In a atmospheric and vacuum distillation unit, why is the carbon monoxide content in the reduced pressure gas high? Please give some advice
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The carbon monoxide content in the initial overhead gas and the overhead gas from the atmospheric distillation unit is zero, and the air content is also very low. However, in recent days the carbon monoxide content in the reduced overhead gas has suddenly increased to 16–17%. Since yesterday, the air content in this gas has also risen abruptly. Please advise me on why this is happening, what the consequences are, and how to resolve it
There’s a leak in the negative pressure system; check it right away! Impact? In mild cases, it affects the vacuum level; in severe cases, an explosion can occur.
Agree with the moderator’s view. Since the pressure inside the vacuum tower is lower than atmospheric pressure, in the event of a leak in the equipment or process pipelines, no visible signs of oil leakage will be apparent; instead, air is drawn into the tower. A small amount of air that leaks in generally does not affect the vacuum system, but when a large amount of air leaks in, it can reduce the vacuum level, so it is necessary to carefully locate the source of the leak. It is possible to determine whether there is a leak by analyzing the data on the gas emitted from the roof removal process. Under normal conditions, the N2 content in this gas is low; however, this value varies depending on the specific equipment, ranging from about 3% to 5%, and in some cases it can be as high as over 10% (by volume). If the carbon monoxide level is too high, it needs further consideration.