What is Dirt-Holding Capacity?

The dirt-holding capacity of a filter refers to the amount of contaminants or particles that a filter can retain before it needs to be replaced or cleaned. In liquid filtration, this is often measured in terms of the volume or weight of dirt that a filter can hold before it becomes saturated and can no longer effectively remove contaminants from the liquid.

There are a few factors that can influence the dirt-holding capacity of a filter, including the size and type of particles being filtered, the efficiency of the filter media, and the flow rate of the liquid being filtered. Generally, filters with a higher dirt-holding capacity will be able to go longer between cleaning or replacement, but they may also be more expensive and have a higher initial pressure drop, which can reduce the flow rate of the liquid being filtered.

It’s important to consider the dirt-holding capacity of a filter when selecting a filtration system, as choosing a filter with too low of a dirt-holding capacity can result in frequent filter changes, which can be costly and time-consuming. On the other hand, choosing a filter with too high of a dirt-holding capacity may result in reduced filter efficiency due to the accumulation of too much dirt on the filter media.

A Filter fully loaded with 'dirt'
A Filter fully loaded with ‘dirt’