What are the hazards of water carried back by the reflux stream to the operation?
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What are the hazards of water carried back by the reflux stream to the operation?
The specific gravity of water is greater than that of oils, which affects the heat balance within the tower. An imbalance in heat distribution within the tower disrupts this balance. As water rises inside the tower and vaporizes along with the gas phase, its higher upward velocity means that the liquid phase cannot fall back down, which can lead to flooding of the tower and an excessive accumulation of liquid on the tray surfaces. This disrupts the normal operation process and results in substandard products.
Under normal circumstances, water carried back by the reflux stream can cause overpressure in the tower, lead to frequent fluctuations in tower pressure, and if not addressed promptly, it may even result in the safety valve activating. When water is returned to the column, the greater the return flow rate, the worse the performance of the column. It is best to appropriately reduce the reflux within the limits permitted by the system, and carry out dehydration treatment of the system