Particle-counting cabinet checks filters on-line

A particle-counting cabinet that meets the demands, in terms of quality, of European clients, is designed for on-line continuous measurement of the efficiency of filter cartridges.

IFTS (Institute of Filtration and Techniques of Separation) has launched a particle-counting cabinet that meets the demands, in terms of quality, of its European clients, which manufacture and use filter cartridges.

The cabinet has been specially designed for on-line continuous measurement of the efficiency of filter cartridges used in hydraulic power-transmission circuits (under ISO 16889) and in lubrication and carburation circuits (whether for petrol or diesel) for automotive and all other internal combustion engines under ISO 4548-12(00) and ISO 19438(03).

The cabinet's effectiveness exceeds the requirements of the toughest standards, such as ISO 11943(00).

IFTS is headquartered in South-Western France; the company has a subsidiary in the UK.

In filtration more than in any other field, the performance stated depends directly on the assessment criteria chosen and on the conditions under which performance is measured.

The particle-counting cabinet developed by IFTS is based on a new testing method that was subjected to an extremely rigorous validation process.

This new method allows both the efficiency and the retention capacity of a filter to be assessed continuously, throughout its useful life.

In future, this will make it possible to optimise the choice of filter cartridges that are marketed.

Any particle counter can be fitted into this cabinet provided it is equipped with two light-absorption sensors - one for each side of the filter - calibrated and matched under ISO 11171 (01), whether the sensors are new or already in service on a multi-pass test bench.

A constant flow of fluid is guaranteed, whatever the degree of filter clogging, by a high-precision flow-meter working in tandem with a very accurate control valve.

Two flow-meters record the actual flows through each sensor.

When testing automotive filters, a simple but very accurate dilution system brings particle concentration to below the particle counters' saturation threshold.

A computer continuously records and processes all the data and - every minute - displays the exact number of particles before and after the filter, as well as its instant filtration efficiency or ratio.

If test-bench measuring instruments permit it, they can all be connected to the computer, which will then record all the test parameters.

New software handles all the data and produces a test report, including the filter clogging and efficiency graphs, which meets the specific demands of each of the above-mentioned standards.

The user manual and test reports are available in English, French, German and Italian.

All instruments are delivered with their calibration certificate, and the whole cabinet meets standards that are higher than the required, existing standards.

The equipment supplied by IFTS will be of interest to all manufacturers of filters for hydraulic power-transmission circuits and lubrication as well as carburation circuits; it will also be directly relevant to end-users.

The technology developed by IFTS has applications in a very wide range of sectors, from steelmaking and paper production to farming machinery and aircraft-lifting equipment, and from the automotive industry to shipbuilding as well as the equipment used in mines and quarries, among others.

About IFTS - the Institut de Filtration et des Techniques Separatives or IFTS (Institute of Filtration and Techniques of Separation) is based in the city of Agen, in South-Western France.

The company has a subsidiary in the UK, based in Harrogate.

IFTS took part in the 9th International Filtration Congress in New Orleans (USA) in April 2004.

For more information about the company, go to: www.ifts-sls.com.

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