Filtration

design variants process description examples of use technical data cost of operation further information

Overview
Filtration is a mainly physical process for seperating solid particles and certain dissolved
substances from fluids by depositing them at the filter material.

Picture: Sand filter, to the left frontal view of valve and piping installations, to the right schematic cross-section
view during operation.
top of page

Design Variants

candle filter
bag filter

sand filter
anthracite filter
multi-layer filter
multimedia filter
activated carbon filter
dolomite filter
coagulation filter
settling filter
membrane filter

top of page

Process Description
For filtration, raw water flows through the filter. The filtratable particles are thereby
deposited at the filter material, due to various physical processes like friction and
adhesion. The filtrated particles will gradually block the filter material. On the one hand,
this will increase the grade of filtration. On the other hand, the pressure differential
caused while flowing through the filter material will increase as well. As soon as the
differential pressure reaches a set limit value, the filter is either backwashed, or the filter
material is replaced.
A pressure filter consists of a closed filter vessel, filled with filtration material which is
packed on top of a nozzle floor. The filter material thus forms the filter bed. Usual filter
materials are for example filter sand (silica gravel) or filter coal (anthracite). For
filtration, the raw water flows through the filter from top to bottom. The filtration mainly
takes places in the upper part of the filter bed, where the deposited filtratable particles
form a filter cake. For backwashing, the filter cake needs to be loosened up, followed by
washing out the deposited particles. The backwashing is usually conducted with air and
water, in case of smaller plants also with water only.
When combining different filter materials in a multi-layer filter, the upper layer of the
filter bed consists of a coarse material with a lower density, while the lower layer consists
of a finer material with a higher density. For example anthracite with a granulation of 1.5
to 2.5 mm as upper layer, and filter sand with a granulation of 1 to 2 mm as lower layer.
This results in an increased capacity and thus an increased service life of the filter.
For smaller flow rates, or in case of water with a low level of pollution, a candle filter or
bag filter is often used. Instead of backwashing, the filter candle or filter bag is often
replaced once the permitted differential pressure is exceeded.
The grade of filtration can be increased by adding insoluble metallic salts like iron
chloride, aluminium sulphate or polyaluminium chloride as coagulation agents to the to
be filtrated water. This causes smallest particles to deposit at the coagulating agent, both
of which will then be filtrated together.

For removal of iron and manganese, the raw water is first aerated inside an air mixer.
This caused the iron and manganese diluted within the water to oxidise. The resulting
iron oxide and manganese oxide is then filtrated with a sand filter. Especially for removal
of manganese, biological processes also play a role for the filtration. If free carbonic
acids needs to be removed in addition to that, the aereation can also be conducted inside a
degasser.
In order to remove diluted substances like chlorine or ozone, dispersed substances like
oils and fats, or organic material from the water, an activated carbon filter can be used.
The filtration process is mainly base on adsorption. When depleted, activated carbon is
replaced.
For Filtration and binding of free carbonit acid at the same time, dolomite is used. The
free carbonic acid reacts to hydrocarbonate, going along with an increase of the pH-value
of the water. To a limited extend, dolomite is also suitable for removal of iron, manganese
and sulphate. Dolomite is re-filled once the filter material is used up.
top of page

Examples of Use

Candle filter as pre-filter upstream of ion exchange or reverse osmosis plants.

Candle or bag filter for filtration of condensate.
Sand filter for partial stream filtration of cooling circuit water.
Sand filter for de-ironing and demanganisation of well water.
Sand filter with additional activated carbon layer for protection of downstream
ion exchange or reverse osmosis plants.
Sand filter or multi-layer filter for filtration of process water.
Anthracite filter for filtration of condensate.
Activated carbon filter for polishing of drinking water.
Acitvated carbon filter for removal of chlorine, ozone, oils, fats, organic
material, ...
Dolomite filter for deacidification of drinking water or waste water.

Bild: Filtration plant, flow capacity 70 m/h, commissioned 2003 in Ploiesti, Romania.
top of page

Technical Data
(varies depending upon design and operating conditions)
flow rate:
raw water pre-pressure, abs:
raw water temperature:
raw water quality:

0.5 ... 300 m/h

2 ... 16 bar
4 ... 100 C
town water

service life:
backwash media:
pure water quality:

vessel material:
piping material:

filter medium:

well water
surface water
condensate
process water
1 ... 30 d
water, air
clear, colourless
iron < 0.1 ppm
manganese < 0.05 ppm
chlorine < 0.1 ppm
free carbonic acid < 5.0 ppm
cleansed of most oils and fats
glass-reinforced plastic (grp)
steel (coated)
stainless steel
PVC
PP
steel (coated)
stainless steel
filter gravel
anthracite (hard coal)
alkaline filter material (Hydrolit, Akdolit)
activated carbon
filter candles made of PP

top of page

Cost of Operation
Low. Mainly caused by effluent as well as power consumption for pumps and
compressors during backwashing. Accordingly depending upon the contamination level
of the raw water, the grade of filtration, and the costs of raw water and electricity.
top of page

Further Information
References
Technical data sheets
Drawings
Questionnaires: Request for tender
References
top of page

 2009 Imprint and legal advice