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.

PIERO M. ARMENANTE 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 can be

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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

Cake Filtration

Cross Flow Filtration

Fixed Wall Centrifugation

Rotating Wall Centrifugation

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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).

PIERO M. ARMENANTE 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).
PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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)
PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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 Solids are continuously removed Pressure across and/or flow rate through filter are relatively constant with time

Continuous filtration

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms Involved in Filtration - Straining

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262 PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms Involved in Filtration - Sedimentation and Impaction

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262 PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms Involved in Filtration - Interception

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262 PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms Involved in Filtration - Adhesion

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262 PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Particle Removal Mechanisms Involved in Filtration - Flocculation

After Metcalf and Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, 1991, p. 262 PIERO M. ARMENANTE 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
PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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
PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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.
PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Cross-Flow Filtration

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

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
PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Examples of Cross-Flow Filters

Porous tube filters Microstraining filters

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Example of a Cross-Flow Filter

Tangential filtration
Filtrate Incoming Slurry Concentrated Effluent

Filtrate

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

Example of a Cross-Flow Microscreen Filter

After Eckenfelder, Industrial Wastewater Pollution Control, p.383 PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT

PIERO M. ARMENANTE NJIT