Broadly, filtration is a mechanical/physical process of selective elimination of particles from given liquids, gases, or solids by passing them through the chosen medium.
Without filtration, the water would not be clean, the air would not be clean, there would be no refined fuel for aircraft and cars, and even the pharma and food products would be unclean and harmful.
So, filtration is essential.
In fact, every liquid that is either a direct or would be employed to manufacture other products has to be filtered.
The development of filtration techniques is driven by:
- Requirement of food
- Need for water
- Need for transportation
- The desire of an enhanced standard of living
- Need to manufacture products
A cartridge filter is the tubular filtration equipment’s piece, which can be used in several industries for all kinds of filtration requirements.
The cartridge is encased in a casing or housing and is used to eliminate unwanted pollutants, particles, and chemicals from liquids.
A cartridge is exposed to liquid, solvent, or water that requires filtration, as it flows in the housing and goes through the filter element.
Even submicron particulates can be removed using cartridge filters.
Cartridge filters are made using various materials based on the kind of filtration process required.
They are cylindrical in shape and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
When you are buying filter cartridges, you will come across two types – surface filters and depth filters.
Surface Filters
Surface Filters do not allow contaminants/solids to enter via the medium.
They keep the contaminants outside filter media.
Surface filtrations mean the flow of fluids through to a material layer that restricts particles from entering.
The size of such particles is higher than the medium’s mean pore size.
Eventually, the filter’s surface on the outside gets caked with particles as well as restricts the flow of liquids beyond an acceptable limit.
This is where you have to clean the filtration surface to reuse it.
A surface filter is a cheaper option but has a shorter shelf life.
Its mechanical strength is less until it is made using stainless steel.
Some examples are – cellulose filter, pleated cartridge filter.
Depth Filters
A depth filter traps all pollutants, solids, and contaminants within the medium.
Depth filtration refers to multiple layers or a thicker layer that sets an impassable path for the pollutants and does not allow them to pass through.
The particle size is way smaller than the medium’s mean pore size.
Contaminants pass through a depth filter and are trapped there.
This blocks the filter’s pores over time, which then have to be cleaned.
They are cleaned by employing a reverse liquid flow or can be replaced by another medium.
A depth filter is more expensive than a surface filter but has a longer life.
Its mechanical strength is high. Some examples are – sintered filters, ceramic filters, string wound filters, etc.
Applications Of Cartridge Filter
- Pre-Filtration and self-cleaning to RO and other membranes
- Pool water filtration
- Industrial water filtration
- Incoming process water filtration
- Pharmaceutical Applications
- Particle filtration and oil removal in refineries and petrochemicals
- Filtration of liquid in the food & beverage industry
- Refineries and Petro-Chemicals
- Paints, inks, and speciality coatings
- Cosmetics and personal care
- Electroplating chemical filtration
- Automotive
- Brewing
- Wine Clarification
Cartridge Filters Dimensions
Cartridge filters are available in standard diameters and lengths as well as varied sizes.
This is because a standard-sized filter can fit in smoothly in any standard housing.
Generally, the setup allows only one cartridge filter to be established in one housing.
If there is a duplex system, you will need to install two cartridge filters parallel to one another.
This helps in one filter to be in use while the second one stands in an off-line mode as well as gets cleaned.
So, whenever there is switchover of the first unit with the task, the second one starts the filtration process.
Cartridge filters are distinguished into two groups – the ones that use porous and the ones that do not use it but can become porous according to the need.
The latter situation is possible due to the use of components like ribbons or discs, rings, etc.
Other kinds of filter elements that tell the filters’ base are basket strainers, filter bags, membrane modules, filter candles, self-cleaning filters, etc.
Under replaceable element filters’ section, the name of capsule filters come out, which are used in small-scale production processes and laboratories.
They can also be used in life science and pharmaceutical occupations.
Another name that comes under replaceable element filters is the polymer melt filters, which ensure there are no extrusion nozzles or blockages towards any polymer filaments or fibres.
The Bottom Line
Filtration is an extremely crucial process that ensures air, water, other liquids, food, etc. are free of pollutants and safe for human consumption and use.
Cartridge filters are an important part of the filtration process.
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