Industrial WWTP Nov 2021 – Nov 2024 Saudi Aramco

Self-Cleaning Strainers — Ain Dar SRF Plant

Automatic self-cleaning strainers added upstream of the Ain Dar sulfate-removal plant’s cartridge filters, ending the high frequency of cartridge replacement on the 92,000 m³/day seawater intake.

Self-Cleaning Strainers — Ain Dar SRF Plant
Capacity
92,000 m³/day
Technology
Automatic SCS 100 µm → Automatic SCS 50 µm → Microprocessor DPS auto-backwash
Timeline
Nov 2021 – Nov 2024
Project type
Pre-filtration retrofit
Executive summary

Automatic self-cleaning strainers for the seawater pre-filtration system of the Sulphate Removal Plant, eliminating the heavy cartridge-filter replacement downtime. Two-stage 100 µm + 50 µm filtration with SS-316 sintered screens and a special seawater-duty coating.

IE-Consult reviewed the recurring cartridge-filter (CF) issue and proposed a four-train SCS — each train a 100-micron stage followed by a 50-micron stage — to protect and extend CF life. FK & Partner Co. selected, supplied, fabricated piping, and commissioned on site.

The challenge

The seawater pre-filtration system (basket strainer + 10- and 5-micron cartridge filters) suffered a high frequency of cartridge replacement, driving cost and downtime on a 92,000 m³/day intake.

Site & process constraints
  • Frequent, costly cartridge-filter replacement
  • Corrosive seawater duty
  • High flow — 92,000 m³/day
Engineering approach

A treatment train sequenced to the contaminants.

Automatic SCS 100 µm → Automatic SCS 50 µm → Microprocessor DPS auto-backwash

Four SCS trains with SS-316 multi-layered sintered screens (100 µm then 50 µm), fully coated for seawater duty, with a microprocessor differential-pressure controller triggering automatic backwash — removing manual CF changeouts.

SS-316 + special coating: selected for Gulf seawater corrosion, not a temperate spec.
Auto-backwash: differential-pressure trigger eliminates manual intervention.
Technical specifications
Equipment & key parameters (from the project scope)
Equipment / parameterApplication / value
SCS SS-316, 100 µm4 units
SCS SS-316, 50 µm4 units
Microprocessor Controller2 units
Capacity92,000 m³/day
Capacity92,000 m³/day
Project typePre-filtration retrofit
Implementation
Nov 2021
SCS supplied, installed, and commissioned.
Nov 2024
Initial contract term completed.
Results & outcomes

Eliminates manual cartridge-filter downtime

Two-stage 100 µm + 50 µm filtration

SS-316 with seawater-duty corrosion coating

Verified post-commissioning performance figures (achieved effluent, throughput, uptime) to be confirmed — see CONTENT_GAPS.

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