Process characterization of a radial flow filter during backwash

This study pertains to the analysis of a radial flow filter of the type used in the oil and gas and process industries. The particular filter design under investigation uses a new and more economical backwashing concept which requires further study before it can be field tested. Numerical experiments have been conducted using a commercial fluid flow simulation code to identify operating conditions under which the new backwashing concept is feasible. A central composite experimental design is followed to carry out the study. The flow responses obtained from the numerical results are correlated to a set of eight parameters involving flow rate, filter geometry, and porous medium properties. A full quadratic polynomial approximation is used to fit the correlations. The effects of the eight parameters are assessed with the aid of the statistical analysis. The polynomial approximations are used to identify regimes in the parameter space where successful backwashing can be attained by the new technique. The new backwashing concept is found to be reliable only for a narrow range of the parameters.;Recommendations for designing a more reliable backwashing filter are given based on the results of this numerical study. Future work is suggested.