The long-standing Achilles heel of the self-cleaning filter has been its relative capital cost and complexity when compared to equivalent sized consumable filter system. It was this market challenge that the research and development team at water filtration specialist Amiad tackled. The company embraced users perceived problems and sought to develop a self-cleaning filter which could compete at the same price point as the equivalent consumable filter system.
In 2016 the company launched the Sigma series filter and then followed this up in 2018 with the award winning Mini-Sigma filter. The Sigma is a series of automatic self-cleaning filters which are lightweight and constructed from a durable, corrosion resistant polymeric housing. Being compact and modular the system can be used in various installation configurations. The new range also includes the Sigma Pro automatic polymeric multi-screen filters, offering a large screen area whilst maintaining a small footprint, and the ADI-P electronic controller, which can be linked to a mobile app for advanced monitoring capabilities and control functionality.
By lowering the capex cost the argument has now been turned in favor of the automatic self-cleaning filter. With the purchase price no-longer ‘too high’ to consider as a viable alternative to the single use filter, users will undeniably see a return on their investment through reduced downtime and increase in productivity.
A Case Study: Single Use vs. Self-Cleaning Filter
A steel mill in Yorkshire, UK had an existing bag filter housing installed on one of their critical water supply lines. The filter bags had to be changed every 12 hours, resulting in high operational costs and a significant time impact for the site personnel.
The mill was looking for a solution that would reduce their operational costs, remove the need for site engineers to change the filter bags each shift, and improve their water quality to the spray nozzles.
A series of water samples were analyzed for TSS, oils and Particle Size Distribution (PSD). These results were reviewed by Amiad Water Systems to understand which particles were causing the mill issues. Following this analysis, it was recommended that the mill utilize a high solid handling filter with a 200-micron wedge-wire screen [the automatic ABF 3000 brush cleaning filter].
Following the filter’s installation, the bag filter housing downstream was able to go one week between bag changes instead of only 12 hours.
After 9 months operation the steel mill then decided to upgrade their entire mill water feed system and installed a higher grade filter, again with a 200-micron screen. This filter now treats all incoming water supply to the mill and is capable of filtering up to 650 m3/hr. Water quality to the whole steel mill has been greatly improved.
Summary
It is clear that both consumers and companies are becoming more alert to the problems caused by single use plastics and throw away items and the long-term effect these have on our planet. However, we all live in a reality where the ‘cost’ argument is still right at the top of the agenda. Therefore, the single use filter market will continue to have its place as the solutions it can bring are heavily embedded and it will take time for the conventional approaches to adapt.
And yet, improvements in technology which embrace a more sustainable approach should be favored. Changes are starting to emerge with improved alternatives being developed which are disrupting the status quo and offering cost effective alternatives; and when considering the ‘cost’ we need to remember the hidden costs like the disposal and the fact that each of those single use filters are going to remain in our landfills beyond our great grandchildren’s lifetimes.
About Amiad
Amiad Water Systems UK Ltd is a subsidiary of Amiad Water Systems Ltd a leading global producer of automatic, self-cleaning water treatment and filtration products and systems. Through its engineering skills and ability to innovate, Amiad provides cost-effective and sustainable solutions for the industrial, municipal, irrigation, oil & gas and ballast water markets.
Energy reduction is not generally the first consideration for installing water filtration. However, the company has developed technology to give filtration down to 1.0 micron on water-based systems. This can result in big energy gains of up to 30 per cent, giving a return on investment of less than 12 months. For further information visit www.amiad.com.