Choosing a Proper Water Mesh Filter Element - BoshartU

Do you have heavy sediment or large volumes of scale, debris, sand, or grit that requires removal from your water filtration system? To successfully select an appropriate mesh filter element for your sediment filter or separator, it's essential to begin with a solid understanding of what options are available and the contaminants they remove from water.

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Water mesh filter elements are specifically designed to eliminate substantial amounts of sediment. In this article, we will discuss key factors to consider when choosing a mesh filter element.

Housing Selection

Identifying the correct housing is critical when selecting a filter element. If there's an existing housing installed, the size can be found on the inlet and outlet. When installing a new housing, understanding the desired flow rate is vital. For more details on flow rates, refer to our blog about typical household water flow rates.

Sediment filters and separators have significant flow rate overlaps between sizes. For instance, a 1" filter housing can accommodate a flow rate of 1-25 GPM while a 1-1/2" filter housing ranges from 10-50 GPM. If your flow rate lies within these parameters, opting for the smaller size ensures adequate centrifugal force for effective sand separation. Thus, if you're targeting a flow rate of 20 GPM, a 1" filter housing may be more suitable.

Element Type

Filter elements are generally available in two styles: filter and separator. While their operational principles are alike, separators can accumulate more sediment before needing to be purged. For more insights, refer to our blog on understanding the differences between sediment filters and separators.

The appearance of the filter may differ based on the size of the housing. For 1" housings, the filters have a similar appearance, but for 1-1/2" and 2" housings, the filters feature a shorter screened area and a stem that supports the filter part, allowing room for sediment accumulation at the bottom.

Mesh Material

Two primary mesh materials are typically utilized: polyester and stainless steel. Polyester mesh is crafted from non-corrosive materials and is weather-resistant and UV stabilized, while stainless steel mesh is made from 316 stainless steel, offering durability and corrosion resistance.

Stainless steel performs better against sharp sediments and particles, as it resists ripping. Although polyester was historically a more cost-effective choice, recent developments have made both options quite economical.

Mesh Size

The required mesh size depends on what contaminants must be filtered from the water. Terminology varies in filtration, but understanding these terminologies is crucial for selecting the appropriate mesh size. The opening size refers to the space between the materials through which water and particles can pass. Mesh size indicates the number of openings within one square inch of the screen, while the micron rating describes the distance between filter media. For more details, visit our blog that covers the basics of micron ratings.

When using a sediment filter or separator as a pre-filter for other water filtration products, ensure the mesh size corresponds to a larger micron rating. For instance, if your filter is rated at 80 microns, selecting a mesh size of 140 or smaller would be ideal.

For common scenarios, using a 24-mesh element can remove scale, while for sand, which is smaller, you may require a mesh element with a rating of 100 or even higher.

Understanding the volume of sand or sediment needing removal is vital in identifying the appropriate filter element. Regardless of your choice, cleaning the element is straightforward; a soft brush and a soak in a 50/50 bleach and water solution can effectively remove stains caused by minerals such as iron. Ensure to rinse the element thoroughly before reinstallation. You've now gathered insights into what goes into selecting a water mesh filter element and the options available.

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