Self-cleaning cooling water debris filter: Compact with flexible integration
Coarse solids, organic compounds, and fibrous materials (macrofouling) must be reliably removed in cooling water circuits: Particle contamination of this kind leads to reduced heat exchanger output and unplanned shutdowns. Installation space is often limited, especially in retrofit projects, which requires compact filtration solutions that can be flexibly integrated. The filter is designed on an individual basis for the relevant application scenario. This is where the PR‑BW 100 comes in: A self-cleaning cooling water debris filter with automatic backwashing for volume flows of up to 5,000 m³/h. The system works continuously and protects downstream components without the need for manual intervention.
Integration and operation
The compact, spherical design allows for the following:
- Inline installation
- 90° elbow version as inlet pipework replacement
- Installation at almost any angular position
All internal components are accessible for inspections without needing to remove the filter. This reduces maintenance times and operating costs.
The PR-BW 100 is suitable for new construction projects and for retrofit projects.
Key technical data
| Volume flow: | < 100–5,000 m³/h |
| Connection diameters: | DN 150–DN 800 |
| Filter fineness: | 1.5–9 mm |
| Material Gehäuse: | Rubber-lined steel or stainless steel |
| Max. temperature: | 80 °C |
| Control: | Programmable logic controller (PLC) |
| Systems delivered: | 850 |
Optional extras include the following:
- Bypass valve
- FilterOptimizer
- Remote monitoring
Special designs (for example, for extremely challenging types of macrofouling, meeting nuclear requirements, explosion protection) available
Operating principle: Pressure-relieved backwashing
A stationary filter insert consisting of a perforated stainless steel sheet reliably retains particles measuring from 1.5 to 9 mm. The automatic backwashing is activated depending on the differential pressure without using additional pumps. Filtration continues during the backwashing process. In this process, the amount of flushing water used remains low, the pressure loss is minimal, and the hydraulic behavior of the cooling water system remains stable. For many industrial applications, including the protection of plate-type heat exchangers, a filter fineness of 2 to 5 mm is technically sufficient. The debris discharge capacity can be as high as 1.7 l/m³ and depends on the type and composition of the fouling.
System design
The PR-BW 100 is designed for filtration tasks in the range of from 1.5 to 9 mm and nominal diameters of up to DN 750. Alternative filtration concepts are available for applications with significantly smaller gap widths or very large nominal diameters. A separate disposal or treatment solution is required for very low flow rates and locations where direct recirculation of the flushing water is not possible. Such solutions are already being successfully used in similar application scenarios.
Main application
The PR-BW 100 has proven its mettle numerous times in industrial plants and power plants for filtering water from rivers, lakes, and the sea.
Other typical fields of application include:
- Chemical and industrial plants
- Offshore and nearshore locations
- Protection of shell-and-tube and plate-type heat exchangers
- Retrofit projects with limited installation space
It is either installed decentrally upstream of individual components or centrally in a main pipe.
