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Fundamentals of Depth Filtration

Depth filtration is a multi-layered filtration process that removes a wide range of suspended particles from water more efficiently than other methods. It works by placing different sized filtration media in layers, with coarser materials on top and finer ones below to remove progressively smaller particles. As particles accumulate in the media, the pressure increases until backwashing is needed to rinse particles out. Depth filtration provides cleaner water for uses like boilers, food and beverage, and manufacturing by removing solids, sand, silt, and iron.

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Atul Sharma
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101 views

Fundamentals of Depth Filtration

Depth filtration is a multi-layered filtration process that removes a wide range of suspended particles from water more efficiently than other methods. It works by placing different sized filtration media in layers, with coarser materials on top and finer ones below to remove progressively smaller particles. As particles accumulate in the media, the pressure increases until backwashing is needed to rinse particles out. Depth filtration provides cleaner water for uses like boilers, food and beverage, and manufacturing by removing solids, sand, silt, and iron.

Uploaded by

Atul Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fundamentals of Depth Filtration

“Why filtration”

Muddy, turbid water is the first and most visible sign that some type of filtration is needed. Even
ancient Egyptians used filtration techniques of boiling and filtration through charcoal to improve
their water supply. Today, municipalities, home-owners, and businesses all benefit from water
filtration to improve their drinking or working water.

Many types of filters exist. This piece, however,


concentrates on the process of depth filtration,
considered to be one of the leading and most efficient
types of filtration for pre-treating ground water to the
quality required for different business applications.

“How filtration works”

Older, conventional slow sand filtration exploits the


mechanical actions of straining and interception of
dirt particles. Unfortunately this only occurs in a
narrow surface layer of the media. Fast direct
filtration relies on contact-coagulation mechanisms
which occur on the surface of the filtering media
leaving gaps for the “filtered” water to flow through.

Contact-coagulation consists of three primary forces:

1. “Transport” forces cause the dispersed


particles to get close to the media granules
(physical and physico-chemical in nature).

2. “Attachment” forces induce the dirt particles


to stick to the media granules through an
action which is mainly electrical in nature.

3. “Release or detachment” forces play a


determining role in dirt break-through and in the important step of filter backwash.

“Depth filtration”

The underlying principle behind depth filtration is that just as dirt particles have varying sizes,
shapes and chemical compositions, the use of different sized media, with varying chemical
properties, allows for more efficient contact coagulation.

A depth filter usually has three to five layers of filtration media, each of different size and density
in a pressurized vessel. Light, coarse material lies at the top of the filter bed. The media become
progressively finer and denser in the lower layers. A depth filter also has an underbedding of
relatively large-sized media with a distribution system designed to provide uniform collection of
filtered water during service.
Fundamentals of Depth Filtration
Upper layers remove larger particles and lower layers remove smaller particles of suspended
solids, sand, silt and oxidized iron. Particles are trapped throughout the bed, not in just the top
few inches. The use of graduated media also provides a higher filtration velocity with less
pressure drop allowing for a longer service cycle.
The pressure drop through the filter will increase as the
suspended particles accumulate on the media. When
the pressure difference between filter inlet and outlet
increases by 5-10 psi the filter should be reconditioned.
A typical reconditioning cycle consists of a backwash
followed by a downflow rinse. The backwash cycle,
generally flowing in the opposite direction from the
service cycle, runs at about 14 gpm per square foot (34
m/hr) of the filter bed area. As the media particles
scour one another, the trapped dirt particles are
released from the media and rinsed out of the tank to
the drain by the backwash water. A downflow rinse
settles the bed before the filter returns to service.
Depending on incoming water conditions additional
backwash and rinse cycles may be necessary. A typical
backwash cycle will last from 20 to 30 minutes.
“Filtered water quality”
Depth filtration provides for a more efficient filtering process to provide quality water to busi-
nesses. Proper selection of any combination of depth filtration, softening, or any other water
treatment methods are dependent on the incoming water conditions.
“Typical uses for filtration”
Reduction/removal* of particulate matter including: suspended solids, sand, silt and oxidized iron
for: boiler and cooling tower pretreatment, laundry operations, food and beverage services,
drinking water; manufacturing processes, vehicle wash, and pretreatment for other water treatment
processes such as reverse osmosis and deionization.
Untreated water can cause: poor tasting food and beverages, increased utility bills, higher operat-
ing costs, decreased equipment efficiency and life; increased usage of detergents and chemicals,
reduction in linen life, and increased boiler blow-downs and downtime.
*Not all substances removed or reduced by filtration are necessarily in your water. Filtration systems should not be used with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of
unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.

Culligan International has been in the water treatment business since 1936. Headquartered in
Northbrook, Illinois, Culligan has over 800 company-owned and franchise dealers in North
America. Culligan offers a wide range of water treatment services for consumers and businesses.
From softening and filtering to reverse osmosis and bottled water, Culligan is the leading water
expert in the field of water treatment. This educational piece is provided by Culligan as a service
to clients and companies in the commercial and industrial arena. Please contact us at 1-800-
CULLIGAN for more information or visit us at www.culligan.com/commercial.

www.culligan.com/commercial
1-800-CULLIGAN
© 2004 Culligan International Company
Printed in the USA (10/04), MOORE PART NO. 46924
, Trust the Water Experts, Cullsite and Cullsan are trademarks of Culligan International Company.

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