TYPE OF STRAINERS 

Strainers or filters are devices used for separating solid from liquids and catching dirt and debris. They act as a filter trapping large particles. By doing so, the particles would not continue to the system and will have expensive pipeline equipment such as pumps, engines, valves, heat exchanger, nozzles and others protected from harmful flow contamination

The various types of strainers work in different ways. Some can totally block the flow of liquid or filter particle while allowing the fluid to continue running. The function can be controlled through a handle. By constant use, the strainer will clog with materials that reached it and held back. In order to keep the system running, the materials in the strainer need to be cleared periodically. To do this successfully, one has to make sure first that there is no fluid running before removing the strainer. Clearing the clog in strainers vary depending on their type. There are three types of strainers and each one contains feature appropriate for different industrial applications.

The most common type of strainers is Y-strainer. Its name is derived from its y-shaped form. This type is commonly used in pressurized lines, steam, liquid or gas, but can also be applied in vacuum or suction situation. It has low resistance to fluid passage or straight passage which in turn results to low pressure loss. This is why y-strainers are being utilized for applications where only small amounts of solid particulates are expected to be drained and frequent clean out would not be necessary.

Duplex Basket-type Strainer is more suitable for robust chemical and abrasive applications. It is designed so no interruption on the process would happen to give way to cleaning of the strainer. It does this by altering the flow of the fluid to a second strainer once it detected the first basket is full. This way, the operator is allowed to remove the strainer, clear the particles in it and put it back without disrupting the process.

T-type Basket Strainers are most appropriate to use in pipeline systems. To increase efficiency, ensure leak tightness and achieve utmost protection of control valves, it is recommended to install the strainer first before the shut-off control valves. This way, dirt particles will be prevented from entering and reaching the main shut-off valve and control valves. Some of the common installations of basket-type strainers include chemical processing, food and beverage, waste and water treatment, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, agriculture, aquatics, water parks and marine.

Strainers are produced so there would be no frequent interruption on industrial processes. The advantages of using strainers to prevent clogs in pipe are efficiency in the production process since there would be no disruption on fluid passage and preservation of expensive pipes equipment as they would not be clogged with dirt and debris.