Section 04 - Fractionation

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    FractionationFractionation

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    Task Checklist

    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    Z Basic Concepts

    Z Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    Z Contacting Devices

    Z Tray Hardware Definitions

    Z Tray Hydraulics

    Z Packing Hydraulics

    Z Other Process Considerations

    Z Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

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    Did You Know?

    Oldest and most important petrochemical manufacturing process

    Equipment accounts for 30% of all investments today

    Consumes 70% of all energy at plant

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    More on Fractionation

    Separate feed into products

    according to boiling point

    Products sent to finished

    product tank or further

    processed by other units

    Multiple products and feeds

    common

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    Objective Questions

    How can you improve separation efficiency?

    How do you decide on the optimum number of trays for a new

    tower?

    What sets a towers operating pressure?

    What are my options to increase a towers vapor / liquid handlingcapacity?

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    Designers Role

    Perform HMB calculations to develop tower loadings

    New Towers Select optimum tower size, contacting device, and internals to meet

    process requirements

    Existing Towers

    Select optimum contacting device and internals to improve

    performance or expand capacity

    Screening - Apply Concepts to Troubleshoot Problems

    Prepare Design Package (Consult with Specialist)

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    Engineers Toolbox

    XOM DP Section III

    (Intranet)

    Simulation Tool (PRO/II or

    HYSIS)

    Pegasys ExxonMobil TowerInternals Program - EMoTIP

    Fractionation Specialists

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    Task Checklist

    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    XBasic ConceptsZ Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    Z Contacting Devices

    Z Tray Hardware Definitions

    Z Tray Hydraulics

    Z Packing Hydraulics

    Z Other Process Considerations

    Z Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

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    Conventional Tower

    Reflux Ratio = R / D

    R

    D

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    Rules of Thumb

    More Reflux

    More Trays More Separation

    Lower Pressure

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    BINARY DISTILLATION: MCCABE - THIELE DIAGRAM

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    MINIMUM REFLUX

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    TOTAL REFLUX - MINIMUM STAGES

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    Stages Versus Reflux

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    Optimum Reflux Ratio

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    ESTIMATING ACTUAL REFLUX RATIO AND ACTUAL NUMBER OF STAGES

    General Rule of Thumb--

    RACTUAL = (1.1 TO 1.35) x R MIN

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    Task Checklist

    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic ConceptsXSpecifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    Z Contacting Devices

    Z Tray Hardware Definitions

    Z Tray Hydraulics

    Z Packing Hydraulics

    Z Other Process Considerations

    Z Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

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    Factors to consider:

    Temperature of available condensing fluid (air, water, etc.)

    Wheres the overhead product go?

    Is the overhead totally condensed?

    Possible Limitations:+ Bottoms temperature (cracking / color)

    + Reboiler

    + Critical Point (poor separation)

    How much pressure drop is acceptable?

    Operating Pressure

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    Operating Temperature

    Fixed once product specifications and

    pressure are set

    Dew Point Calculation

    Overhead temp.

    Bubble Point Calculations

    Bottoms temp.

    Flash Calculations

    Reflux temp.

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    Feed Condition

    If not specified, start with bubble

    point feed - Then optimize.

    Adjust temp. to balance tower

    loading

    Other Considerations:

    Reflux vs. Reboiler Duty / Costs

    Quenching

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    HIGH FEED TEMPERATURE

    L

    RECYCLE GAS

    COMPRESSORPRODUCT

    FUEL GAS CONTROL:

    FEED RATE

    PRODUCT VAPOR PRESSURE

    PRODUCT SULFUR

    OVERHEAD DRUM LEVEL

    FEED

    OVERRIDE

    F

    A VAPOR PRESSURE

    SULFUR

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    Simulation Inputs

    Feed Rate and Composition

    VLE Data Method

    Specifications & Control

    Variables

    Operating Pressure

    Initial Guess (If Required)

    For Rating: Plant Test Data

    Pressure, Temperature Profile

    Lab Data (Complete Set of Samples)

    Tray Efficiencies

    See DP III-I Table 2; Estimates

    from Past Designs

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    Tower Specif ications

    Specifications: usually on product quality or temperatures Can be mathematical

    Avoid specifying rate. Better to specify % recovery or fraction.

    Condenser temperature

    Variables: usually condenser / reboiler duty

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    ProII Condensers

    Stage 1, if present

    Different Types

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    ProII Reboilers

    Last Stage(s)

    Kettle or Thermosiphon

    Kettle

    Thermosiphon specify if have baffle or not

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    KETTLE REBOILER

    Advantages:

    + Additional fractionation stage

    Disadvantages:

    - Low NPSH to downstream pump- Very low hold-up

    - Tubes can dry out

    - High temperature increase

    - Large plot space

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    VERTICAL THERMOSIPHON REBOILER

    -Advantages:

    + Partial fractionation stage

    + Low plot space

    + Low temperature increase

    Disadvantages:

    - Partial fractionation stage- High circulation rate

    - Pressure drop critical

    - Limited duty

    - Difficult to clean

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    HORIZONTAL THERMOSIPHON REBOILER

    -Advantages:+ Partial fractionation stage

    + Large duty

    + Low temperature increase

    + LowerP than vertical

    Disadvantages:- Partial fractionation stage

    - High circulation rate

    - Pressure drop critical

    - Large plot space

    - Large piping

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    Column Stage Summary

    Number of Stages Condenser (1)

    Theoretical Trays (#)

    Can also use Actual Trays * Tray

    Efficiency Efficiency will be different above and

    below feed

    Reboiler (1 or 2)

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    Simulation Strategy

    Optimize Reflux Ratio, Stages, Feed Condition, and Feed

    Location

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    Simulation Pitfalls

    Save / Backup cases often.

    Viscosity (high temperature), otherproperties may need to be verified.

    Others?

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    SIMULATION RESULTS

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    Task Checklist

    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic Concepts

    X Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    XContacting DevicesZ Tray Hardware Definitions

    Z Tray Hydraulics

    Z Packing Hydraulics

    Z Other Process ConsiderationsZ Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

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    Device Categories

    Conventional Trays

    High Capacity Trays(Proprietary)

    Random Packing

    Structured Packing

    Baffles, Sheds, and Grid

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    Valve Up to 5:1 Turndown

    5-10% higher capacity over sieve

    Marginally higher cost

    Not recommended for fouling

    services

    Jet hExxon Design for High Liquid

    Loads

    Efficiency ~20% less than sieve

    Mainly used in pumparounds

    Conventional Trays

    Sieve Most Widely Used

    2:1 Turndown

    Low Cost (Nonproprietary)

    Bubble Cap Standard until 1950s

    High Cost

    Maintenance / Inspection Difficult

    Excellent Turndown

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    Pumparound Definition

    Method to provide towerreflux by cooling tower liquid

    Draw-off intermediate liquid

    Cool liquid by pumping itthrough heat exchanger

    Return liquid to tower

    Use trays/packing to return

    Can provide high value heat

    Reduces OH condenser

    duty Reduces furnace duty

    Reduces liquid traffic intower

    Can reduce tower diameter

    Increases tower heightsince pumparound traysare for heat transfer, notfractionation

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    High Performance Fixed Valves (Increase vapor handling capacity)

    Koch-Glitsch PROVALVE

    Directional effect reduces fouling and vapor jetting/entrainment

    10-15% jet flood capacity advantage to 1/2 (13mm) sieve trays

    Sulzer MVG

    High Capacity Trays

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    High Capacity Trays (Cont.)

    Enhanced Downcomer(Increase vapor handling capacity) Koch-Glitsch

    Nye

    MaxFrac

    SuperFrac

    Triton

    Sulzer MVG-T

    (not shown)

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    High Capacity Trays (Cont.)

    Multiple Downcomers UOP

    MD and ECMD

    ~20% higher capacity, but lower efficiency

    than conventional sieve tray

    Limited access; not recommended for

    fouling (Very difficult to clean / inspect)

    Sulzer Shell HiFi

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    MD and ECMD Tray Unit Cells

    W t M Hi h C it T I f ti ?

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    Want More High Capacity Tray Information?

    Read recently released:EE48E2008, Application Guidelines For Debottlenecking Light EndsTowers With Enhanced Capacity Fractionation Trays

    R d P ki

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    Random Packing

    1ST Generation Berl Saddle

    Intalox Saddle

    Rashig Ring

    2ND Generation Pall Ring

    Flexirings

    Ballast Rings

    Slotted Rings

    3RD

    Generation CMR IMTP

    Nutter Ring

    Rashig Super-Ring

    R d P ki (C t )

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    Random Packing (Cont.)

    Packing can usually provide higher capacity and better efficiency than

    trays.

    As size increases, the capacity increases while the pressure drop, cost,and efficiency decrease.

    Usually not first choice for new designs

    Consider for:

    Small tower diameter (

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    Packing Warning

    Fire Hazard: Some sites prevent hot work above a packed bed

    DP III-G (Packing and Grid)

    Structured Packing

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    Structured Packing

    Conventional Koch-Glitsch: Flexipac, Intalox Sulzer: Mellapak

    Montz: Montz-Pak Type B1

    High Capacity Koch-Glitsch: Flexipac HC, Intalox Sulzer: Mellapak Plus

    Montz: Montz-Pak Type M

    Structured Packing (Cont )

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    Structured Packing (Cont.)

    Why Structured Packing?

    Lowest pressure drop per stage

    Best capacity / efficiency combination device Less sensitive to liquid maldistribution than random packing

    Recently, cost is much more competitive with random packing

    Why Not Structured Packing?

    Not recommended for high pressure towers - above 100 psia (7

    kg/cm2) due to poor test results, or where liquid rate exceeds 20

    gpm/ft2

    (13.6 dm3

    /s*m2

    ) unless application is high pressureaqueous system.

    Grid

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    Grid

    Used for entrainment removal where fouling is too severe for acrinkle wire mesh screen (CWMS)

    High Open Area

    Prevents plugging

    Low Surface Area

    Low efficiency

    Baffles

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    Baffles

    Large Open Area

    Prevents plugging

    Low Liquid Residence Time

    Prevents coking

    Practice Tower Internal Type

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    Practice Tower Internal Type

    What type of tower internal would you use for the following? Desuperheating reactor effluent in bottom of a fractionator?

    Vacuum fractionator

    High pressure light ends tower

    24 (610mm) diameter absorber

    Recycle gas absorber (remove H2S from H2)

    Tail gas absorber (remove H2S from Sulfur Plant effluent)

    Pumparound section of large fractionator

    Device Selection Criteria

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    Device Selection Criteria

    Fouling Tendency

    Good Liquid & Vapor Handling Capacity

    Good Contacting efficiency

    Acceptable Pressure Drop

    Predictable Turndown Characteristics

    Economical

    See DP III-A Tables 3-5

    Device Selection Procedure

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    Device Selection Procedure

    New Design

    Start with trays, unless pressuredrop is critical. If need low dP,consider 2 (50mm) random packing.

    Calculate optimum tray spacing,diameter, and layout (i.e. bubble areaand downcomer dimensions) by trial anderror to avoid downcomer and jet

    flood limitations.(Use Pegasys / EMoTIP)

    Then select best device type basedon Device Selection Criteria.

    (See DP III-A Tables 3&5 Decision Trees)

    Dont consider High Capacity Traysfor new towers - Instead IncreaseDiameter, etc.

    Revamp

    Rate existing contacting device to identify

    potential limitations (i.e. downcomer, jet

    flood, etc.)

    (See Table 1 Design Principles in appropriate

    DP III Section)

    Identify new layout and device where all

    design parameters are satisfied

    (Use Pegasys / EMoTIP)

    Consider:

    Multi-pass Conventional Trays

    High Performance Fixed Valves

    Enhanced Downcomer Trays

    Multiple Downcomer Trays

    Packing

    Trays vs. Packing

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    Trays vs. Packing

    XOM DP III-A Table 3D -- Fouling Tendencies

    Task Checklist

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    as C ec st

    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic Concepts

    X Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    X Contacting Devices

    XTray Hardware Definitions

    Z Tray Hydraulics

    Z Packing Hydraulics

    ZOther Process Considerations

    Z Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

    Common Pass Arrangements

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    g

    Downcomer Types

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    yp

    Stepped / Sloped: Provide sufficient DC inlet area for adequate vapor / froth

    disengagement while maximizing bubble area

    Downcomer Expansion

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    Can expand downcomer without welding Commonly called Z-bar or downcomer adapter

    Exiting Downcomer

    Bolting Bar

    Exiting Tray Support

    Ring

    Koch-Glitsch supplied

    Downcomer Adapter

    Weir Types

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    Picketing: Can reduce spray

    regime operation by increasing

    effective liquid height; Also

    used to balance multipass

    designs by making their

    effective weir lengths the

    same.

    Downcomer Seal Techniques

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    Design should ensure vapor cannot bypass a tray by flowing upward

    through the DC resulting in poor efficiency.

    Process SealMechanical Seals

    Area Definitions

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    Also see DP III-A, Figures 12-13

    Task Checklist

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    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic Concepts

    X Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    X Contacting Devices

    X Tray Hardware Definitions

    XTray Hydraulics

    Z Packing Hydraulics

    Z Other Process Considerations

    Z Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

    Hydraulic Limitations

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    VAPOR

    Jet Flooding

    Ultimate Capacity

    Flow Regimes

    Entrainment

    LIQUID

    Downcomer Backup

    Secondary Limitations:

    Liquid Rate per Inch of Weir

    Downcomer Choking

    Velocity Under the Downcomer Downcomer Seal

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    FRI VIDEO

    Jet Flooding

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    At high vapor rates, liquid is

    jetted to tray above

    Vapor handling limitation; sets

    design in most cases

    Expressed as Percent;

    Rigorously Calculated(See DP III-B / Use Pegasys)

    Related to vapor velocity

    through the free area

    Strong function of:

    Tower Diameter

    Tray Spacing

    Jet Flooding and Efficiency

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    XOM Jet Flood Limit

    85

    Late Breaking News: XOM Jet Flood

    Limit now 80% for new designs

    Problem Jet Flood

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    What steps can we take to reduce jet flood, and what are the

    drawback for each?

    Ultimate Capacity

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    Highest vapor rate tower can handle -- Stokes Law

    Cannot be increased by hardware changes; only way to increase

    it is by increasing the tower diameter

    Flow Regimes

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    To Eliminate Spray Regime:

    Use Picket Fence Weirs

    Increase Open Area

    Use Smaller Sized Orifices

    Use Valve Trays

    Entrainment

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    Liquid [drops] carried by the

    vapor to the tray above

    Design should limit entrainment

    to 10% of the tray liquid rate

    Function of:

    Vapor Rate

    Liquid Rate

    Tray Spacing

    Other Hardware Parameters

    Downcomer Backup

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    DC froth height expressed as

    percent of tray spacing plus the

    weir height

    DC Filling Components:

    hi = inlet head; f(inlet & outlet weir)

    ht = total tray dP

    hud = head loss under DC;

    f(DC Clearance)

    hdc = head loss due to two-phase

    flow in DC

    Percent Downcomer Flood

    P f it i t h l t i t fl di lt f

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    Performance criteria to see how close a tower is to flooding as a result of

    excessive froth height in the downcomer

    Represents actual vapor / liquid rates as a percent of the rates which cause 100%

    DC Backup

    Rigorously Calculated

    (See DP III / Use Pegasys)

    Flooding Symptoms

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    Jet Flooding

    Tower unstable

    Liquid entrainment intooverhead system; sharp

    increase in reflux rate with no

    separation improvement

    Pressure drop increases sharplywith a small incremental

    increase in vapor rate

    Separation efficiency gradually

    decreases

    Downcomer Flooding

    Tower unstable, surging

    High pressure drop with a smallincrease in either vapor or liquid

    rate

    Separation efficiency suddenly

    decreases

    Loss of tower bottoms liquid

    level

    Problem Downcomer Backup

    Wh t t h 2 ff t d filli ?

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    What parameter has a 2x affect on downcomer filling?

    Name steps we can take to lower downcomer filling, and what

    drawbacks for each.

    Secondary Liquid Hydraulic Limitations

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    Liquid Rate per Inch of Weir The accuracy of the Jet flood and DC Flood correlations can only be

    ensured within the range of liquid rates used to develop them.

    Downcomer Choking results when the DC inlet area is too small.

    Velocity Under the Downcomer

    If too high, can produce channeling effect leading to vapor / liquid

    maldistribution on the tray.

    Downcomer Seal

    If not sealed, vapor can bypass the tray and flow upward through the

    downcomer resulting in reduced efficiency.

    Two types: Mechanical [Static]

    Process [Dynamic]

    Tray Hydraulics

    DP III-B P.20-22

    SIEVE TRAY DESIGN PARAMETERS

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    DP III-B P.20-22

    SIEVE TRAY DESIGN PARAMETERS

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    Task Checklist

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    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic Concepts

    X Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    X Contacting Devices

    X Tray Hardware Definitions

    X Tray Hydraulics

    XPacking Hydraulics

    Z Other Process Considerations

    Z Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

    Packing Hydraulics

    Packing Hydraulics

    Flooding -- (Use Pegasys)

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    Flooding (Use Pegasys)

    Harder to define than tray hydraulics (i.e. no tray spacing or downcomerto fill with liquid)

    As vapor rate increases, liquid accumulates and the pressure drop

    begins to rise more sharply.

    With further increases in vapor rate, the pressure drop rises almostvertically and liquid stacks up on top of the packing.

    Ultimate Capacity -- (Use Pegasys)

    Similar to tray hydraulics

    Packing Hydraulics

    Task Checklist

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    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic Concepts

    X Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    X Contacting Devices

    X Tray Hardware Definitions

    X Tray Hydraulics

    X Packing Hydraulics

    XOther Process Considerations

    Z Other Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

    Packing Hydraulics

    Tray Efficiency

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    Overall Efficiency, EO, is a measure of the effectiveness of an entire

    tower or tower section.

    Allows designer to determine the number of actual trays to provide and

    sets the tower height.

    Actual Trays = Theoretical Stages / EO

    Calculated Rigorously - Use Pegasys

    (See DP III-I)

    Factors affecting EO:

    Weir Height

    Flow Path Length and Number of Passes (i.e. Residence Time) Weeping or Vapor Recycle

    VLE Properties and Tower Loading

    Other Process Considerations

    Calculation of Tray And Packing Efficiency

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    # of theoretical trays = # of actual trays x tray efficiency

    Screening Estimates - See DPM III-I

    Table 2 for historical efficiencies

    Figure 8 for heavy hydrocarbons

    Rigorous Methods - DPM III-G (Packing) & DPM III-I (Trays)

    Plot y* vs x for light key and heavy key

    y* = vapor mole fraction in equilibrium with liquid

    x = liquid mole fraction

    Input slope into PEGASYS tray program

    Estimating Tray Efficiency

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    Estimating Tray Efficiency, Heavy Hydrocarbons

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    Packing Height

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    To specify correct packing height, designer must calculate height

    equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP)

    Packing Height = Theoretical Stages x HETP

    HETP must be calculated rigorously - Use Pegasys

    (See DP III-G)

    Other methods for packing efficiency exist, but HETP applies to most

    systems

    Factors affecting HETP:

    Distributor Design

    Packing Size / Geometry

    VLE Properties and Tower Loading

    Other Process Considerations

    Turndown

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    Defines range of loadings for acceptable device performance

    Excessive Weeping Decreases Efficiency

    Other Process Considerations

    Dry Tray Pressure Drop, hed

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    Dry tray dP is important because:

    If its too high --- Entrainment

    If its too low --- weeping at turndown

    Calculated based on vapor flow through device with no liquid

    present

    Function of:

    Vapor Rate Open Area / Device

    Other Process Considerations

    ( )2

    VelocityVapor

    edh

    Foaming

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    Foaming Mechanisms: Presence of surface active materials or solids

    HC entrainment or condensation in aqueous systems

    Compensate design by using: Lower percent of Jet and Downcomer Flood

    Low dry tray dP

    Low DC entrance velocity and filling

    Radial tips (shaped lips) and large DC clearance

    Provide antifoam injection facilities

    (Since degree of foaminess varies and is generally unpredictable, experience in similar

    towers may be used instead - Contact a Fractionation Specialist)

    Known Foamers

    Amine and Glycol Absorbers Caustic Towers

    Ethylene Demethanizers

    Sour Water Strippers

    Other Process Considerations

    EXISTING T-2851 RE-DISTRIBUTOR

    509

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    87

    20" Manway

    650

    1830

    20" Manway

    100

    480

    25

    Top of PackingBed Limiter

    Top Bed, 5334 deep (17.5')

    2" Pall rings

    800

    74

    254

    180 Redistributor

    110

    Bed Support

    396

    286

    357

    Bottom Bed, 5334 deep (17.5')

    2" Pall rings

    This FLEXSORB

    absorber tower

    foams. Whatchanges would

    you make to

    improve it? Units

    are in mm

    (25mm=1) unless

    stated.

    Design Contingency

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    To insure 90% chance of successful operation, safety margins

    should be adhered to and are built into EMoTIP.

    Examples

    Jet Flooding (Trays) 80-90% of predicted

    Downcomer Filling 35-50%

    Packing Flooding 80-85% of predicted

    Tray efficiency Point efficiency debited 10%

    Packing HETP Predicted divided by 0.85

    Other Process Considerations

    Trayed Tower Thoughts

    Review all designs with Fractionation Specialist

    U EM TIP t ti i t

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    Use EMoTIP as starting point

    Will not optimize open area or downcomer slope

    Design for vacuum if can occur

    Check vapor pressure of contents if reduced to ambient temperature

    Try high capacity designs instead of packing for revamps

    Prevent water from entering tower

    #1 cause of refinery tray damage

    Specify additional static pressure drop for design pressure

    Use water filled basis if not high cost

    Consider if can condense water on top tray

    BEWARE of foaming

    A well designed tower for non-foaming service will still flood if itfoams

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    90

    CONTACTING DEVICE

    PROBLEM

    Other Process Considerations

    Task Checklist

    X Introduction

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    91

    X Introduction

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic Concepts

    X Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    X Contacting Devices

    X Tray Hardware Definitions

    X Tray Hydraulics

    X Packing Hydraulics

    X Other Process Considerations

    XOther Tower Internals

    Z Tower Revamps

    Other Tower Internals

    Tray Internals

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    92 Other Tower Internals

    Perforated Pipe Distributors

    Usually directed against a downcomer

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    93

    Usually directed against a downcomer

    Use baffle to prevent downcomer boiling

    Hole/Slot Area should give 0.25-0.5 psi (0.018-0.035 kg/cm2) pressure

    drop

    (See Fluid Flow Equations, DP III-H)

    Four common types:

    Other Tower Internals

    Tower Internals Details (DP III-H)

    Pay special attention to tower inlets and outlets

    Follow directions in DP III-H

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    Follow directions in DP III H

    Leave extra tray spacing for distributors and manways

    Figure out where the manways will be

    Distributors will create high velocity areas where flooding

    can start Insulate baffle to prevent vaporization in downcomer

    0.25-0.5 psi (0.02-0.04 kg/cm2) for distributor hole/slots

    Chimneys

    Long rectangular lowest cost, then round, last square

    Size CWMS for 100% Vc, unless foaming service

    Useful fluid flow equations hidden in DP III-H

    Some drawoffs require self venting flow (eq 13)

    Chance that vapor can enter drawoff line

    Low residence time

    Lack of seal in drawoff pan (coking or fouling services)

    See also Distillation Operations, p. 89-94 (Kister)

    Packing Internals

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    95 Other Tower Internals

    Packing Liquid Distributors

    Gravity Type

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    96

    Most important packing internal

    Trough type preferred, but high cost

    Design details by vendor but must

    meet DP III-G, Appendix A criteria

    Must be installed level

    Other Tower Internals

    Packing Distributor

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    Packing Spray Nozzles

    Provide poor liquid distribution

    Plug easily; strainers required

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    Plug easily; strainers required

    upstream

    Low cost, but often require

    demister above

    Sprays in action: Water Test of

    BTRF PS 8 VPS Wash Oil

    Distributor at Turndown Rate - 2003

    Other Tower Internals

    Distribution Quality

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    All packing distributors should be

    tested at vendor shop

    Distributor should be fully

    assembled during test

    Area samples and individual

    random sample are compiled to

    verify performance

    Other Tower Internals

    Packing Supports

    Located at bottom of packed bed

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    100 Other Tower Internals

    Open Area sized for at least 100% of tower cross section to prevent flooding

    Design details by vendor

    Bed Limiters

    Restrain packing during upsets - keep out of draw nozzles, etc.

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    101 Other Tower Internals

    Fastened to clips welded to shell or suspended from distributor

    Packed Tower Details

    First, dont use packed tower unless necessary

    Low pressure drop (vacuum or atmospheric pressure tower)

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    Very small diameter tower (3 ft or 915mm or less)

    Possibly foaming, but still try trays first

    Revamp where high capacity trays still cant provide necessary

    capacity/efficiency Specify liquid distributor to meet criteria in DP-III-G Appendix A

    3/8 (10mm) minimum orifice desired, but can reduce to (6mm)

    Smaller holes may plug, resulting in poor fractionation

    Be careful of high turndown requires small orifices Specify liquid distributor to meet flow test criteria in Appendix B

    Copy both appendices and give to vendor

    Provide dual strainers on liquid feed to prevent plugging

    No bypass recommended SS piping downstream of strainers (especially if at grade)

    Liquid Draws - Trays and Packing

    Two types:

    Downcomer (Sump)

    Chi T

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    Chimney Tray

    Either type may be a partial or total draw

    Reboiler Draws are unique (see DP III-H)

    Other Tower Internals

    Reboiler Draw and Return Design11"

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    104

    3'-10"

    1' - 3"

    11"

    2"

    4"

    4"

    4"

    8"

    2'-0"

    1'-6"

    9"

    2"

    6"

    1' - 9" 3' - 3"

    4"

    2'-10"

    1'-4"

    71

    8"

    1' - 0"

    4'-10

    "

    5' - 0"

    1

    1/2"

    4"

    15

    1' - 12"

    2"

    Task Checklist

    X Introduction

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    105

    TOWER SIMULATION

    X Basic Concepts

    X Specifications

    DEVICE SELECTION

    X Contacting Devices

    X Tray Hardware Definitions

    X Tray Hydraulics

    X Packing Hydraulics

    X Other Process Considerations

    X Other Tower Internals

    XTower Revamps

    Tower Revamps

    Tower Revamps

    Always consider process alternatives first!!!(e g increase tower pressure etc )

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    106

    (e.g. increase tower pressure, etc.)

    Revamp Strategy: Rate existing tower to identify limitations

    Vapor Handling Limitation? Liquid Handling Limitation?

    Poor Separation Efficiency?

    Different Service?

    Explore high capacity tray options discussed previously before

    considering packing

    Fundamental design concepts remain the same. However, sometimes

    design criteria are too conservative - consult with a FractionationSpecialist.

    Tower Revamps

    Options Guide

    Revamp Objective: Increased capacity at constant separation efficiency

    (XOM DP III-A Table 4A)

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    107 Tower Revamps

    Debottleneck Examples

    Cheap

    Operational changes

    Expensive

    Install sloped or mod arc

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    108

    Operational changes

    Reduce weir height, increase DC

    clearance or add a shaped lip tolower DC filling

    Change tray decks

    Packed Towers:

    Increase Packing Size

    Install Structured Packing

    Replace liquid distributor(s)

    Install sloped or mod. arc

    downcomers

    Increase number of liquidpasses

    Install high capacity trays

    Changing tray spacing

    Install packing

    Change amine type or

    concentration

    Tower Revamps

    Packing Selection

    C il

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    Can easily compare

    different packing types

    using this chart

    (see DP III-G, Figure 3)

    Tower Revamps

    Expansion Example

    What consider for expansion?

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    110

    Top Trays

    160%95%45%Expansion

    150%90%42%Base

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    111

    Verify bolts are tight

    Make sure internals are put together correctly

    Levelness of weirs

    Tools Helmet mounted and hand held flashlights (explosion proof recommended)

    Rechargeable spotlight for large vessels/furnaces

    Knee pads, and maybe seating pad

    Wrench (to check bolts)

    Ruler, tape measure, and wooden blocks cut to measurement tolerances Water bottle

    Level (consider laser type)

    Hardhat, gloves, clear safety glasses, pool FRCs

    Marker or paint pen

    Shoulder bag Do not enter vessel without signing in through hole watch

    Do not even put head inside vessel without permission

    Gas test required to make sure safe

    Sign out through hole watch when leaving

    NEW T-2851 RE-DISTRIBUTOR

    20" Manway

    509

    Replace packing with

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    112

    649

    1830

    20" Manway

    Old Top of Packing

    Old Bed Limiter

    Top Bed, 5334 deep (17.5')

    Cascade Minirings #3

    825

    396

    Bottom Bed, 5182 deep (17.0')

    Cascade Minirings #3

    Bed Support

    112

    New Top of PackingNew Bed Limiter (supported by clips)

    152

    Old Redistributor (removed)

    New Redistributor

    633

    one with higher

    capacity . Newer

    packings can give

    similar performance

    with higher capacity

    (at lower % jet flood).

    Velocity through

    chimneys was 21.5

    ft/sec (6.6 m/s), with

    only 3 (76 mm) gap

    between top ofchimney and bed

    support. Chimneys

    were missing hats.

    Lower distributor

    and install hats on

    chimneys.