Oil & Gas | Filtration - Filtration News

Oil & Gas | FiltrationThe Challenge of Filtering Heavy Feed StocksBy Rick Jacobs, Eaton CorporationThe drive to increase profits atpetroleum refineries requiresoperators to focus on operatingefficiencies including a constant searchfor lower cost feed stocks. This searchhas led to the processing of heavier,more sour feed stocks. The most recentpush is to process more of the CanadianTar Sands. The challenge in processingthese feeds is twofold. First is simplycracking the heavy feed to make morelight ends and second is to remove thesulfur to meet regulatory limits whenproducing fuels and other products.Choosing and maintaining the rightequipment and systems to meet thesedemands is crucial. Eaton’s filtrationequipment is well-suited to help refineriesprocess these difficult feeds aswell as make their hydraulic systemswork reliably, effectively, and operate attheir maximum capacity.PROCESS FILTRATIONFeed stock filtration systems protectfixed bed catalyst units from pluggingbecause of contaminate in thecrude. The effect of plugging is highdifferential pressures that cause thebed to be shut down prior to the catalyst’sfull utilization. The heavier thefeed, the more contaminants are generallypresent and the higher the riskfor plugging. The heavier feed stocksalso are more difficult to filter becauseof higher viscosity and the presence ofasphaltenes.Eaton has more than 500 ReactoGard® systems globally installed and operating.The systems are protectingHydro-treaters, Hydro-crackers andHydro-desulfurization units. ReactoGardsystems are clean-in-place units utilizingautomatic backwashingtechnology for regeneration. This cleanin-placetechnology is an environmentallyfriendly solution compared todisposable media options that requiredisposal through incineration or othermethods. The automatic operation iscontrolled with PLC or DCS controlsproviding minimal operator intervention.Eaton’s ReactoGard V is the fifthgeneration of this technology and has:• A 50% reduction in footprint• Up to a 70% reduction in valves28 • October 2011 • www.filtnews.com