Atmospheric Distillation column

The atmospheric distillation column is functioning with a particular crude in a way that is very abnormal.It has never behaved this way before with this particular crude.The problem is,
1-The temperature at which the top product is been drawn is at about 175C.It was surpose to be around 139C
2-The pressure at the flash point is equal to the pressure at the top of the column,i.e 2.5Bars.
3-No liquid is been drawn by the top most pumparound due to the fact that the TIC is reading a temperature superior to what it was surpose to read.
What can be done in other to bring back the operating conditions to normal?

Hi Padovano,

Usually no dP across column mean no trays on place. It is possible that trays are damaged, did you have some upset during new crude processing?
Also to make explanation clear I have few questions:
What is your “usual” dP across column?
What happens with naphtha, side streams, and bottom product quality and does yields corresponds to crude oil assay?
Does temperature profile besides top temperature looks normal?

Note to your point 3: if TIC reading is high it should ask for more TPA, not for less. No liquid from that tray (suppose chimney) can indicate that tray is damaged.


Regards,

Milutin

I agree with Milutin no dP across the column meant no trays in place.

Make a gama scanning across your column to check for trays or packing damages

Go to


good luck

luismarques

It would be interesting to hear if you had an upset or pressure surge to damage the trays.

Gamma Scanning the tower will let you know the status of the trays (if they are in place, missing or damaged) as well as any fluid operating characteristics of the tower if the trays are in place (liquid height on trays, flooding, entrainment, foaming, etc.)

Check out Scanning Technologies at for more information on Gamma Scanning, what it can and can not do for you.

D