[gas_treater]

Our sulfolane unit is equipped with filters which is designed with string wound cotton cartridge filter (in some references it is considered as low end filter type) inside. Because of the solid formation is getting excessive, we consider to change the filter with absolute-rated filter type. Is there anyone have experience with this absolute-rated filter in Sulfolane Unit?

Any information will be very helpful.

Thank you and best regards.

[eugenedakin]

Hello gas_treater,

An absolute-rated filter type will filter better than the equivalent cotton cartridge filter.  Regular cartridge filters can vary their filter size by a very large amount (the quality of some cotton filters are quite poor for specific particle sizes).

When you mention that solid formation is becoming excessive, I am curious as to the reason behind the solids creation.  Are you able to remove particles prior to the unit?  You may want to have a particle-size analysis performed to determine the actual particle size distribution that is present in your fluid.  This will also help you determine the micron-size of filter that you will want to use.

I wish you the best,

Eugene

[gas_treater]

Hi, eugenedakin!  Thanks for the response.

Actually, we don't really think that our plan to use absolute-rated filter will be our ultimate solution. But we consider it as an effective preventive to avoid unplanned stop of our sulfolane unit which is frequently occurs later years because of the fouling formation in heat exchangers. The foulant itself known that mostly consisted of corrosion product. There are some efforts that we have done, such as :searching for oxygen intrusion to the unit which will lead to oxidative degradation of sulfolane (and will formed acidic matter and solid matter that will lead to corrosion and degradation), make sure that all feed tank and sulfolane tank are properly blanketed by nitrogen, and reduced the antifoam chemical which can lead to solid formation (because of it is silicon-based). And FYI, our unit initially designed with 50 microns filter! And now, even we use 25 micron and 10 micron filter, the problem is still exist. The experiment to determine the solid particle exact size is still in progress.

Best Regards.

[chil]

gas_treater,

first we need to know mor about the filter vessel. You may be by passing the cartridges some because of the design of the housing. what is the flow rate that you need vs how many elements that are in the housing? Do you have a good seal around the elements? For this type of fluid a pleated paper cartridge would work better. There are many manufacturing companys that make compatible elements.
Chil

[gas_treater]

Hi, Chil

Thank you very much for the ideas. Let me know if you have more information about filter selection.

Regards