Metcem ceramic filter elements are manufactured using a unique process. By maximising the amount of primary binder, this process produces a high strength element with a low pressure drop. These elements are used by Glosfume (www.glosfume.com). Glosfume began ceramic air filtration 15 years ago and have become the leading company within this field. During this period, Glosfume have used more than 250,000 elements which have been supplied by three main vacuum forming companies and although the suppliers have improved their element quality, they have never been able to fully satisfy or understand Glosfume’s requirements. For this reason, elements with the following criteria have been developed. -

1. Stronger than any other element currently available.
2. No major loss in strength at operating temperature.
3. A minimal virgin pressure drop.
4. Continuity in density.
5. Even wall thickness.
6. Reinforced neck and end.

The manufacturing plant is specifically designed to achieve these parameters.

A vast amount of experimental work has been undertaken and elements have been tested at various temperatures and subjected to the most difficult of filtration applications. Current vacuum formers have to rely on other companies, such as Glosfume, for performance information and most have little or no access to actual filter applications. Metcem have access to more than 175 Glosfume operational filtration plants that cover more than 30 different processes ranging from carcass incineration to gold recovery.

Glosfume are now the only company world wide who have control over both the filtration equipment and the ceramic filter elements that they use.

As an alternative, the elements are also available in a formulation of different fibres which can be up to 5 times stronger although there is a cost implication for such elements.