The Chamberland filter, also known as the Pasteur-Chamberland filter, is a porcelain water filter that was invented by Charles Chamberland in 1884. Chamberland a French microbiologist, used it to remove microorganisms from pressurized water. The filter consists of a permeable unglazed porcelain tube, also called bisque, that contains a ring of enameled porcelain through which the inflow pipe fits. The method of filtration is through specially prepared porcelain tubes used chiefly under pressure. Tiny pores allow fluids to pass through while holding back bacteria and other microorganisms. The Chamberland filter cannot filter very small particles like viruses or mycoplasma. These filters were produced for commercial sale and were used to secure a supply of uncontaminated water and to purify products in industrial applications[1][2][3].
The Chamberland filter, a porcelain water filter, is a historical invention with a specific design. The porous unglazed porcelain tubes, also known as bisque, used to make the filter, were traditionally manufactured for specific purposes. While contemporary sources for acquiring bisque porcelain tubes may be limited, you can explore specialized suppliers or manufacturers that offer similar porous unglazed porcelain tubes. Given the historical and specialized nature of the Chamberland filter, it may require potentially contacting specialized suppliers or manufacturers. Try ceramic suppliers, pottery supply stores, or manufacturers that offer unglazed porcelain tubes.
The Process of Making a Chamberland Filter
During the 1800s, the method of making bisque porcelain with specific pore sizes typically involved a combination of several techniques, including slip casting and firing.
1. Slip Casting: The process starts with a liquid clay mixture called slip. The slip was prepared by mixing clay with water until a smooth and consistent texture was achieved. To ensure the desired pore size, specific clay compositions and particle sizes were used.
2. Molding: The slip was poured into a plaster mold, which was porous enough to allow the water in the slip to be absorbed while retaining the clay particles. The plaster mold was carefully chosen to ensure the desired pore size and uniformity. The mold’s design also played a significant role in determining the final appearance and shape of the porcelain piece.
3. Dehydration: As the slip was poured into the mold, the plaster walls would absorb water from the slip. This process caused the clay particles to become concentrated near the mold’s surface, creating a layer that was denser and less porous. The longer the slip remained in the mold, the thicker this layer became, which influenced the final pore size. The excess slip was poured out once the desired thickness was achieved.
4. Drying: The mold, now filled with slip, was typically left to dry at room temperature or placed in a drying kiln. The purpose of the drying process was to remove the remaining moisture gradually. As the water evaporated, capillary action drew the remaining water through the mold’s porous plaster walls, leaving behind a solid, compressed clay structure with interconnected pores.
5. Firing: After drying, the molded porcelain piece was fired in a kiln. The firing process involved carefully raising the temperature to vitrify the clay, turning it into a solid ceramic material. The duration and temperature of the firing were adjusted to achieve the desired strength and translucency while maintaining the specific pore size. This firing process was crucial for both hardening the porcelain and determining the final pore structure.
By skillfully combining these techniques and carefully controlling the parameters such as clay composition, mold design, drying conditions, and firing process, porcelain manufacturers in the 1800s could produce bisque porcelain with specific pore sizes, enabling various applications in the decorative arts, such as creating fine, delicate sculptures and intricate ceramic laceworks.
The Chamberland filter of un-glazed porcelain played a significant role in the development of medical knowledge and the understanding of microorganisms, and it contributed to the advancement of filtration techniques for sterilization and purification purposes[1][2].
Citations:
[1] https://www.pasteurbrewing.com/the-chamberland-pasteur-filter/
[2] https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co147851/pasteur-chamberland-type-water-filter-water-filter
[3] https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/fromdnatobeer/exhibition-interactive/pasteur-chamberland-filter/pasteur-chamberland-filter-alt.html
[4] https://youtube.com/watch?v=VaoSBOtQu7c
[5] https://sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/the-filter-of-life/
[6] https://www.jstor.org/stable/3858761
[7] https://academic-accelerator.com/encyclopedia/chamberland-filter
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamberland_filter
