INDUSTRIAL BASKET STRAINER

Introduction

PMG Vol .02-Issue .38-October 2023 We are very well aware about the fact that physical contaminants can be the biggest disaster in food manufacturing industries, this is the reason why food technologists / engineers install devices like sifter, magnet trap, basket strainers, disc filters in process for eliminating foreign bodies that not only helps in achieving food safety goals but also reduces maintenance cost and downtime by protecting valuable equipment like flow meters, heat exchangers, valves, cooling towers, spray nozzles, pumps, valves, pasteurizer etc. from the damage associated with nuts, bolts, metal shavings etc. But to achieve removal of the foreign bodies from the pipeline system conveying process fluids, basket strainer becomes the most preferred choice among the available options as it can remove bothmetallic and non-metallic contaminants up to specific particle size. These are closed vessel consisting of wire mesh screens which traps solid debris from the process fluids. Installation of basket strainers in food industries is considered as a good practice for removing contaminants, regulating product size, or bettering product quality. The mesh is designed in many sizes and shapes and is either woven or welded together.

1. Sanitary Basket Strainer

These are closed vessel consisting of wire mesh screens which traps solid debris from the process fluids. Installation of basket strainers in food industries is considered as a good practice for removing contaminants, regulating product size, or bettering product quality. The mesh is designed in many sizes and shapes and is either woven or welded together.

These screens are tightly woven to provide an adequate straining material that are capable of filtering material that are either 100 microns or larger.

1. Types of Strainers

A. On the basis of size of mesh Strainers are broken down into three main filtering categories: 1.Coarse Strainers – for large particles 2.Medium Strainers – for particles 75 to 1905 microns 3.Fine Strainers – for particles down to 5 microns B. On the basis of mode of operation 1.Simplex Filter: These are single chambered equipment installed in pipeline systems which removes the particles and debris from the flowing fluid in pipeline systems. These kinds of strainers are not useful for the continuous process, as it requires the process to shut down for certain period to replace/clean the basket strainer. We can easily determine when the basket is clogged by comparing the pressure at inlet and outlet.

2.Duplex Filter:

It is a twin basket filter with two identical simplex filters which are connected via pipe and valves. These have two independent basket strainer chambers having common inlet and outlet ports and are very essential for the processes that are required to be operated under continuous mode.

3.Self-Cleaning Basket Filters: It is the advanced form of basket strainers which are also known as automatic self-cleaning strainer. They basically offer two main advantages: 1.Reduction in in downtime as you do not require baskets to uninstall for cleaning thus saving maintenance cost. 2.A worry-free maintenance costs. G

Components

Basket strainers are assembly of different components and parts which are discussed below: a.Industrial Basket Strainer Housing: It is the outer covering of the strainer in which basket assembly rests. b.Filter Element: It is a cleanable screen, built in basket strainer to allow filtering of larger particles or dirt in the pipe system. Basket straining element is either made of straight or staggering perforated plates. c.Handle: It is ergonomically designed handle for easy removal/installation of basket assembly. d.Internal Cylinder: It closes the inlet and outlet for replacement of dirty elements by turning position. e.Vent Valve: Used for pressure relief. f.Clogging Indicator: It indicates when filter element requires replacement. g.Blow off Valve: It removes dirt particles and help strainer bodies to clean. h.Inlet Port:It is the point from where contaminated process fluid enters the strainer element. i.Outlet Port:It is the point from where clean fluid exits the strainer element.

a.Material of Construction of Removable Basket Assembly: Beverage and food strainers are manufactured from stainless steel mesh (304l/316L), but other corrosion resistant alloys can be used for processing highly corrosive fluids. b.Type of Process: It is critical for model selection to understand that if process has to operate under batch or continuous mode. c.Nature of Fluid: It is Paramount to know if the fluid is liquid, gaseous, abrasive, corrosive in nature. d.Process Parameters: Whenever you are buying an industrial basket strainer to install in a piping system, ensure that the system parameters like working pressure, temperature, flow rate etc. must match with strainer’s standard specifications. e.Easy to Clean:Low surface roughness makes basket strainers extremely easy to clean, which is important for maintaining product safety. Any corrosion could lead to bacterial growth that causes contamination and potential health issues for consumers. f.Flow Rate: It is important to know the process flow rate as it decides whether model of basket filter will be able to withstand it or not. g.Mesh Size: Mesh Size indicates the particle retention by cleanable screen. h.Fabrication: The industrial welded simplex basket strainers manufacturers uses either bolts or welding to join various components. But still fully welded strainers are better than the casted ones as they offer zero leakage and superior cleanability. i.Location of Installation: As per standard engineering practices, strainers are employed in pipelines to protect downstream mechanical equipment such as condensers, heat exchanges, pumps, compressor, meters, spray nozzles, turbines, steam traps, etc. from the detrimental effect of sediment, rust, pipe scale or other extraneous debris.