How much product is lost on a DCF purge?

The purge uses system pressure against atmospheric pressure at the drain and usually takes one to two seconds. Purge chamber volume is small: about 0.03 gallon on a DCF-400, 0.2 gallon on a DCF-800, and about 1 to 1.5 gallons on the larger DCF, MCF, and MCS bodies.

What retention and flow does the DCF family cover?

Elements run from 15 micron wedge wire to 1/4 inch perforated screens. Single stations cover from about 20 GPM on a DCF-400 to about 1,500 GPM on a DCF-3000 or MCS-1500. Multiplexed manifolds reach about 12,000 GPM. Rated flow depends on retention, viscosity, and solids.

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DCF Mechanically Cleaned Filter Systems for Viscous Liquids

Q: What is a DCF mechanically cleaned filter?

A DCF is an Eaton Ronningen-Petter self-cleaning filter with a permanent stainless element and a spring-loaded cleaning disc. Liquid enters the center of the element, solids collect on the inside wall, and the disc wipes them into a bottom purge chamber. System pressure then dumps the chamber, usually in about one second and with less than one gallon of fluid.

Q: What viscosity can a DCF handle?

There is no single maximum viscosity. Retention, flow rate, and solids load all change the practical limit. Documented applications include chocolate in the 6,000 to 8,000 centipoise range and plastisol at still higher viscosities. The motor-driven DCF-2000 and twin-actuator DCF-3000 are used when the fluid is thick or abrasive.

Q: What is the difference between DCF, MCF, and MCS?

DCF units drive the cleaning disc through a lid seal with air cylinders, or with a motor on the DCF-2000. MCF and MCS drive the disc with rare-earth magnets, so there is no lid thru-hole or dynamic seal. MCF-824 is used on hazardous fluids. MCS-500 and MCS-1500 are the high-flow magnetically coupled strainers.

Self-cleaning filtration for non-water and viscous liquids

Need a strainer sized for a viscous, abrasive, or sticky liquid?

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A DCF is an Eaton Ronningen-Petter mechanically cleaned filter. A permanent 316 stainless element holds the solids. A spring-loaded disc wipes the inside wall and pushes the cake into a bottom purge chamber. System pressure then dumps the chamber, usually in one to two seconds. The line stays in service.

These units replace bag and cartridge housings on non-water liquids: viscous, abrasive, sticky, or high-value fluids where backwash volume is not acceptable. Related designs are the magnetically coupled MCF-824 and the high-flow MCS strainers. For the difference versus backwashing, see backwashing vs mechanically cleaned strainers.

Eaton Ronningen-Petter DCF-1600 mechanically cleaned filter

Why Automate

A DCF removes the media change-out that bag and cartridge systems require. The element stays in the housing. Stroke and purge timing are set on a timer, a differential-pressure switch, or a PLC.

No disposable media. No bags or cartridges to buy, change, or dispose of.
Less product loss. Purge volume is the chamber only, not a flooded housing.
Less exposure. Operators do not open the vessel for routine cleaning.
Steady differential pressure. The disc keeps the screen open, so downstream pressure does not climb between change-outs.

How the Disc Cleans

Cutaway of a twin DCF-1600 showing the element, cleaning disc, and purge chamber

Inflow. Liquid enters the top, travels down the center of the element, passes through the wall, and leaves at the outlet.
Trapping. The top of the element is sealed, so all liquid must pass the screen. Coarse solids fall to the bottom. Finer solids stick to the inner wall.
Cleaning stroke. A spring-loaded disc travels the length of the 316SS element at a set frequency. It wipes the wall and drives solids into the purge chamber. The element is not damaged.
Purge. The drain valve opens. System pressure versus atmospheric pressure at the drain flushes the chamber. The cycle usually takes one to two seconds.

Spring-loaded cleaning disc used on a DCF mechanically cleaned filter

Bottom purge chamber of a self-cleaning DCF strainer

Viscosity

There is no single maximum viscosity. Element retention, flow rate, and solids load all change the practical limit for a given duty. Documented applications include chocolate in the 6,000 to 8,000 centipoise range and plastisol at still higher viscosities. The motor-driven DCF-2000 and the twin-actuator DCF-3000 are the usual choices when the fluid is thick, abrasive, or sticky. Confirm the duty with an application engineer.

Family Specifications

Typical envelope for the DCF, MCF, and MCS family. Confirm pressure, temperature, and materials for the model.
Specification	Typical range
Operating pressure	30 to 150 PSI on most models. DCF-400 is rated to 300 PSI.
Flow, single station	About 20 GPM (DCF-400) to about 1,500 GPM (DCF-3000, MCS-1500). Depends on retention, viscosity, and solids.
Temperature	Up to 350°F (177°C) on standard DCF. MCF and MCS to 180°F (82°C). Insulated fry-oil units to 400°F.
Solids	About 200 PPM on standard DCF service. DCF-2000 is built for high solids, up to about 72 percent at 75 micron.
Retention	15 micron wedge wire to 1/4 in perforated (about 6,350 micron). Laser-perforated elements from 100 to 380 micron.
Wetted parts	316 stainless steel.
Seals and discs	Lid and element seals: Viton® or Nordel®. Cleaning discs: UHMWPE, Teflon® or Kynar®, urethane. Other elastomers (EPT, Delrin®) available.
Air, pneumatic units	About 5 CFM of 60 to 80 PSI clean, dry, non-lubricated air.
Power	115 to 230 V, 1 phase, 50 or 60 Hz for automated controls. Motor drive on the DCF-2000.

Model Comparison

Flow figures below are Eaton approximate ranges at 100 micron retention on a water-like liquid. Thick fluids, fine slots, and high solids all reduce capacity. Use the product page or an inquiry for the duty.

Approximate values from Eaton technical data. Service height is the clearance needed to remove the element.
Model	Drive	Flow at 100 µm, GPM	Purge chamber, gal	Screen area, in²	Max P / T
DCF-400	Pneumatic, single cylinder	2 to 15	0.03	112	300 PSI / 350°F
DCF-800	Pneumatic, single or twin	15 to 60	0.2	264	150 PSI / 350°F
DCF-1600	Pneumatic, single or twin	60 to 180	1.5	610	150 PSI / 350°F
DCF-2000	Motor	30 to 200	1.5	610	150 PSI / 350°F
DCF-3000	Pneumatic, twin only	to about 1,100	1.1	1,508	150 PSI / 350°F
MCF-824	Pneumatic, magnetic coupling	30 to 180	1.3	610	150 PSI / 180°F
MCS-500	Pneumatic, magnetic coupling	30 to 180	0.56	610	150 PSI / 180°F
MCS-1500	Pneumatic, magnetic coupling	to about 1,100	1.1	1,508	150 PSI / 180°F

Specialized Units

DCF-2000, pulp and paper. Motor-driven disc. Built for continuous high solids, up to about 72 percent at 75 micron. The disc sweeps and agitates the purge chamber so the solids stay semi-liquid. Used on white water and wet-end coatings.
DCF fry oil. FDA-approved materials and insulation for hot fry oil up to 400°F. Replaces vibratory and paper-band filters.
MCF-824. Rare-earth magnets drive the disc. No lid thru-hole and no dynamic seal. Used on hazardous liquids and in tight spaces. About 200 GPM class, 30 to 150 PSIG, to 180°F.
Twin actuation. DCF-800 and DCF-1600 can take a second cylinder. DCF-3000 is twin only. The extra force suits viscous, abrasive, and sticky fluids.
Multiplex. Above about 1,500 GPM, DCF-1600, DCF-2000, and DCF-3000 stations share inlet, outlet, and purge manifolds under one PLC. See multiplexed systems.

Element Media

Three element types cover the retention range. Slotted wedge wire is honed round so the disc contacts the full circumference; the slot is narrowest at the surface, which reduces plugging. Perforated screens (1/16, 1/8, and 1/4 in) suit coarse straining of viscous fluids. Laser-perforated elements from 100 to 380 micron are used when gels and fibers must also be held.

Common wedge-wire retentions. Additional sizes are available.
Inch	Micron	Mesh	Open area, %
0.0006	15	—	2
0.001	25	—	3
0.0015	38	400	5
0.002	50	325	6
0.003	75	200	9
0.004	100	150	12
0.006	150	100	17
0.008	200	70	21
0.015	380	40	33
0.024	610	30	44
0.030	750	20	50
0.045	1,140	15	60

Perforated elements for coarse, high-viscosity service.
Inch	Micron	Mesh	Open area, %
1/16	1,575	12	40
1/8	3,175	6	40
1/4	6,350	3	57

Controls

CCV (continuous cleaning valve). Shop air cycles the disc continuously. Purge is a manual valve or a push-button.
Smart relay or dual pneumatic timers. Timed clean, or timed clean and purge. NEMA 4 enclosure; stainless optional.
PLC with HMI. Eaton, Allen-Bradley, or Siemens. Stand-alone or tied into a plant network. Parameter changes and monitoring at the panel.

Typical Applications

Mechanically cleaned filters are specified where the fluid is not water, where product loss must stay low, or where the solids are sticky or abrasive.

Industry	Duty
Food	Chocolate and chocolate syrup (documented 6,000 to 8,000 cP), edible oils, hot fry oil, starch, tallow, honey.
Coatings	Paint, ink, latex, paper coatings, curtain coaters. Holds pigment clumps, skins, and undissolved resin.
Plastics and chemicals	Plastisol at viscosities above the chocolate range, phenolic resins, adhesives, detergents.
Petroleum	Petroleum-based greases, process oils, and related streams where backwash volume is not acceptable.
Pulp and paper	White water, PCC and GCC slurries, coating lines. DCF-2000 for high solids.
Other	Machining coolants, CIP fluids (sodium hydroxide), lime slurries, nutraceuticals, ethanol processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DCF mechanically cleaned filter?

An Eaton Ronningen-Petter filter with a permanent stainless element and a spring-loaded disc. Liquid enters the center of the element. Solids collect on the inside wall. The disc wipes them into a bottom purge chamber, and system pressure dumps the chamber in about one to two seconds.

What viscosity can a DCF handle?

There is no single maximum. Retention, flow, and solids load all change the limit. Documented applications include chocolate at 6,000 to 8,000 centipoise and plastisol at higher viscosities. DCF-2000 (motor) and DCF-3000 (twin actuator) are the usual choices for thick fluids.

How much product is lost on a purge?

Only the purge chamber. About 0.03 gallon on a DCF-400, 0.2 gallon on a DCF-800, and about 1 to 1.5 gallons on the larger bodies. The dump takes one to two seconds. The rest of the station stays online.

What is the difference between DCF, MCF, and MCS?

DCF drives the disc through a lid seal with air, or with a motor on the DCF-2000. MCF and MCS drive the disc with magnets, so there is no lid thru-hole. MCF-824 is for hazardous fluids. MCS-500 and MCS-1500 are the high-flow magnetically coupled strainers.

What retention and flow does the family cover?

15 micron wedge wire to 1/4 inch perforated. Single stations from about 20 GPM (DCF-400) to about 1,500 GPM (DCF-3000 or MCS-1500). Multiplexed systems to about 12,000 GPM. Rated flow depends on retention, viscosity, and solids.