-section. For some applications, it may be advantageous for the fibres to be at least partially elastic, either along or across the fibre length. For such fibres, the desired shape-recovery characteristic may also be chosen according to the required application.
  • the fibres may have a smooth or a rough surface and may if required be coated. Fibre coatings such as Teflon and zinc may be appropriate.
  • the fibres are magnetised but no current is passed through them. Magnetisation along the fibres is achieved as shown in Figure 2c by placing opposing magnetic poles 240a, 240b at each end of the filter so as to impart charge to the fibres in a predetermined polarity. Alternatively, magnetisation across the fibres can be achieved by placing magnets in or near the filter housing and placing a magnet in the centre of the housing with the opposite pole facing radially outwards (not shown).
  • an electric current is fed through wires 230 connected to the top of each fibre bundle.
  • the current imparts a predetermined charge to the fibres.
  • the electric charge through the fibres causes an electrical field, denoted by the reference numeral 650 to build up between the fibres.
  • the electrical field blocks the passage of charged particles 660 flowing in the opposite direction to the electrical field towards which they are directed.
  • selected charged particles can be blocked in the same way as with the electric field of Figure 2a.
  • the magnetic field generated between the fibres blocks particles of the opposite charge to that present in the filter.
  • the poles can be reversed to allow the charged particles to pass through the fibres.
  • the filter can be used to alter the settling characteristics of particles in a fluid by altering charge of the particles.
  • the magnetic/electric field in the fibres alters the charge in certain particles as the fluid is passed through the filter.
  • the particles can then be collected and separated out merely by being allowed to settle.
  • One example of a use of this method is to alter the settling characteristics of drinking water to improve its appearance. In certain parts of the world, drinking water is brown coloured, even though it is perfectly safe to drink. Normally, the brown coloured particles will not settle in the liquid.
  • the brown coloured particles can be removed by altering the settling characteristics of the water by passing it through the filter and then allowing the water to settle, allowing separation of the particles from the drinking water.
  • the balloon 212 When it is desired to start filtering, the balloon 212 is inflated by means of a control fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) which is supplied along an inlet pipeline 216.
  • a control fluid hydraulic or pneumatic
  • the balloon could be filled with materials that are substantially resistive to motion (be it rapid motion or slow motion) such as a powder or particles such as sand.
  • the pipeline may pass through the head matrix 209, or alternatively (not shown) the pipe may avoid the head matrix by entering from the side or from the outlet end.
  • the distended balloon defines a pinch point 403 consisting of a narrow annular region or area between the perimeter of the balloon and the inner circumference of the housing, where the available flow area is at a minimum.
  • the position of the pinch point 403 defines an upstream section 406 on the inlet section of the pinch point, and a downstream section 407 on the outlet side.
  • the shape of the balloon is such that, in its distended state, it is substantially symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis 408 of the chamber.
  • the upstream and downstream sections may be mirror images of each other.
  • the upstream section may define a more rapidly-changing annular area, along the length of the filter, than the downstream section, or vice versa.
  • the filter when the filter is in filtration mode, fluid passing through it is exposed to a gradually decreasing annular surface area up until the pinch point 403, and then is exposed to a gradually increasing annular surface area.
  • the gradual nature of the decreasing surface area prior to the pinch point is enhanced by making the balloon 212 stiffer at its ends and softer in the middle so that, as it inflates, it forms a generally ovoid shape.
  • the balloon As the balloon expands, it starts to exert a radial force on the surrounding fibres, forcing the fibres to press together and to press against the rigid wall 201 of the filter housing. This of course reduces the size of the passageways 409 between the fibres.
  • the fibres 211 are made of a compressible material, the fibres themselves may start to deform, thereby reducing even further the size of the passageways 409 through which the fluid can pass.
  • the electric or magnetic charge is switched on and the fluid or fluids to be filtered are passed through the filter.
  • the fluid may comprise water or another liquid mixed with one or more solid particulates of varying sizes.
  • the electric or magnetic field combined with the gradually decreasing passageway size causes the particulates to be trapped between the fibres. Particulates of a predetermined charge will become trapped due to the electric/magnetic field 650. Of the remaining particles, larger particulates 410 will be trapped relatively early in the graduated filter, whereas finer particulates 411 will be trapped at a point closer to the pinch point 403. The very finest particles 412 will be trapped just prior to the pinch point.
  • the tapered and gradual increase in fibre compression within the upstream section prevents the larger particles 410 which are caught in the coarser filter matrix, defined by the upper port of the upstream section, from slipping down. This would of course be undesirable since larger particles wliich were to move downwards towards the pinch point would tend to reduce the gradual nature of the taper and hence the ability of the filter systematically to separate out particles of differing sizes.
  • the gradual nature of the taper ensures that each fibre is securely held by the fibres which surround it. The fibres in the upstream section cannot "flap around" or move, with the consequence that the trapped particles cannot move either.
  • the balloon will be distended by an appropriate amount such that only fluid can pass the pinch point.
  • the filter may be adjusted to allow through only particles which are smaller than a desired size.
  • the filter includes two balloons 812a and 812b arranged in series along a central axis of the filter.
  • the fibres 811 surround the balloons such that when the balloons are inflated as shown in Figure 8, they compress the fibres together against the inner wall of the housing. In this manner, more than one filter stage is provided, and the two balloons 812a and 812b can be used to filter out two d fferent types of particles based on particle size or on another characteristic.
  • FIG. 5 schematically shows the flushing process for the embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b.
  • the electric or magnetic field 650 is reversed, and the pressure within the balloon 212 is released, thereby removing the compressive force from the fibres and allowing them to return to their uncompacted and loose state as shown at 503.
  • the fibres reduce their grip on the filter cake, allowing the cake to be washed through by means of a rinsing medium 505.
  • the rinsing medium 505 is passed through the filter in the same direction that the medium to be filtered was passed through in the filtration mode: that is, the filter is forward-flushed.
  • the balloon can be used at low pressure only, so as to promote even flow between fibres and not necessarily to create a high pressure gap between the fibres as with the previous embodiment.
  • such an embodiment may include one or more balloons placed to surround the fibres as in the prior art, rather than a central balloon as shown in Figures 4a and 4b.
  • Appropriate valves 506 and piping 507 may be employed so that the washing medium and the filter cake do not contaminate the filtrate.
  • Upstream and/or downstream pressure sensors 508, 509 may be used to determine when the filter is overly clogged with filter cake, and when it is necessary to carry out the flushing process. The process may be carried out entirely automatically, thereby maximising the time that the filter spends in the filtration mode, so increasing throughput.
  • ultrasound may be applied to the filter or to the fibres to help the cake shake loose. Also, it may be desired to dry the filter cake before release by means such as generating a vacuum within the filter or passing hot air through it.
  • the filter of the present invention may be scaled in size as desired according to the volumes to be filtered and/or the application in hand.
  • the filter may be manufactured as a plug-in module, in a variety of different sizes.
  • the filter is shown with its longitudinal axis vertical in the drawings, it will be understood that in some applications the axis may be horizontal.
  • the fluid passing through the filter may be pumped, at high or low pressure, or alternatively may be allowed to pass through the filter entirely by the influence of gravity.
  • adjustable parameters include pressure; temperature; fibre size; fibre length; fibre coating; charge on fibre; magnetic field strength of areas within the housing, fibres or fluid; the manner in which the fibres are anchored; flow volume; filter housing material; type of feed; method of inflating the balloon; balloon taper; flushing materials volumes and pressures; and the addition of gases to the mix.
  • Typical applications might include:

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Filtering Materials (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Separation (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Electricity Or Magnetism (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un filtre pour fluide comprenant un corps de filtration présentant une extrémité d'admission (202) et une extrémité d'évacuation (204), et une pluralité de faisceaux de fibres (211) s'étendant le long du corps et fixés à l'extrémité d'admission. Les fibres sont chargées d'un champ électrique ou magnétique de façon à bloquer ou permettre sélectivement le passage des particules d'une charge connue présente dans le fluide et s'écoulant par l'extrémité d'évacuation. Pour faire sortie les particules filtrées du filtre, la charge impartie aux fibres est réversible pour permettre aux particules chargées de s'écouler librement dans le filtre. Le filtre peut également être utilisé pour contrôler les caractéristiques de sédimentation des particules dans un fluide.
EP05746516A 2004-05-20 2005-05-20 Filtre pour fluide Withdrawn EP1761320A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0411290.0A GB0411290D0 (en) 2004-05-20 2004-05-20 Fluid filter
GBGB0500769.5A GB0500769D0 (en) 2004-05-20 2005-01-14 Fluid filter
PCT/GB2005/001996 WO2005113109A1 (fr) 2004-05-20 2005-05-20 Filtre pour fluide

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1761320A1 true EP1761320A1 (fr) 2007-03-14

Family

ID=34968780

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05746516A Withdrawn EP1761320A1 (fr) 2004-05-20 2005-05-20 Filtre pour fluide

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1761320A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2007537852A (fr)
CA (1) CA2566674C (fr)
WO (1) WO2005113109A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0606584D0 (en) * 2006-03-31 2006-05-10 Water Maiden Ltd Fluid filter
CN101177314B (zh) * 2007-11-05 2011-03-16 宛金晖 综合水处理器及使用方法

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5483176A (en) * 1977-12-15 1979-07-03 Unitika Ltd Precision filter
CH641969A5 (en) * 1979-05-29 1984-03-30 Zhdanovskij Metall Inst Filter and use of the filter
JPS565112A (en) * 1979-06-20 1981-01-20 Zadanofusukii Metarurujikesuki Filter
GB2198365A (en) * 1986-08-04 1988-06-15 Howden James & Co Ltd Filter
CN1004400B (zh) * 1987-01-27 1989-06-07 东北电力学院 介质过滤方法及设备
CH681510A5 (fr) * 1992-02-10 1993-04-15 Leyat Fils Marketing Sa
DE69935669T2 (de) * 1999-07-19 2009-03-19 Holland Environment B.V. Wasserbehandlung durch beschleunigte Sedimentation und/oder Fällung
JP3568487B2 (ja) * 2001-04-11 2004-09-22 三洋電機株式会社 水処理方法、水処理装置及びそれを用いた水耕栽培システム

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2005113109A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005113109A1 (fr) 2005-12-01
CA2566674C (fr) 2010-02-02
CA2566674A1 (fr) 2005-12-01
JP2007537852A (ja) 2007-12-27

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