This document discusses fuller's earth treatment. Fuller's earth is a type of clay that can remove contaminant molecules from fluids through adsorption rather than filtration. It has a unique ability to capture surfactant molecules due to its high surface area. Fuller's earth elements used for treatment have a coated steel construction to prevent migration and withstand high pressures and temperatures during use. They are designed to allow slow fluid flow for optimal adsorption of contaminants over time.

1. Fuller’s Earth Treatment
WHITE PAPER
© 2017 AGC Refining & Filtration LLC

2. AGC REFINING & FILTRATION
FULLER’S EARTH TREATMENT 2
Contents
Fuller’s Earth Elements 3
Construction 3
Application 4

3. AGC REFINING & FILTRATION
FULLER’S EARTH TREATMENT 3
Fuller’s Earth Elements
Clay treatment is not clay filtration. To use fuller’s earth or activated alumina to remove certain
contaminants from a fluid means to treat or process that fluid, not to filter it. To filter means to remove
particles by trapping them on the filter medium. Fuller’s earth or activated alumina removes contaminant
molecules by adsorption (polar attraction). If a fuller’s earth or activated alumina element is loaded up
with solids particles, it is prevented from doing its intended function: removal of surfactants.
A surfactant is a surface active agent that acts between two different compounds. Some act between
water and solid particles; some act between petroleum products and solids. Some surfactants act
between petroleum products and water preventing equipment such as coalescer-separators from
functioning properly because they form a surface film around water drops and keep the drops from
coalescing together. Surfactants prevent coalescing!
Fuller’s earth has a unique ability to capture molecules of surfactants. It is a mineral called attapulgus clay
that is made into filter elements. Its appearance is that of fine sand, but each particle consists of a lattice
work of microscopic passages. The net surface area of one pound of fuller’s earth is over 13 acres.
The large surface area allows the particles to capture surfactant molecules. The most important factor in
adsorption is residence time. The slower the flow, the better the adsorption. The optimum flow rate
through a 7 in. by 18 in. (18 cm by 46 cm) standard fuller’s earth or activated alumina element is 1 gallon
(4 liters) per minute.
Data Sheet: Adsorbent Treatment Elements
Part
Number
Adsorbent
Medium
Media
Mesh
Media
Amount
Element Dimensions
(Internal Diam. x Outer Diam. x
Length)
A30025-000 Fuller’s earth 50-80 14 lbs.
2.25 in. x 7 in. x 18 in.
(5.72 cm x 17.78 cm x 45.72 cm)
A30051-000 Fuller’s earth 50-80 30 lbs.
2.25 in. x 11 in. x 18 in.
(5.72 cm x 27.94 cm x 45.72 cm)
A30035-000 Fuller’s earth 50-80 45 lbs.
2.25 in. x 11 in. x 22 in.
(5.72 cm x 27.94 cm x 55.88 cm)
A30218-000 Activated alumina 40-100 15 lbs.
2.25 in. x 7 in. x 18 in.
(5.72 cm x 17.78 cm x 45.72 cm)
Construction
 Coated steel end flanges with Buna-N gaskets
 Coated and perforated center tube
 Migration preventive barrier around center tube
 Resin-impregnated perforated outer jacket
 100 psig (689,476 Pa) collapse strength
 300°F (149°C) maximum operating temperature


4. AGC REFINING & FILTRATION
FULLER’S EARTH TREATMENT 4
Application
 Optimum flow rate is 1 gallon (4 liters) per minute, per 7 in. x 18 in. (17.78 cm x 45.72 cm)
element.
 Heavy water and solids concentration in the fluid to be treated require pre-treatment.
 Activated alumina has approximately three times the acid adsorption capacity of fuller’s earth. It
also has a higher specific surface area per unit volume.
 Clean element pressure drops are generally less than 5 psid (34,474 Pa). 

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