acme automatic scraper strainers

1. Acme Automatic Scraper Strainers Overview of Technical Advantages and Product Design Say a few words about Acme: Founded in 1956 by Jacob and Steve Presser, Robert Presser is the 3rd generation of management. The company produces three distinct product lines: gas detection equipment for building ventilation control (HVAC product), process heating equipment including electric boilers for hot water and steam, gas and oil fired steam superheaters and thermal oil heating systems. We specialize in the �weird and wonderful� applications that most manufacturers refuse to handle due to high temperature and pressure, unwillingness to produce a package design or customize, etc. Bring your problems to Acme! Automatic scraper strainers, in production since the early 1980�s. Acme is specialized in the construction of automatic strainers ONLY and builds each unit to the exact requirements of the client, though at competitive prices with other major strainer manufacturers.Say a few words about Acme: Founded in 1956 by Jacob and Steve Presser, Robert Presser is the 3rd generation of management. The company produces three distinct product lines: gas detection equipment for building ventilation control (HVAC product), process heating equipment including electric boilers for hot water and steam, gas and oil fired steam superheaters and thermal oil heating systems. We specialize in the �weird and wonderful� applications that most manufacturers refuse to handle due to high temperature and pressure, unwillingness to produce a package design or customize, etc. Bring your problems to Acme! Automatic scraper strainers, in production since the early 1980�s. Acme is specialized in the construction of automatic strainers ONLY and builds each unit to the exact requirements of the client, though at competitive prices with other major strainer manufacturers.

2. Use this slide to demonstrate the benefits of a scraper strainer. Many clients have experience with backwash strainers and have been put off by these automatics because they clog up and require a lot of maintenance, cannot handle high solids loading and require the manual clean-out of large particles. The scraper strainer uses a spring-mounted blade and brush scraping mechanism to dislodge solids from the wedgewire screen. These solids then fall into the bottom of the vessel where a blowdown valve opens periodically, using line pressure to expel the solids. Acme can also produce special designs for installations with less than 10 PSI or even under suction, through the use of a gate valve to isolate the part of the vessel used for solids collection. Our control panel has two timers per strainer, meaning that the scraper and the blowdown valve can be adjusted independently to minimize the length of time that the ball valve remains open to dispose of the accumulated solids. Our strainers usually use less than 1% of total flow for cleaning, versus 5% for a backwash strainer.Use this slide to demonstrate the benefits of a scraper strainer. Many clients have experience with backwash strainers and have been put off by these automatics because they clog up and require a lot of maintenance, cannot handle high solids loading and require the manual clean-out of large particles. The scraper strainer uses a spring-mounted blade and brush scraping mechanism to dislodge solids from the wedgewire screen. These solids then fall into the bottom of the vessel where a blowdown valve opens periodically, using line pressure to expel the solids. Acme can also produce special designs for installations with less than 10 PSI or even under suction, through the use of a gate valve to isolate the part of the vessel used for solids collection. Our control panel has two timers per strainer, meaning that the scraper and the blowdown valve can be adjusted independently to minimize the length of time that the ball valve remains open to dispose of the accumulated solids. Our strainers usually use less than 1% of total flow for cleaning, versus 5% for a backwash strainer.

3. Problems With Backwash Strainers � Typical Designs Backwash strainers clog up� Use this slide to explain the following: On the left, you see a Hayward-style backwash arm trying to suck the solids off the screen. The problem is that if the arm is too far away from the screen, then the suction is reduced. If the arm is close to the screen, then large solids cannot fit in the gap between the arm and the screen and remain inside the strainer, requiring a manual cleanout. Some Hayward designs have added a flushing arm on the outside of the screen, requiring a separate high-pressure water source and complicating the design and maintenance. The R.P. Adams or Kinney design on the right uses a series of tall tubes inside the strainer that are backwashed using a rotating arm underneath the chamber. There are two problems with this design. Firstly, the seal between the U-shaped arm and the filtration tubes tends to decay, leading to bypass and a reduction in the filtration efficiency. Secondly, the suction from the rotating arm diminishes are you rise up the tube, usually resulting in solids at the end of the tube remaining lodged in place. As a result, half the tube usually remains blocked and users lose half the effective screen area.Use this slide to explain the following: On the left, you see a Hayward-style backwash arm trying to suck the solids off the screen. The problem is that if the arm is too far away from the screen, then the suction is reduced. If the arm is close to the screen, then large solids cannot fit in the gap between the arm and the screen and remain inside the strainer, requiring a manual cleanout. Some Hayward designs have added a flushing arm on the outside of the screen, requiring a separate high-pressure water source and complicating the design and maintenance. The R.P. Adams or Kinney design on the right uses a series of tall tubes inside the strainer that are backwashed using a rotating arm underneath the chamber. There are two problems with this design. Firstly, the seal between the U-shaped arm and the filtration tubes tends to decay, leading to bypass and a reduction in the filtration efficiency. Secondly, the suction from the rotating arm diminishes are you rise up the tube, usually resulting in solids at the end of the tube remaining lodged in place. As a result, half the tube usually remains blocked and users lose half the effective screen area.

4. Application: River Water Intake 18� connections, 11,000 GPM off the Columbia river. 400 micron filtration for a smelting furnace cooling water application. In operation since 1996 with no downtime. Complete package with controls and blowdown valve. This unit is installed at the Cominco Kivcet furnace facility at Trail, British Columbia. It was designed to automatically remove solids up to 4� in diameter automatically. The strainer wa built in carbon steel with SS316L internals, a Nord Gear motor and drive, our own control panel and a 4� CS ball valve with SS trim and a pneumatic actuator. This unit has performed flawlessly regardless of solids loading and the plant engineer told Acme that the first scheduled maintenance was due to be performed at the end of 2000.This unit is installed at the Cominco Kivcet furnace facility at Trail, British Columbia. It was designed to automatically remove solids up to 4� in diameter automatically. The strainer wa built in carbon steel with SS316L internals, a Nord Gear motor and drive, our own control panel and a 4� CS ball valve with SS trim and a pneumatic actuator. This unit has performed flawlessly regardless of solids loading and the plant engineer told Acme that the first scheduled maintenance was due to be performed at the end of 2000.

5. View of Scraping Mechanism All SS316L construction regardless of vessel material. Durable wedgewire screen prevents blockage. Spring-loaded blade and brush maintain contact with screen as they wear. Other materials available. This is the interior of the Cominco strainer. The wedgewire screen has a circumferential wire arrangement so that the filament of the brush can get into the screen slots and remove any solids that may have lodged themselves in place, even though the wedgewire manufacturers claim that this is not supposed to happen. We often get questions about wear rates. Current experience varies from six months for a set of blade and brush up to four years, depending on the fluid, its temperature, the nature of the solids involved and the frequency of operation. We always tell clients to experiment with extending the �off� period on the scraper timer to see if they can increase the interval between scraping and thus reduce the wear. We also make blades in Teflon for fine screen applications, or if the customer requests it. We can also produce a helical scraper mechanism for special applications.This is the interior of the Cominco strainer. The wedgewire screen has a circumferential wire arrangement so that the filament of the brush can get into the screen slots and remove any solids that may have lodged themselves in place, even though the wedgewire manufacturers claim that this is not supposed to happen. We often get questions about wear rates. Current experience varies from six months for a set of blade and brush up to four years, depending on the fluid, its temperature, the nature of the solids involved and the frequency of operation. We always tell clients to experiment with extending the �off� period on the scraper timer to see if they can increase the interval between scraping and thus reduce the wear. We also make blades in Teflon for fine screen applications, or if the customer requests it. We can also produce a helical scraper mechanism for special applications.

6. Application: Wastewater Our smallest strainer-a 6� vessel good for connections up to 3�. Used to remove solids in a multi-stage filtration project in NYC. Compact design, easy to install Available in CS, SS304/316, Alloy 20 and Titanium. Filtration down to 75 micron. This is a very popular model of strainer since it is relatively inexpensive yet can handle fluid flows up to 200 USGPM when equipped with 3� connections. This strainer was used to remove suspended solids in a wastewater stream prior to chemical treatment. It was equipped with a 1/16� slot screen and a 1� ball blowdown valve. Strainers of this design have been used to filter hot wax down to 50 micron, though most applications are for 100 micron and up. We have 75 micron applications running with no problems, quite an achievement for a mechanical device.This is a very popular model of strainer since it is relatively inexpensive yet can handle fluid flows up to 200 USGPM when equipped with 3� connections. This strainer was used to remove suspended solids in a wastewater stream prior to chemical treatment. It was equipped with a 1/16� slot screen and a 1� ball blowdown valve. Strainers of this design have been used to filter hot wax down to 50 micron, though most applications are for 100 micron and up. We have 75 micron applications running with no problems, quite an achievement for a mechanical device.

7. Application: Saltwater Intake 10� In-line strainer fabricated in CS with special coal tar epoxy coating. Used for saltwater intake at the Tynes Bay Bermuda water treatment facility. Special Ashcroft differential pressure switch with diaphragm seals for islolation. Separate control panel. This slide illustrates the options available when dealing with corrosive fluids. This client decided to fabricate in CS and coat the inside and outside of the strainer with this special coal tar epoxy. This coating is guaranteed to resist corrosion if applied correctly. The Aschroft DPS setup is expensive but necessary when dealing with corrosive fluids. Ashcroft has a wide variety of diaphragms available in various materials, including Hastelloy C and Titanium for the most corrosive environments. This strainer design is what we call �in-line upside down� using a bump-out on the strainer vessel to redirect the intake flow upwards (shown on the right side of the vessel). An in-line arrangement is also available at the upper level of the vessel. Note that this bump-out is not sanctioned by the ASME code, so although you can do design calculations to show that the design will hold the pressure, you cannot put a stamp on this vessel. The control panel was not mounted on the vessel in this case � it was installed on the wall nearby the strainer.This slide illustrates the options available when dealing with corrosive fluids. This client decided to fabricate in CS and coat the inside and outside of the strainer with this special coal tar epoxy. This coating is guaranteed to resist corrosion if applied correctly. The Aschroft DPS setup is expensive but necessary when dealing with corrosive fluids. Ashcroft has a wide variety of diaphragms available in various materials, including Hastelloy C and Titanium for the most corrosive environments. This strainer design is what we call �in-line upside down� using a bump-out on the strainer vessel to redirect the intake flow upwards (shown on the right side of the vessel). An in-line arrangement is also available at the upper level of the vessel. Note that this bump-out is not sanctioned by the ASME code, so although you can do design calculations to show that the design will hold the pressure, you cannot put a stamp on this vessel. The control panel was not mounted on the vessel in this case � it was installed on the wall nearby the strainer.

8. Application: Seawater Intake Three 24� inlet/outlet strainers in SS316L for the Dunore Point water treatment plant in Ireland. 5mm filtration, using a collector system bracketed by gate valves for solids removal. Acme�s largest strainers to date. This was a very impressive job � the connections are 24�, the vessels are 30� and the screens are 42� tall! These strainers are the first stage for solids removal at a municipal water treatment plant in Ireland, sold by our UK representatives, Atkins Fulford. The application called for very stable line pressure, even during blowdown. Acme accommodated this requirement by designing a collector system that used two 8� gate valves to isolate the collector section of the strainer during blowdown. The top gate valve is normally open, allowing solids to settle into the collector. When required, the upper gate valve closes and the lower one opens. Flushing jets on the side of the collector help remove the solids. This is the same arrangement we use when designing systems for low pressure (less than 10 PSI) or suction side applications.This was a very impressive job � the connections are 24�, the vessels are 30� and the screens are 42� tall! These strainers are the first stage for solids removal at a municipal water treatment plant in Ireland, sold by our UK representatives, Atkins Fulford. The application called for very stable line pressure, even during blowdown. Acme accommodated this requirement by designing a collector system that used two 8� gate valves to isolate the collector section of the strainer during blowdown. The top gate valve is normally open, allowing solids to settle into the collector. When required, the upper gate valve closes and the lower one opens. Flushing jets on the side of the collector help remove the solids. This is the same arrangement we use when designing systems for low pressure (less than 10 PSI) or suction side applications.

9. Application: Asphalt Transloading 6� SS304L steam jacketed strainers for a CSX terminal. Jacket designed to keep the asphalt fluid during the transfer process. Solids removed manually using a hand valve at the end of a batch. �U� stamp vessel. This was an interesting job � we had previously sold in-line units to CSX a few years ago and Industrial Kiln and Dryer came to us to supply units for a new facility. The strainers were equipped with a 4� manual ball valve for dumping the accumulated solids after a batch transfer was complete. This strainer and its jacket required a �U� stamp � the vessel was fabricated by Hayward Tyler of Burlington, VT, a pump manufacturer with a complete code shop.This was an interesting job � we had previously sold in-line units to CSX a few years ago and Industrial Kiln and Dryer came to us to supply units for a new facility. The strainers were equipped with a 4� manual ball valve for dumping the accumulated solids after a batch transfer was complete. This strainer and its jacket required a �U� stamp � the vessel was fabricated by Hayward Tyler of Burlington, VT, a pump manufacturer with a complete code shop.

10. Application: Papermill Process 8� SS316L strainer for waste slurry consisting of suspended fiber, bark, twigs and shards of plastic. Note the arrangement with two blowdown valves, one on the cover to expel floating solids. Strainer contains a �� punchplate SS304 screen, not wedgewire. Heavy solids loading application ideal for a scraper strainer. Here is another in-line �upside-down� strainer for a wastewater application at a papermill in New Brunswick. We initially tried this application with a �� slot wedgewire screen but it kept clogging up (which wedgewire is not supposed to do). We then changed to a �� perforated screen and the performance was acceptable. This proves that there is still a place for punchplate in the automatic strainer business. The client initially asked for punchplate, so obviously sometimes the client is right. The second ball valve on the cover of the unit is required to expel plastic shards that are expected to float to the surface of the strainer. The client connected the strainer to their own PLC-based control system to coordinate the activation of the two valves. Note the large handhole at the bottom of the strainer vessel. We include handholes on vessels with a capped, unflanged bottom to facilitate servicing and cleanout should the strainer ever become clogged with debris.Here is another in-line �upside-down� strainer for a wastewater application at a papermill in New Brunswick. We initially tried this application with a �� slot wedgewire screen but it kept clogging up (which wedgewire is not supposed to do). We then changed to a �� perforated screen and the performance was acceptable. This proves that there is still a place for punchplate in the automatic strainer business. The client initially asked for punchplate, so obviously sometimes the client is right. The second ball valve on the cover of the unit is required to expel plastic shards that are expected to float to the surface of the strainer. The client connected the strainer to their own PLC-based control system to coordinate the activation of the two valves. Note the large handhole at the bottom of the strainer vessel. We include handholes on vessels with a capped, unflanged bottom to facilitate servicing and cleanout should the strainer ever become clogged with debris.

11. Application: Seal Water 3� SS316L 100 micron filter used as a first pass in a multi-stage seal water filtration skid at a power plant. Strainer output goes to two cyclone units that provide filtration down to 5 micron. Note the booster pumps to increase velocity for the 5 micron filters. Sometimes a scraper strainer is not enough. The pump seals at this power plant required 5 micron filtration, so the engineers used our 100 micron filter as the first pass and used two Lakos-tyle cyclone filters for further treatment. Booster pumps were required to get the pressure up to optimum conditions for the cyclone filters, but not for the Acme unit! Our scraper strainers can fuction properly with as little as 8-10 PSI of line pressure, depending on the application and the solids loading.Sometimes a scraper strainer is not enough. The pump seals at this power plant required 5 micron filtration, so the engineers used our 100 micron filter as the first pass and used two Lakos-tyle cyclone filters for further treatment. Booster pumps were required to get the pressure up to optimum conditions for the cyclone filters, but not for the Acme unit! Our scraper strainers can fuction properly with as little as 8-10 PSI of line pressure, depending on the application and the solids loading.

12. Application: Steel Mill Cooling Water 12� 300# CS strainer designed for a high pressure cooling water spray at a steel mill in Kentucky. Our classic strainer design � offset nozzle arrangement, ball valve and control panel pre-mounted and wired. Acme has built strainers up to 600 PSI and has designs for 1500 PSI ready for construction. This was one of two strainers sold to the steel mill for rolling mill cooling water re-use. Take note of the handhole on the bottom of the strainer, used for servicing the bearing supporting the scraper shaft, occasional inspection and manual clean-out of any particles larger than the 2� blowdown connection. We used a regular packing gland design with special fill to meet the 300 PSI requirement, but we have various other vessel and seal designs for strainers up to 1500 PSI.This was one of two strainers sold to the steel mill for rolling mill cooling water re-use. Take note of the handhole on the bottom of the strainer, used for servicing the bearing supporting the scraper shaft, occasional inspection and manual clean-out of any particles larger than the 2� blowdown connection. We used a regular packing gland design with special fill to meet the 300 PSI requirement, but we have various other vessel and seal designs for strainers up to 1500 PSI.

13. Where Can You Use an Automatic Strainer? River and lake water intakes with manual basket strainers or no strainers at all. Old duplex strainers in hard to reach areas, or that plug up frequently. Replace older automatic strainers manufactured by Zurn, RP Adams, Kinney, Tate Andale, Hayward and Spirax Sarco (scraper unit). Low pressure situations like gravity flow from tanks. Intakes with heavy solids loading, large solids and viscous fluids. Salespeople have to remember that clients will not always ask for an automatic strainer, and may not recognize that they can use one for many applications in their plant. The best strategy is to speak with the maintenance manager or plant engineer and ask where the filtration trouble spots are. Many maintenance people will immediately point out basket strainers that are difficult to open or that require frequent cleaning, eating up valuable man-hours. Also, many backwash strainers that did not work well in their applications have been abandoned in place and the plant is living with the dirty fluid on a bypass, and suffering from the results. You must sell the advantages of a scraper strainer to demonstrate to the client that this design will not suffer the problems that the backwash unit did.Salespeople have to remember that clients will not always ask for an automatic strainer, and may not recognize that they can use one for many applications in their plant. The best strategy is to speak with the maintenance manager or plant engineer and ask where the filtration trouble spots are. Many maintenance people will immediately point out basket strainers that are difficult to open or that require frequent cleaning, eating up valuable man-hours. Also, many backwash strainers that did not work well in their applications have been abandoned in place and the plant is living with the dirty fluid on a bypass, and suffering from the results. You must sell the advantages of a scraper strainer to demonstrate to the client that this design will not suffer the problems that the backwash unit did.

14. Acme Process Heating Equipment Packaged Electric Steam Generators with up to 4 MW capacity, 2500 PSI and voltages to 600V 3PH. Gas Fired or Electric Steam Superheaters for operating pressures up to 2000 PSI and 1000oF. Unfired Steam Generators or Liquid Heaters using thermal oil, steam or high temperature water as a steam source. High Voltage Electrode Boilers to 25 KV and 65 MW capacity. Acme makes more than strainers � we have been producing process heating equipment for more than 35 years. You may find opportunities in the plant for steam superheaters to supply individual machinery far from the steam plant, or to solve condensation problems. They are a very popular addition to a plant once the �problem areas� for steam distribution become known.Acme makes more than strainers � we have been producing process heating equipment for more than 35 years. You may find opportunities in the plant for steam superheaters to supply individual machinery far from the steam plant, or to solve condensation problems. They are a very popular addition to a plant once the �problem areas� for steam distribution become known.

15. Things to Remember About Acme A custom manufacturer of strainers, process heating equipment and gas detection systems. In-house capabilities for mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and controls. Equipment made for your customer�s specific requirements at a standard product price. Small, responsive company with accessible and accountable management. Acme has a broad range of expertise that extends well beyond what you see in our catalog. If you have an interesting project that your regular suppliers cannot undertake, Acme may be able to put a package together for you � please ask. Also, we are a small company where you will always get a straight answer from someone who has the power to make decisions on the spot � an advantage over dealing with many larger firms.Acme has a broad range of expertise that extends well beyond what you see in our catalog. If you have an interesting project that your regular suppliers cannot undertake, Acme may be able to put a package together for you � please ask. Also, we are a small company where you will always get a straight answer from someone who has the power to make decisions on the spot � an advantage over dealing with many larger firms.