Portable particulate filtering system and method

Abstract

A filtering system capable of removing particulates from a water slurry is disclosed. The filtering system comprises a base plate, the base plate comprising a sealing surface and a slurry inlet. A flexible vessel is configured to seal to the sealing surface, and an interior cavity, wherein the flexible vessel is formed of a flexible filtering material capable of retaining particulates. The flexible vessel permits liquid entering through the slurry inlet to pass through the filtering material and is capable of withstanding an internal pressure sufficient to form a particulate cake without rupturing the flexible vessel. A sealing system is provided for retaining an upper portion of the flexible vessel against the sealing surface. The filtering system may be part of a portable system that includes a cart, hoses, piping, a pneumatic pump and a control panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filtering device capable of removing particulates from a water slurry, comprising:
 a base plate, the base plate comprising a lower sealing surface and a slurry inlet extending therethrough;   a flexible filtering vessel configured to be removably fixed to and sealed against the lower sealing surface of the base plate, and further comprising an interior cavity, wherein the flexible vessel is formed of a flexible filtering material capable of retaining particulates within the interior cavity, permitting liquid entering through the slurry inlet to pass through the filtering material and withstanding an internal pressure sufficient to form a particulate cake without rupturing the flexible vessel; and   a mounting and liquid sealing system for retaining an upper portion of the flexible filtering vessel against the sealing surface during a filtering operation.   
     
     
         2 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible vessel is tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible vessel is conical. 
     
     
         4 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the filtering material has air permeability between 2 and 4 cfm. 
     
     
         5 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing surface and filtering material are capable of withstanding an internal pressure of up to 120 psi. 
     
     
         6 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower sealing surface of the base plate comprises an outer annular ring. 
     
     
         7 . The filtering system of  claim 6 , wherein the sealing system comprises a circumferential clamp of a size that sits within the annular ring. 
     
     
         8 . The filtering system of  claim 7 , wherein an upper edge of the flexible vessel is positioned between the annular ring and the clamp. 
     
     
         9 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower sealing surface of the base plate has an outer frustoconical sealing surface. 
     
     
         10 . The filtering system of  claim 9 , and further comprising a mounting and sealing structure comprising a ring with an inner frustocoincal sealing surface that cooperates with the outer frustoconical sealing surface of the base plate to trap an upper edge of the flexible filtering vessel to retain the flexible filtering vessel against the base plate and to form a liquid seal under pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The filtering system of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible vessel is conical in shape, and wherein an angle formed between the vertical and an outer surface of the exterior wall is at least 15 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible filtering vessel has an integrated handle in a lower end. 
     
     
         13 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , and further comprising an exterior splash guard. 
     
     
         14 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , and further comprising an exterior tank wall surrounding an exterior surface of the flexible vessel, comprising a clean water outlet and a sealing surface for sealing against a lower surface of the base plate. 
     
     
         15 . The filtering system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible vessel is formed from two thicknesses of filter material, and wherein the edges are machine sewn into a wall of the flexible vessel. 
     
     
         16 . A filtering device for removing particulates from waste water, comprising:
 a base plate, the base plate including a waste water inlet, wherein the base plate has a lower sealing surface of an annular outer frustoconical shape adapted for contacting an upper edge of an inner surface of a flexible filtering vessel;   a flexible filtering vessel formed of flexible filtering material, the vessel having a conical shape, wherein the upper edge is adapted to contact the lower sealing surface of the base plate, and wherein the flexible filtering material has pores of a size sufficient to allow liquid to pass through the material but to prevent particulates of a specified size from passing through the material, permitting particulates to accumulate on an inner surface;   a mounting and sealing structure comprising a retaining ring with an inner frusoconical surface adapted to contact an outer surface of the upper edge of the flexible filtering vessel; and   the mounting and sealing structure further comprising a plurality of fasteners adapted to draw and hold the retaining ring and the top plate together, trapping an upper edge of the flexible filtering vessel therebetween, forming a liquid seal.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the filtering vessel is able to withstand a pressure of up to 120 psi without rupturing the filtering vessel. 
     
     
         18 . A portable filtration system for treating a slurry of water with particulates, comprising;
 a cart configured to retain and transport the filtration system;   a pneumatic slurry pump mounted to the cart, the slurry pump having a slurry inlet, a slurry outlet and a pressurized air inlet;   a base plate mounted to the cart, the base plate having a liquid inlet for receiving liquid from the slurry pump outlet;   a flexible filtering vessel affixed to a lower sealing surface of the base plate; and   a mounting and sealing structure for mounting the flexible filtering vessel to the base plate and sealing an upper edge of the flexible filtering vessel to the base plate,   wherein the flexible filtering vessel is mounted at a height sufficient to permit water that passes through the flexible filtering vessel to fall into a clean water capture system.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cart has an upright support frame, a handle, a base, and wheels mounted to a rotatable axle mounted to a portion of the frame spaced apart from the base. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  and further comprising a control panel, the control panel comprising a control for controlling a desired maximum pressure and a pressure gauge for measuring pressure within the flexible filtering vessel during operation.