As the name suggests, pre-brass water filters work before a fine filter to ensure all the large suspended particles are trapped in it before moving further into the fine filtration.
The working principles of both filters are the same, but there is a difference between them. In this ultimate guide, you will learn about a brass pre-filter for water.
What Is A Pre-Filter?
It is a small filter used for trapping large, undissolved suspended particles of dust, sand, grime, etc.
Along with doing its work, it also ensures the efficiency of the primary filtration system so that it can only focus on filtering fine particles.
How Is It Different From the Post-Filter or Fine Filter?
The pre-filter acts in the same way as if you give a pre-rinse to your dirty clothes before putting them in the wash, whereas the post-filter will do the final rinsing, thereby giving maximum filtering efficiency.
It is designed to trap large sand silt and sediment particles, so it has also been named a sediment filter.
A pre-filter protects the fine and HEPA filter from wearing out and focuses on filtering other harmful particles, including tiny allergens, so the water from the faucet should be fit for drinking uses.
Parts of a Sediment Filter
A sediment filter consists of a filter head, inlet, outlet, cartridge, and pressure relief button.
The unfiltered water passes to the filter inlet, from where it goes to the filter head and, finally, the filter housing, which surrounds the filter cartridge.
The inside pressure causes the water to go to the open central core from the filter cartridge. Now, the filtered water flows upward and is ready to mix in the main filtration system. The pressure relief button, when opened, releases the trapped particles downward for cleaning purposes.
Raw Materials of Brass Pre-Filter:
A brass pre-filter is made up of the following raw materials. Each material has its function in the working and performance of brass pre-filter.
1. Brass
Brass is an alloy composed of copper and zinc having small quantities of other metals like aluminum, lead, or tin used in the body of the filter.
2. Copper
Copper, the chief component of brass, is extremely corrosion-resistant and is a hard-wearing part of pre-filters.
3. Zinc
Zinc is also used with copper to make brass. This mixture is used due to its improved strength.
4. Lead
Lead is used in minute quantities in alloys and mixtures.
5. Filter Media
The filtering part inside a pre-filter contains materials like stainless steel mesh, activated carbon, or polypropylene.
6. Rubber/silicon
Rubber and silicon components are used as sealants in pre-filters to ensure proper working.
7. Plastic or Rubber Parts
Plastic or rubber parts are also used in handles, knobs, or other external parts.
Size of Brass Pre-Filter:
The sizes of brass pre-filters vary and depend upon their application. Their sizes can firstly be categorized as:
a) Connection Size:
The connection size includes the diameter of the inlet and outlet ports that connect the pre-filter to the plumbing system. Connection sizes can be:
- ½ inch
- ¾ inch
- 1 inch
- 1-1/4 inch
- 1-1/2 inch
- 2 inch
b) Filter Housing Size:
The filter housing size is the diameter and length of the filter body. It is usually:
5 to 10 inches long and
2 to 4 inches in diameter.
c) Mesh Size:
It indicates the size of particles trapped during filtration. It ranges from 50 microns to 200 microns.
Purpose of Brass Pre-Filter
A brass pre-filter removes large suspended and undissolved particles from the water to prevent them from clogging and entering the main filtration system. It doesn’t remove heavy dissolved metals from the water or change its taste and smell.
Due to this removal of sediment, water pipes and other water appliances are protected from wearing out. To know more about brass pre-filters, check out our website: plumberstar.com
Types of Brass Pre-Filters
They fall into the following 4 categories:
- string pre-filter
- Pleated pre-filter
iii. Melt blown pre-filter
- Bag pre-filter
String Pre-Filter:
String pre-filters are made up of polypropylene and can filter particles ranging from 1-100 microns. String pre-filters are composed of several layers wrapped around a core. Due to these woven tight layers, filtration takes place.
The undissolved suspended large particles are trapped on the upper layer, whereas the fine or smaller particles are removed through the inner layers.
One of the main advantages of string pre-filters is their budget-friendly quality. They work best for surface water pre-filtration. They also can work under high-pressure conditions.
Uses:
They are widely used for solvent processing in chemical industries, food and beverage industries, and are mainly used in the pre-filtration of drinking water.
Pleated Pre-Filters
Pleated pre-filters comprise glass fiber, polypropylene, nylon, or PES. Pleated pre-filters comprise large sheets that capture waste particles ranging from 0.2 to 0.45 microns.
They are best for trapping small particles. The synthetic nature of these pleated pre-filters offers good restriction capacity.
Uses
They are mainly used in industry and households for water and air filtration. They are highly resistant to extreme temperatures and pressures, so they are used in the food and beverage industry.
Melt-blown Pre-Filters:
Melt blown pre-filters are composed of polypropylene and have a lot of depth allowing to capture a variety of sizes. Their multiple layers serve best for holding more particles and are effective for household use but due to their comparatively lacking resistance to high temperature and pressure, they may not be an ideal choice for industrial use.
Uses:
They are widely used in municipal water filtration, seawater distillation, and solvent water pre-filtration along with food and beverage industries.
Bag Pre Filters:
As their name suggests, these filters are shaped like a bag, which allows water to flow from the inside to the outside and is composed of UPVC.
They are ideally suitable for smaller batch processes or coarse filtration, although combining a high-capacity bag can tackle extreme dirt particles. Their availability in low-cost budgets proves them to be a good choice in industrial use, food and beverage production, etc. They are also used in seawater filtration, solvent, and chemical pre-filtration.
Advantages of Brass Pre-Filters
Brass pre-filters offer these additional benefits apart from their main function:
1. Protection of Primary Filter:
The main purpose of a pre-filter is to filter the water or any liquid before it passes through the main filtration system.
They are designed to trap large or suspended particles in a pre-filtration system, thereby protecting fine filters or post-filters. Pre-filtration extends the life and efficiency of the main filter.
2. Maintaining the Fluid Quality:
It will not be wrong if we say that brass pre-filters do double filtration. It provides extra care to the flowing fluid by removing any unwanted odor or color.
The water retains its natural flavor after passing through a brass pre-filter. This quality of brass pre-filter is important for maintaining the quality of fluids.
3. Protection of Plumbing Appliances:
Another important function of brass pre-filters is protecting all water appliances by avoiding clogging pipelines and drains. In this way, the plumbing appliances are protected from larger undissolved mud and dirt particles.
Applications of Brass Pre-Filters in Households:
Apart from their main function in removing undissolved particles from water, these brass filters are an important part of household filtration due to these functions, e.g:
- They remove harmful particles from drinking water, which can cause health damage.
- Due to the brass pre-filters, chlorine is unnecessary to clean the water supply.
- They can be installed effortlessly, which makes their handling convenient.
- The removal of harmful particles protects pipelines from corrosion and rusting.
- They protect the water appliances from getting eroded.
Industrial Applications of Brass Pre-Filters
Brass pre-filters are used in large-scale industries. Additionally, they also provide some uses in industries.
- They are used in industries dealing with large amounts of liquids.
- Due to brass pre-filters, pipelines are protected from being blocked due to large particles.
- They also protect industrial machinery, such as household water appliances.
- Due to their resistant nature, they can bear extreme temperatures and pressures.
What Benefits Does Brass Offer In Pre-Filters?
Brass is ideal for use in the pre-filtration system due to the following listed features.
- Brass is resistant to corrosion, which makes it durable and long-lasting.
And doesn’t need to be replaced frequently. They are equally effective in the case of hard water filtration.
- Due to their resilience to extreme temperatures, they are ideal for industrial use.
- Brass metal can be easily recycled by melting and reshaping without losing its quality.
- It stops bacterial growth, making it a safer option for drinking water filtration.
- The cost-effectiveness of brass makes it a wise choice in the long run.
Installation of a Sediment Filter
Installation of a pre-filter is easy and convenient and can be followed using some basic steps.
- The first step is to find the correct place where the pre-filter will be installed.
- Turning off the water supply will release any pressure built into the faucets by opening them.
- After cutting the water pipes, join the pre-filter to the main water fittings, ensuring tight and fit connections.
- After joining them, flush the water in the filtration system to ensure smooth flow and to remove any larger sand or debris particles.
- Observe the filtration system; if there are any leaks, secure the connections again.
Concluding Remarks
Using brass pre-filters in the water filtration system has several advantages, including the efficiency and effectiveness of the main filtration system and the protection of the water pathways and appliances.
However, when selecting the appropriate pre-filter, always check your specific requirements for a hassle-free, smooth experience. Please contact us for more requirements.
