Basket & Tube Filter Elements for
Self-Cleaning & Automatic Backwash Systems
OEM-grade wedge wire, woven mesh, sintered and perforated filter elements engineered as the core filtration media of self-cleaning & automatic backwash filter systems. Retrofit-ready for Eaton, Amiad, Forsta, Tekleen, Filtomat, Hydac and other leading platforms.
How Self-Cleaning Works
Three Standard Backwash Triggers — Compatible with Any OEM Platform
SINFT basket and tube elements are designed to work with all three standard self-cleaning trigger mechanisms used in industry. The element does the filtration work; the housing & controller handle the cleaning cycle.
Differential Pressure Triggered
Backwash starts when dP across the element exceeds a setpoint (typically 0.3–0.7 bar). The most common trigger in industrial water service. Wedge wire geometry ensures consistent, repeatable dP rise.
Timer Controlled
Backwash fires on a fixed schedule regardless of dP — common in seawater intake and high-fouling service where dP rise would be too rapid for reactive control. Simpler controls, higher reliability.
Continuous Suction Scanner
A rotating arm continuously scans the element, vacuuming captured solids without stopping forward flow. Common in irrigation and high-turbidity raw water. Demands very high open area & precise wedge wire tolerance.
Element Design Characteristics
Why OEMs & EPCs Choose SINFT for Self-Cleaning Elements
The element is the heart of the self-cleaning system. Its geometry, material and tolerance determine cleaning efficiency, backwash water consumption and replacement interval. SINFT focuses on six engineering priorities that matter to OEMs and EPC integrators.
Wedge Wire V-Slot Geometry
Inverted V-slot widens toward the clean side — solids release cleanly during backwash, never re-blinding the screen.
High Open Area
40–75% open area minimizes baseline dP and shortens backwash time.
Fully-Welded Construction
No fasteners, no adhesives — survives repeated pressure-reversal cycling.
Precise Slot Tolerance
±5 µm slot tolerance ensures stable cleaning performance over the full service life.
Material Versatility
316L / 904L / Duplex 2205 / Hastelloy C-276 — matched to fluid chemistry.
Drawing-to-Order
Send a print or a sample — SINFT manufactures retrofit elements for any OEM housing.
Application Coverage
12 Typical Self-Cleaning System Applications — Industry, Service Conditions & Recommended Element
Self-cleaning & automatic backwash filtration is deployed across every continuous-flow industry. Below: typical industries that use these systems, what conditions they serve, and which basket / tube element structure is best matched.
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| Industry | Self-Cleaning Equipment | Install Location | Service Medium | Conditions | Contaminants | Customer Pain Point | Rating | Element Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Plant CCW | Automatic Backwash Filter | Filter housing interior | Cooling water | 24×7 | Silt, scale, shells | Frequent manual cleaning → shutdown | 50–3000 µm | Basket |
| Seawater Desalination | Self-Cleaning Filter | Main filter cavity | Seawater | High salinity | Shells, algae, silt | Shorter RO membrane life | 50–1000 µm | Wedge Wire Basket |
| RO Pre-Treatment | Automatic Backwash System | Filter unit | Pretreated water | Continuous | Suspended solids | Frequent bag replacement | 50–300 µm | Tube |
| Municipal Water Supply | Self-Cleaning Filter | Element assembly | Raw water | High-flow service | Silt, algae | Heavy maintenance load | 100–2000 µm | Basket |
| Steel Mill Recirculating Water | Automatic Filter | Main filter unit | Recirculating water | High mill scale | Mill scale | Frequent nozzle replacement | 100–1000 µm | Wedge Wire Basket |
| Paper Mill White Water Recovery | Self-Cleaning Filter | Main filter | White water | High fiber | Pulp fibers | Filter screen blinding | 100–1000 µm | Wedge Wire |
| Food & Beverage CIP Recovery | Automatic Filter | CIP loop | Process water | Sanitary-grade | Pulp, particles | Manual disassembly required | 50–500 µm | Tube |
| Petrochemical Process | Self-Cleaning Filter | Process pipeline | Process liquid | High temperature | Weld slag, rust | Heat exchanger plugging | 50–500 µm | Tube |
| Mining | Automatic Backwash Filter | Slurry system | Process water | High sand load | Sand | Severe pump wear | 300–3000 µm | Wedge Wire Basket |
| Marine Seawater System | Automatic Seawater Filter | Main filter unit | Seawater | High salinity | Algae, shells | Marine biofouling | 500–3000 µm | Wedge Wire Basket |
| Irrigation Systems | Agricultural Self-Cleaning Filter | Filter unit | River water | Outdoor continuous | Silt, algae | Drip emitter plugging | 80–500 µm | Wedge Wire |
| Chemical Wastewater | Automatic Filter | Process system | Wastewater | Highly corrosive | Crystals | Pump plugging | 100–1000 µm | Tube |
Structure Selection
Element Structure Map — Service to Best-Fit Construction
Different self-cleaning systems demand different element structures. Use this table as the starting reference for structure selection.
| Element Structure | Typical Rating | Best-Fit Service | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perforated Plate Basket | 500–10000 µm | Coarse filtration | Maximum flow capacity |
| Woven Mesh Basket | 50–1000 µm | General industrial water | Low cost |
| Wedge Wire Basket | 25–3000 µm | Self-cleaning & backwash systems (preferred) | Best backwash release performance |
| Woven Mesh Tube | 25–500 µm | Process fluid | Stable micron rating |
| Sintered Mesh Tube | 1–100 µm | High pressure service | Maximum mechanical strength |
| 904L Tube Filter | 25–500 µm | Severely corrosive media | Acid corrosion resistance |
| Duplex 2205 Wedge Wire | 50–3000 µm | Seawater systems | Chloride pitting resistance |
Technical Specifications
SINFT Self-Cleaning Element — Key Engineering Parameters
The engineering targets we hit on every OEM and EPC project.
Micron Range
1 – 10000 µm
Full range across all element structures.
Wedge Slot Tolerance
±5 µm
Precise slot opening for repeatable performance.
Open Area
40 – 75%
High open ratio minimizes baseline dP.
Backwash Water Saving
15–30% Less
Vs. competitor screens in field tests.
Construction
Fully Welded
Survives repeated pressure-reversal cycling.
Materials
316L → C-276
From general industrial water to severe acid.
Manufacturing
Drawing-to-Order
Custom dimensions for any OEM housing.
OEM Compatibility
7+ Brands
Eaton, Amiad, Forsta, Tekleen, Filtomat, Hydac & more.
Customer Concerns
Top 5 Questions from OEM & EPC Customers
1. Why is wedge wire the preferred structure for self-cleaning filter systems?
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Wedge wire (profile wire) presents a V-shaped slot that widens toward the clean side. During backwash, dislodged solids clear smoothly without re-blinding the screen — the inverse of woven mesh, which traps solids and resists backflushing. This is why every leading self-cleaning OEM platform (Eaton DCF, Amiad SAF, Forsta, Tekleen, Filtomat, Hydac) uses wedge wire for the primary filter element.
2. Can SINFT supply retrofit / replacement elements for existing self-cleaning filters?
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Yes — SINFT custom-manufactures replacement basket and tube elements to drawing, sample or OEM specification. We commonly retrofit elements for Eaton, Amiad, Forsta, Tekleen, Filtomat, Hydac and many other self-cleaning platforms, typically at significant cost savings vs. OEM original parts. Send a drawing or a sample and we quote within 24 hours.
3. What slot opening / micron rating range does SINFT support?
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Full range. Perforated plate baskets: 500–10000 µm. Woven mesh: 50–1000 µm. Wedge wire: 25–3000 µm — the broadest, and the standard for self-cleaning. Sintered mesh tube: 1–100 µm for high-pressure precision service. 904L tube: 25–500 µm for severe corrosion. Duplex 2205 wedge wire: 50–3000 µm for seawater.
4. How does SINFT optimize for backwash water consumption?
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Backwash water consumption is a major OPEX driver. SINFT optimizes through: (1) wedge wire profile geometry — V-slot widens toward clean side, requiring less flush velocity; (2) high open area (40–75%) reducing baseline dP and shortening flush time; (3) precise slot tolerance preventing premature blinding. Field benchmarks vs. competitor screens routinely show 15–30% lower backwash water consumption per cycle.
5. What materials are available for self-cleaning elements?
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316L for general industrial water (cost-effective default). 904L for acidic and high-chloride wastewater. Duplex 2205 / Super Duplex 2507 for seawater desalination, marine and offshore intake. Hastelloy C-276 for severely corrosive chemical wastewater. Polymer-lined construction available for specialty corrosion duty on request.
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Request a Quote — Self-Cleaning & Backwash Filter Elements
Send a drawing, sample, or OEM brand & model (Eaton, Amiad, Forsta, Tekleen, Filtomat, Hydac…) and we quote a retrofit element within 24 hours. For new OEM platforms, send the housing spec — we co-engineer the element.