Industrial filtration refers to a vast range of processes designed to save money, improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. As we move towards a new era of environmental responsibility, what does the future hold for industrial filtration?
Common Industrial Filtration Processes
You might be wondering what types of processes use filtration. In an industrial setting, many use cases exist for filtration systems and media. There are also many different ways to separate liquids from solids or remove impurities. Let’s look at some of the common filtration processes used today.
Sludge Dewatering
Manufacturing plants often use sludge dewatering techniques to make waste disposal easier. Essentially, contaminated water passes through filtration media that captures all solids. A vacuum process is also used, drying the solids and turning them into a cake. Not only does this ensure water can be reused for cleaning and other purposes, but it also makes sludge much lighter and easier to dispose of.
Oil Filtration
In an industrial environment, oil is typically used to lubricate machinery. However, many particles and contaminants can find their way into your oil. Because oil needs constant movement to be effective, everything from dust to slivers of metal can get in. These need to be removed, otherwise, they will damage machinery. As such, filtration is used to remove contaminants so that oil can be safely reused.
Coolant Filtration
Any machinery with a motor or engine typically needs coolant to regulate the operating temperature. Think about your car’s engine. You need coolant in the car to prevent it from overheating and breaking down. The same principle exists in industrial workshops. Much like oil, though, coolant attracts contaminants, making it ineffective and dangerous to machines. To reuse coolant and save resources, filtration removes all contaminants.
Water Filtration
Water has so many different applications in industry. From hosing down workstations to cooling machinery, wastewater must be pure if being reused. We’ve already discussed sludge dewatering, but water filtration is slightly different. This process is used to remove smaller contaminants from water rather than removing water from sludge. For example, water used to clean equipment can be used again for the same purpose, provided it is filtered and purified appropriately.
Centrifugal Filtration
Centrifuges work in several settings, but in manufacturing, they are used for everything from oil and water separation to removing impurities from liquids. A centrifuge is essentially a drum that spins rapidly, forcing solids to the side of the drum to be removed easily.
It’s important to note that various other filtration processes occur in all industries. Air filtration, for example, is common in almost every HVAC system and workplace. Removing impurities and particles from the air keeps it safe to breathe.
So, what does the future look like in terms of industrial filtration?
A Focus On the Environment
Everywhere you look today, sustainability is a hot topic. Industrial factories are known as some of the worst polluters, however, this outdated view is being challenged. Due to the potential for pollution, industrial businesses are, in many ways, leading the charge towards reducing carbon emissions and being more sustainable.
For this reason alone, filtration is set to boom in the coming years. As more and more factories and manufacturing plants seek to recycle more, save money, and decrease their environmental footprint, filtration becomes a major part.
There are rules and regulations in Australia regarding the disposal of waste and even the management of wastewater. Essentially, water must be free of contaminants before it leaves an industrial plant, making filtration processes crucial.
Cost Saving Measures
Disposing of industrial waste is expensive, and this is in part by design. To encourage companies to create less waste, landfill levies have been imposed. So, even those with the best intentions must pay a hefty sum when disposing of industrial waste.
Naturally, businesses want to save money while doing the right thing for the environment. Sludge dewatering is one filtration process that does both. As we mentioned before, sludge dewatering involves extracting water from sludge (industrial waste). Filtration media captures the solid waste, and a vacuum dries it, turning old sludge into a lightweight cake.
The removal of water massively reduces the weight of industrial waste, therefore making it cheaper to dispose of. It’s also a lot cleaner and easier to remove a dried-out cake than a large pile of sludge. As such, we can expect sludge dewatering to be a major industrial focus in the coming years.
Improved Systems
We’ve already discussed some common industrial filtration methods, such as wastewater filtration and other liquid filtration. But with significant technological advancements, we will begin seeing even better ways to do things. Investment in technology will be crucial as industrial plants strive to stay ahead of the game.
For example, membrane technology and filtration media, in general, continue to evolve. Filtration systems will become more adaptive, perhaps able to handle multiple filtration processes simultaneously. With the rise of smart technology, we also expect to see even more automation in industrial processes, removing the risk of human error and improving efficiency.
Do you Need Help With Industrial Filtration?
As one of Australia’s leading suppliers of industrial filtration systems and filter media, Interfil has got you covered. Whether your main focus is meeting environmental regulations, saving money or improving operational efficiency, our experts are here to help. We can consult with you to determine the right systems for your needs, promising the best value for money. Plus, we even service and repair your filtration equipment as necessary. Don’t look any further than Interfil for all your industrial filtration needs. Contact us today.
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