If you are usually dealing with piping projects in industrial or municipal systems, then basket strainers must be your deeply familiar partner. And automatic self cleaning strainers can be regarded as the upgraded version. Both are used for removing impurities from pipeline stream.
In the following content, we’d like to explore their individual pros and cons, helping you make the most optimal choice next time. Let’s dive in!
What is Manual Basket Strainer?
Generally includes simplex strainer and duplex strainer two styles, or integrates multiple simplex strainers into a filtration unit, resulting in a modular design.
Simplex strainers are the most common and simple design, has a single strainer housing and removable filter basket. Duplex strainers are designed with two parallel filter chambers/housings which connected by a changeover valve.
An interesting point is that duplex strainer can also achieve uninterrupted operation during the cleaning process. But its working principle is still fundamentally different from that of automatic self cleaning strainers.
What is Automatic Self Cleaning Strainer?
Automatic self cleaning strainers, you must hard to ignore the most essential point from this name – supports fully automatic cleaning. It involves backwash strainers, brush type self-cleaning strainers, scraper type self-cleaning strainers, etc.
When you require a continuous filtration process during 100% non-manual cleaning operation, automatic cleaning strainers will never let you down. Just check our product page https://www.filsonfilters.com/self-cleaning-filter/ to get more info.
Top 6Key Differences Between Two Styles
In current booming, fiercely competitive markets, both players are firmly established. So you can tell that each brings its own set of pros and cons.
▶ Cleaning Downtime
Simplex strainers need to be manually disassembled for cleaning and the system must be shut down, downtime duration is determined by the time spent on manual operations(disassembly, cleaning, reinstallation).
Duplex strainers allow a uninterrupted filtration process while cleaning as mentioned earlier. It is composed of two independent cylinders. When cleaning, you rotate the switching valve to make the fluid enter the backup cylinder B, then can disassemble and clean the cylinder A after it stops running completely.
However, automatic strainers ensure both no downtime and no need of manual operation during entire cleaning procedure.
Backwash strainer adopts one-by-one cleaning design for filter elements, liquid for backwashing is the filtered clean raw liquid. Or external water or gas sources will do. Regular cleaning time is 2-12 seconds.
Brush/scraper type self-cleaning strainer has a built-in stainless steel brush/scraper. When it is cleaned, the motor drives it to rotate, captured impurities on the filter screen are brushed down and discharged from the drain valve. This process usually takes 15-60 seconds, with ≤1% water consumption each time.
“If your system is much sensitive to downtime (like 24/7 production lines, critical cooling circuits), automatic is preferred; if short downtime is acceptable and a lower CAPEX is desired, simplex. Duplex is often a compromise between cost and availability.” Advice from our Technical Director.
▶ Filter Element
Filter elements of standard basket strainers are usually of the “basket” type, with a handle for easy access, and can be made by woven wire mesh, malha sinterizada, ou tela de arame em cunha. They intercept large solid particles in the coarse filtration stage, thus micron rating design usually ≥50μm.
For auto self cleaning strainers, the filter media can be both “cartridge” and “basket” styles. Among wedge wire filter elements have an innovative conical design for easier and faster backwashing. Micron rating design can be up to 5-10 μm.
▶ Operation Control
Manual basket strainers(simplex/duplex) have no extra control system, you are required to pay close attention to pressure/differential pressure gauge on the inlet&outlet. When the differential pressure reaches to preset value, stop the system and remove the insert strainer basket for cleaning.
Automatic styles are divided into manual control and automatic control. Manual control requires an operator to observe the alarm at any time and start cleaning program promptly when the warning signal appeared. While automatic control utilizes PLC system, timing or differential pressure to trigger cleaning program.
▶ Installation & Space
Manual styles are simple to construct and install, while the automatic has a more cumbersome design and configuration. You’d better to read its operation manual or consult your supplier’s engineers in advance when installing.
Simplex strainers’ design is the simplest and occupies the smallest area, but also requires a headroom for lifting insert filter basket when you need to clean or replace it. Duplex strainer is nearly double the space size of simplex, and the same mandatory headroom requirement.
Auto self cleaning strainer is compact but has to be matched with drain bypass and control cabinet. And in a few cases, on-site modifications (power supply/drainage pipes) are involved, increasing the engineering and installation workload.
▶ Costs & Manutenção
Compared with other styles, manual simplex strainers has lowest initial investment and simplest construction. Duplex strainer is more expensive, but still cheaper than automatic styles. To sum up, manual styles requires lower purchasing costs but may higher maintenance costs.
But in the long run, automatic self cleaning strainers are more worthy to be invested in since it saves a series of subsequent costs from frequent cleaning(energy + labor costs), replacement, and losses of unexpected downtime.
However, the wastewater generated from backwashing process needs to be handled compliantly, don’t ignore the costs of this item to your long-term operating expenses.
▶ Service Life
Conventional basket strainers are reliable and long-lasting, but frequent disassembly for cleaning and maintenance may lead to earlier failure. Automatic strainers can go a long way to avoid this, but their limitation is the dependence on electrical/mechanical components.
When you choosing a manufacturer, pay more attention to spare parts availability and after-sales service, especially if your project is in a remote area.
Target Applications for Two Styles
Standard basket strainer is suitable for a wide range of industries. It basically performs the same functions as automatic styles, except that the cleaning program must be monitored and operated manually. Also it can be designed for high pressure/flow rate/corrosive environments, as well as manufactured and certified in accordance with the ASME U or EN standards.
Automatic cleaning styles are tailored for those who can not accept the unintended downtime, larger impurity content(need to be cleaned frequently), and target fluid features security threat (manual cleaning operation is hard to achieve) etc, demanding conditions.
Such as some municipal water supply, large-scale circulating cooling water system, ship ballast water treatment system, offshore platforms (modular design), paper and pulp, chemical, nuclear power plants, etc., we are confident that auto self cleaning strainer will extremely satisfy you.
Conclusion
Based on the above, if your system is low dirt load and allows temporary downtime, choose manual cleaning basket strainers is a cost-effective and effective solution. Conversely, if it features high downtime cost, unstable solid impurity loads, and requires completely automated operation, then you already know the answer.
Above recommendation of applications is for reference only. For specific purchasing suggestions, please consult Filson with your detailed work condition info. Feel free to contact via sales@filsonfilters.com or +86 157 3695 8886.
FAQs
▶ Are These Strainers Can be Used for Gas Filtration?
Actually, we were mainly discussing liquid filtration in the above post. For gas filtration, there are also standard basket strainers and automatic blowback strainer designs, but with some different aspects from the liquid filtration, especially in pressure rating, sealing, and moisture dewatering.
Be sure to communicate with Filson engineers in advance about gas processing requirements.
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