AutoFilt ® RF3 Automatic

Self-Cleaning Filter
 DESIGN COST EFFECTIVENESS TECHNICAL DATA

The AutoFilt® RF3 is an automatic Particle contamination in water Flow Rates

self-cleaning filtration system accelerates the rate of wear on • 20 - 31,000 gpm
designed for continuous system components such as ANSI Flange Sizes
maintenance-free filtration for all spray nozzles, water valves, and • 2” - 36”
major manufacturing and pipelines. This could result in
premature component failure. Filtration Micron Ratings
processing industries. It removes
• 25 - 3000 µm
solid contamination from low The use of automatic self-cleaning
viscosity fluids such as water and filters lead to a significant decrease Maximum Operating Pressure
machine tool coolants. Its rugged in service and maintenance intervals • 90 to 150 psi*
construction and self-cleaning resulting in time and labor savings. Power Source
feature provide companies with As well, costs for replacement • Electric, Pneumatic, or
increased machinery reliability equipment and waste disposal Electro-pneumatic
resulting in reduced operating, labor can be minimized. Power Requirements
and maintenance costs. • 480 3-phase VAC*
Process water is typically
Superior removal of contamination contaminated with solids and • 80 psi air pressure
particles from water is accomplished water companies apply surcharges Filter Housing Material
with Slotted Tube / Wedge Wire to handle the contaminant discharge. • Carbon Steel
Filter Elements ranging from 50 to The HYDAC AutoFilt® RF3 is • Stainless Steel 316Ti
3,000 microns and SuperMeshTM ideally suited for removing these
Filter Elements with 25 and 40 Internal Parts
contaminants prior to discharge
microns. • Stainless Steel 304
thus reducing or eliminating any
The automatic self-cleaning process financial surcharge. Self-Cleaning Valve
begins, as soon as, the filter elements • Stainless Steel akin 316
become contaminated. Due to the Filter Elements
unique single element cleaning • Stainless Steel 316L
process, the total filtered flow is not Corrosion Protection for Carbon
reduced during the cleaning process. Steel Vessel
Flow rates range can range from • Polyurethane
20-31,000 GPM and housings are • Rubber coating
available with ANSI mounting port Special Coatings and Steels are
flanges from 2” to 36”. Available for Severe Fluid
HYDAC can supply numerous Applications
combinations of housing materials, Filter Vessel Certification
as well as, system operating • ASME Code available
equipment to reach the optimum
installation for every industry
*Other Models Available, Consult Factory
application.

2
Model Code: Filter Assembly
RF3 5 EPT NG N 1 3 0 / KS1000 5 12345678 .
Filter Type
RF3 = AutoFilt®
Filter Size
Flow Range (GPM) ANSI Flange
C = 20 - 120 2”
0 = 110 - 500 4”
1 = 400 - 1120 6”
2 = 880 - 1980 8”
2.5 = 1760 - 2600 10”
3 = 2420 - 3780 12”
4 = 3550 - 7480 16”
5 = 6600 - 10,780 20”
6 = 8800 - 15,850 24”
7 = 13,200 - 22,000 28”
8 = 19,800 - 31,000 36”
Drive Control / Connecting Voltage
EPT = Electric / Pneumatic cycle control, ∆p dependent
EU = Electric control, ∆p dependent
PT = Pneumatic cycle control, ∆p dependent, size C-4
PTZ = Pneumatic cycle timed control, size C-4
7 = 3X415V/N/PE 60Hz
8 = 3X460V/X/PE 60Hz
Housing Material / Corrosion Protection
N = Standard steel 1.0038, outside primed
NM = Standard steel 1.0038, outside primed, inside metallogal® painted (Polyurethane)
NG = Standard steel 1.0038, outside primed, inside rubber coated (Butyl Coated)
E = Stainless steel 1.4571
A = with ANSI-flanged, additional A at the end
Shut-Off Valve Material
N = Standard steel
E = Stainless steel
Differential Pressure Gauge
1 = Pressure chamber, Aluminum 3.258302
2 = Pressure chamber, Stainless steel 1.4305
3 = with pressure mediators stainless steel 315 TI
Flange Position Inlet & Outlet
1 = outlet opposite inlet (standard)
2 = outlet turned 90° clockwise direction compared to standard
3 = outlet turned 180° clockwise direction compared to standard
4 = outlet turned 270° clockwise direction compared to standard

1 2 3 4
Modification Number
Element Set
KD25 = Conical SuperMeshTM
KD40 = Conical SuperMeshTM
KS50 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS100 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS200 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS300 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS400 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS500 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS1000 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS1500 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS2000 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS2500 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
KS3000 = Conical slotted tubes (wire wedge)
Size of Element Set
Use same code selected in filter size
Drawing Number
(omit) = standard version
For special versions a number will be provided after technical clarification at head office
Vessel Certification
(omit) = standard version
ASME = ASME version

3
 OPERATION Cutaway: RF3
The design of the AutoFilt® RF3 Self-
Cleaning Filter is simple yet highly
effective. The basic construction consists
of the main housing, inlet and outlet
ports with flanged connections, filter
elements, outlet valve and actuator
and electronic operating controls. All
of these combined together provide a
completely automated self-cleaning
filtration system.
The process begins with fluid passing
through the inlet flange reaching the
filter elements by flowing from inside
the element to outside. Solid
contamination is then trapped on the
inside of the Wedge-Wire filter element.
As contamination increases, the
differential pressure between the
contaminated and clean side increases.
When the set differential pressure is
reached, 7 psid typical, self-cleaning
process is triggered.
Note: This self-cleaning activation has
an adjustable differential pressure or
time setting. (see Starting the Automatic
Self-Cleaning Process on page 6.)
The self-cleaning process is one
complete cycle which cleans one
element at a time in succession. The
geared motor turns the contamination
discharge arm under the filter element
to be cleaned. The contamination
discharge valve is then opened by an
actuator. This results in a high
pressure drop within the filter element
being cleaned, which forces the
particles into the discharge line.
During this operation, only a small
amount of clean fluid is used to
complete the cleaning process.
A typical self-cleaning cycle takes less
than 30 seconds. The cleaning cycle
takes place with no interruption in flow
or pressure drop.
The unique conical element design
and internal mounting configuration
allows for smooth flow transition,
resulting in a minimal pressure loss
during the cleaning process.
Advantage to the customer: Fewer
self-cleaning cycles and a minimum
loss of flushing fluid.

4
Element Filtering: Element Back-Flushing:
Inside to Outside Outside to Inside

Vessel Filtration: Vessel Self-Cleaning:

Inside to Outside Outside to Inside

5
 Starting The Automatic Flow Curves
Self-Cleaning Process 44,000
RF3-8
RF3-7
• Pressing the Test Button on the
RF3-6
Control Panel 17,500
RF3-5
• Electrically activated Test Button RF3-4

• Differential Pressure set point is 4,400 RF3-3

RF3-2.5
exceeded, e.g., 7 psid

Gallons Per Minute

RF3-2
• Adjustable Timer, e.g., 12 hours 1,750 RF3-1

• Combination Differential Pressure

RF3-0
and Adjustable Timer
440

RF3-C
175

40
0 0.7 1.5 2.2 2.9 3.6 4.4 5.1 5.8
Pounds Per Square Inch
Note: The curves are for filter rating from 100 µm - 3000 µm. For 50 µm the pressure drop
increases by 30%. This is true for sizes RF3 0 - 8. For RF3 C there is no increase in
pressure drop. For 25, 40, and 50 µm the pressure drop increases by 30%.

Element Opening Quotient

EFQx determines consistent flow without reverse flow through the filter
element during the filtering and self-cleaning process. The EFQx value is
the ratio of the opening filtration surface of an element to the cross section
of the opening of the element inlet.

A
EFQx = F AF
AE

Ready To Operate X = Filtration rating in µm

The filter control unit and
differential pressure measuring
Example: EFQ100 < 3 for
lines are already connected. Once
the inlet, outlet, and discharge lines elements with filtration
have been attached, only the rating of 100 µm
power and/or air supply need to be
connected.

AE

Variable Filter Geometry

The outlet flange can be oriented in any 90˚ increment in comparison to the
inlet. The discharge line incorporates a slip flange which enables positioning
at any angle in which the housing legs do not interfere. The AutoFilt RF3 can
be easily integrated into any plant due to these flexible mounting options.

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Filter Elements
Types and Micron Ratings
• Slotted tube (Wedge-Wire) 50 - 3000 µm
• SuperMesh TM
25 and 40 µm

Advantages
...and the Benefits to You!
of the AutoFilt® RF3
Extensive standard features Excellent price to performance ratio
for numerous applications
Reliable and safe
Automatic operation Set it & Forget it
Low operating costs
Continuous fluid flow No interruption of unit operation
during self-cleaning Minimum fluid loss
Flow rate up to 31,000 gpm High process performance
Service friendly Low maintenance & replacement part costs
Isokinetic filtration and cleaning Maximum utilization of filter surface area
Full filtration performance after cleaning process
Conical filter elements Minimal Dp curve
Optimum EFQx
Slotted-tube filter elements Long service life
Optimum filtration and cleaning properties
Pulse-aided cleaning Additional dynamic element cleaning
with low loss of cleaning fluid
Adjustable controls Customer-specific for numerous applications
Flow-optimized filtration High flow characteristics in compact dimensions
Static sealing between Guaranteed high filtration quality
contaminated and clean sides
Variable housing isometry Reduced costs due to space saving and simple installation
Numerous equipment options Customer specific for numerous applications
Ready to operate unit Simple installation and commissioning
ISO 9001 certification High quality & performance standards

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 APPLICATIONS

WATER PLANTS:
AutoFilt® RF3 installed as a 1st stage
filter for the removal of sand and
debris from underground water.
Extended life is provided to the
cartridge elements protecting reverse
osmosis systems.

PROCESS WATER:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to remove solid
contamination from incoming river
and lake process water. Protection is
provided to critical plant operating
components. As well, the AutoFilt®
RF3 can be used to filter discharge
water, thus reducing and/or eliminating

© Copyright 2003 HYDAC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION - Brochure - Auto-Filt RF3 Automatic Self-Cleaning Filter #02080115 / 12.03
excessive water company surcharges.

POWER PLANTS:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to remove scale
from water protecting cooling generators.
Filtration of the power plant sealing
water will increase the service life of
turbine shaft sliding-ring seals.

COOLING TOWERS:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to filter water
used in cooling towers to prevent the
clogging of the condensers.

STEEL INDUSTRY:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to protect
nozzles and pumps during the high
pressure descaling process. In
addition, protection is provided during
the cooling process for blast furnaces
and rolling mills.

PAPER INDUSTRY:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to protect
nozzles from becoming clogged on
paper machines.

MACHINE TOOLS:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to filter cooling
lubricants used on machine tools.

STEAM SUPPLY:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to remove piping
scale protecting the heat exchangers.

FOOD INDUSTRY:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to filter supplied
municipal water used in food processing.

CHEMICAL PLANTS:
AutoFilt® RF3 is used to filter process
water used by chemical plants for
cooling and production.

HYDAC PROCESS FILTRATION

2260 City Line Road • Bethlehem, PA 18017
Phone (610) 266-0100 • Fax (610) 264-3540
[Link] • sales@[Link]