3M is re-launching its filtration system designed to offer greater water-flow rates and optimised performance in applications including industrial, petrochemical and food water quality control.
The system is also suitable for applications such as reverse osmosis (RO) pre-filtration and process water in electronics and pharmaceuticals.
The 3M High Flow Filtration System has a compact and easy-to-use design that reduces capital expense and minimises system requirements, while simplifying cartridge installation and removal.
A patent-pending compound radial pleat design is at the heart of the 3M High Flow Filtration System, permitting flow rates of up to 113m/hr (500gpm) in a single cartridge.
The result, claims 3M, is 90 per cent fewer filter elements to accommodate flow requirements compared to traditional 2.5in pleated cartridges.
This reduced filter usage minimises labour and disposal costs, product leakage, operator exposure and downtime for filter change out.
In addition, fewer elements combined with an 'outside-to-in' flow path means the cartridge housing takes up 33-50 per cent less plant space than competitively sized housings for a given flow rate, and at a lower cost.
The system's filter media is specially embossed to produce a more uniform pleat pattern, giving greater media utilisation by evenly distributing fluid throughout the filter structure.
This delivers consistent particle retention in a compact space-saving design.
Each grade of the filtration system is manufactured from melt-blown Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-compliant polypropylene microfibre media, providing high particle-removal efficiency with broad chemical compatibility.
The raw materials composing the filters are FDA compliant in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21.
According to 3M, its High Flow Filtration System is easy to use and maintain.
An ergonomic handle simplifies filter change out, without the need for special tools or hardware, and a simple 'twist to lock' cartridge-seating mechanism ensures a positive seal.
Housings are available in sizes to accommodate one to seven filter elements in 40in and 60in lengths or larger on request, in horizontal or vertical configurations.
Stainless-steel external surfaces are glass-beaded for a consistent easy-care finish.
John Smith's brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, installed a 40in 3M High Flow Filtration System as a roughing filter for pre-RO water-filter duty.
Benefits included reduced cartridge inventory and increased production capacity through allowing up to 60 per cent higher water flow at a maximum level of efficiency.
