Duplex strainers protect systems and media from foreign matter

Safety for systems and components – this is what Eaton‘s manual pipeline strainers stand for, equipped with strainer baskets, available in a wide range of retention rates, that reliably remove impurities. The filtration specialist Eaton is now also introducing a range of duplex strainer designs that enable operators to increase their process efficiency and avoid downtimes. Like the simplex designs, the stainless-steel model 53X with switch-over fitting meets all the requirements of the EU Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). Additionally, the model 53X duplex design enables continuous operation so that the strainer baskets can be emptied without interrupting the process.

Eaton strainers are safety components in the chemical and petrochemical industries, as well as in water applications across various sectors. They ensure clean process media and end products while protecting system components from dirt, blockages, and damage caused by foreign matter. The strainer baskets are available in a wide range of variants with different hole patterns, mesh sizes and designs as well as grades of filter fineness from 40 µm to > 1 cm. This ensures that the right solution is available for every particle size.

Strainer baskets are typically checked and cleaned as part of scheduled maintenance processes. For simplex strainers, this requires a brief interruption in operation to prevent the conveyed medium from escaping. “With duplex strainers, however, the process can continue uninterrupted,” explains Wim Callaert, Senior Product Manager in Eaton’s Filtration Division. By using a manual ball valve, the flow is diverted from one filter chamber to the other.  “Thanks to the optimised seal of the fitting and an additional sealing ring under the basket, inspection and draining is then practically bypass-free,” continues Callaert. After cleaning, the chamber is simply closed, and during the next inspection and cleaning, the flow is switched back to the original chamber.

The PED-compliant 53X strainer was developed in accordance with the requirements of the chemical and petrochemical industry. All designs bear the CE mark, which confirms conformity with the EU-wide Machinery Directive. The robust, high-quality cast stainless-steel filters are available in five nominal sizes from 1 inch to 4 inches and with threaded or flanged connections. The 3- and 4-inch sizes are equipped with a pressure compensation set for easy switching, which is also available for smaller designs on request.

Depending on the design, the strainers can be used in processes up to 16 bar and 120°C. For automated monitoring, the filters can be equipped with a differential pressure gauge that can be integrated into the plant’s process control system. The duplex design of the 53X strainer complements Eaton’s existing line of pipeline strainers, which are available for applications in a wide range of industries and processes.