How Much Do You Know About Y Strainer?

It's important to remember some of the simpler things that make all of this possible, and with that in mind, we decided to introduce products that seem less complex but make the processes we need in modern life work better and more efficiently. One of them is the simple "Y Strainer".

 

As the world becomes more complex, it's easy to get distracted from the simple things in life. Like turning on a faucet to get clean water, opening the refrigerator to get a cold drink, or turning the ignition key in your car, these wonderful combinations of steel, copper, rubber, and integrated circuits get you from point A to point B in comfort.

 

It's important to remember some of the simpler things that make all of this possible, and with that in mind, we decided to introduce products that seem less complex but make the processes we need in modern life work better and more efficiently. One of them is the simple "FRP products".

 

What is Y Strainer?

The "Y Strainer" is named after its configuration and is most often used for pressurized lines, gases or liquids. They can also be used for suction or vacuum conditions. Y-strainers are suitable for applications where small amounts of solids are expected and where cleaning is infrequent. If solids can be easily flushed from the screen and the fluid can be vented to atmosphere, a drain valve on the discharge port will allow cleaning without removing the screen and without interrupting the process.

 

By definition, Strainers provide a method of mechanically removing solids from a flowing fluid. They do this by using perforated metal, mesh or wedge wire strain elements.

Ductile Iron Y Strainer Valve

Types of Y Strainer

A simplex strainer (just a single strainer as opposed to a duplex strainer) is generally used where the process can be shut down for a period of time to replace, or to clean the strainer.

 

Y Strainers and many basket strainers can be self-cleaning. If you add a blow-down valve the strainer can be flushed without stopping the flow through or disassembling the piping.

 

Y-strainers can be used in horizontal or vertical positions, while most basket strainers are designed for horizontal or slightly angled piping applications. You must pay attention to the orientation of the chamber that collects debris and the discharge (drain) connection of the Y-strainer. The filter must be installed in the lowest possible position.

 

A Y Strainer installed in vertical piping must be installed so that its screen is in the downward position so that it can trap sediment in the debris collection chamber.

Ductile Iron Y Strainer Valve

We often forget that installing a Y-strainer is not an expense, but an investment in protecting downstream mechanical equipment such as turbines, pumps, heat exchangers, nozzles, condensers, meters and steam traps. These are often one of the most expensive components of the process and can be damaged by sediment, rust, pipe scale and other foreign debris.

 

Contractors and engineers often have a misconception that Y strainers and basket strainers cannot be used in steam service. In many instances both basket strainers and Y Strainers will perform comparably in steam service. When you order strainers for steam service it’s essential that you specify this so the manufacturer is aware of this. With steam the housing may be provided with a special bottom which allows the accumulated debris to be blown out of the blowdown valve opening.

 

When liquid flows through a strainer, the strainer screen will impede the flow and therefore the pressure of the liquid exiting the strainer will be lower than prior to entering the strainer. This is referred to as the “pressure drop” of the strainer.

 

In sizes about 4 inches, a basket strainer will generally create less pressure drop than a Y strainer. Due to the required thickness and therefore high cost to create high pressure strainers, basket strainers are normally not constructed for pressures above 1,500 psi. On the other hand, Y strainers are available for working pressures of 6,000 psi and higher.

Ductile Iron Y Strainer Valve

Cast Y strainers can be installed into a pipeline or work flow application either by “threading” them on to a piece of pipe, or by being bolted to a “flange”.

 

In a size of about 4 inches, a basket strainer will typically produce less pressure drop than a Y strainer. Due to the required thickness and the high cost of manufacturing high pressure Strainers, basket Strainers are not typically used for pressures above 1,500 psi. Y-Strainers, on the other hand, can be used for operating pressures of 6,000 psi and higher.

 

Threaded cast Y-strainers are available in a variety of materials, including cast iron, cast bronze, cast steel, cast stainless steel, cast alloy 20, Cast Chrome-Moly. Flanged Y-strainers can be made of cast iron, cast ductile iron, cast steel, cast stainless steel, and cast LCC.

 

While Y-strainers are not always the most glamorous part of the production process, they are an essential component. In an era when we have the tools to analyze and document detailed variables including downtime, ensuring that you keep those expensive downstream components performing to their potential by ensuring that debris and particles that could reduce their efficiency or cause premature failure are removed.