Pipe strainers are employed in industrial applications to capture and remove impurities from the pipeline. The process works by interrupting the process flow through a perforated plate or a screen mesh. In industrial channels, such plates or mesh are called strainers – typically a basket strainer or a Y strainer.
Since people often get confused about choosing among them, we are here to help them. When deciding which strainer to use in a specific application, it is vital to understand the purpose and everything about basket strainer vs y strainer, making a particular type unique.
In this article, we will talk about all the critical differences between the two types of pipe strainers. But let’s first understand the role of a strainer in an industrial application.
A strainer is a component containing a perforated or wire mesh cylinder within its body, causing the impurities present in the fluid stream to get captured and flush out of the system. When the fluid enters the body of the strainer, it flows into and through the mesh cylinder, which strains out particles such as dust, dirt, sediments, and other foreign objects in the fluid system.
The primary purpose of a strainer is to catch larger particles interfering with the operation of the valves, steam traps, pneumatic flow control valve, pumps, and any other component. It is suitable for those components with moving parts that can get hampered by dust particles when not strained out of the fluid system.
Strainers are a critical component of a piping system as they protect the equipment against potential damage due to particles carried by the process fluid. These components are placed upstream of pumps during system flushing and start-up to protect them from construction debris left in the pipeline.
One must not confuse a filter with a strainer because they may seem identical on the surface but are entirely different. A filter is a device used for removing dust particles from gasses and liquids, involving a disposable medium to remove particles of specific micron sizes. A strainer is similar to a filter, using a perforated plate or a screen mesh to remove larger particles from the process stream.
While a filter is not reusable and needs to be replaced after a specific period of use, a strainer is reusable. One may reuse it after cleaning the clogged particles as many times as they want.
These devices are downstream of a 3 way ball valve, condensers, and pumps as they help make a piping system vigorous and productive. This device is helpful in applications where the medium is thicker and contains impurities. The industries typically using a strainer in their pipeline includes the oil sector, water treatment sector, chemical manufacturing, and food enterprise.
Here is a table to give a quick overview of the key differences between a Y-type ball valve with strainer and a Basket-type strainer:
BASIS OF DIFFERENCEY-TYPE STRAINERBASKET-TYPE STRAINERDUST CONCENTRATIONLowHighSCREEN SIZESmallerLargerINSTALLATIONEither Horizontally or VerticallyOnly HorizontallyPRESSURE DROPAllowedNot AllowedOPERATION PRESSURECan StandCannot StandEASE OF CLEANINGToughEasyENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSafeNot SafeFLEXIBILITYVery FlexibleNot FlexibleDUPLEX FEATURENot AvailableAvailableThe purpose of a Y-type strainer is to remove unwanted particles from steam, gases, and liquids using a straining element, typically made of wire mesh. It is used in industrial pipelines to protect pumps and steam traps. Some Y-type strainers are constructed with blow-off valves to make cleaning simpler and more convenient.
The most significant benefit of these devices is their flexibility. Depending on the users’ preference, they can install it vertically or horizontally. Besides, if looking for a cost-effective option, no filter is more perfect than a Y-type. Users can save on costs by further reducing their size, helping prevent the use of excess materials.
Since Y-type strainers are built using various materials, users have plenty of options, depending on the industry and the type of application.
The industries requiring constant protection from debris are ideal for installing a Y-type strainer. Because of their shape, these devices are suitable for steam, liquid, and gas applications.
These devices are used in steam applications as they can easily handle high pressures. Since natural gas and air applications also have high-pressure levels and temperatures, they benefit when used with Y strainers.
Gravel and sand are the two most common types of debris, posing a significant threat to liquid applications. But Y-type strainers protect the equipment from damaging or clogging along with other water-handling applications.
In insulated industrial systems, Y-type strainers are left bare because of their strange shape and the need to clean. It sometimes causes component failure as the stress of temperature ranges experienced by the whole system is taxing on the device. The uneven distribution of heat energy can further stress or damage its components.
Y-type strainers are named after their shape and are suitable for coarse filtration. They are ideal for improving the clearance in the medium, prolonging the lifespan of a trunnion mounted ball valve, and protecting extensive pumps and meters. Besides steam, gas, and liquid applications, they are also suitable for petroleum and other fluids.
Synonymous with simplex strainers, the name of a basket strainer is derived from its shape. It is ideal for applications requiring high flow capacities and is available in duplex styles and simplex variants. The best feature of this device is its ability to undergo servicing without interrupting the continuous pipeline flow.
A user can find this device in various materials, from carbon steel to stainless steel and cast iron. It is suitable for open area ratios, applications requiring liquid filtration, and whereby media is easily contaminated.
This filter helps remove unwanted material from the fluid for smooth working. Industrial pipelines it is typically used in liquid service applications. Let’s learn about it in detail!
A basket strainer is ideal for liquid applications requiring high-flow capacity. It is connected to the pump suction, which is ideal for filtering solids or debris larger than the mesh within the filter, which would otherwise damage the hydraulic ball valve, pumps, and other internal parts of the system.
One can service it by removing the cover and obtaining access to the basket. Besides, this device is also available in a duplex style, comprising two parallel baskets and diverting valves. It permits the diversion through one element while the other is under service. It thus allows for an uninterrupted flow of a liquid substance through industrial pipelines.
Critical differences exist between the two types of filters, making each of them suitable for a particular industrial application.
Let’s talk about the Y strainer first and then the key differences between the basket strainer vs y strainer.
This filter protects downstream from particles not typically present in industrial applications. It is suitable for a pipeline containing a low concentration of dust particles primarily because its screen is smaller for storing dirt. Compared to a basket strainer, it is more flexible and has limited installation.
A basket strainer uses a larger filtering part to hold more particles. While a Y-type strainer is installed either horizontally or vertically, a basket-type is installed only horizontally. Installing a basket strainer is an intelligent decision if the pressure drop is not allowed in the industrial pneumatic knife gate valve. But, a Y strainer can stand higher operation pressure than the basket type.
Every filter has advantages and disadvantages, making it suitable for a particular industrial application. For ease of cleaning, a basket strainer is a right pick as it is installed upright. So, one can conveniently remove its cap to clean the device. But the Y filter is installed by adjusting its leg below the pipeline and pointing down, making it a little tough to clean.
If the cover of a Y-type filter is removed, the dust particles can drain out immediately. So, it is the perfect choice only when the application does not demand frequent cleaning and is safe for the environment.
We hope this article helps everyone learn everything about the two primary types of strainers often used in industrial pipelines. For anyone wishing to avail of top-quality industrial valve products and services, please contact us.
These devices are an essential industrial component, allowing the liquid to pass through for refinement, sifting, and segregation from solid materials. They help keep the solid substances from combining in a flow line or a liquid stream by catching unwanted items such as scales, rust, weld metal, and dovetail joints. It helps safeguard the machinery and procedure from their negative effects, thus decreasing the downtime and the need for servicing.
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