The present invention relates to a ballast water treatment system. The ballast water treatment system comprises: a filter and electrolysis unit for receiving ballast water from the outside, and filtering and electrolyzing the ballast water; a first sensor unit for measuring seawater characteristics of the ballast water passing through the filter and electrolysis unit; a control unit for determining a contamination level of the ballast water according to the measured seawater characteristic values so as to generate control signals for determining the strength of electrolysis and the input amount of chlorine dioxide; a chlorine dioxide generation unit for generating the chlorine dioxide; a UV/TiO.sub.2 system which includes a TiO.sub.2-coated plate, generates an OH radical through an interaction between ultraviolet rays and TiO.sub.2 so as to enable the OH radical to sterilize residual microorganisms included in the ballast water passing through the filter and electrolysis unit; an automatic neutralization treatment device which includes a neutralizing agent, receives a neutralizing agent discharge signal from the control unit, and neutralizes the ballast water passing through the filter and the electrolysis unit; and a second sensor unit for measuring a TRO concentration of the ballast water neutralized in the automatic neutralization treatment device and transferring the measurement result to the control unit, wherein the control unit generates a control signal for controlling an amount of the neutralizing agent discharged from the automatic neutralization treatment device according to the measurement result received from the second sensor unit. Thus, the sterilization efficiency for the ballast water satisfies the USCG standards during the ballasting step for the ballast water.

The present invention relates to water filters utilizing disc filter elements and in particular, to such a filtering apparatus having self-cleaning capabilities by utilizing automated back-flushing to clean the filtering elements where the self-cleaning process is enhanced by introducing a secondary flowing fluid, preferably atmospheric air, into the back-flushing stream. The filter apparatus is further enhanced with a disc filter spine having a plurality of spray nozzles arranged on the spine channels that may be adapted to produce a cleaning flowing fluid jet stream at a variety of angles facilitating cleaning, separation and spinning of the disc filtering elements. The filter apparatus may further enhance the cleaning process by introducing a flushing apparatus adapted to facilitate removal of effluent from the filter.

The present invention relates to water filters utilizing disc filter elements and in particular, to such a filtering apparatus having self-cleaning capabilities by utilizing automated back-flushing to clean the filtering elements where the self-cleaning process is enhanced by introducing a secondary flowing fluid, preferably atmospheric air, into the back-flushing stream. The filter apparatus is further enhanced with a disc filter spine having a plurality of spray nozzles arranged on the spine channels that may be adapted to produce a cleaning flowing fluid jet stream at a variety of angles facilitating cleaning, separation and spinning of the disc filtering elements. The filter apparatus may further enhance the cleaning process by introducing a flushing apparatus adapted to facilitate removal of effluent from the filter.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multilayer separation membrane having excellent performance on both removal of suspended solids in water and adsorptive removal of metal ions in water. A multilayer separation membrane of the present invention includes: a porous adsorption layer including substantially a polymer having chelating functional groups; and a porous clarification layer, and the porous clarification layer is disposed neater to a raw water-side than the porous adsorption layer.

A filter cartridge for use within a filter housing of a filter assembly that includes a filter media, a first endplate attached to a first end of the filter media, and a second endplate attached to a second end of the filter media. The second endplate includes a plurality of extensions extending axially away from a surface of the second endplate. The plurality of extensions possess a toothed profile and are sized and positioned so as to engage with at least one rib associated with a portion of the filter housing such that, when at least one of the plurality of extensions is engaged with the at least one rib, a rotation of the portion of the filter housing in a first direction results in a corresponding rotation of the filter cartridge.

Devices, systems, and methods for concentrating a slurry are disclosed. A concentrator is utilized, including a cylindrical vessel containing a cylindrical filter and a screw. The cylindrical filter consists of a plurality of spaced annuli. The screw passes through the cylindrical filter. A slurry passed through the cylindrical vessel is concentrated. The slurry is conveyed by the screw along an interior of the cylindrical filter. Any two concentric annuli are spaced such that the solid is prevented from passing between them. The slurry is concentrated to produce a concentrated slurry by restricting the product outlet such that a back pressure is created in the cylindrical vessel. The back pressure causes a portion of the liquid to pass between the annuli and out a fluid outlet. The concentrated slurry passes out a product outlet.

A stacked-plate filter removes particulates from a fluid stream. Each plate is a surface of revolution, including an annular plate having a central opening and an outer periphery. A plurality of plates are stacked axially and spaced to form gaps as fluid pathways between the central opening and periphery. Depending on the direction fluid flow, inner or outer edges at the central opening or periphery respectively form inlet edges; the inlet edges of adjacent plates being misaligned to form an offset gap interface for minimizing particulate clogging thereat. The inlet edge can be pleated, forming radially-extending edges for angular misalignment. Identical and adjacent plates can be alternated face-up and face down to form the offset gap interface. The filter can be fit within a housing and forming an annulus therebetween, the central opening and annulus forming one or the other of the fluid inlet and outlet.

A stacked-plate filter removes particulates from a fluid stream. Each plate is a surface of revolution, including an annular plate having a central opening and an outer periphery. A plurality of plates are stacked axially and spaced to form gaps as fluid pathways between the central opening and periphery. Depending on the direction fluid flow, inner or outer edges at the central opening or periphery respectively form inlet edges; the inlet edges of adjacent plates being misaligned to form an offset gap interface for minimizing particulate clogging thereat. The inlet edge can be pleated, forming radially-extending edges for angular misalignment. Identical and adjacent plates can be alternated face-up and face down to form the offset gap interface. The filter can be fit within a housing and forming an annulus therebetween, the central opening and annulus forming one or the other of the fluid inlet and outlet.

A device for concentrating an object to be treated has a filter body in which a movable plate is disposed between adjacent annular fixed plates, the moveable plate being formed in the same annular shape. Sludge filtrate passes through filtrate inflow gaps between the fixed plates and the movable plate before being caused to flow into the filter body. The movable plate is moved so that solids in the sludge are kept from clogging the filtrate inflow gaps. A cleaning member is caused to rub against the outer peripheral surfaces of the fixed plates so that solids adhering to the outer peripheral surfaces of the fixed plates are scraped off. The movable plates of said device are caused to perform a circular movement by eccentric cams fixed to the shaft. The cleaning member is fixed to the shaft, and caused to rotate around the shaft by the rotation of the shaft so that solids adhering to the outer peripheral surfaces of the fixed plates are scraped off.

A device for concentrating an object to be treated has a filter body in which a movable plate is disposed between adjacent annular fixed plates, the moveable plate being formed in the same annular shape. Sludge filtrate passes through filtrate inflow gaps between the fixed plates and the movable plate before being caused to flow into the filter body. The movable plate is moved so that solids in the sludge are kept from clogging the filtrate inflow gaps. A cleaning member is caused to rub against the outer peripheral surfaces of the fixed plates so that solids adhering to the outer peripheral surfaces of the fixed plates are scraped off. The movable plates of said device are caused to perform a circular movement by eccentric cams fixed to the shaft. The cleaning member is fixed to the shaft, and caused to rotate around the shaft by the rotation of the shaft so that solids adhering to the outer peripheral surfaces of the fixed plates are scraped off.