Removing fines from gas scrubbing liquids

摘要

Treating acid gas streams at refineries, gas plants, cogen-eration facilities and chemical manufacturing plants is becoming more important as stricter environmental rules are being developed. Further, removing CO2 for carbon sequestration is also being adopted as a control measure for greenhouse gas. One critical aspect of these processes is the solid-liquid filtration technology that is used to keep the recirculating fluid free of solid contaminant fines.The need for filtration systems in scrubbing units has been well documented for keeping downstream equipment functioning properly and ensuring maximum scrubbing/ removal efficiency. This article discusses thin-cake candle filter technology that is used to remove trace amounts of solid contaminant fines from the recirculating fluid streams in amine, glycol and water scrubbers. These contaminants originate from various sources and are generally less than 1 micron in size, which makes their removal very difficult. Candle filter technology, and the process of thin-cake building, is a new approach for the highly efficient and cost-effective removal of fines.