Method of filtration using semifluidized beds

摘要

A methfd of filtering fine solids from a fluid (gas or liquid) flowing upwardly through a chamber containing a semifluidized bed of discrete filter particles. During a filtering operation, the upper or packed section of the bed is immobilized by a porous retainer at the top of the chamber and, as the operation proceeds, the packed bed section gradually expands downwardly, and the fluidized bed section below it progressively decreases in size, thereby extending the duration of the filtration run and yielding a more uniform distribution of solids throughout the filter medium.