PTQ Q3 2026 Issue

Total suspended solids (TSS) and total suspended mate- rial (TSM) were quantified in accordance with ISO 4405 using 0.8 µm membrane filtra - tion at both ambient conditions and after thermal conditioning of representative heavy-feed samples to approximately 280°F (~140°C), consistent with the lower end of the tar- get conditioning band. Particle-size distributions and agglomerate morphol- ogies were evaluated in accordance with ISO 13322-1 to characterise the physical structure and deformability

Base vs S y nGuard MT vs S y nGuard HT

10 12 14 16

0 6 4 2 8

Hours of service

Figure 5 ΔP vs time (surface vs lofted media). Comparative ΔP performance of media pack (green and brown) vs conventional surface-pleated media (dark blue)

modes translate directly into loading behaviour. Lower surface energy structures show dispersed contaminant distribution within interstitial spaces, while higher surface energy structures show localised adhesion at fibre junc - tions. In both cases, contaminants are retained within the media depth rather than forming a surface layer. This combination of surface interaction and layered archi- tecture defines a capture mechanism fundamentally differ - ent from surface filtration, enabling full utilisation of the media volume under deformable fouling conditions. This approach is implemented through the SynGuard media platform. Agglomerate capture The interaction between organic phases and suspended inorganics has a direct impact on fine particulate removal. As agglomerates form through the association of cor- rosion-derived fines with waxes, gums, and asphaltenic material, particles in the sub-10 µm range are incorporated into larger, semi-deformable structures that are readily retained within the media depth. Field and bench-scale observations show that, using the bespoke media platform’s architecture, greater than 80% removal of particles at or below 10 µm can be achieved despite operation at significantly coarser nominal filtration levels. This is not a function of tighter pore structure, but of depth loading driven by surface interaction, where fine particles are captured as part of organic-inorganic agglom- erates rather than discrete solids. Given that corrosion-related contaminants in heavy hydroprocessing feeds are predominantly in the sub-10 µm range, this mechanism contributes directly to improved downstream protection and reduced fouling potential. The resulting reduction in fine particulate and associated organic carryover reinforces the observed improvements in pressure drop stability, service life, and overall filtration- related cost. Bench-scale characterisation Bench-scale work was designed to isolate and character- ise contaminant behaviour and interaction mechanisms.

of the suspended phase. To differentiate rigid particulate from thermally responsive matter, a modified precipitation and redissolution protocol based on n-heptane precipita- tion and attempted toluene redissolution was performed to distinguish classical asphaltenes from waxy or polymeric species. Adapted ASTM methodologies were used, includ- ing ASTM D381 for gum formation and ASTM D6560 for asphaltene behaviour, combined with thermal conditioning. The thermal conditioning results were consistent across multiple representative samples: heated TSS and TSM values were systematically lower than ambient measure- ments at identical filtration cuts, in some cases by several hundred ppm. This response indicates that a significant fraction of the apparent solids load behaves as a tempera- ture-sensitive, semi-deformable material rather than a rigid particulate. Results from the precipitation/redissolution procedure further support this interpretation. Isolated insolubles did not fully redissolve in toluene, indicating that waxes and polymeric gums play a substantial role in the deformable fraction alongside classical asphaltenes. This finding is consistent with heavy-oil fouling literature2 and with the gel-like deposit morphologies observed in hydroprocessing autopsies. Comparative media testing further demonstrated that contaminant capture in this system under identical loading conditions varied as a function of surface energy rather than pore structure. This confirms that capture in heavy- feed systems is not governed solely by size exclusion, but by the interaction between contaminant-phase chemistry and the fibre surface. These bench-scale results estab - lish the mechanistic basis for the microstructural loading behaviour described in the following section. Field evaluation and operating impact Field evaluation was conducted in a heavy-feed hydropro- cessing service at a large US refinery processing variable blends of VGOs, resid-derived components, and cracked stocks. The objective was to compare conventional surface filtration with an interaction-driven, lofted media approach under identical operating conditions.

PTQ Q3 2026