Mermade 48" Tubular Keene-Bowser, Complete

The Mer-Made 48" Tubular Vacuum DE Filter Element (Keene-Bowser Replacement) — Complete is an extended-length cylindrical drop-in replacement assembly engineered for deep-bed legacy Keene-Bowser (Bowser-Briggs / Keene Corporation) tubular commercial vacuum DE systems, pressure-leaf conversions, and industrial process vaults.

Engineered for high-capacity installations where vertical tank depth accommodates a taller core, this 48" format provides increased surface area per manifold port over the standard 36" candle. It features a rigid slotted or perforated core cylinder dressed in a woven synthetic septum sleeve, directing effluent radially inward and discharging axially through the bottom base fitting.

Technical Specifications & Dimensions

Structural Architecture & Construction Details

• Reinforced Core Cylinder: Extruded heavy-wall Schedule 80 PVC or virgin polypropylene tube featuring continuous axial drainage slots or radial perforations. Built to withstand negative vacuum draw (up to 15" Hg) over a 4-foot unsupported length without buckling, flattening, or restricting the interior hydraulic conduit.

• Top End-Cap Assembly: Molded thermoplastic top cap solvent- or hot-gas-welded to the cylinder. Features an extended center centering boss/pin that engages upper tube-sheet alignment racks or spider brackets to limit sway in tall tanks.

• Base Discharge Adapter: Injection-molded PVC base fitting welded to the bottom of the cylinder with male NPT threads or a smooth spud profile. Includes an integrated stop shoulder to provide positive vertical stop alignment and compress the base seal.

• Pre-Fitted Tubular Septum Sock: Seamless or flat-stitched high-tenacity woven polypropylene fabric sleeve (calibrated for 20–30 micron DE powder retention). Secured with corrosion-proof 316 stainless steel band clamps or heavy-duty elastomeric retention cuffs at both ends.

Weights & Packaging Estimates

• Individual Complete Tube Net Weight: Approximately 4.6 to 6.2 lbs (2.1 to 2.8 kg).

• Single Boxed Tube Shipping Weight: Approximately 7.0 to 9.0 lbs (3.2 to 4.1 kg) in heavy-duty triangular or square shipping cartons.

• Master Carton / Tube Bank Lot (12 to 24 Tubes): Approximately 65 to 125 lbs (29.5 to 56.7 kg) in reinforced bulk freight packaging.

Field Installation & Header Seating Guidelines

1. Inspect Header Ports: Clear any calcified DE, mineral scale, or grit out of the Keene-Bowser bottom tube-sheet threads or push-in socket ports.

2. Prepare Base Seal: For threaded hubs, apply PTFE thread sealant tape or approved non-hardening pipe sealant. For smooth drop spuds, seat a fresh Buna-N/EPDM O-ring or high-density felt compression collar against the molded stop shoulder.

3. Seat and Tighten: Hand-thread the assembly into the manifold port until fully seated, then apply an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn using an adjustable strap wrench placed only on the base adapter fitting. Never twist or apply torque to the 48" perforated body or fabric sock.

4. Engage Top Stabilizer Rack: Because 48" tubes experience greater lateral moment arms during water surging, verify that each top cap pin locates firmly inside the overhead tie-down grid/spider plate before commissioning the bank.