What type of filter is designed to trap particles from a fluid by allowing only certain sizes to pass through?

The surface filter is specifically designed to remove particulates from a fluid by allowing only certain sizes to pass through its surface. It works by capturing larger particles on the surface of the filter material, while allowing smaller particles and the fluid to flow through. This mechanism is highly effective for various applications where the retention of specific particle sizes is crucial, such as in air or liquid filtration systems.

In contrast, depth filters capture particles throughout the filter medium, making them suitable for different types of filtration where higher particle loads are expected. Membrane filters utilize a very fine porous structure that often allows only ultra-fine particles or microorganisms to pass through, but they can operate at very specific pore sizes, making them distinct from surface filters. Centrifugal filters rely on centrifugal force to separate particles from fluids, operating using entirely different principles than those of surface filtering. Each of these filter types serves specific purposes, but the surface filter's capability to selectively trap particles based on size makes it the correct choice in this context.