Mermade 39" x 50" Bottom Outlet (Keene-Bowser Replacement), Complete

The Mer-Made 39" × 50" Bottom Outlet Complete Vacuum DE Filter Leaf Assembly is a heavy-duty commercial drop-in replacement engineered specifically to retrofit legacy Keene-Bowser (Bowser-Briggs / Keene Corporation) vacuum DE filtration systems, deep municipal surge vaults, and industrial process filtration pits.

Keene-Bowser vacuum systems utilize unique large-format rectangular septa with bottom-oriented discharge spuds designed to mate with custom-spaced floor header manifolds. Delivering 27.0 sq. ft. of active filtration area per leaf, this complete assembly includes the structural internal drainage core, perimeter frame, factory-welded bottom outlet hub, pre-fitted woven synthetic filter jacket, and compression sealing collar.

Technical Specifications & Dimensions

Structural Architecture & Construction

• High-Flow Internal Drainage Matrix: Heavy-duty, open-matrix polypropylene or ABS drainage core with rigid cross-ribs. It withstands deep vacuum suction (up to 15" Hg) without compressing inward, ensuring clean effluent flows freely from the top corners of the 50" tall frame directly into the bottom discharge port.

• Perimeter Framing: Extruded rigid CPVC/PVC outer border channel with reinforced, solvent- or hot-gas-welded mitered corners. Designed to resist diagonal racking, twist, and bowing under hydraulic turbulence in large surge vaults.

• Gusseted Bottom Discharge Hub: An injection-molded, chemical-resistant PVC spud welded into the bottom rail. Includes an integral stop shoulder to establish positive seat depth within the Keene-Bowser manifold receiver and maintain correct compression on the felt collar.

• Factory-Fitted Septum Jacket: Rot- and chlorine-resistant woven monofilament or multifilament polypropylene fabric bag calibrated for DE pre-coat retention (nominal 20–30 micron rating). Secured with heavy-duty top closures and reinforced bottom outlet cutouts.

Weights & Freight Estimates

• Individual Complete Leaf Net Weight: Approximately 19.5 to 23.5 lbs (8.8 to 10.7 kg).

• Single Boxed Leaf Shipping Weight: Approximately 28.0 to 34.0 lbs (12.7 to 15.4 kg) in heavy-duty oversized corrugated packaging with reinforced corner blocking.

• Commercial Grid Lot (10 to 20 Leaves): Approximately 320 to 520 lbs (145 to 236 kg) freight-strapped to an oversized 44" × 56" wooden pallet.

Field Installation & Manifold Seating Guidelines

1. Clean Header Receivers: Scrape and flush calcified DE and mineral scaling from inside the Keene-Bowser floor manifold receiver sockets before installing replacement leaves.

2. Mount Felt Collar: Slide a new high-density felt compression collar over the bottom outlet spud until it rests firmly against the molded locator shoulder.

3. Plumb Insertion: Lower the leaf vertically into the surge pit using two people or overhead rigging. Guide the bottom spud squarely into the manifold socket and press straight down on the top rail to seat the felt collar evenly.

4. Engage Hold-Down Channel: Seat the upper border rail into the overhead structural tie-down beam lined with hold-down rubber, and torque the tie-down rods evenly to lock the leaf bank in place and eliminate hydraulic chatter during pump startup.