Filtration system

Abstract

A filtration system is provided that directs a fluid to be filtered through a disposable tubular filtration element, supports the filtration element, and accommodates for 'wet growth' of the filtration element. The system operates with an inside-to-outside forced fluid flow through the filtration element and includes a generally cylindrical housing with a fluid inlet and outlet. A perforated outer support screen is mounted within the housing and surrounds the walls of the tubular filtration element with slight clearance. Under the influence of the fluid pressure and the wet growth, the walls of the filtration element bear against the screen. A sealing and support assembly having upstream and downstream fluid guides, each carrying, in a preferred form, a pair of resilient sealing members, is positioned inside the filtration element. A rigid inner member bridges the opposing faces of the resilient member pairs. A rod and nut arrangement draws the flow guides towards one another to apply a longitudinal compressive force on the resilient members caught between a flange on the flow guides and the rigid inner member. This compressive force deforms the resilient members in a radially outward direction to seal the filtration element to the housing and isolate the filtered fluid. In a preferred form, the adjacent faces of each pair of resilient members are aligned with the interior edge of an impregnated end portion of the filtration element. In addition, a tubular prefiltration element may be positioned inside the rigid inner member.