Filtration Equipment
Filtration equipment helps separate liquids and solids. For example, the strainers used in a kitchen can remove larger particles from food while keeping smaller ones.
Another type of filter is a Buchner funnel that speeds up the gravity filtration process by using a vacuum to force the higher-density liquid through. It’s also the type of water filter that backpackers use to make sure their drinking supplies are safe to consume in the wilderness.
Pressure Vessel Filters
The pressure vessel filters are used in industrial applications such as a fueling terminals, airports and refineries. They are usually made with a stainless steel or other material that can handle high amounts of air, liquid and solid particles in oil, gas and water pipelines. These filter vessels are very dangerous because if they fail they could spark fires and cause severe explosions. This can result in significant environmental pollution, poisoning and deaths.
The most important component of a pressure vessel is the head which determines its thickness and pressure resistance. It can be designed in different ways. For instance, a dished head depicts a good balance between manufacturability and strain minimization while a shallow hemispheric head is more durable.
Another type of pressure vessel is a pig trap. This device is installed at the ends of a pipe and allows for the sending and reception of pistons that clean the inside of the pipes. It can be closed by welds or flanges. The pig trap can also be attached to mobile wiper stations.
Vacuum Filters
Vacuum filters trap dust particles from the airflow inside a vacuum cleaner. These filters are important to maintain because dirty ones restrict airflow and cause the machine to filter-equipment work harder. This can damage the motor and increase the likelihood of an expensive repair or replacement.
The most common vacuum filters are the pre-motor and post-motor filters, which catch dirt from the vacuum motor before it can cause damage. Many models also include a HEPA filter, which traps allergens and fine dust particles to prevent them from being blown back into the room as air exits the vacuum cleaner.
Most foam and paper filters are easily cleaned by taping them against a hard surface and wiping off the dust with a dry cloth. Disk, cyclone and cartridge filters can be rinsed under cold water (holding them until the water runs clear) and then dried with a towel. Manufacturers lengthen the expected life of some filters by engineering them to be washable, and these are usually labeled as such. Some are even reusable, although you should always check the vacuum cleaner manual for proper care and cleaning instructions.
Filter Presses
A filtration press is designed to dewater a slurry. Typically, a filter press operates on sludge that has between 50-60 percent solids content. Before a slurry is pumped filter-equipment through the filter press, it is often run through a clarifier to increase the solids concentration.
There are four basic types of a filter press: plate and frame, recessed, membrane and fully automatic. Each type has its own specific design and operation.
The base framework of a filter press consists of a hydraulic closing cylinder that locks a pack of filter plates together. The pressed plates are then covered with filter cloth, creating a hollowed chamber for solids collection between two drain fields. The corner discharge eyes are connected into a manifold which leads to external piping that sends the liquid away.
The size of the recessed filter plates, the number of plates and their materials of construction will determine how much the press can handle. Other specific details of the filtration system are determined by the application and operational considerations. This could include the filtration cycle time, desired cake dryness and whether extra components such as cloth washing frameworks or trickle plates are needed.
Sieves
Sieves are the most common and cost-effective particle size analysis tool in any laboratory. They work well for separating particles that range from large to very small. They also provide useful information about contaminating materials or byproducts, as well as a general understanding of the size and shape of the particle population.
Test sieves are available with a variety of opening sizes, frame height options and material compositions. They can be constructed of brass or stainless steel. Stainless steel is often preferred for durability and resistance to corrosion. Brass sieves may oxidize or retain sample residue, so they are best for applications that do not require a high degree of accuracy.
Testing sieves are often certified or calibrated by their manufacturers according to ASTM standards. A certified sieve has been inspected to verify the accuracy of the mesh openings. The certification is done using a machine that measures the openings and returns the sieve with documentation that it meets the specifications of the ASTM standards. This ensures that the sieve has been properly measured and maintained.
Filter Cartridges
Cartridge filters come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are used to remove solid wastes, organic chemicals, salts and metals, dissolved gases and taste or odor from liquids. Most often, these are installed as a pre-filter stage before a larger water treatment system. They can be used as a standalone filter or as part of a whole house water filtration system. There are two types of cartridge filters: depth and surface. Sediment filters are usually made from melt-blown string and work by removing impurities at the sediment core while surface filters use a pleated paper design that retains particles on the surface of the media.
The dirt-holding capacity of a cartridge filter depends on the size of its pores, which are typically around half a micron in size. They also have a higher surface area than bag filters, so the actual filtration process tends to be faster. Filter manufacturers often construct their cartridges so that they need to be replaced when the contaminant level reaches a set point – for example, a certain differential pressure in the fluid. This way, users know that it is time to switch to a new filter.