Oil and Gas filtration is a mechanical process that separates oil from gas among other products.
Do you know the benefits of setting up a proper filtration system?
It efficiently filters lubricating oil, fuel oil, injection water, utility water, and cooling gas.
Nevertheless, you protect turbines, engines, generators, compressors, and pumps from damage.
Removing contaminants is crucial in enhancing product quality and protecting equipment downstream.
Read on to understand everything regarding Oil and Gas filtration.
Features of Oil and Gas Filtration System
Always go for the oil and gas filtration systems with remarkable features to avoid major challenges during operations.
Now, what are some of these features?
Take a look at the list below:
- It has to showcase great resistance to hostile environmental conditions
- Able to remove solids and fluids in an efficient way
- Aligns to the set industry standards in terms of workmanship and specifications
- Capable of withstanding the varying flow rates
- Upholds continuous performance and is longer lasting
- Adhere to the set industry standards in the line of safety
- Bears the sort of filter material with the capacity to withstand high-grade contamination
- Indicates great strength during instances of fluctuating temperature and pressure
Types of Oil and Gas Filtration Systems
Some of these filtration systems include:
1. Simplex Filters
Before we narrow down to the details, first of all, check out the image of the simplex filter below:
Simplex Filter
To begin with, understand that these filters are available in both the custom and fabricated designs.
Remember, it is important to consider pipeline materials and pressure class and that is why you have the two options.
Also, note that it is necessary to shut down the system before removing the basket for clean-up in this case.
This means that the Simplex strainers are only applicable in processes that accommodate interruptions.
2. Duplex Filters
Do you know how this filter looks like?
Alright, here it is:
Duplex Filters
Duplex Filters are important pieces employed in a wide range of filter applications.
The three-way valve is a major distinguishing attribute about them.
But why does this have to be a three-way valve?
The target is creating a diversion in the flow from a dirty basket chamber to a clean one.
Basically, this system comprises of two interconnected simplex strainers and they function to eliminate high contamination levels.
The system set up is such that as one side of the valve closes, the other one automatically opens.
3. CoalescerSystems
This is a complex system as you can see in the figure below:
Coalescer system
Is this starting to sound a little bit complicated?
There is no cause for alarm.I’ll explain everything.
The wide range of processes the system undertakes explains its complex design.
Basically, they are these processes that enable the separation of emulsions into the various constituent elements.
Also, remember that we have two kinds of coalescers.
The mechanical coalescers are the first category.
These ones usually coalesce droplets using baffles or filters.
The electrostatic coalescers, on the other hand, employ the AC or DC electric fields to undertake the same process.
I hope that helps you distinguish the two.
4. Bag filter/ Multi Bag Filter
Check out the figure below to get an idea of what a bag filter looks like:
Bag filter
You require top quality bag filters that come along with premier filtering capabilities.
As a matter of fact, different businesses require varying kinds of bag filtration mechanisms.
It is important to understand your business needs clearly and consult with experts to obtain suitable ones.
Experts help you obtain cost-effective products, may they be the single bags or the multi-bags.
Basically, the low flow rates require that you employ single bags.
Here, we are referring to flow rates of about 250 GPM.
Flow rates above that require that you go for the multi-bag which supports greater flow requirements.
Asides from that, they help prevent bypassing and leakages.
Trusted providers sell these products in a wide selection of styles that fit all liquid applications.
5. Vacuum dehydrator
This helps you remove particles, gases, and water from oil.
Look at the figure below before we proceed:
Vacuum dehydrator
With this equipment, you efficiently and effectively eliminate particulate contamination.
It functions by escalating temperatures, eventually removing water by vacuum evaporation.
With that in mind, let’s now focus on the system advantage.
This equipment pulls along with an integrated heater element bearing a thermostat.
The purposes if this thermostat is to enable you to select the desired oil temperature.
You don’t have to worry about the overflow.
This is because there is a float switch with which you shut down the dehydration unit.
As a matter of fact, this is only necessary whenever the overflow reaches the maximum level.
This system showcases higher efficiency compared to coalescing and centrifuging.
6. Oil water separator filter
This equipment helps you adhere to the set legal limits in the discharge of water overboard.
Does this sound complex?
Don’t worry; firstly check out the image below to get an idea:
Oil water separator
Bear in mind that only the right separator will enable you to separate oil from water effectively and efficiently.
From a close look, this equipment bears there major parts.
These include the filter unit, the oil separator unit and the oil content monitor and control unit.
In summary, the major stages of the filter unit comprise of the filter stage, coalesce stage and the collecting chamber.
Even though these separators may differ in terms of design, their operating principle is quite similar.
7. Basket strainer
It is important to consider the diameter of the pipe that you need to connect your basket strainer too.
But before we delve deeper into this check this out:
Basket Strainer
Taking a close at the figure above, it is easy for you to tell the function of this equipment.
Basically, it aids in the removal of unwanted debris in the various pipeline systems.
In fact, the right one eliminates the debris from the pipeline flow quite efficiently.
Experts advise that you place them in a series.
That way, you experience better and more effective debris filtration.
All in all, check out for the compatibility of the equipment’s material to that of the flowing media.
8. Cartridge filter
Do you know how most of the filters usually function?
Basically, they capture particles through mechanisms such as diffusion, impaction, and interception.
The other thing is that they get more efficient as they keep loading more and more of the contaminant.
They get harder to breathe as the accumulation continues though.
This is an almost similar case with the cartridge filters.
Below is an image of the cartridge filter to help you understand thing better:
Cartridge Filter
Remember that there are several factors that determine how long this equipment lasts.
These factors include contaminant concentration, temperature, humidity level and other, use conditions.
9. Gas filters and dryers
This is the last one we are looking at.
Look at the figure below:
Gas Filters and Dryers: Photo courtesy: lincener gysysems.com
From experience, this is an efficient and cost-effective way of removing liquid droplets from a gas stream.
Choose the right gas filters to effectively and efficiently eliminate all the particles from a gas stream.
Basically, the gas filters and dryers function to remove oxygen and moisture.
In so doing, you prevent corrosion thus maintaining the various machine parts.
Remember that these tools come in many forms, specifications, and configurations.
It is up to you to choose your desirable materials and other factors that you need.
Stages in Oil and Gas Filtration Process
We can classify these stages in three major categories as shown below:
Step 1: Upstream Oil and Gas Filtration Process
Step 2: Midstream Oil and Gas Filtration Process
Step 3: Downstream Refining Oil and Gas Filtration Process
Do you find this difficult to understand?
Firstly check out the figure below before I explain further:
Oil field: Photo courtesy danospip eline.com
Well, the three steps refer to where a company lies in the supply chain and remember these are general terms.
The closer it is to the end user, the further downstream it is and vice vasa.
To begin with, the upstream involves the identification of potential underwater or underground natural gas fields or crude oil.
In this stage, the experts drill the wells.
This is with the intention of bringing the raw natural gas or crude oil to the surface.
Exploration and production companies are the names that refer to companies that undertake exploration and drilling activities.
Secondly, let’s check out the midstream.
Some major activities here include processing, storage, transportation, and marketing of natural gas and its wide range of liquids.
Lastly, we take a look at the downstream.
The downstream basically refers to the processing of petroleum crude oil.
It is also about purification of the raw natural gas.
Also, it entails both marketing and the distribution of products derived from natural gas and crude oil.
Filter Media And Filtration Processes
The main aim of a filter media is to purify oil from a wide range of contaminants.
As a matter of fact, the media is what retrains or removes the contaminants.
Basically, this media is in the form of a porous component.
At the same time, cleansing oil helps improve machine performance.
Under normal circumstances, the media functions under a number of filtration processes as described below:
Direct interception-here, the larger size of the particles results in blockage.
Brownian movement– the motion is such that particles lesser than 1 micron move regardless of the fluid flow direction. The media in close proximity plays the adsorption role.
Adsorption-this has to do with the molecular or electrostatic attraction between the media and the particles.
Gravitational effects-here, the low flow regions are the points of focus. The much larger particles move here.
Inertial impaction-inertia is the force that impacts the particles in this case. Adsorption holds them and the oil continues on its flow course.
Again, understand that there exist several types of filter media.
Depending on your particular needs, you will choose what fits the most.
These include:
- Cellulose-usually made of large fibers and wood pulp. These usually bear inconsistent pore sizes.
- Composite: Mainly composed of fiberglass material and cellulose.
- Fiberglass-Has small manmade glass fibers. The distinguishing attribute about this is that it bears more consistent pores.
Filtration Applications for Oil and Gas Industry
Before looking at the applications, it is important to make one important point-the type of oil factor.
Oil and gas industry
Essentially, consider the type of oil before buying the oil filters, industrial filter bags, and oil filtration systems.
Here are the applications:
Offshore oil and gas filtration applications-This involve preparations before the oil and gas get injected in the reservoir. Asides from that, experts clean the produced water before releasing it into the sea. Your crew members get to enjoy clean water to relieve thirst.
Onshore oil and gas filtration – In this case, you cut down on contamination problems a great deal. In fact, you produce water that aligns to the governing environmental regulations. However, only filters from trusted provider will do a good job. They will eliminate contaminants and solids and that helps ensure better performance.
FilSon Filters Oil and Gas Filtration Systems
At Filson, we value customers a huge deal.
In fact, we dedicate our time, resources and efforts to ensure that they get real value for money.
It is the reason we get rather selective in purchasing the materials for developing the oil and gas filtration systems.
In terms of material, we use sintered wire mesh, stainless steel, and wedge wire screen in constructing a basket filter.
We use good and reliable materials even for the rest of our products.
Remember that we don’t stop there!
We are quite particular in forging the design and shape of all our products.
From time to time we obtain amazing feedback regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of most of our products.
As a company, we have plans underway to keep enhancing our filtration systems.
We know it doesn’t have to end at the point of purchase.
We target keeping you happy using our products in the long run.
Conclusion
Clearly, oil and gas filtration process are rather elaborate and costly as well.
The worst mistake you can ever make purchases low-quality equipment that wastes your time and resources.
However, you don’t have to suffer when we at Filson want to hold your hand and give you great value.
Of course, we understand that high quality and reliable equipment is your definition of value.
We guarantee you cost-effectiveness and high quality.
However, if you encounter challenges or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our team is ready and willing to help around the clock!