Filter Mesh, Microns and Inline Filter Choice
Filtration is filtration right? Well, like all things technical it is not as simple as that when it comes to particle separation. The easiest way to start thinking about inline filter choice is by looking first at filter mesh. In this post I want to give you a simple mental picture of what filter mesh or screen is and an overview of how different sizes of mesh are described.
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Filtration Basics
Fishing net is basically a filter used to separate fish from water. Like fishing net, filter mesh is woven metal wire or plastic strands which stops particles that are too large from passing through openings in the mesh. Filter mesh is considered a surface filtration type of material or media because particles are captured on the surface of the mesh.
What a surface filter can do:
Why Size Matters
Just as a fish net used to catch salmon cannot catch minnows, you need to choose a useful filter mesh. When choosing a mesh, you need to remember that mesh numbers and mesh sizes are not the same thing.
Mesh Number
You will often see the US Standard Mesh number used to describe mesh size. The US Standard Mesh number is the number of openings per inch of mesh. The larger the mesh numbers the greater the number of openings per inch and the smaller the openings in the mesh. Convert US Standard Mesh to microns, inches and millimeters.
Mesh Size
Mesh size is the actual size of the openings in the mesh. This is usually given in fractional inches and millimeters and/or microns. A micron (μm) is one thousandth of a millimeter or one twenty-five thousandth of an inch.
Strand Diameter
Descriptions of mesh include the diameter of the strands used in the weave. Mesh made with the same mesh number but made with thicker strands will have smaller mesh openings.
For more help understanding the relationship between mesh number, mesh size and microns check out our Mesh and Micron Sizes resource as well as this online mesh calculator.
How Much is Too Much?
The higher the mesh number the more surface area is taken up just by the strands. The surface area of the mesh openings as a percentage of the total surface area of the mesh is the Percent Open Area (POA). A higher POA means a greater flow.
Well, there you have it; a brief outline of some of the technical issues that come up when describing filter mesh. You need to keep these points in mind when thinking about filter mesh as it relates to the selection of the proper in-line filter for your application:
Look for our upcoming blog article for a discussion of chemical compatibility:
How to Choose an Inline Filter &#; Chemical Compatibility
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To find the wye strainer that is right for your project or job, it&#;s important that you know how mesh and screen sizing works. While deciding which size strainers to purchase, you need to consider both the micron and mesh values. Use our Micron and Mesh Comparison Chart to determine the best strainer for you.
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Request A Strainer / Screen Product Quote
Micron and mesh size are measurements that are used to describe different sizes of wye strainers. While these two types of measurements are expressed differently, they both describe the same thing &#; the measure of the size of the openings in the strainer that materials pass through. The mesh or micron size will tell you what size particles will be stopped, or strained, from the liquid flowing through the strainer.
Micron is short for micrometer. It&#;s a unit of length that is used for measuring very small particles. A micrometer is defined as one-millionth of a meter which is equivalent to about one twenty-five thousandth of an inch. The micron value of a wye strainer indicates the size of particles it will filter out.
Mesh size is fairly straightforward. It measures the number of openings in the mesh that make up one linear inch. For example, a 12 mesh screen means that there 12 openings across one inch. A 120 mesh screen means the openings are much smaller and that there are 120 openings per inch. The higher the mesh number, the smaller the particles that are allowed to pass through the strainer.
As you can see, microns and mesh size measure the same thing, but differently. Micron measurements tell you the size of the opening in the strainers, thus what size particles it will capture. Mesh size tells you how many openings there are in an inch, which can be calculated to provide you with the same information.
The following chart will help you understand mesh sizing in more detail. For example, a size 12 mesh screen has openings that are microns and a size 100 mesh screen has openings that are 149 microns. When the mesh screen size gets to higher than 400, measurements are typically expressed in microns only. At those sizes, it&#;s the most accurate way to measure.
Request A Strainer / Screen Product Quote
Because wye strainers are used in various industries, the material of the strainer and the size of the mesh screen that is used for a project or job have to be determined on an individual basis. The type of pipe system, the material that is used in the system, the size of the unwanted particles to be captured, and the pressure and temperature involved in the system are all considerations to keep in mind as you decide which wye strainer is best.
One thing to keep in mind about mesh sizes is that they are not exactly precise. Screens are constructed with different materials. That means that there are different thicknesses of the wires or strands depending on the material. In other words, the thicker the material, the smaller the openings will be.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of industrial filter mesh. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.