Caustic Carryover in Rundown

[stray217]

Hi to all,

We had a recent problem wherein caustic was carried over to the rundown of a unit and I am thinking that it emulsified with the product.

I would just like to ask how caustic emulsifies with hydrocarbon? What are the known parameters wherein caustic mixes with the hydrocarbon that even settling and conitnuous water wash cannot be done?

I hope someone can help me. Thanks thanks!

 

[Jason5000]

Any chance you have a spray bar or some sort of caustic distributor? I've seen these plug up with caustic salts. At a constant caustic flow rate, the increasing velocity resulting from the fouling produces ever smaller droplets until you hit a droplet size that you just can't separate with the velocity and residence time in your system.

Did operations cut back the caustic flow to stop the carryover? Does carryover come back if you increase flow again?

A possibility, but a stab in the dark without knowing more about your particular system, though.