Selecting a self-cleaning filter for an industrial process requires more than choosing a filtration rating. The correct configuration depends on the liquid being filtered, contaminants, flow rate, operating conditions and the cleaning method. Here is a practical way to approach the selection. 1. Identify the fluid Start by identifying the process liquid. Typical applications may involve: Industrial water Cooling water Wastewater Process liquids For some applications, viscosity and corrosiveness should also be considered. 2. Identify the contaminants Determine what the filter needs to remove. Common contaminants include sand, sediment, rust, suspended solids and mechanical impurities. It is also useful to understand the solids loading and physical characteristics of the contaminants. 3. Determine normal and maximum flow Flow rate should be considered under actual operating conditions. Both normal and peak flow should be provided when evaluating a filter. Selecting equipment only accord...
A practical refinery wastewater case showing how upstream basket filtration can remove oily sludge and suspended solids before biological treatment. Refinery wastewater can contain a combination of suspended solids, oily sludge and other process residues. When the solids load is high, removing part of it before biological treatment can help improve the stability of the downstream process. A wastewater pretreatment project at a Russian refinery provides a practical example. The Initial Situation The refinery was handling wastewater containing significant amounts of oily sludge and suspended solids. The concern was the impact of these contaminants on the downstream biological treatment stage. If larger solids and sludge continued into the biological process, they could increase the operating load and contribute to problems in equipment such as aeration tanks. The customer therefore needed an upstream filtration stage capable of removing larger contaminants before biological treatment. Th...