System and Method for Removing Solid Buildup from Filters
A system and a method for removing solid buildup from a filter media is disclosed. A slurry is passed parallel across a cross-flow filter, the filter comprising a conductive filter media and the slurry comprising a carrier liquid and solids. A portion of the carrier liquid crosses through the filter media as a permeate while a thickened slurry continues parallel to the filter media. A blockage of at least a portion of the filter media is detected. The blockage comprises a portion of the solids. At least a portion of the filter media is heated to a melting temperature of the solids, such that a portion of the blockage melts, whereby the blockage is cleared.
1 . A method for removing solid buildup from a filter media comprising:
passing a slurry parallel across a cross-flow filter, the filter comprising a conductive filter media and the slurry comprising a carrier liquid and solids, wherein a portion of the carrier liquid crosses through the filter media as a permeate while a thickened slurry continues parallel to the filter media;
detecting a blockage of at least a portion of the filter media, the blockage comprising a portion of the solids; and,
heating at least a portion of the filter media to a temperature that melts a portion of the blockage, whereby the blockage is cleared.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heating the filter media comprises:
applying an electric current to the filter media, resulting in resistive heating; or,
applying an induced current to the filter media, resulting in resistive heating.
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising supplying a backpressure to a downstream side of the filter media during heating sufficient to stop any of the solid that melts from crossing the filter media.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier liquid comprises water, hydrocarbons, liquid ammonia, liquid carbon dioxide, cryogenic liquids, or combinations thereof.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solids comprise carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, water, mercury, hydrocarbons, or combinations thereof.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cross-flow filter comprises:
a cross-flow thickener;
a screw-press filter;
a double-walled pipe filter;
a pump filter; or,
a combination thereof.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the blockage comprises:
measuring a drop of a flow rate of the permeate;
measuring a drop of a flow rate of the thickened slurry;
measuring an increase in a backpressure on the slurry; or,
a combination thereof.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising receiving a signal regarding the blockage and controlling a heating element to start heating the filter media.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising receiving a signal regarding the blockage and controlling a plurality of heating elements to start heating the filter media, wherein each of the plurality of heating elements heats a separate section of the filter media.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising starting each of the plurality of heating elements in a sequence.
11 . A system for removing solid buildup from a filter media comprising:
a cross-flow filter comprising a conductive filter media, wherein a slurry is passed parallel to the cross-flow filter, the slurry comprising a carrier liquid and solids, a portion of the carrier liquid crossing through the filter media as a permeate while the thickened slurry continues parallel to the filter media;
an instrument detects a blockage of at least a portion of the filter media and transmits a signal regarding the blockage, wherein the blockage comprises a portion of the solids; and,
a processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
receive the signal from the instrument; and
control one or more heating devices to heat at least a portion of the filter media to a temperature that melts a portion of the blockage, whereby the blockage is cleared.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the heating device heats the filter media by:
applying an electric current to the filter media, resulting in resistive heating; or,
applying an induced current to the filter media, resulting in resistive heating.
13 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising supplying a backpressure to a downstream side of the filter media during heating sufficient to stop any of the solid that melts from crossing the filter media.
14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the carrier liquid comprises water, hydrocarbons, liquid ammonia, liquid carbon dioxide, cryogenic liquids, or combinations thereof.
15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the solids comprise carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, water, mercury, hydrocarbons, or combinations thereof.
16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the conductive filter media comprises metal, conductive ceramics, conductive polymers, or combinations thereof.
17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the cross-flow filter comprises:
a cross-flow thickener;
a screw-press filter;
a double-walled pipe filter;
a pump filter; or,
a combination thereof.
18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the instrument comprises:
a flow meter measuring a drop of a flow rate of the permeate;
a flow meter measuring a drop of a flow rate of the thickened slurry;
a pressure sensor measuring an increase in a backpressure on the slurry; or,
a combination thereof.
19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein each of the one or more heating elements heats a separate section of the filter media.
20 . The system of claim 19 , where each of the one or more heating elements are started in a sequence.