Industrial filtration processes are made of various types of media. These include activated carbon, sand, multi-media, and wire mesh. These media help in the removal of contaminants from fluids. These media can help in removing the particles that clog the process. Here, we will discuss the different types of media and their properties.
Activated carbon
Activated carbon is a primary filtration media that can remove large molecules from a fluid. The material is made by pulverizing a solid carbon to a fine powder. The carbon then undergoes a process to separate the different pore sizes. Activated carbon is commonly found in water treatment systems.
Activated carbon filters are commonly used in gas and compressed air purification. Most common designs embed the activated carbon inside the filter media. They also are used for the absorption of radioactive gases. The large charcoal bed can absorb and hold the gases, which decay to solid forms quickly. Activated carbon is also used in the laboratory to purify organic molecules.
Activated carbon has a high specific surface area. A single gram of carbon has a surface area of more than 3,000 m2. Activated carbon is a very versatile filtration media, as it can store hydrogen and natural gases. Because it acts like a sponge, it attracts gases with Van der Waals forces. The surface area of activated carbon is so large that 95 percent of its particles will pass through a sieve with a 50-mesh rating. Carbon aerogels have even higher surface areas but are generally more expensive. Activated carbon can also be used in a hydrogen fuel cell, which is a great way to use energy-rich gases.
Sand
Sand is an effective industrial filtration media for separating solids from liquids. Its performance mainly depends on the media’s size, uniformity, and depth. It is crucial to consider the composition of the media and how well it is washed before use. Other materials have also been used as filter media for filtration purposes.
Sand filters are effective at removing organic and inorganic contaminants. They also have a large surface area and can hold more particles than other media. To ensure you get the best filter for your filtration needs, it is crucial to know how much sand you need and how often you will need to backwash your filter.
Multi-media
The M-Series Multi-Media Filtration System is a high-performance, industrial-quality filtration system that uses a multi-media bed for optimum filtration. The design features a steel pressure vessel with three filtration media grades and two support bed layers. The ship is constructed with NSF-approved materials and is painted with a durable epoxy coating. Its internal components are made from Schedule 80 PVC or Schedule 10 stainless steel. Four structural steel legs support the system. Its design is engineered to meet the requirements of the International Building Code for installation in 98% of North American applications.
Multi-media filters utilize multiple graded layers of filter media, with heavier layers at the bottom and lighter layers at the top. This ensures that larger contaminants are filtered out of the water first, increasing the system’s efficiency.
Wire mesh
Wire mesh is an essential fundamental in industrial filtration. It is used to separate various types of particles in a system. Wire mesh is made up of different wire types with different diameters. It can be either woven or non-woven and its diameter is determined by the alloys used for making it. Some meshes are more suitable for filtration than others, so you may want to read this wire cloth guide in order to choose the most suitable mesh for the application.
Stainless steel wire mesh has many advantages and is very strong. It is also aesthetically pleasing because of its shiny luster. Several grades of stainless steel are used for wire mesh, but the most common ones are 304 and 316. 304 has excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance, and 316 is also resistant to heat. In addition, it is highly resistant to chlorides.
Coalescing elements
Coalescing filter elements are made of porous material and are used to remove liquid droplets, aerosols, suspended particles, and vapor impurities. They consist of progressive layers, with the inner section consisting of fine mesh used to capture particulate contaminants and the outer area containing coarse mesh. These filters are very effective at removing dissolved solids and vapor impurities.
To monitor the performance of a coalescing filter element, consider the pressure drop across its face. If the pressure is too high, the feature is ineffective and should be replaced. For this reason, you should check the pressure drop between the outlet and the inlet of the element every day. Ideally, it would be best if you replaced the coalescing filter element once a year or as recommended by your manufacturer.
