Filter process streams to protect downstream equipment

Throughout the petroleum industry, most discussions of filtration focus on the oil itself as it is extracted from the wellhead and refined into saleable products. However, throughout this process, a critical and consistent component is the use of water. Although water quality requirements depend upon the end use, without filtration, unfiltered water can foul downstream equipment and contaminate catalysts. The result is increased maintenance and repair costs, a potentially downed system, and lower conversion rates and process yields.Get more news about Best Price Water Filter Water Filter Element Production Equipment,you can vist our website!

Due to its influence on process flow, its ability to protect downstream equipment and piping, and its significant role in the quality—and hence value—of the finished product, filtering process water can play a critical role in optimizing the refining process. The right filtration equipment can affect a company’s environmental impact through the reduction of emissions and waste generation. It can also safeguard employees by minimizing their exposure to hazardous materials. These factors, in turn, impact a company’s productivity and bottom line.

Despite its significance, many refineries have not realized the benefits of optimized filtration for process water. Installing a system where one did not previously exist can be difficult to justify with tight capital budgets. Decision-makers face the same challenge when a filtration system is in place and operating. However, a careful look at key cost factors can quickly justify an investment that will generate a significant return. These factors include minimizing overall maintenance costs, labor costs, the potential costs of lost production, impact to the environment, and the conversion and recovery of petroleum products during scheduled and unscheduled downtime.

With an increased focus on reducing environmental impact, greater emphasis is being placed on reducing the amount of water used for industrial processes—particularly freshwater. One method is to use equipment that requires less freshwater. When the amount of water used is mandated by process requirements, another method is water reuse. This trend is fueled by several economic benefits that can be broken down into four separate and specific areas of costs savings:
Any decision regarding water filtration should be weighed against the relative importance of each of these factors. This article examines specific areas for water treatment within the petroleum industry, and potential solutions will be suggested.

Water is used for downhole injection, process cooling, steam generation, dilution fluids, gas sweetening reactions, quench operations, heat transfer and as a universal hydrophilic solvent. Each of these applications is improved with cleaner water. The cost of dirty water is seen in the short term as a process slowdown, and in the long term as equipment plugging, under deposit corrosion, fouled resin and equipment erosion.