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Glite Dictionary
🚿 Cleaning a filter 🌊 Water flowing back
backwashing

backwashing

4.8
To clean a filter by running water backwards to remove dirt
  • noun
  • /ˈbækˌwɑːʃɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lavado a contracorriente
  • To determine the true benefit of each polymer, the cost of the water saved due to the reduction in backwashing frequency had to be compared to the cost of the polymer.

Examples

  • The technician explained that backwashing is essential to remove debris from the filter.

  • For these reasons, many engineers prefer the strength, clog resistance, ease of backwashing, and dimensional stability of wedgewire.

    Academic text (1996)

  • During backwashing, that filter is out of commission.

    Academic text (2003)

  • AF Series filters feature a backwashing system that permits periodic cleaning in ten minutes.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Backwashing is initiated at a headloss increase of 2 in. to 6 in. over clean bed conditions, producing low head losses of only 6 in. to 12 in.

    Academic text (1997)

  • This allows the unit to handle high feed solids up to 5,000 ppm without ever having to go offline for backwashing.

    Academic text (1997)

  • This traveling bridge filter is designed for potable water applications with hydraulic loading rates ranging between 2 and 3 gpm/ft² and compartmental backwashing requirements of only about 20 gpm/ft².

    Academic text (1997)

  • After backwashing, the filter can efficiently remove more particles from the water.

  • Performing backwashing helps maintain the filter's performance and increases its lifespan.

Antonyms

clogging
4.6

Something that blocks the normal flow of liquid or traffic

How Thorough

purging
3 6.3
scouring
1 4.1
backwashing
  • Specialized
4.8
to flush
168 2.7
rinsing
3 1.0

Surface Forms

backwashing singular
backwashings plural

Morphology

backwashing = backwash (transparent) = back + wash + ing

The sense is directly the action/process denoted by the verb 'backwash' (back + wash) with '-ing' forming the action noun.

Etymology

The word backwashing comes from the parts back 'backwards' and wash 'to clean with water'. It is literally washing a filter by pushing water the other way to get rid of dirt, so it means reversing the water flow to clean the filter.