Ideas needed for pumped coarse straining

[Tony]

We use brass fittings in our reactors, so I see no reason why it can't be used in a filter.

I thought the green slime might build up enough to partially block the fine holes.

I've got a copper gauze as part of my oil filtering system and the major problem is oil polymerising and blocking the holes when not in use.  It may be compounded by the material, but if this were submerged in oil most of the time, the problem would be reduced.

My problem is the footer mesh blocks on the suction side, I'd have thought on the discharge side most cream/slime would get pushed through by the pump pressure (fine by me).  The mono is a mean old beast, I can't see it complaining about a little bit of blockage.

I don't really want tiny bits out of the oil, just enough to not block my multistagers when processing.

[greasemonkey]

If your going to use mesh as fine as that brass stuff, I'd be concerned that the pressure of the pump would collapse the filter when it blocks. The stainless steel stuff would be way stronger.

[RichardP]

First thing I would ask is what are you pumping out of, what state is the oil in and what sort of stuff are you trying to get out?

You can get all sorts of ideas, most could be useless the above can be answered.

[julianf]

The good thing about those swimming pool units is that the fluid comes in, but it does not go out at the bottom.  So its not like the fluid has to be sucked through the previous debris.  Its more of a cage sitting in a larger swirl pot, and the large bits fall to the base of the cage, out of the way.

[Tony]

First thing I would ask is what are you pumping out of, what state is the oil in and what sort of stuff are you trying to get out?

You can get all sorts of ideas, most could be useless the above can be answered.

It's for pumping out 60l drums.  I have a fine mesh footer and one that is much courser (enough to stop chips but not much else).

The oil itself usually is a layer of chips and solids at the bottom that doesn't get pumped, and either nice oil above it (great) or oil with suspended light bits in (popadom bits, seeds), or in cold weather thickening lumpy oil - but with more bits in suspension due to the thickening nature of it.

[RichardP]

I presume you're pumping into a 205L barrel to dry it? If so, just get a barrel sized 400 micron strainer/filter and pour the oil straight through that? This is what I do and don't have to mess about with numerous strainers, pumps and filters.

The area of a barrel strainer is so great it takes a lot of crap to block it.

[Tony]

It goes straight into a 1200l steel tank for settling.  There's a tap at the bottom for water drainoff, and slightly higher a takeoff point for the processor.  As it's filtered any thick stuff at the bottom isn't a problem for processing directly.

[kamaangir]

I am not sure what it is exactly you want but how about getting a 10" filter housing and some mesh, using an element filter for a template make some mesh filters, you can cable time them to start with and maybe then solder or spot weld them if they work, pop the elements in the bowl and Robertos is your dads bro!

[Keef]

A bit of lateral thinking here so bear with me.

How about using an 8" shower head (about £10 from the bay) as your footer but pipe it so that it faces upwards.

You can probably replace the spray bit with some suitable mesh, it will have a much greater surface area than a small footer so shouldn't block as quickly and if it faces upwards, you won't be sucking the bits from the bottom.

[nigelb]

These are the filters I was talking about Tony:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-WASHABLE-PLEATED-WATER-FILTER-RE-USABLE-PREFILTER-BIODIESEL-HARD-WATER-/300597898000?pt=UK_HGKitchen_SmallApp_RL&hash=item45fd07eb10

or a 1micron version here for £11 delivered;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007ATOC9O/