- Filtration is a mechanical or physical process used to separate solids from liquids or gases by passing the mixture through a medium that allows only the fluid to pass while retaining the solid particles.
- Here’s a detailed explanation of its various aspects:
Objectives of Filtration
- Clarification: To remove suspended solids from liquids or gases, making them clear.
- Concentration: To separate and collect solids from fluids, concentrating the solid particles.
- Purification: To remove impurities or contaminants from liquids or gases.
- Product Recovery: To recover valuable solid materials from liquid suspensions.
- Protection: To protect downstream equipment from damage or contamination by solid particles.
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Applications of Filtration
- Water Treatment: Removing particulate matter, pathogens, and chemical contaminants from water.
- Food and Beverage Industry: Clarifying liquids such as wine, beer, and juices; removing impurities from cooking oils.
- Pharmaceuticals: Sterilizing solutions by removing bacteria and other microorganisms.
- Chemical Processing: Purifying chemical solutions and recovering catalysts.
- Environmental Engineering: Air filter to remove pollutants; wastewater treatment.
- Industrial Processes: Oil filter in machinery, filtration in mining operations, etc.
Mechanism
- It is the process of separating solid particles from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a medium (filter) that allows the fluid to pass but retains the solid particles.
- The main mechanisms include:
- Surface Filtration: Particles are retained on the surface of the filter medium.
- Depth Filtration: Particles are trapped within the filter medium.
- Cake Filtration: A layer of filtered particles (filter cake) builds up on the filter medium, enhancing filtrating over time.
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