GLOSSARY OF

FILTRATION
TERMS
GLOSSARY OF
FILTRATION
TERMS
A BASIC REFERENCE FOR ENGINEERS,
PLANT MANAGERS, PURCHASING AGENTS,
INVENTORY PERSONNEL, DRAFTSMEN
AND STUDENTS
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GLOSSARY OF
FILTRATION
TERMS
A BASIC REFERENCE FOR ENGINEERS,
PLANT MANAGERS, PURCHASING AGENTS,
INVENTORY PERSONNEL, DRAFTSMEN
AND STUDENTS
9910 East 56th Street North, Tulsa, OK 74117-4011
Telephone: 800-223-9910 / 918-272-8700
Fax: 918-272-8787
E-mail: sales@facetusa.com
GLOSSARY OF
FILTRATION
TERMS
A BASIC REFERENCE FOR ENGINEERS,
PLANT MANAGERS, PURCHASING AGENTS,
INVENTORY PERSONNEL, DRAFTSMEN
AND STUDENTS
9910 East 56th Street North, Tulsa, OK 74117-4011
Telephone: 800-223-9910 / 918-272-8700
Fax: 918-272-8787
E-mail: sales@facetusa.com
.
INTRODUCTION
This glossary defines terms used in the filter
industry and explains how these terms are
applied. Filter Industry is a general term intended
to include such products as filters,
coalescer/separators, pre-filters, clay treators, etc.
Because this list contains many words that may be
considered colloquial or expressions conined by
equipment manufacturers, it may also be
considered as a vocabulary of filter terms. While
many of these terms may have other definitions in
other industries or other engineering usages, the
definitions used herein are limited to the use or
application as they relate to the Filter Industry.
1
abrasion activated clay
ABRASIONMigration of foreign material which enters the uid stream from
system components that wear from close tolerances, vibration, or shock.
ABSOLUTEAn arbitrary term used to describe or dene a degree of ltration.
The ltration industry uses various methods of determining absolute ratings that
are not necessarily interchangeable. Generally, absolute references 100% removal
of solids above a specied micron rating on a single pass basis. See nominal.
ABSOLUTE FILTERIn liquid ltration, absolute is frequently used to imply
the size above which no particles will be found in the ltrate, e.g., a one-micron
absolute lter. It has been applied to air lters of high efciency greater than
95% against submicron particles but is now less frequently used. Modern
terminology prefers HEPA lter (High Efciency Particulate Air), but a better form
is probably HESPA (High Efciency Submicron Particulate Air).
ABSOLUTE RATINGThe diameter of the largest hard spherical particle that will
pass through a lter under specied test conditions. This is an indication of the
largest opening in the lter element.
ABSORBTo intercept, or drink in. To suck in, as a sponge sucks in water.
ABSORPTIONA physio-chemical process in which a substance associates
with another to form a homogeneous mixture presenting the characteristics of a
solution.
ACCELERATORTo hasten action. Also used to describe an auxiliary valve to
hasten uid action.
ACFMActual Cubic Feet Per Minute. Measured at operating temperature and
pressure.
ACIDA large class of compounds which contain the element hydrogen (H+)
in its formula which may be replaced by metallic salts. Of primary concern is the
deleterious effect most acids may have on lter medium and housings.
ACIDITYThe quality, state or degree of being acid. In lubricating oils, acidity
denotes the presence of constituents whose concentration is usually dened in
terms of a neutralization number. The constituents vary in nature and may or may
not markedly inuence the behavior of the uid.
ACTIVATED ALUMINAA highly porous and granular form of aluminum oxide
having preferential adsorptive capacity for moisture from gases, vapors, and some
liquids. May be regenerated for extended use under specied conditions.
ACTIVATED CARBONAny form of carbon characterized by high adsorptive
capacity for gases, vapors, or colloidal solids. The carbon or charcoal is produced
by destructive distillation of wood, peat, lignite, nut shells, bones, vegetable or
other carbonaceous matter, but must be activated by high temperature steam or
carbon dioxide which creates a porous particle structure.
ACTIVATED CHARCOALSee activated carbon.
ACTIVATED CLAYAn adsorbent clay that removes color, odor, tree fatty acids
and surfactants, etc. from oils and hydrocarbons.
A
33119_Facet_v2.indd 1 2/18/09 1:52:34 PM
2 3
activated silica aerosol
ACTIVATED SILICAcolloidal silica dispersed in an aqueous medium to
produce sol. In this condition the silica is considered to be in the active form and
if no further precautions are taken polymerization will ensue until the gelation
point is reached. At this stage silica gel is created, rather than the desirable
sol. Gelation may be prevented by copious dilution after the appropriate aging
period, dependent on the mode of preparation. The active sol is a valuable aid
to coagulation and the subsequent sedimentation process in the treatment of
water supplies and aqueous efuents. Prepared by neutralizing the alkali present
in sodium silicate solutions by acids, or salts which yield an acid reaction due to
hydrolysis in aqueous solution, and thus precipitate metasilicic acid (H
2
SiO
3
). An
aging period at this stage results in the active SiO
2
sol.
ACTIVATED SLUDGEBiologically active oc from aeration and settling sewage
and/or organic matter.
ADAPTORAn attachment or adjunct to condition an apparatus or component
part for a use not intended originally. Example: a device used to permit the
mounting of a cartridge on cartridge mounting plate.
ADDITIVEA material, usually chemical, added to a product to impart new or
unusual characteristics or to improve existing characteristics.
ADDUCTTo draw forward; to bring together similar parts.
ADHESIONIntermolecular forces which hold matter together. Also applied to
the sticking together of a particle to a surface, a ber or another particle. The main
factors affecting adhesion of particles are 1) London-van der Waals forces which
are electrical in origin, 2) electrostatic forces and 3) surface tension due to lms of
moisture on particles or on the surface. Other factors inuencing adhesion are the
nature of the surfaces, surface contaminants, particle size, shape and roughness
and time of contact.
ADHESIVESUsed in the essential bonding process between cylinders of
pleated lter paper and end caps in paper lter element production. Types used
include air drying synthetic rubber/solvent/resin mixtures, two part epoxide and/or
polyurethanes and heat curing adherent plastisols.
ADIABATICInsulated and neither heated nor cooled; as in an adiabatic change,
wherein a condition is altered without gain or loss of heat.
ADSORBThe physio-chemical phenomenon involved to attract and hold a gas,
vapor, or liquid on the surface of a solid, particularly on a nely divided material.
ADSORBATEThe material which is adsorbed; i.e., the gas, vapor, or liquid
which adheres, or is chemically attracted to, the surface of the solid.
ADSORBENTThe material which adsorbs; i.e., the solid which attracts and
holds on its surface the gas, vapor or liquid. Also materials added to liquors to
decolorize or purify by adsorbing the color or impurity. Fullers earth, activated
carbon, activated alumina, etc., are all adsorbents.
ADSORPTIONThe natural phenomenon of a gas, vapor, or liquid being
attracted to, and held on, the surface of a solid. To some extent, adsorption
takes place on any solid surface, but certain materials have sufcient adsorbent
capacity because of the nely divided material to make them useful in such
industrial applications as the purication and separation of gases and liquids.
AEROSOLA liquid or solid particle suspended in air, gas, or vapor.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 2 2/18/09 1:52:35 PM
2 3
afuent aqueous contaminant
AFFLUENTFluid entering the lter or lter separator. More commonly described
as inuent. Opposite of efuent.
AGGREGATEFluid mixture of concentrated solids to be ltered.
AIR ELIMINATORFloat-operated valve to evacuate air or gas from a housing or
chamber.
AIR-GARDA small three-stage air/gas entrainment lter separator marketed by
Facet.
AIR/GASA product line of Facet. Air in this case is restricted to compressed air,
vacuum and atmospheric intake lters.
ALKALIA term that applies to the type of compounds which have basic
properties and which will neutralize acids. Some alkaline materials are hydroxides,
carbonates, caustics, etc.
ALKYLATIONA petroleum rening process.
ALPHA CELLULOSEThat portion or fraction of cellulose which is extracted and
puried by various chemical means to form bers used in the manufacture of ne
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, ne grade papers, etc.
AMBIENTSurrounding. Example: ambient operating temperature of a housing is
temperature essentially the same as that surrounding the housing.
AMINEA class of organic compounds of nitrogen that may be considered as
derived from ammonia. May be a gas, liquid or solid. All amines are basic in
nature and will usually combine readily with hydrochloric or other strong acids to
form salts.
AMMONIA A colorless gas with characteristic pungent odor. Most ammonia is
now produced by direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen gases. Present
usage is not restricted to a pure gas or compressed liquid but also includes
solutions such as aqua ammonia. Used for refrigeration, fertilizer, chemical
manufacturing, and many other uses.
AMORPHOUSNon-crystalline, having no determinable form or crystalline form.
Solids to be removed by ltration may be amorphous.
AMPCOTrade name for a series of aluminum-iron-copper alloys.
ANCHOR BOLT PLANArrangement of mounting devices to hold a housing in
position. Specic location of bolting to anchor a housing.
ANGSTROMA unit of length 10
-10
meter used primarily to express wave lengths
of optical spectra. Abbreviated as A. Also known as tenthmeter.
ANHYDROUSFree from water.
APIAmerican Petroleum Institute
API GRAVITYAn arbitrary scale expressing the gravity or density of liquid
petroleum products. The relation between API scale and specic gravity of
petroleum oil is expressed by the formula:
Degrees API =
APPARENT DIRT CAPACITYThe actual weight of contaminate injected into the
lter test system at the time the terminal press drop is reached.
AQUEOUS CONTAMINANTWater contaminant.
141.5
Sp. Gr.
131.5
33119_Facet_v2.indd 3 2/18/09 1:52:35 PM
4 5
area attrition
AREAThe available apparent surface exposed to the ow of a uid for
maximum utilization. Function of area in ltration is related to initial pressure drop,
rate of ow, and solids retention capacity. In many applications, proper utilization
of area of medium produces greater efciency and solids retention. This is
accomplished by pleating of material into an accordion form to produce increased
surface area much greater than in a cylindrical form.
ARIZONA TEST DUSTSStandardized air cleaner test dusts classied from
natural Arizona dust and generally referred to as A.C. Fine and A.C. Coarse test
dusts. The nominal particle size distribution of A.C. Fine test dust is:
Size (microns) % by weight
0-5 39 2
5-10 18 3
10-20 16 3
20-40 18 3
40-80 9 3
The nominal particle distribution of A.C. Coarse test dust is:
Size (microns) % by weight
0-5 12 2
5-10 12 3
10-20 14 3
20-40 23 3
40-80 30 3
80-200 9 3
Used also for testing liquid lters, e.g., for hydraulic uids.
AROMATIC COMPOUNDSCompounds related to six-carbon membered rings
as benzene or its derivatives.
ARTIFICIAL CONTAMINATIONPowders used as test contaminants in lter
testing and usually selected to have similar properties and size distribution as
those encountered naturally. See Arizona test dusts.
ASBESTOSA group of impure magnesium silicate minerals which are found in
brous form. Serpentine type is used for insulation linings and gaskets. Amphibole
type is used as lter material or lter aids in chemical applications.
ASMEAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers. Published code which
governs the design of pressure housings.
ASSEMBLYA general term to describe the combination of a number of items
used to make up a whole. Example: a cartridge mounting assembly for a lter
would include the cartridges and all items needed to install the assembly in the
lter housing. Final assembly would be used to name the action of assembling all
items into an end product.
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSUREThe pressure of approximately 14.7 pounds per
square inch exerted at sea level in all directions by the atmosphere.
ATTAPULGUSA vein of mineral clay mined primarily in Georgia and Florida; the
active ingredient in most fullers earth. Activated by specic thermal treatment and
ground to ne particle size.
ATTRITIONWear caused by rubbing or friction. Produces ne particles that
usually contaminate liquids which surround the point of attrition. Sometimes
referred to as scouring or scoring.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 4 2/18/09 1:52:36 PM
4 5
average particle size basket
AVERAGE PARTICLE SIZEWhen, as a result of experimental observations, the
size distribution of a particulate system has been established on the basis of any
two of its normal characteristics-number, length, area or volume-the group values
obtained may be represented by an average value. The relative percentage
frequency curve provides a means of establishing a mode, the most commonly
occurring value; a median, the line dividing the area under the curve into equal
parts; a mean, the vertical at the mean value passing through the center of
gravity of a sheet of uniform thickness cut to the shape of the distribution. For
a symmetrical distribution these values coincide, while for slightly skewed
distributions an approximate relationship is:
mean mode = 3 (mean-median).
If it is assumed the particles are all of the same shape then a number of
expressions for mean diameter can be evaluated:
Number length mean diameter
Number surface mean diameter
Number volume mean diameter
Length surface mean diameter
Length volume mean diameter
Surface volume mean diameter
Volume moment mean diameter
Generally, the choice of a particular mean diameter is related to the method
used experimentally for size determination. See mass distribution, particle size
distribution.
AV GASAbbreviation for aviation gasoline used for piston engines.
AVOGADROS LAWThe law which states that under the same conditions of
pressure and temperature, equal volumes of all gases contain equal numbers of
molecules. Also known as Avogadros hypothesis. See Boyles Law and Charles
Law.
BACK PRESSUREIn an air ow, the resistance at any point of the remainder
of the downstream circuit or of any nominated sections of the circuit. In liquid
ltration the back pressure can be due to a hydrostatic head, e.g., pumping from
a lter to a tank at a higher level. Back pressure is also applied to keep CO
2
in
solution in the ltration and handling of carbonated beverages.
BACKWASHTo reverse ow air, steam, or uid through the medium to effect
solids removal. Sometimes referred to as blowback.
BAFFLEComponent of a housing which constitutes a stage when used;
removes liquid and solids by impingement; may be either upstream or
downstream of the basic lter medium. May also be a plate to protect lter
elements from the velocity of ow into a housing.
BARREN LIQUORLiquor for cake washing which contains little or no valuable
liquor; as barren cyanide solution in gold cake slimes washing.
BASE SUPPORTThe porous support upon which the medium rests.
BASKETElement for a basket strainer. A device normally using a screen as its
medium for removal of coarse bulk solids.
B
33119_Facet_v2.indd 5 2/18/09 1:52:37 PM
6 7
basket strainer Boyles Law
BASKET STRAINERHousing for the removal of coarse bulk solids from liquid,
air, or gas; element is a basket covered with a screen of a given mesh.
BATCHThe quantity of material prepared or required for one operation.
Example: a batch may be exemplied as a discontinuous process, such as batch
processing of paint, soap, etc.
BAUM GRAVITYAn arbitrary scale expressing the gravity or density of a
liquid. Water is 10 B.
BAUXITEA natural aggregate of aluminum bearing materials, more or less
impure. Natural hydrated alumina, A1
2
0
3
2H
2
0.
BAY HOUSEA air ltering device that removes particulates.
BCPA design code for pressure housings based on the manufacturers best
commercial practice.
BENTONITEA naturally occurring clay containing appreciable amounts of
the clay mineral montmorillonite. Mined extensively in Wyoming, the Dakotas,
Mississippi, Texas, and California.
BEST COMMERCIAL PRACTICEStandard to which a housing may be
designed by the manufacturer. Indicates the housing has not been designed to
ASME code.
BETAis calculated by dividing the number of particles entering the lter by
number of particles exiting the lter. B10 represents the ltration ratio at 10
micrometers of the ratio of the upstream to downstream particles larger than 10
micrometers. See ltration beta ratio.
BETA EQUALS 75Multi-pass testing has shown that this is beta ratio which
corresponds to hard spherical particle denition of the absolute lter rating.
BETA FACTORSA system for measuring lters effectiveness by particle size.
BLIND SPOTSPlaces in medium where no ltering occurs. Also referred to as
dead areas. Opposite of effective area.
BLINDINGWhere ltered-out particles ll the openings in the medium to the
extent of shutting off the ow of product; the loading up of the medium so as to
reduce capacity. Also referred to as blocking or plugging.
BLOWBACKTo reverse ow air, steam, or uid through the medium to effect
solids removal. Sometimes referred to as backwash.
BLOWDOWNThe action to evacuate liquids or solids from a housing by use of
pressure.
BODYA housing containing the lter medium. Also referred to as a housing.
BOIL POINTThe differential gas pressure following the bubble point pressure at
which gas bubbles are profusely emitted from the entire surface of a wetted and
submerged lter medium. Also known as foam all over, mass bubble point, open
bubble point.
BOMB KITA kit designed for eld use by the manufacturer, Millipore Filter
Company. Contains materials for obtaining and analyzing liquid samples to
determine solid contaminant level.
BOYLES LAWIf the temperature of a given kind of gas is held constant, the
volume of a sample of gas varies inversely with the pressure. See also Avogadros
law and Charles Law.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 6 2/18/09 1:52:37 PM
6 7
breaking strength canister
BREAKING STRENGTHAverage force required to break a test specimen by
tension.
BREAKTHROUGHUsed to describe the passing of solids through the cake
built up on a lter medium. Also referred to as the breakpoint.
BRIDGINGWhere particles being removed form an arch over the individual
opening in the medium.
BTU (BRITISH THERMAL UNIT)A standard measure of heat content in a
substance that can be burned to provide energy.
BUBBLE POINTThe differential gas pressure at which, under specied test
conditions, the rst steady stream of gas bubbles is emitted from a horizontal disc
of wetted lter medium or a lter cartridge when immersed in a liquid.
BUBBLE RINGA device sometimes tted to a pressure leaf lter so that air or
other gas can be introduced to the lter tank to bubble through the liquor in which
the dislodged lter cake will be carried away.
BUBBLE TESTMeasurement of the largest opening in an element by
determining the minimum pressure required to force air or a gas through the
element while submerged in alcohol or other liquid. Used as a quality control
benchmark to determine if a surface type separator or lter cartridge meets the
same value as the prototype cartridge.
BULK DENSITY RATIORatio of total mass or weight of the material divided by
the volume.
BUNA-NGasket material. A synthetic rubber frequently used for housing
closures, anges, and lter elements.
BURST PRESSUREThe maximum pressure a housing will safely withstand.
BURSTING STRENGTHForce required to burst a housing. Example: burst
pressure may be 100 psi, while bursting strength may be 175 psi.
BYPASSCondition resulting from the product owing through a housing without
owing through the medium. Also a ltering system which lters only part of the
stream, on a continuous basis. Opposite of full ow.
BYPASS INDICATORIndicator which signals alternate ow.
BYPASS VALVEValve to pass the ow around the media or the housing, usually
activated at a given differential pressure setting.
CAKESolids deposited on the lter medium during ltration in sufcient
thickness to be removed in sheets or sizable pieces. In many cases, cake may
provide its own lter medium by adding to the surface of medium. Also referred to
as discharged solids or residue.
CAKE RELEASEAbility of medium to allow clean separation of the cake from
the medium.
CAKE REPUDDLINGBreaking cake structure for reformation.
CALIBRATING TANKA tank for calibrating capacity to provide volumetric proof
of the delivery of liquids by positive displacement meters. Also referred to as
meter proving tank.
CANISTERContainer or mounting mechanism for elements. May be an actual
C
33119_Facet_v2.indd 7 2/18/09 1:52:38 PM
8 9
cap, element center rod
part of and performing a function of the elements, or may be used to hold the
element in position.
CAP, ELEMENTComponent which covers one end of an element and holds the
element in place in the housing. Sometimes called a yoke.
CAP, ENDThe end of many types of lter cartridges. In particular, the shallow
annular dish into which the ends of a pleated paper lter cylinder are adhesively
bonded to form a pleated paper cartridge.
CAPACITYVolume of product which a housing will accommodate expressed in
gallons or similar units. Also amount which will lter at a given efciency and ow
rate, expressed in gallons per minute or similar units.
CAPILLARYFine, hairlike tube having a very small opening.
CARRYING BODYLiquid in which the solid particles are suspended. Example:
water borne solids.
CARTRIDGEMedium used in a housing to perform the function of coalescing,
ltering, or separating. Also referred to as element, media, repack, etc. Made in
a specied physical shape, to be mounted by use of hardware designed for that
purpose.
CATALYSTA substance which accelerates a chemical reaction without itself
taking part in the reaction. Example: alkylation will not take place unless some
substance such as sulfuric acid is present; such a substance is called a catalyst.
CAUSTICA class or a name given to a group of chemicals, usually caustic
soda or sodium hydroxide. A substance which has the power to burn, corrode,
or eat away. Used in chemical manufacture, petroleum rening, pulp and paper,
detergents, soap, textiles and vegetable oil rening.
CELLULOSEThe preponderant and essential constituent of all vegetable
tissues and bers. Basic in the textile and paper making industries. Three types
exist in alpha-cellulose, beta-cellulose and gamma-cellulose. Material used in
lter medium is bound by impregnation, usually a phenolic resin. Process of
manufacture controls the basic weight and pore size to specication. Filter paper,
when impregnated with other properties, produces an excellent hydrophobic
membrane which is non-water wetting and is used in the second stage of two
stage ltration separation equipment. Ideal cellulose material provides for a variety
of ltration efciencies, low initial pressure drop, high wet strength and solids
retention.
CENTER COREMaterial formed into a tube or cylinder for structural purposes
to permit a cartridge to retain its original physical form. May also be the basic
medium, formed with sufcient strength so as to serve the purpose of a center
tube. Example: a tube of glass bers may be formed and cured to such a degree
that a center core is not required. Sometimes referred to as a center tube.
CENTER PIPEComponent of a housing which is used as a mount for
cartridges. Made with perforated effect to accommodate ow. A center rod is
used for the same purpose but is not perforated and does not accommodate ow.
CENTER RODComponent of a housing used for mounting cartridges in the
housing. Usually made of a round bar material. A center pipe may also be used
for the same purpose but is made with perforated effect and directs ow through
the cartridge.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 8 2/18/09 1:52:38 PM
8 9
center seal coagulation
CENTER SEALPart which forms seal between two elements when one element
is one the top of another element. May also be called an adaptor.
CENTER TUBEComponent of an element or cartridge which supports the
medium at the center of smallest diameter.
CENTIPOISEOne one-hundredth of a poise. A poise is the unit of viscosity
expressed as one dyne per second per square centimeter.
CENTISTOKEOne one-hundredth of a stoke. A stoke is equal to the viscosity in
poises times the density of the uid in grams per cubic centimeter.
CENTRAL PROCUREMENTGovernment procedure of combining the activities
of many buying ofces into one central operation wherein ltering equipment is
purchased for many locations and may be for one or more of the military services.
CHANNELTo cut grooves or lines in or through the solids deposited on the
medium, or through the medium itself. Also may be described as a breakthrough
in the medium which would result in a bypass.
CHARLES LAWIf the pressure on a given kind of gas is held constant, its
density is inversely proportional to its absolute temperature. See Avogadros Law
and Boyles Law.
CHEMICAL POLARITYAn attribute of a chemical, or family of chemicals, whose
arrangement of atoms around the nucleus is not symmetrical making them much
more chemically reactive than symmetrical chemicals.
CHLORINATETo combine chemically with chlorine.
CLARIFICATIONFiltration of liquids containing small quantities of suspended
solids; ltration takes out most of these solids and increases the clarity of the
liquids.
CLARITYAmount of contaminates left in a ltered liquid; the absence generally
indicates the liquids to be free of contamination to an unspecied degree.
CLASSIFICATIONCondition in which the larger particles settle out below the
ner ones. Also referred to as stratication. May also be referred to as the action to
sort out particles by various size groups or to some other established criteria.
CLAYMedium used in some elements; usually a blend of attapulgas and
montmorillonite clays.
CLAYSLIPClay in a liquid state such as a sludge. May also be clay suspended
in a liquid.
CLEAN PRESSURE DROPDifferential pressure (drop) across a housing,
measured in pounds per square inch at rated ow on new elements with clean
product.
CLEAN ROOMRoom in which elaborate precautions are employed to reduce
dust particles and other contaminants in the air, as required for assembly of
delicate equipment.
CLOTHA type of woven lter septum made from natural or synthetic yarns.
COAGULANTThat which produces coagulation or agglomeration of suspended
solids.
COAGULATIONGrowing together of minute particles to form larger ones, which
are called ocs and are easier to lter. Also referred to as occulation.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 9 2/18/09 1:52:39 PM
10 11
coalescer contaminate
COALESCERMechanical device which unites discrete droplets of one phase
prior to being separated from a second phase. Can be accomplished only when
both phases are immiscible. Requires a tight medium which is preferentially
wettable and, by its nature of being tight, is also a good ltering material. Good
coalescing permits gravity separation of the discontinuous phase. Coalescing
may be accomplished by only a coalescer cartridge when the specic gravities of
the two phases are widely separated. As the gravities difference becomes less,
the two stage principle is generally required where nely coalesced discontinuous
droplets are repelled by the second stage separator cartridges.
COALESCINGAction of uniting of small droplets of one liquid preparatory to its
being separated from another liquid.
CODEGenerally refers to housing design. A standard to which a housing
may be fabricated. Example: the design may meet the requirements of Section
VIII, ASME Code for unred pressure housings. When used in referring to other
standards, the full code title should be given.
COLLOIDVery small, insoluble non-diffusible solid or liquid particles that remain
in suspension in a surrounding liquid. Solids usually on the order of 0.2 or less.
COLLOIDAL PARTICLESGelatinous substance of minute particles which
remain in suspension.
COLOR BODIESForm of deposit which may appear as producing colors. Term
frequently used in the petroleum industry is hydrocarbon color bodies.
COMPATIBILITYCapability of two or more materials or substances to be used
together without ill effect. Must be considered when choosing the medium to be
used with any uid stream.
COMPOSITE MEDIAMedia made up of more than one material.
COMPRESSIBILITYDegree of physical change in lter cake particles when
subjected to normal pressures. Also a factor when selecting gasket material.
CONCENTRATEMaterial to be ltered. Also referred to as feed, inuent, intake,
liquor, mud, prelt, pulp, slimes, or sludge.
CONDENSATIONProcess of cooling a vapor below its boiling point in order for it
to be liqueed.
CONDITIONINGImproving the ltering qualities of the lter feed.
CONLEY WELDTrade name for an epoxy type adhesive.
CONSISTENCYDegree of density or rmness, especially of thick liquids. A
product of light consistency is almost uid, while a product of heavy consistency
is thick, and in some liquids may be hard.
CONSISTENCY OF FEEDUsually refers to the ratio of solids to liquid in the
feed.
CONTACT TIMEThe length of time an absorbent is in contact with a liquid prior
to being removed by the lter.
CONTAMINATEForeign matter in a uid which is accumulated from various
sources such as system dirt, residue from wear of moving parts, atmospheric
solids which settle in an open system. Contaminates tend to discolor a liquid,
cause additional wear on moving parts, cause system upsets in process streams,
or reduce the efciency of a uid. Water, as well a solid, may be considered a
33119_Facet_v2.indd 10 2/18/09 1:52:40 PM
10 11
continuous phase critical operating pressure
contaminate when the presence of water causes adverse results. The presence
of contaminates, whether liquid or solid, is the basis on which the use of lters or
lter separators are sought.
CONTINUOUS PHASEBasic product owing through a lter or lter separator
which continues on through a system after being subjected to solids and/or other
liquid separation.
CONVERSIONChange of type of elements in a housing to vary the efciency.
May also refer to the adaptor hardware to provide for use of elements in
competitive equipment, sometimes called retrot. In general, refers to the
changing of one type of medium to another type for a specic purpose.
CONVERSION KITMaterials required to convert a housing to the use of another
type of element or to perform a different function. Example: convert lter to a lter
separator.
CONVOLUTIONUsed to described one pleat of a pleated surface type element,
usually in the shape of a V. Also refers to the twisting or coiling of a cotton material
as well as the irregular spiral or screwlike condition of mature cotton.
CONVOLUTIONSTwistings or coilings. Used to describe one complete pleat of
an element.
COOLANTCooling agent used in many operations.
COREMaterial used for the center of an element, generally of the wound
design. May also be called a center tube when used in the coalescer, separator,
or other type lter element. May also be a tube of bers formed into an element
which has sufcient strength to provide its own center core.
CORROSIONConversion of metals into oxides, hydrated oxides, carbonates,
or other compounds due to the action of air or water, or both. Salts and sulphur
are also important sources of corrosion. Removal of solids and water reduces
the effect or speed of corrosion in many cases; and in other cases, corrosion
inhibitors are used to reduce the effect or corrosion.
CORRUGATIONSFine ribbing sometimes applied to lter paper following
resin impregnation and before pleating to form a pleated paper lter element.
Corrugations which run at right angles to the main pleats help to hold the pleats
apart against the action of differential pressure encountered in use. Discontinuous
corrugation or dimples are sometimes alternately employed.
COUNTUsed in the term particle count to tabulate number and sizes of solids in
specied groups.
CRENELATEDIndented.
CRIMPIn bers, the waviness in certain bers, particularly in ne wools and
in certain rayon staple bers. The difference in distance between two points
on a yam as it lies in a fabric and the same two points when the yam has been
removed and straightened, and expressed as percentage between the two points
as the yarn lies in the fabric. In wire cloth, crimp is the corrugations in warp and ll
wires to lock the wires in place. Sometimes referred to as double crimp.
CRITICAL OPERATING PRESSUREPressure above which ltration or
separation equipment may produce reduced efciency or fail to function properly.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 11 2/18/09 1:52:40 PM
12 13
critical state depth lter medium
CRITICAL STATEUnique condition of pressure, temperature, and composition
wherein all properties of coexisting vapor and liquid become identical.
CRITICAL TEMPERATURETemperature above which a gas cannot be
liqueed.
CRYOGENICSField of science dealing with matter at very low temperatures. In
ltration, the extremely low temperature negates the use of many media, gaskets,
and certain type housings.
CYCLEActual interval of ltration, expressed in units of time; e.g., hours or days.
CYCLICALLY or CYCLICLYOperating in cycles.
CYCLONELiquid or gas tter using the principle of centrifugal force which
causes the contaminate to settle to the bottom of the housing without the use of
lter medium.
CYLINDRICALHaving round sides, the ends being equal circles. Opposite of
pleated when used to describe elements.
DALTONS LAWIf several types of gas are put into the same container, the total
pressure exerted is the sum of the partial pressures that each type of gas would
exert if it alone occupied the container.
D.E.A commonly used abbreviation for diatomaceous earth.
DEAD AREASPlaces in medium where no ltering occurs. Also referred to as
blind spots. Opposite of effective area.
DEAD HANDIndicator sometimes used on differential pressure gauge to record
maximum differential pressure reached between settings.
DEAD VOID VOLUMEVolume of voids unavailable to liquid ow.
DEFORMABLEUsed to describe suspended solids that extrude into the
interstices of a lter cake and cause rapid lter plugging.
DEGRADATIONWearing down, or reduction in the efciency of medium.
DEGREE OF FILTRATIONLevel of cleanliness of a uid, usually measured in
milligrams in a given volume such as quart, liter, gallon, etc.
DEHYDRATIONRemoval of water or hydrocarbon in vapor form from an air or
gas; also water from another immiscible liquid. Differs from entrainment removal
in that the dew point of a gas stream will be lowered by vapor removal. A form of
purication.
DELIVERYOpening through which efuent ows, as open delivery press.
DELTA ( ) PA commonly used symbol denoting the pressure drop across a lter.
DENSITYCompactness or thickness; ratio of weight of medium to the weight of
an equal volume of ber. In general, mass per unit volume, usually expressed in
grams per cubic centimeter or pounds per cubic foot, or gallons.
DEPTH FILTER MEDIUMFilter medium which primarily retains contaminant
within tortuous passages, e.g., brous or granular. Retention efciency is achieved
by means of a series of low efciency particle captures.
D
33119_Facet_v2.indd 12 2/18/09 1:52:41 PM
12 13
depth type ltration direct reading differential pressure gauge
DEPTH TYPE FILTRATIONFiltration accomplished by owing a uid through
a mass lter medium providing a tortuous path with many entrapments to stop
the contaminates. Flow may be cross ow such as from the outside to inside and
then down the center of an element, or from end to end. Certain types of solids, or
combinations of solids, do not lend to surface ltration where depth type ltration
is found to be more suitable.
DESALINATIONProduction of fresh (potable) water from sea water, salt or
brackish water by one of several processes, e.g., distillation, ash distillation,
electrodialysis or reverse osmosis if salt content is not too high.
DESICCANTDrying agent or medium used in dehydration of air, gas, or liquids.
Examples: silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieve, etc.
DETERGENT OILSLubricating oils possessing special sludge dispersing
properties for use in internal combustion engines. These properties are usually
conferred on the oil by the incorporation of special additives.
DEWATERRemoval of water from solids.
DEW POINTTemperature at which air is saturated with moisture or, in general,
the temperature at which a gas is saturated with respect to a condensable
component.
DIAPHRAGMAs used on valves, a diaphragm is a exible material which
permits the movement of internal parts without the loss or redistribution of
pressure in the chamber.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTHSoft, earthy rock composed of the siliceous skeletons
of small aquatic plants call diatoms (algae). Frequently used as material for a
precoat of lter medium. Capable of absorbing 1.5 to 4 times its own weight in
water. Insoluble in acids except hydrouoric, and soluble in strong alkalies.
DIESEL FUELPetroleum product used as fuel for diesel engines.
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSUREDifference in pressure between two given points of
a lter, lter separator, etc.
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE INDICATORIndicator which signals the difference
in pressure at two points.
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SWITCHElectrical switch operated by the
difference between two pressures and often used to give warning of the end of a
ltration cycle.
DIFFERENTIAL RATINGDifferential pressure specied as the maximum an
element will withstand without structural failure.
DIFFUSIONIn cake washing, removing the original liquor around the individual
particles by mixing with the wash liquor.
DIGESTED SLUDGESludge or thickened mixture of water with sewage solids in
which the organic matter has been decomposed by anaerobic bacteria.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITYAbility of a material to retain its original dimensions.
DIRECT READING DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE GAUGEType of pressure
gauge which automatically shows the differential pressure reading between two
points.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 13 2/18/09 1:52:42 PM
14 15
direction of ow divider
DIRECTION OF FLOWDirection in which product ows through element; may
be from inside to outside, from outside to inside, or end to end, depending on the
design of the element.
DIRT HOLDING CAPACITYVolume of contaminate an element can hold before
reaching the maximum allowable pressure drop. Volume will vary depending on
the size and design of the element and the density of the solid particles. Usually
reported by weight such as grams or pounds per element. Also called solids
retention or solids holding capacity.
DISC PACK ELEMENTFilter element constructed by packing alternate discs of
lter medium and ow distributor plates into a compact cylindrical form.
DISCHARGELiquid that leaves the housing after passing through the medium.
May be different from ltrate; e.g., wash water discharge.
DISCHARGE LIQUORLiquid which has passed through the lter. Also referred
to as efuent, ltrate, mother liquor, solute, strong liquor, product, clean and dry
product, etc.
DISCHARGE VALVEValve to allow the efuent stream to ow out of the housing;
may be closed by the operation of a pilot valve, in which case product would not
leave the housing. Also called a slug valve. Generally used on petroleum products
at terminals and airports.
DISCHARGE SOLIDSSolids deposited upon the lter medium during ltration
in sufcient thickness to be removed in sheets or sizable pieces. Sometimes
referred to as cake or residue.
DISCONTINUOUS PHASESeparated phase or product from the continuous
phase. Example: water may be the discontinuous phase when separated from a
hydrocarbon, air or gas.
DISCRETEComposed of distinct units; separate from others. Usually referred to
in describing the discontinuous phase.
DISPERSIONOperation which results in solid or liquid particles entering into
suspension in a uid. Also applied to a two phase system in which one phase,
known as the disperse phase, is distributed throughout the other, known as the
continuous phase.
DISPOSABLEDescribes element which is to be discarded after use and
replaced with an identical element. Same as replaceable. Opposite of reusable.
DISSOLVED SOLIDSAny solid material that will dissolve in the liquid that is
being ltered, such as sugar in water.
DISTILLATECondensed product of distillation, as certain petroleum products.
DISTILLATIONProcess of vaporizing a liquid and collecting the vapor, which
is then usually condensed to a liquid. In industry, this process is widely used to
separate the components in a liquid solution. Since every pure compound boils
at a specic temperature, it is often possible to boil off one liquid while most of
the higher boiling point material remains in its liquid state. It is extremely difcult
and sometimes impossible to separate materials in this way when they boil at the
same, or near the same, temperature.
DIVIDERComponent of a housing: metal plate used to create chambers such
as inlet and outlet chambers.
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14 15
downstream elongation
DOWNSTREAMPortion of the product stream which has already passed
through the system; portion of a system located after a lter, lter separator, etc.
DRAIN VALVEValve for draining off material which has been separated from
a uid stream. Also a diaphragm type valve that operates as part of a system to
evacuate a discontinuous phase automatically.
DROPQuantity of uid which falls into one spherical mass; a liquid globule. May
also be described as several to many droplets.
DROPLETMinute drop which mates to form larger drops capable of falling by
gravity.
DUAL GRAVITY VALVEFloat operated valve which operates on the interface of
two immiscible liquids of different specic gravities and which operates to release
one of the liquids.
DUPLEX FILTERAssembly of two lters with valving for selection of either or
both lters.
DURO-GARDFacet trade name for pleated paper lter elements which are a
member of the extended area family and are interchangeable with competitive
elements of like dimensions. Characteristics: high solids holding capacity, large
ltration area, and no unloading characteristics.
DUROMETER (SHORE)Measurement of the resiliency of gasket material.
DYNAMIC ADSORPTIONAdsorption process in which there is constant relative
motion between the material being treated and the adsorbent. In most cases,
the gas or liquid being treated is made to ow through a xed bed of adsorbent.
Example: the drying of annealing gas. The gas is pumped through an adsorber
where it is dried and then, with the moisture removed, it is pumped into the bright
annealing furnace.
DYNEThe amount of force that causes a mass of one gram to alter its speed by
one centimeter per second for each second during which the force acts.
EFFECTIVE AREAArea of medium exposed to ow and usable for its intended
purpose: coalescing, ltering or separating. Opposite of blind spots or dead area.
EFFICIENCYDegree to which element will perform in removing solids and/ or
liquids.
EFFICIENCY CURVEGraph showing the performance of a lter when
challenged by specied articial or natural contaminants under controlled
conditions. Penetration or efciency may be plotted against particle size at
constant face velocity.
EFFLUENTStream of uid at the outlet of a lter or lter separator. Opposite of
afuent or inuent.
ELEMENTMedium used in a housing to perform the function of coalescing,
ltering or separating. Also referred to as cartridge, repack, etc.
ELEMENT CAPComponent which covers one end of an element and holds the
element in place in the housing. Sometimes called a yoke.
ELONGATIONDeformation caused by a tensile force, expressed as a
percentage of the original length.
E
33119_Facet_v2.indd 15 2/18/09 1:52:43 PM
16 17
elutriation excelsior
ELUTRIATIONWashing of suspended solids in sludges.
EMISSIONSGases and/or particulates discharge into the environment, usually
the atmosphere.
EMULSIFICATIONDispersion of one substance in the form of minute drops
within another substance.
EMULSIONDispersion of ne liquid particles in a liquid stream which do not
necessarily dissolve in each other but are held in suspension. Many emulsions
may be broken by coalescing if the liquids are immiscible. Emulsion stabilizers
modify the surface tension of the droplets which makes coalescing difcult, if not
impossible.
EMULSION SEPARATIONChemical methods of emulsion separation are
regularly employed to remove the oil phase from spent emulsion cutting oils, prior
to disposal. Typical treatment is by dosing with a solute of a divalent or trivalent
metal. Thermal, electrical and physical methods are also used. See coalescence.
ENCAPSULATEDProcess in which a material is coated or covered with a
plastic lm or sheath.
END CAPSComponents adhered to ends of an element with adhesive or by
other means to contain medium in the form designed for the element.
END LOAD RATINGMaximum specied axial force which can be applied to the
end of a lter element without causing permanent deformation or seal failure.
END POINTFinal objective or, in petroleum distillation, temperature at which
distillation ceases. Used to describe terminal pressure at which point further use
of elements is not recommended. Term may also be used in ltration to describe
point at which a marked color change is observed, indicating that no more
reagent is to be added.
END SEALBond between the end cap and the lter medium. In cartridges of
pleated paper construction this is frequently an epoxide, polyurethane or nitrile-
phenolic adhesive. Also refers to the sealing device which seals the end cap of a
cartridge to its housing.
ENTRAINED WATERDiscrete water droplets carried by a continuous liquid or
gas phase when water is immiscible with the liquid. May be separated from the
continuous phase by coalescing and gravity separation. Usually picked up in a
system by condensation or a water washing used in process.
ENTRAINMENTMist, fog, or droplets of a liquid which is usually considered to
be a contaminate when used in the ltration industry.
EQUALIZING LINEA connection to equalize the vacuum or pressure at two
separate points.
EQUILIBRIUM LOADINGMaximum loading for a given temperature, pressure,
and concen-tration. Also used to describe an equality of distribution on the
surface of lter medium.
EUTECTICCharacteristic of a mixture having the lowest possible melting point
of two or more constituents which melt completely at a denite temperature to
form a single liquid.
EXCELSIORWood type frequently used as coalescing medium for light
products and bulk lter. Selected Aspen type excelsior with selected strand
thickness and average length is packed into a cylinder, generally for end-to-end
ow.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 16 2/18/09 1:52:44 PM
16 17
Excel-So lter coalescer
EXCEL-SOTrade name of the original products sold by Warner Lewis Company,
generally describing excelsior packed separators.
EXTENDED AREAFamily of pleated cellulose lter cartridges marketed by
Facet. By pleating, the available surface area is increased substantially to provide
for greater ow, increased efciency, and solids retention capacity. Closely
controlled manufacturing processes provide for specied basic weight, pore size,
and wet strength. Use of different specications provide for varying efciencies to
provide for a wide variety of applications.
FEDERAL STOCK NUMBERIdentication number assigned by the U.S.
Government to code the specic descriptions of items purchased for their stock;
number is preceded by letters FSN.
FEEDMaterial to be ltered. Also referred to as concentrate, inuent, intake,
liquor, mud, prelt, pulp, slime or sludge.
FELTFabric built up of the interlocking of bers by a combination of mechanical
work, chemical action, moisture and heat. Frequently used as lter medium, some
types of which have been adapted to high temperature applications for air or gas.
FIBERFundamental unit comprising a textile raw material such as cotton, wool,
etc.
FIBER MIGRATIONCarry-over of bers from the media used in coalescer,
separator, or lter cartridges into the efuent. More denitive than media migration
since ber migration is qualitative.
FIBERGLASSTrade name for a variety of products made of, or with, glass
bers.
FIBERGLASSTerm used to describe a variety of products made of, or with,
glass bers, See glass ber.
FILM STRENGTHProperty of a lubricant which permits it to resist being
ruptured or broken when under pressure between two metal surfaces.
FILTERTerm generally applied to a device used to remove solid contaminate
from a liquid or gas. A lter, as referred to in the industry today, is limited to a
device which removes solid contaminates only. If a device is used to remove solid
and liquid contaminates, it is referred to in general terms as a separator, lter
separator, or entrainment separator. The term lter is sometimes erroneously used
to describe the medium used inside the housing or lter case, but the correct use
should be lter element, cartridge, etc.
FILTER AIDSubstance of low specic gravity which remains in suspension
when mixed with the liquid to be ltered. It should be porous and must be
chemically inert to the liquid being ltered. Increases ltering efciency and
maintains cake porosity.
FILTER COALESCERSingle stage, horizontal housing for coalescing and
separating one immiscible uid from another and the removal of solids. Generally
recommended for use where continuous phase has a light gravity. Available with
various efciencies.
F
33119_Facet_v2.indd 17 2/18/09 1:52:44 PM
18 19
lter effect ltration beta ratio
FILTER EFFECTGradual increase of lter resistance.
FILTER MEDIUMThe porous material mounted on a plate or frame which
separates the solids from the liquids in ltering. Also referred to as lter cloth, lter
plate or septum.
FILTER MONITORWater absorbent lter element which will continuously
remove dirt and water from aviation fuel.
FILTER PAPERA permeable web of randomly oriented bers, generally
cellulose (i.e., wood pulp, cotton) or glass ber is formed from water draining from
a carefully prepared suspension of these bers fed to a continuously traveling,
endless belt of wire mesha paper making machine. The preparation and type of
ber controls the permeability within any one thickness and weight per unit area
of grade. Various grades are available with these variations and also with resin
addition to give strength to the paper when wet. A further variation arises with a
crepe nish whereby the effective area of paper for a given weight is considerably
increased. A wide range of lter papers is available commercially for the removal
of particles from liquids and gases.
FILTER PLATEThe porous material mounted on a plate or frame which
separates the solids from the liquids in ltering. Also referred to as lter cloth, lter
medium or septum.
FILTER SEPARATORHousing which removes solids and entrained liquid from
another liquid or gas. Uses some combination of a bafe and/or coalescer, lter,
or separator element. May be single-stage, two-stage, or single or two-stage with
prelter section for gross solids removal. Common application is the removal of
water from gas or another immiscible liquid. General reference to term implies
the equipment is capable of both ltration and separation to specic degrees of
efciencies.
FILTER SYSTEMThe combination of a lter and associated hardware required
for the ltration process.
FILTERABILITYEase or difculty of ltering.
FILTERS, BULK TYPESimilar to depth type lters; however, the density is not
graded and therefore the reproducibility of the ltration varies.
FILTERS, DEPTH TYPESee depth type ltration.
FILTERS, EXTENDED AREASee extended area.
FILTERS, INERT TYPEDesigned to remove insoluble contaminates; all lters
except the absorbent and adsorbent types can be generally considered inert.
FILTERS, SURFACE TYPEUsually constructed of pleated, impregnated paper
and/or a combination of paper and other media, such as glass bers. Opposite of
depth type. See extended area.
FILTRATELiquid which has passed through the lter; uid that has been
separated from the solids in the slurry being ltered. Also referred to as discharge
liquor, efuent, mother liquor, solute, or strong liquor.
FILTRATIONProcess of removing solid particles from liquid or gas by forcing
them through a porous medium.
FILTRATION BETA RATIOThe ratio of number of particles greater than a given
size (n) in the inuent uid to the number of particles greater than size (n) in
efuent uid.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 18 2/18/09 1:52:45 PM
18 19
ltration rate Frazier permeometer
FILTRATION RATEThe volume of liquid that passes through a given area of
lter in a specic time. Usually expressed as gallons per square foot per minute
(or hour).
FINESPortion of a powder like material composed of particles smaller than a
specied size.
FIRE POINTLowest temperature at which a liquid evolves vapors fast enough to
support continuous combustion; usually close to the ash point.
FLASH DISTILLATIONOperation wherein the liquid is vaporized immediately
on entrance to the housing.
FLASH POINTLowest temperature at which a combustible liquid will give off a
ammable vapor that will burn momentarily.
FLOAT CONTROLFloat operated pilot valve which controls other valves or
the opening of an orice; generally used for the elimination of the discontinuous
phase; operates on the interface of two immiscible liquids. In the case of air or
gas would operate on the surface of a liquid.
FLOATING SCRAPERBalanced scraper which, with minimum pressure, follows
the contour of a drum.
FLOCCULATIONGrowing together of minute particles to form larger ones,
which are called ocs and are easier to lter. Also referred to as coagulation.
FLOWViscous ow (also known as streamline or laminar) is characterized by
the viscosity of the uid controlling the relationship between pressure and its
velocity; with turbulent ow the relationship is controlled by inertial factors. For
viscous ow in ducts Reynolds number is less than 2,000 and for turbulent ow
greater than 4,000. See laminar ow.
FLOW RATERate at which product is passed through a housing or system;
generally expressed as gallons per minute, barrels per hour, barrels per day,
actual or standard cubic feet per minute, hour, day, etc. Same as rate of ow.
FLOW RESISTANCEResistance offered by lter medium to uid ow; the
pressure difference required to give unit ow of a uid of unit viscosity through a
unit cube of lter medium. See also resistance ventilation lter.
FLUIDTerm used in ltration and separation to include liquids, air or gas as a
general term.
FOGCondensed water, hydrocarbon, or other liquids which are visible to the
naked eye.
FOUR-STAGEDesign for entrainment separators for use on air or gas, marketed
by Facet, which contain a prelter section ahead of the coalescer and separator
cartridges to remove gross solids. Bafe before prelter cartridges removes coarse
solids and free liquid by impingement. Impingement bafe and prelter section
permit extended use of Facet two-stage efciency on compressed air or gas.
FRACTIONATION TOWERTower wherein rising vapors meet descending liquid.
The lower boiling liquids tend to pass on to the condenser, and the higher boiling
phases remain as liquids.
FRAZIER PERMEOMETERPorosity testing device. The normal measurement
is the air ow in CFM passed through one square foot of fabric at 1/2 water
pressure. Fabrics with rating of 1 to 10 CFM are considered very tight, whereas
cloths that test at 450 to 500 CFM are extremely porous. The test is used on
woven and non-woven materials.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 19 2/18/09 1:52:46 PM
20 21
free board glass ber
FREE BOARDClear space between top of liquid and rim of housing.
FREEZING POINTFor a pure substance the freezing point or melting point is :
he temperature at which the liquid and solid are in equilibrium with one another;
i.e., at a higher temperature the solid will melt and at a lower temperature the
liquid will solidify. Varies with the composition of the liquid.
FRIABLEEasily crushed or crumbled.
FRICTIONResistance created by the surface of one object moving over the
surface of another due to the interlocking of minute projections from the surfaces;
this is called solid friction. If a lubricant is introduced between the two moving
surfaces uid friction replaces solid friction.
FUEL-GARD

Trade name for a small, compact two-stage lter separator

marketed by Facet for use on liquid/liquid separation. Permits the use of highly
efcient medium developed for larger industrial applications on low ow rates.
FUEL MONITORHousing which monitors the cleanliness of product streams
and shuts off all ow when water or solids contamination reaches predetermined
concentration; moisture-sensitive elements trap contaminates and increase
differential pressure to activate shut-off diaphragm.
FUEL WETTABLECapable of accepting liquid fuels. Opposite of nonwettable.
FULL FLOWProduct ow through the housing at the rate for which the housing
is designed to operate. Also refers to all product passing through medium.
Opposite of a bypass lter which is designed to lter only a portion of the stream
at a higher efciency on a continuous basis.
FULLERS EARTHMedium used in some elements, usually a blend of
attapulgus and montmorillonite clay. A nely divided hydrous aluminum silicate.
See attapulgus.
FUSESee lter monitor.
GASState of matter in which molecules move freely causing matter to expand
indenitely, occupying the total volume available. Denition sometimes includes a
reference to critical temperature, i.e., temperature above which liquefaction does
not occur by pressure.
GAS SCRUBBERHousing designed to knock out liquid and solid contaminates
by impingement on a series of bafes or demister pads. Accomplished by drastic
reduction of velocity as the gas enters the scrubber. Entrainment separation
would expand the general use of the term to include mechanical cartridge type
separators.
GASEOUS STREAMStream containing gas, either pure or mixed with a liquid.
GASKETMaterial inserted between contact surfaces of a joint to ensure a
uid-tight seal. Although invariably softer than surfaces with which it is in contact
it should not form a permanent bond. Constructional material is dependent on the
temperature, pressure and chemical nature of the conned uid.
GELATINOUSUsed to describe suspended solids that are slimy and
deformable, causing rapid lter plugging.
GLASS FIBERProper reference to a brous material made from glass that is
commonly used as a lter and separator medium. May be used in blanket or tube
form and, due to the random dispersal of the bers, makes good lter medium.
G
33119_Facet_v2.indd 20 2/18/09 1:52:46 PM
20 21
glycol haze
Are hydrophilic (water wettable) and perform the function of coalescing
immiscible liquids for separation. May be used effectively on compressed air, gas,
or liquids which are acidic but only slightly caustic. Also referred to as berglass
or Fiberglas.
GLYCOLGeneral term for a family of alcohols; clear, colorless, and soluble to
varying degrees in water, alcohol, ether, benzene, etc. Has a wide range of usage
such as coolants, antifreeze and processes. Refer to specic type for further
details.
GPDGallons per day.
GPHGallons per hour.
GPMGallons per minute.
GRAVITYRelationship between the weight of a material and the weight of an
equal volume of water. In the United States this relationship is expressed in terms
of API gravity, Baum gravity or specic gravity.
GRAVITY FILTERFilter in which the driving force for ltration is provided
solely by the head of liquor above the lter medium (i.e., not employing pressure
or vacuum to give a high differential pressure). Gravity lters often handle
compressible materials or materials in the form of akes which would pack down
and become impervious under high differential pressure.
GRAVITY SEPARATIONSeparation of immiscible phases resulting from a
difference in specic gravity by coalescing.
GREASE FILTERAssembly consisting of either a coalescing section or an
adsorptive section, or both. The former usually formed from knitted wire an/or
glass ber and the latter employs activated carbon.
GROOVED COUPLINGClamp-like device with tongue-like edges which t into
grooves; forms a seal when secured. Commonly called by trade name Victaulic.
GROSS SOLIDSDescribes what may be considered an abnormally heavy solid
load.
GROSS WATERDescribes what may be considered an abnormally heavy water
load.
GSFMAbbreviation for gallons per square foot per minute. Also GSFH for hour.
GURLEYTerm derived from name of manufacturer of permeometers,
densitometers, and other instruments which use air to measure porosity, density
and stiffness of paper. It is also possible for Gurley equipment to be used on
porous or permeable material other than paper. Gurley instruments are used by
TAPPI, the association of paper manufacturers. Porosity ratings are given in the
number of seconds taken for 300 cc of air to pass through one square inch of
material. Frazier and Gurley numbers are not convertibleno specic Frazier
number equals a certain Gurley number. Frazier numbers are possibly more
signicant in that they reect porosity specications.
HAZEFine suspension of smoke or dust having some effect on the visual range.
An opalescent or a very ne suspension in a liquid, especially in a beverage, e.g.,
wine, is referred to as a haze.
H
33119_Facet_v2.indd 21 2/18/09 1:52:47 PM
22 23
head gasket impingement
HEAD GASKETGasket seal at the main closure of a pressure housing. Usually
the seal used between two anges. Generally, either a at gasket or o-ring.
HEAD LIFTDevice for raising head of a vertical pressure housing to permit
access to interior of housing.
HEAT OF ADSORPTIONHeat released when a substance is adsorbed;
equivalent to the energy which the adsorbate must give up in going from its
normal energy state to the lower energy state it has when adsorbed. The heat
depends on the adsorbate and adsorbent.
HEAT OF VAPORIZATIONHeat which must be put into a liquid to vaporize it at
its boiling point.
HEEL(1) The liquid left in a lter shell at the end of a cycle; (2) The precoat left
on R.V.P.F. at end of its cycle.
HOLDING CAPACITYRefers to the amount of solids, particulate or foreign
material one or more elements is capable of retaining up to the terminal or
maximum differential pressure. Also can refer to volumetric holding capacity of
either a solid or a liquid.
HOMOGENEITYUniformity of particle size and distribution of a solid in the
product.
HOOKDevice to aid in the mounting of elements held in position by the
extension spring.
HYDROCARBONAny one of a large number of compounds composed
primarily of elements carbon and hydrogen. As they increase in molecular weight
and boiling point, they may be respectively gases, liquids or solids.
HYDROPHILICWater accepting or water wetting. Having an afnity for water.
Capable of uniting with, or dissolving in, water. Effective coalescing requires
medium to have hydrophilic characteristics causing free or entrained water to
commingle into droplets which, when mated with other droplets, form into drops
which separate by gravity. Opposite of hydrophobic.
HYDROPHOBICNon-water wetting. Having an antagonism for water. Not
capable of uniting or mixing with water. Hydrophobic features are induced in the
process of cellulose manufacture. Opposite of hydrophilic.
HYDROSTATIC TESTTest conducted with either air, water or other uids at a
given value over design pressure, to prove the structural integrity of a pressure
housing.
IDInside diameter
IFTInterfacial tension
IMHOFF TANKTank for settling sewage and digesting sludge, having upper
sedimentation chamber with sloping oor leading to slots through which solids
settle to digestion chamber.
IMMISCIBLEincapable of being mixed; insoluble; opposite of miscible.
IMPINGEMENTProcess of removing liquid or solid contaminate from a stream
of compressed air or gas by causing the ow to impinge on a bafe plate at a
high velocity. Contaminate falls off by gravity into a large quiescent sump area to
prevent the contaminates from being picked up a second time by the velocity of
the stream. May also be used on liquid streams to separate solid contaminates.
I
33119_Facet_v2.indd 22 2/18/09 1:52:47 PM
22 23
in situ interstices
IN SITUIn its original place.
INERTInactive chemically or physically.
INFLUENTStream of uid at the inlet of a lter or lter separator. Same as
afuent. Opposite of efuent.
INHIBITORCompounds or materials that have the effect of slowing down
or stopping an undesired chemical change such as corrosion, oxidation, or
polymerization. Addition of certain types of inhibitors change the interfacial
tension of a petroleum product, which may reduce the coalescing efciency of
some medium. Reduced interfacial tension between two liquids causes a tighter
emulsion more difcult to break up by coalescing.
INITIAL PRESSURE DROPLoss in differential pressure between two points
upon the start of ow through a housing using new elements.
IN-LINEApplied to mixing and conditioning, in-line means the mixing of liquids
with liquids or solids with liquids, or suspensions of solids in liquids with liquids,
within a pipework system using metering units and automated control, which
eliminates the requirement for separate storage tanks and mixing compartments.
IN-LINE FILTERFilter or strainer arranged as a continuous ow unit in a pipeline
or similar location.
INORGANICNot formed from living substance; substances which do not
contain carbon as a major constituent.
INSIDE-OUTFlow of product from inside to outside of element.
INSOLUBLEIncapable of being dissolved in a uid; opposite of soluble.
INTAKEMaterial to be ltered. Also referred to as concentrate, feed, inuent,
liquor, mud, prelt, pulp, slimes, or sludge.
INTERCHANGEABLEOne particular element which may be used in place of
another particular element. Dimensions of both must be equal. Element being
substituted frequently has more desirable characteristics than Element which it
replaces. Refers primarily to dimensional interchangeability and must be for the
same general applications.
INTERFACESurface over which continuous phase and discontinuous phase
are in contact.
INTERFACIAL TENSIONMeasure of miscibility or solubility of the continuous
and discontinuous phases. Increases as miscibility or solubility decreases. See
inhibitors for effect on coalescing.
INTERLOCKFacet patented device that is a fail-safe device to prevent
unmonitored fuel from bypassing the elements.
INTERPLEATPleating of two or more lter media into an element, such as glass
bers and cellulose.
INTERSTICESSpaces or openings in a medium. Also referred to as pores
or voids. Usually refers to those voids contained in adsorptive media such as
carbon, Fullers Earth, etc. Available area for adsorption on or within a particle
then must take into account not only the surface area but also that area within the
particle due to the interstices or voids.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 23 2/18/09 1:52:48 PM
24 25
interstitial life expectancy
INTERSTITIALPertaining to the openings in a medium.
IONElectrically charged atom or group of atoms, formed by the gain or loss of
electrons.
ION EXCHANGEReversible chemical reaction, usually between a solid and a
liquid, in which ions may be interchanged.
I.P.The Institute of Petroleum.
ISOKINETIC SAMPLINGFluid owing in a duct is sampled isokinetically when
taken through an upstream facing sharp-edged probe so that the velocity into the
probe is identical with the undisturbed free stream velocity at that point. Isokinetic
conditions are vital for accurately sampling solid or liquid particles above a 5
micron diameter from gas streams but may be less important for liquid streams.
Sampling non-isokinetically may produce errors in the weight concentration and
size distribution of collected particles, depending on the density, shape and size
of the particles and on the density, viscosity and velocity of the owing uid.
ISOTHERMA constant temperature curve.
ISOTROPICHaving same properties in all directions.
JET FUELPetroleum product used as fuel for jet engines.
KARL FISHERAnalytical method of determining amount of water present in a
sample by titration.
KEROSENEPetroleum liquid used as fuel, or for heating purposes.
KIESELGUHRFinely divided siliceous material similar to diatomaceous earth,
but usually with more impurities.
KNIFE EDGE PLEATSharply dened creases at the outer cage of a pleated
element.
KNIFE EDGE SEALNarrow, pointed ridge on the sealing surface of an end cap,
center seal, or cartridge adaptor which provides a seal by biting into the cartridge
gaskets.
L-TYPE FILTERCartridge lter in which the inlet and outlet port axis are at right
angles and the lter elements axis is parallel to either port axis.
LACQUERNatural or synthetic resin which is dissolved in a suitable solvent
such as hydrocarbon oil rich in aromatics. When applied, the oil solvent
evaporates, leaving behind a lacquer lm.
LAMINAR FLOWTerm synonymous with streamline ow and viscous ow. A
ow regime in which the ow characteristics are governed mainly by the viscosity
of the uid.
LEAFAny at lter element that has or supports the lter septum.
LIFE EXPECTANCYAmount of use which may be expected from an element
before it must be replaced; will vary according to elements characteristics,
operating conditions, and condition of inuent.
J
K
L
33119_Facet_v2.indd 24 2/18/09 1:52:49 PM
24 25
line size mass transfer rate
LINE SIZESize of line used to carry the product in a system, such as a six-inch
line.
LIQUIDProduct stream in liquid ltration and liquid ltration separation. Also
may be the material to be removed by a liquid or gas entrainment separator.
LIQUID LEVEL CONTROLGenerally a oat-operated control operating off the
interface of two liquids for the purpose of evacuating one of the liquids from the
housing after separation. In air or gas, it would operate off the surface of the liquid.
LIQUID LEVEL GAUGEGauge by which the interface of two immiscible liquids
can be viewed, generally in an accumulator sump. May also be called a level
gauge or interface gauge.
LIQUORMaterial to be ltered. Also referred to as concentrate, feed, inuent,
intake, mud, prelt, pulp, slimes, or sludge.
LITER1.057 quarts. Used as a volumetric standard to analyze liquids for water
or solids content.
LOCK UPDevice that will lock either a column, elements or the body of a
housing in place.
LOW INTERFACIAL TENSIONWhere the interfacial tension of one liquid over
another liquid would be less than 25 dynes/cm at 70F. See inhibitor for effect on
coalescing.
LOX CLEANINGProcess of cleaning for liquid oxygen service. Generally
known as a process of degreasing or making a component completely free of any
hydrocarbons and/or foreign materials.
LUBRICATIONSubstituting uid friction for solid friction by inserting oil between
two moving parts.
LVMLow volatile material. See attapulgus.
MAGNETITEIron ore fully oxidized (Fe
3
O
4
) and naturally magnetic.
MAIN CLOSUREClosure through which the housing is serviced when there is
more than one opening into a housing.
MALE MOUNTING CAPDevice which allows elements to be mounted through
an opening in a tube sheet. Normally removed with the cartridge. Used primarily
in conversion kits.
MANIFOLDA pipe or assembly into which the lter elements are connected to
form one common discharge for the ltered product.
MARTINS DIAMETERStatistical diameter used in particle size analysis; the
mean length of line, parallel to the microscope traverse, dividing each particle into
two equal areas.
MASSMatter contained by a body, regardless of its location.
MASS DISTRIBUTIONRelative frequency distribution by mass within a particle
size distri-bution. Sometimes presented as cumulative percentage undersize. See
average particle size.
MASS TRANSFERMovement of matter.
MASS TRANSFER RATEMeasurement of the movement of matter as a function
of atoms, etc.
M
33119_Facet_v2.indd 25 2/18/09 1:52:49 PM
26 27
matter micron
MATTERMaterial substance of which an element, elements, or mass is
composed. In this use does not refer to cartridge elements.
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE PRESSURE DROPMaximum pressure differential of
a housing under specied product and ow condition.
MAXIMUM DIFFERENTIAL PRESSUREHighest pressure differential which an
element is required to withstand without structural failure or collapse.
MAXIMUM OPERATING PRESSUREMaximum pressure allowed in the system.
MEAN EFFICIENCY RATINGA measurement of the average efciency of a lter
medium using the Multi-Pass Test where the average ltration (BETA) ratio = 2.0.
MEDIAThe material that performs the actual separation of solids from liquids.
Sometimes erroneously used to mean septum.
MEDIA MIGRATIONCarry-over of bers from lter and/or separator elements,
or other lter material into the efuent. Less denitive than ber migration and is
quantitative.
MEDIUMPrincipal component of an element. Material of controlled pore size
or mass through which a product is passed to remove foreign particles held
in suspension or to repel droplets of coalesced water; or a material without
controlled pore size such as glass ber mats which contribute to ltration,
coalescence, or separation of two immiscible liquids.
MEMBRANEMedium through which the liquid streams are to be passed or
exchanged. Normally associated with ion exchange media such as dialysis,
osmosis, diffusion, etc., although lter paper itself could be classed as a
membrane.
MEMBRANE FILTERThin permeable lm of inert polymeric material cast
in such a way from a mixture of solvents so that the size, number and shape
(tortuosity) of the pores is controlled. Widely used in bacterial ltrationsolution
sterilizingin the medical eld. In multiple units they are used industrially in
beverage ltration and preparation of very pure water, etc. Can be in cylindrical
cartridge form. Fine grades used in ultraltration, reverse osmosis and dialysis.
MESH (WIRE CLOTH)Number of openings, or fractions of openings, in a lineal
inch of wire cloth. Where the fractional part of an inch is specied, for example
1/2 mesh or 1/2 mesh, the term is understood to mean the measurement from the
center of one wire to the center of the adjacent wire. Term should not be confused
with clear openings or space.
METER PROVING TANKTank for calibrating capacity to provide volumetric
proof of the delivery of liquids by positive displacement meters. Also referred to as
calibrating tank.
MICROMETEROne millionth part of a meter. A standard SI unit.
MICRONShort unit of length in the metric system. One millionth of a meter, 10
-4

centimeter, 10
-3
millimeter, or 0.000039 of one inch. Used as a criterion to evaluate
the performance or efciency of lter medium or to describe the condition of either
the inuent or efuent. Usually stated in terms of being either absolute or nominal.
Nominal micron rating is generally taken to mean that 98% of all particles over
a given micron value have been removed by specic medium. Absolute micron
rating is generally taken to mean that all particles over a given micron value have
been removed. Naked eye can see a particle 40 microns or larger.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 26 2/18/09 1:52:50 PM
26 27
microorganisms motivating force
MICROORGANISMSLiving bodies that can be seen only through a microscope.
MICROSCOPE COUNTUse of a microscope for the estimation of mean particle
size within a selected size range, by the use of a calibrated scale, graticule, or
other aid. To avoid serious error some 500 to 600 counts, or observations, should
be made.
MIGRATIONContaminant released downstream of a lter. Built-in dirt
migration-migration composed of foreign materials introduced during handling,
storage and manufacture; Contaminant migrationmigration due to unloading.
Media migrationmigration composed of the materials making up the lter media.
MILLILITEROne thousandth of a liter, equal to approximately one cubic
centimeter.
MISCIBLECapable of being dissolved, soluble. Opposite of immiscible.
MISTVisible water or hydrocarbon vapor; oating or failing in ne drops.
MIXINGProcess of intermingling bers from different bales or lots to produce a
uniform mixture of all. Usually implies the use of only one kind of ber, while the
term blending is usually used for combinations of different bers, colors, etc.
MMSCFDMillion standard cubic feet per day.
MMSCFHMillion standard cubic feet per hour.
MMSCFMMillion standard cubic feet per minute.
MOLEUnit quantity in chemistry. Amount of a substance in grams (gram mole)
or pounds (pound mole) which corresponds to the sum of the atomic weights of all
the atoms appearing in the molecule. Sometimes referred to as a mol.
MOLECULAR SIEVEZeolite, natural or synthetic, or similar materials whose
atoms are arranged in a crystal lattice in such a way that there are a large
number of small cavities interconnected by smaller openings or pores of precisely
uniform size. Used as drying agents for some liquids or gases as well as for other
absorptive applications. May be regenerated for extended use under specied
conditions.
MOLECULAR WEIGHTSum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in a
molecule. Sometimes referred to as mole weight or mol weight.
MONITORSee lter monitor.
MONO FILAMENTSingle, large continuous lament of a synthetic ber.
MONTEJUSClosed pressure tank partially lled with a uid mixture which is
forced out by gas pressure on its surface.
MONTMORILLONITESoft mineral commonly found in bentonite; becomes mud
like when wet without expanding.
MOTHER LIQUORLiquid which has passed through the lter. Also referred to
as discharge liquor efuent, ltrate, solute, or strong liquor.
MOTIVATING FORCEThat which causes the coalescing, ltering or separating
action to take place.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 27 2/18/09 1:52:51 PM
28 29
MS NPT
MSMilitary Standard. Prex to government-assigned numbers indicating
standardized items to military specications.
MSCFDThousand standard cubic feet per day.
MSCFHThousand standard cubic feet per hour.
MSCFMThousand standard cubic feet per minute.
MUDMaterial to be ltered. Also referred to as concentrate, feed, inuent,
intake, liquor, prelt, pulp, slimes, or sludge.
MUD SUMPArea of a horizontal housing, located upstream of the media, for
the collection of solids falling out by gravity prior to going through the coalescing
media, where gross solids are present in the stream.
MULLEN BURST TESTMeasurement of the force needed to burst a given
area of paper or cloth, under uid ow conditions, and usually expressed as the
pressure in inches of water that will burst a 2 diameter test specimen.
MULTI-FILAMENTA number of continuous ber strands that are twisted
together to form a yarn; used in weaving lter cloths.
MULTI-PASSThis test system is designed to be representative of a typical
hydraulic and lubricating circuit. Fresh contaminant is introduced in slurry form
into the test reservoir, mixed with the uid in the reservoir, and pumped through
the test lter, contaminant not captured by lter is returned to the reservoir for
another pass through the lter.
MULTIPLE CARTRIDGESTwo or more cartridges fastened together end to end,
to make up one element.
NEGATIVE PRESSUREVacuum or suction.
NOMINALArbitrary term used to describe or dene a degree of ltration. The
ltration industry uses various methods of determining nominal ratings which are
not necessarily interchangeable. Generally nominal references 98% removal of
solids above a specied micron rating on a single pass basis. See absolute.
NOMINAL RATINGAn arbitrary micrometer value indicated by lter
manufacturer. Due to lack of reproducibility, this rating is deprecated.
NONAQUEOUSNot water borne, water related, water resembling, nor
containing water.
NONPOLARCompound or element whose electron capacity is satised. A
neutral condition that will remain unreactive. Not polar. See polar.
NONTOXICHaving a non-poisonous effect.
NONWOVENA lter cloth or paper that is formed of synthetic bers that are
randomly oriented in the media. Usually held together with a binder.
NORMAL PILINGArrangement structure of lter cake as formed.
NOZZLESConnections at the inlet and outlet of a housing through which
product ows; or connections in a housing which permit connecting of
accessories, etc. Term nozzle is not considered as descriptive.
NPTNational pipe thread standard.
N
33119_Facet_v2.indd 28 2/18/09 1:52:51 PM
28 29
NTP ozone
NTPNormal conditions of temperature and pressure. Refers to a gas measured
at a pressure one (1) atmosphere absolute (760 mm of Hg) and a temperature of
0C; some sources use a different reference temperature to dene NTP.
OCCLUDEDTaken in and retained, absorbed.
ODOutside diameter.
ON-STREAMDescribes when a lter system is producing a ltered product.
OPEN AREAPore area of lter medium, often expressed as a percentage of the
total area.
OPERATING PRESSURENormal pressure at which a system operates.
OPERATING PRESSURE, CRITICALPressure above the normal or design
limits which may cause damage or rupture.
OPERATING PRESSURE, MAXIMUMMaximum pressure allowed in the
system.
ORGANICDescribes the vast number of chemical substances containing
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
ORGANIC SOLVENTSSubstances in which an organic material will dissolve.
ORIFICE PLATEPlate with a central circular orice which is clamped in a pipe
or duct. Dependent on the type of plate, pressure tappings are provided as an
integral part of the plate or on each side of it in the duct. The rate ow of uid in
the pipe or duct may be derived from measurement of the pressure difference
across the plate.
OSMOSISDiffusion of a solvent through a semi-permeable membrane from
a dilute solution into a more concentrated solution, thus tending to equalize the
concentration of each side of the membrane.
OUT OF BALANCE PRESSUREPressure difference on either side of a
lter press plate which may be induced by blockage of the feed ports and/or
inconsistent physical conditions within adjacent lter chamber.
OUTER SHELLOuter covering of an element, usually perforated or screen.
OUTER WRAPOutside covering of an element.
OUTLET (FILTRATE OUTLET)Ports integrally formed in a lter plate through
which ltrate can escape from the lter chambers.
OUTSIDE-INFlow of product from outside to inside of element.
OXIDECombination of oxygen with another element.
OXIDATIONChemical combination of any substance in which the oxidation
state (positive valence) of an element is increased.
OZONEBluish gas which becomes indigo blue when compressed; highly
explosive under pressure and for this reason is not used in industry in this
form but as ozonized air created by electric discharge. Once thought to be
benecial to health, ozone is now considered to be harmful and its appearance
in electrostatic precipitators associated with air is therefore undesirable. Efcient
bactericide in the treatment of water, in which application it does not give rise to
undesirable tastes and odors. Main disadvantage is the high cost in the treatment
of large bulk supplies.
O
33119_Facet_v2.indd 29 2/18/09 1:52:52 PM
30 31
packed bed plastisol
PACKED BEDDiscrete materials such as sand, gravel, anthracite, fabricated
rings or saddles, assembled in a conned space as a ltration medium for liquids
or gases.
PAPERMedium used in many elements. A very general term applied to resin
impregnated cellulose. Many types of paper or cellulose, made to specication,
are used as a lter medium.
PARTICLESingle piece of solid material which is small in relation to its
environment. Normally characterized by its size and shape.
PARTICLE COUNTPractice of counting particles of solid matter in groups
based on relative size. Frequently used in engineering a lter to a specic task or
to evaluate the performance of a lter under specic operating conditions. When
used as data to engineer a lter, proper consideration can be given the type of
medium to be used, expectant life of the medium, and the true cost of operation.
PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTIONTabulation resulting from a particle count of
solids grouped by specied micron sizes to determine the condition of either the
inuent or efuent stream. Usually expressed in percentage of total solids to the
specic group. Example: 31% in the 6 to 10 micron group. See particle count.
PARTICULATERelating to minute, separate particles.
PELLET STRENGTHAbility of a pellet to withstand service conditions without
breaking or dusting.
PERFORATEDMaterial in which holes have been punched, such as the
material used to make the center tube of a cartridge.
PERLITESMaterial similar to volcanic glass with concentric shell structure.
PERMEABILITYAbility of a cake or medium to pass liquids; or the rate of
ow of uid under a differential pressure through a material. Air permeability
measurement provides a convenient comparison for various media and indicates
the construction requirements for specic particle size retention. As a rule of
thumb, lower permeability values indicate ner particle retentivity.
PERMEABLEMaterial that has openings through which liquid will pass in
ltering. Also referred to as porous or pervious.
PERVIOUSSee permeable.
pH RANGEArbitrary scale of numbers from 0 to 14 indicating acidity or
alkalinity of a solution. A neutral solution has a pH of 7; below 7 represents acidity,
and above 7 represents alkalinity.
PHASEMay be continuous, as the basic product owing through a housing;
or discontinuous, as the material to be removed from the basic product. Both are
distinct and separate.
PHENOLIC RESINSSynthetic thermosetting resins obtained by the
condensation of phenol or substituted phenols with aldehydes. Used as a binder
in cellulose and glass bers to form lter media.
PIGMENTInorganic or organic, natural and synthetic chemical substances
used to color paints, inks. etc.
PLASTISOLSuspension of a thermosetting plastic which can be molded into
any desired shape. Used as a combination end cap and gasket on element.
P
33119_Facet_v2.indd 30 2/18/09 1:52:52 PM
30 31
plate prelt
PLATEAny at surfaced lter element. Usually found in horizontal plate lters.
PLEAT, PINCHEDPleat in a pleated lter element, closed off by excessive
differential pressure or crowding, thus reducing the effective area of the lter
element.
PLEAT, SPACERSUsed to prevent the collapse of pleats in a pleated paper
cartridge, under the action of differential pressure. Examples are individual
spacers of expanded metal or plastic and continuous spacers of plastics or
woven materials, usually wire-cloth.
PLEATEDPhysical form of cartridge made into a convoluted form to resemble
the folds in an accordion.
PLEATINGIn lters with paper medium or other sheet material, pleating means
the folding processes which provide a large surface area within a given volume
of lter.
PLUGGINGFiltered out particles lling the openings in a medium to the extent
of shutting off the ow of product; loading up of the medium so as to reduce
capacity. Also referred to as blinding or blocking.
POLARCompound or element capable of receiving or giving electrons. See
non-polar.
POLYELECTROLYTESynthetic, water-soluble, linear polymers characterized by
the presence of ionizing groups distributed along with molecular length. Used to
promote occulation.
POLYMERIZATIONUnion of monomers or molecules to form a polymer
consisting of giant molecules. Bonding of two or more monomers to produce a
polymer. Any chemical reaction that produces such a bonding.
POLYURETHANESSynthetic plastics formed by action of di-isocyanates on
dihydric alcohols, polyesters or polyethers.
PORESOpenings in a medium. Also referred to as interstices. Size and shape
of openings in cellulose are closely controlled in manufacture.
PORE SIZE DISTRIBUTIONExclusive to permeable medium; describes the
number of pores in various groups of sizes in a way similar to that discussed
under particle size distribution. Data are valuable in assessing ltration
performance from various standpoints.
POROSITYRatio of void volume to total cake volume. Also lter medium which
may have larger pores than any other media.
POROUSMaterial that has openings through which liquid will pass in ltering.
Also referred to as permeable or pervious.
POTABLEDrinkable (water).
POUR POINTLowest temperature at which a liquid will pour or ow when chilled
without disturbance under specied conditions.
PPMParts per million. A unit of concentration; e.g., 3 ppm would be 3 pounds of
solids in 1,000,000 pounds of water.
PRECOATINGOperation of depositing an inert material (lter aid) prior to
beginning ltration.
PREFILTMaterial to be ltered. Also referred to as concentrate, feed, inuent,
intake, liquor, mud, pulp, slimes or sludge.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 31 2/18/09 1:52:53 PM
32 33
prelter psia
PREFILTERFilter for removing gross contaminate before the product stream
enters a lter separator. Used to remove gross solids.
PREFILTER COALESCERTwo-stage, horizontal housing for efcient solids and
water removal at high ow rates. Used on light gravity streams.
PREFILTER COALESCER SEPARATORThree-stage housing for use where
stream carries an unusually high amount of solids; prelter elements in rst stage
remove bulk of solids and permit coalescer and separator elements in next two
stages to function more effectively for phase separation.
PRESSURE ABSOLUTEGauge pressure plus 14.7 psi.
PRESSURE, ATMOSPHERICForce exerted by the atmosphere at sea level;
equivalent to 14.7 psi.
PRESSURE, EXPRESSED IN ATMOSPHERESTotal gauge pressure divided
by 14.7 and expressed in atmospheres.
PRESSURE, PARTIALIn a mixture of gases, each gas exerts a pressure equal
to the total pressure multiplied by the move fraction (or volume fraction) of the
individual gas. The sum of the partial pressures equals the total pressure.
PRESSURE, PROOFA test pressure above normal operating pressure to
assure that part will withstand the norm without damage or leakage.
PRESSURE DIFFERENTIALDifference in pressure between two points.
PRESSURE DROPDifference in pressure between two points, generally at the
inlet and outlet of a lter or a lter separator. Measured in pounds per square inch
gauge, or inches of mercury.
PRESSURE DROP, CLEANDifferential pressure (drop) across a housing
measured in pounds per square inch at rated ow on new elements with clean
product.
PRESSURE DROP, MAXIMUM ALLOWABLEMaximum pressure differential of
a housing under specied product and ow conditions.
PRESSURE RELIEFValve which permits enough liquid or gas to escape from
the housing to prevent extreme pressure buildup within a housing.
PRETREATMENTChanging the properties of a liquid-solid mixture by physical
or chemical means to improve its lterability. Chemical means include coagulation,
occulation and conditioning; physical means include size classication,
preaeration, mechanical agitation, freezing and thawing, heating, ultrasonic and
mechanical vibrations, electronic and magnetic treatment and ionizing radiation.
Filter aids are also used for pretreatment.
PRIMEUsed in the phrase prime contractor to designate a company which
has been awarded a contract by the government agency; this company in turn
may obtain material required by the contract from a subcontractor. Also the rst
coat of paint. Or the feeding of a pump at start-up.
PRODUCTContinuous phase, either liquid, air or gas, which is being processed
through ltration or ltration separation equipment.
PROVER TANKHousing for proving the volumetric accuracy of positive
displacement meters. Also called meter calibrating tank or meter proving tank.
PSIPounds per square inch.
PSIAPounds per square inch absolute.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 32 2/18/09 1:52:54 PM
32 33
psid repack
PSIDPounds per square inch differential.
PSIGPounds per square inch gauge.
PULPMaterial to be ltered. Also referred to as concentrate, feed, inuent,
intake, liquor, mud, prelt, slimes, or sludge. Also a material prepared by chemical
or mechanical means chiey from wood but also from rags and other materials,
and used in making paper and cellulose products.
PULSATING BLOWBACKIntermittent, on-off blowing, with or without cake
discharge.
PURIFICATIONRemoval of water of hydrocarbon in vapor form from an air or
gas stream. Differs from entrainment removal in that the dew point of a gas stream
will be lowered by vapor removal. May be the same as dehydration, classication,
or clarication.
QUIESCENTState of rest of a body. In entrainment separation, the body would
be a liquid. Also used to describe a sump containing evacuated liquids or solids.
RATE OF FLOWSee ow rate.
RATE OF FLOW CONTROLValve operated by differential pressure across an
orice for control of the rate at which a product ows through a housing.
RATED FLOWNormal operating ow rate at which a product is passed through
a housing; ow rate which a housing and medium are designed to accommodate.
RAW SLUDGEUntreated sewage sludge.
RECYCLEReturn of ltered liquid for another ltering; a continuous ow of liquid
through an open or closed system.
RED MUDFilter cake in sodium aluminate ltration.
REDISTILLRe-treat a distillate.
REENTRAINMENTProcess of rendering particles airborne again after they
have been deposited from an airstream Example: particles captured in a lter may
be reentrained if the velocity through the lter is increased slightly or if the lter is
subjected to increased vibration.
REGENERATEDCleaned of impurities and made reusable.
REGENERATED CELLULOSEThose rayons in which the cellulose raw
material is changed physically but not chemically. Viscose, cuprammonium and
nitrocellulose rayons are of this type.
REJECTSUndesired materials from ore disintegration.
RELATIVE HUMIDITYPercentage relation that the actual amount of water vapor
present in the given volume of air at a denite temperature bears to the maximum
amount of water vapor that would be present if the air were saturated with water
vapor at that temperature.
REPACKCylindrical element used in a single-stage lter separator for removal
of one liquid and coarse solids from another liquid. May be used as a single
element, a combination of waters, or a cluster type. Medium may be excelsior,
glass bers, or steel wool: or a combination of glass bers and metal mesh.
Q
R
33119_Facet_v2.indd 33 2/18/09 1:52:54 PM
34 35
repair kit rfso
REPAIR KITComposite of frequently replaced parts for an accessory item to
permit the replacement of all high mortality parts.
REPELLENCYQuality of repelling water, or being hydrophobic; opposite of
water wettable.
REPLACEABLEElement which is to be discarded after use and replaced with
an identical element. Same as disposable. Opposite of reusable.
RESIDUESolids deposited upon the lter medium during ltration in sufcient
thickness to be removed in sheets or sizable pieces. Sometimes referred to as
cake or discharged solids.
RESIN IMPREGNATEDTreatment of ber used in lter elements. Impregnation
is carefully controlled in the manufacture of cellulose and provides a binder for
the bers which must be cured to specication during cartridge manufacture to
preserve all the properties of the original specication for the cellulose.
RESIN IMPREGNATIONFilter papers used to construct pleated paper
cartridges in order to give high mechanical strength. Typically 30% by weight of
phenol formaldehyde, polyurethane or epoxide resins are added.
RESIN-WOOLFilter material for the removal of particles from a gas
stream. Usually made by carding degreased wool with a rosin-modied
phenolformaldehyde resin. Used largely in industrial respirators. Also wool resin
lter.
RESISTANCEVentilation lter. Pressure drop across a lter at a stated ow and
under given conditions; generally expressed in millimeters water gauge, or in SI
units as N/m
2
or Pascals. See also ow resistance.
RETAINERAny device which holds a component in place.
RETENTIONAbility of lter medium to retain particles of a given size.
RETROFITTerm used for the conversion of a lter or lter separator.
RETROFITTINGModifying equipment to make changes of added features that
have been an improvement to product.
REUSABLEElement which may be cleaned and used again. Opposite of
disposable or replaceable.
REVERSE OSMOSISMembrane separation process whereby a solvent is
recovered from a solution. Permeability of the membrane is naturally very low
since solutes are to be retained, and the normal osmotic pressure effect has to
be overcome because the pressure required to cause the solvent to ow is high.
To help the permeability, membranes are thin and it is necessary to support them
well. They can be cast on porous tubes or as hollow bers, and these forms
are convenient for giving large areas as well as strong congurations. There is
a constant ow across the membrane to prevent buildup of solid particles. The
puried liquid is known as permeate and is almost always the desired product
although proposals for using the concentrate, e.g., in fruit juices, have been
investigated. See osmosis.
REYNOLDS NUMBERAny of several dimensionless quantities, of form LV
P
/N in
theory of uid motion.
RFSORaised face slip-on. Describes ange facing.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 34 2/18/09 1:52:55 PM
34 35
rfwn separation
RFWNRaised face weld neck. Describes ange facing.
RTJRing type joint. Describes a ange facing. May be either slip-on, weld neck,
or long weld neck.
RUNSCycles or batches.
SAE NUMBERClassication of lubricating oils for crankcases and
transmissions in terms of viscosity as standardized by the Society of Automotive
Engineers.
SAND FILTERFilter composed of layers of sand, graded in particle size so that
the coarser particles face the unltered ow. Commonly employed in ltration of
water supplies. Filters of this type (perhaps incorporating crushed coke and grit)
have occasionally been used for removal of particles from gases. See deep bed.
SAYBOLT SECONDS UNIVERSAL (SSU)Units of viscosity as measured by
observing the time in seconds required for 60 ml. of a uid to drain through a
tubular orice 0.483 inches long by 0.0695 inches in diameter at stated conditions
of temperature and pressure.
SCAVENGERA lter or element in the bottom of a lter that recovers the liquid
heel that remains in a lter tank at the end of a cycle.
SCFDStandard cubic feet per day.
SCFHStandard cubic feet per hour.
SCFMStandard cubic feel per minute.
SCREENCovering for element for physical protection; also used as a basic
material for a separator element or the basket in a basket strainer. May have
special coating such as Teon

*.
SCREW BASEElement base which is threaded to mounting by screwing the
cartridge onto the cartridge adaptor.
SEALAny device which serves the purpose of sealing. Examples: center seal,
gaskets, O-Rings, and mounting caps. May also include two precision machined
surfaces that seal, referred to as a metal to metal seal.
SEAL NUTGasketed nut which holds element cap in place.
SEDIMENTATIONAction of the settling of the suspended solids.
SELECTOR VALVEComponent of a pressure gauge which permits
independent pressure readings at two or three points.
SELF-CLEANINGFiltering device designed to clean itself by the use of a
blowdown or backwash action. Medium is commonly a screen mounted on a
cylindrical drum or device that removes bulk solids from large ow rates. Bafe
in rst stage aids in the separation of solids by impingement. Blowdown may
be continual or intermittent and operated either manually or automatically by
instruments.
SEPARATIONAction of separating solids or liquids from uids. May be
accomplished by impingement, ltration, or by coalescing. Term separation is
used by some to refer to separation of liquids; also used to describe the action in
the second stage of two-stage separation.
* Teon is a registered trademark of E.l. DuPont de Nemours Co., (Inc.)
S
33119_Facet_v2.indd 35 2/18/09 1:52:56 PM
36 37
septum silting index
SEPTUMAny permeable material that supports the lter media.
SERIES AGBFacets designation for a series of air/gas lters and entrainment
separators designed in one- to four-stages for use in removing solids and liquids
from air or gases.
SERIES BFacets designation for basket strainers.
SERIES CKFFacets designation for lter conversion kits.
SERIES CKSFacets designation for separator conversion kits.
SERIES CYFacets designation for cyclone type lters.
SERIES FFacets designation for fullers earth lters and elements for adsorption
and ion exchange applications; not for products containing polar additives and not
for large amounts of water.
SERIES FCFacets designation for single-stage liquid lter coalescer.
SERIES FCSFacets designation for two-stage, horizontal lter separators, for
removal of Solids and liquid from another immiscible liquid.
SERIES FGFacets designation for Fuel-Gard

products qualied to the l.P.

monitor specication.
SERIES GNGFacets designation for products using absorptive type elements
for military and commercial applications.
SERIES HPFacets designation for single-stage liquid lter separator using one or
more repacks as medium, primarily for separation of water from light liquid streams.
SERIES MFacets designation for series of liquid lters for removal of insoluble
contaminates, all using uniform sized M Series surface and depth type lter
cartridges.
SERIES PFCFacets designation for two-stage liquid prelter coalescer.
SERIES PFCSFacets designation for three-stage liquid prelter coalescer
separator.
SERIES RFacet designation for lters using nominal 10 Duro-Gard cartridges
in larger welded housings.
SERIES VCSFacets designation for two-stage vertical coalescer separator for
removal of solids and liquid from another immiscible liquid.
SERIES VFCSFacets designation for two-stage vertical lter coalescer
separator for removal of solids and liquid from another immiscible liquid.
SERVICE LIFELength of time an element operates before reaching the
maximum allowable pressure drop.
SERVICEDHousing which has had old elements removed and replacement
elements installed; servicing may also include installation of new head gasket,
repair of accessories, cleaning, etc.
SHELLOuter wall of a housing. Also referred to as a body or housing.
SILICA GELRegenerated adsorbent, consisting of amorphous silica. Used as a
drying or dehumidifying agent for gases, liquids, or oils. Also used in certain types
of packaging where moisture may be a problem.
SILTING INDEXMeasurement of the tendency of a uid to cause silting in close
tolerance devices as a result of ne particles and gelatinous materials being
suspended in the uid; measured by a silting index apparatus.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 36 2/18/09 1:52:56 PM
36 37
septum silting index
SEPTUMAny permeable material that supports the lter media.
SERIES AGBFacets designation for a series of air/gas lters and entrainment
separators designed in one- to four-stages for use in removing solids and liquids
from air or gases.
SERIES BFacets designation for basket strainers.
SERIES CKFFacets designation for lter conversion kits.
SERIES CKSFacets designation for separator conversion kits.
SERIES CYFacets designation for cyclone type lters.
SERIES FFacets designation for fullers earth lters and elements for adsorption
and ion exchange applications; not for products containing polar additives and not
for large amounts of water.
SERIES FCFacets designation for single-stage liquid lter coalescer.
SERIES FCSFacets designation for two-stage, horizontal lter separators, for
removal of Solids and liquid from another immiscible liquid.
SERIES FGFacets designation for Fuel-Gard

products qualied to the l.P.

monitor specication.
SERIES GNGFacets designation for products using absorptive type elements
for military and commercial applications.
SERIES HPFacets designation for single-stage liquid lter separator using one or
more repacks as medium, primarily for separation of water from light liquid streams.
SERIES MFacets designation for series of liquid lters for removal of insoluble
contaminates, all using uniform sized M Series surface and depth type lter
cartridges.
SERIES PFCFacets designation for two-stage liquid prelter coalescer.
SERIES PFCSFacets designation for three-stage liquid prelter coalescer
separator.
SERIES RFacet designation for lters using nominal 10 Duro-Gard cartridges
in larger welded housings.
SERIES VCSFacets designation for two-stage vertical coalescer separator for
removal of solids and liquid from another immiscible liquid.
SERIES VFCSFacets designation for two-stage vertical lter coalescer
separator for removal of solids and liquid from another immiscible liquid.
SERVICE LIFELength of time an element operates before reaching the
maximum allowable pressure drop.
SERVICEDHousing which has had old elements removed and replacement
elements installed; servicing may also include installation of new head gasket,
repair of accessories, cleaning, etc.
SHELLOuter wall of a housing. Also referred to as a body or housing.
SILICA GELRegenerated adsorbent, consisting of amorphous silica. Used as a
drying or dehumidifying agent for gases, liquids, or oils. Also used in certain types
of packaging where moisture may be a problem.
SILTING INDEXMeasurement of the tendency of a uid to cause silting in close
tolerance devices as a result of ne particles and gelatinous materials being
suspended in the uid; measured by a silting index apparatus.
single-pass space
SINGLE-PASSThis test system is designed to be representative of a typical lter
circuit. Fresh contaminate is introduced in slurry form into the test reservoir, mixed
with the uid in the reservoir, and pumped through the test lter. Contaminant not
captured by lter is removed by a clean-up lter before uid is returned to reservoir.
SINGLE-STAGE FILTER SEPARATORSLiquid or air/gas lter separators
containing only one type or kind of replaceable element, as opposed to two-stage,
three-stage, or four-stage lter separators.
SIZE DISTRIBUTIONProportion of particles of each size (by mass, number
or volume) in a powder or suspension. See also particle size distribution, size
grading, number distribution, mass distribution and volume distribution.
SKID-MOUNTEDOne or more housings with pump and motor, all mounted on a
portable platform.
SLAGWaste from blast furnaces or from burning bituminous coal.
SLIMESSlurry of ne solids; material to be ltered. Also referred to as
concentrate, feed inuent, intake, liquor, mud, prelt, pulp, or sludge.
SLUDGEResidues and deposits occasionally formed by oils after extended use;
material to be ltered. Also referred to as concentrate, feed, inuent, intake, liquor,
mud, prelt, pulp, or slimes.
SLUG VALVEPilot operated valve system which shuts off the ow of liquid when
ow through the lter separator contains a slug of liquid such as water. Also
called a discharge valve.
SLURRYThin, watery suspension; a material to be ltered.
SMOGTerm applied to a fog accompanied by pollution from industrial sources.
Also applied to the haze of ne particles and gases over cities.
SMOKEA disperse system of particles generally less than 5 micron in size.
Smokes are of low vapor pressure and are formed by, for example, volatilization
and condensation, oxidation, photochemical action or electric and mechanical
pulverization.
SOFT IRON FILLEDGasket with small, soft particles of iron compressed into the
basic material.
SOLIDSMass or matter contained in a stream, considered undesirable and
should be removed; that part of the discontinuous phase removed from liquid or
gas through ltration.
SOLUBLECapable of being dissolved in a uid. Opposite of insoluble.
SOLUTELiquid which has passed through the lter. Also referred to as discharge
liquor, efuent, ltrate, mother liquor, or strong liquor.
SOLUTIONSingle-phase combination of liquid and non-liquid substances, or two
or more liquids.
SOLVENTSubstance, usually a liquid, in which another substance becomes
dissolved; solvent will generally comprise the greater part of the solution.
SONOCOTrade name for Kraft impregnated paperboard center tube.
SP. G.Species gravity. The weight of any substance relative to the weight of
water (water Sp. G. = 1.0).
SPACEArea available to install a lter, lter separator, or entrainment separator.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 37 2/18/09 1:52:57 PM
38 39
space savers strong liquor
SPACE SAVERSSmall compact Facet two-stage liquid lter separators or liquid
lters which may be either horizontal or vertical and which occupy small oor
space.
SPECIFIC GRAVITYRatio of Weight of any volume of a substance to the weight
of an equal volume of another substance. Water for solids and liquids, and air or
hydrogen for gases.
SPECTROPHOTOMETERLaboratory instrument which measures the wave
length and intensity of a light emitted by most chemical elements. When a sample
is atomized and burned, the presence of most elements may be determined by
their spectra (wave length) emission down to the parts per million range.
SPIN-ON-FILTERCartridge lter in which the lter body and the lter element
have been constructed as an integral disposable item. Filter change is quick
by spinning off the used unit from a xed lter head and quickly spinning on a
replacement unit.
SPINNINGMethod of forming pressure housing heads.
SPORE FORMING BACTERIABacteria which forms a resting cell, difcult to
destroy.
SQUATTYOne type of open meter proving tank or a lter, both being designed
in a low silhouette.
SSAbbreviation for stainless steel without reference to type or material
specication.
STACKOne or more cartridges mounted on a single column.
STATIC GENERATIONResult of friction between two non-conductors such
as lter or lter separator elements and hydrocarbons; retained in the liquid
dielectric.
STEEL JACKETED ASBESTOSGasket material; gasket with a steel jacket on
the sealing surfaces of the basic material.
STOCKPaper pulp feed; designation of a particular oil in renery; bright stock.
STOKES DIAMETERDiameter of a sphere having the same density and the
same free falling speed as the particle when moving in a homogeneous uid, of
the same density and viscosity, under conditions of laminar ow.
STOKES LAWA physical law which approximates the velocity of a particle
falling under the action of gravity through a uid. The particle will accelerate until
the frictional drag of the uid just balances the gravitational acceleration, after
which it will continue to fall at a constant velocity known as the terminal or free-
settling velocity.
STOOLDevice on the cartridge mounting plate used to mount an element. Also
called a cartridge adaptor.
STRATIFICATIONCondition in which the larger particles settle out below the
ner ones. Also referred to as a classication.
STREAMTerm sometimes used and synonymous with the words product,
liquid, etc., in speaking of any matter processed by ltration or ltration separation
equipment.
STRONG LIQUORLiquid which has passed through the lter. Also referred to
as discharge liquor, efuent, ltrate, mother liquor, or solute.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 38 2/18/09 1:52:58 PM
38 39
substrate terminal velocity
SUBSTRATESubstance on which an enzyme or ferment acts; a basic material
used in making lter medium, usually in a deposit type process.
SUMPCollecting area of a housing, located downstream from the coalescer
elements, in which coalesced droplets of the dispersed phase are deposited; also
called water leg. May also be used to collect solids in applications where gross
solids are present in a stream; also called mud sump.
SUPERNATANTLiquid above settled solids.
SURFACEThat part of the medium which is perpendicular to the direction of
ow. Also surface medium which provides ltration, as opposed to media which
may be considered depth media.
SURFACE ENERGYMolecular reaction; the breaking away of ion particles from
a mass.
SURFACE FILTERFilter material that retains particles wholly on its surface.
SURFACE TENSIONThat property of liquids which tends to contract the
exposed surface to the smallest possible area; i.e., cohesion between like
molecules.
SURFACE TENSITYState or quality of the exposed surface of liquids.
SURFACTANTSCoined expression for surface active agents which are
sometimes called emulsiers or wetting agents. First appeared in hydrocarbons
with the advent of the catalytic cracking process in rening. Caused by the
forming of sodium sulfonate and sodium napthanate molecules. Affects liquid/
liquid separation by reducing interfacial tension and forming into a slime which
blinds off the bers used in coalescing media.
SURGEPeak system pressure measured as a function of restricting or blocking
uid ow.
SUSPENDED SOLIDSSolids that do not dissolve in liquid; those that remain
suspended and can be removed by ltration.
SUSPENSIONAny liquid containing undissolved solids.
SWING BOLTType of housing head closure which reduces service time.
Opposite of thru-bolt ange where studs and nuts are used, such as with ASA
type anges.
TEFLON

Registered trade name of E.I. DuPont de Nemours Co., (Inc.) for a

material having non-stick characteristics. Facets screen separator cartridges are
made of Teon coated mesh and are hydrophobic (repel water). Sometimes a
Teon material is used for gaskets.
TEMPERATURE, ABSOLUTETemperature measured from absolute zero which
is minus 273C, or minus 460F; e.g., 70F is 460 plus 70 or 530R. (R stands for
degrees Rankin), and 70C is 273 plus 70 or 343 Kelvin.
TENSIOMETERDevice used to read the surface tension of a liquid, or to read
the interfacial tension between two immiscible liquids.
TERMINAL PRESSUREPressure drop across the unit at the time system is shut
down, or when the maximum allowable pressure drop is reached.
TERMINAL VELOCITYSteady velocity achieved by a falling particle when
gravitational forces are balanced by viscous forces. See Stokes Law.
T
33119_Facet_v2.indd 39 2/18/09 1:52:58 PM
40 41
thermal relief uniformity coefcient
THERMAL RELIEFValve which is preset to effect opening when pressure
becomes excessive due to increased atmospheric temperature.
THERMOSWITCHControl which is preset to start and stop immersion heater
operation at certain temperatures.
THREE-STAGE FILTER SEPARATORSLiquid prelter coalescer separators
containing three kinds or types of replaceable elements. Air/gas lter separators
containing two kinds of replaceable elements in addition to a rst-stage bafe. As
opposed to single-stage, two-stage, or four-stage lter separators.
THRU-BOLTType of housing closure using studs and nuts, such as in ASA type
anges.
TITRATIONMethod of analyzing a solution by adding another solution until a
given reaction is produced.
TORTUOUS PATHCrooked, twisting, or winding path which tends to trap or
stop solid particulate matter.
TOXICHaving a poisonous effect.
TRAMP OILFree oil contained in emulsion type machine tool coolants. May
be from machine leakage and from breakdown of the emulsifying agents in the
cutting oil. Impairs the efcient operation of some types of cutting oil lter and is
often removed by rotating steel drum of belt skimmers.
TRANSMISSIONPercentage of contaminant which passes through lter or lter
medium. Penetration and transmittance have the same meaning.
TRUE DENSITYMass of a particle divided by its volume, pores, etc., being
excluded from the volume calculation. See porosity.
TUBEEither center tube or cartridge mounting tube. Sometimes used to
describe a wound cartridge or glass bers formed into a cylinder with an open
center.
TUBE SHEETA cartridge mounting plate.
TURBIDITYAny insoluble particle that imparts opacity to a liquid. TURBULENT
FLOWFlow regime in which the ow characteristics are governed mainly by
the inertia of the uid. Turbulent ow in ducts is associated with high Reynolds
Number (Re). It also gives rise to high drag forces.
TWO-STAGE FILTER SEPARATORLiquid lter separators and prelter
coalescers containing two kinds or types of replaceable elements. Air/gas lter
separators containing one kind or type of replaceable element in addition to a
rst-stage bafe. As opposed to single-stage, three-stage, or four-stage lter
separators. Two-stage lter separators are considered the most efcient device to
separate immiscible liquids.
ULTRAFILTRATIONSeparation of colloidal solids from liquids through semi-
permeable medium.
UNIFORMITY COEFFICIENTSpecication factor applied to the sizing of the
sand used in water ltration plants. Ratio of the mesh size of the sieve which
permits 60% to pass through to the 10% through Size in a test sieving of a sand.
Common size used for these lters is 0.4 to 0.6 mm, and for such a range the
uniformity coefcient is usually specied to be not larger than 1.7.
U
33119_Facet_v2.indd 40 2/18/09 1:52:59 PM
40 41
uniformity of feed void restriction
UNIFORMITY OF FEEDUniformity of the mixture of the solids in the feed liquid.
UNLOADINGRelease downstream of trapped contaminate. Due to change in
ow rate, mechanical shock, vibration, excessive pressure build-up or medium
failure.
UPSTREAMPortion of the product stream which has not yet entered the system.
VACUUMA void; a perfectly empty space. Space at the upper end of a
barometric tube created by the tall of the mercury. The term vacuum is also
applied to pressures lower than atmospheric created by the partial removal of
atmospheric air. A very wide range of lters operate by subjecting the underside
of the lter cloth to vacuum so that atmospheric pressure above the lter cloth
creates an appreciable differential pressure.
VAPORA solid or a liquid in a gaseous form under normal conditions of
pressure and temperature.
VAPORGeneral term used to describe a gaseous substance below its critical
temperature. See critical state and critical temperature.
VEGETABLE FIBERPaper-like gasket material.
VELOCITYTime rate of motion in a given direction and sense.
VELOCITY HEADVelocity pressure or kinetic pressure. Is half the product of the
uid density and the square of the velocity in uid ow. Difference between total
and static pressure in incompressible ow.
VIBRA-PACKEDMechanical means used by Facet to ll clay treater bags and
canister type cartridges to maximum capacity with Attapulgus clay.
VISCOSITYDegree of uidity; property of uids molecular structure by virtue
of which they resist ow. Resistance to ow exhibited by a liquid resulting from
the combined effects of cohesion and adhesion. Units of measurement are poise
and stoke. A liquid has a viscosity of one poise if a force of one dyne per square
centimeter causes two parallel liquid surfaces one square centimeter in area
and one centimeter apart to move past one another at a rate of one centimeter
per second. There are a great many crude and empirical methods for measuring
viscosity which generally involve measurement of the time of ow or movement of
a ball, ring, or other object in a specially shaped or sized apparatus.
VISCOSITY INDEXNumerical value assigned to a lubricating oil which indicates
to what degree the oil changes in viscosity with change in temperature. Higher
(VI) viscosity index oils show the least amount of change.
VITON ATrade name for material used in gaskets and 0-rings.
VOID CHANNELSOpen passages of the medium through which the liquid
travels.
VOID RESTRICTION-Obstructions in the void openings which interfere with ow.
VOIDSOpenings in the medium. Also referred to as interstices or pores.
VOLUMETRIC FLOW RATEFluid ow expressed as a volume owing per unit
of time (cc.
3
/sec., ft.
3
/min., etc.).
V
33119_Facet_v2.indd 41 2/18/09 1:52:59 PM
42 43
wafer zeolite, articial
WAFERType of repack consisting of four or more cylindrical packs.
WASTEMaterial removed, rejected, or otherwise lost in various manufacturing
processes.
WATER LEGArea of housing for collection of water. See sump.
WATER WETTABLECapable of accepting water, or being hydrophilic; opposite
of repellency or hydrophobic.
WEIGHT OF SOLIDSMeasure of solid particulate matter contained in a uid
sample. May be reported in various units such as milligrams per liter, weight
percent, pounds per barrel, etc.
WET STRENGTHStrength of the medium when saturated with water. Can also
refer to the property obtained when an additive is imparted to a lter paper to give
it additional strength when wet.
WETTEDHaving accepted water or other liquid.
YOKEEnd cap used to hold a cartridge in place.
ZEOLITE, ARTIFICIALDesiccant made in various-sized pellets.
W
Y
Z
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42 43
Conversion Tables
33119_Facet_v2.indd 43 2/18/09 1:53:00 PM
44 45
Conversion Tables
33119_Facet_v2.indd 44 2/18/09 1:53:01 PM
44 45
Conversion Tables
33119_Facet_v2.indd 45 2/18/09 1:53:01 PM
46 47
Conversion Tables
33119_Facet_v2.indd 46 2/18/09 1:53:02 PM
46 47
Conversion Tables
33119_Facet_v2.indd 47 2/18/09 1:53:02 PM
48 49
Conversation Tables
33119_Facet_v2.indd 48 2/18/09 1:53:02 PM
48 49
Conversion Tables
33119_Facet_v2.indd 49 2/18/09 1:53:03 PM
50 51
Conversion Tables
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50 51
Conversion Tables
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52 53
Conversions - Temperatures
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52 53
Conversions - Temperatures
33119_Facet_v2.indd 53 2/18/09 1:53:05 PM
54 55
Conversions - Standard CFM to Actual CFM
EXAMPLE:
A dryer can handle 120 ACFM gas at 540F and 1000 psia. What is its SCFM
capacity?
SOLUTION:
Align t = 540F with ACFM = 120 and mark (1); align (1) with P = 1000(10)100
and read SCFM = (10)4254250
NOTE:
If P scale is multiplied by 10, 100, etc., multiply SCFM scale by same number.
Also, SCFM and ACFM scales can be simultaneously multiplied by the same
factor.
33119_Facet_v2.indd 54 2/18/09 1:53:05 PM
54 55
Fluid Viscosities
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56 57
Fluid Viscosities Saybolt Furol and Absolute Viscosity
= vp = vS
The empirical relation between Saybalt Universal
Viscosity and Saybolt Furol Viscosity at 100F
and 122F, respectively, and Kinematic Viscosity
is taken trom A.S.T.M. D2161-63T. At other
temperatures, the Saybolt Viscosities vary only
slightly.
Saybolt Viscosities above those shown are given
by the relationships:
Saybolt Universal Seconds = Centistokes x 4.6347
Saybolt Furol Seconds = Centistokes x 0.4717
S
a
y
b
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l
t

F
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V
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s
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n
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v
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r
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I
n

S
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d
s
v

K
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n
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m
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t
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c

V
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c
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t
y

i
n

C
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t
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s

A
b
s
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t
e

V
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c
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c
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t
y
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n

C
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t
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p
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s
S

S
p
e
c
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c

G
r
a
v
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t
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G
r
a
v
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t
y
,

I
n

D
e
g
r
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s

2
e

A
b
s
o
l
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t
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V
i
s
c
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c
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I
n

L
b
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S
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c
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F
t
2

o
r

S
l
u
g
s
/
F
t
/
S
e
c
v

2
e
.00002
33119_Facet_v2.indd 56 2/18/09 1:53:08 PM
56 57
Saybolt Furol and Absolute Viscosity
= vp = vS
The empirical relation between Saybalt Universal
Viscosity and Saybolt Furol Viscosity at 100F
and 122F, respectively, and Kinematic Viscosity
is taken trom A.S.T.M. D2161-63T. At other
temperatures, the Saybolt Viscosities vary only
slightly.
Saybolt Viscosities above those shown are given
by the relationships:
Saybolt Universal Seconds = Centistokes x 4.6347
Saybolt Furol Seconds = Centistokes x 0.4717
Example 1
To determine the absolute viscosity of
an oil which has a kinematic viscosity
of 82 centistokes and a specic gravity
of 0.83, connect 82 on the kinematic
viscosity scale with 0.83 on the specic
gravity scale; read 67 centipoise at the
intersection on the absolute viscosity
scale.
Example 2
To determine the absolute viscosity of
an oil having a specic gravity of 0.83
and a Saybolt Furol viscosity of 40
seconds, connect 0.83 on the specic
gravity scale with 40 seconds on the
Saybolt Furol scale; read 67 centipoise
at the intersection on the absolute
viscosity scale.
S
a
y
b
o
l
t

F
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l

V
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c
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S
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s
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n
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K
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L
b
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t
2

o
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S
l
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s
/
F
t
/
S
e
c
v

2
e
.00002
33119_Facet_v2.indd 57 2/18/09 1:53:09 PM
58 59
Viscosity and Gravity of Common Liquids
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58 59
Viscosity and Gravity of Common Liquids
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60 61
Viscosity and Gravity of Common Liquids
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60 61
Viscosity and Gravity of Common Liquids
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62 63
API and Baum Gravities and Weight Factors
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62 63
API and Baum Gravities and Weight Factors
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64 65
API and Baum Gravities and Weight Factors
NOTES
The relation of Degrees Baum or API to Specic Gravity is expressed by the
following formulas:
G = Specic Gravity = ratio of the weight of a given volume of oil at 60
Fahrenheit to the weight of the same volume of water at 60 Fahrenheit.
The above tables are based on the weight of 1 gallon (U.S.) of oil with a volume
of 231 cubic inches at 60 Fahrenheit in air at 760 mm pressure and 50%
humidity. Assumed weight of 1 gallon of water at 60 Fahrenheit in air is 8.32828
pounds.
To determine the resulting gravity by mixing oils of different gravities:
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64 65
pH Scale
The pH Scale
In its simplest denition, pH can be delined as a measure of the acidity or
alkalinity of a substance, For instance, lemon juice is acid and lye is alkaline, The
pH scale is used to express the degree.
There are many hundreds of acids and alkalies of varying strength. Despite their
widely diverse properties, acids owe their acidity to the single property of actively
producing dissociated, or tree, hydrogen ions (H +) in solution; while alkalies
owe their alkalinity to the property of actively producing dissociated hydroxyt
ions (OH) in solution. However, all acid substances have some hydroxyl ions,
just as all alkaline substances have some hydrogen ions, and the product of the
two ions in solution is always a constant. Therefore, it is possible to express the
concentration of one ion relative to the other, rather than have a separate scale for
each.
Hydrogen ion concentration is used to express both acidity and alkalinity, since
an electrode that will sense hydrogen ion concentration is much more stable than
one which will sense hydroxyl ion concentration. Because numerical values for
the hydrogen ion concentration often are extremely small fractions (for example,
1/10,000,000), the pH scale is used instead. This scale is dened as the negative
logarithm (or the log of the reciprocal) of the hydrogen ion concentration. The
arbitrary term, pH, is simply a logarithmic index employing small numbers to
express hydrogen ion concentration.
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 (the pH of pure water) the neutral point
at which hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions exist at about the same concentration.
Numbers greater than 7 indicate the degree of alkalinity, and numbers less than
7 indicate the degree of acidity. The relationship between the two ions and acidity
and alkalinity is shown above. Note that the relative strength of acids and alkalies
changes tenfold for each unit change in pH. Thus, compared with a solution of
pH5, a solution of pH4 is ten times as acid, a solution of pH3 is a hundred limes as
acid, and a solution of pH2 is one thousand times as acid.
RELATIVE
STRENGTH
5
%

S
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f
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A
c
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M
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M
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B
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a
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W
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P
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W
a
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M
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A
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C
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O
r
a
n
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J
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J
u
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4
%

C
a
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s
t
i
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B
a
s
e

Increasing AcidityNeutralIncreasing Alkalinity
Increasing Hydrogen Ion Concentration
Increasing Hydroxyl Ion Concentration
33119_Facet_v2.indd 65 2/18/09 1:53:14 PM
66
Particles, Relative Size
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