The Role of Conical Strainers in Protecting Pumps and Valves
                     Conical Strainers: 
Protecting Pumps & 
Valves
Leading Industrial Filter 
Manufacturers – Flometriq 
Filtration Solutions
For more, please visit
https://www.flometriq.com/blog/
role-of-conical-strainers/
AGENDA
•Why Protect Pumps and Valves?
•Understanding Conical Strainers
•Debris Threats to System Integrity
•How Conical Strainers Capture Contaminants
•Benefits: Extending Equipment Life
•Types of Conical Strainers and Selection Criteria
•Installation and Maintenance Best Practices
•Industries and Real-World Applications
Why Protect Pumps and Valves?
Risks of Particulate Contamination During Startup
● Construction debris such as welding slag, rust, and scale commonly enters 
pipelines during installation and modifications.
● Particulates cause abrasion, erosion, and clogging in pumps and valves, 
leading to premature wear and failure.
● Damage from debris results in unexpected equipment breakdowns and costly 
operational downtime.
● System efficiency drops due to clogged passages and impaired valve 
function, impacting overall performance.
● Protecting equipment at startup prevents these issues, safeguarding 
investments and ensuring reliable system operation from day one.
Understanding Conical Strainers
What Are Conical Strainers? ● Temporary filtration devices often called 'witch’s hat' strainers.
● Made from perforated metal or wire mesh shaped into a cone.
● Installed between pipe flanges in pipeline systems.
● Primarily used during commissioning or startup of new/modified 
pipelines.
● Cone shape maximizes surface area for debris capture with minimal 
Design, Materials, and Function flow resistance.
● Common materials include stainless steel (304, 316), carbon steel, and 
alloys like Monel.
● Captures construction debris such as welding slag, rust, and scale.
● Protects sensitive equipment like pumps, valves, and meters from 
damage during startup.
Debris Threats to System Integrity
Common Debris Types Abrasion and Erosion
New pipelines often contain welding slag, rust, Hard particles wear down internal surfaces of 
pipe scale, and jointing compound leftover pumps and valves, leading to material loss 
from construction and modifications. and weakened components.
Clogging and Blockage Component Seizure & Efficiency Loss
Debris can block small passages, valve seats, Larger particles may jam moving parts causing 
and filters, disrupting fluid flow and reducing seizure, while wear increases leakage and 
system efficiency. friction, lowering pump and valve 
performance.
How Conical Strainers Capture 
Contaminants?
Working Principle of Conical 
Strainers
● The conical shape provides a large surface area of perforated metal or wire 
mesh for fluid to pass through, increasing debris capture capacity without 
significant pressure drop.
● Mesh or perforation size is selected to trap coarse particles like welding slag, 
rust, and scale while allowing fluid flow, acting as a physical barrier to harmful 
debris.
● Flow orientation can be upstream or downstream: upstream points the cone 
into the flow for efficient debris capture, while downstream orientation allows 
easier debris removal and inspection.
● Debris larger than the mesh openings is trapped on or inside the cone, 
preventing particles from reaching sensitive pumps, valves, and meters 
downstream.
Types of Conical Strainers and Selection Criteria
Main Types of Conical Standard Cone (Witch’s Hat) offers the largest surface area for debris 
Strainers capture. Basket Type has a flat bottom with slightly less area but holds more 
debris volume. Plate Type is the most compact with a flat perforated disc 
design and the least surface area.
Material Choices Common materials include stainless steel (grades 304 and 316) for durability 
and corrosion resistance. Carbon steel and specialty alloys like Monel are 
used depending on system requirements and chemical compatibility.
Selection Criteria Key factors are perforation or mesh size which determines particle capture 
size, and open area ratio that balances flow capacity and pressure drop. 
Proper sizing must match pipe diameter and flange specifications for reliable 
installation.
Installation and Maintenance Best Practices
Correct Installation
Optimal Orientation Sizing and Sealing Temporary use & Maintenance
Install strainers between Point cone upstream for Match strainer size to pipe Use strainers temporarily 
pipe flanges near flow efficiency or diameter and flange bolt during startup. Monitor 
equipment inlets. Match downstream for easy circle. Use gaskets on both pressure drop and remove 
flange rating and pipe size. debris removal. Basket sides for a leak-tight seal. after debris clearance. 
Follow manufacturer types flow into the basket. Isolate pipe before 
guidelines. removal.
Proper flange alignment Orientation plan Pipe & flange size match Pressure monitoring
Strainer positioned near Flow direction mapping Proper gasket use Removal procedure
equipment Inspection access Leak-tight assembly Safety isolation steps
Installation checklist
Industries and Real-World Applications
Conical strainers protect pumps and valves from startup debris 
Chemical Processing
like welding slag and rust, ensuring contamination-free chemical 
flows and preventing costly downtime.
Used extensively in oil, gas, and power plants to guard expensive control 
Oil & Gas / Power Generation valves and pumps from abrasive particles during commissioning and 
maintenance.
Temporary conical strainers ensure clean startups in water 
Water Treatment & Food Industries treatment and sanitary food/pharmaceutical pipelines, 
protecting sensitive equipment from debris.
Thank you.
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