Can a methanol catalyst be removed directly without passivation?
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Recently, a leak occurred in a certain methanol synthesis tower (shell-and-tube type), and it was difficult to maintain pressure due to the severity of the leak. Companies face difficulties regarding how to remove the catalyst; conventionally, it is first passivated before being removed. If passivation occurs, it is difficult to maintain pressure in the system, and it is hard to remove the heat generated during passivation. If it is unloaded directly, the unloading process can cause a fire; in particular, the catalyst that remains inside the pipes will burn, thereby damaging the synthesis tower. The company is quite worried.
Yes, there are companies specialized in loading catalysts
It can be unloaded directly; a positive nitrogen pressure must be maintained inside the tower, and the material taken out should be cooled with large amounts of water
Cassitates can be removed directly, and shell-and-tube towers can also be removed directly; however, many companies still remove them after passivation.
First, cool the catalyst as much as possible to room temperature, then open the lower discharge port. Nitrogen is continuously introduced into the synthesis tower to maintain a slight positive pressure. A fire hose is connected to the discharge port, and water is sprayed during the discharge process.