1 Micron Filter Bags
CLARIBag's 1 micron filter bags provide general particulate removal in water, chemicals, paints, coatings, oils, food & beverages. These filter socks are available in polypropylene felt, polyester felt, or nylon mesh (on special order). Available in both felt media for depth-loading and mesh media for surface retention.
Industry sizes: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Micron ratings: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 & 200
Sizes: 7" diameter x 16" length, 7" diameter x 32" length, 4" diameter x 9" length, 4" diameter x 15" length
Media: Polypropylene felt (80°C), Polyester felt (120°C), Nylon Mesh (80°C or 120°C with SS ring)
Collars: Universal W Type, Eaton H Type, Stainless Steel Ring, Draw String
Compliance: EC Regulation 1935/2004 for food contact
Individually wrapped to avoid contamination

Frequently asked questions about 1 micron filter bags
Basic Understanding
A micron (or micrometre) is a unit of measurement equal to one-millionth of a meter. A 1 micron filter bag has pores
sized to capture particles as small as 1 micron. To put this in perspective,
that's about 1/70th the width of a human hair. The micron rating indicates the
smallest particle size the filter can effectively trap.
Here's a helpful comparison:
- Human hair: 70-100 microns
- Fine dust and silt: 1-5 microns
- Bacteria: 0.2-2 microns
- Red blood cells: 6-8 microns
- Pollen: 10-1000 microns A 1 micron filter sits right at the threshold for capturing most bacteria and very fine particles that are invisible to the naked eye.
1 micron filter bags effectively remove:
- Some bacteria
- Fine sediment and silt
- Rust particles
- Some parasitic cysts (Giardia, Cryptosporidium)
- Very fine dirt and debris
- Asbestos fibers
- Some algae and microorganisms
Nominal rating means the filter removes a
percentage (typically anywhere up to 95%) of particles at the stated micron size. Absolute rating means the filter removes 99.9% or more of particles at that size. Most bag filters use nominal ratings, so a "1 micron" bag may allow some particles smaller than 1 micron to pass through.
Performance & Effectiveness
Yes, 1 micron filter bags can capture some
bacteria and parasites. Most bacteria range from 0.2-2 microns, so a 1
micron filter will trap the larger bacteria. However, for guaranteed removal of all bacteria, you'd need a 0.1-0.2 micron absolute-rated membrane filter.
Most 1 micron filter bags have a nominal
rating of 85-95% efficiency, meaning they capture 85-95% of particles at 1
micron size. The efficiency increases for larger particles, often reaching 99%+
for particles above 5 microns. However, this varies by application.
No, 1 micron filter bags cannot reliably
remove viruses. Viruses are much smaller, typically 0.01-0.3 microns. For virus
removal, you need ultrafiltration (0.001-0.01 micron) or other treatment
methods.
No, standard 1 micron filter bags do not
remove chlorine or dissolved chemicals. They are designed for physical
filtration of particles, not chemical absorption. For chlorine removal, you
need activated carbon filters. For comprehensive chemical removal, consider
reverse osmosis or specialised chemical filtration systems.
Clogging & Flow Issues
1 micron filter bags have much smaller pores than larger micron filters, so they trap many more particles. This increased
particle capture leads to faster accumulation of debris, which blocks the pores and reduces flow. The finer the filtration, the more quickly the filter will
load up with contaminants.
- Use a pre-filter (5-10 micron) to remove larger particles first
- Ensure proper system sizing for your flow rate requirements
- Monitor and replace filters based on pressure differential, not just time
- Consider using multiple stages of filtration
- Clean or backwash upstream components regularly
- Size your filter bag housing appropriately for your application
- Check if your pump is powerful enough
Reduced flow is typically caused by:
- Filter loading (accumulated particles blocking pores)
- Undersized filter housing for the flow rate
- High differential pressure across the filter
- Damaged or improperly installed filter bag
- Upstream system issues affecting pressure
- Wrong filter material for the application
Yes, using a pre-filter (typically 5-25
microns) is highly recommended. Pre-filtration removes larger particles that
would otherwise quickly clog your 1 micron filter, extending its lifespan and
maintaining better flow rates. This staged approach is more cost-effective and
efficient.
Replacement & Maintenance
Replacement frequency depends on:
- Water quality and contamination levels
- Flow rate and usage volume
- System pressure differential
- Application requirements
Generally, replace when pressure differential pressure reaches 1 bar above initial readings, or every 3 months. Some Industrial applications may require more frequent changes based on contamination load.
Replace your filter bag when you notice:
- Significant decrease in water flow rate
- Increased pressure differential - above 1 bar
- Visible damage to the bag material
- Water quality deterioration
- Foul odors or tastes
- Discoloration or visible debris accumulation
- Reaching manufacturer's recommended service life
Some 1 micron Nylon mesh filter bags can be cleaned and reused. However:
- Cleaning effectiveness diminishes with each use
- Filter efficiency may be reduced after cleaning
- Not all bag materials are suitable for reuse
- Single-use bags are often more cost-effective for consistent performance Check manufacturer specifications for your specific filter bag type.
- Monitor pressure differential regularly
- Replace bags according to schedule or pressure readings
- Inspect housing and seals during bag changes
- Clean filter housing when replacing bags
- Keep spare filter bags in stock
- Document replacement dates and system performance
- Check upstream components for proper operation
- Follow manufacturer's maintenance guidelines
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
Comparison & Selection
Choice depends on your application:
Bag filters are better for:
- High flow rate applications
- Cost-effective filtration
- Easy installation and replacement
- Industrial and commercial use
- Applications with variable particle loads
Cartridge filters are better for:
- Higher filtration efficiency requirements
- Longer service life needs
- Space-constrained installations
- Consistent, predictable contamination levels
- 1 micron: Captures very fine sediment, provides higher purity but clogs faster (in the absence of prefiltration), costs more
- 5 micron: Captures larger sediment, dirt, some better flow rates, longer service life, more economical
Choose 1 micron for critical applications
requiring high purity; choose 5 micron for general sediment removal and longer
filter life.
1 micron is better if you need:
- Very fine sediment removal
- High water clarity
- Protection of sensitive downstream equipment
10 micron is better if you need:
- Basic sediment removal
- Higher flow rates
- Longer filter life
- More economical operation
- Pre-filtration applications
Material & Construction
Common materials include:
- Polypropylene (PP): Excellent chemical resistance, cost-effective, good for general use
- Polyester (PE): High temperature tolerance, good chemical resistance, durable
- Nylon: Strong, reusable, good for food and beverage applications
- PTFE: Superior chemical resistance, high-temperature applications (On special order)
- Nomex: High-temperature resistance for specialised applications (On special order)
Polypropylene is better for:
- Chemical processing
- Cost-sensitive applications
- Broad chemical compatibility
- General water treatment
Polyester is better for:
- High-temperature applications
- Industrial processes with thermal cycling
Felt bags:
- Depth filtration (particles trapped throughout the material)
- Higher dirt-holding capacity
- Better for variable particle sizes
- Thicker construction
Mesh bags:
- Surface filtration (particles trapped on the surface)
- Higher flow rates
- Easier to clean and reuse
- Thinner, more uniform construction
- Better for consistent particle sizes
Yes, common ring types include:
- Polypropylene collars: Chemical resistant, cost-effective
- Stainless steel rings: High strength, food grade, high temperature
- Carbon steel rings: Standard industrial use
- Plastic rings: Lightweight, corrosion resistant
Choose ring material based on your
application's chemical compatibility, temperature, and strength requirements.
Applications & Suitability
1 micron filter bags can improve drinking
water quality by removing sediment, some bacteria, and fine particles. However,
they should be part of a comprehensive treatment system that may include:
- Pre-filtration for larger particles
- Carbon filtration for chlorine and taste
- UV or chemical disinfection for complete microbial safety
- Post-filtration for final polishing
All Polypropylene, Nylon and Polyester filter bags supplied by CLARIBag are food grade.
Yes, our 1 micron filter bags have been engineered for industrial applications including:
- Chemical processing
- Paint and coating filtration
- Oil and coolant filtration
- Process water treatment
- Product purification
- Equipment protection
Choose appropriate materials based on chemical compatibility and operating conditions.
Yes, our 1 micron filter bags are food safe and comply with EU regulation EC1935/2004. In addition, the bags are individually wrapped to avoid contamination. All filter bags are traceable.
1 micron filter bags work best with:
- Moderately contaminated water with fine particles
- Applications needing high clarity
- Systems with adequate pre-filtration
- Moderate to low turbidity water
They may not be suitable for highly turbid
water without pre-treatment or applications requiring virus removal.
Installation & Compatibility
Common housing sizes for filter bags:
- Size #1: 7" diameter x 16" length
- Size #2: 7" diameter x 32" length
- Size #3: 4" diameter x 9" length
- Size #4: 4" diameter x 15" length
Choose housing size based on your flow rate requirements and available space.
All CLARIBag filter bags are designed to fit standard industrial housings for 7" or 4" diameter filter bags.
Installation steps:
- Follow instructions for bag filter housing operation by the manufacturer (do not open pressurised vessels without instructions supplied by the housing manufacturer)
- Remove old filter bag if replacing
- Clean housing interior
- Insert new bag ensuring ring sits properly in housing groove
- Check for proper sealing around ring
Yes, if your current system uses standard 4" or 7" diameter bag filters, you can typically retrofit with 1 micron bags. Consider:
- Current housing compatibility
- System pressure and flow requirements
- Pump capacity for increased pressure drop
- Pre-filtration needs
- More frequent maintenance requirements
You may need to adjust system operation for the finer filtration level.
Cost & Value
1 micron filter bags cost more because:
- More precise manufacturing requirements
- Specialized materials needed for fine filtration
- Higher quality control standards
- More complex production processes
- Lower production volumes compared to standard filters
- Premium materials required for consistent performance
Initial cost: Moderate (less than cartridges, more than basic bags)
Operating cost: Moderate (frequent replacement offset by effective filtration)
Maintenance: Low complexity, easy replacement
Performance: Good balance of efficiency and flow
Compared to cartridge filters: Lower initial cost, similar operating costs
Compared to membrane systems: Much lower cost, less complex maintenance
Consider these factors:
- Filter cost: £X per bag
- Replacement frequency
- Labor costs: Minimal for bag replacement
- System protection: Reduced downstream maintenance costs
- Energy costs: Moderate pressure drop impact
- Water quality improvement: Value of better product quality
Calculate total cost of ownership including
all factors for your specific application.
Not necessarily. Quality differences include:
- Material consistency: Cheaper bags may have variable pore sizes
- Construction quality: Sealing and durability issues
- Actual micron rating: May not meet specifications
- Service life: Shorter lifespan increases total cost
- Performance consistency: Variable filtration efficiency
Invest in quality bags from reputable
manufacturers for reliable performance and lower total cost of ownership.
Troubleshooting
Possible causes:
- Bypass around the filter (poor sealing)
- Wrong micron rating for your particles
- Particles smaller than 1 micron
- Damaged filter bag
Immediate actions:
- Stop system operation to prevent contamination
- Replace damaged bag immediately
- Inspect housing for damage that may have caused tearing
- Check installation procedure for proper technique
- Review system operating conditions (pressure, temperature)
- Check differential pressure
- Consider if bag material is appropriate for application
- Document failure for warranty or pattern analysis
Testing methods:
- Visual inspection: Compare filtered vs. unfiltered water clarity
- Pressure monitoring: Track pressure differential across filter
- Particle counting: Professional testing for particle concentration
- Turbidity testing: Measure water cloudiness before and after
- Flow rate monitoring: Declining flow indicates filter loading
- Regular water quality testing: Monitor key parameters over time