Novel filtration method for refining and chemical industries

Abstract

A novel design of filters for removing iron rust particulates and other polymeric sludge from refinery and chemical process streams that are paramagnetic in nature is provided. The performance of these filters is greatly enhanced by the presence of the magnetic field induced by magnets. Basically, the filter comprises a high-pressure vessel with means to support the plurality of magnets in the form of bars or plates that are encased in stainless steel tubes or columns. Filters with various configurations are disclosed for accommodating the removal of contaminants from the process streams of different industries, with high efficiency for contaminants removal, simple construction, low operational and maintenance costs, and low hazardous operation.

1 . A filtration apparatus for continuous removal of contaminants from a process stream that comprises:
 a vessel that has a compartment;   at least one magnet that is positioned within the compartment wherein the at least one magnet is removably encased in a housing within the compartment; and   means for channeling the process stream containing contaminants pass the housing containing the at least one magnet.   
   
   
       2 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of magnets each removably encased in a housing within the compartment. 
   
   
       3 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the housing is made of stainless steel. 
   
   
       4 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the housing is integral with the vessel. 
   
   
       5 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a support tray that is positioned within the compartment and that secures the housing. 
   
   
       6 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 1  comprising an inlet for the process stream and an outlet for the treated process stream. 
   
   
       7 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 1  comprising:
 a high-pressure stainless steel vessel having a plurality of elongated stainless steel tubes positioned within the compartment wherein each tube contains a magnetic bar inserted therein.   
   
   
       8 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of elongated stainless steel tubes are arranged in a circular pattern. 
   
   
       9 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of elongated stainless steel tubes is integral with the high-pressure stainless steel vessel. 
   
   
       10 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 8  comprising a support tray that is positioned within the compartment and that secures the plurality of elongated stainless steel tubes. 
   
   
       11 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of elongated stainless steel tubes is arranged in a square or rectangular matrix and wherein partition plates are positioned between adjacent rows of elongated stainless steel tubes. 
   
   
       12 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of elongated stainless steel tubes is integral with the high-pressure stainless steel vessel. 
   
   
       13 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 11  comprising a support tray that is positioned within the compartment and that secures the plurality of elongated stainless steel tubes. 
   
   
       14 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 1  comprising:
 a high-pressure stainless steel vessel having a plurality of vertically elongated stainless steel columns positioned within the compartment wherein each column contains a magnetic plate inserted therein.   
   
   
       15 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of vertically elongated stainless steel columns is arranged in parallel and aligned with the flow of the process stream through the compartment. 
   
   
       16 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of vertically elongated stainless steel columns is integral with the high-pressure stainless steel vessel. 
   
   
       17 . The filtration apparatus of  claim 14  comprising a support tray that is positioned within the compartment and that secures the plurality of vertically elongated stainless steel columns. 
   
   
       18 . A process for online removal of contaminants from a process stream that comprises the steps of:
 providing a filtration apparatus that comprises:
 a vessel that has a compartment and an inlet for the process stream and an outlet for the treated process stream; and 
 at least one magnet that is positioned within the compartment wherein the at least one magnet is removably encased in a housing within the compartment; introducing a process stream into the filtration apparatus through its inlet; 
   switching the process stream through a bypass line that is operating in parallel with the filtration apparatus when pressure across the filtration apparatus increases to 1 to 5 kg/cm 2 ;   removing the at least one magnet from the housing thereby releasing contaminants;   removing the contaminants by flushing the compartment;   replacing the at least one magnet into the housing; and   switching the process stream from the bypass line to the filtration apparatus.   
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 18  wherein the housing is integral with the vessel. 
   
   
       20 . A process for online removal of contaminants from a process stream that comprises the steps of:
 providing a filtration apparatus that comprises:
 a vessel that has a compartment and an inlet for the process stream and an outlet for the treated process stream; 
 at least one magnet that is positioned within the compartment wherein the at least one magnet is removably encased in a housing that is secured to a support tray; 
   introducing a process stream into the filtration apparatus through its inlet;   switching the process stream through a bypass line that is operating in parallel with the filtration apparatus when pressure across the filtration apparatus increases to 1 to 5 kg/cm 2 ;   removing the support tray securing the housing from the compartment;   removing the at least one magnet from the housing thereby releasing the contaminants;   replacing the at least one magnet into the housing;   replacing the support tray securing the housing into the compartment; and   switching the process stream from the bypass line to the filtration apparatus.