Background
A major petrochemical intermediate producer in Thailand has long used amine solution (MDEA) as an absorbent in its natural gas desulfurization unit. Over time, the amine system became contaminated with large amounts of coke powder, rust, and degradation-generated particulates (mainly in the 1–5 µm range). This led to frequent heat exchanger fouling and reduced reboiler heat transfer efficiency, resulting in 4–6 unscheduled shutdowns per year and persistently high maintenance costs. The previously used bag filters (5 µm rating) could not reliably remove submicron impurities, and the bags required replacement every 3 days, incurring substantial labor and hazardous-waste disposal expenses.
Solution
After a thorough assessment of the customer’s needs, our technical team recommended and supplied one JYCF-2-316L candle filter (equipped with 2 µm titanium filter elements and a pre-coating function). The system was designed as follows:
• Pre-coat process: Activated carbon + diatomaceous earth is used as the pre-coat agent, forming a dynamic filter-aid layer on the titanium elements. This provides both adsorption of trace hydrocarbon contaminants and mechanical particle interception.
• Parallel integration: The filter is installed on the discharge side of the lean amine circulation pump, operating at 6.5 bar and 75 °C, with seamless connection to the existing 1½” 150# RF flanged piping.
• Operation cycle: A four-step sequence of “pre-coating → filtration → cake discharge → backwashing” is employed. Each batch processes approximately 80 m³, with backwash regeneration triggered when the differential pressure reaches 1.2 bar.
Results
• Significantly improved filtration accuracy: Removal efficiency for particles ≥2 µm in the outlet amine stream reached 99.2%, and the downstream heat exchanger cleaning cycle was extended from 45 days to 210 days.
• Substantial consumable cost reduction: The titanium filter elements require chemical cleaning only once every 6 months. Pre-coat agent consumption amounts to just 40% of the previous bag filter’s consumable costs, reducing annual filter media expenditure by approximately USD 28,000.
• Enhanced operational stability: Since commissioning, the unit has operated continuously for 11 months with no filter-related high-differential-pressure shutdowns, boosting annual capacity utilization by about 7%.
• High operator convenience: The pre-coat function can be started with one touch, and backwash discharge turbidity is automatically monitored. On-site operators became proficient after just 2 hours of training.
Customer Feedback
The plant’s production manager commented: “What impresses us most about this candle filter is the flexibility of the pre-coat system and the long service life of the titanium elements. Coke powder in the amine stream used to be our biggest headache—now we’ve not only solved the fouling problem, but also reduced monthly hazardous waste volume from 12 drums to 3 drums, significantly easing our environmental compliance burden. Next, we plan to adopt the same configuration on our two other production lines.”
Conclusion
This case clearly demonstrates that the JYCF-2-316L candle filter offers comprehensive advantages—high precision, low operating and maintenance costs, strong corrosion resistance, and long-term stable operation—in fine filtration applications involving hard particulates, elevated temperatures, and weakly alkaline chemical media. It is particularly well‑suited for the petrochemical and natural gas processing industries, where continuous production is critical. The integration of the pre‑coat function not only expands the equipment’s adaptability to varying feed stocks but also delivers quantifiable economic and environmental benefits for the customer.
Post time: Jul-31-2026