In Part 3 of this series on stripper efficiency issues, we continue the discussion on some some of the many causes of lower stripper efficiency. Here we discuss liquid divider fouling and bad installation of liquid dividers.
The reliability of primary reformers is a key issue for syngas plants. Quest Integrity describes the damage mechanisms and material limitations that impact the reliability of reformer outlet systems and the improvements that may be implemented.
Industrial plants using synthesis gas at elevated temperatures risk metal dusting attack on the equipment, which are typically made of steels or Ni-based alloys. Parameters which impact the metal dusting risk are discussed and factors affecting the material selection and processing are described. One important focus is surface preparation, showing that grinding (40 grit) improves the metal dusting resistance compared to glass bead blasting and brushing. The surface treatment outweighs the impact of welds or the manufacturing route.
MECS, Inc. (MECS) has developed a new impaction-based mist eliminator called Brink® Prime Impact™ , which offers equivalent or improved efficiency at higher throughput and the same pressure drop as traditional impaction beds, resulting in the ability to debottleneck existing inter-pass absorption towers and final absorption towers in sulphuric acid plants or design new or replacement towers with smaller diameters, thus reducing investment cost.
This case study reports on the successful collaboration of two experienced partner companies to replace the problematic upper part of a co-current flow quench tower in a spent acid plant and shows the benefits of using resistant, pre-lined workshop fabricated equipment.
Gouda Refractories continues to upgrade its refractory solutions for the sulphur recovery industry as well as developing new superior products for installations operating at higher temperatures due to oxygen enrichment.
In this case study AGRU Kunststofftechnik reports on how a new condenser design, engineered by OMV and INWA AG using PFA sheets from AGRU, was implemented at OMV refinery in Austria to address maintenance problems due to corrosion of the wet sulphuric acid (WSA) condensers and the follow-up units.
In this review article, Hatch’s Jayden Ladebruk, Lyndsay Tran, Amelia Parrenin, and Edward DeRose outline the wide range of phosphoric acid production technologies, and discuss how industry challenges are influencing the choice of phosphoric acid process.
Advances in technology, equipment and reagents are enhancing phosphate fertilizer production. Optimisation of standard equipment is also vital for ensuring process efficiency.
The refurbishment and modernisation of fertilizer plants offers the opportunity to reduce operating costs, raise production capacity, improve energy efficiency and cut emissions.