Abstract A system for filtering thick liquids includes a filter tank having a relatively tall filter chamber and a plurality of filter elements mounted in the upper portion of the chamber. Filter cake built up on the filter elements is dislodged from all of the filter elements simultaneously for cleaning purposes, whereby the dislodged filter cake falls to the lower portion of the chamber and is removed from a discharge port at the lower portion of the chamber. A density detector controls a valve for the discharge port so that when the density of the liquid in the tank increases beyond a predetermined level, the discharge port is automatically opened, and then automatically closed when the density falls below a predetermined level.
A method of filtration according to claim 1, wherein said filter cake is discharged from all of said filter elements by simultaneously impacting all of said elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of maintaining the pressure in said chamber at substantially atmospheric during the discharge of said filter cake from said filter elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said filter elements are filter leaves and said step of discharging said filter cake from said filter elements is carried out by reciprocally moving said filter leaves in the liquid in which they are immersed.