ABF backwash filters

Introduction to ABF automatic backwash filters

ABF is a fully automatic backwash filter developed as a simple, trouble-free solution for removing suspended contaminants from liquids.

Its high efficiency, reliability, performance, ease of use and low maintenance and handling requirements have led to use across many industries.

Filter applications

ABF filters are used in chemicals, food and beverages, plastics, agriculture and horticulture, drinking water plants, wastewater treatment and more.

Typical applications include surface water, cooling water/cooling towers, influent and effluent filtration, equipment protection (heat exchangers, sprinklers, membrane filters/reverse osmosis), irrigation and product improvement.

Sugar juice filtration is one such application and one of our specialities.

Specific ABF benefits

1 Automatic cleaning cycle

• Fully automatic backwashing starts at a preset differential pressure
• Backwashing uses the existing liquid and process pressure
• Low pressure drop across the filter saves energy
• Small nozzles provide high backwash velocity, resulting in 100% optimal cleaning

2      Continuous flow

• Flow continues during backwashing
• High capacity and compact units
• Flexible PLC control

3 Low maintenance

Short payback period due to favourable purchase price and low installation and maintenance costs, with significant energy and maintenance savings for existing equipment.

4 No consumption of filter aids

• No consumption or disposal of bags, cartridges or filter aids

ABF2 and ABF3 filter elements

The ABF2 photo shows the element used in the smallest ABF2 filter. It has two sections: the coarse filter above and the fine filter below.

The ABF3 photo shows the fine filter element used in ABF models 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Filtration accuracy depends on the application and is achieved by selecting the appropriate filter screen or mesh.

Accuracy starts at 10 micron, with common filtration ratings of 100-200-300-400-500 micron.

The previous photo also shows the dirt collector with dirt nozzles that remove the filter cake during cleaning.

How the ABF self-cleaning filter works

ABF fully automatic self-cleaning liquid filters use local backwashing triggered by differential pressure measurement. Backwashing uses the liquid pressure downstream of the filter. Small backwash nozzles clean the entire element optimally without interrupting filtration. Stainless steel filter mesh provides precise filtration.

Filtration rating can be adjusted later to suit process conditions

• Liquid flows through the filter in the direction of the arrow
• The red screen is the coarse filter
• The green dirt nozzle is a rotating dirt discharge tube that cleans the screen during the rotating cleaning procedure.
• Dirty liquid flows towards the hydraulic motor and discharge pipe.

ABF model table:

Project: sugar juice filtration in Nigeria

Holland Filter supplied a complete filter skid with 13 ABF housings for thin juice filtration at a new cane sugar factory in Nigeria.

Brewery cooling water filtration

At a well-known brewery, two ABF filters keep cooling water clean as it flows through heat exchangers.

Paper mill intake water filtration

Paper production uses large quantities of water, often taken from a nearby river. Two ABF filters make this water suitable for the process.

Mains water filtration

An ABF filter prevents unwanted contaminated mains water intake and provides 100% accurate filtration at constant flow.

Flooding: additional rainwater and site water filtration

During heavy rainfall, prefilter excess site water to reduce the load on the wastewater plant.

Process water intake at the Port of Rotterdam

ABF filters are used for various harbour water filtration tasks, including higher temperatures with a jacketed filter.

Pond water filtration

A pond opposite Venlo station continuously filters a large quantity of water.

A fully automatic ABF system was chosen to minimise routine maintenance.

Coarse particles are collected separately; smaller particles are then removed through ABF filtration and discharged to the sewer.

Process and intake water at large industrial plants

At this waste incinerator, incoming municipal water is filtered again before on-site use.

Annual professional maintenance for long service life

ABF filters also require maintenance. Our experienced Holland Filter technicians perform annual on-site inspections, clean filter screens and replace parts subject to wear.