1. Filtration Element Testing

1. Constant Fluid Test Stands: Three individual test stands using three fluids; water, lube oil, and isopar (solvent), are setup to provide clean flow curve data, particulate efficiency, dirt holding capacity, and maximum flow capability. Test stands are equipped to handle a variety of element sizes and types.

The isopar stand is also capable of performing liquid-liquid coalescing trials.

Data sampling and analysis is done using laser sensors and computerized particle counters.

2. Air Testing Stand: Using compressed air, elements can be tested for maximum flow rates and clean flow curves. New to the air test stand is the full length coalescing vessel. This vessel allows inside-out, outside-in, and inside-top flow. Liquid injection nozzles and a downstream laser particle counter allows the lab to conduct coalescing testing for elements from vertical or horizontal vessels. Upgrades include dirt injection effects such as dirt holding and coalescer breakdown.
3. Variable Fluid Test Stand: Using a minimum of 20 gallons of virtually any process fluid, PECO’s engineering lab is able to conduct all testing procedures as the constant fluid test stands with the addition of heating the fluid to desired or process conditions. This stand can also handle a variety of element sizes and types. A solvent must be available to clean out any processing fluids after completion of the testing.

 II. Filtration Media Testing

1. Flat Sheet Test Stand: Using sample of flat sheet media, the lab is able to conduct efficiency testing for any grade or type of media. Using water as the fluid, correlation’s can be made to estimate element performance without building the element. Since few if any vendors or competitors perform this type of efficiency testing on media, PECO has a distinct advantage when evaluating media.
2. Media Specification Verification: Certain testing can be done that is used for design purposes and/or to compare/verify a vendor’s media specifications. Bubble point, air permeability, basis weight, burst strength, and thickness can all be determined through PECO’s engineering lab.

 III. Process Liquid Analysis

1. Particle Analysis: Before determining the correct filtration system or element, one must know the type and size of particulate to remove. This can be determined through our laser sensor and batch particle counter. Virtually any process fluid can be filtered through filtration discs for microscopic analysis and run through the laser counter to determine particle counts and size distribution.
2. Analytical Services: Standard physical and chemical properties can be determined such as viscosity (includes temp/visc curves), colorimetry, surface and interfacial tension, spectrophotometry, moisture content (non-polar liquids), pH, and turbidity. Through the use of outside spectral analysis, PECO can obtain liquid data such as total metals, dissolved gases, hydrocarbon content and concentration, ion distribution, etc.
3. Chemical Compatibility: Usually between an element material and process fluid.

IV. Spent Filter Element Evaluation

1. Customers and Representatives can send used filters in for dissection and observations using digital imaging and size particulate layer by layer to determine if the filter element being used is performing to specifications.
2. Microscope is fitted with a sizing reticle for sizing particles at high magnifications. Particle sizing software is utilized to obtain counts, distributions, and sizing on multi-phase fluids that could not otherwise be done using conventional laser technology.