The hydrofilter has been invented and realized in order to achieve an economical filtering system of liquids containing particles which must be separated (and disposed of).
The filtering consists in the fact to deliver a liquid containing a suspension of a quantity of solid particles on to a liquid permeable surface, called filter, on to which they collect and amass themselves, so as to form a deposit. The size of the filter weft depends on the size of the particles to be retained.
From the literature different types of filters are known.
For our objects, we have evaluated the use of a continuous rotary system.
The greater advantage obtained with these filters with respect to those operating under pressure is constituted by :
- the continuity of the operation, involving a considerable labour saving,
- the regular and automatic operation,
- less consumption of filtering cloths (almost null).
In the filter object of our invention there have been eliminated all the components giving rise to operative complications, by simplifying at the utmost the operation aiming to achieve the highest operative effectiveness and management saving. The filter is composed of a drum, the outer surface of which is made with a filtering net suitable for the kind of material to be retained. This drum is rotated by a suitable mechanism. The rotation speed will be selected experimentally.
Operation : the fluid to be retained, for example water, is admitted through a conduit in the drum interior by means of a side opening. The water is filtered by gravity.
The retained sediments are displaced by the water continuously outward and upward, owing to the drum rotary motion, so as water is let to drip. At this point, the sediments may be collected. The simpler method is that to remove them by blowing directly from the outside inwards the filter. The position of the blowing device will depend on the adhering characteristics of the sediments to the filter. These materials removed by blowing will be conveyed by a hopper located in the interior of the rotating drum, and provided with a discharge directed outward, so that the discharged materials will be collected into a proper container for being subsequently disposed of.