Heavy oil glass plate
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What is the performance of glass plates when used with heavy oil (catalyzed slurry, vacuum residue from atmospheric and vacuum distillation)? And how should they be maintained to ensure optimal performance?
We basically never use it, and even if we did, heavy oil has high viscosity, so it sticks to the glass plate and makes it difficult to observe the liquid level.
In my catalytic distillation tower, in addition to the glass plates, there are also float level gauges on site, which provide a more intuitive way of monitoring the level
It’s just an ornament; it was turned off early. Let’s increase the discrepancy
Everything except the float level gauge was removed, mainly due to the high viscosity which made it difficult to read the level accurately.
The effect is very poor; it’s basically invisible. It’s best to install a flushing pipeline to flush the system regularly, and also to improve the insulation around the level gauge
For both the distillation column and the atmospheric pressure column in my catalytic unit, double-flange float level gauges are used. The glass plates of these gauges have been removed as they were damaged; the level controlled by the double-flange gauges is kept between 45% and 50%. At this time, the float level gauge shows values fluctuating between 90% and 100%. If either of the level readings shows abnormal fluctuations, I go to the site to adjust the float in order to determine the actual level. The flap-type level gauges used on-site in the catalytic feed oil tanks and reprocessed oil tanks are quite useful.
Is a flap-type level gauge suitable for use with heavy oil as the medium?
The glass plates used at normal pressure are not effective; the catalytic fractionation tower has never been put into use. For the raw material re-refining tanks, the flap-type valves have proven to be very useful – they can be seen from a distance and no problems have occurred with them； The flip-type valves used in the tanks for adding passivators and scale inhibitors don’t work well and keep failing; it’s necessary to have a technician use a magnet to adjust them. Once such a valve gets damaged, it has to be replaced
Ensuring proper insulation and heat tracing is no problem.