Can an All Metal Media Chamber Be Customized for Both Liquid and Gas Filtration Media
2026-07-02
Process engineers and procurement specialists often face a critical question when specifying filtration skids: can a single vessel handle divergent media types without compromising performance? The All Metal Media Chamber from Herun directly addresses this challenge. Designed with modular internals and weld-free interchangeable end connections, this chamber architecture supports both liquid depth filters and gas coalescing elements within the same footprint. However, customization is not a simple bolt-on exercise—it demands a systematic evaluation of flow dynamics, material compatibility, and sealing strategies. This blog examines the technical feasibility, design boundaries, and proven configurations that make the All Metal Media Chamber a versatile foundation for dual-phase filtration systems.
Technical Prerequisites for Dual-Phase Customization
Before approving a customized All Metal Media Chamber, three fundamental parameters must be defined:
| Parameter | Liquid Service Requirement | Gas Service Requirement | Customization Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating pressure | Up to 150 psi (continuous) | Up to 300 psi (cyclic) | Wall thickness & flange rating |
| Temperature range | -20°C to 120°C | -40°C to 200°C | Gasket material & thermal expansion gaps |
| Particle retention | 0.5–100 µm (absolute) | 0.01–50 µm (coalescing) | Internal baffle plate perforation size |
| Flow direction | Downward or cross-flow | Upward or radial-out | Inlet diffuser orientation |
Herun applies a validated selection matrix that maps these variables to specific internal cartridge adaptors, ensuring that the same All Metal Media Chamber can transition between services with fewer than four replacement parts.
Core Customization Features for Liquid and Gas Media
The customization capability of an All Metal Media Chamber rests on three interchangeable subsystems:
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End-connection interface – Flanged, tri-clamp, or threaded ends are swapped without welding, preserving the chamber’s metallurgical integrity.
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Internal core basket – A perforated support cylinder with variable open-area ratios (30%–55%) accommodates pleated, wound, or sintered media cartridges.
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Seal geometry – O-ring grooves are machined to accept FDA-grade EPDM for aqueous liquids or perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) for aggressive gas streams.
Herun offers a proprietary quick-change adaptor plate that reduces changeover time from 45 minutes to under 12 minutes, a critical advantage for facilities running batch-to-batch production with alternating liquid and gas filtration steps.
Design Limitations and Engineering Safeguards
While highly flexible, the All Metal Media Chamber cannot be universally optimized for every extreme. The following table outlines realistic boundaries:
| Customization Request | Feasibility | Recommended Herun Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Same chamber for 1 µm liquid and 0.01 µm gas | ✅ Yes | Dual-stage adaptor with pre-filter basket |
| Operating both phases simultaneously | ❌ No (cross-contamination risk) | Dedicated purge port for changeover |
| Temperature swing >150°C between batches | ⚠️ Conditional | Inconel 625 chamber with bellows expansion joints |
| Highly viscous liquid (10,000 cP) and dry gas | ✅ Yes | Oversized inlet nozzle & drain-valve repositioning |
Herun provides a detailed thermal-mechanical FEA report for each custom All Metal Media Chamber, validating that the bolted closure and baffle welds withstand differential expansion stresses when switching from chilled liquid to hot gas within the same shift.
Frequently Asked Questions About the All Metal Media Chamber
Q1: Can the same All Metal Media Chamber housing use different cartridge lengths for liquid versus gas filtration without modifying the closure?
A1: Yes, but only if the internal tie-rod and spring-compression assembly are adjustable. Herun incorporates a telescopic center rod with a locknut that accommodates cartridge lengths from 10 inches to 40 inches. For liquid service, the compression spring is set to 70–80 N to prevent bypass; for gas coalescing, the spring tension is reduced to 40–50 N to avoid crushing the finer media. The closure height remains fixed, so the adaptor spacer must be replaced—a 5-minute operation using standard hand tools. No welding or machining is required.
Q2: How does the All Metal Media Chamber prevent fluid channeling when switching from low-viscosity gas to high-viscosity liquid?
A2: Channeling occurs when the inlet distributor fails to spread flow evenly across the media face. Herun solves this with a swappable inlet diffuser plate that has two interchangeable inserts: a radial-slot design for gas (creates a vortex-breaker effect) and a perforated-panel design for liquid (creates a shower-head distribution). The diffuser is retained by a single wing-nut, and the changeover is documented in the chamber’s logbook. Additionally, the internal baffle is offset by 12° for liquid service to induce a tangential entry, reducing impingement damage on wet-laid media.
Q3: Is the All Metal Media Chamber’s ASME stamp still valid after customizing for both liquid and gas, or does it require re-certification?
A3: The ASME Section VIII Division 1 stamp remains valid provided that the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) is not exceeded for either service. Herun engineers recalculate the MAWP based on the weakest component—usually the adaptor plate or the sight-glass port. If the customized chamber includes a different gasket material or a reduced-bore nozzle, Herun issues a supplementary data report (Form U-1A) that attaches to the original certification. Re-certification by an authorized inspector is only mandatory if the welding procedure or base material changes; for bolt-on customization (adaptors, diffusers, springs), the original stamp stays intact, and a site-specific pressure test at 1.5× MAWP is recommended before first use.
Operational Best Practices from Herun
To maximize the dual-phase capability of your All Metal Media Chamber, Herun recommends:
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Maintaining separate cartridge baskets for liquid and gas to prevent cross-contamination of media fibers.
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Flushing the chamber with nitrogen or clean solvent after each phase transition—Herun supplies a flush-port kit as a standard option.
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Recording differential pressure trends separately for each phase, as liquid pressure-drop correlates linearly with flow, while gas follows a square-law relationship.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Customizing an All Metal Media Chamber for both liquid and gas filtration is technically achievable, economically sound, and operationally proven—provided that engineering decisions are guided by a structured parameter matrix rather than ad-hoc modifications. Herun has delivered over 240 dual-service chambers to chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil-and-gas clients, each with verified changeover protocols and full traceability documentation. The investment in a well-specified chamber pays back within 18 months through reduced inventory, faster batch turnover, and eliminated cross-contamination risks.
Contact Us – To discuss your specific pressure, temperature, and media retention requirements, reach out to the Herun filtration engineering team. We provide a free customization feasibility report within 48 hours, including 3D model previews and a preliminary ASME calculation sheet.
