Filtration is the separation of solids from liquids by forcing the liquid to flow through a filter aid. The fundamental problem posed by filtration is how to maximise clarity and flow rate, which are two desirable yet conflicting parameters. Percolite® filter aid from Pratley achieves just that, highlights Pratley Marketing Director Eldon Kruger. “The accurate size classification and the unique structure of Percolite® filter aid leads to one of the highest flow-rate to clarity ratios possible.”

Percolite® is a natural product, which means no taste, colours, or odours are transferred to the filtered product. Due to its low density, Percolite® has a high flow rate combined with exceptional clarity. Percolite® can be used in oils, wine, fruit juices, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and industrial filtration applications.

“From experience, current filtration mediums can easily be switched to Percolite® without impact on the performance of the process,” says Kruger. This is particularly true for customers converting from Diatomaceous earth filter aids to Percolite®.

Apart from the health hazards and high prices associated with Diatomaceous earth, customers who have converted to Percolite® observe lower pressure differentials across their filter cake, ultimately translating to higher production outputs. Percolite® densities are also in the region of 50% less than Diatomaceous earth. The cost-saving when converting to Percolite® is therefore significant.

Pratley has a state-of-the-art filter aid production facility that represents the most advanced plant on the continent. Here proprietary technology processes Perlite raw material to produce the high-quality filter aid. The manufacturing process is ISO 9001-2015 certified. Percolite® meets the standards listed in the food chemicals codex published by the US National Academy of Sciences and is a Halaal certified product. Pratley is also a member of the International Perlite Institute.

An advanced R&D laboratory supervises the quality control of the final product. Sophisticated test equipment includes a laser particle size analyser, turbidity meters, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopes, viscometers, an atomic absorption spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and filtration flow rigs.

It ensures stringent quality control and allows Pratley to thoroughly analyse customer liquids to recommend the most suitable Percolite® grade for the job. Grades can be manufactured and tested to meet customer requirements. Percolite® applies to almost any industry requiring fine liquid/solid separation:

Food & Beverage: Wine, oil, starch, beer, glucose, fruit juice, syrup

Pharmaceutical: Antibiotics, enzymes, Epsom salt

Chemicals: Acids, resins, polymers, adhesives, hydrolysed vegetable protein

Industrial: Water treatment, oil and solvent recovery, industrial fillers, heavy metal solutions, industrial chemicals, platinum-bearing solutions, copper-cobalt-nickel solutions, titanium solutions, electroplating solutions, dry cleaning

Coatings and paint: Varnish, waxes, gums, textured paints, oils, polishes

Environmental: Oil and petrochemical clean-up, water filtration

Pratley has supply depots located in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth offering countrywide sales and support. The product is professionally packed and supplied in food-safe packaging.