Effect of organic fouling on the life of cartridge filters

Abstract

There are many problems of filtering seawater for use in offshore waterflood systems. In particular, the unique characteristics of seawater result in heavy, sporadic, organic loadings due to the growth of microscopic organisms; the plankton. Removal of this material can be difficult. The skeletal remains, together with large amounts of lipid material stored in the plankton cause filter element blockage problems. Data and direct obsrvations from filtration systems have been combined with a seasonal study of 5μm disposable cartridge filter elements and an assessment of plankton to show how the life of filters is affected by the organic material.