Is there a possibility of polymerization-induced overpressure at the safety valve interface of the loop reactor in a polypropylene plant?
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Is there a possibility of polymerization-induced overpressure at the safety valve interface of the loop reactor in a polypropylene plant? Has any company experienced overpressure conditions? Is there a high possibility of explosion?
It hasn’t happened before, but the chances are probably low
Will this exothermic reaction cause a sharp increase in reactor pressure?
It’s impossible. First, the safety valve is connected to the discharge system; in the event of a runaway reaction, discharge will occur first as a chain reaction. Second, the safety valve will then activate to discharge fluid. After discharge through the safety valve, a vacuum will be created. Overpressure does not necessarily lead to a runaway reaction, but a runaway reaction definitely results in overpressure. As an additional point, after a runaway reaction occurs, discharge will cause polypropylene to foam up in the subsequent pipelines; since the discharge pipes are quite large, blockages are unlikely
Thank you for your detailed answer. I was wondering: in the event of a sudden pressure surge, could there be a blockage at the outlet of the safety valve? Also, when the interlock system fails to function, it is only the safety valve that can be relied on to release pressure. At such times, it is crucial that the safety valve can operate properly.
1. The pressure in the chain system is lower than the setting pressure of the safety valve; if the chain system starts operating but fails to function properly, it is possible to divert the flow and then manually open the valves at the bottom for manual control of discharge. 2. The safety valve serves as the last line of defense for protecting the reactor. In the event of thermal melting due to overheating, the safety valve will activate once the predetermined pressure is reached (the safety valves on the loop tubes are a special type with a relatively high safety factor), and there is also a safety valve at the top of each loop tube to provide an additional layer of protection. 3. When an uncontrollable situation occurs, there is a specific process to follow, and it is important to take prompt and decisive action