Page 307 - APPLIED PROCESS DESIGN FOR CHEMICAL AND PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS, Volume 1, 3rd Edition

Mechanical Separations 279

7- -+ W
b
--- b
-7-

b
A. Direct Intemeption 5, Sieving C. Bridging
Figure 4-75. “Capture” mechanism for cartridge filters. Adapted by permission after Shucosky, A. C., Chemical Engineering, V. 95, No. 1,1988,
p. ?a.

pressure drop or lower the holding capacity. In normal
operation, the pressure drop initially is quite low, perhaps
1 to 3 psig depending on flow rate, but as the solids build
up, the pressure drop Miill rise to 10 to 35 pig, in which
range most companies recommend replacement.
These replaceable cartridges or packs are the most
commonly used; however, there are cartridges of wire
mesh, sintered or porous metal which can be removed,
cleaned, and replaced. Usually, the fine gores of the metal
become progressively plugged and the cartridges lose
capacity. They are often used for filtering hot fluids, or
polymers with suspended particles, pharmaceuticals, and
foods (liquids). In the case of polymers and other appli-
cations a special solvent and blowback cleaning system
may be employed.
The small cartridge units can be conveniently placed
Panicle size, rnicmmeters
ahead of instruments, close-clearanced pumps, or a
Figure 4-76. Pleated aind Wound cartridges differ in removal-effi- process to remove last indications of impurities in sus-
y permission, Shucosky, A. C., Chemical Engineer- pension.
ing, V. 95, NO. I I 1988, 6). 72.
Other useful cartridges are:

Note: (a) Designations €or both nominal and absolute 1. woven stainless steel (or other wire) wire screen
ratings are based on the measure of a particle mesh, Figure 4-’77A and Figure 4-78
size, not a pore size. (b) Ratings are based on 2. wire wound, Figure 477A
arbitrary laboratory tests by the filter manufac-
turer and can vary in actual plant conditions as 3. sintered metal, Figure 477B
previously discussed.
The woven wire mesh type are formed to control the
For some critical applications (such as polymer melt, open space between the wires, thereby limiting the maxi-
beverage, or pharmaceutical filtration), it may be impor- mum size particle that can pass through. The cartridge is
tant to avoid cartridges that have ai “nap” or “fuzz” on the installed in cases or small vessels to facilitate quick
fiber used, because these extremely fine fibers tend to replacement, or they can be arranged for backwash by use
break off and drift through the cartridge and go out with of proper piping connections. The wire wound units have
the finished product, thereby creating a visual acceptance consistent spaces for uniform particle size filtering.
problem, if not outright contamination. The sintered metal units have uniform permeability
with void spaces approximately 50% by volume for some
In actual practice some companies have cartridges that metals and manufacturing techniques. The pore sizes can
will remove to 0.25 micrometer. Of course, the smaller the be graded to remove particles from P micron to 20
particle size that is specified to be removed from the microns for liquids and smaller sizes when used in
vapor or liquid, the higher will normally be the ultimate gaseous systems. (See Figure 477B.)