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Topics covered1.
What is a strainer
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1.
What is a strainer
It is a device used in Piping Systems, its function being to arrest foreign particles like dirt, weld sputter, scale etc upstream of
rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines, pumps, rotary instruments, steam traps etc.
2.
3.
Following are a few examples citing location of strainer and originating Department.
Upstream of turbine meters/ PD metersInstrument
Location
Originating Department
Mechanical/Piping
Mechanical/Piping
Mechanical/Piping
Process
Piping
Sr
No
4.
Where fitting of above strainers is difficult or impartial on a particularly configured Piping System, T-Type Strainer can be used
which can be inserted to match a blind on one side T-junction fitting in the pipeline and can be also easily removed. These
strainers are of a through shape, referred to as bath tub strainers.
4.1.2 Permanent Strainers
These are of the following types:
a) Y-Type Strainers
These are of Y-Type configuration with a cylindrical strainer element housed in Y-Leg of Strainer. They can be used both in
horizontal and vertical (down flow) lines. The element is retained by a plug end which can be opened for cleaning the
element. In order to facilitate quick clean out without removing the element a drain connection with a valve is provided as part
of Y Leg.
These are generally used in pipelines upto 150NB to 200NB in size. The Y-pattern offers lesser resistance to the flow and
hence lowers the pressure drop. The limitation of this type of strainer is its limited filtration area, hence it is used on a clean
fluid where the necessity of cleaning the strainer is infrequent.
b) Basket Type Strainers
On larger pipelines basket type strainers are preferred. These may be of inline or off line type. The principal advantages of
basket strainers is that they can provide greater dirt holding capacity and can have easier access for removal of the strainer
for cleaning. They, do however, normally have a higher pressure drop than simple Y-Type Strainers.
These are generally used with liquids wherein regular or frequent cleaning is required.
Basket strainers may be further divided into the following types :
i. Single Sieve
Wherein only one basket doers the filtration, suitable where the dirt load is not very high and high pressure drop is
permissible.
ii. Double Sieve
Wherein two baskets work in parallel, suitable for high flow rates and if high pressure drop is not permissible. This is achieved
by providing a larger filtration area in comparison to single sieve design.
iii. Multi-Sieve Basket
This design has a number of sieves arranged in telescopic design so that large filtration area can be provided in a small
housing.
For highly viscous application the strainers can be steam jacketed so that the hot flow viscosity fluid is easily filtered and a
lower pressure drop is registered.
For removal of ferrous particles the basket strainer may have as special requirement magnetic inserts so that the ferrous
particles are attracted to the suspend magnetic inserts.
c) Duplex or Dual Type Strainers
These are desired when a continuous operation is required and a shut-down is not possible. The duplex design facilitates
cleaning of one element while the other is in operation.
This is generally preferred for highly viscous fluids such as fuel oil where chances of impurities are fairly higher as compared
to other fluids.
The basket type strainer covered above can be converted into duplex type by :
i. Interconnecting two strainers covered by 2 numbers of 3-way valves for compact design or
ii. By interconnecting two strainers by 4 nos. 2-way gate valves.
d) Catridge Type Filters
Are produced in a wide variety of configurations and material of construction. Filter media includes yarns, felts, papers, resin,
bonded fibres and woven wire cloth.
The filter element (actual catridge) of a catridge filter is normally designed as a disposable component to be replaced with a
new one when clogged.
e) Self Clearing Strainers
These may be used as an alternative to duplex types where continuous supply is critical in a process system.
Cleaning may be by using a brush or a scraper to comb out solid particles accumulated around catridge stack which will get
deposited in the sump.
Motorised self cleaning strainers can be used when :
a) Constant pressure drop is desired
b) Strainer is inaccessible for manual maintenance
c) The fluid is too viscous
d) The plant is costly and a shut-down is out of the question.
These are being handled by Mechanical Department.
5.
Sr.No.
Type of Strainer
Type of Element
Mesh/Filtration
Size Range
Filtration Area
Flat Disc
Perforated Plates
Coarse 1/8
Conical
Conical
20 to 200 mesh
T Type
20 to 200 mesh
Y Type
Cylindrical
20 to 200 mesh
Basket Type
Cylindrical
Upto 2 micron
Duplex
Cylindrical
Upto 2 micron
Catridge
Catridge
Self Cleaning
Filtration Upto 25
micron
Sr.N
o.
Type of
Strainer
Body Material
Element Material
Flat Disc
Carbon Steel/Bronze,
Stainless Steel
Conical
Remarks
T Type
Y Type
CS-A105 or A105
Galvanized
Stainless Steel
Size 15 to 40 NB
Forged Construction
SS-A182 Gr
F304,316,321
Bronze ASTM B62
SS-304,316,321
Y Type or
Basket Type
CS-A216 Gr WCB
SS-A351 Cr CF 8
Cast Iron-A126 CLB
IS 210 Gr 20
IS 2002 Gr FG 200
Stainless Steel
Size 50 to 100 NB
Cast Construction
Basket Type
Pipe Material
A53 Gr B,A106 Gr B
Plate Material
A515 Gr 60, IS 2062
Is 2992 Gr 2A
Stainless Steel
Duplex Type
Carbon Steel
Seamless Pipe
Viz., 106 Cr B
Stainless Steel
Cartridge
Type
For cast iron strainers, bolts, studs and nuts shall conform to ASTM A307 Gr B or equivalent where as for steel trainers,
bolts and studs shall conform to ASTM A193 Gr. B7 or equivalent and nuts to ASTM A194 Gr. 2H or equivalent.
Sr.No.
Type of
Strainer
Pressure Rating
End Connection
Details
Y-Type
Screwed Ends
Size 15 to 40 NB
Flanged Ends
Flanged Ends
Screwed Ends
Size below 50 NB
Class 800
Basket Type
Forged CS Body
Socket Weld Ends
Size 15 NB to 40 NB
600PSI, 850F
Flanged Ends
Flanged Ends
CS Body
Size 50 NB & above
Tag no
Type
Quantity (N.)
End Connection
To be specified by Vendor
Mesh Number
Piping Spec
As per P&ID
P&ID No.
As per P&ID
Manufacturer
Same as above
Body Material
Mesh Material
Flanges
Gasket
Bolting
Plug
Service Fluid
Design Pressure
Design Temperature
Maximum Allowable
Pressure Drop across clean
filter
Hydrostatic TestTest
Pressure
For basket strainers on pump suction it is advisable to calculate the design pressure based on operating conditions to
establish hydro test pressure at shop or site in order to avoid a robust strainer construction which may be unacceptable to
layout.
Remarks:
The following special requirements are to be observed by Vendor.
1 Vendors are to provide pressure drop versus flow rate curves for all the strainers for clean conditions as well as 50%
clogged condition.
2 Supporting of Large Strainers:
All basket strainers 200 NB and above are to be provided with leg supports and above 500 NB, 3 legs are required.
Depending on layout constraints and foundation requirement the limitation on the maximum distance between bottom
face of leg support and center line of nozzle is to be specified as also the distance between center line of nozzle and drain
plug.
3 Drains & Vents
All basket strainers are to be provided with drain plugs and vent cocks. If Valves are to be used and are not in vendors
scope then vendor to be informed of the appropriate end connections required.
4 Tag No to be clearly identified.