Claims
- 1. A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid comprising:
a housing; a particulate filter contained in the housing; an acid-neutralizing filter contained in the housing; and a conduit contained in the housing, the conduit including a pressure reduction section; wherein the pressure reduction section is arranged to create a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter such that a portion of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the acid-neutralizing filter.
- 2. The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction section includes either a thin-plate orifice, a long radius nozzle, a Dall nozzle, or a venturi.
- 3. The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi.
- 4. The filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of between about 0.5 inches and 1.25 inches.
- 5. The filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of about 0.75 inches.
- 6. The filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one passageway passes though the wall of the pressure reduction section of the conduit.
- 7. The filter apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of between about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in diameter.
- 8. The filter apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of about 0.2 inches.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inside diameter of the upstream end and downstream end of the conduit is between about 0.7 to about 1.5 inches.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the inside diameter of the upstream end and the downstream end of the conduit is about 1.25 inches.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the acid-neutralizing filter contains an acid-neutralizing compound.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound is selected from the group consisting of crushed limestone, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate.
- 13. A filter apparatus for use in removing impurities and acids contained in a fluid by filtration comprising:
a housing; a particulate filter; an acid-neutralizing filter; and a conduit which includes a pressure reduction section in the form of a venturi, the conduit including at least one passageway through a wall of the conduit at the venturi; whereby the filter apparatus is arranged such that:
a. the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus flows into the housing; b. less than 100% of the fluid entering the housing passes through the particulate filter; c. wherein the fluid entering the apparatus and not passing through the particulate filter is drawn through the acid-neutralizing filter; and d. wherein the fluid drawn through the acid-neutralizing filter flows into the conduit and mixes with the fluid filtered by the particulate filter.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the acid-neutralizing filter contains an acid-neutralizing compound.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound is selected from the group consisting of crushed limestone, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein about 90% to about 97% of the fluid entering the apparatus passes through the particulate filter.
- 17. A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid by filtration comprising:
a housing; a particulate filter contained in the housing, the housing and the particulate filter arranged such that from about 90% to about 97% of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the particulate filter; an acid-neutralizing filter arranged such that about 3% to about 10% of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the acid-neutralizing filter; and a base plate comprising a threaded central passage and one or more ports.
- 18. The filter apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the acid-neutralizing filter contains an acid-neutralizing compound selected from the group consisting of crushed limestone, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate.
- 19. A method of removing impurities contained in a fluid by filtration, the method comprising:
(a) introducing a fluid to a filtering apparatus comprising a particulate filter and a acid-neutralizing filter; (b) filtering a first portion of the fluid with the particulate filter; (c) creating a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter whereby a second portion of the fluid is drawn through the acid-neutralizing filter.
- 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure differential results from the first portion of the fluid passing through the particulate filter and subsequently passing through a conduit including a pressure reduction section and wherein the fluid passing through the pressure reduction section creates a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter resulting in the second portion of fluid passing through the acid-neutralizing filter.
- 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a thin-plate orifice, a long radius nozzle, a Dall nozzle, or a venturi
- 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi.
- 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the acid-neutralizing filter contains an acid-neutralizing compound.
- 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound is selected from the group consisting of crushed limestone, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate.
- 25. The method of claim 20 wherein the fluid passing through the acid-neutralizing filter passes through a second particulate filter before entering the conduit.
- 26. The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acid-neutralizing filter includes a second particulate filter.
- 27. The filter apparatus of claim 13, wherein the acid-neutralizing filter includes a second particulate filter.
- 28. The filter apparatus of claim 17, wherein the acid-neutralizing filter includes a second particulate filter.
- 29. An acid-neutralizing canister comprising
a shell; acid-neutralizing compound; a particulate filter; and a conduit within the shell having a pressure reduction section, the acid-neutralizing compound and particulate filter located concentrically around the conduit
- 30. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 29, wherein at least one end of the conduit is joined to said shell in a sealed relationship.
- 31. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 29, wherein the conduit is integrally formed with said shell.
- 32. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 29, further comprising a lid which engages an open end of the shell.
- 33. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 32, wherein the lid snaps into engagement with the shell.
- 34. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 29, wherein the pressure reduction section is in the form of a venturi and wherein one or more ports is located at the throat of the venturi.
- 35. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 29, wherein the particulate filter includes first and second end caps, filter media positioned between the end caps, a perforated inner liner, and first and second seals for sealingly engaging the conduit.
- 36. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 32, wherein the lid includes an outer seal for sealingly engaging the interior of the shell.
- 37. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 32, wherein the lid further includes a central passageway including a horn-shaped extension.
- 38. The acid-neutralizing canister according to claim 29, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound is selected from the group consisting of crushed limestone, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application No. 09/487,126, filed Jan. 19, 2000, pending.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09487126 |
Jan 2000 |
US |
Child |
09859843 |
May 2001 |
US |