terugspoelfase

Terugspoelfase, or backwash phase, is the part of a filtration cycle in which the flow direction is reversed to clean the filter media and remove accumulated solids. This phase is common in granular media filters, such as sand or media beds in municipal drinking water treatment, industrial filtration, and some aquarium filtration systems, as well as in cartridge filters.

During backwashing, water flow is reversed through the filter and often increased to lift and suspend trapped particles. The dislodged material is carried away to waste. In granular media systems, backwashing may be followed by a slow rinse to reconfigure the media and then resume normal filtration. Some systems also use air scouring, where air is intermittently introduced to enhance cleaning.

The timing and duration of the terugspoelfase vary by system and are usually triggered by indicators such as a rise in differential pressure across the filter, increasing turbidity, or a predefined time interval. Controls may be manual or automated, using sensors and valve sequencing to switch between filtration, backwash, rinse, and return to filtration.

Important considerations include water and wastewater usage, energy consumption, and proper handling of backwash effluent. Correct sequencing of valves and appropriate backwash intensity are essential to avoid damage to the media or filter elements and to ensure effective cleaning.

Applications extend across drinking water treatment plants, wastewater treatment facilities, industrial process filtration, and home or commercial filtration systems. The terugspoelfase is a key maintenance step to sustain filtration efficiency and water quality.