Black Powder Solutions I Magnetic Separator Systems for Contamination Removal

Black Powder Contamination

Black powder is the industry term for the abrasive, reactive contamination present in all hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives. Black Powder precipitates from erosion, chemical corrosion and bacterial corrosion of carbon steel pipeline walls and components.

Company

Black Powder Solutions (BPS) is a Canadian company that designs and manufactures patented magnetic separator systems as an inline, full-flow solution to removing Black Powder™ contamination from hydrocarbon fluids and gases, refined products, petrochemicals and water.

Technology

These systems are the sustainable alternative to conventional filtration; they protect processes and equipment from breakdown or failure at all stages of the hydrocarbon value chain because they effectively > 1 micron sized particulate which is detrimental to process system reliability.

Fractionation and Stabilization Facilities — Fractionation, Coking and Stabilization Facilities

Natural Gas Gathering, Compression and Processing Facilities

Crude oil, Condensate, NGL, LPG, Natural Gas, Refined Product and Glycol Pipelines

Water-based Deployment in Multiple, Different Applications

Featured Case Study

Targa Resources Corp. was encountering a number of issues at their Galena Park LPG loading terminal linked to black powder contamination, a small and highly pervasive form of particulate contamination. This case study reviews results from the installation and operation of a patented magnetic separator system manufactured by Black Powder Solutions Inc. for the removal of the black powder contamination.

Targa was experiencing high levels of Black Powder™ (black powder) contamination at its Galena Park terminal in purity NGL products and loading, vapor handling and facility lubrication systems. Black powder is a type of particulate contamination that is common in hydrocarbons and it consists of both ferrous and non-ferrous elements and compounds, in varying amounts, typically in high concentrations of particles under 10 microns in size. It is difficult and expensive to remove with conventional filtration, and as a result it has significant negative impacts on oil and gas equipment and facilities; this includes pipelines, pumps, compressors, meters and so on, as well as product quality.

Since installation, the lube oil system has functioned at a significantly higher level due to the removal of the black powder contamination. The cost of the magnetic separator was $19,989, and the total quantifiable annual savings have been in excess of $300,000 per year.