KFM Active Filter Media Filter: An Innovative Solution to Polymer-Bearing Wastewater Treatment Challenges
With the wide application of polymer flooding, polymer-bearing wastewater keeps increasing. This wastewater features complex quality, high viscosity, a high proportion of emulsified oil and small oil droplets, which conventional filtration technology struggles to treat effectively. The KFM active filter media filter developed by SINOKLE has successfully solved many of these polymer-bearing wastewater treatment problems through innovative technology.
Core technology advantages
KFM active filter media is made from a silicate-based material through 60 special processes, with a melting point of up to 1,200 °C and a specific gravity of 1.25; it is odorless and insoluble in water. Its biggest highlight is the super-hydrophilic surface modification, which forms a nano-scale pore structure with a specific surface area 300 times that of quartz sand, providing ample reaction interface for pollutant adsorption.
The media surface carries its own negative charge, effectively capturing positively charged oil droplets and particles through electrostatic adsorption, while the free radicals it generates have oxidizing and bactericidal capability, preventing bacterial growth and media cementation at the source. Its unique surface properties make backwashing easier — only 5-10 minutes are needed to restore 100% of the filtration capacity.
Outstanding treatment performance
In practical application, the KFM active filter media filter shows excellent treatment results. Its interception efficiency for suspended solids above 1 μm exceeds 95%, effluent oil content can be stably controlled at ≤5 mg/L and suspended solids at ≤2 mg/L, fully meeting high-standard reinjection requirements.
Compared with conventional filter media, KFM active media has significant advantages: an abrasion rate of only 0.07‰ and a breakage rate of 0.08%, with a service life of up to 15 years, far exceeding anthracite (1-2 years) and emery (1-3 years). Its backwash intensity requirement is low (12-15 L/(s·m²)), cutting energy consumption by more than 50% compared with conventional technology.
Engineering application value
The modular design of the KFM filter reduces its footprint by 30% compared with conventional systems, with a single-unit treatment capacity of up to 100 m³/h. In an oilfield project in the Congo, Africa, the technology successfully reduced oil content from 3,825 mg/L to 4.1 mg/L and suspended solids from 972 mg/L to 4.6 mg/L, demonstrating excellent engineering adaptability.
The technology uses a fully automatic PLC control system supporting remote monitoring and intelligent backwashing, greatly reducing O&M difficulty and labor costs. Its strong fouling resistance and wide adaptability make it an ideal choice for treating highly difficult polymer-bearing wastewater.
Significance for sustainable development
The wide adoption of the KFM active filter media filter not only improves polymer-bearing wastewater treatment efficiency but also provides reliable technical support for the green development and sustainability of oilfields. Its long-lasting, stable operation effectively lowers operating costs, making an important contribution to both the economic and environmental benefits of oilfields.
