Profile: BollFilter: 50 Years of Success and Counting

For more than 50 years BollFilter has sought to design, manufacture and deliver advanced filtration technology, specializing in filtration technology for shipbuilding and engine-building. Founded in 1950 by Messrs. Boll and Kirch in Cologne in the wake of World War II, the company has grown from its original crew of 25 to worldwide operations more than 300 strong, plus a strong network of agencies on all continents. The company, which has occupied nearly 22,000-sq.-m. of space in the Kerpen industrial district near Colgne since 1979, has been built on innovation and a commitment to delivering quality products, and a number of Bollfilters are the result of the company's own research and development, and are protected by patents or utility models. BollFilter's range extends to filtration systems for a number of liquids, including: Chemicals, Cleaning Agents, Cooling lubricants, Oils, Fuel and Water. But the company's expertise extends beyond pure product supply, as many customers have found an advantage in involving Boll & Kirch technicians and engineers in the early phases of their projects. To further aid in the selection process the company maintains on its website (www.bollfilterusa.com), a comprehensive filter problem questionnaire, which allows the company more precisely identify and solve a particular customer's problem.

Single filters One-chamber filters are the basic models used in liquid-filtering technology. They fulfill the technical filtering tasks just as reliably as switch-over double filters or automatic filters. This is because all designs of filter can be installed with the various means of filtration. The BASIC-type BollFilter is used wherever the plant or filter can be switched off without fuss. They are also used by means of cutoff valves to clean or change the filter inserts.

Duplex filters consist of two filter housings. One filter housing is in operation while the other, cleaned, half of the filter is held in reserve. If the degree of contamination exceeds the tolerance threshold, the operation will then switch to the cleaned half of the filter with no pulse pressure. The contaminated filter insert is then cleaned whilst the plant continues operating. The switch-over takes place by means of a change-over cock or by means of two-stage three-way ball valves. The construction makes it impossible to switch off both filter chambers simultaneously.

Automatic filters In BollfilterUSA automatic filters, the filter candles, wedge wire candles, or wire mesh candles are automatically cleaned by back-flushing without interrupting operation. This may depend on differential pressure, time, and be carried out using the plant's own medium. This could be a compressed-air-supported medium or external medium. Filters of this type are used when contamination is occurring constantly, manual cleaning is uneconomic, or the plant filters are extensively automated.