Miscellaneous Mechanical ComponentsDOE-HDBK-1018/2-93FILTERS AND STRAINERSIn the filter assembly illustrated in Figure 21, the cartridges are held between plates so that theFigure 20 Typical Multi-Cartridge Filterwater must pass through the layer of yarn to reach the filter outlet. The type of yarn that is useddepends on the application. Some of the fibers commonly used include resin-impregnated woolor cellulose, cotton-viscose, polypropylene, nylon, and glass. In some applications that involvehigh temperatures or pressures, porous metal cartridges are used. These cartridges are usuallymade of 316 stainless steel, but inconel, monel, and nickel are also used.Depending on the fiber or metal that is used,Figure 21 Cartridge Filtercartridges are available that will filter out allparticle matter down to a specified size. Forexample, a certain cartridge might bedesigned to remove all particles larger than10 microns, one micron, or even 0.1 micron.(A micron is 10-3 millimeters.)Cartridge filters have the advantage of beingrelatively inexpensive to install and operate.Instruments measure the differential pressureacross these filters to let the operator knowwhen a filter is plugged and must bereplaced. When the cartridges are removedfrom radioactive systems, the radiation levelscan be very high. For this reason, thecartridges may be withdrawn into a shielded cask for moving to a storage area or a solid wasteprocessing area. When the porous metal cartridges become plugged, they can be cleanedultrasonically and reused. When this is done, the cleaning solution becomes contaminated andmust be processed as liquid radioactive waste.Rev. 0ME-05Page 41
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