Petrochemical and Refining

In the petrochemical and refining industries, effective filtration is essential to maintain product quality and operational efficiency. Metallic filters play a critical role in removing contaminants from process streams, thereby preventing equipment fouling and minimizing costly downtime. Over time, these filters can become clogged with particulates and other residues, leading to reduced performance. Regular cleaning and testing of metallic filters are vital to ensure optimal functionality and extend the lifespan of these valuable components.

Common Applications of Metallic Filtration:

Metallic filters are widely used in various refining processes, including:

Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCUs): Utilizing 3rd (TSS) and 4th (FSS) stage separators to manage catalyst recovery and solids filtration.

Heavy Coker Gas Oil (HCGO) Streams: Employing wedge wire and screens for effective solids removal.

Main Column Bottoms (MCB): Implementing filtration systems to handle heavy oil streams and eliminate particulates.

Manufacturers of porous metal filters commonly used in refining applications include, but are not limited to, GKN, HENGKO®, Mott Corp., Pall Corp., Porvair, and PMF.

Challenges and Solutions:

Refineries often encounter challenges such as increased solids content in feedstocks, leading to reduced on-stream life of porous metal filters. For instance, one of the largest U.S. refineries operating both an FCCU and Solvent Deasphalting (SDA) unit experienced a drop in filter lifespan from three months to less than one month due to elevated solids content. Carolina PEC engineered a physical/chemical cleaning process to effectively remove embedded asphaltenes and inorganics, restoring the filters to like-new condition and recovering over 98% of lost porosity. Post-cleaning, the refinery observed on-line differential pressures similar to new elements and extended the on-stream life back to three months. This solution not only improved performance but also reduced the total cost of ownership by extending the useful life of the filters.

Comprehensive Cleaning and Testing Services:

Carolina PEC offers specialized cleaning and testing services tailored to the specific needs of the petrochemical and refining industries. Our services include:

Engineered Cleaning Processes: Utilizing a combination of chemical, physical, and thermal cleaning methods to remove both surface-level and deeply embedded contaminants from metallic filters.

Cleanliness and Integrity Testing: Performing comprehensive assessments beyond basic bubble point tests to ensure that cleaned filters meet or exceed performance standards.

Customized Solutions: Developing cleaning and testing protocols based on the unique requirements of each refinery's process equipment and contaminants.

By partnering with Carolina PEC, refineries across the United States can enhance filter performance, lower operational costs, and extend the service life of their filtration systems.

Petrochemical and Refining

Common Applications of Metallic Filtration:

Challenges and Solutions:

Comprehensive Cleaning and Testing Services:

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