METHOD OF PREPARING AND MAINTAINING A WET FILTER

摘要

A wet filter which will not foul washing facilities and plumbing systems, and which will not introduce harmful substances into the environment. The filtering element (10), which may be a resilient open cell foam material or a woven fabric, is coated with a mixture (12) of oil and a tackifying agent. The oil is preferably a vegetable oil, and the tackifying agent is preferably a dimer acid. The oil and acid are mixed in a volatile carrier, such as ninety-nine percent pure isopropyl alcohol. Preferred proportions are fifty percent dimer acid and ten percent vegetable oil, by volume. The filter is saturated in the mixture. The alcohol is permitted to evaporate, thereby leaving the foam filter thinly yet fully coated with oil and acid. The filter may be washed in water and detergent for renewal. Preferably, a biodegradable detergent mixed with an alkaline substance such as soda ash is employed in washing the filter. Although, tackified oil is water resistant, the disclosed detergent enables a suitable dispersal when water washing. After washing, the filter may be treated with new oil and acid mixture, allowed to dry, and reused.