Filtration

PIERO M. ARMENANTE
NJIT

Filtration
Filtration is a process by which suspended
solid particles are separated from a liquid by
passing the liquid through a porous, medium
(e.g., a sand bed) capable of entrapping the
suspended particles.
A pressure gradient generated across the filter
bed is the driving force for filtration.

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NJIT

Pressure Gradient Generation in

Filtration Operations
The pressure gradient in filtration
produced in a variety of ways including:
gravity
vacuum
high pressure
centrifugal forces

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can

be

Classification of Solid-Liquid
Separation Processes
Solid-Liquid Separation Processes

Using Density
As a Driving Force

Using Pressure Gradient

As a Driving Force

Sedimentation, Flotation Centrifugation Deep-Bed

Thickening
Filtration

Fixed Wall
Centrifugation

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Rotating Wall
Centrifugation

Cake
Filtration

Cross Flow
Filtration

Filter Medium
The filter medium is the element that produces the
filtering action. Examples include:
filter screens and supporting septa (e.g., a
fabric screen);
beds of particulate materials (e.g., sand, coal);
beds of solids screened from the solid-liquid
suspension
(e.g.,
biosolids
in
sludge
thickening) or a slurry (e.g., diatomaceous
earth).

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NJIT

Types of Filtration Operations

Cross-flow filtration, in which a septum is

responsible for the filtering action (e.g.,

microscreens);
Depth (or deep-bed) filtration, in which the

particles are removed throughout the filter

bed or in a significant portion of it (e.g.,
sand filters);
Cake filtration, in which the particles are

removed on the surface of a cake formed

by the solids accumulating on a septum
(e.g., rotary vacuum filters).
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Classification of Filtration Systems

Filtration systems can be classified according to:
type of operation (batch vs. continuous)
direction of fluid flow with respect of filter
medium (perpendicular vs. parallel)
type of filter medium (e.g., screen, deep bed,
cake)
location within the filter medium where particle
deposition occurs
flow rate or pressure control during filtration
(e.g., constant pressure drop)
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Filtration Operations
Batch or semicontinuous filtration

Periodical removal of solids is required

(e.g., through backwashing)

Pressure across and/or flow rate through

filter change with time

Continuous filtration

Solids are continuously removed

Pressure across and/or flow rate through

filter are relatively constant with time

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Process Variables Affecting Filtration

Flow rate of slurry
Type of slurry and solid particles contained in
it

Liquid viscosity

Liquid density

Solid concentration

Particle size distribution

Surface charge of particles

Type and/or shape or particles

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Process Variables Affecting Filtration

Type and properties of filter medium

Medium average particle size and shape

Medium particle size distribution

Medium surface charge

Medium density

Medium void fraction (porosity)

Mesh size opening

Height of filter medium

Allowable pressure drop across filter
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Particle Removal Mechanisms

Involved in Filtration
Mechanical straining
Sedimentation on filter medium
Impaction with filter medium
Interception by contact with filter medium
Flocculation
Adhesion

Chemical adsorption

Physical adsorption

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Particle Removal Mechanisms

Involved in Filtration - Straining

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262

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Particle Removal Mechanisms

Involved in Filtration - Sedimentation
and Impaction

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262

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NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms

Involved in Filtration - Interception

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262

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NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms

Involved in Filtration - Adhesion

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262

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NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms

Involved in Filtration - Flocculation

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262

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NJIT

Typical Applications of Filtration in

Wastewater Treatment
Pretreatment
of
industrial
wastewaters
containing low concentrations of suspended
solids (up to 100 ppm)
Removal of solids after coagulation of colloidal
suspensions
Final clarification (tertiary treatment) of
effluent
wastewater
from
(secondary)
biological treatment
Dewatering of slurries
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Examples of Filtration Operations in

Hazardous Waste Treatment
Filtration of the clarified effluent after settling
following neutralization of acid wastewaters
with lime or limestone
Dewatering of the sludge formed during
neutralization of acid wastewaters with lime or
limestone
Filtration of the effluent from the clarifier after
heavy metal precipitation as hydroxides,
sulfides or carbonates

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Examples of Filtration Operations in

Hazardous Waste Treatment (cont' d)
Dewatering of the sludge formed during heavy
metal precipitation
Dewatering of floating sludge after air flotation
of wastewaters containing oily residues prior
to sludge incineration
Dewatering of (anaerobically or aerobically)
digested activated sludge used in the
treatment of wastewaters containing toxic
organic priority pollutants prior to sludge
incineration
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Limitations to the Use of Filtration

Filtration cannot:
remove solutes in solution (although filters
that are able to retain an active microbial
population can partially operate as bioreactors
and produce some degradation of soluble
materials);
separate chemical constituents present in the
same phase;
be used to process viscous materials;
be used to process solid wastes.
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NJIT

Cross-Flow
Filtration

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Cross-Flow Filtration
In cross flow filtration the slurry flows parallel
to the filter medium on one side of it. Only the
clarified liquid can cross the filter medium and
exit on the other side
Because of the high velocity of the slurry the
level of turbulence intensity on the slurry side
is quite elevated. This prevents the build-up of
a stable cake and reduces the rate of pressure
increase with time across the medium
Cross-flow filters can be effectively used to
clarify
slurries containing up to 0.5% of
suspended solids
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Examples of Cross-Flow Filters

Porous tube filters
Microstraining filters

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Example of a Cross-Flow Filter

Tangential filtration
Filtrate
Incoming
Slurry

Concentrated
Effluent

Filtrate

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Example of a Cross-Flow
Microscreen Filter

After Eckenfelder, Industrial Wastewater Pollution Control, p.383

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PIERO M. ARMENANTE
NJIT