Author: Vanessa  24 Mar. 2025     Category: Understanding Filtration

Ⅰ. Coalescing and separation: the “merging-sedimentation” journey of small droplets

On the deep-sea drilling platform of the North Sea oil field, a group of coalescing filter elements are treating oily wastewater at a flow rate of 3,000 cubic meters per hour – the oil droplet concentration drops sharply from 5,000ppm to below 10ppm. Behind this is the precise regulation of coalescing filtration technology: first, the micron-level oil droplets are merged into millimeter-level large droplets through “coalescing”, and then the oil and water are efficiently stratified through “separation”. This dual effect makes it the ultimate solution for complex fluid processing.

The process of coalescing filtration can be divided into two main steps: coalescing and separation.

  • 1. Coalescing: When the fluid passes through the coalescing filter element, the special structure of the filter element will capture tiny droplets or particles. The tiny oil droplets (1-50μm) collide with the fiber due to the difference in surface tension and gradually coalesce into large oil droplets (>100μm). This process relies on the surface tension and pore structure of the filter element material to ensure that the tiny particles can be effectively aggregated.
  • Key parameters: fiber diameter (5-20μm), porosity (85-95%), surface energy (lipophilic/hydrophilic modification).
  • 2. Separation: The larger agglomerates after coalescence will settle under the action of gravity or be captured by subsequent separation devices due to the increase in weight, thereby achieving fluid purification.
  • Typical separation speed: oil droplet floating rate ≥0.2m/min (calculated by Stokes’ law).

Ⅱ. Performance and application scope of coalescence filters

Coalescing filtration technology is characterized by high efficiency, stability and wide applicability, and is suitable for a variety of industrial fields:

  • Oil and natural gas: In the process of oil and gas extraction and processing, coalescence filtration can effectively remove water from oil-water mixtures and improve oil quality, such as aviation fuel purification (meeting MIL-PRF-87252 standard).
  • Chemical industry: used to separate liquids and solid particles in chemical reactions to ensure product purity. LNG processing (removal of mercury and sulfides to ppb level)
  • Food and beverage: In food processing, coalescence filtration can remove impurities in liquids to ensure food safety.
  • Pharmaceutical industry: used to separate tiny particles in drug production to ensure drug quality, such as compressed air degreasing (ISO 8573-1 Class 1).

The performance advantages of coalescence filtration technology are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  • High-efficiency separation: can effectively remove tiny particles and droplets and improve fluid purity.
  • Strong stability: The filter element material is durable and can work stably for a long time in harsh environments.
  • Wide scope of application: suitable for the separation of a variety of fluids and particles, with broad application prospects.

Comparison with traditional filtration:

IndicatorsTraditional filtrationCoalescing filtration (Trenntech)
Minimum treatment particle size 50μm 0.3μm
Oil-water separation efficiency 85%-92% 99.9%
Pollution holding capacity0.5g/cm³2.8g/cm³
 Pressure difference growth rateFast (＞50Pa/h) Slow (＜10Pa/h) 

III. Production advantages and technical accumulation of Trenntech coalescing filter element

As a global leading filtration technology provider, Trenntech has accumulated rich experience and technical advantages in the production of coalescing filter elements. The following are the main advantages of Trenntech:

  • 1. Advanced materials: Trenntech uses high-performance filter element materials to ensure that the filter element has excellent coalescing and separation effects. The selection of materials has been rigorously tested and can maintain stable performance under various working conditions.
  • 2. Design innovation: Trenntech’s coalescing filter element adopts a unique structural design to optimize the flow path of the fluid and improve the coalescing efficiency.
  • 3. Strict quality control: Trenntech implements strict quality control during the production process to ensure that each filter element meets high standards of quality inspection requirements.
  • 4. Global service network: Trenntech has established a complete service network worldwide to provide customers with timely technical support and after-sales service. Whether in Europe, the Middle East or Africa, customers can enjoy Trenntech’s professional services.
  • 5. Continuous R&D: Trenntech focuses on technological innovation and R&D investment, and continuously launches new filter element products to meet the changing needs of the market.

From deep-sea oil fields to sterile pharmaceutical factories, coalescence filtration technology is reshaping the processing logic of industrial fluids. And Trenntech is the leader of this efficiency revolution. Choosing Trenntech means choosing efficient, stable and reliable filtration technology to help you achieve higher efficiency and better product quality in industrial production.

Vanessa

My name is Vanessa, and I am a content writer specializing in corporate content creation. With more than 10 years of writing experience, I am committed to providing companies with high-quality, impactful content to help them stand out in a competitive market. My background covers multiple industries, including technology, finance, marketing, etc. In the process, I have accumulated rich knowledge and skills, and can deeply understand the needs of audiences in different fields, so as to create more targeted articles and content. I am good at writing blog posts, white papers, case studies, product descriptions, etc., and I am familiar with SEO optimization strategies to ensure that the content gets good exposure in search engines. At the same time, I also have good project management skills and can complete high-quality works within a tight time frame. I believe that high-quality content can not only convey information, but also build customer trust and brand image.