Filter apparatus backwash removal device and backwash removal method

1. A method for removing backwash fluid and solids from a filter apparatus with circulating compressible filter media during backwash comprising:

directing air in a filter apparatus to circulate an uncompressed bed of compressible filter media and to elevate a localized portion of air-elevated backwash fluid to a highest level above a lower fluid surface level and through a partition near the top of a filter apparatus; and

directing backwash fluid and solids away from re-entering the partition by receiving air-elevated backwash fluid from the localized portion of backwash fluid in at least one conveyance, comprising a trough, the trough being contiguous to and in contact with the localized portion of the air-elevated backwash fluid for capturing the air-elevated backwash fluid, the trough being adjacent to and positioned above the partition, and the trough being in fluid communications between at least one opening in the partition and with an outlet.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising conveying backwash fluid away from the at least one opening in the partition.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the one or more conveyances include at least one trough, and further comprising conveying backwash fluid in the at least one trough.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising directing airflow through the filter apparatus to circulate loose media and cause backwash fluid to elevate and exit the partition.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the conveyance includes one or more troughs at least partially surrounding and contiguous to the air-elevated backwash fluid and extending away from the center of the partition and the air-elevated backwash fluid.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising directing airflow through the filter apparatus to circulate loose media and cause backwash fluid to elevate and exit the partition.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising one or more troughs extending outward from the at least one opening in the partition and toward a periphery of the filter apparatus.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more conveyances include at least one trough, and further comprising conveying backwash fluid in the at least one trough.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising directing airflow through the filter apparatus to circulate loose media and cause backwash fluid to elevate and exit the partition.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing airflow through the filter apparatus to circulate loose media and cause backwash fluid to elevate and exit the partition.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising circulating one or more bundles of filter media and conveying particulate separated from the filter media and in the elevated backwash fluid away from re-entering the partition.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising scrubbing particulate out of the filter media and conveying particulate in the elevated backwash fluid away from re-entering the partition.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising re-supplying backwash fluid with a make-up fluid source.

14. A method for removing backwash fluid and solids from a filter apparatus with circulating compressible filter media during backwash comprising:

circulating an uncompressed bed of individual bundles of loose, compressible filter media in the filter apparatus to remove solids from the filter media;

directing air in the filter apparatus to elevate a localized portion of air-elevated backwash fluid to a highest level above a lower fluid surface level and through a partition retaining the filter media in the filter apparatus; and

directing backwash fluid and the solids away from re-entering the partition by receiving air-elevated backwash fluid from the localized portion of backwash fluid in at least one conveyance, comprising a trough, the trough being contiguous to and in contact with the localized portion of the air-elevated backwash fluid for capturing the air-elevated backwash fluid, the trough being adjacent to and positioned above the partition, and the trough being in fluid communications between at least one opening in the partition and with an outlet, wherein the localized portion of the backwash fluid is received by the conveyance within the periphery of the partition.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising conveying backwash fluid away from the at least one opening in the partition.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the partition includes a plurality of openings.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the one or more conveyances include at least one trough, and further comprising conveying backwash fluid in the at least one trough.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the conveyance includes one or more troughs at least partially surrounding and contiguous to the air-elevated backwash fluid and extending away from the center of the partition and the air-elevated backwash fluid.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the filter apparatus includes an expandable housing.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the filter apparatus includes an expandable housing.