Filter Media The Filtrex wafer is an arcaded design, thermoplastic wafer with micro-grooves precisely etched on each of its arced surfaces. It has intergral element cavities which serve as fluid conduits and a center hexagonal cavity which is used to stack the elements in perfect alignment. The micro-grooves follow a distribution pattern which allows for the maximum utilization of the element's surface area. The number of micro-grooves varies from one element rating to another. For example, a 5-micron rated element will have over 2000 micro-grooves etched on its surface. The construction material of the Filtrex wafer is as varied as the number of engineered injectable thermoplastics.

Filter Candles The filter candles are the columns which are formed by stacking the Filtrex wafers. The resulting candle assembly consists of the stacked Filtrex wafers, the hexagon support core, upper support plate, lower compression plate, the seal plate, and the compression spring. The Filtrex wafer stacks are precisely arc-aligned by virtue of the hexagonal orientation between the wafer's center cavity and the hexagonal support core. Compression of the elements is achieved via a compression spring and the lower compression plate. The spring serves a dual function: 1. To compress the wafers to full surface contact. 2. To provide the flexibility which allows the separation of the wafers during the backwash/cleaning cycle. Separation during backwash is achieved by hydraulic and mechanically applied forces. As the fluid flow reverses direction during cleaning, the resulting hydraulic force impacts the compression plate and causes greater spring compression, thus momentarily releasing the compression of the wafer stacks and causing their separation. This action breaks up the created filter cake and dislodges any contaminant that would otherwise be extremely difficult to remove.