Interaction of Particles and Filter Fabric in Ultrafine Filtration

Abstract

Filter fabrics are frequently used in the separation of particle-laden process streams. Especially for low-concentration and fine particles in the micrometer range, separation on filter fabrics offers considerable advantages over alternative processes. In this process, the inflowing particles are prevented from flowing through the meshes of the fabric. This interaction results in the initial resistance of the filtration not corresponding to the pure water resistance of the filter fabric. Knowledge of this increase in resistance is rare, but it leads to a significant increase in flow resistance, and thus a strong reduction in the hydraulic load on the filter apparatus. Within the scope of this investigation, measurements for 30 filter fabrics and their interaction with 3 particle systems is presented and their effect on the flow behavior is discussed. The knowledge allows an improved design of filter apparatus by correcting the pure water resistance to the resistance with particle interaction and improve the performance of ultra-fine filtration process.