All of the simplex and duplex basket strainers available from BM Engineering Supplies are expertly crafted from cast iron by respected manufacturers, Leengate Valves . Benefits of using a cast iron basket strainer It is advised that two gate valves are fitted to either side of this unit, ensuring all water is shut off when the baskets are being emptyed (1.5″ Valterra gate valves fit directly into the inlet and outlets) Example: In the food industry, and for the sterilisation of process equipment in the pharmaceutical industry. These strainers are a go-to resource in most steam applications, as their shape is built to handle the high pressure that exists in these environments. Liquid applications A simple Y strainer can keep these components, which are some of the most valuable and expensive parts of the pipeline, protected from the presence of pipe scale, rust, sediment or any other kind of debris. Y strainers, also referred to as wye strainers, are available in various designs and connection types. Y strainer design

There are number of different types of self-cleaning strainer, which enable the build up of debris on the screen to be removed without shutting down the plant. The cleaning process can be initiated either manually or automatically; furthermore, strainers that are automatically cleaned can usually be set to clean either on a periodic basis, or when the pressure drop across the strainer increases. Used whenever high flow capacities are required, basket strainers are serviced by removing the cover. This will provide access to the basket which can then be removed, cleaned and replaced as required. Why you might consider using a duplex basket strainer A Y strainer is a one-way strainer, so ensure the arrow that indicates flow direction will be pointing in the right direction. The screening area is the area available for removing debris. A larger screening area means that the frequency of blowdown for cleaning the screen is considerably reduced.Although there are exceptions, size for size, Y-type strainers have a lower dirt holding capacity than basket strainers, which means that they require more frequent cleaning. On steam systems, this is generally not a problem, except where high levels of rust are present, or immediately after commissioning when large amounts of debris can be introduced. On applications where significant amounts of debris are expected, a blowdown valve can usually be fitted in the strainer cap, which enables the strainer to use the pressure of the steam to be cleaned, and without having to shut down the plant. Fluoro rubber: There are a few different seal materials that have a fluoro rubber base: FKM, FPM, and Viton. These seals are noted for their resistance to chemicals and weathering. Basket type strainers can only be installed in horizontal pipelines, and for larger, heavier basket strainers, the base of the strainer needs to be supported. For steam, a Y-type strainer is the usual standard and is almost universally used. Its body has a compact cylindrical shape that is very strong and can handle high pressures. It is literally a pressure vessel, and it is not uncommon for Y-type strainers to be able to handle pressures of up to 400 bar g. The use of strainers at these pressures is however complicated by the high temperatures associated with steam at this pressure; and subsequently exotic materials such as chrome molybdenum steel have to be used. A Y strainer cannot function properly without a properly sized mesh filter. There are two terms that describe the size of the openings in the strainer through which debris passes. One is micron and the other is mesh size. Though these are two different measurements, they describe the same thing. What is a micron?

Basket strainers are also available in duplex styles as well as the standard singlex variants. Duplex basket strainers do not require shut-off when they become clogged or need to be cleaned. This means that they can be serviced without interrupting the flow of process fluids. As such, a duplex basket strainer would be prefered for continuous flow applications wherever businesses require systems to run without any downtime. Here, BM Engineering Supplies discusses the similarities and differences between basket strainers and Y-strainers, as well as providing valuable insights to help you to make an informed decision if you’re in the market for inline filter strainers. What are basket strainers? Basket strainers are synonymous with the term “simplex strainer”, despite other strainer types belonging to this family. Much like Y-strainers, their name derives from their shape. Because of how the basket element seals within the chamber, as well as the location of the drain port itself, these inline filter strainers favour a horizontal installation. The basket type or pot type strainer is characterised by a vertically orientated chamber, typically larger than that of a Y-type strainer. Size for size, the pressure drop across a basket strainer is less than that across the Y-type as it has a greater free straining area, which makes the basket type strainer the preferred type for liquid applications. As the dirt holding capacity is also greater than in Y-type strainers, the basket type strainer is also used on larger diameter steam pipelines. There is no one-size-fits-all Y strainer that meets every need. That's why it's important to understand the application requirements before selecting a strainer. Typical Y strainer applications

Inline Strainer Unit

The problem with this dimension is that the screens are two-dimensional and the particle must reach the hole in a certain orientation. Therefore, if a long thin particle reached the strainer ‘face on’, it may be allowed to pass through the screen. However, if it hit the hole ‘side on’ it would be stopped. If this is likely to be a problem, a finer mesh should be used. When basket type strainers are used on steam systems, a significant amount of condensate may be formed. Consequently, strainers designed for use in steam systems usually have a drain plug, which can be fitted with a steam trap to remove the condensate. Select the housing material based on the application's environment. To do this, it's necessary to understand the chemical resistances of the materials. Are Y strainers affordable?

The Y strainer can be installed vertically or horizontally, but the filter leg must be pointing downwards to ensure that any filtered material does note interfere with the main flow. A micron (micrometer) is a unit of length that's used to measure tiny particles. For scale, a micrometer is one thousandth of a millimeter or about one 25-thousandths of an inch. What is mesh size? The chart below is a handy resource to help convert from mesh to micron (or vice-versa). Mesh Screen Natural gas and air applications tend to have a low operating pressure, so proper sizing to reduce a pressure drop from inlet to outlet is important. FAQs How should I install my strainer? The outlet and inlet of the unit is 60.3mm/(2″ pressure) ID, with the addition of hostails or reducers this unit can be used in conjunction with any systemuse some form of mechanical scraper or brush, which is raked over the screen surface. It dislodges any debris that is trapped in the screen, causing it to fall down into a collection area at the bottom of the strainer.