A filter apparatus and method utilize a filter element, defining a longitudinal axis and an axial end thereof, and having a central winding structure and a length of fluted filter material wound about the winding structure with the flutes of the media oriented to provide for filtration of fluid passing axially through the filter element. An edge of filter media defines the axial end of the filter element when the media is wound about the winding structure. An axial end of the winding structure is disposed adjacent the axial end of the filter element. A winding feature extends substantially axially outward from the axial end of the winding structure to a distal end of the winding feature. The filter media is wrapped about the winding structure such that the axial end of the filter element is disposed substantially flush with the distal end of the winding feature.

A filter apparatus and method utilize a filter element having a central winding frame and a length of fluted filter material wound about the frame with the flutes of the media oriented substantially longitudinally, to thereby provide for filtration of a flow of fluid passing axially through the filter element. The winding frame is a substantially open, truss-like structure, having a smooth outer periphery and an axially extending winding feature to facilitate pulling the media into intimate contact with the smooth outer periphery during fabrication of the filter element. A leading edge of the filter media is anchored to a leading edge of the frame by a length of tape.

A high pressure filter including first and second housings having complimentary tapered surfaces, a gasket located between the tapered surfaces, a filter element centrally disposed within the housings, and a compression collar fitted over the second housing and threaded onto the first housing is provided. Methods of making and using high pressure filters are also provided.

The present invention relates to separation methods and systems for converting high concentrations of animal wastes into useful products, wherein the separation of the desired useful products is conducted with a cross-flow filtration system having the ability to the separate desired useful energy and/or products from both viscous and non-viscous medium.

A cross-flow filtration device comprises a retentate plate, a permeate plate, and a membrane sandwiched between the retentate plate and the permeate plate. The retentate plate comprises at least one feed channel extending from a distribution manifold, and at least one drain channel extending from a collection manifold, and a feed channel is fluidly connected to a drain channel via through-holes extending from a first side of the retentate plate, from a feed channel, to an opposing second side of the retentate plate, and through-holes extending from the second side of the retentate plate to the first side of the retentate plate, into a drain channel. One or more of the through-holes extending from the feed channel have a chamfered inlet.

A fluid filter system has at least one filter having a filter head removable filter element, the filter being oriented inverted. A first filter drain check valve is provided with its inlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the at least one filter, and a second filter drain check valve is provided with its inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the at least one filter. A filter outlet check valve is provided with its inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of at least one filter head. An openable valve is provided in fluid communication with the outlets of the first and second filter drain check valves. A drain pump is provided with its intake in fluid communication with the valve. A drain pump check valve is included with its inlet in fluid communication with the output of the drain pump and an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the filter outlet check valve.

Disclosed is a threaded safety cap for a high pressure, high temperature filter press. One disclosed filter press includes a cell having an open end, a cap configured to be threadably coupled to the open end and comprising a retaining ring defining a central orifice and a cap seal having a longitudinal extension configured to extend through the central orifice, one or more filtration components, and one or more seals, wherein, then the cap is threadably coupled to the cell, the cap secures the one or more seals and the one or more filtration components within the cell.

A water purification system utilizes an ionomer membrane and mild vacuum to draw water from source water through the membrane. A water source may be salt water or a contaminated water source. The water drawn through the membrane passes across the condenser chamber to a condenser surface where it is condensed into purified water. The condenser surface may be metal or any other suitable surface and may be flat or pleated. In addition, the condenser surface may be maintained at a lower temperature than the water on the water source side of the membrane. The ionomer membrane may be configured in a cartridge, a pleated or flat plate configuration. A latent heat loop may be configured to carry the latent heat of vaporization from the condenser back to the water source side of the ionomer membrane. The source water may be heated by a solar water heater.

A water purification system utilizes an ionomer membrane and mild vacuum to draw water from source water through the membrane. A water source may be salt water or a contaminated water source. The water drawn through the membrane passes across the condenser chamber to a condenser surface where it is condensed into purified water. The condenser surface may be metal or any other suitable surface and may be flat or pleated. In addition, the condenser surface may be maintained at a lower temperature than the water on the water source side of the membrane. The ionomer membrane may be configured in a cartridge, a pleated or flat plate configuration. A latent heat loop may be configured to carry the latent heat of vaporization from the condenser back to the water source side of the ionomer membrane. The source water may be heated by a solar water heater.

Z-filter media pack arrangements and methods for providing them are described. The preferred arrangements have a cured-in-place jacket around an outside of a coiled z-filter media combination. The preferred cured-in-place jacket is a mold-in-place overmold which includes, integral therein, a housing seal arrangement. Preferably a cured-in-place center core is used, most preferably one that has opposite concave ends with seal arrangements configured to seal a lead end portion of the coiled z-filter media combination.