Backwashing filters protect pipework production

Automatic backwashing water filtration equipment has been selected to protect the manufacture of high integrity composite piping systems from interruptions caused by poor quality cooling water.

Cross System 2000 automatic backwashing water filtration equipment has been selected to protect the manufacture of high integrity composite piping systems from interruptions caused by poor quality cooling water.

As part of the world's largest manufacturer of high performance plastic piping products, GPS PE Pipe Systems specialises in polyethylene pipe systems for gas and water used in the industrial and utilities markets.

The GPS factory at Huntingdon manufactures 25kt of pipework annually in diameters from 20 to 1000mm.

During manufacture the extruded pipework is sprayed with recirculated water to cool it.

It is essential that this water is kept in a clean condition to prevent any blockages in the spray nozzles that would affect the quality of the finished product and to maintain the efficiency of the overall system.

However, use in the process inevitably introduces debris from the product and other sources that must therefore be removed.

The cooling plant comprises a closed loop network containing 200t of water.

The process raises the water temperature by approximately 5C to 21C by the time that it reaches the "hot tank", from where it is pumped through four cooling towers at a rate of 300m3/h and returned to the "cold tank" at the start of the process.

The 75 micron-rated Cross System 2000 filter has been installed between the "hot tank" and the cooling towers, replacing a mechanical backwashing filter from another manufacturer.

The replaced filter was failing to backwash efficiently, resulting in a build-up of debris that demanded dismantling and manual cleaning at regular intervals, causing potential disruption to the manufacturing process.

Cross backwashing technology employs the unique properties of the "zero gravity" coils that are central to all Cross filters to eliminate dependence on mechanical devices that can create reliability problems.

Simply reversing the flow forces the coils to open evenly along their entire length, releasing all trapped particles which are immediately and completely flushed away.

Backwashing is triggered automatically and the frequency is usually determined by the increased pressure differential across the filter coils.

Backwashing is performed sequentially on individual filter pods, ensuring that forward flow through the filter is never interrupted and eliminating any requirement for redundant filter capacity.

Combined with the all-stainless steel construction, these features have a proven track record of providing efficient and long term service in arduous applications with the minimum of maintenance.

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