To provide a filter apparatus constituted so as to make a film-like filter medium, which is arranged so as to pass almost all amount of a liquid to be filtered, movable to automatically clean the filter medium on which sludge is accumulated while filtering the liquid, and a cooling column equipped therewith.

In filter apparatuses 10 and 20, film-like filter media 11 and 21 arranged so as to make pass almost all amount of a liquid to be filtered are circulated and moved to positions where cleaning devices 12 and 22 are arranged by moving devices 13 and 23 and a cleaning liquid is ejected to the back surfaces of the filter media 11 and 21 by the cleaning devices 12 and 22 to peel sludge accumulated on the surfaces of the filter media 11 and 21. The cooling columns 30 and 40 are constituted so that the filter apparatuses 10 and 20 are arranged between heat exchangers 33 and 43 and liquid gathering tanks 32 and 42 and allowed to gradually fall while brought into contact with the heat exchangers 33 and 43 to filter the cooled liquid.