AQUAFINING™

Extracting Soluble Impurities from Hydrocarbon Streams, with Water

Water-Based Extraction of Impurities

Since 1978, AQUAFINING^™ technology from Merichem Technologies has proven effective at removing soluble organic and inorganic impurities from liquid hydrocarbon streams. Employing our proprietary FIBER FILM^® Contactor for mass transfer, it uses fresh water as the treating reagent.

Advantages

With Merichem Technologies’ proprietary FIBER FILM^® Contactor technology, AQUAFINING^™ can effectively reduce costs and space requirements compared to alternative processing solutions.

A proven technology in the removal of dissolved and free-phase carryover of caustics, amines, surfactants and oxygenates
With Merichem Technologies FIBER FILM^® Contactor optimizing mass transfer, water-makeup is reduced to a minimum consumption, while reducing CAPEX and space requirements
Process produces spent alkaline water that can be easily handled in wastewater treatment plants

Applications

LPG Treatment
Natural Gas Treatment
Acid Gas Treatment
Off-Gas Treatment
Fuel Gas Treatment
Crude Distillation Units
Treating of Naphtha, Condensate, Jet Fuel, Kerosene and Diesel

How It Works

With Merichem Technologies’ FIBER FILM^® Contactor, AQUAFINING^™ technology increases the hydrocarbon surface area by orders of magnitude, significantly improving the efficiency of mass transfer. Impurities can more easily diffuse between phases with little or no emulsification, carryover or high‑pressure drop.

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Non-Dispersive Technology Dramatically Reduces Acidity—and Cost New

Naphthenic Acids | NAPFINING™ + AQUAFINING™

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Established Performance

Merichem^® has provided solutions to the oil and gas industry for over half a century, establishing leading expertise in caustic treatment technology, catalysts and service solutions. With that expertise comes extensive capabilities that include design, engineering, fabrication, testing and support.

Committed to Our Customers

Merichem Technologies’ expertise comes from a long history of listening to our customers, understanding their challenges and devising innovative and industry-changing solutions. This commitment has never changed.

Proven Flexibility, Global Reach

Our processing solutions extend around the world. For over 50 years, Merichem Technologies has helped solve the industry’s biggest treatment challenges with comprehensive products and services.

We have licensed more than 85 AQUAFINING^™ units worldwide

FFC Plus™ Technology

The latest iteration of Merichem Technologies’ FIBER FILM® Contactor technology, FFC Plus™ can increase hydrocarbon treating rates by up to 150 percent as compared to earlier designs.

Learn more about FIBER FILM Contactors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AQUAFINING used for?
AQUAFINING removes water-soluble impurities. This is typically carryover of caustic or amine as well as surfactants and oxygenates like methanol.
Where do I need to use this technology?
Whenever you want to do a final cleanup of a stream that has aqueous soluble impurities. AQUAFINING is particularly useful if you have an extremely low sodium or amine spec in a stream going into a distillation column or heater or other equipment downstream of a caustic or amine treater that can easily become fouled.
What water quality is required for AQUAFINING?
The water should not exceed a 100 ppm max hardness as CaC0₃ for water washing