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MFC Filter Operational Description

Fixed plate cloth media filters are designed for tertiary wastewater treatment using cloth media elements that remain static during filtering and backwashing operations. Flow enters from the bottom and moves upward through the cloth media, which filters out suspended solids more efficiently than granular media. Individual elements can be easily removed for cleaning while other elements continue operating. Backwashing utilizes gravity flow instead of pumps to clean the cloth media. The simple design requires no moving parts besides valves, making it low maintenance.

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miguel_vera6592
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73 views

MFC Filter Operational Description

Fixed plate cloth media filters are designed for tertiary wastewater treatment using cloth media elements that remain static during filtering and backwashing operations. Flow enters from the bottom and moves upward through the cloth media, which filters out suspended solids more efficiently than granular media. Individual elements can be easily removed for cleaning while other elements continue operating. Backwashing utilizes gravity flow instead of pumps to clean the cloth media. The simple design requires no moving parts besides valves, making it low maintenance.

Uploaded by

miguel_vera6592
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fixed Plate Cloth Media Filters for Wastewater

W: www.municipalfilter.com
E: [email protected]
P: 608.240.8987

FIXED PLATE CLOTH MEDIA FILTER


OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
General Operation
MFC’s fixed plate cloth media filter systems are specifically designed for tertiary treatment of
wastewater from municipal & industrial secondary treatment processes (activated sludge,
extended air, oxidation ditches, SBRs, etc). MFC’s filters offer several key advantages as a result
of combining 2 important concepts; 1) utilizing cloth media that does not require excessive
pressurized spray or backwash volume to clean and 2) using already available differential head
to produce backwash flow.

MFC fixed plate cloth filters use simple open-close pneumatic valves – operated by a small air
compressor and simple controls - to control the filtering and backwash operations. The position
of 2 valves associated with each isolated filtering element determines the direction of flow. No
pumps are needed to create backwash flow, which allows media panels to be fixed in place
(instead of rotated past a stationary spray or suction manifold), which also allows elements to be
square or rectangular (vs. circular) easing manufacture, installation, removal, and maintenance.
MFC filters utilize 100% acrylic filtering media fixed within 100% stainless steel element
framework & tankage, all of which remain static during all operations, limiting mechanical wear
and maintenance.

The static plate design is also very compact compared to many types of tertiary filters,
particularly granular media filters. Much of this is due to the ability of the cloth media to be
placed vertically, as opposed to requiring large flat sand beds or horizontal surfaces. Cloth media
also has a significantly higher throughput capacity than granular media, and therefore helps to
reduce overall size and footprint.

The filter operates through the use of gravity, requiring only small water level differential or
head to push water through the filter cloth, making it ideally suited for treatment facilities
located in low lying areas or where available gravity head is limited. MFC fixed plate filters are
ideally suited for smaller communities, industrial applications, mobile home parks, or residential
developments which require tertiary filtration for water reuse (including CA Title 22
applications), phosphorous removal, discharge to sensitive waterways, irrigation, or many other
applications.

Filtering Operation
MFC’s fixed plate cloth media filters use a series of cloth media ‘membranes’ of long acrylic
fibers attached to a woven, porous acrylic backing layer. This proprietary cloth technology is
very effective at removing suspended solids (TSS) carry-over from secondary treatment
processes.

During normal filtration, flow enters the influent channel that runs the entire length of the filter
basin and is evenly distributed to multiple influent drop pipes which are attached to individually
isolated filter underdrains (1 per element). Flow enters the vertically placed media elements
from the bottom, which allows larger, heavier solids to drop to the bottom of the underdrain -

Fixed Plate Cloth Media Filter Details Page 1 of 3 Operational Description


Mx200000
Fixed Plate Cloth Media Filters for Wastewater
W: www.municipalfilter.com
E: [email protected]
P: 608.240.8987

not on the media – while light-


weight particles travel upward and
are collected on the inside of the
cloth media. This is referred to as
‘inside-out’ filtration, the advantages
of which are described in MFC’s
“Features & Benefits – Inside-Out
Operation” document.

Each Element is rectangular in


design, has its own internal support
framework, and is made up of 2
rectangular cloth media panels, one
on each side of the frame. Typical
packaged tanks have from 2 to 6
elements per tank and come in a
variety of sizes to accommodate
flows from 10,000 gpd to 1.2 MGD
@ ADF. Multiple packaged filters
can be placed in parallel to treat significant wastewater flow. Concrete tanks
can also be utilized and can often accommodate many more elements than
packaged units.

Backwash Operation
As the filter continues to operate
and remove solids, the water level
or head in the influent channel
rises. At a predetermined level (or
based on time or operator
initiation) the filter goes into a
backwash stage to remove the
collected solids and clean the
media.

MFC’s cloth media filters feature a


unique ‘fixed’ element design,
which limits mechanical wear and
maintenance. Other cloth media
filters use pumps or vacuums to
force collected materials off the
cloth. To do so, the cloth must
move past a stationary manifold,
requiring the media panels to be
circular or made of multiple pie-
shaped sections. MFC’s cloth media elements are rectangular and remain
stationary during all operations.

Fixed Plate Cloth Media Filter Details Page 2 of 3 Operational Description


Mx200000
Fixed Plate Cloth Media Filters for Wastewater
W: www.municipalfilter.com
E: [email protected]
P: 608.240.8987

Once a backwash stage is initiated, the influent valve to the first element is closed and its
associated backwash valve is opened. Water continues to enter the remaining online filter
elements, producing clean water, which is collected in the main tank. Backwash flows in reverse
due to the water level differential between the main tank level and backwash pipe. This reverse
flow elongates the fibers of the pile media and carries away collected solids through the isolated
underdrain, backwash valve & collection manifold. A small amount of compressed air is added
during each element’s backwash to further agitate the media and enhance cleaning.
Problematic backwash suction manifolds that have to ride on top or very near the media are
eliminated. Also, suction or spray pumps are eliminated since the filter system utilizes the
already available differential head generated by incoming flow to the other filter “cells”.

Each filter element is backwashed in sequence, all while influent continues to enter the filter.
This limits upstream disturbances since water does not have to be diverted or stored during the
backwash cycle.

Maintenance
Although resistant to chlorine and other chemicals, over time the cloth media panels can become
clogged with algae or other foreign particles. Media may periodically be removed from its
framework for cleaning or replacement. In this event, the individual media elements, each with
its own supporting framework, are designed to be easily lifted from the tank and removed, even
while flow continues to enter the filter through other online elements. The influent/backwash
channel for the removed element can be isolated from incoming flow by closing both the influent
and backwash valves for that element.

Each element has 2 lock-down mechanisms that, when released, allow the entire element to be
lifted out of the filter bay, all while other elements continue to filter incoming flow. Once out of
the filter, the media retention cover plate is easily removed and the media is cleaned or
replaced. Within a short period, new cloth can be installed and reinserted back into the flow.
This process has been found to be as short as 1 man-hour per media element for Larger filter
elements, and shorter for smaller filters.

All other components are 100% stainless


steel, plastic, or acrylic and do not
require regular maintenance. During
normal operation, there are NO moving
parts other than simple open-close
pneumatically operated valves, further
limiting mechanical complexity and
associated maintenance. There are NO
drive gears or chains, rotating disks,
spray manifolds, pumps, or sludge
collection manifolds to maintain making
MFC’s fixed plate cloth media filters
uniquely simple to install, operate, and
maintain.

Please contact MFC for additional details, including sizing, equipment details, and pricing.

Fixed Plate Cloth Media Filter Details Page 3 of 3 Operational Description


Mx200000

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