I received an inquiry from a utility company in the northwest. They operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility that provides gas to local transportation companies, including Alaska vessels, as well as residential and commercial customers with natural gas reserves that help to maintain dependable service on the coldest days of the year.
Austin, the maintenance technician, informed me that they had four (4) compressors, one that was using excessive oil. He was looking to purchase a mobile filter cart to drain the reservoirs into 55 gallon drums, then recirculate/reclaim the oil, and then refill the compressor reservoirs. The oil in question was “Standard Turbo 150” and the ambient temperature around the compressors was a little warm, at around 100 °F.
Austin said that he was looking for a filter cart that was explosion-proof and mobile enough for one person to be able to move it around and hook it up (pulling out of a compressor’s sump). He also wanted the filter cart to be able to reduce particulate of at least 5 micron in size, as well as remove water.
Austin and his company needed something mobile and light, so I knew that an aluminum frame was the way to go here. After I reviewed the options with him, I suggested our pneumatic-powered mobile filter cart (PFC) along with the following spin-on cartridge filter elements:
- 1st stage: 3-micron particulate removal: PFP75EE8B
- 2nd stage: Water-removal element: PFP75AT8B
The PFC mobile filter cart utilizes a double-diaphragm pump, which is powered by compressed air and also satisfied their explosion-proof requirement. The system is features a variable flow rate, able to be controlled by a regulator. This is an advantage for smaller reservoirs, and when temperatures are colder.
Additionally the PFC system utilizes by default our dual-stage, Beta-1000 microglass spin-on cartridge filter elements, mentioned above, which are specifically designed to remove contamination from oil. They are industry standard and are easy to change out in the field and on the fly.
In the end, after we delivered to them this cart, and Austin started to put it to use, I received the following positive review from him:
“Overall a nice machine, well engineered and set up for easy use. Rolls around the compressor hall nicely. I have filtered about 80 gallons of 150 compressor oil so far. After pumping 27 gallons through the cart, I took pre and post filtration samples and sent them off to [our laboratory]. After receiving the results of the sampling I am more than pleased.”
In addition, here are the hard numbers that were measured before and after:
- Particulate, pre-filtration: ISO 4406 22/20/15
- Particulate, post-filtration: ISO 4406 18/15/10
- Water, pre-filtration: 19 PPM
- Water, post-filtration: 2 PPM
Furthermore, Austin was nice enough to provide the following additional feedback:
“Viscosity is stable and good, metals are good. These results will allow us to reclaim oil as necessary and will save money by reducing our waste stream and purchasing less oil. We have met the intended goal. Thank you for your recommendations and help in purchasing the cart Sean. Should we find the need for further filtration products, you will be the call!”
And that about wrapped up my most recent experience in helping his utility company to clean the oil of their LNG compressors in the most efficient and economical way feasible!
That said, do YOU have any questions or comments about oil filtration or mobile oil filtration equipment such as mobile filter carts?
Give us a call and ask to speak to me directly! or send us an RFQ and mention my name!
— Sean, Engineering & Inside Sales