US Patent 7258784 Solid liquid filtration apparatus and method

A method and system for separating a particulate contaminate from a contaminated liquid medium involves filtering the contaminated liquid medium with a filter element having an afflux surface made of plastic particles that are sintered together. The contaminated liquid medium is introduced into a vessel, brought into contact with the filter element, where the liquid medium is separated from the particulate contaminant, and the separated liquid medium withdrawn from the filter element.