Resilient Filtration: High-Temperature Bag Filters for Saudi Refineries and Petrochemicals from ClipOn

ClipOn has introduced a new line of resilient high-temperature bag filters for Saudi refineries and petrochemicals. These filters are made in Saudi Arabia and are designed to handle extreme conditions found in the country’s refining and petrochemical fields, the economic backbone of the country and the heart of the Vision 2030 diversification plan. Operating under some of the most challenging conditions across the globe, the facilities in Jubail, Yanbu, and Ras Tanura are processing a significant amount of hydrocarbons, producing flue gases, and other stream processes having extreme temperatures, high acidity, and floating particulate matter. 

ClipOn is a global technology leader in the business of supplying mission-critical, high-performance filtration solutions designed for demanding operating conditions. Multi-million-dollar investments in high-quality Bag Filters are a must for Saudi operators to safeguard plants, recover monetized catalysts, and meet existing requirements which are foreseen by local Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) legislation. Media and systems are our specialty, which means we guarantee the performance and durability of both media and systems in high-temperature and chemical environments.

The Dual Challenge – Intense Temperature and Acid Attack

Filtration in Saudi’s refineries and petrochemical facilities means battling the unique combination of thermal and chemical dangers.

1. Surviving High-Temperature Effects

Various units such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit regenerators, sulfur recovery units (SRUs), and high-temperature waste incineration plants, add gas streams which are sometimes far more than filter materials can sustain. Certain times, the average temperature exceeds the allowed by nearly 200 degrees Celsius plus there are some times when there are negative effects in the system spiking for a few seconds on the high side of the scale.

The ClipOn Answer: We provide high-temperature bag filters that are specially designed for such cases. For example, our filters are made of Aramid (Nomex®), Polyimide (P84®), and Fiberglass with PTFE finishes. These high-performance engineered materials perform at peak efficiency without degradation, thereby avoiding a situation where complete bag failure could occur and cause an entire unit shutdown.

2. Resistance to Acidic Flue Gases

The processing of sour or heavy feedstocks often causes flue gases to contain huge amounts of sulfur oxides(SO_x) and other corrosive agents. This chemical process results in filter fibers being damaged leading to rapid tensile strength loss and early breakage.

The ClipOn Edge: Choose the media that is resistant to chemicals. Thus, Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), and PTFE (Teflon) are used where abrasion and high acidity are main issues. Also, we apply additional chemical resistant finishes and coatings to prolong the filter bag life in these harsh environments.

3. Protecting Precious Catalysts

In some catalytic processes, the catalyst particles which are lost with the flue gas have to be recovered for reuse. This process demands ultra-high-efficiency filtration usually at very high temperatures. Inefficient filtration leads to additional costs though including, catalyst loss (money) and high emissions (displeasing the law).

ClipOn’s Application-Specific Bag Filters

Owing to our thorough knowledge of technical filtration, we deliver the best and most complete solutions applicable in Saudi refineries and petrochemical complexes.

1. Sulphur Recovery Unit (SRU) Filtration

Application: Capturing the solid elemental sulfur and the fine particulates emitted in the tail gas process of SRU.

Filter Choice: Pulse-Jet Bag Filters utilizing high-temperature media with antistatic and hydrophobic properties to safely manage this volatile and sticky material are the most preferred filters. High recovery efficiency is ensured while $SO_2$ limits are observed.

2. Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Unit Emissions

Application: Filtering the hot exhaust gas from the regenerator which is loaded with fine, abrasive, and valuable catalyst particles.

Filter Choice: It often demands special media (if for example it is Fiberglass or P84) housing in robust Bag Filter systems built to endure the wear from abrasive particles and the constant thermal shock.

3. High-Pressure Process Filtration (Liquid/Gas)

Application: Pre-filtration of liquid hydrocarbons, lube oils, or process gases before they enter sensitive heat exchangers or turbines.

Filter Choice: While traditional baghouses handle air, liquid process streams often use sealed Bag Filters housed in ASME-certified pressure vessels. The media is chosen based on chemical compatibility and micron rating to protect sensitive downstream equipment from pipe scale and contaminants.

4. Reliability of the System and Cage Structure

In most cases, the filter cage has to distort during the operation. ClipOn also provides cages of high-grade materials like stainless steel or our special alloys that combat the thermal warping problem, thus ensuring Bag Filters are well supported and not damaged by abrasion from a warped cage.

Strategic Partnership for Saudi Arabia’s Longevity and TCO

Choosing ClipOn as your partner is not just a choice; it’s also an agreement with a company whose priority lies in ensuring the uninterrupted and reliable operation of Saudi Arabia’s critical energy sector.

Asset Integrity: Our patented High-Temperature Bag Filters provide full defense against equipment wear and tear, product loss, and as such, they indirectly contribute to asset integrity management.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Through our media that is more resilient to thermal and chemical stress, we have effectively expanded the lifespan of the filters meaning less money spent on maintenance due to fewer shutdowns for filter change-outs.

Achieving Compliance: Our filter systems are designed to meet or even exceed the stringent emission control laws set by the Saudi authorities ruling out any risk of fines.

Integration of ClipOn’s robust bag filter solutions in Saudi refineries and petrochemical plants ensures the required level of filtration to hold globally competitive positions and hence, the goal of Vision 2030 will be achieved step by step.

To start your conversation with ClipOn regarding engineered filtration designs for high-temperature processes, contact us today!