Filter support element and method of using same

1. A pressure filter for separating a solid from a liquid, the pressure filter comprising:

a plurality of filtering elements supported by a retaining plate within a filtration zone of the pressure filter for separating the solid from the liquid; and

a settling zone positioned below the plurality of filtering elements for collecting the solid separated from the liquid by the plurality of filtering elements;

each one of the plurality of filtering elements comprising a filter support element comprising:

a plurality of side supports defining a filter support surface; and

a spacing member connecting the plurality of side supports;

the spacing member comprising a plurality of axially spaced apart spacing elements; each one of the plurality of axially spaced apart spacing elements comprising a plurality of arms;

each one of the plurality of arms being configured to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of side supports, an unobstructed recessed region being defined between each pair of adjacent arms on each one of the spacing members for receiving filter media of a filter when the filter support element is in use;

a central support extending axially between the plurality of side supports of the filter support element, wherein the spacing member connects the plurality of side supports and the central support;

wherein the central support is notched to accommodate each one of the plurality of axially spaced apart spacing elements.

2. The pressure filter as defined in claim 1 , wherein the axially spaced apart spacing elements of the filter support element are evenly spaced apart.

3. A method of using the pressure filter as defined in claim 1 to filter a solid from a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the pressure filter as defined in claim 1 ;

securing a filter media sock over each one of the filter support elements of each one of the plurality of filtering elements;

securing each one of the filter support elements and the corresponding filter media sock in place via the retaining plate of the pressure filter to provide a plurality of filtration units; and

passing a feed liquid through the plurality of filtration units, wherein the step of passing the feed liquid through the plurality of filtration units comprises:

for a filtration period, passing the feed liquid containing the solid entrained within the feed liquid through the plurality of filtration units in a downstream direction; and

for a backwash period, passing a backwash liquid through the plurality of filtration units in an upstream direction.

4. The pressure filter as defined in claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of arms comprises a curved tip to engage with the corresponding one of the plurality of side supports.

5. The pressure filter as defined in claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of spacing elements comprises a central aperture.

6. The pressure filter as defined in claim 5 , wherein the central aperture of each one of the plurality of spacing elements is configured to engage with the central support.

7. The pressure filter as defined in claim 1 , wherein the filter support element comprises five or six side supports.

8. The pressure filter as defined in claim 7 , wherein each one of the plurality of spacing elements comprises five arms or six arms.

9. The pressure filter as defined in claim 1 , wherein the central support is provided with a plurality of notches, each one of the plurality of notches being positioned at the location of a corresponding one of the plurality of spacing elements.

10. The pressure filter as defined in claim 9 , wherein each one of the plurality of side supports is provided with a plurality of notches on an inner surface thereof, each one of the plurality of notches being positioned at the location of a corresponding one of the plurality of arms of the plurality of spacing elements.

11. The pressure filter as defined in claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of spacing elements comprises a star shape having between four and ten vertices.

12. The pressure filter as defined in claim 1 , wherein the side supports comprise planar longitudinally extending side supports.

13. The pressure filter as defined in claim 12 , wherein the plurality of spacing elements are positioned at longitudinally spaced-apart intervals connecting adjacent ones of the longitudinally extending side supports.

14. The pressure filter as defined in claim 12 , wherein the planar side supports comprise a plurality of apertures formed therethrough.

15. The pressure filter as defined in claim 12 , wherein the planar side supports comprise a tangentially protruding fin extending longitudinally along an outer edge thereof.

16. An apparatus for carrying out filtration of white liquor as part of a kraft pulping process, for washing lime mud as part of a kraft pulping process, or for clarifying green liquor as part of a kraft pulping process, the apparatus comprising the pressure filter as defined in claim 1 .

17. A pressure filter for separating a solid from a liquid, the pressure filter comprising:

a plurality of filtering elements supported by a retaining plate within a filtration zone of the pressure filter for separating the solid from the liquid; and

a settling zone positioned below the plurality of filtering elements for collecting the solid separated from the liquid by the plurality of filtering elements;

each one of the plurality of filtering elements comprising a filter support element comprising:

a plurality of side supports defining a filter support surface; and

a spacing member connecting the plurality of side supports;

the spacing member comprising a plurality of axially spaced apart spacing elements; each one of the plurality of axially spaced apart spacing elements comprising a plurality of arms;

each one of the plurality of arms being configured to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of side supports, an unobstructed recessed region being defined between each pair of adjacent arms on each one of the spacing members for receiving filter media of a filter when the filter support element is in use;

wherein each one of the plurality of side supports is notched on an inner surface thereof to accommodate each one of the plurality of axially spaced apart spacing elements.

18. The pressure filter as defined in claim 17 wherein each one of the plurality of arms comprises a curved tip to engage with the corresponding one of the plurality of side supports.

19. The pressure filter as defined in claim 17 wherein each one of the plurality of spacing elements comprises a central aperture.

20. A method of using the pressure filter as defined in claim 17 to filter a solid from a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the pressure filter as defined in claim 17 ;

securing a filter media sock over each one of the filter support elements of each one of the plurality of filtering elements;

securing each one of the filter support elements and the corresponding filter media sock in place via the retaining plate of the pressure filter to provide a plurality of filtration units; and

passing a feed liquid through the plurality of filtration units, wherein the step of passing the feed liquid through the plurality of filtration units comprises:

for a filtration period, passing the feed liquid containing the solid entrained within the feed liquid through the plurality of filtration units in a downstream direction; and

for a backwash period, passing a backwash liquid through the plurality of filtration units in an upstream direction.