Fluid separation devices

Abstract

Filters, catalytic converters and the like, for separating particulate matter and/or other constituents from a stream of gas or liquid so arranged that substantially all of the fluid passing through the filter must pass through separation material which permits the passage of the fluid therethrough while separating out and retaining the selected substances. Continuums of material are arranged parallel to each other in planar arrays, with periodic spacings between the continuums in each array. Such arrays are superimposed to form a 'laminated' grouping, with each continuum in each array angularly oriented with respect to and in contact with the continuums in each next adjacent array which that continuum crosses. Internal distribution paths for the fluid thereby formed by the spacings between the continuums include passageways which extend laterally within each layer and cross-array or translaminar distribution channels produced by aggregations of intersecting paths of the lateral array channels. Selected translaminar channels are adapted as ingress channels, and others as egress channels. The translaminar channels are either left void, or occupied by separation material, or occupied by blocking material so that flow paths are created via which the fluid exiting the device has to have first passed through separation material. The flow paths may include selected among said ingress and egress channels, and separation material that forms either the contents of cross-array channels or that from which said continuums are formed, or both.