Porous Metal Filtration and Flow Control Solutions

Applied Porous Technologies provides porous metal filters, components, and assemblies to meet the ​filtration and flow control needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEM's), process and scientific industries, and industrial manufacturers across North America and around the world. Serving a wide range of industries, Applied Porous Technologies' sintered porous metal filters, components, and assemblies help engineers optimize the performance of their company's products, processes, and systems. Hold the cursor over the images below for a brief description. Then, scroll down the page to learn more. Tell us how we can help with your filtration and flow control applications.

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Filtration Components

Filtration is one of the most common applications for sintered porous metal media. Our porous metal components and assemblies are used in a broad range of filtration devices and systems––filtering both gases and liquids. High mechanical strength and corrosion resistance make porous metal media ideal for harsh environments, offering benefits such as long service life and easy cleaning. Some key filtration applications include:

• Solvent filters for chromatography systems
• Polymer filters for processing molten plastics
• Catalyst recovery filters in process plants handling everything from petrochemicals to foods and beverages
• Gas filters for chemical processing and semiconductor manufacturing
• Line filters for chemical analyzers
• Syringe filters in biomedical, chemical, and other scientific applications
• Sensor covers to protect delicate instruments in test facilities, industrial exhaust systems, and more

Flow Controllers, Breathers, and Equalizers

Sintered porous metal components and assemblies can be manufactured with specific, controllable flow characteristics. When you need precise control of the movement of liquids and gases in and out of a process, our porous metal media offers proven solutions that optimize performance while often reducing costs. Here are some examples:

• Small, fitting-mounted, porous metal flow restrictors can be used in place of expensive microvalves and orifice devices in gas leak detectors, and other analytical equipment
• Porous metal vent plugs allow the internal pressure of enclosed systems to reach equilibrium with outer atmospheres while preventing contaminants from entering the closed system. Applications include aerospace vehicles, automotive and transportation brake systems, and instrument cabinets that function in harsh environments.
• Porous metal vacuum delay valves for automotive fuel systems
• Porous metal priming vents for micro-pumps in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications 

Flame Arrestors and Sensors

Sintered porous metal media can be formed to allow the free flow of gases through the material while preventing sparks, flames or other ignition sources from passing back through the media to the gas supply. This property allows us to manufacture porous metal components that deliver top performance with uncompromising safety in applications such as:

• Flame arrestors for industrial cutting torches
• Gas detectors for mining operations
• Oxygen sensor covers for turbine and jet engine inlet cones
• Protective covers for electronic process sensors in flammable environments

Spargers for Blending Gases and Liquids

Serving a wide range of process industries, Applied Porous Technologies' sintered porous metal spargers produce a consistent flow and dispersion of specifically sized bubbles to maximize gas absorption in liquids. Process industry applications for our porous metal spargers includes:

• Introducing air into the fermentation process during the production of products such as beer and ethanol fuel
• Adding carbon dioxide (CO2) to neutralize acidic waste in paper processing
• Aerating sewage effluent to increase microorganism activity and speed breakdown
• Introducing hydrogen in refinery cracking operations
• Increasing the oxygen content in containment areas for fish and other aquatic life
• Adding ozone to a water treatment stream
• Introducing nitrogen in food products
• Carbonating beverages, and more

Applicators and Rollers for Coating and Material Handling

Uniform, controlled porosity, and the ability to form tubes and cylinders make porous metal media an excellent material for applicators and roller-type material handling equipment. Liquid materials such as inks and coatings can be pumped through the porous metal and efficiently rolled or distributed onto a substrate. Forcing air through porous metal rollers facilitates the handling of sensitive films and materials with no direct surface-to-surface contact. Examples of applications include:

• Applying finish coatings on printing papers
• Solvent-based adhesive coating of tapes
• Inkjet printer plates
• Air rollers for materials handling 

Fluidizers for Material Transport and Processing

Forcing air or nitrogen gas through porous metal media can be used to make dry materials, such as a powders or flakes, move with the characteristics of a liquid. This application can be used to process materials in a wide range of industries. Examples include:

• Fluidizing cones on silo outlets to aid dry process chemical flow into a reactor
• Moving dry goods, such as cereals, through process ducting
• Loosening bulk dry chemicals and powdered materials after transport to facilitate dumping or distribution

Applied Porous Technologies manufactures sintered porous metal components and assemblies to address the filtration and flow control needs of companies like yours. Tell us how we can help.