Water filtration systems are increasingly guided by the principles of pre-treatment, which allows to protect sanitary equipment from pollution. In industry, for such purposes, treatment plants are used practically at the sources of water intake. In domestic conditions, the modern technological level allows us to confine ourselves to a washing filter only - of course, if we are not talking about a water supply system for a country house from an artesian well. But in this case, such a device will not be superfluous.
Device purpose
The filter is used to clean water flows from mechanical insoluble impurities in piping systems of hot and cold supply. In industrial conditions, the principle of operation of flushing devices can be applied in the maintenance of technical oils, compressed air and liquid hydrocarbons. Each model has its own temperature and gauge limitations. The household washing filter for mechanical cleaning remains operational at a temperature of the transported medium not higher than 110 ° C, and the pressure can be within 10 bar. As for specifically impurities that are not allowed into the channel by devices of this type, particles of sand, clay, rust, colloidal compounds, etc. can be attributed to them.
Filter Design Features
A typical device has a body and a flask, which are usually made of special metal alloys - for example, brass with a nickel plating. Although the use of high-strength plastics is allowed. Between the body and the bulb there is an annular gasket, as well as a connecting rod in the form of a threaded connection. Directly the tasks of the washing filter are performed by cylindrical filter elements made of stainless alloys. Moreover, depending on the model of cleaning membranes, there may be several - different stages of cleaning from spot to rough. Of the functional structural components, it is possible to distinguish a pipe for connecting to the pipeline and a manometer for measuring and indicating pressure. Among the distinguishing features are the following:
- The dual filter element system allows for the cleaning of suspensions of 250-1000 microns in size.
- Thanks to multi-stage cleaning, cascade filtration with different inter-washing intervals is possible.
- Using the optional drain tap, it is possible to flush the device back and forth.
Types of device
Filters differ in the nature of cleaning and tolerances for use in different communication systems. So, it is possible to distinguish a fine filter, a coarse cleaning device and combination devices with the aforementioned multi-stage membrane system. There are also modifications that specialize in additional effects - ionization, softening, aeration and disinfection. Automated filters also appear, in which, based on the set parameters, certain operating modes with different degrees of cleaning or washing are switched on at certain intervals. Such devices contain a special drive with a control panel and a timer in the design. If we talk about differences from the point of view of application in different communications, then there are models for heating systems, water supply and pipelines with technological fluids.
The principle of operation of self-cleaning models
Almost all washing machine models support the self-cleaning function. It became possible thanks to the design of the flask, some versions of which have a drain hole in the lower part. In the normal filtration mode, this hole is closed, but when a sufficient amount of dirt accumulates in the flask, it opens through a special valve under water pressure. Moreover, the pressure can be so high that the self-cleaning wash filter is not just emptied, but is washed from the inside. After the operation, the valve restores its original position, and the valve closes. At the same time, the self-cleaning function does not mean at all that the device does not require user intervention in the operational process. At a minimum, renewal of filter elements or absorbent fillers is required periodically, depending on the type of device.
Installation Rules
Installation is carried out at a point in the pipeline, which is necessarily located on a horizontal section and has a free approach. Moreover, the position of the filter itself will be vertical - with the drain oriented down. It should also be foreseen that the place of operation of the water wash filter does not involve any physical exertion such as tension, compression, bending or torsion. For power support at the insertion point, it will not be superfluous to provide support elements or compensators that minimize vibration loads on the device from the pipeline line. Before and after the installation point, stop valves must also be inserted, which will allow stopping water flows without any hassle and performing the necessary technical operations with the filter.
Operational Features
For each model, there are individual indicators of temperature and pressure that are valid for the workflow. They should be adhered to and at least not allowed to exceed the above limits. The level of contamination of the filters should be checked periodically. Each device has its own cleaning principle and a fill indicator. It is desirable to control these data in manual mode, even if the system provides for an automatic principle of operation. It is recommended to monitor the structural integrity of the washing filter with its suitable channels, nozzles and valves. The slightest leak during depressurization will make the cleaning process ineffective and may lead to an accident in the circuit.
Filter Replacement
The standard filtration consumable of such devices is a mesh membrane. Despite the ability to self-clean, it does not eliminate the need for regular updating of this element. Firstly, filling the filter with large particles can damage the mesh structure, and secondly, small elements often get stuck in the cells and are not removed by a stream of water. Therefore, the washing filter for water purification with a decrease in throughput must be disassembled and checked for clogging and damage to the mesh. If it is in poor condition, it must be replaced. The operation is performed without much effort - it is enough to remove the latches from the previous grid, remove it and install a new filtration component in the vacated space.
Conclusion
Special devices for mechanical water purification are quite rare today. Manufacturers strive to direct products to several tasks at once, providing for the possibility of chemical and biological water treatment. In this context, the wash filter can be considered as an outdated and low-functional solution, but optimization for a specific task has its advantages. Among them are the small size of the device, its structural simplicity and cleaning efficiency - both thin and rough. And this is not to mention the low financial costs for the purchase and maintenance of filters of this type.