Ceramic Water Filtration Balls & Thimbles

AKRON Porcelain & Plastics Company serves the Water Filtration Industry by supplying ceramic spheres for Wheeler filter bottoms. Additionally, AKRON is NSF certified and is a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

For many years, the industry has recognized the Wheeler Filter Bottom for gravity filters as a most efficient and durable filter bottom.

Structurally, the monolithic Wheeler Filter Bottom consists of a reinforced concrete floor slab, or “false” floor, supported on piers about 22″ above the floor of the filter box. Inverted pyramidal depressions located at 12″ intervals throughout the Wheeler Bottom each contain (5) 3″ porcelain spheres and (9) smaller porcelain spheres. A porcelain thimble with a ¾” diameter clear opening permits passage of water through the Bottom.

Contact sales@akronporcelain.com for your Wheeler Bottom Filtration project today!

Operation

Backwashing reverses the direction of flow. The water flows from the wash water pipe into the chamber at the bottom of the filter, passes up through the ¾” porcelain thimbles, and then diffuses across the porcelain spheres before entering the lower gravel layer. This process thus creates perfectly uniform wash water distribution for which the Wheeler Bottom is noted—a crucial factor in maintaining clean, efficient filters free of mud balls and caking.

Industries Served

Electrical Distribution, Foundry, Major Appliance, Commercial Lighting, Water Filtration, Medical, Oil & Gas, Automotive

AKRON Porcelain & Plastics Company’s ceramic spheres play an important role in Wheeler filter bottoms, supporting reliable water filtration through durable, precisely manufactured components. Water-treatment infrastructure also serves industries with demanding production requirements, including pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities that need additional purification before water can be used in certain processes. In medicine production, controlling water quality helps prevent contamination and supports compliance with pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. These quality requirements extend beyond production, as finished medications must be packaged and stored under conditions that protect their stability and integrity. When medicines are shipped from abroad, prolonged transport, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to moisture can create additional risks if appropriate storage procedures are not followed. Products such as erectile dysfunction pills require particular care when purchased internationally, since customers must verify the legitimacy of suppliers, applicable prescription requirements, and the authenticity of the medication. Proper pharmaceutical packaging, controlled transport conditions, and authorized distribution channels help protect medicines throughout their journey and ensure that patients receive products whose quality has been maintained.