The backwash sequence also entails the use of a dedicated backwash flow control valve, located on the

backwash inlet header, modulates according to the backwash flowrate set-point. The Control Panel receives

backwash flow feedback from the flow transmitter on the backwash inlet header. Backwash flowrate should be
temperature compensated using a temperature transmitter on the backwash water inlet header. Since water

viscosity varies with temperature, the particle settling and therefore bed fluidization expansion also changes.
To compensate for this, the backwash flowrate is increased to allow for increased temperature (lower
viscosity) and vice versa.
4.6.2

The backwash sequence logic steps are described in detail in the following sections:

4.6.2.1 Isolate
The vessel is isolated from forward flow by closing the inlet and outlet valves. At this time the feed flow is
routed to the online filter vessels.
4.6.2.2 Gas Scour
Gas is introduced to the filter by opening the gas scour isolation valve. Fuel gas will be required at a minimum
of 0.8 barg for this duty.
4.6.2.3 Backwash
The backwash is initiated by introducing raw inlet water to the filter by opening the filter backwash inlet and
backwash outlet isolation valves. Backwash flowrate is controlled by the control loop described above. The

backwash flow control valve is held closed, either through control logic or by the removal of air supply to the
valve, until the backwash is ready to commence. The valve will be ramped open to avoid shocking the bed.

The backwash expands the media bed and purges the scrubbed solids from the pores. Flow is ramped down
by the control valve around 20 seconds before the end of the backwash program. At the end of the program
the backwash inlet and outlet isolation valves are closed. Note that in most nutshell filter applications the

s design inlet flow, and the upstream system must ensure

that this flowrate is available even when the produced water total flow is low.
4.6.2.4 Settle

The filter is completely isolated and the bed is allowed to settle before the pre-service flush to allow the bed
to redistribute evenly across the filter.

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