AquaSep® XS Coalescers

The AquaSep XS system is a multiple-stage system starting with filtration to remove particulate matter, followed by either a one-stage horizontal coalescer or two-stage integrated vertical coalescer/separator stack to separate the two liquid phases. AquaSep XS coalescers will remove free water to a level as low as 15 ppmv¹ and be effective over a wide range of conditions such as inlet liquid contaminant concentration as high as 10% and interfacial tension less than 20 dynes/cm.

The AquaSep XS coalescer system is available in two different housing configurations. Both configurations begin with a filtration stage to remove solid contaminants.

Table 1: Coalescer Selection Guide

AquaSep XS Coalescer - Horizontal Housing Configuration

In a horizontal housing, the liquid/liquid mixture enters the coalescing element and flows inside-to-outside. Small liquid dispersed phase droplets suspended in the continuous phase come together, or coalesce, as the mixture moves through the AquaSep XS coalescer. The large coalesced droplets of the dispersed phase separate by gravity in the horizontal housing and are removed. The size of the housing is a function of the flow rate, IFT, viscosity, and specific gravity of the liquids.

AquaSep XS Coalescer/Separator Stack - Vertical Housing Configuration

The liquid/liquid mixture enters the coalescing element and flows inside-to-outside. Small liquid droplets suspended in the continuous phase come together, or coalesce, as the mixture moves through the coalescer medium.

Contaminant-free liquid and large droplets of the dispersed phase flow toward the separator located directly below the coalescer stage. The flow is outsidetoinside. The separator medium is hydrophobic preventing the aqueous phase from entering the separator. Only the non-aqueous continuous phase fluid flows through the separator. The two liquids are removed by separate drain connections.

Not all coalescers provide a high quantitative removal of dispersed liquid contaminants nor can handle emulsions with low interfacial tensions (IFTs). For example, conventional cartridge coalescers made of glass fiber media begin to lose efficiency when the IFT of the emulsion gets below 20 dynes/cm. In contrast, the AquaSep XS coalescer from Pall is constructed of a high-efficiency, polymeric medium, making it well suited for numerous liquid/liquid separation applications with very low IFTs including:

• Removal of water from refined products with or without additive package, including gasoline, diesel, jet, and LPG
• Separation of water from hydrocarbon condensates, refinery intermediates, naphtha, propane and propylene
• Separation of oil from water

Compatibility

The AquaSep XS coalescer is compatible with hydrocarbon fuels, trace amounts of IPA and methanol, and water in the pH range of 4 - 8.5. For compatibility information with a specific chemical, please contact your Pall representative or distributor.

AquaSep XS Coalescer Reduces Costs

Begin reducing your capital and operating costs today. Contact your local Pall distributor or call Pall directly to arrange for a budgetary quotation and pilot test of the AquaSep XS coalescer technology.

Figure 6: Illustration of Pall pilot scale liquid/liquid coalescer test stand

Product Benefits

Coalescers