Abstract
A microparticle filter suitable for filtering microparticles from effluent from a textile treatment apparatus. The filter comprises a filter chamber comprising chamber walls, an inlet and an outlet. The filter also comprises a filter medium contained within the filter chamber. The filter medium is configured to filter microparticles from the effluent forming a filter residue and providing a filtered effluent to the outlet. The filter comprises a filter residue collection chamber located external to the filter chamber, and a filter residue removal apparatus. The chamber walls comprise an opening and a moveable member movable between a first and a second configuration; wherein: in the first configuration the moveable member cooperates with the chamber walls to seal the filter chamber so entry of the effluent into the filter chamber is through the inlet only and exit of the filtered effluent from the filter chamber is through the outlet only. In the second configuration the moveable member has moved to provide an opening in the chamber walls so that the filter residue removal apparatus is operable to remove filter residue from the within the filter chamber to the filter residue collection chamber through the opening. The present disclosure also relates to textile treatment apparatus comprising the microparticle filter, to the use of the microparticle filter and the textile treatment apparatus, and to methods of filtering microparticles from effluent from a treated textile.
Claims
1. A microparticle filter suitable for filtering microparticles from effluent from a textile treatment apparatus, the filter comprising: a filter chamber comprising chamber walls, an inlet and an outlet; a filter medium contained within the filter chamber, the filter medium configured to filter microparticles from the effluent forming a filter residue and providing a filtered effluent to the outlet; a filter residue collection chamber located external to the filter chamber; a filter residue removal apparatus; and wherein the chamber walls comprise an opening and a moveable member movable between a first and a second configuration; wherein: in the first configuration the moveable member cooperates with the chamber walls to seal the filter chamber so entry of the effluent into the filter chamber is through the inlet only, and exit of the filtered effluent from the filter chamber is through the outlet only; and in the second configuration the moveable member has moved to provide an opening in the chamber walls so that the filter residue removal apparatus is operable to remove filter residue from the within the filter chamber to the filter residue collection chamber through the opening.
2. A microparticle filter according to claim 1, wherein the filter medium comprises a central axis through the centre of the filter medium and the filter medium is rotatable around the central axis.
3. A microparticle filter according to claim 2 wherein filter residue removal apparatus comprises a rotary actuator configured to rotate the filter medium to throw filter residue off the filter medium.
4. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable member and the opening extend around the perimeter of the filter chamber.
5. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter residue collection chamber extends around a perimeter of the filter chamber.
6. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable member is shaped as a frustrum, a cone, a cylinder, or a pyramid.
7. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable member moves linearly between the first and second configurations; and optionally wherein the moveable member moves linearly in the horizontal direction.
8. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the microparticle filter comprises a linear actuator to move the moveable member between the first and second configurations; and optionally wherein the linear actuator is connected directly to the moveable member, and/or optionally wherein a rotatable linkage is present between the linear actuator and the moveable member.
9. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter medium is in the shape of a paraboloid, hemispheroid, hemi-ellipsoid, pyramid, cone, frustrum, cylinder, or prism.
10. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter residue collection chamber is or comprises a portion that is slidably removable the microparticle filter.
11. A microparticle filter according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the inlet is coincident with the central axis of the filter medium.
12. A microparticle filter according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the outlet is positioned further radially outwards from the central axis than the inlet.
13. A microparticle filter according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the filter chamber comprises a first end wall and an opposed second end wall, wherein both ends are coincident with the central axis and the inlet is arranged at the first end wall of the filter chamber, and optionally wherein the second end wall is comprised as part of the moveable member.
14. A microparticle filter according to claim 13, wherein the filter chamber comprises one or more sidewalls between the first and second end walls, and wherein the outlet is in the sidewall of the filter chamber; and wherein the outlet is between the filter medium and the first end wall, and/or wherein the outlet is adjacent to the first end wall of the filter chamber; and/or wherein the sidewall is circular when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis and the outlet is aligned parallel to a tangent of the sidewall cross section.
15. A microparticle filter according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the linear actuator is proximal to the second end wall of the filter chamber.
16. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein an impellor or impellor blades are rotatably mounted in the filter chamber.
17. A microparticle filter according to claim 16, wherein the impellor or impellor blades are positioned downstream of the filter medium.
18. A microparticle filter according to claim 17, wherein the impellor or impellor blades are positioned adjacent to and radially inwards of the outlet.
19. A microparticle filter according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the impellor or impellor blades are arranged to rotate with the filter medium.
20. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim wherein the filter chamber comprises a pipe connected to the inlet, wherein the pipe passes though centre filter medium, and optionally wherein the pipe is arranged to rotate with the filter medium.
21. A microparticle filter according to claim 20 when dependent on any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the pipe passes through the centre of the impellor and optionally wherein the pipe rotates with the impellor.
22. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter chamber comprises a baffle; the baffle located within the filter chamber and rigidly connected to the chamber walls, wherein the baffle is adjacent to the filter medium.
23. A microparticle filter according to claim 22, wherein the filter medium comprises a second surface which is the surface from which filtered effluent passes from during filtration, and the baffle is adjacent to the second surface of the filter medium.
24. microparticle filter comprises a filter support in the filter chamber, wherein the filter medium is retained in a three-dimensional shape by the filter support.
25. A microparticle filter according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the filter medium comprises a first surface on which filter residue accumulates during filtration and the first surface of the filter medium faces radially outwards from the central axis.
26. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the microparticle filter is fluidly connected to a textile treatment apparatus.
27. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim wherein the microparticle filter is operable to drain the effluent from the filter chamber in the first configuration to reduce the water content of the filter residue.
28. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter residue removal apparatus is operable to remove filter residue with the filter chamber empty of effluent.
29. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter residue removal apparatus is operable to remove filter residue when the filter residue is in a non-flowable state.
30. A microparticle filter according to claim 29 wherein the filter residue removal apparatus is operable to remove filter residue when the filter residue has been dewatered.
31. A microparticle filter according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the filter residue collection chamber is positioned radially outwards of the filter medium with respect to the central axis.
32. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein filter residue collection chamber surrounds the periphery of the filter medium.
33. A microparticle filter according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the filter residue removal apparatus comprises an actuator to rotate the filter medium about a central axis to centrifugally move residue to the filter residue collection chamber.
34. A microparticle filter according to claim 33, wherein the filter residue collection chamber comprises a collection wall aligned parallel to the central axis and arranged radially outwards of the moveable member, and optionally extends 360 degrees around the central axis.
35. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter residue collection chamber is detachable from the filter chamber to assist a user to empty residue therefrom.
36. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter medium is removable from the filter chamber to assist cleaning of the filter medium by a user.
37. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, or any claim dependent on either of these claims, wherein the inlet is coaxially aligned with the central axis.
38. A microparticle filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter medium comprises a mesh.
39. A textile treatment apparatus comprising the microparticle filter according to any previous claim.
40. A textile treatment apparatus according to claim 39, comprising a drum, the drum having a capacity from 150 L to 20,000 L.
41. Use of the microparticle filter or textile treatment apparatus according to any previous claims, for filtering microparticles from an effluent stream comprising effluent from treated textiles.
42. The use according to claim 41, wherein the textiles comprise cotton or polycotton; and/or optionally wherein the treated textiles are textiles being treated by washing; and/or optionally wherein the use of the microparticle filter or textile treatment apparatus is for filtering cellulose microparticles.
43. A method of filtering microparticles from effluent from a textile treatment apparatus, the method comprising: i. supplying effluent from a textile treatment apparatus to a microparticle filter, the microparticle filter comprising a filter chamber and a filter medium contained therein, a filter residue removal apparatus and a filter residue collection chamber external to the filter chamber; ii. filtering microparticles from the effluent through the filter medium to form a microparticle containing filter residue in the filter chamber; iii. stopping the supply of effluent to the microparticle filter; iv. opening the filter chamber to provide access from the filter chamber to the filter residue collection chamber; v. operating a filter residue removal apparatus to remove the microparticle containing residue from the filter chamber to a filter residue collection chamber via the opening in the filter chamber; vi. closing the filter chamber.
44. A method according to claim 43, further comprising the steps: vii. repeating steps i. to vi. one or more times; ix. emptying the microparticle containing residue from the residue collection chamber.
45. A method according any of claim 43 or 44, wherein the filter residue may be dewatered between steps iii and iv.
46. A method of filtering microparticles from effluent from a textile treatment apparatus comprising: i. providing a microparticle filter according to any of claims 1 to 38; ii. placing the microparticle in the first configuration; iii. supplying effluent from a textile treatment apparatus to the inlet of the microparticle filter; iv. filtering the effluent through the filter medium and passing the filtered effluent to the outlet; v. stopping the supply of effluent; vi. placing the microparticle filter in the second configuration; vii. operating the filter residue removal apparatus to transfer filter residue from the filter chamber to the filter residue collection chamber.
47. A method according to any of claims 43 to 46 wherein the method is of filtering cellulose microparticles from an effluent stream from a textile treatment which has treated cellulose containing textiles.
48. A method according to claim 46 or claim 47 when dependent on claim 46, further comprising the subsequent steps of: viii. moving the moveable member back to the first configuration; ix. resuming supply and filtering of effluent.
49. A method according to claim 48, further comprising the steps: x. repeating steps ii. to viii. one or more times; xi. emptying the microparticle containing residue from the residue collection chamber.
50. A method according to any of claims 44 to 49, wherein stopping the supply of effluent comprises operating a valve upstream of the microparticle filter.
51. A method according any of claims 46 to 49, wherein the filter residue is dewatered between steps v and vi.
52. A method according to claim 45 or claim 51 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein dewatering may comprise any of rotating the filter medium to centrifugally remove water from the residue, blowing air through the residue, heating the residue or applying a vacuum to the residue or any combination thereof.
53. A method according to claim 52, wherein the filter residue is dewatered in the filter chamber.
54. A method according to any of claims 44 to 53, wherein the supply of effluent is from a single treatment cycle of the textile treatment apparatus.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES
[0222] FIGS. 1a and 1b show cross sectional schematic side views of a microparticle filter according to the present disclosure. The microparticle filter is shown in a first configuration in FIG. 1a and in a second configuration in FIG. 1b
[0223] FIG. 2 shows cross sectional schematic of an alternative microparticle filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The microparticle filter is shown in a second configuration.
[0224] FIGS. 3a and 3b show cross sectional schematics of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3a is a top view and FIG. 3b is a side view of the microparticle filter in a first configuration.
[0225] FIG. 4 shows cross sectional isometric schematic of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure.
[0226] FIG. 5 shows cross sectional isometric schematics of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure.
[0227] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a cross sectional schematic of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure. The microparticle filter is shown in a first configuration in FIG. 6a and in a second configuration in FIG. 6b.
[0228] FIG. 6c shows a schematic isometric view of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure.
[0229] FIGS. 7a and 7b show cross sectional schematic of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure. The microparticle filter is shown in a first configuration in FIG. 7a and in a second configuration in FIG. 7b
[0230] FIG. 8 shows a schematic isometric view of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure.
[0231] FIGS. 9a and 9b shows a side view cross section an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure. The microparticle filter is shown in a first configuration in FIG. 9a and in a second configuration in FIG. 9b.
[0232] FIG. 10a shows a side view of an alternative microparticle filter according to the present disclosure, the moveable member is shown in the first configuration.
[0233] FIG. 10b shows an isometric view of the microparticle filter of FIG. 10a, with the moveable member in the second configuration.
[0234] FIG. 10c shows an alternative isometric view of the microparticle filter of FIG. 10a and with part of the filter residue collection chamber removed.
[0235] FIG. 10d shows an isometric cross-sectional view of the microparticle filter of FIG. 10a with part of the filter residue collection chamber removed.
[0236] FIG. 10e shows an isometric cross-sectional view of the filter chamber and pipe of the microparticle filter of FIG. 10a in the first configuration.
[0237] FIG. 10f shows an isometric cross-sectional view of the filter chamber and pipe of the microparticle filter of FIG. 10a in the second configuration.
[0238] FIG. 10g shows a side view of the filter chamber and pipe of the microparticle filter of figure in the second configuration.
[0239] FIG. 10h shows a side view of the filter support and baffle of the microparticle filter of FIG. 10a.
[0240] FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0241] FIG. 12 shows a flow diagram illustrating an alternative method according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0242] With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a microparticle filter 100 is shown. The microparticle filter 100 comprises a filter chamber 101. A filter medium 106 is contained within the filter chamber 101. The filter chamber 101 is bounded by chamber walls 102, in which there is an inlet 103 and an outlet 104. In FIGS. 1a and 1b the chamber walls 102 comprise a cylindrical section 102a, a frustrum 102b adjacent to the inlet, a frustrum 102c adjacent to the outlet. There is an opening 111 in chamber walls 102 between frustrum 102c and cylindrical section 102a, and a moveable member 105. The moveable member 105 is moveable between a first configuration shown in FIG. 1a and a second configuration shown in FIG. 1b.
[0243] In the first configuration the movable member 105 closes the opening 111 so that the filter chamber 101 is sealed. When the filter chamber 101 is sealed, effluent can only enter the filter chamber 101 through the inlet 103 and filtered effluent can only leave the filter chamber 101 through the outlet 104.
[0244] In the first configuration (FIG. 1a) effluent enters the filter chamber 101 through the inlet 103 illustrated in FIG. 1a with streamline A. Effluent passes through the filter medium 106 and the filter medium 106 filters solid particulate material from the effluent. The solid particulate material may be predominantly lint from washed textiles, some of which will be microfibres and will accumulate on the upstream surface, i.e. the first surface of the filter medium 106a to form filter residue. The filtered effluent passes out of the filter chamber 101 through outlet 104 shown in FIG. 1a by streamline B.
[0245] In the second configuration (FIG. 1b) the moveable member 105 is positioned away from the opening 111 in the wall 102 of the filter chamber 101. A filter residue collection chamber 107 is located external to the filter chamber 101 and is accessible from the filter chamber 101 through the opening 111 when the microparticle filter 100 is in the second configuration. The microparticle filter 100 comprises a filter residue removal apparatus 108. The filter residue removal apparatus 108 is operable when the microparticle filter 100 is in the second configuration to move filter residue accumulated on the upstream surface (i.e. the first surface) of the filter medium 106 through the opening 111 and into the filter residue collection chamber 107.
[0246] In operation, effluent is supplied through the inlet 103 and filtered when the microparticle filter 100 is in the first configuration as described above i.e. with the opening 111 closed by the moveable member 105. Supply of the effluent is stopped and residual effluent in the filter chamber 101 is drained out of the outlet 104. This leaves filter residue with reduced liquid content. After draining, the filter residue may be dewatered and may have a high quantity of solids compared to liquid, i.e. the residue may resemble a slurry, paste, or damp particulate material. If necessary, the filter residue can be left on the filter medium 106 for a time period to further reduce liquid content. The filter is then put into the second configuration by moving the moveable member 105 away from the opening 111. The filter residue removal apparatus 108 is operated to move the filter residue from the filter medium 106 to the filter residue collection chamber 107. In FIG. 1b the filter residue removal apparatus 108 is shown as a contact element 108a, and actuator 109, which may be an electric linear motion actuator. The contact element 108a moves relative the filter medium to scrape or push the residue off the first surface of the filter medium 106a. The contact element 108a may be an elongate element that conforms to the surface of the filter medium, e.g. a rubber blade. In FIG. 1b, the filter residue removal apparatus 108 is operated to push residue off the surface of the filter medium 106, through the opening 111, and into the filter residue collection chamber 107. The microparticle filter 100 may then be returned to the first configuration by restoring the moveable member 105 to block the opening 111 and returning the contact element 108a to its original position. After one or multiple iterations of filtering effluent and transferring the filter residue as described above, the filter residue collection chamber 107 may be emptied of filter residue. The filter residue collection chamber 107 may be detachable from the filter chamber 101 to assist emptying.
[0247] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the filter chamber 101 is shown as a container shaped as a cylindrical section 102a with two frustra 102b, 102c, one connected to the inlet and the other to an outlet. However, the filter chamber 101 may take other forms, examples of which are disclosed herein. The term “chamber walls” and numerals 102 are intended to refer to all of the static walls of the filter chamber 101, i.e. all of the filter chamber excluding the inlet, outlet, moveable member and opening. The term “chamber walls” may encompass any static wall of the filter chamber. The chamber walls 102 may comprise a plurality of individual walls assembled to form the chamber walls 102. The chamber walls may be non-permanently connected to permit disassembly and access to the interior of the filter chamber 101, e.g. the frustra 102b, 102c may be screwed or bolted to the cylindrical section 102a. The filter medium 106 may also be removable from the filter chamber 101 to assist cleaning of the filter medium 106 by the user.
[0248] The inlet 103 and outlet 104 are shown as coaxially positioned along an axis 5 that extends through the inlet 103 and outlet 104, through the centre of the filter chamber 101 and the filter medium 106, the axis 5 may be considered as a central axis of the filter and also a filter axis as defined herein. The inlet 103 is shown positioned vertically above the outlet 104. In this configuration effluent may fall through the inlet 103, through the filter medium 106 and out of the outlet 104 under the influence of gravity. However, microparticle filters of the present disclosure do not need to be limited to this configuration. In other configurations effluent may be driven e.g. by a pump (not shown) upstream of the microparticle filter or by a vacuum source (not shown) downstream of the microparticle filter.
[0249] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the filter medium 106 is shown as a planar element. The filter medium is also shown orientated in a horizontal plane. However, the filter medium 106 may take a range of geometric shapes, both planar and non-planar, and different orientations as disclosed herein.
[0250] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the moveable member 105 is shown moving linearly between the first configuration to the second configuration, which in FIGS. 1a and 1b the movement in the same plane or in a parallel plane to the filter medium 106. In FIGS. 1a and 1b this direction of movement is in the horizontal plane and is also laterally, i.e. radially outwards from the filter axis. However, the moveable member may move in other directions as disclosed herein.
[0251] In FIGS. 1a and 1b a deformable member is shown 110 attached to a portion of the chamber wall 102 around the perimeter of opening 111. The deformable member 110 contacts the portion of the movable member 105 in the first configuration and the deformable member 110 deforms to form a seal, e.g. a rubber O-ring seal. Alternatively, or in addition to, the chamber walls 102 and/or moveable member 105 may be shaped to comprise cooperating surfaces to form a seal therebetween. For example, a portion of chamber walls 102 may comprise recesses, channels or grooves that cooperate with a corresponding portion of moveable member 105, or vice versa. A cooperating surface may be any structure that forms a tight fit or tortuous path between an opposing surface on the other of the chamber walls or the moveable member to prevent effluent escape.
[0252] In the first configuration biasing means (not shown) may apply a biasing force on the moveable member 105 urging it against the chamber walls 102 to improve the seal between the moveable member 105 and the chamber walls 102. For example, the biasing means may comprise a spring element (not shown) or where the moveable member is directly connected to actuator 109, the actuator 109 may be configured to impart a force on the moveable member 105 when in the first configuration.
[0253] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the filter residue collection chamber 107 is shown positioned laterally with respect to the filter medium. That is, the filter residue collection chamber is shown positioned to one side of the filter medium. Specifically, where the filter residue collection chamber is positioned laterally to the filter medium, the filter residue may be moved to the filter residue collection chamber 107 by the filter residue removal apparatus 108 through the opening along a single vector. The positioning laterally of the filter residue chamber 107 to the filter medium is particularly relevant where the filter residue removal apparatus 108 comprises a contact element 108a. The filter residue collection chamber is shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b positioned below the height of the filter medium so that residue drops into the filter residue collection chamber 107 through the open topmost face. Optionally, the bottom of the collection chamber may be positioned at the same height as the filter medium and the open face may be the face adjacent to the cylindrical wall, so that residue can be transferred into the collection chamber without falling. The filter medium in FIGS. 1a and 1b is shown as a planar element in a horizontal arrangement, however, the filter may be in other orientations. In such other orientations the filter residue collection chamber may be positioned accordingly. For example, if the filter medium is planar and in a vertical arrangement, the filter residue collection chamber may be laterally and vertically below the filter medium to collect residue that falls downwards and across the filter medium.
[0254] In FIGS. 1a and 1b the residue removal apparatus 108 is shown comprising a contact element which contacts a surface of the filter medium 106. The contact element 108a may comprise a linear rubber blade which may conform to the shape of the filter medium 106. The residue removal apparatus may be arranged so that the contact element moves relative to the filter medium.
[0255] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the microparticle filter 100 reduces the water content of the filter residue by allowing the effluent to drain out of the filter chamber 101. However, the microparticle filter 100 may comprise dewatering apparatus (not shown). Exemplary dewatering apparatus that may be applicable to FIGS. 1a and 1b may include but is not limited to apparatus to pass air through the inlet and outlet to further dry the filter residue, or a press to press the filter residue against the first surface of the filter medium 106a. Preferably the filter residue removal apparatus 108 is configured to move the filter residue in a non-flowable state.
[0256] The actuator 109 is shown as an electric linear motion actuator, but the actuator 109 may comprise amongst others: hydraulic devices, pneumatic devices, and other electromagnetic devices or hand operable mechanisms.
[0257] The moveable member 105 and the contact element 108a may be configured to move together. That is, as the contact element 108a moves across the filter medium 106, the moveable member may move at the same time. The moveable member 105 and contact element 108a may move in the same direction and may also be directly connected. The moveable member and contact element may both be moved by actuator 109.
[0258] Referring to FIG. 2 an alternative microparticle filter 200 is shown. The microparticle filter 200 of FIG. 2 comprises essentially the same integers as microparticle filter 100 of FIGS. 1a and 1b. Like numerals are used to denote like integers. The microparticle filter 200 of FIG. 2 differs from the microparticle filter 100 of FIG. 1 in that the moveable member 205 comprises a cylinder around the circumference of filter chamber 101. The chamber walls 102 comprises two frustra 102b, 102c between which the moveable member 205 is positioned. The moveable member 205 moves perpendicular to the planar filter medium, i.e. parallel to the filter axis 5. In FIG. 2, the moveable member 205 is shown as having moved vertically upwards to the second configuration. The moveable member 205 moves vertically downwards to adopt the first configuration. The frustra 102b, 102c remain static. In the second configuration opening 111 extends between the circumference of the vertically lowest edge of the moveable member 205 and vertically topmost part of frustra 102c, in FIG. 2 this is shown proximate to and above the perimeter of the filter medium 106. In the second configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the filter residue removal apparatus 108, comprising a contact element 108a and actuator 109 are operable to remove filter residue from the filter chamber 101 to the filter residue collection chamber 107 in a similar manner to that described under FIG. 1b. A conformable member 110 is shown around the circumference of the filter medium 106 and frustra 102c to provide a seal when the moveable member is in the first configuration. A second conformable member may be provided between the moveable member 205 and frustrum 102b to provide a seal.
[0259] Referring to FIG. 3a an alternative microparticle filter 300 is shown as a simplified schematic top view. FIG. 3b shows the same microparticle filter 300 as a side view cross section. The microparticle filter 300 comprises a planar and circular filter medium 306 surrounded by chamber walls 302. The chamber walls 302 comprises a cylindrical 302a wall connected to a frustrum 302b at the inlet end. A second frustrum 302c at the outlet end comprises a wide end of similar diameter to the filter medium 306 which connects to a base wall 302d. The inlet 303 is defined by frustrum 302b and is positioned above the filter medium and base wall 302d as shown in FIG. 3b. The opening 311 is positioned in the base wall 302d and the filter residue collection chamber 307 positioned beneath the opening 311. The moveable member 305 is slidably mounted on the base wall 302d and configured to slidably move on an arcuate path around the circumference of the filter medium 306. The moveable member 305 is moveable between the first configuration where opening 311 is closed and a second configuration where filter residue collection chamber 307 is accessible from the filter chamber 301 through opening 311. FIG. 3a shows the moveable member moving into the second configuration. Movement may be achieved by an actuator (not shown). The filter residue collection chamber 307 is shown positioned laterally. i.e. it is adjacent to a small radial segment of circumference of the filter medium 306 and is positioned radially and horizontally outwards of the filter medium 306. The filter residue collection chamber is shaped as a box with an open top face. The open top face is positioned at the same height or below the height of filter medium 306. The microparticle filter 300 also comprises a filter residue removal apparatus comprises a static contact element 308a and an actuator 309. The filter element is rotatably mounted in the base wall 302d with a sealed bearing. The actuator 309 is arranged to rotate the filter medium 306 against the static contact element 308a. The static contact element is shown as a scraper blade in contact with the top surface (i.e. first surface) of the filter medium 306.
[0260] In operation, the microparticle filter 300 is first placed in the first configuration, with the moveable member blocking the opening 311 so that the filter residue collection chamber 307 is inaccessible from within the filter chamber 301. Effluent enters the filter chamber from the inlet 303 positioned above the filter medium and is constrained by filter walls 302a, 302b, 302d. Effluent passes through filter medium 306 and is filtered. Filtered effluent exits the filter chamber 301 via frustrum 302c and outlet 304. During filtration of the effluent, filtered particles accumulate as a residue on the first surface of filter medium 306a. After supply of effluent has stopped, residual liquid in the filter chamber is drained from the filter chamber 301 to reduce the liquid content of the filter residue until it is in a non-flowable state. The microparticle filter 300 is placed in the second configuration by moving the moveable member 305 away from the opening 311 and adopting the second configuration. The filter residue is then transferred from the surface of the filter medium to the filter residue collection chamber 307 by the filter residue removal apparatus. The actuator 309 of the filter residue removal apparatus rotates the filter medium 306 against the static contact element 308a. As the filter residue builds up against the contact element 308a it is urged radially outwards to the filter residue collection chamber 307 by rotation of the filter medium 306. The shaping or curvature of the static contact element 308a in combination with the direction of rotation of the filter medium 306 as provided by the actuator work together to urge the filter residue towards the opening 311. Residue is urged off the filter medium 306 and falls into the filter residue collection chamber 307 via opening 311 under the influence of gravity. After the residue is transferred, the microparticle filter 300 re-adopts the first configuration to resume filtration of effluent.
[0261] Referring to FIG. 4 an alternative microparticle filter 400 is shown in a schematic isometric projection. Microparticle filter 400 comprises a filter chamber 401, an inlet 403 and an outlet 404. Contained within the filter chamber 401 is the filter medium 406. The chamber walls 402 comprises a cylindrical wall 402a, frustra 402b, 402c and a base wall 402d. The frustrum 402b and base wall 402d are both connected to cylindrical wall 402a. A second frustrum 402c is connected to the filter medium adjacent to the base wall 402d and is rotatable therewith.
[0262] The filter medium 406 is cylindrical filter element which extends in the vertical direction, the filter medium 406 has a central axis which is parallel to and coincident with filter axis 5. The cylindrical filter medium 406 comprises a non-porous end 414, the curved cylindrical walls of the cylindrical filter medium 406 are porous. The filter medium 406 encloses an internal volume which connects to the outlet 404 via frustrum 402c. Effluent enters the filter chamber 401 through inlet 403 and is filtered as it passes from the external side (i.e. the first side) of the cylindrical filter medium into the internal volume of the cylindrical filter medium. Filtered effluent exits the filter chamber 401 via frustrum 402c and outlet 404. The filter residue removal apparatus comprises a helical contact element 408 statically mounted within filter chamber 401. An inner edge of the helical contact element 408 is in contact against the outer surface of the filter medium 406. The filter residue removal apparatus also comprises a sealed rotary bearing 415 between the filter element 406 and the base wall 402d. The filter residue removal apparatus also comprises an actuator 409 to rotate the outlet 404, frustrum 402c and filter medium 406 to which it is connected. Rotation of filter medium 406 moves the first surface of the filter medium relative to the helical contact element 408. The opening 411 is positioned within base wall 402d at the bottom end of the helical contact element 408. The filter residue collection chamber 407 is positioned beneath opening 411. The moveable member 405 is shown as a planar element and moves between the first and second configurations by moving in an arcuate path that follows a circumferential direction around the filter axis 5. The moveable member 405 is planar and aligned in the horizontal plane. In FIG. 4 the moveable member is shown in the second configuration i.e. the moveable member has moved around the circumference of the filter medium 406, in a plane perpendicular to the filter axis 5. In FIG. 4, the filter axis 5 is vertically aligned through the centre of the inlet 403, outlet 404 and coincident with the central axis of the cylindrical filter medium 406.
[0263] In use, microparticle filter 400 is placed in the first configuration and effluent enters the filter chamber through inlet 403. Filter residue accumulates on the first surface of filter medium as effluent passes to the interior of the cylindrical filter medium 406. Filtered effluent exits the filter chamber via frustrum 402c and outlet 404. The effluent is drained from the filter chamber and the microparticle filter 400 is put in the second configuration by moving the moveable member 405 away from the opening 411. The actuator 409 rotates the filter medium 406 which pushes the accumulated residue against the helical contact element 408. The helical shape of the contact element 408 and correct direction of rotation of the filter medium causes the filter residue to move down the helical contact element where it falls through opening 411 into the filter residue collection chamber 407.
[0264] Referring to FIG. 5 an alternative microparticle filter 500 is shown in a schematic isometric projection. The microparticle filter 500 comprises a filter chamber 501 comprising chamber walls 502 and moveable member 505. The microparticle filter 500 has a central axis 5 which is horizontally aligned. The chamber walls 502 comprise a cylindrical wall 502a and frustrum 502b at the inlet 503 end of the filter chamber 501. A cylindrical filter medium 506 is positioned within the filter chamber 501 and arranged so that effluent from the inlet 503 passes into the interior of the cylindrical filter medium 506. Filtration of the effluent occurs as effluent passes from the interior first surface of the cylindrical filter medium 506, through the cylinder wall to the exterior of the cylindrical filter medium. The moveable member 505 comprises frustrum 502c, outlet 504 and cylinder end wall 512. The cylinder end wall cooperates with the with the cylindrical filter medium 506, to close the outlet end of the filter medium when the microparticle filter 500 is in the first configuration. That way, in the first configuration, effluent may only pass through the filter by being filtered through the cylindrical wall of the filter medium 506. In the first configuration the frustrum 502c of the moveable member 505 is sealed against the cylindrical wall 502a of the filter chamber 501, so that filtered effluent is channeled to the outlet 504 and out of the microparticle filter 500.
[0265] In the second configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the moveable member 505 comprising the cylinder end wall 512, outlet 504 and the frustrum 502c is displaced in the horizontal direction away from the filter medium. This creates an opening 511 between the frustrum 502c of movable member 505 and the cylindrical wall 502a of the chamber wall 502. A filter residue collection chamber 507 is positioned vertically below opening 511 so that filter residue can fall from out of the cylindrical filter medium 506 into the filter residue collection chamber 507 when the microparticle filter 500 is in the second configuration. The filter residue collection chamber 507 is shown as a box with an open top face through which filter residue can enter.
[0266] The microparticle filter 500 also comprises a filter residue removal apparatus which comprises a helical contact element 508 positioned inside the cylindrical filter medium 506. The helical contact element 508 is configured so that the outwards edge of the helical contact element 508 contacts the internal surface (i.e. first surface) of the filter medium 506. The filter residue removal apparatus also comprises an actuator (not shown) configured to rotate the cylindrical filter medium 506 relative to the helical contact element 508. The actuator may connect to the cylindrical filter medium 506 via a drive shaft passing through the inlet 503 and frustrum 502b. The filter residue removal apparatus may also comprise a sealed rotary bearing (not shown) may between the filter medium 506 and the chamber wall 502. The helical contact element 508 is statically mounted relative to the filter medium.
[0267] In operation, the microparticle filter 500 is placed in the first configuration, with the moveable member 505, comprising the cylinder end wall 512, and the frustrum 502c blocking the opening 511 and closing the end of the cylindrical filter medium 506, so that the filter residue collection chamber 507 is inaccessible from within the filter chamber 501. Effluent will enter the filter medium 506 from the inlet 503. Effluent is filtered as it passes through the cylindrical wall of filter medium 506 into the wider filter chamber 501, where it exits the filter via the frustrum 502c and outlet 504. During filtration of the effluent, filtered particles will accumulate as a residue on the inner surface of cylindrical filter medium 506. After the supply of effluent has stopped, residual liquid in the filter chamber is drained from the filter chamber via the outlet 504. Then the filter is placed in the second configuration by moving the moveable member 505, i.e. the frustrum 502c and cylinder end wall 512, horizontally away from the cylindrical wall 502a and cylindrical filter medium 506. Thus, providing an opening 511 between the moveable member 505 and the filter chamber 501. The filter residue is then transferred from the internal surface of the cylindrical filter medium to the filter residue collection chamber 507 by the filter residue removal apparatus. The actuator (not shown) of the filter residue removal apparatus rotates the filter medium 506 relative to the static helical contact element 508. The residue accumulated on the first surface of the filter medium 506 is urged laterally by the helical shape of the contact element 508 towards the open end of filter medium 506. The filter residue then falls from out of filter medium 506, through opening 511 and into filter residue collection chamber 507. After the filter residue is transferred, the microparticle filter 500 may adopt the first configuration to resume filtration of effluent.
[0268] The frustrum 502b may be configured to rotate with the filter medium 506. The filter medium may be connected to the frustrum 502b and a sealed rotary bearing may be between one of the frustrum 502b and the filter medium and the cylindrical chamber wall 502a. Alternatively, the chamber wall 501 may rotate with the filter medium 506, or the filter element may rotate independently of the chamber walls 502.
[0269] The actuator (not shown) of the filter residue removal apparatus may also be configured to rotate the cylindrical filter medium 506 at sufficiently high angular velocity to dewater the filter residue using centrifugal force. Thus, the actuator of the filter residue removal apparatus (not shown) may be considered also as dewatering apparatus.
[0270] An alternative microparticle filter (not shown) may comprise substantially the same integers as those in FIG. 5, but with an alternative filter residue removal apparatus. The filter residue removal apparatus may comprise a helical contact element rotatably mounted within a static cylindrical filter medium. The helical contact element is rotated by an actuator with the filter medium remaining static to urge residue along the cylindrical filter element and into the filter residue collection chamber in a similar manner to FIG. 5.
[0271] The microparticle filter of FIG. 5 is shown in a horizontal configuration. Alternatively, the filter residue collection chamber 507 may be positioned coaxially within frustrum 502c and the cylinder end wall 512 configured to move radially outwards as the moveable member. In this arrangement, the microparticle filters of FIG. 5 can be arranged to operate aligned vertically.
[0272] Referring to FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b an alternative microparticle filter 600 is shown in first and second configurations respectively. Microparticle filter 600 comprises a filter chamber 601 the shape of which is defined by chamber walls 602 and a moveable member 605. The chamber walls 602 comprises the cylinder 602a, a frustrum 602b at the inlet 603 end of the filter chamber 601 and an annular wall 602c. A cylindrical filter medium 606 is positioned within the filter chamber 601. The cylindrical filter medium 606 comprises an internal volume which defined by the volume the filter medium 606 encloses. The filter medium 606, inlet 603 and frustrum 602a are arranged so that effluent from the inlet 603 passes through the annular wall 602c into the interior of the cylindrical filter medium 606. Filtration of the effluent occurs as effluent passes from the internal volume of the cylindrical filter medium 606, through the first surface to the exterior of the cylindrical filter medium 606. The moveable member 605 comprises a cylinder end wall 612 at the outlet 604 end of the filter medium 606. The end wall is non-porous and in the first configuration the end wall closes the filter medium 606 so that effluent may only pass through the cylindrical wall of the filter medium 606. The moveable member also comprises the frustrum 605c at the outlet end. In the first configuration the frustrum 605c of the moveable member 605 is sealed against the cylindrical wall 602a of the filter wall 602, so that filtered effluent is channeled to through frustrum 605c, to the outlet 604 and out of the microparticle filter 600.
[0273] In the second configuration, the moveable member 605 comprising the end wall 612 and the frustrum 602c is displaced in the horizontal direction away from the filter medium 606. This creates an opening 611 between the chamber wall 602 moveable member 605 and opens the end of the cylindrical filter medium 606. A filter residue collection chamber 607 is positioned vertically below opening 611 so that filter residue can fall from within the cylindrical filter medium 606 to the filter residue collection chamber 607 when the microparticle filter 600 is in the second configuration.
[0274] The filter residue removal apparatus comprises an annular contact element 608 positioned inside the cylindrical filter medium 606. The annular contact element 608 is configured so that an outwards edge of the annular contact element 608 contacts the internal surface (i.e. first surface) of the filter medium 606. The filter residue removal apparatus also comprises an actuator (not shown) configured to move the annular contact element along the length of the cylindrical filter medium 606, from the end proximal to the inlet 603 (as shown in FIG. 6a) to the end proximal to the outlet 604 (as shown in FIG. 6b).
[0275] In operation, the microparticle filter 600 is placed in the first configuration as shown in FIG. 6a, with the moveable member 605, comprising the end wall and frustrum 612, 602c closing the opening 611 and the end of the cylindrical filter medium 606, so that the filter residue collection chamber 607 is inaccessible from within the filter chamber 601. Effluent enters the filter medium 606 from the inlet 603. The effluent is filtered as it passes through the cylindrical wall of filter medium 606 and exits the filter chamber through the frustrum 602c and outlet 604. During filtration of the effluent, filtered solid particles will accumulate as a filter residue on the inner cylindrical surface of the filter medium 606. After the supply of effluent has stopped, residual liquid in the filter chamber 601 is drained from the filter chamber via the outlet 604.
[0276] Then the filter is placed in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 6b by moving the moveable member 605, i.e. the frustrum 602c and cylinder end wall 612, laterally away from the cylindrical chamberwall 602a and cylindrical filter medium 606. Thus, providing an opening 611 between the moveable member 605 and the chamber wall 602. The filter residue is then transferred from the internal surface of the cylindrical filter medium to the filter residue collection chamber 607 by the filter residue removal apparatus. The actuator (not shown) of the filter residue removal apparatus slides the contact element 608 along the interior of the filter medium to push residue out of the open end of the cylindrical filter medium 606 (i.e. the end proximal to the outlet 604). The filter residue then falls from the filter medium, through opening 611 and into filter residue collection chamber 607. After the residue is transferred, the microparticle filter 600 may adopt the first configuration and the contact element 608 may return to the end of the filter medium 606 proximal to the inlet 403 to resume filtration of effluent.
[0277] The actuator of the filter residue removal apparatus may be configured to also move the moveable member 605 between the first and second configurations. Optionally the moveable member 605 and the contact element 608 may be moved together by the actuator.
[0278] Referring to FIG. 6c an alternative microparticle filter is shown. The filter 650 is similar to that of FIGS. 6a and 6b. The moveable member 605 comprises frustrum 605b and is arranged so that effluent from the inlet 603 is delivered to the exterior of cylindrical filter medium 606. A non-porous cylinder end wall ensures effluent passes through the cylindrical filter medium 606. Chamber walls 602 comprise cylindrical chamber wall 602a, annular end wall 602c and frustrum 602b. Frustrum 602b is arranged so that filtered effluent is drained from the internal volume of the cylindrical filter medium 606 to the outlet 604. The contact element 608 is positioned so that the internal edge of the annular contact element 608 is adjacent to the external cylindrical surface of the filter medium 606. In the second configuration, the actuator (not shown) drives the contact element 608 to move axially to push filter residue from the external surface of the filter medium to the opening 611 and into the residue collection chamber 607. The contact element may be rigidly connected to the moveable member 605 and a single actuator (e.g. a linear actuator) may move both the moveable member 605 and contact element 608 together.
[0279] Referring to FIGS. 7a and 7b, an alternative microparticle filter 700 is shown as a schematic isometric projection. The microparticle filter 700 comprises a filter chamber 701 defined by the chamber wall and the moveable member. The chamber wall comprises one frustrum 702b, and base wall 702a. One end of the frustrum 702b is adjacent to the base wall 702a, the other end of the frustrum defines an outlet 704. Moveable member comprises cylindrical wall 705a and frustrum 705b at the inlet end of the filter chamber 701. Inlet 703 is defined by frustrum 705b. A cylindrical filter medium 706 is positioned within the filter chamber 701 and is rotatably mounted to the base wall 713 by a sealed rotary bearing 715. The cylindrical filter medium 706 is also connected to the frustrum 702b. The cylindrical filter medium 706 comprises porous cylindrical walls and a non-porous end wall 712. Frustrum 705b is configured to deliver effluent into chamber 701 between the cylindrical wall 705a of the moveable member and filter medium 706. Frustrum 702b channels filtered effluent from the internal volume of filter medium 706 to the outlet 704. The central axis of the cylindrical filter medium 706 is coaxial with a filter axis that passes through the centre of the filter chamber 701.
[0280] The moveable member is actuated to move vertically between the first and second configuration. In the first configuration, shown in FIG. 7a, the cylindrical wall 705a of the moveable member is sealed against the base wall 702a. In the second configuration, shown in FIG. 7b, the movable member is displaced in the axial direction relative to axis 5, away from the base wall 702a. In FIG. 7b this motion is represented vertically upwards. In the second configuration, the opening 711 extends between the circumference of the base wall 702a and the bottom of the cylindrical wall 705a of the movable member. The microparticle filter 700 comprises a filter residue removal apparatus, comprising the rotatable mounting of filter medium 706 with sealed rotary bearings 715 and actuator 709 to rotate the filter medium 706 via a connection to frustrum 702b. A filter residue collection chamber 707 is positioned radially outwards of opening 711 and extends substantially around the entire circumference of the filter chamber 701. The residue collection chamber 707 may additionally comprise a collection wall 714 which extends to a vertical height of at least the opening 711.
[0281] In operation, the microparticle filter 700 is placed in the first configuration as shown in FIG. 7a, with the cylindrical wall 705a of the moveable member against base wall 702a, closing the opening 711 so that the filter residue collection chamber 707 is inaccessible from within the filter chamber 701. Effluent enters the filter medium 706 from the inlet 703. The effluent is filtered as it passes through the cylindrical wall of filter medium 706 and exits the filter chamber through the frustrum 702b and outlet 704. During filtration of the effluent, filtered particles will accumulate as a filter residue on the outside of the cylindrical surface of the filter medium 706. After the supply of effluent has stopped, residual liquid in the filter chamber 701 is drained from the filter chamber via the outlet 704. Then the filter is placed in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 7b by moving the moveable member, vertically upwards away from the base wall 702a. Thus, providing the opening 711 between the moveable member and the filter chamber 701. The filter residue is then transferred from the internal surface of the cylindrical filter medium to the filter residue collection chamber 707 by the filter residue removal apparatus. The actuator 709 of the filter residue removal apparatus spins the filter medium 706 to throw residue out of the off the surface of the filter medium 706 through opening 711. The filter residue may then be thrown directly into filter residue collection chamber 707 or may be thrown into collection wall 714 and fall into the collection chamber 707. After the residue is transferred, the microparticle filter 700 may resume the first configuration to resume filtration of effluent.
[0282] The moveable member 705 comprises a transfer element 725 on a radially outer surface of the moveable member, positioned around the circumference at the bottom edge of cylindrical wall 705a. The transfer element 725 transfers filter residue stuck on the collection wall to a residue storage portion in the bottom of the collection chamber 707 when the movable member moves from the second configuration to the first configuration. Specifically, the transfer element may push residue accumulated on the collection walls 714 downwards into the residue storage portion 726 when the moveable member moves downward from the second configuration to the first configuration. The transfer element 725 is shown as a flexible blade that to conforms to the collection wall and is connected by three struts to the moveable member.
[0283] Referring to FIG. 8, an alternative microparticle filter 800 is shown as a schematic isometric projection in the first configuration. The microparticle filter 800 comprises substantially the same integers as those in FIGS. 7a and 7b, comprising a filter chamber 801 defined by the chamber wall and the moveable member. The chamber wall comprises one frustrum 802a, and base wall 802b. The moveable member comprises cylindrical wall 805a and frustrum 805b at the inlet end of the filter chamber 701 with the exception of a planar filter medium 806. The planar filter medium 806 is rotatably mounted relative to the base wall 802b, within the filter chamber 801 and is driven by actuator 809. Operation of microparticle filter 800 is substantially the same as that of microparticle filter 700. Filtration occurs in the first configuration with the cylindrical wall 805a against the base wall 802b to seal chamber 801. The microparticle filter 800 is placed into the second configuration by moving the cylindrical wall 805a away from the base wall 802b and the filter medium 806 is rotated to throw residue off the first surface of the filter medium 806, through the opening 811 into collection chamber 807.
[0284] Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, an alternative microparticle filter 900 is shown. The microparticle filter 900 comprises a cylindrical housing 930. Within the housing 930 is a linear actuator 931, a filter chamber 901, a filter residue collection chamber 907, an inlet pipe 934, an outlet pipe 935 and a bypass pipe 936. The inlet pipe 934 terminates at the inlet 903 of the filter chamber 901, the inlet pipe 934 delivers effluent from a textile treatment apparatus to the filter chamber 901. The outlet pipe 935 originates at the outlet 904 of the filter chamber 901 and delivers filtered effluent to a drain (not shown) or drum of the textile treatment apparatus (not shown). A bypass pipe 936 is also provided for bypassing the filter chamber 901 should microparticle filter 900 become blocked. The filter chamber 901 comprises a movable member 905, and chamber walls 902. The chamber walls 902 comprises a circular bottom wall 902a and a circular top wall 902b. Contained within the filter chamber 901 is the filter medium 906 which is shown as three circular filter elements 937. The filter elements are arranged horizontally, in a vertically stacked relationship, with their first surfaces facing upwards. Each filter element 937 is on a filter support 938, the filter elements 937 and the filter supports 938 have a central hole to allow unfiltered effluent to reach the first surface of each filter element 937. The filter supports 938 separate the outgoing filtered effluent from the incoming un-filtered effluent. Each filter support 938 guides the filtered effluent radially outwards to drain into channels 939. The channels 939 are positioned radially outwards from the filter elements and are circumferentially spaced. The channels 939 receive filtered effluent from each filter support 938 and move the filtered effluent downwards, through bottom wall 902a into drain chamber 940. Effluent exits from the drain chamber 940 via outlet 904. Opening are present between adjacent filter supports 938 and channels 939 so that filter residue can be thrown from the filter elements 937.
[0285] The moveable member 905 comprises a cylindrical wall 905a and an upper wall 905b. When the moveable member 905 is in the first configuration (shown in FIG. 9a), the bottom edge of the cylindrical wall 905a contacts the bottom wall 902a, and the upper wall 905b rests over top wall 902a. In the second configuration (shown in FIG. 9b) the moveable member 905 is raised above the top wall 902b so that all three filter elements are surrounded by an opening 911. The moveable member is moved vertically by linear actuator 931 which is positioned above the filter chamber 901. Guide rods 945 are provided in the housing 930 to control movement of the movable member 905. The filter chamber 901, filter medium 906 and outlet pipe 935 are rotatably mounted on sealed bearings 942, 943. The filter residue removal apparatus comprises a rotary actuator 909 and belt 944 to drive the rotation of the filter chamber 901, filter medium 906 and outlet pipe 935.
[0286] The portion of the housing 930 that is radially outwards of the opening 911 is considered to be a collection wall 914 that extends upwards from the filter residue collection chamber 907. The collection wall 914 receives filter residue thrown from the filter medium 906. A transfer element 925 in the form of a rubber scraper blade is positioned on the bottom edge of cylindrical wall 905a facing radially outwards and contacting the collection wall 914.
[0287] In the first configuration the moveable member 905 is in the downward position shown in FIG. 9a and the filter chamber 901 is sealed. Effluent enters via a connection to a textile treatment apparatus 900, the valve 951 on the bypass pipe 936 is closed to direct effluent to the inlet pipe 934. Effluent enters the filter chamber 901 via inlet 903 and is delivered to each of the filter elements 937. The filter chamber 901, filter medium 906 and outlet pipe 935 are rotated by the rotary actuator 909 of the filter residue removal apparatus. Rotation of the filter chamber 901 may function as a centrifugal pump to push effluent through the filter elements 937 out of the filter chamber 901 the drain chamber. Filtered effluent is channeled by the filter supports 938 to the channels 939 and into the drain chamber 940. After effluent has drained from the filter chamber 901, the microparticle filter 900 is placed in the second configuration by raising the moveable member 905 with linear actuator 931. The filter medium 906 is then rotated at a sufficiently high speed to throw filter residue from the first surface of each of the filter elements 937, through opening 911, where it hits the collection wall 914.
[0288] When the moveable member 905 moves vertically downwards from the second configuration back to the first configuration, the transfer element 925 pushes filter residue accumulated on the collection wall 914 downwards to the filter residue collection chamber 907. The filter residue collection chamber 907 is in the form of two hemispherical trays which slide radially outwards from the housing 930 for emptying.
[0289] If the filter medium 906 becomes blocked an increase of fluid pressure will be detected by pressure sensor 952 on inlet pipe 934. If this occurs valve 951 can be opened so that effluent is supplied to the drain via bypass pipe 936.
[0290] Referring to FIGS. 10a, to 10d an alternative microparticle filter 2000 is shown. The microparticle filter 2000 comprises a filter chamber 2001, the filter chamber 2001 comprises a moveable member 2005 and chamber walls 2002. The moveable member 2005 is in the form of a hollow cylinder closed at one end. The movable member comprises a cylindrical sidewall 2005a and a circular end wall 2005b. The filter chamber walls comprise a planar end wall 2002a that is connected to a sidewall 2002b formed of a complex of cylinders of different diameters. The filter chamber sidewall 2002b is in a volute shape with a tangential port which extends to form an outlet 2004 from the filter chamber 2001. The outlet comprises valve 2004a to control flow of filtered effluent out of the filter chamber 2001. The filter chamber sidewall 2002b also comprises a secondary drain 2056 at the bottom of the filter chamber 2001. The chamber end wall 2002a comprises a central opening therein which is the inlet 2003 to the filter chamber 2001. In the inlet 2003 is a pipe 2070 which supplies effluent from a treatment apparatus into the filter chamber 2001 via the inlet 2003. The pipe 2070 is configured to rotate about central axis 5. In the embodiment exemplified in FIGS. 10a-10h the central axis 5 is aligned in the horizontal direction. The pipe 2070 is mounted to the filter chamber 2001 via bearings 2067 and 2066, which connect to mount 2054. A seal 2076 is present between the filter chamber end wall 2002a and pipe 2070 to prevent filter leakage. The pipe 2070 is also connected to a supply pipe 2052 receive effluent from a textile treatment apparatus. A seal 2075 prevents leakage of effluent between the supply pipe 2052 and the pipe 2070. The supply pipe 2056 comprises a valve 2053 to control supply of effluent into the microparticle filter 2000.
[0291] Inside the filter chamber 2001 is a frusto-conical filter medium 2006. The filter chamber 2001 is shown in detail in FIGS. 10c to 10g. The external, outward facing surface of the filter medium 2006 is the first surface which receives unfiltered effluent from pipe 2070. The internal inward facing surface of the filter medium 2006 is the second surface of the filter medium 2006. The filter medium 2006 is supported on a filter support 2038. The filter support 2038 is configured to rotate about the central axis 5. The filter support 2038 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 10h. The filter support comprises two annular supports 2093, 2094 angled to support the filter medium 2006 in a frusto-conical shape. The filter support 2038 also comprises a plurality of blades 2091 proximal to and upstream of the first surface of the filter medium 2006.
[0292] These blades, when rotated, function as an impellor and enhance the rotation of unfiltered effluent in the filter chamber 2001. This assists in pumping feed though the filter unit 2000. The blades connect to a disc 2092 which contacts the circular endwall of the movable member 2005b when the moveable member 2005 is in the first configuration. The outer perimeter of the disc 2092 may scrape any residue off the inner surface of the moveable member sidewall 2005a when the moveable member 2005 moves from the first configuration to the second configuration. The filter support 2038 also comprises an annular lip seal 2072 around the outer circumference. The lip seal 2072 contacts the inner circumference of the sidewall 2005a of the moveable member 2005 when the moveable member 2005 is in the first configuration. The filter support 2038 also comprises a smooth surface 2095 on the outer circumference for rotation against the seal 2039 fixed to the filter chamber sidewall 2002b. This helps to prevent leakage of effluent between the static filter chamber 2001 and the rotary filter support 2038. Also contained within the filter chamber 2001 is an impellor 2085 which extends from proximal to the second surface of the filter medium to the filter chamber end wall 2002a. The impellor 2085 comprises a plurality of blades with a profile that occupies most of the volume of the filter chamber 2001 downstream of the filter medium 2006. The impellor 2085 comprises a hollow bore with the pipe 2070 located therein. The impellor 2085 is configured to rotate around the central axis 5 and rotates with the pipe 2070, filter support 2038, moveable member 2005 and filter medium 2006. Rotation of the impellor 2085 drives filtered effluent from the volute part of the filter chamber 2001 and draws unfiltered effluent into the filter chamber 2001 via inlet 2003 and the pipe 2070.
[0293] The moveable member 2005 is moved between the first and second configurations by linear actuator 2031 which is directly connected to the moveable member by linkage 2032 and bearing 2083. Bearing 2083 permits rotation around the central axis 5 so that the moveable member may rotate along with the filter support 2038 and other rotating components. The linkage ensures accurate alignment and therefore a water-tight seal with lip seal 2072 when the moveable member 2005 is in the first configuration. The moveable member 2005 is moved between the first and second configuration in the horizontal direction. When the movable member is in the second configuration, an annular opening 2011 is present between the movable member cylindrical sidewall 2005a and the filter chamber sidewall 2002b. FIG. 10g shows the opening 2011. FIGS. 10a, 10c, 10d and 10e show the movable member 2005 in the first configuration and FIGS. 10b, 10f and 10g show the moveable member 2005 in a second configuration.
[0294] Radially outwards of the opening 2011 is the filter residue collection chamber 2007, shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b only. The filter residue collection chamber 2007 is generally cylindrical and extends 360 degrees around the central axis. A bottom quadrant of the filter residue collection chamber 2007 comprises a detachable portion in the form of a tray 2074. The tray 2074 can slide out from the microparticle filter 2000 for emptying. The filter residue collection chamber 2007 also comprises a tertiary drain 2077 from which any residual liquid in the filter residue collection chamber 2007 can drain.
[0295] The microparticle filter 2000 comprises a filter residue removal apparatus which is a rotary actuator (not shown), which typically may be an electric motor. The filter medium 2006 is rotatable around the central axis by the rotary actuator, so that filter residue can be removed from the first surface of the filter medium 2006 by rotating to throw the filter residue outwards. The rotary actuator is connected to the filter medium 2006 via a belt (not shown) and pulley 2009 connected to the pipe 2070. Rotation of the rotary actuator rotates the pulley, which in turn rotates the pipe 2070, impellor 2085, filter support 2038, filter medium 2006 and moveable member 2005 when it is in the first configuration.
[0296] Proximal to the second surface of the filter medium 2006 is a baffle 2080. This is shown in detail in FIG. 10h. The baffle 2080 is connected to the filter chamber sidewall 2002b by connecting portion 2081. The baffle 2080 is static and does not rotate with the filter medium 2006. The baffle 2080 serves to disrupt fluid flow around the filter medium 2006, preventing the blocking of the filter medium 2006 with filter residue.
[0297] In the first configuration, the moveable member 2005 is in contact with lip seal 2072 and the filter chamber 2001 is sealed so that effluent may enter only via the inlet 2003 and leave via the outlet 2004, and optionally the secondary drain 2056. Effluent from a textile treatment apparatus passes through supply pipe 2052. If valve 2053 is open, effluent passes into pipe 2070, where it is carried through the inlet 2003 into the filter chamber 2001 and along the pipe 2070 to the first surface of the filter medium 2006. The filter support 2038, filter medium 2006, impellor 2085, moveable member 2005 and pipe 2070 are all rotated together by rotation of the pulley 2009 by the belt (not shown) and rotary actuator (not shown) of the filter residue removal apparatus. Rotation of the impellor 2085 may function as a centrifugal pump to draw effluent through the microparticle chamber, through the filter medium 2006, and out of the filter chamber 2001 via outlet 2004. After the effluent from the textile treatment apparatus has been filtered by the filter medium 2006, flow of effluent is stopped by valve 2053. Residual effluent is allowed to drain from the filter chamber 2001 via secondary drain 2056. The microparticle filter 2000 is then placed in the second configuration by moving the moveable member 2005 to the second configuration with linear actuator 2031. The filter medium 2006, pipe 2070, impellor 2085 and filter support 2038 are then rotated at a sufficiently high speed to throw the filter residue from the first surface of the filter medium 2006, through opening 2011, where it where it lands in the filter residue collection chamber 2007 and falls to the bottom under gravity. Any residual liquid in the filter residue now in the filter residue collection chamber 2007 can be drained via tertiary drain 2077. The microparticle filter 2000 can be returned to the first configuration for further filtering of effluent. After one or more of the above cycles, the residue accumulated in the filter residue collection chamber 2007 can be removed by sliding the tray 2074 out the filter residue collection chamber 2007 and transferring the residue out of the tray 2074 for disposal.
[0298] Referring to FIG. 11, a flow chart illustrating a method of filtering microparticles from effluent from a textile treatment apparatus according to the fourth aspect is shown. The method comprises a first step 1010 of supplying effluent from a textile treatment apparatus to a microparticle filter. The microparticle filter comprising a filter chamber and filter medium therein, a filter residue collection chamber external to the filter chamber and a filter residue removal apparatus. The microparticle filter may be any microparticle filter within the present disclosure. In a second step 1020 the effluent is filtered through the filter medium to form a microparticle containing filter residue in the filter chamber. In a third step 1030 the supply of effluent to the microparticle filter is stopped. In a fourth step 1040 the filter chamber is opened to provide access from the filter chamber to the filter residue collection chamber. In a fifth step 1050 a filter residue removal apparatus is automatically operated to remove the cellulose containing residue from the filter chamber to a filter residue collection chamber. In a sixth step 1060 the filter chamber is closed. Optionally the preceding steps may be repeated one or more times 1070. After one or more than one iteration of steps 1010-1060 the filter residue collection chamber may be emptied 1080 of filter residue.
[0299] Referring to FIG. 12, a flow chart illustrating an alternative method of filtering microparticles from effluent from a textile treatment apparatus according to the fifth aspect is shown. The method comprises a first step 1110 of providing a microparticle filter according to the first aspect. In a second step 1120, the microparticle filter is optionally placed in the first configuration by moving the movable member. In a third step 1130, the effluent from a textile treatment apparatus is supplied to the inlet of the microparticle filter. In a fourth step 1140, the effluent is filtered through the filter medium and filtered effluent passes out of the outlet. In a fifth step 1150, the supply of effluent is stopped. In a sixth step 1160, the microparticle filter is placed in the second configuration. In a seventh step 1170, the filter residue removal apparatus is operated to transfer filter residue from the filter medium to the filter residue collection chamber.
[0300] The method may additionally comprise the steps of moving the moveable member back to the first configuration 1180, resuming supply and filtering of effluent 1190, and optionally repeating the steps 1120 to 1190 one or more times 1200. After one or more than one iteration of steps 1110-1190 the filter residue collection chamber may be emptied 1210 of filter residue.
