How to Easily Avoid Filter Installation Problems

Correctly installing your Eaton industrial filter is the first step in ensuring the life expectancy of your unit – as well as optimal performance. Incorrect installation can affect the filter’s systems, cause it to operate poorly or physically damage the equipment.

The following list is a brief collection of easily-avoidable installation conditions that may cause problems during filter installation:

Low System Pressure

Since DCF and MCF™ filters rely on a purge operation to clear captured solids from the filter, having enough system pressure is important to successful purging. Eaton  recommends a minimum of 30 psi of system pressure to ensure an adequate purge. This pressure may need to be higher when the process liquid has high viscosity or the solids are sticky. The Stealth Purge option with external water flushing is an alternate solution that is independent of system pressure.

Purge Line Plumbing

A common error when installing mechanically-cleaned filters is incorrectly plumbing the purge line. The best situation for a purge line is to make it short in length, placing it on a downhill grade from the filter, and draining it into a collection tank. Since typical purge operations are less than 1 second in duration, there is very little flow in a purge line due to system pressure.

If the line runs uphill, solids will collect in the line and never flush away. In addition, a water flush line on the purge header may be needed if the purged materials are especially challenging.

Check Valves On Filter Outlet Plumbing

Running an outlet line into long, head-high runs (such as uphill) is an uncommon, yet potentially damaging situation. When the filter purges, a water-hammer situation may develop if flow reverses from the outlet side of the filter.

In the worst case scenario, this may cause the elements to collapse. However, this situation is easily prevented by placing a flow check valve on the outlet line from the filter.

Filter Placement Around Pumps

Since Eaton filters are pressure filters, they should always be placed on the outlet side of pumps. Placing the filter on the suction side of a pump may result in erratic operation or damage to the filter elements.

Backpressure on outlet lines Eaton filters will always work best when there is some backpressure on the filter’s outlet. The worst performance scenario for a filter is when the outlet runs directly to an atmospheric tank. For this reason, we recommend the installation of a flow orifice or control valve on the outlet header of the filter. By providing a slight amount of back pressure, the system will operate much more evenly and avoid pressure blinding.

Backwash Filter Media

When your filter’s backwash outlet line runs to an atmospheric tank, Eaton recommends using a flow orifice sized to prevent excessive differential pressure across the filter media during the backwash operation. This will prolong the life of the filter media.

External Backwash Liquid

The fluid source used in external backwash filter systems should be clean – and have particles smaller than the rated retention of the filter elements in the system. If these conditions are not met, the backwashing process can actually plug the elements instead of cleaning them.

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How does Backwash Efficiency Affect Your Catalyst Bed Protection Filtration System?

Filtration systems are generally regenerated through a backwash cleaning cycle. The primary factors effecting backwash efficiency are • Available pressure differential • Backwash flow • Filter media characteristics  

Available Pressure Differential:  During backwashing, the backwash differential pressure (between the backwash source and drain) should ideally be three to five times greater than the differential pressure across the dirty media.  In a feedstock filter, the maximum dirty differential pressure should not exceed 15 PSID, meaning the backwash liquid should be delivered at 45 – 75 PSID to maximize the cleaning efficiency.

Backwash Flow:
A sufficient flow rate of backwash liquid will also be required to regenerate the filtering media. The required flow rate will be primarily dependent upon the type of media selected. Sufficient backwash flow along with sufficient backwash pressure will lead to hydro-shock cleaning effect and completely regenerate the media to its clean differential pressure.

Filter Media Characteristics:
The final component of filter regeneration is the media characteristics. By their very design, slotted wedge wire and woven wire mesh allow particles to be captured on the surface of the media, providing optimum particle release and media regeneration.  Sintered metal is multi-layered and can offer higher per-cake efficiencies, but can be difficult to regenerate.  This leads to shorter run times and increased downtime.

In summary, feedstock filtration is an important aspect in efficiently refinery operation.  Protecting catalyst beds from particulate contamination prevents bed plugging and increases catalyst life. Several factors affect filtration system efficiency and should be carefully considered when selecting a feedstock filtration system.

For more articles, tips and information on industrial filtration products and solutions visit our blog at eatonfiltration.wordpress.com or simply follow @AskFilterman on Twitter

AskFilterman: Can a Y-Strainer be used in a vertical line?

Since Y-Strainers are used for protection (not collection f debris) in pipeline systems where the amount of material to be removed is small, the can be installed either horizontally or vertically.
However, it is recommended that shut-off valves be installed and the screening element must be on the down side of the strainer – flow into the screen.

Liquid Bag Filtration from Eaton

There is a full range of Eaton Filter Bags…over 1500 choices in all. From economical sewn filter bags for standard applications to welded, multi-layered bags for demanding applications. There are even special Eaton Filter Bags and Elements that can replace expensive filter cartridges in many applications. The convenience and economy of liquid bag filtration is now feasible for filtration applications including bag filters for water that previously required other, more expensive systems. Or, you can take it beyond just a filter bags and combine both bag and cartridge filtration system with a product like the HAYFLOW from Eaton as show in the picture to the left.

 

 

Bag filtration applications include:

• Automotive
• Paints, Coating, Inks, Dispersions
• Water and Water Treatment
• Solvents
• Lubricants, Metalworking Fluids
• Parts Cleaning Solutions
• Pulp and Paper
• Pharmaceutical
• Food Processing
• Chemical Processing
• Edible Oils
• Potable Water, Beer, Wine

Eaton Filtration Saftey Splash Guard

 

The Splash Guard safety accessory, which provides additional protection from liquid splash conditions in industrial environments. Engineered to fit on its FLOWLINE™ and FLOWLINE II™ single bag filter vessels, this new safety accessory is made from impact resistant, UV protective polymer making it ideal for harsh industrial environments.

“The Splash Guard product reflects Eaton’s commitment to providing products that help protect associates in industrial settings against unforeseen accidental events,” said Rick Jacobs, president of Eaton’s Filtration business. “We hope you will join with us in taking extra precautions in protecting employees.”

Designed with operator safety in mind, the Splash Guard is secured to the filter housing vessel lid. This design helps protect operators from unexpected pressurized spray and discharge, reduces operator exposure to potentially hazardous material, and provides additional eye and face protection. Available from Eaton’s filtration distribution network, the Splash Guard will fit on new and existing Flowline vessels. It is easy to install and does not interfere with bag change outs.