May 2020

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 favour 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. 30 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk May 2020 Energy, the Environment & Water Focus on: Water & Waste Management IF YOU’RE READING THIS, THEN SO ARE 30,000+ ENGINEERS IMAGINE THE IMPACT YOUR ADVERTISEMENT COULD HAVE Contact Daniella Gavin at PWE Tel: 01732 371084 Humidity control expertise... Steam Humidifiers Dehumidifiers Adiabatic Humidifiers ...to create the ideal environment. • Design & support • Equipment to suit all applications • Full technical back up • Adds value to projects • FREE site survey & consultation 01372 571200 www.humiditysolutions.co.uk Service & Maintenance 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 analysed for TSS, oils and Particle Size Distribution (PSD). These results were reviewed by AmiadWater Systems to understand which particles were causing the mill issues. Following this analysis it was recommended that the mill utilise a high solid handling filter with a 200micron 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. 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 favoured. 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.