Introduction: The Natural Solution to Oily Water Challenges
When dealing with oily water, traditional filtration methods often fall short. Industries like oil & gas, petrochemicals, steel plants, and power stations face the recurring challenge of removing Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and oil contaminants effectively. This is where walnut shell filter media is rapidly emerging as a game-changer.
Backed by natural strength, high durability, and excellent filtration properties, walnut shell filtration offers an eco-friendly, efficient, and long-lasting alternative to synthetic filter media. But what makes it so popular—and is it right for your filtration system?
Let’s explore.
What Is Walnut Shell Filter Media?
Walnut shell filter media is made from crushed and processed hard walnut shells. It’s a natural, biodegradable filtration media that excels in separating oil, grease, hydrocarbons, and suspended solids from water.
Unlike conventional sand or synthetic media, walnut shells:
Are non-fouling and reusable
Don’t cake or compact easily
Offer excellent resilience to oil loading
✅ Most commonly used in deep bed nutshell filters for oily water treatment and produced water polishing in industrial applications.
How Does Walnut Shell Media Work in Filtration?
The walnut shell acts through mechanical filtration (removing particles like TSS) and adsorptive filtration (retaining oil droplets and hydrocarbons). Its angular shape and porous surface trap contaminants effectively without blinding or clogging like sand.
When saturated, walnut shell beds can be easily backwashed using water or air scouring, restoring media performance without the need for replacement.
Top Benefits of Walnut Shell Filtration
🔹 1. High Oil Removal Efficiency
Removes 90–96% of free and dispersed oil from water—ideal for wastewater reuse and discharge compliance.
🔹 2. Excellent TSS Reduction
Captures suspended solids down to 5–25 microns, outperforming sand in oily water conditions.
🔹 3. Reusable & Long-Lasting
Can be reused for over 3–5 years with proper backwashing, lowering operational costs significantly.
🔹 4. Fast Backwash Recovery
Quick and easy backwashing reduces downtime and conserves water. Media stays clean and active.
🔹 5. Eco-Friendly & Biodegradable
Made from natural agricultural byproduct (walnut shell) with zero synthetic chemicals—safe for the environment.
Common Applications of Walnut Shell Media
Walnut shell filter media is widely used in industries where oil-water separation is critical. Some key applications include:
Oil & Gas: Produced water treatment, re-injection water polishing
Petrochemical Plants: Removal of hydrocarbons from process water
Thermal Power Plants: Filtration of TSS from ash water
Steel & Metal Processing: Degreasing and oil recovery from wastewater
Car Wash & Service Stations: Grease and sediment separation
Marine & Offshore Platforms: Bilge water and deck wash water treatment
Walnut Shell Media vs Traditional Sand Filtration
| Feature | Sand Media | Walnut Shell Media |
|---|---|---|
| Oil Removal | Poor | Excellent |
| TSS Filtration | Moderate | High |
| Backwash Water Use | High | Low |
| Media Life | 1–2 years | 3–5+ years |
| Fouling Tendency | High (especially with oil) | Low |
| Cost Over Time | High | Lower |
| Environmental Impact | Neutral | Biodegradable |
✅ For oily water applications, walnut shell outperforms sand in efficiency, longevity, and environmental safety.
Why Walnut Shell Filtration is Gaining Popularity Worldwide
With rising environmental regulations and the need for sustainable wastewater management, industries are turning to natural alternatives like walnut shell filtration.
Companies using walnut shell filters report:
Reduced discharge penalties
Improved reuse of treated water
Lower maintenance and energy costs
Enhanced system uptime
As a leading supplier of oily water treatment media, Starke Filter Media provides washed, graded, and quality-tested walnut shell media to meet the exacting demands of industrial filtration.
FAQs: Walnut Shell Filter Media
Q1. Is walnut shell filter media suitable for high TSS water?
A: Yes, it effectively removes suspended solids and can handle high loading without clogging.
Q2. How often does walnut shell media need to be replaced?
A: With proper backwashing, it can last 3 to 5 years or more depending on usage and application.
Q3. Can walnut shell be used in existing sand filters?
A: No, walnut shell filters require dedicated pressure vessels designed for backwashing oily load.
Q4. What sizes is walnut shell media available in?
A: Typically 12×20 mesh (850–1700 micron) and 8×14 mesh (1180–2360 micron), but custom grades are available.
Q5. Is walnut shell safe for the environment?
A: Yes, it’s a natural, biodegradable, and non-toxic filter media made from an agricultural byproduct.
📞 Looking to buy filter media for oily water treatment or TSS removal?
Choose Starke Filter Media for reliable, export-quality walnut shell filter media—backed by 20+ years of industry trust.
📧 Email: info@starkefiltermedia.com
📞 Call: +91 9667082698
🌐 Visit: www.starkefiltermedia.com