MFC Filter Operational Description
MFC Filter Operational Description
W: www.municipalfilter.com
E: [email protected]
P: 608.240.8987
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 -
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.
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.
Please contact MFC for additional details, including sizing, equipment details, and pricing.