New GE Technology Tackles Difficult Liquid Filtration Challenges
TREVOSE, PA.—July 7, 2011—GE (NYSE: GE) today announced its new ZCore depth cartridge filters, which offer improved performance, less downtime and reduced operating costs. Those are the key benefits that the new technology brings to extreme filtering applications, where traditional cartridge filters are typically not effective. Such applications include hot water sanitizing, high-temperature process chemical streams, high-viscosity fluids, high-purity environments and very dirty streams where significant pressure drops can develop.
Available in a wide variety of micron ratings and lengths, the new GE ZCore depth filters offer a 90 percent efficiency rate for particles as small as 0.5-µm (micron). ZCore filters meet the criteria for use in USP Class VI environments and function reliably at maximum pressure differentials ranging from 15 psid (1.03 bar) at 180°F (82°C ) to 60 psid (4.14 bar) at 86°F (30°C).
ZCore filters are manufactured with GE’s patented Z.Plex* melt-blown, graded-density, filter technology, which feature small-diameter fibers and a high strength three-dimensional fiber matrix design. The technology enables high particle-removal efficiency and much greater particle-holding capacity in high-pressure environments compared to other depth filters with similar removal efficiencies. The filters also have an injected molded polypropylene support core to improve strength and temperature resistance. Their all-polypropylene construction is resistant to chemical and thermal degradation and provides no contamination in use for compliance with purity requirements.
“The graded density of the new ZCore depth filters allows larger particles to be trapped near the filter surface, while smaller particles penetrate deeper and are trapped nearer the center of the filter. So-called depth filters without this graded-density feature really operate only as surface filters in practice,” said Bill Laidlaw, global product manager—filters and membranes for GE Power & Water. “GE’s unique one-step manufacturing process continuously extrudes and thermally bonds pure polypropylene microfibers into a complex graded-density filter matrix, while new thermal- and vacuum-finishing procedures result in exceptionally clean filters that are well-suited for high-purity uses.”
Applications where GE’s new ZCore depth filters provide the best economic value include:
Food & Beverage Industry:
- Processing water
- Steam cleaning and scalding
- Particle filtration
- Colloid and organic control
- Raw water pretreatment
- Particle removal and haze removal from sugar syrup
- Primary separation and clarification of artificial sweetener
Chemical Processing Industry:
- Condensate from distillation columns
- Steam stripping
- Adhesives and ink filtration
- Plating
Hydrocarbon Processing Industry:
- Produced water treatment
- Disposal water injection
- Hydrocarbon water washing
- Settling pond applications
- Amine sweetening
Industrial Manufacturing: Metal containers, parts washing
Power Generation: Boiler feed water, geothermal condensate treatment
Wastewater Remediation
The new ZCore filters join GE’s extensive range of cartridge filters, all of which offer long life, high efficiency and low total operating cost. All GE cartridge filters are made without wetting agents, solvents, anti-static agents or binders and are FDA-compliant for food and beverage contact. GE filters are backed by continuing investments in technology and a global distributor network with many years of experience in filter applications across a wide range of industries.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy—GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas—work together with more than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.
* Trademark of General Electric Company; may be registered in one or more countries
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