Advantages of Fluid Engineering Self-Cleaning Strainer

Since 1986, Fluid Engineering has been manufacturing well-designed, rugged strainers that have outperformed the competition in the most demanding applications.  Unlike manufacturers such as Eaton, Fluid Engineering STILL manufactures in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  The Eliminator series of automatic self-cleaning strainers outperforms Hayward/Eaton on several fronts.  American quality being first and foremost.

There are differences and advantages that the Fluid Engineering Series 753/793/723 Eliminator Self-Cleaning Strainer has over the Hayward/Eaton strainer models.

Screen:

The patented Fluid Engineering screen design is a reverse rolled wedge wire screen that reduces stapling and plugging problems associated with competitive models using mesh, perforated plate or even similar wedge wire screens. The wide or flat cross section of the wedge wire faces the direction of flow providing for a smooth flat surface to trap debris and effective backwash removal; while other designs allow for pockets, collector bars, etc, that accumulate and trap debris permanently.

The wedge wire screen design is particularly effective with fibrous materials as it reduces the possibility of stapling of this type of debris to the screen. This design prevents smaller particles (than the screen opening) from being retained which historically has been the cause of premature screen failure with competitive designs. The wedge wire screen is extremely rugged and will withstand very high differential pressure without failure.

The Hayward/Eaton straining element is either a wedge wire or convoluted perforated screen design that uses collector bars on the inside of the screen. The collector bars and/or combination of collector bars with convoluted design creates valleys and pockets for debris to accumulate in. The debris begins to build up and impinges itself harder and harder; thereby during a backwash cycle, it becomes more difficult to clean.

Port Shoe/Straining Element Interface:

The patented Fluid Engineering port shoe/straining element was designed to create a vigorous tangential flow along the inner circumference face of the straining element, washing the debris into the open leading edge of the backwash port. The leading edge of the port shoe runs in close contact with (approx. 1/32”) the straining element ensuring the compete cleaning of the entire length of the straining element.

The Hayward/Eaton design does not come into close contact (approximately 1/4”-3/8”) with the straining element due to the internal collector bars. This does not ensure 100% cleaning of the straining element due to collector bars.

Adjustable Accelerator Plate:

The Fluid Engineering Eliminator strainers come standard with an adjustable accelerator plate. The purpose of the adjustable accelerator plate is to increase the velocity of the fluid flowing tangential to the straining element during the backwash operation, which is primarily important with finer screen opening applications. The adjustable accelerator plate is factory set per straining element slot size.

This feature is not available with the Hayward design.

Brush Port Shoe Option:

The Fluid Engineering Eliminator strainers have an option of a brush port shoe design. The purpose of the brush port shoe is to assist in the cleaning and removal of debris from the screen, especially in finer screen applications and low-pressure applications.

This feature is not available with the Hayward/Eaton design due to internal collector bars.

Packing:

Hayward’s Automatic Self Cleaning Strainers have always been prone to leakage around the shaft.  In an attempt to solve the issue they came up with a Quad Seal (Square “O” ring type packing) design.  They call this their ” idL Seal” and convince engineers to include this in their specification, because they are the only one with this type design.

The quad seal is an improvement over their old design, no doubt.  But, once the lip on the Quad Seal wears down the square seal on the shaft in increasingly more difficult to seal.  Only time will tell how this seal will work. The Quad Seal has a tendency to wear ridges in the shafts that is why most pump manufacturers have gotten away from the Quad Ring Seals.

The Fluid Engineering Seal is a self energizing chevron type packing that will keep seating itself till there is no service life left.  We recommend that about once a year that the packing is changed, which is a good recommended maintenance practice.  The only time that we know of having a problems is when the customer has changed the packing and install it upside down or roll the leading edges under. 

Learn more about the Fluid Engineering Eliminator Self-Cleaning Strainer: