FILTRATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

An improved filtration system (10) includes a vessel (12) divided into a concentrate chamber (20) and a permeate chamber (22) by a permeable septum (16). An ultrasonic wave generator (30) is mounted to the vessel (12) and positioned to direct ultrasonic waves through both the permeate contained in the permeate chamber (22) and the permeable septum (16). A circulator such as pump or an agitator is operably associated with the concentrate chamber (20) to provide a shearing force on the surface of the permeable septum (16). A vessel inlet port (26) allows concentrate to flow into the concentrate chamber (20) and a permeate outlet port (34) allows permeate to be withdrawn.