Y-strainers can be installed horizontal or vertical depending on the application. They are often used in water filtration, chemical processing, and other applications where debris is removed at various stages along the pipeline to protect downstream components. A blow down connection allows for a y-strainer’s screen to be cleaned without removing it from the strainer's body. When should you use a blow down connection with a y-strainer? A blow down connection should be used when process equipment downstream needs to be protected from sand, gravel, and other debris.
What is a y-strainer?
A y-strainer (wye strainer) is a connection along a pipeline that creates a y-like shape where the liquid flow is sent through a screen to capture unwanted debris. A flow control pipeline may require multiple types of y-strainers with varying screen sizes. As the debris is collected, the y-strainer screen needs to be cleaned so that it does not impact the flow rate. If you clean a y-strainer without shutting off the flow, you could cause damage to other components of the pipeline. This may not be economically feasible with the time it takes to shut down and startup your systems. A solution to this issue is to install blow down connections on your y-strainers so that you “blow out” the debris collected in the strainer. By far the most common application of a liquid blow down connection is to a y-strainer. Liquid connections are typically used when there is no gas pressure to prevent the strainer from blowing over. This is usually done when you have a large amount of liquid (like water) and would like it to flow into a given area. The problem with using liquid connections is that they are slow and require careful attention because of their complexity.
Best time to use blow down connections and liquid y-strainers
Blow down connections can be used with a liquid y-strainer to control the rate of flow, and therefore the viscosity, or density, at different flow rates. It is commonly used when a more significant amount of debris is anticipated.
The recipe for this type of connection (liquid) is different than the types of connections you may have come across in the past, such as the “forced air” connections (which are often under pressure and are not suitable for use with liquid y-strainers).
There are two reasons why you might want to use this type of connection. The first reason is to reduce your chance of damage from dirt getting into the tubing. In general, when you are performing maintenance on equipment, you want to minimize its exposure to dirt. This can be achieved by using a blow down connection, which allows for minimal pressure drop in the tubing (when not under pressure). This reduces the chance that dirt can get into the tubing and damage it. The second reason is that you may want to reduce your latency from one location to another. If all equipment has access to these lines, then there’s no need for any travel time between them. If there are some locations where blowing down isn’t possible, then it might make sense to connect them over time instead of on one line at once. This way they can share resources and prevent bottlenecks while still remaining connected with each other.
Applications where blow down connections are usually necessary
The most common applications for a blow down connection are chemical processing, petroleum, oil, and water filtration.
1. Chemical Processing
A liquid blow down connection for chemical processing is efficient. It gives very precise control over the flow rate of the liquid. Keeping the chemicals you’re using as clean and pure as possible is vital for most chemical applications. A y-strainer with a blow down connection can help when used in the pipeline.
2. Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil filtration is important because, with the way that it’s extracted, there could be impurities that need to be removed before being processed. Removing them through y-strainers with blow down connections is common.
3. Oil
You can use a blow down connection on a liquid y-strainer to remove granular sediment from vegetable oil (that is, stuff like corn, soybeans, and so on).
4. Water Filtration
For most applications clean water is important. Using y-strainers is a great way to filter the water in the pipeline so that there is less strain on other parts of your filtration system.
The uses of a blow down connection with a liquid y-strainer
Some common applications for a liquid y-strainer are:
1) Cleaning or cleaning out pipes and other fittings.
2) Disinfecting buildings and other equipment.
3) Discharging waste into a sewer.
Blow down connections are a great way to increase your efficiency. Used in conjunction with a y-strainer, you’ll be able to control the sediments removed in the pipeline. This will help you protect the other components of your filtration process equipment. Browse our selection of y-strainers and let us know if you have any questions.