In water supply, heating and supply systems of liquids and gases, additional cleaning of the working environment from mechanical impurities is required. To solve this problem, devices and devices of various types are widely used. One of the most popular options is a flange mesh filter. It is used in public utilities, the heat and power complex, and the oil and gas industry. The advantages of FSF include a high efficiency rate, good performance, and ease of installation in large-diameter pipelines.
Design and operating features
The flange mesh filter differs from other products of this type in that it at the ends it has connecting flanges. This greatly simplifies installation work and makes it possible to quickly dismantle it in case of failure. The main elements of the FSF are:
- a housing with flanges;
- a mesh to retain contaminants;
- a drain plug or cleaning device.
Depending on the type of sump, devices are divided into oblique and straight. In the first case, the storage part is located perpendicular to the passage element, and in the second at an angle of 45 degrees. In this case, straight lines can only be mounted on horizontal pipelines and they require free space below for maintenance. Oblique products are compact in size and can be installed in networks located diagonally.
In addition, devices are classified according to the cleaning method into the following types:
- flushing;
- non-washable;
- self-cleaning.
To clean the former, you will need to remove the plug at the bottom, which will remove contaminants and make it possible to remove the filter mesh for washing or replacements. Non-flush FSF in the sump does not have a drainage hole and therefore, when the throughput decreases, complete dismantling is required. Self-cleaning types of fittings are characterized by the fact that there is no need for frequent maintenance. The entire process is carried out by opening the valve and the pressurized environment eliminates contaminants.
All devices operate on the principle of supplying liquid or gas under pressure through the inlet pipe. As a result, the substance passes through a mesh with a given mesh size, which leads to the retention of mechanical impurities, which then accumulate in the settling tank.
Materials used in production
In production flange mesh filters carbon, alloy and stainless steels of various grades are used. It is also possible to use cast iron. In this case, a number of factors must be taken into account during the selection process. First of all, temperature, nominal diameter of the system, maximum permissible pressure.
It is important that the filtration component is made of high-alloy steel or non-ferrous alloy (for example brass). Only in this case can rust or oxidation be prevented. FSF play a significant role in ensuring the cleanliness and functionality of the working environment in industry, which means the performance of all kinds of expensive equipment depends on their effectiveness.
