ANSI/ASAE S539 MAR1994 (R2008)

Media Filters for IrrigationTesting and Performance

Reporting

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ANSI/ASAE S539 MAR1994 (R2008)
Approved October 1995; reaffirmed February 2008 as an American National Standard
Media Filters for IrrigationTesting and Performance
Reporting
Developed by the ASAE Microirrigation Committee; approved by the Soil
and Water Division Standards Committee; adopted by ASAE March
1994; revised editorially July 1994; approved as an American National
Standard October 1995, reaffirmed December 1998; reaffirmed by ASAE
December 1999; reaffirmed by ANSI June 2000; reaffirmed by ASAE
January 2001, December 2001, February 2003; reaffirmed by ANSI
February 2003; reaffirmed by ASABE and ANSI February 2008.
Keywords: Filters, Irrigation, Testing
1 Purpose and scope
1.1 This Standard has the following purposes:
1.1.1 Define a standard procedure to collect irrigation media filter test
data.
1.1.2 Provide procedures to classify and characterize media filter test
data from manufacturers and independent testing laboratories.
1.2 This Standard establishes a consistent basis to validate and support
manufacturers statements on the performance, reliability, safety, and
long-term effectiveness of individual irrigation media filtration systems.
Sufficient data are to be developed so irrigation system designers and
others can evaluate the suitability of a particular filter system for a
specific application.
1.3 This Standard does not establish design criteria for irrigation media
filters or specify media. It is not intended for use in ranking different
products.
1.4 The scope of this Standard is to describe methods for obtaining
sufficient, accurate data to determine performance characteristics of
media filters used for irrigation. This Standard pertains only to media
filters for irrigation water.
1.5 This Standard addresses the operation and performance of a system
of media filter tank vessels, related valves, backwash mechanism,
underdrains and manifolds. These components define the containment
and processing assemblies associated with media filtration systems that
ensure proper hydraulic characteristics, flow balance, and adequate
cleaning of the media for a specific product design that has been
installed and operated as recommended by a manufacturer.
1.6 The selection of the actual filtration media used inside the filtration
system is not part of this Standard, although it is extremely important to
overall filtration performance. The ultimate effectiveness of filtration
depends on the depth and type of the media bed, velocity of water
through the bed, physical composition and characteristics of the media,
and equivalent pore-size distributions. Testing of individual media for its
efficiency in filtration is likewise not part of this Standard.
1.7 Determinations of particulate composition of the outlet test fluid are
used to assess the potential effectiveness of the entire backwash system
in cleaning the media after extended use, and are not an evaluation of
media performance.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in
this text, constitute provisions of this Standard. At the time of publication,
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision,
and parties to agreements based on this Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
standards indicated below. Standards organizations maintain registers of
currently valid standards.
ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S539 MAR1994 R2008
ASAE EP405.1 DEC93, Design and Installation of Microirrigation
Systems
ASAE EP458 DEC93, Field Evaluation of Microirrigation Systems
ASAE S526, Soil and Water Engineering Terminology
ASA/SSSA monograph, Methods of Soil Analyses, Part 1, Particle Size
Analyses
3 Definitions and terminology
3.1 backwash: A procedure that flushes clean water through a filter tank
in reverse direction to the normal operating direction so as to remove
captured organic and inorganic particulates from the filter media. Filtered
water from one or more tanks is used to backwash another tank. Only
one tank is usually backwashed at a time. The process is also referred
to as backflush and as reverse flushing.
3.2 backwash control mechanism: A mechanism that initiates the
backwashing action of the filter as determined by one or a combination
of physical quantities, such as pressure differential, duration of filtration
interval, or volume of water filtered.
3.3 backwash flow: A recommended rate of water flow through the
media to maximize uniformity of backwashing, to maximize effectiveness
of the backwashing activity, and to minimize loss of media.
3.4 backwash pressure differential: A pressure differential between
two points, one upstream and one downstream of the filter tanks, that
may initiate the backwashing cycle.
3.5 backwash water volume: A volume of water flushed from the entire
media filtration system (two or more tanks) during one backwashing
operation.
3.6 duration of filter flushing cycle: A period of time during which
water flushes filtered material out of the media filter via the backwash
action.
3.7 filtration level: The minimum particle size retained by the filters
when operated according to filter manufacturers specifications using a
given media grade. Particle sizes should be expressed in units of
micrometers rather than screen mesh sizes.
3.8 loading rate: The average concentration of suspended particulates
in the inlet test fluid, expressed in milligrams (dry mass) per liter of test
fluid, mg/L.
3.9 maximum operating flow: The highest inlet flow specified by the
manufacturer that insures both proper filtration and proper backwashing.
Expressed as flow per unit cross-sectional area of media, L/(sm2).
3.10 maximum operating pressure: The highest inlet pressure
specified by the manufacturer that insures the proper and safe
functioning of the device.
3.11 media: The filtration material used in a media filter. The media
generally consists of crushed granite, silica, or quartz sieved to specific
particle sizes. Media may also consist of many other materials such as
cardboard or synthetic fibers, woven textiles of various types, or synthetic
particles.
3.12 media filter: A filtration device that uses a bed of media to remove
suspended organic and inorganic particles from the incoming irrigation
water. Each media filter is contained within a pressure vessel(s) or
tank(s) that contains underlying drains (e.g., PVC plastic, stainless steel,
or ceramic materials) with or without a gravel bed to facilitate the
backwashing procedure. Media filter is sometimes referred to as a depth
filter.
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3.13 media filtration system: A system of two or more media filter
tanks manifolded together so filtered water from one tank can be used to
backwash the other(s) by actuation of valves.
3.14 media grade: The classification of the media with respect to
particles and their size distribution (percent of total mass).
3.15 minimum operating flow: The lowest flow into the filter system
specified by the manufacturer that insures both proper filtration and
proper backwashing functions. Expressed as flow per unit cross-sectional
area of media, L/(sm2).
3.16 minimum operating pressure: The lowest inlet pressure specified
by the manufacturer that insures proper functioning of the device,
including backwashing without an additional higher pressure source.
3.17 nominal pressure loss: The normal pressure loss measured
through a back-flushed, clean filter for efficient, long-term operation of the
filter system.
3.18 outlet test fluid: The suspended organic and inorganic particulates
in the test fluid that have passed through a filter and may also include
particles from the media. May also be referred to as the filtrate.
3.19 suspended solids: Organic and inorganic particulates suspended
in a moving water stream. Total suspended solids, TSS, is a measure of
the concentration of suspended solids in the water expressed as mg/L.
3.20 test fluid: The fluid used for testing the filter system.
3.21 test particulates: The solids in the test fluid that enter a media
filter under test.
4 Irrigation media filter description
4.1 Number of tests. To establish a set of typical test data, at least one
filter set of each model and size should be tested under the same
operating and temperature conditions. Each test shall be recorded and
reported separately, although tests on identical models may be combined
in reports.
4.2 Selection of filters for testing. Filters used for testing and analyses
shall be randomly selected from normal production runs. Unless specific
conditions or manufacturers recommendations warrant otherwise, testing
of two tanks per tested media filter system set is adequate.
4.3 Selection of media. The specific composition, depth of the media
bed, velocity of water through the bed, physical composition, size
distribution, and geometric characteristics of the media particles are
specified by the manufacturer.
4.4 Tank safety factors. Design safety factor for the tanks should be
stated as a ratio of the bursting pressure to the maximum recommended
operating pressure (e.g., 4:1).
4.5 Description of filter. Each media filter system shall be described so
specific references can be made to each system as tested at later dates.
The system description shall include, but not necessarily be limited to,
the following:
name of manufacturer;
approximate date of manufacture;
model name and number;
date of testing;
nominal inlet and outlet pipe sizes;
material of tank construction (e.g., stainless steel, epoxy-coated
steel with type and thickness of epoxy, painted steel, fiberglass,
PVC);
nominal diameter of tanks;
dimensions, cross-sectional area or diameter, and type of
inspection/filling and/or cleaning/media removal access port
assemblies (e.g., clamps, threaded, bolted with gaskets);
type of backwash automation, if applicable;
description of backwash control mechanism;
description of filtered water collector on tank bottom including type
2 ANSIASAE S539 MAR1994 R2008
and construction material (e.g., PVC, stainless steel, ceramic) of
underdrain assembly;
total underdrain open area;
underdrain slot opening or pore dimensions, if applicable;
other descriptive information pertinent to the particular filters being
tested.
Descriptive schematic diagrams (front, top and side views) of the filter
system with dimensions should be included.
5 Site conditions and test equipment
5.1 Filter media and all necessary components shall be installed
according to the manufacturers instructions. Media filter testing results
shall be determined at three standardized inlet test fluid compositions.
5.1.1 Filtering site. The filters shall be placed on a flat, level, and stable
surface.
5.1.2 Test fluid. The test fluid shall be water containing various standard
concentrations of test particulates.
5.1.2.1 Inlet test fluid temperature. Recommended test fluid
temperature range shall be 10 C to 38 C. Average water temperature
during the test shall be reported.
5.1.2.2 Inlet test fluid salinity. The electrical conductivity, EC, of the
inlet test fluid as introduced into the filter shall be not less than 0.25 dS/m
or more than 2.0 dS/m.
5.1.3 Inlet test fluid composition. After the test particulates have been
added, the inlet test fluid shall contain not less than 2 mg/L and not more
than 5 mg/L organic matter by dry mass of total suspended material. Test
particulate inorganic particle size distribution shall be 0200 m, 60%
2% by dry mass; 200400 m, 30% 2% by dry mass; and greater
than 400 m, 10% 2% by dry mass. The added suspended test
particulates shall not change either the specific gravity or viscosity of the
water by more than 2% of the unaltered test fluid.
5.1.3.1 Inlet test fluid reproducibility. The inlet test fluid composition
shall be consistently reproducible (total suspended solids, TSS, particle
size distributions and concentrations).
5.1.3.2 Inorganic particles. Inorganic particles shall be stable in water,
and shall not change size during the testing process by fracturing,
cracking, or disintegration.
5.1.3.3 Organic matter. Organic matter (e.g., ground plant material or
pulverized newspaper) is often fibrous but should pass through a 400 m
dry sieve.
5.1.3.4 Inlet test fluid supply tank. The inlet test fluid supply tank shall
maintain a uniform concentration of test particulates to the inlet side of
the filtration system. Mechanical agitation of the tank(s) will usually be
required.
5.1.4 Maximum inlet water pressure. Maximum inlet pressure used in
testing shall be at 100% of the manufacturers suggested maximum
operating pressure or 80% of the maximum pressure rating of the tanks,
whichever is less.
5.1.5 Pressure rating of tanks. Tanks should be certified to withstand
at least 1.5 times the maximum operating pressure for safety
considerations. Otherwise, the tanks shall be static pressure tested to at
least 1.5 times the maximum operating pressure for 30 min before
initiation of the tests. Successful completion of the pressure test shall be
determined by the absence of leaks in any of the welds and/or
connections. Results of the pressure test shall be reported. Pressure
rating of tanks determined in accordance with other standards (e.g.,
ASTM) shall be clearly identified by reference or full description of the
specific procedures used in establishing the rating.
5.1.6 Test station piping. The upstream and downstream piping shall
conform to the recommended sizes and length requirements on the filter
connections for that particular test. Inlet and outlet pipes shall be of the
same material and general condition. The inside surface shall be free of
flaking rust, mill scale, and irregularities that could cause excessive
ASABE STANDARDS 2008
turbulence. Construction shall provide for full pipe flow through all
instrumented sections during the tests.
5.1.7 Safety. The test layout shall be designed to maximize the safety of
testing personnel. Filters and/or filter installations that may create a
potential safety problem for testing personnel shall not be tested.
Restraining rings, bolts, access port assemblies, pipe connections, etc.,
shall be checked for proper placement and installation prior to the start
of a test. Potential safety hazards shall be identified and corrected prior
to conducting any tests.
6 Measurements
6.1 Pressure. Pressures at selected points in the system shall be
monitored and recorded for each test.
6.1.1 Pressure measuring device(s). Pressure measuring device(s)
capable of measuring pressure with an accuracy 2% of the anticipated
reading shall be used. Each instrument shall be calibrated (bench tested)
as necessary to maintain accuracy. If two or more pressure measuring
devices used to determine pressure are not located in the same
horizontal plane, a correction shall be made for the difference in
elevation. The instrument(s) shall be operated between 30% and 70% of
the full operating range.
6.1.2 Pressure taps. Pressure taps or fittings shall be provided for
measurement of static pressure and pressure loss across the filters and
across filter backwash valves. Taps shall not protrude inside the pipes.
The edge of each hole shall be clean and sharp or slightly rounded. All
taps shall be identical in design. A pressure averaging ring with multiple
taps is recommended. Taps shall be located a minimum of five pipe
diameters downstream of any tees, elbows, valves, flow measuring
instruments, etc. Measurements shall be made at a minimum of three
locations: upstream of the filters; immediately downstream of the filters;
and at locations where pressures can be measured across filter
backwash valves. Additional locations may be measured at the testers
option.
6.2 Temperature. Any device that measures water temperature with an
accuracy of 1 C of the reading may be used. This device shall be
located more than five (5) pipe diameters immediately downstream of the
system flow measuring instrument.
6.3 Flow. Water flow through the system and backwash flow rates shall
be measured and reported for each test.
6.3.1 Flow measuring instrument(s). The flow measuring instrument(s)
shall be any device that measures flow (or volume over time) with an
accuracy of 2% over the flow range being evaluated. The instrument(s)
shall be installed with proper lengths of straight, unobstructed pipe
upstream and downstream from the instrument(s) as recommended by
the manufacturer of the flow measurement instrument(s). The
instrument(s) shall be calibrated to ensure the specified accuracy. The
instrument(s) shall operate under full pipe flow conditions. The
instrument(s) should cause minimum pressure loss.
6.3.2 Location of flow measuring instruments. One instrument shall
be located upstream to measure total system inflow and total volume. A
second instrument shall be located to measure backwash flow and total
volume.
6.3.3 Throttling device. A downstream throttling device shall be used to
control flow through the test filters. Full pipe flow shall be maintained
within the inlet and outlet during the testing process. There are no
restrictions on the size or style of this device.
6.3.4 Sample collection. The use of a valve on the side of the outlet
pipe is recommended for collection of water samples during a test for
compositional and particle size analyses. The sampling valve shall be
located on the horizontal centerline of the outlet pipe.
6.3.5 Air relief. The location, type, and size of any air relief device used
or recommended by the manufacturer shall be clearly stated.
6.3.6 Downstream filtration. A screen filter shall be located
downstream of the media filters to prevent the recirculation of particles
back through the media filters, and to catch lost media. This filter shall be
ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S539 MAR1994 R2008
of a mesh sufficient to retain any media that might pass through the
underdrain assemblies, but not smaller-sized particles. This filter shall be
cleaned after completion of a set of tests run at one test condition and
the size distribution and composition of the contents analyzed.
7 Testing procedures
7.1 After installation of media, the media filter system shall be filled with
the test fluid and all air bled off prior to the initiation of a testing
sequence. Media filter testing shall be done in this sequence:
pressure loss-flow relationships;
backwash effectiveness;
safe operation under extreme conditions.
Tests shall be conducted following the manufacturers recommended
specified media and general operating conditions to the fullest extent
possible. Operating conditions not supplied by the manufacturer that are
required for this Standard shall be identified; and, in these cases, the
determination of the unspecified values shall be at the discretion of the
testing laboratory and reported as such.
7.2 Test identification. Information sufficient to identify each particular
testing sequence shall include:
test number;
manufacturers name;
product description as outlined in 4.5;
calendar dates;
times of day;
testing location (organization and address);
name of the person in charge of the testing.
7.3 Flow. Flows used in the testing procedure are referenced to the
maximum operating flow and the minimum operating flow [e.g.,
0.6 m3/(hrm2) and 1.08 m3/(hrm2), respectively, based on the top
surface area of media in the tanks].
7.4 Inlet fluid pressure. Inlet pressure shall be the maximum allowed
under 5.4.
7.5 Inlet test fluid composition. Test particulates shall be introduced at
a constant loading rate throughout the test period, including during
backwash cycles.
7.5.1 Introduction of test particulates. Test particulates shall be
introduced immediately prior to the filter station so the distribution is
uniform in time and density. The test particulate supply tank shall have
constant mechanical agitation.
7.5.2 Loading rate. Tests should be repeated at inorganic inlet test fluid
loading rates of
0 mg/L (e.g., clean tap water);
100 mg/L ( 10 mg/L) plus organic materials;
300 mg/L ( 10 mg/L) plus organic materials.
7.5.3 Media. All tests of a filter system shall be conducted with a single
filtration media (and support gravel if used) conforming to the
manufacturers specified size, shape, etc. Synthetic material media shall
be supplied by the manufacturer and clearly described in the final
reports.
7.5.4 Changing of media. New particle or synthetic fiber media shall be
installed prior to initiation of each testing sequence as stated below. The
filters shall be thoroughly backwashed 3 to 4 times immediately after
installation of new media and prior to the initiation of any tests to remove
any fines or other particulates contained in the media that could influence
test results. After initial backwashing of particle media, the specific
particle sizes, particle size distribution, depth, volume, and the initial
mass of the new media shall be reported.
7.5.5 Sieve analyses of particle media. Prior to the start of each
testing sequence for filters with sand-type media, random samples of the
3
new and backwashed (see 7.5.3) media used shall be taken from the
tanks in sufficient quantities for the sieve analyses. The data will
characterize the media.
7.5.6 Where support gravel is specified, provide sieve analysis,
compositional purity (e.g., % silica or % quartz), chemical, physical, and
geometric description of media and any support gravel used in the testing
procedure. In no case should the size of the support gravel be smaller
than 90% of the filtering media.
7.6 Outlet fluid composition. Samples shall be collected, and the outlet
test fluid compositional purity shall be determined. The sample analyses
shall include the particle size distribution of the introduced test
particulates in the test fluid entering the test filters, and the particle size
distribution in the outlet test fluid. One set of outlet test fluid samples
shall be taken at the end of the testing period for each flow at each
loading rate. The samples shall be analyzed for TSS and particle size
distribution in accordance with procedures outlined in ASA-SSSA
monograph. Turbidity meters to determine relative outlet test fluid
compositional purity shall not be used.
7.6.1 Samples shall be collected 30 min or more after completion of the
last backwash cycle.
7.6.1.1 Sample size shall be at least 50 mL and collected into a sample
bottle that has been thoroughly cleaned, rinsed with distilled water, and
allowed to dry prior to the test.
7.6.1.2 Outlet fluid composition samples shall be collected downstream
of the filter but above the downstream throttling device and the
downstream filtration.
7.6.2 Removal efficiency shall be calculated in accordance with 3.4.1,
3.4.1.1, 3.4.1.2, and 3.4.1.3. in ASAE EP458. This equation is:
conditions of hydraulic equilibrium. These conditions will normally occur
after about 20 to 30 min as determined by monitoring pressure and flow
fluctuations.
7.7.2 Loading rate. The filter system shall be tested at each flow with
clean water only (0 mg/L loading rate).
7.7.3 Flows. Tests shall be conducted at a minimum of seven flows
ranging in nearly equal increments from about 75% of the manufacturers
minimum recommended operating flow per unit area to about 125% of
the manufacturers maximum recommended operating flow per unit area.
All flows used shall be reported.
7.7.4 Inlet and outlet pressures. Inlet pressures shall be maintained at
the manufacturers maximum recommended operating levels. Inlet and
outlet pressures shall be reported at each flow once equilibrium
conditions have been established.
7.7.5 Testing sequence. Tests shall proceed from the lowest to the
highest flow. Backwash, if necessary, to maintain the manufacturers
recommended post-backwash pressure differentials.
7.8 Backwash testing. Backwash initiation and optimal cycle duration
criteria shall follow manufacturers recommended operating procedures.
These criteria shall be reported.
7.8.1 Test period. Each test filter shall be tested continuously for a
minimum of 48 h and have at least 20 complete backwash cycles during
the test period. The specific criteria used for each test period, general
test conditions, and the total volume of test fluid that passed through the
filters during the entire test shall be reported.
7.8.2 Flows. Tests shall be conducted at two flows: the minimum
manufacturers recommended operating flow per unit area, and the
maximum recommended operating flow per unit area as defined above.
It is not necessary to replace the media between flow changes at the

E r 100* 1 S inflow
S outflow
,
same loading rate. Tests shall proceed from lowest to highest flows.
7.8.3 Loading rate. Backwash effectiveness shall be tested for two
loading rates (100 10 mg/L and 300 10 mg/L). Loading rates shall
where: proceed from lowest to highest loading. Each loading rate sequence
should start with newly replaced and backwashed media.
7.8.4 Pressure differentials. Pressure losses across the media filter
Er is the removal efficiency; system shall be measured and reported for each flow at the two loading
S outflow is outlet concentration of suspended solids in mg/L; rates (see 7.5.2).
S inflow is the inlet concentration of suspended solids in mg/L.
7.8.5 Backwashing. The filters shall be backwash between each test
7.6.3 An example of reporting TSS in the outlet water for each size condition until the manufacturers recommended post-backwash pressure
range of the test particulate material after a typical test might be differential is achieved.
(assuming no media was removed from the tanks by the backwash 7.8.5.1 Backwash valve closure. In multi-tank systems, the time
process): required for the backwash valve to close following backwash (e.g., dwell
Particle Inlet Outlet time between tanks) shall be reported for each flow and pressure
size concentration concentration combination used in the testing sequence.
0200 m 60 mg/L 20 mg/L 7.8.5.2 Backwash valve pressure losses. Backwash valve pressure
200400 m 30 mg/L 5 mg/L losses during normal filter operation as well as during backwash shall be
>400 m 10 mg/L 2 mg/L measured and reported.
Organic 5 mg/L 1.5 mg/L 7.8.5.3 Backwash initiation. Initiation of individual backwash operations
for a filter system shall be in accordance with the manufacturers criteria
Total concentrations 105 mg/L 28.5 mg/L with respect to
Removal efficiency, E r 72.9% specified timing (e.g., h) between backwash events;
achieving a specified pressure drop across the filter system;
7.6.4 The data from 7.6.2 will be used to determine (calculate) the both timing and pressure drop.
particle size for which 90% of the total mass of particles (test particulates
and media) passing the filter are smaller. 7.8.5.4 Backwash interval. The times (h:min) between individual
system backwash cycles and the average frequency (during the entire
7.7 Pressure loss-flow testing. Data of pressure loss vs. flow shall be testing sequence) of backwashing required to clean the filtering media to
reported for the purpose of establishing pressure-flow relationships the manufacturers recommended post-backwash pressure differential
across the filter system. Backwash initiation (if necessary) and optimal shall be determined and reported for each tested loading rate.
cycle duration criteria shall follow manufacturers recommended
operating procedures. The specific criteria used for each test period and 7.8.5.5 Backwash duration. The duration (time) required for actual filter
general test conditions shall be reported. The pressure loss vs. flow tests system backwash operations shall be reported for all backwash
shall be conducted with newly installed, backwashed media. conditions. Backwash duration of an individual filter system backwashing
operation shall be in accordance with the manufacturers criteria with
7.7.1 Test period. The duration (time) for testing each pressure-flow respect to specified flushing times (min) for individual tanks and post-
combination depends on the time required for the entire system to reach

4 ANSIASAE S539 MAR1994 R2008 ASABE STANDARDS 2008

backwash pressure differentials across the system (inflow-outflow:
nominal pressure loss). The differential pressure loss and/or flushing time
criteria shall be reported for each tested loading rate.
7.8.5.6 Backwash volume. The total volume of test fluid used for
backwashing shall be measured (see 6.3.2) and recorded. The average
volume of test fluid used per backwash cycle shall be calculated and
reported for each flow and loading rate.
7.8.5.7 Visual inspection of particle media. Upon completion of each
set of backwash tests at each loading rate, as stated above, the particle
media shall be visually inspected for the appearance of dishing, model shall have its own test record.
depressions, uneven upper surface media, channeling, tunneling, or
other problems that may reduce the filtration effectiveness. The
existence, nature, depths, and sizes of these occurrences shall be
measured, recorded, and reported.
7.8.5.8 Loss of particle media. Upon completion of each set of
backwash tests at each loading rate, as stated above, the mass of
particle media remaining in the tanks shall be measured. The loss of
media per backwash cycle shall be reported as mass of media lost
divided by the total number of backwash cycles and as a percent of initial
fill media mass. The downstream screen filters shall be inspected and
amount (dry mass) of any media or media-sized particles present shall
also be measured and reported.
7.8.5.9 Percent of residue remaining in media. Upon completion of
the backwash test at each loading rate, media shall be examined for
accumulated, filtered (trapped) residues. Extracted, residual particle
sizes remaining in the media shall be reported for the same distributions
specified in 7.6, as well as a percentage of the total mass of media and
residue in the filters.
7.8.5.9.1 These analyses should be determined by extraction of four
cores (two near the center and two at the sides of the tank) that are at
least 5 cm in diameter for approximately the full depth of any particle or
synthetic media. The media cores shall be evaluated for organic matter
content, silts, clays, etc. Particle media will require drying, sieving, and
measuring volume and sizes of the material that was not a part of the
media prior to initiation of the test as compared to the media particle size
analyses.
7.8.5.9.2 Analyses of synthetic fiber media shall utilize methods to
remove any accumulated material consistent with the chemical
composition of the media (describe methodology). Particle characteristics
of the extract shall be analyzed and described.
7.8.5.10 Backwash valve operation. The operation of backwash
control valves during backwashing operations shall be observed. The
creation of water hammer in the backwash discharge system due to the
valve operation under testing conditions shall be reported.
7.8.6 Rinse cycle valves. Some media filters may have rinse cycles
after the backwash process to prevent carry-over of contaminants into
the irrigation system. The operation of rinse control valves as well as the
volume of water used for this operation shall be observed and reported.
The creation of water hammer in the piping system due to the valve
operation under testing conditions shall be reported.
7.9 Safe operation under extreme conditions. Starting with new
media, a backwash test shall be conducted at only the highest loading
rate (see 7.8) for both the manufacturers maximum and minimum
recommended flow rates per unit area. Backwashing shall be manually
initiated when the filter system has developed a pressure differential of
not less than 0.5 times the manufacturers maximum recommended
operating pressure to ensure backwash valve operation and safety under
extreme conditions. These data shall be recorded and also presented in
the pressure loss table section of the testing report. Other testing
parameters and reporting criteria contained in 7.8 also apply to these
tests.
8 Test records and data reduction
8.1 Information to be reported. The information requested in clauses
4, 5, 6, and 7 shall be recorded on suitable forms selected or designed
ASABE STANDARDS 2008 ANSIASAE S539 MAR1994 R2008
by the testing organization. Supplemental data describing the conduct of
the test may be included on the testing forms or in the test report. Copies
of all laboratory test results shall be made available on request.
8.2 Sufficient data should be recorded and retained to support published
performance specifications so perceived or apparent conflicts can be
resolved or further evaluated. The use of photographs of the testing
setup is highly recommended.
8.3 Interpolation of data. No interpolation between filter sizes or
models shall be used for the standard specifications. Each size and
9 Published data
9.1 Data obtained and recorded in accordance with the methods and
procedures as described by this Standard may be published as the
minimum performance specifications of specific irrigation media filters.
Much of the requested information in this clause is supplied by the
manufacturer and is not part of the testing process, however, it is
necessary to have it combined into one document for making appropriate
design decisions.
9.2 Units. Results shall be presented in SI units; however, the
manufacturer may also include inch-pound system units.
9.2.1 Pressure. Data shall be listed in kilopascals, kPa.
9.2.2 Flow. Flow shall be listed in liters per second, L/s, and/or cubic
meters per hour, m3/h. Data shall be listed to at least the nearest 1 L/s,
0.06 m3/h, for flow over 15 L/s, 0.9 m3/h. Otherwise, flow shall be stated
to within 2% of the actual flow.
9.2.3 Flow velocity. Flow velocities through the media shall be reported
as flow divided by cross-sectional area, m3/hm2.
9.2.4 Outlet test fluid composition. Measurements of the particulate
sizes and their distribution in the outlet test fluid should be listed in
micrometers, m.
9.2.5 Water temperature. Water temperature shall be reported in C.
9.3 Supplemental data. In addition to the information listed in 4.5, the
following data (see 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, and 7.9) shall be reported:
9.3.1 General test information and conditions including:
date;
location;
inlet test fluid temperature;
electrical conductivity (dS/m) of the inlet test fluid;
test period (h);
loading rates;
flows.
9.3.2 Maximum pressure rating, kPa, of the tanks and manifolds
including the designed safety factor (ratio of the bursting pressure to the
maximum recommended operating pressure) and a description of the
method (or identifying national or international standard) by which it was
determined.
9.3.3 Filtering media (sand, silica, gravel, synthetic material, etc.).
9.3.3.1 The media shall be determined by the manufacturer and shall be
clearly specified and labeled as manufacturers recommended filtering
media.
9.3.3.2 Manufacturers recommended media bed depth and nominal
cross-sectional area of filtration media in tanks.
9.3.3.3 Description of the manufacturers recommended media and
support gravel (if applicable) to be used. Particle media should include
particle size distributions, geometric and physical definitions of media.
9.3.3.4 Manufacturers recommended media replacement intervals and/
or criteria to be used to determine media replacement needs.
9.3.4 Manufacturers recommended minimum and maximum system
flow.
5
9.3.5 Manufacturers recommended minimum and maximum operating
pressure.
9.3.6 Manufacturers recommended minimum and maximum flow
velocities.
9.3.7 Manufacturers recommended allowable pressure drops (head
loss) across the irrigation media filtration system:
at the above maximum recommended flow for clean media;
at the above minimum recommended flow for clean media.
9.3.8 Expected outlet test fluid composition.
9.3.8.1 The particle size for which 90% of the total mass of particles (test
particulates and media) passing the filter are smaller.
9.3.8.2 The particle size distributions of material in the outlet test fluid.
9.3.8.3 Removal efficiency calculated for the selected loading rates.
9.3.9 Backwashing performance according to the manufacturers
operational recommendations.
9.3.9.1 Ratio of backwash volume to total filtered volume at selected
loading rates.
9.3.9.2 Volume of backwash water required at selected loading rates.
9.3.9.3 Maximum and minimum backwash flows as rates and velocities
through the specified media.
9.3.9.4 Backwash duration: length of time required for proper backwash.
9.3.9.5 Recommended backwash frequency (days and hours).
9.3.9.6 Maximum allowable pressure differential across the media filter
system to initiate backwashing.
9.3.9.7 Particle size distribution, composition (e.g., organic and
inorganic), and mass of residue remaining in media as a percent of total
mass of media at the end of a test.
9.3.9.8 Mass of original particle media that has been lost from the tanks
and results of visual inspection of particle media.
9.3.9.9 Backwash valve pressure losses.
9.3.9.10 Characteristics of backwash valve operation including closure
rates, dwell time, occurrence of water hammer, and leakage during
operation.
9.3.9.11 Maximum allowable pressure differentials for automatic
backwashing when using system water to backwash adjacent tanks.
6 ANSIASAE S539 MAR1994 R2008
9.3.9.12 Safe operation under extreme conditions (see 7.9).
9.3.9.13 Manufacturers recommended size of pipe and valves for
disposal of backwash water.
9.3.9.14 Requirements for valves to isolate the filter system from the
irrigation system during backwashing.
9.3.10 Estimated lifetime (years) and resistance of tanks, fittings, valves
etc., to abrasion and corrosion under adverse water conditions.
9.3.11 Other pertinent, supporting data as specified in this Standard.
9.4 Other supplemental data may be published in the manufacturers
performance specifications. However, such data shall not be referenced
to this Standard.
10 Certification
10.1 Published performance specifications should be revised if product
design changes alter the performance of that particular filter model and
configuration.
10.1.1 Certification statement. Company name, testing laboratory or
testing service certifies that pressure, flow rate, composition of
discharge water, removal efficiency, pressure drop through system, and
backwash requirements for this product (model identification,
manufacturer) were determined and listed in accordance with ASAE
S539, Media Filters for IrrigationTesting and Performance Reporting on
(testing dates). These results are representative of performance of
production filters at the time of this publication. Actual product
performance may differ from the published specifications due to normal
manufacturing variations and test sample selection. All other
specifications are solely the recommendation of Company name.
Copies of specific testing results for this filter (actual test identification
numbers, etc.) may be requested in writing from the above Company.
10.1.2 Data certification. The statement in 10.1.1 shall appear on each
specification page referencing ASAE S539. Each model complying with
this procedure shall be appropriately referenced to this statement.
10.1.3 Each tank shall bear markings in accordance with this Standard.
10.1.4 A declaration as to whether the filter is equipped with some type
of protective mechanism to prevent repeated, unnecessary back-
washings, if automated.
ASABE STANDARDS 2008