Filtration – a relatively simple term but with lots of variations....

The basic definition is the physical removal of a solid particle from a liquid stream, but there are other types of filtration as well.   These are typically pretreatment to RO or DI systems, but sometimes filtration is the process.

If you’re looking to remove suspended solids, it helps to know what size they are and the nature of the particulate.   Depending on the characteristics of the solids you’re trying to remove, there are bag filters, cartridge filters, sand filters, multimedia filters, microfilters, and ultrafilters.  What’s best for your application depends on your process, your available space, and your budget!

Of course, there is activated carbon filtration to remove chlorine and organics and greensand filtration to remove iron and manganese.  There’s a variety of specialty media available for the removal of specific contaminants (e.g. arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, aluminum, etc.), and they all come under the “filtration” umbrella.

What’s best for your process is determined by the characteristics of the feedwater and the inlet requirements of the downstream equipment, plus other factors specific to your application.   Let one of our experts help you to select the best approach for you!