The Role of Conical Strainers in Protecting Pumps and Valves

 


Protecting pumps and valves from debris during system startup ensures reliable operation and avoids costly downtime. New or modified pipelines often carry leftover construction materials—like rust, welding slag, and scale—that can seriously damage sensitive components. This is where conical strainers play a critical role.

What Are Conical Strainers and Why Are They Important?

Conical strainers (temporary cone strainers )are cone-shaped mesh or perforated metal filters placed between pipe flanges. They're designed for short-term use during pipeline systems' commissioning or startup phase.

When fluid flows through a newly installed system, it can carry construction debris that may damage pumps, control valves, and meters. Conical strainers capture this debris early on, offering essential protection when the system is most vulnerable.


Why Startup Debris Is Dangerous

New pipeline systems often contain:

  • Welding slag

  • Rust particles

  • Pipe scale

  • Jointing compound

These materials can lead to:

  • Abrasion and erosion of the pump and valve components

  • Clogging of narrow passages and filter elements

  • Seizing of moving parts due to large debris

  • Reduced performance and internal leakage

How Conical Strainers Work

The effectiveness of conical strainers lies in their design. Inserted between two pipe flanges, their cone shape offers a large surface area for filtering. As the fluid passes through, solid contaminants get trapped inside or outside the cone—depending on the orientation.

This setup ensures:

  • High filtration efficiency

  • Low pressure drop

  • Easy debris collection and removal

Benefits of Using Conical Strainers

Using a conical strainer during startup provides several advantages:

  •  Protects expensive components from early failure

  •  Extends equipment lifespan by preventing wear

  •  Reduces maintenance costs and emergency interventions

  •  Prevents unplanned downtime

  •  Improves overall system reliability

Material Options:

  • Stainless Steel 304 / 316 (corrosion resistance)

  • Carbon Steel

  • Monel and other specialty alloys

Key Specs to Consider:

  • Mesh/perforation size (determines what particles are captured)

  • Open area ratio (impacts flow capacity)

Installation Best Practices

To maximize performance:

  • Orientation: Install the cone upstream or downstream based on system needs.

  • Sizing: Match pipe diameter, flange rating, and bolt circle.

  • Sealing: Use appropriate gaskets to ensure leak-free operation.

Temporary Use and Maintenance

Most conical strainers are designed for short-term use. Once the system has been flushed and debris removed, the strainer should be taken out to prevent pressure drop and clogging.

To remove:

  1. Isolate the section

  2. Depressurise the line

  3. Unbolt the flanges

  4. Remove the strainer carefully.

Conical vs. Permanent Strainers

  • Use Conical Strainers for temporary protection during startup.

  • Use Permanent Strainers (like basket or Y-type strainers) for ongoing filtration needs.

Industries That Use Conical Strainers

Conical strainers are widely used in industries where clean fluid flow is essential from the start:

  •  Oil & Gas

  •  Chemical Processing

  •  Power Generation

  •  Marine

  • Water Treatment

  •  Food & Beverage / Pharmaceutical

  •  Pulp & Paper

Final Thoughts: Start Clean, Stay Efficient

A smooth startup sets the foundation for reliable operations. Conical strainers are a cost-effective, temporary filtration solution that protects your pumps, valves, and instrumentation from damaging debris. They help avoid unexpected downtime and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

If you're commissioning a new system, don’t overlook this small but powerful piece of equipment. It’s been the smart way to protect your bigger investments from day one.


For more information, please visit. 

https://www.flometriq.com/blog/role-of-conical-strainers/

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