Changing the shape of filtration

FTC, a leading provider of industrial filtration solutions based in Houston, Texas, US, has engineered Invicta^® filters to address numerous challenges that refineries face.

“Time and process reliability are precious to our refinery customers. Dedicating personnel to frequent filter change-outs takes valuable time away from more important operations, and unplanned shutdowns due to fouled equipment are extremely detrimental to profitability. They need filters that produce the best quality effluent while maximising throughput between changeouts. That’s why the radical change to replace cylindrical cartridge filters with new trapezoidal filters makes such a huge difference. In the end, the significantly higher filter surface area packing density saves time by reducing the frequency of changeouts and downtime,” explained John Worrell, FTC’s VP of Sales. “Fewer changeouts mean substantial cost savings over time.”

Conventional, cylindrical filter designs waste precious space in filter vessels, especially when multiple filters are placed in a housing. In contrast, the unique rectangular shape of Invicta allows for improved element packing density by minimising unused ‘dead’ space to maximise the effective filter media surface area in a pressure vessel. Invicta delivers up to 176% or 2.76 times more effective surface area compared to cylindrical filters in the same footprint, which results in a longer run life. Longer life means there are fewer filters to stock, fewer filters to change and fewer filters to dispose of, which reduces both direct and indirect filtration costs while minimising operator exposure to hazardous process streams.

Another notable feature of FTC’s Invicta filters is their excellent filtration efficiency. Built with high-quality materials and precision engineering, the filters are tested and rated to industry standard filter efficiency test standards (ASTM F795-88), ensuring reliable capture of contaminants. Invicta’s proven filtration performance provides reliable effluent quality of the processed fluids, minimising the strain on downstream equipment, leading to improved overall operational efficiency.

Furthermore, Invicta filters contribute to sustainability goals by reducing the consumption of filter materials and minimising waste generation. These filters support environmentally responsible practices. Refineries can enhance their reputation as responsible corporate citizens while achieving tangible benefits in terms of cost savings and operational efficiency.

FTC’s Invicta filters have garnered widespread recognition within the refining industry for their exceptional performance and reliability. Invicta was named 2020 New Product of the Year by the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS) during its annual conference, FiltCon 2021. Numerous refineries across North America have adopted these filters as their preferred filtration solution, citing their ability to deliver reliable results and tangible cost savings. The longevity and reliable effluent quality of Invicta filters make them a trusted choice for critical applications where reliability is paramount, such as amine solvent filtration, fixed bed catalyst protection, renewable fuels feed filtration, boiler feed water, and final fuels polishing.

FTC’s Invicta filters are backed by comprehensive technical support and service offerings. Refineries can rely on FTC’s expertise to optimise filtration processes, troubleshoot issues, and ensure seamless integration of Invicta filters into existing systems. Worrell said: “FTC is committed to customer satisfaction and service underscoring FTC’s partnership with refineries.”

Dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement in filtration technology, FTC continues to invest in research and development to meet the evolving needs of the refining industry. Currently, FTC has a 5000 ft² research centre with laboratory and testing areas. In 2024, FTC will complete construction of a 58 000 ft² expansion of the production facility, doubling current manufacturing footprint to keep up with customer demands. The expansion is located in Houston with its current corporate headquarters and operations warehouse. The company frequently welcomes customers for on-site tours of its research laboratory and testing facility, in addition to filtration and separation training.

“We like to educate our customers on filtration and separations, and demonstrate what our technologies can do for them. But, more importantly, we sit down with them and listen to their process challenges and filtration needs, so we can ultimately provide an optimal solution,” said Worrell. “We find the dialogue and partnership results in real, impactful solutions. It is really what makes FTC a unique company.”

In conclusion, FTC’s Invicta filters offer extended lifespan, excellent performance, and substantial cost savings for refineries. The unique reshaped Invicta filters are revolutionising refinery operations, and setting new standards for excellence in industrial filtration. Learn more by visiting: https://www.ftc-houston.com/.

Compared to traditional cylindrical cartridge filters shown on the left, Invicta^® filters (in red) use a rectangular shape that afford a higher packing density (filter/filter media to vessel volume ratio) inside the filtration vessel.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/07032024/changing-the-shape-of-filtration/