Abstract:
An inertia filter is provided in which a high velocity flow of influent fluid is directed along the surface of the filter via a flow injector at a minimum velocity head loss of at least 2 psi across the flow injector. The inertia filter is positioned in a housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet such that part if not all flow from the inlet to the outlet must pass through the inertia filter, and all flow to the outlet must pass through the inertia filter or another filter. The flow injector constrains and directs the flow at a selected surface portion of the inertia filter at high velocity of at least 20 ft./sec., in a manner to maintain an inertial flow component along the surface of the filter, to retain particles in the fluid and inhibit the lodging of particles on the filter surface. A sump is preferably provided in the housing to retain and collect contaminant particles swept along and off the surface of the filter, if the inertia filter is the only filter, but a sump is not needed if supplemental filters are provided in addition to the inertia filter.