RF800LW Self-cleaning Strainers and Eel Screens

RF800LW filters are general purpose suction intake basket strainers with a built-in self-cleaning mechanism that back-washes their mesh as your pump draws water. These are all stainless steel, high volume screens developed specifically to meet the challenges of EPA and Environment Agency regulations for raw water abstraction.  Ideal for Eel screening and Fish protection.

The designation RF800LW indicates that the filter body has stretched mesh under tension as its body rather than a basket cage.  This gives exceptional open area to the screen, allowing more flow for the basket area. Dirty water is screened at source, helping to prevent the intake, pump and any connected equipment from blocking. 

These 950 mm diameter self-cleaning intakes attach to the suction of surface mounted pumps. Here are some typical uses of these filters:

• Irrigation and livestock watering
• Cooling water screening for EPA Rule 316 (b) and Eel Regulations compliance
• Filtration for spray bars and fountains
• Screening industrial process water
• Screening water when draining / flooding wetlands
• Protecting district wide heat pump installations
• Screening for desalination plant intakes

Self-cleaning water intake screens - ‘AR’ type screens or ‘LW’ type screens?

The difference between a self-cleaning intake screen or filter designated AR, and a self-cleaning intake screen or filter designated LW is in their construction.

‘AR' type strainers and filters are made with a cage frame around which filter mesh is wrapped. This is held in place by a clamp. The filters are easily identifiable as ’AR' type, as the filter mesh area comprises a series of mesh windows.

‘LW’ type strainers and filters do not have a cage body; the mesh is the filter body.  The filter mesh is tensioned between the filter top and bottom plates, and is tight - like a drum skin.  This gives the mesh structural integrity and strength.  ‘LW’ filters are easily identifiable as the body is all mesh.

What's the diff?

AR filters up to 600 mm diameter can be fitted with mesh down to 315 microns. The ‘AR’ type self-cleaning filters and strainers are very strong - the body being made up of a cage and a clamp - two layers of steel - and are suitable where conditions are challenging such as turbulent river or seawater locations.

The downside is that they handle less water for the size of screen, because the open area of the mesh is reduced by the cage and clamp.

LW filters can only be fitted with mesh of 1 mm or greater aperture. This is because the mesh needs to be robust enough to tension. The ‘LW’ type self-cleaning filters and strainers are also strong - but are more suited to applications and settings where low intake velocities are required - for example for fish or eel screening at cooling water and raw water intakes.

The on the plus side they handle more water than the ‘AR’ type filters for the same size of screen, because the open area of the mesh is maximised; the mesh is area is not reduced by a supporting cage or clamp.

Rotorflush RF800LW self-cleaning suction intakes can be fitted with:

RF800LW self-cleaning basket strainers are ideal for screening and pumping raw water, cooling water, and sea water, particularly where there is a need to protect aquatic life. Their high volume, low-velocity intake easily complies with EPA and Enviroment Agency rules.

The strainers have a dry weight range from approx. 80kg - 150 kg depending on model and outlet flange size, lifting gear is required to move them. RF800LWs can be suspended in lakes, lagoons or rivers, or floated from buoys, or raised and lowered on a guide-rail system.  They can often be bolted directly on to the intake of vertical and immersible pumps.

For best performance, make sure that there is good clearance around the strainer mesh so that back-washed debris can disperse, and that the RF800LW is above any silt or sludge that may accumulate.

We also manufacture stands and guide rails specifically designed for our products to help you site and maintain them.

Usually very little. Although they are self-cleaning all of our products will require a manual clean every once in a while.

Stainless mesh can be cleaned with a pressure washer. How often depends on your mesh size and what you are filtering.

As a minimum we recommend the following:

• Coarse mesh that is 1 mm or bigger should be inspected and cleaned every 6 - 12 months

Full maintenance guidelines can be found in the instruction manual available from the download link above.

All our products are guaranteed for at least a year.  Full details in our Terms and Conditions.