Points about stainless steel filter element

What is a stainless steel filter element?

A stainless steel filter cartridge is a filter element made of 304 or 316 stainless steel wire mesh as the main material. It is made of stainless steel wire mesh woven in various mesh shapes to obtain the best performance filtration grade. Different structural types can be selected according to different application requirements, such as epoxy bonded structure, crimped structure, and fully welded structure. The stainless steel wire mesh filter element can also be easily cleaned by backwashing, ultrasonic or other non-abrasive cleaning methods, so that it can be completely returned to the reuse state.

Types of stainless steel filter elements?

According to the manufacturing process structure, it can be divided into: l Epoxy bonded structure l Crimped structure (for industrial process filter elements) l Fully welded structure Epoxy bonded structure uses epoxy bonded construction technology to manufacture stainless steel filter elements, which can obtain competitive prices. Epoxy bonded elements provide sufficient strength for many high-pressure applications. Epoxy bonded structure is an ideal choice for most fluid applications.

Crimp structure This is a clarifying filtration particularly suitable for industrial process filter elements. It is usually used in batch applications. These filter elements are usually pleated or cylindrical (wrapped) with a lightweight core and support ring. Industrial process filter elements are constructed from stainless steel by using crimping and welding, without the use of brazing or epoxy bonding, thus overcoming the temperature and compatibility limitations of cellulose or synthetic fiber filter elements.

All-welded construction metal mesh filter elements feature all stainless steel components, including the end caps, center tube, and metal mesh. The cleanability of these elements can significantly reduce disposal costs when used in filtration applications involving hazardous fluids.

Stainless steel welded construction metal mesh elements are ideal for harsh environment applications with extreme environments, high pressures, and corrosive fluids. These elements eliminate the detrimental effects of media migration and provide precise filtration control of particles larger than the micron rating. Elements can be easily cleaned to restore their service life through backwashing or other techniques.

The rugged components and welded construction of metal mesh filter elements make them ideal for many high-pressure applications. Elements designed for collapse pressure ratings are available. Applications involving extremely high temperature ranges, which would break down traditional epoxy constructed elements, are ideal for the use of metal mesh filter elements.

All welded metal mesh filter elements are annealed to minimize the possibility of element failure due to the combined effects of intergranular corrosion and high pressure.

Working Principle of Stainless Steel Filter Elements

For the working principle of stainless steel woven wire mesh filter elements, it is by retaining all dirt with a diameter larger than the mesh diameter, so it has an absolute rating.

Stainless steel filter elements made of sintered metal fiber felt media are deep stainless steel filter elements that can deeply intercept pollutant particles as the fluid passes through the filter element.

Depending on the type of stainless steel filter element application, the polluted fluid can form from the inside out or from the outside in.

Air filtration of stainless steel filter elements usually removes particulate pollutants by the following mechanisms:Inertial impaction: Large, high-density particles are usually captured by inertial impaction, and inertia causes particles to separate from the airflow and collide with the fibers. Interception: Medium-sized particles can be removed, which are too small to have inertia and therefore follow the path of the airflow. These pollutants are suspended in the airflow, and when the particle contacts the fiber, it adheres to the media and is captured. Diffusion: The smallest particles are captured by diffusion. These tiny particles travel along irregular paths, similar to gas molecules. This is called Brownian motion. Random motion increases the probability of particles hitting and adhering to the surface of the media.

Features of stainless steel filter element

High pressure differenceIt is a filter element with high pressure resistance, which is usually used in the filtration application of high-pressure fluid, and can protect the long-term operation of equipment in high-pressure pipelines.

High temperature resistant stainless steel material can maintain operation at high temperature for a long time. For other materials, deformation is easy to occur when working at high temperature for a long time, but the stainless steel filter element still maintains stability.

The cleanable material is stainless steel, which is very easy to clean and use again. Cleaning the equipment will involve removing impurities and reinstalling it for further operation. It allows the fluid to be backwashed, ensuring that there are no residual pollutant particles in the surface of the stainless steel filter element.

The long-life pleated stainless steel filter element increases its filtration area, which can obtain a longer replacement cycle and extend the service life of the filter element. The element also has a certain corrosion resistance and a longer service life. The corrosion resistance also makes it an ideal filter element for fluids that do not re-contaminate.

Customizable sizeIt has different sizes, which can be used in a wide range of industrial applications. Different sizes can easily adapt to different types of equipment. It also provides different seals or gasket accessories for different applications.

Aperture stable filter media has a fixed pore structure that can prevent contaminated particles from returning to the clean fluid. The absolute rating of the pores will provide consistent, reliable filtration of the fluid, improving filtration efficiency.

Applications for stainless steel filter elements?

Metal filter elements are used in applications that operate in harsh environmental conditions, where processes require rugged materials to withstand the demands of harsh environments under extreme conditions. They are suitable for applications that operate at high differential pressures, require fluids with special compatibility requirements, and have extreme temperatures.

Some applications where stainless steel filter elements are used include: Automotive Industry: · Air filters · Lubricating oil filters · Airbag inflator filters Chemical and catalyst recovery · High temperature liquids · Low temperature liquids · Solvents, ketones, esters, liquid hydrocarbons · Feed and makeup water · Ethylene glycol · High efficiency solid recovery or liquid recovery Polymer filtration: Polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, polyamide HEPA and ULPA filtration Burners: Sintered metal fibers are made of high temperature resistant alloys and used as radiant materials for burners Refineries: High flow rate nonwoven metal fibers in continuous operation typical of refinery applications are used for liquid-liquid separation (coagulation and liquid-gas separation (demist) systems) Food and Beverage: · Process steam filtration · Catalyst recovery from hydrogenation reactors · Polishing of syrups, wines and other liquids · Catalyst removal from flavor ingredients and other food specialties · Activated carbon removal and decolorization Spinning polymers Hot gas filtration Medical and pharmaceutical Hydraulic and fuel oil Nuclear emissions

How to clean stainless steel filter elements?

By using stainless steel fiber sintered felt mesh and stainless steel mesh as the main filter media, stainless steel filter cartridges provide great convenience for a large number of experiments with large area filtration and high filtration efficiency. In order to maintain its excellent performance, the filter element must be maintained regularly. Therefore, several cleaning methods are provided below.

Ultrasonic cleaning method This cleaning method uses longitudinal waves as the cleaning fluid to generate a certain number of sufficiently small vacuum bubbles. These bubbles will burst when they cannot withstand the pressure, and their impact will be used to achieve the cleaning process of the stainless steel filter cartridge.Backwash cleaning method The backwash cleaning method is sometimes also called the backwash method, which uses an inert gas (such as nitrogen) to backwash the stainless steel filter in the opposite direction.Solution cleaning method The solution cleaning method is to soak the stainless steel filter cartridge for one hour with a 5% sodium hydroxide solution or nitric acid solution. Depending on its degree of contamination, the soaking time can be extended or shortened. Finally, just dry it naturally with clean air.

How to replace the stainless steel filter element?

When the stainless steel filter element works continuously for a long time, the accumulation of its contamination particles will increase the burden on the filter element and reduce its working efficiency. The way to reduce the burden of clogging is to remove the stainless steel filter cartridge and clean or replace it properly.The cleaning process may continue to the point where it can no longer be cleaned, when the stainless steel filter element cannot meet the requirements it should have. Your only option is to remove the old stainless steel filter element and replace it with a new one.

1. Receive the production instruction for replacing the stainless steel filter element and confirm that the system has stopped running;

2. Confirm the replaced stainless steel filter element (specifications, materials, sizes, O-ring materials, models, etc.), disassembly tools, collection buckets, rags, etc.;

3. Thoroughly clean the stainless steel filter housing, empty the area around the filter, and leave an operating area. Wear protective equipment;

4. Turn off the working filter system, slowly open the exhaust port on the top of the filter, depressurize it, check the pressure gauge, ensure that the pressure is minimum or completely closed, pay attention to safety during the process, and prevent material or liquid splashing;

5. Empty the material in the stainless steel filter, open the filter sealing cover with a tool, remove the stainless steel filter element that needs to be replaced from the filter housing, and pack the stainless steel filter element in a plastic bag for cleaning or scrapping.

6. Use clean tools and rags to clean the inside of the stainless steel filter and wait for the newer stainless steel filter element to be installed.

7. Open the plastic bag at the open end of the stainless steel filter element and check whether the O-ring is intact and in place.

8. Hold the end of the stainless steel filter element close to the O-ring, vertically connect the stainless steel filter element socket to the base socket, remove the packaging bag after installation, and then install the filter sealing cover in place, and tighten the stainless steel filter with a tool.

9. Close the stainless steel filter drain port, open the bleed valve on the top of the shell, slowly open the fluid inlet valve, and allow the fluid to enter the shell at a uniform speed until the fluid overflows from the bleed valve on the top of the shell. At this time, close the bleed valve. Pay attention to check the disassembly location for leaks.

10. Slowly open the stainless steel filter outlet valve until it is fully opened, indicating that the replacement is complete.

Production process of stainless steel filter element

For the service life of stainless steel filter elements, whether the product quality has high quality and high performance is determined by whether the product manufacturing process is reliable. These processes consist of filter material selection, folding, welding, gluing, and dust-free assembly.After selecting the appropriate filter material, determining the structure of the main body, and then simulating it through digital media, the next step requires very precise processing and manufacturing to perfectly present the designer's design. An experienced team of technicians and advanced processing equipment helped us achieve this. The quality of a stainless steel filter element depends on the choice of high-quality materials, high-quality manufacturing technology, good quality control and strict operating procedures. Each step must be meticulous to ensure the quality of the product. Pleated First of all, the pleated layer on the filter medium of the stainless steel filter element will ensure a larger filter area in a small space. And it can be used as a compact unit such as filter element and filter. Modern pleated machines can process linings consisting of multiple layers of media composed of different metal fiber meshes and/or wire meshes. The height of the stainless steel filter element can reach 1500 mm. This will produce stable components that can operate stably for a long time under high mechanical loads. Welding In cylindrical filter systems, pleated or smooth filter media are connected by welding. The same operation is used for the connection at the outlet or inlet interface of the filter medium. There are many welding methods for this. These will be selected according to the selected material, thickness and shape of the weld seam. The weld seams in the filter element must be 100% sealed and must also be fine enough not to be coated. Because they can neither block too much filter area nor cause fluid obstruction in the housing. The finer and smoother the weld seams are, the more corrosion resistant they are.The most common welding methods used here are plasma welding, tungsten inert gas welding (WIG) and resistance welding. In rare cases we also use metal inert gas welding (MIG) or metal active gas welding (MAG).The WIG process can be used to weld, for example, high-alloy steels and all non-ferrous metals, including titanium.The resistance welding process can be used with spot welding and roller welding in order to achieve high-quality weld seams that can be produced reproducibly and without affecting the surface of the material.Plasma welding uses low current intensities and is particularly suitable for welding metal foils and wires. This welding process is chosen for particularly fine filter media.

In addition to welding, adhesive bonding is another method of joining metals or other materials, usually with reactive adhesives or epoxy resins. If the correct adhesive is selected, the bonding point is prepared (cleaned, degreased) and the work is carried out professionally, a completely leaktight connection is obtained. The connection can withstand high mechanical and chemical loads and is suitable for operating temperatures of up to 150 °C. Since many products are used in areas with very high hygiene requirements such as in the pharmaceutical and food processing industries, only authorized adhesives must be selected to prevent contamination due to unavoidable contact.

Dust-free assembly In order to manufacture and assemble high-quality stainless steel filter elements/systems, production must be carried out under dust-free conditions.