Industrial Coolant Filtration and Manufacturing terminology isn’t exactly a language that comes native to everyone. Here, we will briefly discuss the differences between filtration and separation, to shed some light and understanding on the details unique to each technique, and some applications that best suit them!

First off… some background! Solid contaminants are removed from metal working fluids and coolants by either filtration, or separation. While the terms filtration and separation are often used interchangeably, there are important differences which must be understood and considered when selecting equipment for a particular application.  Polytech has a published Technical Article that extensively outlines the details of the differences between Filtration and Separation… however, here is the abridged version!

Separation uses the physical characteristics of the solids to remove them from the liquid. The two principal means of solids separation in coolants and metal working fluids are gravity separation and magnetic separation. The appeal of separation is its simplicity, but, as with most things, the devil is in the details. The key to effective separation is that the separating force must overcome the resistance of the liquid to the movement of the contaminant within the time available.

In a tank or pond heavier solids settle out of suspension. If the pond is still, even very fine particles settle out eventually. Most people can’t afford to have their fluids sitting around, so the model is more like a flowing stream and the rate of settling becomes paramount. Just as a stream runs clear at low flows and carries off rocks during flood, the dwell time or turnover rate in a coolant tank is an important measure of separation as a viable option. In general, if the bulk of the solids will settle out of suspension in 10 to 20 minutes, gravity separation and settling may be a good option.

Of course success comes at a price. Good separation systems soon fill with solids so a means of removal is necessary. Labor on all but the smallest, simplest systems generally precludes manual clean out so a drag conveyor may be needed to remove solids.

Learn more about the characteristics of separation, here.

Filtration involves passing the liquid through some material to remove the contaminants. Filtration has two essential elements. A barrier material the liquid can pass through (filter media) and a difference in pressure between the two sides of the filter material to move the liquid. The type and format of filter media and the means of applying the differential pressure define the basic filter system. The filter media, the characteristics of the solid contaminants, the required coolant flow rates and the available differential pressure all influence filter sizing. In coolant filtration the differential pressure is usually applied by gravity, atmospheric pressure (vacuum filters) or pump pressurized systems.

Gravity filter systems utilize the head pressure of a pool of liquid to create the higher pressure with differential pressures of 0.2 – 1 PSI. Vacuum filters create a lower pressure beneath the filter media so that the atmosphere, at 14.7 PSI, forces liquid through the media . Air blower vacuum systems can provide 2 PSI differential pressure. Centrifugal pump suction based vacuum filters can provide up to 5-6 PSI differential pressure. Kinetic fluid pump based vacuum filters can provide up to 13 PSI differential pressure. Pressure filters start at 15 – 20 PSI differential and in special cases go up to as much as 250 PSI differential pressure.

Learn more about the characteristics of filtration, here.

And there you have it! Separation uses the physical properties of the material itself to isolate contaminants, and filtration uses some kind of a barrier (e.g. Filter Media)  that selectively allows permeability to isolate the waste. It’s important to notate the differences when selecting the appropriate solution for your filtration needs, to ensure optimal productivity and efficiency depending on your application.  To learn more about Polytech’s filtration solutions, check out our detailed Selection Guide, which allows you to choose and learn more about the proper machine or device by your operation, and coolant type. Thanks for reading!

Welcome to Polytech Filtration’s first “official” Blog Post! Given that this week is National Engineers Week, we found it only fit to commemorate The National Society of Professional Engineers, and discuss the importance of engineers. More specifically, how the NSPE is using this week to spark interest in today’s youth and diverse groups so they can learn how they can make a difference.

The NSPE describes Engineering week as being, “dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. Today, EWeek is a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. Dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers’ positive contributions to quality of life, EWeek promotes recognition among parents, teachers, and students of the importance of a technical education and a high level of math, science, and technology literacy, and motivates youth, to pursue engineering careers in order to provide a diverse and vigorous engineering workforce. Each year, EWeek reaches thousands of schools, businesses, and community groups across the U.S.” – See more at: http://bit.ly/1TIXDyZ

…How exciting!

This year, National Engineers Week turns 65 years old! That means 65 years of celebrating how engineers make a difference in our world, increasing public dialogue about the need for engineers, and bringing engineering to life for kids, educators, and parents, and more! The NSPE holds EWeek annually not only to commemorate and thank the engineers that work so hard to make a difference in the world that we all live in, but also to encourage others to get involved.

Striving towards getting the youth involved in engineering interests, NSPE held a special day this year dedicated to young girls– Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. This specific day of EWeek aims to show girls how creative engineering really is, and how engineers are changing our world. College engineering students, along with those in the workforce mentor young girls as a role model, introducing them to the industry, showing them how they could apply themselves to make this change. Check out some of the differences that the Girl Day role models have made in this YouTube video here:  http://bit.ly/1n2chmQ

It is no secret that the engineering, industrial, and manufacturing industries have taken a hit in today’s economy, however, NSPE is trying to raise awareness on all the good that engineering can do, in order to rebuild the industry, especially with the ever changing technology world that we live in, e.g. Manufacturing 4.0. Incorporating newer generations into the future of engineering is crucial in order to stay updated, and diverse. There has been concern about the manufacturing talent shortage that some argue is seriously hindering industry growth. The Manufacturing Leadership Council stated in an article they recently posted, “One of the problems is that most of our machines are older than our new employees!”, which was pointed out by a senior participant at a recent Think Tank on Millennials during the 11th Manufacturing Leadership Summit this Summer in California. They also mentioned that the average age of an engineer in the United States is 55 years old, which is much older than in other countries such as Mexico and China, where the average ages are 27 and 24 years old, respectively. Because of this, many next-generation engineers in developed economies such as ours may face cultural and attitudinal age barriers in their companies that can very well undermine their sense of value, hinder their work, and even restrict their prospects for promotion.  Check out that article here: http://bit.ly/1Ef5ka6 for more information and insight!

It is important to emphasize the power that current, and next generation engineers hold to make a difference, and acknowledge how diverse and exciting the ever changing engineering world is. Advocating for younger individuals, and getting them involved is key, and NSPE is hitting all the right notes in terms of incorporating these issues into EWeek. Engineers Week is going on until February 27th, so make sure to check out bit.ly/1hhMiSt to stay updated on events and news… and don’t forget to thank an engineer this week for all that they do!