Glass filters are special filters that are used in water and wastewater treatment, especially for fine filtration. They consist of glass-based filter materials such as glass granulate or glass fibers. These filter materials are characterized by high chemical resistance, durability and excellent filtration efficiency. Glass filters are particularly suitable for applications where organic and inorganic particles, turbidity and micropollutants need to be removed.
Table of contents
Technical background
Glass filters work on the principle of depth filtration. The water flows through a bed of processed glass granulate, whereby particles are retained in the filter medium through mechanical and physical interactions. Depending on requirements, glass filters are configured with different grain sizes and layer structures.
Structure of a glass filter
- Filter container: Usually made of plastic, stainless steel or GRP, depending on the application.
- Glass granulate layers: Different grain sizes ensure staggered filtration.
- Filter nozzles: Prevent the filter material from being discharged and ensure an even water flow.
Photo: Our ALMA FIL glass filters, which can also be operated with granulated activated carbon
Functionality
- Filtration: The water flows through the layers of processed glass granulate. Coarser particles are retained in the upper layer, while finer particles are separated in the deeper layers.
- Backwashing: To maintain filter performance, the glass filter is backwashed periodically. This removes the accumulated impurities and prepares the system for the next filtration cycle.
Photo: ALMA FIL glass filter with H2O2 backwash system as a 2-line pendulum system
Advantages of glass filters
- High filtration efficiency:
- Glass filters can remove particles down to a size of a few micrometers.
- Durability and chemical resistance:
- Reprocessed glass materials are resistant to chemical attack and do not corrode, which extends the service life of the filter.
- Low maintenance effort:
- Backwashing cleans the filter materials efficiently, which reduces operating costs.
- Energy efficiency:
- Glass filters have a low pressure loss, which reduces the energy requirement.
Areas of application
Drinking water treatment:
- Removal of suspended solids and organic impurities.
Process water treatment & water recycling:
- Protection of membrane systems such as ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis against coarse impurities.
Wastewater treatment:
- Pre-treatment of wastewater streams to reduce the load on downstream systems.
Cooling water systems:
- Protection of heat exchangers and other technical components.
Photo: ALMA FIL glass filter as a police filter in the outlet of our ALMA CHEM MCW CP system
ALMAWATECH solutions
ALMAWATECH offers glass filter systems that are individually tailored to the customer's requirements. Our glass filter solutions ensure high operational efficiency and are ideal for demanding applications in water and wastewater treatment. We support our customers with pilot tests to guarantee the optimum configuration and performance.
Conclusion
Glass filters are a reliable and versatile solution in water treatment. Thanks to their high filtration efficiency and durability, they are an important component in many industrial applications where stable and high water quality is required.
For further information on our products, please feel free to contact us at any time!
