MODULAR FILTER ELEMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular ceramic filter element comprising two or more elongate hollow bodies, wherein the elongate hollow bodies are formed to define twist-lock connection means for joining adjacent elongate hollow bodies together.

Claims

1. A modular ceramic filter element comprising two or more elongate hollow bodies, wherein the elongate hollow bodies are formed to define twist-lock connection means for joining adjacent elongate hollow bodies together.

2. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive is provided at an interface between the elongate hollow bodies.

3. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the twist-lock connection means comprises a male portion and a female portion for receiving the male portion.

4. A filter element according to claim 3, wherein one end of an elongate hollow body comprises the male portion and another end of an adjacent elongate hollow body comprises the female portion.

5. A filter element according to claim 3, wherein the male portion comprises one or more radial pins.

6. A filter element according to claim 5, wherein the radial pins are diametrically opposed.

7. A filter element according to claim 3, wherein the female portion comprises one or more slots.

8. A filter element according to claim 7, wherein the slot or slots are L-shaped or J-shaped.

9. (canceled)

10. A filter element according to claim 7, wherein the slots are diametrically opposed.

11. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the twist-lock connection is a bayonet connection.

12. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein an end of one elongate hollow body is tapered and an adjacent end of another elongate hollow body is configured to receive the tapered end.

13. A filter element according to claim 12, wherein the end configured to receive the tapered end has an internal tapered wall.

14. A filter element according to claim 12, wherein the cross-section of the end configured to receive the tapered end is smaller than the tapered end.

15. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the filter element comprises non-threaded elongate hollow bodies.

16-18. (canceled)

19. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the filter element is greater than 3 meters in length.

20. (canceled)

21. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the elongate hollow bodies are substantially tubular.

22. A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the filter element is a filter candle.

23. A method of producing a modular filter element comprising two or more elongate hollow bodies, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first elongate hollow body having a male portion formed at one end; providing a second elongate hollow body having a female portion formed at one end; guiding the female portion over the male portion, and rotating one or both of the elongate hollow bodies to lock to male portion in the female portion.

24. A filtration apparatus comprising the filter element according to claim 1.

25. Use of the filter element according to claim 1 for filtering particulate matter from hot gas streams.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0028] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a modular filter element in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

[0029] With reference to the drawings, and in accordance with an example of the present invention there is provided a ceramic filter element 100 for filtering particulate matter from hot gas streams. The modular filter element 100 comprises a first elongate hollow body 110 formed from a ceramic material having a length of about 3 metres and an external diameter of between 140 and 160 mm. The first elongate hollow body 110 has a substantially tubular profile that comprises an upper wall 111, a lower wall 112 and a side wall 113 that extends between the upper wall 111 and the lower wall 112. As best shown in FIG. 1, a flange 114 is located at an open upper end of the first elongate hollow body 110. The flange 114 is configured to enable mounting of the filter element 100 to a filter housing (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1 the lower end of the first elongate hollow body 110 is open and comprises two diametrically opposed radial pins 115.

[0030] The modular filter element 100 also comprises a second elongate hollow body 120. The second elongate hollow body 120 is about 3 metres in length and has an external diameter of between 140 and 160 mm. Accordingly, the length:width ratio of the modular filter element 100 is greater than that shown in the drawings. The second elongate hollow body 120 is formed from a ceramic material and has a substantially tubular profile. In particular, the second elongate hollow body 120 comprises an upper wall 121, a lower wall 122 and a side wall 123 that extends between the upper wall 121 and the lower wall 122. As best shown in FIG. 1 the lower wall 122 extends between the side walls 123 to form a closed end. The upper end of the second elongate hollow body 120 is open and comprises two diametrically opposed L-shaped slots 124 for receiving the pins 115 located at the lower end of the first elongate hollow body 110.

[0031] A ceramic based adhesive (Silusil HT1500) is provided at the interface between the first elongate hollow body 110 and the second elongate hollow body 120 to secure the first elongate hollow body 110 and the second elongate hollow body 120 together and to form a gas-tight seal between the first and second elongate hollow bodies 110, 120. In this embodiment a high temperature ceramic cement has been used as the adhesive.

[0032] The first and second elongate hollow bodies 110, 120 are joined together by applying the ceramic cement adhesive 131 along the lower wall 112 of the first elongate body 110 and/or along the upper wall 121 of the second elongate hollow body 120. The slots 124 of the second elongate hollow body 120 are then guided over the pins 115 of the first elongate hollow body 110 to bring the first and second elongate hollow bodies 110, 120 into engagement. The second elongate hollow body is then rotated with respect to the first elongate body which locks the pins 115 in the slots 124 and secures the first and second elongate hollow bodies 110, 120 together.

[0033] The above embodiment is/embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.