Heat exchanger fouling in Tail Gas Treating Unit of Sulfur Plant

[ponderer]

The TGTU of our sulfur plant include a hydrogenation reactor and MDEA absorption and regeneration.

We encounter serious fouling problem in the lean/rich amine heat exchanger.

We have to shut down the unit for cleaning the heat exchanger every 3~4 months.

Is this a normal situation?

Do we need to install a spare heat exchanger?

There is a rich amine filter in the aborber bottom.It plug very often too.

 

[SEAGRAVES]

It is not typical to have a spare heat exchanger. Nor is it typical to have plugging this frequently.

What is causing the plugging of the exchanger? Iron Sulfide? Iron Carbonate?

You may want to track down the source. Your amine vendor may be able to give you some assistance.