Related to the capacity expansion renovation of atmospheric and vacuum distillation units
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The atmospheric and vacuum distillation unit, with a processing capacity of 2.6 million tons per year, is to be expanded to 3.5 million tons per year. The original process flow was as follows: raw material → heat exchange → electrodesorption → heat exchange → primary distillation tower → heat exchange → atmospheric furnace → … Currently, there are two proposed solutions, and there is disagreement between the production workshop and the renovation project team: 1. Workshop: Maintain the original single-primary distillation tower setup, but modify the heat exchange process to meet the expanded capacity requirements. 2. Project team: Add a second primary distillation tower along with related equipment; the new process flow would be: raw material → heat exchange → electrodesorption → heat exchange → primary distillation tower → heat exchange → second primary distillation tower → atmospheric furnace → … Experts, please analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these two solutions to determine which one is more suitable!
Scientifically speaking, you can commission a design institute to calculate the process flow.
Can both electrodialysis and atmospheric/ vacuum distillation columns meet the requirements after capacity expansion?
Some internal components need to be replaced, while the main structures of equipment such as electrodeionizers, towers, and heating furnaces will not undergo any modifications.
The conventional approach is the first option; I think the second option is not reliable. The reason for this is that the diameter of the tower might change after capacity expansion. Even if the process is feasible, there may not be enough space on site. It is still necessary to follow the conventional approach, That is, the first option, and further calculations will be required by the design institute
Personal opinion: 1. How much is the cost for the renovation? The second option clearly requires the addition of another tower unit. 2. Increase production by 900,000 tons, provided that no major changes to the equipment itself are required to achieve this. The first option is still recommended, after all, it requires less investment and offers good value for money.
The choice of plan is determined based on the investment amount. The main equipment also needs to be considered; based on experience, the heat exchange area and desalination efficiency both need to be increased. Replacing the tower internals will meet the requirements
Some internal components need to be replaced, while the main structures of equipment such as electrodeionizers, towers, and heating furnaces will not undergo any modifications.