Drum screen filter

Types of drum screens filters

A drum screen filter, also known as a rotary drum fine screen, comes in different types that have been engineered to meet specific applications' needs and requirements. The following table summarizes some of the most common types of drum screen filters.

• Rotary Drum Screen Filter: As outlined earlier, a rotary drum screen filter is a self-cleaning screen that separates solids from liquids. For such filters, the mesh size is usually between 0.5 and 6 mm, and the diameter of the drum can range anywhere between 0.5 and 3 m. In most cases, the depth of the drum varies between 1 to 2 m. The mesh material used for constructing these filters is stainless steel, polyester monofilament, or polyamide.
• Rotary Drum Strainer: Also known as a rotary drum sieve, this sieve differs from the screen filter. It comprises a rotating cylinder with holes that allow the liquid to pass, leaving the solids behind. The rotary drum strainer filters larger particles from liquids. Because it uses screens with larger mesh sizes to sieve semi-solids or slurries, the drum strainer works at lower flow rates and pressures compared to rotary drum screen filters.
• Micro strainers: These filters use a rotating drum with a very fine mesh to separate smaller solids from liquids. The mesh openings are between 25 to 75 microns.
• Coarse strainers: A coarse strainer is a sieve that protects larger primary apparatus from becoming damaged and clogged. It works by trapping large debris, including leaves and branches. In most cases, the sieve works through gravity or floatation, allowing liquids to pass through while retaining solids.
• Variable hole size screens: Depending a client's needs, some screens can be customized to have different sizes. This enables the separation of materials of varying consistency.

Specifications and Maintenance of a Drum Screen Filter

Specifications

• Drum Diameter

  The overall circumference of the filter screen drum, which typically ranges from 1.5 to 3 meters.

• Drum Length

  The longitudinal measurement of the filter drum, which typically ranges from 2 to 6 meters.

• Mesh Size

  This refers to the size of the aperture in the filter screen, which typically ranges from 0.5 to 5mm based on the filtering needs of different materials. For example, a 1mm mesh size might be used to filter out sand in the sea, whereas a 0.5mm mesh size might be used to filter out small fish and crustaceans.

• Drum Speed

  The rotating speed of the filter drum, which is generally set at 2 to 10 revolutions per minute according to the filtering efficiency and power consumption. For instance, a speed of 5 revolutions per minute may be chosen to balance power consumption and filtering efficiency.

• Temperature Range

  The operating temperature range of the filter, which can be adapted to different industries and occasions, such as the food industry, should be a temperature range of 0 to 80 degrees Celsius that can filter hot water. On the other hand, an industrial chemical filter might have a temperature range of -20 to 150 degrees.

• Dust Removal Method

  The method of cleaning the filter screen, such as automatic compressed air cleaning, manual washing, etc., varies according to the model and design. For example, an automatic cleaning method may be used in an industrial setting, while a manual washing method may be used in a rural setting.

• Material

  The filter screen drum material, such as stainless steel or plastic, etc., will have different durability and temperature resistance according to different materials. For instance, a stainless steel material is chosen for an industrial chemical factory because of its high-temperature and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in such an environment.

• Power

  The power of the driving motor, typically between 1 and 10 kW, depending on the size and transmission mode of the filter. For example, a 5kW motor may be used in a large industrial filter to ensure sufficient power.

• Dumping Way

  The method of discharging the filtered material, such as a belt conveyor, a screw conveyor, etc., varies according to different equipment and application occasions. For example, a belt conveyor may be used to help process plants automatically filter and discharge sand.

Maintenance

• Cleaning

  Use cleaning solutions and scrub brushes to clean the filter drum screens. Make sure that any residual materials and impurities on the screen are completely removed through cleaning. Make sure that the cleaning solution used will not damage the filter drum screens.

• Inspection

  Examine the conditions of the screens on the filter drums, in particular checking for any signs of damage, such as ruptures and blockages. Take prompt repair or replacement measures for any problems discovered to ensure the filtering effect and normal functioning of the equipment.

• Lubrication

  The filters' motors, bearings, chains, and other transmitting parts should be lubricated so that the filter screens can move stably and for a long time. The lubricating oil will be used in the lubricating oil that conforms to the equipment manual and is suited to the working environment.

• Adjustment

  According to the production process requirements, the filtering speed and other parameters of the drum filter screen are adjusted to ensure that the equipment operates at the appropriate working state.

• Dust Removal

  The filter drum screen will be subjected to dust removal treatment periodically so as to make sure the machine is clean and in good condition. The dust removal treatment may include vacuuming, manually cleaning, and so forth.

• Water test

  After maintenance, conduct a water test to check whether the drum filter screen can operate properly so that the filtering function of the equipment can be verified in time.

Uses of Drum screen filters

• Municipal Water Treatment:

  Local governments use drum screen filters to treat sewage and make sure water is clean and safe before letting it back into rivers or using it for non-drinking purposes like watering parks or cooling machines.

• Industrial Wastewater Treatment:

  Factories use drum screen filters to get rid of pollutants in their wastewater. This helps industries that might produce a lot of oil or food residue to stay within environmental regulations. Farms or food processing plants can use the recycled water for irrigation or to cool farm equipment.

• Plastic Waste Recovery:

  Drum filters are useful in separating different types of plastic at recycling centers. They can sort out non-recyclable goods like shampoo bottles or detergent containers, letting the recyclable stuff be processed. This is an important step in the effort to reduce plastic pollution throughout cities.

• Runoff Water Treatment:

  When heavy rains cause flooding, drum screens can help keep pollution from reaching storm drains. They work like a gate to stop contaminants from flowing into drains during the first rainfall, making it easier to keep our rivers clean.

• Fish Protection:

  Drum screens can keep fish safe from being sucked into cooling systems at power plants. They use a fish-friendly design that allows fish to pass through unharmed. This is important for protecting aquatic life and ecosystems.

• Mining Operations:

  Drum screens aid mining by separating valuable minerals from water used in mineral extraction. They can help prevent pollution by keeping mining waste out of the water used in other industries or for irrigation.

How to choose a drum screen filter

Several factors need to be considered when selecting a drum screen filter for a specific application, including the type of waste material, filtration performance, capacity requirements, available space, and budget constraints.

• Waste material characteristics

  When shopping for industrial drum screen filters, buyers should first decide what type of waste the filter will be screening. The physical composition of the waste material is also important. For instance, solid waste consists of large particles; a mesh filter would be most suitable for screening out those particles. Conversely, a perforated drum filter would suit liquid waste with larger debris.

• Filtration performance

  A key function of a drum filter is to separate fluids from solids. The mesh or screen size determines the separation ability of the filter. A small mesh size can capture fine particles, while larger holes are designed for more coarse material. Buyers must first consider what type of solids the filter needs to capture.

• Capacity and flow rate

  The processing capacity and flow rate of the drum filter must match the requirements of the application. Buyers should assess the volume of wastewater or solid material generated in a time frame. A small capacity could lead to bottlenecks in processing, while an excessively high capacity would waste energy and efficiency.

• Space and installation requirements

  Determining the dimensions of the filter is essential so that it fits into the existing infrastructure. What are the connection points for inlet and outlet pipes? What are the pressure points on the filter that allow it to function within the overall system? Is there enough space to accommodate a scour system within the drum filter?

• Operational and maintenance needs

  Maintenance is critical to filter performance and lifespan. Drum filters that are easy to maintain, install, and replace parts are better suited for applications where personnel are not highly skilled or where maintenance resources are limited.

Drum screen filter Q&A

Q1: What is the difference between a drum screen and a vibrating screen?

A1: The principle of using vibration to separate materials is the main characteristic that distinguishes vibrating screens from drum screens. While the vibrating screens utilize the exciters to produce vibrating force for sifting, the rotation and slant angles of the drum screens make them separate materials by gravity and frictional force.

Q2: What are the trends in drum filter technology?

A2: The drum filter industry's future is full of promise, thanks to the development of smart filtering drums. Modern filtering drum systems incorporate automated controls, which improve filtration effectiveness and decrease maintenance requirements. The automated control systems optimize filtering parameters in real-time, increasing energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. Moreover, the development of self-cleaning filtering drums has transformed drum filter technology. These kinds of filtering drums clean themselves automatically throughout the filtering process, reducing filter blinding and the need for regular maintenance. Filtering efficiency is increased, and the production process is uninterrupted thanks to this continuous filtration operation.

Q3: Can a drum screen filter withstand high-temperature applications?

A3: The materials used to construct the drum screen filters, which typically include stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloy steel, are frequently resistant to high temperatures. Additionally, users can select the screen aperture size and hole shape to improve the filter's resistance to high temperatures in particular applications. For instance, larger holes quickly disperse heat, lowering the filter's heat intensity. Moreover, in high-temperature settings, certain drum screen filters may have cooling or insulating systems.

Q4: Are drum screen filters suitable for all types of waste materials?

A4: While filters can separate various materials, they are ideally suited for particular kinds of waste. For instance, heavy particles, such as sand and stones, are separated efficiently by drum screens. Final solid-liquid separation is done using drum screens for fine filtration, and other filtering equipment should be used for emulsified substances.