The effect of organically loaded feedstreams on the operation of cartridge filters

The filtration of seawater is an important industrial operation, particularly in the offshore oil industry where large quantities of seawater are filtered prior to injection in to the oil bearing strata as a means of oil recovery. Cartridge filtration systems, particularly those involving spool wound elements are common in many areas of solid liquid separation. These include the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, domestic and industrial water processing, automotive and electroplating industries and also on offshore oil production platforms. However, the performance of these cartridges in actual service has been found to be less than ideal. The effect of organically loaded feedstreams on the performance of spool wound cartridge filters was determined using standard filter test methodology according to ISO 4572 (1981). The system was adapted allowing filter testing with aqueous fluids and dosing of the test fluid with concentrations of proteinaceous materials and lipids. The effect of different concentrations of protein and lipid on filter performance was interpreted in terms of filter life, particle retention efficiency and dirt holding capacity. The degree of permeation of the organic material into the filtrate was also assessed by biochemical assays.