Motrack
Chemical
- Sep 27, 2017
- 7
Hi folks,
We have an amine reboiler that has experienced tube leaks in the "top layer" of the reboiler tube bundle. It appears that the tubes are running dry or that the CO2 is accumulating in the top of the reboiler. We plugged the leaked tubes, and guess what, the tubes right below the plugged layer started to leak. I've had some recommendations presented by different vendors - Figure (2) modify shell and add an extra vapor pipe that will have a 24" vapor liquid disengagement space (allowing the liquids to "slip" back down into the reboiler) and the vapors to escape to the Still. Seems plausible, but it is rather pricey. Figure 3 - modify control scheme to receive flow and liquid inputs to a valve that is on the downstream side of the reboiler, causing the reboiler capacity to decrease (or HO supply temp to increase). Can also increase the common outlet header to Still to a 24" instead of the existing 18". Figure 1 is the existing configuration. Another option presented is based on the material analysis of the leaked tubes, a replacement of the tube bundle with hastelloy material of construction. The material analysis cited deep external surface metal loss within localized areas due to acid corrosion from exposure to carbonic acid.
Curious if you have experienced this issue and how you corrected it.
Thanks.
We have an amine reboiler that has experienced tube leaks in the "top layer" of the reboiler tube bundle. It appears that the tubes are running dry or that the CO2 is accumulating in the top of the reboiler. We plugged the leaked tubes, and guess what, the tubes right below the plugged layer started to leak. I've had some recommendations presented by different vendors - Figure (2) modify shell and add an extra vapor pipe that will have a 24" vapor liquid disengagement space (allowing the liquids to "slip" back down into the reboiler) and the vapors to escape to the Still. Seems plausible, but it is rather pricey. Figure 3 - modify control scheme to receive flow and liquid inputs to a valve that is on the downstream side of the reboiler, causing the reboiler capacity to decrease (or HO supply temp to increase). Can also increase the common outlet header to Still to a 24" instead of the existing 18". Figure 1 is the existing configuration. Another option presented is based on the material analysis of the leaked tubes, a replacement of the tube bundle with hastelloy material of construction. The material analysis cited deep external surface metal loss within localized areas due to acid corrosion from exposure to carbonic acid.
Curious if you have experienced this issue and how you corrected it.
Thanks.
