EP0506639A1 — A method and apparatus for thickening fine particle suspensions

USPTO Abstract

The invention relates to a method for thickening and clarifying fine particle suspensions, wherein the suspensions are thickened and clarified in combination with a back-pulse filtration process. The method is characterized by partially submerging one or more filter modules in the fine particle suspension concerned, in open vessels or reservoirs. The suspension is backpulse filtered in these open vessels or reservoirs with the aid of the filter modules. The invention also relates to a filter module which includes one or more parallel working, vertical hollow-tubular filters, and a device for delivering liquid and optionally air to the filter module and removing the liquid and air therefrom during filter operation, this device being common to all filters. The filter module is characterized in that the filters are mounted in a plate and that the plate is covered by an easily opened lid which, when closed, seals against the plate. The lid also includes connectors through which liquid and air are delivered to and removed from the module.