What are the salt formation phenomena in coking fractionation towers?
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How to determine salt formation in a distillation tower?
When salt deposition occurs in the distillation column, the following phenomena occur: (1) The adjustment of the column top temperature becomes inflexible. (2) The frequency of pumping out events in the tower top circulation return pump has increased significantly. (3) There is severe overlap between gasoline and light diesel. The flash point of the light diesel is not up to standard, and it cannot be adjusted even by using steam from the bottom of the tower. When adjusting using reflux, the issue of non-conforming dry spots reoccurs. (4) When severe salt crystallization occurs, light diesel cannot be extracted.
The temperature difference between the diesel extraction layer and the layer returning to the tower has increased; I’m not sure of the reason. Could salt formation be affecting the diesel?
Salt formation is a hassle; operational fluctuations are significant, and the three balances in the distillation column are disrupted, resulting in reduced separation efficiency, which necessitates washing