Filtration

• 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

1. Clarification: To remove suspended solids from liquids or gases, making them clear.
2. Concentration: To separate and collect solids from fluids, concentrating the solid particles.
3. Purification: To remove impurities or contaminants from liquids or gases.
4. Product Recovery: To recover valuable solid materials from liquid suspensions.
5. Protection: To protect downstream equipment from damage or contamination by solid particles.

Applications of Filtration

1. Water Treatment: Removing particulate matter, pathogens, and chemical contaminants from water.
2. Food and Beverage Industry: Clarifying liquids such as wine, beer, and juices; removing impurities from cooking oils.
3. Pharmaceuticals: Sterilizing solutions by removing bacteria and other microorganisms.
4. Chemical Processing: Purifying chemical solutions and recovering catalysts.
5. Environmental Engineering: Air filter to remove pollutants; wastewater treatment.
6. Industrial Processes: Oil filter in machinery, filtration in mining operations, etc.

Mechanism

• It 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 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 filtrating over time.

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