How Does Industrial Water Filtration Work?

February 16, 2021

An industrial water treatment system treats water so it will be appropriate for a desired use. These systems are designed to meet purity standards and separate contaminants from a process fluid. Industrial water filters in Scottsdale, AZ can be anything from fairly straightforward systems to complex, multi-unit processes designed for a diverse range of applications.

While water filters have been around for more than 2,000 years—archeologists have discovered evidence of their use dating back to the days of ancient Egypt—drinking water standards were only established in 1914. The Safe Drinking Water Act was passed in the U.S. in 1974 to guarantee access to clean drinking water.

Today, water filtration is an integral part of almost all industrial processes, from food and beverage production to automobile manufacturing, oil and gas industries, pharmaceutical production—the list goes on and on. So, how do industrial water filters work in Scottsdale, AZ? Read on to find out.

Types of filters

There are two main types of industrial water filters: surface filters and depth filters. These have different methods for filtering water, and each is used for specific needs:

  • Surface filters: These are pretty self-explanatory—they are used for filtering water or other types of fluid on the surface. These filters are made up of a single filter layer. They physically strain the water to remove contaminants.
  • Depth filters: On the other hand, depth filters are made to filter throughout the medium. These collect unwanted materials and contaminants beyond just the surface level using a porous filtration method. This is the most common type of filter for industrial filtration.

Depth filtration methods

There are a few different types of filtration methods used with depth filtration, but you will typically see either cartridge filters or bed filters. Both involve pushing water through the filter, either via pump or by using gravity, and are chosen based on the type of contaminant that needs to be removed.

  • Bed filters: A bed filter uses different types of materials to allow water to pass through while collecting unwanted contaminants. These have many uses, including filtering drinking water, cleaning up wastewater or cooling water and desalination pre-treatment. For example, a sand filter is commonly used in municipal treatment plants, walnut shell filters help with oil removal and activated carbon removes heavy metals. These are effective ways to remove solid waste and minimize maintenance. Once a bed filter is full, a backwash process is initiated and the material is sent to a backwash screen, which allows the water to pass through but holds the filter material. That wastewater is sent to be processed and the filter is then ready again for use.
  • Cartridge filters: This type of filter uses a single piece of material wound around a perforated cylinder. The water is forced through the filter and contaminants are captured inside it. Once the filter is full, it is discarded and replaced.

The specific industrial filter that will work best in your operation depends on the requirements your water must meet as well as on the contaminants most often found in your water supply. To find out more information about industrial water filters in Scottsdale, AZ, visit or call WES Water today.

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