What Is Pre-Filtration?

Imagine filtration as a sieve;

• large particles caught by a coarse mesh, with wide open holes
• smaller particles pass through
• they are caught by a smaller, finer mesh
• fine particles pass through and so on until the finest of material is captured

Pre filtration is removing as much coarse material from the water, before reaching the primary filter. This reduces the ‘load’ on the main filter and extends filter cleansing cycles. It can also lead to better water quality.

The image below shows where Pre-Filtration is within a pool system;

Why use pre-filtration?

Prevent blockages

If a skimmer basket wasn’t used, there is a high risk of blocking pipes and other equipment. This first method of pre-filtration is generally accepted as a ‘must’ when constructing a swimming pool, yet no further thought is given to pre-filtration.

Improve circulation

Leaf trappers (bag filters) have a large capacity and can collect a large amount of course debris before it reaches the pump. This helps the pump circulate more water without becoming blocked itself.

Improve water quality

By using a combination of pre-filtration methods, much of the coarse debris can be removed prior to the primary filter.This allows the primary filter to perform more efficiently, and therefore improve water quality. Service/cleaning cycles are extended which can also save water. Waterco’s award winning MultiCyclone is an example of how pre-filtration can be applied most effectively to improve water quality and save water.

Extend equipment life

If pre-filtration devices are installed, the life of equipment such as pumps and filters can be extended. Effective pre-filtration will also prevent damage to other equipment such as pool heaters and salt chlorinators.

A Waterco Multicyclone will help you save money

MultiCyclone is the brilliant new pre-filtration device that can help you save thousands of litres of water and reduce filter maintenance. Based on the principals of centrifugal water filtration – MultiCyclone collects 80% of the dirt that clogs your filter before it gets there. It drastically reduces backwashing and filter cartridge maintenance. There are no moving parts to wear and tear, and no filter media to clean or replace.

How does it work?

Centrifugal water filtration

• Incoming water enters 16 hydro cyclones tangentially, generating a strong centrifugal effect
• Sediment is spun out to the hydro cyclone’s wall, and then spirals down to the
  sediment chamber
• The filtered water migrates towards the centre of the hydro cyclone and spirals upwards through the outlet

There are no moving parts to wear and tear, and no filter media to clean or replace.

• Accumulation of sediment can be visibly monitored through the MultiCyclone’s clear sediment chamber
• The MultiCyclone is easily cleaned by opening the valve - whilst the pump is running
• Only 15 litres of water is discharged to cleanse the MultiCyclone

Introduction

MultiCyclone Ultra combines centrifugal and cartridge filtration into one streamline housing, creating an ultra filtration system that can be vertically installed on a pool pump.

• Dual Filtration
• Ultra Compact
• Ease of Maintenance
• Save Time, Water & Energy

Features and benefits

Dual stage filtration

• MultiCyclone Ultra uses the most advanced hydro cyclone technology to reduce the footprint of the filtration system.
• It combines all of the revolutionary features of its predecessor with an inbuilt cartridge filter.
• Incoming water tangentially enters its multiple hydrocyclones, generating a strong centrifugal effect.
• Approximately 80% of the incoming dirt load is spiraled down to its clear sediment chamber.
• The outgoing water is finally polished via its inbuilt cartridge filter, producing crystal clear water.

Extended filter capacity

• The MultiCyclone Ultra increases the capacity of the 75ft² filter cartridge by five times, equivalent up to a 375ft² filter cartridge.
• Its centrifugal section filter pre-filters up to 80% of dirt which would normally go into the filter, and drains it out.

Ease of maintenance

Extended filter capacity

• MultiCyclone Ultra’s sediment chamber is easily cleaned by opening its purge valve.
• Only 15 litres of water is discharged compared to a sand filter, the MultiCyclone Ultra can save between 7,000 to 10,000 litres of water a year.

Ultra compact

• MultiCyclone Ultra’s streamline design enables installation directly to the pump out let port and Chlorinator on top of the MultiCyclone Ultra.
• Achieving a reduction in pool equipment foot print, minimising pipe work and reducing the filtration system’s overall head loss.

Dual cleaner

• Benefit of placing a filter cartridge on the MultiCyclone. When the air release valve is opened, the flow of water through the filter cartridge flushes some of the large debris down through the MultiCyclone’s sediment chamber.
• The filter cartridge is not cleansed of all its debris, but the removal of some debris during each purge of the sediment chamber, will definitely decrease its cleaning frequency.

Time Saving

• Its centrifugal section filter pre-filters up to 80% of the dirt which would normally go into the filter, and drains it out.
• Filter cartridge maintenance is significantly reduced. Frequency of maintenance should be equivalent to the same level of maintenance required for a 300ft² to 375ft² cartridge filter.

The best of both worlds

• The MultiCyclone Ultra offers the best of both worlds. It is more hydraulically efficient than a sand filter, reducing the overall head loss of the pool’s filtration circuit.
• MultiCyclone Ultra does not have backwashing requirements and is not dependent on a high flow rate for backwashing.
• Smaller single speed pumps are capable of operating a MultiCyclone Ultra, reducing electrical usage and operating noise of the filtration system.

MultiCyclone Ultra offers the water savings of a cartridge filter, but without the frequency of filter cartridge maintenance.

Waterco MultiCyclone 12 & 16 Ultra

MultiCyclone 12 & 16 Ultra specifications:

• Cartridge rating: 30 Micron.
• The MultiCyclone 16 Ultra’s maximum flow rate is 280lpm.
• The maximum flow rate is determined by the surface area of the filter cartridge.
• NSF international cartridge design filtration rate is 41lpm/m² (1gpm/ft²).
• However, the MultiCyclone 12 Ultra’s maximum flow rate has been set to 225lpm.
• The flow rate has been decreased to meet with a Head Loss of 5m that offers a better operating balance to lpm and Head Loss.

Waterco MultiCyclone Plus

Saves water, energy and extends the life of pool filters Waterco Ltd has unveiled the next generation of its multi award-winning centrifugal pre-filter.

Waterco engineers have taken the MultiCyclone technology one step further and developed the MultiCyclone Plus, a vertically-mounted, all-in-one pre-filtration/filtration unit which saves between 7,000 and 10,000 litres of water a year compared to sand filtration systems.

Features and benefits of MultiCyclone Plus

The MultiCyclone Plus offers the best of both worlds. It is more hydraulically efficient than a Sand filter, reducing the overall head loss of the pool’s filtration circuit. MultiCyclone plus does not have backwashing requirements and is not dependent on a high flow rate requirement for backwashing.

A small single speed pump is all that is required to operate a MultiCyclone Plus, reducing electrical usage and reducing the operating noise of the filtration system. MultiCyclone Plus offers the water savings of a cartridge filter, but without the frequency of filter cartridge maintenance.

Dual stage filtration

• MultiCyclone Plus uses the most advanced hydro cyclone technology to reduce the footprint of the filtration system.
• It combines all of the revolutionary features of its predecessor with an inbuilt cartridge filter.
• Incoming water tangentially enters its multiple hydro cyclones, generating a strong centrifugal effect.
• Approximately 80% of the incoming dirt load is spiraled down to its clear sediment chamber.
• The outgoing water is finally polished via its inbuilt cartridge filter, producing crystal clear water.

Extended filter capacity

• The MultiCyclone Plus increases the capacity of the 40² ft filter cartridge by five times, equivalent to a 200² ft filter cartridge.
• Its centrifugal section filter pre-filters up to 80% of dirt which would normally go into the filter, and drains it out.

Ease of maintenance

• MultiCyclone Plus’s sediment chamber is easily cleaned by opening its purge valve.
• Only 15 litres of water is discharged

Energy saving

• The MultiCyclone Plus’s excellent hydraulic efficiency means that a small ¾ horsepower or 0.61kW pump is capable of circulating water through it.
• A 1 horsepower or 0.82kW pump may be required to power a suction cleaner or water features.
• OR alternately, use a variable speed pump such as Waterco’s ECOV 100 on low speed.

Water saving

• MultiCyclone Plus’s sediment chamber is easily cleaned by opening its purge valve.
• Only 15 litres of water is discharged. Compared to a sand filter, the MultiCyclone Plus can save between 7,000 to 10,000 litres of water a year.

Time saving

• Its centrifugal section filter pre-filters up to 80% of the dirt which would normally go into the filter, and drains it out.
• Filter cartridge maintenance is significantly reduced. Filter maintenance should be equivalent to the same level of maintenance required for a standard 150² to 200² ft cartridge filter.