Diatomaceous Earth Filter Aids

Diatomaceous earth, also called diatomite or kieselguhr, is a mineral of vegetable origin. It represents the accumulation of an enormous number of fossil diatoms.

Diatomite has been called a miraculous mineral because ofits lightness, porosity, and its uniquely honeycombed structure which makes it an ideal filtering medium. And because of its inherent stability and the absence of most trace elements, Diatomite is ideal for use by processors who have very high purity requirements such as the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.

There are many deposits of diatomaceous earth in the world, but only some of them are both pure enough and large enough to serve as a source of raw material for the production of filter aids.

The Amazing Diatom
Diatoms are unicellular plants of microscopic size. There are many varieties that live in both freshwater lakes and saltwater oceans, staying close to the surface where they form part of the abundant plankton. Alive, they are at the base ofthe food chain. Dead, they leave a tiny skeleton known as a frustule, often of great beauty and intricacy like microscopic jewels.

Whereas most other plants use solar energy to synthesize cellulose for their cell walls, the diatom has elected to extract amorphous silica from the water, building for itself what amounts to an elegant, but strong shell with highly symmetrical perforations.

On the left: Rental Pilot Filter: 2-Square Foot Pressure Leaf Filter for Production Trials