BAM - The Alternative to Rotating Vacuum Drum Filters

  • Posted on: 26 March 2014
  • By: Editor

Every year we provide a few suggested alternative product names to the products we review. It's our way of helping suppliers reach the marketplace. We have renamed this monster the BAM - for BIG ASS MACHINE. See the tiny little man with the clipboard standing next to it. Wow! You can look at some machines and say, "Hey, if you've got the floor space and you can afford it, this machine can get it done." That's the BAM. But the BAM is not just brute force (that element of engineering design we all love the best). It's technical name, the one we were suppose to use, is the "Eriez HydroFlow STAR Filter." (See why we renamed it?) This is an intelligently designed machine that provides a patented alternative to rotating vacuum filters. According to the press release:

Typically installed as central systems with flow rates above 250 GPM and filtration to one micron, the STAR Filter uses a centrifugal pump to draw liquid through a permanent media element with an optional feed of cellulose filter-aid for extra fine filtration. Their unique design enables the maximum filtration area in the most economical use of space. Each STAR element is precision built and interchangeable. Individual panels are positioned to provide a vertical drop to dislodge the filter cake, which allows a gentle yet thorough settling of the vacuum compressed filter cake. Each STAR element can be removed for inspection and reinstalled into the STAR seal without concern for misalignment or proper sealing. The element's star shape and the filter panel's compact rectangular design maintains structural integrity after removal from the filter. With the end caps removed, cleaning on both sides of the filter panels is simple, unlike the circular construction used in drum filters. STAR Filters are successfully utilized in a broad variety of applications that require a high level of filtration, including grinding, machining, superfinishing and rolling mills working steel, carbide, glass, ceramic, aircraft alloys, cast-iron and aluminum. "Our HydroFlow STAR Filters have proven to be real workhorses delivering high pressure, ultra-clean coolant to our 21 precision grinding centers," says Scott Stang, Manufacturing Technology Manager at Hi-Tek Manufacturing.