Automatic

Back-Flushing Filter
for Process Technology
AutoFilt® RF3.

E 7.709.3/06.12
 AutoFilt® RF3: So automatic,
The Challenge
Particle contamination in process water
and other operating fluids accelerates
the rate of wear of system components,
pipelines and valves. The particles suspended
in these media also have a detrimental effect
on the quality of the end products.
In order to protect the operational infrastructure
and to guarantee shorter maintenance times,
it is essential to have a filtration system to
remove solid particles from operating fluids.

Using reliable filtration systems reduces the

operating and maintenance costs.
Filtration measures also increase operational
reliability.
As a basic principle, the filtration of operating
fluids is becoming increasingly important in
all branches of industry in order to guarantee
high quality end products.

The Solution
In process technology, the automatic
back-flushing filter, AutoFilt® RF3 series,
has been highly successful.
Its flow-optimized design is impressive.
It has the further advantage of
conical, slotted tube filter elements
in stainless steel which provide
consistent flow characteristics,
optimum filtration and unbeatable
"ideal" filtration and back-flushing
characteristics.

Thanks to automatic back-flushing,

the filter is cleaned independently
without interrupting the ongoing
filter operation.
The HYDAC AutoFilt® RF3 is therefore
very low-maintenance. Its robust design,
specially developed for retrofitting,
makes installation in both existing and
new systems fast and cost-effective.
Numerous operators of power stations,
district heating, sewage treatment plants
and manufacturing plants have relied
on this dependable filter for many years.
E 7.709.3/06.12

2
you might forget it's there.
Industries and Applications
The diverse range of applications makes the HYDAC AutoFilt® RF3
ideal for use in numerous sectors of industry:
Power industry
• Conditioning of industrial water
used to cool generators
• Filtration of sealing water to increase the service life
of the turbine shaft floating ring seals
in hydroelectric power stations
Steel industry
• Filtration of process water to protect nozzles
and pumps in high pressure descaling
• Water conditioning for cooling
blast furnaces and rolling mills
• Emulsion filtration in hot and cold rolling mills
• Filtration of rolling emulsions
Paper industry
• Protection of all types of nozzles
on paper machines

• Treatment of fresh water (e.g. river water)

to be used for cooling
Automotive industry
Applications
• Filtration of coolant lubricants
• Removal of solid particles
from low-viscosity fluids • Filtration of washing fluids
• Can be used in almost all sectors of industry • Protection of machine tools

Ready-to-operate unit Marine

• All components (control, differential pressure • Pre-filtration for
gauge, back-flushing valve, gear motor) ballast water conditioning systems
are already installed on the filter, ready to use
• Once the pipework has been connected,
all that is required is for the auxiliary power
supply to be applied
Chemical industry
• Cooling water filtration
Fully automatic operation
• Waste water filtration
• Highly reliable
• Filtration of chemicals
• User intervention not required
• Low operating costs
• Individually adjustable control parameters Oil and gas industry
• Filtration of injection water
Isokinetic filtration • Filtration of cooling water
and back-flushing • Filtration of service water
• Maximum utilization of the filter area • Filtration of flushing water (pipeline flushing)
• Full filtration performance after back-flushing • Filtration solution for the subsea sector
• Complete cleaning Water / waste water conditioning
of the conical filter elements
• Protective filter before membrane systems

Variable housing configuration • Conditioning of service water

in sewage treatment plants
• Reduced costs due to simple
and space-saving installation
• Simple to install
Mining
E 7.709.3/06.12

• Filtration of water for shield spraying

Easy to service
• Filtration of water for coal-cutting machinery
• Low maintenance requirement
• Treatment of cooling water
• Low operating costs
for mine ventilation
7
 Performance enhanced by Isokinetics.
Isokinetic filtration Choice of filter materials
and back-flushing SuperMesh wire mesh
The special conical shape and
configuration of the filter elements
allow consistent flow, resulting in
a low pressure drop and
complete cleaning of the elements.

Advantages:
Fewer back-flushing cycles Material: stainless steel
Lower back-flushing losses Filtration rating: 25 µm – ≤ 60 µm

Slotted tube

Efficiency of back-flushing
Filter elements:
Cylindrical vs. Conical

Material: stainless steel

Filtration rating: 50 µm – 3 mm

Function model
Filtration Back-flushing

low high
E 7.709.3/06.12

3
 Automatically efficient.
Filtration Filtration Back-flushing
The fluid to be filtered flows through the
filter elements of the back-flushing filter,
passing from the inside to the outside.
Contamination particles then collect
on the inside of the filter elements.
As the level of contamination increases,
the differential pressure between
the contaminated and clean sides
of the filter increases.

When the differential pressure

reaches the pre-set trigger point,
back-flushing starts automatically.

Triggering back-flushing
Automatic back-flushing is triggered:
– When the differential pressure
trigger point is exceeded,
– By means of an adjustable timer
– By pressing the TEST button.

Back-flushing
- The gear motor rotates the flushing arm
under the filter elements and ensures
the contamination is discharged
– The contamination is flushed away
through the open back-flushing valve

The pressure drop between filtrate side

and back-flushing line flushes a small
amount of the filtrate back through
the contaminated filter elements.
The contamination particles collected
on the inside of the filter elements
are loosened and flushed into the
backflushing line via the flushing arm.
After the "back-flushing time per element"
has expired, or after one revolution
(EU version), the back-flushing valve
is closed. In this way, all the filter elements
are back-flushed, one after the other.
A back-flushing cycle is terminated once
all filter elements have been cleaned.

Pulse-aided
back-flushing
On the control types EPT and PT,
the flushing arm remains under the filter
element for only a few seconds.

Rapid opening of the pneumatic

back-flushing valve generates a pressure
surge in the filter element openings,
and supplements the cleaning effect
of the back-flushing process.
E 7.709.3/06.12

The back-flushing valve opens and

closes during back-flushing of each
filter element (back-flushing volumes
are lower in pulse-aided control).
4
 Safety assured by proven Technology. And best Practice.
Simple to install Individual System solutions
control parameters
The differential pressure
trigger point and
back-flushing time per
element can be
adjusted to best suit
the process conditions.
Timer relays can be
used to trigger
additional cleaning
intervals, independently
of the differential
pressure.
The control sequence
is visualized by
light-emitting diodes.

Variable filter isometry: A second microswitch on the

The inlet and outlet flanges pressure gauge can be used for
external signal monitoring.
as well as the back-flushing line can be
configured in different positions.
This means that the filter can be Operating safety
integrated easily into any system layout.
Static seal between
contaminated and clean side
Tried-and-tested components
Robust construction
Flow optimized filter design
The filter was developed using
the latest computer-aided
Technical specifications
flow simulation. at a glance *
Maximum operating pressure
6, 10 or 16 bar (size-dependent)
Operating temperature
90 °C
Filtration ratings
25 µm to 3 mm
Power supply
Electropneumatic,
electric or pneumatic
Material of filter housing
Carbon steel or stainless steel
Material of filter elements
Stainless steel
Material of internal parts
Stainless steel
Corrosion protection
for carbon steel filter housing
Polyurethane coating
or rubber coating
The particularly good flow characteristics
allow the filter to be compact whilst Connection sizes
achieving high filtration performance DN 50 to DN 1000
with low pressure drop.
* The information in this brochure
relates to the operating conditions
and applications described.
For applications
E 7.709.3/06.12

and operating conditions

not described, please contact the
relevant technical department.
Subject to technical modifications.
5
Numerous Advantages due to Special Features.
Performance
High processing performance Flow rate up to 10,000 m3/h

High throughput with compact dimensions Flow-optimized filter

Maximum utilization of the filter area

Isokinetic filtration and back-flushing
Full filtration performance after back-flushing

Continuous flow of filtrate

No interruption to operation even during back-flushing

Consistently high quality Certified to ISO 9001

Unbeatable ∆p curve
Optimum element geometry provides Conical filter elements
consistent flow without reverse flow
through the filter element

Global Presence Worldwide Service

Long service life Components tried and tested in thousands of applications

Customized adaptation to the particular application Numerous equipment options

Individually adjustable control parameters

Additional dynamic element cleaning Pulse-aided back-flushing

with low loss of flushing fluid

Costs
Excellent price-performance ratio Extensive standard equipment for real-world applications

Highly reliable
User intervention not required Fully automatic operation
Low operating costs

Reduced costs due to simple and space-saving installation Variable housing isometry

Simple installation and commissioning

Ready-to-operate unit
Safety guaranteed by HYDAC function test

Maintenance
Low maintenance costs Easy to service
E 7.709.3/06.12

Guaranteed high quality filtrate

Static seal between contaminated and clean side
Low maintenance

6
 Accumulators E 30.000
Global Presence.
Local Expertise.
Filter Technology E 70.000
Process Technology E 77.000
Filter Systems E 79.000
Compact Hydraulics E 53.000
www.hydac.com

HYDAC Head Office

HYDAC Companies
HYDAC Sales and Service Partners
Accessories E 61.000
Electronics E 180.000

Head Office Industriegebiet Grube König

HYDAC PROCESS TECHNOLOGY Am Wrangelflöz 1
GMBH 66538 Neunkirchen
Germany
Cooling Systems DEF 5.700

Telephone:
+49 (0) 6897-509-1241
E 7.709.3/06.12

Fax:
+49 (0) 6897-509-1278
E-Mail: prozess-technik@hydac.com
Internet: www.hydac.com