Anderson Coalescing Filter

Designed for

Anderson ACF coalescing filters are designed for gas systems where fine aerosols, liquid carryover, and particulate contamination can damage downstream equipment, shorten element life, or compromise process performance. They are especially well suited for fuel gas conditioning, compressor protection, gas processing, metering and regulation stations, molecular sieve and desiccant bed protection, and final polishing in high-value gas streams.

Product configurations

• ACF. The standard ACF uses a vertical upflow configuration with a knockout plate positioned ahead of the coalescing elements. This simple first-stage design removes bulk liquids and heavier particulates, reducing the burden on the coalescing filter stage.

• ACF-V. Incorporates an Anderson Vane to remove bulk liquids and particulates before the gas reaches the coalescing filter stage, helping extend element life.

• ACF-HF. Includes a first-stage centrifugal separation element for higher-flow applications. Bulk liquids and solids are spun out ahead of the coalescing filter element, extending the life of the filter.

• ACF-C. Uses a vertical upflow configuration that distributes the gas stream across multiple cyclones for aggressive bulk contaminant removal. It provides robust upstream protection ahead of the coalescing elements in demanding services with heavier contaminant loading.

Key points of differentiation

• Multistage contaminant removal. Combines mechanical separation with coalescing filtration to remove bulk liquids, solids, and fine aerosols in one vessel.

• Extended element life. First-stage separation options reduce liquid and solids loading on coalescing elements, helping reduce maintenance frequency and lifecycle cost.

• High-cleanliness gas service. Provides final polishing where mechanical separators alone are not sufficient for fine mist removal.

• Optimal drainage. The vertical upflow configuration ensures efficient drainage.

• Application-specific design. Available with custom sizing, materials, pressure ratings, internals, and closure options to match process requirements and ASME Section VIII requirements.

Applications

The Anderson Coalescing Filter (ACF) is used wherever gas streams require the removal of liquid aerosols, lubricating oil carryover, glycol contamination, and fine particulates to protect critical downstream equipment and maintain process efficiency. Its combination of high-efficiency coalescing filtration and mechanical separation makes it ideal for gas compression, processing, storage, transmission, and fuel gas conditioning applications where clean, dry gas is essential for reliable operation and reduced maintenance.

• Gas compressor discharge. Removes lubricating oil mist from compressor discharge.

• Gas injection systems. Removes submicron solids and lube oil which could damage the formation in gas injection systems for storage or enhanced oil recovery projects.

• Solid desiccant or molecular sieve beds. Protects from contamination by regenerating gas, lube oils, glycols, and amines.

• Propane refrigeration systems. Separates lube oil from propane.

• Compressor engines. Removes virtually all contaminants from fuel for compressor engines.

• Glycol carryover. Removes glycol carryover downstream of glycol contactors.

• Gas membrane separators. Provides maximum protection prior to expensive gas/gas membrane separation.

• Burner protection. Removes liquids and solids in fuel gas that can plug burner tips in heaters and fired reboilers.

• Meters, gas-operated instruments, and pressure regulators. Protects and maintains performance of equipment from fouling by oils and solids.

Principle of operation

1. First-stage separation. A first-stage separation element removes large liquid droplets and particulate via inertial impingement and gravity drainage, protecting the coalescing elements from heavy loads that would require frequent replacement. Options: knockout plate (impingement), Anderson Vane (impingement), centrifugal element (centrifugal force), or multi-cyclone (centrifugal force).

2. Coalescing. Gas then flows inside-to-outside through multilayer fiberglass/polypropylene coalescer elements. The inner layer pre-filters submicron solids; the middle layers capture and coalesce fine liquid aerosols.

3. Gravity. Coalesced liquid drains to the lower sump by gravity. Clean, dry gas exits through the vessel outlet.