Is a basket strainer better than a tee strainer?

During pipeline applications, it is vital to understand the difference between Y-type and T-type strainers. Since both perform similar functions, it is essential to determine which one is better suited for a particular industrial valve application.

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Straining is a coarse filtration process helpful in removing particulate matter from a flowing fluid, similar to the metal grill in a kitchen sink. Although both Y-type and T-type filters effectively remove the dirt from industrial fluid systems and protect downstream equipment for a prolonged period, they still possess some distinctive qualities making them uniquely different from each other.

They are also helpful in prolonging the life expectancy and usability of the equipment. Y-strainer is a more widely used industrial type compared to the T-type. There are many more characteristics that set one apart from the other.

So, let&#;s study T strainer vs. Y Strainer for a certain industrial application to find out which one is better.

Everything to Know About a T-type Strainer

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Also referred to as a bathtub strainer, a T-type strainer is used as a fixed filter in large bore lines about two inches and above. They can be flanged or welded to the pipeline network on which they are mounted and applied to all steam, water, oil, and air systems.

These filters are most commonly custom fabricated using pipeline materials, allowing them to serve the users with multiple unique features. It includes the addition of a ventilation port and differential industrial pressure relief valve, and a quick-opening style cover. But one thing to note about them is since they are fabricated using industrial materials, they can result in extended lead times.

A T-type strainer is a custom-made compound filter to extract contaminants from industrial pipelines. It is designed in such a way that it can offset the inlet and outlet by 90 degrees, forming an elbow shape. It is thus helpful in serving applications with space constraints. It is a low-cost option for high nominal bore straining specifications.

The best part is that one can use them in either horizontal, vertical, or even right-angled pipeline installations. These filters are typically equipped with a wide variety of graded filtration standards. One can pick either fine to coarse or vice versa to ensure it performs at the desired level of cleanliness when loaded fully. They can also be found in either a screwed cover or a quick-opening cover for convenient accessibility.

Benefits of Using a T-type Strainer in Industrial Applications:

• They offer a quick opening style cover to industrial pipelines.
• They have additional ventilation ports and differential pressure taps.
• They are ideal for hazardous processes as the chamber cover can be opened without draining the fluid when installed horizontally.
• They are better suited for transferring fluids in the pipes, even at higher velocities.
• They offer a higher flow capacity despite having a smaller open ratio area.
• They are ideal for large pipeline applications requiring quick access to the strain.

Everything to Know About a Y-type Strainer:

Now that we know everything about a T-type strainer let&#;s move on to the other one, which is a Y-type strainer. A Y-type strainer is predominantly used in liquid applications for protecting the downstream equipment from harmful particles, such as dirt. It is useful equipment because if the harmful particles are left untreated, they might affect the performance of industrial pipelines.

Most Y-type strainers are perfect for steam applications and work effectively in applications dealing with inert gases or air. One can even fabricate them to specific application needs, although most of them cannot be customized from the standard.

It is possible to find these devices in sizes ranging from ¼ to 10 inches. An industry can even manufacture these strainers in any of these sizes, using various materials, including cast iron and steel, bronze, and stainless steel. It is also possible to manufacture them with a screwed or bolt cover for screen access to ensure industrial process fluid is drained effectively through the cryogenic valves.

Benefits of Using a Y-type Strainer in Industrial Applications:

• They involve superior flushing capabilities because of their inherent blow-down ports.
• They have a quicker shipment time because of minimal customization capabilities.
• They offer greater levels of flexibility to the users in multiple industrial applications.
• They use a wide range of materials for building and a broader range of pressure classes.
• These filters offer users a larger open ratio area compared to the T-types.
• Y-type strainers offer better value for money along with initial expenses.

Y-type Strainer or T-type Strainer &#; What is the Difference?

For choosing the perfect type of filter for an industrial application, it is vital to focus on the business needs. Once a person clearly understands their requirements, they can make an informed decision.

Here are a few points to help one understand which filter is ideal for a particular application:

Cost Effectiveness

If concerned about the costs, a Y-type strainer is a better option because its housings are cast. It is the perfect training solution, offering flexibility to the users, unlike a T-type strainer which is a comparatively expensive solution.

Ease of Cleaning

A basket-type strainer is installed upright at the right angle, making cleaning easier. One can easily remove its cap for cleaning purposes. Contrastingly, a Y-type strainer is installed by making the strainer leg below the pipeline and point down. It means that when removing the cover, its particles can drain out right away.

Thus, one can go for a Y-type strainer if the application in an industrial check valve does not require frequent cleaning and is safe for the environment.

Convenience of Installation

When it comes to installation, a Y-type filter is ideal for applications requiring either horizontal or vertical installation. But it is possible to install a T-type strainer only with horizontal lines due to the orientation of its filter screen.

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Dealing with Harmful Fluids

A T-type strainer is a better option for industrial applications dealing with viscous fluids that must be transferred at higher velocities. A basket strainer is an ideal option in this case as it offers a higher flow capacity by draining dangerous fluids quickly. It can hold more particles because of a larger filtration system.

Moreover, if the pipeline does not allow pressure drop, the basket strainer can be a perfect pick.

Contrastingly, Y-type strainers are suitable when dealing with non-dangerous fluids in industrial pipelines. It is so because these strainers are designed to protect downstream from particles not frequently present in the application. In other words, they are ideal for pipelines dealing with a low concentration of particles since they have a smaller screen for storing the dirt.

Tackling Operation Pressure

A Y-type strainer is a better option when talking about taking the pressure of operation. It is so because it can withstand very high operation pressure, much more than the basket type.

Parting Words

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Strainers are installed near the beginning of a pipeline, often before the intake side of a pump. In the absence of these items in industrial pipelines, large particles in a flowing liquid could continue downstream, clogging or damaging other components, such as pumps, valves, and sensors. For purchasing high-quality industrial strainers for various processes, please contact us.

We hope this blog helps everyone understand T strainer vs. Y Strainer so that they can make an intelligent decision when choosing one for a particular application. Since a filter plays a critical role in industrial pipelines by capturing and removing the impurities by interrupting the flow, it is an essential component that must be paid special attention to.

A filter is similar to a perforated plate or screen mesh in the pipeline to eradicate impurities. One cannot just pick any of them for a particular application. It is crucial to learn about the differences between the two types as they differ in their performance characteristics, such as their filtration area, pressure tolerance, dirt-holding capacity, price, and ease of cleaning.

Wye ('Y') strainers and Pot (aka. Tee or 'T') strainers have many similarities, so how does one decide which style is the best fit for an application?

Similarities

Y and T strainers are both simplex style pipeline strainers designed for batch applications with a light particle load; to clean the internal screen requires interrupting the process flow.

Y Strainers

Although commonly used for liquid applications, the use of Y type strainers were initially for steam, air and other inert gases to protect downstream equipment from a "particulate upset condition" such as protecting steam condensers from rogue pipe scale.  Y strainers have a blow-down port for steam applications and this flushing capability is a characteristic that T strainers do not have. While blow-down may work for aqueous applications, the efficiency of flushing depends upon the particles retained not becoming embedded within the element.

Although it is possible to fabricate Y strainers to satisfy specific applications, the majority of Y strainers are cast items, thus non-customizable. It is common for Y strainers to be available in 1/4" through 10" sizes and because they are a cast item manufactured in foundry-pour based quantities, shipment is often made within just a day or two after receipt of an order. The available pressure class ranges and breadth of materials of construction (iron, steel, bronze, and 316SS) are also advantages of Y strainers.

The open area ratio (OAR) for Y strainers is typically a little better than T strainers; most of our Y strainers have a 3:1 OAR wheras the larger size T strainers have an OAR of <= 2.

Y strainers have a screwed or bolted chamber cover for screen access and are installed such that when opened the process fluid will fall/drain out.

T strainers are mostly a custom fabricated product, often manufactured from pipe. The advantage of a fabricated product is the ability to provide customized features, such as a quick-opening style cover, addition of a vent port or adding differential pressure taps. It is also possible to off-set the inlet and outlet by 90 degrees, forming an "elbow" shaped strainer which might be desirable when the installation area is constrained.

T strainers usually begin at larger sizes (2") and can be fabricated for 24" or larger pipelines. As a fabricated product, the lead times range from 8-12+ weeks (inclusive of generating approval drawings and manufacturing).

While the OAR for a T strainer is typically less than a comparable size Y strainer, its' flow capacity is higher. This is attributable to the flow path within a T strainer having a "straight-through" design as well as the convoluted element shape.

When installed horizontally, the chamber cover of a T strainer can be opened without the process fluid draining from the chamber; this might be a desirable feature with valuable or hazardous process fluids.

Summary

Y strainers typically offer the best value in terms of initial cost, lead time and overall flexibility which include materials of construction, pressure class, and inherent built-in blow-down port/drain.

T strainers are used when transferring fluids at higher velocities (equates to higher flow rates), for larger pipelines, applications that require special features and for quicker access to the straining element.

 

 

 

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