Filtration of a medium to be analyzed or sampled is usually necessary. Larger or smaller amounts of substances are usually present which can damage the analysis equipment or cause erroneous analytical results. Although the accompanying Process Data Sheet does not indicate a problem, in practice it shows that it may be.
In analysis and sampling in the petrochemical industry, membrane filters of the bypass type are used almost exclusively. In these, the inlet is split into a stream that passes through the filter membrane and another that exits to waste. The purpose is to flush away deposits on the filter membrane, and quickly produce fresh gas without sending the entire volume through the filter membrane.
Filters and membranes have different properties, and it is important to choose the right types based on what it is to be removed. It is important to evaluate the composition of the medium, any pollution from the processing, flow through the filter, where in the process the tapping is, are examples of this. In addition, which components should be measured, and with which type of analyzer.
Process Control has specialists with the experience to evaluate this, as well as to request specific information when necessary. Process Control has its own production of filter membranes for all filter bodies used for analysis / sampling within production and processing of oil and gas.
A consequence of this is that Process Control started making membranes which are tailor made for all applications within petroleum industry, which are:
- Stronger than those typically used before
- Available for all bypass filter bodies
- Different pore sizes for different applications
- Self-cleaning with the bypass flow
- Select Membrane composition based on substance to be filtered.
- Delivered with properties suitable for all filter applications where undesired components must be removed prior to entering the analyser
Process Control can help you in finding the best membranes and bodies for your application.
In general, a distinction is made between 3 categories of membrane filters:
Multi-Philic: Separate only solid particles, while all liquids (oil-like and water-like) and gas passes through. Particles smaller than the diameter of the filter pores of the membrane will also pass through. Those particles bigger than the filter pores of the membrane will be separated.
Multi-Phobic: Do not let any liquids (oil-like and water-like) through, only gas and solid particles below the pore diameter of the filter membrane will passes through the filter mebrane.
Oleophilic-Hydrophobic: Only oil-like compounds, gas and solid particles below the pore diameter of the filter membrane passes through. The filter membrane rejects water-like compounds.
