Y Strainer Installation Guide and Tips

A Y filter is one of the most prevalent types of strainer found in modern oil and gas procedure applications. In contrast to filters, strainers provide a solitary barrier to the procedure stream and have a set aperture. A strainer is a pipe connection allowing various substances to pass through for refinement or segregation from solid materials.

A strainer sifts anything straining a liquid medium. Like a filter or a sieve, it keeps the solid objects from combining in a liquid stream or flow line. A Y strainer with ball valve functions by catching pipeline junk such as rust, scales, weld metal, and dovetail joints compound. It assists in safeguarding machinery and procedures from the negative effects of unwanted stuff, thus decreasing downtime and the need for regular servicing.

A wye or a Y filter is designed to mechanically remove solids and other particles from a fluid. Since it is an essential component in numerous fluid control applications, it is vital to understand the process of y strainer installation. But first, let’s understand other important things about it.

Why Using a Y Strainer Crucial in Industrial Pipelines?

A Y strainer is a critical component in an industrial pipeline. It is central in various industries, including power generation, food and processing, refining and petrochemical, coal chemical, LNG, and pipeline transport. These industries use Y filters to remove waste solids from liquid, gas, and steam lines using perforated or wire mesh straining elements.

This device is a helpful element of the piping system as it protects pumps, meters, steam traps, control valves, regulators, and other process equipment from damage. It is a handy tool in places requiring clean fluids to flow through.

While clean fluids can maximize the lifespan of a mechanical system, they are especially crucial with solenoid valves. It is so because these valves are highly sensitive to dust and only function properly with clean air or liquid. Any solid substance entering the stream can disrupt and even damage the whole piping system.

That’s why a Y strainer is a useful complementary component. In addition to supporting the performance of an industrial air actuated valve, it also helps safeguard other mechanical equipment, including pumps, turbines, steam traps, meters, condensers, heat exchangers, and spray nozzles.

Like any other straining device, it is ideal for coarse filtration of fluid mediums in large pipelines from scales, rust, sediment, and other extraneous debris. It is available in various designs, connection types, and multiple sizes, typically supported by a perforated sheet.

Operation of a Y-type Strainer in a Variety of Industrial Pipelines:

Y strainers are designed to enhance the operation inside various industries, from cosmetics to petroleum and food. Their primary job is removing debris from various media, including liquids and gases, through their y-shaped leg. It connects to the main pipe, allowing it to filter unwanted materials in the flow with the help of a mesh straining element that catches the particles.

Some manufacturers design a Y strainer with a blow-off pneumatic knife gate valve, simplifying cleanup. Thus helping reduce the need for manual labor significantly.

How to Install a Y Strainer (Vertical Position) in Pipelines?

Although installing a Y filter in the industrial pipeline is easy, one must ensure it faces the correct direction and is aligned properly. Here is a step-by-step to carry out the procedure appropriately:

1. Install the blow-down v port ball valve at the blow-off connection, if necessary.
2. A user may install a pressure gauge at the inlet and outlet for maximum efficiency.
3. Position the strainer in the pipeline ahead of the equipment requiring protection.
4. Before fixing a strainer, support the pipeline near the inlet and outlet connection.
5. When pointing the Y side downwards, ensure ample space for removal.
6. Fix the device, ensuring the arrow on its body points in the flow direction.

Users must understand that the orientation of a Y strainer significantly depends upon the media flowing through it. Horizontal installation is suitable for steam or gas piping as it prevents water from collecting inside the pocket, thus helping prevent erosion.

However, if the media passing through it is liquid, users must install the device vertically into the system if the piping allows. It helps prevent the debris from drawing back into the flow of media.

Installing a Y Strainer in Vertical Position:

While it is common to see Y strainers installed horizontally in pressurized lines, they are installed vertically too. If the users aspire to install it in a vertical position, they must first find the ideal place for the Y filter in the pipeline. It helps ensure enough space for screen removal during the cleanout and, most importantly, aligning the arrow on its body with the pipeline flow.

When installing a Y strainer vertically, ensure it only with the pipes having a downward flow as it allows the debris to flow naturally into the pocket. If it is wrongly installed upwards, debris might flow back into the pipe.

Some Essential Pre-installation Points:

Before a Y strainer installation in pipes, it is crucial to go over a few critical things by ensuring:

• That every component to be installed is in working condition.
• The system is within the capacity of the Y strainer – their pressure ratings are similar.
• The media flowing through the top entry ball valve is chemically compatible.
• All the seals on the pipelines and strainer are free from defects.
• The flanges on the piping connected to the filter are square to avoid undue stress on the system.
• The alignment of the pipes is right – if the end connections are threaded, the piping must be straight, not at an angle.
• The user fully understands the ‌Y strainer they are installing by reading the manual.

Tips for Maintaining a Y Strainer to Prolong its Lifespan:

Following the installation of a Y-type strainer comes its maintenance. These devices require a little monitoring to ‌function properly. Here are some useful tips for new users to maintain their devices:

Install a Pressure Gauge

It is essential to track the pressure rating of a Y filter to keep it from getting full. In the absence of adequate precautions, the device’s screen might break and require replacement.

If several systems are running simultaneously, consider installing a pressure gauge as it helps in the effective performance of a task and alerts the users in case of pending pressure drops. Thus, it allows the users to schedule cleaning before the device gets damaged due to extreme clogging in a trunnion type ball valve.

Always Keep an Extra Screen

Having an extra screen in hand enables a user to save the time spent on cleaning and putting it back in the device. Users must remember that a broken screen indicates potential damage to the entire system that can also become an expensive issue.

So, always keep a few replacement screens readily available. It will also help in reducing any system downtimes.

Depressurize Before Cleaning

Always shut off the valve connections on either side of the device before cleaning and relieving pressure. Before opening the strainer for cleaning, it is vital to ensure its pressure is low as it can cause serious injury to the handler and the device.

Never Overwork Y-type Strainer

Since several types of strainers are available in the market today, the users need to ensure they invest in the right one to avoid overworking. If overworked, any device can malfunction. So, it is crucial to employ the one that can function properly under a ‌situation. Besides, they must empty ‌the unwanted materials and clean the mesh filter before replacing it.

Install a Blow-down Connection

Instead of separating the Y filter every time it needs cleaning, users can invest in a blow-down connection whereby a 3 way ball valve stainless steel joins to the end of the system, allowing the cleaning of debris down the drain while the system stays put. It helps save the time spent on disconnecting and reconnecting the tool, limiting the system downtimes.

It is possible to prolong the lifespan of a Y strainer by understanding the equipment thoroughly. Only if it is cared for and given the upkeep it requires can it enhance reliability and offer flexibility to the users working in an industrial environment.

Advantages of Using a Y Strainer in Pipeline Connections:

• It teaches the users everything about a y strainer installation in different ways, either horizontally or vertically. It is not the case with basket strainers, as installing them even in the horizontal position is possible.
• It is perfect for high-pressure systems as it can withstand even extremely high pressures compared to any other type of strainer.
• Compared to other industrial strainers, it is cheaper because of its small and compact size, which requires less material to build.
• It requires minimal maintenance and is reusable. But as long as it is cleaned at regular intervals to avoid clogging in the flange butterfly valve.

Disadvantages of Using a Y Strainer in Pipeline Connections:

• Because of its small screen, a Y strainer cannot accommodate a high concentration of impurities, making it suitable only for industrial systems requiring minimal filtration work.
• A duplex basket strainer has the upper hand when it comes to cleaning, as cleaning a Y strainer requires interrupting the whole system, leading to frequent downtimes.

Y strainers are ideal for industries requiring continuous protection against debris in a hydraulic lift valve. Their most popular and typical use is in steam applications, owing to the design. They are also suitable for liquid applications, primarily for water handling purposes, to secure all the industrial devices affected or clogged by unwanted substances during a flow.

Parting Thoughts

A Y strainer is considered the most valuable addition to the piping systems as it is easy to install vertically and horizontally. It is among the primary tools used in industrial pipelines because it can transport steam, gas, and liquid media without issues. Users may contact us if looking for a supplier that can meet the demand for comprehensive strainer solutions at affordable prices.

However, if users want to make the most of this equipment, they must ensure it is rightly placed, installed, and always in the correct direction. Being sure of these critical points will contribute to prolonging the lifespan of a strainer and thus of the entire industrial system.