This disclosure relates a fluid filter whose pores are created by raised structures on a base. The raised structures may be macro, micro and/or nanometer scale structures. The structures can be configured in myriad ways to control flow rate and extracted particle size of a filtering system. Typically a plurality of filter panels will be stacked to form a filtering unit.

A filter medium includes a plurality of layers each including an undulating strip of solidified material.

A filtering apparatus (100) having a filtering mode and a self-cleaning mode, the apparatus provided for filtering an upstream flowing fluid with filtering elements (20) in the form of a plurality of stackable discs during filtering mode utilizing a first flow direction, apparatus (100) also configured to self-clean the filtering elements (20) the apparatus (100) including an internal fluid diverter (110,210, 310) that is internal to the filter housing. The position of the internal fluid diverter determines the direction of fluid flow through the filter housing and the filter phase. The position of the internal fluid diverter is controlled with a controller disposed external to the filter housing that may be manipulated either manually or by automated means.

A filtering apparatus (100) having a filtering mode and a self-cleaning mode, the apparatus provided for filtering an upstream flowing fluid with filtering elements (20) in the form of a plurality of stackable discs during filtering mode utilizing a first flow direction, apparatus (100) also configured to self-clean the filtering elements (20) the apparatus (100) including an internal fluid diverter (110,210, 310) that is internal to the filter housing. The position of the internal fluid diverter determines the direction of fluid flow through the filter housing and the filter phase. The position of the internal fluid diverter is controlled with a controller disposed external to the filter housing that may be manipulated either manually or by automated means.

A stacked-plate apparatus and method for separating a first fluid from a multiphase fluid, the apparatus having pairs of adjacent plates spaced apart from one another to form gaps, or flow passageways, between the plates. At a selected pressure, the first fluid of the multiphase fluid can flow along the gaps between the plates, to be collected when it exits the gaps. The other fluids of the multiphase fluid cannot flow along the gaps, and thus the first fluid is separated from the second fluid. The method and apparatus can be used to separate fluids that have different rheological properties, such as air and water, or water and oil.

This solid-liquid separator (100a) includes a screw type dehydration unit (2) including a screw (22) and that performs primary dehydration on an object to be processed, and a rotary-body type dehydration unit (3) including a plurality of rotary bodies (30), disposed subsequent to the screw type dehydration unit, and that performs secondary dehydration on the object to be processed on which the primary dehydration has been performed by the screw type dehydration unit. The screw rotates at a higher rotational speed than those of the rotary bodies.

A screw press for separating liquid from a solid-liquid mixture includes a casing having inlet and outlet sections, and a filter section there between. The filter section includes an axially extending stack of coplanar filtration plates defining a core passage for receiving a screw configured to convey the solid-liquid mixture from the inlet section to the outlet section while compressing and dewatering the solid-liquid mixture by forcing at least part of the liquid content of the mixture to be expelled out of the casing through inter-plate gaps defined between each pair of adjacent filtration plates. The filtration plates are fixed relative to one another and clamped in direct intimate face-to-face contact by a clamping assembly operable for applying a predetermined axially clamping pressure substantially uniformly about the core passage. The inter-plate gaps are controlled by the surface roughness of the plates and the clamping pressure.

A screw press for separating liquid from a solid-liquid mixture includes a casing having inlet and outlet sections, and a filter section there between. The filter section includes an axially extending stack of coplanar filtration plates defining a core passage for receiving a screw configured to convey the solid-liquid mixture from the inlet section to the outlet section while compressing and dewatering the solid-liquid mixture by forcing at least part of the liquid content of the mixture to be expelled out of the casing through inter-plate gaps defined between each pair of adjacent filtration plates. The filtration plates are fixed relative to one another and clamped in direct intimate face-to-face contact by a clamping assembly operable for applying a predetermined axially clamping pressure substantially uniformly about the core passage. The inter-plate gaps are controlled by the surface roughness of the plates and the clamping pressure.

Three dimensional filter devices and devices are provided herein. An example substrate includes a primary inlet boundary and a primary outlet boundary, as well as a plurality of filter rows that include microstructure filter members that remove particulate matter from a fluid flowing across or through the substrate; the fluid entering through the inlet boundary and exiting through the outlet boundary. Each of the microstructure filter members includes a secondary inlet channel and a secondary outlet channel that couple to adjacent microstructure filter members.

Three dimensional filter devices and devices are provided herein. An example substrate includes a primary inlet boundary and a primary outlet boundary, as well as a plurality of filter rows that include microstructure filter members that remove particulate matter from a fluid flowing across or through the substrate; the fluid entering through the inlet boundary and exiting through the outlet boundary. Each of the microstructure filter members includes a secondary inlet channel and a secondary outlet channel that couple to adjacent microstructure filter members.