FILTER UNIT AND BASE UNIT OF AN OIL-WATER-SEPARATING DEVICE FOR REMOVING OIL-CONTAINING CONSTITUENTS FROM AN OIL-WATER MIXTURE

Abstract

A filter unit for integration in an oil-water-separating device for removing oil-containing constituents from an oil-water mixture includes a housing which separates a filter interior from an environment, there being in the filter interior filter material for at least partially removing oil from the oil-water mixture. An inflow opening is provided, and the housing has, downstream of the filter material, an outflow opening for providing an outflow of cleaned liquid from the filter interior. The filter unit is a filter cartridge for detachable connection to and disconnection from the oil-water-separating device. Moreover, the outflow opening of the housing is closable by an automatic filter cartridge closure that is moveable from a closed to an open state. A base unit of an oil-water-separating device for removing oil-containing constituents from an oil-water mixture, and an oil-water-separating device for removing oil-containing constituents from an oil-water mixture are also related.

Claims

1. A filter unit for integration into an oil-water-separating device for the removal of oil-containing components from an oil-water mixture, wherein the filter unit comprises a housing separating a filter interior from an environment, wherein filter material is arranged in the filter interior for at least partial removal of oil from the oil-water mixture, adsorption filter material for the adsorption of dispersed oil, wherein an inflow opening is provided for providing an inflow of liquid to be purified into the filter interior and wherein the housing downstream of the filter material comprises a outflow opening for providing an outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior, wherein the filter unit is designed as a filter cartridge for detachable connection to and for disassembling from the oil-water-separating device again, and that the outflow opening of the housing is designed to be closable by means of an automatic filter cartridge closure, wherein the automatic filter cartridge closure is designed to be moved from a closed state to prevent the outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior to an open state to allow the outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior.

2. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic filter cartridge closure is arranged in such a way that an opening force directed onto an outer side of the automatic filter cartridge closure facing the environment, and, in the direction of the filter interior, moves the automatic filter cartridge closure from the closed state to the open state.

3. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein a filter-cartridge contact surface is provided to rest against a downstream component of the oil-water-separating device during operation of the oil-water-separating device, that the filter-cartridge contact surface is set back from a bottom-side plane of the filter cartridge, being that an opening plane defined by the outflow opening is set back with relation to the filter-cartridge contact surface.

4. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter-cartridge contact surface is formed on an outer side of the automatic filter cartridge closure facing the environment.

5. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic filter cartridge closure is designed to alternate between the open state to allow the outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior and the closed state to prevent the outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior.

6. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic filter cartridge closure arranged in such a way that a closing force directed onto an inner side of the automatic filter cartridge closure facing the filter interior and, in the direction of the environment moves the automatic filter cartridge closure from the open state to the closed state.

7. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein a spring is adjacent to the inner side of the automatic filter cartridge closure and the closing force is at least partially exerted onto the inner side of the automatic filter cartridge closure, and/or that the liquid or liquid to be cleaned located in the filter interior at least partially exerts the closing force onto the inner side of the automatic filter cartridge closure.

8. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the open state of the automatic filter cartridge closure, a flow channel is formed between an outer side of the automatic filter cartridge closure facing the environment and the housing in the area of the outflow opening, wherein the flow channel provides a fluid connection from the filter interior to the outside.

9. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the outflow opening, and, the flow channel formed in the open state of the automatic filter cartridge closure, is closed in the closed state of the automatic filter cartridge closure in such a way that, in an outdoor area, an outer side of the automatic filter cartridge closure facing the environment has an operative connection with an inner surface of the housing facing the filter interior in a sealing manner.

10. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the inflow opening is assigned to a top side of the filter cartridge and the outflow opening is assigned to a bottom side of the filter cartridge, and that an inflow channel is provided, wherein the inflow channel is located above the inflow opening and is in fluid connection with the inflow opening, and wherein the inflow channel further has a junction for conveying a part of the liquid to be purified forward into an adjacent filter cartridge.

11. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the inflow channel has an inflow opening for the initial entry of the liquid to be purified into the filter cartridge and a junction opening for conveying a part of the liquid to be purified out of the filter cartridge into an adjacent filter cartridge, wherein the junction opening is designed to alternate between an open state and a closed state, that the junction opening is designed for fluid-tight connection to an inflow opening of an adjacent filter cartridge.

12. The filter unit according to claim 1, wherein the outflow opening is assigned to a bottom side of the filter cartridge and an opening plane is defined by the outflow opening, and that the housing at the bottom side has at least one projection, configured as a circumferential edge, from the opening plane of the outflow opening for positioning the filter cartridge in a way to the projection corresponding filter receptacle of the oil-water-separating device.

13. A base unit of an oil-water-separating device for the removal of oil-containing constituents from an oil-water mixture, wherein at least one inflow opening is provided on the inflow side for the introduction of purified liquid in an upstream filter unit, wherein a manifold is provided for the transfer of the purified liquid, wherein the inflow opening provides access for the purified liquid into the manifold and wherein a riser is provided, wherein the riser is in fluid connection with the manifold and is equipped to outflow the purified liquid via an outflow opening provided downstream, wherein at least one filter receptacle is provided, wherein the filter receptacle is used for detachable connection and re-disassembly of the upstream filter unit in the form of a filter cartridge, according to claim 1, and that the inflow opening is arranged in the area of the filter receptacle and is made closable by means of an automatic collector closure, wherein the automatic collector closure disconnects the manifold from an environment and from a closed state for closing a fluid connection between the manifold and the environment into an open The condition is designed to enable the outflow of the liquid purified in the upstream filter unit.

14. The base unit according to claim 13, wherein at least two filter receptacles are provided for detachable connection and re-disassembly of at least two filter cartridges.

15. The base unit according to claim 13, wherein the automatic collector closure is arranged in such a way that an opening force directed onto an outer side of the automatic collector closure facing the environment, and, in the direction of the manifold, moves the automatic collector closure from the closed state to the open state, that the automatic collector closure is set up in such a way that a clamping force is directed onto an inner side of the automatic collector closure facing the manifold, and, in the direction of the environment, moves the automatic collector closure from the open state to the closed state.

16. The base unit according to claim 13, wherein a spring is adjacent to the inner side of the automatic collector closure, and the clamping force is at least partially applied to the inner side of the automatic collector closure, and/or that the purified liquid located in the manifold at least partially exerts the clamping force onto the inner side of the automatic collector closure.

17. The base unit according to claim 13, wherein, in the open state of the automatic collector closure a flow channel is formed between an outer side of the automatic collector closure facing the environment and the base unit PO-Yin the area of the inflow opening, which flow channel provides a fluid connection from the outside into the manifold.

18. The base unit according to claim 13, wherein the inflow opening is assigned to a top side of the base unit and an opening plane is defined by the inflow opening, and that the top side comprises at least one recess, being circumferential, wherein the recess is designed to be set back with relation to the opening plane of the inflow opening to hold a filter cartridge with at least one projection corresponding to the recess.

19. The base unit according to claim 13, wherein the automatic collector closure is designed to alternate designed between the open state for allowing the outflow of the liquid purified in the upstream filter unit and the closed state for closing a fluid connection between the manifold and the environment.

20. An oil-water-separating device for removing oil-containing components from an oil-water mixture characterized by a base unit according to claim 13, wherein at least one filter unit is provided in the form of the filter cartridge, wherein the filter cartridge corresponds in such a way to the filter receptacle, that when the filter cartridge is held in the filter receptacle, the automatic filter cartridge closure as well as the automatic collector closure collide in such a way that both the automatic filter cartridge closure and the automatic collector closure are each moved to the open state.

21. The oil-water-separating device according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of the filter cartridges is provided, wherein the plurality of the filter cartridges is connected in parallel and the filter cartridges with their outflow openings each flow into the manifold as a common manifold of the oil-water-separating device and this common manifold, in turn, flows into the riser as a common riser of the oil-water-separating device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Further favourable and preferred embodiments result from the following description with reference to the figures. In the drawing, which only renders an exemplary embodiment, the figures show:

[0051] FIG. 1a schematic illustration of a oil-water-separating device according to prior art;

[0052] FIG. 2a schematic illustration of an oil-water-separating device according to the proposal;

[0053] FIG. 3a schematic illustration of a filter unit in the form of a proposed filter cartridge;

[0054] FIG. 4a schematic illustration of a proposed base unit;

[0055] FIG. 5 in view a), the detailed view Y from FIG. 2, as well as, in view b), the automatic collector closure and the automatic filter cartridge closure in individual views;

[0056] FIG. 6 the detailed view Z from FIG. 2;

[0057] FIG. 7a further schematic illustration of a filter unit in the form of another proposed filter cartridge;

[0058] FIG. 8a further schematic illustration of another proposed oil-water-separating device with filter cartridges in accordance with FIG. 7; and

[0059] FIG. 9 basic arrangements of the proposed filter cartridges in different oil-water-separating devices in views a) to e).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] In the case of the one shown in FIG. 2 schematically shown according to the proposed oil-water-separating device 10 is an oil-water-separating device 10 for removing oil-containing components from an oil-water mixture as a liquid to be purified L, which is used as condensate from a compressed-air process of the oil-water-separating device 10. The liquid L to be purified is purified by the oil-water-separating device 10 in such a way that purified liquid W is finally provided, which is essentially oil-free water which can be fed into the sewer system.

[0061] The proposed oil-water-separating device 10 comprises a base unit 20, which is also described in detail in FIG. 4, to which reference is made at the same time in the following description simultaneously. Furthermore, the oil-water-separating device 10 shown has three already connected filter units 4 in the form of the three filter cartridges shown on the left 40, 40, 40. Another filter cartridge 40 is shown on the right, but in a condition that is not integrated into the oil-water-separating device 10, i.e., not connected to the base unit 20. A single proposed filter cartridge 40 is also shown in FIG. 3, which is also referred to in the following description simultaneously. Furthermore, in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively, the detailed views Y and Z of FIG. 2 are enlarged, which is also referred to in the following description simultaneously.

[0062] The proposed filter unit 4, which is set up as a filter cartridge 40 for detachable connection to and re-disassembly from the oil-water-separating device 10, has a filter interior 42 in which adsorption filter material 43 for adsorption of dispersed oil is arranged. A housing 44 separates the filter interior 42 from an environment U. For the purpose of filtering the oil constituents, the liquid L to be cleaned is fed to the filter interior 42 by being directed through an inflow opening 46 to provide an inflow of the liquid L to be cleaned into the filter interior 42. Downstream of the adsorption filter material 43, the housing 44 comprises a outflow opening 48 for providing an outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior 42. The outflow opening 48 is assigned to a bottom side 47 of the filter cartridge 40.

[0063] It is essential for the proposed filter cartridge 40 that the outflow opening 48 of the housing 44 is designed to be closable by means of an automatic filter cartridge closure 50. In this case, the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 in the exemplary embodiment shown in the present case and thus preferred is designed to be interchangeable between an open state to enable the outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior 42 and a closed state to prevent the outflow of purified liquid from the filter interior 42. The closed state of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 is shown, in particular, in FIG. 3 but also with the rightmost filter cartridge 40 in FIG. 2 or in the detailed view Y in FIG. 5a). The open state, in turn, is shown in FIG. 2 for the three filter cartridges 40, 40 arranged on the left, as well as being shown in detail in FIG. 6.

[0064] The proposed base unit 20 of the oil-water-separating device 10 comprises at least one inflow opening 22 on the input side, in the case shown, four inflow openings 22 for the introduction of liquid W purified in the upstream filter unit 4. In principle, the inflow openings 22 each provide access for the purified liquid W into a manifold 24. In turn, the purified liquid W is transferred via the manifold 24, specifically into a riser 26, which is in fluid connection with the manifold 24 for this purpose. Finally, riser 26 is set up to outflow the purified liquid W via an outflow opening 28 provided downstream, through which the purified liquid W can ultimately be fed into the sewer system, for example.

[0065] It is essential for the proposed base unit 20 that at least one filter receptacle 30 is provided (in the specific case shown there are four filter receptacles 30), and that the filter receptacle 30 is set up for detachable connection and re-disassembly of the upstream filter unit 4 in the form of filter cartridge 40. According to the proposal, the inflow opening 22 is arranged in the area of the filter receptacle 30 and is designed to be closable by means of an automatic collector closure 32. The automatic collector closure 32 separates the manifold 24 from the environment U. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the present case and being thereby preferred, the automatic collector closure 32 is designed to be interchangeable between an open state to enable the outflow of the liquid W purified in the upstream filter unit 4 and a closed state for closing a fluid connection between the manifold 24 and the environment U or the filter interior 42 of the upstream filter cartridge 40.

[0066] In the proposed oil-water-separating device 10, the proposed base unit 20 and the proposed filter cartridge 40 correspond and interact with each other in a particularly favourable manner. According to the proposal, replaceable and easy-to-use filter cartridges 40 are provided that interact in a simple way with the base unit 20 of the oil-water-separating device 10 and, above all, can be installed and disassembled without special additional handing for opening or closing. The system comprises base unit 20 with filter receptacles 30 for the filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 and the filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 itself is favourably coordinated. For example, the outflow openings 48 of the filter cartridges 40 are always closed via the respective automatic filter cartridge closure 50 (FIGS. 3 and 5a)). This condition is referred to as the closed state of the filter cartridge closure 50. However, the outflow openings 48 can be opened completely automatically during installation, i.e., without the need for any special steps (FIG. 2: right; and FIG. 6). Specifically, the insertion of the filter cartridge 40 into the corresponding filter receptacle 30 of the base unit 20 ensures that the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 changes from its closed state to the open state without the need for the user to actively open the filter cartridge closure 50 for example. Similarly, the disassembly of the filter cartridge 40 from the base unit 20 of the oil-water-separating device 10 ensures that the filter cartridge closure 50 in the open state changes again to its closed state without the need for active closing by the user.

[0067] During the opening process, this is ensured by the opening force O1, which is shown in FIG. 3 is indicated by the lower dotted arrow. The automatic filter cartridge closure 50 is thus set up in such a way that the opening force O1 moves the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 from the closed state to the open state. The opening force O1 is directed onto an outer side 52 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 facing the environment U. Specifically, the opening force O1 is directed in the direction of the filter interior 42. When a certain specified opening force O1 is applied, the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 is moved in the direction of the filter interior 42 and thus into the space shown in FIG. 6 apparent open state.

[0068] The effect of the opening force O1 is ensured by the sole placement or insertion of the filter cartridge 40 into the intended filter receptacle 30. Thus, the filter cartridge 40 with its bottom side 47 is inserted into the filter receptacle 30 or there, specifically into the recesses 31. In this case, a filter-cartridge contact surface 53 strikes a collector contact surface 35. This is particularly evident from the synopsis of FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein from FIG. 5 b), the embodiment of the two closures is again evident, an automatic filter cartridge closure 50 as well as an automatic collector closure 32.

[0069] In the illustrated and therefore preferred exemplary embodiment, the filter-cartridge contact surface 53 is set back with relation to a bottom-side plane E3 of the filter cartridge 40. In addition, the opening plane E1 defined by the outflow opening 48 is set back from the filter-cartridge contact surface 53. Ultimately, the filter-cartridge contact surface 53 itself is formed on the outer side 52 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 facing the environment U.

[0070] With regard to the collector contact surface 35, on the other hand, it is provided that it is designed on the outer side 33 of the automatic collector closure 32 facing the environment U. Furthermore, the collector contact surface 35 is set back with relation to the opening plane E2 defined by the inflow opening 22 into the manifold 24 of base unit 20.

[0071] A typical process of connecting the filter cartridge 40 to the base unit 20 is described below. Thus, the filter-cartridge contact surface 53 formed on the outer side 52 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 meets the upper outer side 32 of the automatic collector closure 32, specifically against the collector contact surface 35. As a result, the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 is moved upwards and moved to its open state in addition to, simultaneously, the automatic collector closure 32 being moved downwards and also being moved into its open state, as is made evident from the following description of the other figures.

[0072] During the closing process, in turn, a clamping force C1, which is shown in FIG. 3 is indicated by the upper dotted arrow, for the automatic closing of the outflow opening 48. The automatic filter cartridge closure 50 is set up in such a way that the clamping force C1 moves the automatic filter cartridge closure from the open state to the closed state. The closing force is directed to an inner side 54 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 facing the filter interior 42, specifically away from the filter interior 42 and in the direction of the environment U. The clamping force C1 can at least be at least partially exerted by the liquid or liquid to be cleaned onto the inner side 54 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 located in the filter interior 42. This enables a fast automatic closing process. This is because, as soon as no opening force O1 is exerted to keep the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 in its open state, the liquid arranged in the filter cartridge 40 exerts pressure onto the inner side 54 in such a way that the closing force C1 is automatically provided. The automatic filter cartridge closure 50 is then moved by the force exerted by the liquid from the open state shown in FIG. 6 into the closed state shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5a).

[0073] In order to ensure the displacement of the automatic filter cartridge closure between the closed and open state, a free space 56 is arranged between the outflow opening 48 and the adsorption filter material 43.

[0074] In FIG. 7 in turn, another exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge 40 is shown, wherein the same reference numbers basically characterize the same features and reference can be made to the preceding and also below description. In contrast to the filter cartridge 40 from FIG. 3, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a spring 60 is also provided, namely subsequently arranged on the inner side 54 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50. In this embodiment, the clamping force C1 described above is at least partially exerted by this spring 60 on the inner side 54 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50. For this purpose, the liquid to be cleaned or the cleaned liquid located in the filter interior 42 can also at least partially exert the clamping force C1 onto the inner side 54 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50.

[0075] On the other hand, the proposed base unit 20, which is shown as an example in FIG. 4 is designed with 3D filter receptacles, in the specific case shown with four 3D filter receptacles, for the filter units to be connected in the form of the 40, 40, 40 filter cartridges. The filter receptacle 30 represents the connection point and a mechanical interface between the upstream filter cartridge 40 and the manifold 24 connecting to this filter cartridge 40 for collecting or conveying on the purified liquid W forward. The interface ultimately provides the inflow opening 22 into the base unit 20. The inflow opening 22 is always closed automatically via the automatic collector closure 32, meaning without the need for special handling, but can also be opened automatically, meaning without separate handling. Specifically, the insertion of a corresponding filter cartridge 40 into the filter receptacle 30 of the proposed base unit 20 ensures that the automatic collector closure 32 changes from its closed state to the open state without the need for the user to actively open a collector closure for example. Similarly, the disassembly of the filter cartridge 40 from the base unit 20 of the oil-water-separating device 10 also ensures that the automatic collector closure 32, which was previously in the open state, changes to its closed state without the need for active closing by the user.

[0076] If a filter cartridge 40, 40, 40 is not inserted on the base unit 20, it closes automatically by moving the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 to its closed state. The automatic filter cartridge closure 50 makes the service cleaner and easier, as no water can drip out of the filter cartridge 40, 40, 40 and onto the base unit 20. Each filter receptacle 30 of the base unit 20, in turn, closes just as automatically if no filter cartridge 40, 40, 40 is attached. This allows the variation of the number of filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 with the same base unit 20 without water escaping.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiment shown in concrete terms, four filter receptacles 30 are provided, into which four filter cartridges 40 can be inserted. However, more or less cartridge locations in the form of more or less filter receptacles 30 can also be provided and thus more or less filter cartridges 40 can be connected. In particular, in the case of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10, not all filter receptacles 30 need to be occupied by filter cartridges 40 since the filter receptacles 30 or, in particular, the inflow openings 22 arranged in them are automatically closed in their initial state if no filter cartridge 30 is held in them. This makes it particularly easy to change filter cartridges 40 in the proposed oil-water-separating device 10.

[0078] Thereby, preferably, the entire system in the form of the oil-water-separating device 10 can also continue to operate as long as at least one filter cartridge 40 remains arranged in its position in the form of the filter receptacle 30, thereby remaining connected to the base unit 20 and remaining integrated into the overall system. In order to remove a filter cartridge 40, the filtering process of the liquid L to be cleaned does not have to be stopped or adapted with a lot of effort. Of course, principally, it can also be provided that the filtering process is stopped in order to replace a single filter cartridge 40.

[0079] The opening and closing process of the automatic collector closure 32 is similar to that of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50. The automatic collector closure 32 is set up in such a way that an opening force O2 (upper dotted arrow in FIG. 5a)) moves the automatic collector closure 32 from the closed state to the open state. For this purpose, the automatic collector closure 32 is moved from the upper position shown in FIG. 5a) and in FIG. 4 into the lower position shown in FIG. 6. The opening force O2 is directed to an outer side 33 of the automatic collector closure 32 facing the environment U, and specifically in the direction of the manifold 24. This opening process can be carried out as described by simply inserting the filter cartridge 40 by the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 with the filter-cartridge contact surface provided ion its outer side 52 impacting onto the outer side 33 of the automatic collector closure 32 onto the collector contact surface 35. As a result, both the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 as well as the automatic collector closure 32 are moved back in their positions and both are returned to their open states.

[0080] Furthermore, the automatic collector closure 32 is set up in such a way that a clamping force C2 (lower dotted arrow in FIG. 5a)), which is directed onto an inner side 34 of the automatic collector closure 32 facing the manifold 24, specifically, in the direction of the environment U and away from the manifold 24, moves the automatic collector closure 32 from the open state to the closed state. It is particularly favourable that the purified liquid W located in the manifold 24 at least partially exerts clamping force C2 onto the inner side 34 of the automatic collector closure 32. This enables the fast, automatic closing process. This is because, as soon as no opening force O2 is exerted to keep the automatic collector closure 32 in its open state, the liquid arranged in the manifold 24 exerts pressure onto the inner side 34 so that the closing force C2 is automatically provided. The automatic collector closure 32 is then controlled only by the force exerted by the purified liquid W from the one shown in FIG. 6 to the open state shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 depicted closed state moved upwards.

[0081] However, it can also be adapted to a further embodiment of the base unit 20 or the oil-water-separating device 10, as shown in FIG. 8, it is provided that a spring 63 is subsequently arranged on the inner side 34 of the automatic collector closure 32 and that the clamping force C2 on the inner side 34 of the automatic collector closure 32 is at least partially exerted by this spring 63. This spring force may act alternatively or in addition to the force exerted by the purified liquid W located in the manifold 24 on the automatic collector closure 32.

[0082] The other features of the oil-water-separating device 10 shown in FIG. 8 are essentially derived from the preceding as well as the following description of the oil-water-separating device 10, as is also illustrated in FIG. 2. In this respect, the same reference numbers also refer to the same features so that the corresponding description can be transferred to the exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 8.

[0083] In the case of the oil-water-separating device 10 according to the proposal, the described closures in the form of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 and the automatic collector closure 32 interact with each other in a special way. The filter cartridge 40 corresponds to the filter receptacle 30 in such a way that when the filter cartridge 40 is held in the filter receptacle 30, the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 and the automatic collector closure 32 collide in such a way that both the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 as well as the automatic collector closure 32 are each moved to the open state. This is shown in FIG. 6.

[0084] In the open state of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50, a flow channel 58 is formed between an outer side 52 facing the environment U (for the sake of clarity not provided in FIG. 6, but provided with reference numbers in FIGS. 3 and 5) of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 and the housing 44 in the area of the outflow opening 48. In this open state, the flow channel 58 provides a fluid connection from the filter interior 42 to the outside. In this case, the direction description to the outside is to be understood as the fact that the fluid connection leads out of the filter interior 42. Specifically, this should and will be discussed in the case shown in FIG. 2 at the three left-hand spaces and in FIG. 6 in the case of a connected filter cartridge 40, i.e., inserted into the filter receptacle 30, a fluid connection is achieved which provides the filter interior 42 with the subsequent manifold 24 of the base unit 20 of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10.

[0085] In the open state of the automatic collector closure 32, in turn, a flow channel 36 is also formed. The flow channel 36 is formed between an outer side 33 facing the environment U (for the sake of clarity not in FIG. 6 but provided with reference numbers in FIGS. 2 and 5) of the automatic collector closure 32 and the base unit 20 in the area of the inflow opening 22. The flow channel 36 provides a fluid connection from the outside into the manifold 24. In this case, the direction description from the outside is to be understood to mean that the fluid connection leads into the manifold, specifically from the filter interior 42 of the upstream filter cartridge 40.

[0086] For this purpose, the two openings in the form of the outflow opening 48 of the filter cartridge 40 and the inflow opening 22 in the base unit 20 are brought into correspondence with one another. Thus, the flow channels 36, 58 are designed to direct the purified liquid W from the filter cartridge 40 to the base unit 20 (marked with the dashed arrows in FIG. 6). The flow channels 36, 58 are formed automatically when the respective automatic closures (automatic filter cartridge closure 50 and automatic collector closure 32) are moved to their open states. On the other hand, the flow channels 36, 58 are automatically closed again when the respective automatic closures (automatic filter cartridge closure 50 and automatic collector closure 32) are moved to their closed states.

[0087] In the respective closed states described, an escape of condensate or purified liquid W from the filter cartridge 40 or the base unit 20 is quickly and effectively prevented. In this way, the replacement of filter cartridges 40 can be carried out particularly cleanly, i.e., without dripping and thus contamination of the base unit 20 of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10. It is particularly favourable that the outflow opening 48, and thus also the flow channel 58 formed in the open state of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50, is closed in the closed state of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 in such a way that, in an outdoor area, the outer side 52 of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 has an operative connection with an inner surface of the housing 44 in a sealing manner. The inner surface of the housing 44 is the area facing the filter interior 42 or facing away from the environment U. For example, in the case of an essentially round automatic filter cartridge closure 50, the outer ring area of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50 is the outer ring area of the automatic filter cartridge closure 50.

[0088] This applies analogously to the base unit 20 and the interaction between the inflow opening 22 and the automatic collector closure 32. Being particularly favourable, the inflow opening 22 and thus also the flow channel 36 formed in the open state of the automatic collector closure 32, is closed in the closed state of the automatic collector closure 32 in such a way that, in an outdoor area, the outer side 33 of the automatic collector closure 32 has an operative connection with an inner surface of the base unit 20 in a sealing manner. The inner surface of the base unit 20 is the surface facing the manifold 24 or facing away from the environment U. For example, in the case of an essentially round automatic collector closure 32, the outer area of the automatic collector closure 32 is the outer ring area of the automatic collector closure 32.

[0089] In order to ensure the simplest possible connection of the filter cartridge 40 to the base unit 20, at least one projection 49 for positioning the filter cartridge 40 is provided on one bottom side 47 of the filter cartridge 40. The bottom side 47 of the filter cartridge 40 is the side facing downwards for the purpose of mounting. The outflow opening 48 is assigned to this bottom side 47 of the filter cartridge 40. An opening plane E1 is defined by the outflow opening 48, as shown by the upper dash-dotted line in FIG. 5a). The projection 49 is formed in relation to this opening plane E1 of the outflow opening 48. Accordingly, with relation to the opening plane E1, the projection projects outwardly, thereby projecting further away from the essential part of the body of the filter cartridge 40 with relation to the outflow opening 48. The projection 49 is designed here as a circumferential edge. The projection 49 is used for easy insertion and connection of the filter cartridge 40 to the base unit 20. This is implemented by the fact that the projection 49 is designed for positioning the filter cartridge 40 in the filter receptacle 30 of the base unit 20 of the oil-water-separating device 10 corresponding to the projection 49.

[0090] For this purpose, the filter receptacle 30 of the base unit 20 comprises a recess 31. This recess 31 is designed to hold the corresponding projection 49 of the filter cartridge 40. Fig. FIG. 6 shows the state in which the projection is held in the recess 31 (not marked with reference numbers in FIG. 6). The recess 31 and the projection 49 form a mechanical interface for coupling the filter cartridge 40 with the base unit 20. This enables simple and unambiguous positioning, thereby providing for easy installation.

[0091] The inflow opening 22, which is assigned to a top side 21 of the base unit (FIG. 2), defines an opening plane E2, as is shown in FIG. 5 by the bottom dash-dotted line. The recess 31 is formed at this top side 21 of the base unit specifically within the filter receptacle 30. The recess 31 is designed all around in order to be able to hold the projection 49, which is designed as a circumferential edge. The recess 31 is set back with relation to the opening plane E2 of the inflow opening 22. As a result, the recess 31 projects deeper into the base body of base unit 20 than the area of inflow opening 22, which therefore projects outwardly with relation to the recess 31. This ensures easy installation of the filter cartridge 40 and a stable connection between the filter cartridge 40 and the base unit 20.

[0092] The overall arrangement of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10 is particularly well illustrated in FIG. 2 or, alternatively, this is also evident in FIG. 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the oil-water-separating device comprises the base unit 20 arranged below, which is fixed in position during operation, and above it, there are filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 connected to the base unit 20. Specifically, a plurality of four filter cartridges 40, 40 are provided, wherein the left three filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 are inserted into the left three filter receptacles 30 of the base unit 20. The filter cartridge 40, which is arranged furthest to the right, has not yet been inserted into the right filter receptacle 30, or has just been disassembled from this filter receptacle 30.

[0093] The left filter cartridge 40 is connected to the adjacent filter cartridge 40 on the right, which in turn is connected to the adjacent filter cartridge 40 further to the right. Specifically, the inflow channels 41 (see FIG. 3) of the filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 are connected to each other. Each inflow channel 41 is arranged at the top of the respective filter cartridge 40, 40, 40. It is assigned to a top side 45 of the filter cartridge 40, 40, 40. Likewise, the inflow opening 46 is also assigned to the top side 45 of the respective filter cartridge 40, 40, 40.

[0094] The inflow channel 41 is located above the inflow opening 46 and is in fluid connection with the inflow opening 46. Ultimately, on the one hand, the inflow channel 41 ensures that the liquid L to be cleaned is fed to the filter interior 42. On the other hand, the inflow channel 41 also comprises a junction 41 for conveying a part of the liquid L forward to be cleaned into the adjacent filter cartridge 40, 40. In this way, the plurality of filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 can be connected in parallel in the oil-water-separating device 10. As a result, a part of the liquid L to be cleaned is cleaned in the respective filter cartridge 40 or 40 (cf. the solid arrows arranged above in FIG. 2), and a part in the respective adjacent filter cartridge 40 or 40 is cleaned (cf. the dashed arrows arranged above in FIG. 2).

[0095] In the case of filter units 4 in the form of filter cartridges 40, 40, 40, the inflow channel 41 comprises an inflow opening 46 or 46 for the initial entry of the liquid L to be cleaned into the filter cartridge 40 or into the adjacent filter cartridge 40, 40. This is used to introduce the liquid L to be cleaned initially in relation to the respective filter cartridge 40, 40, 40. As described, a part is then forwarded via the respective inflow opening 46 to the filter interior 42 for filtering in the respective filter cartridge 40 itself, while another part is conveyed forward to the adjacent filter cartridge 40, 40 connected in parallel. For this purpose, the inflow channel 41 comprises the said junction 41 as well as a junction opening 48 closing this junction 41. The junction opening 48 is designed to convey a part of the liquid L to be cleaned out of the filter cartridge 40 forward into the adjacent filter cartridge 40, 40.

[0096] For this purpose, the junction opening 48 of a filter cartridge 40 is brought into correspondence with the inflow opening 46 of an adjacent filter cartridge 40, as indicated in FIG. 2. The 48 junction opening is designed for fluid-tight connection to the 46 inflow opening of an adjacent 40, 40 filter cartridge.

[0097] The junction opening 48 is also designed to be changeable between an open state and a closed state. In principle, this also applies to the inflow openings 46, 46. In Fig. For example, in paragraph 2, the inflow channel 41 of the right of the three connected filter cartridges 40 is only open with regard to its access in the form of the 46 inflow opening but is closed with regard to its 48 junction opening. The filter cartridge 40 that is still to be inserted or has just been disassembled, which is shown on the far right in FIG. 2, is even closed with regard to both the inflow opening 46 as well as the junction opening 48.

[0098] By connecting a plurality of filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 in parallel, it is favourable that condensate does not have to be collected at great expense if a filter cartridge 40 to be replaced is changed. Rather, the operation of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10 can be continued with the remaining connected filter cartridges 40. In addition, it is favourable to react to flexible load situations. Thus, it is possible to react to larger contamination of the liquid L to be cleaned by occupying the base unit 20 of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10 with a plurality of filter cartridges 40, 40, 40, while in the case of less stressful operation or less stressful conditions, individual filter receptacles 30 of the base unit can remain free of filter cartridges 40. Filter cartridges can therefore be easily added or dispensed with/to adapt the performance of the system to the actual condensate build-up.

[0099] If the filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 are covered with too many oil particles, i.e., if a filter cartridge is no longer usable, they can be occasionally replaced. It is not necessary to replace the entire oil-water-separating device 10 or the base unit 20. Since only the filter cartridges are replaced, not the collector, resources are conserved.

[0100] Due to the parallel flow through the filter cartridges 40, 40, 40, the flow resistance of the entire system decreases, i.e., more condensate is processed at the same differential pressure. The 40, 40, 40 filter cartridges are designed in such a way that they can be easily carried by a service person without any aids in terms of weight and size, thus facilitating the servicing process.

[0101] The filter cartridges 40, 40 40 of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10 flow into a common manifold 24. Here, the liquid width W cleaned by all connected filter cartridges 40.40, 40 is collected in the base unit 20. From there, it is conveyed forward to the one common riser 26. For this purpose, the manifold 24 flows into the common riser 26. The outflow opening 28 arranged at the end, i.e., the outflow of the proposed oil-water-separating device 10, is located relative to the filter cartridges 40, 40, 40, thereby being specifically raised relative to their outflow openings 48 and containing a storage volume. As a result, depending on the operating mode of the overall system, a small part of the treated water W can flow back into the filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 after an outflow process. This reverse flow leads to a dynamization of the filter bed, thereby counteracting blockage due to slime. The basic function of riser 26 is to ensure that the filters of the filter cartridges 40, 40 remain wetted with condensate and do not dry out.

[0102] The description given can also essentially be transferred to the exemplary embodiment of the oil-water-separating device 10 in FIG. 8. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2, in the case of the oil-water-separating device 10 in FIG. 8, only four filter cartridges 40 in accordance with FIG. 7 are provided, instead of the filter cartridges 40 in accordance with FIG. 3, as is indicated in FIG. 2. The filter cartridges 40 in accordance with FIG. 7 and, thereby, also the oil-water-separating device 10 in FIG. 8 are distinguished by the embodiment of the top sides 45 of the filter cartridges 40. Automatic closures are also provided here. namely, on the one hand, the automatic inflow closures 61, which can automatically close and open the respective inflow opening 46 into the inflow channel 41. On the other hand, automatic junction closures 62 are provided, which can automatically close and open the respective junction opening 48 into the adjacent filter cartridge 40. The mode of operation is similar to the automatic closures described above in the form of the automatic collector closure 32 or the automatic filter cartridge closure 50, which is why reference can be made to the description. Furthermore, springs 61 and 62 are also provided, respectively, which can push the automatic inflow shutter 61 or the automatic junction shutter 62 into the closed state in an analogous way.

[0103] The base unit 20 in the one shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 comprise four spaces or filter receptacles 30 for filter cartridges 40, 40, 40. In principle, the proposed base unit 20 is flexible. The base unit 20 is expandable. In FIG. 9, five different cases are schematically shown in views a), b), c), d) and e). In accordance with view a), two filter cartridges 40 already arranged in a row adjacent to each other are connected to two further filter cartridges 40 arranged in a row adjacent (marked using dashes). The arrangement according to view (b) corresponds essentially to the arrangement according to view (a), wherein four further filter cartridges 40, 40 are lined up parallel to the four filter cartridges 40, 40 arranged in a row adjacent to each other. According to view c), four filter cartridges 40 are arranged in a 22 block. According to view d), this 22 block of four filter cartridges 40 is supplemented by two more filter cartridges 40 in accordance with view c. In all illustrations in accordance with FIG. 9, the filter cartridges 40, 40 are connected in parallel in their entirety so that, occasionally, filter cartridges 40 can be exchanged or even closed in the manner described without any problems. In the above-mentioned views b), c) and d), the inflow channel 3 is divided into two junctions 3 and 3. In principle, the system is very flexible, since, for example, individual filter cartridges 40 or 40 can be decoupled from the inflow channel 3 or a junction 3 or 3. In an favourable way, this can also be done preferentially without having to stop the entire system and stop the filtering process. The system is also designed to be particularly flexible in accordance with view e), in which the inflow channel 3 is also divided into the two junctions 3 and 3, but this is designed as a ring line.

[0104] In principle, it is possible, but not necessary, for individual filter cartridges 40 to be replaced during operation.

[0105] In the case of oil-water-separating devices 10 with a plurality of filter cartridges 40, 40, 40, identical filter cartridges 40, 40, 40 are preferably used as adjacent filter cartridges.