Filtration is a mechanical or physical process used to separate solids from liquids or gases by passing the mixture through a medium that allows only the fluid to pass while retaining the solid particles.
Here's a detailed explanation of its various aspects:
Objectives of Filtration
Clarification: To remove suspended solids from liquids or gases, making them clear.
Concentration: To separate and collect solids from fluids, concentrating the solid particles.
Purification: To remove impurities or contaminants from liquids or gases.
Product Recovery: To recover valuable solid materials from liquid suspensions.
Protection: To protect downstream equipment from damage or contamination by solid particles.
Applications of Filtration
Water Treatment: Removing particulate matter, pathogens, and chemical contaminants from water.
Food and Beverage Industry: Clarifying liquids such as wine, beer, and juices; removing impurities from cooking oils.
Pharmaceuticals: Sterilizing solutions by removing bacteria and other microorganisms.
Chemical Processing: Purifying chemical solutions and recovering catalysts.
Environmental Engineering: Air filtration to remove pollutants; wastewater treatment.
Industrial Processes: Oil filtration in machinery, filtration in mining operations, etc.
Mechanism
Filtration is the process of separating solid particles from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a medium (filter) that allows the fluid to pass but retains the solid particles.
The main mechanisms of filtration include:
Surface Filtration: Particles are retained on the surface of the filter medium.
Depth Filtration: Particles are trapped within the filter medium.
Cake Filtration: A layer of filtered particles (filter cake) builds up on the filter medium, enhancing filtration over time.