Temporary Cone Strainers

Temporary cone strainers, also known as conical strainers, or witch hat strainers, provide an economical and effective way to protect pumps, valves, compressors, heat exchangers, and other sensitive equipment from construction debris and unwanted particles during system commissioning and startup.

Designed for installation between pipe flanges, a temporary cone strainer creates a simple filtration barrier while a new or modified piping system is being flushed, cleaned, tested, and commissioned. Once the system has been proven clean, the strainer can be removed and the piping returned to normal service.

Key Benefits

  • Equipment Protection: Captures debris and contaminants before they can damage sensitive downstream equipment.

  • Easy Installation: Installs conveniently between pipe flanges without requiring major piping modifications.

  • Simple Removal: Can be quickly removed after system startup, flushing, or commissioning is complete.

  • Cost-Effective: Provides economical temporary filtration without the expense of a permanent straining system.

  • High Filtration Capacity: The conical design provides a large filtration area to accommodate temporary flow requirements.

  • Customizable Design: Available in various materials, sizes, mesh options, and configurations to meet application requirements.

  • Reliable Startup Protection: Helps prevent construction debris, welding slag, rust, and scale from entering critical equipment during commissioning.

Typical Applications

  • New Piping System Commissioning

  • Piping Flushing & Hydrostatic Testing

  • Process System Startup

  • Pre-Commissioning Filtration

  • Equipment Startup Protection

  • Turnaround & Maintenance Projects

  • New Equipment Commissioning

  • Pipeline Startup

  • Temporary Debris Removal

  • System Cleaning & Blowdown

  • Construction Debris Protection

  • Post-Installation Piping Cleanup

  • Pump Protection

  • Valve Protection

  • Heat Exchanger Protection

Construction & Materials

  • Strainer Materials: 316 stainless steel

  • Screen Type: Perforated material with optional mesh liner

  • Perforation: 1/32" to 3/4" diameter

  • Mesh: 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100 mesh; fine micron lining also available

  • Ring Finish: Factory polish on standard stocked cone strainers

  • Flange Rating: ANSI 150/300# flat-face flange standard

  • Sizes: 2" to 24" nominal pipe sizes as standard

Performance Specifications

  • Maximum Operating Pressure: Up to 1,500 PSIG, dependent on configuration

  • Maximum Operating Temperature: Up to 1,000°F (538°C), dependent on configuration

  • Maximum Operating Differential Pressure: Up to 50 psi (3.4 bar), dependent on configuration

  • Flow Capacity: Dependent on strainer size, open area, fluid properties, and system conditions

  • Recommended Change-Out Differential Pressure: 15–20 PSI (1.0–1.4 bar) ΔP

  • Open Area: Approximately 20–60%, depending on perforation or mesh configuration

Quality & Compliance

Cone strainers are manufactured with attention to material quality, dimensional accuracy, filtration specifications, and overall workmanship. Material certifications, inspection documentation, and custom quality requirements can be provided as specified for the application or project.