Multi-Media Filters

Theory and Operation

Contents
1. Filtration Mechanisms

2. Coagulation

3. Multi-Media Filters
 1
Filtration Mechanisms
Filtration Mechanisms

There are two basic mechanisms whereby filtration

removes suspended solids from water :
Simple straining applicable to larger particulate
matter: small enough holes or pores in filter surface
hold back the larger suspended particles while the
smaller particles flow through.
Particle adsorption phenomenon whereby particles
considerably smaller than the finest pore sizes are
effectively retained. Theory is the smaller particles are
held on to the filter medium surface by electrostatic
forces and/or inertia provided that velocity through the
filter medium is not too high.
Filtration Mechanisms
In the illustrated single media Mechanical Particle
filter, the excluded layer of Retention ( Straining)
particulate on the filter surface,
know as filter cake, will act as a
filter with smaller holes and will
exclude smaller particles.
Shortly after its formation the
filter cake will tend to block the
filter, requiring backwash. Adsorption Particle
Retention
One way of increasing a filter (interception)
capacity to hold more particulate
without becoming blocked is the
use of a depth Filter.
Filtration Mechanisms
Depth Filtration Principle
Most Modern Filters employ two or
more separate filter media layers
(dual / multi media filters) :
The lower layer is composed of a
dense, fine media often sand.
The upper layer is composed of a less
dense, coarse media, such as pumice
or anthracite coal.
The coarse upper layer removes
larger particles before they reach the
fine layer, allowing the filter to
operate for a longer period before
clogging.
Filtration Mechanisms - Backwash
Cleaning multi-media filters :
Achieved by reversing the flow of
water by introducing backwash
water to bring about an expansion
of the filter media enabling the
retained impurities to be carried
away.
A filter should be backwashed
when the following conditions
have been met:
A filter run reaches a given hour
of operation.
The Differential pressure across
the filter has reached its
maximum setting.
Floc starts to break through the
filter and the turbidity in the
filter effluent increases.
 2
Coagulation
Coagulation
How Coagulant Works
Destabilise and neutralise colloidal particles
Particles are negatively charged and repel each other
Neutralisation of charge allows particles to aggregate
into flocs
Improves effectiveness of filtration
Destabilised particles stick to filter media
Coagulation
Why is coagulant useful?
Helps to effectively remove sub-micron particles
Improves SDI/turbidity
Reduces Membrane Fouling
Coagulation
Selection/Optimisation of Coagulant Dosing Parameters
The coagulation stage of the feedwater must be
monitored continuously.
When dosing a coagulant, it is important to understand
that both under-dosing and over-dosing can cause
turbidity to rise.
The Jar Test is the common procedure to determine
optimum parameters such as :
Most effective coagulant
Optimum dose rate
Optimum pH
Coagulation Typical Jar Test Logsheet
NOTES :
1 Record Initial Data
2 Paddle must be off-centre by 6.4 mm ( 0.25")
3 Flash mix at 120 rpm approximately
Sample 4 Flash mix for 1 mn after chemical addition
Date / Time 5 Record flash mix time and rpm
pH 6 Reduce speed to about 30-40 rpm or min req'd to keep floc uniformly suspended
Color Slow mix for 20 min /Record time for 1st floc formation
Turbidity or SS Record relative floc size and mixer speed at 5 min intervals
Conductivity 7 After slow mix, withdraw paddle and observe settling of floc particles
Temperature 8 Record time for bulk of particles to settle

9 After 15 mn of settling , record appearance of floc on the beaker bottom

Jar Number
Flocculant Type
Flocculant, mg/l
Flash mix - rpm
Flashmix time
Slow mix rpm
Slow mix time
Time to first floc
Floc size @ time
Floc size @ time
Floc size @ time
Floc size @ time
Settling rate
Floc Apperance*
Turbidity/SS
Color
pH
Notes: Flocculant to be introduced after Flashmix time.
* : floc appearance on the beaker bottom to be recorded after 15 min of settling
Appearance of flocculation classification : 0 : no floc; 2: barely visible floc/small dots; 4: small floc
6 : floc of average size; 8: good floc; 10: very large floc
Coagulation Jar Test Mixing Phase
Coagulation Jar Test Slow Mixing Phase
Coagulation Settlement After 15 mins
 3
Multi-Media Filters
Multi-Media Filters
Multi-Media Filters
Feed Inlet/Backwash Outlet
Feed Inlet/Backwash Oulet
Multi-Media Filters - PSVM
The multimedia filter system treats the seawater to an
acceptable standard for the downstream membrane
processes via 5 x 20% duty multimedia vessels on PSVM.
Other systems may be designed on an N+1 basis
The filtered water feeds the SRP system and RO system
(as a standby feed source).
On PSVM, the flow through the vessels is predominantly
set by the downstream deaerator level controller (LIC-
0442016) with an upper clamp of 110% of the design
flow to prevent over fluxing the vacuum tower.
Alternatively, the flow through the vessel is dictated by
the demand from the on line SRP trains (Plutonio)
Each filter vessel has its own inlet flowmeter and control
valve
Multi-Media Filters - PSVM
Equipment Item Number F-044101A/B/C/D/E
5 Running /0 Standby/0 Spare
Fluid: Coarse Filtered Seawater
Flow Rate Normal / Max m/h 353/42
Inlet Operating Pressure barg 5.0 - 6.0
Inlet Operating Temperature C 12 - 20
Fluid Density kg/m 1026 @ 12C/ 1025 @20C
Maximum Allowable Pressure Drop Clean ~0.56 bar
Allowable Pressure Drop - Fouled ~1.1 bar
Particle Size @ Inlet Microns < 100
Nature of Particles: Seawater Organic and Inorganic Solids
Particle Removal Efficiency: 98% Removal Particles > 10 Microns
Nominal
Multi-Media Filters - PSVM
Media: Anthracite/Pumice, Sand & Garnet
Design Pressure: barg 13.8
Design Temp: 65.6 C
Internal Diameter: 3750mm
Filter Area: 11m2
Flux Rate 32-40 m3/m2/h

Cleaning:
Air Scour
Back Flush Flow
Multi-Media Filters
Multi-Media Filters - PSVM
The Flow Through The Vessels is Determined By The Level Controller
On The Downstream Vacuum Tower Sump in Normal Operation.
The Output From LIC-0442016 is Fed to the Setpoints of Each MMF
Flow Controller (FIC-0441016A/B/C/D/E). This Ensures That in
Normal Operation (Under Deaerator Level Control) The Flow is
Shared Equally Between All Online Vessels, Regardless of the Media
Bed dp Condition.
The Setpoints of Each MMF Flow Controller (FIC-
0441016A/B/C/D/E) Shall Be Clamped at 110% of Design Flow, to
Prevent Over Fluxing.
In The Event That The RO Package is to be Supplied From the MMF,
the Flow Through the Filters is Set by the RO Package Demand Only.
Inlet Flow Control Valves (FV-0441016A/B/C/D/E) Will Be Fully
Open, as They are Not Controlled Via Deaerator Level in This
Situation.
Multi-Media Filters - PSVM
As Seawater Particulates are Retained Within The Filter Bed, They Must Be
Removed by a Backwash Process.
The Backwash Sequence Consists of a Series of Stages Designed to Clean
and Condition the Media Bed. The Backwash Flow Control Valve Allows
Feed Water at a Controlled Rate Into the Bottom of the Filters.
Only One MMF Vessel is Backwashed at a Time With the MMF Backwashes
Being Evenly Distributed Over a Period of Time. The Backwash Process is
Normally Performed on a Timed Basis (Typically Once Per Day Per Vessel, or
as Little as Once Per Week For Installations With Very Low Solids Loading).
But Can Be Over-ridden by High Differential Pressure or Operator Initiation
if Necessary.
During the Backwash Process the Inlet Flowrate Increases as Required to
Meet the Normal Filtrate Demand (For Downstream SRP) and the MMF
Backwash Flowrates.
The MMF and Coarse Filter Backwashes are Interlocked to Prevent Both
Occurring Simultaneously.
Should a MMF be in Maintenance Mode During 3 Train Operation or 2
MMFs be in Maintenance Mode During 3 Train Operation, and a Backwash
is Requested Via the BIT, an OAR Shall be Displayed "Not Enough
Multimedia Filters Online For SRP Trains. Next Backwash Will Initiate
Shutdown of the Longest Running SRP Train.
Key Equipment Sizing Criteria Dual media
Filters
5 Single chamber pressurised DMFs
Filtration Velocity = 16.1 m/h (5 chambers in service)
Filtration Velocity = 21.3 m/h (4 chambers in service)
Pumice (top layer) + fine graded sand (bottom layer).
Target SDI = 3.0 to 5.0 max

Media Grade and Depth Finalised Through Pilot Trials

Top Layer Made up of 800 mm Deep Pumice Grade
10/12B Media (1.5- 2.5 mm)
Bottom Layer Made up f 600 mm Deep Sand Grade
18/36 (0.4-0.8 mm)
Dual media Filters Overview
Dual Media Section View

Filter Media Lower Vent Manway

Manway

Nozzle Plate Launder Plate Air Scour Manway Gravel Outlet

Dual Media Filters - Operation
The DMFs Operate on a 5 X 25% Basis.
All Filters, Except Those in Backwash/Maintenance
Mode, Should be Online.
The Following Restriction on Number of Operating Trains
Apply Should any Filter be Offline For Maintenance :
1 off 1st Pass Train ---->3 DMF Vessels Must Be On-line
2 off 1st Pass Trains ---->4 DMF Vessels Must Be On-line
3 Off 1st Pass Trains---->5 DMF Vessels Must Be On-line
Note : If One of the DMFs is to Go Off-line Then the
Longest Running Train Will be Rundown (Controlled
Shutdown)
Dual Media Filter Loading
Prior to Starting This Procedure, it is Assumed That :
All Filter Nozzles are Installed and Aligned,
Air Distribution Test Was Done Successfully,
Level Markers For the Location of the Two Media are Set
(Using White Permanent Marker For Example)
Dual Media Filter Loading
Media Level Markings

PUMICE 0.8m

SAND 0.6m
Multi-Media Nozzle
Multi-Media Nozzles From Top of Plate
Multi-Media Nozzle From Under Plate
Multi-Media Nozzle Plate Partially Filled
Multi-Media Filter Air Scour
Purpose of Air Scouring:
Media Air Scour is required as a sequence in the filter backwash to
achieve the following :
To loosen dirt and suspended solids
To eliminates mud ball formation
To provide affective cleaning action due to abrasion between
grains

Required Duty of Air Scour 60Nm3/h per m2 of filter area

Main Components
2 100% Air Scour Blowers
All the required valves
Acoustic enclosure ( due to unacceptable noise level)
Multi-Media Filter Air Scour

Air Scour Blower in Acoustic Enclosure

Ventilation Fan

Motor

Inlet Silencer
with Filter
Flexible
Connection

Blower Discharge
Silencer
Air Scour Blower
Multi-Media Filter Air Distribution Test
The purpose of this test is to
check the alignment of the Seawater inlet

nozzle plate and nozzles : From Intake

Pumps

Even distribution of air scour Seawater Inlet Bypass Backwash Outlet

flow is necessary to prevent Air Scour Vent

short-circuiting and channelling Seawater Inlet Vent
which otherwise might affect the Seawater Outlet Vent
effectiveness of the backwash
process and disrupt the filter Air Scour Outlet
Nozzle plate

structure. Air Scour Inlet

From Air
Seawater Outlet
During the Test the Upper Scour

manhole door for selected DMF Air Scour Drain

should be Open . Seawater Drain/
Rinse Outlet
The initial setting of the valves From Backwash
Pumps

are shown in opposite figure. Backwah Inlet

Backwash FCV
Multi-Media Filter Air Distribution Test
Crack Open DMF Backwash
Inlet isolation valve. Monitor
water level & stop filling when Seawater inlet

the water level is ~ 100mm From Intake

above the top of the nozzles. Pumps

Backwash Outlet
Seawater Inlet Bypass

Close Lower DMF vent valve Air Scour Vent

Close Backwash Inlet valve Seawater Inlet Vent

Seawater Outlet Vent

Air Scour Outlet

Nozzle plate

Air Scour Inlet

From Air
Seawater Outlet
Scour

Air Scour Drain

Seawater Drain/
Rinse Outlet
From Backwash
Pumps
Backwah Inlet

Backwash FCV
Multi-Media Filter Air Distribution Test
Start Air Scour blower
Open Air Scour Outlet valve
Open DMF air Scour Inlet Seawater inlet

valve
From Intake
Pumps

Seawater Inlet Bypass Backwash Outlet

The water bubble pattern

within the upper section Air Scour Vent

Seawater Inlet Vent

should be observed to Seawater Outlet Vent

ensure an even distribution Air Scour Outlet

of air across the nozzle plate Nozzle plate

with air pressure in the 0.2

Air Scour Inlet
From Air
Seawater Outlet
Scour
to 0.5 barg range.
Air Scour Drain
If there are any blank or Seawater Drain/

areas of poor distribution From Backwash

Pumps
Rinse Outlet

then the test should be Backwah Inlet

stopped, vessel drained and Backwash FCV

the nozzles suitably adjusted

and test repeated.
Dual/Multi-Media Filter Loading
DMF Air Distribution Test- Looking for Poor Distribution Areas
Dual/Multi-Media Filter Loading
DMF Air Distribution Test- Still Looking for Poor Distribution Areas
DMF/MMF Air Distribution Test Looking
for Defective Models
DMF/MMF Air Distribution Test
Satisfactory Result
DMF/MMF Filter Loading
SAND LOADING
Note: PPE (Dust Masks, Eye Protection, Gloves & Coveralls Should be
Worn When Loading Sand.
Fill Vessel With Water to About 200 mm Above Nozzle Floor. To
Reduce Risk of Damage to Nozzles When First Filling Media Establish
a Water Level ~200 mm Above Nozzles Via Gravity Feed From
Backwash Tank .
Using a Mobile Crane, Insert Part of the Sand 0.4-0.8 mm (18/36)
Through the Upper Manhole. Coarse Levelling by Manual Raking
Followed by More Accurate Sand Levelling Using Several Air Scour
Pulses.
Add More Sand (and Water When Required) to Allow For Air Scour
Media Levelling Until the Sand Level Reaches the Indicated Marker
(i.e. 600 mm Above Nozzle Floor).
Drain Vessel and Check Beneath Nozzle Floor For any Sand Leaks.
Identify Faulty Nozzle(s) and Amend/Replace if Required
DMF/MMF Filter Loading
REMOVAL OF SAND FINES
Install Observation Pipe to Upper Manhole
Fill Vessel With Water Via Gravity Feed From Backwash
Tank Until the Water Starts to Overflow Through DMF
Outlet Isolation. During This Operation, Make Sure That
The Backwash Header and the Vessel are Vented
Through Both the Upper and Lower DMF Vents.
Perform a Backwash For ~ 15 mins. Fines Removal
Should be Observed Via the Observation Pipe and Within
the DMF Discharge Trench.
Drain Vessel Until the Level Drops to About 5 cm Above
Media.
Perform an Air Scour For About 10 mins. Observe That
an Even Air Distribution Across the Nozzle Plate is
Achieved.
Repeat Steps 3 - 5 at Least 4 Times.
DMF/MMF Filter Inlet
DMF/MMF Sand Fines Washing
DMF/MMF Sand Fines Washing
DMF/MMF Sand Fines Washing
DMF/MMF Sand Fines Washing
DMF/MMF Filter Loading
PUMICE LOADING
Note: PPE (Dust Masks, Eye Protection, Gloves & Coveralls) Should
Be Worn When Working With Pumice in its Dry State.
The Loading/Levelling of the Pumice Will be Assisted by Raising the
Water Level to ~ 100mm Above Sand Level Via the Backwash Line. A
Combination of Manual Raking and Short Pulses Using the Air Scour
Blower Will Also Assist in Levelling Out the Bed.
Load Pumice Through the Upper Manhole. Pumice Should be
Levelled to 1400 mm Above the Nozzle Floor or 0.8 m Above Sand
Level.
Note: Do Not Overfill The DMF With Water or Pumice as the Bed
Will Expand During the Air Scour Pulse and May be Lost Via Outlet
Pipework/Manhole Door.
On Completing the Pumice Fill, Raise the Water Level to ~ 100 mm
Above Surface of the Media, Again by Using the Backwash Line.
Close Over the Upper Manhole Door (No Need to Bolt Closed).
Open Upper Vent Valve.
Pumice Soaking
Channeling
DMF/MMF Filter Loading
MANUAL BACKWASHING OF SAND AND PUMICE
Fill Vessel With Water Via Gravity Feed From Backwash Tank Until the
Water Starts to Overflow Through DMF Outlet Isolation Washing the
Pumice Fines to Drain. During This Operation, Make Sure That the
Backwash Header and the Vessel are Vented Through Both the Upper and
Lower DMF Vents.
Perform a Backwash For ~ 15 mins. Fines Removal Should be Observed.
During Initial Backwashes, Velocities Should be Reduced to Minimise Losses
of Pumice Material. Once Initial Fines Have Been Removed Increase
Velocities to ~ 1112 m/h (Max Bed Expansion) and Again Monitor, Via The
Observation Pipe and Within the DMF Discharge Trench Media, to Ensure
That as Bed Expands Good Sand/Pumice Material is Not Removed. Drain
Vessel Until the Level Drops to About 5 cm Above Media.
Perform an Air Scour For About 10 mins. Observe That an Even Air
Distribution Across the Nozzle Plate is Achieved.
Repeat Backwash Flow Exercise Using the Higher Velocities Whilst
Monitoring Level & Quality of Water.
These Exercises Should be Repeated Until Fines Have Been Removed and
Water is Clear After Two or Three Minutes of a Backwash Being Initiated.
The DMF is Now Ready to Have Sequencing For Automatic Priming and
Backwashing.
DMF/MMF Operation - Backwash
Filter Backwashing is the Single Most Important
Operation in the Maintenance of the Filters.

Effect of Bad Backwash :

Mud Balls are Formed by the Filter Media Cementing Together

With the Floc That the Filter is Supposed to Remove:
This Will Cause the Flow to Increase in the Areas of the Filter That
Have Not Been Plugged.
Additional Problems, Such as Filter Cracking and Separation of the
Media From the Filter Walls May Also be the Result of Mud-ball
Formation.
Filter Bed Shrinkage or Compaction Can Result From Ineffective
Backwashing.
DMF/MMF Operation - Backwash
A Filter Should be Backwashed When the Following
Conditions Have Been Met:
A Filter Run Reaches a Given Hour of Operation.
The Differential Pressure Across the Filter Has Reached its
Maximum Setting.
Floc Starts to Break Through the Filter and the Turbidity in the
Filter Effluent Increases.
If a Filter is Taken Out of Service For Some Reason, it
Must Always be Backwashed Prior to Being Put Back in
Service.

Note : If The Feedwater Quality is Good the Filter Runs

Can Be Very Long. Too Long Filter Runs are Not
Recommended Since This Can Cause the Filter Media to
Pack Down So That it is Difficult to Expand the Bed
During the Backwash.
DMF/MMF Operation - Backwash
Dual Media Filter Backwash Steps
Bed Break Pulses : 2 to 3 backwash pulses lasting 5 to 10 sec.
Water Level Lowering
Air Scouring
Air Removal Pulses:3 to 5
Backwash pulses lasting 5 to 10 sec
Water Backwash @35 m3/h/m2 for 12 to 15 min.
Filter Rinse : reduced filtration(250 m3/h) for 40 to 60 min to
Mature filter
DMF/MMF Operation - Backwash

Details of air scour passage through nozzles (slide 1 of 3)

Air inlet valve (closed)

DMF/MMF Operation - Backwash
Details of air scour passage through nozzles (slide 2 of 3)

Air inlet valve (open)

DMF/MMF Operation - Backwash
Details of air scour passage through nozzles (slide 3 of 3)

Air through
nozzles
air slot
VVF Overview
Single DMF/MMF Valving Arrangement
DMF/MMF Flow Sequences

Backwash

Feed
water

Normal Backwash Rinse

Cartridge filters

Rinse

Rinse
Rinse
 DMF/MMF Backwash Sequences

Backwash Outlet

Feed Water
Inlet
Upper Vent
Upper Vent Upper Vent Backwash Rinse

Lower
Lower Vent Lower Vent
Vent

AIR SCOUR

Rinse

Rinse
Rinse
DMF/MMF Operation
WHY RINSING TO WASTE ?
After Backwash, Filtered Water Should be Wasted Until
the Turbidity in The Effluent Meets Acceptable
Standards.
Depending on the Type of Filter, This May Last From 2 to
20 Minutes.
This Wasting is Needed as Some Suspended Material
Remains in the Filter Media Following the Backwash.
Filtration Rate is Higher in a Clean Filter, Causing More
Material to be Swept From the Filter During the Start-up.
Backwash Cycle
Backwash water Turbidity v Time

TYPICAL TURBIDITY PROFILE OF BACKWASH WATER

(From on-site pilot tests)

500
BW Water Turbidity (NTU)

450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
Backwash Time (mn)
DMF/MMF Operation - Backwash
Turbidity Profile after backwash (During Rinse + Service Duration)
DMF/MMF Operation Online Steps (slide
1of 2)

DMF A Offline DMFs B to E in service

to DMFs
Trench

From Intake
Pumps

DMF 'A' DMF 'B-E'

From Air
Scour
To Self Cleaning
Strainers

From Backwash
Pumps

actuated on/off valve open actuated on/off valve pulsing

actuated on/off valve closed actuated control valve

DMF/MMF Operation Online Steps (slide
2of 2)

STEP1 STEP2 DMFs B to E in service

to DMFs
Trench

From Intake 1
Pumps

DMF 'A' DMF 'A' DMF 'B-E'

3
6

From Air 4
Scour A venting time
allowed To Self Cleaning
Strainers

7
From Backwash
Pumps

Backwash

actuated on/off valve open actuated on/off valve pulsing

actuated on/off valve closed actuated control valve

DMF/MMF Operations Offline Steps

DMF A Offline DMFs B to E in service

to DMFs
Trench

2
From Intake
Pumps

DMF 'A' DMF 'B-E'

From Air
Scour
To Self Cleaning
Strainers
1

From Backwash
Pumps

actuated on/off valve open actuated on/off valve pulsing

actuated on/off valve closed actuated control valve

DMF/MMF Operations Priming Steps
(Slide 1 of 2)

DMFs B to E in service

to DMFs
Trench

From Intake
Pumps

DMF 'A' DMF 'B-E'

From Air
Scour
To Self Cleaning
Strainers

From Backwash
Pumps

actuated on/off valve open actuated on/off valve pulsing

actuated on/off valve closed actuated control valve

DMF/MMF Operations Priming Steps
(Slide 2 of 2)
STEP1 STEP2 DMFs B to E in service

to DMFs
Trench

From Intake
1 7
Pumps

3 8

DMF 'A' DMF 'A' DMF 'B-E'

4
6

From Air
Scour
To Self Cleaning
Strainers

From Backwash
Pumps 9
2

5
Backwash

Duty backwash pump start and 10

reduced flow delivered through actuated on/off valve open actuated on/off valve pulsing Duty backwash pump stops
FCV for a set priming time
actuated on/off valve closed actuated control valve
?