A filter apparatus includes a filter, such as a cartridge, positioned within a housing. The filter apparatus has multiple ports and valves, so as to allow a user to easily switch between a filtration mode of filtering fluids and a maintenance mode of cleaning the filter. The filter can have a filter substrate in a housing and after filtrate builds up on the substrate, the substrate can be cleaned by directing a spray of fluid, such as from a ring of nozzles at the top of the housing, onto the substrate. A maintenance port can be provided to drain the debris washed from the substrate. The filter can switch between a backwash mode and a filtration mode.

A filter apparatus positionable outside a washing machine and connectable to a drain device of the washing machine, the filter apparatus including a filter case including a case inlet a case outlet; a filter detachably installable inside the filter case, the filter through which water flowing from the case inlet to the case outlet passes; a sensor to detect water entered into the filter apparatus from the drain device and to produce a corresponding signal; and a filter cleaning device to clean the filter in accordance with the signal produced by the sensor.

A filter apparatus positionable outside a washing machine and connectable to a drain device of the washing machine, the filter apparatus including a filter case including a case inlet configured so that, with the filter apparatus connected to the drain device, water from the drain device is flowable through the case inlet into the filter case, and a case outlet configured so that, with the filter apparatus connected to the drain device, water in the filter case is flowable through the case outlet out of the filter case; a filter detachably mountable inside the filter case so that water flowing through the case inlet is flowable through a surface of the filter to filter foreign substances from the water, and then to the case outlet; a filter cleaning device configured to clean the surface of the filter; and a controller configured to control the filter cleaning device.

A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.

A self-cleaning filter apparatus includes a filter unit and a plunger unit. The filter unit includes a screen device; and a filter unit housing that houses the screen device. The plunger unit includes a rod end housing coupled to the filter unit housing; a plunger rod with a first plunger rod end positioned within the rod end housing and a second plunger rod end within the filter unit housing; and a plunger assembly secured to the second plunger rod end. During a first filter cleaning event segment, the plunger rod is configured to translate between a nominal position in which the plunger assembly is proximate the first screen device end and a cleaning position in which the plunger assembly is proximate the second screen device end. The plunger rod is configured to dislodge, at least in part, debris from within the screen device during at least the first filter cleaning event segment.

A self-cleaning filter apparatus includes a filter unit and a plunger unit. The filter unit includes a screen device; and a filter unit housing that houses the screen device. The plunger unit includes a rod end housing coupled to the filter unit housing; a plunger rod with a first plunger rod end positioned within the rod end housing and a second plunger rod end within the filter unit housing; and a plunger assembly secured to the second plunger rod end. During a first filter cleaning event segment, the plunger rod is configured to translate between a nominal position in which the plunger assembly is proximate the first screen device end and a cleaning position in which the plunger assembly is proximate the second screen device end. The plunger rod is configured to dislodge, at least in part, debris from within the screen device during at least the first filter cleaning event segment.

A rotary tool for a mechanical separator, the tool can optionally comprise: a center shaft having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of longitudinal paddles coupled to the shaft, at least one paddle of the plurality of paddles having an inner edge and aligned radially relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one paddle has an elongate extent along the longitudinal axis with opposing lateral sides along the elongate extent; and a flange having a triangular shape in a radial cross-section, the flange affixed to the inner edge of the at least one paddle and having an apex radially inward of the at least one paddle. Other examples of the application include the rotary tool having a plurality of tools and the mechanical separator having the capability of being raised or lowered to alter a residence time of slurry within the mechanical separator.

The present invention relates to a method of filtering a feed and waste water treatment system using the filtration method. The method utilizes a filtration cake for the filtration, which filtration cake is formed by elements contained in a liquid having a different composition than the feed to the filtered. The invention relates in particular to a method for filtering a liquid containing solid particles of different sizes which utilizes a filtration cake formed at least partly and preferably only from particles contained in said liquid containing solid particles of different sizes. The particles of the filtration cake are deposited on a filtration cake support and the method involves separation of the liquid containing solid particles of different sizes into two fractions: one fraction containing solid particles above a certain size and one containing smaller particles, and filtering the fraction containing smaller particles through the filtration cake. According to preferred aspects of the invention, the feed to be filtered is activated sludge supernatant and the filtration cake is formed from floes of an activated sludge mixed liquor.

The present invention relates to a method of filtering a feed and waste water treatment system using the filtration method. The method utilizes a filtration cake for the filtration, which filtration cake is formed by elements contained in a liquid having a different composition than the feed to the filtered. The invention relates in particular to a method for filtering a liquid containing solid particles of different sizes which utilizes a filtration cake formed at least partly and preferably only from particles contained in said liquid containing solid particles of different sizes. The particles of the filtration cake are deposited on a filtration cake support and the method involves separation of the liquid containing solid particles of different sizes into two fractions: one fraction containing solid particles above a certain size and one containing smaller particles, and filtering the fraction containing smaller particles through the filtration cake. According to preferred aspects of the invention, the feed to be filtered is activated sludge supernatant and the filtration cake is formed from floes of an activated sludge mixed liquor.

Screen designs and screens for a mechanical separation device are disclosed for separating solids from liquids in a process stream. A screen may have a plurality of openings, which are conical shaped, having a diameter of about 1.0 mm to about 1.4 mm in size that are formed on a stainless steel sheet.