Clean the Black Powder™ contamination from a 12,000 BBL crude oil slop tank with an estimated contamination level of 1 pound of Black Powder per barrel of oil. The Black Powder contamination analysis identified primarily iron oxides and iron sulfides ranging with an average particles size of 1.82 microns and range from 0.06 to 50.60 (see analysis).
Midstream Operator – Coyanosa Texas, Mar 2022- Problem – The operator identified high levels of black powder contamination in their condensate production. The contamination was reducing the quality and sale price of the condensate along with increased costs from conventional filter change-outs and shutdowns.
Midstream Operator – Coyanosa Texas, Dec 2021 – Problem – Black Powder contamination under 5 microns in size was causing costly filter change-outs and reduced efficiency of the Amine system to remove H2S and Co2.
Targa Resources – Houston, TX USA, 2016 – Problem – Black Powder wear contamination in reclaimed oil was gravity fed to the high pressure flash tanks, the de-mister sections of compressors and finally the coalescer.
Butane and Low Ethane Propane (LEP) feedstocks contain sub micron Black Powder contamination that leads to costly unplanned maintenance and repairs. Previously, the Black Powder was removed using inefficient conventional bag filters, requiring over 50 filter change-outs each month. In addition, these bag filters are ineffective at removing Black Powder particles under 10 microns. This enables contamination to flow through the loading process causing damage to pumps, compressors, cooling systems and loading equipment.
High levels of Black Powder contamination (iron oxide, iron sulfide, silica and salts) from feed stock were bypassing filtration, contaminating compressor lube oil and damaging pumps, bearings, and seal faces. Two filtration methods were in use – a cone strainer upstream of the pump and high pressure cartridge filters upstream of the compressor.
Off-loading Natural gas condensate (C5H12+), from the 1st stage of natural gas field compression.
Excessive Filter Costs and Offloading Stoppage.
Natural gas in pipeline systems, including gathering, transmission and distribution systems, often contains particulate contamination in it, typically known as Black Powder™…
The Nashville International Airport (BNA) removed Black Powder contamination particulates from jet fuel delivered by a large refined-products pipeline, resulting in improved product quality and reduced filter consumption…
The plant inlet conventional filters allow Black Powder contamination to enter the facility and in turn, damage pump and compression equipment. During the loading process, small quantities of Black Powder plug off the basket screens…
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