Abstract
The present document describes a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow, the media bed filter comprising: a tank having: a top portion; a bottom portion defining a bottom surface for receiving a media bed, the media bed having a supporting media to be disposed on the bottom surface and a filtering media for covering the supporting media, the top portion of the tank being above the filtering media of the media bed; a raw liquid inlet in fluid communication with a nozzle configuration located in the top portion of the tank for providing the raw liquid flow in the tank in the form of a plurality of jets at a directional velocity substantially equal or greater to a disengagement velocity of the filtering media.
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A media bed filter for filtering particulates from a raw liquid flow, said media bed filter comprising: a tank having respective top and bottom portions; a media bed disposed in the tank; said top portion of said tank along with said media bed defining, in the top portion of the tank, a horizontally disposed cross-sectional area above the media bed; a raw liquid inlet to the tank; a plurality of nozzles for directing a flow of the raw liquid; said raw liquid inlet being connected with the plurality of nozzles, and the raw liquid inlet and plurality of nozzles being disposed within the horizontally disposed cross-sectional area above the media bed; said raw liquid inlet and plurality of nozzles being constructed and arranged to direct a flow of raw liquid horizontally over said horizontal cross-sectional area; and a filtered liquid outlet arranged at the tank.
22. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein said media bed has a top surface and said raw liquid inlet includes an elongated raw liquid inlet conduit that extends substantially in parallel with the top surface of the media bed.
23. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein said raw liquid inlet includes an elongated raw liquid inlet conduit that extends substantially horizontally.
24. The media bed filter of claim 23 wherein each of the nozzles extends vertically relative to the elongated raw liquid inlet conduit.
25. The media bed filter of claim 21 including a baffle associated with each nozzle and constructed and arranged under an outlet of the nozzle.
26. The media bed filter of claim 25 wherein the baffle is arranged between the outlet of the nozzle and a top surface of the media bed.
27. The media bed filter of claim 26 wherein the baffle is substantially planar.
28. The media bed filter of claim 27 wherein the substantially planar baffle extends in parallel with the top surface of the media bed.
29. The media bed filter of claim 26 wherein the baffle is in the form of a diverter for redirecting vertical flow through the nozzle to horizontal flow at the baffle and across the top surface of the media bed.
30. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein said tank is cylindrical having a longitudinal center axis that extends horizontally.
31. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein respective nozzles are oriented in opposite direction.
32. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein said nozzles are oriented angularly to a top surface of the media bed.
33. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein said raw liquid inlet includes an elongated raw liquid inlet conduit that extends substantially horizontally, wherein each of the nozzles extends vertically relative to the elongated raw liquid inlet conduit, and wherein an output end of each nozzle is directed horizontally so as to direct the flow of the raw liquid over a top surface of the media bed.
34. The media bed filter of claim 33 wherein the output end of each nozzle is directed in opposite directions.
35. The media bed filter of claim 33 wherein the output end of each nozzle is directed in multiple radial directions.
36. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein said media bed has a top surface and said raw liquid inlet includes an elongated raw liquid inlet conduit that extends substantially in parallel with the top surface of the media bed, and wherein the elongated raw liquid inlet conduit extends over a major length of the tank.
37. The media bed filter of claim 36 wherein an output end of each nozzle is directed horizontally so as to direct the flow of the raw liquid over a top surface of the media bed.
38. The media bed filter of claim 37 wherein the plurality of nozzles is arranged in opposed direction nozzle arrays.
39. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein the filtered liquid outlet is taken from the bottom portion of the tank.
40. The media bed filter of claim 21 further including a control unit for controlling the plurality of nozzles.
41. The media bed filter of claim 40 wherein the control unit controls one of an exit velocity of the plurality of nozzles and an orientation of the plurality of nozzles.
42. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein the plurality of nozzles provide the liquid flow at a horizontal and parallel directional velocity that is substantially equal or greater to a disengagement velocity of the media bed.
43. The media bed filter of claim 21 wherein the plurality of nozzles provide a sweeping action at the surface of the media bed material by means of a plurality of equal flows from the nozzles.
44. A filter tank for filtering particulates from a raw liquid flow, in the form of a media bed filter of the type that includes a supporting media and a filtering media that covers and is supported by the supporting media, said filter tank comprising: a top portion; a bottom portion having a bottom surface for receiving the supporting and filtering media; said top portion of said tank along with said media bed defining an area above a top surface of the media bed; a raw liquid inlet to the tank; a plurality of nozzles for directing a flow of the raw liquid; said raw liquid inlet being connected with the plurality of nozzles so that the raw liquid flow is directed through the raw liquid inlet into the plurality of nozzles; said raw liquid inlet and plurality of nozzles being disposed within the area above the top surface of the media bed; said raw liquid inlet and plurality of nozzles being constructed and arranged to direct a flow of raw liquid in a parallel flow over the top surface of the media bed; and a filtered liquid outlet arranged at the tank.
45. The filter tank of claim 44 wherein the plurality of nozzles extend orthogonal to the raw liquid inlet and in a direction toward the top surface of the media bed.
46. The filter tank of claim 44 including a baffle associated with each nozzle and constructed and arranged under an outlet of each nozzle.
47. The filter tank of claim 46 wherein the baffle is arranged between the outlet of the nozzle and the top surface of the media bed.
48. The filter tank of claim 47 wherein the baffle is substantially planar.
49. The filter tank of claim 48 wherein the substantially planar baffle extends in parallel with the top surface of the media bed.
50. The filter tank of claim 46 wherein the baffle is in the form of a diverter for redirecting vertical flow through the nozzle to horizontal flow at the baffle and across the top surface of the media bed.
51. The filter tank of claim 44 further including a control unit for controlling the plurality of nozzles.
52. The filter tank of claim 51 wherein the control unit controls one of an exit velocity of the plurality of nozzles and an orientation of the plurality of nozzles.
53. The filter tank of claim 44 wherein the plurality of nozzles provide the liquid flow at a horizontal and parallel directional velocity that is substantially equal or greater to a disengagement velocity of the media bed.
54. The filter tank of claim 44 wherein the plurality of nozzles provide a sweeping action at the surface of the media bed material by means of a plurality of equal flows from the nozzles.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0047] FIG. 1A illustrates the media bed of a sand filter in accordance with the prior art;
[0048] FIG. 1B illustrates the media bed of a sand filter in accordance with the prior art;
[0049] FIG. 1C illustrates a sand filter in accordance with the prior art which includes one and only one raw liquid inlet located in the top portion of the tank;
[0050] FIG. 1D illustrates a sand filter in accordance with the prior art which includes one and only one raw liquid inlet located in the top portion of the tank;
[0051] FIG. 1E illustrates a top view of the sand filter of FIG. 1C;
[0052] FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with an embodiment;
[0053] FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the media bed filter of FIG. 2A;
[0054] FIG. 2C is a top plan view of the media bed filter of FIG. 2A;
[0055] FIG. 2D is a side elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 2A;
[0056] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0057] FIG. 3B is another perspective view of the media bed filter of FIG. 3A;
[0058] FIG. 3C is an elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 3A;
[0059] FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the media bed filter of FIG. 3A;
[0060] FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 4B is another perspective view of the media bed filter of FIG. 4A;
[0062] FIG. 4C is an elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 4A;
[0063] FIG. 4D is a top plan view of the media bed filter of FIG. 4A;
[0064] FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0065] FIG. 5B is another perspective view of the media bed filter of FIG. 5A;
[0066] FIG. 5C is an elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 5A;
[0067] FIG. 5D is a top plan view of the media bed filter of FIG. 5A;
[0068] FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0069] FIG. 6B is another perspective view of the media bed filter of FIG. 6A;
[0070] FIG. 6C is an elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 6A;
[0071] FIG. 6D is a top plan view of the media bed filter of FIG. 6A;
[0072] FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0073] FIG. 7B is another perspective view of the media bed filter of FIG. 7A;
[0074] FIG. 7C is an elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 7A;
[0075] FIG. 7D is another elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 7A;
[0076] FIG. 7E is a side elevation view of the media bed filter of FIG. 7A;
[0077] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0078] FIG. 9 is a side view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow showing the supporting media bed as a rigid bed with openings in accordance with another embodiment;
[0079] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0080] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0081] FIG. 12A is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0082] FIG. 12B is a top plan view of the media bed filter of FIG. 12A;
[0083] FIG. 12C is a side plan view of the media bed filter of FIG. 12A;
[0084] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0085] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment, where the tank is an open-tank;
[0086] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment, where the tank is an open-tank;
[0087] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment, where the tank is an open-tank
[0088] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment, where the tank is an open-tank
[0089] FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment, where the tank is an open-tank;
[0090] FIG. 19 is a schematic elevation view of a nozzle configuration of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0091] FIG. 20 is a schematic elevation view of a nozzle configuration of a media bed filter for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in accordance with another embodiment;
[0092] FIG. 21 is a graph showing elution for a media bed filter which includes four nozzles in accordance with another embodiment compared with a media bed filter system which includes one and only one nozzle; and
[0093] FIG. 22 is a graph which illustrates flow speeds (cm/s) of particles of the filtering media according to the diameter of these particles in accordance with another embodiment.
[0094] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0095] In embodiments, there are disclosed media bed filters for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow and method of filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow.
[0096] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly from FIGS. 2A-20, there is shown media bed filters 10 for filtering fine particles (not shown) from a raw liquid flow. The media bed filters 10 each includes a tank 16 which has a top portion 18 and a bottom portion 20. The bottom portion 20 defines a bottom surface 22 for receiving a media bed 24. The media bed 24 includes a supporting media 28 to be disposed on the bottom surface 22 and a filtering media 26 for covering the supporting media 28. It is to be noted, as described above, that the top portion 18 of the tank 16 is being above the filtering media 26 of the media bed 24. The media bed filter 10 further includes a raw liquid inlet 30 in fluid communication with a nozzle configuration 32 which is located in the top portion 18 of the tank 16. The nozzle configuration 32 provides the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets (not shown) at a directional velocity substantially equal or greater to a disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0097] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, 5A-5D, 10, 11, 12A-12C, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, there is shown that the nozzle configuration 32 comprises a plurality of nozzles 33, where each one of the plurality of nozzles 33 is for providing the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 in the form of a respective one of the plurality of jets at the directional velocity towards the filtering media 26.
[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, 5A-5D, 10, 11, 12A-12C, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, there is shown that the plurality of nozzles 33 of the media bed filter 10 are oriented in opposite directions.
[0099] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, 4A-4D, 5A-5D, 6A-6D, 8, 10, 11, 12A-12C and 13), there is shown that the top portion 18 of the tank 16 defines a top portion surface 19 and that the nozzle configuration 32 is oriented for providing the plurality of jets towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This nozzle configuration 32 provides the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0100] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, 3A-3D, 4A-4D, 5A-5D, 6A-6D, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 15-20, there is shown that the nozzle configuration 32 is located above the raw liquid inlet 30 within the top portion 18 of the tank 16 (FIGS. 10 and 13) or located below the raw liquid inlet 30 within the top portion 18 of the tank 16 (FIGS. 2A-2D, 3A-3D, 4A-4D, 5A-5D, 6A-6D, 8, 9, 11 and 15-20).
[0101] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, there is shown that the nozzle configuration 32 of the media bed filter 10 is oriented for providing the plurality of jets perpendicularly towards the filtering media 26 of the media bed 24.
[0102] Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, the media bed filter 10 includes a baffle 90 located in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 and between the nozzle configuration 32 and the filtering media 26. More particularly, the baffle 90 is located substantially above the filtering media 26. This configuration of the nozzle configuration 32 and the baffle 90 provides the raw liquid flow to enter the tank 16 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0103] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, 3A-3D, 6A-6D, 8 and 9, there is shown that the media bed filter 10 includes a plurality of raw liquid inlets 30. Each one of the plurality of raw liquid inlets 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32.
[0104] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, 4A-4D, 5A-5D and 9, there is shown that the nozzle configuration 32 of the media bed filter 10 is oriented in an upward direction for providing the plurality of jets to enter the tank 16 in an upwardly direction and/or oriented in a downwardly direction for providing the plurality of jets to enter the tank 16 in a downwardly direction (FIGS. 3A-3D, 4A-4D, 5A-5D and 9).
[0105] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6D, 7A-7E and 15-20, there is shown that the nozzle configuration 32 of the media bed filter 10 is oriented for providing the plurality of jets horizontally towards the filtering media 26 of the media bed 24. Indeed, the nozzle configuration 32 is located in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 at substantially the same level of the filtering media 26.
[0106] According to an embodiment, the nozzles 33 may define a shape which includes at least one of, without limitation, an elbow-like shape, a straight-like shape, a curved-like shape, a regular polygonal-like shape, a segmented-like shape, an irregular polygonal-like shape, a circular-like shape, an angular-like shape, any combination and the like.
[0107] Referring now to FIGS. 9, 14, 19 and 20, there is shown that the media bed filter 10 includes one or more baffles 90 within the top portion 18 of the tank 16 for receiving the plurality of jets. The configuration of the baffle(s) 90 and of the nozzle configuration 32 thereby provides the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. As shown in FIG. 14, the baffles 90 of the media bed filter 10 are located substantially above the filtering media 26, parallel and laterally distant from each other. Moreover, the plurality of baffles 90 (FIG. 14) are displaceable baffles (i.e., electrically displaceable).
[0108] More particularly and according to an embodiment, FIGS. 2A-2D show a media bed filter 10 which includes two raw liquid inlets 30. Each one of the raw liquid inlets 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configurations 32 are oriented in the same direction and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 24. The nozzles 33 define a curved-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19.
[0109] According to another embodiment, FIGS. 3A-3D show a media bed filter 10 which includes four raw liquid inlets 30. Each one of the raw liquid inlets 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configurations 30 are oriented in the same direction and substantially towards the filtering media 26 of the tank 16 at a specific distance (i.e., a distance such that the plurality of jets will not dig into the filtering media 26) from the filtering media 26. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the filtering media 26 of the tank 16, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. The nozzles 33 define a straight-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the filtering media 26.
[0110] According to another embodiment, FIGS. 4A-4D show a media bed filter 10 which includes one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configuration 32 includes three nozzles 33 which are oriented in opposite directions and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. Since the nozzles 33 are substantially at the same level of the filtering media 26, this configuration may also allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26 when they exit the nozzles 33. The nozzles 33 define an angular-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26.
[0111] According to another embodiment, FIGS. 5A-5D show a media bed filter 10 which includes one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configuration 32 includes two nozzles 33 which are oriented in opposite directions and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. Since the nozzles 33 are substantially at the same level of the filtering media 26, this configuration may also allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26 when they exit the nozzles 33. The nozzles 33 define an angular-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26.
[0112] According to another embodiment, FIGS. 6A-6D show a media bed filter 10 which includes a plurality of raw liquid inlets 30. The raw liquid inlets 30 are in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configurations 32 are oriented in a direction such that it allows the raw liquid flow to circulate within a tank 16 having a donough-like shape. The nozzle configurations 32 are also substantially oriented towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. Since the nozzle configurations 32 are substantially at the same level of the filtering media 26, this configuration may also allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26 when they exit the nozzle configurations 32. The nozzles 33 define a straight-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26.
[0113] According to another embodiment, FIGS. 7A-7E show a media bed filter 10 which includes one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. Since the nozzle configuration 32 is substantially at the same level of the filtering media 26, this configuration may also allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26 when they exit the nozzle configuration 32. The nozzles 33 define a straight-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate along the filtering media 26. It is to be noted that the filtering media 26 that is utilized in this filtering media filter 10 may be recycled via an adapted piping system. It is to be noted that on FIG. 7B, there is shown that the filtering media 26 adopts a longitudinal movement in the tank 16. The filtering media 26 (i.e., micro sand) may be recuperated at the end of the tank 16 via a hydraulic mechanism or a mechanic mechanism (not shown). Thus, the filtering media 26 is brought back to another filtering media inlet.
[0114] According to another embodiment, FIG. 8 shows a media bed filter 10 which includes two raw liquid inlets 30. The raw liquid inlets 30 are in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configurations 32 are oriented in opposite directions and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. The nozzles define an angular-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26.
[0115] According to another embodiment, FIG. 9 shows a media bed filter 10 which includes two raw liquid inlets 30. The raw liquid inlets 30 are in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configurations 32 are oriented in opposite directions and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. The nozzles 33 define an angular-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26. The media bed filter 10 of FIG. 9 also includes two baffles 90 for allowing the filtering media 26 to move in an optimized manner for allowing filtration of the fine particles and venturi portions 80 around at least a portion of the nozzle configurations 32. The venturi portions 80 may recycle the filtering media faster and/or more efficiently (i.e., the venturi portions 80 may optimize recycling of the filtering media 26).
[0116] In FIG. 9, the supporting media 28 is a rigid supporting layer defining openings (i.e., such as a false floor).
[0117] According to another embodiment, FIGS. 10 and 11 shows media bed filters 10 which includes one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configuration 32 includes four upwardly (FIG. 10) or downwardly (FIG. 11) oriented nozzles 33 which are oriented in opposite directions and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. The nozzles 33 define a straight-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26. Additionally, since the nozzle configuration 33 is substantially at the same level of the filtering media 26, this configuration may also allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26 when they exit the nozzle configuration 32.
[0118] According to another embodiment, FIGS. 12A-12C show a media bed filter 10 which includes one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configuration 32 includes two nozzles 33 which are oriented in opposite directions and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. The nozzles 33 define a straight-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26.
[0119] According to another embodiment, FIG. 13 shows a media bed filter 10 which includes one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configuration 32 includes two upwardly oriented nozzles 33 which are oriented in opposite directions and substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the top portion surface 19, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. The nozzles 33 define a straight-like shape for allowing the raw liquid flow to circulate towards the top portion surface 19 and/or the filtering media 26.
[0120] According to another embodiment, FIG. 14 shows a media bed filter 10 which includes an opened tank 16. The media bed filter 10 includes one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle configuration 32. The nozzle configuration 32 is oriented substantially towards the top portion surface 19 of the tank 16. The media bed filter 10 further includes a plurality of baffles 90. Each one of the plurality of baffles 90 are located substantially above the filtering media 26, parallel, and laterally distant from each other. This configuration may allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards the baffles 90 of the tank 16, then to circulate along the baffle walls 91, which thereby allows at least a portion of the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0121] According to other embodiments, FIGS. 15-18 show media bed filters 10 which include one raw liquid inlet 30. The raw liquid inlet 30 is in fluid communication with a plurality of nozzle configurations 32. In FIG. 15, the nozzles 33 are oriented in the same direction and substantially at the same level of the filtering media 26. This configuration may also allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26 when they exit the nozzles 33. In FIGS. 16-18, the nozzles 33 are oriented in opposite directions and substantially at the same level of the filtering media 26. This configuration may also allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26 when they exit the nozzles 33. As further shown in FIG. 15, the nozzles 33 are proximate to the filtering media 26. As shown in FIG. 16, the nozzles 33 are proximate to the filtering media 26 and are arranged in the middle of the tank 16 such as to allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards opposite directions. As shown in FIG. 17, the nozzles 33 are proximate to the filtering media 26 and are arranged in the middle of the tank 16 and along the length of the tank 16 such as to allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards opposite directions and along the length of the tank 16. As shown in FIG. 18, the nozzles 33 are proximate to the filtering media 26 and are arranged in the middle of the tank 16 such as to allow the plurality of jets to circulate towards a plurality of directions (i.e., the nozzle configurations 32 includes circular nozzles 33).
[0122] Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, the media bed filter includes a baffle 90 located in the top portion of the tank and between the nozzle configuration 32 and the filtering media 26. More particularly, the baffle 90 is located substantially above the filtering media 26 for providing the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0123] It is to be noted that the filter media filter 10 as described above includes one or a plurality of a filtered liquid outlets 34. The filtered liquid outlets 34 are located in proximity to the bottom portion 20 of the tank 16 and allow a filtered liquid flow to exit the tank 16. The media bed filter 10 may further include at least one backwash liquid outlet 99 which is located in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 for removing the fines particles from the tank 16 during a backwash sequence. It is to be mentioned that the backwash liquid outlet 99 and the raw liquid inlet 30 may be the same for allowing the raw liquid inlets 30 to provide the plurality of jets in the tank 16 and also to remove the fine particles from the tank 16 during the backwash sequence (FIGS. 2A-2D, 3A-3D, 4A-4D, 5A-5B, 6A-6B, 8, 9, 10, 12A-12B and 13).
[0124] According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for filtering fine particles from a raw liquid flow in a tank 16 supporting a filtering media 26. The method includes the steps of 1-receiving the raw liquid flow with fine particles; and 2-providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets at a directional velocity substantially equal or greater to a disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0125] According to another embodiment, the step of providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets comprises the step of providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets oriented in opposite directions, thereby providing the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0126] According to another embodiment, the step of the providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets comprises the step of providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets towards a top portion surface 19 of the tank 16, thereby providing the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0127] According to another embodiment, the step of providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets comprises the step of providing the plurality of jets perpendicularly towards the filtering media 26 of the media bed 24.
[0128] According to a further embodiment, the step of the providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets comprises the step of providing the raw liquid flow in the top portion 18 of the tank 16 in the form of a plurality of jets at substantially the same level of the filtering media 26, thereby providing the raw liquid flow in the tank 16 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26.
[0129] It is also to be noted that these configurations of the media bed filters 10 may provide a surface filtration which keeps the fine particles above the filtering media 26 of the media bed 24 without exposing the supporting media 28. It is to be noted that the filtering media 26 is returning more rapidly towards the bottom portion 20 of the tank 16 than the fine particles themselves for allowing an optimized filtration of the raw liquid flow and to allow suspension of the fine particles to facilitate their removal. The media bed filters 10 as described above further allow a suspension of a part of the fine particles which are removed from the tank 16 during the backwash sequence.
[0130] According to an embodiment, the media bed 24 may include a supporting media 28 at the bottom surface 22 of the tank 16 for supporting the filtering media 26. It is to be noted that the supporting media 28 is below the filtering media 26. Additionally, the filtering media 26 and the supporting media 28 may each comprise an aggregate material. The aggregate material may be included in the group consisting of, without limitation, a rock material, a mesh particles material, a sand material, a course sand material, a fine sand material, a river sand, a garnet material (i.e., density of 4 for example), any combination of material and the like. It is to be noted that the sphericity of the filtering media 26 and of the supporting media 28 may be important for providing an improved filtration of the fine particles within the raw liquid flow. The supporting media 28 may include a plurality of supporting media layers (not shown). The plurality of supporting media layers is disposed in layers from the bottom surface 22 of the tank 16 and with the coarser supporting media layer at the bottom surface 22 of the tank 16. For example, a supporting media layer having a smaller diameter would be layered above another supporting media layer having a wider diameter. The filtering media 26 of the media bed 24 may comprise 0.15 mm silica sand (effective size). For example, the media bed filter 10 may include two supporting media layers of different materials.
[0131] It is to be noted that the media bed filter 10 may filter fine particles down to submicron (about 0.25 micron-1 micron) and keep them above the media bed 24 (i.e., at least in part) and in the tank 16. It is also to be noted that the media bed filter 10 may use fine media (i.e., or granular media) less than 0.3 mm for allowing filtering particles down to less than one micron, 0.5 microns for example.
[0132] According to an embodiment, the tank 16 may define a vertical axis, an horizontal axis, a combination of axis or any other axis. Also, the tank 16 may define one of, without limitation, a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, a regular polygonal prismatic shape, an irregular polygonal prismatic shape, an open tank shape, a doughnut-like shape, any combination, and the like.
[0133] According to another embodiment, the media bed filter 10 may further include a control unit (not shown) for electrically controlling one of the velocity of the plurality of jets exiting the nozzle configurations 32 and the orientation of the nozzle configurations 32 and the raw liquid inlets 30. It is to be mentioned that other parameter within or outside the tank 16 may be controlled via the control unit of the media bed filter 10.
[0134] Most preferably, the raw fluid flow to be filtered is a raw water flow, but it can be any other raw fluid flow depending on the application of the filtration. For instance, the media bed filter 10 may be used, without limitations, in chilled and hot water loops, in condensate return, in cooling tower make up, in iron removal, in water and wastewater treatment applications, in ion exchange resin pre-filtration, in membrane pre-filtration, in post clarifier discharge, in potable water treatments, in beverage treatments, in process rinse water, in process water intake, water reuse, welder water loops, and the like.
[0135] According to another embodiment, the velocity and the disengagement velocity may be in the range of 0.4 to 1.6 ft/s or greater depending on the disengagement velocity of the utilized filtering media 26 of the media bed 24.
[0136] The media bed filters 10 described above provide the raw liquid flow to circulate towards to filtering media 26 at a parallel velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26. As a result, the filtering media 26 of the media bed 24 can be used without clogging rapidly the media bed 24, and the filtered fluid flow which may be largely free of impurities, is then filtered through the media bed 24 and subsequently collected. Contaminants trapped above the media bed 24 may be removed using an automatic backwash sequence, which requires less water and a shorter operating time. The backwash time is therefore half of the normal time. The media bed filters 10 can remove down to sub-micron levels at 5 times the flow rate of other media filters, while requiring 50% less water during backwash sequences.
[0137] It is to be noted that the media bed filters 10 as described above may provide with a better utilization of the surface area of the filtering media 26 and with a larger surface of filtration (i.e., since the nozzle configurations 32 allow the plurality of jets to circulate at a directional velocity substantially equal or greater to the disengagement velocity of the filtering media 26). The flow of raw liquid entering the media bed filter 10 may then be improved and/or optimized and the slope of the media bed 24 would be reduced compared to the one created during filtration within a traditional media bed filter (i.e., a slope having an angle of about 40 and over for a traditional media bed filter compared to a slope having an angle of about less than 30 for the media bed filters 10 as described above).
[0138] The media bed filters (i.e., crossflow media bed filters) as described above use nozzle configurations (i.e., injector designs) which sweeps actively the whole surface of the filtering media (i.e., microsand) for wich a portion is put in suspension in the raw liquid (i.e., water) above the filtering media. The filtering media (i.e., microsand) settles back on the filtration surface faster than the fine particles to be removed from the tank of the media bed filter. This surface sweeping action effect keeps the surface filtering media from plugging quickly and keeps a portion of the fine particles to be removed in the water above the filtering media. The nozzles or injectors are located and designed within the tank such as to allow for the returning filtering media (i.e., microsand) to settle back on the surface in an evenly manner, thereby avoiding the traditional slope found in larger traditional vortex bed filters. This concept allows for a greater efficiency and avoids hydraulic short-circuiting in the media bed. The surface of the filtering media (i.e., microsand) of the media bed filters as described above has minimal deformation with riddles at its surface instead of the traditional slope created by the traditional injector design.
[0139] The present invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following examples which are given to illustrate the invention rather than to limit its scope.
EXAMPLE 1
[0140] Surfaces and angles depending on the diameter of the tank
[0141] The media bed filter may define different angles of the filtering media depending on their diameter. For example, the angle of a 30 tank at its nominal raw water flow and water velocity injection is 40.
[0142] The media bed filter and method may be applied in different size and shape of tanks with the numbers of nozzles and media bed adapted to the tank condition and the filtration area. The media bed filter has to reflect the water velocity at the filtration surface. The media bed filter may use a 0.15 mm sand particle horizontal critic speed at a density of about 2,65 to adjust the process. The critical speed (i.e., the disengagement velocity), at the filtration surface for the actual models, are in the range of 0.4 to 1.2 ft/s.
EXAMPLE 2
Supporting Media Bed for 20 Tank
[0143] The supporting media bed may consist of several layers (Media from bags). After installing a layer, it must be leveled and compacted before to proceed to the next layer: (A bag of 50 lbs. has a volume of 0.5 ft.sup.3) [0144] Layer 1: Rock, 2 bags 1 ft.sup.3 [0145] Layer 2: Rock, 1 bag 0.5 ft.sup.3 [0146] Layer 3: 20 mesh (1 mm), 1 bag 0.5 ft.sup.3 [0147] Layer 4: Course sand #40 (0.50 mm), 2 bags 1 ft.sup.3 [0148] Layer 5: Fine sand #70 (0.15 mm), up to 6 below the upper raw liquid inlet, 3 bags 1.5 ft.sup.3
EXAMPLE 3
[0149]
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Performance of different media bed filters in relation with the nozzle configuration, the inlet flow rate and the kaolin concentration 1-2 m Inlet Outlet average Injector Freeboard Flow Flow P start P End Kaolin Concentration Concentration Removal Configuration (inch) (gpm) (m.sup.3/h) (psi) (psi) (kg) Dosage Type (mg/L) (mg/L) Performance Prior Art - 1 inj. 7.5 300 68 3 5 1 slug 140 71 49% Prior Art - 1 inj. 7.5 300 68 4 4.5 1 slug 185 77 58% Prior Art - 1 inj. 7.5 300 68 3.5 5 2 slug 319 146 54% Prior Art Traditionnal 7.25 300 68 7.5 9.5 1 slug 186 69 63% 3 7.25 300 68 7 13 8 interval 3 7.25 300 68 7.5 12.5 4 interval 4 down 7.25 300 68 7.5 9 1 slug 224 81 82% 4 down 7.25 300 68 7.5 9.5 1 slug 206 49 76% 4 up 7.25 300 68 8.5 13.5 4 interval 4 up 7.25 300 68 8.25 10.25 1 slug 251 57 77% 4 up 7.25 300 68 8.5 11 2 slug 404 150 63% 4 up 7.25 300 68 7.75 9.25 1 slug 193 69 64% 4 up 7.5 350 79 7 8.5 1 slug 163 55 66% 4 up 7.5 300 68 6 13.5 6 slug 1058 478 55% 4 up 7.5 360 82 8.5 10.5 1.2 slug 250 60 76% 4 up 7.5 360 82 8 10 1 slug 191 37 81% 4 up 7.5 400 91 9 11 1 slug 203 53 74% 4 up 7.5 400 91 10.5 13 1 slug 235 41 83% * Performance of the media bed filter = (Concentration of fine particles IN Concentration of fine particles OUT)/Concentration of fine particles IN
[0150] Referring now to Table 1 above, there is shown that the performance of a media bed filter is increased when the configuration of the media bed filter includes four nozzles (i.e., 4 up) oriented in an upwardly direction within the tank and when the flow rate is increased (i.e., up to a performance of 83% when the flow rate reaches 400gpm) (FIGS. 10 and 11).
[0151] FIG. 21 is a graph showing elution for a media bed filter which includes four nozzles in accordance with another embodiment compared with a media bed filter system which includes one and only one nozzle.
[0152] FIG. 22 is a graph which illustrates flow speeds (cm/s) of particles of the filtering media according to the diameter of these particles in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 18 may be used to establish the disengagement velocity of the filtering media which covers the supporting media.
[0153] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.
