Cartridge Filters and Housings
Glass Filled Polypro 5
Stainless Steel Sub-Micron 0.05
Industrial Water Purification
1(800) CAL-WATER
There are a bewildering array of cartridge filter housings and cartridges available today. The
cartridge filters shown here are the most common ones used, but are only a few of the many
cartridge filters available from Cal Water. (Please see Cartridge Filter Application Notes)
The 5 micron filter cartridge is the most versatile and least expensive filter cartridge in industry.
The 5 micron cartridge is used to remove particles and turbidity for applications from drinking water
to pretreatment for high purity water systems.
Standard Single Cartridge housings have a dark blue top and a light blue body made of glass filled
poly pro. Each housing contains a single 5, 10 or 20" 5 micron filter element. (Other filter available
are 0.45, 1, 20, 50 micron, and others.)
Each cartridge filter will produce a flow of up to 40 GPM with
a clean element. As the 5-micron cartridges filter out
particles, the flow rate begins to drop off and the pressure
drop across the filters will increase. A good rule of thumb
regarding the replacement of the filter cartridge is to change
it when there is a ten-pound drop across it. Pressure drop is
determined by subtracting inlet pressure from outlet
pressure. The gauge preceding the filter represents the
incoming pressure. The outlet pressure is found by reading
the very next pressure gauge in the system that can be
found mounted on the piping or on the inlet of the next piece
of equipment.
Because the turbidity in city water is unpredictable, the
pressure drop across the filters should be routinely checked.
If checking pressure drop is a problem, then the cartridges
should be replaced on a schedule.
Filter Housings
Model:
Big Blue
Number of cartridges:
1
Materials of Construction:
Housing:
Glass filled poly pro
Seal:
Knife-Edge
Specifications:
Type:
Single Cartridge
Length:
20" (nom.)
Materials of Construction:
Cartridge:
foam
Seals:
Knife-Edge
Specifications:
Micron Rating:
5 micron
Length:
20" (nom.)
Diameter:
4.5" (nom.)
Flow rate:
40 GPM/Cartridge
Big Blue
Sub-Micron Cartridge Filters
Sub-micron cartridges are at the other end of the cartridge filter spectrum from the 5 micron. An
example sub-micron filter housing would be the stainless steel top-opening container shown
below. This type of filter is typically used for the physical removal of microorganisms, living or
dead that passed through the UV system along with any other particulates.
The filter shown holds 12 cartridges rated at 0.2 sub-microns (Absolute). These cartridges produce
a flow of 60 GPM with clean elements. As an element filters out particles, the flow rate will begin to
drop off and the pressure drop will increase. A good rule of thumb for the replacement of sub-micron
filter cartridges is a fifteen-pound pressure drop across them.
Cartridge Filter Housing
Multiple Cartridge Stainless Steel
Bolt
Bolt
Materials of Construction:
Housing:
316 Stainless Steel
Seals:
Buna-N
Specifications:
Type:
Height:
Diameter:
10 30 Cartridges
27 - 54"
15 3/8"
Sub-Micron (0.20) Cartridge
Number Required per Change: 12
Rating:
0.20-Micron Absolute
Seals:
Knife Edge
Length:
30
Diameter:
2
Materials of Construction:
Cartridge:
Polypro
Seals:
Teflon
Notes:
Cartridge filter housings materials of construction can be
glass-filled poly pro, natural polypropylene, stainless
steel, PVDF, Teflon and other materials.
Wing Nut Housing
Sub-micron filter cartridges come with a variety of top
and bottom seals. It is important to get the correct
cartridge for a particular housing.
Certain standard 10 and 20 sub-micron (0.45, 0.2,
0.05) filter cartridges will fit in the same housing as the
5 filter cartridge.
To select and size a cartridge filter for a specific filtering
application please call Cal Water to obtain the optimum
cartridge filter selection.
For More Information Please Call
1(800)CAL-WATER - (800) 225-9283
10 Filter Cartridges
Cal Water
1961 Petra Lane
Placentia, CA 92870
Industrial Water Purification
FAX: (714) 792-0794
Web Page / Email: www.cal-water.com
(800) CAL-WATER
Cartridge Filter Application Notes
Cal Water offers a variety of sizes and configurations of filter cartridges and housings.
The
use of a specific filter size and type is dictated by the application.
There
are four basic types of filter cartridges:
Melt blown (Solid) Filter Cartridges
String Wound Filter Cartridges
Pleated Filter Cartridges
Media Cartridges: Activated Carbon (GAC), DI resin, Calcite, Alumina, and more
(Please see: Filter Cartridge Types, below)
Cartridge Filter Micron Ratings
All cartridge filters have micron ratings that indicate the smallest sized particle they are
capable of removing. (One micron (Milimicron, = 0.000039 inch) Micron ratings for filter
cartridges range from 50 microns (all filter cartridge types) down to 0.035 microns (Pleated
membrane cartridges).
Absolute vs. Nominal Filter Ratings
The micron size ratings can be Nominal or Absolute. A nominal rating indicates that the
filter cartridge will remove 95% of the particles of that micron size. An absolute rating
indicates that the filter will remove 99% of the particles. (Absolute ratings are available only
on pleated filter cartridges.)
Applications
Cartridge filters are effective in the removal of moderate amounts of particles from liquids in
the size range of 50 to 0.035 microns. When filtering large amounts of solids at high flow
rates, other treatment methods such as self-cleaning multimedia filters may be required as
pre-filters, followed by cartridge filtration, if needed.
The most popular micron sizes are the 5-micron general-purpose filter cartridge, and 0.2 submicron Absolute pleated filter cartridge for final filtration on high purity water systems.
Pressure Drop
The pressure drop across a cartridge filter is used to determine the condition and effectiveness
of the cartridge. A high pressure drop across a cartridge filter, over the maximum
recommended pressure drop, indicates that the cartridge needs attention. No pressure drop at
all indicates that the filter is either breached or that the seals are not working, and again needs
attention. In most cases the attention needed is cartridge replacement. With some of the
pleated filter cartridges, a cleaning can restore an acceptable pressure drop.
Static Pressure
Pressure
Regulator
Static Pressure
p1
p2
Not Running
On
Off
The static pressure on a system is simply the pressure shown on all pressure gauges with a
system pressurized, with the outlet valves off. Typically, static pressure is simply city water
pressure. Once a system is pressurized and initial pressure equilibrium is achieved, all
pressure gauges will read the same (after correcting for gauge error). There will be no UP. A
static pressure reading alone will not indicate the condition of a filter cartridge.
Dynamic Pressure
Pressure
Regulator
Dynamic Pressure
p1
p2
Running
On
On
Dynamic pressure readings are obtained by taking the readings from the pressure gauges in a
system with the water flowing. Dynamic pressure readings are the only way to determine
cartridge filter condition.
Determining Pressure Drop (Filter Cartridge Condition)
Water Flowing to Other Components If water going through a cartridge filter goes on to
another component that also has a pressure drop, the difference in the dynamic pressure
readings before and after the cartridge filter provide the UP of the filter cartridge, and thus, a
good indication of the condition of the cartridge.
UP = P1 P2
Water Flowing to Atmosphere If the water coming from a cartridge filter goes directly to
atmosphere, a downstream pressure gauge would rarely go much above zero and so it can be
eliminated. The pressure drop across a cartridge in this type of service can be determined by
simply taking a dynamic reading from the inlet pressure gauge.
When to Replace a Filter Cartridge
As particles accumulate on a filter cartridge, flow through the filter becomes restricted. This
restriction reduces the flow rate through the cartridge and increases backpressure. (It also
increases the effectiveness of the filter, so cartridges shouldnt be changed unnecessarily.) The
difference in pressure before and after a cartridge filter is the pressure drop, or UP (Delta P).
Different filter configurations and micron ratings have different UP replacement specifications.
For example, pleated membrane filters normally require replacement at a UP of 15 psig, while
string filters are still going strong at a UP of 25 psig. Consult the manufacturers UP
recommendations for the specific filter cartridge being used.
General Filter Cartridge
Replacement Procedure
Close the inlet valve to the filter.
With the outlet valve still on this should reduce the pressure in
the system.
Close the outlet valve.
Loosen lid or top of the housing and allow the remaining
pressure to dissipate.
Drain or pour the water from the housing.
Remove the old filter cartridge.
Rinse the bowl, or swab the inside of the housing and lid or
head with a sterilant: Chlorine, peroxide, etc.
Insert the new filter cartridge.
Replace the bowl or lid, loosely.
Using the inlet valve, slowly fill the housing with water.
When the water starts to overflow, close the inlet valve and
complete the seal.
Turn on the inlet valve again and repressurize the system
Check for leaks and repeat the process as necessary. (the most
frequent cause of leaking is an Oring seal out of place.)
Resume service by turning both inlet and outlet valves on.
Filter Cartridge Types
Melt blown (Solid) Filter Cartridges
A melt blown filter cartridge is a depth type filter that is good for
the removal of relatively uniform sized particles throughout the
body of the filter, not just on the surface. Melt blown filter
cartridges are particularly effective on well waters and normal city
water.
The standard 10, 5-micron, melt blown filter cartridge is the least
expensive and most widely used filter cartridge on the market
today. The melt blown 5-micron cartridge is used extensively for
both commercial and domestic applications.
Typical applications include:
1 to 50 micron filters used in general purpose applications, with
the 5-micron cartridge being the most popular.
5-micron filters installed up-stream of ion exchange resin columns to remove particles and
down-stream to remove resin fines that could pass through under drains and clog a pure
water system.
5-micron pre-filters installed ahead of a reverse osmosis system to remove particles that
could clog up membranes and deteriorate performance.
String Wound Filter Cartridges
The string wound cartridge was the original cartridge filter
element. A string wound cartridge is a surface type filter that is
effective in removing diverse sized particles. It removes particles
of its micron rating with excellent resistance to being blinded by
larger particles. Because of the overlapping nature of the string
windings, it has an effective surface area considerably larger than
that of the melt blown filter. String wound filters are particularly
applicable to surface waters from streams and rivers.
While string wound cartridges predate all the other filters, with
polypropylene fiber construction, a string wound is still a good
general-purpose filter and in certain applications, the best choice.
Like the melt blown filter cartridge, string wound cartridges are
inexpensive. In its 10, 5-micron form it is the 2nd most
commonly used filter cartridge on the market and is used
extensively in pre-filtration applications.
Typical applications include:
1 to 50 micron filters used in general purpose applications.
5-micron filters installed up-stream of ion exchange resin columns to remove particles and
down-stream to remove resin fines that could pass through under drains and clog a pure
water system.
5-micron pre-filters installed ahead of a reverse osmosis system to remove non-uniform
sized particles.
Pleated Filter Cartridges
A pleated cartridge is a surface type filter cartridge that is
effective in removing diverse sized particles in limited quantities.
Pleated cartridges will remove particles of its micron rating with
good resistance to being blinded by larger particles. Pleated
filter cartridges are particularly effective on surface waters from
streams and rivers.
Pleated filter cartridges are constructed to provide a surface area
far in excess of the diameter of the filter.
The micron rating of a pleated filter is more precise than either
the melt blown or string wound cartridges. Though pleated
cartridges are more expensive than melt blown or string wound,
they are the only choice for sub-micron filtration. (0.45 to 0.1
microns) Sub-micron pleated filter cartridges are used extensively
as biological blocks in the production of high-purity and sterile water.
Typical applications include:
5-micron general-purpose filters used before and after ion exchange resin columns.
1 to 50 micron filter on the vent of a water storage tank to help prevent airborne particles
from entering the tank during draw down in non-critical applications.
0.45 sub-micron post-filters installed after ion exchange systems act as final filters for
particle sensitive applications.
0.2 sub-micron post-filters are installed after ion exchange and ultraviolet sterilization
systems to act as final filters yielding bacterial and particle counts of near zero.
0.1 sub-micron hydrophobic filters are used extensively on the vents of a high-purity water
storage tanks to prevent airborne dust and microorganisms from entering the tank during
draw down in critical applications.
0.1 to 0.2 sub-micron Absolute filters for both system and point-of-use filtration in
critical applications.
Media Filter Cartridges
A Media Filter cartridge is not like the mechanical filters
described above. A media cartridge is actually a water
treatment device that effects chemical changes in the water.
The flow rate through a media cartridge is substantially lower
than that a similarly sized particle filter. For example a 10 5micron filter can flow at 5 GPM, while the same sized Carbon
Media cartridge flow rate should be less than 2.5 GPM.
(Depending on chlorine and organic loading.)
Replacement of media cartridges is not dictated by pressure
drop. Carbon media cartridge replacement should be scheduled
for every three months or more often. Deionizer (DI) cartridges
should be replaced according to water quality.
Typical applications include:
Activated Carbon for the removal of chlorine, taste and odor.
Mixed Bed DI resin for water purification.
Calcite media for neutralization of acidic water.
Many other medias are available to handle a wide variety of water problems. (Cal Water
engineers can assist in selecting the right media for the job.)
Cartridge Filter Accessories
Accessories include: Filter housing wrenches, Inlet and outlet pressure gauges, isolation
valves and pressure relief valves.
