Sõelfiltratsioon

Sõelfiltratsioon, also known as sieve filtration, is a mechanical separation process used to remove solid particles from a fluid (liquid or gas) by passing the fluid through a sieve or screen. The sieve has pores of a specific size, allowing the fluid to pass through while retaining particles larger than the pore size. This method is effective for separating coarser solid impurities.

The principle behind sõelfiltratsioon is simple sieving. The fluid is introduced to the sieve, and gravity or pressure forces it through the mesh. Particles larger than the sieve openings are caught on the surface, forming a filter cake. As the filter cake builds up, the resistance to flow increases, and the filtration rate decreases. Therefore, periodic cleaning or replacement of the sieve is necessary to maintain efficiency.

Sõelfiltratsioon is widely used in various industries. In water treatment, it's employed for removing debris, sand, and other large suspended solids. In the food and beverage industry, it can be used for straining juices, removing pulp, or separating solids from liquids. It's also utilized in chemical processing, mining, and pharmaceutical manufacturing for preliminary separation stages. The choice of sieve material and pore size depends on the specific application and the nature of the particles to be removed. Materials commonly used for sieves include metal wire mesh, perforated plates, or synthetic fabrics.