How to Install and Replace Pleated Filter Cartridges?

Microporous membrane pleated filtration systems are now widely used in pharmaceutical, food and beverage, microelectronics, etc.. Since the Pleated Filter Cartridge is used for a long time, it will be blocked by particles. It needs to be replaced with new pleated filter cartridge to maintain its high filtration efficiency and high flow rate to ensure the smooth progress of the project. Correct installation of filter housing and replacement of pleated filter cartridge is an important factor in maintaining good filtration performance. Let's take a look at how the filter housings and pleated filter cartridges are properly installed and replaced.

1. Installation Steps for Cartridge Filter Housing

Before installing the cartridge filter housing, it is necessary to ensure that the chemical composition of the filter housing and the filtrate are compatible, and that the working pressure and temperature of the filter housing meet the use requirements of the project, so as to avoid failure during use and cause greater losses. Please review the detailed steps below for proper specification of cartridge filter housing installation.

1) Open the cover of the filter housing, take out the sealing gasket, upper pressure plate, pressure plate nut, exhaust valve, drain valve, pressure gauge and other parts in the cartridge filter housing, then close the clover of the filter housing;

2) Make sure the filter system is shut down and close the upstream inlet valve and downstream outlet valve of the cartridge filter housing;

3) Install the exhaust valve and drain valve of the filter housing, connect the water inlet flange to the water inlet pipe, and connect the water outlet flange to the water outlet pipe, and ensure that there is no leakage at the interface. Note that the connection direction of the inlet/outlet can not be reversed, otherwise the filter housing will not work properly;

4) Rinse the inside of the filter housing with clean water, let the water in the cartridge filter housing drain through the drain valve, close the drain valve and open the exhaust valve;

5) Remove the packaging film of the pleated filter cartridge that meets the usage requirements. If the pleated filter cartridge has an O-ring, it is necessary to wet the O-ring with a suitable lubricant to reduce the friction between the O-ring and the socket at the bottom of the cartridge filter housing, so as to avoid damage to the O-ring and affect the sealing effect;

6) Hold one end of the Pleated Filter Cartridge by hand and align it with the socket/gasket a the bottom of the filter housing and insert it vertically, then put the pressure plate/gasket and tighten the nut to fix it, close the cover of the filter housing, and tighten the bolt/clamp to seal and fix;

7) Start the filter system, slightly open the water inlet valve of the filter housing, let the liquid enter the cartridge filter housing and fill the filter housing until the liquid overflows from the exhaust valve, then close the exhaust valve;

8) Slowly open the water outlet valve of the filter housing until it is fully opened, and then slowly adjust the water inlet valve of the cartridge filter housing so that the value of the pressure difference between the upstream/downstream of the filter housing reaches the initial pressure difference specified by the pleated filter cartridge.

2. Replacement Steps for Pleated Filter Cartridge

The pleated filter cartridge will be blocked by the particles after a long working time. When the value of the pressure gauge on the top of the filter housing reaches the pleated filter cartridge that it is recommended to replace the differential pressure, or when the value of the flow meter does not meet the water production requirements of the system, in order to ensure that the filtration system can continue to maintain a good filtration effect, it is necessary to replace a new Pleated Filter Cartridge. The correct and standardized pleated filter cartridge replacement steps are as follow:

1) First, make sure that the material and specifications of the new pleated filter cartridge meet the requirements for use, and there is no damage. If the pleated cartridge filter is used in terminal filtration, you can choose to use a bubble point tester to test the integrity of the Pleated Filter Cartridge;

2) If a single filter housing is used, the operation of the filter system should be stopped, and the inlet and outlet valves should be closed. If using a dual cartridge filter housing, close the inlet and outlet valves of one filter housing and make sure the other filter housing is functioning properly;

3) Slowly open the exhaust valve at the top of the filter housing to reduce the pressure inside the filter cartridge housing to avoid danger caused by excessive pressure during the process of replacing the pleated filter cartridge;

4) Open the drain valve a the bottom of the filter housing, and discharge the liquid in the cartridge filter housing through the drain port until no more liquid flows out of the drain out. Note that when opening the drain valve, it should be operated slowly to prevent the liquid form splashing around;

5) Open the cover on the top of the filter housing, take out the used pleated filter cartridge, and then rinse the inside of the filter housing with clean water to rinse off the remaining dirt. After the sewage has completely discharged from the drain port, close the drain valve;

6) Unpack the packaging film of the pleated filter cartridge that meets the requirements for use. If the Pleated Cartridge Filter has an O-ring, it is necessary to wet the O-ring with a suitable lubricant to reduce the friction between the O-ring and the socket at the bottom of the filter housing and avoid damage to the O-ring and affect the sealing effect;

7) Hold one end of the pleated filter cartridge by hand and align it with socket/gasket at the bottom of the filter cartridge housing and insert it vertically, then put the pressure plate/gasket and tighten the nut to fix it, close the cover of the filter housing, and tighten the bolt/clamp to seal and fix;

8) Start the filter system, slightly open the water inlet valve of the cartridge filter housing, let the liquid enter and fill the filter housing until the liquid overflows from the exhaust valve, then close the exhaust valve;

9) Slowly open the water outlet valve of the cartridge filter housing until it is fully opened, and then slowly adjust the water inlet valve of the filter housing so that the value of the pressure difference between the upstream/downstream of the filter cartridge housing reaches the initial pressure difference specified by the Pleated Filter Cartridge.

3. Inspection and Maintenance of Microfiltration Systems

1) Check the opening and closing of the valve according to the operating standards to ensure that the valve can open and close normally. If the rotation is not flexible, add lubricating oil. If the rotating is abnormal, check the reason and repair it in time;

2) Regularly calibrate the pressure gauge and flow meter to avoid damage to the Pleated Filter Cartridge due to the large deviation of the pressure gauge or flow meter. In general, pressure gauges are calibrated every 6 months, and flow meters are calibrated every 3 months;

3) If the filtration system temporarily stops running, do not let the pleated filter cartridge be in a dry state. You should inject the antibacterial agent solution into the filter housing to soak the pleated filter cartridge or soak it in water containing antibacterial agent, and rinse the pleated cartridge filter before reuse;

4) Check the filtration system for leakage everyday, especially the connection between the inlet/outlet of the cartridge filter housing and the pipeline, the exhaust valve, the drain valve and the connection between the cover and the housing body. If there is leakage, the system should be stopped and repaired in time;

5) Check the value of the pressure gauge and flow gauge on the filter housing every day. If the pressure drops significantly or the flow increases significantly, the membrane of the Pleated Filter Cartridge may be ruptured. The system should be stopped in time, and the pleated cartridge filter should be checked and replaced.