Method and apparatus for testing the integrity of filter elements
First Claim
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1. A method of testing the integrity of filter elements in a filter assembly comprising a plurality of filter elements which are subdivided into a plurality of sections, said method comprising the steps:
- a) wetting a filter material of said plurality of filter elements;
b) subjecting the filter elements with wetted filter material to a gas pressure;
c) measuring a bulk gas flow rate through the wetted filter material of all of said plurality of filter elements;
d) determining whether the measured bulk gas flow rate deviates from a first desired flow rate by an amount within a first preset range, wherein a deviation within said preset range indicates that all filter elements are intact;
e) closing gas passage through at least one section of filter elements containing a portion of said plurality of filter elements;
f) measuring a bulk gas flow rate through the wetted filter material of filter elements disposed in remaining sections open to gas passage;
g) determining whether the measured bulk gas flow rate of step f) deviates from a second desired flow rate corresponding to the number of filter elements disposed in remaining sections open to gas passage by an amount within a second preset range, wherein a deviation of the measured bulk gas flow rate of step f) from a second desired flow rate within the second preset range indicates that one or more of the filter elements in said at least one section of step e) is not intact.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for testing the integrity of filter elements is provided. The filter assembly comprises a plurality of filter elements which are subdivided into a plurality of sections. By measuring the gas flow rate under known pressure conditions through all of the sections or a selected portion of the sections, defective filter elements can be isolated in a systematic manner.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of testing the integrity of filter elements in a filter assembly comprising a plurality of filter elements which are subdivided into a plurality of sections, said method comprising the steps:
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a) wetting a filter material of said plurality of filter elements; b) subjecting the filter elements with wetted filter material to a gas pressure; c) measuring a bulk gas flow rate through the wetted filter material of all of said plurality of filter elements; d) determining whether the measured bulk gas flow rate deviates from a first desired flow rate by an amount within a first preset range, wherein a deviation within said preset range indicates that all filter elements are intact; e) closing gas passage through at least one section of filter elements containing a portion of said plurality of filter elements; f) measuring a bulk gas flow rate through the wetted filter material of filter elements disposed in remaining sections open to gas passage; g) determining whether the measured bulk gas flow rate of step f) deviates from a second desired flow rate corresponding to the number of filter elements disposed in remaining sections open to gas passage by an amount within a second preset range, wherein a deviation of the measured bulk gas flow rate of step f) from a second desired flow rate within the second preset range indicates that one or more of the filter elements in said at least one section of step e) is not intact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of testing the integrity of filter elements in a filter assembly comprising a plurality of filter elements which are subdivided into a plurality of sections, said method comprising:
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a) subjecting the filter elements to a gas pressure; b) measuring a parameter indicative of integrity of the plurality of filter elements; c) determining whether the measured parameter deviates from a first desired parameter by an amount within a first preset range, wherein a deviation within the preset range indicates that the filter elements are intact; d) closing gas passage through at least one section of filter elements; e) measuring a parameter indicative of integrity of the filter elements disposed in remaining sections open to gas passage; and f) determining whether the measured parameter of step e) deviates from a second desired parameter corresponding to the number of filter elements disposed in remaining sections open to gas passage by an amount within a second preset range, wherein a deviation of the measured parameter of step e) from a second desired parameter within the second preset range indicates that one or more of the filter elements in said at least one section of step d) is not intact. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification