"wet" regeneration gas molsieve ASU

[cryotechnic]

Today we faced some problems with our regenerationgas steamheater in our ASU. It appeared that the steamheater was leaking, so the dewpoint of our regenerationgas after the heater was rising (normally -120Cdp, now -30Cdp)
Because we have no electricheaters as a backup, we had to shut down the plant.

We had the discussion what the impact on the zeoliet is. Of course, you will not regenerate your molsieve properly. But some people in our company also think that it will destroy the molsievemass, but no one did know exactly the theorie about this.

who can help??

Cryotechnic

 

[TomOC]

Moisture does not destroy the molsieve. It is designed to take water out as well as carbon dioxide. Sometimes the molsieve can be brought back through elevated regen temp. Do you have the possibility of using higher steam temp? MolSieve can be also baked-out at the factory in some cases. Perhaps all is not wetted and a partial removal and top off charge could take care of the matter.

Sincerely,

TomOC

 

[asukid99]

You may be OK. You need to monitor your CO2 toward the end of the cycle. If you are getting breakthroughs when you weren't before then you need to regenerate the sieve at significantly elevated temperatures. The problem is that the zeolite sieve will adsorb the water before the CO2 and cannot be regenerated with the normal regeneration process. Therefore, you essentially may have less sieve available for CO2 adsorption. If you haven't noticed any breakthroughs yet, you probably can wait until your next scheduled derime for the special reactivation. Good luck!

 

[cryotechnic]

Thanks!
Sofar we didn't have problems. We're good for now.

Greetings,
Cryo

"Math is the ruler of your potential succes...."