METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERING PARTICULATES FROM A FLUID

An apparatus and method is disclosed for separating entrained particulate matter from a conveying fluid. Particulate matter is collected and deposited in an overlying porous layer on an upstream side of a filter support (22) and then used as a filtering medium ("M") of enhanced filtering capacity. The invention includes a housing (10) having a filter support (22) positioned therein. A filter making zone (36) is defined within the housing (10) by fluid flow through a first predetermined part of the filter support (22) from its upstream to its downstream side for collecting the entrained particulate matter into an overlying porous layer. A filtration zone (37) is defined within the housing (10) by a fluid flow through a second predetermined part of the filter support (22) from the upstream to the downstream side thereof. The filter support (22) has thereon the overlying porous layer of particulate matter ("M") made in the filter making zone (36). The filter making zone (36) and the filtration zone (37) are defined by fluid flow.