Compact High Flow Filters Reduce Costs and System Footprint

Diversified technology company 3M is re-launching its filtration system designed to offer greater water flow rates
and optimised performance. The system is designed for applications including industrial, chemical/petrochemical,
food and beverage water quality control, reverse osmosis (RO) pre-filtration, and process water in electronics and
pharmaceuticals. The 3M High Flow Filtration System has a compact and easy-to-use design that reduces capital expense and minimises system requirements, whilst simplifying cartridge installation and removal.

A patent pending compound radial pleat design is at the heart of the 3M High Flow Filtration System, permitting flow rates of up to 113m“/hr (500 gpm) in a single cartridge. The result is 90% fewer filter elements to accommodate flow requirements compared to traditional 2.5-inch pleated cartridges. This reduced filter usage minimises labour and disposal costs, product leakage, operator exposure and downtime for filter change-out. Furthermore, fewer elements combined with an ‘outside-to-in’ flow path means the cartridge housing takes up 33-50% less plant space than competitively sized housings for a given flow rate, and at a lower cost.

The system’s filter media is specially embossed to produce a more uniform pleat pattern, giving greater media utilisation by evenly distributing fluid throughout the filter structure. This delivers consistent particle retention in a compact space-saving design. Additionally, each grade of the filtration system is manufactured from melt-blown Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliant polypropylene microfibre media, providing high particle removal efficiency with broad chemical compatibility. The raw materials composing the filters are FDA compliant in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21. The 3M High Flow Filtration System is easy to use and maintain. An ergonomic handle simplifies filter change-out, without the need for special tools or hardware, and a simple ‘twist to lock’ cartridge seating mechanism ensures a positive seal. Housings are available in sizes to accommodate one to seven filter elements in 40-inch and 60-inch lengths or larger on request, in horizontal or vertical configurations. Stainless steel external surfaces are glass-beaded for a consistent easy-care finish.