DOES A FILTER THAT CLOGS MORE FREQUENTLY MEAN IT IS PERFORMING WORSE?

At a faucet manufacturer in Piedmont, Italy, some components were showing bright and rough pitting defects after the nickel plating process, particularly on flat surfaces.

An investigation into the possible causes brought attention to the filtration system: the existing equipment was not effectively retaining processing residues. During treatment with powdered activated carbon, some of the carbon was even returning to the plating bath.

Stefano Gibogini carried out an on-site inspection and recommended an O.M.G. CESE5 filter pump, capable of achieving a filtration level below 1 micron.

At that point, something surprised the customer: the filter sheets needed to be replaced every two days. With the previous pumps, they had been used to replacing them approximately every two weeks.

The CESE5 was capturing contaminants that had previously remained in the bath. This explained why the filter pack clogged so quickly during the initial phase. As the bath became progressively cleaner, the time between filter replacements was expected to increase.

The pitting problem was resolved.

The frequency of filter replacement should always be considered alongside what the filter is actually capable of retaining.