Have you ever thought about how industries give us clean water when some water resources have harmful materials?

Do you know which gadget is saving expensive mechanical gadgets from getting damaged in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries?

Debris in the piping system of industries can reduce productivity. It can cause damage and energy loss in the industrial system. So, how to avoid it?

I know you have these burning questions in your mind, so let’s explore the answer.

Our industries are using different filters to recycle or clear the debris from the fluids used in their piping system.

 Among those filters, the most popular one is the Y-type strainer filter.

What is a Y-Type Filter?

The Y-Type strainer filter is Y-shaped that removes solid particles from liquid, oil, and gas. The purpose of it is to save downstream mechanical equipment from getting damaged. When liquid enters them, their filtering cartridge removes the debris, sending the clear liquid into the system.

It is an indispensable device in the pipeline system to remove rust, solid particles, and sand from the medium. It makes sure that there is no blockage in the pipelines and that mechanical equipment remains saved.

Unlike Y-Strainer valves, they use a micro-rated filter element. This filter element has a pleated element surface area, and the filtering area is equal to those present in hydraulic filters.

The aspects which make the Y filter superior to other industrial filters are its compact size, easy maintenance, cost-effectiveness, wide application range, and low-pressure loss.

Moreover, it is environmentally friendly, and its filter is silicone and asbestos-free. The material of it is highly resistant to temperature, wear, and corrosion.

This filter has a long lifespan and high operating efficiency. The filter’s shape is favorable for smooth water flow, causing less pressure loss.

You should install its inlet and outlet in the right direction in the system. Arrows are present on the body that can tell you in which direction water can flow from the filter.

It has a threaded cap that makes maintenance and cleaning of the filter easy. You have to open the cap and take out the filter cartridge to clean it.

Y filter is popular because it provides high water quality that meets the national discharge standards. That water can easily be recycled and reused for various domestic and industrial purposes.

Let’s see how this device is working to provide these results.

Working Mechanism of Y-Type Filter

The Y-type filter’s main components are:

• A takeover pipe
• The main pipe
• A flange
• A flange cover
• A filter screen
• A fastener

We installed this filter at the inlet end of either the globe or the pressure-reducing valve o

First, liquid entered from the inlet end of the filter and then entered into the basket shape of it.

The basket shape contained a filter cartridge which had a filter screen. The filter screen blocked the foreign material, and the clean liquid discharged from the outlet end of this filter.

You can detach the cover of the filter basket in no time. You can do it when you need to clean and maintain the filter.

When the flow increases in the system, it means debris has blocked the pores of the filter element. This can cause blockage or harm to other equipment in the system.

For it, you have to make sure that you keep maintaining it regularly.

Maintenance of Y-Type Filter

When the filter is filtering your system, the pressure will be about 0.1 MPa. But if the pressure increase and reaches 0.4 MPa, your filter screen is getting blocked and needs maintenance.

For maintenance purposes, you have to dissemble the filter. Before dissembling, depressurize and drain the pipelines of the circuit.

After depressurizing the system, remove the sealing clamp of the filter. After it, remove the filter cap and take out the strainer screen. Remove the clamp seal and the O ring now.

Now, it is time to clean your filter. You can do it in two steps:

• Physical Cleaning
• Chemical Cleaning

Physical Cleaning

For Physical Cleaning, you have to use clean water. You can wash the filter parts two to three times in this process.

Chemical Cleaning

If you are still unsatisfied, you can use chemicals too. Add some cleaning agents to the water to clean your filter.

You can take a 10% sodium hydroxide solution and soak it in for 48 hours. Afterward, rinse it with clean water two to three times so that no trace of chemicals remains on it. Now use reverse wind with 0.1 MPA compressed air.

Or, you can soak it in a 5% hydrochloric acid solution for 4 hours. After it, wash it with clean water two to three times and then use reverse wind.

You should take care of the concentration ratio of your mixture. If you add more alkaline or acid solution to your mixture, it can damage your filter.

Before cleaning the filter, you should wear protective goggles and rubber gloves. Make sure that the filter is not hot when cleaning it.

You should clean the inner and outer parts of the filter body before assembling and installing them.

For assembling the Y filter, place the O rings on the strainer screen, and insert the assembly in the filter body. After it, place the clamp seal and tighten the sealing clamp.

Installing the Y-Type Filter

Installing the Y-filter accurately is important if you want it smoothly working.

Before installing the filter, clean every type of debris from the pipeline. For it, pass the clean water and check pipes and valves for leaks.

After making sure that everything is alright, install your y strainer filter. Make sure that the direction of flow in the system is the same as the direction of the arrows on the filter.

This filter should be installed with the stop valve on the upstream and downstream of it. When you have to maintain it, you can close the stop valves from both sides and start cleaning it.

If you don’t want to delay the use of the system while repairing your filter, you can install a bypass pipeline with a stop valve. You can install this pipeline when you are installing your Y-filter in the system.

Keep the stop valve on the bypass pipe closed. Whenever, you need to repair your filter, open that stop valve.

What failures can occur if we use the Y-type filter for a long time?

I have highlighted the importance of maintenance and proper installation of this filter in the previous heading because any mishandling or carelessness can cause issues in your system.

An expert should install your Y-filter. You should avoid installing inlets and outlets in the backward direction. Moreover, make sure that your sealing clamp is tightened sufficiently.

Your strainer screen shouldn’t get blocked. Keep checking the pressure in your system, and have a proper plan to inspect your Y filter regularly.

Inspect every element of your filter before using it. If any part is damaged, replace it immediately.

You should clean the new filter with detergent before using it. You should avoid using acid cleaning agents as they can cause corrosion in the pipelines.

The new filter elements will be present in the plastic bag. Don’t tear the bag if the parts are not in use.

You should take care of these precautions if you want the smooth working of your system.

But in which industries can you use this filter? Let’s see in which applications this Y-filter is working.

In which industries, the Y-type filter is mostly used?

We use Y-filter in those industries where there is a need to clean the debris from the fluid and gas.

We can use them in industries of agricultural irrigation, petrochemical, circulating water filtration, electromechanical, thermal power stations, heat transfer systems, thermal boilers, and pharmaceutical sewage ion exchange pretreatment.

We use these filters to clean domestic and industrial sewage so water resources can be reused and recycled. A lot of industries are using this filter for this purpose.

These filters are made of stainless steel, bronze, plastic, carbon steel, and cast iron. Different types of materials are suitable for different applications.

In Pharmaceutical Industries

Stainless steel has high corrosion resistance. That’s why we use it in the pharmaceutical and food processing industries. This material is hygiene-friendly making it ideal for the food and beverage industry.

In Chemical and Petrochemical Production

Carbon steel filters are ideal for this industry as they have high resistance to thermal shock and can be beneficial in fire situations.

In Refrigeration

Low-temperature carbon steel is appropriate for refrigeration applications.

Summary

In a nutshell, Y filters are small mechanical devices that can clean the impurities from a fluid. It is easy to maintain and install and is cost-effective. A lot of industries prefer this valve because of its long lifespan and effective working mechanism.

It is made up of different types of material and every material is specific for different industries. You should choose the right material and size of the valve according to your type of fluid and pipelines.

If you keep maintaining it regularly, it will prevent any loss or damage in your industrial system. With a little care, you can enjoy the long lifespan and productivity of this valve.

I hope this article has helped you in installing and maintaining a Y filter for your industry. It may have given you a clear idea what type of Y filter you should buy for your industry, and how to make it productive.