Fluid Filtration Systems | FAQs
Explore the most common questions about strainers, suction diffusers, and filtration skids. With decades of experience, the experts at Hellan Strainer provide answers and further information.
Simplex basket strainers remove damaging debris from the liquid flow and protect pipelines, spray nozzles, and valves from fluid flow problems. They also reduce the need for frequent cleaning, saving time and money and reducing downtime.
Duplex basket strainers are the perfect solution for applications that require continuous or uninterrupted flow. A duplex strainer has two baskets and a diverter valve, allowing one basket to operate while the other is cleaned. Our custom-fabricated duplex basket strainers can be made precisely to the specifications your business needs and are ideal for continuous-flow systems.
Installed at a pump inlet, a suction diffuser removes particulates and contains straightening vanes that prevent the swirling effect of water at the inlet. This removes turbulence and protects seals from wearing out quickly without the need for an additional length of straight pipe.
An automatic self-cleaning strainer uses an integrated set of valves to allow for backwashing of the filters. This removes the need for manual removal and cleaning of strainer filters. Our automatic self-cleaning strainers do this by measuring pressure drops across the strainer, which triggers a cleaning process when pressure is too low.
Hellan strainers are available in:
- Cast iron – general service
- Cast steel – higher pressures
- Stainless steel – corrosive fluids
- Bronze – seawater applications
- Specialty alloys (Monel 400, Alloy 20, etc.) for specific environments
A pump skid is a pre-engineered, skid-mounted package including pumps, piping, valves, and controls. Pump skids are fully assembled and tested, reducing on-site installation time. They are ideal for chilled water systems, such as HVAC and data centers.
Cleaning frequency depends on debris load and system criticality. Monitor differential pressure across the strainer, and when it rises beyond set limits, cleaning or backflushing is recommended. Automated strainers allow maintenance without stopping flow.
Key selection factors include:
- Flow rate and pipe size
- Solid type and concentration
- Required mesh size and acceptable pressure drop
- Material compatibility and pressure/temperature rating
- Maintenance accessibility
- System continuity needs (simplex, duplex, or self-cleaning)
Hellan strainers are widely used in HVAC applications for businesses, universities, hospitals, and other industries. We offer the ideal strainer solutions for all centralized cooling and steam pumps requiring pre-filtration.
Strainers are used across:
- Data centers
- HVAC and building systems
- Power generation
- Iron and steel production
- Oil & gas
- Marine and military
- Municipal water treatment
- Mining and chemical processing
They protect pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and other critical components from debris, reducing maintenance and downtime.
Yes! Our team of design experts will work with you to create fabricated strainers that fit your exact needs. Contact us to learn more.
Hellan Fluid Systems' self-cleaning fluid strainers are ISO9001 certified, meet all Navy Mil-Spec requirements, are approved by the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register, are listed by Underwriters Laboratories and are designed in accordance with API, ASME, and PED.