The FIBER-FILM™ Contactor Advantages

• More thorough treating—Maximum removal of impurities from the hydrocarbon is achieved to meet today's stringent standards while using the aqueous treating solution efficiently.
• High mass transfer efficiency—The large interfacial area, the minute diffusion distance, and the continuous renewal of the treating solution combine to yield mass transfer efficiencies far greater than possible with conventional treatment.
• Elimination of aqueous phase carryover—Because the aqueous phase clings to the fibers in the FIBER-FILM™ Contactor, rather than dispersing into the hydrocarbon phase, carryover is essentially eliminated.
• Elimination of emulsion formation—Since effective phase contact occurs without dispersion, stable emulsions will not form in the FIBER-FILM™ Contactor unit.
• Less costly processing enhances treating economics.
• Reduced equipment size and cost—Since the FIBER- FILM™ Contactor process does not depend on gravity settling or emulsion coalescence, processing vessels can be much smaller.
• Simplified, easily operated equipment—By eliminating the clean-up stages, FIBER-FILM™ Contactor systems are much simpler to operate and maintain than conventional treating equipment. In addition, Merichem's straightforward designs make automation and control easy.
• Lower operating costs—High treating solution strength and recycle capability reduces the volume of fresh chemicals used and therefore the volume of spent aqueous effluents for disposal.
• Flexible, adaptable system design—FIBER-FILM™ Contactor units are very flexible as to hydrocarbon to treating solution ratios compared to conventional systems that have a very narrow operating window in which product specifications are met.
• Adaptable to client needs—FIBER-FILM™ Contactor units are custom-designed to mesh perfectly with existing equipment. Retrofitting of conventional systems increases treating capacity at minimal cost.
• Future expansion capability—To meet projected expansion needs, FIBER-FILM™ Contactor systems can be designed for easy capacity increase.
• Modularized system availability—FIBER-FILM™ Contactor units can be fully packaged to reduce engineering and construction costs. This option also offers quicker implementation of grassroots systems.
• 100% onstream time between turnarounds—The FIBER-FILM™ Contactor has no requirements for routine maintenance.
• Turndown—FIBER-FILM™ Contactor treating systems have excellent flexibility for hydrocarbon feed changes, both up and down.