Modelling, laboratory-scale and pilot plant investigations of deep bed filtration with Permeable Synthetic Collectors (PSC)

The behaviour and advantages of synthetic media in deep bed filtration were studied Permeable Synthetic Collectors (PSCs) were constructed from open-porous plastic foam or non-woven fabrics having millimetre dimensions. The theoretical analysis of the particle transport efficiency was based on trajectory calculations for non-Brownian particles. Investigat- ions with an endoscope showed particle transport effects and their adhesion behaviour on the inner fibres. This enabled the calculation of filter coefficients and comparisons with experimental data. In contrast to conventional filter grains (sand, anthracite, garnet, etc.) PSCs perform much better in particle collection and deposition, especially under high rate conditions in waste water treatment.