The Memo - Sintered Metal Filters

What is Asymmetric Powder Metal Media and why is it important?

One of the most popular uses of sintered powder metal media is for the removal of catalyst from a process stream.  Petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, and all types of chemical producers use catalytic reactions to make their products.

After the catalytic reactions takes place, how do you separate the catalyst from the desired end product?  

Many producers use sintered powder metal filter elements in a backwash filter system.  The backwash filter system facilitates the capture of the catalyst on the surface of the filter elements and then through reserve flow or pressure assisted backwash, remove the catalyst collected on the surface. 

What are the challenges?

One of the challenges of maintaining a well running automatic backwashing system is the ability to effectively knock the catalyst off the surface of the filter element.  As one industry expert puts it, "It is relatively to filter catalyst, but it is difficult to clean the elements by backwashing them".  The challenge is to get the backwash pressure through the porous metal media to the surface where it can knock off the catalyst.  

How does Asymmetric media solve the problem?

Asymmetric powder metal media is a unique product that is made from two distinct layers of powder metal. The filtration layer is a thin coating that provides effective filtration to 0.1µ. The coarser support structure allows for more efficient and effective transfer of the backwash pressure to the filtration layer.  More energy gets to the surface coated with catalyst resulting in better cleaning results.  The better you clean the surface, the lower the pressure drop through the media.  An added benefit of asymmetric powder metal media is a lower clean pressure drop.  Lower pressure drops improve flow and lower energy costs.