Making More of Filter Efficiency

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Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH

Italvacuum, Srl

TRM Filter d.o.o.

In comparison to the conventional sintered metal filters, the metallic membranes show tighter pore size distribution (see Figure 2a). Specifically no pore larger than 2.5 μm could be observed in the new material. The conventional sintered metal filters show pore sizes up to 4.5 μm.

This is one of the important improvements when it comes to surface filtration. The tighter pore size distribution guarantees that particle will not move into the filter material and block it over the time, but is kept on the surface of the filter media. The low pressure drop and real surface filtration give higher operation life time, which will reduce the replacement and cleaning costs.

Seamless Metallic Membranes in Process Filtration

Figure 2b shows the comparison of the grade efficiency for conventional and asymmetric filter elements. As it was expected of the pore size distribution in Figure 2, the new SIKA-R 0.5 AS shows better particle retention. The tests were done using the single pass method using silicon carbide as test dust. In the experiments, the solid concentrations were adjusted in a way that no cake formation could be observed.

This means that during the operation of the filter element under real conditions, the efficiency curve will move to finer particle sizes due to the effect of cake filtration. Therefore the grade name of the filter media was selected in the way that it presents the real conditions in the filtration process.

Applications of Metallic Membranes

The main application area for metallic membrane filters is catalyst recovery, and the potential of the improved surface filtration properties prolongs the life time on stream. While conventional sintered metal filters, due to filter clogging, have to be cleaned using an external process after four weeks or so, metallic membranes can be used for six-to-eight months before external cleaning process is necessary.

Owing to these advantages the membranes can be used in a variety of applications and industries including the chemical, F&B, general process engineering, laboratory technology, medical technology, environmental technology, filtration of cooling, lubricating and cleaning agents, and recovery of catalyst particles.

A Question to ...

Experts Answer Current Issues in Filtration Technology

* Stoecker is Plant Director at GKN Sinter Metal Filters. Vashishta is Managing Director of Diva Envitec

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