Witch Hat Strainers for Data Center Piping & Pump Protection

A witch hat strainer is installed with the cone pointing upstream or downstream depending on system design. In most startup applications, the cone points upstream into the fluid flow so debris collects around the outer perimeter of the cone, maintaining flow capacity and preventing the cone from collapsing under accumulated particulate pressure.

The primary purpose of a conical strainer is to provide temporary, cost-effective equipment protection during pre-commissioning, hydrostatic testing, and initial pipeline startup. By catching construction slag, weld fragments, and pipe scale before fluid reaches critical components, it safeguards sensitive pumps, control valves, and heat exchangers from costly premature damage.

Standard temporary cone strainers are engineered to accommodate nominal pipe sizes from 2 inches to 24 inches. They feature flat-face flanges manufactured standard to ANSI 150# and ANSI 300# ratings, allowing seamless integration between existing pipe flanges without requiring major modifications or specialized spool pieces in the line.

Temporary cone strainers are fabricated from 316 stainless steel for chemical compatibility and durability. They feature perforated material ranging from 1/32 inch to 3/4 inch diameter openings with available mesh linings from 20 to 100 mesh, or fine micron linings for applications demanding heightened filtration accuracy.

Depending on configuration, 316 stainless steel cone strainers can handle maximum operating pressures up to 1,500 PSIG and operating temperatures up to 1,000°F (538°C). The maximum operating differential pressure reaches up to 50 psi (3.4 bar), with recommended element change-out between 15 and 20 PSI ΔP.

Yes, material certifications and inspection documentation can be provided upon request for specific projects and applications. Each cone strainer is manufactured with attention to dimensional tolerances, material grade verification, and filtration criteria required for mission-critical cooling loops and industrial process piping.