Methods of operating a filtering apparatus

Abstract

Methods for operating a device for filtering a gas stream, having a vessel partitioned into a first stage and a second stage, with an opening between stages. A filter element is positioned in the opening, with ends of the filter element extending into the first and second stages. The first member is removable from the second member while the filter element is positioned in the opening, to allow for replacement with a new clean member.

1 . A method of operating a filtering apparatus, wherein the filtering apparatus comprises a vessel having a partition dividing the vessel into a first stage and a second stage, wherein the partition defines an opening providing liquid communication between the stages, a riser extending from the opening, said riser having a first end with a straight portion and a second end with a flared portion, with the straight portion positioned nearer the opening than the flared portion, and further comprises a filter element positioned in the riser comprising a first member having a first connection end and a first filtering characteristic and a second member having a second connection end and a second filtering characteristic, wherein the first and second members are connected by a connection system in which the first connection end and the second connection end form a mating pair to provide the connection, with the second connection end defining a first groove extending circumferentially around the second connection end with a first seal member residing in the first groove, wherein at least a portion of the second connection end is positioned in the riser with the first seal member engaging the straight portion of the riser, wherein at least a portion of the first member extends toward the first stage, wherein at least a portion of the second member extends toward the second stage, and wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are the same or different, the method comprising:
 Separating the first member from the second member, while the filter element is positioned in the riser, thereby leaving at least a portion of the second member extending into the second stage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, connecting a replacement member to the second member, while at least a portion of the second member extends into the second stage. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connection ends form a mating pair by at least one of snapping, bolting, friction fitting, interlocking, engaging, coupling, hook/looping, adhering, adhesion with a time released adhesive, adhesion with a solvent releasing adhesive, magnetic coupling, locking, and threadably engaging. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second connection end defines a second groove extending circumferentially around the second connection end with a second seal member residing in the first groove, wherein at least a portion of the second connection end is positioned in the riser with the second seal member engaging the straight portion of the riser or the flared portion of the riser. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second seal member engages the flared portion of the riser. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second seal member engages the straight portion of the riser. 
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a filtering apparatus, wherein the filtering apparatus comprises a vessel having a partition dividing the vessel into a first stage and a second stage, wherein the partition defines an opening providing liquid communication between the stages, a riser extending from the opening, said riser having a first end with a straight portion and a second end with a flared portion, with the straight portion positioned nearer the opening than the flared portion, and further comprises a filter element positioned in the riser comprising a first member having a first end and a first filtering characteristic and a second member having a second connection end and a second filtering characteristic, wherein the first and second members are connected by a connection system in which the first connection end and the second connection end engage to provide the connection, with the second connection end defining a first groove extending circumferentially around the second connection end with a first seal member residing in the first groove, wherein at least a portion of the second connection end is positioned in the riser with the first seal member engaging the straight portion of the riser, wherein at least a portion of the first member extends toward the first stage, wherein at least a portion of the second member extends toward the second stage, and wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are the same or different, the method comprising:
 Replacing the first member with a replacement member.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second connection ends form a mating pair by at least one of snapping, bolting, friction fitting, interlocking, engaging, coupling, hook/looping, adhering, adhesion with a time released adhesive, adhesion with a solvent releasing adhesive, magnetic coupling, locking, and threadably engaging. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second connection end defines a second groove extending circumferentially around the second connection end with a second seal member residing in the second groove, wherein at least a portion of the second connection end is positioned in the riser with the second seal member engaging the straight portion of the riser or the flared portion of the riser. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the second seal member engages the flared portion of the riser. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second seal member engages the straight portion of the riser.