14. Oct 2020

Optimized dutch weaves: Multi-talent in terms of water filtration

Optimized dutch weaves (ODW) from GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG are a real multi-talent in water filtration. They impress when filtering fresh water and sewage with pore sizes of 5 – 25 µm and precise separating limits. Exceptionally high flow rates and excellent regenerability through backwashing also make them incredibly successful.

As a further development of the plain dutch weave, optimized dutch weaves consist of a small number of thick warp wires and many thin weft wires. In the weaving process, this creates slot-shaped apertures with small pore sizes at the surface of the mesh and large pores within the mesh. From outlet filtration of municipal sewage plants to large industrial treatment plants for process and service water, filter cartridges for drinking water pipes in domestic installations, domestic appliances to avoid microplastic load, or scientific devices for sampling of microplastic loads: Optimized dutch weaves give exceptional performance in every application. A sampling basket developed by GKD is the perfect example. This cascade filter enables scientific sampling of tire abrasion in road traffic, which in Germany is the biggest cause of microplastics in the sea, at 110,000 metric tons annually. A patented microliter filter crucible with a welded floor made of ODW which was developed in conjunction with the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) and the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) guarantees fast and reliable routine analyses for determining amounts of microplastics in the environment. With its geometric pore size of 5 µm, users can be assured that all microplastic particles above the separating limit of five micrometers are securely retained. Whether as a cartridge, disc, or drum filter: In addition to precise separating limits, optimized dutch weaves are also characterized by high permeability and dirt holding capacity. Plus, ODWs impress with minimal clogging tendency, mechanical robustness, resistance to wear, and weldability. Lastly, the stainless steel filter media have the advantage over synthetic media that the water is not contaminated by plastic abrasion and large volumes of waste are not generated by used media. As an intelligent alternative to synthetic filter media, the virtually 100%-recyclable optimized dutch weaves made from stainless steel respond to customers’ increasing sensibility regarding the use of plastic products or adhesives in the process and are an important source of potential savings for the carbon footprint.