Filter Cartridges & Media

What Are Filter Cartridges and How Does It Work   

Filter Cartridges are popular as the heart of filters, because of their ultimate functionality. These are introduced inside the housing and can take away the particles & contaminants from water. The casings are fabric or polymer-based sieves which can do away with particulate material coming from fluids. These boast of a semi-rigid or rigid structure. In the market, these can be found in different sizes. Filter Cartridges ensure the effective and complete removal of chemicals, unwanted particles, and pollutants from the liquids. They are apt to be exposed to water, solvent, and liquid which need filtration. These are provided in cleanable, metal, and back-washable media. Many types of materials, pore sizes, textures, and physical sizes are available in the cartridges. 

Various Types of Filter Cartridges    

Filter cartridges have wide utility in different industries for assorted applications. These have been engineered to eliminate impurities as well as pollutants from gases and liquids. Many types of filter cartridges are available in the market, for the fulfillment of specific filtration requirements. Common ones are listed below: 

• Polypropylene Spun filter cartridge
• Polypropylene Pleated filter cartridge
• Polypropylene wound filter cartridge
• Stainless steel filter cartridge
• Resin-bonded filter cartridge

Main Components of Filter Cartridges

Filter cartridges are included with several basic constituents, including:

• Filter Media: It is the main section of the filter cartridge and is suited for removing and capturing the pollutants from the fluid which is needed to be filtered. This media for filtration may be made from several materials, including paper, polypropylene, polyester, and activated carbon.
• Core: It is an essential structure that has been made to give enough support to the filter media, making the cartridges protected from collapsing caused by pressure.
• Gaskets/O-rings: These are the main functional constituents that are made to make a seal between the filter housing and filter cartridge to prevent fluid from sidestepping the filter.
• End Caps: These caps are the important components that can hold the filter media in its precise place. The caps make a strong seal between the filter housing and the cartridge.
• Support Cage: This structure has been made to bestow additional support to the filter media. The cage can maintain its shape during operation.

The specific materials and modules used in filter cartridges may differ based on the application as well as type of the filter.

Materials Used to Make Filter Cartridges

Filter Cartridges are made from Polypropylene spun bonded, Polypropylene pleated type, Polypropylene wound type, and other such materials. The cartridges are also made of paper, polypropylene, activated carbon, and polyester. These are offered in different micron ratings and heights. The reusable ones are made of sintered filter media and stainless steel wire mesh filter media.

Applications of Filter Cartridges in Filtration Systems

The main applications of the cartridges are;

• Industrial water filtration
• Pool water filtration
• Incoming process water filtration
• Particle filtration and oil removal in petrochemicals & refineries 
• Liquid filtration in the industry of food and beverage 
• Paints, Inks, and specialty coatings
• Drinking water treatment
• Industrial water treatment
• Electroplating chemical filtration
• Wine clarification
• Gas filtration
• Sterilization
• Oil filtration

FAQs: Filter Cartridges

Q. How To Clean Filter Cartridges?

Ans: The cartridge filters need regular cleaning in the industries of inks and paints, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive manufacturing, cement industry, oil and gas, petrochemicals, refineries, and more. It is very required to clean the cartridges so that filter consistently can be attained for a long time.
The filter cartridges are of high dirt-holding capacity but are simple to install, maintain, and clean. The filters are sturdy and include well-molded media layers.  Some filter systems facilitate back-washing due to their advanced CIP design. When not in routine or use, the cleaned cartridges must be sealed and dried to do away with adulteration or wear.

Q. What is the lifespan of filter cartridges?    

Ans: Filter cartridges have a service life of between 3-5 years, based on the maintenance and usage of the cartridges themselves. Some of them last for 1-2 years. 

Q. Can filter cartridges be recycled or reused?

Ans: The Filter cartridges with the right maintenance process can be cleaned and reused several times. It all depends on which type of solution is being sifted.
Filter cartridges used for the filtration of water cannot be reprocessed or reused at your typical local drop-off recycling centers. They are meant to be recycled through the original producer only and in some cases by some companies that have a mail-in program in which the previous users sent the old filters to be renovated, recycled, and reused. 

Q. How to replace a cartridge filter properly?

Ans: Filter cartridges are applicable in several industrial applications for trapping solid waste as well as contaminants. These must be replaced when they come to a pre-fixed differential pressure. When the pressure differential comes to a pre-set value you should be alarmed of the clogging and be prepared for replacement.
Below here is a how-to-replace guide available, which will assist you to replace your liquid filter cartridges, correctly as well as safely:

1. Power cut the system and let it be depressurized.
2. Open the valve of the air vent and drain.
3. Perform the cleaning of the drain valve
4. Take out the cover of the housing.
5. Remove the alignment plate as well as the wing nuts.
6. Remove the springs, carefully from the top part of each cartridge. Make sure that the spring does not drop into the structure. 
7. Draw out the cartridges with utmost care.
8. Check the cover if it has corrosion or dirt remainders. Clean the covering if needed.
9. Take out the protective lid of the new cartridge filters and then fit those into the housing.
10. Handle the cartridges with care and place them in structure with the help of an alignment plate.
11. Once all cartridges get into the required place, springs, wingnuts, and alignment plats can be reinstalled.
12. Ensure that all these attachments stay in good condition and are firmly fitted in place.
13. Clean as well as grease the O ring. Afterward, the housing lid can be replaced.
14. Screw the lid of the housing into its correct place.
15. Close the valve of the drain 
16. Take out any air in the system by giving water through the screen.
17. You can close the air vent valve now. 

Q. What is the importance of Filter Cartridges?

Ans: Filter cartridges are suited to be used in a wide variety of industrial applications to trap solid waste as well as contaminants of different types. These filter cartridges are of simple replacement after they come to a pre-set differential pressure. Filter cartridges and media are essential components used in various filtration systems to remove impurities and contaminants from fluids or gases. They are commonly employed in water treatment, air purification, industrial processes, and other applications where clean and disinfected water is needed.  
Supplied cartridges are functional as the most essential part of reverse osmosis systems. These are made to remove salts, minerals, dissolved solids, and other scum from water. These are offered with a semi-permeable membrane which enables the water molecules to go through while discarding several types of impurities.
Cartridge filters are extremely important to take out the sediments as well as small pieces of debris from the water. The said filters are designed to filter liquid, solvents, water, and other sediments. Supplied cartridges are very adaptable and are available in different diameters and lengths, satisfying several types of industrial needs.