What Is the Standard Size of Liquid Filter Bags?

Selecting the right size of filter is crucial for ensuring that your product, or liquids it relies on, is filtered both correctly and efficiently. Liquid filter bags play a vital role across various industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and water treatment. Learn about the standard sizes of filter bags and configurable, or modifiable, options available to meet your specific needs. Understanding these elements can significantly enhance your filtration process and product quality.

Liquid filter bags are placed inside of a filter housing to remove contaminants and unwanted debris from the liquid being filtered. Our liquid filter bags are environmentally-friendly, easy to use, and offer superior particle retention. These filters are easy and fairly inexpensive to purchase and replace. Different types of bag filters include standard felt, standard mesh, high efficiency, and dual flow. 

Standard felt filter bags are made of polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), and Nomex® and Teflon® materials. They range in micron sizes from 1 to 200 (micron = 1 millionth of a meter). The PP and PE options are FDA Approved for food use.

Standard mesh filter bags are made from either multifilament or monofilament materials. Micron ratings range from 1 to 1500. The nylon and PE options are FDA Approved for food contact.

Ranging in micron sizes from 1 to 100, high efficiency filter bags reduce operating costs as they do not need to be changed as frequently. They are suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.

Dual flow filter bags offer a greater surface area filtration and are an economic alternative to more expensive brand name bags. They can be retrofitted to standard filter housings and micron ratings range from 1 to 200.

There are common sizes for liquid bag filters, listed in the chart below. Keep in mind that configurable options are available for unique and specific applications. 

The most common standard sizes of liquid filter bags include Size 1 (7.06” x 16.5”), Size 2 (7.06” x 32”), Size 3 (4.12” x 8), and Size 4 (4.12” x 14”).

The size of a bag filter is critical for ensuring high filtration performance. There are various factors that influence what size is best for your application including the housing dimensions and industry-specific needs.

Flow rate refers to the volume of liquid that passes through the filter, most commonly measured in gallons per minute (gpm). Higher flow rates require larger or multiple filter bags to prevent any clogging and to maintain overall efficiency. The micron rating also impacts flow rate as finer filters may reduce flow capacity and may require larger or multiple filters. For example, industrial water treatment systems need larger bag filters to handle the volume in an efficient manner.

The type of contaminants being filtered from the liquid influences the choice of the ideal bag filter’s size and material. Solid particles, gels, and oils vary in size and composition. Systems filtering out fine matter require filters with lower micron ratings to capture the small contaminants.

We offer configurable liquid filter bags so that you can create the perfect filter for specific applications. Select one of our available bag sizes, pick a micron rating, ring style, and view additional customizable bag options including handles, reverse collar, auto seams, and more. Our configurable filter bag options include standard felt, standard mesh, and high efficiency, with some being FDA Approved.

Customized filter bags may be necessary in specific scenarios where standard filter bags do not meet the unique requirements of the application.

1. Unique Equipment or Housing Dimensions

In instances where a filtration system or housing does not have standard dimensions, a custom-sized filter bag is essential to ensure a proper fit and ideal filtration. Using standard sizes for the system or housing can lead to leaks and inefficiencies.

2. Non-Standard Micron Ratings

If a process requires a filtration level that falls outside of the standard micron ratings, a custom filter bag can be created to meet the precise filtration requirements.

3. Cost Efficiency for High-Volume or OEM Applications

Custom filter bags can be designed to optimize performance and reduce costs for businesses or Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with high-volume filtration needs. By tailoring the filter bag to the system’s exact specifications, there can be improved operational efficiency.

4. Replacement for Discontinued Filters

When dealing with a discontinued item essential for liquid filtration, configurable filter bags can be created to replace them. This ensures seamless, continued operations without needing to look into upgrades or new systems.

Having the option to create a customized bag filter provides the ability to craft exactly what’s needed for unique applications and have tailored solutions for specific needs.

Using the incorrect size of bag filter for your application can have a big impact on your product and operations system. If you use a different filter size than required it can result in insufficient filtration, leading to contaminants passing through the filter. It can also cause clogging in machines, shorten the filter lifespan, and potentially damage equipment. 

Using the wrong filter size can lead to product quality and impact profitability. Having to replace the filter more often than necessary and having to fix potential damage to equipment can lead to increased operational costs.

We understand the importance of selecting the ideal filter bag for various applications, no matter the industry. That’s why we have a wide selection of filters and configurable options available. 

Have questions about our liquid filter bags or need assistance choosing which would be best? Contact our filtration specialists at 630.629.6600 or email sales@thecarycompany.com.