Issues related to maintenance purging of MTBE plants
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During the shutdown steam purging of the catalyst bed in an MTBE unit, a pungent and unpleasant odor is emitted. What causes this? During steam purging, the catalyst undergoes partial hydrolysis to produce sulfuric acid. Concentrated sulfuric acid reacts with carbon steel to produce sulfur dioxide. The smell at the scene also didn’t resemble that of sulfur dioxide. During steam purging of the catalytic distillation column, sulfonates formed by the detachment of sulfonate ions clog the orifice tubes of the distribution plate in the upper part of the catalyst bed. What are the effects of blocked orifice tubes? I humbly request guidance from the experts who happen to pass by. Thank you! ! !
*I’ve been working in the sea industry for 9 years, and I’ve experienced two shutdowns without this happening. The etherification catalyst does not produce sulfuric acid; when purging the reactor, it is best to do so from the bottom towards the flare
Before shutting down, the catalyst bed contained MTBE; steam purging would result in a strong odor. It is possible to first purge it with nitrogen toward the flare or underground tank (if available), and steam purging should be carried out from above, with exhaust released from the top.
Won’t the environmental protection agency investigate you for doing this? There’s a strong smell in the area!