A stainless-steel filter specifically designed for the extremely corrosive environment of seawater and estuary water has been developed by Cross Manufacturing Co of the UK.
According to the company, large-scale installations such as desalination plants, coastal power stations and cooling tower circuits could all see huge savings in relatively short timescales. Smaller applications such as sea-life centres and marine developments could also use the same product on a smaller scale.
Cross Manufacturing has extensive experience in aerospace engineering coupled with decades of research into the best materials for the most challenging environments. This experience, combined with significant improvements in plastics technology, has resulted in development of reliable automatic filtration equipment that can be installed in modules to meet even the largest flow.
The technology is based on a patented stainless steel “zero gravity” filter coil, which is already in widespread use in many areas of industry including water/wastewater treatment and heating/air-conditioning plant rooms. A set of filter coils is fitted into a pod, and each pod can be backwashed individually and automatically at a selectable differential pressure value.
The filtration process is not interrupted, which ensures minimal effect on flow and the requirement for any redundant filtration capacity is eliminated. Automation is computer- controlled, and actuation is, in larger systems, pneumatic.
The key to this latest project has been to identify materials that not just withstand the incredibly corrosive nature of seawater, but also the destructive action of erosion caused by silt heavy estuary water. Cross’s extensive research concluded that a filter coil made from alloy 625 combined with a large polypropylene housing, polyethylene pipework and bronze backwashing valves is the way forward for these environments.
An all-metal construction is also being designed for high-pressure systems or where there may be higher temperatures.
Whilst extensive, long term trials continue, Cross is keen to bring its experiences and research to those who need it the most and would encourage industries, environmental agencies and coastal businesses to contact the company with a view to installing pilot plants in any genuine seawater or estuarial application.